Solo Leveling: Monarch of Knowledge (What If)

(Sunday, May 19, 2026 – 11:13 AM)

Adam pulled out his phone as he walked, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen. He checked his bank balance, the numbers appeared in crisp digital text.

€103.74.

He sighed through his nose. Not surprised.

Most of his money had gone into PC components and specialized tools. All necessary, but it left him with little for anything else.

He slipped the phone back into his pocket, his pace never slowing. The city was alive, bustling with late-morning activity, shoppers, office workers on break, groups of tourists admiring the old architecture.

None of it concerned him.

Reaching the nearest bus stop, he stepped onto the first available ride back home.

....

By the time he arrived, his mind was already set on his next move.

Stepping inside his apartment, he changed into loose athletic wear, black compression pants under lightweight shorts, a sleeveless training shirt.

Without wasting time, he stepped out again.

The streets were quieter in this part of Alessandria, away from the commercial districts. He moved at a steady pace, weaving through alleys and side roads until he reached his destination.

A small, open-air park.

The area wasn't crowded, just a few people scattered around, some jogging, others stretching or practicing simple calisthenics.

Adam's eyes glanced onto the pull-up bars.

Then, his training began.

Push-ups.

His body lowered and rose in a precise rhythm. Chest to the ground. Full extension. No wasted movement.

Chin-ups.

His grip tightened as he pulled himself up, his chin clearing the bar before lowering in controlled motion.

Russian push-ups.

His arms moved in a fluid sequence, shoulders shifting as he flowed between low and high positions. Every motion burned.

Plank holds.

His core trembled, muscles locked in place, breathing controlled but deep.

Pull-ups. Full planche. More push-ups.

Every repetition was executed with discipline.

But this time, it was different.

This time, he was breathing in the exact pattern Awà had taught him.

His lungs expanded more than ever, forcing oxygen into every fiber of his body. His heart pumped violently, accelerating blood flow far beyond normal levels.

Every muscle screamed. The task became exponentially harder.

His body wasn't just working against gravity, it was working against itself.

Each breath sent a fresh wave of heat and strain coursing through his veins. His arms trembled, his core tightened to the brink of tearing, but his movements remained steady.

....

(2:37 PM)

Adam's body burned. Every muscle, every fiber of his being was on fire, screaming for relief.

And yet, he kept going.

His arms shook violently as he held himself in a full planche with his breath measured and controlled. His core felt like it was being ripped apart, his shoulders tightened beyond their limits, but he didn't let go.

Seconds stretched into eternity.

His muscles reached their breaking point, but before they could collapse, the nano machines repaired them.

Stronger and more durable.

After hours of relentless training, sweat dripped from his jawline, soaking his clothes. His breathing was heavy, but his mind was clear.

With one final exhale, he lowered himself to the ground.

He grabbed his bottle of water, taking slow sips before standing up, rolling his shoulders. His body still ached, but beneath that pain, he could feel it.

Progress.

Without wasting time, he left the park and headed home.

....

By the time he stepped into his apartment, the exhaustion had fully settled in. His shirt clung to his skin, his entire body coated in sweat.

Adam didn't hesitate, he went straight to the bathroom.

The cold water hit him like a shock, his body tensing before relaxing under the stream. Droplets ran down his frame, washing away the effort of the past hours.

His muscles still pulsed from the workout, but he could already feel the nano machines repaired them, strengthening him further.

After finishing, he dried off, put on a clean outfit, a simple, loose shirt with sleeves he quickly rolled up.

His eyes drifted toward the computer setup, the machine he had built with his own hands. His expression remained neutral, but there was a quiet intensity in his gaze.

Stepping forward, he muttered to himself.

"It's time to work."

....

The days passed in an unrelenting cycle of discipline and precision.

Adam pushed his body to its absolute limits, balancing brutal training sessions with calculated periods of recovery and work. Every movement, every decision was executed with purpose.

The mornings always began with physical training.

The moment he stepped outside, his body was subjected to grueling bodyweight exercises, push-ups, pull-ups, muscle-ups, planches, explosive jumps, and core-destroying isometric holds. Every rep was done while breathing in the precise pattern Awà had taught him, forcing his body to adapt to higher oxygen intake, making each movement exponentially harder.

