Solo Leveling: Universal Derivation

Jaehyan felt the night wind hit his face as he stood atop the building. The city below shone with lights, but his focus was elsewhere.

He opened his interface and looked at his attributes.

[Attributes]

Strength: 200Speed: 200Endurance: 200Durability: 200Magic: 200Mana: 2,000

Evaluation: Peak of Rank E

Jaehyan frowned.

"That's strange…" he murmured to himself.

His attributes had doubled since entering the Dungeon, yet he was still at the Peak of Rank E? What did that mean?

The growth was real. He could feel the power flowing through his body, but it still wasn't enough to rank up.

Reality hit him.

The path was much longer than he had imagined.

He crossed his arms, analyzing the numbers and trying to make sense of them. Then, he formed a mental table:

Rank E: 0 ~ 200Rank D: 201 ~ 400Rank C: 401 ~ 600Rank B: 601 ~ 800Rank A: 801 ~ 1,000Rank S: +1,000

He took a deep breath.

It was only a provisional table. He wasn't sure about the true limits, especially for Rank S. To understand, he would have to reach it himself.

But something caught his attention.

His 2,000 Mana points did not influence the Rank evaluation. Only the other attributes seemed to matter.

"So Mana isn't a direct factor for ranking...?"

If that were the case, then perhaps there were Hunters with an absurd amount of Mana who still remained in low ranks because their physical attributes weren't strong enough.

This meant that the system was primarily focused on physical combat.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

The cold breeze made his hair sway.

The future seemed more distant and difficult than ever...

But at the same time, the desire to grow burned inside him.

Jaehyan opened his eyes, a determined gleam in his gaze.

"I will reach the top."

Without further hesitation, he took a step forward, leaping onto the next building.

However...

Zoom!

A beam of light cut through the air toward him, fast and precise.

Jaehyan's instincts screamed danger. His body reacted before his mind could fully process the attack.

[Reinforce]

[Ruler's Authority]

The pressure around him shifted, and Jaehyan used his ability to nullify the force of impact while still in midair. But the shockwave from the shot pushed him back, sending him flying toward the rooftop of a building.

He tilted his body, bending his legs at the right moment.

Crack!

His feet slid across the concrete, leaving a deep trail, but he managed to stabilize himself at the edge of the rooftop, stopping just inches from the border.

Crack!

The accumulated force in his fist was released, crushing the remaining projectile in his hand.

Jaehyan frowned and turned his head in the direction the attack had come from.

But before he could even take a breath—

Foosh!

Another shot tore through the air.

This time, he raised his hand without hesitation and caught the projectile midair.

Jaehyan's eyes flickered for an instant.

The force of this attack… it was strong, but not enough to threaten him.

He squeezed the projectile between his fingers, feeling its pulsating energy before crushing it completely.

"Hmm..."

Jaehyan lifted his leg and stomped the ground with force.

The impact reverberated across the rooftop, cracking the surface.

Boom!

In an instant, he leaped, slicing through the wind in a blur.

His speed was absurd—he crossed the distance between buildings in seconds, surging forward like a meteor toward the source of the shots.

At another point in the building...

Min Seong-Ho, a D-Rank Hunter, watched the scene with wide eyes.

His gaze followed Jaehyan's trajectory—he was moving far too fast for a mere E-Rank.

He had clearly seen his projectile being stopped in midair with a single hand.

And now, that same Hunter was coming straight for him.

Min Seong-Ho felt a chill run down his spine.

"Ah..." he murmured, feeling a cold sweat trickle down his neck.

"Is this guy really an E-Rank?"

Min Seong-Ho was still trying to process what had just happened.

An E-Rank caught his projectile?

Shot through the air like a missile?

He hadn't even had time to react.

"How about finding out?"

A cold, imposing voice sounded behind him.

Seong's eyes widened.

"W-When?!"

CRACK!

Before he could even turn to defend himself, a brutal punch exploded against his ribs.

His body was sent flying like a ragdoll, spinning through the air before slamming against the edge of the building.

He nearly fell.

For a moment, Seong felt the void beneath him.

The cold wind blew against his skin as he used all the strength he had to cling to the ledge, gasping in pain.

He ran his hand over his injured ribs and felt the cracked bone.

"Kh..." Seong clenched his teeth, suppressing a groan.

'What kind of strength is this?!'

His heart pounded.

Adrenaline burned through his veins.

He lifted his gaze and saw Jaehyan approaching slowly.

His eyes glowed gold, emitting a faint radiance that made his presence seem almost otherworldly.

A bead of sweat trickled down Seong's forehead.

He tried to move—

But his body wouldn't respond.

"Before I finish you off, tell me..."

Jaehyan raised his hand.

An invisible force took hold of the space around them.

Min Seong-Ho felt his body being lifted into the air against his will.

[Ruler's Authority]

Seong struggled in the void, trying to break free from the pressure that held him suspended.

But he couldn't.

Jaehyan approached calmly, observing the enemy hunter like a predator analyzing its prey.

"Who sent you?"

His voice was cold—unhurried, unwavering.

Seong hesitated for a moment, but his trained mind kicked in.

He couldn't give in.

