Solo Leveling: Monarch of Knowledge-Chapter 37 - 36: Payment

(Sunday, June 16, 2026 – 1:23 PM)

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

Adam pushed himself off the bed, rolling his shoulders as he stretched.

'Still feels surreal... but I've already accepted it.'

[That's an understatement.] Awà chimed in.

Adam chuckled to himself before heading to the bathroom. He let the hot water run over him, washing away the last remnants of sleep before going through his usual routine. By the time he stepped out, towel-drying his hair and slipping into a fresh set of clothes, he heard the familiar sound of a car pulling up outside.

'Right on time.'

Without needing to check, he knew Marie was here. He moved toward the door, unlocking both the building entrance and the apartment door. Seconds later, footsteps echoed through the hall, followed by the door swinging open.

Marie stepped in, arms crossed with her expression still carrying traces of disbelief. "You really have some nerve, you know that?"

[Image]

Adam smirked as he walked past her, heading toward the kitchen. "You wanna complain, or you wanna help cook?"

Marie rolled her eyes but followed him. "What are we making?"

"Thieboudienne." Adam replied, setting out the ingredients.

She let out a low whistle. "Senegalese-style rice and fish, huh? Alright, I'll bite."

The two worked in comfortable rhythm, chopping, seasoning, and stirring. As they moved around the kitchen, Adam recounted the events of last night, from arriving at the auction, watching the bids, securing the Essence Stone, and the sudden chaos that followed.

He left out specifics about Awà and his deeper abilities, but everything else, his clash with the False Rankers, sealing Venin, killing Boris, healing the entire city, he told her plainly.

Marie listened with her expression shifting between shock, exasperation, and reluctant amusement. She glanced at him while flipping the fish in the pan. "So let me get this straight. You awakened, beat two S-Rank False Rankers, healed an entire city, and now you're just here making lunch?"

Adam chuckled. "Pretty much."

Marie sighed, shaking her head. "You're unreal. Most hunters take years to get used to their powers, and you're acting like it's just another day."

"I accepted my situation hours ago." He set the plates on the table. "There's no point overthinking it."

Marie studied him for a moment before leaning against the counter. "Alright, genius. What's next? You joining the HA officially?"

Adam shook his head. "No. I have other plans."

She raised a brow. "Oh?"

"I'm going into business. I'll start my own guild. And eventually..." His eyes gleamed with certainty. "I'll become a National Level Hunter."

Marie let out a short laugh. "Not everyone can just decide that, you know." But as the words left her mouth, she hesitated.

Because if anyone could... it was Adam.

(2:46 PM)

The TV flickered on, filling the quiet space with the hum of the news. Marie took a seat across from Adam, eyeing the small apartment as she scooped up a bite of rice.

"You know." she said between bites, "you really need to move out of this place. It's too small."

Adam, still chewing, simply raised an eyebrow. "I plan to build my initial base here in Alessandria."

Marie gave him a skeptical look. "Here? Seriously?"

"It's quiet, away from major guild conflicts, and I can set up the infrastructure however I want." He gestured vaguely. "I won't be here forever, but it's a good start."

Marie hummed in thought, but before she could respond, the news anchor's voice drew their attention.

"Breaking news on the recent crisis in Rome!"

Both turned to watch as the screen displayed aerial footage of the city, perfectly intact despite last night's catastrophe.

"A newly awakened hunter, Adam Sen, also known as 'The Saint' has performed what can only be described as a miracle. Reports confirm that not only did he heal all casualties from the battle, but also past injuries, chronic illnesses, and even genetic defects."

Marie paused mid-bite, glancing at Adam with a knowing smirk.

"Showing off, huh?" she muttered.

Adam merely took another bite of fish, completely unfazed.

But then..

"In an even more shocking development." the reporter continued, "we have confirmation that individuals who had been affected by Eternal Sleep... have awakened completely healed."

Marie choked on her rice.

She coughed violently, setting her plate down as she turned wide-eyed toward Adam. "The hell did I just hear?!"

Adam, still chewing, rubbed his cheek absently.

'Well... that's unexpected.'

Marie stared at him. "Don't tell me that was you."

Adam swallowed before responding. "Technically, yes."

Marie opened her mouth, clearly demanding an explanation.

He sighed internally. 'This wasn't even intentional...'

Thanks to his awakening, his ability to control the nanobots had changed. Previously, he could only analyze things in close proximity.

But as Awà previously said, the more his mana tolerance increases the more things he can do with the machines.

And currently he is in perfect tune with it.

So during his fight with Venin, as he pushed himself further, he realized that he had scanned the entirety of Rome.

The news anchor's voice carried over the hum of the TV with a clear tone.

"In response to these unprecedented events, the Hunter Association Headquarters has officially scheduled a formal rank evaluation for Adam Sen. The evaluation will take place exactly one week from today, on Sunday, June 23, at 10:00 AM."

Marie leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she processed the announcement. It wasn't surprising, after everything Adam had done, there was no way the HA would leave him unranked for long. She glanced at him with her lips quirking up slightly.

"So, you'll be spending the week building your base?"

Adam nodded, setting his utensils down. "Yeah, but first, I'm taking a day or two to just enjoy myself."

Marie raised a brow at that with her expression shifting to curiosity. "Oh? And who exactly are you planning to enjoy yourself with?"

Before she could react, Adam flicked her nose. The sudden action made her jerk back slightly her eyes widening in surprise before a faint blush crept onto her face. She rubbed at her nose, glaring at him half-heartedly.

"H-Hey! I'm a demanding woman, you know!"

Adam chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Ohh? And what exactly do you demand, then?"

Marie clicked her tongue before grinning. "Enjoying the sea, obviously!"

Adam exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "You're relentless."

Just as the conversation was flowing, a soft vibration buzzed from his phone. Glancing at the screen, his eyes flickered with mild amusement.

Bank Transfer: €73,402,307 EUR received.

He leaned back slightly, tapping the screen as he checked the details. That must be the remaining balance after purchasing the materials from the HA. Petruccio had handled it last night, as promised. The amount was more than enough to fund his initial plans.

Marie, noticing the shift in his expression, leaned forward slightly. "What's got you looking so happy?"

Without a word, Adam turned the screen toward her.

Marie's brows lifted slightly as she scanned the number. "Not bad." She leaned back with a smile. "That's a good amount."

Adam nodded "It is."

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