The protagonist begins by recounting the origin of the monsters and the five regions that currently exist.
Noru Takeda
In this world, there have always been two forces that maintain the balance between life and death. We are all part of this cycle through our aura. However, five hundred years ago, that cycle was broken.
The great powers began a war. For five years, they ravaged the planet with their most powerful weapons in a struggle for global control.
Then, one day, everything changed. The balance between the two forces was disrupted, and darkness swept across the world—reviving the dead and causing strange mutations that, even today, have no explanation.
The constant wars weakened the nations. Everything was wiped out in the blink of an eye.
As the years passed, an organization emerged, dedicated to hunting monsters and reclaiming the cities that had been overtaken.
Four hundred years have gone by since then. My family moved a few years ago after my mother died during the invasion of Sazuma. I don't remember much about that day. My father told us that a Diamond-rank hunter was the one who saved us.
Since then, only one idea has occupied my mind: becoming one of them. I want to be one of the Ten Diamonds—the strongest hunters in the world.
And today, I finally have the chance to take the entrance exam for the organization. I worked hard at the academy for this moment, and I refuse to let it slip away.
(The city can be seen through the window of the protagonist's room. The focus shifts inside the room: a poster of a black silhouette with the heading "Rottenrow." At the bottom of the poster: "Where the best hunters are born.")
(Scene change. He arrives at the dining room, visibly excited. His sister is sitting at the table having breakfast, and their father can be seen in the kitchen. 6:00 a.m.)
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)Wow, you're up early. Who would've thought that was even possible?
Noru TakedaToday is an important day. I can't afford to miss this opportunity just because I showed up late.
(Their father enters the dining room carrying two plates and hands one to his son.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Good morning, son… So you're really decided. You're going to take the exam…Don't you think it might be better to wait one more year? Just as a precaution, so you can be more prepared.(The atmosphere turns serious; the father looks worried.)
Noru TakedaDad, we already talked about this. I have to take the exam. I didn't qualify during the selection period for the past two years, but this year I truly feel ready. I know I can do it.
Makoto Takeda (Father)(Takes a deep breath.) I can't stop you from taking the exam. Your mother would have wanted me to respect your decision. It's just… I still haven't fully come to terms with you choosing this path in life.(He smiles with a hint of resignation.) Not everyone can live knowing that a loved one could die at any moment.(The tension fades.) I just want you to be careful.
Noru TakedaDon't worry, Dad. I understand your concern, but I'll be fine. One day, you'll see me as a very renowned hunter.
Makoto Takeda (Father)I'm sure I will. Now finish your food—we need to head to the train station.
(Scene change. Train station, with only a few people around. Reference image.)
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)(Pushes him.) Alright, big brother, get on the train already. Come on, come on—the faster you leave, the sooner I can take over your room.
Noru Takeda(Hits her lightly on the head.) You selfish little brat. Now I see why you were so supportive of the idea of me joining the hunters' organization.
(The father enters the scene.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Here's your ticket, son. The District of Fame—a very interesting place. I've heard that the legacy of the most famous hunters in history is displayed there, in the museum at the heart of the city.
Noru TakedaThat's what I've heard too. That location was chosen for the museum in honor of one of the organization's greatest hunters, who was born there.
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)It's just a legend, Noru. Besides, the statues and weapons they display there are nothing more than replicas, and none of the statues even have faces.
(Noru reacts with visible annoyance.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Well, what matters is that you'll be able to take the exam. Do your best—maybe someday you'll be someone as famous as your father.
Noru Takeda(Embarrassed.) Of course, because architects are extremely famous these days.
Makoto Takeda (Father)I'm not just an architect. I'm THE architect. Say that at the organization, and I guarantee you'll make plenty of friends instantly.
Noru TakedaAh… right, I'll do that. Well, it's time for me to go.
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)(Hugs him before he leaves.) Good luck, big brother. I'll miss you.
Noru TakedaI'll miss you too, Oyuki.
(He boards the train as it begins to move, leaning out the window to say goodbye.)
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)Alright, he's gone now. (She brushes off her hands.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Yes. Now you and I are going to talk about why you know so much about the District of Fame.(He looks annoyed.) As far as I remember, I never took you on any trips.(Oyuki looks worried.)
(The train's journey through the city is shown. After that, a massive wall appears on the outskirts: on one side, green fields and scattered trees; on the other, the ruins of cities, a barren, dark land, and withered trees.)
(Scene change. Arrival at the station in the District of Fame.)
Noru Takeda(Gets off carrying a suitcase.) I finally made it. Where could my guide be? The letter said someone would pick me up at the station.
(He starts walking around, searching the area. He spots the public restrooms and decides to go inside.)
Noru TakedaLooks like they haven't arrived yet. Maybe I still have time to do a little sightseeing.
(A gas bomb slides in under the bathroom door. The scene shifts outside the restroom where Noru was—gas can be seen leaking out, followed by a loud impact against the door. Everything goes black.)
(Noru wakes up on a bed outside a building with glass doors. Beside him are more beds with other people—some still asleep, others waking up. In the distance, there are stone decorations, clusters of trees, and several battle towers.)
Noru TakedaWhere am I? The last thing I remember is going to the bathroom.(He reads the sign on the building.) "Administration"?!So… this is the entrance to the organization? But how did I get here? I hope they can explain what's going on inside.
(He enters and lines up. There are two people ahead of him.)
VoiceNext.
Noru TakedaWow… if this really is the hunters' organization, there are fewer people than I expected for the exam.
VoiceNext.
Noru Takeda(Looks around.) But the people who came here all look incredibly strong. Just their presence alone sends chills down my spine.
VoiceNext.
