Fallen World

Chapter 1: Fallen World

Ten years ago, our world fell into chaos when monstrous beings emerged from Gates, mercilessly slaughtering half the population. All kinds of weapons prived to be futile in the face of these invaders. Humanity had no choice but to turn to  nuclear weapons but even those were futile against them, all that did was claim even more lives. As a survivor of this harrowing time, I, at the tender age of six, witnessed the destruction and loss.

But amid the despair, salvation arrived in the form of benevolent Gods. These deities bestowed power upon those who awakened their innate talents, now known as Hunters. These Hunters, under the guidance of the Gods, rose to become the rulers of our fallen world, leading the fight against the relentless monsters.

To undergo an awakening, one must be sixteen or older, and upon awakening, a golden light signifies a Virtuous God's blessing, while a black light marks an Evil God's influence. Those blessed by Evil Gods become a threat to humanity and are either killed on sight or detained.

With the newfound strength to fight back, humanity united for survival. The Four Royal Families, led by the strongest Hunters chosen as apostles of the Gods, reconstructed the world and established the country of Valeria, named after God of War Valaria, the first of the four Gods to appear. Valeria now houses a population of 2.7 billion, divided into twenty-six cities across four zones.

Zone 1 consists of central cities A-D, governed by SSS-Rank hunters who serve as apostles to the Gods of War, Love and Fertility, Magic, and Swords. Zone 2 comprises six cities, E-J, mainly populated by B-S Ranks with S Rank hunters as city lords under the Royals' command. Zone 3 holds eight civilian cities, K-R, with D-B Ranks, while Zone 4 consists of eight slums and lawless areas housing criminals and E and F Ranks or society's liabilities. Each zone also has two military cities for added defense against the monsters.

I spent my life in city 4-X, arriving there at the age of eight and placed in an orphanage. Struggling to make ends meet, we were forced into various odd jobs. Girls had limited options like becoming maids or prostitutes, while boys engaged in physical labor. Some left with the dream of being Hunters, some died as that was not a place for a child to survive, alone. To survive I began my first job at eleven, participating in a fight club as a fighter.

Now, on my sixteenth birthday, the time for awakening has come. Crossing my fingers, I hope for a strong talent that will allow me and the kids to move to a Zone 3 city. As the light of awakening fades, I eagerly shout "[Status]":

[Name: Akira]

[Job: None]

STATS

[STR: D+]

[AGI: D]

[DEF: D-]

[WIS: E]

[INT: F]

[Talent: None]

[Skills: Hand to hand combat-E]

Although it seems that I don't have a [TALENT] my stats are ready comparable to those of a D-rank Hunter. I guess fighting all your life helps with something, I already possess a skill to boot. Not a bad start.

I wasted no time in collecting my savings to head to the Hunters Guild for registration.

I navigated through the crowded streets, passing by ramshackle buildings where the poor struggled to survive. The scent of decay and desperation hung heavily in the air. The slums were a dangerous place, and as I walked, my senses remained alert for any potential threats.

The transition from the slums to the heart of Zone 3 was striking. The buildings stood tall and majestic, adorned with banners and symbols representing the Four Royal Families. The bustling streets were filled with people from different backgrounds, their eyes reflecting determination and hope, striving to become stronger and protect what was left of humanity.

The guild was a massive, bustling building located in the heart of Zone 3. Its architecture stood as a testament to the resilience of humanity, with sturdy walls and towering structures, the city itself was a stark contrast to the rundown slums I grew up in.

Upon reaching the Hunters Guild, I was greeted by a bustling crowd, fellow Hunters seeking opportunities, information, and comrades for their next missions. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. Large halls were filled with notice boards displaying available quests and information on dungeons and monsters.

Taking a deep breath, I approached the registration counter. The guild staff was busy attending to other eager Hunters, but I patiently waited my turn. Finally, it was my chance to step forward.

"Name and Talent, please," the receptionist asked.

"Akira. Uh, my Talent hasn't awakened yet," I replied with a hint of disappointment.

"That's alright. We can still register you. The registration fee will be 500 cel." the receptionist smiled warmly.

With the necessary paperwork completed, I received a guild badge and a map that marked nearby dungeons. But for my first mission I chose a F-rank goblin dungeon. Located not too far from the city, seemed like the perfect starting point for a novice like me. And I was already used to fighting goblins in the fight club.

The outskirts of the goblin dungeon were dense with overgrown vegetation, providing excellent cover for the lurking monsters. The goblins were cunning and agile, making them formidable opponents for beginners. Armed with some knuckle bracers and minimal armor, I stepped into the darkness of the dungeon, my heart pounding with excitement and trepidation.

As I ventured deeper, the air grew dank and stifling. The dungeon's interior was a labyrinth of dark corridors, filled with the unsettling sounds of scurrying and growling. My senses were heightened as I listened intently, trying to locate any approaching goblins.

Finally, I encountered a group of goblins. They were smaller than I imagined, but their sharp teeth and menacing expressions left no doubt about their ferocity. Swallowing my fear, I braced myself for my first real battle.

The clash was intense, and I stumbled a few times, my lack of experience evident as I was used to fighting them in a ring. Yet, I pushed on, relying on my instincts and experience to survive. The goblins proved to be formidable adversaries, but with each strike, my combat skills improved.

After what seemed like an eternity, I emerged from the dungeon victorious. The adrenaline rush was exhilarating, and the sense of accomplishment filled me with newfound confidence. I had taken my first step as a Hunter, and there was no turning back.

As I returned to the city, weary but victorious, I couldn't help but think of the future that lay ahead. The road to becoming a formidable Hunter was long and arduous, but I was determined to rise above the darkness that had engulfed our world.

Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my journey, and that fate had much more in store for me than I could ever imagine. As I gazed upon the city's skyline, a spark of hope ignited within me—a hope that would shape the destiny of our fallen world.