After finishing his dinner, Leo lay back on the couch, his eyes closing with a desire to relax. He switched to the news channel, which was discussing heroes who had nothing noteworthy except for their achievements.
News Anchor: "Welcome to our daily broadcast. We begin with news about Alexander, the brave warrior ranked 'A'. His heroic journey and extraordinary strength have become the talk of the town in our world."
News Anchor: "Breaking news! Alexander's guild and its brave members have successfully cleared an 'A' level dungeon. This exceptional achievement reflects their strength and dedication in facing challenges and dangers. They used their extraordinary abilities and team spirit to overcome the evil monsters."
Leo's mind echoed with the anchor's voice, like a faint reverberation in an empty room.
Leo, gently clenching his fist: "I feel jealous... They are so lucky!"
Leo was sitting on the couch in his room, his eyes fixed on the screen as he watched a special report showing footage of the dungeon from which the guild members had just escaped. The news anchor stood before a large screen, her eyes focused, waiting for the guild members' responses.
Anchor (on the screen): She smiled slightly, but she knew the next questions would be tough. "We're now with the guild members who have just come out of the scariest dungeon in the region. You've faced terrifying experiences within those walls. We want to hear from you how that experience felt and how you managed to endure it?"
Alexander (Guild Leader): He smiled faintly, but tension was evident on his face, and it was clear he was still affected by what had happened. "It was a tough battle, anchor. But I don't think we saw more than a part of the puzzle that the dungeon represented. The monsters were just the beginning... the final boss we faced, the skeleton, was a masterpiece of death, as Tessa described it, and it was like a living nightmare, reminding us that we were facing something greater than us."
The anchor looked at Alexander with a focused gaze, then turned to Allen, who stood next to him.
Anchor: "Allen, you were one of the most affected by the flying monsters inside the dungeon. Can you tell us more about how it felt to fight this threat?"
Allen (Ranged Combat Specialist): She took a deep breath, then spoke slowly, her eyes moving between the camera and the other members. "I didn't expect to face this kind of monster, especially the flying ones that snuck down from above. It was a real challenge, and it felt like I only had a few moments before I could catch my breath again. I felt like I was racing against time, and sometimes, it felt like we were just the weakest link in that battle."
The anchor asked another question, but this time, her eyes were on Jason.
Anchor: "Jason, you specialize in defensive magic, and you had a major role in protecting the team during the encounters. How did you handle the giant skeleton? Did you feel it was just a monster, or was there something else behind it?"
Jason (Defensive Magic Specialist): He paused, lost in deep thought for a few moments, then replied in a deep tone. "The skeleton was more than just a monster. It was part of something ancient, a being filled with memories and death. Every time I saw it, I felt like I was looking at a piece of history... from another time, yet still present with us in this moment. I don't think it was just a guardian of the place, but an embodiment of destruction."
The camera then shifted to Tessa, who was standing slightly apart from everyone, slowly cleaning her sword.
Anchor: "Tessa, can you tell us about your experience with the skeleton? There was a lot of pressure on every team member, but you were the strongest in facing it. How did you deal with those moments?"
Tessa (Swordfighter): Her heart paused for a moment, then she looked directly at the anchor, her eyes shining with post-battle wisdom. "I could feel the weight of every step. The skeleton seemed to share every moment of the battle with me. But I knew I couldn't back down. Every strike was a test, and every move was driven by instinct... But there was a deep feeling inside me, as if I was facing something I couldn't retreat from. It felt like I was reclaiming something from the past... but I don't know what it was."
The anchor then refocused on Alexander, where the spotlight on his face was filled with seriousness.
Anchor: "Alexander, as the guild leader, what lessons have you learned from this battle? Was this your first true encounter with something like this?"
Alexander: He paused for a moment before answering, his eyes closed as if the words of the past were racing through his mind. "Every battle teaches you something new. This dungeon, with all it held, was a strong reminder that we're not just facing monsters. We are facing ancient forces that can't be predicted. But I believe that we are stronger together. No matter the darkness we face, we have the ability to overcome it... but we must be ready."
Leo's gaze held deep disappointment, and his eyes gleamed with something like extinguished bitterness, as if reflecting all his doubts about himself: "Why don't I have enough magic? Why can't I be like them?"
He sat motionless for a moment, his body frozen, surrendering to the weight of the reality he faced. Something inside him slowly exploded, sweeping over his emotions, as he regained a feeling of being trapped, as if stuck between horizons he couldn't surpass.
As he listened to the television report about the guild members, he took himself on a deep mental journey, as if explaining something to those around him, even though he didn't fully realize what he was saying. His eyes were distant, as if they were submerged in the details of this world full of mysteries beyond his understanding.
