Episode 1 of Solo Leveling unfolds three years prior, with a navy officer inquiring his captain about their non-participation in an ongoing battle. The captain responds sagely, recommending that they leave the conflict to the "hunters." The scene transitions to a group of low-ranking hunters valiantly engaging an overwhelming army of colossal ants. Despite their best efforts, the ants gain the upper hand. Just when all seems lost, the arrival of S-Rank hunters turns the tide in their favor. Elsewhere, Guildmaster Choi and his companions are locked in a fierce struggle against another ant horde, revealing more about the world's origin story.
Ten years ago, mysterious gates materialized, bridging the human realm with an alternate dimension. These gates harbored bizarre creatures known as "magic beasts," impervious to conventional human weaponry. To counter this threat, individuals with awakened abilities, termed "hunters," were tasked with combating these beasts. Hunters were ranked from S to E, based on their inherent magic power, yet their strength remained static upon awakening.
Three years hence, two acquaintances, Park and Kim, catch up on old times. Kim expresses curiosity about Park's continued involvement in raids, to which Park replies that he needs the money to support his family. Suddenly, the protagonist, Sung Jinwoo, enters the scene, greeted warmly by Kim. Kim teases Park, remarking that Sung is notorious for being one of the weakest hunters ever and that if Sung is tackling a raid, it must be an easy one.
Sung encounters another hunter, Joohee, who inquiries about his disheveled state. Sung recounts his harrowing experience in an E-rank dungeon, accompanied by S-Rank hunters who overlooked the necessity of a healer. Joohee finds their oversight selfish, but Sung shrugs it off, accustomed to being dismissed due to his weakness. Together, Joohee and Sung attend a raid meeting led by their leader, Song Chiyul.
After exchanging greetings with fellow hunters, Song, Sung, and the rest traverse through a gate. Meanwhile, a man greets Chairman Go, discussing the outcome of his meeting with the "administration." Go reveals that the administrators are concerned about "dungeon breaks" but want hunters to continue extracting valuable items from each dungeon. Go rationalizes this by pointing out that hunters earn their livelihood by selling the resources they discover. He displays an essence stone, a treasured item hunters obtain from vanquished magic beasts.
Switching to Sung's perspective, he struggles to fend off the dungeon's magic beasts. Park comes to his rescue, vowing to confront the dungeon's remaining threats. He entrusts Joohee with Sung's safety.
Returning to Go and his companion, they delve deeper into the essence stones' potential. Go explains that these stones can be forged into formidable weapons and armor. Furthermore, hunters may encounter mana crystals with similar applications, albeit less potent. Go also reveals that the government aims to harness these items for more efficient purposes, developing a method to generate electricity using essence stones and mana crystals, creating an ideal clean energy source for the world.
Elsewhere, Song and the hunters triumph over the dungeon's boss, celebrating their victory. As Sung observes, Joohee expresses concern for his continued pursuit of the hunter's lifestyle, reminding him of the injuries he's sustained. Sung apologizes, lamenting that he could only secure a mere E-Rank essence stone. Meanwhile, several hunters stumble upon a cave, wondering if it leads to another dungeon, hinting at further adventures awaiting.
Song proposes that they await the Hunter's Association's instructions before delving into this second dungeon, a cautious approach. However, Park counters that it should be relatively safe, given its connection to a D-Rank dungeon. In a bid to resolve the deadlock, Song calls for a vote, pitting the hunters' adventurous spirits against their prudent instincts. The tally stands at an even six yeses and six nos, leaving Sung as the tiebreaker. Amidst Sung's family's ongoing struggles, he sides with Song, urging they forge ahead.
Elsewhere, an agent and Choi converse about the prospect of acquiring the services of a B-Rank hunter and two C-Rank hunters. Choi's enthusiasm is palpable as he instructs the agent to extend an offer if these hunters prove to be valuable assets. Yet, he concedes that they might not match the prowess of Cha Hae-in, an exceptional S-Rank hunter, whose bravery in foiling a theft we recently witnessed.
Back with Sung and his companions, Joohee's frustration with Sung's decision is palpable. As they approach the boss's lair within the dungeon, a scene shifts to Go, virtually welcoming a fresh batch of awakened hunters. He expounds on the history of their world, from the gates to the treacherous dungeons beyond. He advises these aspiring hunters to tread with caution, acknowledging that some will embrace the hunter's path while others will shy away. His parting advice: to approach each raid with a healthy dose of fear.
Inside the dungeon, Song, Sung, and their comrades notice a stark difference from the dungeon they previously conquered. Someone brings to Song's attention an ancient scripture, which he meticulously reads aloud. Meanwhile, Joohee eyes one of the dungeon's statues with suspicion. As Song concludes his reading, the entrance door slams shut, trapping them within. A hunter, attempting to escape, is swiftly dispatched by a dungeon statue, sending shivers down everyone's spine, including Sung, who is particularly concerned about the statue that caught Joohee's attention.
Recalling past dungeon raids where other hunters often fared better than he did, Sung acknowledges his less fortunate experiences. Nevertheless, these encounters have honed his ability to discern opportunities from perilous situations. Suddenly, a laser beam shoots out from the statue's eye, decimating several hunters in its wake. The episode concludes on a tense note, with Sung pondering whether he and his allies will emerge from this perilous place unscathed.
