Murim Login - Chapter 430

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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 430
My eyelids trembled involuntarily.
‘…Why is this here?’
I remember it clearly.
Right after the Sichuan Blood History had concluded—after I’d narrowly escaped death multiple times at the hands of the Western Heavenly Demon Lord—I’d been guided by the sect leaders of Qingcheng and Emei to a nameless cave on a cliff.
The space hidden behind the Qimen Formation was vast beyond measure, and at its center lay an enormous formation inscribed with intricate patterns.
The very formation now printed in color on the paper I held—filled with bizarre symbols and markings.
But could what the sect leaders of Qingcheng and Emei had named the Anomalous Formation still be called a formation at all?
I thrust the paper urgently toward Magic Johnson.
“Johnson. What is this? What exactly is this?”
「Huh? What?」
“Why is this here… Where on earth did it come from?”
Startled by my sudden reaction, Magic Johnson responded with a bewildered expression.
「It’s a magical formation discovered in the city that served as the Arch Lich’s headquarters.」
“A magical formation?”
「Yeah, a magical formation. I’ve been researching it, actually… What’s wrong, Jin? Have you seen something like this before?」
“There are others?”
「Of course. All the papers I was examining before you arrived are related to this.」
“What?”
So all those stacked papers on the desk were about this?
I gazed at the dozens of sheets scattered across the floor.
“Wait, just a moment. Excuse me.”
「Jin, Jin?」
“Has he finally lost his mind? How unfortunate, you ugly and cunning creature.”
I paid no attention to Magic Johnson’s bewildered calls or Skeleton King’s nonsensical mutterings.
I rapidly scanned through the bundle of printed papers, my lips pressed firmly shut.
Dozens of sheets bore different patterns and symbols, and after examining all of them, I realized one undeniable fact.
‘This is….’
Without question. The bizarre symbols and markings were identical to those I’d seen in the Murim—only the arrangement and orientation differed.
And if these papers were assembled like puzzle pieces, they would form one massive magical formation.
‘What kind of absurd situation is this?’
It felt like I’d been struck on the back of the head with a sledgehammer.
It was only after considerable time had passed that I finally opened my mouth, having stared silently at the papers.
“You said this was discovered in the Arch Lich’s headquarters, correct?”
I asked while watching Magic Johnson, who had lit a cigar, and he exhaled smoke as he answered.
「That’s right. I didn’t know something like that existed at first, but it seems it was discovered shortly after the investigation team was deployed. I received it through the Allied Forces on the second day.」
“You received it, meaning….”
「They consulted me about it. They couldn’t determine exactly what kind of magical formation it was either. I’m guessing the other two were contacted as well.」
The other two would be the other Grand Sorcerers besides Magic Johnson—the greatest mages currently alive and true experts in their field.
And that statement also meant this magical formation was a new type that had never been revealed before.
“So, have you completed your research?”
「Not entirely certain yet, but I’ve grasped the purpose of the magical formation.」
“The purpose?”
「Yes. Fortunately, I have a friend who knows quite a bit about such things.」
Just as I was about to ask who that was, someone interjected with an arrogant voice.
“That would be me, of course. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, United States—a cosmic great sage and handsome man. They call me Skeleton King.”
Right. How could I have forgotten about that bastard?
Being a native of the Demon Realm and a named monster at that, he would certainly know something.
I pressed the Skeleton King, who was spouting nonsense.
“Stop talking rubbish and spit out what you know.”
“If you address me as Mr. King from now on, I’ll consider it.”
“Mr. King? Listen to this bastard spouting such garbage.”
“Fucking Korean.”
“You son of a bitch.”
“Whoa, whoa!”
The moment I raised my hand, the Skeleton King instinctively retreated and cried out urgently.
“Fine! I’ll tell you!”
“Speak, demon.”
The Skeleton King, regarding me with wary eyes, opened his mouth.
“It appears to be a magical formation designed to absorb life force.”
“Absorb life force?”
“Yes. It seems the Arch Lich used it to absorb the vital energy of other humans and accumulate power. With the magical energy gathered that way, he could control vast monster legions and open Gates.”
China is a vast continent.
Despite the catastrophic casualties from the great upheaval, one-fifth of the world’s population still remains there.
And the population residing in Sichuan Province alone is, by official statistics, approximately eighty million.
The casualties from this monster wave number in the millions, and when including those not yet officially tallied, the figure swells to truly staggering proportions.
‘And a considerable number of those lives likely became sacrifices for magical power. Given the scale of what that creature orchestrated, the pieces fit together reasonably well.’
I clenched my lips and questioned the Skeleton King again.
“Are you certain about this?”
“It’s merely personal inference. I cannot guarantee it.”
“Why not?”
The Skeleton King clicked his tongue.
“Wicked human. Can you judge a magical formation merely by observing one used by other humans?”
“That is…”
“Of course you cannot. Neither can I. While I can raise and command soldiers according to my given abilities, I cannot wield such dark magic as this.”
Damn it. Every word rings true.
Just as Hunters and monsters are classified according to their respective characteristics, the Skeleton King possesses only that degree of ability.
When the answer I’d hoped for didn’t materialize, my spirits flagged, but an important question still remained.
“Then how did you deduce it was a life force absorption formation? Is it possible that only monsters can recognize such patterns and symbols?”
If the Skeleton King knows these strange patterns and symbols, if I can learn from him what they signify, then I might finally uncover the true nature of the formation I witnessed in the Murim.
I looked at Skeleton King with anticipation, but the answer that came moments later deflated my hopes entirely.
“I don’t know what those symbols mean. I could decipher the magic circle only because I am undead.”
