Omake[Non-Canon]: Solo Leveling

A young man stared at the mirror in front of him, dumbfounded at his looks.

His name is Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, at least, in this world he was called that. He was known as someone else in his previous life, someone so....different, but he could no longer recall his previous name.

It was unexpected, unsettling, and....wrong to be taking on someone else's identity. It didn't feel right. But there was nothing he could do but accept it—he is Zenkichi Hitoyoshi.

[Candidate found. Scanning compatibility with the user and the system....100%! Initiating synchronization....]

Suddenly, a blue text-screen appeared before his eyes with the image of a percentage rising up.

"What the? What's going on?!" Zenkichi exclaimed, staring at the glowing blue screen that had materialized in front of him.

The screen flickered momentarily before settling into a stable, albeit unsettling, display of data.

[Error! Error! Error!]

[Synchronization failed. Progress: 99%]

[Notice! You have yet to complete the requirements to complete the secret quest: "Courage of the Weak"]

Secret Quest: Courage of the Weak

Objective: ???

Reward: Complete system synchronization

'W-What? Secret quest? And this screen...isn't this like the one from Solo Leveling? The new anime I just finished?' Zenkichi's eyes gleamed with recognition.

'And this secret quest....isn't this how the main character from solo-leveling activated his power? Is it, is it telling me that I have to go through that whole terrifying experience in some kind of "gate"?' He broke out in cold sweat. No thank you.

Although the promise of having powers similar to a video game character sounds fun, it wasn't worth it at the expense of his sanity.

Besides, what was he going to use his powers for anyway? From the original Zenkichi's memories, there wasn't any "gates" or world ending threats happening right now in the world—

"W-What the? An earthquake?!" Zenkichi felt the floor tremble beneath him, his heart pounding as the room around him began to shake. The mirror rattled against the wall, and objects in the room clattered and fell to the floor. The screen before him flickered violently, the blue text now distorted and erratic.

"What's happening?!" he shouted, desperately trying to keep his balance. The shaking intensified, and the screen's error messages grew more frantic.

"Zen-chan! Come here!" A young feminine voice sounded frantically.

Zenkichi hurriedly dressed himself appropriately with a simple white shirt and blue short pants before hurriedly down to the living room where his mother's voice was coming from.

As well as another voice.

"Zen-chan, Zen-! Oh thank God. Look!" His mother, a rather young looking girl that many would categorized as a loli, was pointing towards the tv with a clear panicked and worried look on her face.

"We're coming to you live from Shibuya City..... Where a strange blue portal suddenly emerged in the middle of the street... Monsters! Huge and fantasy monsters are emerging from the portal, wreaking havoc across the city! Authorities are struggling to contain the situation, and evacuations are underway.... This is unprecedented..... If you are in the area, please seek shelter immediately and avoid the vicinity of the portal! A-Aaaaahhh!"

The TV broadcast showed chaotic scenes of the city: enormous, otherworldly creatures rampaging through the streets, while emergency responders tried to manage the chaos.

"Mom, what's going on?!" Zenkichi asked, his voice trembling. His mother looked as bewildered as he felt, her eyes wide with fear.

"I don't know, Zen-chan. I just saw this on TV. And then the earthquake started—everything is falling apart," she said, her voice cracking with anxiety.

This day is what marked is what forever known in history as the Great Cataclysm. Dozens of portals, designated as "Gate", appeared all across Japan; causing widespread chaos and destruction.

The sky turned completely red, as millions lost their lives in a matter of hours.

Also, Japan wasn't the only country that had Gates.

United States, China, Russia, Germany, South Korea, Philippines, United Kingdoms, and many more countries experienced similar catastrophes.

The appearance of the Gates was a global phenomenon, plunging the entire world into chaos.

Each Gate brought with it monstrous entities, from grotesque beasts to ethereal specters, unleashing havoc on urban centers and rural areas alike. Governments and militaries worldwide scrambled to respond, but the sheer scale and power of the invaders overwhelmed most efforts.

