**********
—Five Months Later—
Horse King Hills,
Another five months had passed.
Finally, the day had come for Lev and the others to leave.
They were currently in the Horse King Hills, bidding farewell to the ruler of the continent.
However, they weren't the only ones gathered here.
All the locals from the Bewitching Food World had also come to see them off.
Unlike Lev and his companions, however, the locals were filled with fear and reverence as they stood before Heracles.
They couldn't help but feel nervous as they looked at the enormous beast before them. At any moment, Heracles could potentially attack them—or even the other creatures living within this region.
Lev, however, had already reassured them that nothing would happen as long as he was there.
Meanwhile, the Horse King Hills had changed considerably over the past five months.
The quantity and quality of the air throughout the region had increased tremendously, all thanks to the Air Trees that Lev had cultivated.
Through his constant cultivation, the Air Trees he grew were not only more abundant but also far superior in quality to the naturally grown ones in the area.
The change had also affected the creatures living here.
The moment Lev arrived, countless beasts—especially Heracles' offspring—excitedly ran toward him.
Over the past five months, their relationship with Lev had grown considerably closer.
The creatures would often greet him and follow him around whenever he worked in the area. They had become especially grateful to him for cultivating more Air Trees for them to enjoy.
"Lev, is this really alright?"
Daruma Hermit couldn't help but ask worriedly as he looked toward Heracles.
Although they had already been told what had happened and about the deal Lev had made with Heracles, they were still skeptical.
They couldn't completely shake off the fear that something unexpected might happen.
And Daruma Hermit wasn't the only one.
The other locals were even more nervous.
"Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine."
Lev reassured them with a smile.
He then turned his attention toward Heracles.
"Heracles, these are the people I was talking about. I hope you'll uphold our deal."
Heracles merely snorted.
It was almost as if she were telling Lev that he didn't need to remind her.
Daruma Hermit and the others were surprised by her reaction.
However, none of them dared to speak.
They didn't want to interfere with the conversation between two apex predators.
It was also at this moment that their reverence toward Lev grew even further.
He was casually talking with Heracles as though he were speaking with an old acquaintance.
"Heracles, I'll be leaving this continent today."
Lev then glanced toward his clones, who were still working nearby.
"But don't worry. My clones will continue cultivating the Air Trees here."
The clones immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
Even though their faces were covered by masks, Lev could already tell what they meant.
Leave this place to us.
Heracles snorted once again.
"I understand."
Lev smiled.
"But before I leave, I'll make you a promise."
He looked directly at Heracles.
"There will come a time when I return here. And when I do, I promise that I'll cook AIR in the Slow Rain Hills for you."
Lev paused.
"Until then, protect this place—and protect this continent."
In truth, Lev could already cook AIR if he wanted to.
However, doing so now would greatly alter the future.
The timeline had already changed because of his presence, but there were still certain changes he didn't want to introduce too early.
Hearing his declaration, Heracles wasn't the only one surprised.
Daruma Hermit and the other locals were equally shocked.
Even so, they believed Lev.
After all, they were talking about Lev.
Heracles suddenly made a strange sound.
It was a sound of excitement.
She looked toward the sky, causing the other beasts around her to do the same.
"That's it for our farewell."
Lev smiled.
"We'll meet again in the future. Until then, stay safe and enjoy yourselves."
With those final words, a Shadow Soldier emerged from Lev's shadow.
Everyone looked at the creature in awe.
Its appearance greatly resembled Heracles and the other horse-like beasts, with one major difference—
It had two pairs of wings on its back.
Daruma Hermit and the others stared at it in amazement.
Even Heracles and the other beasts couldn't help but focus their attention on the creature.
As for the identity of the Shadow Soldier...
It was deeply connected to Heracles herself.
The creature had once been one of Heracles' offspring.
Long ago, it had died prematurely during the very moment it was born, as a battle had broken out while Heracles was giving birth.
It should have become one of her perfect offspring.
However, because of the battle, it had been born with defects and ultimately died shortly afterward.
But now—
That offspring was standing before her once again.
"Heracles."
Lev looked toward the enormous beast.
"Your offspring. I named him Indra."
Lev smiled.
"And his name will one day be known throughout the planet."
He raised his hand.
"For the last time, farewell!"
With that, Lev and the others finally departed, riding on Indra's back as the winged beast took flight.
Daruma Hermit and the other locals from the Bewitching Food World bid Lev farewell, expressing their gratitude for everything he had done for them.
Heracles and the other beasts responded with loud neighs as they watched them leave.
They would wait for the day Lev returned.
Alpha, Ghislaine, Shizuku, Tomoe, and Shion also bid farewell to the inhabitants of Area 8.
However, even as they departed, their attention remained fixed on Heracles.
Although Lev had allowed them to accompany him into the Horse King Hills, they were still completely awestruck by Heracles' enormous presence.
Just as Lev had once said—
Compared to Heracles, they really did look like ants.
"We'll visit Area 8 from time to time, so you don't miss them too much."
Lev spoke while looking toward the horizon.
They were now heading toward Area 7, another continent similar to Area 8, but one that possessed its own ecosystem and unique rules.
In fact, this was the place Lev had been looking forward to visiting the most.
Unlike Heracles, the ruler of Area 7 possessed a body roughly the same size as a human.
Maybe this is the place where I can truly push my strength and abilities to their limits.
The thought alone made Lev smile.
Hearing this, Alpha and the others took one last look toward Area 8 before turning their attention back toward their destination.
"Now, I'll tell you everything you need to know about Area 7."
Lev's expression suddenly became serious.
"I want you to remember everything I tell you."
He paused.
