The Beginning

Imperial Calendar 1989. It was a day etched into history, the day when the fabric of reality seemed to tear, and from its seams emerged the first dungeons. These sprawling labyrinths, filled with untold dangers and mysteries, were harbingers of a new era, an era where the ordinary would become extraordinary, and the mundane would give birth to the miraculous.

As the dungeons manifested, they brought forth not just peril, but also power. A select few individuals, touched by the chaotic energies coursing through these otherworldly constructs, found themselves endowed with abilities beyond comprehension. These abilities, now known as talents, varied in form and function, but they all shared one common trait: they grew stronger with use.

Among the myriad talents that emerged, none rivaled the sheer adaptability of the aptly named "Adaptation." Its wielder, known simply as the Strongest Barbarian, possessed the ability to adapt to any circumstance. Whether it was surviving without sustenance or breathing in the vacuum of space, the Adaptation user could thrive in environments where others would perish. They could even harness the power of the sun itself, absorbing its radiation like a modern-day Superman.

Yet, the Adaptation user was not alone in their prowess. Across the land, individuals with talents as formidable as their own emerged. Among them were the users of "Bringer of Victory," who could perceive the optimal path to triumph in any endeavor, be it a strategic game or a battlefield. And then there were those whose strength lay in the unbreakable bonds of friendship, a rare talent indeed. Legends spoke of friendships so potent that they could defy fate itself, overcoming any obstacle in their path.

Even though they repelled the monsters with the help of user adaptation and bringer of victory, power of friendship. While there were earthly talents, there were also heavenly talents and demonic ones. But the strongest were the enigmatic "question mark talents." The power they wielded was unparalleled, surpassing even the mightiest of talents. However, with great power comes great risk. While other talents faced the danger of attracting monsters within dungeons, the allure of the question mark talents was even greater. Thus, while they could grow faster and stronger, their risks were proportionally higher. Many who possessed question mark talents met untimely ends, becoming a threat to themselves. Consequently, numerous individuals attempted to escape and conceal their abilities. Yet, when a dungeon outbreak occurred, they became prime targets for the rampaging forces within.

In the hierarchy of talents, they were ranked with a letter system, from the weakest at -E to E, E+, -D, D, D+, -C, C, C+, -B, B, B+, -A, A, A+, -S, S, S+, -SS, SS, SS+, -SSS, SSS, SSS+, to the pinnacle represented by "EX." Each letter denoted a level of potency and mastery, with EX reserved for those whose talents transcended conventional understanding, capable of reshaping the very fabric of reality itself.