Chapter 1: "The Cardless with the Iron Fist"
[PROLOGUE: THE SECRET OF THE OSHIRO RIVER]
(SFX: Rushing river water, the chirping of cicadas, and the rhythmic swing of an axe—THWACK! THWACK!)
In the remote Village of Oshiro, the silence of the night is broken only by the sound of Ichiro's axe. Under the dim moonlight, the old farmer is busy fetching the last of the water. The Oshiro River flows through the forest like a giant black snake.
Suddenly, Ichiro stops. A strange light emanates from the center of the current. A basket made of black vines is slowly drifting toward the bank. When he pulls it ashore, his eyes widen. Inside is a baby with hair as black as night.
But it isn't the child that catches his attention—it's the items with him: a rusted dagger with strange carvings and a letter that looks like it was made from the hide of an ancient monster.
(SFX: Sudden silence... WHOOSH! A cold wind blows.)
Ichiro feels an intense presence. He looks toward the opposite bank. Standing there is a figure clad in a long black cape. The face is invisible, like a shadow detaching itself from the light. Only the eyes glow a vibrant violet. In the blink of an eye, the figure vanishes like smoke.
Ichiro looks back at the baby. The child looks at him and, instead of crying, gives a wide grin while his tiny hand grips the hilt of the dagger tightly.
Ichiro: "You're a brave one, kid. It seems you aren't meant for a peaceful life on the farm. From now on, you are Kai."
[SCENE 1: FIFTEEN YEARS LATER]
(SFX: Upbeat Shonen Battle Music)
Kai: "NINETY-NINE! ONE HUNDRED! ONE HUNDRED AND ONE! ONE HUNDRED AND TWO! WAAAAAAH!"
(SFX: BOOM! A massive tree is shattered into pieces by a single punch.)
Kai (15), shirtless and showing off a powerful physique built from fifteen years of uprooting trees and climbing mountains, is drenched in sweat. Every fiber of his muscle feels like steel. Beside him is Kage, his loyal black wolf-dog, barking happily.
Suddenly, Ichiro and Sumi's three children—Kai's siblings Taro, Jiro, and the youngest, Mina—emerge.
Taro: "Whoa! Big brother Kai, that's your fifth tree today! At this rate, we won't have any firewood left for winter!"
Jiro: (Laughing) "What firewood? Big brother Kai's gonna turn those into toothpicks! Look at him—all muscle, no mana! You look like a giant gorilla that bathed in charcoal!"
Mina: (Approaches and wipes Kai's sweat) "Ignore them, Kuya. I believe in you. You're like King Kong, but a little more handsome! But seriously, are you sure about the Recruitment? They say you might just embarrass yourself."
Kai: (Smiles and pats Mina's head) "Tease me all you want, but you'll see! I'll crush every dungeon even without magic! I'll become an Archon and buy you the biggest mansion in the Capital!"
(SFX: POK!) A wooden ladle hits Kai square on the forehead from the window of their hut.
Kai: "OUCH! Mom! Is my head target practice?!"
Sumi: (Arms crossed at the window) "It's too early for this, Kai! You broke the fence again! Dreams aren't won by shouting! Come in and eat. Kai, after this, your father wants to see you. He's serious."
[SCENE 2: THE CARD BREAKER GLOVES]
Inside their small, old, but clean hut, Ichiro sits in front of an ancient box wrapped in black cloth. The old man's face is heavy with emotion.
Ichiro: "Kai, my son... the day I have both feared and waited for has arrived. We are not your biological parents. These gloves and this dagger were with you when we found you in the river. The letter said, 'Do not wear these until your body is ready.' With your strength, I believe you are ready, Kai."
Ichiro reveals a pair of black gloves that look as if they are made of obsidian stone. They feature violet carvings that seem to pulse like a heartbeat. As Kai slowly puts them on...
(SFX: ZZZZZT! A violent violet energy envelops Kai's entire body!)
Kai: "WAAAAH! OUCH! Hey, they won't come off! They're stuck to my skin! Dad! Mom! Help! How am I supposed to do the laundry?! How do I go to the bathroom?! I'm going to smell like a sewer!"
Suddenly, a holographic screen appears before Kai's eyes, visible only to him:
[VOID SYSTEM INITIALIZING...]
User: Kai Oshiro | Class: Cardless
Equipment: Void Glove (Card Breaker Mode)
Protector Status: XERO (Sleeping...)
Kai: "What's this? A TV inside my eyes? 'Class: Cardless'? Even these gloves are insulting me?!"
[SCENE 3: THE AWAKENING CEREMONY]
(SFX: Solemn choir, sound of ancient bells.)
On the morning of Recruitment Day, the Capital is a sea of youth. Every 15-year-old in the Imperium lines up at the Grand Crystal Altarpiece. This is where the "Natural Card" appears, determining if you will be an elite hunter or a street sweeper.
Applicant 1: Touches the crystal. A dim light appears. A Bronze Card. The boy sighs.
