Murim Login - Chapter 97

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 97
“Oh my, welcome, welcome.”
A woman in her forties greeted me with a nasal twang.
Perhaps because the Real Estate Office was close to home, her face seemed vaguely familiar—someone I’d glimpsed in passing on my occasional visits.
“A young man, how nice. What would you like to drink? Coffee? Barley tea? Cola?”
“Coffee, please.”
“Black, with cream, or perhaps——”
“Black.”
“A bachelor who knows his coffee.”
I let her incessant chatter wash over me as I settled into a seat. There was something far more pressing demanding my attention than this chatty Real Estate Agent.
‘This is….’
A familiar presence flowing through the Real Estate Office’s interior.
Mana, unmistakably.
‘A surveillance spell?’
The odds of this being a security spell installed by the Restaurant Owner were virtually nonexistent. He wouldn’t waste expensive magical artifacts on a mere real estate office, not his residence.
Those watching me had clearly made their move in advance.
‘Well, I saw this coming.’
For people who deployed Familiars, a surveillance spell was child’s play.
The real question was how many of them there were and where they were positioned….
“Here you are, your coffee.”
I accepted the cup with a courteous smile.
“Ah, thank you.”
My gratitude was genuine.
After all, this woman was about to reveal their hideout to me.
* * *
– So, our handsome boss has arrived. What brings him here?
– I’m looking for a house.
The surveillance spell transmitted the audio with crystalline clarity. Kim Jun-su, who had briefly deactivated his Familiar magic, exchanged glances with another team member and the Security Team Leader as if by prearrangement.
“Didn’t this bastard visit a real estate office not long ago?”
“Yes, he went to one in Goyang City. That was before we were deployed, so Team Leader 1 got the intel from Hong Woo-jin and passed it along.”
“Team Member is correct. When we later visited that real estate office to investigate, we found he’d even put down a deposit.”
“How much is in his account right now?”
The Security Team already had Jin Tae-kyung’s account status laid bare before them.
At the Security Team Leader’s question, a team member quickly pulled out a tablet and displayed the report.
“Approximately 3.7 billion won. Of that, 3 billion won will be spent on purchasing the new house.”
“He’s definitely buying it?”
“We overheard him arranging a date with the homeowner to finalize the contract soon, so he’s definitely planning to purchase. Our investigation revealed the neighborhood is where the target grew up, so it seems to hold special significance for him.”
“I see….”
The Security Team Leader furrowed his brow.
Soon this man would pour most of his entire fortune into a new house. So why was he now looking at another property in this neighborhood?
‘Even the Guild is in Bucheon.’
I didn’t know what he was thinking, but something felt off about the whole situation.
“Hey, turn up the volume a bit more.”
“Yes, sir.”
The conversation drifting into the ears of the three men became clearer.
– What are your preferred conditions?
– Monthly rent or jeonse, either works.
– I do have a few options… but as you know, this neighborhood spans the Safety Sector, so it’s a bit pricey.
– That’s fine. I’m a Hunter.
– Oh my, you’re a Hunter? No wonder you’re so fit. What’s your rank? Oh, am I being rude asking that?
– Well, nothing special really. Not very high. C-rank.
– Oh my, oh my. You must be making good money. Can I feel your arm? Ohoho!
– Haha, if you show me some good listings, I’ll think about it. Actually, show me everything. If I find something I like, whether it’s jeonse or for sale, I’ll just buy it.
The three men listening felt their jaws drop.
“This bastard’s really excited. Really excited.”
“What do you expect? Going from F-rank to getting fat stacks after an Awakening—his confidence must be through the roof.”
“Yeah, that’s right. That’s the age for it.”
They all knew from experience. That feeling of stepping into a new world.
Luxury goods you couldn’t even glance at before suddenly seem cheap, and the way people look at you changes.
“That’s exactly where he is right now.”
“Buy something? Fat chance. Once he pays the final installment on his contracted place, his balance will barely cover jeonse, you fool.”
“Still, I’m jealous. What does he eat to have such thick hair?”
