Solo Leveling: Monarch of Light

Infront of a Giant Gate stood a group of people in iron clads and armours as they watched the door open before them.

Kim suho looked at this and swallowed his nervousness

The moment they stepped into the dungeon, Kim Suho felt a twinge of unease. The walls were damp with condensation, the air thick with a metallic tang that clung to his tongue and throat. It felt unnatural, even for a dungeon. His instincts screamed at him to turn back, but he wasn't about to voice his concerns. Hunters weren't exactly known for backing down from danger, no matter how much the signs begged them to.

"Does this place feel... weird to anyone else?" he muttered, glancing over at Sung Jin-Woo, the scrawny guy who'd been assigned to his party.

Jin-Woo gave a tired chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Weird is putting it lightly. This place feels like it wants us dead."

Suho adjusted the strap of his sword across his back, the faint glint of torchlight catching in his golden hair. "Well, at least I'm not the only one thinking it. Not that it'll help much."

Jin-Woo smiled weakly, sweat already pooling at his brow. "You look like you've been on plenty of raids. This is probably nothing for you, huh?"

"Trust me, I've seen some crazy stuff, but something about this dungeon doesn't sit right," Suho admitted.

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud, mocking voice from further ahead.

"Hey, blondie!" a D-rank hunter sneered, his broad frame blocking Suho's view. "You gonna swing that toothpick you're carrying, or is it just for show?"

Suho let the jab slide, his calm expression betraying no irritation. "Depends," he said, his voice even. "You want me to try it out on you?"

The man blinked, caught off guard by the retort, before scoffing and turning away. "Tch. Whatever. E-ranks like you should keep your mouths shut and let the real hunters work."

Suho ignored the man, exchanging a knowing glance with Jin-Woo, who was trying hard to suppress a laugh.

"Don't mind him," Jin-Woo said. "Some people think trash-talking boosts their rank."

"Doesn't work for me," Suho said with a smirk. "But hey, to each their own."

As they moved deeper into the dungeon, the party's mood grew somber. The hallway opened up into a cavernous chamber, and before them stood an enormous stone door. The carvings on its surface depicted scenes of battle, warriors clashing against monstrous beasts in a chaotic dance of life and death.

"Now that's a boss room if I've ever seen one," someone murmured.

"Maybe we should turn back," suggested a younger hunter, his voice trembling.

"Turn back?" the broad-shouldered hunter scoffed. "We've barely even started! What are you, scared of a big door?"

"Shut it, Kang-Tae," barked Song Chi-Yeol, the raid leader. "Let's just focus. Everyone, stay close."

With a low groan, the door creaked open, revealing a massive hall lined with towering statues. Each one was carved with impeccable detail, their lifelike faces frozen in solemn expressions.

"Whoa..." Suho muttered, his eyes scanning the rows of statues.

"They're incredible," Jin-Woo said, though there was a nervous edge to his voice. "But... is it just me, or do they look like they're watching us?"

The party hesitated before stepping further into the hall. The atmosphere felt oppressive, the weight of the statues' gaze pressing down on them with every step.

At the far end of the hall stood an altar, and before it, a smaller statue holding a stone slab. Its presence drew them in, curiosity and unease warring within each hunter.

"What does it say?" Chi-Yeol asked, stepping forward cautiously.

The slab glowed faintly, the ancient runes upon its surface shifting as if alive. The hunters watched as the words seemed to translate themselves, their meaning becoming clear:

"Thou shall worship god. Thou shall praise God. Thou shall prove thy faith."

The moment the words were read aloud, the massive doors behind them slammed shut with a deafening boom.

"What the hell?!" Kang-Tae yelled, spinning around to face the sealed exit.

"We're trapped!" someone cried, their voice trembling with panic.

The air grew heavier, the oppressive silence broken only by the frantic shouts of the hunters. Suho's grip tightened on his sword, his sharp blue eyes darting between the statues.

"This isn't a normal dungeon," he said under his breath.

