I felt the need to explain the powersystem here, for those that might find it a bit confusing. You can read the novel without reading this chapter, as I'll still introduce it naturally in the story.
Just in case, there are some spoilers ahead.
In this world, humans between the ages of seventeen and eighteen may randomly awaken as Hunters. Children of Hunters are always awakened as Hunters themselves, inheriting a talent similar to their parents', though it can be one stage higher or lower.
Talent Ranks and Stages
The talent rank represents a Hunter's maximum potential, with each rank divided into three stages: Low Stage(-), Core Stage(), and High Stage(+).
The ranks are as follows, from lowest to highest:
Rank E – Novice
Rank D – Adept
Rank C – Master
Rank B – Grandmaster (Burdened)
Rank A – Paragon (Burdened)
Rank S – Angel (Burdened)
Rank SS – Demigod (Burdened)
Rank SSS – Archon(Burdened)
Those with potentials higher than B, posses burdens. Which are defects specifically unique to them.
Gifts
When a Hunter awakens, they gain a Gift—a supernatural concept that defines their abilities. A Gift can be an abstract idea such as Error or Silence, a living force like Leviathan or Sea King, a material essence such as Gold or Chains, or an elemental form like Shockwave or Hearth.
As a Hunter advances, they unlock new Aspects of their Gift. Each unlocked aspect increases power, refines abilities, and brings the Hunter closer to the Gift's core nature.
Progression System
Hunter progression is twofold: Physique and Soul.
Physique Advancement
Hunters strengthen their physical form through Monster Heartblood injections.
Monster Heartblood is refined from the Monster Heart—an organ where a creature's physic and soul energy are concentrated after they are killed. It is also used to forge powerful Hunter weapons.
The heartblood must match the Hunter's rank and stage. Stronger heartblood drives the hunter mad, while weaker heartblood offers no meaningful benefit. Even correctly matched heartblood slowly induces mental instability. The type of monster heartblood consumed shapes the way a Hunter's Gift evolves, sometimes altering it in drastic and unpredictable ways.
There are many uses for heartblood beyond progression.
Soul Advancement
The same heartblood carries soul energy, enabling spiritual growth. At the lower ranks, advancement is simply a matter of gathering enough soul energy. At the higher ranks, It gets more complicated.
Monster Ranks and Stages
Monsters follow the same ranking structure as Hunters, with three growth stages for each rank: Fledgling, Adolescent, and Matured. Their ranks are named as follows:
Rank E – Whelps
Rank D – Beasts
Rank C – Fiends
Rank B – Horrors
Rank A – Terrors
Rank S – Calamities
Rank SS – Titans
Rank SSS – Harbingers
Rank ??? – [REDACTED]
Artifacts
Artifacts are rare, powerful items or abilities that sometimes manifest upon a monster's death. They are sublimations of the monster's soul, taking forms such as weapons, armor, totems, tattoos, summons, or even intangible abilities.
Each Hunter begins with one artifact slot, meaning their soul can only hold a single artifact at a time. With each rise in rank, a Hunter gains one additional slot.
Artifacts are ranked in the same way as Hunters and monsters, from Rank E to Rank SSS (and beyond, for [REDACTED]-class).
Compatible artifacts of varying ranks can be fused to form entirely new artifacts, though such fusion is dangerous and can fail catastrophically