Solo Leveling : The Shadow of Vectors

The next morning, Kael woke up early, as he always did. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of his window. He stretched slowly, still feeling the tension in his muscles, a lingering reminder of the fight in the dungeon. His injuries, though superficial, were already almost healed—a perk of his rank S status and his adaptation to his vectors to accelerate regeneration.

As he got ready, he recalled the events of the previous day. Sung Jin Woo had emerged from the dungeon gravely injured but alive, thanks to Kael's intervention. Although Kael wasn't one to dwell on others, something about this weak hunter intrigued him. Perhaps it was his desperate courage or his tenacity in the face of a situation that would have broken others.

Kael grabbed a lollipop from the counter in his kitchen and slipped it between his lips before heading out. As he walked, he thought about what he might say to Sung Jin Woo. The man was only an E-rank, the weakest of hunters, yet he had survived a trial that would have killed many others.

Arriving at the hospital, Kael walked through the main hall without difficulty. Nurses and visitors stared wide-eyed, recognizing him instantly. It was impossible to go unnoticed when you were the only rank S hunter known for his nonchalant attitude. Ignoring the stares, he headed straight to the floor where Sung Jin Woo was hospitalized.

He stopped in front of the door for a moment. Through the small window, he could see Jin Woo lying in the bed, pale but conscious, a visible expression of exhaustion on his face. Ju Hee, the healer who often accompanied him, sat next to him, watching over him with a worried look.

Kael opened the door without knocking, drawing the attention of the room's two occupants. Ju Hee flinched slightly, but Jin Woo slowly raised his eyes, looking at Kael with some surprise.

"Kael," Jin Woo said in a weak but grateful voice. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Kael shrugged, walking toward the bed without immediately replying. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his lollipop still between his lips.

"I came to check if you were still alive," he finally said, his tone detached, though there was a hint of interest in his gaze. "And to tell you that you're incredibly lucky."

Jin Woo gave a faint but sincere smile. "Lucky, huh? I guess that's thanks to you."

Kael pulled the lollipop from his mouth and twirled the stick between his fingers. "Let's just say I did what needed to be done. But what I don't get is why you keep putting yourself in situations like that when you're… let's say, not as equipped as the others." He fixed Jin Woo with a questioning look, waiting for an answer.

Jin Woo averted his eyes, his expression darkening slightly. "I don't really have a choice. It's all I know how to do. And there's my family… my sister. I need to make sure she can live without worries, even if it means taking risks."

Kael observed Jin Woo silently for a moment, weighing his words. This man, as weak as he seemed, had a determination that set him apart from others. He wasn't driven by glory or money but by something deeper, more personal.

Ju Hee, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her tone slightly irritated. "And you, Kael? Why are you always so indifferent? You save people, but you never seem to care about anything."

Kael turned his head toward her, a smirk playing on his lips. "I do what needs to be done, nothing more. If it saves lives, great. But don't expect me to play the hero."

Ju Hee frowned but didn't reply. Jin Woo, however, managed another smile. "You're a strange guy, Kael. But I guess I should thank you, whatever your reasons are."

Kael straightened up, putting the lollipop back in his mouth. "No need to thank me. Just… try not to get yourself killed next time. I won't always be there to pull you out of situations like that."

He turned to leave, but before walking out of the room, he paused and glanced back at Jin Woo. "Get some rest. And if you ever want to learn how to really fight, give me a call."

Kael stopped just before crossing the threshold of the hospital room. A thought seemed to have struck him, and he pivoted slightly to look at Jin Woo, who was still lying on the bed. Ju Hee, sitting nearby, squinted, uncertain about what Kael was about to say.

"By the way," Kael began, casually removing the lollipop from his mouth, "I've got a project in mind. A guild."

Ju Hee raised an eyebrow, and even Jin Woo looked surprised. "A guild?" Jin Woo asked, his voice raspy but curious.

"Yeah," Kael replied, crossing his arms as he leaned lightly against the wall. "I'm tired of seeing guilds that only care about money or prestige. I want something different. A guild that brings together people with potential, no matter what their current rank is."

Jin Woo raised an eyebrow, confused. "And why are you telling me this? I'm just an E-rank. Probably the worst choice for your team."

Kael's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "That's what you think. But it's not what I see."

Jin Woo frowned. "What do you mean?"

