Mutants.
They were humans who possessed extraordinary abilities, awakened through a rare gene inherited from their ancestors. Their role in the modern world was simple, yet terrifyingly dangerous: to hunt and eliminate the monsters that roamed the earth.
But things had not always been this way.
Ten years ago, humanity had no knowledge of the special gene that created Mutants. When the first dungeons appeared and monsters began emerging from them, the world fell into chaos. Governments responded the only way they knew how. Armies were deployed. Heavy firearms, missiles, and armored tanks were sent to the battlefield in an attempt to suppress the threat.
At first, those weapons seemed effective. Some monsters could be wounded or driven back.
However, that hope did not last long.
Certain creatures were simply beyond the reach of conventional warfare. Monsters such as the Giant Centipede and the Magma Dragon could withstand bullets, artillery, and even explosives. Entire military units were wiped out trying to stop them.
Humanity was losing.
Then, a breakthrough arrived.
Several months later, a team of American scientists discovered something extraordinary inside the bodies of the monsters. Hidden within their genetic structure was a strange form of energy. They named it Mana.
Through countless experiments, the scientists eventually developed a method to transfer a monster's gene into a compatible human host.
The results changed the course of human history.
Those who survived the procedure gained abilities far beyond ordinary humans. Their bodies began to exhibit certain traits of the monsters, and along with those traits came overwhelming power.
These individuals came to be known as Mutants.
For the first time since the appearance of the dungeons, humanity finally had a weapon capable of fighting back.
But power always comes with a price.
After several years, scientists were forced to halt the gene implantation program. Some hosts were unable to control the monster genes within their bodies. Instead of protecting humanity, they became something else entirely.
Creatures driven by instinct.
Creatures that saw humans as prey.
The world plunged into another crisis as these failed experiments turned against the very people they were meant to protect.
Historians would later name this turbulent period The Genes Era.
Now, it is May 30, 2030.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of scientists and the sacrifices of countless Mutants, humanity has managed to regain a fragile sense of stability. Cities have been rebuilt, defenses have been strengthened, and Mutants now stand on the front lines against the monsters that continue to emerge from the dungeons.
Yet despite the calm that the world struggles to maintain, everyone knows the truth.
The war between humanity and monsters is far from over.
And somewhere in this changing world, a new story is about to begin.
Riku glanced at his wristwatch and sighed.
"I need to get back to class before two. Today's the awakening test."
Excitement crept into his voice despite his attempt to sound casual.
Riku Hirota looked like an ordinary university student. He had ebony hair, dark eyes, and an average build that did little to make him stand out in a crowd. Nothing about his appearance suggested that he might soon become something far from ordinary.
Riku was of mixed heritage. His father was Japanese, while his mother came from a Latina background. Growing up between two cultures had shaped much of his life, but today, that hardly mattered. What mattered was the possibility that awaited him.
The possibility of awakening.
After the government banned the direct implantation of monster genes, scientists began searching for another way to awaken the latent genes carried by the descendants of Mutants. Their research eventually led them back to the mysterious energy found inside monsters.
Mana.
By carefully channeling mana into the human body, it became possible to stimulate the dormant genes passed down through generations. Once a person accumulated enough mana within their body, they could awaken and become a Mutant.
Those who succeeded gained abilities powerful enough to fight the monsters lurking inside the dungeons.
Riku had waited years for this day.
At twenty-one, he was currently enrolled in a university foundation program. Officially, he was studying business. Unofficially, he hated every second of it.
The decision had never been his.
His father had insisted.
One day, Riku was expected to inherit the family business, and according to his father, a business degree was the first step toward that future.
Riku clicked his tongue as the thought crossed his mind.
"Tch... why couldn't they just let me chase my dream and fight in the dungeons?"
What truly fascinated him was not the glory of battle. It was the mystery behind everything. The sudden appearance of dungeons, the endless emergence of monsters, and the strange energy known as mana.
He wanted answers.
And the only people who ever got close to those answers were Mutants.
