Solo Leveling (Only I Level Up): The Red Player

The bustling hospital lobby was alive with activity—patients being wheeled through the halls, visitors chatting in hushed voices, and the faint hum of fluorescent lights overhead. Xavier stood at the front desk, leaning slightly on the counter, as he watched the receptionist shuffle through a stack of paperwork.

The young woman glanced up at him every few moments, her face turning a shade redder each time. She fumbled with the papers, her hands trembling slightly, and Xavier couldn't help but raise a brow.

"Uh, is something wrong?" he asked, his voice calm yet curious.

The receptionist blinked rapidly, startled by his question. "N-No! Everything's fine, sir. Just… just a moment!" she stammered, her voice a pitch higher than normal.

Behind him, Xavier heard whispers floating through the lobby.

"Is that really the E-Rank guy?"

"There's no way… Did you see his build? That's not normal for a gate incident survivor."

"Maybe he's newly awakened?"

Xavier sighed quietly, glancing down at himself. He was slightly taller than before, and his frame had bulked up considerably—something even he was still getting used to. Shrugging it off, he reasoned that their curiosity was understandable. If he were in their shoes, he'd probably react the same way.

Finally, the receptionist handed him his discharge papers with both hands. "Here you go, Mr. Xavier," she said, her voice quivering slightly.

"Thanks," Xavier replied with a small smile, grabbing the papers.

Before he could turn to leave, the receptionist hesitated, her fingers fidgeting nervously. "Um… excuse me, but… could I… c-could I get your number?"

Xavier blinked, confused. "My number? Oh, sure. Is it for follow-up purposes or something?"

The receptionist's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Y-Yeah, sure! Let's go with that!" she squeaked.

Taking out his phone, Xavier read his number aloud as the receptionist hurriedly jotted it down. When he looked back at her, she was practically a blushing mess.

As he walked toward the exit, Xavier glanced over his shoulder, wondering if she was catching a cold. "Weird," he muttered under his breath.

…..

Stepping outside into the crisp air of New York City, Xavier tugged his red jacket tighter around himself as a gust of wind sent it flapping wildly. Pulling the hood over his head, he grumbled to himself.

"Windy weather is great and all, but this is a bit much," he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets. But even as the cold wind nipped at his face, he realized his body felt… warm. Warmer than it should have.

"Huh… must be the system," he mused, shrugging it off. His stomach growled, interrupting his train of thought.

"Guess it's time to eat," he said with a sigh, rubbing his stomach.

A few minutes later, Xavier found himself at a local hotdog stand. The vendor, an older man with a kind smile, greeted him warmly.

"Best hotdogs in New York, kid! You won't regret it," the man said enthusiastically as he prepared Xavier's order.

Slightly skeptical, Xavier still decided to give it a shot. When he took his first bite, his eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa… this is amazing!" he mumbled through a mouthful.

The hotdog disappeared within seconds, and Xavier found himself thanking the vendor profusely before continuing down the sidewalk.

As he walked, he reached into his pocket, pulling out the key to the personal dungeon. The metallic object gleamed faintly in the afternoon sun, its intricate design captivating to look at.

"Alright," he murmured to himself. "Time to find a secluded spot."

…..

Meanwhile, in a towering glass skyscraper bearing the name "Silver Fang Guild", Richard Grace sat at his desk, reviewing a stack of files. The Silver Fang Guild was one of the most renowned in the country, and as its leader, Richard's responsibilities were endless.

His eyes scanned the profiles of potential recruits—C-Ranks, B-Ranks, and even a few A-Ranks. Yet, despite the promising candidates, he couldn't help but feel exhausted.

"Managing a guild and being an S-Rank hunter… some days I wonder why I bother," he muttered, leaning back in his chair.

His gaze drifted to a photograph on his desk. The picture featured his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Anna, both smiling brightly. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"For them," he reminded himself.

Next to it was another photo—this one featuring Margaret, Anna, himself, and Xavier. Richard's smile widened slightly as he picked up the frame.

"Wonder how the kid's doing," he mused to himself, the thought bringing a sense of warmth to his chest.

…..

Back in a quiet alleyway, Xavier stood alone, glancing around to ensure no one was watching.

"This should do," he muttered, gripping the key tightly. Raising it in front of him, he hesitated for a moment, unsure if he was even using it correctly.

As if responding to his thoughts, a transparent keyhole materialized in the air before him. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Well… here goes nothing," he said, inserting the key into the keyhole.

The moment he turned it, the key vanished, and the keyhole began to expand. A swirling, dark vortex emerged, forming a full-fledged gate that shimmered ominously in the dim light.

The pressure radiating from the gate was lighter than Xavier had expected, but it still made his heart race. Taking a deep breath, he hardened his resolve, his gaze steely and determined.

"Let's get strong," he whispered to himself before stepping forward.