Solo Leveling: Banishment of the Anomaly

The dungeon's interior was dim and foreboding, with the faint glow of crystal-covered walls casting eerie shadows.

A female employee accompanying Kang Tae-Shik stood before the group, her voice tinged with professionalism yet apologetic undertones.

She explained the mission objectives and acknowledged the unusual circumstances that had forced the inclusion of probationary prisoners.

After listening, Joo-Hee glanced around, her expression calm.

This is just a C-rank dungeon filled with goblins, she thought. Nothing to worry about as long as I keep my guard up. Also, Jin-Woo's here. And if I'm right, he's already far beyond needing to concern himself with such low-level monsters.

The tension in the air crackled as they ventured deeper into the dungeon.

When the first wave of armored goblins appeared, snarling and charging toward them, the three probationary prisoners didn't hesitate. With wild, murderous grins, they bolted ahead, slaughtering the creatures with terrifying ease.

Joo-Hee watched them with a detached expression, her mind distant from the bloodshed.

Go ahead, enjoy yourselves. This is the last time you'll get to see them. Her tone in her thoughts was cold, almost pitying.

As a commissioned healer, she refrained from engaging directly with the monsters.

Instead, she observed the others.

Her eyes lingered on Song Chi-Yul as he unleashed a towering blaze of fire, incinerating a cluster of goblins in mere moments.

Mr. Song is said to be an excellent swordsman as far as I could remember, she mused as he wielded robust magic.

It's a shame he awakened as a mage instead. But… could he not combine his swordsmanship with his fire magic? Becoming a close-combat mage is best suited route for him.

Her gaze shifted to Jin-Woo, who moved with deliberate restraint, his attacks precise yet subdued. Anyone watching would think he was still the same inexperienced E-rank hunter.

Jin-Woo, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips. He's holding back. If I didn't know better, even I'd be fooled by his acting. But beneath that façade… I'm pretty sure he could conquer this dungeon with ease.

While Joo-Hee quietly observed and analyzed the group, she remained unaware that Song Chi-Yul was doing much the same. His sharp, experienced eyes flicked between Jin-Woo and Joo-Hee.

When his gaze fell on Jin-Woo, a hint of astonishment lingered. He's changed so much... The timid, hesitant boy from before is gone. This Jin-Woo—he moves with a confidence that wasn't there before. His presence feels... unshakable.

The transformation was so profound that it was almost unsettling, as if the Jin-Woo he once knew had been replaced by someone else entirely.

Then, his attention shifted to Joo-Hee. For a moment, he studied her, expecting to see traces of fear or trauma lingering from the double dungeon incident. Instead, what he saw surprised him.

She's really calm... composed. I thought she'd be struggling after everything that happened. But no—there's no sign of hesitation or fear in her eyes. It's as if none of it ever happened.

The stark contrast between the two was clear. Jin-Woo had transformed into someone almost unrecognizable, radiating quiet power, while Joo-Hee carried herself with a serene composure that defied the gravity of her past experiences.

Chi-Yul couldn't help but wonder: What really happened to these two? Both of them changed...

He glanced at the rest of the group and sighed inwardly. It seems this raid will reveal more than just monsters hiding in the shadows.

...

Inside a dimly lit shop lined with peculiar plants and countless seeds, a woman cloaked in green stood before a shimmering, ethereal screen conjured from her magic.

It was the Witch from before—a being whose aura exuded a mix of nature and chaos.

The screen flickered faintly, displaying the dungeon through Joo-Hee's eyes with the help of the embedded black needle. The Witch watched intently, her lips curling into a sly grin as her sharp gaze landed on a figure emanating a golden aura.

She chuckled darkly, the sound echoing eerily in the small space. "So, that parasite managed to attach itself to the Heaven's Herald. How amusing!"

Her grin widened, a twisted mixture of ecstasy and hatred flashing across her face. "This changes everything. With the Herald's presence influencing that little boy's fate, I'll soon break free of this pathetic, low-level dimension."

The Witch stepped closer to the screen, her hand gently brushing its surface as if caressing a cherished memory. Her expression shifted to one of venomous resolve.

"Ah~ the Realm of Creations will tremble beneath my wrath soon enough," she hissed. "Warmonger, you'll regret ever trapping me in this world. I'll make sure of it."

Her laughter, laced with both exhilaration and fury, filled the air as she traced the outline of another figure on the screen.

Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "And you, Leaf~ why did you abandon me?"

Her fingers lingered on the screen, trembling with suppressed rage. "No matter—I'll tear the truth from you when the time comes. So, wait for me, Dar... ling~"

The Witch's expression softened slightly, taking on a tone of mockery as she turned her focus back to the projected vision.

"But for now, amuse me, little Sage," she said with a saccharine sweetness that belied her malice. "Show me just how far you can go before you break."

Her laughter faded into the darkness of the shop, leaving an air of dread lingering behind.

...

As the group delved deeper into the dungeon, Joo-Hee remained alert, her sharp gaze sweeping over her companions.

Her mind, however, was divided—half focused on the present and half preoccupied with the ominous feeling of danger she felt creeping closer.

Hours seemed to blur as they fought wave after wave of goblins. Each clash was routine, yet it only amplified the foreboding tension building in her chest.

At last, they reached a fork in the path: three caves stretching ominously before them.

Joo-Hee narrowed her eyes, memories of the original story surfacing with unsettling clarity.

If I remember correctly, Kang Tae-Shik will suggest to split here. We'll take the left path since Jin-Woo suggested it and that's where the boss is. Kang Tae-Shik and the criminals will go right, while Kim Sang-Shik and Kang Jeonho will take the middle.

She watched the group discuss their plan, and sure enough, events unfolded exactly as she'd predicted. But her unease deepened when her eyes caught Kang Tae-Shik glancing at Jin-Woo, his gaze calculating and far from friendly.

It's going to happen soon... she thought, letting out a quiet sigh.

Channeling her healing mana into her hands, Joo-Hee watched the soft green-yellow mana flow and swirl between her fingers, a faint warmth radiating outward.

I'd better give Jin-Woo a healing orb later, she mused, letting the energy settle into a concentrated form. Just in case something unexpected happens.

Not that he'll need it, of course. He's the protagonist, after all. Yet, despite her confidence in his strength, the feeling of danger never ceases.

Yet, even as she reassured herself with this precaution, a nagging thought clawed at the edges of her mind—a critical piece of information, elusive and just out of reach. Is this all there is? Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something... something important... but what?

Her brow furrowed slightly as she tried to grasp the fleeting memory, but before she could delve deeper, Jin-Woo's voice broke through her thoughts. "Joo-Hee, are you still alright? Can you keep going?"

Song Chi-Yul chimed in, his tone concerned yet steady. "If you're tired, we can slow down for a bit. Healers need to rest, after all."

Snapping out of her reverie, Joo-Hee forced a smile, masking the unease simmering beneath.

"I'm fine, Mr. Song," she assured them, her voice light and calm. "I barely even had to heal anyone since we entered the dungeon. So, I can still keep going."

Satisfied with her response, the group pressed forward, Jin-Woo and Chi-Yul killing goblins with precision. Joo-Hee followed closely behind, her gaze shifting between them and the path ahead, all the while that lingering thought gnawed at her.

What am I missing?

Whatever it was, she couldn't shake the feeling that this forgotten detail would cost them dearly. Think, Joo-Hee... think! But the memory refused to surface, leaving only a heavy weight in her chest since the group had parted more than an hour ago.