Ruler | Solo Leveling

Chapter 7

Two streets down from the Ttukseom road, there was an unusual amount of activity in Seoul park. The trucks and groups of men waiting around made it seem like there was some sort of construction work going on. But you knew better - the machinery was necessary for the work the miners had to do.

You strode towards them, stepping past some trees to enter the clearing that housed the gate. Even though you technically weren't allowed to be here, nobody would stop you - not if you looked like you belonged.

"Hey." One of the miners whispered to another. "Who's that?"

"Can't you see the uniform? She's from the Association. They're generally bad news for us."

"Pretty face though..."

"Quiet. She's coming..."

You walked through their midst, straining your eyes for the person you came all this way for. Jinwoo didn't seem to be here, but that was okay. You found the next best thing - his supervisor.

"Hi." You said, coming to a stop in front of the gruffy miner. "I'm not interrupting anything important, am I?"

He startled, turning away from his conversation to stare at you. His group was rough, composed entirely of men. In their midst, you must have stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Welcome." He finally said, taking the lead. "What brings someone from the Hunter's Association here? Not another inspection I hope."

"Nothing like that." You reassured, smiling at him. "What are you guys waiting for?"

"For the hunters to clear the dungeon. Then we'll start mining."

"Ah."

His response confirmed your suspicions. The hunters were still inside the dungeon, which made your timing perfect. You were here for one of the miners after all.

But that was also the problem - if the miners were all here, that meant the person you had come all this way for, was missing.

Was I mistaken? You thought, standing on your toes to peek past the group of men. The database definitely said Jinwoo would be here, but I can't see him anywhere...

"Do you need help with anything?" The miner asked. "I would be glad to assist."

"Oh, right!" You nodded gratefully. "I'm looking for Hunter Sung Jinwo-."

"That E-ranked hunter?" His shaggy eyebrows went up at the name.

"Yes." You beamed. "You two know each other?"

Jinwoo? The gruffy miner couldn't believe his ears. He felt sorry for the boy. Messengers from the Association were rarely the bearer of good news.

"You've just missed him then." He said. "Sung volunteered as a porter for the attack force earlier. I warned against it since their raid leader is still wet behind the ears, but he went anyway."

"Ah."

If Jinwoo was inside the gate, perhaps it would be best to just wait for his return. Searching for him in the maze of branching caverns that was the dungeon did not seem fun.

You sighed, carefully tucking in your skirt before dropping down onto an appealing patch of grass.

Despite the gate hovering ominously in the distance, it felt peaceful here. Waiting suddenly didn't seem so bad...

...

You had been sitting for some time before you realized you weren't alone. A young man sat against a tree about a meter away, sneaking glances at you. A faint but not unpleasant aroma of spice wafted from him.