Chapter 1: New Faces
This is Earth. 3423. The world has suffered a lot since the arrival of the Abyssal Disasters. They came from underground portals that popped up out of nowhere. The Vector level Disasters came first. And boy did they surprise us all. The nation's militaries were barely able to keep those monsters down. We were at our wits ends to figure out a solution to our calamity and it seemed that all hope was lost, that we were doomed to extinction. But it seems that we were still in the good graces of whoever our makers were.
Sacred Arts... Humanity's greatest weapon to fend off the Abyssal Disasters. The powers that were apparently given to us by the heavens, to have a fighting chance against the monsters at our door. The powers that were given to us at first were miniscule. Our destructive capabilities then were nothing compared to the amount of power we hold now. With the strength of our divine arts we pushed back the Abyssal Disasters and waged war against whatever evil was sent our way.
Now? Well now we're going out there for sport. To enter these mysterious dungeons that have plagued Earth for centuries. To figure out where these monsters came from. Our top rankers keep the world safe from both the abyssal creatures and regular criminals. With over 100000 members in the National Hunters Index we were unstoppable. Everyday people had a chance to become superheroes. And of course that's all I could dream about as a kid. Being told these great stories. I wanted to be a part of the heroes that would uncover the mysteries behind the disasters and ...
Cough cough.
Ji-hu: Hey! You know you could at least let me finish my story?
Meihua: What do you mean? You couldn't possibly be talking about the same story you've been spewing since we were kids? We're already the so-called heroes that you wanted to be. And to be honest? It isn't as great as you made it seem.
Ji-hu: I'm trying to make a recording to teach the future generations of our ancestors' journeys! No one should forget the dire time that humanity faced all those years ago. It would be a dishonor to those who lost their lives protecting us.
Meihua: I already know that. You just keep re-recording yourself over and over again. Don't you get tired of repeating the same lines? I mean seriously you haven't even taken a break.
Looks at arm reminiscing
Meihua: You should just enjoy the time we're living in. With the top rankers around we haven't had a real disaster in lord knows how long. Even Demonic level threats are a joke now.
Ji-hu: Still! I feel like we shouldn't remain stagnant in our capabilities. I mean, we should really prepare for the worst. Humanity back then didn't even consider the possibility of Monsters coming from portals to terrorize us. What if something bigger than a Calamity level threat arrives? Something not even the top rankers can defeat?
Meihua: And what are we gonna do? We're ranked in the 14,000s. No matter how much we train we aren't going anywhere. You of all people should know that. You can't even control your abilities without your gadgets.
Ji-hu: Ow. That was uncalled for. You know how hard I work to train my Sacred art. It's not like I slack. Do you not even remember the day I got it? I was absolutely ecstatic. You were happy for me too.
Meihua gives a forlorn look at Ji-hu
Meihua: I'm... gonna go on a hunt, ok? Don't tire yourself out alright?
Ji-hu: Fine.
Meihua: See you later Ji-hyung.
Ji-hu: Stay Safe Mei.
30 minutes later
Ji-hu: ... and protect all of Humanity! So don't forget that when you obtain your sacred art you must cherish and enhance your ability. Do not remain stagnant future warriors!
Video Cuts off
Ji-hu. Sigh. Maybe Mei is right. We haven't had a serious disaster in over 40 years. Why am I worrying about something I can't change? Maybe ... maybe this isn't what I'm meant for.
Ji-hu rips open a portal and pull out soda
Ji-hu: I really need to take a break from all the training and history lessons.
Distant explosion goes off
Ji-hu: Or maybe not.
Grabs Gloves and gun while rushing out the door
Heavy Breathing
Ji-hu: Man I swear the explosion came from over here. Where is everyone? Where are the Hunters? Is it a criminal or is it a disaster? What if people are already dying? AUGH. Get a hold of yourself, just keep going, you need to save as many people as you can. Protect Humanity. Protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Sees crater at the intersection
Ji-hu: It must be over there!
Ji-hu: I'M HERE I'M HERE! Please everybody be ... ok? What's going on? Is that Paxis? What the hell is the #20 doing over here?
Walks over to where Paxis is standing
Ji-hu: Uh Paxis sir!
Paxis: Hello citizen please step away from the crash site. I am still determining what danger level this object could be. Evacuate immediately.
Ji-hu: Uh no sir. I'm a hunter too. Ranked #14,997 and I'm here to assist.
Paxis turns around
Paxis: Hm. Alright then. What are your abilities? Currently the pod in the crash zone is inactive and I need to assess what level of force is necessary to prevent the damage to this city.
Ji-hu: My sacred art is Dimensional Control Sir. I have little mastery over it which is why I have these gadgets. I actually made them myself.
Paxis: Dimensional Control? When was the last time I've heard of a dimensional art user? Although he seems lacking in his mastery. A waste of potential sadly.
Paxis: Very well. Be prepared to portal away if things get too dangerous.
Ji-hu: Uh Yes Sir! I'm gonna go keep the curious citizens away from the crash site.
Paxis: That is unnecessary. I have my shadows keeping the other sectors of this site locked down. Just stay near me and wait. We must be prepared at a moment's time to fight.
Ji-hu: Oh Ok! Um if I may, I must ask Paxis sir, why are you here? In Korea I mean.
Paxis: I am visiting for a conference with Korea's top ranker. The Abyssal dungeons in Japan and Korea have been getting quiet lately. We haven't figured out the reason why, but there is little need to worry. Yet. I came across this pod that fell from the sky while heading to Korea's Hunter HQ.
Ji-hu: The sky? But ... Abyssal Disasters don't emerge from the sky. They always come from dungeons why would it ...
Pod starts to open
Paxis: Be prepared the Pod is opening.
