Summary :
In Solo Leveling Chapter 18, the story continues with Sung Jin-Woo, a low-ranking hunter who becomes the “Shadow Monarch” after a mysterious incident in a dungeon. In this chapter, Jin-Woo faces off against a powerful adversary, the “Ant King,” who is terrorizing the city.
When Jin-Woo confronts the Ant King, he quickly realizes that his opponent is much stronger than he thought. The Ant King has incredible speed and power, making it difficult for Jin-Woo to hit. Despite the odds, Jin-Woo remains determined and devises a strategy to defeat the Ant King.
Using his intelligence and quick thinking, Jin-Woo manages to exploit the Ant King’s weaknesses. He strategically avoids the Ant King’s attacks and finds an opening to strike back. With a precise and powerful strike, Jin-Woo defeats the Ant King and leaves the city safe once again.
After the battle, Jin-Woo reflects on his growth as a hunter. He admits he still has a long way to go, but this win gives him confidence in his abilities. But he also knows that there are more challenges ahead and he has to keep training and improving.
The chapter ends with Jin-Woo receiving praise and recognition from the other hunters for his heroic actions. This serves as a turning point for Jin-Woo’s journey as he begins to gain the respect and admiration of his peers.
Overall, Solo Leveling Chapter 18 shows Jin-Woo’s determination, intelligence and growth as a hunter. It leaves the reader excited about what challenges await him in the future.
Jin-Woo most effective wished one minute to get ready, quick grabbed himself a taxi, and headed off to the assembly point. 9 humans have been already there, watching for his arrival.
the man who looked like the leader of the institution waved his hand at Jin-Woo.
“Heyyy! Over here.”
It changed into a bearded guy with a fairly large body. He smiled softly and walked closer even as speakme to Jin-Woo.
“Are you Mister Seong Jin-Woo?”
“That’s accurate.”
“Aigoo, it’s a alleviation which you located the right area so quickly. I wager that is destiny, so how approximately we greet every other earlier than we get began?”
The bearded guy in short delivered the individuals of his crew.
The 8 of them inclusive of himself had been ordinary teammates that labored together all the time, whilst the ultimate guy become a person who also got here right here to make up the numbers, much like Jin-Woo.
Jin-Woo greeted other crew members and studied their countenance cautiously. thanks to his more advantageous perception Stat, he was capable of greater or less experience everybody’s abilties.
‘5 with a comparable rank. four with a barely lower rank than them. 5 rank Cs and round four with D or lower.’
there was a law while attempting to clear a Gate rated C. The minimum number of a party needed to be ten Hunters, and greater than half of had to be as a minimum ranked C or better. handiest then did the affiliation issued a permit.
It seemed that them claiming to do all the hunting and he most effective needed to be there to make up the numbers didn’t sound like an empty boasting after all.
“Now we’re accomplished with introductions, permit me in short explain the critical factors to do not forget.”
The bearded guy added himself as Hwang Dong-Seok, a Tanker rated C. He displayed a cozy atmosphere as if he possessed masses of enjoy raiding dungeons.
As he began describing the situations one needed to hold an eye fixed out for in the middle of a raid, someone got here towards Jin-Woo.
“Excuse me. seems like we’re both pieces of fluff on this birthday party, huh?”
He was none other than the opposite Hunter Hwang Dong-Seok had delivered alongside as a way to replenish the numbers. He changed into a young guy with a vivid expression. however, not like Jin-Woo, he turned into clearly going to take part in battles. He was ranked D, so he had the right to achieve this.
His call changed into Yu Jin-Ho, elderly 22.
Jin-Woo lightly nodded his head as Yu Jin-Ho greeted him, before moving his gaze away. Yu Jin-Ho seemingly desired to hold on with the conversation, but ended up scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He soon returned to his spot.
“Hyung-nim, allow’s forestall right here and move in already.” (TL: Hyung-nim = large brother, or a male addressing an older male. Used extra as an honorific by using gangsters to address someone higher up within the hierarchy. maximum of the time, anyways.)
