In the cave, everyone watched the man before them with intense curiosity. He had broken through countless layers using only his fists, leaving a trail of destruction that impressed even the most experienced.
Then, calmly, he asked for food. And he began devouring without pause, consuming from the three-month stockpile, perhaps around ten percent of it.
With each bite, his appearance gradually improved, leaving the completely emaciated look behind, though he still remained lean as a spear.
— Young Leader, how did you end up here? — asked one of the leaders, breaking the heavy silence that hung over the cave.
Dante chewed on a fruit, swallowed it, and then began to explain.
— It was in a fight against a high-level evil god, probably a few months ago — he said, reaching for more food.
— So you were lost in this cave for seven months? — inquired the white-haired leader, staring at him with curiosity.
— Yes and no. Most of the time, I was asleep. I woke a few days ago, and it's been about five days that I've been trying to get out — Dante replied, pointing toward the cave while taking another bite.
— Well… we're glad you're back alive, Young Leader — said the black-haired man, examining Dante's physical state.
He's malnourished, but his muscles are clearly visible. They appear smaller, but in reality, they are denser, though still lacking energy.
— Should we inform the village? — asked a messenger beside the leaders.
— Yes — came the firm and immediate reply.
…
Back at the village, the news of Dante's survival spread shock and surprise among everyone.
— Where is he? — asked Tyler excitedly, laughing in his usual playful manner.
— He's in cave B7, a small mineral settlement — replied the young messenger, looking straight into Tyler's eyes.
— That's good — sighed the ancestral Hai. — He won't worry about the loss of his brilliant successor.
— But how did he end up there? — Tu Sheng asked suspiciously. — That must be far from where the battle took place.
— And why has he only appeared now?
— Sir, I was informed that he spent most of the time unconscious and survived in the cave on food pills — the messenger replied. — Speaking of which, my leaders have requested additional food supplies.
— Additional supplies? — asked an elder responsible for funding the resources. — The three-month shipment was delivered just a few days ago.
— Yes, but considering that the Young Leader survived seven months solely on food pills, he hasn't stopped eating since we found him — replied the messenger in a low voice.
— Hahaha! That kid… Let's go see how he's doing — said Tyler, laughing enthusiastically, heading to inform his beloved daughter, Viviane, who was extremely worried.
…
Hours passed in the village. After his relentless hunger, Dante finally lay down in a corner to sleep, waiting for someone to come for him.
Until someone knocked at the cave entrance, protected by a small formation over a stone.
— Looks like they've arrived — Dante thought, standing and preparing to leave. He missed a warm bed.
But as soon as the formation opened, a shadow flew past and leapt onto him. A warm, comforting embrace enveloped him.
— Viviane…
His voice rang unmistakably joyful. He ran his fingers through her hair as he looked into her tear-filled eyes.
— I'm back… — he said warmly.
— Yes… — replied Viviane, wiping away her tears and tightening her embrace. Dante returned the hug with equal strength, savoring every second.
Hahaha!
A booming laugh echoed through the cave. Tyler, in his eccentric manner, approached, slightly interrupting the moment between Dante and Viviane.
— Not interrupting, am I? — he asked, placing a hand on Dante's shoulder. Even without a word, Dante could read his eccentric master's thoughts.
— I'm glad you're back…
— Good to see you too — replied Dante.
Still hugging Viviane, Dante saw others entering as well, including ancestral Hai and Captain Crowler, who had lost his left arm.
Dante greeted the ancestor, then looked at Crowler.
— Good to see you alive, Captain — he said, unable to look away from Crowler's missing limb.
Silence fell over the cave, until Tyler broke it again.
— How the hell are you already at the peak of four stars, you brat…