Solo Leveling with Copy Ability

Global reactions to the spectacle at the Canada gate erupted almost immediately. Across television screens worldwide, anchors described the battle with a mix of disbelief and awe. An American news anchor declared, "Hunter Tenebris has unleashed a force of hybrid hunters like we've never seen warriors and casters." British and Asian networks echoed similar sentiments, with commentators emphasizing that the new summons had shifted the balance in favor of those who dared to command both life and death.

In the United States, a major network ran a special report titled "The Rise of the Undead: Hybrid Warriors Lead the Charge." The reporter detailed how Markus's hybrid hunters, a combination of reanimated elite warriors and potent magic users, decimated enemy forces at the Canada gate with surgical precision. "These aren't your everyday summons," the reporter noted. "They represent a perfect fusion of raw necromancy and modern combat strategy."

Online, global forums exploded with heated debate and enthusiastic support. In one popular thread on HunterNet, users wrote:

[Global Forums – Live Discussions]

ShadowEmperor01: "Did you see that? Hybrid hunters slicing through enemy ranks like a hot knife through butter!" 

NecroGod99: "Markus's new summons are a game-changer, immortal hunters that bring the apocalypse to our foes!" 

BattleMage82: "The efficiency is unreal. Every strike, every spell, is executed with precision. I'm here for to get some battle strategies for my online game!" 

Social media hashtags such as #UndeadHunters and #UndeadRevolution began trending, with millions sharing clips and screenshots of the battle. Twitter buzzed with messages like, "Markus has turned the Canada gate into a meat grinder! Hybrid warriors and casters on full display!" and the digital chatter underscored the transformative impact of Markus's strategic evolution on the global stage.

Amid the fervor, experts on international news panels speculated on the broader implications of this new force. "If Markus can maintain this level of efficiency, we may be looking at a future where undead armies become the supreme force, not an exception," one analyst predicted.

Opposition was nature of humanity. Religious leaders and ethical watchdogs around the globe were up in arms, decrying the unholy act of raising fallen hunters as undead. Critics argued that using the remains of deceased warriors to create hybrids was a moral abomination, an affront to the natural order and divine will. Amidst the clamor of condemnations and fiery sermons, a resolute reporter approached Markus, demanding to know if he truly believed his necromantic practices could be justified. The question hung heavily in the air, laden with both fear and righteous indignation.

With a cold, measured gaze, Markus responded in his characteristically disdainful manner. Without missing a beat, as he had enough of these people, their sick beliefs and these "condemnations". He gestured to the assembly of resurrected hunters who had been returned to their corpse state a stark, silent reminder of the cost of life and death under his command. Gesturing towards the remains he wished the reporter good luck in retrieving them. In a single, moment, he summoned a new cadre of S Rank casters and warriors, each a formidable, enhanced version of their mortal selves, boasting increases in size and power by at least half again their original form. "These are my forces," he declared with unapologetic arrogance, "and they are here to do what is necessary. If your governments find my methods repugnant, then do not expect my help when darkness descends."

Markus's voice then turned icy and resolute as he warned those who had condemned his dark arts. "I am not a saint who will turn the other cheek," he spat, his tone laden with hostility. "If your nations choose to cast judgment upon my magic and my army, do not come asking for my aid." His words, as cutting as the plasma lances he wielded in battle, echoed ominously through the gathering, leaving no doubt about his uncompromising stance.

The fallout from his declaration was immediate and volatile. In some countries, religious leaders were abruptly forbidden from commenting on matters of necromancy, their voices silenced by governmental edicts. Elsewhere, hardline factions declared an all-out war against all forms of dark magic and its practitioners, vowing to eradicate any who defied what they believed was the natural order. Amid the uproar, global media outlets buzzed with headlines and debate, capturing the seismic shift in public sentiment a world divided over the ethics of necromancy and the price of survival in an age of chaos.

Markus pressed onward through the desolate battlefield, his eyes fixed on the next target a colossal dragon whose fiery breath terrorizing his army. With spells of elemental fury, he brought the beast down in a spectacular display. As the dragon's massive form collapsed, its final roar echoing into silence. As Markus raised the beast to join his hybrid units, he felt a familiar surge of energy ripple through his being.

