Chapter 01 - Failure

After following his morning routine, Zack began to tie up his shoes after he turned on the TV. He rarely uses this method, but he just felt like it since, deep down, he wanted to delay the inevitable and not go to the academy today.

Still, the first thing had been even more troublesome and made him sigh deeply. He saw a movie of a battle that showed a team of seasoned hunters engaging in battle against a horde of monstrous creatures that had overrun part of another city.

As Zack watched, his eyes widened in awe as the hunters displayed incredible skills. A hunter unleashed a devastating lightning storm, electrifying the air and obliterating countless monsters in its path. Another conjured a whirlwind of fire, incinerating any creature foolish enough to approach.

Mesmerized by the spectacle, Zack leaned forward, his gaze glued to the TV. However, as the video continued, a sense of doubt crept into his mind. The hunters' movements seemed too rehearsed, too perfect. It was then that he noticed subtle inconsistencies, moments where the monsters' attacks appeared staged, almost as if they were waiting for their cue.

Zack realized that this wasn't a live mission; it was a carefully edited recording designed to promote the guild's prowess. The incredible feats of strength and skill were nothing but smoke and mirrors meant to attract new recruits and garner support.

"... Time to leave." 

Zack turned off the TV and then checked the mirror on the side of the door. The sleepiness had already left his face, even though he had barely sleptight. Regardless, his green eyes and black hair looked fine, but there was a bit of annoyance on his face. 

His clothes looked fine as well, even though it was the last time he would be wearing the Hunters academy uniform. The hunter's academy uniform was a sleek and practical ensemble designed to provide both comfort and functionality for students as they trained to become hunters. 

The uniform consisted of a form-fitting black jacket with reinforced padding on the shoulders and elbows, offering protection without restricting movement. The jacket featured a high collar emblazoned with the academy's emblem of three swords in vibrant colors, symbolizing unity, strength, and pride.

Underneath the jacket, students wore a breathable, moisture-wicking black shirt, keeping them cool and dry during rigorous training sessions. The shirt was adorned with subtle accents in the school's colors, adding a touch of sophistication to the ensemble.

The lower half of the uniform comprised durable black cargo pants designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor training. The pants boasted multiple pockets for storing essential equipment and tools, ensuring students were always prepared for any situation.

Today was the graduation day and another day to remind him of how pathetic he was. After leaving his room, he saw that the dormitory was already empty. All the students around his age had left after being recruited, so the place was as quiet as it could have been.

While heading to the academy, Zack thinks about the world. Hunters have the best kind of life, while everyone else just supports them.

Fifty years ago, the world was forever changed when monstrous creatures began emerging from mysterious wormholes that appeared across the planet. These terrifying beings of various shapes and sizes struck fear into the hearts of humanity as they rampaged through cities, leaving destruction and death in their wake.

At first, the appearance of these monsters was sporadic and chaotic, catching humanity off guard. But as time passed, their attacks grew more frequent and coordinated. Entire cities fell to the onslaught, their streets overrun by the powerful and terrifying horde. These fallen cities became the territory of the monsters, where they moved freely and ruled with ruthless dominance.

The monsters rarely went far from their conquered territories, but they were not entirely static. Occasionally, they would organize armies driven by unknown motivations to conquer new lands and expand their domain. These armies were powerful and relentless, laying waste to any human settlements unfortunate enough to stand in their path.

Humanity, faced with extinction, responded by constructing massive walled cities to protect what remained of their civilization. These fortified cities became the last bastions of humanity, offering sanctuary against the relentless tide of monsters. Within their walls, humans lived in a constant state of vigilance, knowing that the monsters could breach their defenses at any moment.

Despite the relative safety within the walled cities, the threat of the monsters loomed large. Occasionally, the creatures would launch attacks against these human strongholds, testing their defenses and striking fear into the hearts of the inhabitants. These assaults were reminders that, even behind the safety of the walls, humanity was never truly safe. Until the hunters began to awaken for unknown reasons.

While he was thinking about that, Zack reached the academy. The academy's architecture reflected its purpose, with sturdy stone walls and imposing towers rising against the backdrop of the city skyline.

Inside the academy grounds, bustling activity usually fills the air. Students clad in the academy's signature black uniforms moved with purpose, honing their skills in preparation for the dangers that awaited them beyond the city walls when they graduated.

The academy boasted state-of-the-art facilities tailored to its students' rigorous training regimen. Training grounds encompassed sprawling arenas where students engaged in simulated battles against holographic monsters, their skills tested to the limit in controlled environments.

In addition to combat training, the academy offered a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of subjects essential to a hunter's success. Students attended lectures on monster biology, learning the strengths and weaknesses of various creatures they would encounter in the field. They studied tactics and strategy, analyzing past battles and developing plans to outmaneuver their adversaries.

It was graduation day, but just like the dormitory, it was almost empty except for those who worked there. In all those years, those who had been there never had to stay that long to obtain a trait and awaken their system, so Zack truly felt like the most useless person in the world.