Solo Leveling Episode 3: In Manhwa Edition

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting long shadows over the hunter training grounds in the city. Jin Tae-Hyun stood in the middle of the sparring zone, alone. The early morning wind brushed against his face, but his focus didn’t break. In his hands, a simple dagger glowed faintly—an E-rank item, but now it felt almost like an extension of himself.

Ever since he accepted the mysterious system’s offer, his body had begun to change. His strength increased each day. His stamina replenished faster. His reflexes were sharper than any normal E-rank hunter.

But more than that… he could now see what no other hunter could.

A glowing blue screen hovered in front of him:

[Daily Quest: Prove Your Worth]

Complete 100 push-ups

Complete 100 sit-ups

Run 10km

Hunt 3 monsters

Reward: +1 stat point each in Strength, Agility, Vitality

Penalty for Failure: Random Dungeon Entry

He had already completed the physical tasks. Now, it was time to hunt.

[Scene: Low-rank Dungeon – Abandoned Sewers Gate]

Tae-Hyun stepped through the swirling gate into a dark, damp corridor lit only by glowing fungus. The air smelled of rot and stagnant water. These were the abandoned sewer dungeons—usually cleared by D-rank or E-rank hunter parties. But Tae-Hyun was alone.

And he wanted it that way.

He crouched low, hearing the soft squelch of wet footsteps.

“Goblins,” he whispered to himself.

Three of them. Green, wiry creatures with sharp teeth and jagged knives. One was larger than the others—likely the leader.

Tae-Hyun didn’t hesitate. He dashed forward, blade flashing.

SLASH!

The first goblin didn’t even react before its throat was cut cleanly.

The second turned, snarling, but Tae-Hyun was already on it. A feint to the left, a step to the right, and the dagger sank into its heart.

The third goblin screeched and leapt at him with a wild swing. Tae-Hyun ducked under the blade and grabbed its arm, twisting it mid-air and slamming it into the wall. Bones cracked. The goblin fell limp.

[You have slain 3 monsters.]

[Daily Quest Complete.]

[Reward Acquired: +1 to all stats, +Random Item Drop]

Another blue screen popped up:

[You have received: Shadow Core Fragment (Uncommon)]

He held the glowing black crystal in his hand. It pulsed like a heartbeat.

“Shadow Core...?” Tae-Hyun narrowed his eyes. “Was this in the item database?”

He checked the Hunter Association’s app, but nothing came up.

“Is the system giving me unique items?”

If so… his path was more different than he realized.

[Scene Change: Hunter Association HQ – Surveillance Room]

Two agents were staring at a monitor.

Agent 1: “That guy… he just cleared the sewer dungeon solo?”

Agent 2: “Jin Tae-Hyun? The E-rank? We marked him as a likely early retiree.”

Agent 1: “Pull the gate scan data. His mana levels jumped... by 17% in three days.”

[Scene: Outside the Dungeon]

Tae-Hyun walked out of the gate, face calm, clothes slightly bloodstained. A few rookie hunters outside gawked at him.

“Did he just solo that gate?”

“Is he an assassin-type?”

“I heard he used to faint during raids...”

He ignored them. Notifications were still blinking in his interface.

[Level Up!]

[Level: 6 → 7]

[New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Bind (Lv.1)]

A swirl of darkness formed around his fingertips for a brief second.

“A new skill?” Tae-Hyun muttered. “This is… way beyond E-rank.”

“What are you turning me into, System?”

[Scene: His Apartment – That Night]

Tae-Hyun sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by weapons, manuals, and glowing fragments. His phone buzzed. A message from Hunter Park:

“Tae-Hyun, join us on an upcoming C-rank gate. We need your help.”

He didn’t reply.

“I’m not the weakest anymore,” he whispered to himself.

Then, as if on cue, another blue message popped up:

[Secret Dungeon Key Acquired.]

[Gate opens in 1 hour.]

[Warning: Death Chance 87%]

Do you wish to enter?

A grin touched his lips.

“Let’s find out how strong I can really become.”

📌 End of Chapter 3

Next Chapter Preview:

The Secret Dungeon tests his mind, body, and spirit… and an ancient being watches from the shadows.