A full year had passed in Eurazania.
The wild nation of the beastfolk—once known for their brute strength and reckless pride—was now a kingdom reborn. Yujiro Hanma, the man feared as the strongest creature alive, had spent a year forging warriors out of wildlings, molding chaos into discipline, and reshaping the very spirit of the nation.
Morning drills had become a way of life.
The beastfolk—once over-reliant on magic—now combined their power with lethal efficiency. Fighters sprinted up cliffsides, performed combat sequences blindfolded, and sparred in tournaments so fierce the very ground trembled.
The training arena was filled with roars, cheers, and thundering impacts.
One particular fight between Suphia and Phobio had become legendary. Suphia ducked under Phobio's beast-charged punch, spun on her heel, and kicked him so hard he flew across the arena and smashed into a boulder.
The crowd roared. Phobio stumbled out of the rubble, laughing.
"You've gotten stronger, Suphia… scary strong!"
"Took you long enough to notice," she grinned, cracking her knuckles.
Albis, watching from the sidelines, shook her head with a smile.
"This… is what Yujiro taught us. Power with purpose."
Carrion often stood above the arena on a tall balcony, arms folded, watching his people with silent pride.
He had changed too.
His power had reached new heights—not just in raw strength, but in awareness. He had learned restraint, timing, and control. His punches shattered mountains, but his calm presence now inspired just as much as his strength did.
Yujiro was no longer a stranger in Eurazania.
Children ran to greet him when he walked through the streets. Warriors gave him deep, respectful bows. Merchants offered him food and wine. Despite his cold nature, his influence was everywhere.
He never smiled much. Never praised openly.
But when he nodded—just once—it meant more than a hundred cheers.
One day, a young beastfolk warrior approached him.
"Master Yujiro… will I ever be as strong as you?"
Yujiro stared at the boy. His voice was low.
"No."
The boy looked shocked. But Yujiro walked past him, then added—
"But you can be stronger than you were yesterday. That's enough."
The boy's eyes lit up.
The morning sky was clear. Birds flew freely. The wind was gentle. But the air was heavy.
Yujiro stood at the city gates, wearing his usual red gi. Beside him, Milim—cheerful as always—waved to the crowd forming before them.
Carrion stood in front of everyone, flanked by Albis, Phobio, and Suphia. Behind them, hundreds of beastfolk stood tall, armor polished, eyes burning with admiration.
No one spoke at first.
Then Carrion stepped forward. His voice was steady.
"Yujiro Hanma. In one year, you changed everything. You didn't just make us stronger—you gave us pride, clarity, and discipline. You made us a kingdom worthy of its name."
He saluted deeply. The Beastketeers followed. Then the entire beastfolk army raised their fists and saluted in perfect sync.
"THANK YOU, MASTER YUJIRO!"
The ground itself shook with their roar.
Phobio stepped forward, his voice emotional.
"I hated you at first… but now I hate the thought of you leaving more. You turned us into warriors."
Suphia smirked, her eyes a little misty.
"No one's ever kicked my ass that hard and made me better for it. Thank you."
Albis stepped up slowly, hands behind her back.
"We'll carry your teachings forever. Eurazania will never forget you."
Yujiro looked at them, expression unreadable.
Then, for the first time in a long while… he spoke with warmth.
"You were wild dogs when I arrived. Now you're wolves. You don't need me anymore."
He turned to Carrion.
"You're a real king now. Don't slip."
Carrion nodded firmly.
Milim turned and waved both arms.
"Bye-bye, everyone! I'll visit again! Make sure you don't slack off or Yujiro will come back and crush you!"
Everyone laughed.
Yujiro gave one last glance at the warriors he had shaped. Then, without another word, he turned and walked off with Milim.
As They Left…
Carrion stood still, watching them disappear over the hill.
"He changed this kingdom," he muttered. "And he changed us."
Suphia crossed her arms, smirking.
"We've got no excuse now. We better not let his teachings go to waste."
Phobio cracked his knuckles.
"I say we honor him… by becoming even stronger."
Albis nodded.
