Dragon's Wrath: The Cursed Returnee

Ethan had delayed that quite a bit, but he couldn't do it any longer. So, after school on that Friday, he decided to talk with his parents. Hannah was working, so they would have to inform her later.

"Mom, dad, I'm going on a trip," Ethan said while they were having lunch. "A trip to another world."

Evelyn couldn't help but frown a little since that had been too sudden. As for Michael, a huge spoon filled with rice had stopped midair just when he was about to open his mouth. Eventually, he soon recovered from the surprise.

"Did something happen?" Michael asked. "I thought you would evade this kind of situation in the future after what happened in that world… what was called it again? Meizabru? Moizebra?"

"Meizibio, nothing really happened," Ethan said. "Someone I know has something I need, but he can't give it for free. So, I'm going to help him for a while. I can't give more details; I'm leaving tonight, and I will probably return only Sunday late at night. I won't be able to contact you in the meantime, but don't worry, I will certainly return."

"I see, so you are going to help a friend in something like a part-time job," Michael nodded to himself. "Well, you don't seem worried, so it mustn't be something dangerous. Just make sure not to push yourself too hard, all right?"

Michael wasn't completely wrong; it was something like a part-time job… a part-time job which only summoned heroes and mercenaries could accept. As for Ian, it pained Ethan to admit it, but he was the closest thing he had as a male friend aside from his father.

"Ethan, you are too young to spend the nights in other places which aren't your home," Evelyn said with a serious expression on her face. "That being said, you seem resolute in your decision… saying no right now will only make things difficult. So, promise me this: you won't do anything that you know you will regret it later."

"Roger that," Ethan nodded. "I will bring some souvenirs, so wait for me patiently."

That ended faster than Ethan had expected, but it was all thanks to his parents. They were that understanding, and they knew Ethan won't be able to have a normal life, at least not for a while. As much as Ethan wanted to spend his free time with his family, he had preparations to make, and his father had to return to his work.

"Although according to Ian his father said that he would grant me the chance to act independently, I'm not strong enough to run wild and alone on a planet infested by monsters. I need to make a stock of potions, but I also need a new sword… I guess I should have spent more time using the simulator this week."

Ethan took it easy that week since he didn't know for how long that mission would last. He finally returned home and to his family, so it was only natural that he wouldn't want to spend his whole life in a battle mode. Regardless, Ethan could buy a pretty decent sword, but only thirty thousand coins would be left to buy potions.

"Whatever, let's do this."

Cursed Sword (Common) (+0)

Attack: 35 – 60

Durability: 120/120

Effects: It can decrease the endurance of the target by two percent whenever an attack land. The effect can stack up to twenty times.

Requirements: 100 STR

Ethan finally could get his hands on some weapons that had additional effects. That being, he wasn't quite satisfied with their power. The best way to solve that problem was to use Synthesize, but until the skill reaches a certain level, the effects won't last long. Ethan also could upgrade the weapons, but he didn't have the skill necessary, and he also needed some materials.

"If I remember correctly, Emily mentioned that students of rank D can have access to courses that teaches them blacksmith's skills… maybe I will relearn that skill there."

Regardless, the cursed sword was as long and as heavy as his claymore, so Ethan needed to practice with it a little bit to recover his senses since the bastard sword was much heavier. After that, Ethan just spent all his remaining coins on potions. He didn't have any other decent piece of gear, so Ethan only spent the remaining of his free time packing some things like a change of clothes, toothpaste, and other miscellaneous items. It looked like he was going to camp in the mountains and not in a world dominated by monsters.

"Well, I guess I will take a nap until the time comes."

Although Ian said that people like him, Ethan, and Emily could return to Earth now and then, it was only obvious that such a thing wouldn't be possible unless they secured a certain area to create a camp. If that doesn't happen before Sunday, they will be forced to stay until they finish the camp. Considering that, Ethan had to conserve as much energy as possible.

The future of the mission was uncertain. Still, Ethan was so relaxed that he slept until his body was forcefully transported to Ian's house. Fortunately, he slept using his backpack as a pillow, so it came with him. The atmosphere changed, and then when Ethan opened his eyes, he saw himself on one of the underground floors of Ian's home. When Ethan got up, he saw Ian in front of him, trying hard not to burst into a laughter. Emily was also nearby, facepalming. Ethan couldn't see what was so funny in that scene. Still, he realized that most people would find it strange to find a teenager sleeping unconcerned about his surroundings when so many armed people were around him.

Although some of them had a sword, bows, and other magic weapons, the vast majority was armed with assault rifles, shotguns, grenades, and even mines. As if that wasn't enough, they looked pretty scary since most of them had some scars on their faces, and some of them even lost part of their ears somewhere.

"This looks like a bunch someone would hire to subjugate the Jurassic park," Ethan said. "Do these people think that if they make such scary expressions, the monsters will run away from them?"

"You really are something else," Ian took a deep breath to calm down. "Come on, you know that most warriors tend to get tense before an important battle."

"Yeah, but there is no need to get worked up," Ethan shrugged. "Anyway, I guess this is a kind of greeting among war veterans."

Ethan said those words loud and clear so he got the attention of everyone. If gazes could cause damage, Ethan would have collapsed a long time ago. Still, since that wasn't the case, he thought those stares were pretty cute coming from his temporary companions.

Suddenly, a tall man wearing a suit appeared alongside Anna. That man had a very short black hair, and even though his eyes were deep blue, they looked dead. Although Ethan couldn't sense any mana coming from him, he could feel that he seemed more dangerous than even Ian and Emily. That was Ian's father.