Solo Leveling: Monarch of Knowledge (What If)

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(Thursday, June 13, 2026 – 8:17 PM)

I leaned back slightly, the warmth of the restaurant filling the space between us. Marie had just finished her first plate, and I could see the slight ease in her shoulders, the post-dungeon tension finally wearing off.

"So, how'd the gate go?" I asked, sipping my water.

Marie sighed, rubbing her temples. "Arachnids."

I froze, my grip tightening slightly around the glass. "You're joking."

"Wish I was." She shuddered dramatically. "I barely held it together. Thought I was gonna pass out when the biggest one dropped from the ceiling."

I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head. "I hate spiders."

Marie immediately nodded in agreement. "Thank you! Everyone keeps telling me they're just bugs, but no, they're nightmares with legs."

I chuckled, and she laughed along with me, the tension in the conversation breaking for a brief moment.

But then, just as quickly, her expression shifted. She leaned forward slightly with her voice lowering.

"Listen, Adam. Stay alert when you go to Rome."

I raised an eyebrow. "I will, but… what exactly are you warning me about?"

Marie glanced around, her usual gaze scanning the restaurant. Only when she was sure no one was paying attention did she finally speak again in a serious tone.

"The HA headquarters sent out a notification to all branches. A new organization has been making appearances."

I remained silent, letting her continue.

"No one knows their full strength because they're all false rankers. Their registered levels don't match their actual capabilities. But from what we've heard… their leading members are as strong as S-Ranks."

That was already dangerous enough. S-Rank hunters weren't just strong, they were countries in human form. But the way Marie hesitated told me she wasn't done.

She bit her lip slightly before continuing with her voice dropping even lower.

"There's a rumor that… some of them might be…"

I didn't let her finish.

My voice was calm, but the weight of my next words was undeniable.

"National Levels?"

Marie's expression stiffened, and then, slowly, she nodded.

I remained quiet, absorbing the information.

She continued, "The strongest hunter in China, Liu Zhigang, came into contact with one of them."

Liu Zhigang. The Master Swordsman. Second strongest hunter in the world. A man who stood at the pinnacle of humanity's power.

And he fought one of these false rankers?

Marie leaned in. "They didn't fight in China. He moved the battle to an uninhabited island."

Smart. If two National Levels clashed in a populated area, an entire city or more could be wiped off the map.

"But what happened next…" Marie hesitated. "It was beyond anything we expected."

I didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue.

"The entire island was destroyed."

I narrowed my eyes. "Destroyed… how?"

Marie exhaled, gripping her glass. "Like paper."

I frowned. "Paper?"

She nodded. "Everything. The trees, the rocks, even the animals. All of it turned into paper. No trace of life. Just… a wasteland."

I stayed silent, letting the implications sink in.

"Liu survived." she continued. "But when he returned to China… his clothes were shredded, and he had a scar across his abdomen."

That part was unbelievable. Liu Zhigang wasn't just strong, he was untouchable. The fact that he came out of that fight with an actual wound meant that this false ranker wasn't just S-Rank. They were something worse.

"Meanwhile, the false ranker escaped." Marie finished.

I tapped my fingers lightly against the table with my mind racing.

This wasn't in the canon.

But then again… I was three years before the main events.

The Solo Leveling manhwa and novel never focused much on the rest of the world. Korea was small, and the story revolved around Jin-Woo's rise.

It made sense.

There were always things happening outside the protagonist's view.

And now, I was witnessing them firsthand.

I nodded, keeping my expression composed. "As a civilian, I'll be extremely careful."

Marie studied me for a moment before sighing. "Good. Just… watch yourself, alright?"

"I will."

She didn't seem entirely convinced, but she let it go.

We finished the rest of our meal with lighter conversation, avoiding the heavier topics for the time being. The food was good, the atmosphere was pleasant, and for a while, everything felt simple.

(8:56 PM)

The drive back to Marie's place was quiet, the comfortable kind. The streets were calmer now, the glow of streetlights reflecting off the pavement.

When I pulled up in front of her house, I stepped out first, moving around the car to open her door. She glanced at me with an amused look but didn't comment, stepping out gracefully.

I walked with her toward her front door, hands in my pockets.

After a moment, I spoke. "With the money you make, I wouldn't have expected you to live in a place like this."

Marie smirked, looking up at the modest but well-kept home. "Happiness doesn't always come from big things, you know."

I nodded with a small smile forming. She had a point.

Without thinking much, I reached out and gently took her hand. Her fingers tensed slightly in surprise, but she didn't pull away.

"With someone to enjoy things." I said, meeting her gaze, "everything else doesn't matter."

Marie's eyes widened slightly, a faint pink dusting her cheeks. "W-What do you mean?"

I chuckled, tilting my head slightly. "I liked the date."

She quickly lowered her head with her ears turning red.

I smiled again, and in a quiet, romantic gesture, I reached out and gently lifted her chin. Her breath hitched slightly, her brown eyes locking onto mine.

Then, with deliberate softness, I leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Marie blinked, her lips parting slightly before a slow, genuine smile formed.

Neither of us said anything for a moment, the night air settling around us.

Finally, she stepped back slightly, still smiling. "Good night, Adam."

I nodded. "Good night, Marie."

She turned and walked inside, pausing briefly before closing the door.

I exhaled, still smiling as I walked back to my car. The night had turned out better than expected.

Sliding into the driver's seat, I started the engine and pulled away, heading back home.

(9:27 PM)

I stepped into my apartment, the familiar silence greeting me as I closed the door behind me. Setting my keys on the counter, I made my way to my room, loosening my tie as I walked.

A glance at the clock. 9:27 PM.

The evening had gone well, but now my mind was back on track. Rome. The auction.

If I planned to be there, I needed to prepare.

I shrugged off my suit jacket, hanging it neatly before undoing the top buttons of my shirt. Within minutes, I had stripped out of my formal wear, swapping it for a loose T-shirt and comfortable sweatpants. The difference was instant, no stiffness, no restrictions.

Settling into my chair, I powered on the PC. The screen flickered to life in seconds.

First things first, knowledge.

I opened the browser, my fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard. Rome's auction. Its history. Its security. Its buyers. Its risks.

I needed to know everything.

'Awà.'

[Always Disponibile Host.]

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