Noru TakedaIn this world, there have always been two forces that keep the balance between life and death.Everyone is part of that cycle through their aura… but five hundred years ago, that balance was broken.
The great powers went to war. For five years, they ravaged the planet, unleashing their most powerful weapons in pursuit of global control.
Then, one day… everything changed.
The balance between those two forces collapsed. Darkness spread across the world—reviving the dead and causing strange mutations that, even today, remain unexplained.
The constant wars weakened every nation. Everything was wiped out in the blink of an eye.
Years later, an organization emerged—dedicated to hunting monsters and reclaiming lost cities.
Four hundred years have passed since then.A few years ago, my family moved after my mother died during the Sazuma invasion… 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 thought has stayed in my mind—
I will become 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've worked hard for this at the academy… and I won't let this opportunity slip away.
(Scene: The city is seen through the protagonist's bedroom window. Cut inside the room. A poster shows a black silhouette with the heading "Rottenrow." At the bottom: "Where the greatest Hunters rise.")
(Scene change. Dining room, 6:00 AM. Noru enters excited. His sister is eating at the table. His father is in the kitchen.)
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)Wow, you're actually up early. Who would've thought?
Noru TakedaToday's important. I can't afford to miss this chance just because I showed up late.
(His father enters carrying two plates and hands one to Noru.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Good morning, son… So you've really made up your mind. You're going to take the exam…Don't you think it might be better to wait one more year? Just to be more prepared.
(Serious atmosphere. The father looks concerned.)
Noru TakedaDad, we already talked about this. I have to take it. I didn't qualify during the last two selection periods, but this year… I know I'm ready. I can do this.
Makoto Takeda (Father)(Sighs deeply)I won't stop you. Your mother would've wanted me to respect your decision…It's just… I'm still not used to the path you've chosen.(Faint, resigned smile)Not everyone can live knowing a loved one could die at any moment.(The tension softens)Just… be careful.
Noru TakedaDon't worry, Dad. I understand… but I'll be fine.One day, you'll see me as a well-known Hunter.
Makoto Takeda (Father)I'm sure I will. Now finish eating—we need to head to the train station.
(Scene change: Train station. Few people around.)
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)(Pushes him)Alright, get on already! The faster you leave, the sooner I can take over your room.
Noru Takeda(Bonks her on the head)You greedy brat… Now I see why you were so supportive of this.
(Their father enters.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Here's your ticket, son. The District of Fame… interesting place.I've heard the central museum displays the legacy of the greatest Hunters in history.
Noru TakedaThat's what I've heard. They chose that location to honor one of the organization's best Hunters, who was born there.
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)That's just a legend. Besides, everything there is fake—replicas.Even the statues don't have faces.
(Noru reacts, annoyed.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Well, what matters is that you'll take the exam. Do your best.Maybe one day you'll be as famous as your father.
Noru Takeda(Embarrassed)Right… because architects are so famous these days.
Makoto Takeda (Father)I'm not just an architect—I'm THE architect.Say that at the organization, and you'll make friends instantly.
Noru Takeda…Yeah, I'll do that.Well… time to go.
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)(Hugs him)Good luck, big brother. I'll miss you.
Noru TakedaI'll miss you too, Oyuki.
(He boards the train. It starts moving. He waves from the window.)
Oyuki Takeda (Sister)Alright, he's gone. (Dusts off her hands.)
Makoto Takeda (Father)Yes… and now you're going to explain why you know so much about the District of Fame.(Turns, annoyed)As far as I remember, I never took you there.
(Oyuki looks worried.)
(Montage: The train travels through the city. Then a massive wall appears outside. On one side: green fields and trees. On the other: ruins, barren land, and withered forests.)
(Scene change: Arrival at the District of Fame station.)
Noru Takeda(Steps off with a suitcase)Finally… Now where's my guide? The letter said someone would meet me here.
(He looks around, then notices public restrooms and walks in.)
Noru TakedaGuess they're not here yet… maybe I've got time to do some sightseeing—
(Gas seeps under the bathroom door. Cut outside: gas leaks out. A loud thud hits the door. Everything fades to black.)
(Noru wakes up on a bed outside a building with glass doors. Around him are other beds with people—some asleep, others waking up. Stone decorations, distant trees, and battle towers are visible.)
Noru TakedaWhere… am I? The last thing I remember is going to the bathroom…(Reads the sign)"Administration"?!So this is… the organization's entrance?How did I even get here?I hope someone inside can explain what's going on.
(He enters and lines up. Two people ahead of him.)
VoiceNext.
