Murim Login - Chapter 576

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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 576
Click.
The brief call ended. The signal tone that had been flowing from the smartphone ceased, but the hand pressed against his ear did not lower easily.
Choi Min-woo crossed the verdant garden sprawling before the Blue House residence, his eyes clouded with conflict.
His pace, slower than before, was weighed down by a singular thought consuming his mind.
‘Song Cheon-woo wants to meet me. Right now, no less.’
Song Cheon-woo—the Trojan horse who would grant him entry into the fortress that was the Ares Guild.
He had indeed been waiting for his contact, but he never expected it to come today, let alone with an immediate summons.
Choi Min-woo recalled the brief conversation, muttering softly to himself.
‘What should I do?’
Then, his footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
Before him now lay two diverging paths, as if mirroring the crossroads that had formed within his heart.
‘Busan. And Song Cheon-woo.’
Time was running out. A choice had to be made. With eyes that had grown distant and grave, Choi Min-woo stared at the two paths before finally taking a step forward.
Crunch—the frozen grass beneath his leather shoes crackled. Though the paths diverged into two, all roads ultimately led to the exit.
Outside the Main Gate, adjacent to the Blue House Security Office, a familiar face awaited him.
“Young Master.”
Choi Min-woo acknowledged Kim Butler with a nod and stepped through the Main Gate.
Along the roadside stood a sleek limousine and five black SUVs, with roughly twenty Hunters standing ready.
Elite warriors who had earned their reputation even within the now-considerable ranks of the Peace Guild.
The various equipment they already wore was evidence of their full combat readiness.
Kim Butler’s next words transformed suspicion into certainty.
“We have been standing by to escort you.”
“My apologies. Given where I was, I hadn’t had the chance to confirm. But I heard that Jin Tae-kyung defeated a Named Monster—what is the current situation?”
“As you said, the Named Monster that appeared in this wave, the Kraken, has been eliminated. However, over a thousand Mermen have scattered across Haeundae and Gwangalli.”
Hearing Kim Butler’s report, Choi Min-woo let out a low murmur.
“The casualties must be severe.”
Though not on Seoul’s scale, Busan lived up to its name as South Korea’s second-largest city, with a population exceeding five million.
That monsters, grown stronger with the recent surge in mana, had appeared in such numbers—over a thousand—was nothing short of catastrophic.
Yet Kim Butler shook his head calmly.
“While it is hardly cause for celebration, fortunately the casualty count has been far lower than anticipated.”
“Even if Jin Tae-kyung defeated the Kraken, he couldn’t have stopped all thousand Mermen by himself.”
“Skel—rather, Stone King was there.”
“Ah.”
The face of the arrogant, self-assured blonde foreigner flashed before his eyes. Choi Min-woo nodded with a soft exclamation.
‘With him present, it’s possible.’
The existence of the undead monster caught between identities—neither fully monster nor American—was a secret granted to only the rarest few.
And Choi Min-woo knew well that this being was a powerhouse who stood shoulder to shoulder with S-rank Hunters.
“Indeed. Thanks to the efforts of those two, the scale of damage has remained manageable.”
It could only be called providence. Jin Tae-kyung and Skeleton King were warriors formidable enough to be called one-man armies.
Unlike the Skeleton King, who despite his considerable power faced various limitations, Jin Tae-kyung stood as the finest talent not just in South Korea, but across the entire world.
‘…Save for one person, that is.’
Choi Min-woo, muttering inwardly, finally spoke.
“What about our Peace Guild?”
“Approximately five minutes ago, we dispatched the Emergency Rescue Team and three prepared squads to Busan. The Guild stationed in Busan, along with its affiliated Hunters and external reinforcements, are currently doing everything in their power to contain the damage.”
Choi Min-woo, who possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of every Gate within the nation and the number of Guilds and Hunters in each region, had already begun his calculations.
After a few blinks, he had finished his mental arithmetic and suddenly spoke.
“Suppression complete within two hours. Is that correct?”
“That is our assessment. Of course, rescue operations and recovery efforts will require considerable additional time….”
“Then under the current circumstances, summoning Jin Tae-kyung or the Skeleton King would be impossible.”
“Forgive me, Young Master, but what do you mean by ‘summoning’?”
“Never mind. Let’s depart.”
