Murim Login - Chapter 37

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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 37
The march proceeded smoothly. The heavy snow from our last reconnaissance mission had long since melted, and the command kept our forces’ strength in reserve as we advanced.
“At this pace, we should arrive in Jeong-yang by tomorrow at the latest.”
I blinked at the words of a man whose face seemed oddly familiar.
“Who are you?”
Judging by his attire, he wasn’t from the Taewon Jin Family. In the rear where I was positioned, aside from the Scout Unit members, most were warriors from smaller sects who had recently joined us.
“I’m Gwak Jun of the Samdo Gate. We met once before—we even shook hands.”
Gwak Jun of the Samdo Gate? The memory felt just out of reach.
How many hands had I shaken trying to raise my reputation? He was probably one of them.
“My apologies. My memory isn’t the best.”
“I didn’t expect you to remember anyway. Ha ha.”
Gwak Jun flashed a friendly smile and spoke again.
“To be honest, I was disappointed at first when I was assigned to the rear.”
“Why?”
“Because there are fewer opportunities to earn merit. Isn’t this a chance for an unknown soldier like me to make a name for myself?”
“Ah, yes.”
In cases like this, it’s one of two things: either he’s fought through countless battles and developed nerves of steel, or he’s simply fearless. I activated my [Perception].
Ding.
[Lv.40 Gwak Jun]
Oh, he’s got some skill.
Level 40 meant he was at least first-rate. Even if I couldn’t boast about being a master, being stuck in the rear would feel unjust for someone of his caliber.
“Half of the enemy’s forces are hastily recruited reinforcements. They’ve drawn in all sorts of rabble, and they must have force-marched to join their main force. They won’t stand a chance against the elite of the Taewon Jin Family and the Samdo Gate.”
His words sounded reasonable enough—except for the part about the Samdo Gate being elite.
I nodded perfunctorily.
“I see.”
“There are also supreme masters superior to the enemy. We have the Young Master and Wi Paeng, but the fame of the Flame Sword isn’t confined to the Central Plains alone, is it?”
The Flame Sword. It was a title I’d never heard before, but I could guess who it referred to.
The Taewon Jin Family had three supreme masters, and if I excluded Jin Wi-kyung and Wi Paeng, only one person remained.
‘The Grand Elder.’
Was that old man really of such caliber?
Gwak Jun’s following words were nothing but praise. The titles and names of countless masters that the Grand Elder had cut down in his youth, decades ago, poured forth endlessly.
“He was a hero born from the Great War.”
A hero of past wars. Listening only to Gwak Jun’s words, he sounded like a paragon of chivalry—a righteous swordsman who couldn’t abide injustice.
‘Why do I feel uneasy every time I see him?’
Whether it was his first impression or something else, I disliked the Grand Elder.
His distinctive aura and that peculiar gaze that seemed to pierce through others. Even the fact that he’d formed a political faction against Jin Wi-kyung.
Yet afterward, the Grand Elder had given Jin Wi-kyung his full support, allowing the Taewon Jin Family to unite both internally and externally.
‘Still, when foreign enemies invade, family disputes have to stop.’
Currently, the Grand Elder was leading the vanguard alongside Jin Wi-kyung. If he was truly as skilled as the rumors suggested, tomorrow’s battle would be considerably easier.
“Just thinking about the Flame Sword sweeping across the battlefield tomorrow makes my heart race already.”
Gwak Jun trembled like a man who hadn’t urinated in four days.
Did this bastard not understand tension? Moreover, I couldn’t fathom where his confidence that we would win came from.
“You seem certain of victory.”
“If we lose, it’s catastrophic.”
“Pardon?”
Catastrophic wasn’t the word—it would be annihilation. Judging by what the Hangsan Inspection Bureau had done so far, they’d reduce not just the Taewon Jin Family but all the smaller sects allied with us to rubble.
“That’s rather….”
“A joke.”
This bastard was insane too. Gwak Jun flashed me a grin at my bewildered expression.
“We’ll win. Us.”
It was a statement brimming with conviction.
As Gwak Jun departed on those words, Hyuk Moo-jin approached and asked.
“Who is he?”
“Level 40.”