Kael took a step forward, his gaze turning slightly more serious. "My vectors aren't just for repelling or manipulating forces. They also let me sense energy flows and potential in people. And you, Jin Woo... you have something powerful inside you, even if it hasn't awakened yet. It's like there's a dormant volcano within you."

Jin Woo stared at him, incredulous. "A volcano, huh? I think you're imagining things."

Kael shook his head, his tone calm but certain. "No. I know what I'm sensing. You're not just an E-rank, no matter what the stats say. And I bet sooner or later, you'll prove it to yourself."

Ju Hee, who had been quietly listening until now, hesitated before speaking. "Kael... are you sure about this? Jin Woo is... he's brave, but he's also often injured."

Kael shrugged. "Raw strength isn't everything. It's the mind, the resilience, and what lies dormant within someone that matter. Jin Woo has all of that. And I want him in my guild when I create it."

Jin Woo looked at him with a mix of doubt and surprise. "You talk like you know something I don't."

Kael smirked, amused. "Let's just say I trust my instincts. So, think about it. I'm not in a rush. But when the time comes, and you're ready to embrace what you truly are, you'll know where to find me."

Without waiting for a reply, Kael turned and left the room, his lollipop back in his mouth. Jin Woo remained still, staring at the door Kael had just exited through, his mind swirling with the rank S hunter's words.

Ju Hee gently placed a hand on Jin Woo's shoulder, trying to offer comfort. "You should rest. Kael is... a bit strange, but maybe he sees something we don't."

Jin Woo, deep in thought, replied weakly, "Maybe... or maybe he's wrong."

But deep down, a spark of hope had ignited within him, though he wasn't ready to admit it just yet.

Kael left the hospital, leaving behind the strange conversation he'd just had with Jin Woo. The lollipop in his mouth was nearly gone, and he rolled it lazily from one side to the other as he walked leisurely down the street. Passersby seemed captivated by his presence, but, as always, Kael paid them no mind.

After a few minutes, he stopped at the corner of a street, gazing absentmindedly at the buildings ahead. An idea crossed his mind, and a rare smile tugged at his lips.

"Why not," he murmured to himself.

Without hesitation, he changed direction, heading toward the gym where he had previously run into Cha Hae In. The gym was as lively as ever, with people coming and going, sweating, and chatting about their workouts. Kael stepped through the doors with a calm stride, immediately drawing surprised looks. Even here, he couldn't escape recognition.

He scanned the room until his eyes landed on Cha Hae In, dressed in a gray tank top and black leggings, stretching in a corner. Her expression was focused, but she quickly looked up, sensing a familiar presence. When she saw Kael, her eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise before a faint smile graced her face.

"Kael," she said simply, standing upright. "You really are everywhere, aren't you?"

Kael waved a hand dismissively, as if brushing off her comment. "I'd say I just know where to be at the right time."

Cha Hae In crossed her arms, amused. "And what brings you here? Planning to work out?"

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Me? Training here? Not really. I just felt like seeing you."

She seemed a little surprised by his bluntness, a light blush tinting her cheeks, but she kept her composure. "Well, you've found me. What do you want?"

Kael slid his hands into his pockets, looking at her with his usual detached air, though a sly smile played on his lips. "Nothing in particular. Just to talk. Maybe invite you on a date, if you're interested."

The blush on Cha Hae In's cheeks deepened slightly, but her gaze remained steady. "A date, huh? You don't waste any time."

Kael shrugged. "When something catches my interest, I don't see the point in waiting. So, what do you say?"

Cha Hae In averted her eyes briefly, clearly mulling over his proposal. She wasn't used to such a direct approach, especially from someone like Kael, who always seemed so self-assured. After a moment, she glanced back at him with a curious expression.

"And where exactly do you plan on taking me?" she asked, a hint of teasing in her tone.

Kael responded with a mysterious smile. "That's a surprise. But I promise you won't be bored."

She stared at him for a moment, then let out a small sigh. "Alright, Kael. I'll give you a chance. But you'd better not disappoint me."

Kael winked and turned toward the exit. "Get ready. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

As he walked through the doors, he heard Cha Hae In mutter something, probably a sarcastic remark. But he knew she was intrigued, and that was enough to put a satisfied smile on his face as he disappeared into the bustling streets of the city.

Kael left the gym with an unhurried pace, but instead of continuing down the street like an ordinary citizen, he snapped his fingers subtly. In an instant, his body disappeared in a faint ripple of vectorial energy, leaving behind only a subtle vibration in the air.