"Sorry, but I'm not in the hab—"

BOOM!

A devastating punch struck his other rib.

This time, there was no time to brace himself.

His body shot downward, crashing hard against the concrete rooftop.

CRASH!

The surface cracked around him, dust rose into the air, and Seong let out a muffled cry of pain.

His body trembled involuntarily.

He tried to move, but the intense pain made his body fail him.

Above him, Jaehyan descended with steady steps, imposing like a shadow that would consume everything around it.

Seong felt the blood pounding in his head.

His chest rose and fell rapidly, his heart hammering against his broken ribs.

Jaehyan knelt beside him, pressing one hand against the ground.

The pressure increased.

Seong felt his body grow even heavier, as if he were being crushed by an invisible force.

Jaehyan tilted his head.

"Well? Gonna talk now?"

Seong gasped, his lungs burning as he struggled against the unbearable pain consuming his shattered leg.

Sweat dripped down his forehead, mixing with the dust from the destroyed rooftop.

"N-"

BOOM!

Before he could respond, Jaehyan's boot crushed his leg, driving it even deeper into the concrete.

[The Ruler's Authority] doubled his weight instantly.

Muscles and bones gave way under the overwhelming pressure.

CRACK!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Seong's piercing scream echoed through the night.

He had never felt pain like this in his life.

Every inch of his leg was pulverized, the bone fragments slicing through his flesh like sharp blades.

He writhed, his whole body trembling, his eyes wide with absolute agony.

But Jaehyan didn't back away.

He simply crouched down slowly, leveling himself with the wounded hunter.

"So? Ready to talk now?"

His voice was cold. Unhurried. Unwavering.

Jaehyan tilted his head slightly, analyzing the man as if he were an insect crushed beneath his feet.

"Think carefully before you speak."

The shadows of the night covered his face, leaving only his golden eyes glowing, illuminating the terror in Seong's gaze.

But the worst came next.

Jaehyan slowly raised his fist.

He positioned it exactly in front of Seong's chest.

The air around them seemed to condense, as if the very world was holding its breath.

The invisible pressure of his [Authority] made Seong feel his heart pounding against his ribcage, ready to be blown apart from the inside out.

A direct hit would kill him instantly.

Seong tried to swallow, but his throat was as dry as sand.

Fear gripped every fiber of his being.

He didn't want to die.

Not like this.

Jaehyan didn't move a muscle, simply keeping his fist in place, waiting.

"And?"

The sharp silence was more suffocating than any words.

Seong felt involuntary tears running down the corners of his eyes.

He had no choice.

"…I-I… I'll talk…"

Seong whispered, his voice weak and trembling, but audible.

Jaehyan kept his cold gaze on him.

"Great."

Seong felt the crushing weight of pain and fear dragging him down onto the shattered ground. His leg—or what was left of it—throbbed in a chaotic rhythm, sending waves of agony through his body, making him tremble involuntarily. He swallowed hard, trying to ignore the tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. His pride told him not to falter, but his survival screamed for one way out: to speak.

He took a deep breath, the air struggling to fill his lungs. His chest rose and fell irregularly, each breath feeling as if it carried tons of weight. Finally, he opened his mouth, his voice coming out hoarse, trembling, and heavy with defeat.

"I-it was..." He hesitated for a moment, the name almost getting stuck in his throat. But Jaehyan's gaze—cold and expressionless as death itself—forced him to continue. "...your brother. Lee Soohyun."

The moment he uttered the name, Seong shuddered. The air around him seemed to grow denser, as if the very world had paused to absorb those words. He didn't dare look at Jaehyan directly. The atmosphere surrounding him was suffocating, filled with something indescribable.

He squeezed his eyes shut, the muscles in his face tensing, bracing for the worst. The fatal punch. The final blow. The end.

Silence reigned.

Every second stretched into eternity.

But... nothing came.

No new pain. No crushing strike. Not even a sound.

Seong slowly opened one eye, his breathing uneven. Jaehyan was no longer there.

Only emptiness.

The cold night wind blew gently, tousling his disheveled hair and mixing dust into the air. He looked around, confused, his heart still pounding violently against his chest. There wasn't a single trace of Jaehyan's overwhelming presence.

But then, in the distance—

Sirens.

The rising sound of emergency vehicles approaching rapidly.

Seong blinked a few times, still trying to process what had just happened. "Huh? He... let me live?"

A mix of relief and disbelief coursed through him. He had expected to die right there, shattered, but... why?

The answer, he didn't know. But one thing was certain—

Lee Soohyun.

That name now carried a different weight.

Elsewhere...

Far from the scene, on a high rooftop bathed in the pale light of the moon, Jaehyan stopped, breathing calmly. His gaze was fixed on the bluish interface floating before his eyes.

[Universal Derivation Target has been registered!]

[Derived Ability: Light Shot (Rank D)]

[Mastery Level: E (0/50)]

Jaehyan narrowed his eyes, absorbing the information on the screen.

"So this was your ability?"

The question slipped from his lips, tinged with a hint of disinterest. He glanced over the details displayed before him.

