X The Hunter – Episode 1: "Level One Hunter"
Cold Open — Mid-Battle
Rain poured down in relentless sheets, blurring the world into streaks of grey and silver. Through the downpour, Xavier's eyes burned like twin embers — focused, unyielding, and brimming with adrenaline.
Thump-thump-thump.
The sound of his heartbeat drowned out the storm as a massive Shadowfang Wolf lunged at him, its jaws lined with jagged fangs dripping in shadowy mist.
Time slowed — each droplet of rain seeming to hover in the air.
"Level One…" Xavier's voice echoed in his mind, calm and resolute. "…and already face-to-face with death."
The wolf's roar tore through the air.
Act 1 — Rookie's First Day
The city woke like any other — morning trains, the hum of traffic, vendors opening their shops. To most, it was an ordinary metropolis. To Hunters, it was a battlefield hiding in plain sight.
Across the rooftops, a veteran Hunter vaulted effortlessly between buildings, his long coat flaring behind him.
In the crowded market below, a hulking beast disguised in human skin stalked the unaware, its monstrous form flickering in brief mana glitches.
Holographic HUD scans shimmered over passersby, detecting the invisible threats crawling through the city.
Inside the Hunter Guild Headquarters — a towering fortress of steel and glass — the air crackled with anticipation. Dozens of fresh recruits stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the main hall, wearing the crisp black jackets of the novice rank.
"Xavier. Level One."
The Guild Master's voice boomed like thunder, calling attention to a lone figure at the end of the line.
Xavier stepped forward. The Guild Master's gaze was sharp, almost piercing.
"First mission: hunt and neutralize a Class-D threat in the city subway. Do not die."
From somewhere in the line, a low chuckle escaped.
"Level One? Dead man walking," a rookie whispered.
Xavier's lips curled into a smirk. "We'll see."
Act 2 — The Hunt Begins
The subway was a hollow maze of concrete and steel, the sound of dripping water echoing like an unending clock.
Xavier gripped his blade, the silver edge reflecting the pale, flickering light of the tunnel. His Beast Sense scanner pulsed faintly on his wrist, a soft blip marking the rhythm of his steps.
Mana signature detected.
He spoke quietly, more to himself than anyone.
"Rule one: find the beast before it finds you. Rule two: if you can't win in strength… win in brains."
The lights overhead flickered. The air grew colder. Then — a wet, guttural sound above.
From the ceiling, a Mana-Leech Beast dropped like a shadow, its claws scraping sparks from the rails. Its body was all sinew and black chitin, its eyes glowing with hunger.
No time for introductions.
Act 3 — Shōnen Battle Flow
The beast was a blur — claws slashing, its tail whipping through the stale air. Xavier blocked the first strike, the impact ringing through his arms like a sledgehammer.
The second strike caught him off guard, slamming him into the wall.
His HUD flashed crimson:
HP: 40%
"Too strong," he thought, tasting blood in his mouth. "But if I can hit that mana gland—"
The beast hissed, charging again. Xavier sidestepped at the last moment, sliding low under its claws. He could see it now — the faintly glowing orb at the creature's chest, pulsing with every breath.
His eyes flicked to the electrified rails behind him.
That'll do.
He sprinted toward the danger, forcing the beast to follow. Sparks danced along the tracks.
As it lunged, Xavier leapt high, the world slowing to a single heartbeat.
"Hunter's Strike!"
His blade cut through the air — and the mana gland — in a single, decisive motion.
Act 4 — The Shōnen Payoff
The Mana-Leech screamed, its body shattering into a thousand shards of black mana, dissipating into the tunnel.
The HUD blared in bright gold:
LEVEL UP! 1 → 2
New Skill Acquired: Beast Sense (Basic)
Xavier landed lightly, chest rising and falling with the rhythm of victory.
"One down," he murmured, sheathing his blade. "…9,999 to go."
Ending Cliffhanger
The city air felt lighter as he emerged from the subway, the morning sun breaking through scattered clouds. For a moment, it was peaceful.
Far above, on the edge of a rooftop, a cloaked figure stood — glowing red eyes locked on Xavier.
"So… the rookie survived," the voice rasped.
The sky darkened. A shadow blotted out the sun — massive wings stretching across the skyline. A dragon-like beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the city to its core.