Yet despite his quiet dismissal, Choi Min-woo’s lips moved silently as he walked toward the limousine.
What now transcended mere message magic—a transmission of sound that deserved its proper name—pierced through Kim Butler’s ears.
– He has requested a meeting.
“…!”
Kim Butler’s pupils trembled faintly. Even without a name spoken aloud, he understood perfectly who ‘he’ referred to.
– Song Cheon-woo?
– Yes.
– Young Master. This could be dangerous. Since the Busan Monster Wave is already being contained, perhaps it would be safer to return to the Guild House….
– He spoke of my Maternal Grandfather’s safety. He also mentioned that Seok Go-jun is laying a trap.
Choi Min-woo, observing Kim Butler’s hardened expression, continued his transmission quietly.
– I must meet with him. Right now.
* * *
The B-rank Gate located in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province—[Yeti’s Winter Mountain Range]—held little appeal as a raid destination for Hunters.
No matter how exceptional one’s physical prowess or magical equipment, battling towering, fur-covered giants while sinking into snow-covered peaks was hardly an enjoyable endeavor.
Yet not all Hunters avoided [Yeti’s Winter Mountain Range].
Even as mana levels continued their recent surge, some Hunters still sought out this place, and the group that had just descended via lift belonged to that category.
“Damn it. Suddenly closed to entry.”
“Right? But Team Leader, do we still get paid today?”
“…This is worse than the Yetis themselves. We couldn’t even enter the Gate because of the mana surge, so forget about payment. Have you lost your conscience?”
“Ugh. I got my hopes up for nothing. By the way, who were those people up there? That masked, handsome guy looked kind of familiar.”
“How should I know? How would I…wait?”
About thirty Hunters descended, grumbling. The Team Leader at the front suddenly widened his eyes.
At the end of his gaze, a single figure walked up the path at an unhurried pace.
“Tsk tsk. That fellow’s wasting his time too.”
It was clear at a glance that this person had come for a raid as well. The Team Leader, appearing to be in his forties, addressed the middle-aged man.
“Yeti. Raid?”
At the two words suddenly thrown at him, the middle-aged man hesitated momentarily before nodding silently. The Team Leader clicked his tongue softly and continued.
“Looks like you’re out of luck too, boss. Don’t bother going up. It’s blocked off.”
“….”
“Apparently the mana levels spiked suddenly or something. Anyway, entry is forbidden. We got turned away because of it too.”
“….”
“…Excuse me? Didn’t you hear what I said?”
The Team Leader’s brow furrowed as he sensed something amiss, but the Middle-aged Guard simply walked past them without a word of acknowledgment, listening only to what was being said.
Thud. Thud.
As the Middle-aged Guard receded into the distance, the Team Leader muttered under his breath.
“What’s with that guy?”
Yet the Team Leader’s goodwill meant nothing to the Middle-aged Guard—merely an unwelcome intrusion.
Clank.
Rising in the lift with a subtle tremor, he found himself confronted by dozens of pairs of eyes waiting for him.
Among them, a Hunter of considerable standing stepped forward to block the uninvited guest.
“I apologize, but due to the elevated mana levels, entry into the Gate is currently prohibited….”
“He’s my guest.”
At the low voice that suddenly rang out, the twenty-odd Hunters standing like a wall parted left and right, opening a passage.
And at the end of the path they had created stood two figures.
“You’re late.”
At Choi Min-woo’s flat tone, Song Cheon-woo—whose appearance had been altered by an illusion spell—finally parted his tightly sealed lips.
“I had to be careful. Besides, you were the one who chose this location, weren’t you?”
“The person who suggested meeting at the Gate first wasn’t me. If that’s the case, there’s no harm in me choosing the venue.”
“To avoid wiretapping or any possible surveillance, it was unavoidable. Once we enter the Gate, all such measures become useless anyway.”
“Then there’s no problem. This Gate belongs to the Peace Guild. It’s the perfect place for us to be cautious with each other.”
“…Each other? You’re saying you suspect me?”
It was not Choi Min-woo who answered Song Cheon-woo’s question, but Kim Butler, who stood quietly behind him.
“Then what possible reason could the young master have to trust you?”
“Now listen here. Hwa-jong.”
“Don’t presume to call me by name. Our relationship ended long ago.”
“…!”
