Solo Leveling (俺だけレベルアップな件)

Captain, we should be in this fight.

You know that isn't an option.

Even if we join them, none of our weapons would deal any damage.

We don't have a choice in the matter.

It's in the hands of the hunters.

Stand your ground and fight. If they get past us, the frontline's history!

No, this is hopeless!

Might have stood a chance if we were a higher rank, but we're not!

Dammit,

I'm... fading fast.

Healing magic?

Whoa, that worked instantly.

Hey, look out!

Duck, now!

Go! Yoonho!!

Right!

Yes, they're here.

Leave it to the S-rank hunters to clean house.

I think Byung-gu is a little too eager.

I'm sorry, but the sooner I act the more people I heal.

Besides I only rushed in the way I did cuz you two were close behind.

Hmm.

Its big.

But I don't think we've made it to the boss yet.

Probably just a lead past of this infestation.

Byung-Gu, look after the wounded.

Don't have to tell me twice.

I'm on it.

Are you ready for this, Eunseok?

You knew it!

You're a tank. Damn!

And...

This wasn't the leader after all.

Lucky us!

Seems they made it.

No doubt in the nick of time.

Well, well.

Suppose we should get started too.

Guild Master! On your order!

Right.

All units, attack!

More than a decade ago,

a series of pathways appeared connecting our world to another dimension

and ushering in untold horrors.

For the other side of these gates teamed with bizarre creatures called magic beasts.

Though these monsters proved immune to conventional weaponry,

some humans awakened abilities to combat the threat.

They are known as hunters,

and the magic coursing through them determines their rank.

There's.. S, A, B, C, D, leaving E as the lowest level.

The catch is...

no amount of training will improve their power once it awakens.

A hunter's strength and rank are set from day one.

Best of luck to you and your crew on today's raid.

Thank you.

Hey! What's up, Mr. Kim?

Long time no see.

Now there's a face I wasn't expecting.

Thought you said you had your fill of hunting, Beom-shik.

That was before Baby No. 2 was on the way.

A successful raid will definitely

score you a pretty nice mint for your new kiddo.

I'm pretty nervous.

It's been a while, so you know I'm super rusty.

I was always weak to begin with.

Huh.

Is that a Jinwoo Sung I see?

Yo, what's going on?

Came out despite the cold, huh?

Yeah.

Nice to be working with you guys again.

Hey kid, have you eaten yet?

Can't find Magic Beasts running on fumes.

Right. I did eat before I got here. Thanks.

Why is everybody flagging him down?

Is that kid like a big deal or something?

He's the exact opposite.

Jinwoo joined up not long after you quit.

Well, I call him the weakest hunter of all mankind.

Wait, really?

That's a thing?

It was once he got hospitalized after a trip through an E-rank gate.

That isn't weak, and I don't know what is.

It's hard a picture of someone being that bad.

But he is, so just him being here means it's gonna be a real easy raid.

Uh-huh, gotcha.

We should probably drop it.

I'd hate for him to overhear us.

Too late.

Heard every word.

Well, they didn't say anything that isn't true, so I can't argue.

Jinwoo!

Oh!

You got hurt again!

Yeah, but I'll live.

It's good to see you, Joohee.

How about you skip the small talk and explain what happened to you?

Oh, uh, yeah, the same thing that usually happens.

You seriously need to be more careful!

I heard you even had a hospital stay.

Hey, silver lining though is that I was the only one hurt.

So, what exactly went wrong?

The rest of the team was a higher rank, and the dungeon was an E,

so they didn't think to bring a healer.

They didn't bring a healer?

Of all the thoughtless, self-centered things to do!

Not like I'm mad. It isn't their fault I'm so weak.

I'm used to being treated that way by hunters.

Figures you knew that.

It looks like they're ready to head inside.

Come on.

The name's Chiyul Song, and unless any of you have objections,

I volunteer to be the leader of our dungeon raid.

Speak now or hold your peace.

Nope, I'm all for it.

Chiyul is the most skilled out of everybody here.

One less worry if he's in charge.

Working with you, sir, is an absolute privilege.

Thanks.

Now, with that settled, shall we?

Hey kid!

Hang behind the rest of the pack and don't get yourself hurt.

Good idea.

I'll try.

Focus on succeeding, not trying.

This knife has barely any magic power in it,

but it was the only weapon I could afford.

Hey, it's better than nothing.

Alright, let's see this through to the end.

Ah, welcome back, Chairman Go.

How was your meeting with the administration?

We covered the usual talking points.

Dungeon breaks are a constant problem,

but they still want the resources we collect from every open gate.

Their demands are logical. Anyone with sense would agree.

Hunting's now one of the most lucrative careers on Earth

thanks to the treasures found in those monster dens.

Who'd have guessed the trophies inside Magic Beasts?

These Essence Stones would be so valuable.

I actually got one.

I can hardly believe it.

Jinwoo!

You have to fight them off.

Stay back Joohee!

I gotta go back and help with the main assault.

Look after him and patch him up if you can.

Right, I will.

You're going to be okay.

I'll make you good as new.

We hunters gather Essence Stones from high-ranked beasts

and use them to create weapons and armor

that allow us to take down even more creatures in a vicious cycle.

One would think we just harvest mana crystals

since they perform the same function,

yet they're less potent and make for weaker gear.

But the government's interested in a much different use?

As a new power source, yes.

They're safer than nuclear, more efficient than water, wind, or geothermal.

And don't pollute the atmosphere like fossil fuels.

Quite simply, the ideal clean energy.

As we speak, scientists are working to get

those magic minerals to produce electricity.

A rare fuel source only hunters are able to collect.

Making the burden that all hunters bear heavier than it already was.

We did it.

I gotta hand it to you, Mr. Song. You know how to call him!

Now be honest.

You weren't just staying on as a hunter because you're too stubborn to quit, right?

It's only a matter of when, not if, something much worse happens.

I thought your stomach was all that needed healing, but you're hurt everywhere!

I'm sorry.

I'm not asking for an apology here, okay?

I'm worried about you!

Everyone good?

All loot collected?

If they can fetch a prize, safe to say we got it.

Mana crystals are scarce here as Essence Stones.

This dungeon was one dry cash cow.

I guess it's over.

And all I have to show for it is a single E-rank Essence Stone.

What a crap reward for risking my life.

Hey!

Come take a look at this, guys!

A cave?

Or a tunnel, maybe?

Either way, it seems to go pretty far.

This has to be a double dungeon. Never seen one in person, though.

I was wondering why there weren't any signs

of this place shutting down after we beat that mutt.

I have to admit, that thought crossed my mind, too.

Then there's more.

Maybe.

This cash cow might not be as dry as we assumed.