Murim Login - Chapter 408

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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 408
“A Suicide Squad.”
The moment those words left Jin Tae-kyung’s lips, Wu Hei-xing nearly cried out, his rising fury momentarily forgotten.
‘This insane bastard!’
A Suicide Squad—literally, a unit prepared to charge forward unto death itself.
Even if they somehow managed to breach the monster legion whose exact numbers remained unknown, a true monstrosity awaited beyond: the Arch Lich. The mere thought sent his hair standing on end.
‘This is madness. Pure madness.’
The casualty count meant nothing to Wu Hei-xing.
After all, this was a superpower with a population exceeding one billion. What were hundreds of thousands or millions in the face of such numbers? Mere dust.
In fact, if that damnable fool Jin Tae-kyung led the vanguard of this Suicide Squad and fell gloriously, Wu Hei-xing would have gladly applauded.
But…
“Let us assemble our finest and strike at the head.”
Those words meant one thing: Wu Hei-xing himself would be included in that Suicide Squad. And he had absolutely no intention of courting danger.
「Such nonsense—I won’t stand for it…」
Wu Hei-xing shot to his feet, his mouth opening in protest.
“Oh, that’s an excellent approach.”
「…!」
Wu Hei-xing’s words caught in his throat, his eyes widening in shock.
He had never expected him to support Jin Tae-kyung’s proposal.
Not just anyone—but Lee Jung-yong himself.
「W-what did you just say, sir?」
“I said it’s an excellent approach.”
Lee Jung-yong continued with a gentle smile.
“We must end this battle swiftly and decisively. The Arch Lich continues spawning new undead even as we speak. If our S-rank Hunters take the vanguard and eliminate it, the monster legion—composed largely of undead—will collapse, and our casualties will diminish accordingly.”
「S-sir…」
“I suspect you share my thinking, as do the others present here. Wouldn’t you agree, Wu Hei-xing?”
「Others? What do you mean…」
Only then did Wu Hei-xing glance around the room in alarm.
Wei Penghu and the other high-ranking Chinese generals, along with Faye Chen and Magic Johnson—even Prince Felix Alexander Louis—were all nodding subtly, exchanging remarks among themselves.
「Hmm. Indeed…」
「Even if we reinforce our own forces, the Arch Lich will do the same. The longer we delay, the larger the battle becomes.」
「If we deploy A-rank Hunters and veteran forces across the front, with S-rank Hunters leading the breakthrough…?」
「The risk is considerable, but the operation shows genuine promise.」
「However formidable the Arch Lich may be as a Named Monster, if our S-rank Hunters coordinate their assault, victory is within reach.」
As their words reached his ears, Wu Hei-xing’s face drained of all color.
‘Have these people lost their minds?’
To view such a mad operation favorably—they must have all gone insane together.
And now even Lee Jung-yong, whom he had trusted, was supporting Jin Tae-kyung for reasons unknown.
Wu Hei-xing, desperate to avoid inclusion in this Suicide Squad even unto death, hastily opened his mouth toward Jin Tae-kyung.
Wu Hei-xing, who didn’t want to be included in the Suicide Squad even in death, hastily opened his mouth toward Jin Tae-kyung.
“Wait, hold on! If all the S-Rank Hunters slip away, won’t that leave a massive gap in our fighting strength?”
“Huh.”
Jin Tae-kyung inhaled sharply, his eyes widening as he regarded Wu Hei-xing.
“Wow, so you do think occasionally?”
「….」
“You’re right. It would definitely be better to keep a few people behind.”
That damn Paeng bastard.
But now wasn’t the time to be angry. Wu Hei-xing swallowed the surge of rage threatening to overflow and continued speaking.
「Well, yes. So in case of emergency, I should….」
Jin Tae-kyung cut off his words mid-sentence and turned to Magic Johnson with a question.
“You should probably stay. What do you think, Johnson?”
「Hmm. Me?」
What kind of situation was this? Wu Hei-xing desperately interjected.
「M-Magic Johnson? Wouldn’t it be better if at least one mage went with us?」
“Of course it would be good. It would be good, but….”
Jin Tae-kyung flashed a friendly smile at Wu Hei-xing and continued.
“Then what about the rear?”
「Huh?」
“What if the Arch Lich teleports behind our lines and backstabs us? Are you going to stop it?”
「….」
“No matter how powerful the Arch Lich is, if a Grand Mage stays behind to disrupt its magic, it won’t be able to pull off such tricks. And Magic Johnson’s wide-area spells could be the decisive move that turns the entire battle.”
