solo leveling: the everyday hero

**Prologue: Transmigration**

**Chapter 1: Transmigration**

Ryouta Nakamura's eyes fluttered open, the fluorescent lights above glaring harshly into his retinas. He blinked several times, trying to clear the fog from his mind. The last thing he remembered was being in his small Tokyo apartment, dozing off in front of the TV after another exhausting day at the office.

As his vision adjusted, he realized he was not in his familiar, cramped living room. Instead, he found himself in a spacious, minimalist bedroom, the kind he'd only seen in magazines. Sleek furniture, a large bed with crisp white sheets, and an impressive view of a city skyline through a floor-to-ceiling window greeted him.

Ryouta sat up abruptly, heart pounding. His mind raced with confusion and panic. How did he get here? What was happening?

"Welcome, Hunter Nakamura," a calm, robotic voice interrupted his thoughts. Ryouta turned to see a holographic display projected in mid-air, featuring a sleek, digital interface. "You have been assigned as an S-rank hunter in the Seoul Hunter Association. Please proceed to orientation."

Ryouta's heart skipped a beat. Seoul? S-rank hunter? None of this made any sense. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, his body feeling strangely light and agile. His reflection in a nearby mirror caught his attention—he looked like himself but with a sharper, more defined physique. His messy black hair and tired eyes were the same, but there was an undeniable strength and confidence in his stance.

"Orientation?" he repeated, bewildered. His voice echoed in the empty room.

A soft chime sounded, and the bedroom door slid open automatically. Ryouta hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow the only path available. He stepped into a sleek hallway, where more holographic displays guided him toward an elevator.

As the elevator descended, Ryouta tried to piece together what little he knew. S-rank hunter. Seoul. Somehow, he had been transported into a different world—one he recognized from the popular web novel "Solo Leveling." He had read the story, fascinated by the dangerous dungeons, powerful hunters, and intricate plot twists. But how could he be living it now?

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and Ryouta stepped out into a bustling lobby filled with people in combat gear. Screens displayed news updates about dungeon breaks and hunter rankings. The atmosphere was tense, charged with anticipation and urgency.

"Over here!" A woman in a sharp suit called out to him. She had a no-nonsense demeanor, her dark hair pulled back into a tight bun. "Hunter Nakamura, please follow me."

Ryouta nodded numbly and followed her through the lobby. They entered a large conference room where several other hunters, all wearing serious expressions, were seated around a table. The woman gestured for Ryouta to take a seat, then began the orientation.

"Welcome to the Seoul Hunter Association," she began. "As an S-rank hunter, you will be tasked with some of the most dangerous and critical missions. Our role is to protect humanity from the threats that emerge from dungeons. Your skills and abilities will be vital in maintaining the safety of our world."

Ryouta listened intently, trying to absorb the information. He learned about the structure of the Hunter Association, the different ranks, and the types of missions they undertook. The more he heard, the more surreal it felt. He was an office worker, not a hero. Yet, here he was, expected to fight monsters and save lives.

"Do you have any questions?" the woman asked, her eyes piercing into his.

Ryouta hesitated, then spoke up. "How did I get here? Why me?"

The woman gave him a sympathetic look. "Unfortunately, we don't have answers to those questions. What we do know is that you are here now, and you possess the abilities of an S-rank hunter. It's crucial that you adapt quickly and use your skills to their fullest potential."

Ryouta nodded slowly, still grappling with the enormity of his situation. The orientation continued with practical details—mission protocols, equipment, and training schedules. By the end, Ryouta felt a mix of apprehension and determination. He didn't ask for this, but he couldn't ignore the responsibility thrust upon him.

After the orientation, the woman handed Ryouta a set of keys and a sleek smartphone. "These are for your apartment and personal use. Your first mission details will be sent to you soon. Welcome to the team, Hunter Nakamura."

Ryouta took the items, feeling the weight of his new reality settle on his shoulders. As he left the conference room and made his way back to the elevator, he glanced at the smartphone. It displayed his new identity—Ryouta Nakamura, S-rank hunter.

Returning to the spacious bedroom that was now his new home, Ryouta sat on the edge of the bed, trying to process everything. He took a deep breath and looked out at the Seoul skyline. This world was dangerous and unpredictable, but he had no choice but to adapt and survive.

For now, he decided to approach this new life like his old one—one step at a time, prioritizing balance and routine. He might be an S-rank hunter, but at his core, he was still Ryouta Nakamura, an ordinary office worker trying to find his place in an extraordinary world.

---

End of Chapter 1

patreon.com/Nicewolf007