1 night

In the year 2060, a cataclysmic incident shattered the world as mysterious dungeons and fissures emerged from both the earth and the skies, ushering in an unprecedented force known as mana. From these enigmatic rifts and dungeons, a potent energy of unparalleled quality surged forth, endowing those it touched with extraordinary abilities. Yet the reason behind the sudden appearance of these rifts remained shrouded in ambiguity until sinister entities began to pour forth, launching relentless assaults on humanity, impervious even to the might of nuclear weaponry. With humanity teetering on the brink of extinction, an unexpected and ominous energy, known as darsin, arose from the depths of these new rifts and the creatures themselves, transforming individuals into mythical beings akin to gods, vampires, dragons, and a myriad of other fantastical entities.

As the surviving population grappled with perpetual starvation, the governing factions sought to harness the power of mana, eventually curbing the initial onslaught with the aid of the continent. Yet, doubt lingered, as new rifts began to surface, birthing creatures of unparalleled might, capable of regenerating after each encounter. Despair spread among humanity, the lingering fear of these monsters rendering them feeble and vulnerable, as if fated to be slaughtered by these otherworldly beings. This bleak cycle endured for two centuries, marking an era of unyielding struggle and despair.

Despite the lethality of attempts to merge mana with darsin, a select few individuals achieved a newfound synergy, an event referred to as the Second Awakening with Darsin, granting them unprecedented power. These chosen few, known as demon hunters, not only gained dominance over the legendary creatures like vampires, demons, fairies, and dragons but also wielded authority over both the government and the skies. Under the banner of the organization Ruxla, these powerful heroes trained new hunters, their stronghold established not by traditional countries but by unified continents known as Mana Vards. While celebrated as saviors, whispers began to spread of the organization's twisted motives and their hubris in attempting to control forces beyond comprehension.

"Everyone... Oh, sorry I forgot you were here too... Hahah... where were we?" A woman, her gaze illuminated by the moonlight, spoke to a man sobbing on the rooftop of a building, his limb severed before her. She appeared to be 21 with a youthful countenance. Her hair, a radiant blond like molten gold in the moon's glow, framed her ruby eyes. Blood seemed inconsequential to her, as it failed to disturb her even when it stained her entire body. Clad entirely in black, she remained elusive in the shadows, only her radiant ruby eyes, ivory skin, and luminous golden hair visible in the moon's gentle light.

Several bodies lay strewn across the ground, some lifeless with severed limbs, while a man, still breathing but gripped by fear, lay before her. Agony etched across his face, his broken legs rendered him motionless, voiceless, and devoid of any signs of pain he might have displayed in the past. With blood gushing from his wounds, he managed to speak in a hushed voice, struggling to catch his breath.

"Huff... huff. I... I told... you everything. Please, spare me now. I don't want to die..." Bowing before her, he pleaded for mercy. The woman fixed him with an impassive stare and retorted, "Do you truly believe I'll trust you? Your comrades lied before me, and now they lie dead on the ground." With none of their words proving true, how can I believe you? Tell me more, or I'll toss you off this 60th floor. Do you understand? Hahahahaha... Ha ha mhmm... Now, tell me: 'Do you want to live?'" Her words laced with a taunting grin. Despite feeling like he was debasing himself by begging for his life, the man remained silent, fearing death. Though rage boiled within him, a part of him pitied himself as he managed to speak, restraining his fury.

"I swear with my very soul that all I tell you is true. I know nothing about the CEO; all I can confirm is that the mana shipment from the Vard 21 Center to the Vard 27 Center will occur on the twenty-third of May, ten days from now." He paused, either realizing his imminent demise or recalling something crucial. A sinister grin crossed his face as he bellowed, "You'll pay for this. He'll come for you and end you. You've ruined his fourth center. Do you think he'll sit idly by and let you destroy everything? Huff..." With that, he produced a mana crystal from his pocket. "You'll die with me, monster."

Attempting to self-destruct the entire building, the man realized his hand had vanished as if it had never existed. He turned to the woman in fear, who had recovered his hand but showed no signs of movement as she destroyed the crystal, consuming the darsin within. While laughing gleefully, a momentary change flickered across her countenance. Locking eyes with the man, she exuded pure hatred and anger, as if she intended to devour him alive. "You said he was coming for me. That's the only reason, you fool... Hahahaaahaa. I want to kill him. He took everything from me, sent me to that hell, and he will pay the price with his life at my hands. It's been six years, and still, there's no sign of him. I want him to die by my hand," she declared, dragging the man to a corner. Hearing this, the man's face drained of color as he pleaded, regretting his words amid tears.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't know you were this powerful. Spare me... aaaaa." His pleas fell on deaf ears; within seconds, she had cleaved him in two while suspended in the air. As his remains plummeted to the ground, crimson droplets cascaded down. Seating herself, she gazed peacefully at the moon before vanishing into thin air.

The next morning, the sound of an alarm echoed through the house, awakening a young 19-year-old girl with blond hair. With a disgruntled expression, she silenced the alarm, longing for more sleep. Murmuring to herself, she lamented, "Yauh... All night killing and not a single second to sleep more. Agghh... not fair." Proceeding to shower and prepare breakfast, she contemplated whether to watch the morning news. Flipping on the TV, she was met with a report.

The news detailed another attack by the Night Demon on Ruxla, urging vigilance as the monster had claimed over two thousand lives in the past six years. Just last night, it had assaulted the Vard seventeen Ruxla base, eliminating a skill A rank warrior and twenty-five B rank underlings. Despite her stoic expression, fury simmered within her. Striking the air in frustration, she exclaimed, "How dare they call me a monster... if they have to cover up their mess." Resuming her cooking and household chores, she eventually made her way to the basement, a chill settling in the air.

Gripping a knife from the table, she turned towards the wall displaying a map, marked with numerous cross-stamps. "Not in Vard 17. I have to head to another vard... OOF, so much work. Dan said Vard 23 will be the next location for the mana. Despite my ability to deceive others with illusions, it's still risky for me to achieve this," she muttered, crossing out another location.

"I don't know when this will end, how many more I have to kill."

 She screamed, flinging her knife wildly at a wall-mounted picture of a blank space adorned with a question mark. Collapsing onto the nearby sofa, she sank into its cushions, wearing a crestfallen expression. "Do I have to do this? Should I do this? Is this even worth the risk?" Her mind grappled with these questions, the weight of her decision etched across her face as though she were enduring physical pain. She fought back tears, masking her emotions from herself, and gradually began to drift off into a troubled slumber. As her phone began to ring, she snatched it from the table, instantly alert.

"Hello, Aria. How are you? What's the matter? I thought we weren't going to hunt today??" Her voice conveyed a mix of drowsiness and feigned interest, masking her concern about why her friend would sound so distraught when she was meant to be on leave.

"Luana... Luana, listen... huff, listen. A rift... A rift has appeared in Vard 16... You are... You are the only skilled demon rank here. You... YOU HAVE TO HELP..." Before she could comprehend the urgency in Aria's voice, the call abruptly disconnected, leaving her alarmed. Reacting swiftly, she sprinted at full speed, her worries intensifying as she peered through the window. Outside, a nightmarish scene unfolded — a rift had materialized in Vard 16, her hometown, where she resided.