Every word was undeniably correct. Wu Hei-xing’s mouth snapped shut in an instant, and Jin Tae-kyung clicked his tongue.
“Think before you speak. Stop watching those internet memes about rear-guard duty all day and actually think about what the rear means in real warfare.”
「…!」
Ignoring Wu Hei-xing, who had gone rigid like a statue, Jin Tae-kyung turned to Magic Johnson.
“What do you think?”
「You’re right, Jin. So I’m the only one staying?」
Wei Penghu, the Defense Minister, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly spoke up.
「The Arch Lich must have left behind numerous high-tier monsters for the final battle. Far more than the number of A-Rank Hunters we possess. To maintain at least a stalemate, we need two more S-Rank Hunters.」
It wasn’t over yet. There were still two digits left. Wu Hei-xing, having found hope, cleared his throat.
「Then I suppose I have no choice but to remain….」
「If the others are willing, I would first like to exclude Prince Felix.」
“Pardon?”
「I’m afraid I cannot disclose the detailed circumstances, but there are complicated issues involved.」
Prince Felix was no mere S-Rank Hunter—he was practically the symbol of Britain itself, and not some distant branch of the royal line either. He was third in the line of succession to the throne.
Everyone in the room understood that the “detailed circumstances” Wei Penghu couldn’t mention were diplomatic issues with Britain.
“Well, his father is the King of Britain, so that makes sense. Then we’ll exclude the Prince.”
At Jin Tae-kyung’s words, Prince Felix opened his mouth with an uncomfortable expression.
「I hope you understand this isn’t my choice. It’s just that I’ve been bound to the royal family since birth, so I cannot defy Father’s orders….」
“It’s fine. I don’t mind. If the fourth in line to the British throne got hurt because of my operation, it would be awkward anyway, so it’s actually better this way.”
「Third place! And when you speak to me, show some respect.」
“Oh, sure. Congratulations on the bronze medal. So, does anyone here object to Prince Felix Alexander Louis—that hotbed of corruption—slipping away thanks to his connections?”
Wu Hei-xing’s hand shot up instinctively, but he froze mid-motion at the responses that came from Faye Chen and Lee Jung-yong.
「I don’t care.」
“I agree.”
Jin Tae-kyung nodded and fixed Wu Hei-xing with a steady gaze.
“What about you?”
「Me? I…?」
“When the last guy left standing gets asked like that, what am I supposed to say? Pick one: Pororo, Tubbies, or Popo.”
There was no escape. Magic Johnson and Prince Felix Alexander Louis were legitimate foreigners with valid reasons, and now even Faye Chen and Lee Jung-yong had agreed.
Wu Hei-xing squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them and muttered.
「…I agree.」
“Answer properly. If you mumble like that, how am I supposed to know if you’re agreeing or reciting some medical text? Heo Jun?”
「I… agree.」
“Okay.”
The decision came with lightning speed. Though one position remained unfilled, Wu Hei-xing felt a chill of foreboding.
It didn’t take long for that foreboding to crystallize into certainty.
“The remaining position—I’d like you to fill it, Faye Chen.”
But what truly shocked Wu Hei-xing was that it wasn’t Jin Tae-kyung who’d sealed the final escape route—it was Lee Jung-yong.
‘What in the world is that old man thinking?’
Wu Hei-xing remembered vividly the conversation he’d had with Lee Jung-yong on that day when he’d been brutally crushed by Jin Tae-kyung, and now he felt something close to betrayal.
‘He proposed we join forces, and now he stabs me in the back like this?’
Faye Chen glanced at Wu Hei-xing, who was grinding his teeth, and raised her glass.
「Well, sir. I’m not the type to court danger, but wouldn’t leaving that young punk behind give us a better chance of success?」
“No, Faye Chen. To minimize casualties, your presence here will be far more valuable.”
「You don’t know that boy. Once you see him in action, even patriotism you never knew you had will awaken.」
“There’s no need to worry. I’ll be there.”
His tone was calm yet brimming with conviction—words only Lee Jung-yong could speak with such certainty.
The gaze of the old hero, radiating a confidence no one in this room could deny, settled on one person.
“And Jin Tae-kyung. You’ll be there too, won’t you?”
Jin Tae-kyung met Lee Jung-yong’s gaze in silence before speaking.
Jin Tae-kyung, who had been meeting Lee Jung-yong’s gaze in silence, parted his lips.
“Our former Guild Master. You have a talent for making obvious things sound difficult.”
“So I take it you’re confirming your participation in the Suicide Squad?”
