Death—inevitable, inescapable, and unpredictable.
No matter how healthy or strong you are, it can strike at any moment. And sometimes, it doesn't care about reasons. One moment, you're alive and dreaming of your future, and the next, you're staring at your own corpse.
That's exactly what happened to me.
I was 23. No health issues, no vices, peak physical condition. I exercised daily, ate clean, even meditated to keep my mind sharp. I thought I still had decades ahead of me.
Yet there I was—floating above my own body, blood pooling around the gaping wound in my chest.
People screamed. Some called for help. A few brave ones tried CPR. But it didn't matter. My heart had already stopped.
The paramedics arrived minutes later, but their faces told the truth—too late.
It should've been terrifying, but the pain was gone. The numbness that crept into my limbs before blacking out had faded. All that remained was a strange, surreal calm. I hovered, watching it all unfold like I was observing someone else's death.
But I couldn't stop wondering: Why did that guy stab me? I didn't even know him. He came out of nowhere, wild-eyed and trembling, and before I could react, his knife was in my chest. Then he ran—swinging the bloodied blade like a madman.
No one dared stop him.
"Damn… am I going to become a ghost now?"
"You can be, if you want."
The voice came from behind me.
Startled, I turned.
Everything around me had turned white—as if reality had been wiped away. Floating in that white void was an old man, tanned and muscular, sitting on a beach chair in nothing but short pants. His long white beard and hair flowed like mist in still air.
"You... This whole setup..." I narrowed my eyes. "Don't tell me. Are you God?"
He shrugged. "Is this setting too cliché?"
"Way too cliché," I muttered. "Feels like the opening of a dozen reincarnation stories."
He chuckled. "Fair. But it does save me a long explanation. You know what's coming."
"Reincarnation?"
"Exactly. I'll send you to another world. You get one wish—nothing ridiculous like becoming omnipotent. But I will give you something to help you survive."
My eyes lit up. "Seriously?"
"Dead serious."
I didn't need to think long.
"Send me to the world of Solo Leveling—but years before the plot starts. I want a real chance to prepare."
The god raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You know it's not a game, right? You won't be some overpowered protagonist. That world is deadly."
"I know. But I won't be a bystander again. Not this time."
He looked at me for a long moment before nodding.
"Very well. You'll be reborn in that world—long before the first Gate appears. That gives you time. But there's more."
"Before you go," he said, raising his hand, "your wish. I will grant you a Leveling System—not exactly like Jin-Woo's, but powerful nonetheless."
My eyes widened.
"You'll gain strength by defeating magical beings. The stronger they are, the more you gain. Think of it like an XP-based evolution system. However, unlike Jin-Woo, your power won't come from a god. It'll come from yourself."
"Perfect," I whispered.
"But listen," the god continued, "the System will grow with you. You'll start small. You won't get everything at once. It will integrate into your body and soul over time—unlocking skills and traits as you fight."
I nodded. "That's more than enough."
"Good." He stepped forward and touched my chest. A glowing sigil appeared, searing itself into my soul.
[SYSTEM BOUND TO HOST: ZEPHYR]
Evolution Protocols: Standby
Growth Cap: Unlimited
Skill Core: Adaptive
The god smiled faintly.
"One last thing—you'll retain your memories, but nothing else. No powers, no shortcuts. You'll be born as a baby… in a different body, in a different life."
I grinned.
"I'm ready!"
When I opened my eyes again, I was a newborn.
Blurry vision. Weak limbs. Garbled sounds. I couldn't see clearly or move properly.
But I was alive.
And my name… was Zephyr Navarro.
I had been reborn in a quiet coastal town in Southern Cebu, Philippines—a land of ocean winds and humid mornings. My parents were simple, hardworking people.
My father, Dario Navarro, was a boatwright—a master craftsman who carved wooden vessels by hand. Calm and firm, he had the kind of presence that never needed to shout.
My mother, Elena Navarro, was a nurse with fierce eyes and a soft heart. Respected by the whole barangay, she treated everyone like family.
I had one sibling—Alina, my older sister, three years my senior. Sharp-tongued, loyal, and infuriatingly good at everything.
Life was quiet, humble, and peaceful.
And I was trapped in a baby's body.
I hated it at first. I couldn't walk, speak, or eat on my own. I was helpless—an adult soul imprisoned in an infant shell.
But I endured.
By age four, I convinced my parents to enroll me in a local Muay Thai school. They thought I'd give up in a week.
I didn't.
Alina joined too—refusing to let her baby brother get stronger than her.
We trained side by side for years. Our bond grew sharper with every round.
And I didn't stop there. As I grew, I studied arnis, Filipino street fighting, and judo. I read obsessively—science, politics, history, economics.
I was born in May 1996.
The first Gate would appear in January 2013.
I would be 16—just shy of 17.
All these years, I prepared.
Physically. Mentally, and strategically.
I wrote down everything I remembered about the Solo Leveling timeline—every character, every event, every ability I could recall. I even sketched Jin-Woo's armor and listed out the Monarchs and Rulers by name.
My parents thought I was just a quiet kid with weird hobbies.
They had no idea what's coming.
January 2013.
While fireworks filled the sky and families across the Philippines celebrated the New Year, I sat in my room—staring at the calendar, heart pounding.
This is it.
The date wasn't exact. I didn't know which day the first Gate would appear. But I knew it was coming.
I barely slept. I watched the news nonstop. Monitored forums. Refreshed Twitter like an addict.
And then, it happened.
A glowing screen materialized before me—no device, no source, just light and power.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZED]
Host: Zephyr Navarro
Age: 16
Awakening Detected: Dimensional Energy Surge
Combat System: Standby
Synchronization Rate: 5.3%
I exhaled.
Then came the next message.
[FIRST GATE DETECTED]
Primary Location: Seoul, South Korea
Secondary Pulses: Tokyo, Riyadh, Los Angeles…
Philippines – Mactan, Cebu
My heart stopped.
Mactan. That's right next to me.
I stood up, fists clenched.
'It begins…'
The world was about to change.