After all the teams were eliminated, only ten remained. Victory was claimed by the Kingdom of Pyrion, with the Red Team taking first place, the Blue Team second, and the White Team in third. They had won... but humanity began to live in growing anxiety.
In a place drowned in darkness, where no light could be seen and only whispers of the unseen could be heard, a telepathic conversation took place between a man clad in black and a mysterious figure:
"We have spread chaos across the land, my lord... We have awaited your arrival for many long years. We urge you to hasten your decision to descend."
---
In the Blue Team's castle, sorrow loomed. Victory had been close, yet something felt missing.
"Why all this sadness? We secured second place—isn't that an honor?"
—Dinko.
"We are happy, but... Grind..."
"Grind? Has something happened to him?"
"No, he's unharmed, but he carried the weight of the competition on his shoulders. He saved all the teams... yet he was not crowned."
"So... he was the one who saved the ten teams?"
"Yes, he is the strongest among us. And yet, the Red Team won."
"Where is he now?"
"Olivia went to his room, but he wasn't there."
---
Deep in the forest, Grind sat under the shade of a tree, consumed by dark thoughts:
"The world has fallen into chaos... Who created it? Humans. Enemies from all sides, yet they call the Devil evil? They are worse than him. They fight, they destroy each other, and then they ask for protection? How can we protect those who don't deserve it? They are weak, and we are strong—why should we sacrifice ourselves for the weak?"
Suddenly, Olivia appeared, having heard every word.
She said firmly: "Grind... when you protect the weak, you're not just protecting them—you're planting hope in them that will one day bear fruit. Who protected you when you were young? You weren't strong then—the hunters were your shield. Did you save all the hunters yesterday?"
His eyes widened, as if a light had ignited within him.
"I didn't save them all... but I saved some. Yes... Let's protect humanity from the Devil and the strange creatures!"
He finally smiled... but then, a beast emerged from the earth.
The beast grinned.
"I don't know who you are, but your eyes... they reek of evil, young man."
Olivia screamed: "Don't look at him, Grind!"
But it was too late—he had already looked... and was dragged into a dark, monstrous world filled with beasts.
---
"Lord King! A Red-Type beast has appeared, and Grind has fallen into a coma!"
"To the location immediately! Dinko, open the team's portal!"
"Right away, sir!"
When they arrived, they found Olivia collapsed on the ground, the place empty.
"Take her back to the castle—we need to find out what happened."
Olivia woke up, visibly terrified.
"Are you okay?" Amani asked.
"I'm fine... but, does she have a brother? I heard her say, 'Don't kill my brother...'"
"I don't know—she never mentioned her family."
---
In a cave far from the world, Grind was trapped among the beasts.
"Why is this happening to me? What have I done? I swear I will erase you all from existence, you monsters!"
"You? Disappear? How pitiful! No, it is you who will be wiped from this world... But wait... Could it be that you...? No, I can't believe it..."
"I will annihilate you, one by one."
"Hahaha... You've truly amused me!"
"Then why can't I move?"
"Because you're now in my cave, bound by chains—powerless."
"Have you ever heard the legend of the Devil Pyrion, human?"
"No... I haven't."
"The legend says: The King of Beasts will rise alongside the Devil Pyrion to end the era of humans and establish the reign of beasts, ruling the earth and trampling thrones."
"Nonsense... None of this will come true. We will exterminate you and restore balance to this world."
"That legend was never a lie—it was a prophecy, spoken by the King of Beasts himself, passed down through generations among beasts and humans alike."
"Enough of your nonsense... Your fairy tales are over."
"...But it seems you've broken the chains... The Energy Stone? Impossible!"
A violent battle erupted. Grind emerged among the beasts, charging to fight their king—but suddenly, he clutched his head, agony overwhelming him.
Memories exploded in his mind...
"Kill him!"
"Don't let him live... Kill him!"
"They killed your family... Show no mercy!"
"...Life was bleak until I met you—then I learned the meaning of existence."
"What's happening to my head...?!"
His comrades arrived at the battlefield, ready to face the great beast... but Grind was on the ground, collapsed, writhing in pain as memories tore through his mind...