Ten years ago, the sky broke.
It did not shatter with a sound, nor did it fall in pieces; but instead, it formed cracks in the heavens-narrow ones at first, but soon they widened like wounds that would not heal. Out of those wounds came darkness into the world.
Monsters invaded the Earth.
They came in countless forms. Crawling, flying, tearing through cities and nations alike. No country was able to survive. The Armies crumbled. Defenses collapsed. And within months, the world that humanity had built over the centuries lay in ruins.
However, the invasion was not one-sided.
As the skies opened, something inside of humans stirred as well.
Mana.
A power that had never existed before began to flow through human bodies. Some discovered it by accident, others in moments of fear or desperation. With mana came abilities-strength beyond limits, control over elements, unnatural speed, and powers that defied logic.
For a brief moment, humanity believed it could fight back.
That belief did not last.
The monsters were endless. No matter how many fell, more emerged from the fractured sky. One by one, nations collapsed.
Humanity was pushed back… corner by corner.
Until only one land remained.
A region no larger than four hundred kilometers, surrounded by destruction on all sides. The final refuge of mankind. The place where the last survivors gathered, built walls, and clung to hope.
That land came to be known as Lastoria.
Beyond its borders lay a world no human ruled anymore.
A world claimed entirely by monsters.
A world wrapped in eternal danger and darkness.
The rest of the Earth was no longer called by its old names.
It was simply known as-
The Black Zone.
As mana spread through humanity, it soon became clear that power did not manifest the same way in everyone. Over time, scholars and survivors divided awakened humans into eight recognized classes.
Each class represented a different way mana bonded with the human soul.
Summoners: Those who could call beings from beyond--monsters, spirits, or constructs bound by mana. A summoner's strength depended not only on power, but on control. A single mistake could turn their summons against them.
Warriors: Fighters whose bodies were strengthened by mana itself. Enhanced speed, strength, and endurance made them the frontline defenders of humanity. Warriors relied on discipline and combat skill rather than complex techniques.
Manipulators: Users capable of influencing the minds of others. Memory alteration, emotional control, illusionary perception, and mental domination fell under this class. Because of their danger, manipulators were closely monitored by the government.
Magicians: Those who shaped mana directly into spells. Barriers, explosions, illusions, and rituals fell under their domain. Magicians required deep knowledge and precision, as unstable mana could easily backfire.
The Void: A power that does not belong to any known system. Void abilities manifest uniquely in each individual and follow no established laws of mana. Their origin remains unknown, and their limits undefined. Most records regarding the Void are classified or erased, as the world has yet to understand whether such power is a blessing… or a calamity.
Healers: Support-type awakeners capable of restoring flesh, cleansing corruption, and reinforcing life itself. Though not always suited for combat, healers were considered irreplaceable on the battlefield.
Artificers: Creators who infused mana into objects. Weapons, armor, tools, and relics that surpassed normal limits were born from their hands. Humanity's strongest defenses owed much to artificers.
Diviners: Those who could perceive beyond the present—visions of the future, hidden truths, or unseen paths. Their power was unstable and costly, often demanding a price in sanity or lifespan.
Humanity had almost given up. They believed the monsters would swallow the world, leaving nothing behind.
But then a hero appeared, standing alone against the endless tide. He fought with unmatched strength and cunning, challenging even the Dragon King itself.
One by one, he toppled the beasts, his power striking fear into every creature that dared oppose him.And when the final blow fell, the Dragon King lay defeated… yet the hero vanished.
No one knew where he had gone, not his companions, not the people who had cheered him on.
Silence followed his disappearance, but his actions left a mark on the world.
Through his courage and sacrifice, humanity was able to secure Lastoria. The last land where humans can live peacefully.
Legends were born that day, whispered by those who survived, telling of the warrior who disappeared at the height of victory.
And though he was gone, hope remained—quiet, fragile, but alive.
But what happened to him…