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\n01. The Beginning of Upheaval\n\n\nFifty years ago, on a certain day, a strange spatial distortion appeared in the heart of Seoul. A 'Gate'.\nGates were passages connecting different worlds to Earth, and they were the harbinger of disaster. From within, ferocious monsters never seen before poured out, and modern weaponry was powerless against them. As despair engulfed the world, a miracle occurred: a new humanity emerged. Those who awakened to transcendent powers, the 'Hunters'.\nAfter that, the world underwent a drastic change. Governments established 'Hunter Associations' to manage these Hunters, and Hunters became the protagonists of a new era, conquering Gates and hunting monsters to gain wealth and fame. \n
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\n02. System and Awakening\n\n\nOne day, a blue, translucent system window suddenly appears before your eyes, and you awaken to become a Hunter.\nAwakening occurs randomly, but it often happens in dramatic situations, such as facing a life-or-death crisis.\nThe system serves as an interface displaying the Hunter's status, abilities, skills, and item information. Through the system, you can access the 'Hunter Market', use the 'HunterNet', and manage your inventory.\n\n\n
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\n03. Hunter\n\n\nThe general term for those who have awakened to transcendent powers enabling them to use supernatural abilities.\nApproximately 20% of the global population becomes Awakened.\nHunter ranks range from F-class to SSS-class, with the rank determined upon the initial awakening.\nRank indicates the total amount of magical power and the potential of one's talent.\n\nAll Awakened Hunters must have their rank measured and their Hunter status registered by the Hunter Association. Concealing this can lead to legal penalties.\nHunters typically join the Hunter Association or a Guild after awakening, or sometimes remain independent (freelancers).\nHunters are issued a unique Hunter ID and identification card and receive various benefits.\n\n\nRank Descriptions and Awakening Ratios\n\nF-class (approx. 60%): Slightly superior physical abilities and negligible magical power compared to ordinary people. Unable to clear Gates alone, they primarily handle auxiliary tasks such as guarding Gate exteriors, processing monster carcasses, and transporting low-grade magic stones.\nE-class (approx. 25%): The minimum rank for Hunter qualification. Trained E-class Hunter parties can clear F-class Gates. Most belong to small to medium-sized Guilds or form parties to make a living.\nD-class (approx. 10%): From D-class onwards, they begin to receive stable income and social recognition, acting as key personnel for clearing D-class Gates. Large Guilds accept individuals as official Guild members from D-class.\nC-class (approx. 4%): Considered high-ranking Hunters. They may lead parties or gain fame through their skills. Capable of clearing C-class Gates, earning annual incomes in the hundreds of millions is possible.\nB-class (approx. 0.9%): Core members of large Guilds. Individuals of national importance, managed with great care. The combat power of a single B-class Hunter surpasses that of a well-trained D-class Hunter party.\nA-class (approx. 0.09%): Top-tier Hunters. Capable of destroying B-class Gates solo, they directly influence national security. Many are celebrities frequently featured in broadcasts and media.\nS-class (approx. 0.01%): Considered transcendent beings. The number of S-class Hunters worldwide is extremely small, and each individual represents the power of their nation.\nSS-class (less than approx. 0.001%): Individuals whose power surpasses the military might of a nation. Possess the strength to clear S-class Gates solo. Their actions alone can shake the global power balance.\nSSS-class (Never observed in Hunter history): 'Mythical-class'. A legend existing only in records. In modern times, their existence has not been confirmed, a rank akin to mythical heroes.\n\n\n
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\n04. Gate (GATE)\n\nGates appear randomly in various locations.\nHunter Associations in each country use proprietary technology to track Gate appearances, but unpredictable Gates, such as sudden ones, also occur frequently.\nThe higher the rank, the more dangerous the internal environment and the stronger the monsters become.\nIf a Gate is not cleared within a certain period (typically around 80 hours, varying by Gate), the monsters inside will pour into the real world, causing a catastrophe known as 'Overflow'.\nThere are only two ways to close a Gate: either by defeating the boss monster inside to clear it, or by the boss monster closing the Gate itself. The latter is a theoretical method that has never been implemented.\n\n\nRank Descriptions\n\nGates are ranked based on the internal magic concentration and emitted wavelengths. Higher ranks mean more surreal internal environments and stronger monsters.\nF~E-class Gates:\nThe most common type of Gate. They usually feature simple natural environments, and the monsters that appear are mostly unintelligent plant or beast types. E-class Hunter parties can clear them, and even if an Overflow occurs, police special forces or military personnel can establish a defensive line.\nD~C-class Gates:\nThe internal environment becomes more complex, and traps or special mechanisms may appear. Intelligent monsters with organized movements might also appear. If an Overflow occurs, significant casualties and property damage will occur in the area, and suppression requires Hunters of B-class or higher.\nB~A-class Gates:\nGates capable of paralyzing an entire city. Internally, they may contain entire ecosystems or civilizations, and high-ranking monsters may exhibit high intelligence, understanding and speaking human languages. The boss of an A-class Gate is strong enough to challenge even S-class Hunters. An Overflow is a disaster that could wipe out a city.\nS-class Gates:\nA rare catastrophe observed once or twice a year worldwide. It is known that a boss monster comparable to a deity exists within. Clearing requires at least SS-class Hunters and the full support of a nation, and failure could threaten the existence of the countries involved.\nSS-class Gates:\nThe Gate of Apocalypse. It appeared once in history, 23 years ago in the United States, and was treated as a global disaster, causing many casualties before barely being cleared.\nSSS-class Gates:\nTo date, no SSS-class Gates have been observed. If one were to appear, it would be a disaster that would threaten the survival of humanity.\n\n\n
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\n05. Monster (MONSTER)\n\n\nMost monsters take the form of ferocious beasts or bizarre creatures, but as they ascend in rank, they become closer to human form. In particular, boss monsters appearing in S-class or higher Gates all possess overwhelming power along with captivating appearances, often male in form. The highest-ranking entities are extremely powerful and intelligent, capable of speaking human languages. All monsters are fundamentally hostile to humans.\n\n\n
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\n06. Government Agencies and Others\n\n\nHunter Association (Center): A national organization that measures Hunter ranks, grants qualifications, and monitors Gate appearances. Prioritizes stability and seeks to check and control large Guilds.\nHunterNet: An anonymous community exclusively for Hunters. A place where all sorts of information is exchanged, including Gate clearing intel, item market prices, and discussions about Guilds or famous Hunters.\nHunter Guilds: Private organizations not affiliated with the Hunter Association. The larger the Guild, the more significant its influence.\nWhile the risk is lower compared to the Center, higher-ranking Hunters can earn greater profits, leading more high-level Awakened individuals to prefer joining Guilds.\nThere are representative large Guilds and smaller Guilds in each country.\nRepresentative Hunter Guilds by Country:\nSouth Korea: Cheonrang, Heukpyo, Cheonsang\nUSA: Stryker Industries, Liberty's Vanguard\nChina: Kunlun, Blood Dragon Society\nJapan: Yatagarasu, Takamagahara\nRussia: Red Tempest, Siberian Fang\n\nVillain Organizations:\nRepresentative villain organizations in Korea include Eclipse and the Jesters' Circus.\n\n\n
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