Murim Login - Chapter 14

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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 14
“Come with me! I’ll make you pay for what you’ve done!”
It was the moment Lee So-gun’s furious roar tore through the air.
Ding.
Quest
[Martial Duel]
Your recklessness has finally caught up with you!
A man must solve his own problems. There is only one way left to escape the threadbare remnants of your honor and the wrath of the Hengshan Sword Sect.
Type
: Sudden Quest
Rank
: First-Class
Restriction
: Jin Tae-kyung
Objective
: Win the Martial Duel (Incomplete)
Reward
: Title, [Gambler]
Massive Experience Points
Reputation +50
Failure
: Title, [Libertine]
Injury
[Martial Duel]
Do you accept this Quest?
Accept / Decline
“….”
What? I haven’t even dated since high school, and now I’m being called a libertine?
Half my days are spent running raids, and the other half I collapse in my Gosiwon bed. Now the game wants me to clean up a mess I didn’t even make.
‘At least give me a decent Quest.’
How am I supposed to fight Lee So-gun when he’s level 30?
‘This is insane. The level gap is more than double….’
This is a fight I absolutely cannot take.
I tried to decline the Quest. Or rather, I was about to. But Lee So-gun was faster.
“If you flee from this place… the Taewon Jin Family will pay a fitting price.”
Ding.
– Quest information has been updated.
– If you refuse the Quest,
[Hengshan Sword Sect]
will
declare war against the [Taewon Jin Family].
Furthermore, I officially designate
[Jin Tae-kyung]
as a target of the sect.
…I knew it would come to this. I wondered why they were giving me a choice.
As I exhaled a long sigh, the Conference Hall was boiling like a cauldron over hot coals.
“How disrespectful!”
“This young fool speaks without restraint, riding on the family’s prestige!”
“No matter what the Third Young Master did, to disrespect the main house like this!”
“….”
Everything’s fine except for that last person.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Jin Wi-kyung, the Patriarch, stepped forward.
“Everyone, please calm yourselves. And you, cease this at once. Let us regard this as a mere slip of the tongue and move past it.”
Seated at the head of the table, he spoke in a low voice with a warning that carried immense weight. Truly, he bore the presence of a future family head from an established noble clan.
Lee So-gun also seemed intimidated by his authority, his voice noticeably smaller as he replied.
“Understood. However….”
“However?”
“It was not a slip of the tongue. Do you think I came here today in a personal capacity?”
At those words, Jin Wi-kyung and everyone else’s expressions hardened.
That’s right. Lee So-gun was an official envoy sent by the Hengshan Sword Sect.
“Father—or rather, the Sect Leader has entrusted me with full authority.”
“…Then what is it you want?”
“As I’ve already stated, I wish for a martial duel with the Third Young Master.”
No. I don’t want that.
Looking at how things were unfolding, these bastards from the Hengshan Sword Sect came here deliberately picking a fight.
They seemed intent on extracting everything they could from this situation, and if that failed, they’d at least take me down with them. Being targeted so blatantly sent chills down my spine.
“There must be another way. Tell me what you truly want.”
“Withdrawal from all counties and districts except Taewon. Surely this is fair compensation for blocking my sister’s marriage prospects.”
Before he could even finish speaking, shouts erupted throughout the Conference Hall.
From the scattered words I could hear, they were essentially saying they’d strip us of everything but our undergarments. The Patriarch’s choice was obvious.
“Impossible.”
“Then the duel….”
“I refuse that as well.”
Jin Wi-kyung was completely devoted to his youngest sibling. There was no way he’d push me into a dangerous duel like this.
At Jin Wi-kyung’s refusal, Lee So-gun’s expression brightened with satisfaction.
“Then only one path remains.”
War.
I wasn’t the only one who thought of that word. The weight of it settled over the Conference Hall in silence.
In that silence, I gazed into the void.
Will you accept the Quest?
Accept / Reject
– If Quest is rejected,
[Hengshan Sword Sect]
will
[Taewon Jin Family]
declare war. Additionally,
[Jin Tae-kyung]
will be marked as a sect enemy.
