Solo Laveling
Chapter 18's

Solo Leveling – Chapter 18

Jin-Woo only needs a minute to get ready, quickly takes a taxi, and goes to the meeting point. Nine people were already there, waiting for his arrival.

The man who looks like the leader of the group waves his hand at Jin-Woo.

“Heyyy! Here."

It was a bearded man with a fairly large body. She smiles gently and walks closer while talking to Jin-Woo.

"Are you Mr Seong Jin-Woo?"

"That's right."

"Aigoo, it's a relief that you found the right place so quickly. I guess this is fate, so how about we say hello before we start? ”

The bearded man briefly introduced his team members.

Eight of them including himself are regular team mates who work together all the time, whereas the remaining man is someone who also came here to make the numbers, like Jin-Woo.

Jin-Woo greets the rest of the team and studies their faces closely. Thanks to the enhanced Perception Stat, he was able to sense everyone's abilities.

‘Five with same rating. Four with slightly lower ratings than them. Five ranks C and about four with D or lower. '

There are rules when trying to clear a Gate that is rated C. The minimum number of a party should be ten Hunters, and more than half should be at least C rank or higher. It was only at that time that the Association issued a permit.

It seems they claim to be doing all the hunting and he just needs to be there to make those numbers sound like nonsense.

"Now that we are done with the introduction, let me briefly explain the key points to remember."

The bearded man introduces himself as Hwang Dong-Seok, a C-ranked Tanker. He showed a relaxed atmosphere as if he had a lot of experience robbing dungeons.

As he begins to describe the situation to look out for in the middle of the attack, someone comes closer to Jin-Woo.

"Excuse me. Looks like we're both part of this party, huh? "

He is none other than the one Hunter Hwang Dong-Seok brought in to fill in his numbers. He was a young man with a bright expression. However, unlike Jin-Woo, he will actually participate in the battle. He's D-ranked, so he has the right to do so.

His name is Yu Jin-Ho, 22 years old.

Jin-Woo nods lightly as Yu Jin-Ho greets him, before turning his eyes away. Yu Jin-Ho seems to want to continue the conversation, but ends up scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He immediately returned to his place.

"Hyung-nim, let's stop here and get in." (TL: Hyung-nim = older brother, or a boy who talks to older men. Used more as a tribute by gangsters to call someone higher up the hierarchy. Most of the time, however.)

"We're going to be the ones to kill them all, so what's the point of explaining it in such detail?"

"Right, my ears might be blocked by candles at this rate."

When the original team members all raised their voices, Hwang Dong-Seok laughed merrily and clapped.

"Well fine then. Enough with the explanation, let's go. "

Everyone is ready to enter the gate.

"Ah, before we go in, you two, look at this."

Hwang Dong-Seok pushes the pages of the documents to Jin-Woo and Yu Jin-Ho respectively. It was a simple contract.

"Write your name at the bottom and sign it, and we're happy to go."

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He said he did not take part in any hunting, he did not share the spoils, and when the attack was over, he would be paid 2 million won immediately.

The term is the same as what he heard over the phone. However, it was not them who attracted his attention.

"I must promise not to question them regardless of any incident that occurred inside the dungeon ….?"

Unlike the raids organized by the Association, one would not be able to demand compensation in case something happened during the raids organized by freelancers. One of the reasons why Hunters also cannot get life insurance.

One has to guard his own neck, in other words.

Only now does it feel real that Jin-Woo has entered the attack team.

While confirming the clause, Jin-Woo glances at Yu Jin-Ho's contract. As expected, hers was different; in addition to the promised 2 million, she would also share in the loot, as well.

Before signing the documents, Jin-Woo asks Hwang Dong-Seok.

"What should I do when we're inside?"

"Nothing is too special. Just follow us and help us carry our luggage, that's all. "

"Your innate stuff….?"

Hwang Dong-Seok points to a large backpack that one of ‘dongsaengnya’ pulled out of the minivan. (TL: "Dongsaeng" is a gender-neutral term to denote a younger sibling. It can also be used as an honor to show younger people.)

"You'll be carrying around lunch boxes to eat when inside, some sets of clothes and utensils, P3K gear and some other stuff."

"Wait, P3K box when entering the basement?"

