Murim Login - Chapter 603

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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 603
‘It’s finally over.’
Thud.
Baek Han-sung, the President seated upon the phoenix throne, smiled bitterly as he set down the report.
This document, submitted directly by the Director of the National Intelligence Service, contained every detail of Choi Min-woo’s movements from just yesterday.
The press conference held immediately after the state funeral, and the atmosphere within Ares Guild where an emergency meeting had convened.
‘To think he would move with such speed.’
The secret surrounding Choi Min-woo’s birth and status was something he had already known.
Yet he had never anticipated it would be revealed at such a delicate moment, before everyone’s eyes.
Or rather, he should say he had not expected the executives of Ares Guild to so readily accept a new City Lord.
‘That speaks to how extraordinary it is. The significance of Cheon Tae-min’s bloodline.’
Cheon Tae-min is a hero who symbolizes all of humanity.
No matter how much filth had clung to Ares Guild from the series of incidents that had unfolded, the symbolism carried by the name Cheon Tae-min remained untarnished.
No media outlet or celebrity dared touch him, for he dwelt in a realm beyond sacrilege.
Yet the reason Choi Min-woo could establish the current Peace Guild and secure the support of Ares Guild’s executives was not merely that.
‘Jin Tae-kyung.’
An unrestrained, approachable, and devoted young hero.
So long as he stood beside Choi Min-woo, drawing ever closer with each step to the renown that none dared approach, nothing could bar their path forward.
Not even if the nation’s most influential politicians, conglomerate corporations, and massive guilds united against them.
“Pardon me, Mr. President.”
At the call of his chief secretary, President Baek Han-sung lifted his head.
“What is it?”
“The Guild Association is requesting an audience.”
The most unwelcome words had been spoken.
The Association, to which the nation’s ten largest guilds belonged, had been eyeing Ares Guild covetously ever since the Seok Go-jun incident.
Their reason for actively cooperating with the government was not for social purification or justice, but to plunder the remains and treasures of the now-crumbled fortress.
‘That would have happened, had Choi Min-woo not existed.’
Choi Min-woo is a young, capable, and legitimate new City Lord.
Should he ascend to the position of Sub-Guild Master, Ares Guild would be rebuilt, and through the positive image possessed by Choi Min-woo and Jin Tae-kyung, they could wash away the stain.
Thus, the Guild Association’s resistance was something he had anticipated.
The problem was that those demanding compensation for their contributions and favors were none other than himself.
President Baek Han-sung muttered bitterly.
“…None of them can rise above their base nature.”
“Sir?”
“Never mind. As for the matter concerning the Guild Association, shelve it for now.”
“Mr. President. I apologize for being presumptuous, but there have been endless requests…”
“I said shelve it.”
The chief secretary, halted by the quiet tone, bowed and turned to leave.
As the door closed, President Baek Han-sung rubbed his weary eyes.
His body and mind were utterly exhausted from the succession of problems.
He even found himself yearning for cigarettes, something he’d quit immediately after taking office.
But what he truly needed now wasn’t nicotine or tar—it was a solution.
A solution to untangle the knotted problems that twisted together like the Gordian Knot of mythology.
And the place to find the fastest, most certain solution wasn’t the Blue House.
‘In the end, there’s no other way.’
President Baek Han-sung pressed the button attached beneath his chair with a heavy heart.
In mere seconds, the security personnel waiting in the adjacent room rushed in and bowed their heads.
“I’d like to get some fresh air. Would that be alright?”
The head of security responded with composure.
“Of course, Mr. President. Do you have a destination in mind?”
A destination.
President Baek Han-sung gazed out the window and spoke.
“The Peace Guild. Let’s go to the Peace Guild.”
* * *
I’d wondered why the guild was so quiet today, but there was good reason for it.
Summoned by Choi Team Leader, I left the Training Room and immediately understood the reason upon entering the office.
“Welcome, Hunter Jin Tae-kyung.”
“…Why have you come again?”
President Baek Han-sung offered a weary smile at my genuine question.
“Indeed. Still, it’s nice to see you again after so long.”
“Well, yes.”
Whether two weeks could truly be called “so long” was debatable, but I pulled up a chair and sat down regardless.
I didn’t forget to add a word to President Baek Han-sung, who was fidgeting with a cigarette.
“This is a non-smoking area.”
“I know. I quit a year ago.”
President Baek Han-sung rubbed his eyes, dark circles hanging heavily beneath them, and continued.
“But lately… I’ve been wondering if I should start again.”
Judging by how much he’d suffered, he looked as though he’d aged ten years in our time apart.
Regarding his appearance with sympathy, I patted his shoulder in consolation.