Suddenly, the crowd parts. Ren Kurosaki, the genius of the Capital, walks forward. When he touches the crystal, the entire cathedral glows gold! A Gold Card appears. Simultaneously, a massive shadow looms behind him.
Ren: "Arise, Silver Dragon!" (SFX: A low roar that shakes the windows.)
When it's Kai's turn, the crowd whispers. "Who's that farm boy?" "Why does he smell like a water buffalo?"
The moment Kai touches the crystal... (SFX: CRACK!) The crystal turns pitch black like ink. A card the color of charcoal appears, but before Kai can grab it, it turns to ash and vanishes into the air.
Head Priest: (Trembling with rage) "CARDLESS! A curse! An abnormal freak without mana! Get out of here before you defile this holy place!"
Outside the cathedral, Ren blocks Kai's path.
Ren: "Look around you, Kai. The world is run by Cards. Someone without mana like you will never be my equal. You're just trash that belongs in the dirt."
Kai: (Wipes his nose) "That's just a piece of paper, Ren. My fist hurts a lot more than your paper does."
[SCENE 4: CAPITAL RECRUITMENT]
(SFX: Loud cheering of thousands, trumpet blasts.)
In the vast Arena of the Capital, everyone is gathered. Seated at the very top is the Archon (Lord Zenon), the strongest man in the nation, along with the six Guild Leaders. A final warning is given: the Card is tied to the soul. If a Protector is killed by monsters, the Card turns to ash, and the Hunter dies instantly.
Kai stands in line among the "Rich Kid" hunters. They are all decked out in shining armor, while Kai wears his old trousers and the black gloves.
Rich Kid: "Hey, farm boy! This is a Diamond Rank Protector! I got lucky at the Awakening! What about you? Where's your Card? Or did you use it as kindling?"
Kai: (Whispering to Kage) "Kage, ignore them. Their breath smells worse than their auras. All talk, no muscle."
[SCENE 5: CRUSHING THE GOLEM]
Host: "Show us your skills! Next, Ren Kurosaki!"
Ren: "Arise, SILVER DRAGON!" (SFX: ROAAAAR!) A massive dragon made of pure silver appears. With one breath of fire, the targets in the arena melt. Every Guild Leader raises their hand to recruit him.
When it's Kai's turn, the arena falls silent before exploding into laughter.
Host: "Kai of Oshiro... Show us your Protector Card!"
Kai: "I don't have a Card! But I have my fists! And I have a dog that knows how to breakdance!"
(SFX: HAHAHAHAHA! "Go home, farmer!" "Trash!")
Suddenly... (SFX: CRASH!!!)
The arena wall collapses. A Rank A Stone Golem, imprisoned beneath the arena, has gone berserk! Its seals are broken. It charges toward the civilians! The elite hunters panic due to the sheer speed of the event.
Kai: "Kage, get the kids to the side! I'll handle this living rock!"
Kai runs with incredible speed—faster than any normal human. His gloves begin to heat up, emitting violet electricity.
[SKILL ACTIVATED: GRAVITY ANCHOR - 200% IMPACT]
Kai: "Don't underestimate the strength of a farmer! CARD BREAKER... SMASH!!!"
(SFX: KABOOOOOOM!!!)
With one massive punch, the giant Stone Golem is blown to pieces. A towering shadow with a jagged grin (Xero) momentarily appears behind Kai before vanishing. The entire arena goes silent. Even the Archon stands from his seat.
[SCENE 6: THE SELECTION AND THE MISSION]
While everyone is shell-shocked, a man wearing a tattered cape and smelling of booze approaches Kai. It's Captain Kenji of the Black Omen.
Kenji: "Hey, kid. You're too noisy. But since no decent guild will take an abnormal freak like you, you're with the Black Omen. We're the trash bin of the Imperium, and it looks like we need a new janitor."
Kai: "Ow! Let go of me, you boozy old man! Who are you?!"
Kenji: "I'm the one who's going to teach you that a Card is just paper, but a fist is for life. Welcome to hell."
Before Kai can process it, Kenji drags him toward the exit of the Capital. He brings him to the Shadow Den, a Rank B Dungeon crawling with Shadow Crawlers.
Kenji: "Alright, get in there. Kill everything. If you aren't out by sunset, I'm turning your dog into a snack to go with my drinks. And I'm serious—dog goes great with liquor."
Kai: (Shocked) "No orientation?! I don't even know how this system works! And don't you dare touch Kage!"
Kai takes a deep breath. He draws his Rusted Dagger. The moment he grips it with the Void Glove, the rusted blade is enveloped in violet energy.
[WEAPON SYNC: 100%]
[ATTRIBUTE: VOID EDGE ACTIVATED]
Kai: "Fine! If you want a fight, I'll give you one! Let's go, Kage! Let's show them what a 'genius like me' can really do!"
(SFX: Powerful orchestral music swells as Kai charges into the darkness of the dungeon, his eyes glowing violet.)
[TO BE CONTINUED]