Hola Hunters we hope you are doing fine. As you have read this week’s chapter you may know about madam Selner. So, we will come to who she is in the latter part of this article. First, let’s cover what other things have happened which may come in the manhwa later on.
Solo Leveling Chapter 109 Spoilers –
Jin Woo and the guild:
Still, it’d be prudent to make some preparations in advance.’
Jin-Woo began thinking about the preparations he’d have to make, just in case. That led him to remember something else he’d been delaying for a little while now.
And that would be the establishment of his own Guild.
Having a Guild would certainly make it simpler to enter various Gates, and it’d also make him, and his soldiers’ leveling-up process, that much easier, too.
He had left the very-motivated Yu Jin-Ho in charge of the initial process of founding a Guild, at least for the time being.
‘I wonder, how far along is he now?’
Jin-Woo decided to give Yu Jin-Ho a call, but after checking the time, he sheepishly put the phone down. It was two in the morning.
‘It’s already this late….’
Since he had the stuff to do on the following day, he figured that it’d be simpler to just go and pay a visit to Yu Jin-Ho at the same time.
‘Yeah, I’ll stop by the office tomorrow.’
Yu Jin-Ho’s glares became a level sharper.
Like the eyes of a hawk locking onto a prey, his glare scanning the computer monitor was filled to the brim with unbridled sharpness. And then, proverbial flames erupted out of his eyes next.
‘I shall never forgive those trying to obstruct the path of hyung-nim!!’
Yu Jin-Ho quickly screen-captured the offending online forum post in question, as well as the comments appearing below it, and then, proceeded to write up a formal letter of complaint with lightning speed. He moved so expertly and quickly that he must’ve had more than enough experience doing this thing.
And, in the blink of an eye, his work was done.
Unfortunately, Yu Jin-Ho was reminded of the sad truth that the Guild he’d be the Vice Master of still didn’t have an official name yet. This was a serious problem requiring a speedy resolution.
Hyung-nim hadn’t said a word about this problem until now, so Yu Jin-Ho decided that it was his duty as the Guild’s Vice Master to come up with a suitable name.
‘Hmm….’
How about putting the ‘Seong’ of Seong Jin-Woo and ‘Yu’ of Yu Jin-Ho together to name the Guild ‘Seong-yu’?
He quickly shook his head, though.
‘It’s got a nice meaning, but uh, it sounds a bit…’
If he were to consider how it sounded, then it was indeed better to flip the two words around to make ‘Yu-Seong’, but then again, he’d never be able to accept the fact that his own surname would come before his hyung-nim’s.
‘I must discuss this with hyung-nim when he stops by.’
It had been two whole days since they moved into this office.
Hyung-nim had become the center of the world’s attention after his heroic feats during the Jeju Island raid got to broadcast live, while Yu Jin-Ho found himself manning this big office all alone a lot more than he’d like to.
‘No, hang on a minute. What if I just take the last part of our names and name the Guild Woo-Ho?’
It was then.
“Hey, what are you so deeply worried about?”
“Heok?!”
Yu Jin-Ho jumped up like a scalded cat. He quickly got up from the chair and looked behind him, only to discover Jin-Woo standing there.
“H-hyung-nim?!”
Jin-Woo shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as if he couldn’t understand why anyone would be that surprised. Meanwhile, Yu Jin-Ho was busy patting his pounding chest down.
‘Seriously, if he doesn’t want you to know that he’s here, you wouldn’t even realize it….’
He wasn’t even paying attention to anything particular just now, too. It sure felt like hyung-nim’s penchant for suddenly appearing and then disappearing seemed to have gotten worse with every passing day.
Embarrassed by his own over-the-top reaction, Yu Jin-Ho sheepishly scratched the back of his head and asked Jin-Woo.
“When did you arrive here, hyung-nim?”
“Just now.”
