Joseph materialized in Takayama Town, a quiet settlement nestled in the heart of Gifu Prefecture, known for its breathtaking mountain views and the seamless integration of alchemy into its craftsmanship. Here, enchanted furniture, tools, and artisan works were a testament to a unique blend of tradition and mysticism. The gateway behind him closed with a swirling, whirring sound, leaving him standing amidst the serene, cobblestone streets of the planet’s regional hub.

His arrival, though peaceful, was short-lived. As he began navigating the town, seeking whoever might be in charge, a sudden rupture in the air sent ripples of energy cascading through the environment. A portal materialized from thin air, accompanied by a furious, bone-chilling roar.

From the portal emerged towering, grotesque monsters, their twisted forms brimming with hostility. Panic spread like wildfire among the townsfolk as they fled for safety, leaving Joseph standing firm. One of the beasts—a hulking, clawed nightmare—fixed its menacing gaze on him and let out a guttural growl.

“What in the world is happening with all these monster attacks?” Joseph muttered, sighing deeply.

Before the beast could strike, Joseph activated his XPT. A burst of energy engulfed him, forming an armored suit of blazing, steel-like material. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his weapon cutting through the air with precision. In one fluid motion, he decapitated the monster, its massive body collapsing to the ground with a tremor that reverberated through the town.

The sound drew the attention of more creatures, which quickly surrounded him. Joseph adopted a battle stance, his armored form gleaming under the eerie light of the portal. As the monsters charged, he met them with calculated ferocity. His blade sliced through their ranks like paper, severing limbs and felling them one by one.

Unbeknownst to Joseph, a flying creature loomed behind him, its claws poised to strike. Before it could land its attack, however, a projectile pierced its chest, sending it spiraling to the ground. Startled, Joseph turned to see a group of warriors approaching—a mix of knights, hunters, and knight-hunters. Some wielded tech fused with their auras, while others bore enchanted weapons and shimmering magical armor.

The warriors joined Joseph, forming a united front against the relentless waves of monsters emerging from the portals. Together, they fought with unmatched skill, dispatching countless foes. Their coordination and determination were remarkable, but the battle came at a cost.

Amidst the chaos, one of the hunters fell—a strike too swift to counter left him lifeless on the ground. The battle raged on, but the loss weighed heavily on the group. When the last of the monsters retreated, defeated and broken, the warriors gathered around their fallen comrade.

Some attempted to revive him, channeling their auras and magic, but their efforts were in vain. The weight of loss hung thick in the air as desperation settled over the group.

Joseph, observing their attempts, finally stepped forward. His voice broke the tense silence.

“I might be able to help. Give me some space.”

The warriors hesitated for a moment before stepping aside, their eyes filled with a glimmer of hope. Joseph knelt beside the fallen hunter, preparing to attempt what no one else could.

Joseph placed his hand on the fallen warrior’s chest and, through thought communication, inquired if his XPT had the capacity to restore life using its energy reserves. The system replied affirmatively but warned that doing so would drain its power completely, forcing it into a prolonged recharging state.

Without hesitation, Joseph made his decision. His hand began to glow a radiant blue, enveloping the warrior’s lifeless body in a brilliant light. The energy surged, infusing life back into the fallen warrior. As the process unfolded, Joseph’s armor began to crack, pieces falling away, revealing his true identity to those around him.

Moments later, the warrior gasped and opened his eyes, blinking in disbelief. His comrades watched in awe as Joseph eased the man, assuring him with a calm demeanor. Once the shock subsided, the revived warrior offered heartfelt thanks to Joseph before being escorted aside by his comrades, who marveled at his resurrection and shared their relief at his return.

The leader of the warriors stepped forward, his presence commanding respect. “I am Shouhei Sanae, leader of these warriors and the town manager of Planet Takayama Town,” he said, extending his hand in gratitude.

Joseph shook his hand firmly. “I am Joseph Benjamin Carmen,” he replied.

Shouhei, an F-Rank Hunter, was no ordinary leader. At 150 years old, his hybrid lineage of vampire and werewolf blood endowed him with unique combat abilities and resilience. While his rank was the lowest in the Hunter hierarchy, his expertise in handling mountain-level threats made him invaluable to the smaller regions and communities he protected. Assigned by the kingdom of Akakawa, Red River, to serve as the town’s manager, Shouhei had become both its champion and its ruler, safeguarding it against monster incursions.

“Thank you for your bravery,” Shouhei said, bowing his head slightly. “You not only defended our town but also brought one of our own back to life. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Shouhei then invited Joseph to the town hall for further discussion, leaving the remaining warriors to handle the aftermath of the battle alongside medics.

As they walked through the streets, Joseph explained his purpose for coming to Takayama. He recounted his journey through the regional gateway from Nagano-Ken Prefecture and expressed his need for assistance in reaching the next regional planet. Shouhei listened intently, nodding as Joseph spoke.

When they arrived at the town hall, Shouhei hesitated before speaking, his expression betraying a mixture of concern and uncertainty. Joseph, perceptive of his unease, spoke first. “If you need my help to deal with these monsters troubling your world, I’ll do it,” he said with a reassuring smile.

Shouhei’s relief was evident. “Thank you, Joseph,” he said. “Your assistance will be invaluable.”

Inside the town hall, a group of council members sat around a large round table. At its center lay a detailed map of the planet, marked with cleared and uncleared regions, showing the extent of the monster infestation. The air was tense, but with Joseph’s presence, a sense of hope began to fill the room.

Shouhei introduced Joseph to the council members, detailing his remarkable abilities and recounting his brave deeds in the recent battle. The council members, seated around the round table with the map at its center, listened attentively, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment. Once Joseph was seated, they resumed discussing their strategy, allowing him to gain insight into the situation.

