Forty years after the first events, humanity is now far better prepared to face the threat of portals, even though it is still common for new ones to appear across the world.
The Eternals retired as suddenly as they had appeared. Half of them became guild masters or influential figures, while the other half vanished without leaving a single trace. Yet their legend never faded.
In a remote village, far from the rest of the world, lived a young boy named Yuma. Ever since he was little, he had dreamed of becoming the greatest hunter of all time—greater even than the Eternals.
Today was a special day.
The day of his great departure.
And yet…
"YUMA, WAKE UP! YOU'RE GOING TO SLEEP UNTIL NIGHTFALL!" shouted an old man.
Yuma jolted awake and hurried downstairs to greet his grandfather.
"No need to yell, I was just about to get up…"
"Who are you trying to fool, you little rascal? Go take a shower and come eat."
After getting ready, Yuma sat down for breakfast with his grandfather.
"I suppose you pulled an all-nighter for this big day, didn't you?" the old man asked.
"Yeah, I trained all night… but I don't see why today is so special."
His grandfather sighed, exasperated, then suddenly stepped forward and smacked Yuma hard on the head.
"Ouch! What did I say wrong?!"
"You're so scatterbrained that you forgot today is the day you leave to awaken your powers!"
"What?! That's today?! I completely forgot because of my training!"
Yuma finished his plate at an unbelievable speed and rushed upstairs to pack his things.
"At last… the day I become the greatest hunter ever—greater than the Eternals!"
Filled with determination, Yuma stepped out of his room to say goodbye to his grandfather… but he was nowhere to be found.
"Where did Grandpa go…?"
He left the house to look for him. Strangely, the village was completely deserted. As he reached the central square, a sharp noise suddenly echoed.
Yuma instinctively took a fighting stance.
"SURPRISE!"
The villagers appeared, laughing.
"You didn't think we'd let you leave like that, did you?" said his grandfather.
"I still remember you running around the village, shouting that you'd become the greatest hunter!"
"We're really going to miss you, you little troublemaker…"
With tears in his eyes, Yuma thanked everyone.
His grandfather stepped forward.
"It's time. Travel the world, uncover its secrets, make many friends… and above all, live every experience to the fullest."
"Don't worry, Grandpa! I plan to enjoy this journey a billion percent!"
An old man approached and handed him a pair of mitts and some sneakers.
"Here, my boy. A gift for all the times you helped me. These will come in handy in battle, haha!"
"Thank you, Mr. Tetsuya!"
The moment Yuma put them on, he felt a strange energy flow through his body.
"They suit you well," Tetsuya said.
"It's time for you to go, my boy," his grandfather added.
"Goodbye, everyone! Thank you for everything! I'll come back, I promise!"
Yuma dashed toward the village entrance, then vanished into the forest at a speed almost impossible to follow with the naked eye.
A man then approached Yuma's grandfather.
"He's going to bring about a massive change in the world of hunters… isn't he, Yoma?"
The old man smiled.
"You can be sure of that."
They all burst out laughing.
End of Chapter 2