Chapter 1: The Day the World Burned
Episode 1 — The Ungifted Dream
People were screaming.
"RUN!!"
Buildings burned as flames swallowed the streets. Smoke filled the sky while demons rampaged through the city, tearing apart homes like paper. Cars exploded. Concrete shattered.
A man stood trembling, shielding his wife and children behind him.
"SOMEONE HELP US!!!" he shouted desperately.
A demon charged toward them — its claws raised, its mouth split into a monstrous grin.
The father closed his eyes.
Please… God… save my family.
—Slash!
Warm blood splashed across the ground.
Silence followed.
The father slowly opened his eyes.
Standing before him was a boy wearing a long white coat. Blonde hair swayed gently in the burning wind. A demon's body collapsed behind him, cleanly cut in half.
The boy turned back with a calm smile.
"Are you alright?"
The mother clutched her child tightly, eyes wide with shock. Before they could thank him, the boy simply smiled again… and walked away into the chaos.
The young son stared after him.
"Father… who was that?"
The father exhaled shakily.
"…A Demon Hunter."
He looked toward the battlefield where more warriors fought monsters.
"People with special abilities. They fight demons to protect humanity."
The daughter tilted her head.
"Where do they get those powers?"
"Some are born with them," the father said. "And some… are chosen by the gods."
The boy's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Dad… can I become a Demon Hunter too?"
The father blinked in surprise before smiling warmly.
"…If you train hard enough. Or maybe… God will choose you."
The boy's face lit up with joy.
That day—
I made my decision.
Years passed.
The world changed.
The sun now shone peacefully over protected cities. Cars moved through clean streets. People waited calmly for trains.
After the Demon Wars, humanity built massive barriers — divine walls protecting ordinary people from demons still roaming outside.
Those inside the barrier without powers were called—
The Ungifted.
Inside a small apartment, winter air drifted through an open window.
A teenage boy rolled in his sleep—
THUD!
"Ow…"
He groaned from the floor and stared at the ceiling before slowly sitting up.
On the wall hung an old photograph.
A younger version of himself stood beside his father, both smiling peacefully.
The boy sighed.
He looked outside the window.
"The world really changed…"
Beyond the barrier, demons still existed. Inside, people lived normal lives… powerless and safe.
He stood up straight.
"My name is Aruto Kurasaki."
He clenched his fist.
"And my goal… is to become a Demon Hunter."
It had been his dream since childhood.
A memory flashed—
"Can I become one too, Dad?"
"Of course. Train hard… and maybe God will choose you."
The memory faded.
Aruto nodded firmly.
"Then I'll keep training."
He dropped to the floor.
100 push-ups.
100 sit-ups.
100 squats.
Without stopping.
Sweat dripped as he stood before his mirror, revealing a well-trained body.
"I've done this every day…"
His reflection stared back seriously.
"Today is the day."
Once every week, the Church opened the Gate of Awakening, where gods granted abilities to chosen humans.
Those accepted would enter Hunter Academy.
Those rejected…
Would be sent outside the barrier to fight demons anyway.
Aruto grabbed his black school uniform.
"I'm ready."
He jumped out the window, landing smoothly before sprinting through the streets with a huge smile.
"WAIT!!"
The train doors began closing.
Aruto leapt inside just in time.
"I made it…"
Suddenly—
BANG!
A red-haired boy slammed against the doors as they reopened.
"I MADE IT TOO!"
He stepped in, breathing heavily.
Aruto laughed.
"What time did you wake up?"
The boy pointed accusingly.
"I could ask you the same! I saw you running like crazy!"
"I was NOT!"
Their foreheads nearly touched as tension rose—
The train suddenly jerked forward.
Both boys crashed to the floor.
"OW!"
They stood—
The train turned again.
CRASH!
Their heads slammed together.
"WATCH IT!" they shouted at the same time.
"Stop copying me!"
"No, YOU stop!"
Before fists could fly—
BONK! BONK!
A girl punched both of them.
"Sit down."
They froze.
"…Yes."
Passengers applauded quietly.
Later, they arrived at a massive church hall filled with nervous students.
An elderly man in ceremonial robes stood before them.
"Silence."
No one listened.
He sighed and snapped his fingers.
A violent wind exploded outward. The floor cracked beneath their feet.
Instant silence.
Aruto's eyes widened.
So this… is a Demon Hunter's power.
The old man smiled.
"When the gods grant abilities… some among you may even become successors of the legendary Seven Gods."
Gasps filled the room.
"You will be ranked into Classes A through D at Hunter Academy. If you fail…"
His smile faded.
"You will fight demons outside the barrier immediately."
Fear spread through the crowd.
One boy grinned instead — the red-haired one.
"A survival battle… I like it."
Aruto clenched his fists.
No… I want power to protect people.
One by one, students awakened.
"Class D."
Whispers spread.
The red-haired boy shouted angrily before guards dragged him away.
Then—
"Next. Aruto Kurasaki."
His heartbeat thundered.
The old man touched his forehead.
Light swallowed everything.
Aruto opened his eyes inside a white void.
An ancient god sat before him.
"If I grant you power," the god asked calmly,
"What will you do with it?"
Aruto's heart pounded.
Words escaped his mouth—
"I'll destroy the world… become the strongest… and crush anyone stronger than me."
His eyes widened in horror.
Why did I say that?!
The god only smiled.
"I see."
Snap.
Aruto awoke.
"…Class D."
More whispers.
Another failure.
He was escorted away silently.
At Class D's building, broken windows and cracked walls greeted them.
"This place is a dump…" the red-haired boy muttered.
A sunglasses-wearing teacher smiled.
"Welcome to Class D."
Inside, students ignored everything.
The red-haired boy stepped forward.
A massive fireball formed in his hand—
BOOM!
Explosion outside.
Everyone turned.
"My name is Taichi Takahashi!" he declared proudly.
"I'll become the strongest and lead this class!"
Aruto watched in awe.
Fire…
From the back, a black-haired girl calmly closed her book.
"I challenge you."
Gasps spread instantly.
"The Nozumi family never loses…"
She stood.
"Yunaka Nozumi."
Battle erupted outside.
Fire clashed against a sword born from imagination itself.
Shockwaves tore through the air.
Aruto trembled.
They're monsters…
Finally, Taichi collapsed from exhaustion.
Yunaka turned.
Her blade pointed directly at Aruto.
"You wanted to fight too."
His hands shook.
Flashbacks filled his mind — endless training, boxing, martial arts, determination.
He stepped forward.
"I won't back down."
He charged.
The ground cracked beneath his step.
His punch collided with her sword—
CRACK.
The blade shattered.
Silence.
His fist struck her stomach—
BOOM!
Yunaka slammed into the wall.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Aruto looked down at his own hand.
"…Did my training actually pay off?"To Be continue