I Left a Hero, Returned with Power: Rhea and the Demon King's System

The girl hesitated, her small hands clutching at her tattered dress. "The beast... it always comes to our village," she said softly, her voice trembling.

Abuld frowned, stepping forward. "How long has this been happening?"

"I... I don't know," she stammered. "It's always been here, as far as I can remember."

Robert leaned in, his expression sharp. "Then how do you survive? How have you and your family managed to stay alive?"

The girl glanced nervously at the hut, her voice barely above a whisper. "We... we hide inside the house. Everyone hides."

Andro raised an eyebrow, his tone skeptical. "Hide? Where? This place doesn't seem safe enough to keep anyone hidden from a beast."

Leo stepped in, his voice calm yet authoritative. "This village has a bunker."

"A bunker?" Abuld echoed in disbelief.

"Yes," Leo confirmed, his gaze scanning the area. "Remember when we finished our war with the Rance Republic about 14 years ago?"

The group nodded, the memories of that brutal conflict still fresh in their minds.

Leo continued, "Many people from the Rance Republic fled after their defeat, especially soldiers. They came here with their families and built hidden bunkers for shelter."

Abuld's eyes widened in realization. "So, this village... it's one of those hiding places?"

Leo nodded. "Exactly. But now, it seems their safe haven has turned into a cursed prison."

The girl tugged at Leo's sleeve, her eyes pleading. "Please, help us. The beast will come back... it always does."

Leo crouched to her level, his gaze softening. "Where are your parents, little one?"

Her lips quivered, and her eyes filled with tears. "My mama and papa... they tried to fight the beast last time. They didn't come back," she whispered, her voice cracking.

The group fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.

Abuld shifted uncomfortably, his voice gruff but softer now. "And since then, you've been hiding alone?"

She nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I stay in the bunker when the beast comes. The other villagers look after me sometimes... but they're scared too."

Leo stood, his expression hardening. He turned to his companions. "This village has been through enough. We'll find out what's going on and end it."

The group nodded, After that, the group made their way to the village chief's home. Upon seeing Leo, the elderly chief immediately recognized him and bowed deeply.

"Rise up, soldier!" Leo said with a slight smirk. "So, you're the village chief now? Congratulations on the promotion."

"Your Majesty, you honor us with your presence!" the chief said, his voice trembling.

Leo chuckled, his tone laced with irony. "Yes, I'm here to help you... criminals," he teased. Then, his expression turned serious. "Now, tell me what's been happening here."

The chief hesitated before speaking. "Your Majesty, we're suffering from a strange illness. It drains our mana, weakens our blood, and eventually... people die. And there's a beast—terrifying in nature—that licks its victims before disappearing. That's all we've seen."

"Hmm." Leo's brow furrowed. "When does it appear?"

"At night, Your Majesty. But for the past two nights, it hasn't shown up. We believe it's because of... a couple."

"A couple?" Abuld asked, narrowing his eyes. "You mean Suvali's parents?"

"Yes, exactly!" the chief replied quickly.

Leo's expression turned colder. "The only reason we entered this village was because of Suvali. To be honest, I had almost forgotten about this little place."

"Do you use any magic or wards for protection?" Leo asked, his tone sharp.

The chief looked down, unsure how to answer. "We... We don't have much magic left, Your Majesty. The illness takes away what little we have."

Leo folded his arms, thinking deeply. "Interesting. Looks like we'll have to solve this mystery tonight."

As evening fell, Leo, known for his exceptional healing magic, restored the strength of the afflicted villagers. Grateful murmurs filled the air as the once-weak villagers stood healthier than they had been in weeks.

With the villagers taken care of, Leo and his companions decided to act. Instead of waiting for the beast to come to them, Leo activated his Qi-infused eyes and aura discern ability. It didn't take long for him to pinpoint a source of abnormal energy nearby.

"It's coming from the east," Leo said, his tone decisive. "There's a cave. well, we shall pay it a visit," Leo said to the group, his voice calm yet commanding.

