69 - Murim Login

Chapter 69 In the dead of night, when everyone was asleep, Jin Wi-Kyung woke up with a scream. "Ahhh!" He flailed his arms wildly before realizing, before long, that he'd returned to reality. The flickering lamplight and a table covered with documents greeted him—familiar sights in his office. Phew. Letting out a sigh of relief, Jin Wi-Kyung rubbed his neck. Perhaps it was the result of a nightmare, as his nape was damp with cold sweat. 'I thought I was going to die.' It had been a dream where the ground split open and the sky collapsed. His last memory was of running until he was out of breath, trying to escape the earth-shaking roar, only to fall down. 'Must be because I've been overworking myself.' There was an overflowing amount of work to get through and not nearly enough manpower. The stress of endless, exhausting days was accumulating. "Ugh. I need to recruit more people soon. At this rate, I'll never live to see tomorrow." The world is vast, and there is no shortage of talent. Yet, the fact that the Tae-Won Jin family in Shanxi did not have a decent strategist was evidence of their limited capabilities. Why would someone join a small family like the Tae-Won Jin family in Shanxi instead of a giant sect or renowned household in the central plains? To them, it was an understandable choice. 'That's been the story so far.' Everything was about to change. If they could unify the Shanxi martial world by the New Year and continue expanding their influence… soon, talented individuals from across the land would flock under the banner of the Tae-Won Jin family. '…Assuming I don't die from overwork first.' Just as Jin Wi-Kyung was sighing heavily at the towering pile of documents, a faint rumble echoed through the quiet night. A noise so subtle only someone as skilled as Jin Wi-Kyung could hear it. 'What was that?' He heightened his senses, focusing his energy into his ears, making the sound more distinct. A clash of steel. Someone was fighting. And at such a late hour, his expression turned grim not just because of the disturbance. 'That direction is… It’s where Jin Mu-Kyung's quarters are. And since yesterday, someone else went there. 'Could it be that Mu-Kyung is… with the youngest? No, it can't be.' He had repeatedly urged them to get along, so how could they be fighting already? He had strong faith in his beloved brothers. Clang, clang! Jin Wi-Kyung rose stealthily from his seat. Employing his quickest movement technique, he soon reached Mu-Kyung's quarters. The problem was that the closer he got to his destination, the more ominous the sounds became. '…He must be training alone in the gym, right?' To enter or not? Jin Wi-Kyung hesitated briefly, then peeked over the wall. And witnessed an astonishing scene. "I told you, the second rule. Huh?" Bang! Crash! Jin Mu-Kyung was relentlessly swinging his sword sheath, while someone tried desperately to dodge him. "Lo- log out!" Before Jin Tae-Kyung's desperate shout could end, the sheath flew toward him, narrowly missing and shattering the blue stone of the training ground. Boom! "I’ll have you know, bastard, I'm dealing with inner demons and blocked meridians here!" "Log-o-o-out!" Log out? Why mention inner demons and blocked meridians? The flow of conversation was incomprehensible, but one thing was clear. 'Things will escalate if this keeps up.' At this rate, they'd either need a doctor or an undertaker. 'I must protect the youngest!' Just as Jin Wi-Kyung, determined, was about to intervene. "Why leave your side open? Looking to get hit?" Thud! "Argh!" Jin Tae-Kyung staggered as he took a hit to his side. Mu-Kyung didn't miss the chance, pressing in with his sheathed sword. Crash! "Ouch, ouch, ouch!" "Don't cringe just because you got hit. Especially your lower body!" Thump! "Ugh!" "How audacious." Mu-Kyung smirked at his brother's tenacity as he came charging again, teeth gritted. "You're such a novice. Fix the habit of flailing instinctively. Martial arts are learned by humans, not beasts." "Shut up!" "You seem forgetful too. Get some sleep. When you wake, I'll explain the rules again." Shwish! Thud. Jin Tae-Kyung fell heavily, knocked out cold