The wheat field stretched as far as the eye could see, the golden stalks waving in the wind like a living sea. The group walked along a narrow path that cut through it, their clothes still damp from the rain that had finally stopped.
Cassian stopped abruptly.
“Do you see that?”
Ahead of them, at the edge of the field, stood a man and a young boy. The man—pronounced baldness, thick black beard, round belly, abundant hair on his arms—was laughing loudly. The boy, probably his son, looked at him with admiration.
And in front of them, on the other side of an invisible line, stood a human.
Black particles escaped from his body in constant wisps.
A cursed one.
The man extended his arm toward the cursed one. The cursed one tried to grab it, but the man quickly pulled his arm back, laughing.
“Too slow! Come on, try again!”
Another cursed one stood a bit farther away, watching silently.
“Why doesn’t he attack?” Cassian asked, frowning. “The cursed one. Why is he just standing there?”
Lena and Lucia exchanged a glance.
“The Cursed Lands have a limit,” Lena explained. “Their zone of influence is restricted.”
Lucia nodded. “Before, the territory expanded rapidly. Swallowing everything in its path. Then suddenly, it stopped. As if something blocked it.”
“There’s like an invisible barrier,” Lena continued. “That prevents cursed beings from going farther.”
Cassian observed the invisible line. “But a normal person can cross?”
“Yeah. No problem.” Lena shrugged. “Enter the Cursed Lands and come back out casually. The barrier isn’t visible. Not tangible. You can’t even feel it.”
“The Cursed Lands are just normal lands,” Lucia added softly. “The nature is the same as everywhere else. Only an ancient curse rages there. And the territory is full of immortal beings.”
She paused, her expression darkening. “The deeper you go, the more there are. Thousands. Maybe millions.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“If someone dies in the Cursed Lands,” she continued, “their body is reanimated. And looks like it did before death. Of course, no one goes there to die willingly. That’s why the cursed ones are there. To… speed things up.”
Free death dispensers, Cassian thought ironically.
The man left his arm extended a bit too long.
The cursed one grabbed his hand and pulled.
“WOAH!”
The man tumbled over to the other side of the invisible barrier, landing heavily on the ground.
“DAD!” the son cried.
The cursed one smiled—a twisted, almost triumphant smile.
The man got up casually, brushing off his clothes. “Good one.”
The cursed one struck.
His fist smashed into the man’s face.
The man didn’t flinch. He took the blow like it was a light breeze.
The cursed one slowly looked up, regarding the man with something like confusion.
The man grinned widely. “Now, let me show you what a real punch is.”
WHAM.
His fist sank into the cursed one’s stomach with force.
The cursed one staggered back, doubled over.
The man turned, walking calmly back to his son.
His son clapped frantically. “You’re so strong, Dad!”
Thunk.
A rock hit the back of the man’s head.
He stopped. Turned slowly.
The cursed one held another rock, smiling again.
“Oh.” The man cracked his knuckles. “You made a mistake.”
He charged.
The second cursed one—the one waiting at a distance—rushed in too.
They surrounded the man. One grabbed him from behind, immobilizing his arms. The other punched his stomach. Again. Again.
The man grunted, struggling.
Then he twisted violently, breaking the hold. His hands shot out, grabbing both cursed ones by the heads.
He slammed them together.
CRACK.
They collapsed, dazed.
The man placed a foot on each of them, pinning them completely. He flexed his muscles, striking a triumphant pose.
“YEAH!” His son jumped with excitement. “You’re the best!”
Cassian watched, impressed despite herself.
Interesting. So not all beings with black particles are power monsters.
She focused, trying to sense the man’s mana.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
He’s a normal human. No magic. Just brute strength and technique.
And he’s holding his own against these immortal creatures.
She smiled slightly. My mana sensitivity is progressing quickly. I can detect even the smallest traces now.
My nighttime training in my inn room paid off. I’m getting stronger. Gradually.
“Anyway,” Hiro said, bringing the group’s attention back, “we won’t have to enter the Cursed Lands for our quest.”
“But since they’re close,” he added, “it’ll probably be hard to tell if we’re inside or outside. There are no visual indicators. No sensory ones.”
Great, Cassian thought. So we could accidentally cross the line and get attacked without even realizing it.
A man appeared in the distance, walking in the opposite direction. He waved when he saw them.
“Hey! You!”
The group stopped.
The man approached, out of breath. “It’s pointless to continue on this path.”
“Why?” Hiro asked.
“There’s an old fool farther ahead.” The man pointed behind him. “He’s blocking the passage. It’s a narrow path between two cliffs. The old man only lets through those who manage to impress him.”
“Impress him?” Lena frowned. “How?”
“No idea.” The man shrugged. “I tried. He said I was ‘boring.’ Now I have to take a huge detour.”
He pulled out a crumpled map. “Where are you going?”
Lena showed him their own map, pointing to their destination.
The man squinted. “Don’t know that place.” He traced his finger on the map. “Me, I’m going this way. And the detour I have to take…”
He indicated a long, winding route that easily added several days to the trip.
“Interesting,” he murmured. “Your destination is damn remote.”
“We have no choice,” Hiro said.
“You should turn back like me,” the man advised. “Seriously. That old man is strong. He blocks the passage for everyone.”
Hiro shook his head politely. “We can’t afford a detour like yours.”
The man sighed. “Listen to my advice. But hey, reality will hit you hard when you get there.”
He started to leave, then glanced at Cassian.
An elf.
His surprise was evident—his eyes widening slightly.
First time he’s seen one, Cassian realized.
The man met her gaze.
She stared back with that arrogant expression she wore naturally.
The man quickly looked away. Pretty. But not easygoing. She looks down on people.
He walked away without another word.
Hiro watched the man leave when something appeared before his eyes.
A floating window.
[NEW QUEST]
[Clear the passage for travelers]
[Reward: Random Item]
[Accept? YES / NO]
Hiro didn’t hesitate.
No way we’re taking a detour.
He quickly pressed YES.
[Quest Accepted]
