Chapter 1: Awakening of the Ordinary

The world had changed dramatically over the past decade. Gates, mysterious portals to other dimensions, had begun to appear randomly across the globe. From these gates emerged monsters, threatening humanity’s existence. But alongside these gates, a phenomenon known as "awakening" began to occur. Certain individuals were granted powers by an unknown system, becoming Rankers tasked with fighting the monsters and closing the gates.

Chris Tranvis was an ordinary young man living in the bustling city of New Avalon. At eighteen, his life was far from extraordinary. He worked part-time at a local convenience store, helping to support his family after his father had disappeared during one of the first gate incidents. Every day, he saw Rankers on the news, celebrated as heroes for their bravery and strength. Chris could only dream of having such power and making a difference in the world.

One evening, as Chris was closing up the store, his friend and co-worker, Jason, was glued to his phone, watching a live stream of a high-ranking dungeon raid. Jason nudged Chris, eyes wide with excitement.

“Chris, check this out! The top Ranker, Aiden Storm, is about to take down a boss monster!”

Chris glanced at the screen, watching as Aiden, a man clad in gleaming armor and wielding a massive sword, effortlessly defeated a monstrous creature. The crowd cheered, and donations poured into the live stream. Chris sighed, a pang of envy stabbing at his heart.

“That guy’s incredible,” Chris muttered. “I wish I could be like him.”

Jason laughed. “Yeah, don’t we all? But hey, you never know. Maybe you’ll awaken someday.”

Chris smiled weakly, knowing the chances were slim. Most awakenings happened spontaneously and were incredibly rare. As they finished closing up the store, Chris felt a strange sensation wash over him. A sudden dizziness overtook him, and he leaned against the counter for support.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jason asked, concerned.

“Yeah, just...dizzy,” Chris replied, shaking his head. “I’ll be fine.”

He shrugged it off and headed home, the sensation lingering at the back of his mind. That night, as he lay in bed, a series of strange dreams haunted him. He saw visions of dark dungeons, terrifying monsters, and a glowing light beckoning him forward. When he woke up the next morning, he felt different, as if something had shifted within him.

Curiosity gnawed at him, and he decided to visit the Awakening Center, a facility where people could confirm if they had awakened as Rankers. The center was a sleek, modern building, always bustling with hopefuls and experienced Rankers alike. Chris waited in line, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

When it was finally his turn, a technician led him to a small, brightly lit room. A device resembling a large scanner stood in the center. The technician, a woman with a friendly smile, gestured for Chris to step inside.

“Just stand still and relax. This will only take a moment,” she said.

Chris nodded and did as instructed. The machine hummed to life, emitting a soft blue light. After a few seconds, the light turned green, and the machine powered down. The technician checked the monitor and then looked at Chris with a puzzled expression.

“Well, congratulations, Chris. You’ve awakened,” she said. “But...”

Chris’s heart leaped with joy, but the technician’s hesitation made him uneasy. “But what?”

The technician bit her lip. “You’ve awakened as an E-rank hunter. The lowest rank.”

Chris’s joy deflated instantly. An E-rank hunter? The lowest of the low? He had hoped for so much more. Seeing his disappointment, the technician offered a sympathetic smile.

“Hey, it’s still an awakening. Many people never get that chance. With training and experience, you can still make a difference.”

Chris forced a smile and thanked her. As he left the center, he felt a mix of emotions. He had hoped for a grand awakening, to be one of the powerful Rankers who could change the world. Instead, he was at the very bottom. But a small spark of determination ignited within him. He would prove that even an E-rank hunter could rise to greatness.

As he walked home, Chris’s mind was already racing with plans. He would train harder than anyone, face the dangers of the dungeons, and someday, he would become a Ranker worthy of respect. His journey was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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