APRIL 21, 2005 // 1:47:36 PM // 1 YEAR AND 2 MONTHS AFTER THE IMPACT.

THE MRC HQ MAIN ROOM.

Around 950 researches gave their lives away, gathering around the Unidentified Object that impacted the Earth roughly 1 year ago. It was almost 15 kilometers high, and it's width was almost as long as the city radius of an average 1 million populated American city. It was a giant sphere made of some sort of metal alloy, which had no windows or doors on its surface.

It was unknown if the object, which looked like a very advanced tower, had any doors. But they did know that the object was capable of drilling into the Earth, and that it would create a hole through the crust and into the mantle.

A few hours ago, the MRC decided to send in a team of scientists to investigate this mysterious tower. Each time they sent researches to the tower, they were never heard from again. Something was lurking in the crater... Monsters... Angreifers... as we all call it.

We were all sitting in the MRC Headquarters, in the main room, seeing this being broadcast by one of the researchers in close proximity of the tower. The sound quality was a little off, but the resolution was quite fine, and the live video was understandable.

// "We are close by the tower, Commander Yogi! We are currently not in contact with any Angreifers, but I will say this... The noise the tower generates is very loud!" \\ said the researcher broadcasting, coming closer to the tower.

// "The tower emits a very dangerous neurotoxin! It's toxic enough to kill hundred-thousands of us, even with enough protection. Most of us already died trying to touch the tower! \\

The tower emitted a low hum like the researches described it, but it sounded more like a migraine-inducing screech from the bad sound quality of the broadcast. I swear, I want to cover my ears, it's annoying.

I look around the main room. Every seat was filled and the people who couldn't sit were standing up, looking at the screen like everyone. The girl sitting next to me was named Kiyomi Masada. Many people in the MRC Headquarters call her a prodigy, but I don't even know why she is, and for what she became a prodigy about.

She wears an armoured red dress, and has long, beautiful blonde hair. She's so beautiful, it's like she has a shiny aura around her.

"Hey, uhh..." I try to make small talk with the prodigy. "I.... urm... I see that people respect you a lot... May I ask why that's the case?" The prodigy turned her head to me, looking at me. I look scrawny, dirty and pathetic compared to her.

"Oh! You're talking to me?" She asks. Judging by her quick question, that means that there are more prodigies just like her. Cool!

"Y-yeah! I heard that you were really good at hunting Angreifers based on the last Mankind Tower Excursion... People couldn't stop talking about you, how you smashed and killed 10 Angreifers in one fell swoop!"

"Ahahaha! That was pure luck, little girl!" Did she just... call me a little girl? I'm not little! I'm scrawny!

"My Auralized Weapon failed to work while those Angreifers dashed at me. I had to expand my A.A Field to buy myself more time to restart my weapon." I assume that Auralized Weapons are powered by science, because who else would think of a name so lame?! Scientists... so goofy sometimes.

"How did you kill them if you were compromised?" I ask, curious to know how she succeeded.

"I used Commander Yogi's Vivilianus."

Vivilianus? I assume that's the name Commander Yogi gave his... Auralized Weapon.

"Ah... I... I see." I fake a smile to keep the conversation going. I can feel her getting bored of this. "So... what do they call you?" I ask quickly.

"Huh? Like my name? Or my rank?" Kiyomi asked me, confused by what I meant.

"They refer to you by your rank?!" I raise my voice. Everybody was looking at me in frustration and disappointment. "S-sorry." I scratch the back of my head and laugh it off as I sit down and continue talking to the prodigy.

"Haha! It's okay, little girl. My name's Masada Kiyomi, but they call me a Super Prospect Hunter." In Japan, surnames come before the first name. It's a rather unique way of stressing someone's surname, to respect them. But... calling someone by their respected rank, it sounds professional.

"Ah, Masada-sama... It's a honour to meet you!" I try to keep a nice atmosphere between us. I really want to get to know her. She seems like a dependable person.

She smiles, showing perfect teeth. Her smile makes me feel warm inside, despite the fact that she looks intimidating. "What's your name, little girl? You look like you just came from outside, trying to avoid Angreifers. Are you going to apply to become a hunter?"

Hunter... I forgot that the sole reason I was inside this headquarters was that I wanted to apply and train myself to become a hunter.

