Summary :
After defeating Antares, Jin-Woo returns to Seoul. He is now the Shadow Monarch and is responsible for protecting the world from the other Monarchs. Jin-Woo also has to deal with the aftermath of his battle with Antares, as the Japanese government demands that he pay reparations for the damage done to Tokyo.
In Chapter 96 of Solo Leveling, Jin-Woo returns to Seoul after defeating Antares. He is now the Shadow Monarch and is responsible for protecting the world from the other Monarchs.
Jin-Woo is summoned to a meeting with the president of South Korea, who informs him that the Japanese government is demanding reparations for the damage caused to Tokyo during his battle with Antares.
Jin-Woo refuses to pay reparations, claiming that he was only defending himself and the world from Antares. He also warns the President that the other Monarchs are still a threat and that he needs more resources to protect the world.
The President agrees to give Jin-Woo more resources, but also warns him to be careful. He does not want Jin-Woo to become too powerful, as he fears that Jin-Woo may eventually become a threat to humanity itself.
Jin-Woo understands the President’s concerns, but assures him that he will only use his power to protect the world. He also vows to find a way to defeat the other monarchs once and for all.
Chapter 96 of Solo Leveling is a good chapter. It’s a little slower than the previous chapter, but still a good read.
The scenes between Jin-Woo and the President are well written and interesting. They show the complex relationship between the two and also set up the conflict for the next story arc.
Jin-Woo’s promise to find a way to defeat the other monarchs is also a great moment. It shows how determined Jin-Woo is to protect the world.
Overall, Chapter 96 Solo Leveling is a good chapter. A must read for fans of the series.
As soon as he heard that, Baek Yun-Ho speedy constant his previously-slouched sitting posture.
Jin-Woo soon arrived at the Hunter public sale.
the primary building became now not tall however become as a substitute extensive, leading to an initial impression that, as opposed to an office building, it turned into extra like a museum or an art gallery. The massive automobile park regarded to scream out loud ‘We’ll accommodate everybody no matter whether or not the participants are within the hundreds or within the heaps!’
The awesome building turned into standing within the center of that car parking zone.
One may want to without difficulty bet just how a whole lot cash the Hunter auction become making via commissions from the artefact exchange.
Jin-Woo exited from the taxi and made his way in the direction of the building, but even before he should take a couple extra steps, a officially-dressed man all of sudden ran outdoor first.
“You have to be Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
“yes, i’m.”
the man checked Jin-Woo’s face and formed a amazed expression. but, he quick remembered his position and greeted the teens with a welcoming tone of voice.
“My name is Kim Jeong-Ki from the Hunter public sale Appraisal department. We talked at the telephone. Please, comply with me.”
Jin-Woo gently nodded his head.
whilst main Jin-Woo in the direction of the appraisal room, Kim Jeong-Ki’s thoughts became racing.
‘the new rank S that disappeared from the reporters most effective a short whilst ago is status proper at the back of me.’
when he first obtained the call, he idea it needed to be some form of a prank.
to begin with, the meant effect of the artefact sounded nonsensical, and extra importantly, it changed into because the man on the phone said that he become the rank S Hunter introduced earlier within the day.
‘I almost ended up insulting a rank S Hunter, didn’t I?’
simply how anxious become he after the Hunters association confirmed that the phone number did indeed belong to Hunter Seong Jin-Woo?
He ought to thank the lucky stars that he followed the book and didn’t rudely brush aside the call outright.
[….Now officially registered in his new rank, Hunter Seong Jin-Woo has jumped up over five levels in rank, from E to S, through his Re-Awakening process, and it’s revealed that he possesses Mage-type abilities….]
Even now, this young man’s face might be visible plastered on the tv monitors installed on various components of the auction residence. perhaps he himself found it a chunk an excessive amount of, for the reason that youth pulled his hood low to cover his face.
They weren’t even speaking approximately Kim Jeong-Ki, however for some purpose, he felt a chunk flattered because the information broadcast endured to say Jin-Woo’s name.
‘should I ask him if we will take a selfie collectively?’
He shook his head, although. If he wasn’t presently at work, he’d have ‘asked’ for a selfie in addition to some autographs. however, he couldn’t do something that impolite to a patron coming in for an vital alternate. He needed to persevere and hold tight in the interim.
‘became the corridor from the entrance to here this short?’
They arrived at the appraisal room whilst numerous mind fleeted inside and out of his head. Kim Jeong-Ki spoke with a wistful expression.
“It’s this way.”
the top of the Appraisal branch, in addition to the employer’s pleasant appraiser, have been anxiously waiting interior this wide room. They even gave up on lunch simply to be right here.
Seeing Jin-Woo’s face, the department head’s eyes opened wider.
‘It’s really the equal guy from the information!’
in the meantime, the appraiser nervously swallowed his dry saliva.