“I understand, but this is a non-smoking area.”
“…”
“So what brings you here?”
My question was merely a formality.
The middle-aged man before me was the President of a nation. A head of state wouldn’t come all this way in person without compelling reason—certainly not for something trivial.
Especially not in circumstances like these.
Sure enough, President Baek Han-sung let out a rueful laugh and answered.
“I suspect you both already have your suspicions.”
Choi Team Leader opened his mouth with measured composure.
“The Guild Association’s resistance must be severe.”
“If I’m being precise, it’s not just the Guild Association. The political and business figures have simply chosen to take a step back.”
“They will move according to which way the scales tip.”
“Correct. After all, the guild industry stands to be most affected by this situation.”
President Baek Han-sung continued with a sigh.
“As you likely know, they fear the emergence of a second Ares Guild.”
Ares Guild is an undisputed predator. Particularly domestically, it has wielded overwhelming influence since its establishment, and it would be no exaggeration to say it possesses more power than the Blue House itself.
“The Guild Association won’t back down easily. It’s an opportunity that may never come again. They want to weaken Ares Guild’s influence through this incident and receive certain vested interests as compensation.”
“….”
“But now that Choi Team Leader has held a press conference and made contact with Ares Guild’s leadership….”
“The burden must be considerable.”
“To be frank, yes. The pressure is extraordinary.”
I, who had been listening silently to their conversation, suddenly opened my mouth.
“Perhaps you could speak even more frankly.”
“What do you mean by that….”
“You’re worried too, aren’t you, Mr. President? A second Ares. Or rather, Lee Jung-yong.”
“…!”
“Our Peace Guild is growing at a terrifying pace even as we speak. If Ares Guild were to support Choi Team Leader in this situation? Then the game is completely over.”
A corporation’s power derives from its scale and capital, while a guild’s power flows from its hunters themselves.
In that sense, the current Peace Guild possessed both status and military strength that far surpassed the top ten domestic guilds.
I, with overwhelming martial prowess. And Choi Team Leader, the sole bloodline of Cheon Tae-min.
‘But what if Ares Guild were added to this mix?’
Choi Team Leader would possess truly formidable power.
From being the only rival capable of bringing down Ares Guild, he would become a great power that no one could touch.
“…Hmm.”
Toward President Baek Han-sung, who was exhaling a heavy breath, I snapped my fingers.
Snap, crackle.
Flames born from Samadhi True Fire shimmer and dance.
As I nodded toward President Baek Han-sung, whose eyes widened in surprise at the flames, he, understanding my intent, brought the cigarette he held to his lips.
Crackle. Exhale.
With his breath, pristine white cigarette smoke billows forth. As if it had been a long time since his last smoke, he leaned back against the sofa with his eyes closed, then suddenly parted his lips.
“Jin Tae-kyung’s words are correct. I’m more concerned about a second Lee Jung-yong than a second Ares Guild.”
Choi Team Leader waved away the cigarette smoke with his hand and replied.
“That’s unfortunate. I didn’t know you thought of me that way, Mr. President.”
“People always change. That’s something I learned after entering politics.”
“Yet you’ve come here directly today. You’ve even postponed your meeting with the Guild Association.”
“….”
“What’s the reason?”
After a brief silence, President Baek Han-sung finally opened his mouth.
“I wanted to believe. That the two of you here would be different.”
With a grave gaze fixed upon me and Choi Team Leader, he continued.
“Most importantly, what matters is not the strength or sharpness of the weapon, but rather the wielder of that weapon, wouldn’t you say?”
That’s a fair point. A cheap utility knife sold at a stationery store becomes a weapon in a criminal’s hands, and a legendary blade forged from eternal steel becomes nothing more than a kitchen knife in the hands of an amateur.
And the Choi Team Leader I know is… a capable and wise individual. The kind of person who would never wield a weapon carelessly once it’s in his grasp.
“Then I believe I can ease the President’s concerns.”
At Choi Team Leader’s quiet words, President Baek Han-sung’s eyes gleamed with light.
“You mean….”
“Trust me. I will use the influence and power I possess fairly and justly, and I will even cede some of the interests sufficient to suppress the Guild Association. If you wish, I can even put it in writing.”
“…!”
“However, since I’ve given you the answer you desired, I would like to ask for one promise in return.”
President Baek Han-sung, who had been blinking at the unprecedented offer, asked urgently.
“What is it?”
“I would appreciate it if there were no further interference in my future endeavors. Please halt the issues with the Guild Association and the ongoing field investigation at Ares Guild Headquarters.”
This was both an alliance proposal based on trust and a transaction. President Baek Han-sung, a seasoned politician, nodded without lengthy hesitation.