Almost immediately after the dragon's resurrection, his system chimed with a clear message:"Eternal Warden reached level 10 and ready to evolve."In that instant, Markus's mind raced as he prepared for the next leap in his dark mastery. The fusion of countless battles, the relentless absorption of enemy souls through his integrated Soul Harvest, and the steady expansion of his undead legion had culminated in this pivotal moment. He knew that his control over death itself was about to transcend its current limits.

With a deep, measured breath, Markus initiated the evolution. The skill evolved into Soul Forger a terrifyingly potent ability that fused his necromantic summoning with the relentless power of soul absorption. In its new form, Soul Forger now commands a staggering base capacity of 100,000 hybrids and summons, a number that will increase by an additional 10% with every level up. Moreover, every hybrid and summoned unit, even when in storage, now shares the damage dealt to Markus, reinforcing their symbiotic bond. Integrated directly into Soul Forger is the power of Soul Harvest, whose suction range has been extended to a vast 5 kilometers. Every foe felled by Markus or his relentless legion feeds this vortex, permanently enhancing his and his unit's core attributes and the combat potency of his entire undead army.

Three new units were the addition of this evolution to his forces; 

Lich Overlord: A supreme lich, the Lich Overlord is the embodiment of necromantic mastery. Cloaked in tattered regal robes and crowned with a skeletal diadem, this undead sovereign wields potent dark arcane powers. Its mastery over death allows it to cast devastating necromantic spells that can obliterate entire battalions of enemies. In addition to its spellcasting prowess, the Lich Overlord can summon high grade undead units from the very depths of the underworld, reinforcing its forces with spectral warriors, skeletal giants, and other summonable undead. Its mere presence on the battlefield demoralizes foes while bolstering the resolve of allied undead.

Magus: The Death Magus channels the raw, elemental fury of the abyss to bring swift, merciless retribution to its adversaries. Clad in a dark, flowing mantle that seems to absorb light, the Magus specializes in unleashing a mix of single-target and area-of-effect elemental spells. With the precision of a master tactician, it can target the most formidable enemy, reducing them to ash with a concentrated burst of destructive energy, or devastate groups of foes with explosive spells that leave little room for escape. Its arcane might makes it a critical asset for breaking enemy lines and turning the tide of battle in favor of the undead legions.

Revenants: Revenants are relentless melee combatants forged in the crucible of death itself. These reanimated warriors retain the fierce determination and combat prowess of their living days, now amplified by the dark energies that sustain them. Clad in tattered remnants of their former armor and armed with spectral weapons that glimmer with eerie luminescence, Revenants charge into battle with unyielding ferocity. Their physical attacks are devastating, combining raw strength with a supernatural resilience that allows them to shrug off injuries that would fell ordinary fighters. In close-quarters combat, they are a force of pure, vengeful might, their every strike designed to tear through enemy defenses and sow chaos among the ranks of their foes.

Markus's eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction as he extended his necromantic will, summoning forth an awe-inspiring legion. With a single, resonant command, 500 Lich Overlords emerged from the shadows each a towering figure of skeletal majesty wielding potent dark arcane energies. Alongside them, a cadre of Magus materialized, their every incantation crackling with elemental fury, while 1,000 Revenants, ferocious, melee-hardened warriors reanimated from fallen heroes, advanced in perfect, unyielding formation. The very ground shuddered under the weight of this unending army, a testament to Markus's mastery over life, death, and the corrupting power of necromancy.

While Markus reveled in the overwhelming might of his newly summoned forces, a different drama unfolded on another part of the battlefield. Antares, the formidable Monarch of Destruction, moved with purpose through the chaos. Wrapped in a mantle of raw, destructive power, he converged with the remaining monarchs, those ancient titans who had long dictated the fates of empires. In a huddle charged with grim determination, The tension between the Shadow and Dragon regal monarchs set the stage for an inevitable clash of titanic proportions.

