The Melika Realm...
Not every cultivator served an Empire.
Not every powerful individual belonged to a clan.
Some chose another path.
They became Wanderers.
Men and women who roamed the Realm, accepting commissions, exploring ancient ruins, hunting powerful beasts, escorting caravans, and protecting villages beyond the reach of the great Empires.
To unite these independent cultivators...
The Wanderer's Guild was born.
With branches in every major city of Melika, the Guild remained one of the few organizations respected by every Empire.
Its creed was simple.
"Power earns respect. Honor earns trust."
---
Unlike sects and noble families...
The Guild measured its members through professional ranks rather than status.
Every member began as an Iron Wanderer.
Above them were:
Bronze Wanderer.
Silver Wanderer.
Gold Wanderer.
Platinum Wanderer.
Mythril Wanderer.
Adamant Wanderer.
Above even those stood a title granted to only a handful throughout history.
Grand Wanderer.
Promotion required three things.
Strength.
Contribution.
Character.
Many possessed the first.
Few possessed all three.
---
Gardenia Empire...
A small mountain village.
The smell of smoke drifted through the air.
Dozens of frightened villagers gathered behind a wooden barricade.
Across from them stood three enormous beasts.
Their bodies resembled wolves, yet dark scales covered their shoulders and backs.
Their crimson eyes glowed with hunger.
"Shadow Fang Wolves..."
An elderly villager whispered fearfully.
"They've entered the village..."
The beasts growled.
Slowly advancing.
The hunters of the village trembled.
None of them were cultivators.
Against even a weak magical beast...
They had little hope.
---
Whoosh!
A silver blur flashed between the villagers and the wolves.
A young woman landed gracefully.
She wore a dark green cloak bearing the emblem of a silver compass.
A long spear rested comfortably in her hand.
"I'll take over from here."
One of the villagers gasped.
"A Wanderer!"
The woman smiled confidently.
"Silver Rank."
"Elena."
She spun her spear once.
"Now..."
"Let's send these little puppies back into the forest."
---
The lead wolf lunged.
Its claws tore through the air.
Elena stepped sideways.
Her spear moved like flowing water.
One thrust.
One sweep.
One strike.
The wolf crashed harmlessly into the ground.
The remaining two hesitated.
They had sensed danger.
Yet before they could flee...
Elena lightly tapped the butt of her spear against the earth.
A ripple of Magna spread outward.
Not destructive.
Simply commanding.
The beasts lowered their heads.
Whining softly.
"Go."
"This village isn't your hunting ground."
After several tense moments...
The wolves slowly retreated into the forest.
---
The villagers erupted into cheers.
"Thank you!"
"You saved us!"
Elena smiled sheepishly.
"I merely did my job."
An elderly man stepped forward carrying a small pouch.
"Our reward..."
She gently pushed it back.
"The Guild has already paid me."
"Use this to repair your fences."
The old man's eyes became moist.
"You truly live up to the Guild's reputation."
---
Far away...
Within the Hidden Valley...
Kieran sat beside Crystal, carefully cleaning his wooden sword.
"Mama?"
"Hmm?"
"Are all strong people part of Empires?"
Crystal shook her head.
"Not even close."
She picked up a small stick and began drawing circles in the dirt.
"The Empires rule land."
"The Guild protects people."
"The Academies nurture talent."
"The Clans preserve bloodlines."
"The Sects pursue ideals."
"The Sanctuaries guard secrets."
"The Beast Tribes protect nature."
"The Merchant Consortium connects the Realm."
She drew another, much larger circle around them all.
"And above all of them..."
"...is Gaia."
Kieran studied the drawing carefully.
"So..."
"There isn't one right path."
Crystal smiled warmly.
"No."
"Strength wears many faces."
---
Kael suddenly emerged from the forest carrying an enormous fish over his shoulder.
"Enough talking."
"Today's lesson is hunting."
Kieran immediately stood.
"We're hunting?"
Kael grinned.
"No."
"You."
Before Kieran could react...
Kael vanished.
A powerful gust of wind exploded behind him.
"Run!"
Kieran yelped before sprinting into the forest.
Kael's booming laughter echoed throughout the valley.
"You have until sunset!"
"If I catch you..."
"...you're carrying me home!"
Crystal couldn't help but laugh as Kieran disappeared between the trees.
"Poor child."
Despite her words...
She made no move to help.
Because she knew.
Some lessons could only be learned while running for your life.
And somewhere deep within the forest...
Hidden among ancient trees...
Several pairs of intelligent eyes quietly watched the fleeing boy.
Not with hunger.
Not with hostility.
But with curiosity.
The beasts of the Hidden Valley had begun to notice him.
And one among them...
A snow-white fox with nine faint golden markings upon its tail...
Simply smiled.
End of Chapter 43