“If you honor what you’ve just said, it’s not a difficult matter.”
“Then it’s settled. Clean and simple.”
As if sealing a promise, the two men rose from their seats simultaneously and extended their hands toward each other.
And just as they were about to shake hands firmly, President Baek Han-sung suddenly opened his mouth, looking at me.
“Jin Tae-kyung. May I ask one last thing?”
“Me? Sure, why not.”
“The request to halt the field investigation underway at Ares Guild… is it connected to the meeting that took place at the Special Detention Center not long ago?”
“Ah.”
I had suspected that a report would reach him, and as expected, it had.
In that moment, reading the light of affirmation in Choi Team Leader’s eyes as our gazes met, I shrugged and answered.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Hmm. It seems the investigation team failed to uncover something.”
“Why? Would you like to search again even now?”
“Well, I am curious about what Go Se-won was hiding… but if he were that foolish, he never would have made it to this point.”
President Baek Han-sung, answering like the politician he was, grasped Choi Team Leader’s hand with a smile on his face.
“I hope we can maintain a good relationship. Going forward as well.”
“I look forward to working with you, Mr. President.”
It was the moment when the newly born mega-guild and the government established a firm cooperative relationship.
And this meant that the final obstacle standing in the way of Ares Guild had disappeared.
* * *
– C-could you say that one more time?
– Cheon. Tae-min. Cheon Tae-min. That is my maternal grandfather’s name.
On the day the joint national funeral for the victims was being held, the reporting team, having finished their coverage and preparing to return, was left reeling by the bombshell that fell upon their heads.
No—everyone except for the handful of individuals who had obtained the information in advance was equally stunned.
Cheon Tae-min. The immortal hero whose existence had been shrouded in mystery for the past two decades.
His sole bloodline, who had refused to show his face even amid the waves that crashed over Ares Guild, had revealed himself before the cameras.
It was only natural that the global media, including domestic outlets, opened fire all at once.
[Peace Guild Team Leader Choi Min-woo: “My maternal grandfather is Cheon Tae-min.”]
[A press conference hall engulfed in shock. Ten seconds of silence.]
[Foreign media in uproar. The bloodline of a living legend. Who is Choi?]
[Lie or truth. The clash of claims surrounding Choi Min-woo’s shocking statement.]
[Peace Guild spokesperson, “Choi Min-woo confirmed as the new Guild Master of Peace Guild.”]
[Ares Guild official, “Emergency board meeting regarding Choi Min-woo. New Sub-Guild Master appointment likely.”]
[The new captain of Peace Guild, and a love call from Ares Guild?]
[Kakao Page web novel reader, commented on Chapter 599 of a certain novel. “Choi Min-woo is a total fraud. Just watch the fun Giant Rider instead.” Author’s response. “?”]
The four major domestic morning newspapers, as well as foreign media, covered matters related to Choi Min-woo with significant weight.
Even on web novel serialization platforms, nonsense ran rampant, which spoke volumes about the ripple effect.
A brief clash of claims erupted over this matter, but it quickly subsided.
Go Se-won, who knew the internal affairs of Ares Guild better than anyone, and Magic Johnson opened their mouths.
[Former Security Team Leader Go Se-won, “Choi Min-woo’s statement is the truth. Having lost his parents in childhood, he was excluded from within Ares Guild for the past twenty-odd years.”]
[American Archmage Magic Johnson, “He is certainly the grandson of Cheon Tae-min, and he is a very capable and charming individual who has grown Peace Guild to this day. But where is Kanghee Lee now? Showering?”]
[Former American President Joseph Biden. “I think that was the case from what I remember. Or actually, I’m not quite sure.”]
[British Prince Felix upon hearing the news, “What The Fu*k….” The royal family directly requested the interview be suspended.]
Among these, the crowning touch was the Blue House’s announcement and declaration of support proving Choi Min-woo’s identity, and the results of Ares Guild’s official board meeting convened the next day.
[Ares Guild, Choi Min-woo (Current Peace Guild Master) elected as new Sub-Guild Master. “Board vote was unanimous.”]
[A young power broker who seized both major guilds. Choi Min-woo.]
[Guild Association, contrary to expert predictions of opposition, “Sincere congratulations.”]
[Yet the immortal hero never revealed himself.]
[Overseas reaction. “Where is the Slayer?”]
.
.
.
“Jin Tae-kyung?”
At the voice piercing my ear, I tore my gaze away from the smartphone. The face that appeared countless times in the articles was right there.
He, who had become the new captain of Ares Guild amid thunderous applause and cheers, asked with a composed expression.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Articles about Choi Team Leader. Or should I say Guild Master now? Or Sub-Guild Master? It’s confusing since you’re straddling both guilds.”