The Dungeons
In our world, dungeons are not just abandoned places. They are cracks in time and space, parallel worlds containing unimaginable monsters. These are deep, perilous places filled with danger and mystery, representing tests that not everyone can pass. Adventurers enter them in search of loot and power, but they forget something important: not everything found in a dungeon is meant to be seized. Some are filled with creatures that have evolved to feed on magic, while others hide secrets that could threaten existence itself. Each dungeon holds mysterious keys, and most importantly: "The Core."
The Treasures
When we talk about treasures, we are not only referring to gold or gemstones, but something deeper and more valuable. The treasures in these worlds come in three main forms:
The first is from the monsters themselves. When monsters are defeated, rare resources fall from them, often used to craft weapons and combat gear. These resources are not mere tools; they carry traces of the mana that once flowed through the veins of these creatures. Each piece could be the core of a new power, or part of a weapon that could alter its wielder's fate.
The second is the random chests. These mysterious chests appear unexpectedly in dungeons or caves. Opening them is like gambling on luck; they may contain simple items like potions or rare objects with immense power. No one knows how these chests appear, as though they are gifts from ancient realms for those who dare to venture forth.
The third, and most important, is the treasure guarded by the final boss in the dungeon. These treasures are considered the ultimate reward. When the boss is defeated, adventurers are rewarded with things beyond description: remnants of forgotten powers, legendary weapons, or even tools imbued with mana that can be passed on to those who lacked strength from the start. These treasures do not differentiate between the powerful and the powerless, but they always test who is truly worthy.
What makes these treasures unique is their connection to the worlds in which they were found. Possessing them is not just a privilege, but a responsibility. Just as they can grant power, they can also consume you entirely if you are not worthy of them.
Then Leo turned to the corner of his room, as though the horizon had taken him far from reality. But he returned to continue his speech, as if recalling the information stored in his memory.
The Towers
The towers... they are not merely towering structures that challenge the sky, but gateways to other worlds, mysterious and filled with secrets. Each tower is a collection of floors, with each floor representing a separate world, home to different peoples and races. Some are familiar to us, like elves and dwarves, while others can only be described as wonders beyond human imagination.
Each floor in the tower is a world unto itself. You may find familiar peoples, such as elves and dwarves—races that have been passed down through legends across time—living in prosperous cities or hidden retreats. But the towers are not limited to these races; there are strange creatures and foreign peoples that no one has ever seen, with worlds that pulse to different laws than our own. You might find a floor submerged in water, inhabited by highly intelligent sea creatures, or a floor filled with magical forests where invisible creatures hide, or even icy lands where giants of snow reside.
When an adventurer ascends the tower, they face two choices regarding how to deal with these worlds: either they harmonize with them and build peaceful relationships with their inhabitants, or they choose the path of conquest and forced domination. The second option may seem tempting, but it is fraught with challenges. Enslaving the inhabitants of a floor means controlling its resources and loot, but it also brings fierce resistance and long-lasting conflicts.
However, controlling a tower is not usually a solo task. Most major towers fall under the influence of guilds—massive organizations of powerful adventurers who plan raids on the higher floors. These guilds coordinate the raids, negotiate loot distribution, and enforce laws on adventurers.
As for those who dare to face the challenge alone, they are rare and often viewed as living legends. They are not just adventurers, but potential leaders who could become kings of entire worlds if they succeed.
What distinguishes these towers is that they are not just places to conquer, but gateways to changing fate. An adventurer who manages to conquer a tower can make the land and peoples within it their own. But control is not always achieved through brute force. Some adventurers choose to harmonize with the inhabitants of the floors, living among them as leaders and protectors, joining their cultures and gaining their respect. Meanwhile, others take the dark path: colonizing and enslaving everything, turning worlds into resources to be drained for their service.
As Leo muttered these words, he felt a sense of loneliness in his heart. The world he described was filled with mysterious powers and ancient stories that blend with myth.
Mana and Magic
"Mana... every person is born with it, but not all of us carry the same amount. We all have a magical card, an instrument that has been connected to us since the moment we were born. Some people are born with an exceptionally strong mana, and they become hunters with immense power. These are the ones who have the ability to wield magic in its most magnificent form. However, there are others—many more—who are born with weak mana. These people cannot become hunters; instead, they remain workers, toiling in factories and companies that rely on magical energy."
"Magic has become an essential part of our lives, not just in battles or expeditions. Large companies and factories, like 'Goja Mart,' rely on magic to run machines, provide the necessary energy, and enslave workers who drain their energies in a system that pulls mana from people. The world has become a strange place, where magic is exploited in every corner."
Leo took a bit longer to explain concepts that had always been difficult for him to grasp.
