The Gate shimmered like a wound in reality, pulsing with soft violet light that distorted the space around it. The closer Adam got, the more intense the aura became—chaotic energy spilling from the portal like heat from an oven.
He wasn't the only one drawn to it.
Military vehicles were parked in a secure perimeter, soldiers standing with rifles slung low, but tense. At least a dozen black-suited operatives—clearly from the Japanese Hunter Association—flanked mobile command trucks, tablets in hand, eyes sharp. The kind of people who spoke in code and didn't blink.
Clusters of figures stood nearby. Some in sleek, branded armor, flashy and customized—Heroes, clearly. Others wore simpler, more tactical gear: Hunters.
[Nano: Detected. Distinction Protocol Active.]
Heroes: Government/Agency-affiliated. May operate in public zones using abilities.
Hunters: Association-regulated individuals restricted to Dungeon activity.
Licenses: Digitally enforced. Biometric-coded. Multi-tier authorization.
Adam walked forward calmly until two soldiers stepped into his path, rifles pointed downward but firm.
"Stop. License check," one said.
He just gave a small smile. Nano.
[On it, Master.]
Generating local Hunter License: Format – Japanese Region Standard.
Name: Adam Black
Status: Hunter
Rank: A
Data insertion synced with Association feed. QR Beacon initialized for cross-scan.
License Ready.
Adam held up his hand. A faint blue scan code flickered into view just above his palm.
The soldiers blinked, checked their devices, then looked at him again—this time with more respect, maybe even curiosity.
"A-rank, huh?" one muttered. "Didn't get the alert someone this high was coming today for a C-rank gate"
"Last minute decision," Adam replied smoothly.
A silent nod. "You're good. Stay within the perimeter until dispatch begins."
He walked past the checkpoint, stepping into the staging zone where hunters and heroes alike prepped and stretched. Conversations buzzed. Mana checks were run. Weapons were summoned or cleaned.
He leaned against a steel fence post, arms folded.
Then, out of the corner of his eye—he saw someone he didn't expect.
Izuku Midoriya.
But not the timid kid from some other version of this world.
No, this Midoriya stood tall, broader, more muscular. His green curls were still messy, but his face had lost its boyish softness. He wore simple hunter gear—no flashy outfit, just utility and function. A dagger strapped to his thigh. No agency badge.
His movements were measured. Tense.
"Midoriya?" Adam murmured, eyebrows raised. "He's not a Hero?"
[Inquiry Detected. Processing…]
*Subject: Midoriya, Izuku
Age: 19
Ability: None at birth. Official classification: Non-Awakened
Timeline Summary:
–Applied to U.A. Hero University. Passed written and theory exams. Failed practical examination due to lack of ability. Total score below acceptance threshold. Rejected
–One month later he applied for Hunter Association exam. Passed with D-Rank due to exceptional theoretical knowledge and high physical stamina. License granted. Active Hunter for 3 months
Mission completion rate: 87%. Injury count: 0. Reputation: None. Operates quietly.*
Adam's eyes narrowed. "So… no power. Still grinding. Damn."
[Subject demonstrates high potential under adversity. Adaptive combat style detected. May develop latent ability through exposure to higher-tier mana fields.]
"Keep an eye on him," Adam said. "He might surprise everyone."
He turned his gaze back toward the Gate, now humming louder as the scheduled opening neared. The energy was rising. Soon they would be cleared for entry.
Adam cracked his neck, his grin returning
A low beep echoed from the Association's command center, followed by a voice on loudspeaker:
"Gate stable. Entry greenlit. All hunters and heroes, proceed with caution. The objectiveis to eliminate the Boss"
With that, the shimmering blue portal rippled open, and the first wave of figures disappeared into it like ghosts slipping between dimensions.
Adam stepped through with a calm expression, Nano active in the back of his mind like a second heartbeat.
[Scanning Dungeon Interior…]
Environment: Subterranean Temple Variant
Threat Level: Moderate
Boss Location: Deep core, approx. 1.9km NE
Monster Count: 42 detected – Mixed Types
– Species Class: C to Low B
– Dominant Type: Shadow-Walkers, Bone Drakes, and one Elite-Class Obsidian Warg
[Tracking: Subject – Izuku Midoriya]
Position: 400m West. Minor injury sustained. Combat Status: Active, cautious.
[Skill Store: Opened by Request]
Purchased: [Rapid Regeneration – Type II]
Purchased: [Domain Expansion – Custom Framework]
Purchased: [Simple Domain]
"Alright," Adam muttered, "let's turn this into a field test."
He moved fast, quiet, no wasted steps. The dungeon was dimly lit, the stone walls covered in strange rootlike veins, pulsing faintly with violet energy. Sounds echoed—roars, blades clashing, the sharp snap of elemental bursts from heroes further in.
It didn't take long before the first creatures showed themselves.
Three Shadow-Walkers leapt from the walls, claws flashing.
Adam didn't even flinch.
He raised a hand and flicked his fingers.
With a subtle snap, his blood surged out from his palm—twisting, hardening in midair, forming crimson kunai with wickedly curved edges.
[Blood Technique: Crimson Edge Formation]
The kunai flew out like missiles. Three flashes of light, and the creatures fell—bisected before their claws even reached his coat.
The kunai melted into droplets, slithering back into his skin.
"Too easy."
He kept moving, experimenting. Launching spears, reshaping claws, coating his limbs with sharp armor-like layers. The manipulation wasn't just power—it was art. Every motion flowed naturally, like it had always been part of him.
Rounding a corner deeper in the dungeon, he stopped.
Ahead, crouched against a cracked pillar, was Midoriya, breathing hard. His arm was bleeding—badly torn at the shoulder—and a strange, panther-like creature with spiked tendrils, a [C-Class – Gore Panther], lay twitching and dead nearby.
"Midoriya," Adam said calmly, approaching.
Izuku looked up, clearly exhausted and surprised. "You—are you a hunter?"
"Something like that." Adam knelt down. "Hold still."
He didn't ask for permission. A pulse of crimson surged from his palm, wrapping Midoriya's shoulder in warm blood. The fluid hardened, sealed, then dissolved—leaving behind pristine skin and no pain.
"Wh-what… that's amazing—"
"Still gotta rest. You lost a lot of blood."
[Nano: Injecting Compound – "Cursed Emberline"]
Description: Jujutsu World Genetic Catalyst
– Effect: Triggers development of Heavenly Restriction
– Condition: Target must possess zero innate ability
– Result: Over time, subject gains extreme physical enhancements at cost of cursed energy access
– Latent activation: 72 to 120 hours post-injection
Injection Complete. Compatibility: 100%
Adam stood. "You'll feel different for a few days"
Midoriya blinked, confused but instinctively grateful. "Wait—who are you?"
"Name's Adam." He smiled faintly. "Just someone walking the long road."
Without another word, he vanished into the dark again, his presence like a flicker in the corner of reality.
[Nano: Boss Chamber Approaching.
Monster Type: High-Tier Obsidian Warg – Mutation class.
Estimated Threat: Mid-B Rank, enhanced speed, shadow affinity.]
Adam flexed his hands, blood swirling lazily around his fingers like red smoke.
"Let's test that Domain Expansion, shall we?"