System Message Read it. Look at the ground. Look at the sky. Then read it again.
‘Damn it….’
There’s no choice. There’s only one way.
“I’ll do it.”
For once, everyone’s reaction was unanimous. Wide eyes, gaping mouths. Lee So-gun, who had proposed the match, and Jin Wi-kyung, who had refused it. Everyone in the conference hall was doubting their own ears.
“Wait, hold on. Tae-kyung?”
Leaving Jin Wi-kyung, who was hastily trying to stop me, behind, I spoke to Lee So-gun.
“Come on. Let’s fight.”
Lee So-gun’s lips curled up cruelly.
* * *
The winter wind was biting cold. I took a deep breath while gazing at the clouded sky.
“Exhale.”
Standing across from Lee So-gun here was the Grand Training Ground of the Taewon Jin Family. About fifty people seated at a distance were watching us.
The Taewon Jin Family members had faces that said ‘what the hell did this bastard eat wrong’, while the Hengshan Sword Sect thugs looked like they’d come for entertainment—the only thing missing was popcorn in their hands.
Ah. Someone’s even sending a voice transmission.
– Youngest. Take a deep breath. Deep breath. In. Out. In. Out….
I am. You old fool.
With a solemn face, he’s wiggling his rear end like a dog desperate to poop. If Wi Paeng hadn’t been pressing down on his shoulder, he would’ve rushed in right then and there.
– Don’t worry. If it gets dangerous, your big brother here will. Stop. Huh? If that bastard so much as lays a finger on our youngest, I’ll— Damn! Huh? You understand? Don’t get excited, take it slow, stay safe. You can do this. Jin Tae-kyung!
…I understand, so calm down.
In the conference hall earlier, he was overflowing with presence, but Jin Wi-kyung never fails to live up to expectations.
‘Still, it’s a hundred times better than having nothing.’
At least there’s someone to save me before I become a complete cripple.
With Jin Wi-kyung and Wi Paeng, that’s two life insurance policies. Good.
With my heart feeling considerably lighter, I looked at Lee So-gun, and I immediately retracted that thought.
‘Good my ass. Damn it.’
Now I understand why those Hengshan Sword Sect bastards were so confident.
He suddenly stripped off his shirt and threw it aside, and the muscles rippling like a mollusc made my breath catch….
[Lv.30 Lee So-gun]
My hands and feet went numb at the blood-red level window.
A whopping sixteen-level difference. Overwhelming. As if to inform me of that fact, the system window rang out.
– Abnormal Status
[Suppression]
has taken hold!
‘I’d be dead three times over before anyone could save me.’
Lee So-gun, noticing my reaction, flashed a cruel smile.
“Now do you understand the situation? Your breath catching, your limbs going numb?”
Now he’s even using Observation Technique. But in combat, momentum is everything.
I composed my expression deliberately and answered.
“Nonsense.”
“Your voice is trembling. You’re naturally terrified, aren’t you? Fine, if you answer my questions sincerely, I’ll go easy on you.”
…To be honest, I nearly wavered.
“Stop spouting nonsense.”
“Oh, so this is what a martial family’s disciple acts like?”
Lee So-gun laughed as though I were pathetic.
“Let me ask you one thing. What confidence made you accept this duel? You, with mediocre martial arts and a reputation as a coward. I want to know your reason.”
“My reason?”
No matter how I thought about it, there was only one path forward. If war breaks out, I become a casualty of the Hengshan Sword Sect.
Hunting? Leveling up? I wouldn’t even dream of it. The moment I step outside the Taewon Jin Family’s protection, assassins who’ve caught my scent will swarm me.
‘As long as I’m alive, there’s a next chance.’
I have magic. The recovery magic called Level Up.
My heart eased slightly.
“You seemed worth trying.”
“Pfft! You’re like a pup with one day’s courage.”
Light provocation, but it doesn’t land. He’s confident in his own abilities—remarkably composed.