Hunter Classification
"Hunters are the heart of this world, and their power determines their position and destiny. Hunters are classified into ranks based on the amount of mana they possess, their combat abilities, and their magical skills. The ranks range from the weakest to the strongest:
Rank F:
The lowest rank, and it's extremely rare. Throughout history, only two cases of hunters in this rank have been recorded, as those who hold it are almost devoid of mana. They are completely incapable of using magic or fighting effectively and are often seen as unable to hunt. This rank represents the limits of incapacity.
Rank E:
Hunters in this rank possess very weak mana. Their abilities are highly limited and almost restricted to simple tasks, such as supporting combat teams or dealing with weaker monsters. These individuals rarely survive on the battlefield without protection.
Rank D:
The first of the intermediate ranks. Those who hold this rank have combat and magical skills sufficient to handle basic challenges. They can manage low-level dungeons. Hunters in this rank often make up the bulk of combat teams.
Rank C:
The higher intermediate hunters. They have advanced combat and magical abilities that allow them to face tougher dungeons. Their abilities are almost professional, making them the backbone of teams aiming to conquer medium-risk dungeons.
Rank B:
This is where true power begins to emerge. Hunters in this rank possess strong mana and high combat abilities. They can handle dangerous dungeons on their own and are often classified as professional hunters.
Rank A:
One of the highest ranks. Those in this rank are considered heroes in the eyes of the public. Their strength is enough to face extremely dangerous dungeons, and they are often known for their ability to turn the tide of battles in favor of their teams.
Rank S:
The ultimate peak. Rank S hunters are considered legends in the world. There are very few of them, and their power goes beyond human limits. They can destroy entire dungeons by themselves and are the focus of myths and tales. Their mana abilities are nearly limitless, and they often possess unique powers that set them apart from other hunters."
Note:
Advancing from one rank to another is not easy. It requires rigorous training, acquiring combat experience, and sometimes magical interventions to enhance strength. Hunters differ not only in power but in how they utilize that power for their benefit or for the world around them."
Classification of Weapons and Powers
"In this world, weapons and powers are not just inanimate tools; they are living things that possess personality and the ability to influence the course of battles and rituals. The classification of weapons varies based on their power and characteristics, and magical powers vary according to their type and control methods. Every weapon or power requires deep knowledge and expertise to ensure it is used properly; otherwise, the consequences can be catastrophic. Thus, weapons and powers are divided into several classifications:
Weapons
Ordinary Weapons:
These are the weapons that everyone is familiar with. Swords, axes, spears, shields... all traditional weapons. Their strength primarily depends on the craftsmanship used in their creation and how they are wielded. They are used daily by ordinary hunters or in smaller wars. Despite their simplicity, they can have a significant impact in battles when handled by a skilled person.
Magical Weapons:
Magical weapons are weapons enhanced with special magical powers. These weapons can contain energy that changes the course of a battle in an instant. Swords that glow with fire, bows that shoot arrows capable of destroying mountains, or daggers that consume the souls of enemies... these weapons require a deep understanding of magic to control the energy flowing through them.
Rank D: Magical weapons that are relatively weak, possibly only partially enchanted. These weapons provide limited possibilities and require patience to understand their energy.
Rank C: Medium-strength magical weapons that can cause temporary changes in the environment or affect the creatures they target.
Rank B: Extremely powerful magical weapons that can significantly impact the natural forces around them. These weapons may be adorned with ancient spells or hidden energy.
Rank A: Magical weapons that represent overwhelming powers capable of destroying entire armies or changing the course of wars on their own.
Rank S: The strongest magical weapons in this world, those that are considered legends in themselves. These weapons hold powers that may destroy parts of time and space or create new magical gems."
Leo sat on the couch, his head resting against the backrest, arms crossed over his chest. The dim lighting in the room cast shadows on his face, clearly reflecting the exhaustion that had begun to show. His thoughts raced uncontrollably, and in his mind, the image of the "S" rank hunters loomed like an unattainable dream. Only 19 hunters in the world held that prestigious rank, and where did he stand among them? With a frustrated expression on his face, he tried to push those thoughts away, but everything seemed to wrap around him in a way that was impossible to ignore.
"Ugh..." Leo muttered to himself, his voice filled with confusion and bitterness. "If the 'S' rank is divided among these 19 around the world, and every country tries to monopolize them... I wish I could be like them. But no, my so-called 'superior' rank, which classified me as the worst hunter in history, has come to sweep them all away. It's only me, classified as second in history for getting an 'F' rank... To them, I'm just a failure, nothing more."
Leo sighed and murmured softly, "There's nothing wrong with the life I live now. I'm content." But the words seemed to offer no comfort to his heart.
He stood up from the couch and headed to the bathroom, where he took a warm shower to relax for a while. The hot water calmed his nerves, though his mind remained preoccupied. Once he finished, he went to his room, closed his eyes, hoping that tomorrow would bring a stronger version of himself, or at least someone better able to face his reality.
"Tomorrow will be better," Leo whispered to himself before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.