A bamboo forest, located at the end of civilization, a small village can be seen and there, people lived peacefully.
The houses that built was made of wood, one can say that their designs came from the east with their pointy roof and sliding door.
All of them were wearing thin clothes, they call it hakama for men and onabakama for women. Some of them have blonde hair, some of them have black, some were elves and some were beastmen.
Inside a small hut, two human can be seen, one is an old man and the other was a young man.
They were facing each other while kneeling. The old man was bald and thin, unlike the young man with long black hair that is tied into long ponytail, and a masculated body.
The young man's hakama revealed his tattoos on his chest, a circular eastern red dragon.
"Sho-kun, you are already the strongest warrior this village have" The old man said. He took a sip on his tea with loud noise while Sho, patiently waited for him.
"You defeated a demon at the age of five, defeated a sky giant at the age of ten and killed a dragon at the age of sixteen and slain a demon lord at the age of seventeen. And you did all of that without the help of magic, only sword and wits, I am very proud of you"
Even with the praises that Sho received, he didn't show an emotion.
"And now, you defeated the head of our village, and that red dragon on your chest is the proof of that, you will be the next village chief, will you accept it?" The old man's voice was soft and serene, never rushing forward, as if he have all the time in this world.
"Yes!" Sho said while bowing. Being the village chief for Sho is the greatest achieve he can get. He had dreamed of it just like any other child in this village.
"Good good, but before you can be the village chief, there is a challenge that you must overcome. And considering you, this might be the hardest hurdle that you will ever face"
Sho's face tensed. This old man here is the wisest person he have ever met, if he said it, then it has to be true.
All the years I spent in training, all the hardship that I have encounter is all leading up into this moment. Sho thought. Though he is strong, he is not omnipotent, failing is a chance that he can never get rid.
He gripped his hand silently, waiting for the next word of the elder.
"Sho, you last challenge is..."
Defeating a demon lord? No, it must be harder than that... Defeating a demigod? Please elder, tell me!
"Finding a... Wife..."
"Huh?"
"Finding five wives from the outside and then come back here, and after that, you're the next chief of this village" He said calmly as he took another sip. The breeze from the outside enters the hub, the steam arising from the old man's cup swayed as the air cooled it.
"Guh...!! This is impossible...!"
He thought that he only need to slay something but finding wives? Forget about that, he can't even get himself a lover, he trained his body and mind for the sake of fighting, everything that goes beyond that is like a new territory to him.
It's not like he's shy when talking to the opposite sex, it's because he can't form a proper relationship with them.
"But... I need to pass this, I have to pass this" Sho said. He can't afford to lose, not after he got this close.
After meeting with the elders, he returned to his home. Sho was getting ready for his travel. While arranging his equipment, he remember the last thing that his master tell him.
"Sho, remember, you are weak, this world is full of endless challenge, just because you defeated the village chief, doesn't mean you can defeat everyone. Please remember this, always use you sword for just, never kill if you don't have to and if you make friends along the road, protect them"
Yes elder, I will not let my strength go to my head, I will remember everything that you thought me.
Although he is rough around the edges, Sho is kind and gentle, and everyone in the village think so.
He grew up without parents, they said that his father left his mother when she was pregnant, and his mother died of giving birth to him.
The one that raised him is the village chief's family. Remembering all of this, he felt his eyes a bit hot.
"No, save your tears when sad things happen, this event is not sad at all" He muttered.
He hung both of his katana at his waist while holding a leather bag.
After exchanging his farewell to his people, he left. His stride didn't halt even for a moment, he is not sad but the opposite.
The crunches of dried leaves on the ground every time he took a step is somehow soothing to him.
The sun's light passed through the thick leaves of bamboo. The birds were singing their tune and from a far, he could hear a small river running endlessly.
He memorized all of it, because he is sure that it will take some time before he could comeback at this village. He grew up this village, so he know everything he has to know about it... But, there is one thing that he is oblivious about.
That village, founded by heroes of ancient time, the one who defeated the evil god. All of its inhibitors possessed monstrous amount of strength due to being descendant of the heroes.