Solo Leveling : Ragnarok - Chapter 8

“Are you okay? You’ve been unconscious for two days straight!”

The person who entered the hospital room was none other than Assistant Instructor Im. As he checked Su-ho’s condition and their eyes met, he immediately started to apologize.

“I’m so sorry! I’m really sorry for running away alone!”

In truth, there wasn’t much an E-rank hunter could have done in that situation. E-rank hunters didn’t have physical abilities that were significantly different from regular people, and they weren’t considered a major force in dungeons. The first piece of advice Im received after awakening as an E-rank hunter was to run at full speed if he encountered a monster.

But Su-ho, who had been just an ordinary person at that time, acted heroically.

‘To save people until he passed out in such a dangerous place!’

Su-ho’s actions were a stark contrast to Im’s, and he had never felt so ashamed and embarrassed in his life.

But Su-ho, who received the apology, remained composed.

“It’s alright. You don’t have to feel sorry, really.”

“No, I feel awful. I don’t have any excuses.”

Im repeatedly apologized and then took out a hot bowl of porridge from a shopping bag and placed it in front of Su-ho.

“Here, you must be hungry. Eat this porridge since you’re on an empty stomach. Here’s a spoon.”

“Oh, nice.”

Grrrrr-!

As soon as Su-ho saw it, his stomach growled loudly. The aroma of sesame oil wafted up. It was a savory and delicious-looking beef porridge. Su-ho didn’t hesitate and started devouring the porridge.

The porridge tasted like heaven after not eating for two days.

“Do you want me to peel an apple for you after you finish?”

Su-ho realized why there were apples in the fridge. Im had been visiting him every day while he was unconscious.

‘The assistant instructor taking care of me like this… It’s a bit weird considering I’m not injured thanks to leveling up.’

Su-ho was thinking of getting discharged today when Im, handing him an apple, asked,

“By the way, the people who just left your room, they were from the Association, right? What did they say?”

“They just measured my mana.”

“Really? So, you did awaken? What’s your mana level? This dungeon was D-rank, so you must be at least…”

“They said I’m E-rank.”

“Huh? Really?”

Im’s eyes widened. Su-ho unfolded the mana report the Association members had left.

“Oh, wow. You really are E-rank. A mana level of 46 is on the lower side even among E-ranks.”

“Why do you seem disappointed? What did you expect? Creepy. Were you hoping I’d become some amazing hunter so you could leverage it somehow? No wonder you were being so nice.”

“No way! If you were an incredible hunter, you wouldn’t have passed out in such a dangerous place, right? I figured you might be at best a D-rank.”

“See, you did have expectations.”

Im jumped up and down in frustration. He then put the report down and tried to console Su-ho.

“Hey, it’s not bad at all. E-rank is good. You know it’s actually more stable than being a middling D-rank?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Of course not, you just awakened.”

Im put his hand on Su-ho’s shoulder and said with a proud smile,

“Just trust me from now on. As an E-rank veteran, I’ll guide you through the world of E-rank hunters.”

* * *

Dungeon expeditions are divided into specific roles.

First, the raid team that attacks the dungeon.

Following them is the retrieval team that collects the monster corpses.

Lastly, the mining team at the rear that extracts resources from the dungeon.

E-rank hunters were typically assigned to everything but the raid team.

“In other words, E-ranks have the most job opportunities.”

Im’s comment about E-ranks being more stable than D-ranks was true. D-rank hunters were the weakest among those who could join the raid teams, often facing the most danger. In contrast, E-ranks were excluded from combat roles, making it safer as they only had to do labor in a secure area.

“Some E-ranks do volunteer for the raid team due to urgent financial needs, but that’s rare since hospital bills would outweigh the benefits. Unless they have a close healer friend.”

The day after being discharged from the hospital, Su-ho listened to Im’s explanations and arrived at Korea University’s art museum.

‘…I never thought I’d come back here.’

Su-ho looked up at the museum, half-destroyed thanks to Beru, feeling nostalgic.

The purpose of coming here today was to become a miner. Since the real dungeon experience was new to him, he decided to accept Im’s help.

“By the way, all classes are now online until the dungeon is fully cleared. Since you’ve become a hunter, you’re planning to take a leave of absence, right?”

“Yes, since the exhibition is over, and this semester is almost done anyway.”

“Okay. I’ll stop by the office and submit your leave of absence for hunters. Shall we get started?”

Im looked eager as he glanced at Su-ho. His eyes sparkled with the wisdom of a veteran.

“Hehe. Today, I’ll thoroughly teach you the ins and outs of E-rank hunter life! First, as a miner…”

[Bragging about something so trivial.]

“Eek?!”

Suddenly, Beru popped out from Su-ho’s shadow, startling Im, who fell back on his bottom.

“A, a monster?!”

