Murim Login - Chapter 91

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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 91
“Do you know me?”
I asked in return as the man approached me with long strides.
“Who are you?”
Shouldn’t you at least introduce yourself before asking if I know you?
My bewilderment must have been written all over my face, because the man slid down his dark sunglasses. A handsome face with a healthy tan was revealed.
“Park Ji-hoon.”
Park Ji-hoon? Well, I’ve only met a handful of people recently.
Besides, his face wasn’t familiar to me at all.
“I’m sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else.”
“No, I’m sure it’s you. Didn’t you go to Garam Middle School?”
“Huh?”
That was the name of the school I attended. Though I’d moved away before graduating and lost touch with that place, the memories were still vivid.
“Right? Garam Middle School. You’re twenty-seven this year.”
“Yes, that’s true, but….”
“That’s it! Jin Tae-kyung from Class 6, Third Year!”
Even the grade and class I could barely remember.
I couldn’t deny it anymore. I asked the sunglasses-wearing man who was grinning from ear to ear.
“…Do you really know me?”
“It’s me, Ji-hwang! Park Ji-hwang! We used to play soccer together all the time in middle school! We were always getting called out because we were bad at studying, and the homeroom teacher would beat us. Don’t you remember?”
Soccer? Getting beaten by the homeroom teacher?
I opened my mouth with a faint hope.
“Park Ji-hwang?”
“Yeah, man. I’m Park Ji-hwang! Oh, right. You wouldn’t have known I changed my name.”
“Of course I didn’t.”
I didn’t know Park Ji-hoon, but I knew Park Ji-hwang.
I never expected to meet a middle school classmate here. A smile bloomed naturally on my face.
“Man, we meet here of all places. I thought something was off when this stranger came up and acted like he knew me.”
“Still, you should have recognized me, shouldn’t you? It’s only been ten years, not like we’re in kindergarten anymore.”
“Even if it had only been five years, I wouldn’t have recognized you. Your face has changed so much.”
“Has it? Haha.”
It was undeniable. The guy with dark skin and a scrawny build had transformed into someone who’d be called handsome wherever he went.
“Not only did your face become handsome, but your body got better too?”
“Oh, you’ve got a good eye.”
“It’s basic observation.”
From what I remembered, there used to be about a head’s difference in height between us, but now our eyes were roughly at the same level.
“Kid, you’ve completely transformed.”
An unrecognizable face, a solid physique, a pretty girlfriend, and a foreign car that looked like it cost over a hundred million won at first glance.
Ji-hwang, whom I was meeting after more than a decade, had changed dramatically, and I knew the reason why.
‘This guy’s a Hunter too.’
When my perception of qi reached such heights, I could read my opponent without relying on the system.
I could sense the qi flowing through him—there was no doubt about it. He was a Hunter. Comparable to Im Chang-su, whom I’d met not long ago, or perhaps even stronger.
‘A friend I haven’t seen in ten years, and he’s a Hunter. How interesting.’
I could have used my qi perception to discern his level, but I felt no desire to do so.
We were meeting in a place filled with memories, reuniting as old friends. Right now, I wasn’t a Hunter or a martial artist—just an ordinary Jin Tae-kyung.
“Anyway, it’s really good to see you. You transferred schools and then we lost touch completely. I was so disappointed.”
“Was I? I was so caught up in everything back then.”
I was sixteen at the time. My mind had been in turmoil—caught in the throes of adolescence and reeling from my father’s death.
After entering high school, I’d devoted myself entirely to athletics with aspirations of attending a sports university, and naturally, I’d drifted apart from my old friends.
“Ah, right. That’s how it was back then. I’m sorry.”
Park Ji-hwang—or rather, Park Ji-hoon—seemed to realize he’d misspoken, and his smile became awkward.
“Sorry for what? It’s my fault for not reaching out sooner. But do you still live here?”
“My whole family lives in Seoul now. I was passing through on a trip with my girlfriend and thought I’d stop by.”
“Wow, a triumphant return home.”
