Chapter 37 (2/2)

Solo Leveling Jang Sung-Lak 92610K 2022-07-20

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“Ah, hyungnim, one moment . ”.

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As if remembering something, Yoo Jinho quickly ran to the Bongo . He took something out of the car and started putting it on, then slowly lumbered toward Jinwoo . .

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“What… are you wearing?”.

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“It was made by a Craftsmen Guild in Italy . It’s a full set of strong armor, hyungnim . If it’s just going to be us two in the Dungeon, I should prepare at least this much, right?”.

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Jinwoo facepalmed . .

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“…”.

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Covered from tip of the head to toes in armor, Yoo Jinho looked like a giant walking piece of metal . Even just looking at him gave off a sense of claustrophobia . .

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“What’s wrong, hyungnim?”.

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Unable to take it any longer, Jinwoo walked over and unsheathe the sword at Yoo Jinho’s side and dropped it at his feet . .

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“W-what?”.

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Yoo Jinho lost his balance trying to pick up the sword and fell flat onto the ground . .

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collapse.

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Jinwoo held back the rage that was forming inside of him and spoke sternly to the young man,.

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“I’ll say this once . Go take it off . ”.

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“…Yes sir…”.

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Yoo Jinho started getting up then spoke,.

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“Hyungnim…”.

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“What?”.

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“Could you please help me up . ”.

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Jinwoo sighed deeply at Yoo Jinho’s outstretched hand . .

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“Is this okay, hyungnim?”.

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“Yeah, that’s fine . ”.

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In the end, they agreed that Yoo Jinho would at least wear the helmet . The young man entered the Gate with a satisfied expression; Jinwoo wordlessly followed suit . .

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After the pair entered the Gate, the Hunters approached it one by one and stared . One of them spoke with a worry,.

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“They didn’t exactly inspire confidence…”.

“Yeah…”.

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Their words broke the dam of silence of the other Hunters . They all had something they wanted to say . .

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“What happens if those two just kick it in the Dungeon?”.

“Well, we already received the money…”.

“Still…”.

“Wait, what were their names again?”.

“Hmm, it was…”.

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A man with a cast on one of his legs quickly took out his phone and looked their employers up . .

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“Yoo Jinho, Sung Jinwoo…”.

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Whether they were concerned for the man standing up with a crutch or they were curious on what he had found, the other Hunters helped the man stand while looking at his phone . .

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“What? The Raid leader’s a D-rank?”.

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The Hunters groaned at this news . The next bit of information surprised them even more . .

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“And the other one’s an E-ranker!”.

“Isn’t is dangerous for an E-ranker to even enter a C-rank Gate?”.

“A D-ranker and an E-ranker is going to clear a C-rank Dungeon?”.

“Is that possible?”.

“Hell, the Raid leader doesn’t even have any prior experiences!”.

“Why would someone so young do this?”.

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To the other Hunters, Jinwoo and Yoo Jinho’s actions were just suicide with extra steps . There was a reason why the Association placed a restriction of a minimum headcount for C-rank Gates: 10 Hunters, with at least half of them being above C-rank . .

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“Tsk, tsk . ”.

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A man with greying hair took out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth . .

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“I tell you, rashness is the death of many youths . ”.

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A white smoke filled the air . .

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“…”.

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“…”.

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The Hunters became at a loss for words . Having felt like they’ve assisted in someone else’s suicide, they did not feel good . Even if it was a complete stranger, no one wanted to see, or rather, know that someone was about to die in the Gate in front of them . Not only that, they felt disappointed at the idea that they would not be paid for the remaining 18 Raids . It was regrettable, but there was no way those two men would be coming back alive . .

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“Should… should we call the Association?”.

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“No, what if we get blamed during the investigation?”.

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At that time, the Gate rippled, and Jinwoo and Yoo Jinho came out of the Dungeon . .

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“pant, pant, pant . ”.

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Yoo Jinho was taking vigorous breaths . The two men’s faces were filled with exhaustion . .

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“Oh!”.

“They escaped safely!”.

“Thank goodness . ”.

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The Hunters greeted the pair with welcome . Because of the short time they were in the Dungeon, the Hunters had thought that the pair wandered aimlessly at the entrance and managed to run away . But suddenly, the Hunters’ expressions started changing . Someone shouted,.

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“Th-the Gate! The Gate is closing!”.

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What?.

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They all turned towards the Gate . .

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“Holy shit!”.

“It is!”.

“They-they took down the boss?!”.

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As it always would when the boss was taken down, the Gate was rippling and blurring, signaling its closing . While the Hunters opened their mouths wide in surprise, Jinwoo quietly slipped away from them and asked Yoo Jinho,.

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“Where’s the next one?”.

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“It’s about an hour drive from here, hyungnim . ”.

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“Let’s go . ”.

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Jinwoo and Yoo Jinho got in the Bongo . The Hunters were watching their backs with dumbfounded expressions . Realizing the other Hunters were not moving, Yoo Jinho shouted after them,.

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“Let’s go please, Hunter-nims . We have to cover two more Gates today . ”.

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The other Hunters’ mouths opened even wider . The middle-aged Hunter with the greying hair didn’t even realize his cigarette had fallen out of his open mouth . .

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‘They just smashed a C-rank Dungeon and they’re going on another Raid?’.

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He wasn’t the only one with the thought . All the other Hunters were thinking something similar . .

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‘Just what are those two?’.

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Day 1 . .

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groooooan.

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The zombie horde approached . .

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“Hyungnim, here they come!”.

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“Alright . ”.

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Jinwoo smoothly slipped through the approaching zombies . As he passed them, the heads of zombies fell onto the ground . Their numbers diminished quickly . .

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One left . .

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stab!.

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groooan!.

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As Jinwoo stabbed its chest with the dagger, the familiar electronic tone rang . .

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ring~!.

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You’ve leveled up!.

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Watching from the rear, Yoo Jinho clapped rapidly in awe . .

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“Hyungnim! You look so cool!”.

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“The magic cores . ”.

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“Ah, right . ”.

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Yoo Jinho quickly started to gather the magic cores into his bag . Meanwhile, the electronic tone that only Jinwoo could hear continued after the level-up message . .

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ring~!.

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You’ve learned ‘Advanced Dagger Proficiency’ (Lv . 1).

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You’ve learned ‘Vital Stab’ (Lv . 1).

[1].

‘Sprint’ has leveled up!.

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Jinwoo’s expression became bright . .

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‘New skills?’.

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How long has it been? Jinwoo immediately opened his skill screen with joy . .

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Skills.

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Passive Skills.

-(Unknown) (Lv . Max).

-Unyielding Spirit (Lv . 1).

-Advanced Dagger.

Proficiency (Lv . 1).

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Active Skills.

-Sprint (Lv . 2).

-Bloodlust (Lv . 1).

-Stealth (Lv . 1)[2].

-Vital Stab (Lv . 1).

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Having used it so often, ‘Sprint’ had leveled up to level 2 . And he gained a passive skill and an active skill, ‘Advanced Dagger Proficiency’ and ‘Vital Stab’ . [1].

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Translator’s Notes:.

[1]: “Advanced Dagger Proficiency” (상급 단검술): “high level” 상급 + “dagger” 단검 + “arts/skill” “술” . Took a video game approach and decided to call it “Advanced Dagger Proficiency” . .

“Vital Stab” (급소 찌르기): “vital point/pressure point” 급소 + “stabbing” 찌르기 . Condensed to “Vital Stab”.

[2]: Heheh, in the original Korean, there is actually a mistake here . The author forgot to put ‘Stealth’ in the skill listing . I added it in . .

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