[Light Shot]

Rank: E

Type: Active

Consumption: 10 mana per shot

Derived from: Min Seong-Ho

Description: An ability capable of creating light spheres and firing them at high speeds. Multiple spheres can be generated simultaneously due to their extremely light weight. With training, the firing speed can be significantly increased.

Note: If compressed and fired at an extremely fast rate, the light sphere transforms into a sharp, penetrating laser capable of piercing the human body with ease.

Jaehyan observed every detail, quickly processing the implications. A long-range skill. Simple, yet functional.

Seong had used this technique against him, attempting to strike him from a distance. But now, Jaehyan possessed it.

He could improve it. Refine it. Evolve it.

A faint smile crossed his lips before vanishing instantly. He closed the screen with a simple thought and looked toward the horizon.

"Lee Soohyun..."

His name echoed in his mind, like a ghost from the past returning to haunt him.

Jaehyan stood still, feeling the cold wind lash against his face.

The night was still far from over.

And he knew—

The answers would come with blood.

...

At the top of one of the most imposing buildings in the city, a luxurious office was lit only by the faint moonlight and the softly toned lamps installed in the corners. The environment exuded sophistication—dark wood furniture, shelves filled with leather-bound books, and an immaculate glass desk reflecting the cold gleam of the urban skyline through the large panoramic windows.

In the center of the room, Lee Soohyun sat in his leather chair, his fingers interlaced beneath his chin as he gazed at the city below.

[Insert image here]

He was waiting for news.

However, the absolute silence of the phone and the absence of any messages were beginning to annoy him. He furrowed his brow, his dark eyes scanning the emptiness in front of him, as his thoughts tormented him.

'Did he fail?

The idea was ridiculous. Absolutely impossible.

Jaehyan was only Rank E.

Seong, although not a high-level Hunter, was still a solid Rank D—enough to crush someone like Jaehyan without difficulty. The power difference was evident.

Still, an uncomfortable feeling grew in his chest. Something... was wrong.

Then—

"J-Jaehyan?"

Soohyun's voice came out shaky, almost choked, as he noticed the presence that should never have been there.

On the dark leather sofa, comfortably reclined, was Jaehyan.

He was wearing new, casual clothes, with no signs of wear, dust, or any evidence of a recent struggle. He looked untouched, as if he hadn't even fought.

[Insert Image here]

Jaehyan's golden eyes glowed in the dim light, staring at him with a vacant, almost indifferent look. A faint smile curved the corner of his lips, but there was no trace of humor.

"Hello, Lee Soohyun."

His voice echoed through the office, serene, but laden with something... incomprehensible.

Soohyun froze.

His eyes widened as his mind went into panic.

"H-how did you get here?!" He stood up abruptly, his heart racing.

The building's security was impeccable. Only authorized people could enter—and Jaehyan was not one of them.

"Simple."

Jaehyan tilted his head slightly, as if amused by the question.

"Through the front door."

Soohyun's shock was palpable.

"W-what?!" He stammered, unable to accept the absurd answer. "That's impossible! You're forbidden from entering this building!"

His voice rose, a mix of fear and desperation, but all he received in return was a cold stare.

Jaehyan said nothing.

He simply watched him.

And Soohyun felt a chill run down his spine.

This was not the same person he knew.

What the hell had happened to Jaehyan?

Jaehyan remained seated for a few more seconds, letting the silence grow in the luxurious office. The only sound was Lee Soohyun's heavy breathing, still trying to understand how Jaehyan had entered without being detected.

Then, he stood up.

Each movement of Jaehyan seemed calculated, precise, as if he were completely in control of the situation. He walked slowly towards Soohyun, his footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor. As he got closer, there was something eerily calm about his presence—like a predator who already knew the prey was cornered.

"To be honest, I'm just here to say one thing."

Before Soohyun could react, a loud crash echoed through the office.

CRACK!

With a single strike, Jaehyan shattered the glass table in his path, the shards scattering across the floor in a flash of reflections.

Soohyun took a step back, the shock in his eyes was evident.

Fear grew inside him like an uncontrollable fire.

"Send as many assassins as you want," Jaehyan continued, his voice sharp as blades. "The more that come, the stronger I'll get."

In that instant, Jaehyan's right eye glowed intensely in gold, a threatening shine that lit up his cold expression.

Soohyun shuddered.

He didn't want to admit it, but his body refused to move. He tried to step back, but his legs failed him. When he tried to get up from the chair, he lost his balance and fell awkwardly to the ground.

This couldn't be happening.

He was Rank E!

This didn't make sense!

What happened to Jaehyan?!

Before he could process it, Jaehyan slowly turned around, as if completely losing interest.

"Goodbye, Lee Soohyun."

And then, he disappeared.

Like a shadow fading in the wind, Jaehyan simply vanished before Soohyun's eyes, using his [Stealth] skill.

The office fell silent.

Soohyun was still on the floor, his chest rising and falling quickly.

He didn't know how long he had been holding his breath.

His eyes widened, anger replacing fear. He gritted his teeth, his fists trembling with hatred.

And then—

"LEE JAEHYAN!!!"

His furious scream echoed through the office, but the only one who could hear it had already disappeared into the darkness.