“Don’t embarrass me. I still have a long way to go before I can call myself successful.”
“This is plenty successful already. What more could you want?”
After that, we continued talking and laughing. Most of our conversation revolved around memories from middle school, but that alone made for an enjoyable time.
It was only after considerable time had passed that Park Ji-hoon’s girlfriend subtly hinted that her legs were hurting.
“Oppa, my legs hurt.”
“Huh? Do you want to wait in the car? I’ll just talk a bit more and then we’ll go.”
“…Is that really something you should say?”
I had no intention whatsoever of interfering with my friend’s romantic affairs, so I tactfully waved my hand.
“No, let’s save the rest for next time.”
“Next time? Didn’t you say something similar ten years ago? ‘I’ll call you next time.’ And then you never called once.”
He had a point, and I had nothing to say in response. As I smacked my lips in acknowledgment, Park Ji-hoon extended his business card to me.
“Anyway, call me at this number right now.”
[Myeongdong Guild Team 1. Hunter Park Ji-hoon.]
The Myeongdong Guild wasn’t among Korea’s top ten Guilds, but it certainly ranked within the top twenty—a Large Guild by any measure.
And Team 1 within that Guild meant he was recognized as an elite. He could easily become a Team Leader if he transferred to a mid-tier Guild.
‘I expected something like this, but it’s more impressive than I thought.’
Hiding my genuine surprise, I called the number on the card.
The phone buzzed. Park Ji-hoon checked his screen and grinned.
“I’ll call you back. We need to grab a drink.”
“See how it goes. If you’re busy, no pressure. If you have time, let’s meet up.”
“What kind of talk is that? Your name actually came up at the last class reunion. Everyone was wondering what you were up to.”
“My name came up?”
“Why do you sound so surprised? You were popular back then.”
“Was I? I spent all day on the athletic field, so I guess I was closer to the boys, but…”
“You were popular with the girls too. There were several girls who had crushes on you back then. You really didn’t notice?”
“…Really?”
“Everyone in the class knew about it. Why didn’t you?”
Damn. I wish he’d told me earlier… but it doesn’t matter now that Song-i is here. My heart is set. Now that I’ve met my destined one, nothing else matters.
“We’re planning to get together soon. Come if I call you. I want to see your fan club too. Okay?”
“Oh, okay.”
Right, it’s just seeing faces. What’s the big deal? They’re just old classmates.
Park Ji-hoon, who’d answered without thinking, gave me a smirk before pausing as he reached for the driver’s door.
“It was good seeing you.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
“See you again.”
Vroom.
Watching the car disappear with a deep engine roar, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“Wait, were we really that close?”
* * *
“He and Tae-kyung seem like childhood friends.”
“Who? Oh, Tae-kyung?”
“Who else would it be?”
“Why are you talking like that? Didn’t you like him?”
“Well, it’s awkward because he’s your friend. To be honest, something felt off.”
“That’s strange. He was really popular when we were younger.”
“Why?”
“There are lots of reasons. He’s tall, well-built, incredibly athletic. And his face is handsome enough. The problem is he’s completely clueless about romance.”
“Hmm. I didn’t think much of him. Don’t you get a lazy vibe from him? What does he do for work?”
“Hmm. I didn’t ask. When he was young, he dreamed of being a PE teacher, so maybe he went that route.”
“At twenty-seven… is he still in college? Studying for an exam?”
“I don’t know either.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m with you, but other men don’t measure up. You’re handsome, have a great personality, and your abilities are absolutely top-tier.”
“That’s nice to hear.”
“I’m serious. That friend with just a decent appearance is a hundred times worse than you.”
“Don’t say that. He’s a good guy.”
“You hadn’t seen each other in ten years. And he was the one who stopped contacting you first. Yet you still say that about him? Were you really that close?”
Park Ji-hoon smiled gently.
“Not at all.”
* * *
“What do you think?”
The Real Estate Agent asked in a phlegmy voice. His complexion looked terrible—he’d chain-smoked for an hour waiting for me.
“It’s nice.”
