Solo Leveling: Infinite Talent

The air in the underground training facility was heavy with tension.

Kang Do-yun groaned as he pushed himself off the cracked wall, rubbing his chest where Mai's attack had barely stopped short of breaking through his armor. His eyes, filled with disbelief, flickered between Mai and his now-useless broadsword.

"What the hell…" he muttered.

The other high-rank hunters watching from the sidelines had similar expressions.

Director Choi's voice finally broke the silence. "You're holding back."

Mai Lee looked up at the observation deck where she stood. "Of course. You told me to land a single hit. I did."

Kang Do-yun clenched his fists but said nothing. He knew full well that Mai could've ended the fight instantly if he had wanted to.

From the corner of the arena, another voice spoke up.

"Alright, my turn."

A man in a sleek black bodysuit stepped forward. His aura flared—fierce and suffocating.

Kwon Jae-hyuk, S-rank Assassin.

Unlike Kang Do-yun, Jae-hyuk wasn't underestimating Mai. He had already activated his stealth skills, his body flickering like a mirage.

Mai smiled.

[Talent Copied: Shadow Step (S)][Talent Copied: Assassination Mastery (A+)]

His instincts sharpened instantly. His body moved before his mind could even process it.

Jae-hyuk disappeared.

Mai stepped to the side.

A dagger barely missed his throat.

The audience gasped.

Jae-hyuk clicked his tongue and vanished again.

But Mai could already see it.

His body responded on its own.

[Fusion Activated – Phantom Execution (SS)]

Mai turned and struck.

Jae-hyuk reappeared mid-air, his expression frozen in shock. His blade had been inches away from Mai's heart—yet somehow, Mai had already countered.

A crushing force slammed into Jae-hyuk's abdomen, sending him flying across the training grounds. He rolled on the ground, coughing, barely able to breathe.

Mai straightened his stance and turned toward Director Choi. "Satisfied?"

She stared at him, silent.

Then, without warning—

Ding!

A familiar sound echoed in his mind.

[You have leveled up.][Level: 30 → 31]

And then, another notification appeared.

[Skill Fusion Unlocked – Rank Upgrade Available]

Huh?

Mai's eyebrows raised slightly. What does this mean?

He opened his status window and scrolled down.

Partial Stat Window Update

[Mai Lee – Level 31]

Rank: ???Strength: B+ → AAgility: A → SEndurance: B → AMana: A+Intelligence: ALuck: ???

New Fusion Skill Available:

??? – Rank Upgrade Pending

A rank upgrade?

That was new. His fusion ability had never done this before.

Director Choi finally spoke. "We need to talk."

Mai smirked. "I thought we already were."

She turned on her heel. "Follow me. Now."

Hunter Association – Restricted Archives

Minutes later, Mai found himself in a secured underground research facility within the Association's headquarters.

Director Choi led him into a sealed chamber, where a massive holographic screen flickered to life.

The image displayed an old classified file—one that hadn't been accessed in decades.

[Subject: Code 'Origin']

Mai's eyes narrowed. "What is this?"

Director Choi exhaled slowly. "You're not the first."

Mai's smirk faded.

She continued, "Years ago, there was another hunter with an ability similar to yours. A power that could steal and fuse talents—creating something greater. He was a prodigy, a force beyond imagination."

Mai felt a chill run down his spine.

"What happened to him?"

Director Choi's expression darkened.

"He became too powerful."

A brief pause.

"And then… he vanished."