After the first gate was finally conquered, humanity reached a point from which there was no turning back.
The victory did not come without tremendous sacrifice. Entire cities were leveled, countless lives were lost, and the long-held belief that modern weapons alone could safeguard mankind was utterly shattered. Yet, when the last monster fell and the gate collapsed inward, dissolving into countless fragments of radiant blue light, the impossible was achieved. Humanity had triumphed.
That singular event altered the course of history.
The gates did not cease to appear. On the contrary, they began to emerge with increasing frequency. Across continents, portals tore open the sky and the earth itself, releasing monstrous creatures into the world. Unlike before, humanity was no longer entirely helpless. Individuals with awakened abilities stepped forward, fighting alongside military forces or taking independent action whenever governments failed to respond in time.
The very structure of society began to transform.
Power became the ultimate authority.
While nations continued to exist and governments retained influence, their control weakened wherever awakened individuals appeared. Laws that once applied equally to all were increasingly bent or ignored entirely. Strength determined survival, and survival dictated social standing. Society adapted rapidly because it had no alternative.
This era of transformation became known as the System Change.
Its origin remained a mystery. Some claimed the gates themselves had imposed new universal laws upon humanity. Others argued that human evolution had been accelerated as a result of prolonged exposure to gate energy. Whatever its source, one truth was undeniable: the world now operated under a new set of rules.
Abilities began to manifest in countless forms.
Some awakened could manipulate the elements, bending fire, ice, lightning, wind, earth, or water to their will. Others developed extraordinary physical traits, including overwhelming strength, unmatched speed, reinforced skin, or accelerated regeneration. Certain individuals possessed mental or sensory powers, such as telekinesis, enhanced perception, illusion creation, or limited precognition. Rarely, some wielded abstract powers that defied normal understanding, including spatial distortion, gravity manipulation, sound control, shadow shaping, or energy absorption.
Every power was unique, but not all were equally effective.
To maintain order amidst the chaos, awakened abilities were organized into a formal ranking system.
These classifications defined combat roles, gate access, social authority, and influence among awakened individuals.
F-Rank
F-rank represents the weakest category of awakened. Their powers barely surpass normal human limits, such as minor stamina boosts, small physical enhancements, or unstable elemental sparks. F-rank individuals are rarely allowed to enter gates, instead being assigned to support roles, evacuation duties, or logistical operations. Many never advance beyond this rank.
E-Rank
E-rank awakened display clear supernatural traits but remain vulnerable in combat. Their powers manifest reliably, including minor elemental control, improved reflexes, basic healing abilities, or enhanced vision. E-rank individuals may participate in very low-risk gate operations under strict supervision. Survival against monsters alone is nearly impossible.
D-Rank
D-ranks mark the transition between ordinary civilians and trained combatants. They are capable of fighting low-tier monsters with appropriate equipment and teamwork. Their abilities are stable but limited in scope. Many D-rank individuals serve as entry-level hunters, protect civilian zones near gates, or act as trainees under guild supervision.
C-Rank
C-rank awakened are considered competent fighters. They can independently handle weaker monsters and survive extended battles. Their abilities are reliable even under stress, whether elemental manipulation, enhanced strength, increased speed, or advanced senses. C-ranks form the backbone of most guilds, providing stability and leadership within organized groups.
B-Rank
B-rank awakened are elite combatants whose powers are formidable enough to overwhelm groups of monsters and shape the outcome of entire battles. They often serve as squad leaders or act alone in medium-risk gates. Governments and private corporations actively compete to recruit B-rank awakened for strategic purposes.
A-Rank
A-rank awakened are considered critical strategic assets. Each possesses immense power, refined control, and extensive combat experience. A-ranks can successfully clear high-difficulty gates with minimal support and often stabilize entire regions simply by their presence. They enjoy legal privileges, political influence, and considerable wealth.
S-Rank
S-rank awakened exist beyond conventional authority. Their powers surpass the combined strength of most armies and defy classification. An S-rank can challenge the strongest monsters humanity has ever encountered. Due to their rarity and influence, many S-ranks form or lead guilds, claiming ownership over high-tier gates. They occupy the apex of the world's hierarchy, where authority is determined by strength rather than law.
As gates became increasingly frequent and hazardous, they were categorized by color to indicate danger level and resource value.
Blue Gate
Low-risk gates filled with weak monsters. Typically assigned to D-rank, C-rank, and supervised E-rank teams. Casualties are minimal, and rewards are modest yet consistent. Blue gates are often utilized for training and resource farming.
Purple Gate
Medium-risk gates containing organized populations of monsters. These gates require coordinated teams led by strong C-rank or B-rank awakened. Monster cores and materials extracted from purple gates are highly valuable and sustain the gate economy..
Yellow Gate
High-risk gates featuring elite monsters and unpredictable environments. Operations usually require the leadership of A-rank awakened. Failure rates are significant, and casualties are common. Yellow gates often distort terrain and suppress technological functions.
Red Gate
Catastrophic-level gates considered national or global threats. Only S-rank awakened or top-tier guilds may enter. Red gates harbor dominant monsters capable of mass destruction. If neglected, they can obliterate entire cities.
Guilds and the New Power Structure
S-rank awakened rarely submitted to governmental authority. Most operated independently, aware that no force could restrain them. Many chose to form guilds.
Guilds became the backbone of the new world order.
An S-rank guild was far more than a combat unit. It was an organization that controlled territories, resources, and influence. These guilds claimed high-level gates, negotiating contracts with governments or corporations for exclusive access. In return for protection and monster suppression, they received funding, supplies, and legal independence.
Gates became a source of wealth.
Clearing a gate provided more than safety. Monster cores, rare materials, and mysterious substances could be harvested. These resources fueled new technologies, advanced weaponry, and medical breakthroughs. Entire industries emerged from gate extraction and monster refinement.
S-rank guilds dominated this system.
They controlled the most dangerous gates and reaped the largest rewards. Their leaders lived like monarchs, surrounded by elite A-rank and B-rank members, wielding influence that governments could not challenge.
Not all S-rank awakened joined guilds.
Some operated alone as independent hunters or enforcers. Others vanished completely, refusing to intervene in worldly affairs. These individuals were feared because they answered to no one.
For ordinary people, life became a precarious balance.
Cities near active gates thrived under the protection of awakened individuals, while those without strong presence fell into decline. Education systems were restructured to teach combat training and ability control for awakened children. Non-awakened individuals depended on guilds for safety and survival.
Resentment grew.
Power determined everything. Opportunity, social standing, and even survival depended on strength. Some embraced the new reality, striving to awaken or join guilds. Others clung to a world that no longer existed.
Yet humanity endured.
Every conquered gate proved that monsters could be defeated. Each awakened generation became stronger and more capable. While fear remained, it no longer paralyzed people.
The gates had reshaped the world, but they had not destroyed it.
Not yet.
Humanity stood firm in a world governed by power, guilds, and the glowing light of gates in the sky, fighting not just for survival, but for control of its future.
And as long as the gates continued to open, that future would be determined by blood, strength, and choice.