Dante came out of his thoughts for a moment and spoke to Tyler.
— Master… I've been thinking. This path I've chosen seems very worthwhile. However, it carries a problem: the reduction in the chance of breaking through, caused by the weakening of my foundation.
— But what if I strengthen it? Or raise it to another level?
As soon as Dante asked that, Tyler looked at him with surprise… and interest.
— And what are you thinking? — his voice sounded curious, as if he were expecting something grand.
So Dante began to speak.
— What if I replace this loss of foundation by raising the other two? Think with me: the spiritual heart is only a half-concept… but what if I raise two true concepts?
When Dante said that, Tyler looked even more surprised.
The two concepts Dante was most likely referring to were the Crimson Effort Lotus and the Triple Foundation (Golden Mortal Body)—after all, it was impossible to improve the Taboo Battle Realm.
— And how do you intend to do that? — Tyler asked with a broad smile on his face.
His young and talented disciple was pure discipline and focus, and so he trusted him.
— I need another Crimson Blood Lotus, and I will evolve both at the same time — Dante replied.
— The one I already possess will take the place of the latent spiritual heart.
— The second will fuse with my Golden Mortal Body.
Dante lifted his gaze, firm.
— I will radicalize the path of the combatant, raising my body to true perfection.
— For that, I need to raise my body to the peak of the mortal grade and make the Golden Mortal Body become a Golden Spiritual Body, through an enormous energy load…
— Using the Crimson Effort Lotus as a bridge for a forced evolution.
When he finished speaking, Tyler showed great surprise.
The idea was extreme—but if it succeeded, Dante would elevate his abilities to an utterly extreme level within the path of combat.
In Tyler's mind, three words echoed endlessly:
Golden Spiritual Body.
He himself had established this foundation in the past… yet he had never imagined raising it to such a level.
It seemed simple, but it was truly ingenious.
It was not merely about raising one's level and becoming stronger—it was like restructuring an entire building from its foundation, without allowing the whole structure to collapse into ruin.
This should have been impossible…
No.
When his eyes turned back to Dante, Tyler strangely felt that he would succeed.
Perhaps it was trust in his disciple.
Perhaps it was blind faith.
Perhaps it was his yearning for a hope for the human race.
Or perhaps it was nothing more than the excited delusions of an old man.
But if it were Dante who stepped forward… it would work.
Without doubt.
If it were Dante, he would succeed.
Tyler had never felt something like this before—a confidence that pierced through feelings, moments, and even will itself.
For a brief second, he saw.
A vast palace, where countless beings gathered, all of them emanating terrifying auras.
He himself was among them.
The atmosphere was gentle, as if it were covered by infinite peace—a place where malevolent gods did not exist.
Within that palace, seated above all others, was a figure that was truly ethereal.
His hair swayed even in the absence of wind.
His breathing was calm and steady.
His eyes seemed to see everything the world tried to conceal.
He wore an imperial robe, black and gold, adorned with clouds of hope.
Upon his chest, a dragon was embroidered.
Was that man… Dante?
That image, which seemed to pierce through the ages, began to fade—
as if time itself were signaling that someone had touched its domain.
When Tyler returned to reality, he could not help but look at Dante with new eyes.
Something he never imagined still existed after so many cruel years had awakened within him.
Hope.
The most incredible of sensations.
The feeling that it is still possible.
That which is always the last to die.
A path for the lost.
A light for the blind.
A beacon in the darkness.
A home amid war.
A remnant of life.
— Dante…
His voice sounded firm, filled with emotion.
Within it was an unshakable will to move forward, to conquer the world, and to reach that destiny.
— I will help you with whatever you need. No matter what is required.
— The village will bear all the costs so that you can accomplish this.
Tyler paused.
— What I expect in return is results and loyalty.
— Be the one who will bring hope to these humans who do nothing but survive, living one day after another.
Dante was surprised.
He had never seen Tyler so serious.
He did not know how to respond with words… but there was a clear feeling in his heart.
He smiled calmly and extended his fist toward Tyler, as a promise.
People speak with words.
Combatants communicate with their fists.
Your dreams will be my dreams.
And one day, humanity will see the sun with a new color.
This life of cattle… was not meant for us.
That fist carried a single sentence, a single feeling, a single truth, a single path—and a single dream.
Just trust me.