Eleven Divine Fragments fell from the sky at midnight, scattering across various countries around the world. These fragments landed in the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Italy, China, America, India, Russia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Taiwan. Each of these nations experienced the fall of a Divine Fragment.
At first, nothing unusual occurred aside from the strong impact at the crash sites. However, ten minutes later, each Divine Fragment released a powerful pulse that spread Divinity Crystals throughout the surrounding area. This pulse triggered various natural disasters in each location: earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, plasma thunderstorms, and even unexpected snowfall in countries that normally don't experience snow—such as the Philippines.
By morning, news outlets across the world were flooded with reports of simultaneous disasters—earthquakes, tsunamis, and more—causing widespread panic. Many believed the end of the world had begun.
Following the events, military forces in each country were deployed to secure and assess the areas where the so-called "meteors" had landed. Scientists discovered that the strange crystals found near the impact zones could potentially serve as a new energy source.
This revelation brought hope to the Philippine government. They quickly gathered the nation's top scientists and engineers to begin studying the crystals—now named Divinity Crystals—and to develop potential uses for them.
Through their studies, the scientists identified three types of Divinity Crystals: Solid, Raptured, and Collapsed.
Solid Divinity Crystals: Stable and capable of being used as an energy source.
Raptured Divinity Crystals: These were unstable and could be forged into powerful artifacts.
Collapsed Divinity Crystals: Their properties were unclear and difficult to understand.
While Dr. Luiz Martinez, one of the VHOA scientists, was examining a Collapsed Divinity Crystal, he received a call from a military medic reporting a strange phenomenon.
Ring~
"Hello, is this Dr. Luiz Martinez?"
"Ah yes, this is Dr. Luiz, a scientist from the Geo Science of the Philippines. What's the matter?"
As Luiz tinkered with the Collapsed Divinity Crystal, he was taken aback by what the medical personnel said next.
"One of our soldiers is experiencing unusual physical enhancements."
"What did you say?" Luiz replied, glancing at the crystal in his hand.
"Dr. Luiz, our cadet reported a surge in strength. What's more, we saw it ourselves..."
The medic then described the entire event:
Early that morning, while the soldiers guarded the area where Divinity Crystals had scattered, one curious soldier crossed the barricade—despite strict orders that no one, not even military personnel, was to enter the containment zone due to unknown risks.
The soldier stepped on a brittle patch of land and fell through. Unknowingly, he came into direct contact with the Divinity Essence from a nearby crystal. Upon exposure, he began to feel immense strength coursing through his body.
He had landed on a wide rock ledge with a steep cliff just ahead. Unsure how to climb out, he soon realized he had the strength to scale it.
Using his enhanced power, he dug his hands into solid rock and climbed vertically. Each grip left deep dents in the cliffside. He reached the top unharmed—without a single injury to his hands.
The military medic who witnessed this was in shock.
Back in his lab, Dr. Luiz stared at the Collapsed Divinity Crystal and thought aloud:
"Could this be because of the Collapsed Divinity Crystal? Could this crystal be more than just a power source? Could it also be the key to unlocking superhuman abilities?"
Luiz shared his theory with his fellow scientists—but none of them believed him.
Frustrated but determined, he dropped his phone and began designing a device that could measure the strength of a Divinity Crystal's output. Eventually, they developed what would later be known as the Divinity Essence Meter.
Meanwhile, the government formed an organization called the Fragment Hunter Organization Association (FHOA). It was composed of scientists including the scientist from Geo Science, Dr. Luiz Martinez, engineers, and government partners, all working together to understand and manage the aftermath of the Divine Fragment incidents.
From that day on, Failed Vessels began appearing around the world—humans who had been Absorbed by Divine Fragments but failed to contain the power. These individuals turned into violent, monstrous beings, spreading chaos and destruction wherever they appeared.
In the Philippines, news spread about a Failed Vessel of War, a powerful entity wielding a massive hammer and exhibiting extraordinary strength and speed. However, it was later reported that this terrifying creature was defeated by a contaminated soldier—the very same soldier that Dr. Luiz had been contacted about. They reported that after the Vessel was defeated and crushed into pieces, a sudden light came from its body and it fly like a speed of light and creates lines through the sky then spread again across the country.
This event marked a turning point.
Realizing the danger and potential of Divinity-absorbed by Fragments individuals, the government officially established from Fragment Hunter (FHOA) to Vessel Hunter Organization Association (VHOA). The purpose of VHOA was clear:
To track and analyze individuals who had been contaminated by Divinity Crystals
To eliminate all Failed Vessels threatening society
From that day onward, the Vessel Hunter Organization Association (VHOA) began operating in the Philippines, as well as its branches in other countries. They took action to gather people around the areas where the Divine Fragments had fallen and examine them using the Meter developed by the scientists to measure their Essence Power.
Through these measurements, they discovered that the amount of Essence Power varied among the individuals they tested. Some had low levels, others high, some were average, and there were even those whose levels couldn't be measured.
The VHOA conducted these tests to determine what abilities individuals possessed after being contaminated by Divinity Essence. Those who passed the test were declared fit to become Vessel Hunters. They made it clear that being a Vessel Hunter could be a career, but it came with great danger.
Essence Power Scaling
Global S- Rank: 100,001 and above (EP)
S-Rank: 50,000 - 100,000 Essence Points (EP)
A-Rank: 25,000 - 49,999 EP
B-Rank: 12,500 - 24,999 EP
Rank: 6,250 - 12,499 EP
D-Rank: 3,125 - 6,249 EP
E-Rank: 500 - 3,124 EP
Anyone who falls below 500 EP will not be eligible to become a Vessel Hunter, as they are considered too weak and likely to perish in this dangerous line of work.
