Start at Solo Leveling: Instant Death Touch!

As Yon-Woo went deeper into the black market, he fixed his hood. The air was thick with the smell of blood, sweat, and illegal deals. Overhead fluorescent bulbs flashed, giving the cracked sidewalk an eerie glow. Some Hunters who were desperate and some shady traders met here. If you had enough money, you could buy names and get into dungeons.

Even though his steps were quiet, people looked at him as soon as he walked in. Some were interested, while others were wary. People were wary of a Hunter who wasn't part of a group and gave off a quiet sense of danger.

She saw him and clicked her tongue. She was sitting behind a desk full of bloody IDs. "New look. Do you want a group supporter or something else... under the table?"

Yon-Woo looked at her. "Both."

The woman smiled and put her chin on her hand. "People with at least a C rank can't go into official dungeons." To clear, you need a group, and the bigger ones don't let anyone in just anyhow. You could buy a fake Hunter ID, but the scanners would catch it.

"I think small guilds have ghost slots," Yon-Woo said in a low voice.

She laughed. "Yes, they do." But it costs a lot. If you get a ghost slot, it means that someone is putting their reputation at risk for you. They are responsible if you die inside.

Yon-Woo leaned in. "Then let me choose."

She let out a sigh and took out three lists.

"First choice: Make up a name. Get a fake Hunter ID and hope that the scanner at the gate doesn't notice you. Dangerous. Second, pay the admin staff to change records, but be careful—those scumbags will charge you so much that you can't afford it. Third, a secret deal with a small group. It costs a lot but is better.

Yon-Woo looked through the profiles and then pressed the last one. "Which guilds do this?"

"Mid-level ones, having trouble getting money." Their names are Iron Fang, Shadow Talon, and Crimson Hand.

Iron Fang. He had heard that they were an angry group that didn't follow the rules very well. That would work for him.

He asked, "How much?"

There was a deal in her smile. "It depends on rank." You'd get in as a D-rank, or maybe a C if you lied about your past. Access to B-rank? "That's a whole different animal."

Yon-Woo slowly let out steam. He had already killed a B-rank Hunter, several D-rank monsters, and even some C- and B-rank monsters. When he touched them, his gift gave him half of their strength. He was getting stronger, but he couldn't keep getting stronger without right basement entry.

He took out a big stack of cash from his coat. I want to be put in a B-rank jail.

The woman's eyes got a little bigger, but she took the money anyway. "That was a risky move, kid." But if you really want to go to hell, I'll set it up for you.

Yon-Woo didn't say anything. Moving forward was the only way for him to get real power. And the only way to get ahead in this world was to risk and kill people.

It would be great to go hunting in a B-rank cave.

Yon-Woo spent the next few days watching the guild's actions from behind, paying attention to how they entered dungeons, hired new members, and how willing they were to break the rules. The best groups to go after were minor ones, because they were strong enough to get dungeon permits but desperate enough to cut corners to make extra money.

It was known that Iron Fang was mean and would run through dungeons without thinking. Way too unsteady.

Shadow Talon was an expert at trading information, and they did business in the murky area between law and open crime. Not safe, but helpful.

Crimson Hand was a medium-sized group that was having a hard time making ends meet. They often took in Hunters who weren't licensed under the table. They had promise.

Yon-Woo leaned against a light outside of a Hunter bar and watched as a group of Crimson Hand members left. Their care is good, but they're not regimented. That means I can get past them.

Getting in was important, but what he really needed was an excuse.

He had to be ready if someone asked him why a Hunter with no name was looking around in dungeons. He couldn't publicly use the "ghost participant" as an excuse. He made a cover instead.

The next morning, Yon-Woo went into a Hunter supply store that a lot of group members like to shop at. He bought a few small things, nothing too expensive, just stuff that an errand boy might carry. Behind the desk, a man who looked tired barely looked at him.

"Do you need anything in particular, kid?"

Yon-Woo just shrugged and spoke in a normal way. "Getting things for some guys from Crimson Hand." They told me they'd pay more if I moved quickly.

The man laughed. "Facts." "Those jerks forget things all the time." He told Yon-Woo to go away. "Tell them to buy more the next time."

Just by nodding, Yon-Woo left, so there was no reason to think anything was wrong.

Later, he did the same thing in different places, like Hunter bars, weapon shops, and medical supply sellers, making it seem like he was just a low-level helper working for Hunters.

If anyone later asked him about his time in the cell, he had proof.

The next thing Yon-Woo did was small but planned.

In the middle of the night, he sneaked into a well-known Hunter bar where small groups were meeting. He took a seat at a corner table and listened. Dungeon passes were making some Hunters angry. Some people were unhappy with the guild fees. Some people said that the rules for getting in were too strict.

He put his lips together with a Crimson Hand member who was drunk and said, "Heard Shadow Talon gets cheap dungeon slots." I bet they make deals behind closed doors.

The drunk person frowned. "Fake news."

Yon-Woo just smiled. "Think about it." They go into dangerous prisons, keep their money, and don't lose anyone. Maybe some connections?"

He left before the talk could go on because he knew that stories could spread. If Crimson Hand began to question their rivals, they would be more willing to make shady deals with themselves.

He wasn't just getting in; he was making the field what it was.