Chapter 53: The Desert Plague
Strong creatures like this one would surely provide a substantial amount of evolution points once consumed.
"Too bad you lacked enough intelligence; otherwise, I could have given you a chance to worship the Void," Harvey mused, looking at the massive head with its eyes wide open in death.
For beings with intelligence and reason, convincing them to believe in the Void and join it wasn't difficult. However, for creatures driven only by instinct and low-level intelligence, it wasn't so easy to offer them that chance.
Harvey didn't dwell on it for long. While he couldn't recruit this monster, it would at least provide him with a lot of evolution points. He was also curious about its taste—cooking it wouldn't likely result in a gourmet meal, but he hoped it wouldn't be too unpalatable.
He dragged the monster's body toward Mogri Prime's city, only about 600 kilometers away from his current location. Along the way, he saw city after city, now deserted and eroded by the desert winds, their remains serving as reminders of past civilizations.
The desert had its ecosystem, and although this monster was well-fed, its growing population led it to expand its territory. Once it tasted creatures outside the desert, it was only natural for it to hunt beyond its domain. It wasn't cruelty but rather instinct—just as it was not cruel for wolves to hunt sheep.
The presence of this creature consuming intelligent beings had made the locals anxious, eventually leading them to issue the bounty that Harvey now fulfilled.
Upon reaching the nearest town with desert culture, Harvey noticed the inhabitants—red-skinned beings whose appearance, in his aesthetic opinion, was rather unattractive.
When Harvey descended with the monster's carcass, the local humanoids were startled.
"阿轻微却翁碍事... (Excuse me, sir, what brings you here?)"
A sturdy man, standing about 2.5 meters tall, approached Harvey cautiously.
Harvey couldn't understand the words but didn't waste time. He dropped the monster's head with a loud thud, causing dust to rise and making the locals recoil in shock.
Noticing their reaction, Harvey gestured towards the head and made a money sign with his thumb and fingers, hoping they would understand he was asking for payment.
"阿轻呃啊里奥... (What is this?)"
The muscular man, taken aback by the giant head, asked incredulously. However, upon seeing Harvey's clear hand gestures indicating money, he nodded and responded:
"阿轻微却翁碍事,只是阿水到群... (Please wait a moment.)"
The man spoke to Harvey before turning to his companions to fetch the town mayor.
The locals had long suffered from the desert plague but had only seen it accompanied by sandstorms, making it difficult to discern its true form. Fortunately, the mayor, who had lived for at least two hundred years, might have some knowledge about it.
Harvey decided to wait for them to return. If no one who could communicate was found in this town, he would head to a more developed city.
A universal translator wasn't common on Earth but should be available in the universe. Since Mogri Prime had issued a bounty, there had to be someone with a translator.
Ten minutes later, an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles and a red beard arrived swiftly, barefoot.
Harvey wasn't surprised by the elderly man's surprising vitality given his appearance, as these beings had strong life energy and seemed unaffected by the scorching sands.
"Sir, I am Lix, the town mayor. Did you help us by killing the desert plague?"
Despite his age, Lix spoke respectfully to Harvey, who remained faceless and enigmatic.
"Yes. Take me to your planet's king, Ob Mogri, to claim my reward," Harvey replied, finally able to communicate.
"Our king resides in the capital of Mogri, which is several thousand miles away."
"I am too old to escort you to the king."
"However, I can send a message and have someone come to see you."
"You have relieved us of the desert plague, a long-standing worry."
"We hope you will grant us the opportunity to host a banquet in your honor."
Lix's attitude was highly respectful, and the locals around looked at Harvey with admiration, respect, and gratitude upon realizing the true nature of the monster he had defeated.
"My appetite is considerable. You'll need to spend quite a bit on the banquet, so I won't take advantage of you."
"Just cook this desert plague for me and keep the head for the reward," Harvey said.
"Certainly. We are skilled at cooking sand-shell scorpions."
"We will prepare the best meal for you," Lix agreed readily.
Harvey placed the remaining meat on the ground. Thirty strong men began moving the chunks into a large circular stone pit.
Sand-shell scorpions were heat-resistant but feared water. While they would burrow into the sand to avoid water, their exoskeletons would crack if exposed to it after death.
"This brave warrior, I have sent word. After you finish your meal, the king's guard will arrive to deliver your reward," Lix said, having arranged for the cooking.
He didn't know much about this golden-armored man but recognized his incredible strength in vanquishing the desert plague and his ability to fly. Such a formidable figure deserved the utmost respect.
"Understood," Harvey nodded in agreement.