Jinwoo advanced into the fray with the steely resolve of a battle-hardened warrior, his eyes fixed on Antares the Dragon Monarch whose fury threatened to shake the very foundations of the realm. Meanwhile, Markus, set his sights on the remaining monarchs that had long been hidden. His first target was Tarnak, the Monarch of the Iron Body, renowned as the King of Monstrous Humanoids, second Yogumunt, the Monarch of Transfiguration, celebrated as the King of Demonic Spectres. With his undead and shadow forces securing the perimeters across Canada and the USA, Markus moved with resilient purpose, determined to further augment his already formidable arsenal.

Tarnak made his presence known with a thunderous gait, his trust in his iron physique clear. Exuding an air of invincibility. Haughty and overconfident, he boasted loudly of his unmatched durability, his voice dripping with arrogance as he declared his supremacy over mere mortals. Trusting entirely in the might of his "Iron Body" skill, Tarnak launched a series of brutal, crushing attacks, certain that no foe could withstand his assault. His every movement was a testament to his self proclaimed invulnerability, and he took delight in the fear his presence instilled in lesser beings.

Markus, observing Tarnak's every move with cool detachment, decided to let the haughty monarch exhaust himself with futile strikes. As Tarnak roared and swung his massive fists, Markus's mastery of CQC allowed him to evade all the attacks with ease. Tarnak's confidence faltered, and with a swift, maneuver he tried to escape, yet it was quite late for it. Markus reduced the proud monarch to an unconscious metal, his arrogance long gone. "Target Capture" thought Markus as he walked away from the scene, a regiment of Doom Knights already securing Tarnak. His senses locking on Yogumunt while leaving the scene.

Markus's true quarry lay elsewhere Yogumunt, the elusive Monarch of Transfiguration, whose unique skill of "Portal Creation" between worlds was an important part of his plans. This set him apart from all others. Unlike Tarnak, whose strength was manifest in raw, physical might, Yogumunt wielded an arcane ability to create numerous portals, effectively transporting armies of the monarchs between worlds. This power intrigued Markus immensely. He saw it as the key to master his World Gate.

Determined not to let such an opportunity slip away, Markus resolved to keep Yogumunt alive. He was planning to use his 3 copy slots on the Rulers. His plan was audacious: to meet the Rulers, copy their Fragments, abilities or skills, wait for his copy ability to refresh to copy from Yogumunt and Tarnak.

With Tarnak in his custody the plan against Yogumunt set in motion, Markus's resolve burned brighter than ever. His calculated maneuvers in battle, combined with his insatiable thirst for power and knowledge. As he prepared to capture Yogumunt, 

Markus's eyes, sharp and calculating, fixed on the elusive figure of Yogumunt the Monarch of Transfiguration and King of Demonic Spectres who was frantically opening portals on the battlefield. Bringing forth the remaining forces Antares, to help the Dragon Monarch eliminate Jinwoo. Amid the chaos of clashing armies, Shadows on one side and Dragon forces on the other, Markus started his plan to capture Yogumunt.

Without delay, Markus mobilized his elite unit, a formidable cadre composed of Lich Overlords, Dragon Priests, Vampire Lords, and a dozen Magus. This handpicked force was tasked with intercepting Yogumunt, ensuring that every potential escape route was sealed off Magical or otherwise. As Yogumunt continued to weave intricate patterns of portals, his focus on channeling energies for Antares to summon additional dragon reinforcements was evident. The sight of these swirling gateways, intended to bridge realms and bolster Antares's forces against Jinwoo, did little to distract Markus from his singular objective.

Stealthily, Markus advanced through the chaotic fray, his dark aura blending with the shadows as he closed in on Yogumunt. The monarch, absorbed in his arcane work, had not anticipated the relentless pursuit of the Ethereal Archon. In a swift, decisive maneuver, Markus's unit converged around the unsuspecting Yogumunt. The Lich Overlords and Dragon Priests cut off the escape paths, while the Vampire Lords and Magus formed a protective barrier, ensuring that Yogumunt could neither flee nor call for reinforcements.

With Yogumunt now isolated, Markus turned his attention to the relentless surge of dragon forces pouring through the rifts. He methodically observed the flow of the remaining army of dragons approaching in a steady stream, while others had already arrived and were promptly slain and then resurrected as fearsome hybrids. Each fallen dragon, transformed through Markus's necromantic art, added to his ever-growing horde of hybrid monstrosities, their power further fueling his dark arsenal.

