Damien spends time understanding his newfound abilities as a Toymancer while his brother, Sung Jin-Woo, begins his journey as a hunter. Through trial and error, Damien successfully creates his first two toy soldiers—an agile paper soldier resembling an ancient warrior and a wooden knight with a mysterious connection to death. As he experiments with his creations, he realizes that his power depends on his craftsmanship, materials, and concentration. Each toy has unique abilities, setting the foundation for his growth. However, he knows that true strength lies ahead, and his journey has only just begun.
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In the Solo Leveling universe, dungeons are classified into ranks based on their difficulty level, the strength of the monsters inside, and the rewards they offer. The ranks go from E to S, with S being the most dangerous and E being the weakest.
Dungeon Ranks & Difficulty Levels:
E-Rank Dungeon: The weakest dungeons, usually containing low-tier monsters like goblins or weak beasts. Even regular people might survive these dungeons if they are careful.
D-Rank Dungeon: Slightly stronger, with monsters that pose a moderate threat to weak hunters but are still manageable for low-level hunter teams.
C-Rank Dungeon: Considered the middle ground of dungeons, C-rank dungeons require a well-prepared hunter team to clear. Monsters in these dungeons are strong enough to kill an unprepared hunter easily.
B-Rank Dungeon: Dangerous for normal hunters. These dungeons contain powerful monsters that often require coordination between a team of skilled B-rank or A-rank hunters.
A-Rank Dungeon: One of the highest normal dungeon ranks. The monsters inside are near-disastrous level threats, and only elite hunters can take them on. Even high-ranking hunters often struggle to clear these alone.
S-Rank Dungeon: The most dangerous dungeons. The creatures inside are at a near-catastrophic level, requiring entire guilds or national-level hunters to clear them. An uncontrolled S-rank dungeon breakout could wipe out entire cities or even nations.
Special Cases of Dungeons
While most dungeons follow the ranking system, some unique dungeons exist with different conditions:
1. Red Gates (High-Risk Dungeons)
A Red Gate is a dungeon where the entrance closes permanently once a team enters. Normally, hunters can leave a dungeon anytime through the entrance, but in a Red Gate, they are locked inside until they clear the dungeon or die. These gates are usually high-difficulty and have deadly environments.
Example: The Red Gate Dungeon where Sung Jin-Woo was trapped with high-level knights and eventually gained his Shadow Elf army.
2. Dungeon Breaks (Gate Overflow)
If a dungeon is not cleared within a certain period, the monsters inside break out into the real world. This is known as a Dungeon Break, and it can lead to cities being destroyed if strong hunters don't intervene.
3. Double Dungeons (Hidden Dungeons Inside a Dungeon)
Some dungeons have hidden secondary layers that are not detectable from the outside. These are called Double Dungeons, and they often contain ancient relics or unique opportunities for growth.
Example: Sung Jin-Woo's awakening dungeon was a Double Dungeon where he first met the System and gained his power.
After giving it some thought, Damien decided that a C-rank dungeon would be the best place to start. He knew he wasn't strong enough to tackle one alone, but with a well-balanced party of independent hunters, he stood a good chance. Summoners were always in demand, and with his C-rank Paper Soldier and B-rank Death Knight, most teams would gladly welcome him.
He pulled up his Hunter App, a digital marketplace and networking hub for independent hunters. It wasn't just for forming parties—it also served as a place to buy and sell dungeon loot, trade rare items, and even offload the equipment of fallen comrades. Of course, this last feature was one of the darker aspects of independent hunting. Some hunters died due to misfortune, while others were killed by their own teammates for their loot.
This was one of the main reasons why most hunters joined guilds—a guild provided safety, stability, and structure. In exchange, they handled loot distribution, team formations, and dungeon assignments. However, the downside was clear: guilds took a huge cut of the profits. Even though dungeon loot could be worth millions, most guild members saw only a fraction of the earnings, while the higher-ups took the lion's share.
"It's not that guilds are bad," Damien muttered to himself, scrolling through potential party listings. "If the right people are running things, they offer security, good resources, and long-term benefits... but they also strip you of independence."
For now, he preferred to remain a free hunter—someone who could earn and fight on his own terms. With that in mind, he started looking for a team.
While Damien was browsing through the Hunter App, searching for potential teammates, he came across a familiar name. A team that he had definitely seen before.
His eyes widened as he recognized the roster—it was the same party that would in future enter the infamous Double Dungeon, the very place that would lead to the rise of Sung Jin-Woo as the Shadow Monarch.
This team was composed of a mix of low to mid-rank hunters, most of whom had no idea they were walking into a death trap. They included:
Song Chiyul (C-Rank, Veteran Mage Hunter)
An older and experienced C-rank Mage-class Hunter. He has seen many battles and understands the dangers of dungeons better than most. Tries to guide the younger Hunters, including Jin-Woo. He barely survives the Double Dungeon but is deeply affected by the loss of his comrades.
Kim Sangshik (D-Rank, Swordsman Hunter)
A mid-tier Hunter with decent experience. He initially mocks Jin-Woo for being weak but later regrets underestimating the dangers of the dungeon. Tries to escape when things go wrong but is ultimately killed by the statues.
Park Heejin (C-Rank, Agile-Type Hunter)
A capable and confident Hunter who believed the raid would be an easy task. She initially dismisses Jin-Woo due to his low rank. Gets caught in the massacre inside the dungeon and dies when the statues start attacking.
Lee Joohee (D-Rank, Healer Hunter, and Jin-Woo's Friend)
A gentle and kind healer who has gone on multiple raids with Jin-Woo. She cares about him and worries about his well-being. After the traumatic events in the Double Dungeon, she is so horrified that she quits being a Hunter altogether.
The Raid Leader (C-Rank, Unnamed)
The leader of the raid team who organizes the dungeon attack. Arrogantly assumes the dungeon is a normal low-tier raid and does not anticipate the extreme danger ahead. Gets killed early in the Double Dungeon's deadly trial.
Other Unnamed Hunters (C-Rank & D-Rank)
A mix of C and D-rank Hunters who join the raid. Almost all of them are killed by the monstrous statues inside the Double Dungeon.