Solo Leveling : Ragnarok - Chapter 83

“Anyway, uncle-in-law.”

Suho looked at Yoo Jinho with a serious expression.

“I really appreciate your support, but I can’t join that guild.”

“What? Why?”

Yoo Jinho was visibly perplexed by Suho’s unexpected statement.

“Is it because you don’t want to be seen as a nepotism hire? Didn’t you see the Hyunmu Guild earlier? You’re the only one among yesterday’s heroes who can still be recruited. It’s not like you’re being made the guild leader, and no one would see you as a mere parachute recruit.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m planning to start my own guild.”

“What?”

Yoo Jinho froze in disbelief.

“…You’re going to create your own guild?”

“Yes.”

“……”

But the shock lasted only for a moment. Yoo Jinho leaned back, tapping the armrest of his chair as he began to think.

He knew Suho wasn’t the type to say something frivolous. There had to be a reason why he was so adamant, even rejecting Yoo Jinho’s proposal.

After organizing his thoughts, Yoo Jinho met Suho’s eyes and spoke calmly.

“Of course, starting a guild is something even a C-rank Hunter can do as long as they meet the requirements. But it’ll come with a lot of inconveniences and challenges.”

“I’m aware.”

“You might face power plays from larger guilds.”

“That’s fine.”

“…I’m really curious. Why are you taking such a difficult path instead of joining a good guild and enjoying a more stable life?”

“It would hinder me.”

“…?”

The more the conversation went on, the more perplexed Yoo Jinho became, feeling as though he was wandering through a maze.

However, this kind of discussion was something he was well accustomed to—so much so that it even felt nostalgic.

‘He really is his father’s son.’

Why was Suho’s demeanor today so reminiscent of his missing brother-in-law?

Yoo Jinho chuckled faintly and asked again, “How exactly would joining another guild hinder you?”

Then, in the next moment—

“Leveling up.”

When Suho gave his answer, Yoo Jinho’s expression froze.

“Leveling up would be hindered.”

“…What? What does that even mean…?”

Just then—

Swoosh—

A black shadow rose from beneath Suho’s feet and addressed him.

[My lord, have you finally made your decision?]

“Yes. Uncle-in-law is the person I trust most in this world.”

As Suho’s confirmation fell, Beru grinned widely.

[That much… I already knew.]

Yoo Jinho, on the other hand, looked utterly bewildered, unable to grasp the situation.

Time had passed, but his expression remained as clueless as ever, making Beru’s smile deepen.

Beru had come to Earth following Sung Jinwoo’s command to release Suho’s seal. Specifically, he was tasked with restoring the power and memories sealed within Suho, enabling him to protect Earth himself.

But Sung Jinwoo had also entrusted Beru with additional instructions before his departure.

“I’ll leave the rest to your discretion. Since we don’t fully understand the situation on Earth, you have full authority to decide and act accordingly once you arrive. And… ‘that guy’ will undoubtedly be a great help to Suho in many ways.”

Grinning slyly, Beru had understood immediately who Sung Jinwoo meant by “that guy.”

Back when Sung Jinwoo was far weaker, he was trailed by a steadfast companion—someone who had never betrayed him, even when their lives were in danger.

[My lord, use the key.]

Click.

A key suddenly appeared in Suho’s hand.

“Suho… What’s that key all of a sudden?”

Instead of answering Yoo Jinho’s curious question, Suho simply placed the key into his palm.

Then—

Flash!

“…?!”

A brilliant light burst forth from the key, enveloping Yoo Jinho’s vision in blinding white.

[“Item: Shadow Dungeon Key” has been used.]

At that moment, a voice thundered through Yoo Jinho’s mind like a bolt of lightning.

-Does your brother always speak so little?

“…Huh?”

Yoo Jinho instinctively recognized the voice as his own and whirled around in shock.

But there was nothing.

Not Suho, not the sofa he had been sitting on—everything had disappeared.

All he could see was an endless white void.

Standing alone in the middle of it, another memory surged into his mind like an echo.

-You said you’re an E-rank, right? I’ll protect you. Just stay by my side.

-…Thanks. That means a lot.

“Argh!”

Yoo Jinho clutched his head as a searing pain coursed through his skull.

