The world had changed a hundred years ago. Magic seeped into reality, altering the fabric of existence. Hollows appeared, portals to other realms that brought with them creatures of nightmare. Fiends, they called them. Monsters that nearly wiped out humanity.

But mankind fought back. They awakened to a power within, mana flowing through their veins. They became Aethers, wielders of magic. They discovered artifacts, weapons against the darkness. Slowly, they pushed the Fiends back.

A new era dawned. Brave souls ventured into the Hollows, calling themselves Hunters. They fought, they died, they got rich. Clans formed, unity in the face of death. Cities changed, growing walls and watchtowers, always vigilant against the threat.

The old ways of government crumbled with the old world. Hunter Guilds rose to power, protectors and profiteers. They governed, they protected, they thrived.

Education evolved. Schools taught magic alongside mathematics. Children learned to fight before they learned to drive. Survival became the first lesson.

The economy boomed. Fiend parts sold for fortunes. Artifacts commanded even higher prices. A successful Hunter could amass wealth to rival nations, if they lived long enough to spend it.

Technology adapted. Guns met magic, cars ran on mana, phones detected Fiends. Progress marched on, even in the face of chaos.

Yet the threat remained. Hollow Breaks occurred, Dungeons exploding outward, monsters pouring into the world. Cities fell. The war never truly ended.

But hope survived. Humanity endured. They fought, they lived, they grew stronger. The future remained uncertain, but they faced it together. As Aethers. As Hunters. As humans.

This became their world. A realm of magic and monsters, of heroes and horrors, of endless battle and fleeting peace. The Age of Hollows had begun.

...

A young 18-year-old Riku is sleeping in his room.

Riku's eyes snapped open. Dawn's faint glow seeped through the curtains, casting long shadows across his small room. He rubbed his messy black hair and blue eyes. He blinked, the fog of sleep retreating. Another day. Another hunt.

He sat up, wincing at the dull ache in his muscles. Yesterday's expedition into the F-rank Hollow had left its mark. Pain was a constant companion in this life.

Riku swung his legs over the bed, his feet touching the cold wooden floor. He reached for the simple leather armor hanging on a nearby chair. The worn, patched leather bore the scars of too many Fiend encounters. It wasn't much, but it was all he could afford.

He dressed with haste, eager to begin the day. As he fastened the last buckle, his eyes fell on the small mirror propped against the wall. A young man with messy black hair and tired blue eyes stared back. Riku hardly recognized himself some days.

The smell of fresh coffee and baking bread wafted up from downstairs. Uncle Kazuya was already at work in the cafe. Riku's stomach growled, reminding him it had been hours since his last meal.

He made his way down the creaky stairs, each step echoing in the quiet morning. The cafe was empty save for his uncle, who stood behind the counter, wiping down the espresso machine.

Riku's uncle Kazuya greeted him with a warm smile. He has grey hair and brown eyes, and he is wearing a plain white shirt with a blue apron as the young man makes his way down the creaky stairs. "Ah, there you are. I was beginning to think you'd sleep through breakfast."

Riku shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not a chance. Your blueberry muffins are the only thing that gets me out of bed some days."

Kazuya chuckled, the sound rich and comforting. "Well, you're in luck. Just pulled a fresh batch from the oven." He placed a steaming muffin on a plate and slid it across the counter to Riku.

Riku took a bite, savoring the burst of sweet berries and buttery crumbs. For a moment, he could almost forget the weight of his responsibilities. But Kazuya's next question brought him back to reality.

"How was your hunt yesterday?" Kazuya asked, his tone casual, though Riku caught the flicker of concern in his uncle's brown eyes.

Riku swallowed, the muffin suddenly tasting like ash. "Same as always. Barely made enough to cover expenses."

Kazuya's brow furrowed, and he busied himself with brewing a fresh pot of coffee, seemingly unsure of what to say. After a moment, he spoke up. "You know, there's always work here at the cafe if you want it. It's not glamorous, but it's safe."

Riku felt a familiar pang of guilt. His uncle had been an E-rank Hunter once, before retiring to open this place. He knew the dangers better than most. "I can't, Uncle. You know that. I have to get stronger. I have to..."

He trailed off, unable to finish the thought. To what? Prove himself? Become a hero? The words sounded hollow even in his own mind.

Kazuya sighed, setting a mug of coffee in front of Riku. "I know, kid. I know. Just... be careful out there, alright?"

Riku nodded, wrapping his hands around the warm mug. The rich aroma of coffee filled his senses, grounding him in the moment.

"So," Kazuya said, his tone lightening, "what's on the agenda for today? Another trip to the Hollow?"

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Riku took a sip of coffee, letting the bitter warmth wash over him. "Yeah. There's a new F-rank that opened up near the old factory district. Figured I'd check it out."

His uncle's eyebrows rose. "The factory district? That's a bit far, isn't it?"

Riku shrugged. "Gotta go where the work is. Besides, maybe I'll get lucky. Find a rare artifact or something."

Kazuya's expression softened. "Just don't push yourself too hard, alright? You're young. You've got time."

Riku nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His uncle meant well, but he didn't understand. Couldn't understand the constant pressure, the need to prove himself, to be more than just another F-rank nobody.

The bell above the cafe door chimed, signaling the arrival of the first customer of the day. Kazuya straightened, his demeanor shifting to that of the friendly cafe owner.

"Well, duty calls," he said with a wink. "Stay for another muffin before you head out?"

Riku shook his head, already rising from his seat. "Thanks, but I should get going. Don't want to miss the early registration at the Guild."

Kazuya nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Alright then. Be safe out there, Riku."

Riku managed a small smile. "I will. Thanks for breakfast, Uncle."

