Solo Leveling: Monarch of Knowledge (What If)

I want to thank Fanfiction_writer for letting me notice my mistake, yesterday I didn't post the chapter as i completely forgot, so here's another one.

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(Sunday, June 16, 2026 – 1:43 AM)

A hushed anticipation settled over the auction hall as the attendants carefully wheeled out the final case of the night. Unlike the previous items, this one carried a distinct pressure, the air itself felt heavier, the mana in the room reacting instinctively.

The glass lid lifted.

Inside, resting on a black silk cushion, was a faintly glowing Essence Stone, pulsing with raw power. Unlike the deep blue of the earlier B-Rank stone, this one radiated a golden hue, its jagged edges resembling crystallized bone.

The auctioneer's voice carried over the murmurs.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our final item, an A-Rank Essence Stone."

The auctioneer continued.

"This core was extracted from the remains of a High A-Rank Giant, its density and mana purity making it an extremely rare find. Such a stone can be used for advanced weapon forging, artifact enhancement, or high-tier mana-based engineering."

He smiled beneath his mask. "And, of course, for those capable of making the most of it… a true source of energy."

A sharp gasp came from one of the guests, followed by scattered whispers.

"A Giant's core…?"

"Impossible, where did they find it?"

"A creature of that level… someone actually killed one?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly. A Giant.

Even among A-Rank monsters, Giants were a class of their own. Massive, terrifying, their sheer physical dominance made them some of the most dangerous creatures outside of S-Rank dungeons. Essence Stones from them were almost unheard of.

I knew immediately.

I wouldn't find anything better here.

If I wanted an S-Rank stone, I would have to find one myself.

This would have to do.

'We're bidding.'

[Understood.]

"Starting bid: €40 million."

"45 million!"

"50 million!"

I raised my hand. "52 million."

"55 million!"

"58 million!"

The number climbed rapidly.

A voice from the upper balcony raised the bid sharply.

"70 million."

I clenched my jaw slightly. A private booth. Someone with resources.

"100 million!" I called.

Another bid from above.

"120 million."

The hall grew tense. The lower-ranked hunters had already given up. This was now a game of wealth.

The private booth raised again.

"130 million."

I inhaled through my nose, then suddenly stood up.

All eyes turned to me.

I adjusted my jacket, my movements calm as I took a step forward, my voice carrying across the hall.

"To the esteemed guest in the booth." I said in an even tone. "If you leave this stone to me, I will offer you something in return."

Silence.

Even the auctioneer hesitated.

I let the moment sink in, then continued.

"As thanks, I will heal one person of your choice."

The air froze.

A sharp wave of whispers spread instantly through the crowd.

"Heal…?"

"Did he just say?"

"Is he serious?"

Even some of the masked individuals in the upper sections seemed intrigued.

Healing was rare. True healing, the kind that went beyond basic regeneration, was something only a handful of hunters in the world could perform.

Many are still affected by permanent injuries made with mana attacks or curses, something that healers can't cure.

For a moment, no response came.

Then, the booth remained silent.

No new bid.

I exhaled slowly, my eyes returned on the auctioneer.

He nodded, lifting his hand. "The bid stands at 130 million. Any further offers?"

"Going once."

"Going twice."

Just as he raised his hand for the final count-

A voice interrupted.

"147 million."

The hall stirred.

My eyes snapped toward another private booth.

A mocking laugh echoed from within.

Lazily, the masked figure leaned forward against the balcony, their voice dripping with amusement.

"Come now, is healing really that rare?" The voice was smooth, smug. Male. Confident. Arrogant.

The bid was higher than what I had available.

I had lost.

The attendants immediately moved the case toward the booth.

My fingers curled into a fist.

A quiet tension spread through my body. Not from anger. Not from frustration.

Something deeper.

A faint vein pulsed on the back of my hand, with many more surfacing on my neck and face.

I stared up at the booth.

(2:04 AM)

I slowly lowered myself back into my seat, fingers tapping lightly against my knee.

The auctioneer thanked everyone for their participation, his voice smooth and professional, but the usual air of satisfaction was missing.

Because no one got up to leave.

A strange, heavy tension settled over the hall.

Everyone was waiting.

This was the part that wasn't spoken aloud, the reason why no one left immediately after an auction.

The moment the bidding ended, the real game began.

Some guests weren't here just to buy. They were waiting for an opportunity.

I inhaled slowly. 'Awà. Everything on the one who took the stone.'

[High A-Rank awakener. Matteo De Luca, heir to the De Luca family. A well-connected and influential name in Italy's hunter society.]

'De Luca…' I had come across that name before. A strong family, politically and financially powerful. Even if their personal combat strength wasn't top-tier, their connections made them untouchable to most.

'His strength?'

[High A-Rank. Strong mana reserves. No unique ability detected. Standard elemental affinities, fire and earth.]

'Bodyguards?'

[Confirmed. Four High A-Rank hunters stationed within the building. Their current positions suggest defensive formations around Booth 6.]

I exhaled quietly. That meant Matteo wasn't just arrogant. He was prepared.

'And the false rankers?'

[One S-Rank is ready to take action.]

That was expected. An Essence Stone of that level was rare, but more importantly, it was unprotected.

Whoever walked out with it had to defend it.

I tilted my head slightly. 'Can I use the Space Affinity even though I'm not awakened yet?'

A short pause.

[Yes. But only once.]

I stilled slightly. 'Why only once?'

[Your body is not optimized for spatial manipulation. A single teleport will strain your muscles, nerves, and mana pathways beyond your limits.]

'How bad?'

[Extreme pain. Your body will be in critical condition.]

I smirked slightly. Pain.

'I've been embracing pain for the past month.'

[This will be different.]

I exhaled slowly, my eyes lifting back to the private booth.

Matteo sat comfortably, unbothered, amused.

(2:06 AM)

The Essence Stone pulsed, faint and steady, like a heartbeat trapped in crystal.

I stared at it with my path clear.

'Awà, if I touch the stone… how long will it take to awaken me?'

[0.002 seconds.]

A breath. A single, fleeting moment in time.

'That's enough.'

I stood.

The air shifted. Conversations halted. Every masked guest, every hunter, every predator in the room turned their attention to me.

A beast recognizing another beast.

I turned my head toward Booth 6.

Matteo De Luca sat in his velvet seat, one leg crossed over the other, posture relaxed. From behind his mask, he tilted his head slightly. Amused. Curious. Not threatened, not yet.

[Warning. One of his bodyguards is closing in.]

Fast. Controlled. Precise.

The moment I had moved, he had already decided to strike.

A High A-Rank hunter.

But he was already too late.

'Begin.'

The world stretched.

A whisper of something vast and unfathomable wrapped around me. A door, an opening, a thread connecting two points in space, one step forward and the universe folded.

In that fraction of time..

A hand shot toward my throat.

Fingers brushed my collar..

And I was gone.

No sound. No trace. Vanished.

The hall collectively inhaled.

I reappeared above Booth 6, balanced perfectly on the open case where the Essence Stone lay waiting.

The moment stretched. A breathless silence.

Then!

[Danger.]

The air shattered.

Pure speed.

A presence behind me, faster than anything I had felt before.

[S-Rank false ranker's dagger incoming, 2 centimeters from your throat.]

A cold edge, slicing through the stillness.

But my finger was already on the stone.

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What? You though i would let you read the next part? Hell nahh, lemme put a cliff hanger.

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