The morning sky blanketed Andora village in a warm orange hue. Outside the gate, five people stood ready to begin a long journey filled with mystery. Leading them was Hyunwoo, wearing a worn-out brown cloak and carrying a roughly laminated leather map. Beside him, Serene—the quiet yet observant girl—clutched a notebook and charcoal pen. Claude, the always-serious strategist, brought a short sword and a tactical map of Andora. Taeyang, as usual, was bursting with energy, lugging a huge bag filled with camping gear and food. Belinda, the treasurer, carried not only her records this time but also a bow and dagger at her waist, ready for whatever lay ahead.
For two days, they traveled through valleys and rivers. The journey through dense forests and rarely-trodden paths brought an unfamiliar sense of adventure. They visited remote villages that had long lived in the shadow of Thalveran. Hyunwoo, acting as a peace envoy, offered hope from a free and independent Andora. Twelve individuals from different backgrounds agreed to join, bringing their hopes and curiosity along. Serene recorded the routes they took, crossing out old paths that were no longer passable.
Taeyang never stopped being the comic relief. He sat on a cactus, got lost twice in the same river, and even argued with a bird he believed was a "spy from another kingdom."
"This map is really Serene's, right? Why does it feel like a route to hell?" he grumbled, fanning himself.
"It's not the map. Your feet just have a mind of their own," Serene replied flatly.
But the third day brought a different mood. Deep in an unexplored forest, they began to feel strange vibrations in the ground and heard faint whispers from the trees. Serene halted.
"Movement. Three directions. They're watching," she whispered.
From the bushes emerged people clad in woven clothing and rattan accessories. Their skin was brown, hair straight and black, and they spoke in an unfamiliar tongue. Tense, Hyunwoo's group readied themselves, but one of them, a young man, stepped forward and spoke:
"Peace. I understand you. My name is Ahsan. We are from the Naramaya tribe."
Taeyang squinted. "You look like… I don't know, just… really familiar."
Ahsan just smiled. "We've lived on this land for generations. We know no other land."
Hyunwoo's group avoided mentioning "Earth" or anything suspicious. They simply nodded.
The Naramaya tribe hosted them for the night. They lived simply, valuing harmony with nature. Fire dances, bamboo flute music, and the scent of spices filled the air. Serene recorded everything. Claude discussed defense strategies, Belinda played with the children and helped pound spices.
That night, Ahsan spoke seriously to Hyunwoo.
"I want to join you," he said. "I want to see the world beyond this… and I want my tribe to stay safe. If your people truly aim to free this land from monopoly… I want to be part of it."
Hyunwoo nodded. "We could use a translator and someone who knows the way."
After crossing the forest, they arrived at a scorching and confusing desert plain. Night fell quickly, and they decided to camp near large rocks arranged like an ancient altar. Serene sketched the stone shapes and strange carvings onto the map.
"Not art. This… is a warning," Claude muttered.
"These tracks are strange," Claude added, observing a massive clawed footprint.
"That's no ordinary beast," Ahsan said in a low voice. "Perhaps… a creature of legend."
Night fell, and Taeyang's laughter once again lightened the mood.
"I just hope no giant lizards show up at night. I'm not ready to be a snack."
In the morning, as the sun began to light the red desert sky, they heard distant rumbling. Screams woke them.
Giant three-toed footprints surrounded the camp. Soon, from the desert fog, emerged a group of black-scaled creatures. Their eyes were sharp, their bodies tall and muscular. Lizardmen.
Their leader raised a spear and spoke with a deep voice,
"Who are you…? This is our land."
Taeyang, who had wanted to joke, froze. "Okay… not human. Definitely not human. This is serious."
The villagers from Andora began to panic. Ahsan whispered, face tense.
"They're… the Blackscale clan. The strongest Lizardmen of the southern lands. Known for their brutality."
Taeyang turned pale. "I was joking last night, I swear…"
Hyunwoo stepped forward, but before he could speak, the Lizardman narrowed his eyes and growled:
"One among you… carries a curse. A curse that will bring down the human kingdoms."
Silence fell. Eyes exchanged glances. Ahsan lowered his gaze for a moment, then looked sharply at Hyunwoo. But Hyunwoo said nothing, returning the Lizardman's gaze—calm and full of secrets.