"Let Eurazania rise."
As the sun climbed higher, its rays bathed the kingdom in gold. And even though Yujiro Hanma had left…
His legacy remained.
A demon came to train them—and in the end, he gave them something no spell or sword could ever offer:
Pride in their strength. Purpose in their power. And the will to become legends.
Years Later, in the Forgotten Dragon Kingdom…
Time flowed gently through the great lands of the Forgotten Dragon Kingdom.
Nestled in the mountains where clouds wrapped around peaks like silver scarves, Milim's domain had grown mightier than ever. But it wasn't just because of the ancient dragon's rule. It was because of one man—one being—who had become the kingdom's beating heart.
Yujiro Hanma.
The man who needed no magic. The monster among men.
His story traveled far—past valleys, across oceans, into the deepest reaches of the Cardinal World. Bards sang tales of him in taverns, merchants whispered about him at border checkpoints, and even soldiers used his name as a warning.
"He shattered a mountain with a single punch!"
"No… they say he caught a lightning bolt midair and threw it back at the heavens!"
"He defeated the Demon Lords without breaking a sweat."
"I heard even a True Dragon was forced to submit to him!"
None of it could be proven. And yet… none of it was denied either.
Because those who had seen Yujiro didn't laugh at the rumors.
They just went silent… and nodded.
In the Eastern Empire – Rudra's Court
The throne room of the Eastern Empire was a vast hall of obsidian and gold. Banners of victory hung from the ceilings, and the floor gleamed like a mirror beneath the boots of soldiers and nobles.
On the grand throne sat Emperor Rudra, the immortal strategist, his piercing eyes surveying the room with sharp calm.
To his right stood Velgrynd, the Crimson Flame Dragon, her long scarlet hair flowing like fire, her aura radiating heat and dominance. She stood like a goddess—unshakable, undefeated.
The door opened.
A general stepped in, holding a scroll with trembling hands.
"Your Majesty… Lady Velgrynd… new reports from the West."
Rudra raised a brow. "Speak."
The general bowed.
"It's… it's about the man called Yujiro Hanma. More rumors. More reports. They say he's now revered across Milim's kingdom as a living god. They say no warrior dares challenge him. Some claim he trains dragons… with his fists alone."
Velgrynd's eyes narrowed slightly. "Again with this name."
The general nodded. "Even spies from the Sarion and Falmouth regions confirm that Milim's kingdom has grown beyond recognition… and many credit it to Yujiro's presence. Some even say he's become… the pillar of the land."
Rudra glanced toward Velgrynd.
"We have heard of him before. Didn't Guy and Velzard mention him?"
Velgrynd clenched her jaw. Her voice was calm, but sharp.
"Yes. Guy said Yujiro beat him in a duel—without using magic. Velzard said the same. They weren't laughing when they said it, Rudra. I've never seen them speak of a human like that."
Rudra's eyes flickered. "And i still can't believe that"
"Me neither," she replied.
A long silence followed.
Then Velgrynd took a deep breath, her voice serious.
"I'm going to visit Milim."
Rudra raised a hand. "Are you sure? If these stories are true, this man could be more dangerous than we realize."
Velgrynd's lips curled slightly—not a smile, but something like anticipation.
"That's exactly why I'm going. I want to see what kind of monster he really is."
The next morning, the skies above the Eastern Empire blazed with light.
Velgrynd, in her majestic humanoid form, soared into the air cloaked in crimson flames, trailing fire behind her like a comet.
Soldiers on the ground watched in awe.
"Where is Lady Velgrynd going?"
"To the Forgotten Dragon Kingdom… to meet him."
"Yujiro Hanma…"
The name echoed like a thunderclap.
The wind howled as Velgrynd flew faster, pushing the air aside with heatwaves.
But in her mind, she wasn't thinking of the rumors. She wasn't thinking of the fear or the worship this man had inspired.
She was thinking of challenge.
"If you truly defeated Guy… and Velzard… then I want to feel it for myself."
She clenched her fists.
"Let's see if you live up to the legend, Yujiro Hanma."