Meanwhile, far from this strategic maneuver, Sung Jinwoo was locked in a brutal confrontation with Antares, the Monarch of Destruction. Focused solely on his titanic battle, Jinwoo's attention was entirely consumed by the ferocious struggle unfolding before him. This diversion allowed Markus to operate with relative freedom, as he capitalized on the chaos to secure his quarry without interference from the primary combatants on the front lines.

Finally, with the portals silenced, the dragon forces in eliminated and raised as hybrids Markus joined the battle. He murmured Exodus 23:20 God says, "Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way." Out of all the illogical things he has seen and done, arrival of the Rulers, other side of the of this charade was on top three. They were not on the side of humanity, they were not "good" perse yet the way they descend.. As if angels were coming to save this world from destruction. Jinwoo was done with his setup of distorting the space and summoning the feathery villains of Solo Leveling. 

Markus and Jinwoo stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the scorched battlefield as the last of Yogumunt's dragons lay vanquished beneath the relentless assault. The air still vibrated with residual mana and the echo of clashing steel, yet amidst the chaos, a grim silence fell over the field. Jinwoo, his face set in fierce determination, completed the final preparation of his space-distortion and triggered the summoning, a feat that rippled the very fabric of reality and beckoned the arrival of the Rulers. Air itself trembled with the descent of these ancient beings.

Without warning, the Rulers descended like avenging specters, their spears gleaming with celestial authority as they struck with lethal precision. Their spears found its mark on Antares, the once-mighty Monarch of Destruction, who crumpled under the weight of divine judgment. With first spear of the Rulers found it's target Markus started to send Plasma Lances as well. The killing blow was swift and merciless. The fall of Antares sent shockwaves through the battlefield, as even the hardened soldiers paused to witness the fall of a Monarch. 

In the midst of the ensuing silence, the commanding figure of the Rulers stepped forward. His eyes, cold and calculating, locked onto Markus as he surveyed the aftermath with quiet confidence. "Tell me, Markus Tenebris," the Ruler intoned, his voice resonating with otherworldly power, "what are you, your soul does not belong to this reality." Jinwoo's shock was palpable. Figure of Markus standing still the leader continued "what is your plan for the two remaining Monarchs under your custody?" His question, laden with both curiosity and veiled threat, reverberated across the desolate plain. 

Jinwoo's expression shifted to one of disbelief as he absorbed the revelations. He had been unaware that Markus was not of this reality, whatever this meant. How had he managed to secure the last two Monarchs, powerful entities that many had believed lost in the tides of battle. The weight of these secrets, hidden even from him, sent a ripple of uncertainty through Jinwoo. His eyes widened as he silently questioned the implications of knowing such dangerous force in person.

Markus's lips curled into a cold, resolute smile as he met the Ruler's gaze. "They will be eliminated within two days," he declared firmly, his voice echoing like a death knell. His statement was both a promise and a threat, a pledge to purge the remnants of uncontrollable power before they could destabilize the fragile balance of this war-torn world. Leader of the rulers as well as the others including Jinwoo noticed how Markus ignored part of the question about his origin, yet there was nothing they could do. This entity was fighting on their side. Markus's declaration hung in the air, heavy with the finality of an unyielding decision.

As the dialogue unfolded, Markus activated his ability, his eyes flickering with the inner light of his Ethereal Archon form. He initiated the copying process, absorbing the "Fragment of the Most Brilliant Light" from the Rulers not once, but three times. The copied essence surged into him, more potent compared to the ones he got from the vessels. Bolstering his already formidable Race, his reserves, and further enhancing his arcane manipulations. Multiple messages appeared in front his eyes. "Mana Body reached level 10 and ready to evolve". "Your Race Ethereal Archon has evolved to Godling", "Fate's Edict has been added to your skill list" Each message deepened his connection to the primordial forces, a silent promise of his relentless evolution.

