Solo Leveling: Monarch of knowledge

Chapter 20: Chapter 17: Leonardo Marchesi



Since you all have given this handsome, fantastic, funny, handsome, intelligent, creative, amazing author your stones, i decided to drop a bonus chapter!

This is also for all the yapping chapters i posted and i will post 😋.

Why not drop more stones?

Read the note at the end of the chapter!

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As I looked at the time on my phone, it read 7:00 AM. I'd worked through the entire night without realizing it, completely absorbed in the process of crafting the prototype and components.

I stretched, rolling my shoulders before i headed to the kitchen, grabbed some bread and leftover protein from the fridge, and made a quick sandwich. As I ate, I reviewed the steps for assembling the real printer in my mind, ensuring there wouldn't be any mistakes.

Once the food was gone, I cleaned up, wiped my hands, and returned to the living room, where the neatly crafted components were waiting.

I began with the frame, the foundation for the entire structure. The new components, crafted from the mana-conductive alloy, were sturdy yet lightweight. Using precise measurements from Awà's holograms, I bolted together the main framework, a two-meter-tall rectangular structure that was wide enough to accommodate larger projects.

Next, I installed the compartment, the heart of the printer. This large, reinforced container was designed to handle a variety of materials. From essence stones and mana crystals to scraps and waste, it could break down and process anything I fed into it. The compartment was lined with a mana-resistant coating to prevent energy leakage and optimize efficiency.

The processing unit came next. I carefully mounted the motors and nozzles onto a central rail system, ensuring that they were aligned perfectly. These nozzles were capable of fine-tuned movements, allowing the printer to craft highly detailed items with precision. The rail system was secured with shock-absorbent brackets to ensure stability during operation.

Wiring was next. I routed cables from the motors and nozzles to the control module, a sleek panel embedded with a mana crystal for power. The module's interface was simple, just a small display and a few buttons, but it was connected directly to Awà, ensuring optimal performance.

Finally, I installed the power source. At the base of the printer, I placed a large compartment for mana crystals, reinforced with a secure locking mechanism. This allowed for safe and easy replacement of depleted crystals.

'Awà.' I thought as I tightened the last bolt, 'how does everything look?'

[Structural integrity is optimal. All components are secured and properly aligned.]

I stepped back, admiring the finished machine. It towered over me at two meters, its metallic surface gleaming faintly under the room's lighting. The exposed wiring and functional design gave it a rugged, industrial appearance.

"Alright, let's talk limits." I said, grabbing a cloth to wipe my hands.

[Given the quality of the materials, essence stones, and mana crystals currently available, the printer can only produce tools and equipment up to D-Rank.]

I nodded, unsurprised. 'Comprehensive.'

I glanced at the time again. 1:00 PM. The hours had flown by, but the result was worth it.

I headed to the bathroom, my body moving on autopilot. After a much-needed piss, I washed my hands and splashed water on my face. The cool sensation helped sharpen my focus.

Returning to the living room, I collapsed onto the couch, picking up the remote. Turning on the TV, I flipped through the channels until I found the news. It was time to see what the world was buzzing about today.

The news anchor's voice filled the room, her tone a mix of excitement and professionalism.

"Unprecedented reawakening at the E-Rank dungeon in Alessandria continues to dominate headlines. The hunters involved have reportedly applied for rank re-evaluations, which will take place today. Experts speculate that these reawakened hunters could become significant powerhouses, bolstering the city's hunter force and offering a new layer of protection against dungeon threats."

The screen cut to footage of Angela and her team entering the Hunter Association's building, their expressions focused yet slightly nervous. Reporters swarmed them, microphones thrust forward as questions were shouted.

"Angela, what do you expect from your re-evaluation?" one journalist asked.

Angela paused briefly before replying, "I don't know what to expect. I only know I feel stronger, more capable than ever. This could be a turning point for all of us."

The news anchor continued, "With the evaluations scheduled for later today, the city of Alessandria eagerly awaits the results, hoping this rare phenomenon will lead to a brighter future for its hunter community."

The segment shifted to a different part of Europe, the banner at the bottom of the screen changing to read: [Breaking: A-Rank Dungeon Appears in France]

"In international news, an A-Rank dungeon has appeared in northern France, and preparations to tackle it are already underway. The Lion Guild, renowned for their exceptional teamwork and strength, has announced that they will mobilize in two days to confront the dungeon threat."

