Solo Leveling: Ragnarok

At the farthest reaches of the vast expanse of space, the dimensional wall had been melted away, unleashing an unending torrent of enemies. Fierce battles raged across the universe, each skirmish a desperate struggle for survival. Amid one of these chaotic battlegrounds stood a figure, grinning widely.

“Who would have thought my own son would choose to become the heir of the King of Dragons?”

Dark energy coiled around the man like a living shroud. It was Sung Jinwoo, the Monarch of Shadows, his gaze fixed on Earth as he laughed incredulously.

Raising a child, it seemed, was full of surprises. Who could have imagined such a day would come, that the son of the Shadow Monarch would declare himself as the heir to the Monarch of Destruction? This was a future that no great being in the universe had been able to even consider.

That was how unpredictable and perilous Suho’s decision was—a risky gamble filled with countless variables and an uncertain future. Yet…

“Are you sure about this?”

“You cannot trust the Monarch of Destruction.”

“The very act of awakening the Monarchs, beings born of the primordial darkness, does not bode well.”

“In the worst case, you will be nurturing an enemy on the inside in the middle of a war.”

The Rulers each voiced their concerns, but Jinwoo merely shrugged. “It cannot be helped. My son has made his decision. All I can do is support him.”

Jinwoo had decided to put every worry aside and respect his son’s decision. “There’s always the chance that things could go wrong, but if that happens, I’ll take care of it. I haven’t been much of a father to him in a long time.” And if he really thought about it, the decision wasn’t so bad after all. “In fact… if things go well, it could even be advantageous.”

The Rulers exchanged glances, somewhat convinced.

“That is correct.”

“If someone inherits the powers of the dead Monarchs, our strength will only grow.”

“Even though the Monarchs are creatures of darkness, they’re still our allies when it comes to fighting the beings from beyond the outer universes.”

“That basic instinct for destruction will not change, but if your son can control it…”

“Enough chatter.”

The conversation came to an abrupt halt.

“Here they come again.”

Jinwoo’s eyes burned coldly as he spotted yet another breach opening in the distance.

“All of you! To stations!”

“A new gate has appeared!”

“All of you, to battle!”

At the commands of the Rulers, soldiers soared into the sky, their radiant wings unfurling.

The power of the Brilliant Light collided with the dark forces of the Outer Gods. At the heart of it all was Jinwoo, his teeth bared as he activated the Monarch’s Domain. “All rise!” he commanded, and his shadow army responded.

“Commander Bellion! Our unit will take the lead this time!”

“No! Commander Igris! Follow me!”

At their king’s command, the soldiers of death, recovering from their wounds and wreathed in dark, searing vapor, threw themselves back into the fray.

“Bring it on!”

“Our lord protects us!”

As long as they remained under the shadow’s protection, they were an immortal force that could be wounded but would never die. The immortal army surged forward like thunder rumbling in the deep, broad shadow of the Monarch of Shadows.

Jinwoo took a brief glance away from the battle, murmuring to himself as though his words could somehow reach his son, struggling alone somewhere far beyond. Suho, my son.I respectyour decision.You’ve chosen to become the successor of Antares.So grow stronger.You must.

The Trial of the King of Dragons was not a simple quest. Against all odds, Antares’ ambitions had aligned with Suho’s goals, allowing this fragile alliance to take shape. That also meant that the moment their interests conflicted, the balance could shatter in an instant.

So Suho,if you do not manage to conquer the Trial of the King of Dragons, he will eventually try to devour you. Jinwoo gritted his teeth, a father’s worry lingering even as he sent a silent blessing for his son’s future. Getstronger, Suho.You must be the one to devour Antares, not the other way around.In order to survive, you must become the hunter, not the hunted.You are a hunter, after all.

***

[Skill: “Monarch’s Domain” has activated.]

Suho spread the Monarch’s Domain around him, and his shadow soldiers roared as they charged forward. Wherever they went, magic beasts fell, blood spilling and screams filling the air.

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

Suho had thrown himself into dungeons one after another, determined to level up as quickly as possible.

The first trial set forth by Antares—to reach level ninety-nine—was both straightforward and grueling. As his level climbed higher, so did the amount of experience required for each new advancement, naturally slowing his progress.

To increase his leveling speed, he had to seek out even more dangerous and powerful magic beasts. This was easier said than done, however.

“Dogyoon, where’s the next dungeon?”

“Mr. Sung! We’re done for today. I’ll reserve the next dungeon as soon as possible.”

At some point, Dogyoon began addressing Suho with utmost respect, despite their small age difference. It was inevitable, as he was the only ordinary human who had witnessed Suho’s astonishingly swift dungeon raids from start to finish. His admiration had evolved into pure awe.

Suho’s shadow soldiers not only hunted quickly, but they were also swift at mining and pulling apart the corpses of the beasts. Sometimes, the very shadows of the beasts he had just slain would rise on their own, dismantling their own corpses to offer them to Suho. It was a good thing that magic beasts were generally disgusting and monstrous—if these had been humans, it would have been an immensely chilling and horrifying sight.