“We’ll be the ones to kill all of them, so what’s the factor of explaining it in detail like that?”
“proper, my ears might get blocked up with wax at this rate.”
when the original crew members all raised their voices, Hwang Dong-Seok laughed jovially and clapped his arms.
“very well, then. sufficient with the explanations, let’s get going.”
all people were given equipped to go into the Gate.
“Ah, before we enter, you , test those.”
Hwang Dong-Seok driven forward a page of a report to Jin-Woo and Yu Jin-Ho every. It became out to be a easy contract.
“Write your names on the lowest and sign it, and we’re properly to head.”
The contents stated, he’d now not take part in any hunting, he’d now not participate in sharing of the loot, and when the raid turned into over, he’d be paid 2 million gained proper away.
The terms had been the same as what he heard over the telephone. however, they were not the ones to capture his interest.
‘I should promise no longer to question them no matter anything incident occurs in the dungeon….?’
unlike the raids organised via the association, one could no longer be able to claim for reimbursement if some thing came about at some stage in a raid organised through the freelancers. one of the motives why Hunters couldn’t get a existence insurance, either.
One had to look after one’s very own neck, in different phrases.
most effective now did it feel real that Jin-Woo had entered an attack team.
at the same time as confirming the clauses, Jin-Woo sneaked a look at Yu Jin-Ho’s agreement. As expected, his changed into extraordinary; except the promised 2 million, he changed into also going to share inside the loot, as well.
before signing the record, Jin-Woo asked Hwang Dong-Seok.
“What am I imagined to do when we’re inside?”
“not anything too particular. just follow us and assist us convey the bags, that’s all.”
“Your bags….?”
Hwang Dong-Seok pointed at the massive backpack one in every of his ‘dongsaengs’ pulled out from the minivan. (TL: A “dongsaeng” is a gender-impartial time period to indicate a more youthful sibling. also can be used as an honorific to denote a more youthful person.)
“You’ll be wearing around lunch boxes to devour when interior, several units of garb and system, first-resource kits and some different stuff.”
‘Wait, first-aid kits when entering a dungeon?’
Jin-Woo couldn’t assist but query this.
“You aren’t coming into with a Healer?”
“I’m certain you realize that it’s now not clean to hire a Healer if you’re going for walks your own attack party. well, we’ve been doing matters this way till now, so it’ll be high-quality.”
Hwang Dong-Seok smiled awkwardly.
To suppose, this crew simply barely met the specified minimum quantity of Hunters, one of the extra members mistook a raid as a blind date or some thing, and the composition of the attack team best came about to characteristic a Tanker and damage sellers, and now not one Healer…
Even after listening to that there was no Healer present, that oblivious additional member didn’t seem too stricken by means of the revelation. It was the positive proof that he turned into a amateur.
Jin-Woo smirked inwardly.
‘they may be a gaggle of wannabes.’
however, he nevertheless signed on the agreement. no longer due to the fact he wanted that 2 million, but because he knew very well that he should guard himself now.
“right here it’s miles.”
“I’m completed, too!”
Hwang Dong-Seok confirmed the signatures of both men and shouted out in a noisy voice as if he became feeling surely thrilled these days.
“k!! allow’s get going, every body!”
***
The celebration headed immediately to the area of the Gate.
It was within the middle of the halted production site for an apartment complex.
“The economic system these days isn’t so top, but still….”
Hwang Dong-Seok clicked his tongue.
Like massive tombstones, unfinished condominium buildings stood still sporadically, presenting a certain experience of foreboding to all who looked at them. ought to a cemetery of giants sense this way to observers?
“Did you recognize?”
Yu Jin-Ho had walked in the direction of Jin-Woo and whispered softly.
“…. That, while the employees and the traders are going thru hell in the interim, the CEO of the mission ran off to foreign places months ago along side ₩900,000,000,000?”
