Cursed Race

Done with his bath, Tega walked a fair distance as he took in the thick trees stretching on either side.

Their twisted branches and veined leaves entwined as if forming a new sky—a green-colored one. Coupled with the specks of light barely piercing through the foliage, it could be described as a scene straight out of fairy tales.

But he wasn't here for the scenery, nor was he a fan of fairy tales. In truth, he couldn't summon even the faintest admiration for it since it would all get destroyed in the end.

"Nothing but sticks and leaves. How inspiring," he muttered, shoving a low-hanging branch out of his way, with slight awe for those who drew inspiration from nature surfacing within him.

The path continued to narrow until it finally broke off into a small clearing. Just as he stepped forward, a faint rumble caught his attention—a disturbing, low growl he had grown familiar with.

It was the sound of a stomach protesting unfair treatment, but Tega was sure that it wasn't his. "...What now?" he frowned, his eyes locking onto a creature in the distance.

Before he could react, the creature lunged at him. It had an extremely muscular body, rough dark red scales glistening like hot iron, and a gaping maw filled with jagged white teeth. A single curved black horn sat atop its forehead.

Its sickly yellow eyes fixed on Tega, as it exhaled a foul-smelling breath, hissing as its saliva dripped from the corners of its mouth. It looked like a lizard that had been forcibly enlarged to the size of a tank.

Instinctively, Tega's hand reached for anything useful. "Of course. Of course, this has to happen now," he muttered, throwing a nearby stone at the beast.

The lizard ignored it, seemingly amused by Tega's pathetic attempt to hurt it.

"Brilliant," Tega said, sarcasm drying up as he staggered back, barely standing due to the beast's oppressive aura.

The creature's next leap brought it close, slashing with claws that looked like pristine black hooks. Tega raised his arms reflexively, blocking his line of sight and expecting the worst.

After a few seconds passed, he felt nothing. If it weren't for the fact that he was still breathing, Tega would've thought he'd been one-shotted by the lizard.

Standing between him and the lizard was Lauren, his figure lazily positioned as though this encounter were a mere inconvenience.

"Well, look at you. Terrified?" he laughed, his voice dripping with amusement. "Or are you impressed by my awesome timing?"

"Neither." Tega replied bluntly, unbothered by the near-death experience. "I was just…rethinking my life choices and learned that you should never trust glowing women."

Ignoring Tega, Lauren took a step forward. His hand lightly touched the snout of the cautious lizard. "Oh, don't worry, you're already half-dead. This will only make it quicker."

For a brief second, it looked taken aback by the unexpected softness, before Lauren's other fist came around with surprising force, landing squarely on the beast's face.

Dazed, the lizard reeled back. Though barely scratched, anger soon clouded its yellowish eyes.

"I already have a cute spider, so you stood no chance." Lauren winced, shaking his hand as if regretting the punch, and gave the beast a disappointed look. "Punching is so primitive."

With a wave of his hand, a flicker of light shimmered around him, and suddenly, the lizard looked confused, sniffing at empty air where Lauren had stood.

Tega watched, slightly surprised, as Lauren created several mirror images of himself around the creature, each taunting it with jeers and gestures, drawing it further away from Tega.

Just as the beast lunged at the closest illusion, Lauren reappeared behind it, a flash of energy gathering around his hand. He struck its underbelly with a faint glint in his eyes, and the lizard collapsed with a pitiful whimper, its form dissipating into smoke, leaving behind a transparent crystal.

Unwilling to pick up something so low-level, Lauren turned back to Tega, his head tilted and an eyebrow raised behind his mask. "Trying to die so soon into your new life?"

"Depends on if you're going to show up every time I run into a bloodthirsty lizard," Tega said dryly, though there was a trace of relief in his eyes.

"Why, yes. It would be a waste to have me as your teacher otherwise," Lauren replied, brushing off invisible dust from his sleeve.

"After all, I can keep an eye on things. At a certain stage, your mana lets you see whatever's around. Though don't worry," he added with a dramatic sigh, "I didn't peek when you were getting dressed back there."

Looking at Tega and the leaves he wore, Lauren muttered, "Not like that could be called clothes."

Unbothered, Tega wore an expressionless face as he replied, "Not like I'd care if you did."

His mask shifting slightly, Lauren chuckled. "True. Modesty doesn't seem to be your strong suit."

Tega didn't bother replying, his expression unreadable as he glanced back toward the forest path.

"Thanks," he muttered, though his voice was so low it was barely audible.

"No need for gratitude," Lauren replied airily. "Just stay out of trouble, if you can."

---

The two continued walking, with the trees gradually thinning out as they finally reached the town. A few villagers milled around the gate, their gazes settling on the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Soon, Tega noticed several eyes trailing him as he walked, faces whispering behind raised hands.

"What's with the stares?" Tega's voice was sharp as he glanced over his shoulder, sensing more than a few murmurs directed at him.

"Maybe it's because you look like a caveman," Lauren joked, his tone playful. "I guess they've never seen someone as underwhelming as you."

Irritated, Tega glared at Lauren. "Answer the question."

"Fine, fine," Lauren replied, chuckling. "In this town, no—in this world—there's…a certain sensitivity toward people like you. They call you one of the 'cursed children,' or rather 'cursed race.'"

Tega frowned. "Meaning?"

"That," Lauren said, stepping ahead and giving Tega a knowing look, "you'll have to figure out for yourself."

Tega sighed but didn't press further. Ignoring the prying eyes, the duo made their way deeper into town.

***

Author's note- Not feeling too well so chapter release would be random from now till I get better. Sorry for the late chapter and expect a slight drop in quality too...