Chapter 120 Summary
The night sky over the city was a bruised violet, the last remnants of daylight swallowed by a thick veil of clouds that seemed to pulse with an unseen energy. From the highest tower of the Hunters’ Guild, a lone figure stood at the edge of the balcony, his silhouette a dark cut against the dim horizon. Sung Jinwoo’s eyes, usually calm and calculating, flickered with a restless fire as he stared into the distance, where the faint outline of a massive, swirling vortex marked the entrance to the Red Gate.
For weeks, rumors had circulated through the guild halls like a whispered contagion. The Red Gate, a newly manifested S‑rank Dungeon, had erupted in the heart of the city, its crimson arches tearing the sky and spilling a torrent of hostile monsters onto the streets. The Monarch of Red Gate, a towering beast of molten steel and searing flame, had already claimed the lives of dozens of hunters, its presence a dark omen that threatened to plunge the world into chaos.
Jinwoo’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft rustle of a cloak. Cha Hae‑In stepped onto the balcony, her silver hair catching the faint glow of the portal’s light. She moved with the poise of a seasoned hunter, every step measured, every breath controlled. “You’ve been staring at that gate for hours,” she said, her voice low but edged with concern. “What are you thinking?”
Jinwoo turned, his gaze meeting hers. “I’m thinking about the cost of this battle,” he replied, his tone steady. “The Red Gate isn’t just another dungeon. It’s a living, breathing entity that feeds on the fear of those who enter it. The Monarch… it’s not just a monster. It’s a ruler, a sovereign of a realm that we barely understand.”
Hae‑In’s eyes narrowed. “And you think you can take it down alone?”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Jinwoo’s mouth. “I never thought I’d have to do it alone.” He gestured toward the portal, where the crimson light pulsed like a heartbeat. “But I won’t be. Liu and Thomas are already on their way. We’ll need every hand we can get.”
The wind shifted, carrying with it the distant sounds of battle—clashing steel, guttural roars, and the crackle of magical energy. From the shadows of the alley below, two figures emerged, their silhouettes illuminated by the flickering flames that licked the walls of the Red Gate. Liu, the stoic Korean hunter known for his mastery of the sword, moved with a fluid grace that seemed to cut the very air. Beside him, Thomas Andre, the flamboyant French hunter whose flamboyant gestures belied a deadly precision, adjusted the intricate runes etched onto his gauntlets.
“Jinwoo!” Liu called, his voice carrying a note of urgency. “The gate is expanding. The monsters are pouring out faster than we anticipated.”
Thomas laughed, a sharp, confident sound. “Well, that just means we get to have more fun, doesn’t it?” He raised his gauntlets, the runes glowing brighter as he prepared to unleash a barrage of elemental attacks.
Jinwoo nodded, his mind already racing through strategies. “We need to split up. Hae‑In, you and Liu take the western corridor. Thomas, you and I will go straight for the Monarch’s throne. The Red Gate’s core is at the center; if we can destabilize it, the whole structure will collapse.”
Hae‑In placed a hand on Jinwoo’s shoulder, her grip firm. “You’ve always been the one to carry the weight of the world, Jinwoo. Let us share it this time.”
The four hunters moved as a single unit, their steps synchronized, their breaths matching the rhythm of the battlefield. The Red Gate’s interior was a labyrinth of towering stone arches, each etched with ancient symbols that glowed with a malevolent crimson hue. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and the metallic tang of blood. Shadows moved in the periphery, monstrous silhouettes that lunged at any who dared approach.
Liu’s blade sang as he sliced through a horde of goblin-like creatures, each strike a blur of silver that left a trail of ash. His movements were a dance of death, each step calculated to avoid the snarling jaws of the beasts. Beside him, Hae‑In unleashed a torrent of ice, her magic forming crystalline spikes that pierced the flesh of the monsters, freezing them in place before shattering them with a single, powerful thrust of her sword.
Thomas, meanwhile, chanted an incantation that resonated with the runes on his gauntlets. A wave of fire erupted from his hands, engulfing a wave of skeletal warriors that crumbled to ash. He grinned, his eyes alight with the thrill of combat. “You see, Jinwoo? This is exactly what I was hoping for—an all‑out showdown!”