“Pardon?”
“There is. A man overflowing with confidence.”
A fellow I disliked in every way. Well, there’d be no reason to converse with him now anyway.
* * *
Time flowed swiftly. On the second night after we began our advance, we arrived at Hongjoo, and Jin Wi-kyung convened the command staff for a meeting. A small piece of paper was clutched in his hand.
“A dispatch from the Haowen Sect. Their reinforcements crossed O-tae Mountain two days ago, it seems.”
“Then….”
“They’ll likely rendezvous with the main force by now or sometime tomorrow.”
What? I couldn’t comprehend it. If we’d struck the main force before the reinforcements arrived, the battle would have been far easier.
‘He must have something in mind.’
As expected, Jin Wi-kyung’s next words came.
“The enemy’s newly arrived reinforcements are exhausted, and their provisions are depleted. If we seize the advantageous high ground at Jeong-yang tomorrow, the Hangsan Sword Sect Master will face a dilemma. Retreat or engage?”
In the next moment, Jin Wi-kyung’s gaze turned toward me.
“What choice do you think he’ll make?”
I was momentarily flustered, but the answer was clear. If he were the type to retreat now, he would have done so long ago.
“He’ll engage, I believe.”
Double our troop strength, and we don’t fall short in the number of supreme masters either. As the enemy, they’d want to end this battle swiftly and decisively.
“Well observed.”
Jin Wi-kyung smiled with satisfaction and began tracing the terrain map on the table.
“There are four paths by which the enemy can enter Jeong-yang. But given their dire provisions, they’ll choose the fastest route.”
Where his finger stopped, the place name Pal Cheon Hyeop was written. Then, the Grand Elder, who had remained quietly in his seat until now, opened his mouth for the first time.
“Pal Cheon Hyeop, is it? A jar-shaped gorge with a narrow, steep entrance. The bandits will have to abandon their horses.”
“And their lives as well.”
“The enemy will fight without regard for their lives too; this alone won’t suffice.”
“We’ve concealed roughly a hundred crossbows on the cliffs above the gorge.”
“Hmm.”
The Military Camp stirred with commotion. I stared at Jin Wi-kyung with my mouth agape.
When on earth had he hidden that away?
“It was right after our victory in Hongjoo. Thanks to a capable collaborator, you see.”
Jin Wi-kyung spoke while looking directly at me.
‘Haowen Sect. It’s Wol-hwa.’
She’s been providing endless assistance from the shadows. Of course, Jin Wi-kyung himself deserves credit for orchestrating such a grand scheme.
‘Damn, that’s impressive.’
A crushing physique paired with a brilliant mind. Suddenly I felt like calling him Elder Brother.
“Ooh.”
“The Young Master…!”
The Military Camp grew hot with the intense gazes of the dark-clad men.
Jin Wi-kyung swept his heavy gaze across the assembly.
“Now let us settle this.”
There were no objections. The Grand Elder rose first and clasped his fist toward Jin Wi-kyung in salute.
“Understood.”
Thus the meeting ended. As I left the Military Camp, a familiar voice pierced my ears.
– Don’t forget what I said yesterday.
My body stiffened for a moment. But soon I gave a small nod.
And that dawn, three hundred warriors of the Taewon Jin Family and one hundred fifty reinforcements from smaller sects—four hundred fifty soldiers in total—departed toward the gorge.
‘Still, it’s the last time, and I couldn’t even say a proper goodbye.’
I climbed the hill and gazed endlessly at the winding torches.
* * *
The next morning, Hyuk Moo-jin startled upon seeing me and stepped back.
“Good heavens. What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your face looks like a corpse. Didn’t you sleep?”
“No, I slept a little.”
It was a lie. In truth, I hadn’t slept a wink. I’d been hunched on a rock all night, staring at nothing but the system window.
Counting down to that moment drawing ever closer.
Renown 500 Achieved (497 / 500)
I never thought a single digit could feel so precious.
I muttered in a voice that had grown haggard.
“Going, going, heading home now…”
“Now you’re even talking to yourself. Have you lost your mind?”
Tsk, tsk. Hyuk Moo-jin clicked his tongue and widened his eyes.
