Murim Login - Chapter 110
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 110
Boom!
A middle-aged man with a towering frame appeared alongside the thunderous crash.
Beneath his thick, prominent brows, he opened his eyes wide like an enraged beast, sweeping his gaze across the assembly.
“Who dared spout such nonsense just now?”
Everyone gathered here was a senior figure of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau.
Though not quite at the level of their predecessors, they all possessed first-rate martial prowess and considerable experience. Yet even they shrank back, their eyes darting away.
The middle-aged man before them had every right to inspire such fear.
‘Damn it, of all people, it had to be the Hangsan Tiger….’
Gossips said that two beasts dwelled in Hangsan.
The Blood Wolf Sword and the Hangsan Tiger. Intimate friends and insurmountable walls for one another.
The middle-aged man, Chul Moo-baek, had been called the tiger of Hangsan for decades—a supreme master at his peak.
“I asked which one of you it was!”
At that roar-like cry, every hair on the bodies of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau’s senior figures stood on end.
It was said that when Chul Moo-baek lost his temper, even his old friend Lee Cheon-baek would vacate the premises. What more could be said of these juniors, so far beneath him in martial skill and seniority?
“When we should be united against those bandit thieves, how dare you harbor treacherous thoughts and defy Cheon-baek’s will?”
At those eyes blazing like inferno, the senior figures of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau flinched as though burned.
“M-Master Chul, this is a misunderstanding.”
“We would never dare harbor such treacherous thoughts.”
“Then has my age made my ears deaf?”
In that moment, everyone in the Great Hall felt a scorching heat. Not mere imagination, but the terrifying solar qi that Chul Moo-baek radiated.
‘This madman.’
‘Just how much has he cultivated to possess such monstrous power….’
Merely standing near him made breathing difficult and sweat pour forth. The Hangsan Tiger—a supreme master who had trained alone somewhere in the vast mountain ranges since his youth, now revealing his true nature.
“Huff, haaah.”
“Master, please… compose yourself, huff.”
The senior figures of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau gasped for breath, while the supreme master before them glared with no sign of mercy.
Just as the air in the Great Hall began to roil like molten lava—
“Uncle Chul, it’s so hot.”
A voice as cool and refreshing as stream water, and slender white fingers tugging at Chul Moo-baek’s sleeve. In that same instant, the wrinkles of fury that had creased his brow smoothed away as if someone had pulled them taut.
“D-did you feel too much heat?”
“Yes, I could barely breathe.”
“Oh, how thoughtless of me. How do you feel now?”
“Much better. Thank you, Uncle Chul.”
“Don’t say such things. Protecting you is my duty, So-wol.”
Chul Moo-baek’s formidable solar qi dissipated.
Only then did suppressed breaths burst forth from all corners. Those drenched in sweat regained their senses and realized that Chul Moo-baek had not been alone.
“Ah, Miss.”
“We greet you, Miss.”
The senior figures hastily rose to their feet and offered their respects, but Chul Moo-baek raised his brows—only to find the ‘Miss’ had moved first.
“Blood Wolf Sword Master, Gate Master. I have one final thing to say to both of you.”
The woman hidden behind Chul Moo-baek’s massive frame stepped into view. Her frame was lean and graceful. The hem of her blue martial robe whispered against the ground with each step.
“Change how you address me. Not miss, but Sect Leader.”
Those who met her gaze—frost-laden and piercing—suddenly recalled a fact they had momentarily forgotten.
‘Ah, that’s right.’
Lee Cheon-baek, the Blood Wolf Sword.
Eun So-wol carried his blood most intensely of all his children.
* * *
I am no expert in horsemanship. Since arriving in Murim, I’ve only ridden a handful of times. In the modern world, horseback riding was an aristocratic sport reserved for the wealthy, so I’d never had the opportunity to experience it.
But with my physical abilities being what they were, and riding a well-trained horse, I had enough composure to check the system window even during a fierce gallop.
‘Open quest window.’
Ding.
Quest
[Yesterday’s Enemy, Today’s Ally]
Now that all truths have been revealed, the Hangsan Inspection Bureau is not an enemy but an ally with whom you must join hands. Invite them to the Taewon Jin Family Estate for the approaching First Day of the Year.
Rank
: Peak
Restriction
: Jin Tae-kyung
Objective
: Deliver Invitation (Incomplete)
Reward
: ???
Failure
: None
Quests are fluid. Sudden quests can emerge depending on circumstances, and quests update just as they have now.
‘A rank increase.’
The quest rank changing from first-class to peak meant the path to the Hangsan Inspection Bureau had become far more treacherous.
For instance, the Red Wind Gang. Or perhaps the Red Wind Gang. Probably the Red Wind Gang… never mind. Dwelling on it only brings heartache.
‘This place is nothing but thin ice, day after day.’
I thought I’d finally catch an easy quest, but trouble erupted again.
Yet I wasn’t as anxious as before—partly because Jin Moo-kyung was a reassuring presence, but also because I myself had grown stronger.
‘Open status window.’
Ding.
Status Window
[Lv.55 Jin Tae-kyung]
Occupation
: First-Class Martial Artist
Renown
: 1300 (+150)
Titles
: 4 (Title effects applied)
– Returner (All stats +10)
– Shanxi Sleeping Dragon (All stats +10, Renown +100)
– Noble’s Heir (All stats +5, Renown +50)
– Gambler (One-on-one combat: Combat stats +10%)
Strength
: 196 (+25)
Endurance
: 195 (+25)
Agility
: 192 (+25)
Intelligence
: 35(+25)
Charm
: 35(+25)
Cultivation
: 15 years
Resilience
: 155(+25)
Remaining Points
: 0
‘Damn, look at that.’
I’ve grown well on my own, very well indeed.
