OLANDERS

In a world where magical beasts roam the land and hunters are humanity’s last line of defense, the Philippines has become a patchwork of sanctuaries and danger zones. Hunters are classified into ranks—E to the legendary S. The higher the rank, the greater the strength, magical prowess, and fame. Yet for Joshua "Josh" Villanueva, life at the lowest rung, below even E Rank, is bleak. Talentless, cursed, and constantly overlooked, he is mocked as "The Forgotten Hunter."

Josh hails from the slums of Tondo, Manila, a region teetering between safety and chaos. Struggling to make ends meet, he risks his life as a scavenger in low-level dungeons that appear across the archipelago. Despite countless failures, a strange relic buried in the ruins of Corregidor Island chooses him during one harrowing expedition. Little does Josh know, this ancient artifact—called the *Diwata’s Heirloom*—possesses a dormant, forbidden power tied to the country’s ancient myths and gods.

As the relic awakens, Josh begins to unlock abilities unlike any hunter has ever seen. His newfound power stems not from conventional training or talent but from unraveling the secrets of precolonial lore. To rise through the ranks, he must journey across the Philippines: from the enchanted forests of Siquijor to the volcanic depths of Mayon, all while navigating alliances, rivalries, and the whispers of a prophecy surrounding the return of a forgotten god.

But the cost of power is steep, and as Josh climbs the hunter ranks—E, D, C, B, A, and beyond—he discovers the true meaning of strength lies not just in defeating monsters but in uniting a fractured people against an impending cataclysm.

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Table of ASCENSION : Forgotten Hunter

Table of contents

Volume 1