after being hit directly on the chin. Mu-Kyung, who had been silently watching him stretched out on the ground, slowly spoke. "Come out." It was clear who he was addressing. With an embarrassed expression, Jin Wi-Kyung revealed himself from behind the wall. "Did you know?" "It’d be stranger if I didn’t. Every time the kid got hit, I could hear your gulping sound like thunder." Jin Wi-Kyung examined the fallen Jin Tae-Kyung's condition with a worried look. "It's not too severe, thank goodness." "You think I’d kill him?" "Mu-Kyung!" "Relax. He's got solid bones and muscles." "Oh?" "Even while getting hammered, he lasted two hours. With this stamina and spirit, it won't be long... Why are you smiling?" Jin Wi-Kyung, peering at his brother with a strange smile, replied cheerfully. "It's fascinating. Isn't this the first time you've complimented the youngest?" Mu-Kyung flinched at the words. 'Compliment? Myself, complimenting him?' Impossible. The younger brother he despises without an ounce of merit in his view. A wastrel who loitered in drunken dazes and spent time with women without a care for the family… Mu-Kyung shook his head in denial. "…That never happened." "Is that so." "It’s true." "Alright, whatever you say." "But you're smiling now!" "No, I’m not." "Brother!" Jin Wi-Kyung tried hard to suppress his laughter. Although it hurt to see his precious youngest brother injured... it was an experience he had to go through eventually. 'I can't shelter him forever.' The hidden dragon of Shanxi, another emerging genius of the Tae-Won Jin family. As he looked at his rapidly growing younger brother, Jin Wi-Kyung felt both joy and unease. Or perhaps, it was a sense of fear. 'Is it even possible?' It was too fast. Even in Jin Wi-Kyung's eyes, having closely watched the genius Mu-Kyung, Jin Tae-Kyung's pace of growth was beyond comprehension. 'I can't even measure it.' In his childhood, Jin Wi-Kyung was a promising talent but never quite a genius. How could a mere mortal like him ever understand or instruct a true genius? Just as these thoughts weighed heavily on his mind, Jin Mu-Kyung returned. Seizing the opportunity, Jin Wi-Kyung paired the two siblings together. 'I was worried because they never got along very well, but... Seeing them today, my worries were baseless. While his methods are harsh, it's clearly not just a one-sided beating; it's a form of training. Though physically painful, this training will hone the quickly growing but still inexperienced Jin Tae-Kyung into someone stronger and sharper. It's all for your benefit.' Jin Wi-Kyung glanced affectionately at his unconscious youngest brother and spoke. "I'm leaving now." But Jin Mu-Kyung wasn't going to let him go just like that. "Where do you think you're going alone? Take him with you. I can't live with him." "I get it, but can't you endure just this much?" "I'm stopping here today because you're around, brother. If that's the case, you might want to call an undertaker tomorrow." "Are you serious?" "Yes. Taking him away immediately would be best for him as well." "If that's your decision..." Nodding, Jin Wi-Kyung continued. "Then do as you wish." "What, what?" "Do as you wish." With that, Jin Wi-Kyung turned and began to walk away. Imagining the expression on Jin Mu-Kyung's face brought a chuckle to his lips. 'It'll be a good experience for you too.' This uncomfortable coexistence wasn't just for the youngest's sake. A genius is always lonely. He was certain that two geniuses would become significant stimuli for each other. "Get up, you brat!" On his way back, Jin Wi-Kyung struggled to suppress the urge to turn around. "Are you awake?" "I know you're up. Answer me." "This is your last chance. If you don't get up by the count of three, this training yard will be your grave." "One, two." Damn it. He counts way too fast. I slowly stood up and stretched. "Ah, I slept well." I turned my head slightly and saw Jin Mu-Kyung glaring at me with sharp eyes. Seeing his face revived fresh memories of yesterday. A merciless brute. A scoundrel I'd gladly throttle. I spoke nonchalantly. "Oh? Brother. When did you arrive?" "…Just now." Seeing Jin Mu-Kyung's regretful expression, I realized using honorifics was a clever move. Otherwise, he might look for any excuse to beat me up. 