Jin-Woo can't help but question this.

"You didn't go in with the Healer?"

"I'm sure you already know that it's not easy to hire a Healer if you run your own assault party. Well, we've been doing things like this until now, so it's okay. "

Hwang Dong-Seok smiled awkwardly.

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To think, this team had just met the minimum number of Hunters required, one of the additional members mistook the attack as a blind date or something, or something, and the composition of the attack team only happens to display the Tanker and damage the dealer, and not one Healer…

Even after hearing that there was no Healer present, the unconscious additional member did not seem to be overly bothered by the revelation. That's real proof that he's a rookie.

Jin-Woo smiles inwardly.

"They're a bunch of wannabs."

But he still signed the contract. Not because he needed those 2 million, but because he knew very well that he could protect himself now.

"Here we go."

"I'm done too!"

Hwang Dong-Seok confirmed the signatures of the two men and shouted in a loud voice as if he felt very happy today.

"All right!! Let's go, everybody! "

***

Party goes straight to the location of the Gate.

It was in the middle of a construction site that was stopped for an apartment complex.

"The current economy is not so good, but still …."

Hwang Dong-Seok clicked his tongue.

Like a huge tombstone, the unfinished apartment building stood still sporadically, giving a certain premonition to everyone who saw it. Can a giant grave feel this way to the observer?

"Would you?"

Yu Jin-Ho has walked closer to Jin-Woo and whispered softly.

“…. That, while employees and investors are going through hell right now, the CEO of the project ran overseas two months ago along with ₩ 900,000,000,000? ”

"…"

Jin-Woo gives the guy a lot of pointers, but it seems like Yu Jin-Ho doesn't want to leave his side at all.

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Well, with the exception of Jin-Woo here, the four of them were originally one team so it was difficult to get along with them easily.

"Hyung, are you always this quiet?" (TL: "Hyung" here is a little different from "Hyung-nim" than before. It still means big brother, but without the connotation of a tough guy.)

Before anyone realizes it, the venerable becomes a 'hyung'. Jin-Woo can't ignore this kid anymore.

"… Don't you know how to take the lead?"

"Well, I've never lived while worrying about taking a lead, so .. Ehehe."

Was this man just a good-natured man, or just a no-brainer? Jin-Woo wordlessly scratches the side of his head as he looks at Yu Jin-Ho and his bright smile.

"However, I …."

It is true that Jin-Woo will become very nervous as he approaches the Gate. But, that's the equivalent for the course, really.

For the other Hunters, the raids may be considered a legitimate source of income, but for Jin-Woo, the, each and every person she has followed so far has been a desperate and bitter struggle to make ends meet.

He became tense because of all the painful memories that were stuck forever in his head.

"It's here."

Hwang Dong-Seok's move is over.

"Oh …."

All the Hunters let out a surprised breath.

"Hwang hyung, is this really a C-rated Gate? But isn't this too big? "

"You think the Association lied to us? They say that investigators came here twice. ”

A hole in the air, floating like a black hole. People call him the Gate.

Its rank is given according to the waves of magical energy emission coming from within. The people from the Association would stop by first to rank each one.

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After that, individuals or Guilds that wanted to clear the Gate could follow the procedure and apply for permission.

Gates ranked A or B, most of the time, were handed over to large Guilds. Yes, they are too difficult for freelancers to remove.

Hwang Dong-Seok stands in front of the Gate and looks back at his team.

"I'll go in first. Do your best to follow him, everyone. ”

The tanker entered first, and the other Hunters started to enter one by one.

"You never know, so …."

Jin-Woo stretches his body just in case.

Next to him, Yu Jin-Ho started to take out his own equipment from his bag. The sword and shield that came out from his bag gleamed attractively under the light.

Even a quick glance can tell that they are very expensive. They were definitely not something a novice Hunter could set up on his own.

‘Wait a minute, he said that he never had to receive a clue before, so does that mean he comes from a rich family?’

Jin-Woo forms a surprised expression.

Perhaps sensing Jin-Woo's gaze at her, Yu Jin-Woo confidently and boldly stood in front.

"Hyung, you said you were E rank, right? Don't worry, I'll protect you. Stay close to me. ”

Jin-Woo scratches the back of his head.