Without hesitation, the group followed him, making their way toward the cave. The journey was quiet, the air thick with anticipation. Finally, they arrived and stood before the ominous entrance, the cave towering over them like a maw waiting to swallow intruders whole.

"So, this is the cave," Robert muttered, "Are we really going in there?" he asked, glancing at Leo.

Robert glanced at the dark cave, hesitation in his voice. "Your Majesty, are we truly going inside? It could be a trap."

Leo turned, his gaze sharp as steel. "A trap? Do you forget who I am? I'm the Emperor. If it's a trap, it'll be them who regret it."

Without another word, Leo stepped forward, his aura unwavering. With his Qi-infused eye and aura discernment, he scanned the cave, the strange energy inside confirming this was no ordinary lair.

"Stay sharp," Leo commanded. "We're going in."

The group followed, their weapons ready, as the darkness of the cave seemed to beckon them deeper into its secrets.

The cave was shrouded in darkness, and the damp, muddy ground squelched under their boots. "What a strange place," Abuld muttered, his voice echoing faintly.

As they moved deeper, their sharp eyes caught glimpses of scattered bones—some human, some beast. The sight brought a grim silence to the group.

Soon, they came to a fork in the cave, four paths splitting in different directions. Just as they began to deliberate which way to go, a piercing scream of a woman echoed through the cave, coming from the leftmost pathway.

Without hesitation, Leo barked, "Move!"

The group rushed toward the source of the scream, the sound growing louder as they barreled down the wide, ominous path.

As they sprinted down the cavern's dimly lit path, the group froze, their eyes locking onto the monstrous figure before them. It moved with an unsettling, predatory grace—its sleek, feline-like body shimmered, fur shifting colors like liquid shadows, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. For a moment, it was as if the beast had vanished, only for it to reappear in the flickering light.

But what truly unsettled them was its tongue—a grotesquely long appendage that glistened wetly, dripping a faintly hissing numbing enzyme onto the cavern floor.

"It's an Eclipse Tongue," Leo said, his tone calm, almost indifferent, as his Qi-infused eyes pierced through its camouflage. He studied its every movement, its behavior. "Rare, yes, but this... this is no match for me. Just another mid-tier beast."

He sighed, his voice dripping with boredom. "I was expecting something more... formidable. A demon-tier, at least. Perhaps even a Demi-Demon Slayer tier. But this? This is hardly worth my time."

Abuld stepped forward, weapon in hand. "Your Highness, allow us to handle this creature. There's no need for you to waste your energy on it."

Leo waved him off with a faint smirk. "Go ahead. Impress me."

Andro glanced at the creature, his eyes narrowing. "A rare beast, no doubt," he muttered, "but it's weak for its rarity. Nothing more than a glorified predator."

As if insulted by their dismissive words, the Eclipse Tongue let out a guttural growl, its body coiling like a spring, ready to strike. Its fur shimmered like a mirage in the dim light, defying their scorn.

Leo chuckled softly, stepping aside. "Go on," he said lazily. "Show me what you're capable of. Let's see if this beast can prove me wrong."

The Eclipse Tongue lunged forward, its shimmering body almost invisible in the low light as it struck with lightning speed. But Abuld was faster. With a calm yet deadly precision, he sidestepped the beast's tongue, which lashed out like a whip, leaving a sizzling line in the air.

"Predictable," Abuld muttered, his weapon—a massive halberd—glinting in the faint glow of the cave. With one powerful swing, he forced the creature to leap back, its claws scraping against the cavern floor as it hissed in defiance.

Matthew, standing at a distance, raised his spear and hurled it with pinpoint accuracy. The spear grazed the beast's shimmering fur, tearing a thin line of its skin, and embedding itself in the wall behind it. The Eclipse Tongue roared, its camouflaged form flickering, revealing its full size and power for a brief moment.

"Keep it pinned down!" Robert shouted, positioning himself beside Matthew. His sword gleamed as he readied for a strike.

"Focus on its movements," Andro advised, his sharp eyes locked on the creature. "It uses stealth and speed. Force it into a corner, and it's finished!"

