At the highest point of the watchtower, several guards stood on patrol, their eyes constantly scanning the landscape for any signs of movement. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant cries of nocturnal creatures.
One of the sentries, a seasoned soldier with sharp eyes honed by years of vigilance, suddenly stiffened. In the dim light, he caught sight of a faint shadow moving toward them from the horizon. Squinting, he focused on the figures approaching through the haze of dust and twilight. His pulse quickened. It wasn’t just a lone traveler—it was a group.
"They're here!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade. "Open the gate!"
The fortress stirred to life. Torches flared as guards hurried to their positions, their armor clinking with urgency. Heavy wooden mechanisms groaned as the massive gate began to open.
Among the gathered crowd, a young boy, barely able to contain his excitement, gasped audibly. His wide eyes sparkled with anticipation as he clutched his mother's hand.
"Father!" he cried, his voice filled with joy and relief.
Turning eagerly to his mother, he tugged at her sleeve, nearly bouncing on his toes.
"Mama, they're here!" he exclaimed, his heart pounding with hope.
At afternoon, the second group of hunters returned home. Thirty-two hunters, ranging from elite to trainees, were joyfully greeted by their families. Behind them.The Karawao dragged the massive carcass of a wild beast along with the other prey they had successfully hunted.
In the center of the village stood a grand, four-story structure made of stone and wood, known as the Hunter Hall. 
This building served as the hub for all missions, trades, and hunter-related activities. Its decorations were diverse and striking, featuring bones, teeth of unknown creatures, furs, and skins that adorned the walls and even served as curtains for the windows. Inside and outside the building, hunters bustled about, armed with weapons and traps, exchanging stories and boasting about their hunting exploits. 
In the lobby, hunters traded their mission points for new weapons, armor, bait, and traps, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
On the fourth floor of the Hunter Hall, within a spacious room filled with weapons and armor crafted from the body parts of mysterious creatures, the decor was even more grandiose. The room was adorned with an array of bone decorations and weapons, clearly reserved for individuals of higher status.
At a wide table in the center of the room sat a towering elderly man with a large, prominent brain, long hair, and a beard. Standing at an impressive 200 cm tall, he had a muscular and robust physique, sharp eagle-like eyes, a prominent nose, and thin lips. This man was Elder Oxor, the Chief Elder of the Hunter Hall. Despite his imposing appearance, he carried himself with the demeanor of a harmless, wise old man.
Seated across from Chief Elder Oxor was another person named Vetron. Having just completed a successful hunting mission, Vetron had come to the Hunter Hall to report his findings.
"No casualties happened, right?" asked Chief Elder Oxor, ensuring. 
"No, no casualties; everything is good, Chief Elder," replied Vetron with a smile. 
"Good," Chief Elder Oxor responded, in a good mood.
 "Is there any good news?" asked Chief Elder Oxor.
"Except for successful hunting missions and promising candidates, there's no one else," said Vetron, initially confused by Chief Elder Oxor's reference to good news.
"Tell me about the promising candidates," said Chief Elder Oxor, anticipating. 
"This year, there were at least 12 promising candidates and seedlings," said Vetron with a cheerful tone.
 "Really?" asked Chief Elder Oxor with a gleeful expression. 
"Tell me, are there any promising young hunters in your group?" asked Chief Elder Oxor with anticipation in his face. 
"There are indeed, Chief Elder Oxor. There's Henry, Daisy, and Lucy, who shows great potential," said Vetron, smiling. 
"Henry is a promising young man indeed. He became a trainee at the age of 15 and is now just one step away from becoming an official hunter at only 16 or 17 years old. And those two girls—they are truly impressive as well."
As the renowned daughters of the Village Chief and Sharp Pang Rommel, they have the blood of hunters flowing in their veins," explained Chief Elder Oxor.
 "Actually, Chief Elder, those two girls show even more promising talent than Henry himself," suggested Vetron. 
"Oh, why is that?" asked Chief Elder Oxor, bewildered.
"I remember when those two started as trainees, they were already able to defeat an official hunter,"
said Vetron, admiring the two girls.
Chief Elder Oxor was shocked and disbelieving. As an elder, he knew the capabilities of each level of hunter, and there was usually a gap that couldn't be surpassed by mere hard work. They needed experience and talent. 
