In the south of the Hidden Village, at one of the four outposts, two guards were patrolling the southern area. Both were Level 1, six stars, and were talking about the leader's disciple and other matters.
"Mark, did you hear that the leader's disciple recently went after the Battle Taboo Realm? Hunting a Level 1, 1-star lion, while still a mortal."
"Could it be John?" Mark said. "Maybe it's just rumors to give us hope. This wouldn't be the first time this has happened, especially now…"
"No, I saw him leave for the fight myself. The village leader and the elders prepared everything so it would be done perfectly. They seem to place a lot of hope in him. I even saw Lady Viviane asking him not to go."
"That's a shame, isn't it? She's already 28. If he dies, she'll have to wait many years, with no certainty… And that was her dream: to marry him."
"Yes, and besides, do you think it's true?" John said, uneasy.
"Probably. The day the leader met Dante, he had gone to the Hidden Village of the Mages to confirm whether the Evil Gods had really destroyed it. Since no new information came, it's easy to imagine."
"But they should be stronger than us, right?" Clark asked. "I always heard they had two second-level mages, including one who reached six stars."
"Yes, they were stronger. I hope they don't find us," Clark sighed.
Clark continued his thoughts: May the young leader defeat the lion, and one day break Level 2, seven stars, so that humanity still has hope.
Tum tum tum tum.
John and Clark both began to hear footsteps coming from the trees. They quickly turned to the sound and drew their spears.
The brothers wielded mid-level Level 1 spears and, with their cultivation at Level 1, six stars, could even compete with someone of seven stars.
From the midst of the trees, a figure began to approach. The location was at a good distance from the village, one of the four outposts protecting the area. To enter the village, one had to pass through one of them. This method prevented the Evil Gods from locating the village, directing their focus to the outposts instead.
The approaching figure seemed extremely tall, maybe two meters, and didn't look human. The sound of cracking branches and whistling wind announced his presence.
Clack clack clack.
With each step, branches snapped under his weight. Clark and John prepared to fight, until the enemy finally appeared.
It was a young man, about 1.85 meters tall. Around his neck, he wore a lion's mane and skin as a cloak. He was shirtless, and lightning ran along his arms. His hair, emerging slightly from the lion's head, was white and stained with blood.
Clark and John raised their spears and asked who the man was. His answer surprised them:
"My name is Dante. We saw each other three days ago, when I left for the Death Hunt."
John, who had seen Dante before, was shocked by the young leader's changes. Quickly, a wave of excitement took over them: Dante had managed to enter the Battle Taboo Realm.
Clark, eyes wide and hands trembling, invited Dante to enter the outpost.
However, Dante declined. He only wanted them to convey the news of his return to avoid problems, and they complied.
The walk back to the village then began, lasting about thirty minutes. Upon reaching the gate, Dante noticed the veil that usually concealed the village had been deactivated. A crowd awaited him.
His master, his wife, Viviane, thirteen people wearing robes marked with sun symbols, the village elders, and countless unknown faces.
As expected, Viviane was the first to approach. With tears in her eyes, she embraced Dante warmly.
Hahahaha!
A vigorous laugh tore through the air. It was Tyler, laughing excitedly, ignoring everyone as he approached Dante. Pushing Viviane aside and grabbing Dante's arm, he raised it and began a joyful speech:
"Seven generations," Tyler said, "that's right, seven generations without anyone entering the Battle Taboo Realm. The last one to succeed was our venerable ancestor, leader of the second generation."
"And now, finally, someone has done it!" he continued. "This is Dante, the next leader of the village, who courageously fought and killed a Level 1 beast, as a Level 0.5 mortal, bringing hope to the village."
"Past achievements are meant to be broken, surpassed, and achieved again. Today, he has proven, with blood and honor, that hope for humanity still exists!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, tears of joy, and relentless applause.
Seeing this, Dante raised his fist courageously, bringing silence to the crowd. From his fingertips, a drop of golden blood fell.
Thus began the long-awaited hope.