'Damn… it's all because of drugs.' I have my pride. Yet, no matter how hard I tried bare-handed, I could never defeat Jin Mu-Kyung. While he systematically learned martial arts and techniques, I was watching UFC matches. He wasn't someone I could best through sheer stubbornness. So, my final choice was to log out. Of course, that ended in failure. 'Logging out during combat is not allowed? What kind of rule is that?' They should have informed me in advance. Had I known, I might not have risked logging out from life itself. I glanced warily at Jin Mu-Kyung. "Hey." "Yes?" "Why are you looking at me like that?" "Am I?" In response to his cold voice, I tried to widen my eyes as innocently as possible. Even my gaze must be harmless, lest I incur another beating. "Just... be careful." "Yes, brother." I could tell from Jin Mu-Kyung's expression that he wasn't pleased with my suddenly polite demeanor. But he can't hit me for being respectful, can he? "About yesterday..." I quickly bowed my head. "It was my fault. I made a lot of noise while you were training. I deserved to be hit." "Hey, no..." "How about your hands, brother? It must have hurt to hit me. Want me to blow on them?" "You're out of your mind." Jin Mu-Kyung seemed to wrestle with the decision to hit me but eventually lowered his fist. "Never mind. Follow me." "…To where?" "The training yard." I retract my earlier statement. He probably wants to beat me up there. After all, he can't wreck my room every time. Jin Mu-Kyung clicked his tongue at my stiff expression. "It's not about that, so just come. From today on, you're in training." "Training?" "Yeah. I’ll rebuild your awful martial arts from scratch." The same person who used to beat me every time now wants to help me train? Even at the cost of his own time? 'I might as well believe in the reformation of the Demon King Asmodeus.' The skepticism I felt must have shown, as Jin Mu-Kyung sighed deeply. "Brother visited yesterday." "Ah." For all his fiery temperament, Jin Mu-Kyung respects hierarchy. If Jin Wi-Kyung personally requested it, I can understand the situation now. "There are many empty buildings. Why do you think they sent you to me? Damn it. I should have refused from the start." He must really not want to teach me. Nevertheless, I desperately need his help. If I can learn just one decent martial art style from him, it would come in handy. "Please teach me." Jin Mu-Kyung shook his head. "Think carefully. Trying to match my standards will be tough. If you're going to give up when it gets hard, better not start." If I'd given up every time it was hard, I wouldn't have come this far. "I want to become stronger." Did he sense the sincerity in my voice? After staring at me for a while, he eventually spoke. "Come to the training yard." Ding. - A quest has been generated. [Trial? Training] Train under Jin Mu-Kyung's guidance for a set period. No matter how strong you become, if Jin Mu-Kyung is not satisfied, the quest will fail! Rank: Supreme Limit: Jin Tae-Kyung Task: Gain Jin Mu-Kyung's Approval (Incomplete) Reward: ??? Failure: ??? Time Remaining: 9 days, 23 hours, 51 minutes, and 10 seconds 'Gain Jin Mu-Kyung's approval.' Though abstract, I'm confident. The system’s capabilities combined with my efforts will allow me to grow rapidly, enough to shock Jin Mu-Kyung. 'I can do this.' Just as I was solidifying my resolve, Jin Mu-Kyung chimed in. "By the way, you use a spear, right?" "Oh, yes." "Make sure to bring it with you." Jin Mu-Kyung specialized in swordsmanship. Naturally, I expected him to teach me martial arts techniques. Puzzled by his request about the spear, I cautiously asked. "Why the spear all of a sudden...?" "Training should mirror real battle situations. Haven't you heard that before?" Jin Mu-Kyung flashed a bright smile and added, "I even got our brother's permission. He said it's fine even if we end up calling the undertaker." Watching his light footsteps fade into the distance, I managed to mutter under my breath. "...Log out." Beep - Logging out is restricted during this quest. Damn it.