"My name's Tokuda Kaori, Masada-san... And yes, I'm here to become an Angreifer Hunter." My words were ragefully motivated. "I want to destroy and kill those filthy Angreifers... and I want that tower obliterated... annihilated." I stress my words to make myself perfectly clear.

"Haha! Don't we all?" Kiyomi laughs, smiling widely. She then turns back towards the screen and continues watching the live feed of the tower. I felt embarrassed. "We all want that tower destroyed and gone. Earth is in danger, and we may very well say goodbye to our planet and ourselves if we fail to exterminate the source."

Her sentence sends shivers down my spine. Her way of talking is scary, uncomfortable, but yet motivating. She knows exactly what needs to happen, and she wants it done right away. I admire her courage, she really does talk like a high-rank.

"That is why most people refuse to become hunters. They are scared. They want to crawl into their little holes and wait it out. They are scared to die, which gives them more of a reason to avoid becoming hunters. Those same people starve to death, fight us because they think we're incompetent, while we try everything in our power to save our precious Earth. They start needless riots in the safe zone, because they are always panicking."

"But... there must be some people who still wish to become Hunters... Why aren't they applying to join?" I ask, feeling a little disappointed in humanity.

"There are many reasons for that." Kiyomi replies. "Some people are suicidal, others are lazy even and some other people lack motivation - Even if they wanted to become Hunters, we don't have enough, weapons to give them, equipment and food. All of our lodges and bunkers are already very full." She continues.

"Some people are also afraid of dying and having no afterlife, since the MRC doesn't provide any form of religion nor faith, which I agree that what they are doing is a good idea. It's stupid to think about religion, or be religious at all. Not at the moment. If we really had a God, then wouldn't God do everything in His power to reverse the situation? Delete all Angreifers to save 'His Best Creation' which is us humans?" She questions herself.

"Then there are people who have families and friends that need taking care of... So they prefer staying alive instead of risking their lives..." She kept going. I just watch and listen to her ramble on and on about it.

"And then there are other people who believe that killing Angreifers won't help solve anything. The Impact has severely destroyed Earth itself. Do you remember the Great Famine a few months after the tower struck the Earth?" She asked me.

"...Yeah... Temperatures fell down and crops started going bad. I remember feeling hungry for several days on end because we had no food. We also had no way to scavenge for food or even get food from other people." I reply honestly.

That famine hit the world pretty hard. People died of thirst, died of starvation, committed suicide because they either did not want to get mauled Angreifers or simply couldn't handle the hunger anymore... Most people even committed suicide because they simply gave up trying to believe in the impossible thought that humanity would return to normal.

The Impact also caused a terrifying, freezing winter that still lasts today. It was cold enough to freeze lakes, rivers and seas over completely, making water sources scarce in certain regions. More and more people died to the unbearable freezing temperatures. Some areas got too dry, causing fires to break out, destroying homes, forests and farmland in its wake. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that people lost all hope. So much has happened in one year.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Because of the famine, life as we know it is closer to extinction than before. We've all lost hope, but people like you, who are trying their utmost best to become hunters... That is what we need."

She said to me as she looked me dead in the eye. "You see, there are only two ways to survive: Either we wait and cower in fear as the Angreifers kill us all; Or we take action and hunt down every last one of these Angreifers and eradicate them once and for all."

"So what will happen now... Do I go to training first?" I asked, hoping for an answer as soon as possible.

"Precisely. They'll test your physical capabilities until they find out whether or not you qualify to become a Hunter." She replied. "They'll also keep your mental health in check. If you pass your test, you will be injected with a substance that unlocks your A.A Field. You will also get a Auralized Weapon of your own choice, as well as a basic survival kit." She continued.

"However, if you fail to complete the tests successfully within three weeks, they'll send you off to another facility where you can train without the pressure of a deadline." She explained.

I nod my head slowly at her words. There were so many things that needed answering right away. My mind is racing with thoughts of how difficult it might actually be to succeed in becoming a hunter.

"I see potential in you, Kaori-san. Don't be scared of what's to come. Let go of who you once were and start anew as a hunter with no background. That is how we work." Kiyomi added to put me at ease, which really didn't work.

I nod in reluctance and continue watching the live broadcast of the tower.

APRIL 21, 2005 // 7:10:22 PM

MRC NORTH FACILITY.

