Saji's eyes snapped open, his body heavy and weak. Muscles stiff, heart racing. The world felt unreal, cold, silent, and cruel.
People say life is unfair, he thought. I used to think that was just a saying… until I watched my village burn.
Houses collapsed as if they had never been meant to last. The dead were left behind, because the living had no time to mourn. That day taught him one thing: peace is fragile. And monsters didn't always come from stories.
Saji's gaze darted around the room.
"Huh… What happened? Where is everyone? Mum…?" he whispered, panic rising as he saw shapes moving unnaturally.
A wet, gnawing sound froze him in place.
Then he saw a figure hunched over a corpse. A parasite. Its head snapped toward him, eyes glowing.
Run! his mind screamed.
Sweat poured down his face. Lungs burned. He bolted, ragged breaths ripping through his chest.
Suddenly, a flash of a sword blade glinted in the dim light. The parasite recoiled, eyes wide with shock.
"Huh?!" Saji shouted, but the sound barely left his throat.
The next morning, the Hunter Training Ground was alive with motion. Dust rose as two trainees clashed swords, sparks dancing from each strike.
"Impressive… you're getting better. Now give me more," Malik commanded, eyes sharp.
The trainee lunged forward, only to freeze mid-step as vines burst from the ground.
"Plant Technique Thorn Sever," Malik declared. The vine-like thorns recoiled and lashed with precision, paralyzing the trainee.
"It's over. You lose." Malik turned, confident.
"Master… How did I do?" Malik asked, glancing at the figure dozing nearby.
The master didn't move. Malik let out a frustrated sigh.
"Master? MASTERRR!!!"
Another trainee burst in. "Senior Malik did you hear? A village nearby was invaded by parasites. There's one survivor… they're at the medical building."
Malik smirked. "Huh… a survivor. Guess they're lucky. But that's not my problem. I'm out."
Meanwhile, Saji lay unconscious in the medical building, sweat beading on his face as nightmares replayed themselves. Destruction, screams, parasites.
"Rise… Rise… Riseee!!" a voice echoed inside his mind.
He jerked awake, heavy breathing filling the room.
Omari appeared, leaning casually against the wall.
"Tch… still haunting you, huh?" he said.
Startled, Saji stammered, "Huh?!"
Omari chuckled. "I'm kidding. Nightmares aren't real. But… you look much better than when they brought you in four nights ago."
"…Brought me in?"
"Yes. Four nights ago. Honestly, I thought you were done for. No one survives parasite wounds — venom, claws, bites… all of it. You might be the first I've ever seen." Omari's lips twisted into a smirk.
"…Huh?"
"Oh, right. My bad. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Omari Faraji, a hunter in this city."
"…Hunter?"
"Yes. Parasite hunters. We protect what's left of the people."
Saji tried to absorb this information as Omari motioned for him to follow.
"Come. I'll show you around."
"And where exactly are you taking him?" a nurse asked, arms crossed.
"Haha, just a short walk," Omari replied, grinning.
"He's not fully recovered!" she snapped, punching him lightly.
"HEEEEY! That hurts!"
"I'm fine, really," Saji said, standing taller. "I feel strong enough to walk."
The nurse eyed him cautiously but nodded. Omari winked at Saji. "See?"
As they walked through the city streets, Saji asked, "You mentioned hunters earlier… what exactly do you do?"
"Ah, yes. Interested?" Omari grinned.
"I've wanted to join since I was a kid… before my village… before my mother was killed," Saji said, voice trembling with anger.
Omari paused. "I heard about your village. I'm sorry. This world is cruel."
"How do I join?"
"You'll be summoned… by the King," Omari said.
"…King?"
Omari laughed softly. "You don't have one where you're from? He commands the Hunter Corps."
Saji noticed the blindfold. "Why are you wearing that?"
"For reasons you don't need to ask about," Omari replied.
"Welcome to.....uh… never mind. Let me introduce you properly," he said.
Inside the Hunter Headquarters, Malik was waiting.
"Huh? Do you need something, Master?" Malik asked.
"No. Just introductions," Omari replied.
Malik's eyes narrowed. "Introductions?"
"Yes. A new student. The survivor from the invaded village," Omari said, dragging Saji forward.
"This is Saji Kael."
"How do you know my name?" Saji asked, wary.
"Medical records. And a little digging," Omari said casually.
Tch. Malik's lips pursed. "I don't care. I have a mission."
"Perfect timing. Saji, you'll go with him."
"What?! No. He's weak. And I work alone."
"I'm leaving him with you for the day. Bring him back alive," Omari said, already walking away.
"…Malik, right?"
"Senior. Call me Senior. If you slow me down, I leave you behind."
"…Got it, Senior."
"Tch. Useless," Malik muttered.
The two arrived at an abandoned building.
"Stay sharp. Parasites could be anywhere," Malik warned.
Saji swallowed nervously. "U-um… Senior, maybe I should've brought a sword?"
"…Right. Doesn't matter. Just stay close."
A distorted, chilling voice echoed from the shadows.
"Well… well… well… after months of loneliness, visitors finally arrive," it hissed.
Saji and Malik froze.
"Oh? Two of you? What a wonderful day…" the creature cackled, shadows twisting around it.
Saji gripped his arm. This… is just the beginning, he thought.
(Read the comic version on Webtoon and support )