The all-knowing Player (Solo Leveling)

Bound to shatter

Corresponding episode: 76

The busy buzzing of the street fades away as Jin-Woo closes the door of the café behind us, replaced by soft chatter and the occasional clinking of cutlery. A coffee machine buzzes at the side of the bar, filling the room with the drink's bitter scent. The customers sit in small booths separated by long flowerpots. The pink petals add a warm touch to the tranquil atmosphere as the gentle light of the late afternoon pools on the tables pushed against the large windows.

Jin-Woo sits in front of a cup of coffee, staring intensely at the dark drink as if it would suddenly change color. His fingers clutch his knees in an anxious grasp, and his brows furrow together. But his tension subdues upon seeing Jin-Woo and me approach.

He lifts a hand, calling, "Hyung, Noona!" His eyes widen as he sees us approach. "Huh? Your clothes...?"

"Oh, this?" Jin-Woo tugs at the hem of his tee to stare at the torn fabric. Ashes and dust fall from the cloth, but he simply shrugs it off. "We just came from a dungeon."

I brush some pieces of coal off my sweater, sighing upon seeing that an ember burned a hole through the fabric. With its burnt edges, patching that hole up won't work either—I'd rather just toss it once I get home. I take the sweater off, revealing a reasonably spared tee. At least now I won't look like I ran through a burning house.

"So, is there something you wanted to discuss with us?" I ask, pulling my chair back to sit down.

"To tell you the truth..."

The boy hesitates as worry darkens his gaze. But when he stares back up at us, only a determined sparkle remains in his eyes. He tells us about his discussion with his father and uncle, about Go Myung-Hwan's interruption, and about the older men's answer.

"So, during your negotiation with your father and uncle, Go Myung-Hwan appeared and revealed everything about the Red Gate incident?" Jin-Woo summarizes, crossing his arms upon naming the loose-tongued hunter.

"Yes, even the fact that you saved the White Tiger guild's members."

The player's brows furrow. "And you need our cooperation in order to become the master of YooJin Guild?"

"To be exact, I only need the cooperation of one of you, but it would be ideal if you both agreed to join in. And I guess that you won't want to be separated, so..." He takes a deep breath and straightens his back to shout, "I will leave everything to Hyung and Noona's decision. There's no need for me to weigh you down."

Jin-Woo and I share a glance. We already considered every possibility we'd be offered after our reevaluation. We had more than enough time to think about it in the Demon Tower. And we agreed on something: a guild would only obstruct our movements in dungeons. We require something to access high-ranked dungeons without having to follow an attack force, something to allow us to raid alone or only with the two of us. Entering YooJin Guild would offer us a freedom of movement the other guilds couldn't provide us, but we'd be chained to the company. There's only one way for us to stay independent while hunting.

"We were actually thinking of building our own guild," I announce.

Jin-Ho's stiff expression falters. He slumps on his backrest and directs his gaze on his clenched fists under the table, muttering, "I see..."

Had my sense stat not been that high, I wouldn't have heard those two disappointed words. I bite back the urge to stand up and pat his back. Instead, I add, "But that doesn't mean we don't want to work with you."

"Jin-Ho, would you want to join our guild?" Jin-Woo offers.

The boy's head shoots back up to stare at us with tearful eyes. "You... you mean..."