Murim Login - Chapter 560

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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 560
Holy shit. What the fuck.
Even mobilizing every English profanity I knew couldn’t fully express how utterly screwed this situation was.
‘Thirty-two times a week.’
An absolutely staggering number. And this was only based on intelligence Magic Johnson had obtained.
I had no idea how accurate the actual statistics were, but it was clear there were far more than thirty-two incidents.
‘Perhaps it’s inevitable, really.’
The United States’ territory was ninety-eight times larger than South Korea’s, and the number of Gates reached nearly twenty times as many.
The United States had once been Demon King Asmodeus’s primary target, suffering catastrophic damage throughout the cataclysm.
Yet ironically, what restored the United States to its position as the world’s supreme power was the very existence of the Gates left behind by that war.
‘Oil fields.’
Modern Gates were quite literally a new and far more abundant form of oil reserves.
Nearly thirty years had passed since the calamity that once consumed the entire world ended. Monster byproducts now sold for exorbitant prices, and mana stones had long since become eco-friendly energy sources.
Humanity, having survived, had built an even more brilliant and massive civilization atop the ruins devastated by war.
But…
“It seems the party ends here.”
Like Magic Johnson’s casual remark, the victors’ glittering celebration was now over.
With the Gates—those oil fields—ignited, explosions would soon erupt across the world. In fact, they already were.
For now, an invisible hand simply concealed everything from view.
“Ah, damn it…”
I muttered like a groan, turning to Choi Team Leader with a question.
“Surely the domestic situation isn’t similar, is it?”
My question carried the implication: was there another incident I was unaware of, happening domestically as it was in the United States?
Choi Team Leader, who had fallen silent in thought, finally spoke.
“I always keep such possibilities in mind, but to my knowledge, there’s nothing of the sort.”
“Team Leader Choi, this is something that needs to be certain.”
“I’m well aware. That’s precisely why I’m considering arranging another meeting.”
Magic Johnson, who had been listening, asked.
“A meeting? With whom?”
“People I’ve come to know through circumstance. They wouldn’t have lied to me, but… one can never truly know what’s in another’s heart.”
“That’s true. Especially with politicians.”
At Magic Johnson’s casual remark, Choi Team Leader nodded quietly.
“You knew, as I suspected.”
“You looked so busy at Mr. Lee’s state funeral. So many people were seeking you out.”
Both Choi Team Leader and I had attended Lee Jung-yong’s state funeral to pay our respects.
Our true feelings were different, but that wasn’t solely because of the public image we needed to maintain.
“They’re searching for new patronage. It was something I desired as well.”
The political and business circles, oppressed by the Ares Guild, had shown considerable interest in us. Key figures from the Large Guilds especially sought us out.
Of course, more than half of them came to me first, but my answer to them had been decided from the start.
‘Rather than someone like me—a mere Hunter—speak with our Team Leader Choi instead.’
The fact that I had secured a place at Lee Jung-yong’s funeral, where all manner of powerful figures gathered, meant I was among those who had grasped victory in this society after fierce struggle.
They understood precisely what my words signified, and immediately set about arranging a meeting with Choi Team Leader.
「The powerless are scorned, but the powerful find hands extended to them from every direction. No matter how the world changes, that truth remains constant.」
Magic Johnson’s words were a sharp truth.
I and Choi Team Leader—or rather, the Peace Guild—had suddenly emerged as the sole counterforce capable of standing against the Ares Guild.
The masses might not know it, but those positioned in the upper echelons of this society understood it better than anyone.
By now, political and business figures were surely calculating what advantages they could gain from a conflict between these two powers, and whose shadow would provide the most shelter.
Moreover, the leaders of medium and large guilds must be eager to break free from the Ares Guild’s monopolistic stranglehold with this opportunity.
Thus Choi Team Leader had acquired new reinforcements and the power they possessed.
He had taken the first step toward completely consuming the feast that was Ares.
Perhaps that was why Choi Team Leader’s voice, flowing from between lips without a single flaw, carried more strength than ever before in the next moment.
“I will not refuse the hands they extend.”
Magic Johnson, who had been gazing intently at Choi Team Leader, suddenly opened his mouth.
「So it seems… it was true after all.」
“What do you mean, sir?”
「That rumor. The one about ‘him’ being connected to Choi.」
“There’s no reason to hide it anymore. Yes, it’s true.”
Magic Johnson’s eyes widened.
「I didn’t expect Choi to admit it so readily. Or have you perhaps laid everything bare to all these newly formed connections?」
“No. But they, and I—we haven’t spoken of it, yet we already know. We know whose blood flows through my veins.”
A soft chuckle escaped from between the Grand Wizard’s thick lips.
「Right, that fact no one can deny. Truly the only pure bloodline existing in the twenty-first century.」
No existing nobility or royal family could compare to Choi Team Leader.
Even if that arrogant Prince Felix of Britain were to become king, it would be the same.
If his ancestor had built a vast empire upon which the sun never set, then Cheon Tae-min was the savior who had allowed billions of humanity to witness tomorrow’s dawn.
「And it was wise not to speak of him directly. A reticent person who does not readily reveal himself inspires trust.」
“Thank you for the compliment.”
「No need to thank me. It’s the truth.」
The cheerful demeanor and playful manner he usually displayed were nowhere to be found now. Magic Johnson continued in a measured voice.
「But Choi, remember this well. Your grandfather, whose whereabouts are now unknown, and I—we have always known what takes priority. We fought with our lives on the line for a better future. In the East, I believe they call this the greater good.」
“…!”