Ji-hu: Startled. Yes Sir!
Paxis: This is like nothing I've seen before. None of my constructs were able to damage this pod. I must protect the other hunter if things get dire.
A humanoid looking creature that looks like it's made of stars arises from the pod
Paxis: Those stars? What do they mean? Why does it look so human? We haven't seen any humanoid Abyssal Disasters this close to resembling a human.
Paxis: Hunter. Stay here I'm heading down to check what that thing is.
Ji-hu: Aye aye Captain!
Paxis slowly walks down into the center of the crater to meet with the being of stars
Star Creature: Greetings. I am Geni. A being from beyond your stars. I have come to warn you of future perils. A prophecy foretold of a multitude of warriors capable of quelling the Abyss that would arise from a Planet far away. The Abyssal Creatures you have met have already destroyed my home. Their greed knows no bounds and countless have fallen to their conquests. Their goals are unknown. Their numbers are unknown. And their strength knows no bounds. The only thing I can give you is my council and warning. The peace you experience now is only but a moment. If you do not somehow fend off this unnatural force of nature. You will fall. Just as I and the countless others have. That is why I have come. To help discover these hidden warriors and inform them of what they are destined to achieve.
Paxis: A being from the stars? Capable of reaching far beyond our solar system? Untold dangers worse than anything humanity has experienced? Great hidden warriors? Could she be speaking of the top hunters? Most of all. Is any of this even trustworthy?
Paxis: Greetings ... Geni. I am a member of the Earth's National Hunters Index. I must ask. How can you expect me to trust you and your claims? You come from the stars and yet you closely resemble the Abyssal Disasters that you speak of.
Geni: That is fair and true. I am a being compromised by the abyss. Yet I have not fallen like the others have. Which is why I stand before you now. Sent as a prophet and final messenger. You may take my words as a hoax and cut me down here and now. I will not stop you. But I must inform you that I hold information of which is vital to the survival of your species. Should you end me now you will lose your only chance at winning this intergalactic war.
Paxis: What do you mean compromised by the abyss? The Disasters we have fought were nothing more than mindless monsters. Are you claiming that these creatures we've been fighting were once intelligent beings?
Geni: Some not all. I will answer any and all questions about the Abyss should you accept this arrangement. A last ditch effort from me if you will. I will perish either way so the choice is up to you warrior.
Paxis: If what this creature says is true then the information she holds is invaluable. I cannot risk this chance. I'll have to talk to Commander Cho about this.
Paxis: I as a Hunter cannot decide alone the outcome of this arrangement. But I will not cut you down as I have deemed you too important to simply ignore. Since you are an unknown being you will most likely cause chaos to the populace. Will you cooperate with my conditions as well and let me escort you to my leaders?
Geni: Of course. I am but a cascade of knowledge for you to consume. At your beck and call. I will guide your race to the best chance of survival.
Paxis: Very well please follow me.
Ji-hu: I've been watching their conversation for a while now, but what the hell is going on? Is the Abyssal Disaster non-hostile? How could that possibly be? Why hasn't Paxis ended the monster already? If it's intelligent it's all the more dangerous than anything we've seen before. Ugh, what should I do? It doesn't look like something I can kill on my own. But I should at least make my presence known. I'm sorry Paxis, my curiosity is too much.
Ji-hu climbs down into the crater. Just as he reaches the bottom the Abyssal Creature appears to teleport up to him
Ji-hu: WHAT. THAT WAS SO FAST. I DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT MOVE. IS THIS HOW I DIE? I'M SO SORRY MEI. PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR NOT MAKING YOUR SHIELD.
Paxis: Where the hell did Geni go? Was I tricked? Wait. That other hunter where ...
Paxis turns around to see Ji-hu face to face with Geni
Paxis: Damnit. I didn't even see her move. How the hell did she get past me so easily? I'm so sorry, young hunter. Forgive my foolishness. I shall avenge you to the best of my ability.
Both hunters become confused as they hear soft weeping
Geni: I... have not seen a being who is capable of controlling the rifts ... In so long ... You must be one of ... the chosen among your planet's warriors ... to fight the abyss ... and carry out their defeat .. to think that I would find one of them so early in my arrival ... I am truly blessed.
Paxis: What does she mean? Are Dimensional Art users that special? I've definitely heard of other dimensional art users long ago. Why is this hunter so unique?
Ji-hu: Heavy breathing. What the hell is this monster talking about? Controlling the rifts? Chosen? Carry out the defeat of the abyss? She couldn't possibly be talking to me. I'm not strong enough...
Ji-hu: Um Paxis Sir. I may need a little help here. And maybe a little information? Is this monst ... being an Abyssal Disaster? And what in the Sacred Sanctions is she talking about!?
Paxis: That ... I do not know myself. I apologize for not being fast enough to prevent her from reaching you. Had you been killed it would've been due to my inadequacy.
Ji-hu: Wait wait wait wait so not even rank #20 could follow this things movements? What exactly are we dealing with here?
Ji-hu: Um miss? Abyssal lady? Can you tell me what you mean? And please stop crying. I feel bad for some odd reason.
Geni: I apologize young one. My race held a great portion of rift bearing warriors. We could control the rifts as if they were our limbs. I am the last of my kind and have long since forgotten the feeling of another's spatial rift. You reminded me of the family I lost many centuries ago.
Geni: As for what I mean. You hold a very special type of rift essence. Your rifts' spatial essence is like nothing I've seen before. It holds a mystical aura that surpasses even the greatest of my peoples warriors. We long lost the battle to the abyss and have since scattered among the stars. To find a rift bearer on this planet means that the prophecy may hold true. Which means this war can be finally put to an end.
Ji-hu: WHAT!?