The all-knowing Player (Solo Leveling)

The mining team (2)

Corresponding episode: 67

"Hunter Cha?"

Astonished shouts echo through the tunnels as Hae-In stares at me, disbelief flickering in her eyes. She lowers her handkerchief, revealing lips parted in surprise.

I shrink under her gaze, wishing for the ground to open under my feet and swallow me whole. My grip around my half-eaten sandwich tightens, and I instantly lose all appetite.

It must have been foolish of me to believe we wouldn't cross paths today. I was too careless—I knew she would be scouting the maze to ensure the workers' security. And with all the miners gushing so loudly over my work, it was inevitable she'd notice my presence.

Oh, I definitely shouldn't have agreed to come.

I force a smile on my lips and lift a hand to wave, calling, "Hae-In! What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same question! You never told me you integrated the mining team. And you're not alone." She turns toward my siblings to offer them a polite smile. "Kim Seon-Ji and Min Yool, it's good to see you again."

My sister lifts an eyebrow. "Is it really?"

Yool instantly shoves his elbow into her side, ripping a grunt from her lungs. She still shifts to the side as Hae-In crouches down, giving her enough space to sit properly. The S-rank takes her place next to me, now fully lowering her handkerchief with a relieved sigh.

I, on the other side, tense at her proximity. Why is she sitting down? She should be wandering further into the dungeon; she should be reaching the boss' room and finally meeting Jin-Woo. Yet while my heart slowly drowns in the agony of seeing her here and having to hold her gaze, she simply stays here, thanking Seon-Ji for giving her more space.

I scolded Seon-Ji countless times for refusing to let Hae-In take place next to us when we were teenagers. But now that she finally lets her in, I wish she didn't. The S-rank's mere presence is a painful reminder of what I am about to lose—what I never really had in the first place.

But she didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I am the one in the wrong for trying to avoid her, for having fallen for someone unattainable. She doesn't deserve to be treated harshly, especially not because of me. I don't wish for it either.

So I shoot her an apologetic smile, explaining, "We're just filling in for today. It was a last-minute decision, so I didn't have the time to let you know."

"What are you saying, Miss Soo?" the team leader protests, his strong voice echoing against the cave walls. "You're welcome to stay on this team for as long as you want! With all the work you're doing, it's only natural for you to earn a spot on our team. Mr. Sung is, too! I've met a lot of miners, but it's the first time I've seen talented ones like you."

Other miners nod frantically, shouting, "Of course! What about tomorrow? You'll come, won't you?"

There it is, the invitation I have been waiting for and the sole reason I agreed to go mining today. I perk up, thankful for the momentary distraction. "There's another raid planned for tomorrow?"

"This one will be carried out by Strike Squad B with Son Ki-Chul," Hae-In clarifies. "My attack force is the Strike Squad A."

"Why are you not a party leader when there are two strike squads?"

She replies with an embarrassed smile, "I don't have the skills it takes to be a leader. Ki-Chul is much better fitted for this role."

"Come on, Hunter Cha! I'm sure you'd make a great leader!" the mining team leader protests, immediately followed by the surrounding men. But, as her embarrassment only grows to discomfort, he turns back to me to ask, "So, what do you think, Miss Soo? Will you join us tomorrow?"