Curse 5: A traveler

"It should be the left path, right?" I muttered to myself.

I really hoped I knew my way to the Kingdom and hadn't gotten lost.

At the moment, I knew that I was at a crossroads. There wasn't any sign at all, either.

I hadn't gone with my Mom and Dad to the Kingdom of Credentes after the event at the cave of the dead.

Ever since then, I'd been so afraid of leaving to head to the kingdom myself.

That, and I was dragging my feet while studying up my fighting skills. I'd been a bit rusty and needed to brush up on it. It was the reason why I was ahead of Peri when it came to fighting.

Anyway, what should I do? I don't think I could walk back to the village right now...

I placed my hands on my waist.

This was a tricky situation. If I wasted any more time, not only would I be late, but I might never be able to figure out the deal with the petal. And I would lose my lead on becoming normal and finding that Dark Cloak figure.

Plus, the forest here was kind of eerie to stay in...

I suppose calling Peri is an option.

I took out my mirror and started to look for Peri's name on it.

"No. No, no, no, no..." I continued to flick through many names. But none of them were the one that I was looking for.

He's gotta be in here somewhere...

Nope. Nope. Nope.

There was Mom and Dad's contact.

Nope. Nope. No—hey! I found his name!

"Great! Now I can—!"

"MOVEEEE!!!" I heard a scream from afar.

I looked to the left and saw a giant cloud of smoke heading my way. Was it made out of sand?

"Hmm? Is that a sandstorm?"

Strange.

I hadn't heard anything about a sandstorm coming today from my mirror. And if that thing that was approaching me wasn't a sandstorm, then what was it?

"OUT OF THE WAY!!!" I heard another scream. It sounded closer—a girl's voice.

I leaned forward and placed my hand over my forehead.

"What's happening over there?" I blinked.

Ah.

I could finally see a figure rushing towards me! And they had wild boars that had sharp teeth, spikes on their back, and were black and purple heading my way!

... WHAT?!

I looked in front of them, and I could see the girl.

She was wearing—OH GOSH, THEY'RE COMING CLOSER!!!

"I've got to get out of here!" I screamed with my hands in the air.

I rushed to the right side and headed down that path without thinking if it was the right one to take.

But from as far as I was concerned, it might as well be the right one. Because I was sure as hell wasn't planning to go back with the boars!

"OUT OF THE WAY! OUT OF THE WAY! OUT OF THE WAAAAYYYY!!!" I heard the girl running by me—scratch that. She was running ahead of me with her hands in a giant green bag. The girl seemed to be wearing a giant green hat, a white vest, very baggy green pants, and brown boots. Not to mention, she had a whistle around her neck.

Wait.

Why?

More importantly—

"WHY ARE THE BOARS CHASING US?!" I shouted with tears in my eyes.

Oh hell no!

I'd been through so much pain and so many wounds in my life! I wasn't going to be stomped to death by those stupid animals!!! 

I wouldn't be running if they were normal types, but sometimes magical types and normal types looked the same due to the environment!

The girl swiftly ran backwards, meeting me on the right side.

She took off her hat, waving it at me.

"Good day, Miss! How are you on this lovely afternoon?!" The girl greeted me.

"Uh, kind of in the middle of something here!" I shouted with my brows furrowed.

"The name's Mirari Exploratores! Seventeen years old, totally adorable, and a master of finding information!"

She pointed her right thumb to her bag. "From anywhere and everywhere!"

"Don't you think we've got more important things to worry about?!" I looked back at the army of boars that was chasing us.

"Oh, don't sweat the small stuff! It's all part of the advertisement!" Mirari giggled.

"I don't see us getting trampled to death being a great way to sell your business..."

Mirari casually unzipped one of the zippers from her giant bag and took out a card. "Here you go! First information is free!"

"Well, aren't you relaxed for a girl your age?" I closed my eyes when I said that to Mirari.

Mirari placed the card in my hand, which made me open my eyes again.

"I'm not sure why you're panicking. I was only shouting out of the way so that I could take these boars to the next path." Mirari blinked at me.

"What was that?" I raised my brows at Mirari.

Mirari halted and turned back to the wild boars that were coming our way. I stopped as well and ran back to her.

