Town of Ash

After the contract with the Kuro is formed, his wound is completely healed.

Zhen was shocked for 3 seconds at most. Actually, he was dazed for a minute because despite being in another world, this was still pretty surprising for him.

'Whatever, thanks to this magic stuff, I don't have to look for medicine to cure his wound.' Not thinking further, Zhen ignored this healing on Kuro.

Instead, he asked Kuro about this world and Kuro told him diligently about this world.

"The world we're in is called 'Ten Continent of Glory' where each continent is separated by multiple landscapes such as a huge sea, amazon forest, etc."

Zhen nods his head in understanding while Kuro continues talking.

"With around 1000 kingdoms and approximately 10,000 towns and many more villages. Also, I heard some kingdoms are magnificent and powered by some magic formation that can even flow in the air."

'As expected of another world, it is already bigger than Earth and this will be interesting to explore.'

Even though Kuro gave him approximate thinking, Kuro shouldn't be far off from the actual map of this world.

Meanwhile, Kuro continued to stare at Zhen like an idiot as he asked something that everyone in this world would know since it's common knowledge.

Kuro believed that humans should know about this continent more than magical beasts as they always studied and developed buildings.

'Since we are now a master-familiar contract, it wouldn't be harmful to tell Kuro the truth as we are together from now on.'

Zhen thought of the pros and cons before deciding to tell the truth to Kuro.

"Kuro, listen up and don't tell anyone about this. I'm from another world called Earth and I was transported here by some unknown means after I failed in seeking death. Therefore, I have zero knowledge regarding everything here so I would need you to be my guide."

"..."

Kuro was dumbstruck and thought to himself if he had jumped into a pirate ship but then again, it would explain the weird feeling he got when he first met Zhen.

When he first met Zhen, there was an aura surrounding him and strangely enough, he didn't feel any threat and it was something soothing and warm.

He was about to eat him alive to restore his stamina but decided against that as his instinct warned him of the danger if he followed this thought process.

This is the reason why he didn't refuse to form a contract with Zhen despite meeting him for 3 minutes or less.

Zhen didn't know what Kuro was thinking and only thought it was because of his luck or something else.

The atmosphere became a bit awkward with Kuro staying silent so Zhen continued to speak.

"Where are we right now and what's the closest town since there should be an adventure guild nearby right?"

Kuro snapped out of his thoughts and replied, "This is called "Forest of Trove" and it has a double meaning to it. Treasures lie around the forest and there are ruins and dungeons to explore but at the same time, there is death looming around."

'Hmm, I did not ask for that information and just want to get a clear picture of our environment. I guess he really put me as the ignorant type after hearing my remark.'

Zhen decided to let him continue to speak and not interrupt him as it wouldn't hurt to know more about the history.

"Humans are full of greed and they will commit robbery, killing, and more despicable things to get their hands on treasures. They would even hunt us magical beasts for our core, skin, meat, and even more that I can't even explain."

'I see, not that I'm surprised by this as human greed is what I know since my birth. My parents were the best example of it.'

Zhen can't help but sigh every time he recalls his disgusting parents.

Given how this is a second life, Zhen decides to forget about them because they are not worth his brain cell and maybe the only thing he ever gets from them is giving birth to him in that hypocritical world.

They never told Zhen the reason why they hated him since birth but he knew it because their eyes reveal everything. It was the fact that he's a jinx to them that prevents their wealthy lifestyle.

"Anyway, Kuro, you still haven't told me the nearest town and if there is an adventure guild."

Part of Zhen wanting to see the adventure guild is the excitement he gets because of a game he played and those fantasy novels he read to ignore the pain deep inside of him.

Another reason is, Zhen can guarantee the currency used here is different from Earth which means he is broke, and to survive, money is an extremely important thing.

Just the depraved look of poor people who have no money taught Zhen that money is valuable.

Plus the fact that he saw how hardworking his beloved person worked to earn money to support him in school.

Kuro didn't notice his sudden sentiment and continued, "The closest town is called 'Town of Ash' because there has been a war since 80 years ago with many deaths."

"After the war ended, their bodies were burned to ashes and people started rebuilding it and named it Town of Ash to remember the tragedy. Regarding your next question, there is indeed an adventure guild."

'Ok more history about this town is now added to my knowledge. Seems like this world experience more turbulence than Earth.'

Keeping all this new information in his mind, Zhen is about to have his brain overload.

There is an adventure guild so this is pretty much in line with what people imagined a fantasy world to be. Suddenly a thunderstrike thought flashed into Zhen.

He can't help but facepalm while his body starts to shake and asks Kuro the most important question.

"Kuro, is my body capable of using magic."

