The wind howled mercilessly through the narrow Tokyo alleyways, carrying with it the smell of rain and exhaust.
Kazuki Ren pulled his hoodie tighter as the drizzle soaked through his thin jacket. The city lights flickered in the puddles beneath his feet like distant stars—mocking him, perhaps, or simply indifferent to his existence.
His stomach growled again.
He hadn't eaten since yesterday.
The world wasn't kind to people like him. Orphans rarely had anyone looking out for them. His parents had died in an accident when he was just a child, and since then, life had been nothing but a long, lonely road. Foster homes, part-time jobs, sleeping in internet cafés — that was his reality.
But tonight... tonight was different.
He heard the screech of tires and turned instinctively.
At the intersection, a luxury car had lost control, skidding toward the pedestrian crosswalk where a little girl stood frozen, eyes wide in terror.
Without thinking, Ren sprinted forward.
"MOVE!" he screamed, his voice cracking.
The girl didn't move. The car was seconds away.
He dove, wrapping his arms around her tiny body and rolling across the asphalt as the car smashed into the nearby lamp post with a metallic scream.
Pain exploded in his ribs. His head hit the ground hard. Blood filled his mouth. He barely managed to glance at the child—safe and unharmed.
Then... everything went black.
The sensation of floating overwhelmed him.
There was no pain here. No noise. No city. Just emptiness.
And then—a voice.
"You have proven yourself worthy, Kazuki Ren."
The voice was deep, ancient, and carried an otherworldly echo.
"Who… who are you?" Ren whispered into the void.
"I am the Gatekeeper. Your soul has been chosen. You may abandon your broken world and be reborn into another. A world of magic, monsters, and endless possibilities. But beware — power comes with a price."
"I don't… I don't want anything. I just wanted to save her."
"Even so, you will receive what destiny has chosen. Do you accept this new life?"
For the first time in years, Ren felt something stir inside him — hope.
"Yes," he whispered.
"I accept.
When Ren awoke, it was under the gentle warmth of two suns.
He blinked, staring up at a sky painted with hues of violet and gold. Birds with translucent wings flew overhead. The grass beneath him glowed faintly as if lit by some inner energy.
He sat up, his body unfamiliar—stronger, taller. His hands were no longer frail. His reflection in a nearby crystal-clear pond showed sharp, defined features, silver hair that fell messily over glowing blue eyes.
This… isn't Earth.
Is this... the new world?
"Ah, you're awake."
The voice startled him. Turning around, he saw an elderly man in long, flowing robes, holding a wooden staff.
"I am Grandmaster Albrecht of the Arcanum Guild. Welcome to Eldoria, young one."
"Eldoria?" Ren repeated, still dizzy.
"Yes. A land of hunters, beasts, monarchs, and ancient magic."
The old man's eyes glimmered.
"You are one of the rare Summoned. Fated to change the destiny of this realm."
As they walked through the forest, Albrecht explained the basics.
Hunters were individuals who protected the realms from the monstrous beasts that lurked in the wildlands.
Magic flowed like air here, and dungeons spawned dangerous creatures — goblins, wyverns, corrupted beasts, and even the cursed beings of the Abyss.
But none more dangerous than... the Monarch of Death.
"One hundred years ago, the Monarch was sealed beneath the Obsidian Abyss. But dark cults seek his return."
Albrecht's voice dropped to a whisper.
"If he awakens, this world will fall into eternal darkness."
Ren clenched his fists.
"And what am I supposed to do with all this?"
"You carry a unique blessing. Something even the Monarch fears."
"A blessing?"
Albrecht tapped his staff against the ground.
A glowing sigil appeared beneath Ren's feet.
"You, Kazuki Ren, are the Soulbinder — the only being capable of absorbing and evolving the essence of defeated enemies."
"Absorbing... their essence?"
"Yes. You will grow stronger by devouring the souls of beasts and foes alike, gaining new abilities, skills, and traits with each victory. But…"
The old man's eyes darkened.
"Lose control, and you may become the very thing you were chosen to fight."
By nightfall, Ren was taken to Arcanum City — a towering kingdom surrounded by magical barriers.
The towering guild halls. The floating airships. The dazzling crystal market—all of it looked like something pulled from a fantasy novel.
But what caught Ren's attention was the Hunter Coliseum — where new recruits tested their skills.
He would start at the very bottom, as an F-Rank hunter.
The next morning, Ren stood in the evaluation arena.
Dozens of guild leaders, hunters, and nobles watched from elevated platforms. Some whispered mockingly.
"Another Summoned weakling, probably won't last a week."
"Look at him. He doesn't even have a weapon."
The examiner, a tall muscular man, barked.
"Begin!"
From the other side of the arena, three goblin warriors emerged — ugly, snarling creatures wielding rusty daggers.
Ren had no weapon. No armor. Just himself.
As the goblins charged, something inside him awakened.
Focus… breathe… trust this new body.
The first goblin lunged — Ren sidestepped with impossible speed, grabbing its throat and snapping its neck in a fluid motion.
The second goblin attacked — Ren spun, grabbing its arm and slamming it headfirst into the ground with brutal force.
The last one froze, terrified.
A strange, purple light flickered around Ren's hands.
Soulbind: Extraction Initiated.
The goblin's life essence was sucked out, swirling like vapor into Ren's chest.
[Skill Acquired: Enhanced Reflexes (Lv.1)]
The entire coliseum fell into stunned silence.
Albrecht smiled proudly.
The nobles sat upright.
"Impossible," someone whispered.
"He's absorbing skills?!"
Ren stood tall, eyes cold.
"Who's next?"
And then — in the crowd — a pair of eyes observed him intensely.
A girl with fiery crimson hair, dressed in black hunter armor, smirked as she crossed her arms.
Her aura was sharp, dangerous — like a predator eyeing fresh prey.
Interesting... you might just be worth my time, rookie.
Her name?
Aria Nightshade — the infamous A-Rank huntress known for breaking hearts and skulls alike.
And unknown to Ren, this was only the beginning.