Solo Leveling : Fire

Chapter 10

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Choi Jong-In's penthouse, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern interior. He sat on his couch, sipping his usual black coffee, deep in thought. His fingers drummed against the ceramic mug as he stared at the egg resting safely in a glass container on his coffee table. It had been a full day since he first poured his mana into it, and he could still feel the residual drain from the process.

"That thing takes half of my mana just from one infusion..." he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples. "It's going to be a long process."

Still, as an S-Rank mage, he wasn't too concerned. His mana reserves were massive, and recovery was quick. The egg would hatch in time, and he was certain it would be worth the effort. For now, he had other matters to attend to—like finding a suitable location for his future guild.

As he stepped into his sleek black car, he mulled over the options. "If I'm going to build a guild, I need space—lots of it." His fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he thought. "A traditional building in the city wouldn't be enough. I need somewhere expansive... somewhere I can also keep the egg safe."

Then, an idea struck him.

"A mountain."

It made perfect sense. A mountain would offer ample space to construct a guild headquarters, along with plenty of room for training facilities and expansion. More importantly, it would provide a strategic advantage—seclusion from the public, natural defenses, and space to prepare for the inevitable threats to come. He had no doubt that the world would soon face calamities beyond anything they had seen before. He had read too many signs, felt the shift in the air. The dungeon gates were getting more frequent, stronger monsters appearing more often. It was only a matter of time before the balance tipped, and he needed to be ready.

While considering his options, his phone rang. The caller ID showed an unknown number. Raising a brow, he debated whether to answer.

"Not a scam, right?" he muttered, before pressing the answer button. "Choi Jong-In speaking."

A familiar voice greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Choi. About the offer you mentioned the other day."

It was Park Jongsoo.

Choi straightened in his seat. "Yes, what about it, Mr. Park?"

"I've given it some thought," Jongsoo replied. "And I'll accept your offer. But I have one condition."

"Go ahead."

"Let me bring someone along."

Choi chuckled. "That's fine. I trust your judgment."

"Are you serious?" Jongsoo asked, almost surprised by how quickly he agreed.

"Of course. I wouldn't have approached you otherwise."

"Then I'll be bringing ten people with me."

That did catch Choi slightly off guard, but he wasn't opposed to the idea. Having experienced fighters by his side would only strengthen his guild's foundation. "Fine by me," he replied with a small smirk. "I look forward to meeting them."

Jongsoo hesitated for a moment before bringing up another matter. "By the way, have you decided on the guild's name yet?"

Choi hummed, realizing he hadn't put much thought into it. "Not yet. Do you have any recommendations?"

"What about 'Knight'?" Jongsoo suggested.

It was simple but strong. Still, Choi felt something was missing. Then, it clicked. "How about 'Dragon Knight'?"

"Dragon Knight?" Jongsoo repeated. "That's... not bad, but why 'Dragon'?"

Choi grinned. "Because it sounds cool."

Jongsoo sighed but chuckled. "Fine. Dragon Knight it is."

With their conversation settled, Choi bid him farewell and ended the call. Now, it was time to find a location worthy of their soon-to-be guild.

A short drive later, Choi arrived at a high-end real estate office in Seoul. He was quickly greeted by a well-dressed agent, a young woman with sharp eyes that assessed him the moment he walked in.

"Good morning, Mr. Choi. It's an honor to have you here. How can I assist you today?" she asked with a professional smile.

"I'm looking to purchase land—specifically a mountain," he stated plainly, watching for her reaction.

Her polite smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she quickly regained composure. "A mountain? That's quite a unique request. May I ask what you plan to use it for?"

"A guild headquarters."

Her eyes widened slightly before she composed herself once again. "For just a guild, you want to buy an entire mountain...?"

"That's right."

A moment of silence passed as she seemed to process the request. Then, with a nod, she gestured for him to follow. "We do have a few options, though mountains within Seoul itself are highly limited. However, I do have a recommendation just outside the city. It's large, secluded, and within a reasonable distance from Seoul. It could be an excellent choice for your guild."

Choi nodded. "Show me."

An hour later, Choi stood at the base of the recommended mountain, surveying the landscape. It was perfect. The land was vast, covered in dense forest with high peaks that provided a natural fortress-like environment. With the right development, it could become the strongest guild base in Korea.

"I'll take it."

The real estate agent blinked, slightly taken aback by his quick decision. "Are you sure, Mr. Choi? You haven't even discussed the price—"

"Send me the details," he interrupted. "Money isn't an issue."

She hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Understood, Mr. Choi. I'll handle the paperwork."

As Choi left the site. His guild was finally taking form. Soon, Dragon Knight would be a reality, and with it, he would create something far greater than just another organization of hunters.

He glanced at the egg resting in his car's passenger seat, then at the towering mountain ahead of him. A small smile crept onto his lips.

"This is only the beginning. You will be the guild's logo, and its mascot."