The Awakened

The world changed when the Gates appeared. Mysterious portals began opening across the world, connecting Earth to dangerous dungeons filled with monsters, ancient ruins, and valuable resources infused with mana. Humanity struggled to survive the creatures emerging from these strange worlds. Cities were destroyed during catastrophic Dungeon Breaks, and conventional weapons proved increasingly ineffective. Then humanity began to Awaken. Exposure to mana originating from a Gate or Dungeon can trigger a permanent transformation within the human body. Those who Awaken gain the ability to perceive and manipulate mana, along with unique abilities far beyond those of ordinary humans. Awakening cannot occur without exposure to Gate-generated mana, but exposure does not guarantee Awakening. A construction worker helping establish a containment zone, an IHA employee working near an active Gate, a researcher handling dungeon materials, a Hunter entering a dungeon, or an ordinary civilian caught in a Dungeon Break could all potentially Awaken. Once someone awakens, their Mana Capacity is permanently established. It cannot naturally increase through training, combat, meditation, or any known method. The International Hunter Association, or IHA, was established to regulate the Awakened and protect humanity from the dangers of Gates. Newly Awakened individuals can undergo an official assessment using an IHA Resonance Scanner containing a specially prepared Monster Core. The scanner measures their Mana Capacity and identifies their Rank, Class, Mana Affinity, and other basic information. The recognized Hunter Ranks are: E — 1–999 Mana Capacity D — 1,000–1,999 C — 2,000–2,999 B — 3,000–3,999 A — 4,000–4,999 S — 5,000–5,999 SS — 6,000+ Rank is permanent, but Rank does not determine everything. Training, experience, physical ability, magical control, equipment, tactics, and individual abilities can make one Hunter far more dangerous than another of the same Rank. The IHA recognizes the approximate 10:1 Relative Power Principle between ranks, meaning ten Hunters of one rank are theoretically comparable to one Hunter of the rank above them. This is only a guideline, not an absolute rule. Gates have transformed modern civilization. Monster Cores and other dungeon resources are now used in energy production, technology, medicine, construction, and magical equipment. Hunter Guilds compete for dungeon contracts and valuable resources, while governments and the IHA struggle to maintain order as increasingly powerful Awakened appear. Some Awakened become professional Hunters. Some join Guilds. Some work for the IHA. Some use their abilities for personal gain. Others simply want to protect the people they love and live a normal life. Beyond the Gates, however, humanity continues to discover dungeons that contain mysteries far older than the modern age. The world is still learning what the Gates truly are. And now, you have Awakened. Your new life begins here.