Episode 10 of Solo Leveling kicks off with Joohee and Sung enjoying a leisurely walk in the park, the atmosphere serene yet tinged with undercurrents. As they stroll, Joohee confides in Sung, revealing that the fear from their double-dungeon expedition still clings to her heart like a shadow. She laments that, despite her aspirations to tackle higher-ranked dungeons, she found herself gravitating towards the lesser ones. With a sense of finality, Joohee hands Sung her essence stone and announces her intention to retire, seeking solace back with her family.
After Joohee's departure, the narrative shifts to a flashback, painting a vivid picture of Woo's concerns for Sung. Woo doubts Sung's ability to vanquish Kang solo but warns him of an even greater threat: Hwang's menacing younger brother, Dongsoo. Woo emphasizes the helplessness of the law against S-Rank hunters like Dongsoo, who can either usher in tranquility or unleash devastation with a mere whim.
Back in the present, Sung feels a burning desire to ascend in strength. He subsequently visits Yoo, who introduces him to their strike team. Sung's eyes widen in disbelief as he takes in the sight of Yoo's recruits—a mishmash of inebriated individuals and a minor. The minor, sensing Sung's skepticism, confronts him, her voice laced with defiance. Sung, trying to diffuse the tension, informs them that they'll wait outside while he and Yoo venture into the dungeon alone.
Among the hunters, murmurs of doubt ripple through the ranks. One hunter voices his reservations about Yoo and Sung's plan, but another quickly reassures him, reminding their comrade that their payment is already secured. In this exchange, Jinah reveals that the minor who dared to take Yoo's offer was none other than Song-yi, a former classmate.
Meanwhile, Sung wields a stealthy stone, a prize from his victorious battle against Kang. Yoo appears in a suit of armor, startling Sung out of his reverie. Sung urges Yoo to shed the cumbersome gear, but Yoo complies only partially, requesting permission to keep his helmet on. Sung agrees, and the duo steps through the dungeon's gate, leaving behind a trail of curious and worried glances from their fellow hunters. Some wonder aloud if letting the two embark on this perilous journey alone was a prudent decision. Yet, one hunter dismissively brushes off their concerns, reminding them that their job is done—they've been paid.
An hour elapsed, leaving the strike team puzzled over Yoo and Sung's prolonged absence. Suddenly, the duo emerged from the dungeon, startling their comrades with news of their triumphant conquest. Through numerous level advancements and dungeon excursions, Yoo observed Sung's burgeoning strength. Within the depths of another dungeon, Sung marveled at how his newly acquired Stealth skill complemented his other abilities.
During a breather, Sung pondered whether to embark on the formidable Demon Castle mission. Abruptly, the Player Log system notified Sung of a job-altering quest. The scene shifted to the Hunter Association's office building, where Kichul handed a document to his manager, Ahn. Upon reading, Ahn was astounded to learn that someone had spent a staggering 150 million dollars to acquire ownership of a C-Rank dungeon gate. Furthermore, he deduced that Yoo and Sung were orchestrating this elaborate scheme. Ahn pondered if this Sung was the same individual who had participated in the daring double dungeon expedition, a revelation that left Kichul baffled. Ahn substantiated his claim with compelling evidence and revealed his intent to recruit Sung.
Ahn and Kichul subsequently visited Yoo's strike team, but Song-yi firmly instructed them to leave. Though eager to meet Sung, Ahn opted to depart with Kichul. As Sung and Yoo exited the dungeon, Sung inquired if he could take a personal day. Yoo generously agreed, placing their upcoming dungeon missions on hold for two days.
Elsewhere, Guildmaster Choi awoke from a haunting nightmare set on Jeju Island. Glancing at the document on his desk, he murmured that it was nearly time to commence his Reconnaissance Jeju Island Mission.
Later, Ahn and Kichul approached Sung. Ahn introduced himself as the Second Administration Team Manager of the White Tiger's Guild and invited Sung to join their ranks. Sung politely declined the offer. Before parting, Sung inquired about the source of Ahn's information. Ahn confessed that he had conducted a search due to complications in the dungeon market. Ahn assured Sung that neither he nor his associates would disclose any details about Sung to others. Appreciative of Ahn's discretion, Sung offered him ownership of three of their C-Rank gates. If Ahn refused, Sung warned that he and his guild would refrain from entering any C-Rank dungeons in the future. Ahn and Sung reached an agreement, and Sung utilized one of his potions to heal Ahn's wound.
As Sung and Yoo discussed the gate and cash exchange, the scene shifted to several White Tiger's Guild employees reacting with astonishment to the news of owning the three C-Rank dungeons. Kichul informed Ahn of this twist, leaving Ahn in disbelief that Sung had outsmarted him. Though somewhat resentment lingered, Ahn was pleased to have obtained Sung's contact information.
The episode concluded with Sung contemplating the intricacies of this job-change quest, a new chapter in his adventurous journey unfolding before him.
