Chapter 10: Traces of Forgotten Land
The morning sky cast a warm orange hue over the village of Andora. Outside the gate, five figures stood ready to embark on a long journey shrouded in mystery. Hyunwoo led the group, clad in a worn brown cloak and carrying a roughly laminated leather map. Beside him, Serene—the quiet yet observant girl—gripped her notebook and a charcoal pen. Claude, the ever-serious strategist, brought along a short sword and Andora's war map. Taeyang, as always, brimmed with explosive energy, lugging a huge bag filled with camping gear and food. Belinda, the treasurer, wasn't just armed with her notes this time, but also had a bow and dagger strapped to her waist, ready for whatever may come.
For two days, they traversed valleys and rivers. Their path through dense forests and seldom-used trails brought with it a sense of adventure they had never felt before. They visited remote villages that had long lived under the shadow of Thalveran. Hyunwoo acted as a peacemaker, offering hope from an Andora that stood free and independent. Twelve individuals from various backgrounds agreed to join them, carrying hope and curiosity in their steps. Serene marked every route they traveled and crossed out old paths that could no longer be used.
Taeyang, naturally, never stopped being a source of laughter. He sat on a cactus by accident, got lost in the same river—twice—and even argued with a bird he claimed was "a spy from another kingdom."
"Serene made this map, right? Why does it feel like we're heading straight to hell?" he complained, fanning his sweat.
"It's not the map. Your feet just wander off on their own," Serene replied flatly.
But the third day brought a different atmosphere. Deep in the untrodden forest, they began to feel strange vibrations in the ground and heard faint sounds from behind the trees. Serene's steps halted.
"Movement. Three directions. They're watching us," she whispered.
From behind the bushes emerged people clad in woven clothing and rattan accessories. They had tan skin, straight black hair, and spoke in an unfamiliar language. Tense, Hyunwoo's group prepared for the worst—until a young man stepped forward and spoke:
"Relax. I can understand you. My name is Ahsan. We're from the Naramaya tribe."
Taeyang squinted. "You kinda look like... uh... someone. I swear you look really familiar."
Ahsan just smiled. "We've lived on this land for generations. We know no other land but this."
Hyunwoo's group refrained from saying anything about "Earth" or other suspicious things. They simply nodded.
The Naramaya tribe hosted them for the night. They lived humbly, honoring harmony with nature. Fire dances, bamboo flute music, and the scent of spices filled the air. Serene recorded it all. Claude discussed defensive strategies, Belinda played with the children and joined in grinding herbs.
That night, Ahsan spoke seriously to Hyunwoo.
"I want to join you," he said. "I want to see the world beyond this forest... and I want to keep our tribe safe. If your people truly seek to free this land from monopolies... then I want to be a part of it."
Hyunwoo simply nodded. "We could use a translator. And someone who knows the way."
After the forest, they arrived at a dry, scorching desert—confusing and vast. As night fell quickly, they chose to camp near massive stones arranged like an ancient altar. Serene drew their shape and the strange carvings onto her map.
"This isn't art. It's... a warning," Claude murmured.
"These tracks are strange," Claude muttered as he examined a massive, clawed footprint.
"That's not from any normal beast," Ahsan added, his voice low. "It might be... a creature from legend."
Night came, and Taeyang's jokes broke the tension once again.
"I just hope no giant lizard shows up in the middle of the night. I'm not ready to be someone's midnight snack."
By morning, as the red desert sky began to glow, a distant rumble stirred them awake, followed by piercing shrieks.
Giant three-toed footprints circled their camp. Then, from the desert mist, a group of black-scaled creatures emerged. Their eyes were sharp, their bodies tall and muscular. Lizardmen.
Their leader raised his spear and spoke in a deep, rumbling voice,
"Who are you? This is our territory."
Taeyang, who had been ready to crack a joke, suddenly froze. "Okay... not human. Definitely not human. This just got real."
The Andoran villagers who had joined them began to panic. Ahsan whispered, his face tense.
"They're the Blackscale Clan. The strongest Lizardmen from the southern lands. They're known to be ruthless."
Taeyang paled. "I was joking last night. I swear I was just joking..."
Hyunwoo stepped forward, but before he could speak, the Lizardman narrowed his eyes and growled:
"Someone among you... carries a curse. A curse that will bring down the human kingdoms."
Silence fell. Eyes darted between one another. Ahsan looked down briefly, then stared sharply at Hyunwoo. But Hyunwoo said nothing, returning the Lizardman's gaze calmly, hiding a secret behind his silence.