Murim Login - Chapter 36

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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 36
Quest
[Logout]
Now you must navigate through this treacherous Murim.
Grow stronger, become more renowned.
For that day which shall come one day….
Grade
: Main Quest
Restriction
: Jin Tae-kyung
Objective
: Achieve [First-Rate] Realm (Complete)
Achieve Lv.30 (Complete)
Achieve 500 Renown (475/500)
Reward
: [Logout]
I closed the Quest window. In the depths of winter, cold sweat threatened to break across my skin.
‘At this rate, I’m completely done for.’
The renown points that had been climbing steadily came to an abrupt halt. That was half a day ago. I burst from my quarters and shook hands like a political candidate, my hands and feet working tirelessly, but the notification I awaited never chimed.
‘No, the notification did ring.’
Beep beep!
–
[Taewon Jin Family]
There is no one who does not know of your renown.
You’ve already extracted renown to its maximum threshold—a gentle warning to ease up. Even the system seemed to pity my pathetic state.
And so a day slipped away mercilessly. Today was the long-awaited departure ceremony.
“Damn it….”
As I cursed softly, Jin Wi-kyung ascended the platform.
Hundreds of eyes followed his every movement. Warriors of the Taewon Jin Family and newly arrived martial artists from smaller sects alike. The number of warriors arrayed across the Grand Training Ground exceeded five hundred.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
At some point, a tremendous resonance rippled outward. Some stamped their feet, others struck their weapons. When five hundred martial artists with inner strength moved as one, the earth trembled and a deafening roar filled heaven and earth.
‘What is this….’
A sight I had never witnessed before. They, transformed from individuals into a military force, now awaited the command of a single man.
And finally, Jin Wi-kyung’s voice rang out.
“I will not deny it. Our enemies surpass us in both troop numbers and the count of peak masters.”
Silence descended in an instant. Yet Jin Wi-kyung was no fool to crush morale from the very start. The overwhelming presence radiating from his entire being was proof of that.
“However.”
The usual good-natured smile was nowhere to be found. Now Jin Wi-kyung was both a supreme martial artist and the master of the Taewon Jin Family.
“They are nothing but a pack of hyenas with numbers alone. Brigands without honor, rogues blinded by gold, and bandit gangs who prey upon the innocent!”
At his cry that spewed forth fury, the air itself seemed to crackle. In this moment, even my blood began to boil.
“Those bastards have neither justification nor righteousness.”
Justification. Righteousness.
The Hangsan Inspection Bureau had lost the two most crucial elements of war.
It was also why the minor sects of Shanxi Province, who had merely watched the conflict between two masters, had sent reinforcements.
“This war will end within four days.”
Fifteen hundred martial artists would clash on the same day and hour.
It would be a hellish battle where they killed and were killed in turn.
“Not a single one of us can guarantee their survival. However….”
Jin Wi-kyung’s piercing gaze encompassed them all.
“We will absolutely emerge victorious.”
The next moment.
A roar so thunderous it deafened the ears erupted. Standing like a colossus amid the fever-pitched atmosphere, Jin Wi-kyung towered above them all.
“Survival of the fittest! Fight with your lives on the line and survive!”
The roar continued for a long time after.
* * *
The five hundred troops were divided into vanguard, center, and rear. Since the core forces were mostly deployed in the vanguard and center, the rear unit I commanded consisted of merely dozens of warriors.
Among them were several familiar faces.
“Captain!”
Members of the Scout Unit. I asked with equal parts joy and confusion.
“What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be at the Medicine King Organization?”
“This is a battle where the fate of the Main Residence hangs in the balance. We couldn’t possibly sit it out just because we’re slightly injured.”
When I’d stopped by secretly last time, some of them had fractures on their limbs. These Murim warriors are tough as nails.
“We requested to be placed under your command, and the higher-ups readily approved. Ever since that day, we’ve been walking around with our heads held high, haha.”
“Heh.”
A quiet laugh escaped me. Though I’d spent several days with them on Scout Unit duties, I didn’t even know the names of some of them. Yet I felt a sense of kinship—the bond that comes from facing death together.
‘Well, they say three raids are enough to swear brotherhood.’
I recalled an old hunter’s maxim and smiled at the eight Scout Unit members. Then a thought suddenly struck me.
‘Wait, hold on.’
Eight? Did I miscount?
I started counting again from the end. Excluding myself, there were nine. Since Hyuk Moo-jin and Han Yeop were seriously injured and couldn’t possibly be here, that should make seven….
“…What are you doing here?”
Even as I looked, I couldn’t believe it was him. His face was puffed up like a steamed bun, and the exposed skin beneath his clothes was a patchwork of bruises.
“Can’t you tell by looking?”
Right. There’s only one Scout Unit member with such a rotten attitude.
“Hyuk Moo-jin?”
“Yes. Why? What is it?”
“Are you really Hyuk Moo-jin?”
“Don’t you recognize my face anymore?”
Looking like that, even your parents wouldn’t recognize you….
But more importantly, why in the world was this bastard here?
“Did you volunteer as well?”
“I did.”
I added further.
“But he wouldn’t allow it.”
“Hm?”
“I told the Physician, and he got angry, asking if I’d gone mad wanting to die. So I just snuck away on my own.”
I spoke seriously.
“Gone mad wanting to die?”
“I want to live.”
Hyuk Moo-jin replied with a wry expression.
“Then why are you here?”
“I know my body’s condition. I can fight well enough.”
“Your face is about to burst.”
“The swelling is just going down. All my internal injuries have healed, so there’s no problem.”
“What about external injuries?”