Watching Jin Tae-kyung’s youthful antics, I felt both exasperated and a small laugh escape.
Somehow, the tension in the three men’s hearts had loosened. Their ears were open, but it felt like listening to background radio.
– How about this place? Around 500 million won for jeonse? Considering it’s in the Safety Sector, it’s priced well below market value.
– Sounds good. Don’t you have any other places?
– Why wouldn’t I? Of course I do. There’s a listing in the building right next door… oh, that one just went off the market recently. It was monthly rent with really good conditions.
– Oh, really?
– Yeah. If that young man had come just a few days earlier, he could’ve gotten it. The maintenance wasn’t great, so the rent was cheap. But that’s something money can fix with remodeling anyway.
– That’s too bad.
– Tell me about it. Some scary-looking man came and talked like he was giving orders, you know? Did he leave the place in my care…? I’d rather hand it over to a young, handsome bachelor—it feels better that way. Right?
– Wow, sounds like he was a real fossil.
– I thought he was a gangster, so I didn’t dare say a word. The widower stench radiating from his body was so strong I thought I’d die. Hohoho.
Crack.
That grinding sound from beside them. Kim Jun-su and his teammate suppressed their bursting laughter.
‘It’s the Team Leader.’
‘It’s definitely the Team Leader.’
A gangster-like appearance and widower’s stench—that alone was enough to identify him as the Security Team Leader.
His expression was so fierce that there’s even a rumor that when he first joined the Sangdong Guild, the interviewer was so scared they hired him on the spot without further consideration.
“Is that lady insane…”
The Team Leader, who had been grinding his teeth, suddenly whipped his head around. The two men, their faces flushed red as they struggled to suppress their laughter, hurriedly lowered their heads.
“Looks like you’re having trouble holding it in?”
“N-no, sir.”
“There’s nothing like that.”
Though they tried to deny it, the Team Leader, whose pride had already been thoroughly wounded, rose from his seat. For a man in his mid-forties who was single, the word “widower” was a nerve that should never be touched.
“I’m going to the sauna to wash off this widower stench, so have a transcript ready for me to review the moment I get back.”
“Pardon?”
Kim Jun-su and the other team member were dumbfounded.
A C-rank Hunter showing off at the Real Estate Office and some bumbling woman. They were supposed to make a transcript of those two’s trivial conversation?
“Team Leader, this is all being automatically recorded anyway….”
“Each of you prepare individual assessment reports—fill up a full page of A4 paper. Since this is an important target, I need to gather everyone’s opinions too.”
“….”
“….”
When had he ever asked for their opinions before? And how did it make sense for the Team Leader to go to a sauna while dealing with such an important target?
The two men’s expressions twisted under the petty supervisor’s venting.
“Didn’t you hear me? Acknowledge and repeat my orders—execute!”
“…Yes, sir.”
“…Executing.”
“These damn kids are hopeless. They think their Team Leader is nothing but dog shit.”
The Security Team Leader glared at his subordinates and stormed out of the room, snorting indignantly.
Bang! At the sound of the apartment entrance door slamming shut, the two remaining men simultaneously released the words they’d been holding back.
“Damn it.”
“Isn’t this going way too far?”
“Why’s he taking out his ugly mug and marriage failures on us?”
“Is it just his face that’s ugly? From what that woman said, he spoke to her in commanding tones. His character’s rotten too.”
“I swear, this is so disgusting I can’t take it anymore.”
“Ugh, I really can’t handle this stress. I’m losing more hair.”
Kim Jun-su muttered with a trembling voice, running his fingers over his scalp. Without a doubt, he’d lost at least ten strands in just that short time.
“What do we do about the transcript and assessment report?”
“What do you mean ‘what do we do’? If you don’t want to see the Team Leader acting crazy, you write it. Want to go to the Hospital and get a diagnostic opinion?”
“….”
“Just write it roughly. I’ll cover for you from the side, saying you couldn’t write it because you were using Familiar magic.”
The two men heaved heavy sighs and began earnestly cursing out the Team Leader. Meanwhile, the conversation continued beyond the transmitter.