A few days passed, and just as if all hope was lost, a beacon of hope appeared in this darkness. Amidst the chaos and devastation, a new figure emerged.

With smooth flowing blue hair, a captivating figure that would shame any gavure model and with an aura that radiated both power and serenity, this new figure became a symbol of hope.

Her name was Medaka Kurokami, a highschool student that blew everyone's expectations. Within just a measly month, she managed to annihilate most of the monsters in the world alongside other people.

These people, led by Medaka, were called—Hunters, or awakened people.

All the while, Zenkichi had still not managed to complete his secret quest. Leaving him powerless in this global disaster.

Well, that was until one day....

Zenkichi looked at his destroyed house with blank look, the grocery bag and phone in his hands fell down. His eyes completely wide with shock, disbelief and despair as he stared at the rubble of what was once his home.

"Mom....?"

The rain began to patter heavily against the remnants of Zenkichi's home, mingling with the dust and debris. The sounds of monsters in the distance became a distant, haunting echo. His heart raced as the realization of the enormity of the situation set in. The safe, familiar world he once knew was shattered beyond recognition, and now, even the place he called home was reduced to rubble.

Zenkichi stumbled through the debris, his mind racing with thoughts of his mother. "Mom... where are you?" His voice was barely above a whisper, choked with a mix of fear and desperation.

He dug through the rubble, frantically calling out for her. The rain grew heavier, soaking him through, but he continued, driven by a singular purpose—to find his mother and ensure she was safe.

"Zen...chan...?" A weak, trembling voice called out from beneath the rubble. Zenkichi's heart skipped a beat as he turned towards the sound.

"Mom! Mom, where are you?!" he cried, his voice breaking with emotion. He redoubled his efforts, tearing through the debris with frantic energy.

The voice called again, more clearly this time, guiding him. "Over here... I'm trapped under some debris..."

Zenkichi's hands were shaking as he moved the wreckage with all his strength. With each piece he shifted, the small glimmer of hope that he would find his mother alive grew stronger. His heart pounded as he finally saw a glimpse of her, partially buried but still breathing.

"Mom!" he shouted, seeing her face. Her eyes were closed, but her breathing was shallow. He quickly cleared away the remaining debris, revealing his mother, who was injured but conscious.

"Zen-chan... I'm here..." she whispered, tears mingling with the rain on her face.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'm going to get you out of here—"

Grrrr!*

Zenkichi froze. He glanced back and to his horror, four goblins holding clubs and shields walked up towards him, grinning savagely.

"Zen-chan...what was that...?" Hitomi asked, having not seen nor heard the goblins from her severe injuries.

Zenkichi gulped and said, "N-Nothing mom. It's just some strays looking for some food. You just get some rest until rescuers come, okay?" he grabbed the nearest weapon he could use—a 3 feet long pipe.

Hitomi snorted, "I'm a doctor, Zen-chan. You don't tell me what to do..." Hitomi's voice faded as her exhaustion and pain overtook her.

Zenkichi's mind raced, trying to devise a plan. The goblins were closing in, their guttural growls and heavy footsteps sending chills down his spine.

"Alright, Mom," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Just stay here and stay quiet. I'll handle this."

He gripped the metal pipe tightly, his knuckles turning white. The goblins, sensing his resolve, snarled and began to advance, their crude weapons raised. Zenkichi took a deep breath, steadying his shaking hands. He had never faced anything like this before, but the safety of his mother and his own survival depended on his actions now.

The battle was, unexpectedly, one-sided. Although this was the first time Zenkichi fought goblins, he was a fighter, his physical strength was higher than the average adult person. Heck, he could actually create a small earthquake if he wanted to.

"Huuu...." Zenkichi huffed, taking out his broken metal pipe from the dead goblin.

Although this was the first time he took lives, he didn't feel any remorse for what he had done. In the first place, it was self-defense, secondly....they weren't creatures to feel pity or sympathy.

