The enormous ancient gates continued opening with a thunderous rumble that echoed throughout the castle. Dust and fragments of stone fell from the ceiling as centuries-old mechanisms finally completed their work. Ak, Mike, and the Vampire Lord stood silently as the darkness beyond the gates slowly disappeared. To their surprise, what lay beyond was not a dungeon, treasure room, or battlefield, but a breathtaking village unlike anything they had ever seen. Bright green fields stretched across the landscape, colorful flowers bloomed beside stone pathways, and beautiful houses stood beneath a sky that seemed impossibly clear for a place hidden inside a mountain. And a same tree base like which he show in hollow mauntain Magical lights floated through the air like tiny stars, and crystal-clear rivers flowed peacefully through the settlement. Mike stared in complete disbelief while Ak remained silent, carefully observing every detail. The entire place felt unnatural, almost like a dream.
As they entered the village, the Vampire Lord began explaining that the village existed because of the White Magic created by the Great Magicians. Ak immediately questioned what he meant and asked whether actual magicians lived there like ordinary people. The Vampire Lord shook his head and explained that they were far from ordinary. According to him, these were the beings who first spread magic throughout the world. Long before kingdoms, heroes, and even many races existed, the Great Magicians were responsible for introducing magical power to civilization. Ak listened carefully while Mike became increasingly confused, feeling as though every answer only created more questions.
Before anyone could continue the discussion, a large magical circle suddenly appeared in front of them. Golden light erupted from the ground as countless glowing runes began spinning around the circle. Powerful magical energy filled the air. Moments later, a figure stepped out from within the portal. It was an elderly man wearing elegant white robes decorated with golden symbols. Despite his advanced age, his eyes carried immense wisdom and power. The Vampire Lord immediately bowed respectfully and introduced him as the Mayor of the Great Magicians. Then he introduced Ak as the Chosen Good Soul. Mike nearly lost track of reality at that point. He had no idea what a Chosen Good Soul was, and everything happening around him seemed impossible.
To everyone's shock, Ak suddenly walked toward the Mayor and drew his sword. Before anyone could react, the blade rested against the old man's neck. The atmosphere instantly became tense. Several nearby magicians prepared defensive spells while Mike stood frozen in place. However, the Mayor showed no fear whatsoever. Ak leaned closer and whispered something into the Mayor's ear. Nobody else could hear what was said. After several moments, Ak lowered his sword and stepped back before calmly saying that the Mayor should not trust strangers so easily. He explained that if someone evil had discovered this place instead of him, the entire village could have been endangered. Ak pointed out that welcoming unknown visitors without caution was reckless. The Mayor listened quietly before smiling and telling Ak that he should get some rest.
Before leaving, Ak remembered the diary he had found in the abandoned village hidden inside the mountain. He removed it from his bag and handed it to the Mayor. The moment the old man saw the diary, tears formed in his eyes. His hands trembled as he accepted it. When Ak asked what was wrong, the Mayor revealed that the diary belonged to his father. Ak was stunned. The Mayor explained that his father had disappeared long ago and that he never expected to see the diary again. When Ak asked how much time had passed since then, the Mayor answered seventy-five years. However, the Vampire Lord immediately interrupted and reminded him that because of the difference in time flow between realms, more than two thousand years had actually passed. The revelation shocked both Ak and Mike. The Mayor laughed awkwardly and admitted that he often forgot how differently time moved in that magical realm.
The Mayor then suggested that Ak and Mike rest before discussing everything else later. Both agreed and were escorted to a guest house. After they left, the Vampire Lord questioned the Mayor about why he had not defended himself when Ak pointed a sword at his neck. The Mayor simply smiled and said that Ak was different from anyone they had met before. Curious, the Vampire Lord asked what Ak had whispered to him. Guessing incorrectly, he joked that Ak had probably threatened him. The Mayor laughed and revealed the truth. According to him, Ak had whispered that he knew the Mayor could defeat him instantly but wanted him to know that one day he would surpass him and win. For a moment, even the Vampire Lord was speechless. Then he burst into laughter. The fact that Ak knew how powerful the Mayor was and still declared such a goal impressed both ancient beings greatly. The Mayor admitted that this fearless determination had earned his trust and admiration. Soon afterward, the Mayor and the Vampire Lord began arguing and joking with each other like children despite their immense age and power.
Several hours later, evening arrived. The beautiful village glowed beneath the setting sun while magical lights floated gently through the air. Everyone gathered in a peaceful garden filled with glowing flowers. Mike, however, remained asleep after everything he had experienced during the previous day. Therefore, only Ak, the Mayor, and the Vampire Lord sat together. During their conversation, Ak finally asked about the danger mentioned in the diary and by the villagers. The Mayor's expression became serious as he explained that the danger came from beings known as Entities. Even the Vampire Lord, who rarely seemed concerned about anything, admitted that he wished he could simply crush them with his own hands. The Mayor continued explaining that long ago a powerful individual gathered incredibly strong humans and other races under his command. They gained immense power and sought to dominate the entire world. To oppose such threats, the world itself chose protectors known as Saviors.
Ak immediately assumed that Saviors must be the strongest people alive, but the Mayor shook his head. He explained that Saviors were not chosen because of strength. Instead, they were chosen by the world itself because they possessed the qualities necessary to protect it. The Mayor further revealed that magic had been spread throughout civilization to maintain balance. If only a small number of people possessed magical power, the world would eventually fall under the control of tyrants. The purpose of Saviors was not to rule the world but to defend it from destruction. Ak listened carefully to every word. The concepts of Entities, Saviors, ancient wars, and world-changing powers expanded his understanding of reality far beyond anything he had imagined. Yet while the Mayor continued speaking, a single thought slowly formed within Ak's mind. He kept it hidden from everyone around him, but his determination was absolute. One day, he would become the strongest person in the entire world. The Mayor noticed the look in Ak's eyes and quietly smiled. After thousands of years of experience, he recognized that expression immediately. It was the look of someone whose future would change the fate of the world itself.
