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

Xavier watched as the monster beneath his foot writhed in agony, its grotesque body convulsing uncontrollably. Its limbs flailed, and its mouth foamed as if something were drilling into its very mind, an invisible force clawing at its consciousness. The milky white of its eyes flickered erratically before shifting into an unnatural hue—a mixture of dark red and amber, swirling like molten fire.

Then, without warning, the monster's body went completely still.

Xavier's breath hitched slightly, his foot still firmly pressed against its form, before a familiar chime rang in his ears.

[System Notification]

[Skill: Ruler's Supremacy has successfully taken effect.]

[Target is now under the user's command.]

Xavier slowly lifted his foot, watching in intrigue as the creature stirred, its clawed fingers twitching against the ruined pavement. It rose shakily but did not attack. Instead, it lowered itself into a crude kneeling position, pressing its grotesque head onto the cold, cracked ground.

Xavier's brow furrowed. He took a step back, observing the strange, submissive posture.

Then, another system notification appeared before him.

[System Notification]

[You may now assign a name to your subordinate.]

Xavier blinked. "Wait… I can name it?"

He crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "This is starting to feel like one of those pet simulator games…"

He rubbed his chin, contemplating what to call the creature before him. He hadn't even taken note of its original name. After a few moments of thought, he sighed and looked down at the still-kneeling monster.

"Razer."

The system chimed in confirmation.

[System Notification]

[Subordinate named: Razer.]

[Displaying Razer's Status:]

[Level: 1]

[Rank: Subordinate]

[Strength: 10]

[Agility: 10]

[Endurance: 10 ]

[Abilities: None yet acquired]

Xavier grinned, satisfaction creeping into his chest. While the concept of controlling another creature felt morally questionable, he couldn't deny the practical advantage it offered.

---

In A Coffee Shop in Brooklyn, New York.

At a small, dimly lit coffee shop nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, Brandon Steel sat at one of the tables, a deep frown marring his features. His fingers tapped against the wooden surface impatiently as he stared at the man sitting across from him.

"So," Brandon said, voice laced with irritation, "mind telling me what you want?"

The man across from him was dressed impeccably, a tailored brown suit fitting snugly over his lean frame. A dark blue tie rested neatly against his crisp shirt. His slicked-back hair was dark brown, slightly messy at the edges, as if styled with a casual carelessness. When he finally opened his eyes, they revealed a sharp, azure blue gaze.

He took a sip of his coffee before setting it down and offering a pleasant smile. "I'll get straight to the point. I want you to join my raid team."

Brandon raised an eyebrow, his arms crossing over his chest. "And who the hell are you?"

The man chuckled lightly. "Ah, forgive me. I suppose I should've introduced myself first." He leaned back in his chair, adjusting his cuffs slightly before speaking again. "The name's Ethan Lancaster. Hunter Rank: A. Currently affiliated with a guild here in New York."

Brandon narrowed his eyes. "And which guild would that be?"

Ethan merely smiled. "That's not important—at least, not yet." He steepled his fingers together. "I'm searching for experienced hunters to join my team, and I came across your file. You fit my criteria quite well."

Brandon scoffed. "You do realize I was recently involved in an incident, right? Not exactly the best time to be scouting me."

Ethan exhaled softly, swirling the remaining coffee in his cup. "Yes, and I do apologize for the unfortunate timing. However, I believe you're looking for an opportunity to turn things around."

Brandon's expression remained unreadable. "And what exactly do I get out of this?"

Ethan leaned forward slightly, his smile never wavering. "I'm glad you asked."

He then raise his index finger, "Forstyl, Exceptional Pay: Guaranteed earnings of $250,000 per raid, with bonuses for exceptional performance.

He then raised his second finger, "Second, High-Rank Equipment: Access to **A-rank and above gear, personally supplied by Ethan's connections.

He raised a third finger, "Thirdly, Sponsorship & Partnership Deals: Direct negotiations with prominent guild leaders for future contracts.

He then raised a fourth and final finger, "And lastly, Reputation Restoration: You'd get a chance to redeem yourself and reclaim your standing in the hunter community.

Brandon's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected such lucrative benefits. The money alone was staggering, and the promise of high-rank gear was nothing to scoff at. More than that, the idea of rebuilding his reputation was incredibly tempting.

A small smile crept onto his lips. "When do we start?"