Solo Leveling : The Shadow of Vectors

Kael walked calmly toward the exit of the dungeon. Each step echoed softly in the fresh air that filled his lungs. The daylight spilling through the dungeon's entrance greeted him like a gentle breeze, a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere he had just left behind. He bore no scratches, no marks from battle. No sign of fatigue, just a serene, almost indifferent expression.

Outside, hunters—some of whom had followed the mission's progress—stared at him with wide eyes. Some had even observed his fight from a distance, impressed by the way he had handled the boss so fluidly and efficiently.

"You don't even have a scratch…" murmured one of the hunters. "How is that possible?"

Kael simply smiled, his demeanor casual. He turned his gaze toward Cha Hae In, who was waiting silently in a corner, as always. Their eyes met, and a playful smile curled on Kael's lips. He slowly walked toward her, shaking off the tension from the battle, as though the fight had been nothing more than a game.

"You know, Cha Hae In… I think I could get used to this. And who knows, maybe one day we'll both be at the top of the rankings together."

Cha Hae In looked up at him, her usually expressionless face betraying a hint of surprise at his remark. She made a small movement, almost imperceptible—a raised eyebrow—but she said nothing, as always.

Kael gave her one last mischievous glance before turning away, heading toward a corner where he could concentrate undisturbed. He focused for a moment, adjusted the position of his vectors, and with a simple motion, teleported to the top of a tall building.

The air was cool up there, and the noise of the city seemed distant, like a sea of sounds he could observe from afar. He sat at the edge of the roof, his legs dangling over the edge, watching the scene unfolding below. People walked through the streets, absorbed in their daily lives, unaware of the battle that had just taken place beneath their feet. The sun was setting, its orange light slowly spreading through the clouds, creating a majestic scene.

Kael closed his eyes for a moment, appreciating the tranquility before beginning to speak, almost to himself.

"It's fascinating, really. Using vectors like I do… It's almost second nature now. The science behind all of it—the physics of forces and movement, the manipulation of energy fields—there's an entire world to explore." He paused, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Vectors, in themselves, are invisible forces, but when you understand how they interact with space, you can manipulate them to create effects that defy logic."

He took a deep breath, reflecting on his recent experience in the dungeon.

"I developed several interesting techniques during that fight. First, the use of vectorial impulse. It's fairly simple to conceptualize, but extremely difficult to master. It's about generating a force strong enough to move an object, or in my case, an enemy, in a given direction. But it's not just simple deflection… No. You have to take into account mass, speed, and projection angle." He smiled slightly. "I also started using shockwaves." He straightened up a bit, his eyes shining with excitement. "Shockwaves are rapid disturbances in a medium, propagating pressure variation. Thanks to vectors, I can control the propagation of these waves almost instantly. For example, I was able to concentrate a wave at a specific point to create a direct impact on the giant spider, compressing and quickly releasing energy into a very targeted space."

Kael paused for a moment, thoughtful. "In fact, it's similar to what shockwaves do in the air. The effect I create with my vectors is comparable to the movement of particles in a compressed space. A kind of sonic effect, but on a much smaller, more controlled scale."

He shook his head slightly, a mysterious smile on his lips.

"The most interesting part is the use of teleportation. I've discovered an unexpected ability through my vectors: space manipulation. By sending forces through an object, a place, or even a person, I can move those elements. For instance, during the fight, I teleported objects or even parts of the ground. At first, it was just quick movement of objects around me. But today, I managed to swap places with a rock, then with a creature, taking the initiative before it could even react."

He looked at his hands, recalling the sensation of space distorting, as if his body and mind were merging with the environment, molding it to his will.

"But there's still so much to learn. The use of vectors isn't just a means of defense or offense… It's a key to understanding reality itself. It's like a balancing act between mass, space, and force. If I can manipulate these elements, I could push my abilities much further."

He stretched a little, his mind still occupied with the calculations he had made in the dungeon, thinking about how he could further refine his techniques. "But for now, I'll just enjoy observing a little longer."

He turned his gaze toward the city, the sunset's light reflecting in his eyes, then looked up at the sky, thinking about everything he had learned. He hadn't seen or experienced anything yet. The path ahead of him had only just begun.

"Tomorrow… will be an even more exciting day."

