The harbor buzzed with life, a symphony of voices, footsteps, and the hum of technology. Towering above the wooden piers was Dr. Vayne's greatest invention—a fleet of sleek, energy-powered ships designed to travel through the Lunar Gate. These vessels, unlike any on Earth, pulsed with a faint glow, their hulls reinforced with Beast Stones extracted from Lunar itself.
This was the only way to reach Lunar—through the gate his father had created.
Elias Vayne II stood near the edge of the dock, the salty wind tugging at his clothes. Today was the day. His sixteenth birthday. The day he would leave behind his quiet life in Lunar Village and finally step into the world his father had discovered.
Excitement and unease swirled in his chest as he watched the ships preparing for departure. Hunters—armored warriors, scholars, and adventurers—moved in groups, checking supplies, securing gear, and talking in hushed voices about their next expedition. Some were veterans, their weapons gleaming with modifications made from Lunar's resources. Others were rookies, like him, eager to carve their names into history.
But Elias wasn't here to become a Hunter. Not yet.
He was searching for his father.
The Journey to Lunar's Main City
A low chime echoed through the harbor as the ships activated, their cores pulsing with energy. The boarding ramp extended, and Elias took his first step onto one of the Lunar Vessels—his father's legacy.
As the ship began to rise, a faint shimmer surrounded it. The Lunar Gate, a colossal ring floating above the ocean, flickered to life. A ripple in space itself.
"This is it," Elias muttered as the ship passed through.
The world shifted.
For a brief moment, everything was silent—weightless. And then, in the blink of an eye, the ship emerged on the other side.
Lunar's Main City sprawled before him.
Unlike the village he had grown up in, this city was built for survival and conquest. The streets pulsed with OS energy, channeling power to floating platforms, towering skyscrapers, and glowing streetlights. Massive airships hovered above, ferrying supplies to outposts across the planet.
The marketplace was a chaotic wonderland of rare materials, exotic creatures, and cutting-edge technology—all brought back from Lunar's untamed lands. Merchants peddled Beast Stones, elemental crystals, and even enhanced pets with minor OS abilities. Everywhere, Hunters moved with purpose, their weapons forged from Lunar's treasures.
"This place is insane," Elias whispered, his eyes darting from one marvel to the next.
But he wasn't here to admire the sights.
His first destination was his aunt's home—one of the few places where he could find guidance.
Aunt Claire – A Hunter's Warning
The apartment complex was quiet, tucked away from the chaos of the main city. The door creaked open, revealing Aunt Claire—a former Hunter with silver hair and sharp eyes. She had the look of someone who had seen too much, fought too hard, and chosen to step away from it all.
She crossed her arms. "Took you long enough."
Elias smirked. "Good to see you too."
Claire studied him for a moment before sighing. "So, you're really doing this?"
"You knew I would eventually," he replied, stepping inside.
She sat down, rubbing her temple. "Your father wanted you to have a normal life. That's why he left you in that village."
Elias clenched his fists. "Well, he also wanted to explore Lunar, and he never came back. So, I guess we both ignored what he wanted."
Claire let out a long breath. He had his father's stubbornness.
She stood up, walking to a small drawer and pulling out an envelope. Tossing it onto the table, she said, "If you're serious about this, then you're not going straight into the wild. You're going to train first."
Elias picked up the envelope and opened it. Inside was an address—the location of a Hunter Academy.
"Figured as much," he muttered.
"You'll stay with me for now," Claire continued. "Tomorrow, we'll talk about what it means to be a Hunter. If you're not scared off by then, I'll help you prepare."
Elias grinned. "I won't change my mind."
Claire sighed but didn't argue. Instead, she walked toward the kitchen. "Dinner first. Then you can dream about your grand adventure."
Elias chuckled, setting his bag down.
For the first time in his life, he felt like he was truly on his own path.