Jinwoo pressed forward, his aura flaring with a golden light that seemed to push back the darkness. He could feel the presence of the Monarch growing stronger with each step, a low, resonant hum that vibrated through the stone walls. The Monarch’s throne loomed ahead, a massive platform of blackened iron surrounded by a sea of molten lava that churned like a living river.
The Monarch of Red Gate rose from its throne, a colossal figure that dwarfed even the tallest hunter. Its body was a fusion of steel and flame, eyes burning like twin suns. When it spoke, its voice was a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of the dungeon. “You dare challenge the sovereign of this realm?” it bellowed, its massive claws crackling with raw energy.
Jinwoo stepped forward, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, the Shadow Monarch’s blade that had become an extension of his will. “I am Sung Jinwoo, the Shadow Monarch,” he declared, his voice resonating with a confidence that belied the danger. “And I will end your reign.”
The battle erupted in a cascade of light and darkness. Jinwoo’s sword clashed against the Monarch’s claws, each strike sending shockwaves that rippled through the cavern. Hae‑In and Liu fought their way through waves of monsters, their combined attacks creating a vortex of ice and steel that tore through the enemy ranks. Thomas, ever the showman, unleashed a barrage of elemental spells, each one more spectacular than the last, turning the battlefield into a kaleidoscope of fire, ice, and lightning.
The Monarch retaliated with a torrent of molten lava, the scorching streams carving deep trenches into the stone floor. Jinwoo leapt, his shadow form allowing him to glide over the searing heat, landing behind the beast with a swift, decisive strike that pierced its armored flank. The Monarch roared in pain, its massive form staggering, but it quickly recovered, summoning a wave of dark energy that threatened to engulf the hunters.
“Now!” Hae‑In shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. Liu and Thomas coordinated a simultaneous attack, Liu’s blade slicing through the dark wave while Thomas’s runes amplified the energy, turning it back upon the Monarch. The combined force created a vortex that sucked the dark energy into a swirling maelstrom, destabilizing the creature’s core.
Jinwoo seized the moment, his shadow aura flaring brighter than ever. He raised his sword, the blade humming with a resonant frequency that matched the heartbeat of the Red Gate itself. With a mighty swing, he cleaved through the Monarch’s chest, the blade cutting through steel and flame as if they were mere paper. The Monarch let out a final, earth‑shaking roar before collapsing, its massive form disintegrating into a cascade of molten shards that fell like meteors onto the cavern floor.
The Red Gate trembled, the crimson arches flickering as the core destabilized. The hunters felt the ground shift beneath their feet, the entire structure beginning to crumble. Jinwoo, Hae‑In, Liu, and Thomas sprinted toward the exit, the portal’s light growing brighter with each passing second.
As they burst through the gate, the world outside seemed to exhale. The sky cleared, the clouds parting to reveal a star‑filled night. The Red Gate collapsed behind them, a massive crater of ash and molten rock where the portal had once stood. The city’s streets were littered with the remnants of battle—broken weapons, scorched armor, and the faint, lingering scent of ozone.
Jinwoo stood at the edge of the crater, his breath heavy, his eyes scanning the horizon. The Monarch was gone, the Red Gate sealed, but the cost of victory weighed heavily on his shoulders. He could feel the lingering presence of the Shadow Monarch within him, a constant reminder of the power he wielded and the responsibility it carried.
Cha Hae‑In approached, her expression a mixture of relief and admiration. “You did it,” she said softly, placing a hand on his arm. “You saved the city.”
Jinwoo turned his gaze to the distant lights of the city, the flickering glow of lanterns that now seemed to shine brighter against the night. “We all did,” he replied, his voice steady. “We fought together. The Red Gate was a test, and we passed.”
Liu sheathed his sword, his eyes reflecting the faint glow of the crater. “The monsters were relentless, but we were relentless in return,” he said, a hint of a smile breaking through his stoic demeanor.
Thomas chuckled, his gauntlets still crackling with residual energy. “And the best part? We got to put on a show! I can’t wait to see how the fans react when they read Solo Leveling chapter 120 online. The spoilers will be everywhere.”
