The sun dipped below the jagged horizon, painting the sky in streaks of blood-red and amber. Shadows twisted unnaturally across the cobblestone streets of Veylor, a town whispered about in legends for being near the realm of monsters. Surrounding the town was a dense forest, thick with twisted trees where monsters lurked, and beyond that, jagged mountains loomed like silent sentinels. Yet, for most of its citizens, the danger felt distant… until night fell.
Raghveer trudged wearily along the narrow alleyways, his hands brushing against the rough stone walls. At thirteen years old, he was lean but deceptively strong, every muscle honed from relentless training. Today had been grueling—hours of running through the forest trails, climbing rocky cliffs, and sparring near the mountain foothills—but he refused to rest until he could call himself stronger.
Unlike the children of his age, he had no innate powers. Not a spark of elemental magic, not even a hint of supernatural talent. He was… powerless. Yet, in a world where monsters prowled and hunters ruled, he could not afford weakness.
As he entered the heart of the city, the Town Hall rose ahead, its towers casting long shadows over the cobblestones. Around it, S-rank and A-rank guards patrolled tirelessly, their full-powered defensive techniques keeping the town safe from even the fiercest monsters. The streets, though tense with anticipation of the night, felt somewhat secure under the watchful eyes of these elite hunters.
Veylor had always been a lovely town, not because of grand buildings or markets, but because of the countless powerful hunters who protected it. Their presence gave the citizens peace of mind, and even as night approached, families could walk the streets without fear, trusting in the skill and strength of the hunters who kept the monsters at bay.
A familiar voice called from the corner of the street.
"Raghveer! Stop daydreaming again, or you'll trip over something and embarrass yourself!"
Sofia emerged from the shadows, her silver hair glinting faintly in the dying light. She was his childhood friend, his anchor in this chaotic world, and by far the most powerful person he knew at their age—even among some hunters. Despite her cold attitude, her eyes betrayed concern.
"I'm fine," Raghveer muttered, gripping the wooden sword she had given him tightly. "I'm just… thinking."
Sofia raised an eyebrow, a hint of impatience in her gaze. "Thinking won't keep you alive out there. If you want to survive, you need to train. And you know it."
Raghveer exhaled, letting the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. He nodded quietly. "Okay."
There was a twinge of disappointment in his chest, a bitter reminder of how powerless he truly was compared to Sofia and the hunters around the city. Still, he could not dwell on it—not when every second in this world mattered.
Turning from the street, they began walking toward Sofia's home. The narrow streets of Veylor felt different at dusk—the forest at the edges seemed darker, the mountains looming even more ominous. A tall figure stood at the gate of her house, arms crossed, scanning the streets with practiced eyes. Sofia's father, an S-rank hunter, nodded briefly at them before resuming his patrol. His presence alone reminded Raghveer that this town, though threatened by monsters, was far safer than the wilds beyond its walls.
Each step was heavy with fatigue from a full day of training, yet Raghveer's resolve remained unshaken. He silently promised himself that tomorrow, he would push harder. He would not let his weakness define him.
Night fell fully, and with it came the first howl—a sound that chilled even the most seasoned hunters. Raghveer's heart raced. Somewhere in the dark forest beyond the town, a creature moved, sensing life, smelling fear.
It was in that moment, standing in the quiet terror of the night, that Raghveer realized: powerlessness would no longer be an option.
And the first step on his journey to becoming something more… something unstoppable… had just begun.