Murim Login - Chapter 602

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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 602
The whip is an effective tool for coercing others, yet it inevitably breeds resentment. In that regard, Choi Team Leader was someone who understood precisely how to wield the whip he held.
“Director Hong.”
At Choi Team Leader’s call—he had naturally claimed the seat of honor—one of the younger executives responded with a tense expression.
“Y-yes, sir.”
“I’ve heard much about you, Director Hong. They say you’re exceptionally skilled.”
“Oh, no. I’ve simply been fortunate….”
“One doesn’t rise to an executive position at Ares Guild through luck alone. Especially not at such a young age. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“….”
Though Choi Team Leader’s tone and voice remained gentle, Director Hong’s face betrayed unmistakable anxiety. And there was always a reason when Choi Team Leader singled out one person from among dozens of executives.
“Growing up abroad as a child made adaptation difficult. But since people are people everywhere, I gradually made friends, one by one.”
Exiled though he may have been, Choi Team Leader remained a prince of the blood. His connections far exceeded what someone of my humble station could imagine.
“I occasionally exchange messages with those friends. They’ve shared interesting stories about you, Director Hong.”
“…Is that so.”
“Yes. The praise was quite effusive. Of course, the same applies to others here as well.”
Each executive whose gaze met Choi Team Leader’s steady stare flinched as though burned. Unless they were fools, they couldn’t possibly take his words at face value.
‘Still water eventually rots.’
Ares Guild was among the world’s largest organizations, and an executive position there granted access to astronomical wealth and prestige.
How many of these executives gathered here could claim to be spotless as spring water? The reason they hadn’t yet been summoned by the Prosecution wasn’t because of their integrity—it was because they were only third-rate offenders.
Those who were sewage and filth had already begun their reunions in the Detention Center.
“Are you feeling unwell? You’re perspiring rather heavily.”
At Choi Team Leader’s question, Director Hong wiped the sweat from his brow and answered.
“Oh, no. It’s simply rather warm.”
“It seems the temperature regulation magic may be malfunctioning. It would be best to have it fixed promptly.”
The Council Chamber maintained an ideal temperature through magic, yet half the executives were breathing heavily as though they’d entered a wet sauna. All of them had seen the whip concealed in Choi Team Leader’s sleeve. Rather than wielding it directly, he was pressuring them through subtle display.
But exceptions existed everywhere.
“I find it rather inconvenient to comply.”
The speaker was a middle-aged man with irritable eyes. His sparse white beard framed thick knuckles as he drummed them against the round table and continued.
“Are you actually threatening us?”
“Ah, so you’re Kim Branch Manager, who oversees the Asian region.”
Choi Team Leader stroked his chin in response to the blunt question.
“Is that how you perceived it?”
“And if it is?”
“I won’t deny it. Because it’s true.”
“What?”
“I said it’s true. I am threatening you all, and I intend to make Ares Guild my own.”
Choi Team Leader added softly.
“Of course, with everyone’s consent—legally, that is.”
“A lizard swallowing a dinosaur, then.”
Kim Branch Manager, alternating his gaze between Choi Team Leader and me, let out a low chuckle.
“You’re just kids, so it’s no wonder you don’t understand much. Do you really think the Ares Guild is that pathetic?”
I nodded with genuine interest.
“Yeah. Kind of?”
“….”
He fell silent for a moment, seemingly at a loss for words now that I’d said it so bluntly, before continuing.
“Just because the Headquarters fell doesn’t mean you should write off the entire Ares Guild as incompetent. No matter how strong you are, do you really think you could handle all of us?”
There’s some merit to what he’s saying. The Ares Guild operates numerous branches across the globe, and the Headquarters forces are only a fraction of their total strength. Even I couldn’t suppress all of them single-handedly. But….
“So, what?”
At my question, bewilderment flashed across Kim Branch Manager’s face.
“What?”
“What, you bastard.”
“Bastard?”
“You son of a bitch, just—”
“…Huh?”
What the hell is this guy doing? That’s exactly the look he has.
The Branch Manager instinctively scooted his chair backward at the sight of my raised fist, blinking rapidly.
“What… is this situation right now?”
“What do you think? I’m about to beat you down.”
“You’re going to use violence? Right now? Here?”
“Or should I use intellect instead? Though it’s sad since your brains are so pathetic.”
“No… but that would be illegal, wouldn’t it?”
“Was it legal when I decapitated Seok Go-jun ten days ago?”
“…!”
“It’ll work out somehow. I’ve already sent a few people to the grave anyway, so what’s one more? Nobody’s going to say anything, right?”
At my question, Choi Team Leader smacked his lips.
“This case is a bit different, so there could be some objections.”
“The atmosphere’s been favorable lately, but even I can’t escape prison time, right?”
“That’s true. But given how positive public opinion is toward Jin Tae-kyung right now, if we play our cards right, we might be able to wrap it up in just a few years.”
“Right. What if I was drinking?”
“Are you a genius? Then the sentence drops significantly.”
