A harsh fluorescent light stabbed at Min-joon's eyes, forcing them open. A dull ache throbbed in his head, a symphony of beeping machines the only other sound in the sterile white room. Panic clawed at his throat. Where was he? How did he get here? The question was answered as a wave of memories – not his own – slammed into him, an overwhelming tide threatening to drown him.
Images flickered behind his eyelids: a towering monster, a desperate struggle, and then… darkness. But interspersed within these alien memories were others, ones that belonged to him.
His life back home, the comfort of his apartment, and the countless hours spent binge-reading his favorite webtoon – Solo Leveling. A cold dread settled into his gut. This couldn't be real. He couldn't be… Sung Jin-woo?Heaving a shaky breath, Min-Joon tried to move, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his arm.
A door creaked open, and a harried-looking nurse rushed in. "Mr. Sung, you're awake! How are you feeling?"
His voice, rough and unfamiliar, surprised him. "Who… who is Mr. Sung?"
The nurse blinked. "You are, Mr. Sung Jin-woo. You were in a critical condition after the dungeon break."
So it was true. He was in Sung Jin-woo's body, somehow transported into the world of Solo Leveling.
Panic threatened to overwhelm him again, but a flicker of determination ignited within him. He wouldn't succumb to fear. He had a second chance, a chance Sung Jin-woo never had.
This time, he wouldn't be a nameless Hunter, another cog in the machine. He would carve his own path, and rewrite his fate.
The first step, he remembered, was the double dungeon. A cruel twist of fate, some called it, forcing a weak E-rank Hunter like Sung Jin-woo to face two dungeons back-to-back. It was a death sentence for most, but for Min-Joon, it was an opportunity. He wouldn't just survive; he would excel. He would ensure no one suspected his precognitive advantage.
Min-Joon was glad he had learned swordsmanship from Song Chi-Yul as Sung Jin-woo. He analyzed his body. He could be said frail but power hidden inside him above an average human.
Min-Joon thought," I need to check my strength, speed, stamina, and lots of things. By analyzing the statics of my body I can give importance to training each one differently."
The doctor checked his health. He was allowed to leave and advised to take some rest. After leaving the hospital he jogged his way to his home.
"I need to improve my stamina by a lot but my agility is amazing. I can run a hundred meters in 7 seconds. Well according to normal humans, I am the fastest but as a hunter, I am the weakest."
Min-Joon entered his home finding his youngest sister lying on the sofa and watching television."When I leave the house do you always laze around Jinah."
Jinah got up from the sofa and hugged me. She started to check for any injuries and said," Why do you have to be a hunter when there is no need for you to risk your life."
Min Joon said," If your older sister bears all the problems then as a man I will be ashamed to face both of you."
Jin-ah said, "You are a thin stick. There is no need for proof that you are a man."
Min Joon said," Says the one who did not visit me at the hospital and now trying to butter me up."
Jin-ah said," It's because you told me to leave this morning and not to worry."
Jin-ah puffed her cheeks and went towards her room.
Seeing this Min Joon had a smile on his face."In this life, I have such a cute and caring sister. I need to become stronger to protect all of them. Not like in past life..."
A memory of a boy standing in the kitchen washing the plates. He said," Mom, I have done all the work you said can I go outside."
A woman in her thirties came and checked whether the plates were clean.
She walked in front of the boy and stared at him for seconds.
SLAP
"Did I allow you to ask a question?
SLAP
"Clean the house and wash the clothes. Useless boy."
She walked away after finishing her words. Leaving the young boy with his face down and his cheeks covered with tears.
Min Joon shook his head," There is no need to remember. It is in the past."
Min Joon walked to his room. Entering his room he finds a bedroom and an attached bathroom. There are no posters or quotes of famous people. He touched the fabric of the sheets and laid down.
Min Joon thought," I didn't think I would have two younger sisters and one of them is an A-rank hunter. This is not the same as in the novel. The information I have can also be meaningless if everything is different."
Min Joon stood up and tried to distract himself. He walked into the room and stood in front of a wall. There was a digital lock embedded with a six-digit password. After he clicked a series of numbers. The door creaked open.
Min Joon walked past the door and found himself in front of an advanced machine that could help him grow his physical strength.
A dome was situated at the end. It was a room with a tall straight wall reinforced with magic stones. Even if a tank or truck attacks it, there will not be even a scratch on the surface. The magic flowing through the wall reinforces and absorbs the impact of anything colliding with it.
Inside the dome, a woman can be seen practicing. She clenched her hands and a brown hue flowed in her hands. She pulled her fist and a fist the size of a rock formed. She punched in front and the fist followed the motion and collided with the walls.
BOOOM
The wall vibrated due to sheer intensity of the fist.
The women walks out of the dome with sweat glistening over her face and body.
She said."Jin woo, What are you doing here."
Min Joon was enthranced by the woman standing in front of him.
Her hair is a cascade of raven black, thick and lustrous reaching her mid-back. Her eyes are a captivating blue, the color of a clear summer sky.Unlike the typical delicate anime girl, she possesses an athletic build. Her body is well-defined, showcasing lean muscle and toned abs.
This suggests a life of rigorous training and physical activity.
Her face is a perfect balance of soft and sharp features. High cheekbones highlight her sculpted jawline, hinting at her inner strength.
Min Joon stared for a few second and said," I want you to train me."
She raised her eyebrows and said," That is a surprise from you brother."
Min Joon smiled and said," My younger sister is training with dedication and I am just hanging near the hospital bed without doing anything noteworthy for the family. It is time for me to try again and help both of you as much I can."
She smiled and hugged him tightly.
Min Joon said,"Don't use too much power or I will have to visit the hospital again."
She replied,"Looks like you are able to joke now."
Min said," Yeah, it has been years after..."
She said." Ok, let's train your body. Since it is your first time we will do light exercise and focus on cardio today. The main objective is for you to gain strength that can be done through muscle training."
Min Joon was glad she changed the topic and followed after her.