Solo Leveling: Monarch of knowledge

I woke to the sound of silence, the kind that blankets everything, leaving only the faint hum of my own thoughts. My eyes fluttered open, the light overhead soft and diffused, not harsh like I'd expected. For a moment, I just lay there, trying to piece together what had happened. The last thing I remembered was… the being? The forge? The nano machines?

I sat up quickly, my heart pounding as I took in my surroundings. I was in a normal room. A very normal room. A simple bed with plain white sheets. A small wooden desk pushed up against the wall. Shelves stacked neatly with books. The faint smell of fresh linen hung in the air.

"What the hell…" I muttered, swinging my legs off the bed. The floor beneath me was cold tile, sending a shiver up my spine. My bare feet padded softly as I stood, scanning the room for answers.

There was a closet to the right, slightly ajar, revealing a handful of neatly folded clothes. A small kitchen nook sat at the far end, its appliances gleaming as if brand new.

I walked over to the window, drawn by the faint murmur of activity outside. Pulling back the beige curtains, I found myself staring at the heart of a bustling city.

The view was… stunning. Tall buildings loomed over a crowded plaza below, where people moved about their business. Cars zipped down wide streets, and flashing digital billboards adorned the skyscrapers. One of the largest screens displayed a news broadcast in crisp, high resolution.

My breath caught in my throat as I read the words flashing across the screen. The text was in Italian, a language I recognized instantly, having grown up around it. But that wasn't what stopped me in my tracks.

It was the headline: Cacciatori Combattono Contro Nuova Bestia Magica a Roma! (Hunters Battle New Magic Beast in Rome!)

"No way…" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Hunters? Magic Beasts? This wasn't real. It couldn't be.

I stumbled back from the window, my mind racing. This wasn't the Italy I knew. I needed answers, now. Frantically, I searched the room, my hands shaking as I yanked open drawers and rifled through shelves.

Finally, on the desk, I spotted something familiar. A phone. My phone.

Grabbing it, I tapped the screen, my breath hitching as it lit up. The interface was familiar, down to the apps and shortcuts. It was my phone, all right. But as I stared at the lock screen, I felt a strange mix of relief and dread settle in my chest.

I wasn't dreaming.

I was here. Wherever here was.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. My heart was racing, and panic wouldn't help. I needed to think, to process what I had just seen.

Hunters. The word echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. It didn't take long for a name to surface, Solo Leveling.

I'd read the manhwa years ago, binging chapters like a starving lion tearing through a feast. The rise of Sung Jin-Woo, from a weak and near-useless hunter to an unstoppable shadow monarch aura farming left and right, had been mesmerizing. But while the story had left an impression, my memory wasn't exactly the best. I only remembered the general plot. Details? Not so much.

Still, I knew enough.

In this world, I had two options:

1. Live a normal life and hope to never encounter a dungeon break.

2. Become absolutely strong as hell and enjoy life to the fullest.

The choice was obvious. A smile crept across my face, unbidden and uncontrollable, as I remembered the nano machines. With them, I had a chance.

But first, I needed information. Sitting down at the desk, I unlocked my phone and opened the browser. My fingers trembled slightly as I typed in the search bar:

Who are the strongest hunters?

The search results appeared on the screen, and as my eyes landed on the names, a faint spark of recognition flickered in my mind.

The answer was clear and concise:

---

The strongest hunters in the world are the National Level Hunters. These individuals stand at the pinnacle of humanity's power, capable of feats beyond the imagination of most hunters. The three most renowned are:

1. Thomas Andre

2. Liu Zhigang

3. Christopher Reed

---

I stared at the screen, my expression focused with my mind turning over the information. The names clicked. Thomas Andre, the Goliath, known for his overwhelming physical strength. Liu Zhigang, the pride of China and a master swordman with his twin swords. Christopher Reed, whose fire-based abilities earned him the title Flame Sovereign.

The fog in my memory cleared further as their titles and feats resurfaced, and with them, i am now certain where i am.

I exhaled slowly, keeping my emotions in check. This world wasn't just a dangerous place, it was the kind of place where a single mistake could cost you everything. But it was also a place of incredible opportunity for someone with the right tools.

I needed to know where I was in the timeline. Pulling up the search bar again, I typed in the name Kamish and pressed enter.

The results loaded in seconds, and I scanned them carefully.

[Kamish, the greatest calamity humanity has faced, was slain by the combined efforts of the world's strongest hunters five years ago.]

Five years ago. That meant I was three or four years before Sung Jin-Woo's awakening. Before the plot of Solo Leveling truly began.

I leaned back in the chair, closing the browser. The confirmation settled heavily in my mind. I wasn't in the middle of the chaos yet, but it was coming. Dungeon breaks, catastrophic events, and hunters fighting to survive, it was all on the horizon.

Still, I wasn't panicking. I had time. Time to prepare, to adapt, and to make the most of what I'd been given. My gaze fell to my hands, the faint memory of the nano machines making me feel a flicker of hope.

"Come on." I muttered, focusing harder. "I know you're in there."

Suddenly, a sharp jolt surged through my body, starting at my chest and radiating outward. It wasn't painful, but it was enough to make me gasp. A faint blue glow traced along my veins, and I froze as a calm, feminine voice echoed in my mind.

[Greeting, Host.]

I blinked, startled. "Who…?"

[I am the artificial intelligence interface of your nano machine system. I exist to assist and serve you.]

The voice was smooth, almost soothing, yet utterly mechanical. Despite the strange situation, I felt an odd sense of relief. It was proof the nano machines were functioning.

"You can talk." I said slowly, my lips curving into a cautious smile. "Good. That makes things easier."

[Acknowledged, Host.]

I scratched my head, taking a moment to process. "Right. I guess I should give you a name. Let's see…" I paused, considering. "Awà."

[Designation accepted. I am now Awà.]

"Great." I said, nodding. "Now, what do you have in your memory database?"

[Limited data detected.] Awà's tone remained even. [I possess only the fundamental functions of the nano machine system and the memory data of this body's previous experiences.]

I frowned. "That's it? Why don't you have all the information, like the nano machines in the manhwa?"

[Clarification: I am not identical to the nano machines described in the referenced fictional material. My design incorporates unique enhancements and modifications tailored for this host.]

That made sense, in a frustrating kind of way. "Alright, fair enough." I said, sighing. "But you're fully operational, right?"

[Correct. However, I lack autonomous consciousness. I am a tool designed solely for the host's use and guidance.]

I leaned back in the chair, exhaling slowly. "Good to know. Alright, Awà, let's start with something simple. Activate the memory database."

[Acknowledged, Host. Activating memory database now.]

The world around me seemed to blur as a rush of sensations and emotions flooded my mind. Memories, vivid and raw, played out before me like a reel of film unraveling in real time.