StarR1ser

In Nyxterra, strength is law, and the weak are nothing but stepping stones for the strong. Dante Varros learned this truth the hard way.

Born an orphan, he clawed his way into Arcadia Academy, the world’s strongest institution, only to be crushed beneath the heels of noble heirs who saw him as nothing more than entertainment. Beaten, humiliated, and left to rot.

Fifteen years of suffering. Fifteen years of helplessness.

Then came his fifteenth birthday—and with it, his awakening.

Hunter. A power that feeds on death. Anything he kills, he can plunder—abilities, talents, skills, even lifespan.

His first prey? The noble heir who had spent years making his life hell.

He struck without mercy. No hesitation. No regret. He watched the light fade from their eyes and took what was rightfully his.

Now, Dante moves in the shadows and the light, hunting the strong, stealing their power, and carving his name into a world ruled by monsters in human skin.

War looms. Factions rise and fall. The gods of this world feast on the weak.

But Dante is no one’s prey.

He is the predator.

And he will slaughter his way to the top.

Dominion of the Slain

The Academy's grand halls were abuzz with the murmurs of graduation. Students whispered of their futures, of the factions they would join, of the power struggles waiting beyond these walls. But for Dante, there was only one concern—eliminating the last loose ends.

He strode through the halls, his presence barely acknowledged by the noble heirs who had spent years tormenting him. Their gazes passed over him like he was invisible. It was a habit, a pattern. They had never truly seen him, not as a person, not as a threat.

The Academy had strict security, overseen by none other than Orion Vaelthorne, the SSS-Rank Headmaster. No killings could take place within its grounds without swift and merciless consequences. Dante knew this. That was why Jared and Meren still breathed.

Graduation was in three days. Once he was beyond these walls, there would be no sanctuary for them.

That night, in the solitude of his room, Dante pulled up his Status Window.

Hunter (??? - Unique) – Grants the ability to plunder one skill, talent, ability, or lifespan from slain targets.

Phantom Blade (C-Rank) – Summon an ethereal weapon that phases through armor and solid matter.

Mirage Veil (D-Rank) – Temporarily distort light to become nearly invisible.

Shadow Step (D-Rank) – Instantly shift a short distance in any direction.

Predator's Insight (C-Rank) – Enhances senses to detect fear, weakness, and killing intent in others.

Dagger Mastery (E-Rank) – Basic proficiency with daggers and short blades.

Survival Instinct (D-Rank) – Enhanced awareness and adaptability in life-threatening situations.

Stealth (D-Rank) – Ability to move silently and blend into surroundings.

Cold Calculus – Exceptional ability to analyze situations and make ruthless decisions.

Unyielding Will – Mental fortitude against pain, fear, and external influence.

Essence Core Refinement: The process of absorbing and refining Essence Energy from the environment, battles, or external resources.

Breakthroughs: Overcoming physical, mental, or combat thresholds to reach the next rank.

External Aid: Utilizing potions, artifacts, or unique methods to accelerate progress.

He was beyond that now. He wasn't bound by the normal means of advancement. Every kill, every stolen ability, would push him further.

His fingers tapped lightly on the wooden desk. There was no mission update, no divine guidance. Only the path he carved with his own hands.

The world outside Arcadia Academy was brutal, filled with warring factions, power-hungry elites, and monsters lurking in both dungeons and society. But none of that mattered.

Because he would rise above them all. One corpse at a time.

The Gathering Storm