Solo Leveling: Banishment of the Anomaly

Before Jake knew it, it was already 9 in the morning. The sound of birds chirping and cars driving outside reminded him that the world had moved on while he slept. He abruptly sat up, only to be hit with a sharp headache. Groaning, he touched his temple and muttered, "Ugh, I really shouldn't have pushed this body so hard."

Closing his eyes for a moment to gather himself, Jake scanned the room and his jaw nearly dropped. The four plant pots he had used for training were shattered, with soil scattered across the floor.

The once-small plants had grown wildly, their roots digging into the floorboards, and their branches brushing against the ceiling. Panic set in as he thought, What happens if my landlord sees this? I'm done for.

He scrambled to touch the base of the overgrown plant, intending to reduce its size and control the rampant growth. But in his haste, he didn't take the time to properly circulate his mana.

The moment his hand made contact, a sharp pain shot through his chest, and he doubled over, coughing up blood. "Dammit," Jake wheezed, staring at the blood on his palm. He lay back on the floor, the pain prickling his mana core with each breath.

Realizing his mistake, he pressed his hand against his chest and whispered, "Healing Touch." A soft warmth spread through his body, soothing the disruption, but it wasn't enough. Gritting his teeth, Jake repeated the spell, "Healing Touch... Healing Touch..." again and again, five times in total, until he could feel the mana realigning his body, stabilizing the damage.

Just as the relief washed over him, the system chimed in with a notification, almost like a pat on the back for his perseverance.

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[You have gained enough proficiency. Healing Touch has reached level 3.]

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Jake coughed repeatedly, spitting out the backward blood that had accumulated in his mouth. As he wiped his lips, he couldn't help but think, Of all the ways to level up my healing skill, this is really ridiculous. I don't even know if I can this is a blessing or karma. His apartment, now scattered with dirt and some bloodstains, looked like the aftermath of a battle. Still, there was no time to rest.

The first thing Jake needed to do was shrink and absorb back the mana he'd used to grow the small tree. He placed his hand on the plant, focusing on retracting the mana and returning it to its original size.

As the plant shrank down, Jake noticed something that brought a small wave of relief—the floorboards weren't broken, just loosened. He let out a sigh, thankful that he wouldn't have to replace them. That would've been an expensive fix, and with only about 2 million won left in Joo-Hee's bank account, he couldn't afford any major expenses.

The dungeon dive he'd agreed to wasn't just about facing his fears—it was about making money. If things didn't change, his remaining funds would only last him about three and a half months at best, especially with the inflation South Korea was facing. The whole world's economy was spiraling due to the scarcity of resources, as more and more areas became overrun with monsters, cutting off supplies.

After an hour and a quarter, Jake finally finished cleaning up the mess. He scrubbed the bloodstains from the floor, repositioned the detached floorboards, and glued them back using the wood glue Joo-Hee had stored in her kitchen. Satisfied with his handiwork, he stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Now, let's see where I'm at," he muttered to himself, before saying aloud, "Status."

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[Sage Enlightenment System]

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Name: Lee Joo-Hee (Jake Garcia)

Class: Sage of Eternal Leaf

Level: 2 (30/150)

HP: 160/160 | MP: 330/330

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Stats:

- Strength: 18

- Dexterity: 16

- Vitality: 16

- Magic Power: 33

- Intelligence: 21

- Wisdom: 19

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Skills:

- Healing Touch (Skill Level 3 - 2%): Amplified healing abilities, allowing for rapid recovery of wounds and ailments.

- Verdant Growth (Skill Level 5 - 2%): Manipulation of plants and nature, enabling the user to control and accelerate plant growth.

- Nature's Embrace (Skill Level 4 - 5%): A protective barrier formed from natural energy, capable of shielding the user and others from harm.

- Basic Swordsmanship (Skill Level 3 - 9%): Fundamentals of sword fighting, focusing on precision and control.

- Basic Meditation (Skill Level 3 - 74%): Enhances the user's ability to sense and manipulate internal mana, aiding in the recovery of magic power and increasing the effectiveness of other mana-based skills.

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Quests:

[ Rebuilding the Fragment of the Former Power ]

- Objective: Increase your mana pool and train your skills effectively before entering your first dungeon.

- Initial Reward: Enlarged mana pores and faster mana recovery for 3 days

- Penalty: None

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Jake looked at his status screen, pleased to see that his magic power had increased by three in just one day. Most of his skills had also leveled up, one even twice. "This is good enough, I guess," he thought. "After all, I'm staying in the rear as a healer." He knew he needed to message Mr. Kang soon, but he hesitated before typing. Is this really enough? I can still increase my proficiency later; after all, I have more than ten hours before the dungeon dive starts.

A mix of excitement and anxiety washed over him as he thought about finally experiencing a dungeon dive firsthand just like any other transmigrator in any Korean manhwa, rather than just recalling Joo-Hee's remnant memories.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he began typing a message to Mr. Kang, letting him know he'd attend the special training session. This is different from the double dungeon; I'm sure of it, he reassured himself as he hit send.

Removing his cleaning apron, Jake returned the broom and other cleaning materials to their places. He decided to head back to the park, but this time for exercise. He wanted to prepare his body for the challenges ahead.

Jake spent the remaining morning jogging through the park, feeling the crisp air fill his lungs. With each step, he focused on his breathing, making sure to maintain a steady pace. After jogging, he moved to a quieter area, practicing his mastery over Nature's Embrace. He visualized the energy around him, forming and creating barriers that could protect him and others in the dungeon.

The whole afternoon was dedicated to refining his technique. He practiced creating hexagon-shaped fragmented barriers, testing their efficiency and durability. He pushed himself to form them quickly, imagining scenarios where he'd need to act fast to protect himself and others. Each successful barrier brought a surge of confidence, reinforcing his belief in his abilities.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Jake headed home, feeling accomplished yet still anxious. He took a shower, preparing both physically and mentally for the dive.

He felt a little more confident after reading Mr. Kang's reply, which instructed him to meet at the usual training center at eight in the morning to gather everyone, from seasoned hunters to amateurs, ensuring they were all well-prepared.

After replying to Mr. Kang, Jake chatted with Jin-Woo for a bit. They discussed his upcoming dungeon dive, and although Jin-Woo wouldn't be joining him, he offered supportive and encouraging remarks. Jake appreciated the camaraderie, feeling a sense of reassurance as he prepared for the uncertainty of teaming up with strangers.

"Just remember to stay calm and keep your wits about you," Jin-Woo advised. "You've got this, Joo-Hee, just like you've always done."

"Thanks, Jin-Woo. I'll do my best," Jake replied, a smile creeping onto his face despite the nerves swirling in his stomach.

By 9 PM, Jake decided to wrap up his night. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the day settling in. Speaking softly, as if addressing Joo-Hee, he whispered, "I don't know what the future will hold for both of us. Maybe your soul has already left the face of this earth, but please, just please guide me tomorrow. I'll do my best to protect your body and honor your memory. I may not be you, but I promise to make choices that would make you proud."

As he drifted off to sleep, his mind whirred with various scenarios, a mixture of excitement and dread swirling within him, but he clung to the hope that tomorrow would bring new opportunities and strength.