There were majestic islands floating in the sky, their edges adorned by cascading falls that shimmered down like silver threads.
The view was without a doubt breathless; splashing waterfalls added a serenity backdrop to this picturesque scene. Under these wonders floated ancient trees, whose canopies made up another dense, mystical forest.
Lying cradled in some foliage right deep in the woods, a baby was lying with silver locks and golden eyes, his laughter innocent across the trees. His smile could melt the coldest of hearts, radiant and pure.
Suddenly, the ground started shaking violently. Out of the depths of the woodland, a very huge, great creature had come, dwarfing the structure of trees towering above.
It moved gracfully, its body all covered by rugged mountains; it hosted an absolutely entire ecosystem on his back. The creature came to a stop before the cradling baby and observed very intently the tiny being with curious intensity using his massive brown eyes.
A giggling baby reached out with tiny hands to the sight of the beast. The monster opened its enormous mouth, revealing rows of razor teeth, with steam lolling out of its nostrils as it lunged towards the helpless child.
The scene changed in a second to a dark, crumpled room. Crumpled chip packets and empty beer bottles were all over the floor.
At the disintegrated bed lay an 18-year-old boy, who looked exactly like the baby but with more mature features on his face. He was fast asleep, totally unaware of everything going on around him. His mouth was open, and drool was coming out from the corner in a thin line.
As the boy's dream turned into a nightmare, his serene expression changed into a fearful one. Puffs of sweat formed on his forehead, and his body began quaking with apprehension.
An alarm clock ripped the room with a shrill ring, and he abruptly sat up, his eyes wide open in panic. He sat up, heaving on his chest, wiping away the sweat drizzling down his brow.
"Sh*t. same dream again," he murmured, trying to hold back his voice as the residual fear and disgust shook his breath. A slight tremble flickered across his hands as he ran them through his hair, trying to shake the remnants off.
"Hello, I'm Rook. I'm one day short of eighteen. I live in Shrine City, a huge bustling city, away from my parents' quiet village. Recently joined a hunter university." Here, hunter universities are way more intense than your average ones.
Rook stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his new uniform. The black tight suit fit like a glove, with sleek blue lines crossing over to reach the core at his chest. Tiny wisps of blue energy pulsed from the suit as a whole, giving it an otherworldly glow.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"Alright, ready for the hunt," he muttered under his now-flashing breath. "Come on, wretched beasts, I will tear your muscle and drink your blood."
Rook could feel his heart racing as if the day were just born. It was just the beginning of something epic.
Humans reached the peak of a Type 3 civilization. Humankind has successfully conquered stars, danced with black holes, and found the ultimate treasure of them all: the Portals. These were gateways to other dimensions, purely Motherlode dimensions filled to the brim with untapped resources.
These riches, however, were guarded by elemental beasts—formidable adversaries that humans needed to overcome.
The professor, Arya, stood up in the huge auditorium and spoke to the new students. Her voice rang with heavyweight instances of expeditions and discoveries.
"Portals reach from F-class to SSS-class and even stellar and interstellar levels, so the challenge before us is making a breakthrough in those dimensions to collect their resources.".
You, the new generation, are its bedrock. Prepare your minds to participate in this marvelous adventure."
Rook slipped to the back row, never taking his eyes off of Professor Arya. Her words echoed around the hall, he could envision far-off worlds and fearsome creatures.
The students applauded, the sound booming across the auditorium. Rook's heart raced. It was no ordinary university; it was a doorway to adventure, jeopardy, and discovery. He just couldn't wait to head into the unknown.
——
Rook entered the classroom; his heart was racing with excitement and hope. The room itself was a wonder in terms of human technology: white marble benches inlaid with Neuralink connections, holographic panels replacing the conventional computers.
A huge hologram of the universe showing human-occupied territories replaced the old, grimy blackboards.
This wasn't high technology new to Rook—he saw it all every day.
With the students trickling in, they murmured about their new beginnings.
"We can begin our new lives all over again," one student boldly declared, his voice full of inspiration and anticipation.
"Yeah, between the beasts." another student came back, popping his bubble of laughs.
Through the chatter, a boy with striking blue hair and a different hunting suit radiating more essence than what was in the room had entered.
He was dressed to the nines, from the overdressed suit to the accessories adorning his body. His eyes scoured the room, obviously looking for something.
"Here we go," Rook muttered under his breath as he hoped the rich kid wouldn't notice him. "Please, God, don't let him come over here."
But once again, his silent prayer wasn't answered. The boy with blue hair beelined for Rook and plopped down beside him.
"What's your name, my friend?" the boy asked with a tone that brooked no refusal.
Rook nodded briefly, hoping things would end there so he could continue onward.
"Hey, speak up. Can't you talk? Don't worry, from now on we're friends. You can ask for any help," said the boy, command in his tone rather than friendliness.
"I don't want your friendship. Please leave," Rook croaked, his voice hoarse with frustration.
"No," the boy said flatly, leaving Rook expressionless and stunned at the sheer audacity. Never before had he met someone so determined to ram them with friendship upon first meeting.
"If I say I'll be your friend, I will," the boy with blue hair declared. And no one—not even you—will ever change my mind." He said all this in that sort of tone that left Rook in shock. How had his life, with the ending in such a hard-nosed companion?
He realized just how his journey had turned uncertain once more with this absolutely unwanted drama.