Chapter 7: Questions for Grandfather

  The midday sun cast warm golden light over the village as Eryan made his way home. His mind was restless, replaying everything that had happened at the old mill. But most of all, it was the village guard’s words about the militia that lingered in his thoughts.

  He had always assumed that Level 9 Warriors were the peak of strength in their village, yet the guard had spoken as if there was something far beyond that. And then there was his father—strong, respected, yet never having stepped into the ranks of a true warrior.

  As he approached home, he spotted his grandfather reclining in the shade of the old oak tree, his pipe held loosely between his fingers. The old man’s gaze swept over Eryan as he arrived.

  "Back already?" his grandfather asked, tapping the ash from his pipe.

  Eryan nodded and hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Grandfather, I wanted to ask you something."

  His grandfather gave a slight chuckle. "Go on then, boy. You always have that look in your eyes when your mind is full of questions."

  "The militia... what exactly do they do?" Eryan asked. "And... what comes after Level 9?"

  His grandfather exhaled a slow stream of smoke, eyeing Eryan thoughtfully. "So, you’re starting to think about these things now, are you?"

  Eryan nodded. "I only know how to become a Level 9 Warrior—train, build strength, hone reflexes. But I heard the guard talk about the militia today, and I’ve also heard that there are warriors in town far stronger than the village chief. I don’t know anything about that."

  His grandfather hummed in thought before responding. "The militia are not warriors. They are strong, well-trained people who defend the village from danger—be it wild beasts, bandits, or unruly troublemakers. Some of them are as strong as the weakest Level 9 Warriors, but they never stepped into that realm. They remain common men, albeit strong ones. Their goal is to become warrior and enter the path of transcence"

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  Eryan frowned. "So Level 9 is the beginning of being a true warrior?"

  His grandfather nodded. "A Level 9 Warrior is the first step on the warrior path. Even though it is the lowest rank, it is still a rank of true warriors. The militia do not reach this step. They are skilled, disciplined, and experienced, but they remain ordinary men in the end."

  Eryan sat in silence, letting the words sink in. He had thought the militia were warriors, but in reality, they were just well-trained fighters who never crossed the threshold.

  "And what about Level 8 and above?" Eryan asked.

  His grandfather let out a slow breath. "Beyond Level 9, things change. Level 8 Warriors are not just stronger, they are different. Their bodies become more refined, their endurance grows, their strength surpasses that of common men. If a Level 9 Warrior is a strong man, then a Level 8 Warrior is a fighter who has stepped beyond human limits. The village chief is a Level 8 Warrior, and even he is nothing compared to the warriors in town."

  Eryan's heart pounded. "The town has warriors stronger than Level 8?"

  "Of course," his grandfather said. "In the town, there are warriors of Level 7 and Level 6, and even a few beyond that. Such people are not just strong—they can defeat multiple men with ease, overpower wild beasts, and survive wounds that would kill a normal man."

  Eryan’s mind swirled with possibilities. If Level 6 Warriors were that powerful, then what about those even higher?

  Then, something else came to his mind. "What about my father? I heard he was close to becoming a Level 9 Warrior... but he never did."

  His grandfather fell silent for a moment, his gaze distant. Then, with a quiet sigh, he spoke.

  "Your father was one of the strongest men in the militia. He trained hard, fought well, and was once at the peak of human strength. He was strong enough that he could have taken that step into Level 9. But... he never did."

  "Why?" Eryan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  The old man shook his head. "Some say he lacked something—talent, guidance, or perhaps the right opportunity. Others say he simply chose not to. No one truly knows. Not even me."

  Eryan clenched his fists. His father had been so close, yet he had never crossed the threshold. And now, he would never know why.

  A sense of determination settled in his heart. He would not stop at Level 9. He would find out what lay beyond.

  And one day, he would surpass them all.