The streets of Azekura pulsed with artificial light, flickering neon signs reflecting in the rain-soaked pavement. Towering skyscrapers loomed over the city like silent guardians, their glass facades mirroring the stormy night sky. The city was a fortress—a last bastion of humanity, shielded by massive walls from the horrors lurking beyond.
But even within its barriers, survival was a battle of its own.
Dylan Kurogane pulled his hood tighter over his head, hands shoved deep into his coat pockets as he navigated through the crowded streets. Cold wind bit at his face, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were elsewhere.
The Hunter's Guild.
Tonight was another hunt. Another chance to prove himself.
Another chance to survive.
Dylan was a Grade 4 Hunter, the lowest rank. He barely scraped by, taking the most dangerous, low-paying jobs—clearing out lesser beasts in abandoned districts, escorting supply convoys to outer settlements. The guild barely acknowledged his existence.
"Yo, Deadweight! Still alive?"
A familiar voice rang out. Dylan exhaled sharply, already regretting coming here.
A group of Hunters stood near the guild entrance, dressed in high-end combat gear, their weapons gleaming under the streetlights. Kenzo Arata, a Grade 2 Hunter, smirked as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"I'm impressed," Kenzo continued, his voice laced with mockery. "I thought you'd be dead by now. How many missions have you failed this week?"
The other Hunters chuckled. Dylan ignored them and walked past, his jaw tightening.
One day. One day, I'll make you eat those words.
But deep down, he knew why they mocked him. He had no real power. While others had awakened supernatural abilities—fire, lightning, telekinesis—Dylan had nothing. Just his basic combat training and sheer stubbornness.
And yet, he still chose this life.
Because his parents had died to those monsters. Because he had no choice but to fight.
Inside the guild hall, a massive electronic board displayed available missions. Hunters gathered in groups, picking out the best-paying jobs. Dylan ignored the high-rank assignments—those were out of his league. Instead, he scanned the lower-rank board.
"Grade 4 Mission: Extermination of Lesser Beasts in the Eclipse Ruins. Danger Level: Low."
It wasn't much, but it was all he could take.
Dylan tapped the screen, accepting the job. A notification popped up on his worn-out Hunter ID.
Mission Accepted. Report to the South Gate in 30 minutes.
He turned to leave—
BOOM!
The entire building shook. Lights flickered. A deafening explosion tore through the guild entrance, sending Hunters flying. Glass shattered, metal groaned. A monstrous roar filled the air, drowning out the screams.
Dylan barely had time to react before a massive claw came crashing down—
A Beast had broken into the city.
Chaos erupted. Hunters scrambled to fight back, weapons activating, abilities flaring. Kenzo unsheathed his sword, its edge glowing with white-hot energy.
"Grade 2 Beast! Take formation!"
But Dylan?
He was frozen.
The monster was unlike anything he had ever seen. Dark crimson eyes. Jagged obsidian-like armor. A maw filled with serrated fangs. It wasn't a lesser beast. This was something stronger. Too strong.
"Dylan, move!"
Someone shoved him aside as the beast's claws slammed into the floor where he had been standing. Stone and steel shattered. A shockwave blasted through the hall, knocking him back. His ears rang. Blood dripped down his forehead.
He struggled to get up—
But the beast was already upon him.
This is it.
The realization sank in like ice in his veins. He was about to die.
He wasn't fast enough. He wasn't strong enough. He was—
A voice echoed in his mind.
[ Do you want to live? ]
Dylan's breath caught. His vision blurred.
[ Accept the Contract. ]
The world seemed to slow. The monster's claw descended toward him—
And in that moment, Dylan reached out.
[ Contract Accepted. Initializing System… ]
A sudden surge of energy flooded his body. Shadows erupted around him, wrapping around his limbs, sinking into his skin. Pain tore through him like wildfire. His muscles tightened, his mind burned—
And for the first time in his life—
Dylan Kurogane awakened.
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