Joseph stepped onto the rocky terrain of Planet Kinzoku Village, the portal behind him closing with a faint hum. The village, nestled deep within the towering mountains, was a marvel of alchemical brilliance. Smoke curled from chimneys, where metals were forged into cutting-edge alloys, blending the ancient art of smithing with the technological advancements of the cosmos. This was Kinzoku—also known as the Metal Village—a place renowned for its unparalleled mastery of weaponry and technology.

At the heart of the village stood Yuuto Ryohei, the Shieldbearer Chief, a figure of both reverence and fear. Shieldbearers, apprentice knights tasked with defending towns and cities, were vital protectors, their combat skills and leadership honed through constant trials. But Yuuto was no ordinary apprentice. At seventy years old, he had transcended the ranks of novice Shieldbearers. His hybrid lineage—a mix of human agility and the raw strength of giants—made him a formidable leader and warrior. His ascension to village chief had been a natural progression, ordained by the previous leader he had once served with unwavering loyalty.

Joseph’s arrival did not go unnoticed. The air buzzed with tension as a group of warriors emerged, their weapons a blend of shimmering metal, magic, and technological ingenuity. The faint hum of energy surrounded them, their aura alive with power.

"Ah, crap," Joseph muttered under his breath, raising his hands slightly. The scene was eerily reminiscent of his arrival on the Island of Tsushima, except this time, he hesitated to utter the words "I surrender."

He took a deep breath, forcing a calm demeanor, and addressed the warriors. "I'm no threat," he said evenly. "I’m just a traveler and an adventurer seeking aid to reach the next regional planet."

The tension in the air eased, though the warriors kept their weapons trained on him. Then, from the crowd, a broad-shouldered figure stepped forward. His movements were deliberate, his presence commanding.

"I am Yuuto Ryohei," the man said, his voice deep and steady as he extended a calloused hand.

"Joseph Carmen," Joseph replied, clasping Yuuto’s hand in a firm handshake.

They broke apart, and Yuuto studied him intently before a faint smile crossed his lips. "A traveler and adventurer, you say? Interesting. We don’t get many visitors here who aren’t monsters or demons."

Joseph managed a half-smile. "Well, I’m glad to be an exception."

Yuuto chuckled, his laughter carrying a weight of wisdom and experience. "Come then, traveler. If you seek aid, perhaps Kinzoku has what you need. But first, you’ll have to prove you’re not like the others who come uninvited."

"Speaking of monsters and demons," Yuuto said as they walked, his voice steady but laced with a touch of humor, "we thought you were one when you arrived. That’s why we took precautions. But I guess you’re only human."

Joseph nodded slightly, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "I get that a lot."

The two continued their steady pace through the winding paths of the village, their conversation unfolding naturally. Joseph spoke of his journey, recounting the challenges he’d faced and the regional planets he’d aided to get this far. Yuuto listened intently, his occasional nods and hums signaling his attentiveness.

When Joseph finally finished, they stopped near a quiet clearing, the hum of the village faint in the background. Yuuto turned to him, his expression thoughtful. "Your achievements are impressive, Joseph. It would be an honor to aid you on your journey to the next regional planet. However..."

Joseph raised an eyebrow. "However?"

Yuuto sighed, his tone shifting to one of gravity. "There’s a demon troubling our world. It commands monsters to attack us, disrupting the peace and threatening our people."

Joseph’s demeanor shifted, his curiosity piqued. "A demon, huh? Is it a demon lord or just a regular one?"

"It’s just a demon," Yuuto clarified.

Joseph’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. Yuuto noticed and frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Joseph quickly shook his head. "No, no, it’s nothing," he said, though the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. "I was just hoping it was a demon lord. I've always dreamed of becoming one, you know?"

Yuuto blinked, startled by the statement. "You wish to become a demon lord?"

"Not to be rude or anything," Joseph began, his tone respectful yet casual. "I know a threat is a threat, whether it’s monsters or supernaturals. No one wants harm to come to their world. But, yeah, it’s always been a bit of a dream of mine—to ascend to the rank of a demon lord."

Yuuto watched him in awe for a moment before speaking. "I see. You wish to be recognized in the supernatural hierarchy, to stand among the most powerful." He paused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That’s quite an ambition. I hope your desire comes true someday."

Joseph chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Thanks. But if I don’t get to fight a demon lord soon, I might just give up on that dream and focus on... well, myself." He finished with a lighthearted laugh, which earned a hearty chuckle from Yuuto.

"Quite the sense of humor," Yuuto said, placing a reassuring hand on Joseph’s shoulder.

Joseph’s expression grew serious again, returning to the matter at hand. "About your demon problem—I’d be happy to help. I’ll take care of it."

Yuuto hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to burden you with our troubles. You’ve got your own journey, and I can always send you to your next destination instead of delaying you."

Joseph waved him off. "Don’t worry about it. It’s no burden at all."

"After all, you once told me I’d have to prove I’m not like the others who come uninvited," Joseph said, his voice warm and laced with a hint of playfulness as a smile tugged at his lips.

Yuuto studied him for a moment, his expression softening. There was something undeniably genuine about Joseph—something rare. He really is different, Yuuto thought, his heart quietly affirming what his mind already knew. Unlike the others who crossed his path with selfish motives, Joseph carried himself with a selflessness that set him apart. Special. Unique.

As their gazes met, Yuuto returned the smile, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. No words were needed to confirm what both already understood.

Relief washed over Yuuto’s face as he smiled warmly. "Thank you, Joseph. Your assistance means more to us than you know."