They were beings of destruction, there was no mercy to be given to these creatures.

The act of killing them was akin to killing a chicken.

"Alright. Mom, everything's clear now, so we should—" Zenkichi turned to his mom, only for his eyes to widened in fear, his body going stiff.

It was a large humanoid figure, about 12 meters tall, it looked similar to a human being: like a man with short black hair, huge blue eyes and a permanent wide smile on its face. It was completely naked, with no visible reproductive organ.

However, Zenkichi didn't froze up because of its weird appearance, but because of the powerful murderous aura emanating from its body.

It was unlike anything he had ever felt before. Just standing near the being was like being enveloped in a sea of blood.

'What the fuck is a titan doing here?!' As an otaku, he quickly recognizes what the monster resembled as.

But that wasn't important right now.

'Mom!' His gaze shifted towards his mom, still laying helpless and unconscious, the huge humanoid being standing before her.

'Move. Move. Move. Move!' Zenkichi gripped his broken metal pipe tightly, veins popping on his forehead and arms as he willed himself to move.

The towering figure's presence was overwhelming, its malevolent aura nearly suffocating. Zenkichi could feel the weight of its intent, a dark and primal force that seemed to be pressing down on him.

'I have to fight! Tatakae, tatakae, tatakae!'

He forced himself to take a step forward, despite the intense fear gripping him. The creature's wide smile, devoid of warmth or kindness, sent shivers down his spine. It was as if the being took pleasure in the terror it inflicted.

"Stay the fuck away from my mother!" Zenkichi shouted, his voice trembling but filled with a fierce determination. He swung the metal pipe with all his might at the towering figure.

The titan's smile widened as it raised a hand, casually deflecting the blow with a casual flick. The metal pipe clanged harmlessly off its arm, barely causing it to flinch.

Zenkichi's heart raced. But before he could react, he was quickly caught in a tight grasp in the creature's hands, squishing him effortlessly.

"Aaaah!"

Zenkichi glared hatefully at the monster in front of him, raising him up to its mouth, intending to eat him.

'Ah,' His eyes widened in shock and despair as the creature's cavernous mouth loomed closer. He could feel the creature's breath, foul and heavy, and he braced himself for the inevitable.

'Is this it...?'

Desperation surged within him.

"Mom! I'm sorry!" Zenkichi shouted, knowing he might not get another chance. He fought against the creature's grip, his strength waning under the monstrous pressure.

As the mouth opened wider, he could see the darkness inside, a terrifying void that seemed to swallow all light.

Suddenly, time seemed to stop.

'What?'

[Notice!]

[You have met all of the requirements to complete the secret quest: "Courage of the Weak"]

'The secret quest? You're telling me that I've met all of the requirements?'

[Synchronization at 100%]

[You now qualify to become a player. Do you accept?]

'.....About damn time. Yes, make me a Player.'

[Notice!]

[Congratulations! You have now become a Player!]

There was a flash of bright light and everything went dark.

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AN: Tribute to the Solo-Leveling as well as its newly released sequel, Solo-Leveling: Ragnarok. Since both Solo-Leveling and Mirror Box were tied during a poll I did a couple months back, I'm thinking of writing both. Next omake's gonna be Mirror Box; where Devil's Luck Zenkichi meets the og cast.

❄️Shout-outs to the best Reincarnators who arrived in my patreon! 

•Lustful-Angel96

•LeadStar

•NocYoCheese21

•Sweetness

❄️A bigger shout out to the ones who ascended to become a One Above All!! The GOATS! THE MAJESTIES!!

•Tyler Dann

•Albert Jojo

•Adrian Durand

•Orion Chung

•Gilgamos

•swift arrow

Wanna read advanced chapters, stock-piled stories, photos of the characters and support me all at the same time so I can pump out more chapters, and possibly dish out extra chaps? Well then, head on over to my patreon and become heroes! For me and others!

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