Skeleton King continued, gesturing toward Magic Johnson.
“When I first saw such a paper, I didn’t understand it well, but when I went to the scene with that grateful human, I felt it clearly. I sensed countless scents of death that even I couldn’t comprehend. That was when I first realized it.”
“Ah….”
I couldn’t hide my disappointment.
If even Magic Johnson, the great sorcerer, and Skeleton King, a named monster, couldn’t decipher it, then understanding those symbols and markings right now was nearly impossible.
‘Damn it.’
What in the world was happening?
The formation inscribed at the cave’s center, the symbols and markings that appeared in the newly discovered magic circle, and the bizarre phenomena I witnessed during my battles with the Blood Lord and Western Heavenly Demon Lord….
I pushed away the ominous thought flickering through my mind, denying it deep in my heart.
It couldn’t be. Such a thing was impossible.
Was this coincidence? Or was it fate?
If it was fate, what did this suddenly appearing connection mean?
After pacing silently through the room for a while, I suddenly spoke.
“I need to go there myself.”
「Huh?」
“What?”
“Johnson. That scene you visited—I can go see it too, right?”
Magic Johnson, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded.
「It’s classified, but… if it’s you, Jin, it’s definitely possible. However, only the two of us can show ourselves. That friend will have to go in a spatial pocket like last time.」
“Then that works. Let’s leave right away.”
「Alright, let’s do that. Jin seems to know something too.」
Just as Magic Johnson and I were about to leave, Skeleton King interjected with a dignified voice.
“Pardon the interruption, humans. I have urgent business, so you two go ahead.”
“…?”
「…?」
“The female receptionist at the hotel front desk is quite beautiful. Though hidden beneath human skin, the curves of the skeleton beneath are exquisite.”
I asked quietly.
“And?”
“And what. I’m staying out tonight, so remember that. Now I must go arrange a date with that beauty… but cunning human.”
“What?”
“May I ask why you suddenly drew that spear?”
“Oh, this.”
I casually waved White Flame, which I’d just pulled from my inventory.
“Nothing much. I was planning to stab you when you turned around.”
“I see.”
“Right.”
“….”
“Why aren’t you going? The staff will be leaving soon. You should hurry and try to sweet-talk her into dinner.”
Skeleton King’s lips curved into an awkward smile as he hesitated.
“Come to think of it, the work should be fine going slowly.”
“Wow, then we’ll have time. So….”
I grinned brightly and pulled out one of the dimensional pockets I’d prepared to hide my inventory’s existence from the people around me.
“Get in quick, you brat.”
“…Okay.”
Skeleton King answered dejectedly and vanished completely into the dimensional pocket.
* * *
The moment I laid eyes on the magic formation, I understood the meaning behind Skeleton King’s words.
Or perhaps I felt it even more acutely right after hearing what he’d said.
But the instant I saw it, I was overwhelmed, and without thinking, a single word came to mind.
‘Death.’
A dark magic formation incomparably vaster than anything I’d witnessed in that cave.
Though its mana had been severed and it had lost its original function, the very traces of death—the countless lives it had once claimed—remained unfaded.
And… that was all I could sense.
「Jin. What do you think? Do you understand anything?」
“No. Not at all.”
The patterns and symbols arranged in an incomprehensible order and configuration remained impossible to decipher.
Just as it had been in the Murim before, the system stayed silent, and having gained nothing, I could only wander the vicinity for hours before turning back.
“Mr. Johnson, and Jin. We’ve arranged an escort to ensure your journey back is without inconvenience….”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I see. Then I hope to see you again next time.”
We turned away from the security chief and guards, who saluted us with sharp, precise angles.
Magic Johnson’s lips moved slightly once he confirmed no one was around.
「Jin. You knew something, didn’t you?」
“…A dream. I think I saw something similar in a dream.”
「Hmm.」
“Johnson. Would it be alright if I looked around alone for a moment?”
「Of course. How long do you think it’ll take?」
“I’ll be back soon.”
I began to walk slowly through the ruins.
Despite it being well past midnight, the city shone as brightly as noon, with countless people and machines working to clean up the ruined city.
Surely, similar operations were taking place throughout cities caught in the war by now.
‘It must be the same in Sichuan.’
Sichuan and the Murim are divided into entirely different worlds. The Murim is not the past of the present, nor is the present the future of the Murim.
Yet a connecting thread linking these two completely different worlds had appeared, and this was not the first time.
‘The capsule.’
Everything surrounding me began with that old capsule I’d picked up from the Recycling Station.
How, why, for what reason?
My mind was a mess with questions that arose with each step I took.
“Sigh.”
At my deep exhale, Skeleton King, whom I’d quietly transferred from my subspace pocket into my inventory, asked.
– You alright, cunning human?
“Are you actually worried about me now?”
– No. If you’re fine, let’s head back to the hotel already. I heard from Johnson a few days ago there’s a club with great water nearby.
“….”
Take back your sympathy, you lunatic.
I almost told him that the “club with great water” Johnson mentioned was actually a gay bar, but I held back.
“Forget it. What do I even expect from you?”
– So when are we leaving?
“We’re going, you bastard. We’re going!”
It was the very moment I shouted, unable to contain my frustration.
“Where are you so eager to go? Hell?”
At a voice colder and more rigid than ever, I slowly turned around.
Without realizing it, I’d ventured deep into the ruins, and beyond the relatively dark wreckage, a familiar face was making his way through the collapsed buildings.
“Hell is where your grandfather went, and if I die, it’ll be heaven.”
Seok Go-jun, Lee Jung-yong’s disciple and head of the security team,’s eyes turned glacial.

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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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