With a light smile, Kael sat quietly on the edge of the building, watching the end of the day while reflecting on the infinite possibilities his abilities offered.

The sun was slowly rising in the sky, bathing the streets of the city in a soft, golden light. Kael walked calmly through the streets, a mischievous smile on his lips, a lollipop between his teeth. He wore a different outfit from the day before: a navy blue sweater, light gray pants, and black sneakers. His red beanie was still there, leaving his black hair sticking out in a casual, disheveled manner. He seemed comfortable, relaxed, as if there were no world to conquer, but rather a daily life to enjoy.

The streets were lively, passersby crossing paths without really paying attention to each other. Kael observed it all with a certain indifference, letting himself be carried along by the flow of urban life. As he walked, he eventually arrived in front of the Hunter Guild, an imposing building that exuded authority and strength.

He entered without hesitation, the doors opening before him with a simple gesture. Inside, hunters moved about, some training, others chatting, while some appeared absorbed in their administrative tasks. Kael simply wandered, observing the activities with a detached air, like a curious visitor with no intention of getting involved.

He continued his little exploration, getting familiar with the place. There was nothing particularly remarkable—just offices, training areas, and postings related to various ranks and missions. Nothing really interested him, but he couldn't help finding some comfort in the orderly atmosphere. After a few minutes of walking, he decided it was time to leave.

When he stepped back out of the guild, he found himself on the street again and began walking leisurely on the pavement, his thoughts still floating in the air. He didn't really have a specific purpose today. He was simply exploring, taking his time.

As he walked, a young man, visibly hurried and nervous, crossed his path. Kael glanced at him distractedly before realizing that he almost felt uncomfortable by this guy's presence. He didn't know who he was, but one thing was certain: he gave off an aura of weakness.

The young man, dressed in a casual jacket and dark pants, seemed distracted. Without paying attention to Kael, he bumped into him without apologizing.

"Watch where you're going, idiot," he said, his tone sharp and haughty.

Kael stopped, casting a neutral look at the one who had just bumped into him. He wasn't shocked or annoyed, just… amused by the young man's attitude. A sly smile appeared on his lips. He observed the guy more closely, his gaze becoming almost scientific as he assessed the situation.

He was clearly not an A-rank hunter, nor even a B-rank. Perhaps a C-rank hunter, or even lower. In any case, nothing that deserved a second of serious consideration. But Kael didn't make any move to ignore him. Rather than reacting like a victim, he decided to have a little fun with this encounter.

The young man, still as arrogant, continued talking without stopping. "What are you staring at? You want to have a problem?"

Kael shrugged, amused. In an instant, he used his vectors to manipulate the air around the young man. An invisible pressure began to build around his throat, as if an invisible force was slowly choking him.

The young man suddenly stopped talking, his face turning red. He grabbed at his neck, desperately trying to release the air from his lungs. But nothing worked; the pressure increased with each passing moment.

Kael remained calm, his eyes still locked on him. He didn't need grand or spectacular gestures. He controlled the air around him with meticulous precision. He made sure the suffocation was gradual, not painfully extreme, just enough discomfort to remind the arrogant hunter that he was nothing but a pawn in a much bigger game.

The young man's eyes widened in fear, his knees slowly buckling under the pressure, while his arms lifted in a final desperate movement. Before he collapsed to his knees, Kael suddenly released the pressure and teleported instantly just above him. The young man collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, his face confused and panicked.

The witnesses who had observed the scene, some shocked by how easily Kael had taken control of the situation, whispered among themselves. The speed of the action, the precision of the vectors—everything made it seem as though Kael had acted with an almost supernatural calm.

Kael turned toward them, a slight smile on his face. He glanced at the arrogant man, now on his knees, trembling.

"You see, if you weren't in such a rush to be an idiot, you would have understood that you should never measure yourself against someone whose abilities you don't know."

A final wink, and Kael teleported again, this time landing on the roof of a nearby building, leaving behind a group of admiring and confused witnesses. From the top, he looked at the scene, amused by the stunned expressions of those who had watched him.

He wasn't trying to boast, but he enjoyed seeing how others reacted. The vectors, his manipulation of the air, the teleportation… it was all becoming a game to him, an invisible and mathematical dance that he understood more and more.

With a casual movement, Kael lay back on the roof, watching the city stretch out below him.

