< Mana >
Soul energy exists within all living beings that possess a Soul. On its own, it has little practical function, but it can be converted into [Mana] for various purposes, such as ability activation through Lapse (顺转) and physical reinforcement through Tracing (强化).
< Soul Ability >
An intricate power imprinted onto the Soul. To activate their Innate ability, the individual must convert their soul energy into Mana and guide it with will in a forward loop. Additionally, though rare, there exists an Inverse (逆转) process, which circulates Mana in a backward loop and reverses the effect of an ability. For example, the inverse of flame would manifest as frost and the inverse of frost would manifest as the ability of flames.
< Core >
The root of the Soul. It is generally regarded as the embodiment of an individual's "Ego" and is divided into seven tiers. Depending on its type, it possesses varying capacities.
Human Mana Cores typically range from Tier 1 to Tier 5, while Demon Cores begin at Tier 5 and extend beyond. In contrast, Aether Cores do not necessarily possess high capacity, but instead house a hidden function.
< Fissure >
Gates that leads into a specific region of the Dark Dimension.
< Dark Dimension >
A mysterious realm that does not obey the laws of physics. It serves as a repository of fragmented histories and is inhabited by various Creatures of Darkness.
< Hunter >
Licensed individuals recognized by the Guild to undertake specialized tasks such as hunting monsters, eliminating high-value criminals, and exploring Fissures.
They are ranked in ascending order of power and experience:
• Novice
• Vanguard
• Slayer
• Lancer
• Saint
< Creatures of Darkness >
Entities born from distorted fragments within the Dark Dimension. They do not possess true existence and must anchor themselves to remnants of history, objects, or concepts in order to manifest. Often referred to as Shades, they are hostile by nature and vary greatly in form and strength depending on the fragment they inhabit.
There are a total of five ranks for Shades, becoming more powerful and intelligent as they advance.
• Fiend
• Terror
• Tyrant
• Leviathan
• Outer God
Note: The ranking system of Creatures of Darkness is not strictly absolute. While the five ranks serve as a general classification based on strength, intelligence, and stability, anomalies can occur. Certain Shades may exhibit abilities or behaviors beyond their designated rank, especially when influenced by powerful fragments such as divine remains or conceptual anchors.
Encounters with entities at the level of Outer God are extremely rare and often defy conventional classification, as their existence borders on true autonomy rather than mere manifestation.
< Domain >
A Domain is a manifested territory formed by an entity with overwhelming control over Mana and will. Within this space, the user's Soul Ability is amplified, and the surrounding environment is reshaped to reflect their inner world or concept.
Domains operate under altered rules defined by the caster, often granting them an absolute advantage within its boundaries. These effects may include enhanced abilities, suppressed opponents, or the imposition of specific conditions that must be met to act or survive.
However, maintaining a Domain requires immense control and a continuous supply of Mana. As such, only high-ranking individuals or entities can sustain one for extended periods.
In rare cases, Domains can overlap or clash, resulting in a phenomenon where the stronger will overrides the weaker, forcibly rewriting the space.
< Mystic Tools >
Mystic Tools are artificial or naturally occurring constructs that have been permanently altered by mana saturation, conceptual imprinting, or exposure to fragments of the Dark Dimension. Unlike ordinary weapons or equipment, they possess residual "will" or encoded functions that allow them to activate phenomena beyond standard human capability.
Some are relics left behind from the Catastrophic Era, while others are modern recreations built through Guild research and Fissure extraction programs. Regardless of origin, all Mystic Tools are treated as unstable assets due to their unpredictable behavior and potential for resonance with their users' Souls.
To prevent uncontrolled usage, Mystic Tools are classified into five tiers based on stability, output capacity, and danger:
• Tier 1 — "Dormant"
These tools are stable and require direct mana input to function. They possess no independent will and behave like enhanced equipment. Their effects are usually simple augmentations such as reinforcement, elemental release, or minor spatial distortion. Most licensed Hunters begin with Tier 1 tools, as they pose minimal risk to the user.
• Tier 2 — "Awakened"
These Mystic Tools exhibit partial autonomy. They may respond to emotional state, intent, or environmental conditions, activating effects even without explicit command under certain triggers. While still controllable, they begin to show resistance to improper usage.
• Tier 3 — "Bound"
At this stage, the Mystic Tool is no longer just an object, but a semi-sentient construct bound to a concept or fragment of will. Activation often requires synchronization with the user's Soul Core, and improper resonance can lead to feedback damage or distortion.
These tools are known for developing unique "traits" that evolve alongside their user. They are highly sought after but equally feared.
• Tier 4 — "Anomalous"
Mystic Tools of this tier are unstable existences that actively distort their surroundings. They may alter probability, perception, or even causal relationships when activated. In many cases, their function cannot be fully replicated or understood, even by researchers.
These tools often reject standard classification and are sealed or restricted immediately upon discovery. Interaction requires high-ranking Hunters and strict containment protocols. Some might even try to escape or kill their wielders.
• Tier 5 — "Forbidden"
These are Myth-Class Mystic Tools, typically originating from the Catastrophic Era or deeper Dark Dimension strata. Their existence alone can destabilize regions of reality. They are not "weapons" in the conventional sense, but expressions of a concept that has partially manifested into the physical world.
Tier 5 tools may exert influence over memory, identity, or fundamental laws of existence. In many cases, they cannot be destroyed; only suppressed, sealed, or displaced