‘if so, the magic amplification device is clearly….??’
No, nothing become certain, yet. just due to the fact the fellow changed into real, that didn’t mean the stuff might be actual, too. The appraiser repeated this in his head as if to calm himself down.
Even the nice magic amplification artefact created with top materials by the sector’s finest artefact maker pouring out his soul could now not exceed 50% in effect.
and then, amassing of the proper materials itself might now not be easy, not to say that the manpower essential and time required to make one need to be ridiculous as well. One might bear in mind himself lucky if he were given to see one of those artefacts doping up within the market once every few years.
There were inclined Mage-type Hunters from round the sector lining up in an extended-a*s queue to buy such gadgets, however there was actually nothing to sell to them.
well, there was no want to go as some distance because the ‘global’ here.
Even domestically, the Mage-kind Hunter, and often known as the final Weapon, Choi Jong-In changed into seriously determined to purchase an amplification artefact with ‘50% or more’ impact.
however then, a Hunter who might be a rank S however not widely known, came to go to the public sale whilst carrying an artefact with 100% amplification effect?
‘That ought to be nonsense….’
The story become so inconceivable that, if most effective the man wasn’t the pinnacle-ranked Hunter, they could’ve kicked him within the a*s and thrown him out of the premises already.
however….
They couldn’t refuse admittance to a rank S Hunter. despite the fact that nowadays’s count ended as an entire heap of nothing, this man would no doubt grow to be an critical customer in the destiny.
‘properly, there’s nothing to lose right here.’
The appraiser spoke to Jin-Woo, his face a combination of a mild expectation and numerous instances greater misgiving.
“may additionally…. can also I check that artefact?”
each Kim Jeong-Ki and the department head additionally stared at Jin-Woo with hectic expressions.
“okay.”
while pretending to take it out from his pocket, Jin-Woo summoned the Bead of Avarice from his inventory.
“So, that is….”
The appraiser adjusted his glasses and stared at the stunning round blood-coloured bead. It changed into an item possessing a positive magnetic appeal that made the onlookers gasp out in astonishment involuntarily.
the two guys from the Appraisal branch expressed their admiration under their breaths.
“H-mm….”
but, the appraiser changed into tilting his head while adjusting his glasses once more.
“This doesn’t appear like an artefact made from a magic crystal or a Mana Stone. Am I accurate?”
“yes, you’re right.”
The appraiser nodded his head.
‘As I notion.’
He had been an appraiser for seven years already. He turned into able to study countless artefacts until now, but he hadn’t seen a unmarried crystal emitting a pink hue like this one.
most normal crystals emitted a easy bluish tinge, and the better the grade, the darker they were given.
but, this one become a red coloration?
The appraiser continued to tilt his head this way and that, earlier than receiving the bead.
while he did….
‘W-what is this?’
, he felt a sit back run down his backbone. It turned into due to the unidentifiable power he sensed from the crystal bead.
‘C-ought to it’s….??’
He changed into apprehensive out of his wits as he stared on the magic bead. The appraiser become clearly a rank B Mage-type awoke. And consequently, he should at once experience what type of an item he become holding in his hand.
bloodless sweat broke out throughout him.
‘Oh my god!’
Goosebumps fashioned on his skin due to the sheer electricity emanating from this magic bead, and he hurriedly raised his head to locate Jin-Woo wordlessly staring back at him.
‘If the person who introduced this right here changed into a low-rank Hunter, then I….’
This was his first time feeling like this.
He lost depend what number of priceless artefacts he had treated over the years, but this become the first and the only time he felt the robust desire to conquer up the person bringing this object for appraisal and steal it.
regrettably, his opponent became a rank S.
‘……..?’
Jin-Woo persevered to silently stare. The appraiser controlled to pull himself together and rein his choice in after receiving that stare.
‘I wanted to rob a rank S?’
never thoughts trying, he wouldn’t even dare to imagine doing something like that to a Hunter with such a massive hole in strength from him.
similar to how the appraiser did while he become looking on the bead, Jin-Woo became tilting his head at the appraiser now.
‘What’s the problem with him?’
became he feeling ill, someway?
although, the appraiser wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and spoke to the branch head.
“Excuse me, director. Please turn the camera on.”
“Ah! sure, hold on.”
The which means behind that request turned into that the item in the appraiser’s hand was no longer a fake. The department head’s heartbeat multiplied swiftly.
The person to reply Jin-Woo’s call first, Kim Jeong-Ki, also displayed a similar expression.
“Filming will begin now.”
The department head shifted the digicam lens over to the appraiser.
The appraiser walked over to the dish-formed magic power measuring device. First, he positioned the bead down and got himself measured.
Bleep-
Numerical values confirmed up.
subsequent up, he got measured again, but this time with the magic bead in his hand. The measured magic electricity leaking out of the appraiser instantly doubled in fee.