“…”
Jin-Woo gave the other guy masses of suggestions, however it regarded like Yu Jin-Ho didn’t want to go away his aspect in any respect.
well, aside from Jin-Woo here, all eight of them in the beginning belonged to one group so it’d be hard to get in conjunction with them that easily.
“Hyung, are you continually this quiet?” (TL: “Hyung” right here is slightly specific from “Hyung-nim” from in advance on. still way older brother, but without the hard-man connotation.)
earlier than every body had noticed it, the honorific had end up ‘hyung’. Jin-Woo couldn’t ignore this child anymore.
“…..Don’t the way to take the hint?”
“well, I’ve by no means lived even as disturbing approximately taking pointers, so… Ehehe.”
changed into this man truely an amazing-natured, or just brainless? Jin-Woo wordlessly scratched the side of his head as he stared at Yu Jin-Ho and that vibrant smile of his.
‘however, I….’
It became certainly real that Jin-Woo might get unusually fearful whilst he got nearer a Gate. however, it become par for the path, virtually.
To different Hunters, raids would possibly come across as a valid source of profits, however to Jin-Woo, every and each one he participated so far had been a desperate, sour battle to make ends meet.
He’d get anxious because of all the painful reminiscences caught for all time in his head.
“It’s over here.”
Hwang Dong-Seok’s steps got here to an cease.
“Oh….”
The Hunters all let out a surprised gasp.
“Hwang hyung, is this genuinely a Gate rated C? however, isn’t it too massive?”
“you think the affiliation became lying to us? They said that investigators got here around here twice already.”
A hollow in the air, floating like a black hole. people took to calling it a Gate.
Its rank become assigned in step with the waves of magical strength emission coming from inner. oldsters from the association might forestall by first to assign a rank to every one.
After that, individuals or Guilds trying to clean the Gate should observe the procedure and practice for a permit.
Gates ranked A or B were, most of the time, left to the large Guilds. properly, they were too hard for freelancers to clear, after all.
So, assault events fashioned with the aid of freelancers took care of the Gates ranked lower than that. Which meant that a Gate ranked C became efficiently the toughest one for Hunters now not affiliated with absolutely everyone to clear.
Hwang Dong-Seok stood in the front of the Gate and looked again at his team.
“I’ll be coming into first. Do your pleasant to maintain up, every body.”
The Tanker entered first, and the other Hunters started out entering separately.
‘You in no way realize, so….’
Jin-Woo lightly stretched himself simply in case.
next to him, Yu Jin-Ho started pulling out his very own device from his bag. The sword and the shield coming out from his bag gleamed attractively beneath the mild.
Even a casual look could tell that they were very high priced. They have been definitely no longer something a beginner Hunter ought to organise on his own.
‘hold on, he stated that he never needed to take guidelines before, so does that imply he’s from a nicely-to-do family?’
Jin-Woo formed a surprised expression.
perhaps sensing Jin-Woo’s gaze on him, Yu Jin-Woo confidently and bravely stood in the front.
“Hyung, you said that you’re ranked E, proper? Don’t fear, I’ll protect you. just stick close by me.”
Jin-Woo scratched the again of his head.
simply who could shield who?
“…k. thanks for the sentiment.”
“let’s move in as well.”
irrespective of how Jin-Woo felt, they still followed in afterwards and accurately entered the Gate.
***
The indoors of the dungeon changed into eerily quiet.
“…..”
not handiest that, but it was additionally completely dark, too.
Hwang Dong-Seok issued his first order.
“good day, Gyu-Hwan? I want a mild.”
“okay.”
The magic-associated Hunter Joh Gyu-Hwan created a ball of a mild in mid-air. The environment have become bright right away.
Hwang music-Seok decreased his protect and tilted his head slightly.
“What the hell? wherein are all the monsters?”
“i’m wondering. there is no mild in right here, both.”
Now normally, there must were luminous stones determined here and there internal cave-like dungeons and emitted some light to light up the way ahead. but, this dungeon didn’t have those.