Beru looked down at Im with disdain.

[Tsk. Such a coward. My lord, I know much more about hunters. Why not learn from me instead?]

Beru floated over to Su-ho and spread his short arms wide.

[A hunter is fundamentally a natural predator! It is about killing, dominating, and devouring enemies! That is the essence of a hunter. So, kill and kill again to gain all that power… Gah?]

Su-ho grabbed the blabbering Beru like a baseball.

“Why are you out here suddenly?”

[Hmm. I sensed the presence of a dungeon nearby. My lord, as weak as a baby ant, it makes me uneasy not to stay by your side.]

Beru wriggled out of Su-ho’s grasp like a piece of chewy candy and perched on Su-ho’s shoulder, scanning the surroundings vigilantly with fierce eyes.

But Su-ho wasn’t fooled.

‘He’ll just yap from the side when a fight breaks out.’

Im cautiously pointed at Beru and asked,

“Su-ho, is that your summon?”

[No.]

Beru answered firmly instead of Su-ho. Technically, Beru wasn’t Su-ho’s summon but his father’s.

“If it’s not a summon, then what is it…?”

Already losing in the first confrontation, Im found himself slipping into formal speech without realizing it.

Beru’s eyes flashed intensely.

[I am a caretaker.]

“…Caretaker?”

Im tilted his head.

[Yes, in human terms… more like an uncle?]

“…?”

[Heh. It used to be that way.]

Beru murmured nostalgically, looking at Su-ho’s face.

Ignoring Beru’s cryptic comments, Im turned to Su-ho.

“You awakened as a summoner?”

“Yes, it seems so.”

“Hmm. Interesting. I’ve never seen an E-rank summoner before.”

Im held back from speaking further. There was no need to mention how useless summoners typically were, especially an E-rank summoner.

‘Talk about a niche within a niche.’

Im scrutinized Beru, perched on Su-ho’s shoulder. Initially shocked by his sudden appearance, Im now saw the cute, diminutive figure and thought…

‘This thing seems useless.’

[Your gaze is quite disrespectful. Should I pluck them out?]

“…”

Im lowered his eyes. At least the summon seemed quick-witted enough to stand guard effectively. Plus, it could talk, which might be handy.

“Well, many E-ranks don’t have any skills at all, so you’re pretty lucky. For instance, I have a running skill.”

“Ah, that’s why you ran so well.”

“…”

Im was hurt by Su-ho’s innocent remark. The truth stung even more.

* * *

Thus, Su-ho became a miner under Im’s recommendation.

“Alright! Let’s work hard today!”

The mining team, composed of E-rank hunters, felt like a construction site labor crew.

“Hey, rookie! Come get your pickaxe.”

A man handed Su-ho a dungeon pickaxe with a friendly smile.

“If it breaks while you’re working, come get another from me. But the cost of the pickaxe will be deducted from your pay, so be careful with it. It’s great to see a young guy like you here. You’re a student at this university, right?”

“Oh, you’re that guy?”

Surprisingly, many miners recognized Su-ho and approached him first.

‘Must be because of that news.’

Su-ho recalled the news he had seen online yesterday and today, giving a wry smile.

The headline was “Hero of Korea University, Awakened as E-rank Hunter.”

It was ambiguous whether it was praise or criticism.

If he had remained a regular person and saved people, he might have received a bravery award. But because he awakened midway, it was just a hunter doing a hunter’s job. Yet, his rank ended up being the lowest, making the situation awkward.

But it seemed these guys viewed it favorably.

“What a shame. If you’d awakened a rank or two higher, your life would’ve been completely different.”

“Don’t feel too bad about your low rank, we live well too.”

“Of course, it’s hard work, but as long as you swing your pickaxe well, it’s a good job.”

They were eager to offer advice to the new recruit, finding him quite likeable.

But Beru didn’t appreciate the friendly atmosphere.

[My lord, instead of wasting time chatting with these fools, why not level up? Time is precious.]

“Oh! Is this a summon?”

“Wow. Never seen one like this.”

“Cute. Nice to keep around.”

“Too small to be useful for mining, though?”

The miners gathered around, curious about Beru. Beru responded with hostility, glaring at them and radiating killing intent.

[Stay back, you rude scoundrels! My lord is delicate and could die with a single touch! My lord, fear not. I shall protect you!]

“…?”

Su-ho looked at Beru blankly. Was this overprotection or a veiled insult?

“Haha, the summon is quite loyal.”

“Alright, let’s get to work.”

Amused by Beru’s antics, the miners grabbed their pickaxes and dispersed.

Watching them, Su-ho had an idea.

“Beru.”

[Yes, my lord. Should I kill those insolent fools?]

“…No.”

[Then what is your command?]

“Bring out some goblin corpses from the Shadow Dungeon.”