After spending the evening speaking with the Mayor about the history of the world, the threat of the Entities, the purpose of the Saviors, and the origins of magic itself, Ak slowly stood up from his seat in the beautiful garden. The magical village glowed softly beneath the night sky, and the peaceful atmosphere felt completely different from the dangerous adventures he had faced recently. Looking toward the Mayor, Ak bowed his head respectfully and thanked him for everything he had done. He thanked him for answering his questions, allowing him to enter the hidden village, and treating him kindly despite being a complete stranger. Ak admitted that he felt he had already disturbed everyone enough and that it was time for him to leave. The Mayor listened quietly before smiling warmly. He explained that Ak had not disturbed anyone at all. In fact, meeting him had brought excitement and happiness into a place that had remained unchanged for centuries. The Mayor encouraged him to stay longer and enjoy the safety of the village for a few more days.
However, Ak shook his head. Although he appreciated the offer, he explained that there were still many things he needed to do. He had people to find, questions to answer, and goals he could not ignore. The Mayor looked at him thoughtfully before asking where exactly he planned to go next. Ak paused for a moment before honestly admitting that he did not know. He had no destination, no map, and no clear plan. All he knew was that he would continue moving forward until he found the answers he was searching for. Hearing this, the Mayor chuckled softly. He then stepped closer and suggested that Ak should perhaps return to Mike's house first and gather his thoughts before beginning another journey. As he leaned closer, he quietly whispered something into Ak's ear.
"Become the strongest person in the world."
The words struck Ak like lightning. His eyes widened immediately as he stared at the Mayor in complete shock. That dream had never been spoken aloud. It was a secret ambition hidden deep within his heart ever since he had learned how powerless he truly was. Yet somehow the Mayor had known exactly what he was thinking. The old magician only smiled mysteriously and refused to explain how he knew. Ak remained speechless for several moments before finally nodding. After that, the conversation ended, and everyone prepared to rest for the night.
Later, while sleeping inside the guest house, Ak experienced a strange and disturbing nightmare. In the dream, he was no longer the teenager he was now. Instead, he saw himself as a small child standing near the edge of a cliff. Before he could understand what was happening, an unknown figure suddenly appeared behind him and pushed him forward. Ak felt his body falling endlessly through darkness. The wind screamed past him while the ground rushed closer and closer. Fear consumed him completely. He tried to grab onto something, tried to stop himself from falling, but nothing worked. The sensation felt terrifyingly real. Just before he crashed into the ground below, he suddenly woke up with a gasp. Sweat covered his forehead, and his heart pounded violently inside his chest.
For several moments, he remained sitting on the bed while trying to calm his breathing. Slowly, he looked outside the window and realized that morning had already arrived. Golden sunlight illuminated the village while people moved peacefully through the streets. Unknown to Ak, the Mayor was standing on the roof of the guest house above him. Looking down toward the room, the old magician smiled quietly to himself. He raised his hand and cast a spell before vanishing into thin air as though he had never been there.
After preparing their belongings, Ak and Mike got ready to leave the hidden village and return to Mike's kingdom. They walked toward the exit, intending to say one final goodbye before beginning their journey home. However, just as they were about to leave, a glowing magical portal suddenly appeared in front of them. Brilliant golden light filled the area as two familiar figures stepped out from within it. It was the Mayor and the Vampire Lord.
The Mayor smiled mischievously and asked Ak if he had forgotten something important. Ak looked confused and immediately asked what he meant. The Mayor pointed directly toward the Vampire Lord standing beside him. Ak became even more confused. The Mayor laughed before explaining that Ak seemed to have forgotten a very important detail. The title of Vampire Lord was not simply a rank. Because Ak had become the chosen wielder of the legendary Vampire Sword, the Vampire Lord himself was now magically bound to obey his commands. The revelation left Ak completely stunned. He stared at the Vampire Lord in disbelief. The idea that such a powerful being would serve him felt almost absurd.
After recovering from the shock, Ak immediately asked if there was any way to free the Vampire Lord from that obligation. The Mayor nodded and explained that there was indeed a method. Across the world existed five hundred legendary swords, although technically only four hundred and ninety-nine remained to be found since Ak already possessed one of them. If Ak could obtain two more legendary swords, the magical contract connecting him to the Vampire Lord could be broken, allowing the ancient vampire complete freedom once again.
Ak looked toward the Vampire Lord and apologized awkwardly, feeling somewhat responsible for the situation. However, the Vampire Lord simply shrugged as though it was not a problem. Curious, Ak then asked how he was supposed to summon him whenever necessary. The Vampire Lord smirked and explained that there was no need for complicated rituals or magical circles. All Ak had to do was think about him or call his name, and he would appear. Then he added one important condition. He requested not to be summoned in direct sunlight because he absolutely hated sunlight. Mike immediately laughed at the statement while Ak shook his head in disbelief. Even after everything that had happened, the Vampire Lord still managed to sound strangely casual.
With their final farewells exchanged, Ak and Mike stepped through the gate. Behind them, the magical village slowly disappeared from view while the Mayor watched silently. A gentle smile appeared on the old magician's face as he looked toward the closing gate. Deep inside, he felt certain that Ak's journey was only beginning. The young boy who dreamed of becoming the strongest person in the world would soon face challenges far greater than anything he had encountered so far. As for Ak and Mike, they began their journey home completely unaware that the path ahead would eventually lead them toward ancient secrets, legendary swords, powerful enemies, and a destiny capable of changing the fate of the entire world.