Who will protect who?

"…good. Thanks for the sentiment. "

"Let's go in too."

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Regardless of how Jin-Woo feels, they still follow after him and safely enter the Gate.

***

The inside of the dark prison was terrifying.

"… .."

Not only that, but it was also completely dark.

Hwang Dong-Seok issued his first order.

"Hey, Gyu-Hwan? I need the light. "

"Good."

The magic-related hunter Joh Gyu-Hwan creates a ball of light in the air. The environment soon brightened.

Hwang Song-Seok lowered his shield and slightly tilted his head.

"Whatwhat what? Where are all those monsters? ”

"I wish. There is no light here either. ”

Now usually, there should be a glowing stone found here and there inside the cave-like basement and emitting light to illuminate the way forward. However, this dungeon did not have it.

Yu Jin-Ho whispers to Jin-Woo from the side.

"Hyung, could there be a basement without monsters in it?"

"Stay."

Jin-Woo gestured for the young man to remain silent. Because, Jin-Woo's ears twitched. He could hear many footsteps from a distance.

Jin-Woo spoke up.

"Not to be, they haven't arrived yet."

Yu Jin-Ho swallowed nervously after hearing that.

Thundering….

Soon, the party can hear what Jin-Woo heard earlier.

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Only then did Hwang Dong-Seok realize something was wrong here.

An underground prison without a glowing stone could mean …..?

"What moves in groups, lives in darkness, and rushes toward the source of light?"

"Oh shit!!"

The skin of Hwang Dong-Seok and his dongsaeng turned pale at the same time.

"It's a bug !!"

"Bug is coming !!"

“F ck it, man !! Why does it have to be god and mn bug !! ”

Hwang Dong - Seok yelled.

"Get into your position !! They're coming! Up ahead!!"

From the other side of this passage, 'something' furiously ran towards them in large groups.

"Wait, could this be an ant hill?"

"Don't tell me anything that could bring us shit, okay?"

Of all the monsters, insects were the most difficult to deal with. Their shells were quite strong, they always moved in large groups, and each individual had quite high combat potential, as well.

And the worst of it is the kind of ants. Countless hunters made mistakes and entered the 'ant hill' only to lose their lives very quickly.

Rumbles, rumbling !!

The sound of insect legs rustling on the ground noisily echoed throughout the cave. That means they're close enough now.

Hwang Dong-Seok raised the shield just below his chin. However, they could not see any insects back then. The story started to stir up a commotion from behind him.

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"What's going on here? Why can't I see it? "

"But, are they close?"

"Dong-Seok hyung, can you see something ahead?"

It was at this moment that Jin-Woo shouted.

"Above you!"

'What?!'

Hwang Dong-Seok reflexively looked up.

The roar…..!

Large insects ran towards them on the ceiling.

If they were found late for even a second, those things would jump down on top of their heads.

When fighting against monsters like the type of insects that formed a large group, the destruction of the team formation would mean death for everyone involved.

'If found late, then ….'

Hwang Dong-Seok felt a chill run down his back.

The silver line here is that he cannot find ant-like creatures among various insects.

He raised his voice and shouted.

"Fire!! Shoot and drop them !! Once they are on the ground, I will pull aggro! "

Swish, pow !!

The explosion!!

Kiiieeehhk !!

Kiyehh …

When some monsters fell after being attacked by the Hunters attack, the rest followed and landed back on the ground. Without a doubt, they planned to involve the Hunters.

From here onwards, the Tanker's abilities would prove to be extremely important. Hwang Dong-Seok activates his provocative skills to draw the attention of all the monsters to himself.

And as if they had a previous agreement, the monsters all turned their heads to stare at Hwang Dong-Seok at the same time.

"I'm here, you little bug !!"

Kiieeehhh !!

Dozens upon dozens of monsters rushed towards Hwang Dong-Seok's position.

Slam it!! Clang!!

Clllannng !!

Stick up!! Clangs!

His shield managed to survive the insect attack without fail. Strong jaws and claws could not tear the shield in half. Tanker Hwang Dong-Seok defended well from the front, all stable and motionless.

"Standby, get ready, and get ready !!"

Hwang Dong-Seok waited for the right time.

And