December 1970 — Without warning, the world was shaken by an unimaginable event. At first, they appeared as distortions, eerie fractures shimmering in a sinister blue, like open wounds in the very fabric of reality. These were fatal lures, drawing unsuspecting passersby into an abyss from which none would ever return. Authorities quickly cordoned off these zones while the finest scientists raced to investigate, only to discover that there was nothing scientific about this phenomenon. Whatever was happening defied all known laws.
Then, suddenly, everything changed. The distortions took on a blood-red hue, like burning tears in the sky, and a repulsive energy emanated from them, driving anyone nearby to flee. It was then that monstrous creatures began emerging from the rifts — indescribable horrors straight out of nightmares and sci-fi legends. In an instant, the world plunged into chaos: entire cities were razed, countless lives lost to the onslaught. In places where the rifts had turned blood-red, the monsters were even more devastating, their power so great they reduced continents to ashes, as happened in Australia and much of Russia, now desolate archipelagos of death and ruin. Not even the atomic bomb, humanity's most feared weapon, could stop them.
Two endless weeks passed. Civilization seemed on the brink of collapse, and many chose to face their fate at home, too tired and disheartened to keep fleeing. But some, the bravest among civilians and soldiers, fought with tooth and nail, refusing to yield to those seemingly invincible horrors. In this desperate hour, the unthinkable occurred: the very rifts that had unleashed destruction also brought a new type of particle, invisible and harmless, that would change the course of history. This energy, named "F Particles," bonded with certain humans, awakening a latent power long forgotten over the millennia. Some called it “Ki,” others “Resolve” or “Prana,” but the most common term became “Force.”
As this power awoke, the bodies of those who possessed it began to adapt. Bones strengthened, muscles hardened, though to an outside observer, the changes appeared subtle, almost unnoticeable. Despite this newfound power, there was no time for study or training; those blessed with Force had to learn on the battlefield, in fights where many of their companions would fall. Those who survived began to understand the weaknesses of the creatures, and this knowledge was broadcast over radios, becoming a global key to survival.
Over time, these beings, the first "Reapers," discovered various ways to wield Force: some enhanced their own bodies, others controlled the elements, while still others could heal the wounds of others. The Reapers became humanity's last hope, their strength inspiring scientists to develop weapons from the remains of the monsters they defeated, harnessing the extraordinary hardness of their bones and skins. These new weapons allowed even those without Force to fight and defend their species.
In the years that followed, the Reapers grew stronger: some, through experience and unparalleled mastery of Force, became known as "S-Rank Reapers" or "Superior Reapers," feared and revered. Among them, a few even changed further, assuming features that made them resemble elves of ancient legend: fair skin and elongated ears.
The creatures, who may have thought they had already triumphed, now had to face the harsh reality of a reborn humanity, armed with unexpected powers and united in an implacable front. Within three years, every monster was defeated, and the world, scarred but enduring, saw a new glimmer of hope, catching sight of a future to rebuild what had been lost.
Yet, doubt lingered. How had all this begun? Were the distortions truly sealed forever? The wisest Reapers felt the threat had not been fully eliminated. And they were right.
Just weeks later, as humanity began to heal and rebuild, the distortions, now known as Gates, reappeared in scattered areas across the globe.
But this time, humanity was not caught off guard. The Reapers, in collaboration with scientists and governments worldwide, devised a plan to prevent a repeat of the catastrophe. Using data gathered during the first cataclysm, they discovered that the monsters could not leave the Gates until they had transformed seven days later. However, humans could enter them.
They also noted that the larger the Gate, the more powerful, massive, and terrifying the monsters within were. This knowledge compelled them to attempt something unprecedented, a bold strategy to avert even worse consequences.
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Thus began a new phase in the battle against these creatures: the first task forces were formed, composed entirely of the most skilled Reapers, trained to enter the Gates and conduct exploratory raids.
On a warm June day, task forces across the world prepared to dive into the unknown. They had no idea where the Gates led once crossed, and no one knew if they would ever return once they stepped into a new world. But one thing was certain: standing still could lead to a repeat of the disaster three years prior, and they could not accept this — for the sake of their world, for the sake of their children and heirs.
When the task forces entered the Gates, they discovered surreal landscapes: each Gate led to a world entirely different from our own. Frozen wastelands, underground caverns, hostile jungles — all teeming with bloodthirsty monsters. And yet, some of these places eerily resembled Earth, with strangely familiar environments and climates.
As they explored, the Reapers uncovered minerals and plants of unknown quality and value, resources with extraordinary potential. These territories, both similar and alien, were soon named "Dungeons."
During their first raid, they killed a vast number of monsters, but strangely, these creatures revived after just a few hours. The mission became so arduous and perilous that some teams decided to withdraw to avoid further losses. However, one Japanese Reaper squad chose to stay, determined to find a way to close the Gate. It was then, while wandering aimlessly, that they stumbled upon something incredible: at the center of the devastation stood a pitch-black tree with violet, luminescent leaves and deep roots that seemed to stretch for miles, nearly touching the sky.
The tree, seemingly alive, emitted a sound like a heartbeat, audible from afar. Strange violet veins coursed through its trunk, carrying a substance that looked like blood. Around the tree moved monstrous creatures unlike any they had encountered: incredibly powerful, they seemed to guard it, preventing anyone from approaching. Leading these guards was a colossal creature, known today as the "Dungeon Boss," the strongest of the monsters within a dungeon.
Initially, the monsters ignored the Reapers, but as soon as they approached, they launched a ferocious attack. The Reapers then realized that the tree might be the source of the monsters' regeneration ability and that destroying it might be the only way to stop the threat.
Thus began an exhausting battle against the Dungeon Boss and its guards. Many Reapers lost their lives in this clash, but thanks to their sacrifice, they ultimately managed to defeat the creatures guarding the tree. All that remained was to destroy the magical tree before the creatures could resurrect. With no solid proof, but fully aware of the stakes, the Japanese Reapers united their forces to strike the tree. When they delivered a devastating blow, the tree lit up and crumbled into a thousand pieces. Even the corpses of the monsters, and those freshly revived, vanished — a sign that perhaps they had truly succeeded.
The task force exited the Gate, remaining vigilant for any other anomalies. Yet, nothing happened; the Gate shrank before them until it vanished completely. It was humanity’s happiest day.
After the Japanese Reapers’ victory, other raids followed into the remaining open Gates, and within a few days, every Gate was destroyed. The reason these distortions opened was still unclear, but at least they knew that confronting them in their realm might be the key to overcoming them.
Following these events, the world’s most powerful Reapers, supported and funded by their governments, established national guilds comprised of the country’s best warriors. These guilds were strategically positioned to respond immediately to any Gate openings nearby. Using new knowledge about the Gates, devices resembling antennas were developed to detect a Gate’s opening five minutes in advance, immediately sending an alert. Inhabitants of high-risk areas could evacuate safely while the guilds headed toward the source of the signal to neutralize the threat.
To prevent the power of the Reapers and the guilds from becoming excessive, Reaper Associations were established in each country, overseen by state officials and influential Reapers with considerable power. Their task was to monitor both the gates and the activities of local guilds, ensuring that control over the Gates remained in the hands of broader, more coordinated authorities.
These developments marked the dawn of a new era for humanity: without anyone fully realizing it, the Age of the Reapers had begun. However, threats would not come solely from the Gates; soon, humankind would face its most formidable enemy yet: themselves.