Three hundred years ago, the world changed forever.
Without warning, they appeared—monsters of unfathomable shapes, sizes, and power. Some towered over mountains, their massive footsteps capable of reducing cities to rubble. Others, smaller but no less terrifying, possessed speed and intelligence that rivaled the greatest warriors of humankind. They came in endless waves, an unstoppable force of destruction.
No one knew where they came from.
Some believed they had emerged from the deepest depths of the world, long hidden beneath the earth, waiting for the right moment to rise. Others thought they were beings from another realm, drawn to our world by forces beyond human comprehension. Priests claimed they were punishment from the gods, a reckoning for mankind's greed and arrogance. Scholars sought to understand them, only to fall victim to the very creatures they studied.
Regardless of their origins, one thing was certain: humanity was not prepared.
Kingdoms fell. Cities burned. Entire civilizations were erased from history.
The strongest warriors, the most brilliant tacticians, the most powerful mages—all failed to stop the overwhelming onslaught. Even the great empires of old, once thought invincible, crumbled under the relentless advance of the creatures. Humanity was driven to the brink of extinction, forced to take shelter in hidden enclaves, deep within mountains or behind hastily erected walls.
It seemed as if the end had come.
But then, from the light, they emerged.
Three legendary heroes—beings chosen by the goddess of light, Cecilia.
Gifted with divine power, they stood against the tide of darkness. One wielded a blade that burned like the sun, cutting down monsters with each stroke. Another commanded the elements, summoning storms and quakes that shattered entire armies of creatures. The third possessed the legendary dragon bow and wisdom beyond mortal understanding, uncovering the secrets of the monsters and devising strategies to push them back.
Together, they fought for years, carving a path through chaos and despair.
Their ultimate battle was against the Demon King, a monstrous entity said to be the source of the invasion. The battle raged for seven days and seven nights, shaking the very foundations of the world. When the dust settled, the Demon King was slain, his body vanishing into the void.
The war was over.
But the world was forever changed.
Though the greatest threat was vanquished, monsters still roamed the lands. They no longer moved as one force, no longer had a king to command them—but they remained a danger. The scars of war ran deep, and humanity had to rebuild from nothing.
The legacy of the three heroes lived on. They established the first adventurer guilds, training warriors, mages, and scholars to continue the fight. They forged weapons, crafted spells, and laid the foundation for a new world—one where humans could stand against the monsters instead of merely running from them.
And so, the age of adventurers began.
Generations passed, and the stories of the heroes became legend. Some doubted their existence, believing them to be myths crafted to inspire hope. Others dedicated their lives to following in their footsteps, seeking to prove themselves worthy of their legacy.
Among them was a young man named Satoshi Yamamoto.
His dream?
To become an adventurer—one strong enough to carve his name into history.
The sun cast its golden rays upon the land, filtering through the lush green canopy above. Birds chirped in the distance, their melodies carried by the soft breeze rustling the leaves. In a clearing, the rhythmic clang of steel rang out, breaking the peaceful morning.
Satoshi Yamamoto clenched his sword tightly, his breath steady as he faced off against his father. The man stood firm, his blade raised in a relaxed stance, his presence unwavering.
"What's wrong?" his father taunted, eyes glinting with amusement. "Is that all you've got, Satoshi?"
Satoshi tightened his grip. "No, I'm just getting started."
With a sudden burst of speed, Satoshi lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air. His father stood his ground, effortlessly raising his own blade to block.
Clang!
The impact sent vibrations up Satoshi's arms, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on. He struck again—left, right, overhead—each attack swift and precise. But his father countered every move with ease, parrying each strike without so much as flinching.
"Too slow," his father muttered, dodging a downward slash before retaliating with a quick thrust.
Satoshi barely managed to sidestep in time, feeling the rush of air as the blade passed inches from his side. He swung in response, but his father leaned back, evading it by a hair's breadth.
"Tch." Satoshi jumped back, taking a defensive stance. His father was still as calm as ever, his breathing steady. Meanwhile, Satoshi's chest rose and fell, his arms already starting to burn.
"Seven years of training," his father said, shifting his grip. "And this is all you have to show for it?"
Satoshi narrowed his eyes. His father was baiting him, trying to get him to make a reckless move. But Satoshi wouldn't fall for it.
Instead, he exhaled slowly and focused.
Then, he moved.
In an instant, he vanished from sight.
Flash Step.
His father's eyes widened slightly, the only sign of his surprise. He instinctively turned, raising his sword just in time to block Satoshi's attack from behind.
Clang!
Satoshi didn't stop. He twisted, launching another strike from the opposite side. His father deflected it. Then another. And another. Sparks flew as their blades clashed in rapid succession, the sound echoing through the clearing.
Satoshi could see it now—his father was no longer just standing in place, effortlessly blocking his attacks. He was starting to move, starting to react.
He was being pushed back.
Satoshi grinned. "Not so easy now, is it?"
His father smirked. "Don't get cocky, boy."
Suddenly, his father shifted his stance, and Satoshi barely caught the flicker of movement before—
Whoosh!
A powerful kick slammed into Satoshi's stomach, sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, rolling twice before coming to a stop.
"Damn it..."
He pushed himself up, coughing. His father approached, blade lowered, his expression unreadable.
"You're strong," he admitted. "Stronger than I expected. But brute force alone won't win battles, Satoshi."