Noru TakedaGood morning. Excuse me, could you tell me if this is—
Receptionist(Interrupts him.) Your aspirant pass, please.
Noru TakedaAspirant pass? Ah, you must mean the letter. Here you go.
(The receptionist begins searching his name on a computer. A holographic screen appears as the official seal of the organization is scanned.)
Noru Takeda(Excited.) So this really is the hunters' organization. And… could you tell me how I ended up here? I don't remember anything.(Embarrassed.)
ReceptionistVery well. Here you are. Go down the corridor at the back on the left—Portal Number 1, green. Here is your band; place it on your right arm, and take your survival kit as well.
Noru Takeda(Inner thought.) She completely ignored my question.(He frowns.)
ReceptionistNext.
Noru Takeda(Heads toward the room he was directed to.) What is all this? A bracelet and an armband… I don't get it. Has the exam already started?(His expression turns serious.)
(He enters the room. There are three portals, each with a number displayed above.)
Noru TakedaThese must be the portals they told us about at the academy. They transport people from one place to another in just a few seconds. This is the first time I've ever seen one.(He grows excited.)
Noru TakedaIt's time.(He runs straight into the portal, passes through—and crashes into a wall.)
Noru TakedaOw! Right… for it to work, you're supposed to wait a few seconds in the middle of the portal.
(He steps into the portal again and disappears.)
(He appears at another portal inside a small sanctuary. He opens the door and sees wooden cabins and large wooden buildings all around, stone paths, and people walking about, carrying out their tasks.)
Noru TakedaThis is different from what I'm used to seeing. There aren't many people, and the atmosphere is very calm.
(He starts walking through the village.)
VoiceHey—wait!!!
Fakuro (Owl)Hello! Sorry for the delay. You're Noru Takeda, right? My name is Fakuro. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Noru TakedaNice to meet you, Fakuro. So, are you the one who's going to explain what's going on here?
Fakuro (Owl)Something like that. I'm your assigned hunter guide. Follow me—I'll explain the details along the way.
(They leave the village, crossing a small plain toward a forest filled with trees and dense shrubs.)
Fakuro (Owl)You see, in order to take the exam, you're assigned a hunter guide. That guide explains how to use the items you were given in the administrative building.
The band you should be wearing is your identification within the hunters' organization. It shows your hunter rank based on its color and embroidery. Since you're an aspirant, your band is white, with no embroidered insignia.
(Noru looks at the band and notices a symbol.)
Noru TakedaAnd what does the symbol inside the band mean?
Fakuro (Owl)That's the emblem of the nation you belong to.
Noru TakedaI see. I remember hearing about them at the academy—the four great nations. Each one protects one of the Orbs of the End, in order to maintain peace and balance in the world.
Fakuro (Owl)Sounds like someone was the class genius. I used to be the annoying friend who always got people into trouble—but let's not stray from the topic.
The nations are identified as follows: a lion for the nation of Egoland, a serpent for the nation of Slander, a deer for the nation of Karma, and a panda for Rottenrow.
Now, let's talk about your survival ki—
(He suddenly stops and fixes his gaze on a nearby bush.)
Noru TakedaFakuro, are you alright?
Fakuro (Owl)Shhh. Stay quiet. Look at that bush.
(Something emerges from the bushes.)
Noru TakedaA rabbit? It's cute, but what's so special about it?
(Fakuro has disappeared.)(Noru looks surprised.)
Noru TakedaFakuro? Where did you go?(Whispers.)
(He turns back toward the rabbit.)
Fakuro (Owl)HOO HOOO!!!
(Fakuro can be seen lifting the rabbit with his legs as he vanishes into the trees.)
Fakuro (Owl)(Appears beside Noru.) Look, I caught it. Tonight, I'll be having meat for dinner.
Noru TakedaSo you usually eat rabbits?
Fakuro (Owl)Sometimes. They're abundant in this forest. But I don't come around here very often—at night, this place is extremely dangerous. Come on, let's keep moving.
Noru TakedaAlright.
Fakuro (Owl)Now, where was I? Right—the survival kit. If you touch the screen on the bracelet, a panel will project showing everything stored inside.(Noru follows along as Fakuro explains.)You can think of it as your inventory.
Inside, you'll find the basics for survival: a sword, a pickaxe, an axe, and a hoe. These will be all of your tools.
Noru TakedaWait, but they're made of wood. Does this thing even cut?(He pulls the sword out of the holographic inventory.)
Fakuro (Owl)(Takes the sword and slices Noru's palm.)
Noru TakedaOw!
Fakuro (Owl)See? It cuts. Let's continue.(He tosses the sword aside.)
You'll also find three bottles of water, two tubes of Hinero, and two of Sealant. Hinero is red—it prevents death from high temperatures, atmospheric pressure, or toxic gases while you're mining.
Sealant is the blue one. It's used on wounds. Pour however much you think is necessary, and the injury will heal quickly. It's meant to keep you from bleeding out before you can make it back to the organization to receive proper treatment—but it has its limits.
Fakuro (Owl)Any questions?
Noru TakedaNo, none at all. You explained everything very clearly.
Fakuro (Owl)(Boastful.) Not to brag, but I'm the best at this. By the way, we've arrived.
(Camera pans over a forested area—a clear space at the center where sunlight pours in.)
Noru TakedaAlright… and where exactly are we supposed to be?
Fakuro (Owl)I don't know. The order was to take you as far away from the central village as possible.
Noru TakedaWhat?!
Fakuro (Owl)The exam begins now, kid. If you're lucky, you might survive until dawn. Goodbye.
Noru TakedaWait—don't go. I still have so many questions.(His expression turns sad.)