Solo Leveling: Banishment of the Anomaly

As all the hunters moved and climbed up to complete their registration, they were met with a mesmerizing sight—a nearly three-meter-tall blue vortex. The dungeon gate of the D-rank Goblin's Hideout stood before them, ethereal yet shimmering, exuding a mystical energy.

The portal was surrounded by a faint, calm blue light that contrasted with the tension everyone felt. Unlike the stable, human-made transport gates, this one was different.

It was formless, constantly shifting and changing as though it were alive, twisting and warping in unpredictable ways. The swirling, misty interior gave off an eerie aura, hinting at the dangers and adventures that awaited within.

Floating a few centimeters above the ground, the gate seemed to defy the laws of nature, unlike the stable, controlled design of the transport gates. This was something far more primal, created naturally through forces still unknown to humanity.

Jake felt a chill run down his spine as he stared at the swirling rift. He could sense that stepping through this portal would be unlike anything he'd experienced before. This is what it feels like to face the unknown...

The other hunters exchanged nervous glances, some clearly more accustomed to the sight, while others were visibly unsettled. Da-Sol took a deep breath, his expression serious, "This is it. Once we step inside, it's all real. No turning back."

Jake nodded, swallowing hard. The swirling vortex seemed to beckon them forward, its ever-changing form a reminder that anything could happen once they crossed the threshold.

As Jake's team approached the dungeon gate, each member gripped their weapons tightly—some at their waist, others already holding them in hand, ready for whatever lay ahead. The anticipation was palpable, and Jake could feel Joo-Hee's body's nervous energy spreading through him, his hands and feet growing colder with every step.

His thoughts raced, Please, Joo-Hee… or this body, or whatever… don't make a reckless mistake. If something goes wrong, it won't just be you in danger, but me as well. I still have so much to experience in this world, and I haven't even fulfilled my promise yet…

As he took that final step into the gate, Jake braced himself for the disorienting sensation he'd experienced earlier. But this time, he wasn't taking any chances. Whispering Healing Touch over and over, he made sure the spell was ready to activate the moment nausea crept up. He didn't care about the mana usage—his enhanced recovery and enlarged mana pores from earlier would more than cover it. All he wanted was to ensure a smooth transition into the dungeon.

As Jake stepped through the dungeon gate, the familiar sensation of stretching and compressing hit him, just like with the transport gate. But this time, it felt more intense—disorienting in a way that rattled him to his core.

For a brief, terrifying moment, Jake felt as if he were being pulled out of Joo-Hee's body, as though his soul was being forcibly separated from hers. Panic set in, but just as quickly, the feeling subsided when his feet hit the earthy ground inside the dungeon.

He steadied himself, his senses reeling as he took in his surroundings. They had arrived within a dense forest, an entirely different world inside the gate. The trees were unlike anything Jake had seen in his life. They resembled a mixture of bald cypress, poplar, and cedar trees, their towering forms casting long shadows over the uneven forest floor.

Grass grew in scattered patches, and colorful wildflowers dotted the landscape—flowers Jake couldn't even begin to identify. The air was thick with the unfamiliar scent of this place, earthy but tinged with something subtly off, reminding him that this was a foreign world, even if it mirrored the forests of his home in some ways.

Jake's breath hitched, his heart racing as he observed the beauty around him. This was his first time seeing a dungeon with his own eyes, and even though fragments of Joo-Hee's memories had shown him places like this, the reality was entirely different. So this is it… a world inside a gate, he thought, a mix of awe and anxiety settling over him.

While his team bickered and chatted among themselves, Jake found himself momentarily detached from their conversation, completely absorbed by the otherworldly landscape.

The surreal beauty, the strange trees, the unknown flowers—all of it felt like a dream, a reminder of just how different this world was from his own. Even as a transmigrant, the sheer wonder of it all was enough to leave him speechless.

As Jake stood in awe of the otherworldly forest, his mind wandered to thoughts of his mother, a botanist who had always been passionate about plants. He could almost hear her excited voice pointing out the exotic trees and unfamiliar flowers around them. A soft chuckle escaped his lips at the thought. If she were here, she'd be ecstatic...

But before he could delve any deeper into his memories, a sharp ding echoed in his mind.

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[ You have entered a dungeon, Goblin's Hideout. ]

[ You have received a restrictive quest: Killing the Goblins. ]

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The second notification made his heart skip a beat. A quest? All of a sudden? He blinked in disbelief, his mind racing. Killing the goblins… this means more than just collecting essence stoness now. It was as though the dungeon itself had marked him, thrusting a new objective into his path.

He glanced again while reading every word carefully, as it felt something was wrong. Wait a minute... restrictive?! He had never seen a quest like this before. 

His fingers flexed around the strap of his backup, the faint warmth of mana stirring within him as he inhaled with his mana pores being forcibly enlarged by the system. The casual admiration of the forest was quickly replaced by a more serious demeanor.

Jake, then, stole a glance at his teammates, who were still absorbed in their conversation, oblivious to the glowing blue screen hovering before him. This wasn't something they could see, nor could they sense the weight of the quest that had just been thrust upon him.