Bleep-
After confirming the consequences, Kim Jeong-Ki’s complexion paled.
“How could this be…..?”
The branch head also hurriedly approached closer and confirmed the outcomes, too.
‘100 percent?! It’s honestly a magic device possessing 100% amplification effect???’
His heart started pounding harder.
The average fee the Hunter public sale earned from assisting with the artefact trade become around five percentage. If an item bought for round one hundred billion won, then they could earn about five billion from the deal.
but, even along with his vast experience, he couldn’t estimate simply how much this crimson magic bead could be sold for.
‘that is a large jackpot! A jackpot!!’
If there have been no person looking, he’d have cried out “Hooray!!” and hug the subordinate employee next to him. just how a whole lot income incentive would he acquire if the deal is going through correctly?
the overpowering pleasure left him absolutely breathless.
Kim Jeong-Ki’s reactions were now not too one-of-a-kind from his advanced. He clenched his fists tightly with an ecstatic expression on his face.
‘yes!!’
If he could get known for these days’s paintings, then it’d be best a count of time earlier than he got a promoting.
“I… will flow on to demonstration next.”
The appraiser spoke with great difficulty, his voice trembling non-forestall. the two men from the Appraisal department quickly distanced themselves.
Jin-Woo also took some steps back.
The digicam changed into filming the entirety quite properly. If one have been to attraction to the ability customers, actual photos become a ways extra effective then easy numerical values.
The appraiser’s eyes were directed towards the digicam.
“let’s get commenced.”
The snow fall the size of a truck’s wheel began raging at the appraiser’s right hand. He persisted on.
“at the same time as preserving this magic energy, I shall touch the magic bead.”
the instant his left hand touched the ‘Bead of Avarice’….
Wheeeeeeiiing-!!!
The snowstorm dancing on his hand rocked the entire appraisal room.
“Heok!!”
If the bowled over appraiser hadn’t cancelled his magic quickly, the entire room may have frozen strong in an instant.
“flip the digital camera off, please.”
“Ah, sure.”
The branch head nodded and ran to the camera to show it off. With that, the artefact appraisal method were concluded.
‘Fuu….’
Jin-Woo become concerned after sensing the magic energy exploding out of the appraiser’s hand, but in the end, he were given to breathe a sigh of relief. It wasn’t just him, although, as each person present inside the room also spat out lengthy sighs to calm their trembling hearts.
almost right away, silence descended in the room.
Jin-Woo quietly requested.
“How a good deal do you watched it’ll move for?”
ought to he have the ability to buy the artefact he desired after promoting this guy off?
well, besides that, he turned into additionally virtually curious about how a great deal a magic tool able to amplifying one’s magic through a hundred% could cross for.
The appraiser stared at the ‘Bead of Avarice’ with a glance of incredulity.
“This…. How am i able to even reflect onconsideration on putting a price tag in this…..”
His gaze shifted over to Jin-Woo.
Gulp.
He swallowed down his dry saliva.
just wherein did this man accumulate an artefact like this? This wasn’t a problem the appraiser need to fear approximately. He knew that, but nonetheless, he couldn’t keep lower back and requested besides.
“in which did you locate this?”
Jin-Woo looked at Kim Jeong-Ki, now not the appraiser, and requested instead.
“Is that query additionally vital for a smooth transaction?”
Kim Jeong-Ki avoided meeting his gaze as though he changed into feeling sheepish, and scratched the again of his neck. The appraiser fast shook his head.
“No, in no way. It’s simply that, I…. i used to be just too amazed, that’s all. but, while the lifestyles of this magic device is found out to the public, anybody could absolute confidence develop curious about its origins.”
indeed, the other two guys gift seemed to be death of curiosity as nicely.
‘well, I guess it doesn’t definitely depend.’
there was no cause no longer to answer if they asked him. It wasn’t as though he received this bead thru much less-than-sincere approach, and also, although others recognise, none of them could be capable of discover some other one for themselves, anyway.
Jin-Woo’s lips parted.
3 other human beings within the room held their breaths and focused on Jin-Woo’s answer, wondering just what might come out of his mouth.
Jin-Woo truly grinned and spoke back.
“I picked it up in a dungeon.”
***
Baek Yun-Ho back to his personal workplace.
“I wish to be left on my own for a while, so don’t let each person in.”
maybe he found ordering his secretary wasn’t sufficient, he even locked the door, too. only after that, he switched on his laptop. after which, the use of the authority afforded to a rank S Hunter, as well as a grasp of a Guild, he began perusing every facts he may want to get his arms on.
‘Can it in reality take place?’
Baek Yun-Ho couldn’t forestall considering Jin-Woo.
A Hunter that could grow more potent?
but, if now not that, then how could absolutely everyone give an explanation for that guy’s energy that had increased to an unrecognisable diploma in only some days?