In that moment, as the chaotic energies swirled around him, Markus contemplated a perilous possibility. He considered whether he should warn both the Rulers and his "allies", perhaps even the entire hunter community of the grim future awaiting this world. He knew that even after deploying the Chalice of Reincarnation, the Outer Gods would still set the cosmic order, repeating the cycle of destruction and Gates. The thought was heavy with inevitability.

But as quickly as the notion took hold, Markus dismissed it with a sardonic chuckle. He was immune to the effects of the Chalice. The cycles and fate of this reality, this universe was a stepping stone for him. With the Rulers' probing question still echoing in the air, Markus's resolve hardened like forged steel. His plan was clear, by eliminating the remaining Monarchs only after he got what he wants from them.

Jinwoo's voice rang out with unyielding determination as he addressed the towering figures of the Rulers. With a measured tone that betrayed no hesitation, he demanded that they activate the Chalice of Reincarnation to reverse the flow of time a desperate bid to undo the catastrophic events that had shattered the world. The Rulers, clad in an aura of ancient authority, exchanged uncertain glances and murmured among themselves, attempting to sway Jinwoo. Yet, Jinwoo's resolve remained unbroken; he stood firm in his belief that no reversal could restore what had been lost without unleashing even greater horrors upon the land.

While Jinwoo pressed his case with fervor, Markus observed the unfolding debate with a detached air of indifference. Though he harbored no personal joy at Jinwoo's appeal, indeed, Markus was discontent with the notion of meddling with time it was a matter that lay far beyond his immediate concerns. His eyes, however, gleamed with a secret satisfaction, for he knew that soon he would break free from the confines of this warped reality. The Rulers, sensing the shifting balance, tried in vain to coax Jinwoo into reconsidering his plan, their voices echoing with ancient wisdom and forewarnings. But Jinwoo's voice, resolute and unyielding, cut through the cacophony, leaving no doubt that his path was chosen and irrevocable.

Markus had long since mastered the art of portal creation, having copied the intricate secrets of Portal Manipulation from Yogumunt. His repertoire now included the formidable Iron Body skill he had claimed from Tarnak, and the fragments of power that once pulsed within Thomas Andre and Liu Zhigang were mere whispers against his overwhelming fragment. The deaths of the monarchs, including the legendary fall of Antares had catapulted his level to an astonishing 273, each defeat a stepping stone in his relentless ascent. Yet, it wasn't the surge in his numerical power that brought the smile to his lips; rather, it was the shimmering portal that swirling before him, a gateway to an entirely new reality.

As the remnants of the old world fell away like tattered curtains, Markus's gaze fixed on the iridescent, gateway. Its surface shimmered with colors and energies that defied conventional understanding, a beacon of possibility amid the chaos. Every fiber of his being resonated with the promise of boundless opportunity. With each copy of his acquired skills merging seamlessly into his arsenal, Markus felt not only the weight of his recent conquests but also the thrill of what lay ahead. In that electrifying moment, his mind raced with visions of untold realms and new challenges. 

Markus stepped forward, his expression one of confident satisfaction as he surveyed the portal with a mix of curiosity. Markus's heartbeat echoed with the thrill of imminent change; he was poised to harness this new power, to merge it with his already formidable legacy. With a final, knowing smile, Markus allowed his gaze to linger on the radiant portal. He mused quietly, "Where does this gateway lead?" The question hung in the charged air, a mystery that promised both peril and unparalleled power. In that moment, the fate of worlds seemed to converge on the threshold of that luminous passage, and Markus, stepped boldly forward into the unknown.

****

Authors Note:

I would like to thank every one who read, liked, disliked, commented and reviewed this fiction. The Solo Leveling World's story ends with this chapter. The drafts i wrote were longer to be honest but writing for your own amusement is way different from writing for an audience. I've tried different writing styles through out the chapters. Made many mistakes, some of them are fixed and the writing style is as you can see or rather read is finalized. Writing a system fiction is a headache, this I can surely proclaim. After some chapters I've decided to simply update the Status page every 3-4 chapters. 

Now that Markus will be jumping to a new world let me know if you have any in mind. I'm not familiar with most of the Anime and Manga's out there. I'll most probably go for

Potter verse

Mass Effect (First 3, not the abomination came after those.)

Witcher.

Thank you all again. Cheers.