Noru TakedaWow… If this really is the Hunter Organization, there are fewer people than I expected.
VoiceNext.
Noru Takeda(Looks around)But… the people who are here… they feel incredibly strong. Just being near them gives me chills.
VoiceNext.
Noru TakedaGood morning, excuse me—could you tell me if this is—
Receptionist(Interrupts)Your applicant pass, please.
Noru TakedaApplicant pass? Oh—you mean the letter. Here.
(She searches his name on a holographic screen and scans the official seal.)
Noru Takeda(Excited)So this really is the Hunter Organization…Um—could you also tell me how I got here? I don't remember anything—
ReceptionistHere you go. Proceed down the hall, turn left.Portal number 1—green.This is your band—wear it on your right arm. And your survival kit.
Noru Takeda (thinking)She totally ignored me…
ReceptionistNext.
(Noru walks toward the assigned room.)
Noru TakedaWhat is all this…? A bracelet and an armband…Wait—don't tell me the test has already started?
(He enters a room with three numbered portals.)
Noru TakedaThese must be the portals they told us about at the academy…They can transport people instantly. This is my first time seeing one…
(Excited)It's time.
(He runs into the portal—CRASHES into a barrier.)
Noru TakedaOw… right… you have to wait a few seconds inside it first…
(He steps in properly and disappears.)
(He appears in another portal inside a small shrine. He steps outside: wooden houses, stone paths, people working.)
Noru TakedaThis is… completely different from what I'm used to.There aren't many people… and everything feels calm.
(He walks through the village.)
VoiceHEY! WAIT!!
Fakuro (Owl)Hey! Sorry I'm late—are you Noru Takeda?Name's Fakuro. Nice to meet you.
Noru TakedaNice to meet you too.So… you're the one who's going to explain what's going on?
Fakuro (Owl)Something like that. I'm your assigned Hunter guide.Follow me—I'll explain everything on the way.
(They leave the village, heading toward a forest.)
Fakuro (Owl)To take the test, you're assigned a guide—that's me.I'll explain how to use the equipment you received.
That band you're wearing is your ID within the Hunter Organization.Its color and embroidery indicate your rank.Since you're an applicant, yours is plain white.
Noru TakedaAnd the symbol inside it?
Fakuro (Owl)That's the emblem of your nation.
Noru TakedaRight… I remember. The four great nations—each protects one of the Orbs of the End to maintain balance.
Fakuro (Owl)Looks like we've got a top student here.I was more like… the troublemaker type.Anyway—
Each nation has a symbol:A lion for Egoland, a serpent for Slander, a deer for Karma… and a panda for Rottenrow.
Now, about your survival kit—
(He suddenly stops, staring at a bush.)
Noru TakedaFakuro…?
Fakuro (Owl)Shh. Stay quiet. Look.
(Something comes out.)
Noru TakedaA rabbit? It's cute… what's the big deal?
(Fakuro disappears.)
Fakuro…?
(A moment later—)
Fakuro (Owl)HOO HOO!!
(He reappears, grabbing the rabbit.)
Caught it. Dinner secured.
Noru TakedaSo… you eat rabbits?
Fakuro (Owl)Sometimes. They're everywhere here.But I don't come often—this place gets dangerous at night.Let's keep moving.
Fakuro (Owl)Now… your survival kit.Tap your bracelet—it'll display everything inside. That's your inventory.
You've got the basics: a sword, pickaxe, axe, and hoe.
Noru TakedaWait… they're made of wood. Does this even cut?
(He pulls out the sword.)
Fakuro (Owl)(Takes it and slices Noru's palm.)
Noru TakedaOw!!
Fakuro (Owl)See? It cuts. Moving on.
You also have three bottles of water,two tubes of Hinero, and two of Sealant.
Hinero—the red one—protects you from extreme heat, pressure, and toxic gases while mining.
Sealant—the blue one—is for wounds. Apply it, and it'll heal quickly.It prevents you from bleeding out before reaching treatment… but it has limits.
Any questions?
Noru TakedaNo. That was very clear.
Fakuro (Owl)(Proud)Of course—I'm the best at this.
…Anyway, we're here.
(They arrive at a forest clearing.)
Noru TakedaAlright… where exactly are we?
Fakuro (Owl)No idea. My orders were to bring you as far away from the central village as possible.
Noru Takeda…What?!
Fakuro (Owl)The test begins now, kid.If you're lucky… you might survive until dawn.
Goodbye.
Noru TakedaWait—don't go…! I still have questions…
(He stands there, alone. Expression: uneasy, fading into fear.)