Abuld grinned, gripping his halberd tighter. "Stay back. This beast is mine."

The Eclipse Tongue coiled its body, preparing another strike, but Abuld was already moving. His halberd swept in a wide arc, cutting through the air with such force that it created a gust, sending dust and loose stones flying. The beast dodged, but not without effort—Abuld's relentless assault left no room for a counterattack.

Suddenly, the Eclipse Tongue extended its grotesque tongue, aiming for Abuld's exposed flank. But Matthew was ready. With a quick leap, he intercepted the attack, slamming his shield into the tongue with a thunderous clang, forcing the beast to retreat.

"Nice save," Abuld said without looking back, his focus razor-sharp.

The Eclipse Tongue snarled, its fur rippling with an almost hypnotic glow. It leaped to the cavern wall, sticking to it like a spider, and began circling them from above.

"It's trying to flank us!" Robert called out, raising his sword.

"Not on my watch," Andro said. Drawing his bow, he unleashed a volley of arrows infused with sharp Qi energy. The arrows struck true, one grazing the beast's leg, causing it to stumble mid-movement and crash to the ground with a heavy thud.

Abuld didn't waste a second. He charged forward, his halberd glowing faintly as he infused it with his mana. With a deafening roar, he brought the weapon down in a brutal arc, aiming for the creature's head. The Eclipse Tongue dodged at the last moment, but the force of the blow cracked the ground beneath it.

"You're just prolonging the inevitable," Abuld said, his voice cold.

The beast, realizing it was cornered, lashed out wildly with its tongue and claws, creating a whirlwind of attacks. But Abuld was unrelenting. Each swipe of his halberd blocked or deflected the beast's desperate strikes, and with every swing, he pushed it closer to the cavern wall.

"Finish it, Abuld," Leo said from the back, his voice calm and commanding.

With a ferocious roar, Abuld spun his halberd in a wide arc, the weapon gleaming with raw power. The beast lunged one final time, its tongue whipping forward in a desperate bid to strike. But Abuld was faster. With a single, devastating blow, he severed the tongue clean off, the halberd's blade continuing its path to embed itself deep into the beast's chest.

The Eclipse Tongue let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing to the ground, its shimmering body going still.

Abuld stood over the corpse, breathing heavily but victorious. "Not much of a challenge," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Good work," Leo said, stepping forward. He glanced at the dead creature with mild interest. "Efficient, as expected. Let's see if this thing has anything worth examining."

Matthew, Robert, and Andro joined Abuld, each nodding in approval. The fight had been swift and decisive—a testament to their skill and teamwork.

After inspecting the beast, the group found nothing abnormal.

"It's just a normal mid-tier beast," Matthew remarked, sheathing his spear.

"Over there!" Andro suddenly shouted, pointing to a shadowy corner of the cave. "The victims of the beast!"

Leo's gaze shifted to where Andro was pointing. His eyes softened slightly as he recognized the figures lying motionless. "It's the parents of the girl… Suvali," he mumbled to himself, the name coming back to him.

The couple was unconscious, their bodies covered in a strange, sticky white substance. Without hesitation, Leo stepped forward, conjuring a stream of water magic. The water glowed faintly as it washed over the victims, clearing away the residue.

"Well, the beast was certainly persistent," Leo muttered, his tone half-amused, half-irritated. Once the strange substance was gone, their breathing began to stabilize.

"Let's get them out of here," Andro said, kneeling to check their pulse.

Robert nodded and, together with Andro, carefully lifted the unconscious couple. They carried them out of the cave, with Abuld and Matthew leading the way to ensure no other threats lurked nearby.

Leo followed at a steady pace, glancing one last time at the corpse of the Eclipse Tongue. "So insane for such a low-tier beast," he muttered under his breath before turning his focus back to the present.

The group made their way back to the village, where the chief and the rest of the villagers awaited them anxiously.

As midnight fell, the group settled down to rest under the moon's serene glow. The soft, silvery light illuminated the quiet village, casting long shadows across the ground.