“Either is fine, so please call me whatever feels comfortable.”
“Hmm, should I? Min-woo?”
“Ah… Please just call me Choi Min-woo, Guild Master.”
“That feels awkward. I’ll just keep calling you Team Leader.”
Considering the gazes of others and the position he held, calling him Guild Master would be proper, but it was a proposal Choi Team Leader couldn’t refuse.
It would be a hundred times better than calling him Min-woo.
“…I understand.”
Choi Team Leader’s gaze, answering with an uncomfortable expression, swept across the surroundings.
A vast, scorched space deliberately left unrepaired for thorough investigation. It was Area A hidden within Ares Guild Headquarters.
‘I should say it was hidden now, though.’
I murmured inwardly as I crossed the familiar corridor.
The place where I had fought a fierce battle with Seok Go-jun, who had triggered the mutation, was littered with debris wherever my eyes and footsteps wandered.
‘Now that I look at it again, it’s absurdly vast.’
It wasn’t some orchard, but judging by rough estimation, the area easily exceeded a thousand square meters.
The problem was that Choi Team Leader and I had to search through this entire space like combing through sand.
Well, strictly speaking, we weren’t alone. It was just that our other team member happened to not be human.
“Come on out, Skeleton King.”
Whoosh.
Not a human, but something that looked human-like popped out of my inventory and muttered.
“Did my eyes deceive me? I could have sworn you said you’d take me to a club. You promised me drinking games with beautiful women?”
I responded confidently to Skeleton King’s aggrieved expression.
“We’re playing a treasure hunt game here.”
“….”
“Find it quickly and I’ll really take you to a club. I’ll bet Hyuk Moo-jin’s balls on it.”
“…You cunning human. I’ll trust you one last time. But who exactly is this Hyuk Moo-jin that you keep betting his balls?”
I lightly ignored Skeleton King’s words and gestured to Choi Team Leader.
“Team Leader, you go that way. I’ll take this side. Skeleton King, you cover that area over there.”
“The range I’ve been assigned seems rather extensive.”
“Come on, don’t be like that. If you don’t like it, quit. Isn’t he our grandfather? He’s your grandfather too.”
“That’s immediately convincing. Understood.”
After dividing our roles, we moved swiftly.
Three hours later, we gathered in one place with serious expressions and muttered.
“Damn it… this isn’t working.”
“For some reason, the mana detector isn’t functioning. This is a genuine luxury item I bought at a Sotheby’s auction.”
“Human. This treasure hunt game is boring as hell.”
Considering Lee Jung-yong’s meticulous nature, I had expected finding the secret space wouldn’t be easy, but I hadn’t anticipated it would be this difficult.
It made sense that the Government Investigation Team had come up empty-handed.
‘There’s no response even in the Office. Could the information be wrong?’
But Go Se-won was currently the person closest to Ares Guild’s secrets. Now that Lee Jung-yong, Song Cheon-woo, and even Seok Go-jun were dead, trusting his word was the only….
“Huh?”
In that moment, a thought that flashed through my mind caused my eyes to widen involuntarily.
At my reaction, Choi Team Leader, who had been tapping the mana detector with his fist, and Skeleton King asked.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh. Did you remember a nice club?”
“No, wait. I just thought of somewhere.”
I quickly retraced my memories from Area A. The battle with Seok Go-jun and the first victory. And….
‘When I returned. He was fleeing.’
At that time, Seok Go-jun, transformed into that grotesque form where human and monster were mixed together, was definitely fleeing.
But what mattered was the direction he was heading.
‘That place. There’s something there that I failed to discover.’
Click, screeeech!
Without hesitation, I hurled myself forward. Choi Team Leader and Skeleton King rushed after me, struggling to keep pace with my wind-like velocity.
Though I had searched this place countless times before, something felt different this time.
Whoosh.
A corridor with a sealed end and several rooms. I slowed my pace, pressing myself against the wall as I drew upon my ki-sensing ability.
With a soft chime from the system, a blue circle of detection rippled outward from my position.
Yet even after thoroughly sweeping the corridor and rooms, no notification of discovery appeared.
Swirling winds.
The range of [Ki-sensing] was determined by the system, and I could perceive only within those boundaries.
But surely… surely there had to be more than this.
‘Further. Wider.’
I breathed steadily, the ambient sounds fading as the inner force rising from my core energy center strengthened my ki-sensing.
And then… the moment my middle dantian finally resonated.
Whoooosh!
The stagnant blue circle surged outward, reaching beyond the visible space toward another realm concealed in shadow.
At its edge, the notification I had been waiting for appeared.
Chime.

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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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