"No kidding," Jin-Woo replied, his voice barely audible over the rising panic.

"Everyone, calm down!" Chi-Yeol commanded, though even he sounded shaken. "Panicking won't get us out of here."

Before anyone could respond, the slab in the statue's hands began to glow brighter.

"Worship, praise, and faith. Failure to comply will result in judgment."

"Judgment?" Jin-Woo echoed nervously.

Suho stepped forward, his voice steady. "I think it's telling us what we need to do. Worship, praise... prove our faith."

"Are you insane?!" Kang-Tae shouted. "What if it's a trap?"

"Do you have a better idea?" Suho shot back, his tone firm.

The group hesitated before reluctantly following the commandments. They knelt before the altar, bowing their heads in worship.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the statues began to move.

"Move! They're alive!"

The chamber erupted into chaos as the hunters scrambled to defend themselves. The statues moved with terrifying speed, their stone limbs crashing down with bone-shattering force.

"Stick together!" Chi-Yeol yelled, though his command was lost amidst the panic.

Suho and Jin-Woo fought side by side, their weapons barely scratching the statues' impenetrable forms. Despite his reckless nature, Suho found himself shielding others, taking blows meant for them.

"You're insane, you know that?" Jin-Woo said, panting as he swung his dagger at a statue.

"Better insane than dead," Suho replied with a grin, though his exhaustion was evident.

One by one, the hunters fell, their numbers dwindling rapidly. Only a handful remained when the slab glowed again.

Suho and Jin woo looked at the retreating figures of some people in despair

Song chi-yul remained silent as he also watched them leave

"The door's nearly closed... It's too late now, but I finally gets what happening now"

"You should all leave"

"What!?"

"Mr Song Chi-yul!??"

Both Jin woo and Suho exclaimed in shock as they stared at him

"The door won't close fully as long as there's at least one person in the atlar, right?"

Song's eyes were firm as he said his words

"You three have many years left ahead of you... You should leave"

Hearing his words, Su-Ho's eyes became fierce

"What are you talking about!? How could I just leave you here, if anyone's getting sacrificed it should be me! I'm just a weak E-Rank and I don't think anyone's gonna care if I die"

Hearing his words song was left speechless as he sighed in sadness

"..."

"Miss ju-hee you could help mr sung right?"

"You-"

Suho was about to argue when Ju-hee's legs suddenly gave up as he lay on the ground in terror

"M-my legs! I can't move them"

She shouted, horrified

"It must be Mana exhaustion..."

"This-"

"That's enough, Mr song, pls take the both of them out of here"

Suddenly amidst the silent, sung Jin-woo spoke in a dready voice startling all of them

"What-"

"Just do it! We don't have much time, plus I'm already disabled and can't move in time even if I had help"

"You... Fine"

Song with all of his strength carried ju-hee and just in time. The floor beneath them lit up, A grid of bluish rune

"I'll stay," Suho said without hesitation, stepping forward.

"No!" Jin-Woo grabbed his arm, desperation in his eyes. "You don't have to do this!"

"Neither do you," Suho replied, his gaze unwavering. "But if it's between me and you, I'm not letting you die here."

Before Jin-Woo could argue, the chamber was engulfed in blinding light. The statues froze, their movements ceasing as two beams of energy—one golden, one dark—descended upon Suho and Jin-Woo.

Both of them closed their eyes in silence, awaiting for the unknown to come

As the light subsided, whats left was now a body of two men, both of their injury gone as if it never existed.

Then within the shades, The Architect's voice echoed through the hall, calm and calculating.

"Two suitable vessels... the Shadow Monarch and the Monarch of Light and Dawn. What a rare and fascinating convergence."

As the dungeon began to collapse, the Architect's voice lingered. "Fate has chosen its champions. Let the game begin."

The two hunters ran side by side, their fates now intertwined.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not gonna lie but this chapter is a bit rushed since I have School works To do RN so I only wrote up to 1400 words

And my mind is a bit messy today given I have headache so bear with me if there's some confusing things you've read -_-