It's year 2056 right now. The world has transformed into a fantasy world you'd only see in movies. It became a world where almost every population on Earth had an ability. They were referred to as "Hunters", while the remaining population remained as "unawaken".
.....
The hour hand steadily pointed to the sixth and the dazzling lights above the ceiling lit up and projected onto the face of every sleeping person.
[Attention F-ranks, please be ready within 30 minutes and head to the main hall to gather.]
[Attention F-ranks, please be ready within 30 minutes and head to the main hall to gather.]
[Attention F-ranks, please be ready within 30 minutes and head to the main hall to gather.]
An icy voice sounded in the air, repeating the same sentence three times loudly.
The man who fell from the bed woke up suddenly, and he hurriedly got up and shook the person next to him to wake him up from his slumber.
Another person in the room woke up from their sleep and shouted, "Wake up guys! We need to gather at the main hall quickly!!"
The people who heard this were instantly awakened from their drowsiness and hurriedly changed clothes.
However, in one of the beds, a captivating white-haired man was sleeping soundly without any care in the world.
The people who were still in the room noticed him sleeping soundly and were speechless. One of them shook the man to wake him up, "Hey! Hey! Wake up"
The white-haired man slowly opened his eyes and got up. His long white hair slid down from his shoulder making him look glowing under the dazzling lights.
Someone muttered in a low voice, "What's with this guy?... He's like the fucking version of Athena."
People usually wouldn't compliment men as pretty but the man in front of them is a beauty that transcends gender itself.
Mu Wei didn't care and headed to the bathroom to wash up leaving the bewitched F-ranks behind.
Shortly after, the F-ranks returned to their original state and continued to focus on other things.
After everyone finished, the 100 F-ranks including Mu Wei began making their way to the main hall.
The F-ranks who had just arrived looked around them in the main hall and were stunned. The main hall was filled with hundreds of people lined up with protective gear and weapons.
Someone muttered in a low voice, "There are so many people here..."
[Attention A-ranks, we will begin to head out at 9:00 AM sharp.]
[Attention A-ranks, we will begin to head out at 9:00 AM sharp.]
[Attention A-ranks, we will begin to head out at 9:00 AM sharp.]
The F-ranks were stunned for a moment. Some tried to speak but their mouth seemed to just hang in the air.
This... Are they planning to go to a gate?
However, Mu Wei seemed to have no care at all and looked around, "Where are we supposed to go now?"
He was dressed in casual clothing, with jeans, a white collared T-shirt, and a brown coat. It looked like it was just an ordinary day for him.
The teenage boy next to him pointed in the left side of the hallway and said, "Guys look, someone's heading towards our direction."
Mu Wei glanced at where the boy pointed and saw a blonde man approaching them.
He looked tall and seemed to be a researcher. The man stopped in front of them and glanced at all of them before speaking in a deep tone, "Welcome to Beiyin guild everyone, you must be the newcomers who just arrived. My name is Chan-Yeol, and I'll be your guide for today."
The F-ranks nodded and began listening carefully to his instructions, while Mu Wei had his head down and seemed to be deep in thoughts.
The teenage boy spoke again with a curious tone and pointed at the direction of the A-ranks, "Uhm sir, what are those people doing over there?"
Chan-Yeol looked at where he was looking and quickly explained, "They will be heading out to a gate."
The teenager was stunned and repeated, "A gate?!"
Chan-Yeol gave a nod and said, "Not to worry, once you are done with your training you will also be able to go to a gate."
In this world, not only are there ranks, but there are also abilities humans are given with. F-ranks are the lowest, E-ranks are the second lowest, Followed by D-ranks then B-ranks, after that comes A-ranks, then S-ranks, SS-ranks, and finally the most powerful rank, SSS-ranks.
However, there are only very few people around the world who are S-ranks and above. To climb up the ranks, you must complete several gates.
By completing these, you will be able to gain exp and level your skills through the system. It is an incredibly difficult journey, and many have lost their lives by entering a gate.
Usually, to participate in completing gates you first join a guild. The ranking of gates will also increase every time you rank up. Guild Masters, who are the owners of the guilds are SS rank or SSS rank and completed many S rank gates and higher.
They are highly respected and feared by society. In the country of Korea, there is a man named Lu Beiyi. His guild is considered to be the best in the country and is ranked as the number one hunter in global ranking.
His guild is located at Seoul and called Beiyin guild. Yes, that's right. It's the very same guild where Mu Wei is at right now.
After Chan-Yeol finished showing them around the building, they were brought to a laboratory to gather information on their body. For example, their stamina, ability, strength, speed, etc.
"Now, here is the laboratory. We will be gathering information about you so we can provide you with the most preferred training for your body."
When he heard this Mu Wei who was behind the group walked forward and asked calmly, "Excuse me, is it allowed to not participate?"
Chan-Yeol turned around to look at him and narrowed his eyes before chuckling, "Well as much as you don't want to. It is needed to give you training suited for your ability and your body."
Mu Wei didn't seem that surprised when he heard this and replied, "I already know what training I will do."
Chan-Yeol raised his eyebrows curiously, "Oh? Then what training do you think is suited for you?"
Mu Wei raised his beautiful golden eyes and looked the man straight in the eye before replying in all seriousness, "The training for S-ranks"
Chan-Yeol instantly burst into laughter and looked at the man as if he were a clown. Even the F-ranks were stunned when they heard Mu Wei's answer and began to murmur in the crowd.
