3: Cursed child.

The silence that had settled between Grey and the man who responded to him was broken by the old man who had left some time ago.

"Why the face, boy? Don't tell me you saw a specter, ha ha ha."

Knowing he shouldn't speak again, Grey began studying the rest of his runes.

He started to lower his gaze to the most important part.

Aspect: Cursed Child

"…"

Aspect Description: [A Cursed Child shares the same origin as a profane Nephilim, but this one is far worse, bearing a curse that consumes his soul over time, bringing chaos wherever he goes.]

Grey narrowed his eyes, lost in thought as voices began to speak on the other side of the door.

"Go tell the others we'll stop the caravan here. We'll spend the night and by morning, we'll be in the city."

The one who gave the order was the older man, while the response came from the younger one.

"Understood, I'll go immediately."

The young man cast a quick glance at the door of the dark and cold cell before turning toward the exit of the large carriage where the container of the Cursed Child was located.

Taking quick steps toward the wagon leading the caravan, the young man waited for permission to board.

"Well, well! If it isn't the prodigious boy who's close to ascending before thirty, truly admirable, boy. So, tell me, why have you come here?"

The voice belonged to a noble from the city who had joined the caravan to help capture the Cursed Child.

Needless to say, he was just someone who had come to fill the spot another noble didn't want to take.

The fat man looked at the young man who had entered his luxurious carriage with a disgusting smile.

"Mr. Gustav says we'll stop here for the night and leave at first light."

The young man remained respectful to the noble despite the latter's lack of respect for the people escorting him on this journey.

"Tsk, tell him we will, but I want a guard posted all night. I don't want any corrupt filth threatening to dirty my beautiful carriage."

The young man simply nodded, saluted, and was about to leave, but was interrupted by the noble's sudden call.

"By the way, boy, what's your name?"

"My name is Eos, Sir Conrad." The young man then proceeded to leave, this time without being interrupted.

***

Multiple tents were set up in a small clearing near a dark forest under the light of the stars that dimly illuminated the nocturnal world. The tallest trees cast shadows and darkness over everything.

In that darkness, profane eyes, hungry and filled with maddening rage, watched a large carriage that seemed to contain a dome of reinforced steel, guarded by two armed people.

Eos wore light armor made from monster hide as his hand rested on the hilt of his elongated double-edged sword, his gaze fixed on the darkness of the night, ready for any battle.

Beside him, a man of about 50 years old wore full iron armor with his helmet resting on his arm, under his shoulder. A magnificent sword sheath with serpent engravings held a simple but effective combat sword.

As the creature watched them, dozens of other creatures appeared in the night, staring hungrily and madly at the same spot.

Eos frowned.

"Mr. Gustav," said Eos as he scanned the forest.

"I know, I feel it too," Gustav responded to Eos as he put on his helmet and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Eos tensed as his gaze fixed on a certain spot in the dark forest; a vaguely humanoid silhouette loomed over the smaller trees.

Around them, under the dim light that could penetrate the tree canopy, dozens of other shapeless, disgusting silhouettes rose, ready to attack at any moment.

"They seem to be Awakened Beasts, Mr. Gustav. What should we do? There don't seem to be just a few."

Eos's voice was tense, and his urgency was clear.

"I want you to go quickly and call the guards. Send a group to protect Noble Conrad. I'll hold this place until you bring the other men."

Gustav's voice was unwavering as he skillfully drew his sword.

"But sir, there seem to be too many beasts for—"

"Don't worry about anything, boy. In all my years, I've been through worse."

Resigned, Eos ran off to find the other guards in the camp.

"Damned child. It would've been better to kill him when we found him."

A moment later, several dozen beasts frantically charged at Gustav, aiming to kill him, devour him, and then sink their hungry fangs into the delicious soul inside the steel dome.