In a world ruled by Gates mysterious tears in reality that release monsters Hunters were the only line of defense. Some could burn through steel, others could lift trucks like toys.
And then there was Kai Ren.
A D rank on paper…
but in truth?
He was barely E rank.
The kind of hunter other hunters babysat.
Everyone knew his nickname:
"The World's Weakest Hunter."
When a low rank Gate appeared near Kai's district, he joined the raid hoping to earn enough money to pay rent. But the moment the party stepped inside, they realized something was wrong.
The dungeon was too quiet.
Too clean.
Too cold.
"Kai, don't wander off!" the team leader snapped.
But it was already too late.
A second chamber opened beneath their feet.
A trap.
Kai fell alone into a pitch-black room… a place filled with ancient carvings glowing blue.
A massive stone statue towered over him its eyes shining like twin suns.
Then came the voice.
A cold system like notification echoed directly in his mind:
[YOU HAVE ENTERED A QUALIFICATION TRIAL.]
[FAILURE = DEATH.]
I I can't fight something like this," Kai whispered, trembling.
The statue moved.
Just as the statue came down to crush him, something impossible happened.
A new notification appeared:
[PLAYER CANDIDATE DETECTED.]
[BEGINNING HIDDEN SELECTION.]
Light swallowed him whole.
When Kai opened his eyes, the statue was frozen mid strike and a glowing blue panel floated in front of him.
[Welcome, Player.]
[You have unlocked the Unique Ability: LEVEL SYSTEM.]
A heartbeat passed.
Then more messages flooded in:
[Complete quests to grow stronger.]
[Stats can be increased infinitely.]
[Upon reaching the required level, the Player may unlock: SHADOW EXTRACTION.]
"Shadow extraction Kai whispered.
[Yes.]
[You will gain the ability to command shadows of defeated monsters as loyal soldiers.]
Kai stared as the words sank in.
The weakest hunter in the world
was being offered the chance to become something else entirely.
A new panel appeared.
[QUEST: SURVIVE THE TRIAL]
Reward: 10 Levels
Penalty: Death
The chamber shook. The statue broke free.
Kai took a deep breath.
This time
he didn't run.