While his companions drifted into a deep sleep, Leo stood apart from them, his sharp gaze fixed on the night sky.

"I don't actually need much sleep," he murmured to himself, stretching slightly. "Might as well make myself useful."

He glanced back at his companions, ensuring they were fast asleep. A faint smirk played on his lips as he muttered, "Let's wait until they're deep in their dreams."

With a purpose in mind, Leo quietly made his way toward the outskirts of the village. "Perhaps I'll do some hunting," he thought, his eyes scanning the dark forest beyond. "Or maybe cut some trees and help these villagers rebuild."

His steps were light, his demeanor calm yet focused. Though the world around him was still, Leo's mind was ever-active, constantly planning and reflecting. Tonight, he would lend a hand—not as an emperor, but simply as someone willing to help.

As Leo searched the forest, he eventually spotted a bear-like beast—a basic-tier creature. Without hesitation, he moved in. Before the beast could react, its head was cleanly severed by Leo's Qi-infused hand.

Afterward, he turned his attention to cutting down some trees, ensuring his movements were quiet enough not to disturb his companions' sleep. By the time dawn approached, Leo was making his way back to the village.

With the massive bear slung over one shoulder and a freshly cut tree in his other hand, the sight was almost comical—an emperor casually carrying what would seem impossible for any ordinary man. Yet, for Leo, it was just another morning.

After setting down the massive bear and the tree, Leo noticed Suvali peeking out from behind a nearby house. Smiling warmly, he approached her.

"It's cold outside and much too early for you to be up, Suvali," Leo said gently. "You've found your parents—shouldn't you be spending time with them?"

The girl's eyes, filled with determination, met his. "I want to become strong like you!" she declared. "I want to be like you and learn about beasts!"

Leo chuckled softly, his gaze warm. "Strong like me? Suvali, you could become even stronger than me if you put your mind to it. And who says you can't be an emperor one day too?" He crouched slightly, meeting her at eye level. "If you're serious, I can help you. Now, let's bring these trees over, and while we work, I'll teach you about the beasts."

Suvali's face lit up, and she nodded eagerly, ready to learn from the emperor himself.

"Suvali, in our world, there are 14 types of beasts," Leo began, his voice calm and steady.

"Fourteen types? That's so many!" Suvali exclaimed, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Leo nodded with a small smile. "Yes, but among them, only nine types are commonly found. Let me break it down for you:

1. Normal Tier

2. Basic Tier

3. Mid-Tier

4. Intermediate Mid-Tier

5. King Tier

6. Legendary King Tier

7. Emperor Tier

8. Legendary Emperor Tier

9. Demon Tier

"The higher tiers—like King Tier, Emperor Tier, or Demon Tier—are incredibly rare. They're powerful and not something you'd encounter every day," Leo explained.

Suvali's face was full of awe. "So, beasts like the one we just fought… what tier was it?"

"That was a Mid-Tier beast, and honestly, it wasn't much of a challenge. But you'll understand more as we go," Leo said with a reassuring smile. "Now, ready to learn more?"

Suvali nodded eagerly, her curiosity growing with each word.

Leo lifted the massive tree effortlessly with both hands, walking slowly as he began explaining.

"Now, Suvali, let's start with the Normal Tier," he said. "They're often referred to as wild animals, but that's not entirely accurate. While they can be aggressive toward humans, the true definition of a Normal Tier beast is any wild animal that has evolved into a beast. Their strength, speed, and senses are slightly heightened compared to regular animals."

Suvali's eyes lit up with curiosity. "So, they're like wolves or bears, but stronger?"

"Exactly," Leo replied, nodding. "Normal Tier beasts are at the base of the hierarchy, but even they can be dangerous if underestimated. Or," he added, looking at her with a small grin, "if you want to learn how to identify a Normal Tier beast, you'd look for subtle signs—like their slightly glowing eyes or unnatural movements. They often show more intelligence and a unique presence compared to regular animals."

Suvali's curiosity deepened. "I want to know how to spot them too!"