Way back to Biringan Forest
After the Direwolf let out a thunderous howl, a shockwave slammed into Jera's body. The surrounding trees trembled, shedding loose leaves that scattered across the forest floor. Birds shrieked and fled from the canopy above. His ears rang violently. For a moment, he heard nothing but a high-pitched tone and the beat of his own heart.
Thick mist coiled around the dim clearing, the humidity clinging to Jera's skin like sweat-soaked armor. His hands trembled as he instinctively pulled up his status window:
76 / 120 HP
55 / 55 MP
"My HP hasn't recovered yet… This isn't good. The Sunfruit's healing is way too slow…" Jera muttered through clenched teeth. A coppery taste filled his mouth as fear churned in his stomach. He stared at the monstrous beast before him, breath shallow, every instinct screaming to run.
The Direwolf exhaled twin jets of white-hot steam from its nostrils. Its massive claws raked through the soft soil, carving trenches with every slow, deliberate stomp. Moonlight glinted off its silver-white fur—matted with old blood and dirt—making it look more phantom than beast. It lowered its body, muscles rippling beneath its thick hide, preparing to charge.
Jera's eyes widened. His knees buckled under the weight of dread. The creature wasn't just large—it was unnatural, a predator forged by the wilds and molded by something more ancient. It radiated killing intent so thick it pressed against his chest like stone. He tried to move—but couldn't. He was paralyzed with fear.
"Am I really going to die here…?"
His eyes flicked to the Direwolf's status:
Direwolf
HP: 1200
Level: 15
His heart sank. The gap between them wasn't just power—it was survival.
Then, like mist dispersing in a storm, the Direwolf vanished.
Where—?!
In a blink, it was airborne. Its gleaming fangs stretched toward him, mouth wide open—death incarnate descending from the sky. Jera threw himself sideways, landing hard against a root-covered patch of earth, but pain exploded in his left arm.
He screamed.
The beast's fangs had torn into flesh and bone. His arm dangled, bloodied and limp—completely useless.
"Damn it!" Jera gasped, panic rising like a tidal wave. "I can't move my arm…!"
With his good hand, he yanked out the sharp stone from his inventory, fingers slick with blood. The cold stone felt brittle in his grip, fragile compared to the creature before him—but it was all he had.
I have to fight... even if it's hopeless.
He lunged, aiming for the Direwolf's skull, but the beast moved like wind—fluid and silent. It slipped around his attack effortlessly, drool flying from its jaws as it stalked him, weaving between ancient tree roots and broken stones.
Jera's stamina was fading. His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps. His legs trembled with each unsteady step.
Then the Direwolf lunged again.
Its maw opened wide, poised to devour him whole.
And in that moment—everything froze.
A voice echoed from the depths of his memory.
"You're a worthless child! I wish you'd never been born! You've done nothing for us—get out of this house!"
His parent's voice. The one that shattered his world. The words that pushed him out of that crumbling home, alone, into an unforgiving world.
He had survived ever since—alone, unwelcomed, unwanted.
"I'm not worthless…" Jera whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the beast's growl. "I'm not…"
But the Direwolf didn't wait. Its fangs found flesh again—this time, his leg.
"AAAAAHHH!" Jera's scream echoed through the trees. Pain tore through him as the beast thrashed him like a ragdoll. Blood splattered across the forest floor. His HP dropped sharply—
12 HP.
His vision blurred. The world tilted. He dangled limply, caught in the Direwolf's jaws. Death was moments away.
And then—
A chime.
A system notification blinked before his dimming vision:
[Your Unarmored skill has leveled up!]
[Unarmored is now Level 5.]
Another chime followed:
[Level Up!]
[You have unlocked the Unique Skill: Soul Absorption.]
Time seemed to halt.
His trembling hand rose, a dim light glowing at his fingertip—white at first, then deep crimson. He pointed it at the Direwolf's head.
[You have used the Soul Absorption skill.]
The crimson glow pulsed like a heartbeat. The Direwolf flinched. Its muscles spasmed, its grip loosening just enough for Jera to fall to the ground in a broken heap.
[You have absorbed the Direwolf Skill: Rage.]
[Mutated to: Maniac Devastation!]
[Effect: +Massive Strength / Duration: 10 seconds / Cooldown: 60 seconds]
[Skill added to Active Skills.]
Jera didn't hesitate.
He activated it.
Power erupted inside him—raw and chaotic. His veins burned. His skin glowed a deep red, as if his blood had caught fire. His muscles swelled. The pain vanished beneath the haze of rage. His left arm twitched—then clenched.
A savage grin twisted across his bloodstained face.
Smoke hissed off his skin as he took a single step forward—and then vanished in a blur.
He collided with the Direwolf mid-charge, slamming it into the stone floor with brutal force. The ground cracked beneath the impact. He straddled the beast, hands like vices, and drove his strength into its throat.
A sickening crunch. Blood sprayed in a hot, metallic arc.
The Direwolf twitched once—then went still.
Silence fell. Only the wind stirred through the treetops.
The red glow faded from Jera's body. His body showered with blood, breath ragged, body trembling.
HP: 11
Stamina: 17 / 100
A system message appeared:
[You have defeated the Direwolf.]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
A while standing showering in blood, a weak grin curled across Jera's lips.
"I… won…"
A moment he kneeled the ground, weakened and suddenly, he collapsed—unconscious in the ground.