“Now it’s my turn to ask a question?”
“You never said you’d answer… but I’ll hear it as your last words.”
“This whole affair. You orchestrated it, didn’t you?”
Lee So-gun’s face stiffened unnaturally—clearly an unexpected question.
That expression was answer enough for me.
‘I was right.’
I suspected as much, and now it’s confirmed. Something reeked from start to finish.
“You pathetic bastards. You should’ve just declared war openly.”
“…I’ll tear that mouth of yours apart.”
Lee So-gun raised an enormous greatsword and muttered darkly.
I straightened the [Sharp Spear] I’d already drawn.
‘Yes, let’s do this.’
I’ve mastered martial arts too. Seven years of real combat have honed my instincts.
F-rank Hunter and second-rate martial artist. Don’t underestimate skills forged through double duty!
“Krraaaagh!”
Lee So-gun was far more agile than I imagined. He closed the distance instantly and brought his greatsword down vertically, which I blocked with my spear shaft.
Clang, clang, clang.
“Tck.”
I’d worried the spear might snap clean in half, but the keen blade proved as sturdy as solid steel. Still, the force channeled through the greatsword drove my feet deeper into the earth with each impact.
“Die, you wretched insect!”
“Hah!”
Up close, the suffocating pressure was even more overwhelming. Is this what a monster’s fear feels like?
“Even now, you could kneel and beg for mercy! I’d be merciful enough to take only an arm!”
– Youngest!
Over Lee So-gun’s shoulder, Jin Wi-kyung surged to his feet. The Hengshan Sword Sect members snickered as they watched, while the Taewon Jin Family members turned away as if they couldn’t bear to look.
‘I have to hold on.’
At least until Jin Wi-kyung arrives!
“Roooaaah!”
Lee So-gun’s greatsword erupted from all directions in a relentless barrage. Steel clashing against steel, yet to my ears it thundered like cannon fire.
Boom! Boom! Boom! I blocked it.
“Roooah!”
“Haaah!”
Boom! Boom! I blocked again.
“Roooaah!”
“Haaaah!”
Boom! I blocked once more.
“Roooaaah…”
“Haaaah…”
“…?”
“…?”
The next instant, my eyes met Lee So-gun’s.
In that bewildered, flustered gaze, I could see he was thinking exactly the same thing I was.
‘What… is this?’
Lee So-gun is strong. He possesses monstrous strength reminiscent of a massive beast, moves with agility that belies his musculature, and wields that colossal greatsword like a matchstick.
And that’s not all—he’s a disciple of the Hengshan Sword Sect, which boasts considerable martial prowess.
And yet…
‘I can actually do this?’
I was blocking each relentless swing of his greatsword one by one. Over twenty exchanges of attack and defense.
I can see them. Because I can see them, I can block them. I carefully extracted my legs, which had sunk up to the ankles. They came free smoothly.
‘Could it be…?’
No way. That can’t be it.
Screeeech—!
In that instant, I deflected the greatsword aimed at my waist with the shaft of my spear. And without thinking, I drove a sudden kick into Lee So-gun’s exposed chest.
Crack!
“Ugh!”
…Huh?
Lee So-gun staggered back six steps, clutching his abdomen, then casually wiped his nose as if nothing had happened.
“Not bad. For trash, you’ve got some skill.”
“….”
“Heh. But my patience ends here.”
“…yeah.”
“The next strike will crush your skull—why?”
I raised my hand with a displeased expression, pointing at his mouth.
“You’re bleeding.”
Drip. A moment too late, a thin line of blood trickled down from Lee So-gun’s mouth. Looks like he bit his tongue. That must hurt.
“Ow! Ugh! Ack! Oof!”
As Lee So-gun wiped away the blood with some pathetic groaning, I spoke.
“Don’t wipe it. Leave it.”
“…?”
“It’ll be easier to clean all at once later.”
Because from now on, you’re going to get the shit beaten out of you by me.
– Abnormal Status
[Intimidation]
has been lifted!

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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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