"Woah... this place is huge!" The white marbles on the building is taking my breath away. How can a building look so beautiful and so clean when the world just went through several apocalypses? This reminds me of something out of a movie set. I'm getting goosebumps as I walk towards the entrance door. The air feels fresh and cool against my skin. It smells like nothing else except for the faint scent of flowers coming from somewhere nearby.

As I enter into the lobby area, I hear someone talking behind me.

"Oh wow! Look at that marble flooring. And those chandeliers hanging from the ceiling... Ahhh! I'm getting so excited just being in this place!" A rather enthusiastic person rambled on behind me.

"Now's not the time to review marble flooring or whatever, Tsugumi." So her name is Tsugumi. I check Tsugumi behind me. She looks smaller and younger than me. A 12 year old at maximum. The other person who's a lot bigger must be her big brother. He seems to be my age judging by his height alone. He has blonde hair, blue eyes, a scrawny build.

"But, Onii-chan... the flooring looks so cool... the safe zone looks like crap compared to this heaven!" She continued, which probably pissed her brother off a little. He then sighed heavily and walked past me and stood beside his sister. He seemed annoyed by his sister and let out a deep sigh. "Don't call me that here..."

Have they also applied to become a Hunter? But that girl... is like 12 years old. Isn't that a little odd?

Before entering the testing room itself, we're given a quick tour of the facilities available inside. As we entered a hallway lined by glass walls, we could see various rooms filled with equipment that resemble medical tools. Next was a large conference hall full of desks that had computers connected to each desk. Then there was a giant auditorium that reminded me of a church.

After passing through yet another hallway that led to our destination, I finally saw the Testing Room.

"Woah... This is ridiculously big..." I mutter. It was almost as large as an arena, suitable for fighting and running around, pretty much everything for testing.

"First time?" The big brother of the little child spoke to me in a sophisticated manner. From what came out of his mouth, he must've been here before.

"First... time? You've been here before?" I ask the tall guy.

"I have, for my little sister here." He pat her little sister on the head. "Hey! Stop that!" The little girl yelled out.

I let out a little chuckle, before continuing. "Well, was the testing excruciating just like Masada-san told me?"

The boy nodded his head in agreement while looking down at his shoes. "It wasn't easy. We did all sorts of weird stuff." He said quietly. He looked up again at me, noticing my frown. "But it honestly gets easier when you got the basics down, trust me." He smiled reassuringly at me.

I give him a small smile in return and shake my head slightly. "Well... I can't back down now. I'm here and I'm going to succeed." I say confidently, making sure he heard every word clearly. I don't want to lose to anyone here. Not even myself.

"That's the spirit!" He responded.

"What about me?! I'm your sister and you haven't said anything nice to me!" Tsugumi punched her big brother's thigh. Her expression became angry and sad simultaneously.

Her older brother rubbed his leg where she hit him and turned around to face her. "Atleast you can punch hard, which gives you an advantage for someone your age, hehe."

Tsugumi was about to give her big brother another punch, but the big brother ran around so Tsugumi wasn't able to. Lovely banter between them. Today's going very well.

The big door behind us closed. I turn and I see a tall man with white hair and red eyes. He was muscular and big. Probably over 6'5".

A short middle aged woman wearing glasses walks forward. She looks like a teacher in high school. She smiles warmly at everyone present before walking straight ahead towards the center of the room. "Over here, trainees." She called for us.

I look around and see around 6 people walk to the center of the room, while I stay where I am and wonder who she is. "In the back, you too." She called for me with a voice I believe screams disappointment. I hastily make my way to the center of the room, where the other trainees stand.

The instructor then begins speaking. "Hello there. My name is Himura Rira. I'll be conducting the training today. For those who have never been here before, please take note that this facility houses many different kinds of equipment and machines meant for research purposes only. Please keep that in mind as you proceed into the test area."

With that done, she turns to face the wall opposite from us and presses some buttons. There were several monitors that popped out of nowhere on top of the monitor panel that showed images of Angreifers attacking cities and towns across Earth. Some of these screens displayed footage taken by drones flying above the cityscape. Others show live feed from cameras placed strategically throughout the town. These videos play in silence until one particular video catches my attention.

There is an image showing a group of soldiers holding guns firing shots at a swarm of Angreifers. As soon as the first shot hits its mark, the rest of the bullets fly in unison to kill all the Angreifers in sight. But instead of dying immediately, the Angreifers seem unaffected by the bullet wounds inflicted upon them.

