"Gangsta: Cursed" is a prequel to the main series "Gangsta," written and illustrated by Kohske. The story is set in the fictional city of Ergastulum, a lawless haven for criminals, mercenaries, and outcasts. The narrative centers on the origins of the Handymen, a duo comprising Nicolas Brown, a deaf "Twilight" mercenary with enhanced physical abilities, and Worick Arcangelo, a gigolo with a sharp intellect and a troubled past. The prequel delves into their early partnership and the events that shaped their lives before the main series.

The plot begins with Worick, a young man from a powerful mafia family, who is forced into prostitution after a traumatic incident involving his father. Nicolas, a former slave and experimental subject known as a "Tag," is rescued by Worick and becomes his protector. The two form an unlikely bond, navigating the brutal underworld of Ergastulum while taking on dangerous jobs as mercenaries. Their partnership is tested by the city's corrupt power dynamics, including the influence of the Monroe and Cristiano mafia families, as well as the systemic oppression of Twilights, individuals who were experimented on and granted superhuman abilities at the cost of shortened lifespans.

Key characters include Alex Benedetto, a former prostitute who later becomes a central figure in the main series, and Marco Adriano, a police officer with ties to the criminal underworld. The narrative also explores the origins of the Four Gangs, powerful factions that control Ergastulum, and the societal tensions between humans and Twilights. Themes of loyalty, survival, and the consequences of violence are woven throughout the story, as Worick and Nicolas confront their pasts and forge a path in a city defined by chaos and corruption.

The prequel provides crucial context for the main series, shedding light on the Handymen's motivations and the complex relationships that define Ergastulum. It maintains the gritty, morally ambiguous tone of "Gangsta," offering a deeper understanding of the world and its characters.