My Strength, Agility, and Endurance each approaching 200 points were satisfying just to behold, and my Resilience—forged through countless beatings from Jin Moo-kyung—was developing splendidly as well.
‘The title bonuses are generous too. This should be sufficient.’
Until now, I’d invested stats purely for survival. With each Quest came crises crashing down like triangular waves, leaving no room to allocate points to Intelligence or Charm.
‘Raising Intelligence to an IQ of 180 won’t let me thrust my spear with scientific precision.’
Charm was the same. Jo Pil or the Grand Elder wouldn’t spare my life just because I had a handsome face.
Of course, investing in them would help somehow eventually, but I lacked the courage to spend points on non-combat stats while my life hung by a thread.
‘Now I can at least protect my own life to some degree.’
Once this Quest ends, I plan to focus on Cultivation and non-combat stats.
Besides, items including the [Flame Divine Pill] I obtained after defeating Jo Pil were quietly resting in my inventory.
‘Of course, consuming it carelessly would be fatal.’
At that moment, Wol-hwa, who had been leading the charge ahead, spotted a stream and came to a halt.
“Let’s rest for a moment. The horses are exhausted.”
How much time had passed?
We’d been riding without pause since leaving the Ancestral Shrine, and dawn had broken into midday. The System Messages announcing increases in Strength and Endurance had appeared twice, so it was indeed a grueling forced march.
“Phew. My rear end is killing me. I should have been born as a Coachman’s son instead of a farmer’s.”
Taking advantage of the horses’ rest, Hyuk Moo-jin collapsed to the ground. As the lowest-leveled member of our group, his stamina depletion was noticeably severe.
“Are you tired?”
Hyuk Moo-jin wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and answered.
“Honestly, it is tiring… but strangely, it’s much better than last time.”
“Last time?”
“You’ve already forgotten? During the scouting mission.”
“Ah, I remember now.”
The scouting mission I undertook as part of the White Tiger Unit, which nearly cost me my life when I encountered Jo Pil. I had definitely been leading a horse then as well.
‘Though later, when the blizzard came, I abandoned the horse and left.’
Recalling those old days, a quiet laugh escaped me.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I was thinking of you. You were so reckless back then, mouthing off at me without knowing better. You got beaten pretty badly.”
“…Do you really need to dredge up old memories just to feel satisfied?”
“You’re the one who asked, you fool.”
“Anyway, I seem to be doing much better than back then.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ve run much more than during that scouting mission, but I’m not nearly as exhausted. Maybe I’ve just gotten more comfortable riding horses?”
“That could be it… wait, hold on.”
“Yes?”
Something suddenly nagged at me, so I drew upon my ki sense.
Ding. Along with the familiar system notification, a level window appeared above Hyuk Moo-jin’s bewildered face.
[Lv.38 Hyuk Moo-jin]
“…Huh?”
A sound like air escaping came from my gaping mouth. When had Hyuk Moo-jin’s level become this high?
‘To be precise, it’s not extraordinarily high.’
Compared to when I first met him at level 20, this was nothing short of remarkable growth. At this rate, it was almost like he’d been reborn.
‘Now that I think about it, it seems like his level has been rising steadily since we first met.’
As I searched my memory, the details became clearer.
It was the same when we reunited in the Scout Unit, and every time I drew upon my ki sense, Hyuk Moo-jin’s level had risen by one or two points.
And now he was at level 38. In terms of time spent in Murim, he’d nearly doubled his growth in just over two months.
‘Could it be…?’
On a whim, I stared intently at Hyuk Moo-jin.
What if this guy also received stat points like I did? What if I could allocate them for him?
‘It’s a possibility worth considering.’
Given that I’m far stronger than hunters or martial artists of similar level, there does seem to be some system compensation effect…
‘It’s worth trying once.’
“Why are you staring like that? Is there something on my face?”
“No. You’re just ugly.”
“…Really now.”
I grabbed the shoulder of the grumbling Hyuk Moo-jin and called out in my mind.
‘Status window, open!’
At that very moment.
“What are you doing? My shoulder hurts.”
“Oh, right.”
Nothing happened. I thought something would pop up, but nothing did.
Well, my main character still has a long way to go before reaching max level, so what am I expecting from an alt? Still, it’s disappointing.
‘Should I try saying it out loud?’
People would definitely think I’m strange, but it’s better than walking around feeling like I didn’t wash my hands after using the bathroom.
I quietly brought my hand to Hyuk Moo-jin’s back, barely touching it, and muttered softly.
“Status window open.”
“Ugh, seriously. Why do you keep doing this?”
I ignored his complaint and jumped up from my seat.
The system window appeared along with the notification sound I’d been waiting for.
“Yes! It appeared!”
Ding.
– A [Time Limit]
has been added to the quest conditions.
This has been added.
– Arrive at the Hangsan Inspection Bureau within
[22:00:00]
. If you are late, the consequences will be irreversible.
“Ugh….”
My voice faded. My eyes wavered.
‘A time limit? What is this time limit?’
Why is this happening to me, seriously.
As I let out a heavy sigh, Wol-hwa asked with wide eyes.
“Young Master Jin, are you hurt somewhere?”
“No, that’s not it. Do you happen to know when we’ll arrive?”
“Well, at today’s pace, before tomorrow evening?”
“I see.”
Since it was just past noon now, that meant we’d be riding for well over a full day.
Seeing the quest window change, it seems like the Red Wind Gang will attack the Hangsan Inspection Bureau within that time limit… What do I do about this?
“Should we start heading out soon?”
“The horses are tired. They need to rest for at least half an hour.”
“Horses, you’re fine, right? Did you hear what I just said? You said you’re fine.”
“….”
Yes, I knew they’d look at me like that.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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