"What are you doing?! Let's go!" I grabbed hold of her right shoulder.

"Help me out with this!" Mirari said excitedly.

"... Huh?" I raised my brows at Mirari.

"You're looking for the Kingdom of Credentes, right? Help me, and I'll tell you about the right path!" Mirari said in a matter-of-fact tone.

This girl is insane...

Of course, I could run away and let her handle the wild boars. But that wouldn't be right. And I wasn't the type to leave someone behind in danger.

I was afraid of the wild boars due to them being the magical types, but leaving Mirari alone wouldn't sit right with me.

I slowly huffed out some air and went in front of her.

"Just tell me the path and step back..." I muttered. My heart raced at the fact that I was about to do something that might forfeit my life.

"Huh? Oh, I don't think you should—"

"Don't worry. I'll figure it out as I go. Now, hurry! Tell me what to do!"

I looked at Mirari with determination. The wild boars were getting even closer. They were within a good amount of distance, but because we were standing in one place, they managed to catch up.

So I wanted to at least do something before they got here.

Mirari grinned at me and used her index finger to scratch underneath her nose.

"Alright then! You'll do everything in your power to protect me, huh? What a kind person, big sis!"

"I know. My kindness will be the end of me..." I admitted, my eyelid half-lowered.

But at this point in my life, it was more of a reflex. An addiction after experiencing my first death.

I never went out and did it for many people like before, but I always helped out my Mom and Dad after recovering from that cave of the dead event.

Mirari pointed at the center wild boar.

"You see that boar there?! I want you to make it run faster than his gang towards you!" Mirari instructed.

I looked forward, feeling conflicted.

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

Psssht!

I felt something spray on my right hand. I looked and saw the back of my hand had gotten wet by a spray bottle that Mirari was using. "There! Now that leader will think you're looking to be his mate~!" Mirari practically sang when she explained.

I don't think one bottle is enough to get a male's attention, Mirari...

There's no way that'll work—

Annndddd the leader boar was running towards me with his tongue sticking out and his eyes looking like hearts.

That stuff works?!

I thought that only worked in fiction?!

Ah, whatever.

A normal girl would be freaking out at the idea of a boar coming towards them like that. I was still confused about how anyone or anything found me attractive...

Truly, Mirari's bottle worked wonders.

"Okay! Now make him go to the forest to the left, and we're home free!" Mirari pumped her fist in excitement.

"How?" I raised my brows at Mirari.

"I dunno! You're an attractive woman, you see! You can make any guy fall for you thanks to your body!" Mirari said that, but was having her hands hovering over her chest and making circles with them.

I think you got the wrong person, bud. I'm not the type that looks attractive to give such compliments...

Also, that doesn't work if the person or animal wants to attack you.

I looked forward and saw the leader boar jump in the air. His drool was airborne as I could see how big these boars really were.

Crap! I had no choice!

I slid my foot across the dirt road and did a stance. 

I bent my knee and lowered myself as if I was sitting on a chair. I backed my hand, pushing out my curved fingers. When I saw the leader boar coming close enough, I struck.

Wham!

"Hiyah!" I shouted.

I forced my palm to strike the leader boar's stomach. You would think it was a rubber model since the stomach went in very deeply. I could see the boar's eyes crossing.

The boar ended up being unconscious and lay on my hand that was tiny compared to the big body he had.

Oh! So it wasn't a magical boar!

I beamed in happiness.

Thank goodness! I thought that my arm would've been ripped off or something! Not sure of the plan if that was the case, though...

"It was way lighter than I originally thought!" I was in amazement.

I lifted up the leader, and then all of the rest of the boars stopped in front of us.

Multiple dirt clouds formed due to all the boars digging their heels into the ground. They all were scared of what I did to their leader. "Alright, everyone! Take your leader and go home!"

I tossed the leader inside of the forest.

"Yoink!" I threw the leader like he was a light ball.

Crash!

Oooh! It seemed like I tossed him a bit too far away. The wild boars panicked and headed towards the forest. Which meant that the boars would be gone and the two of us were safe!

I looked at my hand that knocked out the leader.