Song Cheon-woo’s eyelids trembled at the glacial coldness in those eyes.
There had been a time when they addressed each other as brothers, but they had parted ways at the crossroads of loyalty and ambition.
As an icy chill settled between the two, a quiet voice rang out.
“But first, I believe there’s something we need to discuss.”
A soft yet incisive remark that struck at the heart of the matter.
Simultaneously, Choi Min-woo turned, having regarded both men as they stepped back. The Gate Entrance, its mana field rippling, lay before them.
“The two of you will enter the Gate with me. The other Guild members will guard against any external intrusion.”
Choi Min-woo took the first step forward, with Kim Butler and Song Cheon-woo following behind.
Whoooosh.
A cool, viscous mana enveloped their entire bodies. When they opened their eyes again, a world blanketed entirely in pristine white stretched before the three of them.
Yeti’s Winter Mountain Range.
Snowdrifts filled every direction, and from somewhere within that steep, treacherous terrain, the agonized cry of a monster pierced the air.
– A deafening roar echoed across the frozen wasteland!
Yet the three of them remained unmoved by the bitter cold and the spine-chilling cry.
Their caliber was far too high to be intimidated by a mere Yeti, and besides, they had come to this place not for a Raid, but to conduct a confidential discussion.
“Now then, speak. Tell me about my Maternal Grandfather’s safety. And what information you have regarding the trap Seok Go-jun is preparing.”
At Choi Min-woo’s direct words, Song Cheon-woo offered a bitter smile.
“Though I haven’t been able to watch over you for long… your nature remains unchanged, I see.”
“Just the essentials, plainly. I don’t believe this is an unreasonable request.”
Song Cheon-woo exhaled softly. Between the white breath piercing through the wind, his voice—noticeably aged—carried through.
“Won’t you walk with me for a moment? I wish to speak with you alone.”
Kim Butler’s brow furrowed, while Choi Min-woo answered calmly.
“I don’t see the necessity for that.”
“You suspect me, it seems.”
“There’s no reason to trust you.”
“This Gate belongs to the Peace Guild, neither me nor Ares. You chose this place yourself—how could there be a trap?”
….
“I’m not fool enough to scheme against my only ally.”
Choi Min-woo, who had been gazing at some distant point on the snowy mountain, suddenly turned his head.
He stared intently into Song Cheon-woo’s unwavering eyes before speaking softly.
“Very well.”
“Young Master.”
“Don’t worry. We won’t go far.”
“…Then I’ll follow at a distance from behind.”
Song Cheon-woo nodded and slowly drew the weapon at his waist.
“I can’t stop you from doing that. Do as you wish.”
“You…!”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
Thunk.
The concern Kim Butler harbored did not come to pass.
At the sight of Song Cheon-woo deliberately plunging his weapon deep into the snow, Choi Min-woo took the first step forward.
Crunch. Crunch.
Following the footsteps of the two walking side by side, the snow crunched beneath them.
After walking several paces, Song Cheon-woo’s tightly sealed lips finally parted.
“The Ares Guild Headquarters contains a secret sector that only an extremely select few may enter.”
“You mean Area A?”
…!
At the unexpected response, Song Cheon-woo’s eyes widened considerably.
Choi Min-woo continued in an unruffled voice.
“I was aware of the secret sector’s existence and designation. Though I couldn’t learn more than that.”
“…Your resourcefulness is impressive. How did you find out?”
“I invested far more effort than you might imagine. But what I need now isn’t praise—it’s more detailed information. How does it connect to my Maternal Grandfather’s safety?”
“Because That Person is there.”
Park.
That Person. At those two syllables referring to someone, my steady footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
Choi Min-woo, who had fallen silent for a moment, resumed walking.
“That’s not certain information, is it?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because you were pushed out from the center of the Ares Guild long ago.”
“…That stings. But you’re right. It’s not accurate information.”
“I cannot find the reason why my Maternal Grandfather would be there. Rather, I cannot understand it.”
“A reason….”
Song Cheon-woo exhaled softly and continued.
“You won’t be able to understand. None of you, including yourself, know what happened to That Person.”
“What do you mean….”
Choi Min-woo, his expression clouded with confusion, froze at the next words.
“It’s been more than twenty years. Since That Person lost consciousness.”
“…!”

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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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