Solo Leveling: Monarch of knowledge

Adam stirred awake, his body feeling incredibly light, relaxed, and energized. A sense of ease washed over him, as though every ache and tension had melted away overnight. But before he could bask in the sensation, a pungent, foul smell assaulted his nose. His face contorted in disgust.

'What the hell is that?' he thought, sitting up instinctively.

The source of the smell became clear as he noticed patches of black, brown, and slimy mucus covering his skin. He grimaced, and as he moved to get up, he planted one palm on the ground. Without much thought, he pressed down, raising his entire body into a handstand with shocking ease.

'What the-?' Adam froze mid-movement, realizing how effortlessly he'd just performed a feat of calisthenics that should've been beyond him. His body balanced perfectly, his core steady, his breathing calm. Slowly, he lowered his legs back down, controlling the descent with an almost uncanny precision.

Once his feet touched the ground, he pushed off his arm, launching himself into the air and landing smoothly. His body responded like a finely tuned machine. There was no time to process it further; the smell forced him into action.

Adam darted toward the bathroom, his speed and control astonishing even to himself. The apartment was cluttered with books and boxes from the previous day, but he weaved through them effortlessly, his reflexes so sharp that he didn't come close to bumping into anything.

Once in the bathroom, he yanked the shower handle and stepped in, letting the water wash away the grime. Streams of black and brown muck flowed down the drain, coming from every pore and orifice on his body. As the last of the filth disappeared, he grabbed a towel and wiped himself down before stepping in front of the mirror.

The sight made him freeze.

"Damn!" he muttered, his voice filled with awe. "I'm handsome as fuck!"

His reflection was almost unrecognizable. His light brown skin was flawless, with a radiant glow that made it look almost golden under the bathroom light. His muscles were perfectly streamlined, every inch of his physique carved like a sculpture.

Broad shoulders, a defined chest, and a core that looked like it could break steel complemented his powerful arms and legs. His physique resembled that of a manga character, radiating strength and balance in perfect harmony.

His hair had grown noticeably longer, the curly locks now hanging loosely around his head, wet and slightly wavy. They gave him a rugged, untamed look, as though he'd just walked off the page of a fantasy illustration. His eyes were a mesmerizing light brown, but what caught his attention most was the faint light blue sparkle flickering in them, a subtle glow from the nano machines within.

Adam flexed one arm, marveling at the intricate network of veins throbbing under his skin, each pulsing with newfound vitality. His gaze never left the mirror as he asked Awà in his mind, 'Awà, why does my physique look like a manga panel of Goku? This is ridiculous.'

[Based on your memories.] Awà responded, [This physique aligns with your ideal form and personal preferences. I optimized it accordingly.]

Adam couldn't help but smile. 'You know what? Good call. Nice work.'

[Obviously.]

He flexed again, feeling a surge of strength flow through his body. His muscles tensed, veins bulging as raw power coursed through him. Yet, he knew raw strength wasn't enough. 'Awà, how would I fare against the D-rank hunter from the association?'

[The D-rank hunter's muscle density and overall strength are still several times greater than yours. In a direct confrontation, the host would be killed easily. However, the host would be able to see and react to the hunter's attacks due to enhanced reflexes and perception. The issue lies in the host's body being too slow to follow through.]

Adam nodded thoughtfully. 'Makes sense. I might be faster mentally, but the body still has its limits.'

He paused for a moment before asking, 'Am I at least qualified to be an E-rank hunter?'

[The host's physical strength is comparable to an E-rank hunter. However, without mana, the host cannot compete against hunters or defeat magic beasts, even at lower ranks.]

Adam frowned. 'So how do I get mana?'

[The host must consume a mana-rich resource to allow integration into the body, or absorb ambient mana from the surroundings. However, the latter method is not advised, as the mana density in this area is insufficient for meaningful absorption.]

Adam sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. 'Alright, I'll have to figure something out later.'

He left the bathroom and returned to the living room, where the aftermath of his knowledge binge lay scattered across the floor. Books were everywhere, the scene a testament to his chaotic efforts the day before. Without hesitation, he began cleaning up, his movements efficient and purposeful. Within minutes, the room was spotless again.

Standing amidst the now-organized space, Adam cracked his knuckles and smirked. 'Alright, time to figure out my next move.'

....

Adam sat in front of his computer, his eyes focused intently on the screen as he typed and clicked through countless websites. He was on a mission to learn everything about printers and materials, both natural and artificial. With his newly augmented cognitive functions, understanding complex chemical compositions and engineering concepts was a breeze.

As he read, his thoughts buzzed with clarity. 'This is simple enough, but Awà, scan everything anyway and assimilate it into my brain as I go.'

[Understood, Host. Scanning in progress.] Awà responded.

His mind worked in tandem with Awà's processing power, and as the hours ticked by, Adam began to notice something intriguing. 'Wait a second… These websites are full of errors.' he realized. Certain details were inconsistent, methods overcomplicated, and key pieces of information outright missing.

Awà's voice confirmed his thoughts. [Multiple inconsistencies detected. The host has identified 13% of errors in reviewed material. Optimized methods have been formulated and integrated.]

Adam smirked. 'Thought so. With better materials and techniques, I can achieve more efficient results. Looks like the web isn't perfect after all.'

For hours, he dove deeper into the subject, absorbing everything he could about 3D printing and material science. By the time he leaned back in his chair, his understanding of printers, materials, and their intricate processes had surpassed even what some professionals might know.

With newfound confidence, Adam searched for the fastest online delivery services and began ordering everything he needed to build a high-performance printer. Resin, filaments, specialized nozzles, motors, and electronic components all filled his virtual cart. His finger hesitated over the "checkout" button as he glanced at the total cost.

'There goes all my money.' he thought with a sigh. But he pressed the button anyway.

The screen flashed a confirmation message, and Adam leaned back, exhaling. 'Alright, I've got what I need. Now I just have to wait for it to arrive. But I'm broke now.'

His thoughts shifted, and a new plan began forming. 'I need to make money. And fast.'

Adam's fingers moved to the keyboard again, this time searching for programming tutorials. He'd always been fascinated by coding but never had the time or focus to learn it. Now, with his enhanced mind, he was ready to master it.

Hours passed as Adam immersed himself in programming languages. He started with Python, quickly grasping its syntax and logic, before moving on to more complex languages like JavaScript, C++, and even machine learning frameworks. Awà seamlessly integrated everything he learned, enhancing his efficiency and retention.

By the time he finished, the clock had struck midnight. Adam leaned back, stretching his arms. 'That should do it. I could probably create an app or even work freelance with this knowledge.'

It was only then that he realized he hadn't eaten all day. Oddly enough, he didn't feel hungry. He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers as he thought. 'Awà, any reason I'm not starving right now?'

[The nano machines are efficiently converting stored energy reserves into usable fuel. The host's physical state is optimized to prioritize productivity.]

Adam frowned slightly. 'So basically, I'm running on internal reserves? Good to know, but I'm not about to skip meals forever.' He stood and stretched. 'Let's get out to eat.'

Grabbing his wallet, Adam headed for the door, his mind already buzzing with ideas for his next steps.