Chapter 1: The Tale of the Monkey Fish
Monsters had appeared years ago, spilling into the world from portals. At first, they came to isolated places—forests, mountains, and deserts—but as time passed, the portals grew bolder, opening closer to human settlements. To fight these monsters, hunters emerged, people with superhuman abilities who protected humanity.
Luo Wu Chen dreamed of becoming a hunter. It wasn't just about fighting monsters—it was about escaping the harsh life he lived. Orphaned and struggling to get by, he saw the hunter's path as his chance for a better future. "If I pass the exam tomorrow," he muttered to himself, "everything will change.
The hunter exam was tomorrow, and Luo Wu Chen knew he should be resting, but his mind was restless. Instead, he found himself walking to the lake—a quiet, serene place hidden deep in the mountains. It was the only place he remembered visiting with his family. His last memory of them was here, years ago, during a fishing picnic.
Sitting by the water, he couldn't help but recall the tale his grandfather used to tell. "Long, long ago, our first ancestor, Xiao Liang, wrestled a mighty monkey fish in this very lake. It was so strong it could drag a man to the depths, but Xiao Liang won. That fish held immense power" his grandfather had said, his voice full of pride.
Smiling at the memory, Luo Wu Chen picked up a flat rock and skimmed it across the water. It bounced twice before sinking. The lake rippled, silent and still—until it wasn't.
The water exploded. A massive creature surged from the depths, its scales glinting in the sunlight, its eyes blazing with fury. Luo Wu Chen stumbled back in shock. "Can it be?? T-the monkey fish my grandfather talk ed about…" he whispered, his voice trembling.
The beast lunged at him, and without thinking, Luo Wu Chen met it head-on. They crashed into the ground, rolling and thrashing as they fought. Its strength was overwhelming, but Luo Wu Chen refused to give up. His fingers dug into its slippery scales as the creature bellowed and twisted.
Suddenly, the fish convulsed and vomited something—a single strand of golden hair. The hair floated toward Luo Wu Chen and landed on his chest.
Everything stopped.
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"You have found the hair of the Monkey King. Do you wish to become stronger?"