KFP: Reborn as Po (Solo Leveling currently)

The battlefield was eerily silent—unnerving for those still alive. The battle had long since ended, yet the stench of blood remained. Severed limbs, shattered weapons, and broken bodies littered the ground. What should have been an ordinary subjugation mission had turned into a calculated slaughter.

A shaky camera feed flickered on the screen, displaying the final moments of the Hunters. The footage was rough, taken from a helmet-mounted camera belonging to one of the fallen Hunters.

It started with a blur of movement.

A lone Ant—but not just any Ant—moved with unnatural intelligence, darting between the Hunters and prioritizing targets. First, the weakest. The E-Rank Hunters barely had time to react before their heads were severed from their bodies in an instant.

Then, the Healers.

A D-Rank Healer, a young woman trembling as she tried to channel a healing spell, screamed as the Ant tore through her with a single swipe of its blade-like forelimb. Her desperate attempt to save the injured ended in a spray of crimson.

The Ant did not linger on the weak. It knew its disadvantages. If it allowed the battle to drag on, stronger Hunters would arrive. It attacked with strategy, breaking morale, eliminating supports, and isolating the strongest into a desperate last stand.

The footage cut off abruptly.

The room was silent as Woo Jinchul concluded his report.

"…This is the only black box recording of the Ant. The mutant was exterminated within a single day."

Another Hunter frowned, arms crossed. "You're saying it only took one day to kill the damn thing, yet we lost a C-Rank Leader, a Healer, and four E-Ranks?"

Jinchul nodded. "It was first discovered on a small island near the region where it was exterminated. We believe it completed its hunt there before traversing here."

A murmur spread across the room.

One Hunter shook his head in disbelief. "So, long story short, we need at least one A-Rank to take down a single mutant Ant?"

Jinchul remained silent. That was the unfortunate reality.

Go Gunhee, the Association's Chairman, leaned forward. "There were 294 civilian casualties in this incident. 108 Hunters were dispatched. While that number seems excessive, this Ant demonstrated a unique ability to sense danger and flee, forcing us to coordinate a large-scale response."

Silence fell over the room.

One of the Hunters from Japan's delegation finally spoke, his voice solemn.

"This level of intelligence… if Japan suffered this much damage, what happens if they appear on the Korean mainland?"

Gunhee sighed. "Much like Japan, Korea has many islands. But we cannot monitor them all."

Woo Jinchul added, "An island 150km away from Jeju was attacked. This Ant… it flew that distance with ease. That means they aren't just limited to coastal regions. If one reached that far, what's stopping them from attacking Mokpo or even further inland?"

The implications hit the room hard.

Anxiety spread through the Hunters present. If these mutant Ants were capable of flight and strategic intelligence, then…

They were dealing with a new kind of threat.

Gunhee glanced at Jinchul, his expression darkening. "Hwang Dongsoo will be participating in the Jeju Island raid?"

Jinchul's lips pressed into a thin line. "…I denied him entry into Korea."

Gunhee's eyebrows raised in surprise. For a moment, he almost felt young again—his blood boiling as if he were decades younger, eager for battle. But then, the realization hit him.

To him, that boy was now nothing but a fly.

Still, another Hunter had arrived—a National Rank Hunter.

"Japan has agreed to assist in the Jeju Raid," Jinchul reassured. "A top-ranked Hunter from Japan's strongest guild will be arriving soon."

Demon Castle Dungeon – The Throne of the Radiru Clan

The Radiru Castle loomed before them, its spires piercing the violet-hued sky of the Demon Realm. The air crackled with tension as Po, Jinwoo, and Esil stepped into the grand throne room.

Sitting atop the throne was the King of the Radiru Clan. His piercing red eyes darted to his daughter—then to the shadows surrounding his guests.

His face paled.

"Esil… do you not see it?" The King's voice trembled. "The armies lurking within their shadows?"

The knight-guards flanking him gripped their weapons tightly.

Jinwoo, ever the diplomat, stepped forward with a calm smile. "We're not here to fight. If you provide us the permit, we'll leave."

The King's brows furrowed. "That's… all you want?"

Before Jinwoo could respond, Po spoke up. "We'll also be taking Esil with us for a while."

Jinwoo smirked inwardly. Good thinking, Po.

Esil knew the locations of all the necessary permits. Having her travel with them would make their progress significantly smoother.

However, Esil herself seemed to have a different reaction.

Po had wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her slightly closer.

Her face flushed red.

She giggled.

A schoolgirl giggle.

The King's expression turned dark as he glared at Po. But after a moment, he exhaled and reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But protect her."

After a meal and reassurances from both Jinwoo and Po, the King handed over the permit.

Just as they were about to leave, a system notification appeared before them.

[A Demon Noble has requested to join your party.]

Jinwoo glanced at Po. "What do you think?"

Po shrugged. "As long as they don't get in the way."

He turned to Esil. "You're not fighting. Stay close and let us handle everything."

Esil shyly nodded. "Okay…"

Castle of the Garsh Clan – A Warzone in Flames

The Castle of the Garsh Clan was nothing like Radiru's. The moment Jinwoo and Po entered, it felt more like a battlefield than a stronghold.

Flames crackled, bodies lay scattered, and the shrieks of dying demons echoed through the halls.

Esil, visibly uneasy, clutched Po's sleeve. "Do you… do you know how many clans you've destroyed so far?"

Po casually responded, "Nine."

Her face paled.

"We're on the 89th floor."

Esil swallowed nervously. "From Floor 90 and up, the nobles are much stronger. Negotiations might be the better approach."

Jinwoo chuckled. "If they were weaker than your clan, would they have talked it out with us?"

Esil hesitated.

Jinwoo smirked. "This world is built on strength. We'll make the Radish Clan the number one clan."

Esil pouted. "It's Radiru, not Radish."

"Why are you looking out for me and my clan anyway-"

Before she could say anything else, Po suddenly turned to her with his usual charm.

"Because… I've taken a liking to you."

Esil's face exploded into a deep shade of red.

The cold-blooded slaughterers of the Demon Castle Dungeon had just done the unthinkable.

They rizzed up a demon noble.