Rain pooled along the broken pavement, carrying the smell of rust and damp stone. Theron crouched low, steadying his breathing as the sound of claws scraped brick somewhere up ahead. The air was heavy, wet enough to cling to his skin beneath his torn jacket.
The thing hunting him was no Rank-C. He'd seen enough contracts to know when someone was lying to cut costs.
"Guild's gonna get me killed," he muttered, adjusting his grip on his blade.
A soft flicker pulsed at the edge of his vision.
[System Notice: Threat Assessment Updated. Target is Rank A.]
[Recommendation: Retreat.]
Retreat wasn't an option. Not with rent due and his name already sliding down the Guild's priority board. A hunter who backed out of jobs didn't last long.
A shadow moved, quick and smooth, slipping over the cracked wall. The low rumble of its growl sent a chill crawling up Theron's arms.
He counted his breaths. One. Two. On the third, he pushed off the wall, blade raised.
The creature lunged. Its size alone was enough to crush him if he misstepped. He ducked under a swing of its claws, the force of the strike splitting the wall behind him. His blade sank into its shoulder, and instead of blood, a pulse of mana rippled down the steel, making his arm go numb.
The impact threw him backward. He landed hard, knees skidding on wet pavement.
[Warning: Life Signature Critical.]
[Skill Activation: Blood Edge.]
A hot burn spread through his limbs as the skill activated. His vision sharpened, colors dulling as his focus narrowed to the monster's movements. Each drop of his own blood fueled the blade, coating it in faint light.
"Alright," he breathed, bracing himself.
The creature charged again, but this time, Theron moved first. He slid past a swipe, the sound of claws cutting air too close to his ear. His counterstrike found its mark, carving through the beast's neck. A guttural cry shook the alley before the creature collapsed, shattering the ground beneath it.
Theron leaned against the wall, breathing hard. His body trembled from the strain, every muscle burning.
[Rank Evaluation in Progress…]
[Congratulations: Rank B → Rank A.]
[Warning: Soul Strain Detected.]
A sharp pain lanced through his chest. He doubled over, clutching at his ribs, feeling as though something deep inside him had been torn apart.
Rank A. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Rank-ups took years, sponsors, training. Not a single bloody fight in a forgotten alley.
Bootsteps echoed behind him. A man in a black coat stood at the alley's entrance, a silver badge pinned to his chest. His expression was calm, too calm, like someone sizing up a weapon.
"Name," the man said.
Theron gripped his blade tighter, his jaw tight.
"Doesn't matter," he muttered.
The man smiled faintly and tapped something on the sleek device in his hand.
"It matters now," he said. "Nobody jumps ranks like that without drawing attention. Welcome to the list."
Rain trickled down the alley, carrying streaks of blood with it. Theron said nothing. His heart still pounded from the fight, but the adrenaline was fading fast, leaving behind an emptiness heavier than fear.
He had power now. Real power.
And it had just made him a target.
🌍 World Overview
Hunters are humanity's only defense against "Shades," monsters born from corrupted mana storms. Power is measured through Hunter Ranks, a global system used by governments, corporations, and Guilds:
Ranks:
F - E Rank: Initiate. Basic hunters who only take low-risk missions.
D Rank: Novice. Capable of hunting minor Shades.
C Rank: Professional. Guild-level fighters.
B Rank: Specialist. Corporations begin offering contracts.
A Rank: Master. One fighter is considered a military-level asset.
S Rank: Supreme. Cities rely on S-rank hunters for survival.
SS Rank: Saint. Hunters feared by entire nations.
SSS Rank: Mythical. Living legends whose existence is rare and celebrated.
SSG Rank: Godslayer. Power beyond control. Governments monitor or hunt these hunters.
Rank Jumps: Rare and often investigated. Most hunters train for years to climb a single rank. Sudden jumps raise suspicion.
Catalysts: Special resources, hunts, or extreme battles that can trigger a rank-up.
Soul Strain: Leveling up too fast or beyond your body's limit damages your soul and body, leaving permanent scars.
Politics: Corporations sponsor hunters. Governments regulate or eliminate those who get too powerful. SSG hunters are treated as threats to civilization.