In the Solo Leveling world, hustlers like me don't last long unless we find a powerful partner. That's where Sarah Lang came in—though, if you ask her, she'd say I conned my way into her good graces. And, well… she wouldn't be entirely wrong.
Sarah was unlike anyone I'd met. A C-Rank swordswoman with a sharp blade and sharper wit, she was gorgeous in a way that made people stop and stare. Her fiery red hair was cropped short, her toned physique hinted at years of training, and her amber eyes gleamed with the intensity of someone who thrived on battle.
The first time I saw her in action, I knew she was my ticket to survival—or at least, a few more days of it.
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How I "Recruited" Sarah
The setup was simple: a local guild was recruiting freelancers for a C-Rank dungeon. I'd slipped into the roster by pretending to be a scout with "specialized" abilities. My real ability? Convincing people to believe that nonsense.
When we gathered in the staging area, Sarah stood out instantly. While others joked and checked their gear, she sat calmly sharpening her sword—a sleek, custom-forged katana with an ominous crimson hue.
My plan was straightforward: stay close to her, let her do the heavy lifting, and swoop in at the last second to claim some credit. It wasn't the most noble strategy, but nobility doesn't pay the bills.
Things got dicey about ten minutes into the dungeon.
A swarm of mana-hungry lizards came charging out of nowhere. The guild leader yelled out orders, but most of the group was already scattering. Sarah, on the other hand, held her ground.
Her movements were mesmerizing. She danced between enemies, her katana flashing in wide, fluid arcs that left streaks of crimson light. Every slash was precise, every dodge effortless.
"Hey!" she barked at me mid-fight, barely sparing me a glance as she took down three lizards at once. "Are you going to contribute, or just stand there gawking?"
"Contribute? Absolutely!" I said, scrambling for a plan.
I spotted a smaller, slower lizard that seemed more manageable and threw a dagger at it. The blade bounced off its hide with an embarrassing plink.
"Good effort," Sarah said dryly as she skewered the lizard moments later. "Next time, aim for something softer."
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The Scam
After we cleared the dungeon, I worked my charm.
"You're incredible out there," I told Sarah as we walked back to the staging area.
"Thanks," she said, her tone wary.
"See, I'm a bit of a specialist," I continued, spinning my usual story. "I gather information, assess threats, and help teams optimize their strategies. You know, the unsung hero kind of stuff."
She raised an eyebrow. "Unsung hero, huh? You mean hiding in the back while others do the fighting?"
"Hey now," I said, grinning. "I may not have a sword, but I bring something equally important to the table."
"Which is?"
"Connections," I said, flashing a confident smile. "I've got ties to suppliers, access to restricted gear, even a line on some high-paying gigs. Stick with me, and we could both make a killing—figuratively and literally."
Sarah didn't look convinced, but she didn't walk away either.
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A Partnership, of Sorts
Over the next few days, I kept up the charade. I introduced Sarah to a few shady merchants who "happened" to have exactly what she needed at unbeatable prices. I gave her tips on job postings that sounded too good to be true—because they were, but I conveniently left that part out.
To my surprise, Sarah wasn't just a powerhouse; she was sharp. Every deal I pitched, every scheme I set up, she questioned.
"How do you know these merchants?" she asked one day, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Old friends," I said with a shrug.
"And these dungeon gigs? How are you always the first to hear about them?"
"Call it a gift," I said, dodging the question.
She didn't press further, but I knew she wasn't buying my story entirely. Still, I figured if I kept the hustle going long enough, she might actually start to believe me.
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The Job That Sealed the Deal
Our next dungeon was a mid-tier C-Rank gate with a reputation for taking out unprepared teams. When we arrived, I slipped into my usual role: hang back, observe, and "coordinate" while Sarah handled the threats.
The dungeon was tougher than expected. The boss—a stone golem with absurdly high defense—pushed everyone to their limits. While Sarah traded blows with the creature, I noticed something crucial: a weak spot on its back.
"Sarah!" I yelled. "Aim for the lower left panel on its spine!"
She didn't hesitate. Spinning around the golem with astonishing speed, she plunged her katana into the weak spot. The creature let out a deafening roar before crumbling to pieces.
After the fight, Sarah approached me, her expression unreadable.
"That was a good call," she said finally. "How'd you spot that weakness?"
"Oh, you know," I said, trying to sound modest. "Just years of experience."
She stared at me for a long moment before nodding. "Maybe you're more useful than I thought."
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Sarah's Unofficial Manager
With the golem job under our belts, I solidified my role as Sarah's "strategic advisor." Sure, I wasn't doing the fighting, but I'd found my niche: guiding her to the right gigs, ensuring we got the best payouts, and occasionally saving her life with my "keen observational skills."
"Sean," she said one day, crossing her arms, "you're good at what you do, but if I find out you're scamming me…"
"Scam you?" I said, feigning offense. "Sarah, I'd never dream of it!"
She didn't look entirely convinced, but she let it go. For now.
And thus, the swordswoman and the hustler became an unlikely duo. I'd found my powerhouse, and she'd—begrudgingly—found someone who could navigate the murky waters of this chaotic world.