As he headed for the door, Riku felt the weight of his uncle's gaze on his back. He knew his uncle was worried and knew he only wanted what was best. But Riku had to do this. Had to prove he was more than just a weak F-rank Hunter.

He stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sounds of the waking city washing over him. Another day. Another hunt. Another chance to change his fate.

Riku stepped out into the bustling street, the morning sun casting long shadows across the pavement. He checked his phone, fingers tapping the screen to bring up the latest notice from the Hollows & Hunters Bureau. The information flickered to life, confirming the location of the F-Rank hollow near the old factory district.

He hailed a passing cab, wincing as he climbed inside. His muscles still ached from yesterday's hunt. "Factory district," he told the driver, settling into the worn leather seat.

As the cab pulled away, Riku watched the city blur past the window. The fare would eat into his meager earnings, but he had no choice. F-Rank hollows were a joke to most Hunters, but they were all he could manage with his limited mana and basic artifacts. It was a vicious cycle – he needed better gear to tackle tougher hollows, but he couldn't afford it without the profits from those very same hollows.

Riku's gaze was drawn to a group of Hunters crossing the street, their armor gleaming and artifacts hanging from their belts. Envy twisted in his gut, knowing they were likely headed to more lucrative hunts while he scrounged for scraps.

The cab driver caught Riku's eye in the rearview mirror. "You a Hunter, kid?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

Riku nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

"Tough gig these days. You be careful out there, yeah?"

"Always am," Riku muttered, more to himself.

The cab turned onto a street lined with abandoned warehouses, the factory district looming ahead. Riku's hand tightened on the handle of his worn dagger, his only weapon against the horrors that lurked in the hollow.

As they neared his destination, Riku couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head. But what choice did he have? This was his life now – scraping by on the fringes, always one bad hunt away from disaster.

The cab rolled to a stop, and Riku paid the fare, grimacing at the dent it put in his credits. He stepped out, the weight of his meager equipment settling on his shoulders like a physical burden.

Ahead, the entrance to the F-Rank hollow pulsed with an eerie light. Riku took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. Another day, another hunt, another desperate attempt to claw his way up from the bottom.

...

Riku moved cautiously through the abandoned factory, its rusted gates hanging open like a maw ready to devour him. The eerie silence unnerved him. Usually, there'd be other F-rank Hunters milling about, swapping stories or psyching themselves up. But today, the area was deserted.

He pushed down the creeping unease. This could be a good thing - no competition meant better odds of finding something worthwhile. Still, the quiet gnawed at him as he made his way deeper into the crumbling complex.

The hollow's entrance pulsed with an otherworldly light, casting unsettling shadows across the decaying brick walls. Riku took a steadying breath, steeling himself. He'd done this dozens of times before. Just another day, another hunt.

He stepped through the shimmering barrier, and the world twisted around him. For a heartbeat, Riku felt weightless, suspended between realities. Then gravity reasserted itself, and he stumbled onto soft grass.

Blinking away the disorientation, Riku found himself in a lush forest, sunlight filtering through a canopy of vibrant green. The air was thick with the scent of earth and growth. He shook his head, refocusing. This was always the trickiest part - you never knew what environment you'd encounter in a hollow.

Riku moved cautiously through the underbrush, senses on high alert. He ran through the basics of hollow clearing in his mind, a habit born from years of training. Find and defeat the boss fiend, or fulfill a specific condition. Easy in theory, but the reality was far messier and more dangerous.

A rustling in the bushes ahead snapped him out of his thoughts. He froze, hand on his dagger's hilt. A small, brown form darted out - a Horned Jackrabbit, an F-rank fiend more nuisance than true threat.

The rabbit lunged, horns aimed at Riku's leg. He yelped, stumbling back just in time. The rabbit hit the ground and pivoted, preparing to charge again.

"Shit!" Riku fumbled for his dagger, nearly dropping it. The rabbit was already moving, a blur of fur and deadly horns.

Riku managed to sidestep the attack, feeling the rush of air as the creature shot past. He slashed out with his dagger, but the rabbit was too quick. It darted away, circling for another assault.

Sweat beaded on Riku's brow as he tracked the creature's movements. He'd underestimated its speed and aggression - a rookie mistake that could cost him dearly.

The rabbit charged again. This time, Riku was ready. He waited, then threw himself aside. As the rabbit sailed past, he lashed out with his dagger, striking true.

A squeal of pain told him he'd wounded the creature. It tumbled to the ground, then scrambled back up, eyes glowing with unnatural rage.

Riku didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, dagger leading the way. The rabbit tried to dodge, but its injury slowed it just enough. Riku's blade found its mark, and the Horned Jackrabbit dissolved into motes of light, leaving a small, glowing crystal in its place.

Riku bent to retrieve the monster core, his hands shaking slightly from the adrenaline. Even a small core like this could fetch a decent price. He pocketed it, taking a moment to catch his breath.

That had been too close. If he'd been any slower, any less lucky, it could have ended badly. He shook his head, banishing the thought. He was alive, and that was what mattered.

Riku checked himself over for injuries - a few scratches, nothing serious. His armor had held up, for all its worth. He'd have to be more careful from here on out. If a single Horned Jackrabbit had given him this much trouble, he dreaded to think what the boss of this hollow might be like.

With a grimace, Riku set off deeper into the forest. The real challenge was still ahead, and he couldn't afford any more mistakes. Not if he wanted to make it out alive, let alone with anything to show for his efforts.

As he moved through the undergrowth, Riku couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head. But what choice did he have? This was his life now. This was how he'd prove his worth, to his uncle, to the world, and most importantly, to himself.

Another day, another hunt. And the day was far from over.