– It’s nice though. South-facing, so the sunlight comes in well. What about the building next to it? You didn’t sell that one too, did you?
– Huh? No. Business has been slow lately, so the recent sales…but bachelor.
– Yes?
– Your forearms are really solid. My goodness, look at these muscles and those prominent veins.
– ….
* * *
“Bachelor, come again. Come by twice!”
I left the Real Estate Office, brushing off the Real Estate Agent’s wistful farewell. Goosebumps prickled across my forearm where her touch had grazed me.
‘Whether it’s a woman or a man, they’re all the same when they grow old without sense—always hitting on younger people.’
I’d fled from those clingy eyes, but since I’d already achieved my purpose at the Real Estate Office, I felt no real regret.
‘Check the properties traded recently.’
Today marked exactly five days since the Raid with Im Chang-su.
Which meant the Watchers had attached themselves to me within those five days at the earliest.
‘I did my best to ask around naturally without raising suspicion….’
Knowing the existence of eavesdropping magic, my behavior had been deliberately calculated. I wanted to appear as nothing more than a frivolous C-rank Hunter, wrapped up in vanity and extravagance.
‘Whether they fell for it remains to be seen.’
My conversation with the Real Estate Agent had been a crucial clue. I mentally recited the addresses I’d memorized beforehand.
‘Building 5, Unit 901. Building 4, Unit 302. Building 3, Unit 202.’
These three locations were the properties traded within the last five days.
I’d set the baseline as my home, with a maximum range of 500 meters—the reach of my Familiar magic. The Watchers had to be somewhere within this radius.
‘The problem is how to find them.’
My goal wasn’t to chase them away, but to capture them, beat the information out of them, and uncover who was behind this. If I made a careless move, they might flee.
‘There’s also the possibility they’re hiding in a car, so I should check the parking lot too.’
If I started searching nearby buildings, they’d catch on, but I could scout the parking lot naturally.
A casual stroll while scanning with Sense would end the game right there.
[Lv.42 Kim Kwon-dong]
“Oh, we meet again?”
Yeah, just like this man here.
I greeted Kim Kwon-dong as he approached me.
“Indeed, we do meet again.”
“You were going to the Real Estate Office, weren’t you? Already finished your business?”
“I just made an inquiry. But once I got there and looked into it, the housing prices weren’t cheap at all. I ran away immediately.”
“That’s just how this neighborhood is. Still, you’re quite capable for someone your age. At your age, I was just mooching off my parents at home.”
“Capable? Ha ha.”
If he knew what my real abilities were, he’d faint.
Kim Kwon-dong, unaware of my true thoughts, laughed along before speaking again.
“Well, I should get going. I need to walk over to that park and back.”
“You seem to enjoy taking walks?”
“Huh? It’s not about enjoyment—it’s a necessity. You’ll find out how tough it is when you reach my age.”
He swung his thin arms around for show. To the naked eye, he was nothing more than a middle-aged man with a lean frame and a protruding belly.
‘He does look like a civilian.’
Anyone else would have been completely fooled by his appearance.
But there’s no way a level 42 civilian exists.
‘Probably a C-rank Hunter. Based on his physique, the concealment and pursuit type.’
Once I knew the opponent was a Hunter, there was plenty I could deduce from that information alone.
I bid farewell to Kim Kwon-dong.
“Well then, perhaps we’ll meet again next time.”
“Whether you see it or not is up to chance. Haha.”
Well, I’d really like to see it.
Of course, when that time comes, we won’t be parting ways with laughter and smiles like now. I’d love nothing more than to knock him down on the spot, but the moment hadn’t arrived yet.
Bow.
I lowered my head slightly in greeting and turned to leave, when his voice reached me from behind.
“Oh, right. That cat seemed really smart, didn’t it? I saw it was still there on my way back.”
He even gave me a friendly reminder not to forget my Familiar and to pick it up.
And just as he said, the cat was waiting for me in the same spot as before.
Meow.
Yeah. Your Elder Brother’s here, you little rascal.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————