Dragon's Wrath: The Cursed Returnee

When morning came, the first thing Ethan did was to walk toward the demi-human kid who was immobile thanks to some chains and iron balls. That being, he couldn't just walk a lot, but he was pretty comfortable. He even had a tent for himself. The kid recognized Ethan since he most likely prevented his death, but the boy didn't look very thankful for it. In any case, before they started a conversation, Emily cast a spell that would help them understand each other.

"Hey, kid," Ethan said. "How many of you are still there? Did other humans find you before?"

"Technically, you are a kid as well," Emily said.

Although the boy glared at Ethan for a second, he soon looked away since the kid could recognize those he shouldn't mess with. Ethan was clearly one of them. What he didn't know was that Ethan was also short-tempered with those who didn't understand their situation.

"Maybe I should help those assholes find your mother and sister," Ethan said. "I'm sure they will be thankful for the help, and I am also sure they will treat them well since both of them made them waste an entire day. They didn't like you, but they can't do anything to you anymore, so they will release their anger on them."

Emily frowned while looking at Ethan, the boy looked at him, but instead of confusion, he was showing pure hatred. The boy really looked like an ordinary human kid. His black hair and deep brown eyes didn't look even a single bit wild like of monsters and demons. As expected, other humans came and captured the survivors or did even worse. It wasn't Ethan's problem, but that situation could help him a little.

"Give me a hand, and I will give you my word that your friends won't suffer at the hands of anyone anymore," Ethan said. "Most likely, the people from my world will want a lot of resources found here, but they aren't stupid enough to destroy the whole place. However, to use this place first, we will have to defeat the monster army, which may cause a problem later. We will succeed, and thus, you will have your planet back."

"… Why would I trust you?" The boy asked. "People like you have been hunting us for months. Besides, the hero who failed to save this world came from the same place you came from."

"I doubt that they are like me," Ethan said. "Still, I can understand why you would hate me, considering that the hero failed, but you shouldn't put the fate of your world on the back of a stranger."

"It isn't about that…" The kid said. "The hero… I heard stories; he was even worse than the monsters. Instead of using his time to strengthen himself, he used it to fool around. He even kidnapped women of all ages just to… humiliate them."

Ethan looked at Emily, and she just shrugged. Apparently, she had heard that same story many times before. That was what happens when you give superpowers to immature people or with questionable mindsets. Unless they had been raised by good people who had a decent set of morals and faced some hardships in other worlds, it was clear that they wouldn't trail the right path. Still, it looked like those who chose that path rarely failed on their mission.

"Let's see…" Ethan rubbed his chin. "What if I take you with me? That way, you will know that I'm telling the truth. I won't lie and say that we won't receive anything by finding and bringing to this place all the survivors of this world, but currently, this is your best option. A big battle is about to happen, and if you and the others get caught in the middle of it, you will be decimated."

"… Even if I agree, your leader won't let me leave this place," The kid said.

"You think so?" Ethan frowned. "I think he will readily accept it."

Although Ethan felt like breaking the chains that were being used to keep the boy imprisoned, he decided to talk with Ivan first. He was the leader of the operation, and he deserved that much respect, at least. Surprisingly enough, he found him having breakfast with Ian and Anna.

"I would like to take that kid with me and search for more survivors," Ethan said. "I think we will progress much faster with this operation if we get some intel directly from the natives. Do you approve of it?"

"Can you keep an eye on him and prevent his escape?" Ivan asked.

"That is not a problem," Ethan replied.

"Then you can take him with you and then look for survivors after heading north," Ivan said.

"I appreciate it," Ethan said and then left Ian's tent.

Emily could understand the main reason for finding the other survivors and obtaining intel, but helping strangers by focusing solely on that didn't seem like Ethan's style. He wasn't a bad person per se, but he wasn't exactly a good Samaritan.

"What are you planning, Ethan?" Emily asked. "Besides, Zeke and his minions found him at South of here. Even if we find some survivors in the opposite direction, we won't find the ones the kid wants."

"Ivan said that I could look for them after heading North. He never said that I can only look for them in the North," Ethan explained. "As for my plan here, there isn't one, really. I just want to make Ian and his family discover as many things as possible. If they get closer even a single bit more from their goal, I bet my payment will increase a lot."

"Well, if you say so…" Emily shrugged.

As soon as Ethan returned, he broke the chains that were keeping the kid locked. Some mercenaries glared at him, but that was the best they could do. Before moving out, Ethan crossed his arms and then looked at the boy with the eyes he only showed when he was fighting… the boy took a few steps backward because he imagined Ethan was about to cut him down.

"Now we are going to work together," Ethan said. "If you screw with me, kid, you will regret it deeply. So, don't disappoint me."

"I won't," the kid said.

"All right then," Ethan said. "My name is Ethan. What is yours?"

"Cen," the boy said.

"All right," Ethan said. "We will depart as soon as Ian and Anna appear."