Solo Leveling Episode 5: In Manhwa Edition

The world blurred around Jin Tae-Hyun as he stepped through the gate.

It wasn’t like the other dungeon entries. This one was different—he wasn’t simply walking through a rip in space. He felt like he was falling. Cold air whipped past his ears, and darkness clung to his body like chains.

Then—

Boom.

His boots landed on solid ground. He stumbled slightly, eyes blinking in the low light. A strange silence pressed on his ears. It wasn’t just quiet—it was empty, like the air itself had no life.

He looked up.

The dungeon was vast—wider than any he had ever seen. A cold grey temple stood before him, columns stretching so high they vanished into black mist. The stone was carved with ancient symbols, glowing faintly with blue and red runes. Skulls lined the steps leading to the entrance.

[You have entered the Forgotten King’s Temple]

Dungeon Type: Trial

Difficulty: Unknown

Death Rate: 87%

Clearing Reward: ???

Tae-Hyun took a deep breath and stepped forward.

[Inside the Temple – Trial Room 1]

As he entered the hall, the doors slammed shut behind him.

The room lit up. Statues of warriors lined both sides, each holding a different weapon—sword, spear, axe, even chains.

In the center, a stone tablet floated. On it, glowing letters began to form.

“Those who seek power must first face their past fear.”

Suddenly, the statues began to move.

One stepped down with a grinding groan, dragging a rusted sword behind it. It looked human—but its face was familiar.

Too familiar.

“No… it’s me,” Tae-Hyun muttered.

The statue was an exact replica of himself—only thinner, weaker, trembling. It had blood on its hands and tears in its eyes.

“Why didn’t you save them?” the statue said.

More voices echoed through the chamber.

“You left them to die.”

“You ran when they needed you.”

“You were the weakest link.”

His heartbeat raced. His breath came short. He stepped back unconsciously.

Flashbacks flooded his mind—that failed E-rank raid months ago. The goblin ambush. His legs giving out. Watching his friend bleed out while he hid.

The old Tae-Hyun would have collapsed right there.

But this time…

He drew his dagger.

“I’m not him anymore.”

[Battle Begins]

The corrupted Tae-Hyun statue lunged. Faster than expected.

Steel clashed with steel.

Tae-Hyun rolled to the side, barely avoiding the counterstrike. The statue fought with awkward, desperate slashes—wild and afraid.

But Tae-Hyun had changed. He wasn’t scared of that version of himself anymore.

He parried. Dodged. Cut.

SHHHK!

The dagger buried deep into the statue’s chest. Its glowing eyes flickered.

“Do not forget who you were,” it whispered.

“Or you’ll become me again.”

It crumbled into ash.

[Trial 1 Complete]

Mental Resistance +10

Hidden Stat: Willpower +1 Unlocked

[Trial Room 2 – The Beast’s Arena]

The doors opened. A new room. Blood stained the walls. Bones crunched underfoot.

A massive roar shook the floor.

A three-headed black wolf emerged from the shadows, chained but snarling. Its eyes were blazing red.

[Trial 2: Slay the Beast of Regret]

Time Limit: 5 Minutes

“Five minutes?!”

The beast charged.

He barely rolled aside as claws slashed the ground, tearing up stone like paper. He slashed its side, but the blade bounced off like hitting steel.

[Skill Activated: Shadow Bind Lv.1]

Dark tendrils shot from the ground and coiled around one leg.

The beast growled, restrained just long enough for Tae-Hyun to leap up and plunge his blade into its eye.

It shrieked. One head down.

But the other two howled.

The second head lunged and bit into his shoulder.

“ARGHH!”

Blood gushed. Pain shot through him.

He dropped to one knee—but then gritted his teeth and pushed forward.

The system voice chimed:

[New Passive Activated: Pain Tolerance Lv.1]

He smiled through gritted teeth.

“You’re not stopping me.”

He flipped the dagger in his hand and drove it through the second head’s throat, twisting hard. The third head tried to retreat, but Tae-Hyun used Shadow Bind again—dragging himself upward with the tendrils.

“DIE!”

Final slash.

CRACK!

The wolf collapsed.

[Trial 2 Complete]

HP +50 | Vitality +2 | New Skill Gained: Shadow Leap (Lv.1)

[Scene: Outside the Temple]

The gates of the dungeon cracked open behind him.

Jin Tae-Hyun emerged—bloodied, limping, but smiling.

He survived the 87% death-rate dungeon. Alone.

[You have cleared a Secret Trial Dungeon]

You are now eligible for a Class Advancement.

His phone buzzed.

Incoming message:

📩 Hunter Association Notice:

“A new dungeon anomaly has appeared in Seoul. All A-rank hunters requested. Potential S-Rank activity.”

Tae-Hyun looked up at the sky.

“Let’s see what’s next.”

✅ End of Chapter 5

Next Chapter: Class Awakening – The Shadow That Hunts