After making a simple reply, Jin-Woo leaned in and took a look at the computer monitor that captured Yu Jin-Ho’s attention until then, but before he got a proper look, the latter quickly covered up the screen with his entire body.
“Hyung-nim, you don’t have to worry about b*stards like them. I’ll take very good care of them, so you can rest easy, hyung-nim.”
Jin-Woo looked at the determined face of Yu Jin-Ho and an expression of dumbfoundedness formed on his.
“….So, it was you.”
Jin-Woo heard that there was someone out there that pounced on any negative comments or false articles about him online like a wild beast and, while relying on the threat of legal action, demanded them to be taken down immediately.
But to think, that person was someone so close by!
Yu Jin-Ho’s complexion reddened from embarrassment now that his secret activity had been inadvertently exposed to the open.
“Eiii, hyung-nim… I’m supposed to do things like this for you, you know.”
Yu Jin-Ho’s eyes sparkled like an expectant kid waiting for a praise, and Jin-Woo could only chuckle at that sight.
“Right. Thanks.”
Mistakenly thinking that the smile on Jin-Woo’s face was one of satisfaction, Yu Jin-Ho secretly made up his mind to become even more hands-on, all for the sake of his hyung-nim.
But then….
“…Uh? Hyung-nim, are you going somewhere today?”
Yu Jin-Ho asked Jin-Woo after finally discovering a different set of duds on the latter’s body.
Jin-Woo was nonplussed in his answer.
“I have some business to attend to today.”
“Aha….”
Yu Jin-Ho was feeling really amazed at that moment. He had only seen Jin-Woo wear clothes that were easy to move around in, so seeing his hyung-nim kitted out in a black business suit from head to toe like this, he was struck by a sense of unfamiliarity and amazement at the same time.
Too bad, Jin-Woo didn’t have enough free time to explain himself. He took another quick look at his watch.
‘I’m running way too tight….’
Jin-Woo lifted his head away from the watch and asked Yu Jin-Ho.
“Are there any other documents that I must bring with me when getting the Guild Master license?”
“Not at all! When you get to the Association, you’ll be asked to take a simple test. Your license will be issued right away afterward, hyung-nim.”
“Okay.”
So, his hyung-nim was headed off to the Association?
“Use it as much as you want, hyung-nim.”
Yu Jin-Ho reached out to pick the keys up. However, he was taken greatly by surprise as the keys slipped out of his reach and flew into Jin-Woo’s hands.
“H-hyung-nim, what was….?”
Jin-Woo cut him off abruptly.
“It’s a skill.”
“…”
Yu Jin-Ho was rendered speechless yet again.
Even if hyung-nim declared that he could fly around using another one of his skills, Yu Jin-Ho was confident of not finding that strange at all.
‘Is there anything hyung-nim can’t do??’
Hyung-nim was like an onion that had so many layers still left to peel. The more you knew about him, the more he’d surprise you.
‘Wait, now isn’t the time for this.’
Yu Jin-Ho abruptly woke up from his daydream, remembering that he still a few things to ask hyung-nim. Since he was in the office, now was the perfect opportunity to do exactly that
Jin-Woo stopped walking away after sensing that Yu Jin-Ho had something else to say from the way the kid was looking at him.
“Yeah?”
“Hyung-nim, it’s only been a day since we started advertising on the online job marketplace. But we’ve been swarmed by the applicants wanting to become our fellow founding members, so I went ahead and compiled a list for you to take a look.”
“Oh, that. Let’s talk about it after I come back.”
He was running short on time, to begin with.
Yu Jin-Ho felt his own urgency kick in, having seen how badly Jin-Woo wanted to be on his way.
“Ah, hyung-nim! Have you decided on the name of the Guild?”
Indeed, this was the most pressing issue of them all.
Because, you’d need the name of the Guild if you wanted to place job postings on the bulletin boards, or even when conducting other official businesses, now wouldn’t it?
‘Does he have something in mind for the name of the Guild?’
