Chapter 1: A World Reborn
One hundred years had passed since the end of World War III, a conflict so devastating it nearly wiped humanity from existence. The war, fought over dwindling resources and unchecked technological ambitions, took an unexpected turn when a series of mysterious portals opened across the globe. These rifts, glowing with an ominous, otherworldly energy, unleashed horrors no one could have imagined—monsters of every shape and size, from towering giants to swarms of deadly beasts.
The portals marked the end of the old world and the birth of a new one. Governments collapsed under the weight of these incursions, and entire nations were reduced to ashes. But in humanity's darkest hour, the first Awakened emerged. These were individuals who gained the power to fight back, to harness the mysterious energy leaking from the portals to unlock supernatural abilities.
It was these Awakened who saved humanity. They discovered that by slaying the monsters, they gained experience points (EXP) that could increase their strength, grant them new abilities, and even improve their physical and mental attributes. Over time, humanity reorganized itself around these individuals, forming new nations and systems to adapt to the transformed world.
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The Nation of Kaldris
Eliot Roland lived in Kaldris, one of the largest nations to rise from the ashes of the old world. Kaldris was a sprawling landmass divided into provinces and cities, each ruled by regional governors who reported to a central government in the capital, Argent Spire.
The country's economy and military revolved around the Hunter Guilds, organizations that recruited, trained, and deployed hunters to tackle the constant threat of dungeons. These guilds controlled wealth, politics, and even culture, elevating hunters to positions of celebrity and influence.
Eliot's home was in the city of Orivale, located in the eastern province of Kaldris. Orivale wasn't one of the grand cities like Argent Spire, but it was known for its bustling merchant district and a reputation as a gateway for adventurers heading to the eastern frontier. The city thrived on dungeon resources, which hunters sold to merchants and craftsmen.
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Eliot and his mother, Mara Roland, lived in a modest apartment in one of Orivale's quieter neighborhoods. Mara was a single mother who had raised Eliot alone after his father, a low-ranking hunter, disappeared during a dungeon raid when Eliot was just a baby.
Mara owned a small potion shop, crafting and selling healing elixirs, mana potions, and various tonics to local hunters and adventurers. Her work was steady but far from lucrative, leaving the family in a precarious financial position. Despite this, Mara had always supported Eliot's dreams, even as others dismissed him for his weight or lack of physical prowess.
Mara was a woman of quiet resilience. Her once-bright auburn hair was streaked with silver, and her hands were rough from years of grinding herbs and mixing potions. Yet her green eyes still carried a spark of determination, a testament to her unyielding hope for her son's future.
"Eliot," she would often say, "you've got a mind sharper than any blade. Don't let anyone tell you that doesn't matter."
Eliot loved his mother fiercely. He knew how much she had sacrificed to provide for him, and he dreamed of one day repaying her kindness by becoming a hunter—one powerful enough to lift them out of their struggles.
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Eliot attended Orivale Academy, a local school that prepared students for the Awakening Ceremony. The school's curriculum was a mix of standard education and basic training in dungeon theory, monster identification, and survival tactics. Only a small percentage of students would ever awaken as hunters, but the academy still took pride in its graduates who went on to support the hunter industry as secretaries, analysts, or merchants.
Eliot, however, had his sights set higher. He wasn't content with a desk job or a life on the sidelines. Despite his physical shortcomings, Eliot was a genius when it came to understanding dungeon mechanics and combat strategies. He had spent countless hours studying everything from monster weaknesses to class optimization.
His classmates, however, were less charitable. Eliot's weight and bookish demeanor made him an easy target for mockery. "Fat Eliot," they called him, taunting him with jeers about how he wouldn't even survive an F-rank dungeon.
He ignored them, channeling his frustration into his studies. He knew that if he awakened tomorrow during the ceremony, everything would change. The Awakening Ceremony was a moment of transformation, where an individual's class and rank were revealed—a fate that could elevate them to unimaginable heights or condemn them to mediocrity.
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The Awakening System
The system of ranks governed every aspect of life for hunters. The hierarchy was clear:
F Rank: Ordinary individuals with no significant abilities.
E Rank: Slightly stronger than average, but still considered cannon fodder.
D Rank: The starting point for real hunters, though many were relegated to support roles.
C Rank: Powerful enough to lead guilds and gain fame within cities.
B Rank: Renowned across provinces, capable of taking on high-level dungeons.
A Rank: National heroes, often courted by governments and guilds alike.
S Rank: Continental powerhouses capable of reshaping history with their strength.
SS Rank: Global legends, with only eight in the world, each a walking catastrophe.
SSS Rank: A myth. No one alive had ever witnessed such power.
To awaken was a rare privilege. Only 1% of the population did so, and most ended up with low-level ranks and classes. Those who awakened as hunters gained access to the status system, allowing them to level up by defeating monsters and clearing dungeons.
The higher the rank, the greater the impact they could have on the world. For Eliot, awakening was a gamble, but one he was desperate to take.
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The world outside the cities was a hostile, unpredictable place. Dungeons appeared sporadically, varying in size and threat level. Hunters were humanity's shield against the monstrous tide, venturing into these labyrinths to clear them before their inhabitants could spill out into the world.
Each dungeon was a microcosm of danger, filled with traps, monsters, and treasures. The energy released from slain monsters powered cities, while the materials harvested were used to craft weapons, armor, and potions. Dungeons were both a blessing and a curse, sustaining human civilization even as they threatened its existence.
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As the sun set over Orivale, Eliot stood by his bedroom window, staring out at the glowing city lights. Tomorrow was the Awakening Ceremony, the day he would discover his fate. Would he awaken as a hunter, or would he remain ordinary, destined to live in the shadows of those more fortunate?
He clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest. He wouldn't let the world define him by his size or his circumstances. No matter what tomorrow brought, he would carve out his place in this new world.
For now, all he could do was wait.
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End of Chapter 1