Solo Leveling: Banishment of the Anomaly

They were now at Seoraksan National Park, a place that felt entirely foreign to Jake, who had lived in the Philippines his whole life. This was his first glimpse of Korea's stunning natural beauty, and despite the heavy human touch in some areas, the landscape remained breathtakingly pure. The towering mountains, lush greenery, and rocky terrain left him in awe.

Now that Jake had stabilized himself and was finally free from the unpleasant aftereffects of vomiting, he took a moment to appreciate the surroundings. The group was transported to the lower plains of the mountain, where the uneven surfaces were manageable, thanks in part to his weathered leather boots made from the skin of woodland giant boars. They were perfect for walking long distances and offered exceptional comfort.

As the last team arrived, Kang Ho, Han Ji-Hoon, and the other supervising hunters gathered everyone. Kang Ho addressed the group, his voice authoritative yet encouraging. "I know all of you are really eager to go inside the dungeon now, but remember this: although this dungeon is entirely inhabited by goblins, do not underestimate them. The association has graded this dungeon as D-rank due to the abundance of goblins."

Jake exchanged glances with his team, a mix of excitement and concern evident on their faces. Da-sol leaned in, whispering, "I thought goblins were just the comic relief of dungeons! Are they really that dangerous?"

Yoon-ji rolled her eyes, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "They can be when there are enough of them. It's not the strength of a single goblin you should worry about, but the strength of their numbers."

Unexpectedly, it was Da-sol and Yoon-ji who dominated the conversation, their chatter filling the air as they stood, waiting for the go signal. Jae-sung, on the other hand, was surprisingly quiet after learning that Joo-Hee was a B-ranked healer. He seemed to be weighing the implications of that revelation, his earlier arrogance tempered by a sense of respect—or perhaps envy.

Min-soo, the porter, focused intently on his task, diligently carrying his backpack, which was only half-filled with necessary supplies. He also had two quivers slung over his shoulders, each containing twenty arrows that Yoon-ji had asked him to carry.

Most of the team members managed to carry their own weight, allowing Min-soo to take on a lighter load than he typically would. He moved with purpose, glancing occasionally at the group but remaining mostly absorbed in his duties. Jake couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him; Min-soo reminded him of Jin-Woo during his early days as a porter, carrying supplies for others while remaining in the shadows.

"Hey, Min-soo!" Jake called out, breaking the pattern of his thoughts. "You doing okay back there?"

Min-soo looked up, a bit surprised by the attention. "Yeah, I'm fine! Just focused on keeping everything together," he replied with a small smile, though Jake could see a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

"That's good to hear. If you need a hand with anything, just let me know," Jake offered, wanting to alleviate some of the pressure Min-soo was under.

"Thanks, Miss Joo-Hee," Min-soo said, his gratitude evident. "I appreciate it."

Meanwhile, Da-sol and Yoon-ji kept the conversation lively, discussing their strategies and what they might encounter in the dungeon. Da-sol was animated, his excitement palpable as he spoke about the legend of the golden goblin and its potential loot. "I heard they drop some really cool items! Maybe we'll get lucky!"

Yoon-ji, her tone slightly teasing, replied, "Don't get too ahead of yourself. You should know it better that golden goblins are just a myth. Remember, it's not just about the loot; we need to stay alive first."

As they continued along the rocky path, Jake felt a strange mix of nostalgia and determination stirring within him. The camaraderie of his new team—Da-Sol's enthusiasm, Yoon-ji's calm but sharp demeanor, and even Min-soo's quiet diligence—reminded him of his past life.

It wasn't the life he had now in Lee Joo-Hee's body, but his life back in his world, where he and his friends would argue over the slightest things while playing Toram Online, their go-to MMORPG.

Jake smiled faintly, his mind drifting to those carefree days. He could almost hear their voices in his head, bickering over loot distribution or debating the best builds for their characters. In some ways, this dungeon dive felt like one of those online raids.

There were the usual dynamics—some members more focused on the objective, others more concerned with the social aspect—and just like in the game, Jake had to adapt to the team's quirks if they were going to make it through unscathed.

It's funny how things change, Jake thought. Back then, we were just a bunch of folks trying to level up in a game. But, now I'm actually living in a world where leveling up can mean the difference between life and death.

Jake's thoughts drifted as he reminisced about his past life, the simpler days of playing Toram Online with his friends and reliving the excitement of their virtual adventures. The feeling of camaraderie had always been a comforting part of those days, but now, it was nothing more than a distant memory.

His reverie was cut short as Han Ji-Hoon's voice snapped him back to the present. The space mage was addressing the hunters again, his tone serious and commanding.