Riku's family carried powerful genetic traits. His father possessed the genes of the Dire Wolves, while his mother carried the genes of massive crow-like creatures known for their intelligence and aerial dominance.
Both were considered rare bloodlines.
Because of that, Riku firmly believed that once his abilities awakened, he would become a powerful Mutant regardless of which gene manifested.
A small smile appeared on his face as he walked down the university corridor.
"Once I awaken my abilities, I'll register with the Mutant Association and enter a dungeon myself."
He said it quietly, almost like a promise to himself.
"Hey, Riku! I heard today's the day you unlock your powers."
A voice suddenly called out from behind him.
Riku turned around.
Standing there was a tall young man with curly red hair and sun-kissed skin. His athletic build and confident posture made him look more like a varsity player than a student. He towered over Riku by nearly seven inches.
The young man was none other than Toru Izumi, one of Riku's closest friends.
Toru had always been the one pushing Riku forward, encouraging him to pursue his dream of becoming a Mutant. The two of them shared the same curiosity about the world. Both wanted to uncover the truth behind the mysteries that had reshaped humanity.
Riku gave a small nod.
"Yeah. I should be activating it soon." Then he looked at Toru with curiosity. "What about you? Did you already awaken your ability?"
Toru's grin widened, and a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
"Oh, I did," he said proudly. "And trust me, it's something you wouldn't expect."
He clearly enjoyed building the suspense.
Riku stepped closer, raising an eyebrow.
"Seriously? What kind of gene did you awaken?"
Toru casually rubbed the underside of his nose with his index finger, looking far too pleased with himself.
"I inherited my father's gene," he said. "The Minotaur gene."
Riku blinked in surprise.
The Minotaur was not an ordinary monster. It possessed a massive frame, overwhelming physical strength, and terrifying endurance. A fully grown Minotaur could easily demolish a four-story building with brute force alone.
Naturally, Riku knew this.
For years, he had studied everything he could find about dungeons and the monsters that lived inside them. While other students spent their free time relaxing or playing games, Riku buried himself in reports, articles, and dungeon records.
His dream of becoming a Mutant had started long ago.
But it wasn't just about fighting monsters.
Riku wanted answers.
Why had the dungeons suddenly appeared? Why were monsters invading their world? And what role did Mutants truly play in all of it?
Even the government seemed unable to provide clear explanations.
Or perhaps they simply chose not to.
Riku had no proof of that suspicion, but the thought lingered in the back of his mind. It only strengthened his resolve to uncover the truth himself.
And becoming a Mutant was the first step.
"Wow, Toru! That's an impressive ability. I hope I get something even close to yours," Riku said with genuine admiration.
Toru shrugged casually. "Don't worry, Riku. With your parents' genes, you've got a good chance of getting something strong too. Honestly, I'm excited to see what you'll unlock."
"Thanks. I'll message you tonight once I activate mine," Riku replied. Then, leaning in slightly, he added in a whisper, "Mind showing me your ability now?"
Toru laughed. "You really want me to get arrested? Using our abilities out in public is a serious offense."
Riku scratched the back of his head, sheepishly grinning. "Heh... okay, my bad. I'm just curious to see how your transformation works."
"Before you come up with any more crazy ideas, let's head back to class," Toru said, steering them toward the corridor.
As they walked, Toru glanced at him with a playful grin. "But seriously, I can't wait to see your ability in action."
Riku nodded confidently. "No worries. I'll definitely message you once it's unlocked."
Ring!
The bell echoed through the hall, signaling the end of break. A few moments later, the two friends made their way to the parking lot.
"Toru, let's meet here tomorrow," Riku said quietly, watching as Toru slid into a sleek red Lamborghini.
Toru's car made it obvious he came from a wealthy family.
"Absolutely," Toru replied, grinning. He glanced at the empty passenger seat. "Wait... where's your car? If you don't have one, I can give you a lift."
Riku shook his head. "No thanks. My butler took it."
Hum... Hum... Hum...
A new car quietly approached, smooth and silent.
