After a great feast in Eldoria, Vicente and his three new traveling companions bid farewell to the local leaders before leaving the city at dawn the next day.",

By midday, they had left the capital behind, heading towards the borderlanda region that marked the end of the kingdom's safer areas and the beginning of the uncontrolled wilderness.

In the Green Hills, where Vicente had constructed an extensive fence along the mountain range, cities had blossomed in recent years, and the security zone had expanded. Previously, the fence stood 5 kilometers from the mountain's base. Now, it stretched 11 kilometers out, with additional watchtowers and guards dotting the landscape.

Despite these improvements, the area had become more dangerous than ever since Vicente last visited.

As they flew over the region at dusk, Ayden sighed, his eyes scanning the ground below. "This place isn't as safe as you left it, Vicente. The opportunities my government provided have fueled growth, but they've also attracted danger. People are willing to take risks for the chance to prosper."

Vicente frowned, his gaze following Ayden's. Below, they could see the watchtowers and the bustling cities, but also signs of distress and fortifications under strain.

"The area below us is currently the most dangerous in the kingdom," Ayden continued. "My men are constantly abandoning their posts in the watchtowers to fend off attacks and protect the besieged cities.

The deaths among our watch groups have risen sharply, especially with the emergence of more powerful beings to the north."

Jakob, listening intently, nodded. "As the years go by, the monsters are becoming more and more agitated. I think it has to do with the imminent awakening of some of the 5th stage vampires."

"I think so too," Vicente agreed. "But there's nothing we can do about it. We've already done everything we can. Now all we can do is create a little chaos in the north to reduce the attention of the monsters in the center and south of the continent."

Paul, watching the ground closely, added, "Unfortunately, that's the case." He pointed towards a group of monsters moving freely just a few miles from Vicente's fences, their presence a stark reminder of the peril they faced.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the troubled land as they flew onward, each companion contemplating the daunting challenges that lay ahead.

The farther north they traveled, the more they saw hordes of monsters spreading across a part of the territory that had once been dominated by Ayden's family but was now overrun.

It was a heartbreaking sight for Ayden, whose expression grew grimmer with each passing mile.

Some groups of monsters, such as the goblin horde they encountered that night, were so large that entire monster cities now thrived where humans once lived. The goblins had built crude yet sprawling settlements, their fires burning brightly against the darkening sky.

In other places, massive encampments stretched beyond the horizon, built just a few hundred kilometers from human cities. The sheer size and number of these encampments were daunting, their boundaries lost in the distance.

Despite the alarming sights, Vicente pressed on, urgency driving him northward. "We can't afford to stop for these low-level monsters," he explained to his companions, his voice steady but strained. "Our targets are far more critical."

These monsters posed a significant threat to the communities they were leaving behind, but Vicente knew the locals could handle this level of danger. The real hazard lay in the north, where the group had just a year to hunt down their pentagrams and form a team capable of confronting the 5th stage vampires.

With no time to spare, they could only watch the monster hordes as they moved ominously toward The Hungry Canyon.

...

The days flew by, and soon the group of four companions found themselves in the heart of The Hungry Canyon.

Traveling as fast as they could, with only brief stops for rest, they now approached the first tribe of magical beasts on their journey.

Vicente had previously encountered Phoenixes in this region, forging an agreement to exchange information. With it in mind, he led his team to such a tribe's territory.

As they entered it, the lush foliage gradually gave way to bare rocks and hardy, heat-resistant plants. The air grew hotter; the temperature soaring above 90 degrees.

Sweat evaporated from their skin before it even had a chance to drip.

The plateau they reached was a vivid orange, the heat shimmering off the ground. There were no pools of water in sight, and the arid landscape seemed almost inhospitable. Yet, a few Phoenixes lay scattered across the area, their majestic forms rising as they sensed the approach of the powerful magicians.

One Phoenix, larger and more formidable than the others, approached.

Its feathers glowed with an inner fire, and it radiated a High-

level Paragon Aura. "Seniors, to what do we owe the visit of such a powerful group? My tribe does not wish to come into contact with such powerful humans without a good reason."

Vicente stepped forward, his expression resolute as he addressed the magnificent bird. "Member of the Phoenix Tribe, we are seeking allies. The vampires aim to destroy the continent. The threat they pose will lead to the destruction of the Polaris Realm. It's only a matter of time before the natural balance of the continent collapses, endangering everyone, including the vampires themselves."

"We don't intend to enter your tribe's territory. But if there are any 6th stage elders in your territory, we'd like to discuss our plans with them."

The orange-feathered Phoenix scrutinized Vicente and his companions, sensing that three of them still needed to hunt pentagrams. The bird's eyes narrowed as it contemplated the danger and unusual nature of Vicente's request.

"What makes you think your group has a chance? Let's not take any chances with a group that doesn't have an ace up its sleeve," the High-level Paragon said, awaiting a convincing response.

"I have this," Vicente said, extending his hand.

From his body emerged the Throne of Darkness, revealing two cyan pentagrams and a green one. "Can you imagine what I'll be able to do when I complete the five essences of my magical form?"

The Phoenix's eyes widened in surprise, now recognizing the potential power Vicente possessed.

The air grew tense as the bird realized the gravity of their mission and the formidable allies they could become.