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With that, Yuuto gestured for Joseph to follow. "Come. Let’s head to the war room. I’ll introduce you to the other warriors, and we can plan our next move."

Joseph followed Yuuto through the village, where vigilant guards stood watch. The weight of the task ahead settled on him, but he felt a flicker of excitement. This was another step forward in his journey—and perhaps another step closer to achieving his dream.

***

The war room buzzed with a tense energy, its walls lined with faded maps and battle-worn banners. As Yuuto led Joseph into the room, the gathered warriors turned their gazes toward the newcomer, their expressions ranging from skepticism to quiet curiosity.

"Everyone," Yuuto began, his voice steady, "this is Joseph. He'll be assisting us in refining our strategy."

Joseph inclined his head in a brief nod, his eyes scanning the faces of the warriors who had spent countless nights preparing for the battle ahead. Some nodded in return, though others simply returned to studying the sprawling map that dominated the center of the table.

Yuuto quickly brought Joseph up to speed on their plans, pointing out key positions on the map and detailing the demon fortress's defenses. Joseph listened intently, occasionally asking sharp, thoughtful questions that hinted at his keen mind.

Then, after a pause, he leaned forward. "What if," he began, his finger tracing an alternate route on the map, "we diverted a small unit here? It aligns with your current approach but addresses the weak points in the southern perimeter. This area here," he tapped a cluster of marks near the fortress, "seems less fortified, and with the right timing, we could breach it before they reinforce."

The room fell silent as Yuuto and the others studied the map. For a moment, Joseph wondered if he had overstepped. But then a Hunter, a veteran warrior with a reputation for blunt honesty, broke the silence.

"He's right," the Hunter said, his gravelly voice carrying weight. "We hadn’t considered that angle. It’s risky, but it could work."

Yuuto nodded slowly, his sharp eyes meeting Joseph's. "It’s a sound suggestion. We’ll incorporate it into the plan."

The other warriors murmured their agreement, and for the first time, Joseph felt a hint of respect from the group.

With the revised strategy set, they turned their focus back to finalizing the details. The map outlined the demon fortress in grim detail—a towering stronghold surrounded by treacherous terrain and guarded by monstrous creatures. It was a perilous task, but the warriors moved with quiet determination, their resolve unshaken.

Once the plans were complete, the group split. Yuuto assigned a handful of warriors to remain behind, guarding the village against potential retaliation. The rest, Joseph among them, prepared to set out.

As they stepped into the fading light of the evening, the weight of the journey ahead settled on their shoulders. The path to the fortress would be long and fraught with danger, but there was no turning back.

They marched as one, a silent promise uniting them: victory or death.

The group assembled at the war room's gates, their resolve unshaken. The warriors departed in formation, weapons gleaming and hearts steeled for the battle ahead. Joseph and Yuuto marched at the forefront, their presence inspiring those who followed. Behind them, the village loomed like a sanctuary worth dying for, while the path ahead was shrouded in peril.

The demon's fortress came into view hours later, a grotesque structure pulsating with malevolent energy. Blackened towers reached into the sky, surrounded by an aura of suffocating dread. As they neared, the ground quaked, and the air thickened with the stench of sulfur.

Suddenly, a guttural roar echoed across the barren field. The fortress gates swung open, and a flood of grotesque monsters poured out. Fanged beasts, clawed abominations, and winged horrors charged toward them with unrelenting ferocity.

“Hold the line!” Yuuto bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The warriors collided with the monsters, steel clashing against claws and teeth. Magical weapons discharged bursts of energy, while the air filled with the cries of combat and the acrid tang of blood. Joseph moved like a force of nature, cutting through enemies with precision, his energy blasts obliterating swaths of foes. Beside him, Yuuto fought with unwavering determination, his shield absorbing devastating blows as his magical sword felled one creature after another.

"Stay focused!" Yuuto shouted over the din. "We need to reach the fortress!"

Joseph nodded, his resolve firm as he blasted through another wave of monsters.

As the battle raged, the demon himself emerged from the fortress. Towering and grotesque, with a body of molten rock and eyes that burned like embers, he exuded an aura of pure destruction. His voice boomed, laced with malice.

"Pitiful mortals! You dare challenge me? Your world will crumble under my aura!"

The demon raised his clawed hand, unleashing a shockwave of dark energy that sent warriors sprawling. Joseph and Yuuto stood their ground, shields of energy and willpower deflecting the blast.

"Yuuto, we need to take him down, now!" Joseph shouted.

"I’m with you!" Yuuto replied, charging alongside him.

The demon summoned more monsters to impede their progress, but the warriors fought valiantly to hold the line. Joseph and Yuuto pushed forward, dodging tendrils of dark magic and countering with their own attacks.

Finally, they reached the demon. Yuuto lunged, his sword glowing with magic, while Joseph unleashed a concentrated energy beam. The demon roared, swatting them away like insects. Joseph slammed into the ground, his XPT armored suit crackling with violent sparks as the demon's dark magic ripped through its systems, threatening to dismantle it piece by piece.

“Your toy cannot save you,” the demon sneered, his aura flaring as he prepared a final, devastating attack.

But Joseph pushed himself to his feet, his determination blazing like a star on the verge of collapse. "This ends now!" he roared, channeling every ounce of energy remaining in his XPT armored suit. The air around him warped under the pressure, rippling with energy so intense it fractured the ground beneath him.

But to their astonishment, the demon effortlessly deflected the attack, leaving both Joseph and Yuuto stunned. With incomprehensible speed and power, he charged at them before they could even react, escalating the battle to a level of intensity they had never faced before.