Jinwoo raised an eyebrow, a faint amusement flickering across his face. “You think about the readers now?”
Thomas shrugged, his flamboyant grin widening. “Someone has to keep the hype alive. The analysis, the summaries—people love dissecting every detail. And let’s be honest, the Monarch of Red Gate was a perfect climax for this chapter. The English translation will be a hit.”
Hae‑In laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Just make sure you don’t give away too much. The spoilers are part of the fun.”
The four hunters stood together, the night air cool against their skin, the distant hum of the city a comforting backdrop. The battle had ended, but the world of hunters was ever‑changing, each new dungeon a fresh challenge, each new monster a test of their resolve. Jinwoo felt the familiar pull of destiny, a whisper that urged him forward, toward the next unknown gate that would appear on the horizon.
In the days that followed, the city began to rebuild. The scar left by the Red Gate was a reminder of the fragility of peace, but also of the strength that lay within those who dared to stand against the darkness. News of the battle spread like wildfire, the tale of the Monarch’s fall becoming a legend whispered in taverns and guild halls alike.
Jinwoo found himself at the center of a growing legend. Hunters from distant lands arrived, seeking his guidance, hoping to learn from the one who had bested the Red Gate. Among them were new faces—young hunters with eyes full of determination, veterans with scars that told stories of battles long past. They all shared a common thread: the desire to become stronger, to protect what they loved, and to carve their own names into the annals of history.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city, Jinwoo stood atop the highest tower of the guild once more. He looked out over the sprawling streets, the bustling markets, the quiet alleys where shadows lingered. The wind tugged at his hair, carrying with it the distant cries of children playing, the soft murmur of merchants closing their stalls, and the faint echo of a distant battle that seemed to linger in the air.
Cha Hae‑In joined him, her presence a steady anchor in the swirling currents of his thoughts. “Do you ever wonder what lies beyond the next gate?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jinwoo smiled, a faint, almost imperceptible curve of his lips. “Every gate is a doorway to a new story,” he replied. “And every story is a chance to grow, to learn, to become something more.”
Liu appeared at the foot of the tower, his sword sheathed, his eyes reflecting the fading light. “The world is full of mysteries,” he said. “We’ve faced the Red Gate, but there are countless others waiting to be discovered.”
Thomas descended the stairs, his gauntlets still humming with residual power. “And each one will be a spectacle,” he added, his flamboyant grin returning. “The fans will love it. The analysis will be endless. I can already see the headlines: ‘Solo Leveling chapter 120 – The Fall of the Red Gate.’”
Jinwoo chuckled, the sound low and resonant. “Let them write what they will,” he said. “What matters is what we do when the next gate opens.”
The four hunters stood together, silhouettes against the twilight, their shadows merging into one. The city below buzzed with life, unaware of the silent promise that hung in the air. The Red Gate was gone, but its memory lingered, a testament to the strength of those who dared to confront the unknown.
As night fully settled, the stars emerged, each one a distant beacon of hope. Jinwoo felt a familiar pull, a whisper from the shadows that had always guided him. He turned his gaze upward, his eyes reflecting the constellations, and whispered a promise to the night itself: “No matter how many gates appear, no matter how fierce the monsters, I will stand. I will protect. I will rise.”
The wind carried his words across the city, through the alleys, over the rooftops, and into the hearts of those who would one day face their own battles. The story of the Red Gate would become a legend, a chapter in the endless saga of hunters and monsters, of light and darkness. And somewhere, in the quiet corners of the world, a reader would sit, eyes glued to a screen, eager to read Solo Leveling chapter 120 online, to dissect its every detail, to savor the spoilers and the analysis, to feel the thrill of the battle as if they were there.
For Jinwoo, the journey was far from over. The next gate would rise, the next Monarch would await, and the cycle would continue. But with each step, each swing of his sword, each breath of his shadow, he would carve a path forward, a path illuminated by the fire of his resolve and the unwavering support of those who stood beside him.
The night stretched on, endless and full of promise. The city slept, unaware of the silent oath spoken beneath the stars. And in the heart of the hunter who had become a legend, a quiet fire burned brighter than ever, ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead.
#SoloLeveling #RedGate