The year was 2036. Gates from other worlds tore open the sky, spilling mana across the earth. Hunters, magicians, and monsters rose, and the world was no longer what it had once been. The wind howled through shattered streets, carrying the faint scent of scorched earth and blood.
Chen Yue, a nobody in this chaotic world, had always been weak—a trash even in the eyes of those around him. Yet deep inside, a fire burned, a desire to be strong that nothing could extinguish. His fingers trembled, small shakes betraying the storm of emotion within him. The ground beneath him pulsed faintly with lingering mana.
That fire flared into a hurricane of anger the day he watched his parents fall to monsters before his eyes. Their screams echoed in his soul, and the cold hands of death pressed hard against his chest. His breath hitched, and every hair on his arms stood on end as the chaotic mana of the world brushed against him like invisible blades.
Just when all hope seemed lost, a group approached him. Their leader, Li Wei, stood tall, flanked by Zhao Jian, Liu Mei, and Chen Hao. Li Wei smiled confidently.
"Join us," he said. "We're one short for this mission—we need five, but we only have four."
Chen Yue hesitated. Li Wei was A-rank, and behind him were Zhao Jian (B-rank), Liu Mei (C-rank), and Chen Hao (C-rank). The others grinned:
"Come on, just carry some supplies. We'll handle the rest. It's only a B-rank gate, and the pay is huge. You won't need to fight."
Reluctantly, Chen Yue agreed and followed them into the dungeon.
Inside, they fought Blood Wolf Goblins. Chen Yue helped, but in the chaos, he didn't notice he had strayed from the group. When he looked around, he froze. Standing before him was an enormous Orc Lord. Panic gripped him, and he turned to run—but the orc's massive club slammed into him, sending him flying through smoke and rubble. Pain seared his body, yet he crawled silently, careful not to alert the Orc Lord. Somehow, he made it back to the dungeon exit.
As he emerged, Chen Yue realized the dungeon had broken out. Panic surged through him as he raced toward Everlight Hospital, where his parents were. Relief flooded him when he saw them alive, guarded by hunters—but that relief was short-lived—the Orc Lord had tracked his blood and scent and now charged toward them.
Frozen in place, Chen Yue could only watch. Suddenly, two figures appeared before him—his parents.
"Leave us and live," they urged, tears in their eyes. "Take care of yourself."
"No! I won't leave!" Chen Yue screamed, tears streaming down his face.
Before he could act, the Orc Lord struck. His parents were slammed into collapsing walls, their cries echoing in his ears. Darkness closed in on Chen Yue's world. Rage boiled in his heart—anyone who stood in his way would die.
Kneeling amidst the chaos, a red aura erupted around him, his eyes glowing crimson.
[Dao of Radiance System Notification]: Host in Rage Mode. System unable to control.]
In the emptiness of despair, a crimson sword materialized in Chen Yue's hands. Trembling fingers clenched the hilt as he swung. The Orc Lord had no time to react. The hospital walls crumbled under the force, silence falling like a heavy shroud.
Hunters stared in shock, unsure who had caused such destruction. Only one thing was clear—this power was beyond comprehension, and the person behind it was someone no one could yet identify.