"Well, Kael, to start, tell us a bit about your abilities," said Go Gun-hee, breaking the silence, still as calm as ever despite the disruptive element that was Kael. "We've heard about your S-rank test and your surprising strength. But tell us, how did you develop this power?"

Kael leaned back against the backrest of the chair, a slight mocking smile on his lips. "Ah, it's simple," he replied, his voice filled with total confidence. "It's a power that allows me to manipulate vectors. I use them to control the force, direction, and trajectory of everything around me. It's quite powerful, but there are also some subtleties."

The S-rank hunters exchanged glances, intrigued. Some seemed skeptical, others more curious. But what particularly caught Kael's attention was the presence of Cha Hae In in the room. She was at the other end of the table, but Kael could feel her gaze fixed on him. Her dark eyes were watching him intensely, with a strange focus.

Without even looking at her, Kael continued answering the questions, his voice calm but with a hint of provocation.

"In fact, it's not even the most interesting ability." He paused for a moment, glancing around the room casually. "I've also learned that I can transfer my injuries to others. A sort of... exchange of pain." He let a moment of silence hang before continuing, a sly smile spreading across his lips. "It's still a technique in development. But once I fully master it, I doubt anyone will be able to defeat me."

At these words, a wave of murmurs swept through the room. Some of the S-ranks seemed to freeze, while others exchanged worried looks.

One of the S-rank hunters, a man with graying hair and a stern gaze, raised an eyebrow and reacted immediately. "You're way too arrogant for a kid like you." He crossed his arms defiantly. "Do you really think a basic technique like that will give you victory against hunters like us?"

Kael locked eyes with him, his smile never faltering. He knew exactly how to play with the tension in the room. "Oh, I don't doubt that there are powerful techniques among you," he replied slowly, "but the advantage of this technique is that no one will ever really know where to strike, or even how to reach me."

He paused, his eyes once again landing on Cha Hae In. She wasn't saying anything, but her cold stare never left Kael. He wasn't surprised by her attitude; on the contrary, it amused him. He knew she was used to being distant, yet she kept staring at him. It only fueled his curiosity.

"I've learned to do something I call vector transfer." Kael spoke again, this time addressing everyone in the room. "For example, if I'm injured, I can redirect that pain or energy to someone else. Imagine a serious injury, instantly transferred to the opponent, leaving them completely vulnerable."

At these words, another S-rank hunter, younger, with sharp features but piercing eyes, stood slightly, seeming to reflect on what Kael had just said.

"You mean you can make your opponents incapable of fighting simply by transferring your pain to them?" he asked, somewhat doubtful.

"Exactly," Kael replied with disarming simplicity. "It's a very subtle technique. Once I master it, I can fight without worrying about my own pain. I just transfer the pain to the other person and let them tire themselves out before delivering the decisive blow."

The S-rank hunters seemed more and more divided. Some were impressed by Kael's ability, while others were skeptical, thinking his words were the arrogance of an inexperienced young man. But Kael wasn't thrown off. He knew his technique was still far from perfect, but he was certain that once mastered, it would grant him unparalleled power.

As he looked at Cha Hae In again, he noticed she had slightly lowered her handkerchief, probably out of curiosity. Kael, taking advantage of the moment, slightly stood from his chair, leaning forward with a provocative smile.

"You know, Hae In," he said in a low voice, full of implications, "it's not every day that an S-rank meets someone as... surprising as me." He paused, adding with a wink, "So, tell me, are you going to remain unmoved, or are you going to join me in my little game?"

Cha Hae In looked at him, no emotion on her face, but Kael could feel the tension in the air. She didn't respond immediately, but her gaze seemed less cold than before. A small flicker of irritation passed through her, but she didn't let it show. Her eyes met his for a moment before she turned away.

Kael shrugged with a smile, amused by her silence. He knew he had stirred a little trouble in the S-rank's mind, but he didn't intend to push it further. He let the mystery linger.

However, as he leaned back from the table, ready to leave the room, one last comment reached his ears.

"You really are one of a kind, Kael," said Go Gun-hee in a calm voice, but with a slight smile. "I hope you'll soon realize that, even with your abilities, you're not invincible."

Kael briefly turned his head before replying in a teasing tone:

"I'll find out very soon."