duo leveling [Solo Leveling]

Chapter 2

"Joo-hyun?" You call out, sitting down at the seat closest to the counter.

Na Joo-hyun was the co-owner of the cafe alongside you. Technically you didn't actually do any work, just supplying money and finances to Joo-hyun who did the actual business things Currently she should be tending the counter, but it looked like she took her lunch break a little later than normal.

"Unnie, Joo-hyun unnie went out for her lunch break." Just as you suspected.

You grinned when you saw the highschooler decked out in a simple brown apron over the monochrome cafe uniform. She ended up being on time today, just as she promised.

"I got your text earlier." You mention as she nods slowly.

She simply texted that she dropped off some of her belongings at your apartment. Highschoolers leaving their parent's home weren't that hard to come by these days. Especially with families who prioritize education when their child is Awakened, there's a lot of conflicting issues that just ends up with the child having to fend for themselves. Luckily South Korea made it quite easy for just anyone to live on their own, especially for Awakened minors.

"I have to thank you again, unnie." She bows as you playfully pat her head. You tell her that it's no big deal, it honestly made you glad that there would be someone else in your lonely apartment. But just thinking about your apartment made you realize that you had to pay this month's rent and your face contorted into a sour look.

"Why do you ask to change your shift so suddenly?" You ask her as she comfortably sunk into the day shift. Song-Yi worked seamlessly as you watched her.

Despite her being an E-rank, she still had increased agility and strength compared to the normal person. It was quite hypnotizing to watch the youngster work as if she was dancing.

"I got... another job."

This time you groan out loud. You knew the way she said it, she probably took on a hunter assignment. But before you can scold her she insists that it's a really simple job that won't have anything to do with violence.

"When does it start?" You already know you can't stop her and you at least wonder what kind of hunter job that's non-violent.

"Apparently there's this guy who's grabbing volunteers to fill out the ten-hunter minimum for C-ranked gates. He's paying 3 million won per gate per person."

Your eyes widen in slight surprise. Well, you didn't see that type of opportunity come by every single day. You could understand the drive behind Song-Yi's intentions. It was a great pay for doing nothing, and technically she would raise her gate experience that most other E-ranks can't with C-ranked gates.

"Unnie?" Song-Yi calls out to you, waving her hand in front of your face. You snap out of it and give her a closed-eyed smile.

"Sorry, I was thinking about something." Biting your lip, you try to create any sane explanation for that type of action. But no matter what you try to think of, you could only draw your mind back to the system. A strange chill runs over your spine and whips your head up.

When you look up you only see the occasional family walking past the cafe. That was strange, for sure. Your instincts never failed you. But you still brush it off, if it was life-threatening the system would notify you.

"Had a nice break, Joo-hyun?" You smirk at the older woman as she gives you a questioning glance. She was always telling you off for not calling her 'unnie'.

"In fact, I did." She huffs, nimbly knotting the apron around her waist before gathering her lightly dyed hair into a loose ponytail. You met Joo-hyun a few years ago when you were still studying in college and both of you agreed after you graduated early, both of you would open a cafe after discussing how to utilize her bachelor's in business. "You should've come the last few days, it was crazy weird."