The all-knowing Player (Solo Leveling)

Hapjeong Station (2)

"The edge of the blade has been damaged." Jin-Woo announces when the last lycan of the pack is defeated. "I guess it's only a matter of time until the weapon gets worn out. Even if you buy an expensive item, it gets destroyed after using it in a few dungeons. How did you fight before becoming a player?"

I don't remember having carried a weapon with me in that dream I had the first night after I woke up in this world. Weapons are expensive and usually don't last really long, unless it really is a top-grade item – something I very probably couldn't afford.

"With bare hands, probably."

"Probably?" he repeats.

"Yeah. I lost my memory after the double dungeon."

"You... why didn't you tell me?" he asks, shocked.

"Because you have nothing to do with my past." At least, not in this world. "I wouldn't bother you with things that have nothing to do with you."

"Still! I could help. Do you happen to have taken contact with a member of your family, or do you need help?"

"I'm an orphan."

Oh no. I shouldn't have said that. In his eyes lies something I cannot recognise, close to pity and pain for me. He has his own familial issues, he should focus on trying to heal his mother. Besides, I don't need his pity. I know that he understands how I feel and that will only bring him closer to me. But letting him do so is too dangerous for the both of us. After we clear the two instance dungeons, we won't need each other's help anymore. I will go my own way and try to avoid leveling up, starting with quitting my job as a hunter. No one would find it strange for an E-ranker to do so. Then, all I will have to do is watch Jin-Woo follow the will of the plot and wait for him to reset time, and everything will come to an end. Who knows what might happen after that, maybe I'll return home? Or maybe I'll continue living as 'Soo Hee-Jin' and, like he did for all the hunters who helped him in his current life, he'll come and visit, once, and then I'll never see him again. It will be for the best. And I'll do it. Even if the only thought of it is painful. 

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up." he excuses himself, seeing my expression change.

"It's alright." I say, lifting my head. "I'm not alone. Two hunters visit me everyday. Their names are Kim Seon-Ji and Min Yool."

"Hunters? What connection do you have with them?"

"We were the only ones who survived the double dungeon."

"But you were the only one who was wounded enough to be sent to the hospital." he completes. "Do you think that they... abandoned you?"

"They did. I know it. They hate themselves for it and apologized a hundred times already even though I don't remember a thing."

"Don't you resent them for it?"

"No. There's no use doing so if I don't remember it. They care about me and for now, this is everything I need to know."

"I care about you, too." he lets me know.

Hearing such a sentence coming from a character I could die for feels strange, but pleasant. He doesn't know anything yet and he doesn't really know me. We met today. But I know that he thinks what he is saying, and it warms my heart. I know it's dangerous, but what can I do about it?