Yu Jin-Ho’s heart was pounding in anticipation of Jin-Woo’s answer. He was fully prepared to suggest the names he had thought up if hyung-nim was unable to come up with one.
‘Seong-Yu, Jin-Jin, Woo-Ho…. I hope he finds one of them to his liking.’
Jin-Woo pondered for a bit while Yu Jin-Ho continued to gaze at him with eyes glinting with the light of expectation. A smirk found its way to Jin-Woo’s lips and he finally made his reply.
“How about, Solo Play Guild?” (TL: In the raw, it’s “Sol-Ple.” which is “Solo Play” but shortened.)
“Eh?”
Yu Jin-Ho blinked his eyes several times.
Was he supposed to start laughing here? But, didn’t Jin-Woo’s expression look like he wasn’t joking at all?
Jin-Woo didn’t expect to see a reaction anyway, so he quickly turned towards the door to leave.
“See you later.”
Yu Jin-Ho fell into a train of thought while watching Jin-Woo make his exit from the office.
‘….So, there WAS something hyung-nim couldn’t do, after all.’
As expected, his hyung-nim was a human being, just like everyone else.
Although he was afraid that the ‘Solo Play’ would get stuck as the Guild’s name, Yu Jin-Ho also felt just a tiny bit more reassured after being reminded of Jin-Woo being a human-like him.
Cutting short, we see Jin Woo visit Yu Jin-Ho for the formation of the guild. We then see Yu Jin Ho getting astonished as Jin Woo is in a business outfit. Jin Woo doesn’t mention about Min’s funeral. And then he discusses with Yu Jin Ho who was pondering about the guild name. Both of them decide, precisely Jin Woo decides guild name will be Solo Play. Yu Jin Ho gets troubled by the name but nevertheless accepts it. Also since they are short of a founding member Jin Ho mentions the advertisements he had given in the online marketplace and how a flood of requests have piled up. After a while we see Jin Woo going to the funeral.
Chapter 108 plot:
The location of Hunter Min Byung-Gu’s funeral ceremony.
Originally, the plan was to hold a small private ceremony with only the close relatives invited to attend the event. However, there were far too many people who wished to pay their respects and so, the funeral had to be changed to a public one.
Countless people showed up to the funeral parlor to pay their respects and remember Hunter Min Byung-Gu’s valiant sacrifice. Jin-Woo was among them.
‘Uh, uh? Isn’t that….?’
‘Heok! Isn’t he Hunter Seong Jin-Woo?’
‘It’s really him!’
The funeral-goers soon discovered Jin-Woo’s presence and began whispering to each other as their excitement heated up.
.
‘Could there really be an Awakened possessing such a power?’
That’s why he decided to make d*mn sure.
“To enhance one’s abilities – can such a thing be for real?”
Jin-Woo’s apparent interest caused the deputy director to become even more excited.
“Actually…. she’s here with us, right now.”
As you all may have read chapter 108. If you have not read then read and come again :). You would know that Jin Woo attended Min’s funeral and enquired about building the guild from the chairman himself. And then after the conversation, Jin Woo was approached by foreigners of the hunter bureau asking him to come with him. We then see him meet the mysterious woman madam Selner who can upgrade the rankers. Jin Woo was flabbergasted and he doubted whether this is possible. Then Ms.Selner arrives.
–
Jin Woo and madam Selner:
“Please bring Madam Selner here.”
Click.
Almost immediately, the door was opened and two agents escorted a middle-aged African-American woman out from the room beyond. Jin-Woo’s eyes narrowed slightly after picking up on a strange vibe coming off of her.
‘……’
Somehow, she gave off a different aura from other, regular Awakened.
The African-American lady stood next to the table, and the agent quickly pulled out a chair for her. She then elegantly settled down at the end of the cushion.
She immediately recognized who Jin-Woo was and floated a smile of genuine interest.
“So, you are that man from the video….”
