Solo Leveling : Fire

Chapter 14

It had been four years since the creation of the Dragon Knight Guild, and in that time, the guild had grown to become one of the strongest in Korea. The main force of the guild had finally moved into the base built in the mountains, a fortress-like structure that contained everything Choi Jong-in had envisioned—a tall main building, dormitories for the hunters, training grounds, a large arena, and even emergency shelters for civilians.

Throughout those years, many things had changed. The biggest of all was the hatching of the mysterious egg Choi had acquired. When it finally cracked open, it revealed a red dragon—majestic and fearsome, its body covered in crimson scales, eyes burning like molten fire. It was a creature that governed the very essence of flames.

When the guild members first saw Choi Jong-in with the dragon, they were shocked. They had seen many powerful beasts and creatures in dungeons, but a dragon was something unheard of. Even Jinsoo, who had grown used to Choi's unusual feats, couldn't hide his surprise.

"Guild leader, won't this thing bite you once it grows into an adult?" Jinsoo asked, watching the dragon cautiously.

Choi let out a smirk before replying, "You don't have to worry, Jinsoo. This one won't betray me. It feeds off my mana, and a contract binds it to me."

Jinsoo still looked a bit unsure, but Choi had full confidence in the dragon's loyalty. He knew deep down that the real reason it wouldn't betray him was that it has feed on his mana since the beginning which means it thinks of him as its parents. 

Thinking back to the day the dragon hatched, Choi remembered how it all started. He had been sitting in his living room, lazily watching the news when the thought suddenly occurred to him: 'What if I pour all of my mana into the egg?'

And so, he did.

The moment he channeled all of his energy into the egg, an intense headache struck him, forcing him to clutch his head in pain. The egg began to glow fiercely, its surface turning from dull to a bright, fiery red. Then, with a loud crack, it split open, revealing the small yet powerful creature within.

Now, four years later, Choi Jong-in had turned thirty, and the Dragon Knight Guild had cemented its position among Korea's top guilds. His reputation as a hunter had also skyrocketed, earning him the moniker "One-Man Army" after a certain incident.

That incident took place at sea.

One evening, Choi had been invited to a yacht party by an influential businessman he had befriended. It was meant to be a casual event, a moment of relaxation away from the battlefield. But fate had other plans.

A dungeon break occurred nearby, right in the middle of the ocean.

The sky turned dark, and an eerie silence blanketed the sea before an ominous crack in reality formed above the waves. The air grew heavy with mana, sending a chilling sensation down the spines of everyone on board.

Choi Jong-in immediately recognized the danger and sprang into action. He contacted the Hunter Association, reporting the dungeon break. "A gate has appeared in my vicinity. I'll take care of it, but send staff to evaluate its rank," he instructed.

Then, he called his guild members. "Be on standby near the gate. Prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Jinsoo, who had been monitoring the situation, immediately caught on. "You're planning to enter alone, aren't you?"

Choi chuckled as he lit a cigarette, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. "Don't worry about it," he said coolly before hanging up.

Without waiting for backup, Choi mounted his dragon and soared toward the gate. The wind howled around him as they raced across the sea, the dragon's crimson scales glowing under the moonlight.

Upon entering the dungeon, Choi found himself standing on an expansive ocean. Unlike the chaotic dungeons he had faced before, this place seemed eerily calm. The water stretched endlessly in all directions, a vast, shimmering expanse under an artificial sky.

But Choi knew better. Something was lurking beneath the surface.

With a smirk, he gathered his mana, causing a flare of heat to ripple around him. Then, in a confident tone, he called out, "Come out, big guy. You can't hide from me—I can feel your mana from miles away."

A deep, rumbling sound echoed through the water, followed by an immense surge of energy.

Then, the sea exploded.

A colossal aquatic serpent burst from the depths, its enormous body coiling as it let out a deafening roar. Its dark blue scales shimmered with an eerie glow, and its piercing eyes locked onto Choi with a predator's gaze.

The sheer pressure of its mana caused the air to tremble, creating waves that surged outward. Any normal hunter would have been paralyzed with fear. But Choi Jong-in was not a normal hunter.

Puffing out another cloud of smoke, he muttered, "Tch, of course, it had to be a sea monster."

The serpent lunged, its mouth wide open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. But before it could strike, Choi raised his hand and ignited a massive wave of fire in his palm. The flames danced wildly, taking the shape of a sword—a technique inspired by Benimaru from Fire Force.

With a single swing, he unleashed a devastating arc of fire that sliced through the air like a blade.

The serpent roared in agony as the fiery slash cut through its body, leaving behind scorched flesh. It writhed in pain, but Choi wasn't finished yet.