Solo Leveling : Fire

Chapter 13

Waking up early in the morning, Choi stretched his arms and let out a deep yawn before heading to the kitchen. He prepared a simple breakfast consisting of toast, eggs, and coffee. As he ate, he turned on the TV to catch up on the latest news. The screen displayed an ongoing interview with the White Tiger Guild's leader, discussing recent dungeon activity and the rise of new guilds. Choi smirked as he listened. "Soon, Dragon Knight will be on the same level," he muttered to himself before finishing his meal.

After eating, he stood up and placed the dishes in the sink. He made his way to the bathroom, taking a quick but refreshing shower. Once he was dressed in his usual sleek black attire, he walked over to a small corner of his apartment where a fluffy white cat was resting. "King, wake up. It's breakfast time," he said, gently petting the cat's head. King meowed lazily but quickly perked up when Choi poured food into the bowl.

With everything set, he grabbed his car keys and left the apartment, heading toward the site where his guild's base was being constructed. The thought of seeing progress on the building filled him with anticipation.

Driving through the city streets, Choi's mind wandered to all the things he still needed to do. "After checking the site, I'll officially register the guild. Then, I'll contact the striker team. Everything is falling into place."

Soon, he arrived at the construction site, greeted by the sight of workers bustling around and large machinery moving materials. The foundation was already being laid, and the structure was beginning to take form.

The site manager, an older yet sturdy man, approached him with a friendly nod. "Good morning, Mr. Choi. Things are progressing smoothly. At this rate, within four years, the Dragon Knight Guild's headquarters will be fully operational."

Choi nodded, pleased. "Good work. If you run into any issues, don't hesitate to contact me. The faster we get this done, the better."

"Understood," the old man replied.

After surveying the site for a while, Choi got back into his car and drove to the real estate office. His next objective was to secure a temporary base for the guild within Seoul.

Upon arriving at the agency, the real estate agent greeted him warmly. "Mr. Choi! Welcome back. What can I do for you today?"

"I need to purchase a building within Seoul to serve as a temporary base for my guild. Something spacious and secure."

The agent's eyes widened in surprise. "Already establishing your guild? That's quite impressive. Let me pull up some listings." She quickly typed on her computer and showed him a few potential locations.

Choi examined them carefully before selecting a building in a prime location—large enough to accommodate his growing team and close to major access points for emergency deployments. "I'll take this one."

After finalizing the purchase, he wasted no time in heading to the Hunter Association to apply for his guild. The application process took several hours, but once it was done, the Dragon Knight Guild was officially recognized. News of the new guild spread rapidly, reaching various media outlets and social platforms.

Later that afternoon, Choi turned his attention to the matter of recruitment. Specifically, he wanted to bring in the members who would have been part of the Striker Team had history followed its original course. Using the association's records, he quickly located their contact information.

One by one, he called them. "Hello, this is Choi. I'm forming a new guild, Dragon Knight, and I'd like to invite you to be a part of it. Have you decided on a guild yet?"

Most were surprised to receive his call but intrigued by the offer. When they heard the name of his guild and learned about his vision, many expressed interest.

"I've been looking for a strong guild with a solid foundation. If Dragon Knight is anything like what you describe, count me in," one of them responded enthusiastically.

After several calls, Choi managed to secure the entire group. Pleased with the results, he sent them all a meeting location. "Let's gather at a restaurant tonight at 8:00 PM. We'll discuss everything in person."

As the evening approached, Choi arrived at the reserved restaurant alongside Park Jongsoo and his assistants, Jung Yerim and Jung Yoontae. The atmosphere inside was lively, the scent of grilled meats and rich spices filling the air.

The moment Choi and Jongsoo stepped in, the group of newly recruited members stood up in greeting. They exchanged handshakes, their expressions a mix of excitement and curiosity.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Choi," one of them said. "I've heard a lot about you."

Choi smiled. "Likewise. Let's sit down and discuss the future of Dragon Knight."

Once everyone was settled, Choi started explaining his plans for the guild. "Dragon Knight isn't just about hunting dungeons and making money. We're going to be an elite force—one that's prepared for the worst. We'll have training facilities, housing for our members, and even shelters for civilians if a major disaster occurs."

The recruits exchanged glances, impressed by the vision. One of them asked, "So, you're saying Dragon Knight won't just be another guild focused on rankings?"

Choi shook his head. "We'll aim for the top, of course. But we'll also have a purpose beyond just status. The world is unpredictable, and we need to be ready for anything."

Jongsoo leaned back in his chair, nodding in approval. "I have to say, this is unlike any guild I've been a part of. It's ambitious."

Choi smirked. "That's because Dragon Knight isn't like any other guild."

After discussing more details about operations, expectations, and upcoming training sessions, the group finally moved on to enjoying their meal. Laughter and conversation filled the room as they bonded over food and shared their experiences as hunters.

By the end of the night, Dragon Knight had secured its first elite team. As they parted ways, Choi felt a sense of accomplishment.

On his drive home, he reflected on the day's events. The foundation of his guild was set, and soon, it would be fully operational. But his journey was just beginning. He still had bigger plans in mind—plans that would reshape the world of hunters.

As he stepped inside his apartment, he immediately walked to the corner where the dragon egg rested. He placed a hand over it and poured his mana into it, feeling its warmth intensify.

"Grow strong," he murmured. "You'll be the heart of Dragon Knight."

With that, he turned off the lights and headed to bed, ready for whatever challenges awaited him next.