Chapter 414: Kurnish

Because there are so many different cultures on Borg, Cero couldn’t be properly prepared no matter how much he learned about them.

He knew that the civilization, the people that dominated Borg, were commonly referred to as Reptilians, and he knew that there were many types of Reptilians.

The Reptilian on his screen, caged, imprisoned, and previously chosen as a sacrifice, was part of the lower castes of Reptilians.

The lower castes were deemed inferior due to their different physical constitution. Many of them had scales, long reptilian tongues, etc... But they usually had, one way or another, less reptile-like features.

The imprisoned one being broadcast in particular did not have a reptile’s skull shape.

Cero also knew about a different Species of Borg. A Species that lived in the wilderness, and that he aimed to devour plenty of to clear his Quest and obtain Regeneration Lv.MAX

The Kurnish.

They looked exactly like Reptilians, and had just as much diversity in their reptilian features, with one major difference.

The Kurnish were not intelligent like Reptilians.

For one reason or another, evolution on Borg had led to two Species that looked exactly the same, yet differed vastly in intellect.

The people of Borg thought for a long time that the Kurnish weren’t so different, that they were barbarians, that they were simply wild.

Many experiments took place in Borg’s history, some involving the kidnapping of Kurnish children so they could be raised in Reptilian society. Those children never developed the intellect of Reptilians.

It was only once science and technology advanced enough on Borg that Reptilians could study their brains and those of the Kurnish, spotting the major differences, and proving that they were completely different Species.

However, because power, knowledge, and wealth were concentrated in one city for the majority of Reptilian history, many cultures did not believe in that scientific proof. Many hadn’t even heard of it.

As such, different cultures of Reptilians saw the Kurnish differently, with some treating them as barbarians, others like wild animals. Some even saw the Kurnish as Demons and as a curse.

The people who inhabited the area on which the spaceship landed did not see the Kurnish in such a negative light.

Instead, they saw them as beings to be worshipped and cared for.

There were different beliefs even within that culture, with some believing that the souls of the dead rested within the Kurnish, and others believing that the souls of future generations rested within them.

Either way, the people of that area believed that the Kurnish required Reptilian sacrifices at the occurrence of certain specific events, including solar eclipses, earthquakes, and others.

They believed that if the sacrifices were not given, misfortune and evil would befall them.

"Alright."

This large variety of often conflicting and opposing archaic beliefs among the different Reptilian cultures was a major reason for the Intergalactic Union of the Living’s characteristic neglect and disregard for Borg.

"Let’s get started," Cero whispered to himself as he gazed deep into the forest, his hand holding onto a tree’s thick branch while his body dangled in the air. "I’ll move in the helicopter’s direction," he said, gazing at the screen in his free hand. "They’ve started lowering the cage."

The Kurnish were a different Species, and while they looked like Reptilians, they were wild animals.

Unlike other Species, Kurnish were naturally violent and aggressive, craving bloodshed even when they were not hungry, both male and female Kurnish.

’I’d feel bad not giving them a chance,’ Cero thought to himself. ’Killing them indiscriminately isn’t really what I’m about, especially since they look so similar to Reptilians.’

Because he was still close to the city, there wasn’t much wildlife around.

’I won’t attack first if I run into some.’

It wasn’t clear how aggressive and violent the Kurnish in this area would be though.

Kurnish were known to be aggressive and violent, but what about those living around a civilization that worshipped them? A civilization that fed them and even brought them sacrifices?

Cero was especially curious about the sacrifice’s fate.

Would she be eaten by the Kurnish? If so, why would it be important for her to be a virgin?

Kurnish females weren’t any rarer than Kurnish males, so she wasn’t a sacrifice for them to multiply, was she?

’In the first place, Kurnish and Reptilians are different Species. They can’t have children...’

Though Cero wasn’t sure if those people knew about that, or if they cared.

’They didn’t seem to care or worry about her fate, though. As long as Kurnish come for her, that was what mattered. Whether they kill and eat her or grab and assault her doesn’t matter to them.’

Cero continued going through the forest, launching himself from branch to branch while keeping the broadcast alive and handy.

"Hm." His ear twitched as the rustling of leaves echoed. "I see," Cero whispered and let go of the branch, his feet landing on the ground. "Of course, Kurnish would gather here."

Indeed, four Kurnish appeared, stepping out from their hiding spots.

’I guess they eat everything that lives here.’

The Kurnish had long, lizard-like heads covered in scales.

Their tongues repeatedly flicked and hissed through the air.

"Hssss..."

Cero stared at them.

’They look like lizards standing on two feet,’ he thought, noticing their dangling tails. ’The higher castes look more like this on Borg.’

Cero remained immobile for a moment, and so did the Kurnish.

Only the tip of their reptilian tongues moved as they hissed.

’Maybe they aren’t so bad?’ he asked himself. ’Since the people around here worship and feed them... Yeah, maybe the Reptilians tamed the Kurnish around the area without even meaning to?’

Cero raised an eyebrow.

"HSSSS!"

Their hissing grew louder, and louder.

’What’s up with them?’

One of the Kurnish growled and crouched before repeatedly slamming its fists against the ground.

’Oh, I see.’ Cero realized as the Kurnish grew restless. ’They’re waiting for me to feed them.’

The Kurnish’s restlessness grew into anger.

’Yeah, they have been tamed, somewhat.’ Cero chuckled. ’They’ll attack any outsider that doesn’t toss them food.’

The next second, they did exactly that.

’Too bad for you, Kurnish.’ ℯℯ𝘭.

Cero licked his lips and clenched his teeth as they growled and hissed, baring their claws and fangs.

"This is..." Cero said as his fist collided with a Kurnish’s chin, knocking it down to sleep right away. "Not your day!"