"I want to add that there's another Elite who can be a candidate to become a Top Elite," said Vetron with a smile. 
"Oh! Another candidate, who?" asked Chief Elder Oxor curiously.
"Ferdinand?" inquired Chief Elder Oxor
"Yes, the one who has a son, a trainee. I think his name is Marlon," replied Elder Vetron.
"Ah, him. That lad is good. Even though he started training late, I see his determination," recalled Chief Elder Oxor.
"Right, Chief Elder, that's him," confirmed Vetron.
"That's great news! We have another Top Elite hunter," said Chief Elder Oxor with a cheerful tone.
"Give him some reward, perhaps a weapon or armor made from beast materials," urged Chief Elder Oxor.
"I will, Chief Elder," said Vetron with a smile, though a tinge of envy could be seen in his expression. Beast weapons were higher-grade weapons—sharper and more durable than the standard weapons hunters typically used.
"That's great," said Chief Elder Oxor with a smile, then proceeded to give another order to Vetron.
"Vetron, deliver the prey to the Butcher House so they can distribute it to the hunter houses within the next two days," Chief Elder instructed.
"Chief Elder, I have already done so. I delivered it to the Butcher House with the help of my apprentices. They butchered the prey swiftly and are preparing to deliver it tomorrow," said Vetron.
"Hahaha, you're a responsible person, Vetron. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here," said Chief Elder Oxor while laughing.
Elder Vetron beamed with a smile after receiving praise from Chief Elder Oxor. However, Vetron recalled something that quickly changed Chief Elder Oxor's mood.
"I recalled something, Chief Elder," inquired Elder Vetron hesitantly.
"Speak, Vetron," said Chief Elder Oxor with a smile.
"Top Elite Mardoc sent a letter to me, stating that he spotted some signs of them again," said Elder Vetron with a stern tone. The room grew colder, and the atmosphere became tense. Chief Elder Oxor's face, which usually smiled like a kindly grandfather, instantly turned fierce.
"Them? They're back?" asked Chief Elder Oxor.
"I haven't confirmed it yet, but it's better to be prepared," said Vetron.
"I want you to add more Elite hunters to guard that area and contact the Village Hall and Medicine Hall. Tell them they need to be prepared," said Chief Elder Oxor hurriedly, his tone serious.
"I don't want those tragedies to happen again," Chief Elder Oxor said solemnly.
*Knock knock.*
Someone knocked on the wooden door.
"Come in," Chief Elder Oxor said.
Upon opening the door, a man with blonde hair and eagle-like eyes entered. He walked up to Chief Elder Oxor and Vetron.
"Oh, Joba, why are you here?" Chief Elder Oxor asked.
"I'm here on the orders of Elder Gido," Joba said. "He wants to hunt a beast with the power of the Hunter Hall and kill it."
"I heard that a beast attacked the village a few days ago. I didn't pay much attention to it, but I didn't expect it to become such a serious incident," Chief Elder Oxor said.
"There was such an incident?" Vetron chimed in.
"You weren't here at the time," Chief Elder Oxor replied.
"If you haven't heard yet, Tino and his chickens were attacked by the beast," Joba added.
"I don't think that's a serious incident," Vetron said dismissively.
Chief Elder Oxor pondered for a moment, sinking his heavy frame into his chair. "Do you know what kind of beast you're hunting?" he asked.
"It's a Three-Eyed Toad," Joba said.
"What? Just a Three-Eyed Toad?" Vetron exclaimed, as if it were a big joke.
"I'm not joking, Vetron. It's a Three-Eyed Toad. I know you've killed Three-Eyed Toads before, but don't underestimate this beast. Tino said it has a paralyzing ability," Joba explained.
"Though, still, a Three-Eyed Toad is a low-level enchanted beast—sometimes even categorized as a wild beast. Even trainees can kill it," Vetron added.
"Are their numbers increasing? And how did such a beast enter our village?" Chief Elder Oxor asked, bewildered.
"I don't know yet how the beast entered our village," Joba said.
"I see," Chief Elder Oxor replied.
"Vetron, did you hear that? You have another assignment," Chief Elder Oxor ordered.
"Okay... It's just an easy task. I'll gather some trainees to handle it," Vetron said confidently.