"Riku... D-don't tell me you're riding that Tesla?" Toru stuttered, eyes widening.
Riku nodded, expression deadpan. "Yeah... is that a problem?"
Toru shook his head, smiling. "Nothing at all. See you tomorrow."
With that, both went their separate ways, each absorbed in their own thoughts."Wow, Toru! That's an impressive ability. I hope I get something even close to yours," Riku said with genuine admiration.
Toru shrugged casually. "Don't worry, Riku. With your parents' genes, you've got a good chance of getting something strong too. Honestly, I'm excited to see what you'll unlock."
"Thanks. I'll message you tonight once I activate mine," Riku replied. Then, leaning in slightly, he added in a whisper, "Mind showing me your ability now?"
Toru laughed. "You really want me to get arrested? Using our abilities out in public is a serious offense."
Riku scratched the back of his head, sheepishly grinning. "Heh... okay, my bad. I'm just curious to see how your transformation works."
"Before you come up with any more crazy ideas, let's head back to class," Toru said, steering them toward the corridor.
As they walked, Toru glanced at him with a playful grin. "But seriously, I can't wait to see your ability in action."
Riku nodded confidently. "No worries. I'll definitely message you once it's unlocked."
Ring!
The bell echoed through the hall, signaling the end of break. A few moments later, the two friends made their way to the parking lot.
"Toru, let's meet here tomorrow," Riku said quietly, watching as Toru slid into a sleek red Lamborghini.
Toru's car made it obvious he came from a wealthy family.
"Absolutely," Toru replied, grinning. He glanced at the empty passenger seat. "Wait... where's your car? If you don't have one, I can give you a lift."
Riku shook his head. "No thanks. My butler took it."
Hum... Hum... Hum...
A new car quietly approached, smooth and silent.
"Riku... D-don't tell me you're riding that Tesla?" Toru stuttered, eyes widening.
Riku nodded, expression deadpan. "Yeah... is that a problem?"
Toru shook his head, smiling. "Nothing at all. See you tomorrow."
With that, both went their separate ways, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
"Master Riku, we've arrived at the estate. Your father is waiting," announced a tall, broad-shouldered man in a formal suit.
Riku's parents, Akio Hirota and Bianca Hirota, were influential figures, their presence commanding respect.
Riku rubbed his forehead, weariness in his voice. "And... what did he say?"
"The same as before, Master Riku," the butler replied. "Your father still opposes your awakening. He expects you to focus on the family business instead."
Riku's gaze hardened. "I'm putting that aside. I'll awaken my genes, no matter what."
The butler stepped aside, revealing a gleaming golden doorway. Beyond it stretched a corridor lined with maids, each standing at attention.
WELCOME BACK, MASTER RIKU!
"Thank you," Riku said with a slight nod, acknowledging their synchronized greeting. His eyes shifted upward to the grand staircase, where his father stood, waiting.
"I've made up my mind to awaken my genes, Father," he said, voice steady.
Akio's expression was calm, yet his tone carried weight. "It seems I cannot sway you," he said, descending the stairs. "Riku... tell me, what drives you to take this path?"
Riku stepped forward, unwavering. "I need to understand the truth behind the dungeons. And... I'm convinced Mother is alive. Something tells me she is." His words were firm, unflinching.
Akio's gaze softened slightly. "Is there nothing I can offer to change your mind? A new car... an island, perhaps? Anything... just stay away from the dungeons. That world isn't meant for us."
Riku shook his head gently, then embraced his father briefly. "I'm sorry, Father. My decision is final. I will find Mother, and I will uncover a way to destroy all the dungeons in our world."
Though Akio remained silent, a flicker of hope lingered in his eyes—that Riku might never awaken his powers and instead devote himself to the family business.
"Master Riku," the butler interjected, bowing slightly, "I apologize for the interruption. It is time to begin the gene awakening process."
Riku turned, stepping toward the chamber where the awakening would take place. His father followed behind, his expression unreadable.
"Agreed," Riku said firmly. "Let's begin."