“What is that? I’ve never seen it before.”
“This?”
I pointed in turn to the worn manuscript and small box I’d placed on the rock.
“One is a secret manual. One is a Spirit Elixir.”
“Gasp. Really?”
I explained weakly to the guy whose eyes were practically bulging out of his head.
“Secret techniques are supreme martial arts, and spirit cores—if you absorb them properly—are worth half a year of cultivation.”
“Huh?”
“But if you consume a spirit core wrong, you burn to death. Want to try?”
“Ah, y-yes…”
Looking at his lukewarm expression and the way his jaw hung slack, it was clear he didn’t believe a word I said.
Fair enough—randomly mentioning supreme martial arts and a fireball spirit core worth half a year of cultivation sounded like a joke.
“Really won’t take it? It’s good stuff.”
“Oh, never mind. Please master those supreme techniques and chew that spirit core thoroughly.”
“I don’t need things like that anymore.”
“Of course not. You’re a sleeping dragon.”
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve smacked the back of his head. But right now, I felt nothing.
‘Is this what a veteran soldier feels like in their final days?’
At the same time, something felt off. Was this the aftermath of experiencing so much? It had only been a month, yet it felt like a year had passed.
I traced through my past memories.
‘I first opened my eyes at Honghwa House.’
That’s where I first met Wol-hwa and realized I was trapped in this game. Even thinking about it now gave me chills.
‘I thought I was going to lose my mind.’
It took three days to decide to come to the Taewon Jin Family. The one I met there was this guy, Hyuk Moo-jin.
Smack!
“Ow! Why’d you hit me?”
“Just… old memories came to mind.”
“Old memories from when?”
“No. I’m not telling you. Go back quickly.”
“What kind of thug behavior is this? Just because your martial arts are strong, you can oppress people like this?”
As Hyuk Moo-jin thrashed about, the eyes of those around us turned toward us. Even the Scout Unit members who had been watching from afar got involved.
“What are you two discussing?”
“No idea. The vice-commander must’ve messed up.”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything!”
“This is Murim. Being weak is a sin.”
“But… should we really be doing this here?”
Silence fell at someone’s words.
“Right. Our mission is to wait here, but…”
The tension and fear I’d been suppressing with forced laughter crept back in. Even I, who would soon return to reality, felt uneasy seeing Jin Wi-kyung’s figure hovering in my mind—so what about these guys? There was only one thing I could say.
“I trust my Elder Brother.”
Elder Brother. This time, I meant it with all my heart. Jin Wi-kyung, who had been my greatest source of strength in this place. Perhaps I just wanted to shake off this unease however I could.
The faces of those who had stiffened began to relax.
“We feel the same way.”
Hyuk Moo-jin chimed in quietly.
“I trust the commander even more.”
“Wow, you’ve got quite the knack for switching allegiances, Vice Commander.”
“You bastards. Is there anyone here who doesn’t owe their life to me?”
“Well, sir, when you put it that way, there’s nothing we can say.”
“I trust you, Commander. To be honest, I saw through you even when you were acting like a reckless fool. I thought to myself, ‘Ah, this man is a sleeping dragon.’ I had a feeling right then.”
The feeling was strange. They say even dried squid releases water when salted, yet here I was, experiencing genuine emotion toward NPCs in a game.
‘Well, honestly… it doesn’t feel so bad.’
Suddenly, I found myself curious about Jin Wi-kyung, who must be beyond that mountain. Had the battle started? If it had, which side was winning?
And I wasn’t the only one thinking such thoughts.
“By now, the battle should have begun.”
It was Gwak Jun of the Samdo Gate. Unlike before, he was now dressed in a black martial robe.
‘Was he wearing that originally?’
Gwak Jun shrugged at my gaze.
“I prefer this kind of thing. It’s easier to move in, and even if blood splatters, it doesn’t show. Don’t you all agree?”
The last question wasn’t directed at us. The warriors of the Samdo Gate led by Gwak Jun—every last one of them dressed in black—nodded silently in agreement.
“So it seems.”
Gwak Jun, smiling with satisfaction, turned his head toward me.
“Well then, shall we depart as well?”
What the hell is this bastard saying now?

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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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