Chapter 01 - 4th Season

88 4 4
                                    

After decades of conflicts that had torn nations apart, the world finally plunged into a broad and prolonged period of peace. Great progress was made across all nations. The veils of the supernatural were lifted, revealing a mystical realm that had long hidden within the lines of human stories.

Guided by mutual understanding among nations, the leaders of each country sealed a peace pact. In exchange for selflessly working toward peace, they received full support from the gods who once guided their people in the early days of human civilization. The unmatched experience and divine wisdom of these gods could not be ignored, even in modern times.

With advice and interim assistance from the revered deities, the leaders of each nation steered humanity toward a promising future.

However, among the nations of the globe, a small island stood out, advancing ahead of its eastern sisters. Bathed by the Pacific Ocean, this island — blessed by deities from around the world — became a sacred place where past and present converged to face the future.

The landscapes of this island resembled meticulous strokes from an ancient painting. Rice fields stretched like undulating green carpets, punctuated by villages — both small and large — whose curved roofs harmonized with the surrounding nature. In the hills, a gentle spring brought forth a sea of cherry blossoms—an ephemeral spectacle that attracted people from all corners of the world. As autumn settled in, the forests transformed into a kaleidoscope of warm hues, immersing the landscape in reds, oranges, and golds. Ancestral temples and traditional shrines endured through the centuries, symbolizing the deep connection between humans, nature, and their protective deities. Along the coastal villages, fishermen cast their nets into the sea at sunrise, painting the horizon with pastel tones reflected in serene waters.

Yet, while nostalgic culture still permeated much of its territory, Japan also stood out for the modernity of its bustling cities. Slowly, Tokyo's future skyscrapers rose amidst ordinary buildings, their nighttime lights forming an urban constellation rivaling the brilliance of stars in the night sky.

Deep within its vast lands, concealed in the heart of an endless wisteria forest that stretched as far as the eye could see, lay the headquarters of the demon slayers' corporation. This place housed a group of hunters whose mission was to ensure the protection and well-being of the population against threats emerging from the darkness across the country. These demon slayers, though few in number, had demonstrated monumental feats beyond what was considered 'humanly possible'. Over a period of five years, the Demon Defense Special Forces had grown significantly in both numbers and strength, earning their reputation as the Demon Slayers' Squad.

------------
.
.
.
.
.
------------


The night descends swiftly over Japan. In a setting where shadows come to life, four hundred fighters prepare, carrying nothing but their nichirin weapons — swords, spears, axes, or maces. Around them, drums echo incessantly through the darkened forest—a dense tapestry of trees meticulously manipulated to block any trace of sunlight or moonlight. Bereft of the thick wisteria leaves that once repelled the demonic beings lurking in the darkness, this place is known as the 'Cradle of Darkness'. It serves as the ominous site for the Demon Hunters Corporation's entrance exam, a trial referred to by former participants as the 'Final Selection'.

As the drumbeats finally fade, it signals everyone to advance through the dense forest. Their sole objective: survive and stand firm for seven days while relentlessly battling various demons hidden amidst the shadows and within the treetops. However, unlike the archaic and perilous selection methods of the old hunters' organization, the circumstances have changed.


—Hey, what do you see to your right? - one of the participants queries, deftly spinning their spear in hand, readying for imminent combat. Footsteps among the tree branches have been detected, and judging by their companions' reactions, he wasn't the only one who noticed.

— Absolutely nothing; it's pitch black here! But I heard it too! - retorts the other hunter, adjusting their katana and assuming a defensive stance.

The Legend of the Sun PillarWhere stories live. Discover now