“Come to think of it, I’ve been working so hard lately that I might actually be suffering from diminished mental capacity.”
“Oh, we could even aim for a suspended sentence then.”
What a wonderful country. Claim you were drinking and mentally unstable, and they’ll hand out sentence reductions like candy.
But the face of someone listening to our hopeful conversation had turned ashen.
“You… you crazy bastards.”
“I thought you already knew. Didn’t you? I’m a crazy bastard.”
“…!”
“Watch yourself. I’m trying to do this the easy way, so why are you going off the rails?”
Of course, I’m just talking like this—just talking.
But what matters is how my words and actions land on the other person. A madman with wild eyes who destroyed the Ares Guild Headquarters and committed murder without hesitation or restraint. That’s exactly who I am. In a situation like this, even a joke would sound like the truth.
‘A whip that doesn’t work needs a far stronger one.’
Just as the last dissenting voice fell silent, Park Dae-won Vice President, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly spoke up.
“I understand both of your intentions. Particularly regarding Choi Min-woo Team Leader’s return to the Ares Guild… I support it in my capacity as Vice President.”
“V-Vice President.”
“What, is there a problem?”
“W-well….”
Voices of bewilderment echoed throughout the chamber at his sudden declaration. But the tide had already turned, and Choi Team Leader dangled the carrot he’d prepared before them.
“If the rest of you align with Park Dae-won Vice President’s opinion, the Ares Guild will stabilize rapidly. The vacant positions created by this incident will be filled soon enough.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Separate from everything that’s happened, I have no intention of denying your abilities. Once the situation settles, there will be extraordinary personnel changes.”
I could see the ears of these rabbits perk up as they grasped the nature of the carrot.
If the Ares Guild’s ownership changed hands, the existing executives faced the greatest peril. Yet if that worry vanished and they were instead promised promotions as rewards, the calculus shifted entirely.
‘There’s no reason to refuse.’
Moreover, Choi Team Leader had no disqualifying factors. If anything, he possessed more than sufficient credentials. This was why he could continue speaking with such calm composure and confidence.
“I will forget everything that’s happened until now. I will swiftly stabilize the chaos within the guild, restore our tarnished image, and use this as a foundation to grow even greater.”
Now no one raised objections. Not merely because of the carrot awaiting them, but because they knew Choi Team Leader’s capabilities intimately.
In barely half a year, he had elevated the Peace Guild to its current position.
While my existence undeniably played a pivotal role, without Choi Team Leader’s eye for talent, his managerial prowess, and his political acumen, the Peace Guild of today would not exist.
Moreover….
‘He is the sole bloodline of Cheon Tae-min.’
Though dynasties had vanished from this nation long ago, the name Cheon Tae-min dwelt in the realm of the divine.
The bloodline of the savior who rescued humanity was inherently noble and possessed power. No vast conglomerate hoarding immense wealth, no dynasty that had ever existed, could dare stand above Choi Team Leader.
And such a title wielded tremendous influence, especially within the Ares Guild.
“Mm.”
Low murmurs rippled through the Council Chamber. They surely understood as well. Lee Jung-yong and Seok Go-jun were mere usurpers, while Choi Team Leader, possessing undeniable legitimacy and ability, was the one truly suited to be the new City Lord.
Scrape.
With a sound that shattered the quiet silence, more than a dozen executives rose from their seats. Having already been in the same boat since ten days ago, they bowed respectfully toward Choi Team Leader without hesitation, as though they had been waiting for this very moment.
“…!”
The current had already shifted. Having seen both the whip and the carrot, now came the moment of choice. The executives, their eyes wavering as they beheld the scene before them, began rising one by one.
Scrape. Scrape.
As the sounds of movement continued, I sent a telepathic message to the two who still held out.
–
Damn it, seriously….
“…!”
“…!”
As if struck by lightning, the two trembled, and Baek Executive Director and Kim Branch Manager rose on unsteady legs, bowing their heads.
Now only a single executive remained seated in the Council Chamber.
‘Park Dae-won Vice President.’
Under the gaze of both me and Choi Team Leader, he finally rose quietly from his seat. A weathered voice emerged between his dry lips.
“Are you aware that I will be retiring soon?”
Choi Team Leader nodded calmly, and Park Dae-won Vice President let out a soft chuckle.
“Then this will be my final task.”
“If you wish, I can arrange for you to remain longer.”
“No. I apologize for not being more considerate all this time… and thank you. For returning like this.”
The fact that he had devoted the longest time to the Ares Guild among them all meant he was the one who had turned away from Choi Team Leader for the longest.
Park Dae-won Vice President gazed at Choi Team Leader with a complex expression, as if conflicted emotions were crossing through him, and offered a respectful bow. Along with a single phrase that announced everything had come to an end.
“I shall convene the official board of directors, Young Master.”
“…!”
Light flickered across Choi Team Leader’s eyes. Surrounded by some thirty retainers, he was already no different from a City Lord.

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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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