The massive doors of the tower opened with a deep, grinding sound that echoed through the forest clearing.
Silence fell instantly.
Three elderly figures stepped out from the shadowed interior.
The moment they appeared, the air itself seemed to thicken.
An invisible pressure descended upon us like a crushing tide, slamming into my chest without warning. My breath hitched, my limbs stiffened, and for a terrifying second, it felt as though my body no longer belonged to me. Even standing became an act of resistance.
So… this is true power.
My vision blurred slightly as I struggled to steady myself. Each breath felt heavier than the last, as if the very atmosphere demanded submission.
I forced myself to glance around.
The reactions varied.
Some youths merely frowned, their breathing growing labored but controlled. Others clenched their fists, veins standing out along their necks as they fought the pressure head-on. Hope, Jerd, and Mike, however, stood unnervingly still—solemn, focused, unshaken.
Mike's case was obvious. His physique alone bordered on monstrous, his raw strength acting as a natural shield.
But Hope and Jerd…
Their stage truly already be far beyond mine.
The realization settled uncomfortably in my chest.
At the center of the three elders stood a tall, broad-shouldered old man with hair as white as frost and eyes sharp enough to pierce steel. To his left was an elderly woman with calm, penetrating eyes and a presence that felt deep and unfathomable, like still water hiding an abyss. To his right stood another old man—leaner, quieter—but with an aura that coiled tightly around him like a drawn blade.
"Hmmm…" the elder at the center murmured, his gaze sweeping over us.
"Good… good… good."
Each word echoed with subtle authority.
"Truly, a generation worthy of this tribe," he continued. His eyes lingered briefly on three figures. "Especially the three of you."
As he finished speaking, the pressure vanished.
Just like that.
The suffocating weight evaporated as if it had never existed.
I staggered slightly, sucking in air greedily. My heart pounded violently against my ribs.
Terrifying…
Before anyone could react further, Hope suddenly broke formation.
"Grandpa! Grandma!"
She ran forward without hesitation and threw herself into the arms of the central elder and the elderly woman beside him. Her movements were natural, affectionate—completely devoid of fear.
The elders smiled.
The stern atmosphere softened instantly.
The elderly woman patted Hope's head gently, her eyes warm. The old man chuckled softly, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Seeing this, several youths straightened instinctively.
Jerd and the sons of influential families stepped forward as one and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Elders."
"Greetings, Grand Elder Thor."
"Greetings, Grand Elder Mary."
"Greetings, Grand Elder John."
Their voices rang out in perfect unison.
Only then did the rest of us realize the weight of the figures standing before us.
Grand Elders…
My heart skipped a beat.
Following their lead, the remaining youths—including myself—bowed as well.
"Greetings, Elders."
"Greetings, Grand Elder Thor."
"Greetings, Grand Elder Mary."
"Greetings, Grand Elder John."
The elders observed us silently.
Finally, Grand Elder Thor nodded slowly.
"Hmmm. Good," he said. "Your parents and tribe have raised you well. There is discipline in your eyes… and hunger."
His gaze sharpened.
"Now proceed along the path ahead. Continue walking until you reach another wooden gate. Someone will be waiting for you there."
He paused briefly.
"Do not lag behind."
With that, he waved his hand dismissively.
The matter was settled.
The group immediately reorganized and began moving once more. As we passed by, I glanced back instinctively.
Hope remained behind with the elders—along with Jerd and several others from influential families.
So… they are separated from us.
A quiet understanding formed in my mind.
Different paths… even within the same generation.
We continued forward.
After several minutes of walking, the forest opened slightly, revealing a massive wooden wall ahead. It towered above us, thick logs bound together with reinforced metal.
Beyond the gate, noise erupted.
Low growls.
Heavy breathing.
The stomping of massive feet.
As we passed through, the scene before us made my blood run cold.
A vast open camp stretched before us—and within it stood dozens upon dozens of beasts.
No.
Monsters.
Some towered over five meters tall, their massive forms restrained only by thick chains and runic stakes driven deep into the earth. Others paced slowly, muscles rippling beneath armored hides.
My legs nearly locked in place.
"What… what are those?" I whispered.
Mike noticed my expression and laughed loudly, slapping my back.
"Hahaha! Brother, don't panic," he said. "Those are mounts. Tamed ones."
"Tamed…?" I repeated weakly.
He nodded enthusiastically.
"Our tribe raises them."
I swallowed hard and forced myself to observe more carefully.
One massive beast resembled an elephant—but its body was longer, segmented, with eight powerful legs instead of four. Its trunk was shorter, but its bulk was immense.
"That's a Centipede Mammoth," Mike explained. "Tier One. Herbivore. Fast and incredibly strong. Common transport mount across Sacred Island."
I stared in disbelief.
Despite its terrifying appearance, the beast stood calmly, chewing slowly, its many legs shifting lazily.
Nearby stood a mutated rhinoceros nearly three meters tall.
Where its ears should have been, a massive human-like arm extended from its skull, flexing slowly.
"That one's used by heavy hunters," Mike continued. "That arm can hold shields or weapons. Same speed as the mammoth."
My scalp tingled.
Then there were the predators.
Giant tigers.
Jaguar-like beasts with elongated limbs and glowing eyes.
Scout mounts.
Pursuit specialists.
But among them all—
One presence dominated the camp.
A colossal lion lay at the center, its massive body sprawled across reinforced stone slabs. Its mane shimmered like flowing silk, four deep crimson strands gleaming ominously even while it slept.
I felt my breath catch.
"That's…" I murmured.
"The Blood Lion," Mike said quietly.
My heart skipped.
Even lying down, the beast was as tall as the Centipede Mammoth.
Five meters.
A Tier three monster—that's known for savagery beyond its rank.
"That's the mount of Grand Elder Thor," Mike added proudly. "The former chief."
My throat went dry.
To subdue something like that…
What kind of power did it take?
I stared at the sleeping beast, awe and fear intertwining within me.
Strength.
Absolute strength.
If I wanted to ride such a beast—
If I wanted to stand among legends—
Then power was not optional.
It was everything.
And deep within my chest, the hunger burned brighter than ever.