"Because, to me, Area 7 is far more dangerous than Area 8."
Hearing this, Alpha and the others immediately fell silent.
They listened carefully as Lev began explaining everything they needed to know about their next destination.
***********
—One Hour Later—
Area 7,
After an hour of perilous travel, Lev and the others safely arrived at Area 7.
The continent was known as the "Mountain Continent," as more than seventy percent of its landmass consisted of enormous mountain ranges. It was also one of the eight major continents of the Gourmet World and the location of one of the rarest ingredients known to exist—PAIR.
Just like Area 8, this continent was ruled by one of the Eight Kings: the Monkey King, Bambina, along with his subjects—innumerable species of intelligent, fantastical, and incredibly powerful primates.
Over time, however, the strongest of these primates had subjugated the rest of the population under a merciless caste system designed to funnel Area 7's food toward themselves.
"Master, this continent is freaking huge!!!" Shion shouted in amazement as she stared at the vast continent before them.
The others reacted similarly, their eyes widening as they took in the enormous landscape.
And the size of the continent wasn't the only thing that shocked them.
The creatures inhabiting Area 7 were gigantic—so enormous that they made many of the creatures they had encountered in Area 8 seem small by comparison.
"Remember what I told you before. This is a place where you aren't free to choose whatever you want to prey on. So, the creatures on this continent won't indiscriminately kill you," Lev explained.
Indra descended toward the ground, and before long, they were immediately surrounded by several enormous creatures.
Alpha and the others instantly became alert upon seeing the gigantic creatures staring at them.
However, to their surprise, the creatures soon turned around and hurried away, almost as if they were frightened.
"The rules of this continent are completely fucked up," Lev said as he looked at the enormous grass surrounding them. "So, our mission upon coming here is to straighten things out and restore this continent's natural order."
He then looked toward everyone.
"I've already told you your individual missions, but I might as well tell you again."
"This continent is currently under the rule of four masters. Their strength is second only to the Monkey King himself."
Lev paused before looking at Alpha, Ghislaine, Tomoe, and Shion.
"Alpha, Ghislaine, Tomoe, and Shion. You four will fight and take down these four masters. Remember, I won't help you with this."
"The creatures of this place, especially the primates living on this continent, are highly intelligent. You'll be surprised when you encounter them, so make good use of this opportunity to train and become much stronger."
"Leave it to us, Master," Alpha and the others replied confidently.
"As for you, Shizuku, the task of locating the civilization on this continent falls to you."
Lev shifted his attention toward Shizuku, the only human among the group.
"Old Man Daruma didn't say anything about it, but I know there is one on this continent, even though it was destroyed long ago. Your mission is probably the hardest of all because finding it within this gigantic continent will be extremely difficult. That's why a number of my Shadow Soldiers will accompany you."
"I'll locate it as quickly as possible, Master," Shizuku replied.
She had wanted to fight against one of the four masters as well, but Lev's orders were absolute. Besides, she understood that her mission was just as important as the others—if not more so.
"Good. As for me, I'll take care of the Monkey King himself. So don't concern yourselves with me. Just focus on completing your own missions."
Lev's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
He could hardly wait to finally meet Bambina and see what the Monkey King was truly like in person.
"Go! We'll gather again once Shizuku or any of you accidentally finds the location of the ancient civilization," Lev instructed.
Hearing his command, Alpha, Ghislaine, Tomoe, Shion, and finally Shizuku went their separate ways, leaving Lev alone with Indra.
Speaking of Indra and the other Shadow Soldiers, they were also capable of becoming stronger.
In fact, they followed the same method Lev and the others used to grow stronger—eating.
However, there was one major difference.
Lev had eventually discovered that eating ingredients did not make his Shadow Soldiers stronger.
The only way for them to increase their strength through consumption was by devouring other Shadow Soldiers.
Because of this, Lev decided that he would only cultivate a limited number of Shadow Soldiers and focus on creating ones of exceptional quality. He didn't want to indiscriminately kill creatures simply for the sake of strengthening them.
Thankfully, killing living creatures wasn't their only option.
Lev could also turn creatures that had already died into Shadow Soldiers, allowing them to become nourishment for his existing soldiers.
In fact, he had even brought back creatures that had died long ago. Before their remains could completely dissipate due to the passage of time, Indra would immediately devour them.
"It's time to meet the Monkey King," Lev said.
However, before he could move, he noticed something.
He looked around the area and spotted several monkeys desperately trying to hide themselves within the tall grass.
Lev smiled.
"What a nice greeting."
He glanced toward the hidden monkeys.
"Come then."
"Attraction."
Seeing that the monkeys weren't willing to attack him on their own, Lev made the first move.
The moment he activated his ability, the monkeys hiding throughout the surrounding area suddenly felt an irresistible pull toward him.
One after another, they were dragged out of the grass and toward Lev.
Seeing this, Lev coated both of his arms with Haki.
He clenched his fists.
And waited.
The incoming monkeys, meanwhile, appeared surprisingly excited as they willingly allowed themselves to be pulled toward him.
BOOM!
One enormous monkey became the first to experience Lev's punch.
His fist struck the creature with tremendous force, sending it crashing into a nearby rock.
The monkey bounced off the stone and rolled across the ground.
Lev didn't stop.
One after another, more monkeys came rushing toward him.
And one after another, Lev fought them.
There was no rest.
There was no hesitation.
He simply continued punching the incoming creatures as they willingly allowed themselves to be drawn toward him.
Since they were still near the periphery of the continent, the influence of the four masters couldn't be felt here.
Because of that, the monkeys were willing to break the rules and prey upon Lev.
Unfortunately for them, they had chosen the wrong target.