Then another video is played, which focuses on a hunter. The hunter was a tall woman with a muscular build. She held what looked like a spear glowing white. It must be her Auralized Weapon.

Her spear elongated all of a sudden and she started piercing the Angreifers from a safe distance, whilst blowing Angreifers away with what seems to be an A.A Field.

After watching this scene multiple times, I start feeling scared. Auralized Weapons.. Is that how we hunt Angreifers? That makes sense though.

"Some of you are probably wondering what the Hunter used to kill those Angreifers, so I will tell you all about it." The trainees stood still and listened to Rira, the instructor. "The Hunter uses special weapons known as Auralized Weapons. This weapon is powered by our own science. You can wish to apply a electrifying power to your weapon, a fiery power, or even powered by your own Artificial Aura Field."

She continued. "These Auralized Weapons are capable of doing things that normal weapons cannot do such as shoot lightning bolts, fireballs, ice shards, etcetera," Rira explained further.

Rira continues, "You may ask yourself why are we using Auralized Weapons if they're so powerful?"

The trainees looked at each other and started thinking about it. A trainee stepped forward to answer the question. "Because they help strengthen us?"

Rira nodded. "Of course it strengthens us, but what else do we use it for?"

"To make lightwork of those Angreifers."

Another trainee answered. "That's a good answer..."

Rira nodded to the trainee's answer. More and more questions come flooding through everyone's minds and the room goes silent.

Rira then speaks again. "Now that we know the purpose behind Auralized Weapons and the reason for making them stronger than regular firearms, let us move onto the next subject: How to control and activate Auralization. To begin with, Auralizing requires concentration; otherwise, nothing happens. So don't worry, no one's going to fail because of lack of focus!"

Everyone laughs nervously while nodding along with Rira. "Without a A.A Field, you're simply unable to use Auralization. So if you fail to break through the A.A Field unlocking threshold, don't rely on those Auralized Weapons when you fight because it'd be a useless prop and you'd be dancing to your death." Everyone laughed at the last part.

"So now that you've learned how to unlock your A.A Field, it'll take time before you actually master controlling one. For example, you'll need to go through more training to be able to master your A.A Field. A.A Field have levels. And once you reach Level 2, you should be ready to learn how to utilize Auralizations. Once you get there, you'll be taught how to properly use your Auralized Weapon."

A trainee stepped forward to answer a question. What courage. I wish I could ask questions without feeling scared or embarrassed.

"What's Level 1 then, Instructor Himura?"

Rira chuckled. "It is merely an indication that you have broken through the threshold. There is nothing special about this particular level. Around Level 3, you start to notice a difference. Level 4 is considered the minimum requirement needed to survive against a single Angreifer. From then onwards, you can only increase your survival chances by practicing and getting better at utilizing Auralization."

Rira looked around to find a chair to sit on, which is positioned left from where she was standing. I can only watch her in awe about how elegant she is with her movement, her body language and even her speech. Rira grabs the chair and sits on it, continuing.

"After that point, Level 5 is required to defeat a group of multiple Angreifiers together. You must continue increasing until you can beat a horde of Angreifers. The higher your level gets, the harder it will be to advance past that level. That's where the difficulty lies in becoming an expert in using Auralization."

More silence filled the air as Rira spoke calmly and slowly, looking around every few seconds to see who might interrupt her lecture. It seems like nobody wants to disrupt her teaching session.

I feel like my heart is beating faster right now...

An awkward silence fills the classroom as everyone looks at each other wondering whether to speak up first. Finally, someone steps up to the plate. "How long does it normally takes to reach Level 5? Is that possible?"

Rira chuckles softly as she answers the student. "Well, it depends on several factors. But generally speaking, it shouldn't take longer than three months to reach Level 5."

Rira checked the time on her watch and stood up. "It's time to start the testing. Remember. The first half an hour of testing is physical. We are going to see if you are strong and durable. The second half an hour is mental. We will be testing your mental endurance and stability. And lastly, in the last 30 minutes... All of you will engage in a last-man-standing battle royale. If you pass these tests successfully, you'll be allowed into the MRC!"

What?! Battle royale?! I have to... fight? Every trainee looked at each other in fear and reluctance to fight. This instructor... despite the elegance... sounds like trouble. So much trouble...

Is this the true nature of the MRC?