At Magic Johnson’s oblique reminder that the immediate crisis looming before them took precedence over the Ares Guild, Choi Team Leader, who had been silent for a moment, responded.
“I will remember that, Mr. Johnson. But my targeting of the Ares Guild is not motivated by personal reasons alone.”
「I know. I know what kind of person you are. You’re thinking of weakening Ares as a precaution and strengthening the Peace Guild itself. With teeth that small, one cannot swallow a tiger, after all.」
Choi Team Leader smiled wryly.
“A hyena, then… I cannot deny it.”
Even with Lee Jung-yong gone as the central axis, Ares remained Ares.
Though the Peace Guild had experienced explosive growth and etched its name across the world thanks to my existence, it could not topple in a single blow the fortress that the Ares Guild had spent decades constructing.
「Continue building strength without pursuing personal advancement. The Wizard Guild and I will support you. If needed, I can gladly introduce a few friends with whom I have private connections.」
“Yes, that is my intention. The old enmity has not yet ended, after all.”
“You’re talking about that young friend. Mr. Seok Go-jun.”
Magic Johnson suddenly narrowed his brow.
“Though I haven’t observed him closely for long, I’ve gathered he’s not particularly kind-hearted. Wouldn’t you agree, Jin?”
I nodded immediately.
“He’s a real bastard.”
“The name alone gives off the vibe. The pronunciation itself sounds like ‘Suck.’ Ever since he ambushed Jin at the Arch Lich’s base while we were investigating, something felt off about him.”
Magic Johnson continued with a serious expression.
“That fellow has been giving off an even more dangerous scent lately. Jin, you were right in front of me—didn’t you notice anything?”
“….”
“Jin?”
I hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Well, I… I actually passed gas in front of you.”
“What the Fuck….”
“Even so, watch your language. And Seok Go-jun is naturally a dangerous guy anyway.”
“Phew. That’s true. But from now on, refrain from passing gas when I’m behind you.”
“…Yes.”
I was equally anxious about trusting Magic Johnson at my back, but since I was the one who passed gas, I had nothing to say in my defense.
As I answered while averting my gaze, Magic Johnson, whose nose had been twitching, opened his mouth.
“Good. I think that’s enough for today’s conversation. I’d like you to know that, at least as far as I’m concerned, I trust both of you firmly.”
He looked at me and Choi Team Leader with warm eyes, then added toward the two standing blankly—or rather, one person and one monster.
“Of course, you two as well.”
Skeleton King and Lim Hyuk-jun answered simultaneously.
“Don’t take Gavana with you.”
“Ah, I don’t speak English.”
“…Quite reassuring indeed.”
Magic Johnson muttered with an expression contradicting his words, then pulled out a small glass vial from his pocket and drank it down in one gulp.
Realizing the vial contained a potion that replenished depleted mana, I asked.
“Are you leaving?”
“I should head back now. From here on, I’ll be quite busy myself. I should reach out to some friends I haven’t seen in a while.”
“Friends, you say…?”
“The ones I mentioned earlier. Though about half of them have retired, they could still be of considerable help. Ah, if Choi wishes, I could bring them right now. What do you say?”
Choi Team Leader hesitated under Magic Johnson’s intense gaze, then quickly shook his head.
“No, it’s fine.”
“A shame. That Joseph fellow was interested in you.”
“I’m disappointed too, but next time… Wait. Did you just say Joseph?”
“If your ears haven’t deceived you, you heard correctly.”
“Then surely not… Joseph Biden, the former President of the United States?”
“That’s right. He retired quite long ago, but we meet about once a month to drink. Though he can barely eat anything these days, being so old.”
“…!”
It wasn’t just Choi Team Leader who was shocked. I, along with Lim Hyuk-jun, had our mouths hanging wide open.
“Joseph Biden? The Joseph Biden?”
“Ah, I know! I know Joseph Biden!”
I couldn’t care less about the names of American presidents—whether it was Chakumba Okumbo or Kim Chul-soo—but I’d heard the name Joseph Biden mentioned countless times since my days at the Hunter Training Institute.
The man had endured far more hardship than any New York mayor in a superhero film, all because this catastrophe had struck during his tenure as president.
‘Now that’s what I call networking.’
In America, he was practically a second founding father, succeeding George Washington.
I’d known Magic Johnson was impressive, but I hadn’t realized he boasted such a dazzling web of connections.
「Don’t make a big deal out of it. We’ve known each other for nearly fifty years—childhood friends—but most of it is personal and private.」
“…!”
At Choi Team Leader’s suddenly frozen expression, Magic Johnson quickly added a clarification.
「Scratch the childhood friends part. Just say we’re friends. Close friends.」
“Phew.”
「Damn it. Do I really have to make excuses like this?」
“Mr. Johnson. In Korea, we have a saying: you reap what you sow.”
「Hell. I’ve been completely had. So, what do you want to do, Choi?」
Choi Team Leader answered without hesitation.
“Let’s go. We’ll accept your help.”
「Good thinking. It’ll be a long journey across continents, so you might feel a bit of motion sickness.」
“A little motion sickness is nothing to worry about.”
Choi Team Leader replied matter-of-factly and grasped the hand Magic Johnson extended.
With a light nod of acknowledgment, a tremendous surge of mana enveloped both their bodies completely.
Whoooosh!
The brilliant flash that erupted sent both their figures hurtling away in an instant.
Bzzzzzzzz.
The three of us remaining—myself, Lim Hyuk-jun, and the Skeleton King’s smartphone—vibrated violently.

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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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