“They’ll heal as we go.”
“….”
“A few of my bones have hairline fractures, but I can endure it, cough!”
Hyuk Moo-jin suddenly doubled over. I cried out in alarm.
“Hey! What’s wrong?”
“Sometimes my chest hurts when I breathe… Ah, it’s fine now.”
“….”
This guy is completely insane.
Unable to speak, I heard Hyuk Moo-jin say.
“Ah, Han Yeop couldn’t come. His internal injuries haven’t healed, so he’d only be a burden. Squad Leader? Squad Leader, you’re listening to me, right?”
Only one thought filled my mind.
Logout, logout is urgent.
* * *
Winter’s night came quickly. After the sun had set and we’d walked for some time, the order came to prepare camp once we entered a broad basin.
“Ugh, my whole body aches.”
Hyuk Moo-jin groaned. It seemed the strain was too much for his not-yet-fully-recovered body.
“It’s not too late yet. Want to turn back now?”
“Are you saying that again?”
“You look exhausted.”
“That’s a misunderstanding. Does it look like a man like Hyuk Moo-jin would be tired after merely half a day’s walk?”
I nodded without the slightest hesitation.
“Yes.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Really? You’re truly fine? No problems?”
“Yes.”
“Then go help the kids prepare camp.”
At that moment, the man Hyuk Moo-jin’s eyes widened as he collapsed to his knees.
“Ugh, the internal injuries from Jo Pil…”
“….”
He claimed the internal injuries had healed completely, the bastard.
I was just deliberating whether I should give him a good thrashing.
“Are you injured?”
A massive shadow cast beneath the moonlight. Hyuk Moo-jin lifted his head cautiously to identify the figure, his eyes widening.
“Gasp, Young Master!”
If Jin Wi-kyung was the commander, then Hyuk Moo-jin was a mere private.
The next instant, he sprang to his feet like lightning and snapped to attention, prompting Jin Wi-kyung to chuckle warmly.
“You still don’t look fully recovered. Rest yourself. Ah, but your internal injuries do seem to have healed completely. I vouch for it.”
“Ah, well, that’s not quite it, sir.”
Jin Wi-kyung gave Hyuk Moo-jin’s stammering shoulder a light pat, then turned toward me.
“Shall we take a walk?”
I followed Jin Wi-kyung to a secluded corner. He spoke first.
“How is your condition?”
“Excellent, sir.”
I reaped the benefits of leveling up splendidly. My body had recovered at a terrifying pace, and through point allocation, it had grown even stronger.
The problem lay elsewhere.
‘My reputation isn’t increasing.’
No, it is increasing. Just a pittance. Little by little, ever so slightly.
At this rate, I couldn’t guarantee I’d manage to log out before combat erupted.
‘If things continue like this…’
Fortunately, Jin Wi-kyung had arrived. I broached the subject I’d been contemplating.
“I wish to undertake a mission.”
My blunt directness made Jin Wi-kyung’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Hmm? A mission?”
“Since my body has recovered, I wish to earn merit for the Main Residence.”
I felt proud of myself. To deliver such lines, such lies, with such confidence.
“Do you truly mean that?”
“Yes.”
Jin Wi-kyung’s eyes trembled slightly. He seemed to be overwhelmed by waves of emotion.
‘This is making me feel rather guilty.’
My unconvincing performance was purely for reputation. If I went out on a scout mission and earned merit, reputation would flow in.
Even better if I encountered the Hangsan Inspection Bureau’s scout unit. It would provide excellent experience, and I could fill the remaining reputation entirely.
‘Once real combat breaks out, it’s all over.’
I had to log out quickly before that happened. I spoke with resolute determination.
“Please entrust me with it.”
“How did you come by such a commendable thought? Thank you, youngest.”
Jin Wi-kyung wiped the moisture from his eyes with his sleeve and continued speaking.
“But it cannot be.”
“Then won’t you at least assign me a scout mission?”
“I appreciate your sentiment. For now, continue to guard the rear as you have been.”
What kind of answer is that?
I barely restrained the urge to grab him by the collar and shake him.
“I truly wish to earn merit.”
“You have already earned more than enough.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“The achievements you have already made have been of great service to the Main Residence. So do not trouble yourself further.”
“I would be grateful if you would entrust me with even a single scout mission. There may be enemies lying in ambush ahead….”
Jin Wi-kyung let out a dry laugh.
“This is a battle upon which the fate of the Main Residence rests. Do you think I would overlook such a thing?”
“But what if there is some small detail we have missed?”
“That would be a one-in-ten-thousand chance, nothing more.”
Damn it.
Nothing is working out. If I truly fail to accumulate enough merit points, then I’ll have to participate in a massive battle with fifteen hundred soldiers deployed.
‘This is hopeless.’
Something large and warm settled upon my dejected shoulders. It was Jin Wi-kyung’s hand.
“Youngest.”
His voice was heavy yet tinged with loneliness. At the sudden shift in atmosphere, I fell silent and listened intently.
“Your task is more crucial than that of any of us.”
“What is my task, then?”
After a long pause, he spoke a single phrase.
“Survive.”
“Pardon?”
“Survive by any means necessary. If the Main Residence falls, do not look back—flee.”
“….”
“If the roots endure, the tree will grow again. You and your second brother could become far greater roots than I.”
I stood speechless for a long moment, simply gazing at his face.
Survive. Become the roots. His voice and eyes carried a gravity I had never felt before.
“That is your task.”
The hand resting upon my shoulder gradually withdrew. I watched Jin Wi-kyung’s departing figure fade into the distance.

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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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