50 years ago, a gate appeared, spawning hordes of monsters that resulted in humanity losing over 96% of its population in a disaster named the First Awakening. Approximately 150 million people remain, having taken shelter within strongholds in Japan, the USA, and Korea. With all other nations destroyed and overrun by monsters, these three remaining countries provided a haven for survivors. The strongholds were constructed from a foreign metal that appeared with the monsters, a material strong enough to withstand a nuclear bomb, so they were supposedly safe. However, six years ago, similar gates appeared within the strongholds, causing mass panic. Fortunately, many people awakened abilities that gave them an edge over these monsters; these people are called hunters. Hunters all had a special system that allowed them to level up their abilities. Everyone started as an E rank, and their leveling ability's effectiveness depended on their willpower, perseverance, and experience. In the USA, there were two S-rank hunters, while Japan and Korea each had only one. In Korea, the sole S-rank hunter was only 25 years old, and her name was Cha Ji-a; she was the leader of the hunter department. After ascending to that role, she ensured all hunters attended a special program at the Hunter Association Facility. It was a Military-Hunter department collaboration that trained hunters to help clear the gates and stop the incoming monster attacks. Every year, more than 1,000 hunters enter this program on a mandatory summons after graduating college. This year was said to have one of the most promising groups of talents since the program's founding. Cha Ji-a herself was to give teach the highest ranks this year, breaking with tradition, to welcome the new talents.

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