Just then, a group of human elders approached from the side. Every one of them was covered in bulging muscles, incomparably robust, as though terrifying furnace flames smoldered within their bodies.
Each of them dragged a powerful evil creature in hand as they headed straight toward the altar.
"Look, the elders are here."
The crowd cried out in surprise. They recognized them as the elders of Willow City, the city's most powerful Furnace Wizards, wielders of supreme combat strength.
"What is that creature the elders are dragging?"
Someone asked curiously.
"That is an evil god's servant—the renowned Seklotol Star Monster. It is a lord-class evil creature ruling the area within a million kilometers. I never thought the elders would capture it and bring it back."
Many people shouted in delight. If a lord-class evil creature had died nearby, the danger in the surrounding region would be drastically reduced, making it much safer for people traveling in the wilderness.
"Haha, you little ones are quite lucky this time."
A gray-robed old man laughed heartily. Looking at the babies with a benevolent expression, he said, "Sacrificing this Seklotol Star Monster will surely earn the Lord of the Furnace's delight. He will certainly bestow a great number of powerful furnace seeds."
At those words, many people grew excited, overcome with joy.
Furnace seeds were divided into ranks as well—some were weak, while others were powerful.
Though they might not determine a human's future, they were undoubtedly an exceptionally high starting point, granting an innate advantage.
It was like a ten-thousand-meter race. Everyone else stood at the starting line, while some had already run several hundred meters ahead, opening an enormous gap from the very beginning.
If those who held such a lead worked just as hard, then no matter how the others chased