Satoshi wiped his mouth and slowly rose to his feet. "I know that."
"Do you?" His father's eyes sharpened. "Then prove it."
He raised his sword again, and Satoshi braced himself.
This time… I have to finish it.
The wind rustled through the trees as the two warriors circled each other. Satoshi studied his father carefully, watching for any opening. His father had trained him for years, drilled him in countless techniques—but he was still holding back.
I have to make him go all out…
Satoshi took a deep breath and dashed forward. His father moved to block, but Satoshi wasn't aiming for a direct strike. At the last second, he feinted—twisting his body mid-air and bringing his sword in a sweeping arc toward his father's legs.
But his father saw through it.
Before the strike could connect, he leapt backward, avoiding it entirely.
Damn, he saw that coming…
Satoshi landed and immediately sprang forward again, slashing at his father's midsection. His father sidestepped, but this time, Satoshi was ready.
He twisted his foot and threw a kick straight at his father's leg.
It connected.
For the first time, his father's stance wavered.
Satoshi didn't waste a second. He followed up with a diagonal slash—forcing his father to block—then immediately spun, sweeping his leg low.
His father reacted too late.
The sweep kick hit its mark, knocking his legs out from under him.
His father crashed to the ground, his sword slipping from his grasp.
Before he could recover, Satoshi pointed his blade at his father's throat, breathing heavily.
A long silence followed.
Then, his father chuckled. "Looks like I finally lost."
Satoshi swallowed hard, his heart still pounding in his chest. He had won.
He had actually won.
He stepped back and reached out, helping his father to his feet. His father dusted himself off, then placed a firm hand on Satoshi's shoulder.
"You have completed your training," he said, pride evident in his voice. "Not only that, but you've exceeded my expectations."
Satoshi straightened. He had been waiting for this moment for years.
"But," his father continued, his expression softening, "I can't help but worry for your safety."
Satoshi smiled. "It's not like you're sending me off unprepared. I know that the path ahead won't be easy, but I can manage. This is what I've always wanted."
His father sighed. "You may be stronger than me now, but you still have the mind of a child."
Satoshi frowned. "What?!—"
"And a heart of gold." His father chuckled. "Promise me this—never stray from the right path. Stay true to yourself."
Satoshi met his gaze and nodded. "I promise."
His father smiled. "Then, as promised, you are free to venture out into the world as an adventurer. But first—let's eat. Today is a special day, after all."
Satoshi grinned. "Yes!"
The dinner table was quiet for a moment, save for the clinking of dishes as Satoshi devoured his meal. He had always appreciated his sister's cooking, but tonight, it tasted even better—perhaps because it was the last meal he would have at home for a long time.
"You should cook like this more often," Satoshi said, grinning between bites.
Yoshinori sighed, shaking her head. "I would if we had the money to afford this kind of food every day."
Satoshi swallowed, his expression turning serious. "When I become an adventurer, you and Dad will be eating like this every single day."
Yoshinori glanced at him. "That's if you live long enough to make that happen."
Satoshi groaned. "At least hope and have faith in my safety, jeez."
Their father chuckled. "She's just worried about you, Satoshi. We both are."
Satoshi finished the last bite of his meal, wiped his mouth, and stood up. "Well, no need to worry too much. I'm strong enough to protect myself from anything out there."
He belched loudly, earning a disapproving look from Yoshinori.
"Ugh, you're disgusting," she muttered.
Satoshi laughed. "Alright, I'm heading out now. See you soon."
Just as he reached for the door, his father called out. "Wait. You forgot these."
Satoshi turned, catching the bundle of books his father tossed toward him. He frowned. "Um… what do I need these for?"
His father folded his arms. "Have you already forgotten? There's a three-year adventure course at the Magic Academy."
Satoshi blinked. "Wait… so I have to wait three years before I can actually become an adventurer?"
"Not necessarily. You can attempt both the practical and theoretical tests as soon as you arrive. However, you'll have to pass both to be officially recognized as an adventurer."
Satoshi exhaled. "Oh… I see."
His father continued. "Only a handful of people have ever managed to pass on their first attempt. But I have faith that you will be among them."
A fire lit up in Satoshi's chest. He clutched the books tightly. "I will. The sooner I become an adventurer, the better."
Yoshinori stepped forward, handing him a small cloth-wrapped bundle. "Here. Something to snack on during your journey."
Satoshi smiled, ruffling her hair. "Thanks, little sister."
She hesitated, her hands tightening into fists. "Just… be safe, okay?"
"I will," Satoshi reassured her. "See you soon."
He turned and walked away, his boots crunching against the dirt path.
Yoshinori watched him disappear into the distance, her vision blurring with unshed tears. "He's really gone, isn't he?"
Their father placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "There's no use crying about it now. All we can do is have faith in the boy."
Yoshinori wiped her eyes and nodded. "Yes…"
Satoshi grunted as he climbed the steep mountain path, sweat dripping down his forehead. His muscles burned from the effort, but he pressed on, determination keeping him moving forward.
"This is tougher than I thought…"
Finally, he reached the top, and his breath hitched.
The sight before him was breathtaking—rolling green plains stretching as far as the eye could see, rivers sparkling under the sunlight, and villages nestled between forests. The sheer vastness of the world ahead filled him with excitement.
"So this is it... my journey begins now."