His voice carried a weight of authority as he continued after Kang Ho, addressing the crowd of eager hunters. "This is a dungeon dive," he reminded them sternly. "You are not allowed to challenge the dungeon boss to clear the dungeon. Even if some of you foolishly wish to do so, you won't be able to. The association owns this dungeon for training purposes, and the boss has been sealed."

His words were clear, but there was an undeniable edge to them as his gaze briefly lingered on Jake. It was subtle, but it made Jake's skin prickle with unease. Why did this guy keep focusing on me? Jake quickly looked away, pretending to be more interested in adjusting his backpack strap.

Ji-Hoon continued speaking to the group, "Once again, this is not a raid, just a dive. We strongly encourage you to stay on task. For now, your mission is simple: bring back 30 goblin essence stoness to complete this trial. The first ten teams to do so will receive corresponding rewards."

The crowd stirred with murmurs of anticipation. Hunters were already sizing each other up, calculating the best strategies, wondering if they could make it into the top ten. 

Jake then glanced at his team, noticing the range of reactions. Da-Sol was practically vibrating with excitement, Yoon-Ji looked calm and ready, Eun-Bi and Jae-Sung seemed more focused than before, and Min-Soo was… well, Min-Soo was just doing his job, standing quietly with the supplies.

"Thirty goblin essence stones..." Jake muttered under his breath. It seemed like a straightforward task, but with so many teams vying for the same goal, competition was inevitable. Still, that wasn't what troubled him most. His heart raced, and his hands grew colder with every passing second. Joo-Hee's instinctive fear, the overwhelming dread of facing monsters, had started to creep in.

Jake clenched his fists, frustrated by the betrayal of his borrowed body. I'm excited, he thought. I wanted to know what it's like to be a hunter, but this body… It felt as though his mind and body were at odds. The fear wasn't his, but he had to live with it, fight through it.

Just as the panic threatened to rise further, a soft ping echoed from his phone. Jake quickly glanced down and saw a message from Sung Jin-Woo:

_______________________

"I know it's a bit late. I'm not sure if you've entered the dungeon yet, but Joo-Hee, take care and good luck. I'm sure you'll do great, as you've always done in the past."

_______________________

Jake blinked, reading the message again, a warmth spreading through him. Jin-Woo's words, simple as they were, felt like a lifeline. Always done great... He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, and in that instant, his heart steadied.

The anxiety that had gripped him moments ago ebbed away like a receding tide. His body, as if reassured by the message, calmed itself. The cold in his hands vanished, replaced by a newfound strength.

Jake touched his chest, feeling his heartbeat, now steady and strong. His fingers moved, warm and responsive. It was as if Jin-Woo's message had flipped a switch, stabilizing him in a way that felt almost mechanical.

As he smiled, a mix of gratitude and determination washed over him. "Thanks, Jin-Woo," he whispered. Maybe I can handle this after all. As he exhaled loudly, his team members turned to look at Joo-Hee, curious about the sudden outburst.

"I'm sure some of you are nervous; I'm also nervous, to be honest," Jake said, trying to rally their spirits. "But let's do our best! And also, Da-Sol should be the leader. He's a frontline warrior. And I'm just a support." Jake shot Da-Sol a death glare that clearly said, Don't you dare make me the leader again!

Da-Sol chuckled awkwardly, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Ok... okay, does everyone agree with that?"

Yoon-Ji, Eun-Bi, and Min-Soo all nodded in agreement, eager to support Da-Sol's leadership. It was Joo-Hee's decision, nonetheless. Jae-Sung, however, hesitated, clicking his tongue before conceding, "Okay, fine... You're higher rank than me, after all."

Da-Sol flashed a grin, clearly pleased with the support. "Alright, then! Let's make this a successful dive, everyone!"

Just then, Kang Ho's voice broke through the chatter, booming with authority. "All preparations are complete! The lock to the D-Rank dungeon, Goblin's Hideout, is finally unlocked! Climb up here now and fill out the form to enter the dungeon!"

The team scrambled to their feet, a mix of excitement and urgency propelling them forward. They hurriedly climbed up the rocky path, competing with other teams to be among the first to register. Jake felt a surge of adrenaline as they reached the registration area, quickly filling out the necessary forms.

As they finished the registration, anticipation hung in the air. Jake could feel his body's anxiety settle in again, but it wasn't as overwhelming as before. I better not disappoint Jin-Woo or my team, he thought, reminding himself of the support he had behind him.

Da-Sol, embodying his role as the born leader, stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. "Let's go, everyone! Get ready!"

The team gathered around, checking their formations and weapons. Jake could feel the energy of his teammates, their nerves turning into a shared resolve. The moment had come; they were about to step into the unknown together.