In the office of the Hunters' Guild President, Go Gun-Hee, the atmosphere was, as usual, calm but serious. The older man was deeply engrossed in reading a report on the latest dungeon explorations. However, the sudden thud of someone sprawling into a leather chair abruptly drew his attention.

Kael had appeared as if by magic, lounging comfortably in one of the office's chairs. His feet rested casually on the president's impeccably organized desk, and his head leaned slightly back, the lollipop still perched between his lips. The stark contrast between his nonchalant demeanor and the office's solemn atmosphere was almost comical.

"You know, President," Kael began, twirling the stick of his lollipop like a wand, "these chairs are incredibly comfy. You've got good taste, I must say."

Go Gun-Hee raised an eyebrow, half-surprised, half-amused. Setting his report down, he clasped his hands in front of him. "Kael... Another dramatic entrance as usual. Do I need to remind you this is a workplace, not a lounge?"

Kael shrugged, the corner of his lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, come on, President. It's not like I'm here to slack off. I actually have something serious to discuss this time."

Go Gun-Hee sighed but gestured for him to continue.

"I just came out of an interesting dungeon," Kael began, pulling the lollipop out of his mouth to gesture with it like a pointer. "And I've got to say, these recent anomalies... It's almost as if the dungeons are becoming more alive, more unpredictable. You've noticed, haven't you?"

Go Gun-Hee nodded, his expression growing graver. "Yes. We've received several similar reports. Dungeons are no longer as predictable as they used to be. It's putting even our most experienced hunters in danger."

Kael nodded in agreement. "That's where it gets interesting. You remember Sung Jin-Woo, right? The guy from the Double Dungeon. Rank E, weaker than a twig... or so everyone thinks."

The president frowned slightly. "I've heard of him. He survived against all odds, but he's gravely injured, isn't he?"

Kael smirked faintly. "Gravely injured, yeah. But there's something about him. Something most people can't see. I can feel it through my vectors. A raw energy, like a volcano waiting to erupt. And trust me, when it does, he won't be 'the weakest hunter' anymore."

Go Gun-Hee looked intrigued. "You're saying he could become powerful?"

Kael shrugged nonchalantly. "More than powerful. Potentially... someone unique. That's why I've been thinking of recruiting him. I'm planning to start my own guild. And I want Sung Jin-Woo in it."

The president studied Kael for a long moment, his expression a mix of surprise and contemplation. "That's ambitious, even for you, Kael. A guild led by the strongest Rank S hunter... It would be a force to be reckoned with. But why focus on Sung Jin-Woo, of all people?"

Kael leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady and serious. "Because I see things others don't. Jin-Woo has that fire, that raw determination. With a little patience and the right guidance, he could become an invaluable ally. And honestly, someone like that—I'd rather have him on my side than against me."

The president remained silent for a moment before a faint smile formed on his face. "You're unpredictable, Kael, but I must admit your instincts are usually right. If you can convince him to join you, your guild could redefine the hierarchy of hunters in Korea, maybe even the world."

Kael grinned, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands behind his head. "Exactly what I was thinking. But for now, I'll let Jin-Woo recover. He needs time. I'll just keep stirring up a little chaos here and there."

Go Gun-Hee shook his head, chuckling softly. "With you, Kael, chaos seems inevitable."

Kael jumped to his feet as if he'd never been so relaxed. Popping the lollipop back into his mouth, he gave the president a wink. "Always a pleasure, President. See you around."

Before Go Gun-Hee could respond, Kael vanished in a flash of energy, leaving behind a faint ripple in the air and a president both amused and deep in thought.

Kael reappeared in a burst of energy at the top of the hospital where Sung Jin-Woo was still recovering. The cool night wind swept through his hair as he walked toward the edge of the roof, a smirk on his lips, his lollipop still in his mouth.

Below, he spotted a familiar figure in the training yard adjacent to the hospital: Sung Jin-Woo. The "weakest hunter" seemed to have recovered faster than expected. But what caught Kael's attention was the young man's strange behavior. Jin-Woo was running, accelerating at a nearly mechanical pace. With every stride, his body appeared more precise, more sharpened, as if each step was improving something within him.

Kael squinted, intrigued. "What is he doing?" he muttered to himself. Then he noticed an even stranger detail: Jin-Woo was sometimes extending his hand as if clicking on an invisible screen, reading something no one else could see.