Leo smiled. "Good. That's the first step to being prepared. Ready to learn about the next tier?"

She nodded with excitement.

"Yes, Suvali," Leo continued, his tone patient yet authoritative. "Basic Tier beasts are a step above Normal Tier. The key difference is that they have a crystal core inside their bodies. These crystals are often dark but not completely opaque. Depending on the beast, the crystal can range in color—light blue, deep green, or even brown. Each color reflects the beast's affinity to certain elements."

Suvali tilted her head, fascinated. "So, all Basic Tier beasts live together?"

"Not all," Leo clarified. "But many do, forming groups or packs for safety and strength. They're more organized than Normal Tier beasts, but you'll sometimes find lone predators as well. The easiest way to identify them is by their physical resilience and the faint glow of their core, which can sometimes be seen through their body when they use energy. It's a small but vital sign to look out for."

Her eyes widened in awe. "They sound so powerful!"

"They can be," Leo said with a smile, "but they're also predictable. Learning to spot their behavior and recognizing their cores will help you handle them if needed. Ready for the next lesson?"

Yes, yes, I want to sir She said with a curious face.

"Mid Tier and Intermediate Tier beasts share many traits," Leo explained, shifting the large tree on his shoulder with ease. "However, there's one key difference: their crystals. You can't see the crystals of these tiers from the outside like you can with Basic Tier beasts. Instead, you identify them through their behavior and abilities."

Suvali listened intently, her small face lighting up with curiosity.

"Mid Tier beasts typically have weak abilities—simple elemental control, minor physical enhancements, or stealth skills. Intermediate Tier beasts, on the other hand, are more formidable. They can possess two or even three strong abilities at once, making them much more challenging to handle."

Suvali's brow furrowed. "So they're harder to spot and fight?"

"Exactly," Leo replied with a nod. "They can adapt to almost any environment, whether it's a scorching desert, dense forest, or even underwater regions. Their versatility makes them unpredictable."

He paused for a moment, then listed a few examples. "For instance, you might encounter the Storm Fang in the forest—an Intermediate Tier wolf with the power to summon wind blades. Or the Sand Maw in the desert, a burrowing beast that can manipulate the ground. In the water, there's the Aqua Serpent, which uses its tail to create whirlpools."

Suvali's eyes sparkled with awe. "That's incredible! I want to see them all someday."

Leo chuckled warmly. "In time, Suvali. First, you must learn to recognize them before dreaming of facing them."

Leo continued discussing the higher tiers of beasts with Suvali, breaking each one down in detail. He explained the formidable abilities of King Tier beasts, the immense aura of Emperor Tier creatures, and the near-mythical power of Demon Tier entities.

"King Tier beasts," he explained, "are rulers of their territories. Their strength can devastate armies, and they often possess powerful elemental mastery. Then there are Emperor Tier beasts, which are considered natural disasters. Few have lived to see one and tell the tale. Demon Tier beasts... well, they are the stuff of legends, capable of reshaping entire landscapes with their abilities."

Suvali, her eyes wide with fascination, hung onto his every word. "And what about crystal nests?" she asked eagerly.

"Ah, nest crystal beasts or the knight tier beast," Leo said, smiling. "These are unique beasts born from crystal-infused environments. They are extremely territorial, and their powers often surpass their tier. Encountering them is rare, but if you do, it's either fortune or disaster."

To Leo's surprise, Suvali knows a lot about beasts and also remembered everything he told her, even repeating the categories and details flawlessly.

By the time morning came, the villagers and Leo's companions were awake. Stepping outside their homes, they froze, astonished by the large pile of freshly cut wood and the bear-like beast lying near Leo.

"Your Majesty, you didn't sleep?" Abuld asked, concern etched on his face.

Leo turned toward him with a faint smile. "No, Abuld. I don't need as much sleep as normal humans. I had other things to do."

He waved toward the preparations. "Start packing. We're leaving soon."

The companions nodded, quickly springing into action, while Suvali remained by Leo's side, still processing everything she'd learned.