Start at Solo Leveling: Instant Death Touch!

Taking charge was the first step.

Yon-Woo couldn't touch anything or anyone without being careful. Even though his skill wasn't always on, the thought of messing up kept him on edge. He put on gloves to keep a thin wall between himself and the outside world. It was annoying, but it had to be done.

He worked on stifling his power every day, focusing on keeping it quiet. It was mentally tiring, like trying to hold his breath for a very long time. He almost tested it on a small, safe thing, but he didn't because he was afraid it would fail. If he made one mistake, he would have to explain away another absence.

When we talk about disappearances, he needed a way to make an excuse.

Yon-Woo started making up complicated reasons and stories for every possible mistake. If someone nearby quickly passed

When we talk about disappearances, he needed a way to make an excuse.

Yon-Woo started making up complicated reasons and stories for every possible mistake. If someone nearby quickly died, it had to look like they were sick, hurt, or had a hidden disease, at least, leave the areas as soon as possible He had to make sure that if an animal he tested on died, the body would not lead back to him. There were no more stray animals. He had to be careful even though no one would question it.

That way, he never gave anything away and people wouldn't think he was lying. He was able to fit in better the more normal he seemed.

He was quiet, ordinary, and far away at school. A figure in the background. He didn't stand out in any way and didn't make friends or foes. They couldn't remember a single thing about him if someone asked them about him.

But behind closed doors, he was always planning. Looking at. Waiting. It was a test every time he talked. Every moment was a juggling act between keeping his secret and finding out the truth about who he was.

But how long could he keep it up?

There was no plan for Yon-Woo to get involved. He heard the noise in an alley nearby while he was walking home. A weak Hunter, not much better than a thug, was fighting a small animal that had gotten out of a nearby gate.

He might have been able to leave. He ought to have left. But somewhere inside him muttered, "This is a chance."

He moved quickly, blending into the darkness so no one could see him. The Hunter didn't have much time to respond before Yon-Woo touched the thing behind it. Right away, it crumpled up and died. No wounds. Nothing to show.

The Hunter stumbled back, not sure what to do. "What the hell—?" "Did it just die?"

Yon-Woo was gone before anyone could see him, but the rush of power that hit him proved it. Monsters weren't safe either.

Now that he knew that, he needed a better way to get stronger.

It was easy to catch criminals. There were fights all the time. He made sure to pick the right ones—ones that had been mean in the past and whose deaths wouldn't cause too many problems. If someone passed out after a fight, it was thought to be because they were stressed, had a secret condition, or had an unfortunate accident.

Yon-Woo got stronger each time.

It wasn't only physical. His senses got stronger. His reactions got better. His body changed, getting stronger and more effective. One careful step at a time, he was changing.

 He wasn't the only one watching, though.

 The teacher looked at him for a longer time than usual. Strange things were being said by a friend. Even worse, a low-level Hunter who had been near that lane was now asking questions.

 Someone said, "Do you ever notice how Yon Woo acts strange?"

 Yon-Woo kept a blank look on his face and moved carefully. So far, he had done well.

 But doubt was like a seed that only grew after it was planted.

 It was past time for him to do something.