Soul Devourer Chapter 1 Episode 1 — Hunter Registration
April 1st, 2100.
All over the world, dungeons appeared simultaneously.
In Japan, near the site where a towering cylindrical structure — a dungeon — had risen, police officers and members of the Self-Defense Forces evacuated nearby residents and began investigating the dungeon.
When SDF soldiers carrying firearms stepped through the tall, black oval — the dungeon’s entrance — what spread out before them was a forest.
The scenery changed in an instant, leaving them momentarily stunned, but they quickly gathered themselves and resumed rescue operations for those swallowed into the dungeon.
However, along the way, they encountered a creature they had never seen before.
Its height was about the size of an elementary school child, its skin was green, with slanted eyes, a sharp nose, bared teeth, and long ears.
Since it was an unknown lifeform, they raised their weapons and approached with maximum caution, but the creature noticed them and suddenly attacked.
Firearms had no effect on the creature, and with casualties among the SDF, they were forced to retreat.
Afterward, investigations into the dungeon were conducted many times.
Despite heavy losses, the resources brought back were studied by specialized research institutes, leading to many discoveries.
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By 2110, after years of research and investigation, the world had greatly changed.
The energy used in daily life had been replaced with magic-containing substances — magic stones.
Roads and buildings were rebuilt with concrete mixed with crushed magic ore, making them sturdier.
But the greatest change was the birth of a new profession called Hunters.
Hunters fought monsters — unknown creatures inhabiting dungeons — with weapons made of magic ore, or mined the ore to bring back.
It was thanks to the life-risking efforts of Hunters that people’s lives had changed so much.
Although it was a dangerous job, always next to death, Hunters could also strike it rich, making the profession unexpectedly popular.
And the protagonist of this story — Matsubara Yuito — is one of those who dreamed of becoming a Hunter and making a fortune.
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Right now, I was pedaling my bicycle as hard as I could, having just finished my high school graduation ceremony, heading toward the Hunter Guild.
“Haa, haa, haa… finally, I can become a Hunter!”
When I saw Hunters in action on TV or video streaming apps, I decided to give up going to vocational school or university and become a Hunter instead.
I parked my bike at the lot, then hurried into the Hunter Guild building. I took a numbered ticket and waited for my number to appear on the screen.
During that time, boys and girls wearing the same school uniform as me kept coming through the automatic doors.
As I waited, daydreaming of myself as a Hunter, my number was displayed on the screen and called out by a machine voice.
“Hello. Please tell me your name and age.”
“Matsubara Yuito, 18 years old.”
“Did you come here directly after your graduation ceremony?”
“Yes.”
“Then, do you have your diploma with you?”
“Here you go.”
It wasn’t unusual for students to visit the Hunter Guild right after graduation, but a diploma was always required.
“Confirmed. Please write your name, age, address, and phone number here.”
After filling out the form, I was handed a Hunter license and given a simple explanation.
“Nowadays, many people are familiar with Hunters through TV and video streaming, so I will give a brief explanation.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Hunters are divided into six ranks: E, D, C, B, A, and S, based on activity period and achievements. Everyone starts as an E-rank Hunter.
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Dungeon danger levels are also ranked in the same way, and you may only challenge dungeons up to one rank above your own.
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In your case, Matsubara-sama, you may challenge up to D-rank dungeons.
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Since dungeon resources are essential for modern life, we want as many Hunters as possible to bring them back.
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For that reason, the Guild provides new Hunters with weapons, armor, and a backpack.
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This service is only for the first time, so if they are damaged or lost, please buy replacements yourself.
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That concludes the explanation. Do you have any questions?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you very much.”
After finishing registration and the short explanation, I moved to another room.
There, new Hunters were choosing weapons and being fitted with armor by staff members.
I chose a longsword, a safe choice, and was taught how to adjust and wear my armor before leaving the Guild.
“Alright! Now I’m a Hunter too!”
I wanted to head straight for a dungeon, but moving around in my uniform would be uncomfortable, so I decided to go home first.
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“Mom! I’m heading out!”
“Being a Hunter comes with life-threatening danger, so be careful. If it seems dangerous, come back immediately.”
“Got it, Mom. I’ll be back later!”
“Take care.”
After changing out of my uniform into a tracksuit and tying my sneakers, I finally set out toward the dungeon.
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E/N:
(Please check Table of Contents ↓ to know why I picked this novel)
New novel, and with one of my favourite genre, *Ability Steal*! I'll translate the first 5 chapters for the sake of it and continue. Thank you for everyone's support!
Keep reading! Stay tuned!
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