She was already familiar with all the important information on Jin-Woo and needed no introduction, so the deputy director’s job became a bit easier.
“This is Madam Norma Selner. She is the lone Awakened, the only one of her type in the entire world, who can enhance the abilities of other Awakened to even greater heights.”
At the end of the introduction, Madam Selner did a simple nod of her head as a greeting to Jin-Woo. He reciprocated the greeting with the nod, as well.
“Madam Selner. Please, if you will, briefly explain what you can do to Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim.”
She formed a teasing smile while staring at the still-unconvinced Jin-Woo’s face.
“Everyone has the same look as you, in the beginning, Hunter-nim. However….”
She then leaned in closer to Jin-Woo and whispered softly to him.
“Once they have a taste, they have no choice but to beg me for more.”
“Madam, please….”
The deputy director furrowed his brows a little, prompting her to laugh out and wave her hand about.
“I know, I know. Don’t worry, Director Connor. I know that he’s a very important man.”
Still, with an alluring smile, Madam Selner began with her explanation.
“Seong Jin-Woo Hunter-nim. As you may know already, all Awakened face a limit they can’t breach. No one can overcome it.”
That was why the ranks of the Awakened would never change unless one was lucky enough to go through a Re-Awakening process. This was common knowledge that all living Hunters out there knew all too well.
“But, Madam. You can….?”
Even before Jin-Woo could finish his question, Madam Selner formed an expression of a little kid picking up the final piece of strawberry on top of a cake that she’d been saving up for the very last.
“You’re correct.”
Jin-Woo’s eyes grew progressively wider.
“I can increase that limit even higher in three separate stages. I don’t know whether to call it a forced Re-Awakening, or simply waking up the latent potential sleeping within the subject already, but yes, I can do it.”
What an incredible ability that was!
The things she said just now were explosive enough to shake the very cores of every top-ranked Hunters found throughout the world. Jin-Woo’s gaze shifted over to the deputy director.
He nodded his head to reaffirm what she said.
“What she said are all true. It’s just that, once she uses her powers once, she needs to take a lengthy break to recover her energy. So, only around three to four lucky Awakened get to enjoy this benefit in a single year.”
“….How effective is it?”
“It depends on individuals, but once one goes through all three stages, they say that they grew stronger by a minimum of 20 percent, and as much as 30 percent, over their original powers.”
Twenty to thirty percent!
With the average of his Stat values nearing the 250 marks, if Jin-Woo got that mystery enhancement, that average value would shoot past the 300 marks, instead,
Without a doubt, that would be an enormous leap up.
….As long as these guys weren’t lying to him, of course.
‘Is she casting a buff that raises one’s powers? Or, is it more like raising the fixed level cap?’
Regardless of what it was, the ability she possessed would be like a precious treasure for all the Hunters out there. This also meant that there should be no shortages of people aiming for her, too.
Madam Norma Selner, an existence which had been kept top secret by the Hunter Bureau was finally revealed to Sung Jin Woo. Why? Because they wanted to recruit him but not so easily they wanted to give him the best bait possible. What was it? A level up. Well in normal hunter system, Lady Selner said she can level up someone in three stages. More like awakening the latent potential inside someone. And not only that this gives them a twenty to thirty percent boost. For someone at the top S rank, even a five percent would be disastrously huge. Jin Woo became curious at this and the discussion continues.
Jin Woo and madam Selner (2):
“If the knowledge of such an ability is made public, then….”
The deputy director nodded his head.
“That is why Madam Selner is with us.”
She too worried about the exact same thing as Jin-Woo had thought of, and after lengthy deliberation, she joined the Hunter Bureau who’d guarantee her safety while also letting her use her powers as often as she wanted to.
“We ensure her absolute safety and reward her accordingly, while she enhances the abilities of those Hunters we deem worthy of joining us. We have been maintaining this symbiotic relationship for a long time now.”