Watching all this unfold directly, Dogyoon could no longer see Suho as a simple buddy as he had done before. What was it that he felt toward him now? Fear, terror? No, it was something else entirely.

I’ve hit the mother lode! Dogyoon marveled, feeling it from the bottom of his heart. I’ve found the perfect job!

The work was easy, and there was no risk to his life. Even the salary was outstanding. To Dogyoon, the E-rank hunter, the Woojin Guild offered such stability that he would gladly devote the rest of his life to it, as long as Suho remained in charge.

“Mr. Sung! I’ve secured another dungeon! The Hyunmu Guild has attempted it twice without success, so it may be a little dangerous—”

“Even better. Let’s go right away.”

The more dangerous it was, the better. Suho’s eyes glinted as he strode forward, with Dogyoon trailing behind, his own steps full of triumph.

Then Suho halted abruptly. “Hm?”

“Oof!” Dogyoon bumped into his boss’s solid back. Holding his nose, he looked up at Suho. “What’s the matter?”

Suho stood motionless as if deep in thought, staring off into the distance. “Dogyoon, cancel that dungeon.”

“What? All right. But why…?”

“There’s somewhere I need to visit,” Suho replied, and in the next instant, he was gone.

“Huh…?” Dogyoon looked around in bewilderment. Suho was nowhere to be found. “Should I… go home, then?”

***

Rio Singh arrived in India almost immediately after Suho had made his request. He headed straight for the Asura Guild.

“I must meet with the guild master right away! I have a huge business deal on my hands!”

Rio was seeking out Siddharth Bachchan, the guild master of the Asura Guild and India’s most renowned S-rank hunter, to discuss a business opportunity Suho had presented. He had brought up the rights to distribute the Echo Forest Spring Water, the Scavenger Guild’s antidote potion that was currently the hottest thing in the hunter industry.

Rio could already envision a bright future ahead now that he had such a solid prospect in hand. This time, I’m getting a promotion for sure!The guild master will agree, even if I demand the highest salary an A-rank hunter can earn! Heart racing, he strode into the guild office.

“Huh…?”

He stopped instinctively, a chill creeping down his spine. Something wasn’t right. At first, he brushed it off. After all, he hadn’t visited his home country or his guild in a long time, so it was only normal for him to need a second to adapt. Besides, the guild staff seemed to be going about their duties as usual.

So…What is this feeling?Something’s different. Rio could not shake this odd feeling. As he made his way toward the guild master’s office, he studied the faces of the staff. Then he noticed it.

There is no expression on their faces. Even as they worked, there was an eerie lack of life in their eyes.

And nobody seems to recognize me. Despite his recent business trips, quite a few employees should have known him on sight. Any one of them could have come up to him and said hello, but no one said anything.

“I’m… Rio Singh. I’m here to see the guild master.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Each staff member responded when he spoke first, but their voices were flat, with those same blank expressions, as though they were hollow shells of their former selves.

“I contacted the guild master’s office, but he didn’t answer. Is he not in at the moment?” Rio asked.

“No, he is not.”

“Where is he? Is he clearing a dungeon?”

“Yes.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes.”

What…? Rio hesitated, unsure whether to keep asking questions or leave. The lack of genuine interaction was unnerving.

What on earth has happened here? With no answers in sight, Rio reluctantly turned away from the office door and headed back down the hall. As he walked, something caught his eye.

What are those necklaces? He hadn’t noticed at first, but now it was clear: every single employee was wearing the same necklace, regardless of their role or gender. Each one featured a large blue gem, shining faintly against their chests.

“What’s with those necklaces?” he asked, stopping one of the employees.

“Oh! This necklace?”

“Did you ask about this necklace?”

Huh? Suddenly, everyone around him turned their heads to look at him simultaneously, bright smiles on their faces.

“These necklaces were recently made. They are a form of ID, if you will, showing that you are a member of the Asura Guild,” one employee said.

“Would you like one?” another person chimed in, holding out a necklace.

“I can give you one!”

“No, let me!”

Before he could react, multiple hands reached out, pressing the necklaces into his grasp. Reluctantly, Rio slipped one over his head, feeling the cool metal chain settle around his neck.

The moment the clasp clicked shut, a voice broke the silence. “Rio Singh? The guild master would like to see you.”

“That was sudden. You said he was in a dungeon.”

“Yes,” the employee confirmed, their tone unsettlingly calm. “You’ll have to enter the dungeon if you wish to meet him.”

“Well, fine then.” Rio felt the potion samples Suho had entrusted to him tucked safely in his pocket. “I have a gift for him, as it so happens.” Suho had said these were a sample, and that Siddharth Bachchan was to taste them himself no matter what.

“What kind of dungeon is it, anyway?” Rio asked as he was led toward the exit. “Has a dungeon formed recently that warrants the guild master’s presence?”

“Yes, sir. He has been clearing the dungeon of the dragonkin recently.”

“Dragonkin?”

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