Yu Jin-Ho whispered to Jin-Woo from the facet.
“Hyung, may want to there be a dungeon without monsters in it?”
“Shush.”
Jin-Woo gestured the more youthful man to hold quiet. due to the fact, Jin-Woo’s ears were twitching. He should listen lots of footsteps coming from the space.
Jin-Woo spoke up.
“It’s not that there aren’t any, they simply haven’t arrived but.”
Yu Jin-Ho swallowed nervously after hearing that.
Rumble….
soon, the party may want to hear what Jin-Woo had heard earlier on.
only then did Hwang Dong-Seok recognize some thing changed into amiss right here.
A dungeon without a luminous stones may want to imply…..?
“What movements round in businesses, lives in darkness, and rushes toward a source of mild?”
“Oh, crap!!”
The complexions of Hwang Dong-Seok and his dongsaengs became ashen all on the same time.
“It’s insects!!”
“insects are coming!!”
“F*ck it, man!! Why the hell did it should be god d*mn bugs!!”
Hwang Dong-Seok cried out.
“Get into your positions!! they’re coming! In front!!”
From the other facet of this lone passage, ‘somethings’ have been madly rushing closer to them in a huge group.
“Wait, ought to this be an ant hill?”
“Don’t say some thing that could jinx us, k?”
Out of all the monster types, insects were the most tough to cope with. Their shells were pretty hardy, they always moved round in huge groups, and every individual possessed pretty high combat capacity, as nicely.
And the worst of that lot simply so occurred to be the ant-kinds. infinite Hunters made a mistake and entered the ‘ant hills’ best to lose their lives in no time.
Rumble, rumble!!
The sounds of the insect legs rustling at the floor noisily reverberated at some stage in the cave. It intended that they had come quite close now.
Hwang Dong-Seok raised his protect proper up under his chin. but, they couldn’t see any insects even then. His dongsaengs began raising a fuss from at the back of him.
“What’s taking place right here? Why can’t I see them?”
“however, they’re nearby, although?”
“Dong-Seok hyung, can you see some thing out in the front?”
It became at the moment that Jin-Woo shouted out.
“Above you!”
‘What?!’
Hwang Dong-Seok reflexively looked up.
Rumble…..!
big bugs were strolling in the direction of them at the ceiling.
in the event that they had been discovered past due even for a unmarried second, the ones things might’ve jumped down on top of their heads.
when preventing towards monsters which include those insect-types that fashioned massive groups, the breaking down of the team’s formation would imply death for all and sundry involved.
‘If those had been located too overdue, then….’
Hwang Dong-Seok felt a relax run down his backbone.
The silver lining here become that he couldn’t spot a unmarried ant-like creature many of the numerous insects.
He raised his voice and shouted out.
“hearth!! hearth and bring them down!! as soon as they are on the ground, I’ll entice the aggro!”
sleek, pow!!
boom!!
Kiiieeehhk!!
Kiieehh…
when a few monsters fell down upon getting struck by using the attacks of the Hunters, the relaxation of them observed in shape and landed again at the ground. genuinely, they were making plans to engage the Hunters.
From right here onwards, the capability of the Tanker would prove to be essential. Hwang Dong-Seok activated his provocation talent to attract the gazes of all the monsters to himself.
And as if that they had a prior settlement, monsters all turned their heads to glare at Hwang Dong-Seok at the same time.
“I’m over here, you d*mn bugs!!”
Kiieeehhh!!
Dozens upon dozens of monsters rushed toward Hwang Dong-Seok’s position.
Slam!! Clang!!
Clllannng!!
dangle!! Clang!
His shield managed to guard towards the assaults of the bugs with out fail. The sturdy jaws and claws couldn’t tear the shield in half. The Tanker Hwang Dong-Seok defended commendably well from the the front, all strong and unmoving.
“Standby, get in position, and get geared up!!”
Hwang Dong-Seok waited for the right timing.