The first light of dawn trickled in behind the skimpy curtains of Shaun's bed, spreading across the floor like rays of gold. He rubbed his eyes, attempting to clear the haze, but a strange feeling persisted in his chest—a low vibration, humming softly through his frame. Today was. different.
At the age of fourteen, Shaun had always been just fine. Not the strongest, not the fastest, not the cleverest. Plain, in every way. Yet, a tiny, fidgety section of himself had always wondered if there was something more lurking within. Something that would eventually emerge.
He kicked his legs over the side of the bed and stretched, feeling the strange heat radiate from his chest to his fingertips. He frowned and waved his hands tentatively. A gentle shimmer played across them, subtle but unmistakable.
"What… is this?" Shaun breathed, his voice shaking with a combination of terror and wonder.
He could sense it—the beat of something living in his blood, something raw and strong. His heart pounded faster, not out of fear, but anticipation.
The First Sign
Cautiousness was forgotten in the face of wonder. Shaun balled up his fists and concentrated. The shine grew stronger, like sunlight reflecting off water. The ground below him tingled lightly, reacting to his presence. A tiny rock rose from the ground, suspended in mid-air, as if expecting his instruction.
He backed away, almost stumbling over himself in amazement. "No way… this can't be happening," he whispered, although deep inside him he knew it was.
Hunters. He'd heard about them time and time again. Regular humans who had unlocked abilities beyond the boundaries of imagination—humans who battled ghouls, yokai, and creatures that could destroy cities whole. And now, apparently, he was one of them.
Experimentation
Shaun sprinted to the tiny courtyard at the back of his house, heart racing with excitement. He concentrated, allowing the power to flow freely. Small rocks rose up off the ground, spinning around him before landing lightly back down. He could sense it—the first hint of mastery, the rush of unbridled potential.
"This is… incredible," he gasped, eyes wide. "I can actually do this."
For hours, he practiced his skills in private: levitating objects, feeling changes in the air, even increasing his speed beyond what he had ever imagined. Each new finding convinced him more and more that his life was forever altered.
But power brought with it responsibility. Shaun recalled the advice of his mentor, an older cousin who had attempted and failed an awakening:
"Chaos is power without control. If you can't control yourself, you'll hurt everyone in your company."
Shaun nodded to himself, taking in the gravity of that lesson. He didn't know what was ahead of him, but he knew that he needed to learn to contain this power—before it overpowered him.
First Encounter with Danger
A few days after that, Shaun heard about some minor commotions on the outskirts of town. There was a C-rank level mission posted for low-ranking hunters—scouting and reconnaissance. It was the ideal chance to try out his skills in the real world.
He stepped into the team, a nervous but determined fourteen-year-old who was the only new member among seasoned hunters. The mission leader, a tough D-rank hunter with scars running along his arms, gave Shaun a keen gaze.
"You're new. Don't get in the way," he warned, voice rough. "Survive, and maybe you'll have a future."
Shaun swallowed, feeling both intimidated and exhilarated. He had trained for this moment, but now that it had arrived, reality hit like a punch to the chest.
Shadows in the forest moved unnaturally as the team ventured in. Small ghouls, their grotesquely twisted bodies almost invisible among the underbrush, crept towards them. Shaun stood still for a moment, fear and adrenaline warred within him.
Instinct ruled next. He raised his hands, and a gentle throb of energy flowed outward. The closest ghoul stumbled back, hissing, and the others faltered. His teammates looked on in amazement.
"You… you did that?" one of them breathed.
Shaun nodded, attempting to calm his pounding heart. Yes. This is real. I really can do this.
The First Lesson
The mission went on with Shaun proceeding cautiously to test his capabilities. He found out what the limits of his power were, learning how to manage bursts of energy and feeling the approach of monsters before they struck. By the end of the mission, the team came back relatively unscathed, with Shaun receiving respect and wary interest from his teammates.
That night, Shaun sat alone in his room, staring at his hands as the faint shimmer lingered around his fingertips. "I'm… a hunter now," he whispered, a smile creeping across his face. The word felt heavy but right, like a mantle he was finally ready to wear.
He didn't yet know his rank—C, B, or higher—but he understood one thing: this was only the beginning. Monsters, dungeons, guilds, and rival hunters awaited him. And he would face them all, no matter the cost.
Shaun flexed his fingers, feeling the pulse of power once more. This is my life now. And I'm going to rise.