Prologue

  The world we know today is one of relative peace and normalcy, where the extraordinary has faded into myth and legend. Yet beneath this calm surface lies a history steeped in darkness and conflict, a tale of ancient battles that shaped humanity's fate.

  In the present day, life moves with familiar rhythms—cities hum with activity, and people go about their lives unaware of the hidden legacies that pulse beneath their feet. But long ago, in a time shrouded by the mists of memory, a force of malice emerged from the shadows. This corrupt energy birthed creatures known as the Malith, beings of pure hatred and destruction. They fed on malice itself, growing stronger with every act of cruelty and despair. To survive, they sought human hosts marked by unique traits—vessels through which their dark power could manifest fully. One such host became Malus, a monstrous fusion of malice and flesh, whose hunger threatened to consume all.

  Humanity stood on the brink of annihilation, powerless against these abominations. Ordinary weapons failed, and hope seemed lost. But from the depths of despair arose a new light: the Golden Vein hunters. Martial artists empowered by a mystical force known as the Golden Veins, they wielded radiant energy capable of purging malice and restoring balance.

  Their victory was hard-won, and their legacy endured. Over millennia, the Malus and Malith receded into shadows, their stories fading into bedtime tales whispered to children. Yet the hunters remained, hidden in plain sight, their bloodlines guarded fiercely across continents.

  This is the world into which our story is born—a world where ancient legacies and modern lives intertwine, and where one young hunter will rise to face the darkness once more.

  In a time long forgotten, darkness birthed a force of malice—an ancient, corrupt energy that gave rise to creatures known as the Malith. Born from shadows and fed by malice itself, these beings grew stronger with every ounce of hatred they consumed. But their hunger was insatiable, and soon they required a host: a human vessel marked by unique traits that drew malice like a beacon. One such man became their unwilling host. As malice consumed him, his humanity faded, replaced by a new entity—a fusion of malice and flesh called Malus.

  Malus hungers for one thing: consumption. It devours malice and flesh alike, a monstrous embodiment of darkness intertwined with human essence. These abominations plunged the world into chaos and despair. Humanity was reduced to mere livestock, awaiting their inevitable consumption. Ordinary weapons proved futile; only those with extraordinary skill could stand a chance. The odds were grim.

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  The Malus reigned supreme—until a new light pierced the darkness. Beings with glowing golden auras emerged: martial arts masters empowered by a mystical force known as the Golden Veins. These hunters could purge the malice within hosts, wielding their radiant energy to effortlessly vanquish Malus and Malith alike.

  Time passed, and victory belonged to humanity, thanks to these formidable hunters. They became the pinnacle of human potential, infused with divine energy. Yet, as their triumph peaked, the Malus and Malith dwindled, retreating into shadows or vanishing altogether. Though still lurking, they lived in fear, hunted relentlessly.

  Thousands of years later, tales of Malith, Malus, and the Golden Vein hunters faded into mere bedtime stories—fairy tales whispered to children. But the hunters never truly vanished. From the shadows, they ruled, controlling governments and nations through powerful families spread across continents. Some lost sight of their sacred duty, consumed by politics and wealth. Only a few remained steadfast in their mission to hunt Malus.

  Worse still, the bloodlines of these hunters began to wane. Many cared little, but some families fought fiercely to preserve their lineage, marrying repeatedly or taking concubines to produce offspring bearing the golden vein. This became a symbol of status; failure meant disgrace and loss of standing within the family.

  As time wore on, the martial vein grew rare. Some families ceased producing hunters with the golden vein, while others remained resolute. The martial vein is hereditary, passed only through hunter bloodlines. As long as hunter blood flows, hope remains for new bloodlines, even if mingled with others.

  On the continent of Eropa, one such clan stands—the Condre famiglia, renowned for its strong hunter bloodline and unwavering dedication to preserving it. Peter Condre, a member outside the main branch, had many wives but struggled to sire a child with the golden vein. Though not from the main branch, Peter possessed wealth, nobility, and a golden martial vein himself. He loved only his first wife; the others existed solely to bear the coveted offspring. Love was scarce, as these women sought to elevate their status.

  Lily Don Yviel, a concubine from the distant continent of Asha, finally bore Peter a child with the golden vein—Lucean Condre. Peter loved all his children, but Lucean received special favor. Trained from the age of two, Lucean endured the Condre family’s rigorous regimen, designed to cultivate gifted hunters. This training blended martial arts and knowledge, demanding discipline but yielding remarkable results. Hunters’ thoughts, actions, movements, and even eating habits are shaped by this relentless discipline. Lucean showed exceptional promise, regarded as a prodigy.

  Our story begins here, with Lucean, destined to become one of the Condre clan’s strongest hunters.

  “Pulse.”

  urban fantasy vibe. Unlike traditional fantasy, it doesn’t lean heavily on magic—instead, it focuses more on martial arts and the energy that flows through them.

  anything goes, but at its core, it will remain wholesome, just like most of my stories.

  once a week for now. Once those projects are complete, I’ll aim to increase the pace to three updates per week.