I wasn’t being polite. The two-story detached house with its spacious lawn was better than anything I’d seen so far.
‘Four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The living room is spacious too.’
It was like a house from a fairy tale. I toured the place while half-listening to the Real Estate Agent’s detailed explanation, then stepped out through the front gate.
“Properties like this aren’t easy to find. The current owner has several buildings, and he’s putting this one up for quick sale because he’s building a complex in Incheon.”
“So what’s the asking price?”
“Exactly as you saw online. 3.38 billion won.”
Still an astronomical sum, but worth every penny.
My family’s safety, and a place that holds special meaning for us.
“Please contact me.”
“Then…?”
“I’ll buy it.”
“Oh my, you’ve made a wise decision, sir!”
I grasped the Real Estate Agent’s outstretched hand firmly.
“In that case, would it be alright if I took another look around the neighborhood?”
“….”
“I’m joking.”
Look at how his grip tightened at just that one comment.
* * *
“Please be careful on your way in.”
“Yes, thank you for your help.”
I left the real estate office with a 10% deposit secured. We’d arranged to set a date soon to proceed with the formal purchase. Since the owner needed quick cash, everything wrapped up smoothly.
‘I’ll need to postpone the move.’
The property was about an hour away from where my family currently lived, so moving immediately after purchase wasn’t feasible.
Besides, Ha-yeon had her university entrance exam this year.
I’d announce the move as a surprise right after that.
‘I should get it remodeled too.’
I planned to recreate it as closely as possible to how it was back then. Even though it was ages ago, I’d lived there for sixteen years, so the layout remained crystal clear in my memory.
‘Finalize the contract, find an interior design company… what else is there?’
I could handle dungeon clearing at the Gate, but here I was a complete novice. I had no idea where to even start.
Lost in these thoughts, I turned into the darkening alley.
‘Hm?’
My nape tingled. Fine hairs stood on end, and the air felt different.
I sensed someone’s covert gaze from behind me.
‘Inventory open. Summon.’
I spun around like lightning, a short dagger materializing in my grip. But….
Meow.
“What? A cat?”
Meow.
A tabby cat leaped down from the wall.
It glanced at me briefly before sauntering away into the darkness.
‘Did I overreact?’
As my senses heightened, I’d become more sensitive. I should gradually adapt as I grew stronger, but my growth rate was so accelerated that the adjustment period felt meaningless.
‘No, something felt off about that.’
I belatedly activated Presence Detection, but the empty alley revealed nothing.
Beep.
–
[Sense Detection]
No targets available for exploration.
If the system says so, then that’s how it is. I’ve definitely been exhausted lately, it seems.
“Ah, I suddenly have a craving for samgyetang.”
Since it came to mind, should I take the family out to eat together?
Thinking of tender meat and steaming broth, my steps grew lighter.
* * *
In a dark, cramped room, a young man meditating suddenly snapped his eyes open.
“Gasp!”
His disheveled hair was damp with sweat, and his breathing was ragged. He gulped down bottled water hastily, then exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Damn. That scared me.”
Everything had been smooth. In fact, it was almost boring.
The surveillance target happened to be on vacation, and his movement patterns were predictable. Home, convenience store, home. Today he’d traveled about an hour away, but tracking him posed no difficulty.
But then….
“What was that bastard doing? Why did he suddenly turn around and act like that?”
The moment I saw that sharp gaze, my heart sank. If I hadn’t hastily severed the Link with the cat, I might have actually been discovered.
“He couldn’t possibly know, right?”
The surveillance target was merely a C-rank Hunter. Compared to the ones I’d been investigating so far, he was far below my level.
‘There’s no way. Who do I think I am?’
Hong Woo-jin, a B-rank Mage and information broker, shook his head.
He was a master of tracking and surveillance magic. While he couldn’t cast flashy offensive spells, he took pride in being the best in this field.
“Right. There’s no way. It was just a coincidence, pure coincidence.”
Hong Woo-jin muttered like a mantra. His voice carried an undercurrent of anxiety.

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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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