Solo Leveling Episode 4: In Manhwa Edition

The blue light of the system message flickered softly in the darkness.

[Secret Dungeon Key Acquired.]

Gate opens in 1 hour.

Warning: Death Chance 87%

Do you wish to enter?

Jin Tae-Hyun sat motionless in his apartment, staring at the screen like it was a living thing. His fingers trembled—not from fear, but from anticipation.

This was no normal gate. Even high-rank hunters avoided secret dungeons. They were unpredictable, deadly… and rewarding beyond imagination.

“Why me?” he whispered.

“Why would a system pick an E-rank loser like me?”

But a voice inside answered:

Because you didn’t run. Not when it really mattered.

He stood up, pulled on his black jacket, sheathed his dagger, and tied his boots tight. His wounds from the last dungeon still ached, but he didn’t care.

He wanted more.

More strength.

More power.

More chances.

He was ready.

[Scene: Rooftop – Gate Location]

The location pinged by the system brought him to the rooftop of an abandoned building. A chilly wind cut through the night as the moon cast a pale glow on the cracked concrete.

Tae-Hyun arrived ten minutes early.

And there it was.

A door stood upright in the middle of the rooftop. Not attached to a wall. Not part of any structure. Just… standing there.

It was old, wooden, covered in dark runes. A rusted metal handle and a carved symbol above it—a faded crown with three empty eyes beneath it.

No gatekeeper. No hunters around. Just silence.

[Secret Dungeon: The Door With No Name – Now Open]

Time Remaining: 00:59

He hesitated for just one second.

Then gripped the handle and pulled.

[Scene: Unknown Dimension – Entrance Hall]

Light flashed. His eyes adjusted slowly. The space around him had no walls—just a grey horizon, floating islands, and a distant heartbeat, low and thunderous.

A message hovered.

[Welcome to the Door With No Name.]

This dungeon reflects the truth inside your soul.

There is no turning back.

Suddenly, a figure appeared.

Hooded, faceless, floating in midair. Draped in ancient robes. Chains wrapped around its wrists, glowing faintly.

“You wish to become more,” it spoke in a voice that was both male and female, ancient and young.

“But power demands pain.”

Tae-Hyun raised his dagger.

“If pain’s the price—I’ll pay it.”

The figure nodded.

“Then face the Watchers. And survive.”

[Trial Room 1: Hall of Eyes]

Tae-Hyun was thrown into a stone hallway filled with dozens of statues—all with glowing blue eyes.

They watched him.

No doors. No exits.

He took one cautious step.

CLICK.

All the eyes turned red.

“Here we go.”

One statue leapt from its pedestal, swinging a halberd. Tae-Hyun ducked and rolled, slashing upward at its neck. Sparks flew—it was hard as steel.

Another statue moved. Then another.

He was surrounded in seconds.

[Skill Activated: Shadow Bind Lv.1]

Black tendrils erupted beneath him, grabbing two statues by the legs. He leapt forward, twisting mid-air.

CLANG!

His blade carved a crack into one statue’s chest. A weak point. That was his chance.

One by one, he danced between them, parried blows, used their size against them, aimed for the cracks.

Minutes passed. Blood ran down his cheek. His breath grew heavier.

Then silence.

All statues frozen.

[Trial Complete.]

+1 Strength, +1 Agility, +Passive Skill Unlocked: Combat Instincts (Lv.1)

Tae-Hyun collapsed to his knees, gasping.

But smiling.

“Keep going,” he whispered.

“Don’t stop now.”

[Scene: Intermission Chamber – Mirror of the System]

A second room. This one had only a glowing mirror.

As Tae-Hyun stepped forward, the mirror shimmered—and showed him a reflection of himself.

But not the him of now.

This version wore black armor. A long, flowing cloak. His eyes glowed like a void—calm, but dangerous.

[Class Evolution Eligible]

Requirement: Survive Final Trial.

Class Type: ???

Class Name: ???

Stats and Abilities Will Change Permanently.

Trial Difficulty: Extreme

Location: Forgotten King’s Temple

Tae-Hyun looked into the eyes of his future self. He didn’t know what it meant yet. Shadow powers? Class evolution? Forgotten king?

But one thing was clear:

This was no longer a simple leveling system.

It was a test. Of his fate.

And he wasn’t going to run.

✅ End of Chapter 4

Next Chapter (Already Written): Trial of the Forgotten King → [You’ve read this as Chapter 5.]