"Is he losing it or what?" Kael stepped back, crossing his arms. "What's with this obsession? Clicking in the air like a MMORPG player... Pathe—"

He stopped abruptly, his pupils dilating slightly. With his vector abilities, he could sense the fluctuations of energy around him, even from a distance. And what he felt at that moment left him stunned. With every stride Sung Jin-Woo took, with every "click" he made in the air, a force buried deep within him seemed to grow. It wasn't loud or explosive, but steady and methodical, like an underground river slowly transforming into a torrent.

Kael pulled the lollipop out of his mouth, holding it between his fingers as a genuine smile stretched across his lips. Not a mocking or nonchalant smile, but one of pure delight. "So, that's it, huh? I knew you were hiding something, Jin-Woo... but this..."

For the first time since becoming a Rank S hunter, Kael felt real excitement. It wasn't the usual boredom that clung to him like a second nature. No, this was something else. An electric anticipation, as if he were witnessing the birth of something great.

"This guy is much more than just a Rank E," he murmured, watching Jin-Woo continue to run, his expression focused and determined. "He's... special. And he doesn't even know it yet."

Kael lowered himself onto the roof, leaning against a wall with his legs crossed. He kept watching Jin-Woo, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. He had never been so eager to see just how far someone could go. Sung Jin-Woo, unknowingly, had reignited a flame Kael thought had long been extinguished.

"Keep going, kid," he murmured, a playful smile on his lips. "Show me how strong you can get. I want to see if you'll ever match me... or better yet, surpass me."

Kael slowly stood up from the roof, taking one last look at Jin-Woo's training. A final glance before he disappeared into the night air. With a flick of his wrist, he activated his teleportation power, propelling himself off the roof with perfect precision. The wind whipped through his hair as he fell in freefall, but before the ground could meet his body, he teleported a few meters from the ground, landing effortlessly on his feet.

He straightened up, brushing his hands over his clothes. The calm of the night surrounded him, everything seemed peaceful, as if nothing could touch him. His steps were slow, almost deliberate, as he made his way home, his thoughts filled with possibilities.

Arriving at his home, Kael sat in his chair, his eyes fixed on his computer screen with intense focus. The idea of creating a guild had evolved in his mind since his initial thoughts. It wasn't just about building an empire or becoming the leader of an organization that controlled the world of hunters. No, he wanted something more, something fundamentally different.

For him, a guild shouldn't be just a simple organization. It should be a team made up of powerful, independent people, capable of handling global threats while possessing a potential that made them unique. He didn't want a classic guild where everyone blindly followed a leader's orders. He wanted to create a team of ten elite individuals—ten warriors or strategists strong enough to face any threat, and who, over time, could even surpass his own power. Not so that they would be weaker than him or honor him, but so that they would be worthy adversaries, companions capable of giving him the fight he had never had.

Kael didn't want to be the only one at the top. He wanted people who could rival him, forcing him to constantly push his limits. He had had enough of being in charge of everything without facing real challenges. Power only had value when it was tested, when it was confronted by opponents who forced one to evolve. He aspired to build a group of individuals who didn't seek to submit to him, but to rise alongside him. If each member could, at some point, rival him and potentially surpass him, it would be a sign that his goal had been achieved.

"A guild of ten," he murmured, placing his hand on the keyboard. "An elite group that can face whatever this world throws at us... and more."

He paused for a moment, his gaze settling on the profiles he had studied. Akashi Seijuro, the Japanese guy who seemed useless with his visual powers, and other names as well... But none of them were what he was looking for yet. Kael wanted people who had not only raw power but also unique abilities, strategies, and skills that could combine teamwork with individuality. The kind of people who fought not to follow a leader but for the honor of being part of a group that represented the highest form of combat.

"A group of ten," he repeated to himself. "Enough power to handle current threats, and strong enough to give me the fight I deserve. The one I've never had. The kind of fight where I fight for my life, not against a threat... but against my own limits."

His mind turned, imagining those ten individuals, each with their own strength, each capable of challenging him at some point. A team that could, together, defeat the greatest dangers while pushing Kael to break his own boundaries. He wanted companions, but more than that, he wanted a challenge. A challenge he had never encountered before, one that would come from those who accepted him on this quest.

Kael smiled. The idea was clearer now. What he sought wasn't found in a simple hierarchy but in an organization where every member fought for their own development while helping evolve the others. It was more than just a group. It was an elite family. And with that, there would be nothing that could stop what they would accomplish together.

"This world isn't ready for this," he whispered, his eyes shining with determination. "But I'll make it ready."