He knew this feeling all too well—just like he couldn't see Jin-Woo's system back in the hospital, his own system was uniquely his to deal with.

His mind refocused, a new wave of determination washing over him. No more distractions. He needed to stay sharp, ready for whatever goblin-infested trials lay ahead. Before he could fully process his thoughts, Da-Sol's voice called out to him, breaking his focus.

"We're moving now, Joo-Hee!" Da-Sol called, waving him over.

Jake quickly fell into step with his team, but his mind was still fixated on the strange quest notification. As they walked through the dense forest of the dungeon, he hesitated for a moment and decided to open the quest. His eyes scanned the floating blue window, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw the requirement:

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[ Killing the Goblins ]

- Requirement: The host must complete this section of the dungeon alone. No party members are allowed beyond this point.

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[ Unable to accept the quest. The quest will appear again once the host is alone and not accompanied by any party members. ]

[ The quest progress will now be paused and hidden. ]

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Are you kidding me? Alone? Jake thought, his brow furrowing. What kind of quest is this? He couldn't accept it now since he was still with his team. And even if he did separate from them, it would only raise suspicion.

Besides, could he even handle being on his own with this body? The thought of venturing solo in a dungeon like this, in Joo-Hee's form, felt like tempting fate and a thread of danger.

His gaze flickered toward Da-Sol, Yoon-Ji, and the others as they navigated through the dense forest of the dungeon. The thick canopy above made everything feel even darker, adding to the weight already pressing on his shoulders.

Anxiety gnawed at him relentlessly—Joo-Hee's body reacting instinctively to the danger around them, making his heart pound faster than it should.

Maybe this is for the best, Jake thought, his mind racing. I'm still not ready… not strong enough to venture out on my own. He clenched his fists as the realization settled in. For now, all he wanted was to shake off the unpleasant tension that gripped him in Joo-Hee's body. He needed to get used to the rhythm of dungeons and monsters again.

He glanced at his team. Da-Sol, taking charge, moved ahead, his eyes sharp and scanning the environment for any signs of danger. There was a kind of steady confidence about him now that calmed the group.

Yoon-Ji and Jae-Sung were discussing strategies—likely how to make quick work of the goblins once they encountered them—while Eun-Bi chimed in with her own thoughts, a faint excitement in her voice. Min-Soo, as always, quietly tended to his porter duties, staying focused and alert for any danger.

Jake couldn't help but feel a little envious of their calmness. He knew it wasn't just Joo-Hee's instincts making him feel this way. His own doubts were still there, bubbling under the surface.

I'll get stronger, he told himself. When the time comes, I'll be back here on my own, ready to face this quest on my own.

But for now, he had to rely on his team and get through this without showing any cracks.

As they continued deeper into the Goblin's Hideout, Da-Sol and Jae-Sung moved to the front, their voices low but steady as they discussed their strategy. The atmosphere was tense, but their determination created a sense of purpose.

"It's okay if I talk casually, right?" Da-Sol said, his tone firm but relaxed. "Alright, we'll take the front line. Jae-Sung, you're with me. We'll draw their attention and engage first. Keep your guard up and watch for any ambush—goblins can be unpredictable."

Jae-Sung nodded while smirking, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. "Got it. I'll hold them off and who knows maybe I might be able to take down a few before they even reach the back."

Meanwhile, Jake, who was still adjusting to his new role, couldn't help but smile. Though Da-Sol was a bit of a blabbermouth, he somehow exuded reliability that came from experience. Listening intently from the rear, Jake felt a sense of comfort in their dynamic. He glanced over at Joo-Hee, Min-Soo, and Eun-Bi, who were staying behind Da-Sol and Jae-Sung.

"Unnie, Min-Soo, you two will need to stay at the rear," Da-Sol continued, glancing back at them. "Keep an eye out for any goblins trying to flank us or sneak around. If anything happens, unnie, you can use your healing spells to support us. Min-Soo, keep the supplies safe and stay ready to lend a hand if needed."

Jake nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He opened his status menu and saw that his mana had fully recovered, a reassuring sign. He felt more prepared to assist in whatever way he could, whether it meant healing a teammate or using his abilities in a pinch.

"Got it," Joo-Hee said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "But make sure to come near me if you ever get injured, so I can heal you right away."

Min-Soo adjusted the straps of his backpack, his expression serious. "I'll be ready. Just say the word if you need something."

Eun-Bi chimed in, "I can help with crowd control if things get hectic. I'll cast some wind spells to push them back if they get too close."

Yoon-Ji, who had positioned herself at the back, smiled confidently. "I'll keep watch from behind. If any goblins try to sneak up on us, I'll take them out before they reach you. Just focus on your part; I've got your backs."

"Right. Sounds good," Da-Sol said, nodding at Yoon-Ji's suggestion. "Stay vigilant, everyone. Let's keep our formation tight and work together. Remember, we need those thirty goblin essence stones to succeed. Let's move out."

With the strategy laid out, Jake felt a surge of determination. They had a solid plan, and though his anxiety still tugged at him, he knew he wasn't alone in this. They were a team, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.