His heart pounded like a war drum, his muscles constantly aching, but he never stopped. He trained until his body shook violently, until his arms refused to lift him, until he could barely stand. And only then would he pause.

But rest was not an escape.

During his recovery periods, Adam immersed himself in his work.

Sitting before his custom-built PC, he poured hours into constructing the foundational architecture for his future website and applications. He wrote the core framework, ensuring absolute security, seamless encryption, and decentralized data distribution.

His software was built to be untraceable, immune to external manipulation, and impenetrable by traditional cybersecurity threats. The system was designed to be a true fortress of information.

As he worked, knowledge flowed into him effortlessly, his enhanced memory and comprehension made it impossible to forget anything he learned. Within days, he had mastered cybersecurity, penetration testing, and ethical hacking.

Then, he took it one step further.

With a neutral heart and a pragmatic mind, Adam turned his attention to digital financial systems.

It didn't take long to find accounts belonging to individuals whose wealth was built on corruption, extortion, and exploitation.

He didn't feel guilt, these people had already stolen from others.

He was simply redistributing.

Each transaction was calculated, precise, small sums taken from multiple sources, enough to sustain him for a month but never enough to trigger suspicion.

It was a temporary solution.

He preferred to earn his money properly. This was merely a means to an end.

As days turned into weeks, his body transformed.

His muscles became dense and refined, his reflexes sharpened, and his cardiovascular endurance reached levels bordering on unnatural. His height had stabilized at 185 cm, his frame strong but proportioned for agility and coordination.

The nano machines continued reinforcing his internal structure, subtly enhancing his bone density, circulation efficiency, and metabolic optimization. His brain processed information faster, his reaction time shortened, and his sense of control over his body became absolute.

By the time he reached the final day of his training, his foundation as an unawakened human had reached its peak.

He had prepared his body, sharpened his mind, and secured his immediate financial survival.

And now, it was time for the next phase.

----

Slightly shorter chapter so here's the small filler episode.

I added this filler episode since the next canon part doesn't fit in this chapter.

....

Adam stood in his kitchen, rolling up his sleeves as he placed a few ingredients on the counter. His black eyes calmly assessed everything before nodding slightly.

"Alright, Awà, let's make something nutritionally dense, cheap, and easy to prepare."

[Understood, Host. Based on available resources and cost efficiency, I recommend a high-protein, balanced meal using the following ingredients:]

200g chicken breast (lean protein, affordable, and packed with essential amino acids)

100g brown rice (complex carbs for sustained energy)

1 medium carrot & 1 zucchini (fiber, vitamins, and minerals)

1 egg (added protein, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients)

Olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic (for flavor and digestion benefits)

Adam pulled out a cutting board and knife, his movements practiced and efficient.

"First, rinse the rice and let it soak for a few minutes. This reduces cooking time and improves texture."

While the rice soaked, he grabbed the chicken breast, cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces for faster cooking.

[Optimal size achieved for even heat distribution. Proceed with seasoning.]

He smirked slightly, adding salt, black pepper, and minced garlic before tossing the chicken into a heated pan with a tablespoon of olive oil.

The sound of sizzling filled the kitchen.

"Let the chicken cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally. While that's going, let's handle the vegetables."

He grabbed the carrot and zucchini, slicing them into thin strips before setting them aside.

By the time the chicken was golden brown, he added the vegetables to the pan, letting them absorb the flavors.

Meanwhile, he drained the soaked rice and placed it in a small pot with twice the amount of water.

"Bring it to a boil, then cover it and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. No need to mess with it, just let the steam do its work."

Once the rice was cooking, he cracked an egg into the pan, scrambling it alongside the chicken and vegetables.

After a few minutes, the rice finished absorbing the water, becoming fluffy and light. He turned off the heat and added it directly into the pan with everything else, mixing it together.

The final product was a simple, high-protein meal, rich in nutrients, balanced in macros, and affordable.

Adam plated the food and leaned against the counter, taking the first bite. The combination of seasoned chicken, warm rice, and fresh vegetables blended perfectly.

"Tastes good. Easy to make. Cheap."

[Efficient and optimized. This meal supports muscle recovery, energy levels, and overall health without excessive cost.]

Adam nodded in approval. A perfect meal for anyone trying to improve themselves, without breaking the bank.