Kuro looked at Zhen's body that was shaking in excitement and worries, replied, "There is magic everywhere in this world and most humans are capable of wielding magic. Master is extremely fortunate as I can feel your body's aptitude is compatible with the elements."

Zhen nodded his head right away while shaking with excitement. He can finally have the power of his own so he won't need to cower to the strong anymore and protect himself.

Kuro smirked, seeing how Zhen is losing his composure but Zhen could care less about that since he can easily punish him later on.

Without knowing his hidden thought, Kuro continued "Master is a unique being and as we are connected through the contract, I was jealous because you are almost a cheat. Most humans that are capable of wielding magic and have extreme luck only get 3-4 affinity in the elements."

'Pfft, I guess my luck is really not a joke as Kuro said my body is compatible with the elements. He didn't specify my body having an affinity to a numerical number so I should be able to wield every element. This should be a cheat for a person who doesn't belong to this world.'

Zhen can't help but giggle whenever someone mentions his luck.

Kuro didn't stop speaking and continued saying, "The most common elements known to people are Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, and Dark but there are also some other varieties that happen when one becomes proficient in an element."

Zhen took a mental note of the elements as that should be the basis on how to cast magic and continue to listen as Kuro didn't stop speaking.

"For example, Water can transform into Ice and some irregular elements can come into being such as lightning, metal, chaos, psychic, void, etc. Those that can use these elements are referred to irregular because most of them become highly influenced and powerful due to the elements. Anyway, the main point is, you're not restricted to any of these elements which makes you unique as the majority of people can only use 1-2 elements."

'Hmm, that being said, I am really like a protagonist in a novel. Does that mean I get plot armor and more cheats and maybe have some beautiful girl as my wife? I can finally have a woman other than her, that will look at me brightly without any knowledge of my misfortune label.'

Having this dirty thought in mind, Zhen wants to hurry up his journey to the town.

While Zhen is still daydreaming, Kuro continues with more knowledge that a fantasy world should have.

Zhen stopped him before he overflowed his brain to destruction with all this new information and data.

Clapping his hand to end the topic of this discussion Zhen asked another question to change the topic.

"Kuro what elements do you have?"

"... I have wind, fire, and lightning elements."

'So Kuro is considered irregular I guess.' Zhen said inwardly.

"Kuro, who injured you and caused you to be in such a state."

Since Kuro is now his familiar and is considered as his first real family in this second life, he will get revenge on those who harmed those near him.

Sounds corny but Zhen could care less about what you think because he's not trying to go back to a loner life like Earth in this new second life he has.

Meanwhile, Kuro was silent for a minute seemingly in deep thinking before speaking after seeing his cold stare.

Kuro with a sigh said in a deprecating tone, "I became an adult and due to that, I was discarded from my species because the tradition of ours didn't allow those underage to explore alone until being aged up."

'No wonder he said his knowledge of this world is superficial and not much better than mine.' Zhen finally understood how he was heavily injured. He couldn't be in a mood to fight after being abandoned.

Zhen was on point with his thinking as Kuro continued his story.

"Being discarded left me alone and while I was flying away from the camp to this forest, I was shot and hunted down by other humans. They were coordinated but I managed to escape while dealing sufficient damage on them before I collapsed from the sky due to the injuries in my wings. And that's when you appear in front of me."

Zhen was thinking and had multiple ideas on how to get revenge on them.

While what they do is hunting and there is no wrong with that because it's always the strong prey the weak. Kuro is now his family so they will definitely pay a price.

"Kuro, how many people attacked?"

"There are 5 people and Master, to disappoint you they are males so stop thinking about capturing a beautiful girl," Kuro replied with a tease.

'Damn, I would teach this Kuro to speak politely and properly when I have the time. He probably saw me thinking about having a beautiful wife when I was in a trance during his explanation of elements.'

Zhen cursed in his mind to have his hidden agenda being found out.

"Kuro, How far is Town of Ash from here"

"Replying to Master, Town of Ash is 300km away from our current location."

'Hmm, that's pretty far but whatever, time to ask Kuro to teach me how to use magic while we travel to the town.' Having a pondering expression, Zhen decides to go with the flow.

It would be dumb of him to not utilize every opportunity to get stronger because Zhen is not planning to be the fish on the chopping board again.

"Kuro, teach me the usage of magic as we travel to Town of Ash, and thank you for being my family"

Kuro's heart is thumping but he was too good at hiding his emotion that Zhen didn't notice but there was a slight smile appearing on Kuro's face.

Kuro replied softly "Likewise, Master."

Zhen nodded his head slightly before starting to head toward the Town of Ash with Kuro.