"You? Train in the S-rank training? Hahaha what is this, this is the funniest joke I've heard all day. You're very amusing." Chan-Yeol kept laughing until he couldn't even stand straight anymore.
Mu Wei just stood there and thought to himself, 'He sounds like a dolphin while laughing...'
When Chan-Yeol finished laughing, he stood straight again and looked at Mu Wei with a sneer, "I don't think I've ever seen such a foolish F-rank before. What makes you think you can even survive for an hour? Are you an idiot?"
Mu Wei didn't care about his obvious provocation and continued to stand his ground, "Just let me try out the training, I'll show you I can handle it."
'This is the only way I can... Never mind. I just need to do this.'
"Even if I allowed you to join in the S-rank training, it doesn't change the fact you're an F-rank. You are still weak in terms of body strength and speed. Don't even try it."
Chan-Yeol turned around and continued to walk to the laboratory. The F-ranks paused for a moment and began following him to the laboratory. They looked at Mu Wei with a confused and funny expression.
He stood still there with an icy expression. 'This is such a hassle...Perhaps...I should just-'
"Hey...Are you alright?" The teenage boy earlier walked back to check up on Mu Wei with a worried expression. "Don't worry too much about them. Deep inside, they also have the same goal as you."
"Yes, I'm fine, don't worry about it." Mu Wei glanced at him and started to follow the crowd. 'I'm not sure we're thinking about the same goal, kid.'
Lu Yi stood still for a moment before following behind Mu Wei, "Well anyways, nice to meet you! I'm Lu Yi, what's your name?"
"Mu Wei, it's a nice to meet you too, Lu Yi." After this small encounter, Mu Wei didn't bother speaking anymore and walked up to the front of the crowd.
After walking through many hallways and stairs, they finally arrived at the laboratory filled with a group of doctors and researchers.
It was a massive room filled with machines you'd only see at movies.
'Wow...Everything looks so advanced.' the F-ranks muttered under their breaths as they passed by. Each direction they would glance there would be a robot walking around. 'So, this is what it's like in Korea's number one guild.'
Chan-Yeol brought them to a machine that could fit one person inside, "This is it. It's quite simple, you go in the machine and then go out. Feel free to ask any questions now before we begin."
He said it in such a nonchalant manner and looked like he was in no hurry to answer questions.
The F-ranks began to whisper among themselves and eventually one of the F-ranks asked nervously, "Will it be safe to go in? Is there any side effects or pain that you'll experience?"
Chan-Yeol had already expected this question but before he could reply, another F-rank in the group responded loudly, "Aye what are you talking about? Of course, it is! Don't be such a coward."
The F-ranks turned to the man who said this. He looked like a gangster; he had tattoos on his arms, a scar on his left eye and long black hair.
Bai Jing stepped forward and confidently asked, "Boss, can I go first already? I've got no time to act as a coward."
Chan-Yeol sighed and responded with a warning, "If you wish to go then go ahead. But I must warn you, you will experience a bit of pain during the process. I hope that you will be prepared to handle it."
Bai Jing who didn't seem to hear the warning just started smiling and looking at the F-ranks as if he were saying 'I'm first and you're not!'
Mu Wei didn't think much of it and started inspecting the machine. 'This looks like something you'd see in movies. I wish I could-'
Lu Yi interrupted his thoughts and gave him a pat on the back with a bright smile. "What're you thinking so deeply of? There's no need to be nervous Mu Wei!"
'...Are you a mind reader or something? This kid always finds the perfect timing to interrupt my thoughts.' Mu Wei thought of this and looked at him funny.
Lu Yi didn't seem to read his expression at all and just continued giving him words of encouragement.
After a while, a doctor came up to them and said, "There is a waiting room over there so you guys can wait. Follow me"
The F-ranks quickly followed the doctor into the room, leaving behind Bai Jing and Chan-Yeol.
When they entered the room, it was a big open space with chairs enough to fit 200 people. However, there was numerous CCTV's observing them.
After they finished sitting down, the door opened and Chan-Yeol came in and stood at the center facing all the F-ranks. "After he is finished, the others will have a go too. Let's see... You, the one sitting on the chair next to the wall. You're up next. "
Chan-Yeol pointed to a girl with short brown hair and brown eyes before exiting. The F-ranks who were left inside the room didn't dare to make a single noise and began to prepare themselves.
Mu Wei, sitting in the 3rd row was playing with his long white hair as if this was nothing important.
Lu Yi was fiddling with his fingers nervously and asked Mu Wei next to him, "Do you think the process will hurt a lot? I know the blonde dude told us we would only experience a little, but I don't trust him..."
Mu Wei thought for a moment and was about to open his mouth and say something when it was suddenly cut off by a chilling scream sounding through the air.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" It was a terrifying scream that sent chills to everyone in the waiting room.
The F-ranks who heard this were shocked and all of them stood up immediately except for Mu Wei who was still... playing with his hair.
The brown-haired girl asked in a horrified voice, "W-What was that? Did you guys hear that?" She turned pale and stood up trembling.
"Shit wasn't that the voice of the guy who was supposed to go first?" Another F-rank answered.
"Holy shit you're right! It is his voice!!"
The atmosphere was instantly filled with fear. Before they could recover from their shock, Bai Jing's voice sounded through the air again.
"AHHHH HELP SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEEEEE IT HURTSS!!"'
... What the hell is going on out there???' Almost all the F-ranks had the same thought at this moment.