Opened and then closed it. I repeated three more times and then punched the air forward.

"So cool! I didn't know you were that strong?!" Mirari was jumping up and down despite her bag looking very heavy on her back. I turned to her with a nervous smile. "Nah, that was nothing. My friend Peri would've done better. Thank goodness for them not being magical types, though!"

If they were, then that punch would've been useless!

"Oh, my bad! I didn't think to tell you that they're normal since I was caught up in the moment, haha!" Mirari scratched behind her neck.

That would've been nice...

"Anyway, who's Peri? Your boyfriend?" Mirari blinked at me, curiosity written all over her face.

"Who would want someone like me as their girlfriend?" I laughed at Mirari's joke.

"Hmm? So he isn't your boyfriend?" Mirari grabbed onto each of her bag's straps.

I lowered my hand and shook my head. "He's someone special to me, sure! But I doubt he would want me as his girlfriend!"

"Is he into guys?" Mirari tilted her head at me.

"N-No, no! He likes girls, haha!" I raised both of my hands.

"But big sis, you got a beautiful body! Curves and everything!" Mirari pumped both of her fists in the air.

"Ah! So that's why?" I laughed at Mirari's silly conclusion. I raised my index finger. "Peri isn't the type to fall for something as outside and hollow as that! It's the personality that he likes the most in a girl! Someone who he can talk to and be comfortable with! Like giving nicknames."

Mirari lowered her eyebrows and pointed at me.

"That's oddly specific. In more ways than one..."

"There's a lot of girls like that in our village!" I clapped my hands together.

"... I feel like you're missing your own point there, big sis." Mirari placed her hands to the side and frowned at me.

"Nonsense! As someone who's close to him, I know his taste in women! And whenever he got an eye on one, then I shall help him get her with my advanced knowledge and being a woman myself!" I puffed up my chest and hit it lightly with my right hand.

"... I'm sorry, big bro, Peri. May our savior bless your soul." Mirari clapped her hands together, closed her eyes, and lifted her head to the sky.

"Hmm?" I tilted my head, being a bit confused.

Mirari looked at me with a straight face after opening her eyes. "So you're saying that you don't find yourself attractive?"

"Maybe. But I want Peri to be happy! So whenever he finds the girl of his dreams, I'll support it all the way!" I pumped both of my fists and looked at the sky.

"Oh, savior, please forgive her..." I saw Mirari hold her head before shaking it.

"But you make a good point! I should be there in need!" I said excitedly. I took out my mirror from my brown bag. "That's why I needed to get there on time—oh my gosh! I'll be late if I don't hurry soon!"

"Oh? You're in a hurry?" Mirari blinked.

"Yes! I'm in a hurry!" I answered. I then started to jog in one place. "I need to hurry for the Knights' selection! I have to do the tryouts!"

"Hmm. I see," Mirari placed her hands under her chin.

"You say that you know the way, right?! Well, can you tell me? Please?!" I clapped my hands together and stopped jogging.

Mirari sighed and gave me a smile that seemed like she pitied me. "... Fine. I'm a person who holds the end of her deal."

Mirari took out what seemed to be a mirror from her baggy pants.

"But you gotta do me one favor in return." Mirari's fingers started to tap on her mirror in a fast movement.

"What is it?"

Mirari pointed at me, looking a bit disappointed. "Try to use that brain of yours in the future. You seem like a smart gal when it comes to planning something quick." Mirari lowered her brows and eyelids at me. "But you're like that boar you punched and run blindly..."

"Eh?" I scratched my white hair. I was so confused by Mirari's statement.

"... Heh. Wow. You know what," Mirari looked back at her mirror and spoke once more: "Let me have your contact info, and all of your information provided by me will be for free."

"Huh? Well... sure, why not? But don't you have a business to run, Mirari?" I raised my left brow. "You even gave me your card, too."

"That's just my business number," Mirari added before closing her mirror and giving me a small smile. "And what I want in return for my contact and directions to the Kingdom is your information with this Peri guy!"

... Huh?

She wants... what?

"... Eh?!" I jolted in a panic.

Mirari gave an okay sign to me. "We'll brush up on the details later! Teehee~!"