And so, that’s where the deputy director bookended the explanation. Now, the time for the fireworks to begin.
“Madam Selner’s ability, that is precisely the gift we wish to give to you, Hunter-nim.”
“A gift is it….”
Indeed, could there be a gift even more valuable than this one?
“If you become a Hunter of the United States of America, you will be the first in line to receive this benefit. Also, we will make sure that you get the best possible terms when negotiating with any Guilds you wish to join.”
From the perspective of an ordinary Hunter, these were simply too good of conditions to say no to.
Only now could Jin-Woo understand why Hwang Dong-Soo didn’t even hesitate once and emigrated to the States when everyone was criticizing him for it. The enormous sum of money the Americans reportedly paid him was most likely a cover-up story to hide the real reason.
Regular Hunters would lose their collective sh*t if they ever heard of such a tale. So, if you told a top Hunter that his or her abilities could be enhanced even further? Who in their right minds would say no to that?
However….
“Can you prove that she really possesses such a power?”
Everything they said so far was just words, and there had been no proof to back them up yet.
It was her turn to butt in next.
“No need to rush. Today, I’m only here to undo the first button, you know.”
Jin-Woo finally realized what she meant earlier.
‘One taste and people beg her for more, was it?’
Just as she had alluded to, every Hunter seeing her powers with their own eyes chose to head to America right away, one hundred times out of one hundred. Her sky-high confidence was based off on that.
The deputy director quietly asked a question to Jin-Woo.
“It is as she says. So, will you let us unlock your ‘first stage’?”
“Without anything in return?”
“Think of it as a ‘service’ from us, Hunter-nim.”
Madam Selner lightly grasped Jin-Woo’s wrist. When he turned to look at her, she formed a gentle smile and gestured to him to get closer.
“Please, look into my eyes. Look deeply into them. That will be your first step.”
Was she telling the truth?
To confirm if this Madam Selner really did possess the power the Hunter Bureau was swearing by, Jin-Woo decided to follow her instructions for the time being.
The deputy director leaned against the back of the chair and crossed his arms.
‘It’s done! He’s ours now!’
The game was already over.
Hunter Seong Jin-Woo had been constantly maintaining that cold, indifferent expression until now, but that was only because he hadn’t yet experienced what this lady’s power had to offer.
Once the first lifting of the natural limit was completed, Hunter Seong Jin-Woo would call them on his own volition sooner rather than later. No, if he had an impulsive personality, then he might sign the immigration documents right here, right now.
The deputy director’s curiosity shifted on to something else now.
‘Just how high will his limit be, I wonder?’
The deputy director uncrossed his arms and rubbed his chin, his eyes of anticipation firmly locked on Jin-Woo. But, it was then.
“Heok!!”
Madam Selner sucked in her breath, as her eyes began to quake quite violently.
Jin Woo continues asking about her powers. And he also thinks about the risks associated with such power. That is why the information never leaked in public. And thus we see the lady with world finest hunters. Hunter Hwang’s getting recruited by the USA also made sense. The USA had the best thing to offer which no hunter would refuse. But will this work on Jin Woo? And whether the woman is telling the truth or not? Doubtfully we see Jin Woo staring at the woman. He then brazenly asks can she prove it all. She replies casually that today she actually came to undo his first seal. Jin Woo questions that he might not offer anything. Still, she clings saying it is a gift to him and he can accept it as a ‘service’. Deputy Conner was fully confident once Jin-Woo gets lured completely there was no escape. And thus she began her upgrade process.
–
That’s all for today. Stay tuned for more chapters.
Solo Leveling Chapter 109 release date
It is expected that the chapter would release by 11th March. Also, we would be glad to hear your theories down below in the comments. Do mention any queries you have regarding the chapters till now. We would be glad if we can solve them.
Where to read Solo Leveling Chapter 109
You can read from jaiminisbox.com as preferred by the subreddit. Do support the artists for all the hard work they are doing to entertain us.