From the depths of his mind, memories began flooding back like a panorama, vivid yet alien.

He saw his younger self conversing warmly with someone.

-Brother, just 20 times! No, make it 19 times!

-One condition.

-Anything you say, Brother!

-Just the two of us.

-What?

And then, the other person’s face came into view.

“My brother-in-law! It’s my brother-in-law when he was younger!”

The sight sent chills down Yoo Jinho’s spine.

“I’ve never had a conversation like that with him… And E-rank? But my brother-in-law disappeared before the Cataclysm…”

No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t recall such moments.

And yet, why?

-Jinho, what do you think of me?

-To me, you’re more of a brother than my actual siblings.

A tear slid down his cheek.

“…Why am I crying?”

—

The memories continued, unmistakable yet impossible.

Even as they ended, Yoo Jinho could only mutter one thing under his breath:

“…Everything makes sense now.”

“Is this… what happened? Haah.”

Even after regaining his memories, Yoo Jinho couldn’t stop crying for a long time.

It was inevitable.

Two lives. Two sets of memories.

And at the center of it all was the unwavering presence of Sung Jinwoo, who had always been by his side.

‘Brother-in-law… even after I forgot everything, you came back to find me first. Even when I thought our first meeting was a coincidence during my college days….’

[Enough. Stop crying. Have you aged without gaining any dignity?]

“Sniff….”

[Stop it!]

“Sniff, sniff.”

No matter how much Beru berated him, Yoo Jinho, now a middle-aged man, couldn’t stop his tears.

Ignoring him, Beru began recounting what had transpired while Yoo Jinho had been unaware.

And as Yoo Jinho listened, he cried even harder, spilling another bucket of tears before finally calming down.

“…Ahem.”

When he finally managed to pull himself together, Yoo Jinho’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

It dawned on him that Suho had been sitting calmly in front of him, sipping coffee the entire time.

“Ahem. Anyway, Suho, I understand the situation now.”

“….”

“The Outer Gods, huh? If the world finds out the Shadow Monarch’s son is living here, it could put your father in a tough position, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm. I see. That makes sense.”

Years of running a business had made Yoo Jinho adept at hiding his emotions, and he nodded solemnly as he processed the information.

Clink.

Suho placed his coffee cup on the table and spoke.

“That’s why I want to avoid drawing attention to myself until I’ve grown strong enough not to be a liability to my father.”

“So, until you reach at least S-rank, you’ll stay under the radar. Your father didn’t go public until he hit S-rank, either.”

Recalling those days, Yoo Jinho nodded again.

“…No, actually, S-rank might not even be enough.”

He let out a deep sigh as memories of a forgotten world resurfaced.

The Monarchs—beings so powerful that even the strongest S-rank Hunters were no match for them.

And now, the Outer Gods, an even greater threat, loomed on the horizon.

“Haa. We were nearly at the brink of extinction back then, and this time it’s even worse.”

[But the Outer Gods themselves won’t descend upon Earth. Thanks to the lord, the front gate remains sealed tight.]

“That’s a relief, but their apostles might already be here, acting as their vanguard. So Suho needs to focus on leveling up while hiding his identity.”

“Specifically, I just need to hide the fact that I’m the Shadow Monarch’s son.”

“Got it. So, it’s fine if people know you as just Suho, a human Hunter. Hmm. Information misdirection…”

Nodding repeatedly, Yoo Jinho mulled over the details, ensuring he fully understood Suho’s plans.

“Alright! In that case, you can establish your guild separately from our company. I’ll handle all the legal and administrative stuff for you.”

“Thank you.”

“But.”

Yoo Jinho’s tone suddenly turned grave, and Suho’s expression grew serious in response.

“What is it?”

“There’s one thing I can’t help you with, no matter what. This is something you’ll have to overcome on your own.”

At Yoo Jinho’s solemn words, Suho straightened his posture, his eyes filled with resolve.

“What is it?”

“Haa.”

Yoo Jinho’s gaze turned wistful, as though recalling a distant memory. He fought back the emotions rising within him and spoke steadily.

“When creating a guild, you need at least three Hunters—a president, a vice president, and a staff member.”

“Ah.”

A new problem had arisen.