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The council explained that the monster attacks were not random but orchestrated by a powerful mage. This mage had been summoning the creatures and creating portals to worlds beyond theirs, wreaking havoc on their planet. They believed the mage to be an "otherworlder," a being from another realm, who had entered their world through a breach. Since then, the mage had remained in hiding, sowing chaos across the lands.

Shouhei revealed that their drones had managed to locate the mage’s hideout, though at great cost. Of the thousand drones sent, only one had returned, badly damaged and barely functional due to the mage’s potent magic. The information it carried, however, was crucial.

"Our goal," Shouhei said, his voice resolute, "is to intercept the mage, end this reign of terror, and restore peace to our world." The council members murmured their agreement.

Joseph, leaning forward, asked, "So, when do we leave?"

"We leave at first light," Shouhei replied firmly.

Joseph was assigned his own quarters to rest before the mission. However, sleep eluded him. As he lay on the simple cot, his thoughts raced. Questions about his purpose and destiny swirled in his mind. Why had he been brought to this world? What was expected of him? And what awaited him once this chapter ended?

Compounding his unease was a lingering guilt about Yukio—unfinished business and unresolved feelings that gnawed at him. Was it his mission, his heart, or both that troubled him so deeply? He lost track of time as he wrestled with these thoughts, and before he knew it, dawn had arrived.

A voice echoed through his quarters, calling him to assemble. Rising to his feet, Joseph steadied himself and prepared to face the day.

At first light, the warriors gathered, their faces grim but determined. The group moved in unison, a battalion of seasoned fighters and Joseph marching together toward their goal. Hours passed as they traversed challenging terrain, their pace unbroken despite the lack of rest. Finally, they reached a swampy area dense with fog.

The atmosphere was oppressive, the fog so thick it extinguished the flames of their torches. The once-bright light flickered and faded into the damp air. The warriors formed a defensive perimeter, their senses heightened, weapons ready.

The mage, however, was already aware of their presence. They had entered the heart of its domain—a place twisted to its advantage. As they cautiously advanced, they found what appeared to be the mage’s inner chamber, but it was eerily empty.

Suddenly, faint whispers broke the silence, rising and falling like the wind. The sounds grew, shifting to chattering and screeching that echoed through the fog. Shadows darted at the edges of their vision, swift and ungraspable. The warriors tensed, their grips tightening on their weapons as the swamp seemed to come alive around them.

They were no longer hunters; they were the hunted.

The whispers in the swamp grew louder, insidious words seeping into the ears of some warriors, clouding their minds and sowing discord among them. Confusion began to spread, and a few turned against their comrades, their faces twisted with paranoia.

Shouhei, however, stood firm. "Stand your ground!" he bellowed, his commanding voice cutting through the chaos. His encouragement rallied the warriors, restoring their resolve. Just as his words rang out, a deafening roar erupted from within the swamp. From the shadows emerged monstrous creatures, grotesque and terrifying, charging toward the group.

The warriors met the attack head-on, clashing with the creatures in an intense battle. Blades clashed, arrows flew, and spells crackled through the air as the swamp became a battlefield. Despite their skill and bravery, the sheer number of monsters seemed endless.

High above, hidden in the tallest tree, the mage watched the chaos unfold with a sinister grin. Chanting in an ancient tongue, the mage cast a spell to take control of more minds, turning even the strongest warriors against their allies.

Joseph, amidst the chaos, noticed the change in his comrades. He swiftly incapacitated several warriors whose minds had been taken over, knocking them unconscious to spare them harm. Realizing the source of the enchantment, Joseph leaped into action, using his agility and determination to close the distance between himself and the mage.

He moved swiftly, leaping from tree to tree, avoiding summoned monsters that sought to block his path. Each creature was dispatched with precision, his glowing sword slicing through them effortlessly. Finally, Joseph reached the mage's perch.

Their battle was brief but fierce. The mage dodged Joseph's attacks with uncanny skill, moving as though predicting every strike. When Joseph managed to force the mage to retreat, the villain levitated high into the air, safely out of reach.

"You've done well to get this far, Outworlder," the mage said, their voice echoing with sinister authority. "Your will is strong, unlike the others. I can see why they look to you as their savior."

The mage offered Joseph a proposition. "Join me, and together, we can conquer this world. I can even send you back to the world you came from."

Joseph's response was firm and unwavering. "Worlds are not meant to be ruled. They are meant to thrive, to unite, to love and grow—not to be enslaved!"

The mage's smile twisted into a venomous sneer. "Then you will die with the rest!" the mage hissed, their aura surging with immense power. The swamp reacted violently to the mage’s energy. Water levels rose, trees and rocks floated, and even the warriors began to lose their grip on gravity.

Seizing the moment, Joseph leaped from the tree he had stood upon, his sword glowing with a brilliant light. The mage, caught off guard by the sheer determination in Joseph's eyes, barely had time to react before Joseph thrust his sword into the mage’s chest.

The mage let out a final, ear-splitting scream before exploding in a burst of light and energy. The swamp returned to normal as the creatures were sucked back into the portal from which they came. The warriors braced themselves during their descent, avoiding debris as they landed.

With the mage defeated, the group returned home victorious. Back at the town hall, Shouhei summoned Joseph to thank him. "Your bravery and selflessness have saved us all," Shouhei said, bowing deeply.

As a token of gratitude, Shouhei opened a portal to the next regional planet, fulfilling his promise. Before stepping through, Joseph handed the magical sword to Shouhei. The town manager, however, insisted he keep it.

"You'll need it more than we do," Shouhei said with a knowing smile.

Joseph nodded, a faint smile on his lips, and stepped into the portal, vanishing as it closed behind him. His journey continued, but the memories of Takayama and the lives he saved would remain with him forever.