The all-knowing Player (Solo Leveling)

Welcome, Player (2)

Corresponding episode: 12

Blood trickles from a long gash in my arm, tracing a scarlet path on the stony ground of the dungeon as I run toward Yool with gritted teeth, clutching my arm right above the wound. Just a little deeper, and the goblin might have reached the bone.

"Again?" Yool sighs upon seeing me wince in pain. His hands rise to hover over the wound, casting a green glow that envelops my arm. "I keep telling you to be careful. Why do you never listen? You should seriously quit and let Seon-Ji and I raid without you. It's too dangerous for you."

His warm healing magic washes over the wound, relieving the pain as it slowly mends itself. I bend my arm and straighten it again. The motion chases away the ghost of the wound lingering on my muscles.

"You're not going anywhere without me, you know that. Besides, I can be useful too. Look!" I pull an essence stone out of my pocket, a proud smile stretching on my lips as its edges gleam in the dim light of the cavern. "I even got a monster. I'll catch another one today."

"I doubt it. The raid is almost finished."

He sticks his thumb out to the rest of the party gathering around the largest monster in the dungeon. The giant lizard swipes its scaly tail from left to right in an attempt to chase the hunters away, the blood-red of its eyes flashing as the tank captures its attention with a taunting shout. Its lips curl upward to reveal rows of sharp fangs, and the daunting roar that follows ripples over the walls, holding menace and power.

Beads of sweat form on my forehead as the waves of power crash over my body. This monster could snuff me out with a single swing of its tail—not to mention the razor-sharp fangs spilling from its gums as if its maw was too small to hold them all correctly.

Its long claws scrape against the ground as it lunges forward, denting the rocky floor with the same motion. It barrels against the shield of the tank, and the latter steps back at the sheer force of the impact with a grunt. But he stands his ground, allowing his teammates to use the opportunity to attack. A mage shoots fireballs at the monster's head. The lizard tumbles backward with a howl of pain as the projectile hits its eye, only for Seon-Ji to leap behind the tank and smash her gauntlet-wearing fists against its muzzle. Another sword-wielding woman follows, cutting a deep wound into its flank. Purple blood instantly squirts out in gushes, deep purple splattering on gray. Blinded in its rage, the boss swipes at the hunters, but to no avail: they jump out of reach, and the mages start firing as soon as the women are safe.

Soon, the combat comes to an end, and the giant lizard crashes to the ground among a puddle of blood. A few hunters gather around Yool to get treated. He heals them all rapidly as most wounds were only superficial, then turns toward me with a nod.

"All done. Let's go home."

But he is cut right through his momentum as another voice echoes in the cavern, calling for attention. "Guys! You should come see this!"

My gaze shifts to the back of the cavern. There, tucked in the darkness of a somber corner, hides a gaping hole into the rocky wall. It extends into a tunnel plunged in impenetrable shadows. The rough edges of the opening and the chill humidity permeating the air promise nothing but danger. But, to us hunters, danger has gradually become synonymous with thrill and money—and that means an opportunity we can't miss.

We gather around the opening with confused murmurs. I join Seon-Ji's side as she places a hand on her hip, unintentionally smearing her already blood-stained sweatpants with more purple substance. A mage chants a quick spell, and a ball of light erupts from his fingers to float into the tunnel. It illuminates cavern walls leading downward before the darkness swallows it whole.