Solo Leveling Episode 1

South Korea. Present day.

It all began when the mysterious “Gates” appeared—portals to another world teeming with monsters and magic. With them, came Awakened Humans: hunters, blessed with supernatural powers. Some were strong enough to obliterate armies. Others, barely survived a single battle.

And then there was Sung Jin-Woo.

Scene 1: A Weak Start

Rain lashed down over the city as Sung Jin-Woo stood outside the dungeon entrance, trying to hide his trembling hands.

“Another E-rank gate… good,” he whispered to himself, forcing a smile.

He was thin, bruised, with a stitched scar over his cheek. Not much taller than average, not much stronger than any normal man. In fact, among all registered hunters, he was called:

“The Weakest Hunter of All Mankind.”

Scene 2: Inside the Gate

A small group had gathered. Eleven hunters. Among them were B-ranks and C-ranks. Most ignored Jin-Woo—he was barely stronger than a civilian. He had a dagger strapped to his thigh, but everyone knew he might be more of a liability than an asset.

Still, he needed money.

His sister’s tuition. His mother’s hospital bills. Rent.

No matter how weak, Jin-Woo kept going into dungeons.

The gate shimmered as the raid leader gave the signal.

“Move in.”

A chill wind blew as they stepped into the stone corridor of the dungeon. The torches lit themselves with eerie blue flames.

Scene 3: The Fight

The dungeon was eerily quiet—too quiet. They faced a few goblins. The stronger hunters took them down quickly. Jin-Woo barely managed to stab one after it was already half-dead.

“Why do you even bother showing up?” muttered a C-rank healer.

Jin-Woo just smiled weakly.

But then they reached the chamber.

A vast cathedral-like room. Statues of gods lined the walls. At the center was a towering stone sculpture, sitting on a throne.

“Wait.”

“This… this isn’t the boss room.”

“Something’s off.”

As soon as the last hunter stepped inside, the gate behind them sealed shut.

A voice echoed from the statues, in a language no one could understand. A tremor rocked the ground.

Suddenly, one of the stone statues turned its head.

“Run!”

But it was too late.

Statues began slaughtering the hunters.

Blades cleaved. Screams echoed.

One by one, they fell.

Scene 4: The Three Rules

Jin-Woo lay bleeding, barely alive, as a few survivors clustered around him.

That’s when someone realized: the statues only attacked when rules were broken.

A message appeared midair.

1. Worship the Lord.

2. Do not run.

3. Prove your faith.

They knelt before the giant statue. The attacks stopped.

Then the second test began—a trial by fire. Platforms rose, fire blazed, and everyone had to sacrifice something to survive.

Jin-Woo saved another hunter, getting his leg crushed in the process.

He was the weakest… but the bravest.

Only a few made it to the final test. All hope seemed lost.

But then—another message appeared.

You have met the conditions.

Would you like to become a Player?

Everyone else was unconscious… or dead.

Jin-Woo, barely breathing, stared at the glowing screen.

[YES]

[NO]

His hand twitched.

He tapped YES.

Scene 5: Death and Rebirth

The world turned black.

Jin-Woo died.

But moments later—he woke up.

In a hospital bed. Alive.

But something had changed.

A digital screen floated in front of him:

Welcome, Player.

Daily Quests Have Been Activated.

Sung Jin-Woo had just begun a journey unlike any other.

He was no longer just a hunter.

He was now…

The Only One Who Could Level Up.

Episode End.

Episode 2 will be written soon. So support this story to publish

all series. Have a nice day.