Vol. 1 Chapter 1 - The Pick-Up Artist and SSS-Rank Hunter

—100 years ago, on January 1st—

 

Earth suddenly fused with otherworldly planets.

 

At the same time, Earth expanded to more than three times its original size, ushering in significant changes.

 

Unknown creatures from another realm, called ‘Monsters,’ appeared and not only threatened to annihilate Earth’s wildlife but also aimed to conquer humanity itself.

 

With conventional weapons, humanity could only handle the weakest of these monsters.

 

As a result, their living space continued to shrink, and within just over two years, they lost half of their continents.

 

However, seven years after the fusion with the otherworld…

 

Children born after the fusion displayed special abilities and possessed status boards visible only to themselves. Even at the tender age of seven, these children had the power to defeat the world’s strongest fighters with their physical abilities alone.

 

What was truly astonishing were the “Skills” – unique abilities they possessed.

 

Skills were supernatural powers activated using the energy known as “Magic Power,” which emerged after the fusion with the otherworld. These Skills were classified into grades, ranging from E to S, and even up to SSS at present.

 

Among them, the higher-ranked Skills granted abilities that surpassed ordinary human capabilities.

 

Skills that could manipulate flames hotter than several thousand degrees, enough to melt metal.

 

Skills that made their bodies so resilient that they could withstand even missile strikes barefoot.

 

Skills that could control weather in ways science couldn’t replicate.

 

Skills that allowed individuals to form contracts with evolved animals and monsters, known as “Divine Beasts,” and summon them.

 

This newfound power enabled humanity to combat the Monsters effectively. After a hundred years, they not only repelled Monster invasions but also explored uncharted territories on a new continent.

 

In this world, there was a carefree guy who casually approached beautiful women.

 

“Hey, beautiful lady! How about some tea with me later?”

 

Yes, that would be me – Akito Akashi.

 

I tried to pick up a cool and beautiful lady I happened to meet, but she responded with a cold tone, shooting me a contemptuous look.

 

“No, thanks. I have a date with my boyfriend later.”

 

“Come on, please! I’ll even pay for everything!”

 

“I said no.”

 

Without paying any attention to my words, the beautiful lady walked away towards her boyfriend.

 

I let out a sigh of disappointment.

 

“Ah, another failure. It seems like pick-up lines don’t work these days… Seriously, all my Skills are such a hassle.”

 

I reluctantly followed the cool and beautiful lady, and for a brief moment, deliberately disappeared from the view of everyone around me.

 

During that time, I created a jet-black mask and put it on, donning a jet-black combat coat with a hood.

 

I effortlessly jumped onto the roof of a low-rise building, using it as a vantage point to keep an eye on the beautiful lady. I activated the mask’s special function, called the “Binoculars,” and watched.

 

The beautiful lady fiddled with her smartphone as she waited. Soon, a man who seemed to be her boyfriend arrived, and they began chatting happily.

 

“Annoying…”

 

While watching the two lovebirds getting cozy, I started counting down.

 

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1—Time to take this?”

 

“Huh!?”

 

“W-who…? Wait, is that Lord Raid?! No way! Meeting you here…!!”

 

At the count of “1,” I kicked off the roof and intervened between the two, snatching the ‘Magic Relic’ knife from the man’s hand.

 

Slightly delayed, the boyfriend opened his eyes wide and began sweating profusely, while the beautiful lady’s eyes sparkled as she called out my Hunter name.

 

I sealed the ‘Magic Relic’ in a containment box and addressed the beautiful lady.

 

“Do you know me?”

 

“Of course! You’re known mainly for your activities in Japan, an unidentified SSS-Rank Hunter! You always appear gallantly to quell any crisis in Japan, like a king ruling the world from the shadows! That’s why you’re called ‘Lord Raid, the Shadow King!!’ I’m a huge fan!”

 

Her enthusiastic response was a complete turnaround from her earlier cold demeanor. Behind my mask, I couldn’t help but smile.

 

“Heh… Thanks for the explanation. By the way, you should keep your distance. Your boyfriend tried to attack you.”

 

“What…? Y-Yuu-kun? It can’t be… It’s a lie, right?”

 

The beautiful lady’s eyes welled up with tears as she anxiously questioned.

 

However, her boyfriend, with lifeless, empty eyes, remained silent.

 

“Lord Raid… Th-this can’t be true, right?”

 

“It is true. But don’t worry. He’s merely being controlled by a ‘Mind-Control Spider.'”

 

I swiftly moved behind her boyfriend and crushed the ‘Mind-Control Spider’ attached to his neck. He collapsed to the ground instantly, as if his strength had been drained.

 

“He should be fine now. It might be a good idea to take him to the hospital, though.”

 

“Th-thank you so much… Lord Raid!! I’ll support you forever!”

 

With tears streaming down her face, the beautiful lady thanked me and rushed to her boyfriend’s side.

 

Observing this envy-inducing scene and confirming her well-being, I disappeared from the scene at an inconceivable speed, unnoticed by anyone.

 

“Damn… May he explode in popularity…”

 

I sighed, removing my combat attire and mask, then continued on my way to deliver the ‘Magic Relic’ to a certain location.

 

Let me reintroduce myself.

 

My name is Akito Akashi.

 

In public, I’m just an ordinary pick-up artist, dreaming of encounters with beautiful women.

 

And behind the scenes—I’m one of the five SSS-Rank Hunters in the world.