Baek Yun-Ho’s fingers moved pretty quickly.
He logged in to the special Hunter internet site that simplest the pinnacle-ranked Hunters around the arena could get admission to, and searched for any data related to this matter. lamentably, it became a waste of time.
‘There’s not anything….’
there was now not one Hunter who should improve their stats all via themselves. No, they could best develop more potent through pure good fortune, also referred to as Awakening, or Re-Awakening system.
So, ought to he name that man no longer as a Hunter, but someone selected by the gods?
limitless windows repeatedly popped up, handiest to disappear, and endless texts stuffed the laptop display screen with out a second’s relaxation. three hours surpassed with the aid of like that.
Getting fatigued from the long hours spent on searching, Baek Yun-Ho leaned against the lower back of his chair.
‘maybe, I overreacted?’
that would’ve been a possibility.
due to the fact he turned into too shocked by the amazing strength Hunter Seong Jin-Woo displayed, he ought to’ve thought up a crazy concept as a way to give an explanation for that.
“…Hahaha.”
What turned into he doing when matters remained so hectic?
in preference to wasting time like this, he must be sending every other offer to Hunter Seong Jin-Woo, as a substitute. Who is aware of, that quick-witted Chairman Choi ought to already be journeying Hunter Seong Jin-Woo with a agreement in his hand by way of now.
Baek Yun-Ho chuckled wryly and began last all the windows one at a time. but, when most effective a single window was left open….
‘Wait a minute….’
just for amusing, he typed ‘Hunter degree up capacity’ in the seek engine. Of route, there has been no end result to speak of. Baek Yun-Ho wasn’t waiting for some thing tangible, initially, when he typed that, besides. It became just that, he changed into unconsciously repeating the movements he’d carry out while attempting to find some thing on-line.
‘Now that I consider it…. I haven’t had lunch nowadays.’
He slowly rubbed his tummy as he belatedly sensed his hunger. Baek Yun-Ho became approximately to sign off the search engine altogether, however then, his eyes gleamed brightly.
‘……..?’
He noticed a sure hyperlink with a few words beneath it, discovered on the fifth web page of the hunt consequences.
If the linked address wasn’t the discussion board most effective Hunters ought to sign on with, he’d have overlooked the ones words and move on.
Baek Yun-Ho speedy moved the mouse.
[Title: Something weird has happened to me.]
[Description: I can suddenly see my Stats in numbers like in a video game, and I can even increase their values, too. Is there anyone who has experienced something similar to me?]
An ‘nameless’ had opened a thread with the ones phrases.
but, how need to Baek Yun-Ho describe this? while he read that, he could feel his breaths quickening, in addition to his heartbeat, pounding faster and faster.
‘honestly, others will suppose that I’ve misplaced my mind.’
nevertheless, there has been nothing to lose via confirming it. Baek Yun-Ho picked his cellphone up.
– “hi there, sir.”
soon, the segment leader of the second department, Ahn Sahng-Min, replied the call.
“I’d like you to locate some thing out for me, please.”
Baek Yun-Ho wanted to discover what Hunter Seong Jin-Woo was doing on the day this nameless wrote those words.
– “sure, sir. I’ll discover.”
With a short but simple answer, the call ended.
segment chief Ahn turned into a talented worker. If Baek Yun-Ho waited for a bit at the same time as, then that man could locate what he needed through any manner vital. but, the end result arrived sooner than he expected.
‘Already?’
Baek Yun-Ho quickly picked up the ringing cellphone.
– “Sir, we thankfully nevertheless had a few data accessible, so we had been able to locate what you desired quite quick.”
“Oh, definitely?”
Baek Yun-Ho smiled brightly.
Now that he idea about it, there as soon as became a time when the entirety of the second one department changed into targeted on gathering intel on Hunter Seong Jin-Woo after chief Ahn ordered them. way to that, he didn’t should anticipate long.
– “sure, sir. On that day, Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim became…. Ah, looks as if it turned into throughout that time. Sir, do you continue to don’t forget the twin dungeon incident from some months ago?”
“yes, I recollect.”
– “Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim become the sole survivor of that dual dungeon incident, honestly. If I recall efficaciously, he become subconscious at some stage in the period of his stay in the medical institution.”
“Oh…. Is that so.”
Baek Yun-Ho shaped a upset expression.
An subconscious guy wouldn’t be able to add some thing at the internet, in the end.
‘growing your Stat values…. There’s no manner this type of thing is even possible.’
it all honestly become an unfunny waste of time in the long run. He was getting relatively tired now. He determined that he’d cross home a piece early these days and sleep, but then….
– “Uh? Wait a minute, sir. yes, he became certainly in a comatose nation, but….”
From the telephone’s speaker, Ahn Sahng-Min’s mystified voice came out.
– “looks like he wakened on that day, sir.”