Solo Leveling : Fire

Chapter 37

Sung Ilhwan landed swiftly, his feet barely making a sound as he touched the ground. The scent of burning flesh and the sharp tang of blood filled the air as he sprinted towards the Japanese team's location. His eyes narrowed as he recalled Choi's words just before they parted ways.

How did he sense that monster so quickly? Ilhwan thought, his mind racing. Even as a Fragment Holder—one who had received a portion of a Ruler's power—he hadn't been able to detect the lurking presence of the beast as fast as Choi had. His brows furrowed as a troubling thought entered his mind. Is Choi… a Fragment Holder too?

Memories of his time in the dungeon flashed before his eyes. Trapped in that desolate, hellish place, he had fought endlessly, battling wave after wave of monsters, pushing himself to the very limits of human capability. He had fought until his body nearly gave out, and just when he was ready to succumb to his fate, a radiant light had descended upon him.

A Ruler had appeared before him.

The celestial being had spoken to him in a voice that resonated with divine authority, offering him a chance to survive—a chance to protect humanity from the looming threat of the Monarchs. With no other option, Ilhwan had accepted. The power of a Ruler had coursed through his veins ever since, elevating him to a level far beyond ordinary S-rank Hunters. And yet, despite his abilities, he still hadn't sensed that ant's presence as swiftly as Choi had.

If he isn't a vessel of the Rulers… then how did he become so powerful?

His thoughts were interrupted as he finally arrived at the battlefield where the Japanese team was engaged in combat. The clearing was filled with the sounds of clashing steel, explosions of magical energy, and the roars of enraged creatures.

Goto Ryuji, Japan's strongest Hunter, stood at the forefront, his blade carving through the air as he battled a group of elite ants. The Japanese Hunters had fought fiercely, their disciplined coordination allowing them to hold their ground. However, they were now at a disadvantage.

Ilhwan's gaze shifted beyond the main skirmish, and his eyes widened. A massive mana signature was surging straight toward Goto's group, its presence overwhelming and suffocating. It was an entity unlike the rest—a creature exuding an aura far more sinister and intelligent than the mindless soldiers they had been cutting down.

The Ant King.

Goto, in the midst of battle, suddenly felt an ominous chill run down his spine. A fraction of a second later, an overwhelming pressure descended upon the battlefield, paralyzing those who weren't strong enough to resist it. His instincts screamed at him just as he turned, barely catching sight of a shadow moving at an inhuman speed.

He acted on instinct, pushing the nearby healer aside just before a blur of darkness shot toward him. Pain erupted from his shoulder as he felt something tear through his body. He barely had time to react before realizing what had happened—his arm had been severed.

The battlefield seemed to go silent.

The Japanese Hunters stared in shock as their leader staggered back, his sword slipping from his grasp, his right arm no longer attached to his body. A sickening squelch was heard as his severed limb hit the ground, and crimson blood splattered across the battlefield.

A creature loomed over Goto.

Its form was monstrous yet eerily humanoid. Unlike the other ants, this one had a more refined, terrifying presence. Its exoskeleton was darker than the abyss, its eyes glowing with cruel intelligence. It was larger than the others, its movements smoother, more refined. This was no ordinary ant.

This was the King of the Ants.

Goto gritted his teeth, pain searing through his body. His breathing was ragged, but he refused to fall. He attempted to regain his stance, preparing for another attack, but before the creature could finish him off, a flash of light split through the air.

A massive figure landed between them in an instant, slicing through the air with a blade imbued with golden energy. The Ant King recoiled, barely dodging the attack as a sharp, bladed gauntlet tore through the ground where it had stood a second earlier.

Sung Ilhwan had arrived.

His presence alone shifted the tides of battle. The sheer force of his landing sent a shockwave rippling through the battlefield, knocking back some of the lesser ants. His blade glowed with radiant energy as he took a defensive stance in front of Goto.

"You're in no shape to fight," Ilhwan said, his tone calm but firm.

Goto, still clutching the bleeding stump where his arm had once been, gritted his teeth. "Who… are you?"

Ilhwan didn't answer immediately. His gaze was locked onto the Ant King, his instincts screaming that this creature was far more dangerous than anything else on the battlefield.

Without warning, the Ant King lunged.

Ilhwan met its attack head-on, parrying with his sword before countering with a precise, devastating strike. The force of their clash sent shockwaves through the air, causing debris and dust to scatter across the battlefield. The other elite ants hesitated for a moment, sensing the shift in power.

For the first time since their invasion, the Ant King appeared genuinely intrigued.

"You're strong," the creature hissed, its voice guttural yet disturbingly intelligent. "Stronger than the others."

Ilhwan didn't waste time responding. He dashed forward, his speed exceeding what most Hunters could perceive. His sword clashed against the King's claws, each strike sending out sparks of energy. The battlefield around them became their personal warzone, separate from the rest of the ongoing skirmish.

The Japanese Hunters, still recovering from their shock, quickly regained their composure. The healer rushed to Goto's side, immediately working on stabilizing him. Meanwhile, the rest of the Hunters took up defensive positions, prepared to assist Ilhwan if necessary.

As the battle raged on, Ilhwan's mind flickered back to his earlier thoughts about Choi.

If I barely sensed this monster, then just how strong is Choi?

Meanwhile, high above the battlefield, Choi sat atop Ignel, watching the battle unfold below. His sharp gaze followed Ilhwan's movements, assessing the fight with a calm expression.

Then, he turned his attention toward the Korean raid team's location, where another ominous presence lurked. His lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"This is going to be interesting," he murmured to himself before leaning forward. "Ignel, let's move."

The great dragon let out a low rumble before diving toward the Korean team's location.

The battle for Jeju Island had only just begun.

Chapter End.