“Of course.”
“Brave. Heroic. In that spirit, I yield the vanguard to you.”
“Nice. So I get to leave behind a memorable quote like Neil Armstrong? Something like, ‘This is one small step for a man, but for monsters, it’s the reign of the Heavenly Demon.’ Something like that?”
“That’s rather crude for a quote destined for the history books. And you got the name wrong. It’s Neil Armstrong, not Louis Armstrong.”
“Your education is quite impressive. Though I doubt it surpasses my toilet paper roll’s length.”
At Jin Tae-kyung’s incomprehensible response, everyone’s heads throbbed, and Wu Hei-xing fell into despair.
Just a month ago, he had been surrounded by dozens of beautiful women, enjoying a luxurious yacht party. Now, he found himself enlisted in the Suicide Squad, prepared to face death itself.
And it was in that very next moment.
– Do you believe I have betrayed you?
「…!」
– Accept it. I promise there will be no danger whatsoever.
As the telepathic message pierced through his ears, Wu Hei-xing slowly lifted his head.
Lee Jung-yong, his face adorned with a gentle smile, continued speaking as he gazed at him.
“He will execute his assigned duties admirably. I stake my reputation on it.”
Jin Tae-kyung answered slowly, tapping the armrest of his chair.
“How brilliantly he will accomplish his mission… I must say, I’m quite looking forward to it.”
* * *
The rather lengthy conference had concluded.
The Suicide Squad would be composed of S-rank Hunters, followed by high-tier A-rank Hunters and veteran B-rank Hunters, while the command staff would be frantically occupied selecting the appropriate personnel.
And the Skeleton Warlord, who had maintained silence throughout the entire meeting, declared solemnly the moment he returned to my tent at the Western Front.
– This commander shall withdraw from this battle.
“Yeah, sure.”
– Why not ask the reason, you cunning wretch?
“Fine. What is it?”
– As commander of the undead legions, I find myself reluctant to face my own kin.
I responded with an incredulous expression.
“What nonsense. You’re the one who’s been draining your own kind for sustenance all this time.”
– …Ah.
“Let’s be honest here. If you just said you don’t want to go because you’re scared of the Arch Lich, would I curse you out?”
– You absolutely would.
“Damn bastard… ah.”
The Skeleton Warlord, his distrust deepening further, spoke.
– In any case, this commander wishes no further involvement in this war. Honor the promise from that day.
“The promise from that day?”
– Have you ever seen such a cunning human! Did you not promise to grant any request in exchange for protecting those two individuals?!
“Ah.”
For the first time in a while, I found myself at a loss for words.
I had indeed made such a promise. Normally I would brush past it like someone with amnesia, but this time my conscience wouldn’t allow me to feign ignorance.
“Hmm. What is your wish?”
The Skeleton Warlord cried out as if he had been waiting for this moment.
– Grant me freedom!
“Freedom?”
– Indeed. You, cunning human, have insulted and tormented this commander all this time! The count reaches precisely 408 times!
“…Are you perhaps from an animal rights protection organization?”
– Fulfill your promise, and this commander shall finally find freedom!
Freedom. My mind was too tangled with thoughts of Lee Jung-yong to consider such a wish in that moment.
After a moment of deliberation, I gave my answer.
“Yes, I’ll grant it. Freedom.”
– Ooooh, ooooooh!
“Then go well.”
– Huh?
Without hesitation, I retrieved the creature’s skull from my inventory and hurled it outside the tent.
Into the midst of thousands of hunters swarming about.
Thud!
With the sound of impact, chaos erupted around the tent. Shouts rang out from all directions, and the thunderous boom of spellcasting echoed across the encampment.
“Monster! We’re under attack!”
“Kill it!”
Boom! Crash!
How much time had passed? Five minutes? Ten?
Suddenly, the tent’s lower edge trembled, and a skull gleaming with dark luster came rolling back, stopping before my feet.
“Oh, who’s this?”
– ….
“The Skeleton Warlord, possessor of a free spirit—what brings you here?”
– You, human….
Within the hollow sockets of the skull, crimson light flickered with pathos.
I wondered if I was mistaken in thinking an undead creature was actually whimpering. The Skeleton Warlord continued in a trembling voice.
– Could I… cancel the wish?
“Oh, of course.”
I responded with the cheerful tone of a customer service representative.
“But you know wishes can’t be exchanged or refunded, right?”
– ….
“Come here, Bonesy.”
Hop.
The Skeleton Warlord leaped weakly into my arms.

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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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