The screen showed footage of the Lion Guild headquarters, a massive fortress-like building adorned with the emblem of a roaring lion. Hunters dressed in matching uniforms moved with purpose, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight.

A spokesperson for the guild appeared next, speaking confidently to the gathered reporters. "We've analyzed the dungeon's mana fluctuations and determined it to be an A-Rank threat. Our team is fully prepared and equipped to handle this. We'll ensure the safety of the surrounding areas and neutralize the threat swiftly."

I narrowed my eyes as I watched the report, my mind processing the implications.

'An A-Rank dungeon... two days to prepare...' I thought, filing the information away for later.

Without another word, I turned off the TV, the screen going dark with a faint click. The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of the new printer I'd just assembled.

Shifting my focus back to the towering machine, I ran my hand over its metallic surface, feeling the smoothness of the alloy. There was still work to be done, adjustments to make, and I had no time to waste.

"Alright." I muttered to myself. "Let's get to it."

....

The waiting hall was separated from the testing chamber, but I could feel the excitement in the air. The low hum of conversations carried through the walls. Hunters who had been nobodies yesterday now held the potential to rewrite their destinies. I wasn't about to let this chance slip.

I adjusted my coat, keeping my posture straight. Luca had taught me something important without saying a word, always stay calm and composed. No one would take me seriously if I acted like a bundle of nerves.

When the assistant called my name, I stood and strode toward the testing chamber. My steps were measured, deliberate. Inside, the room was bathed in a faint, ethereal glow from the black orb sitting atop a sleek pedestal. Runes flickered along its base, and a faint hum of power buzzed in the air.

"Name?" the assistant asked, her tone professional.

"Leonardo Marchesi."

She nodded, typing into her console. "Place your hand on the orb. The process will take a moment. Stand still and wait for the result."

I stepped up to the orb, my expression neutral even as my heart pounded. The sphere loomed in front of me, its black surface swirling faintly with energy. I raised my hand and pressed it firmly against the cold surface.

The moment my palm touched the orb, a strange sensation coursed through me. A low, rhythmic hum vibrated in my chest as if the orb was pulling at something deep within me. The runes around the frame began to glow brighter, their light flickering across the room.

The assistant frowned, her fingers hovering over the console. "Hmm…"

"What's wrong?" I asked, keeping my voice calm, though my curiosity was piqued.

She didn't answer immediately, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the readings. "This… might be a calibration error. Let me double-check."

The hum from the orb grew louder, and the swirling patterns on its surface became more erratic, like a storm contained within glass. A faint crimson light began to mix with the black, swirling in sync with my breathing.

Finally, the machine beeped, and the orb dimmed as the scan completed. I lowered my hand, stepping back to give the assistant space.

"Well?" I asked, though the tension in my chest was anything but.

The assistant blinked at the screen, her jaw slack. "You're… an A-Rank."

The words hit me like a blow, but I didn't let it show. A-Rank. From E to A in a single leap. I exhaled slowly, masking the storm of emotions inside.

"Thank you." I nodded curtly and turned on my heel, walking out of the room without waiting for her to say more.

Back in the waiting hall, I could feel the stares of other hunters as I passed. Whispers followed me, speculations buzzing like flies around my ears. I ignored them, keeping my expression steady as I exited the building.

Outside, I allowed myself a moment to breathe, the cool air hitting my face like a wake-up call. An A-Rank. This power… I clenched my fist, feeling the faint hum of mana flowing through me. Whatever Luca did in that dungeon, he changed everything.

Luca... no, my benefactor. I'll make sure I'm worthy of this gift.

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Pls stones and reviews!

Yo, i wanted to give an opportunity to one of you to have the chance of getting an oc of choice be included into the story!

How does it work? Simple, at the end of the chapter i will write the word: [Here.]

And you will need to comment in that paragraph and describe your Oc, his lore, abilities and everything else, but don't yapp to much eh!

The catch? The oc needs to be reasonable, so no bullshit abilities or you know what, he needs to follow the normal hunters system for now.

And for your oc to be chosen, you need to have the most amount of likes on the comment, yeah i know that people might use their secondary accounts but that would just be boring.

Also i only consider the comments on the [Here.] Paragraph, nowhere else, you have been advised.

You have time untill Sunday.

[Here.]


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