81 - Murim Login

Chapter 81 In front of the gate, ten men and women dressed in Hunter attire were having a lively conversation. "Hey, guys, are we really alright?" A female hunter asked, with a hint of worry in her voice. In response, a B-rank hunter from the Sangdong Guild tapped his chestplate confidently. "Don't worry. Do you not trust us?" "Of course, I do trust you. But I heard someone died here last week." "Forget about those idiots. Who can they blame but themselves for overestimating their abilities and getting themselves killed? Isn't that right, Changsoo?" Lim Changsoo, who had been listening quietly, exhaled tobacco smoke into the air and spoke. "If you're scared, just go home. Don't ruin the mood." The mood instantly turned cold. The female hunter who had spoken earlier forced a smile. "No, oppa, I was just—" "Shut up. What are you going to do?" "... Sorry." "Then just stay out of the way. There are plenty of women like you who can be brought along." Despite the harsh words, no one protested. They merely tried to lift the atmosphere with awkward smiles. Such scenes were familiar and natural to Lim Changsoo. 'Fools.' To him, a gate was like a goose that lay golden eggs called magic stones, and hunters were the workers who harvested these golden eggs. Born into wealth, his starting point was different. "If you're not going to a hotel, don't cling too much here. If another messed up rumor spreads, it'll be annoying." "Hyung, you can trust these guys." "I don't trust anyone, idiot. Didn't you say the same thing about the previous batch?" "Well, that's... The Sangdong Guild is a moderately influential guild here, but not ignorant of public perception. Several times, they had gotten into trouble by getting involved with the wrong women, and he had received warnings from his father, the guild leader. "Let's do this without causing any trouble, okay?" "Yes, sir. I'll keep that in mind. Loyalty!" "Tsk. You're great at answering." Lim Changsoo flicked away a half-burnt cigarette. As if anticipating it, a spell was cast next to him. "Wind." The magically created wind carried away the cigarette butt and the smell far into the distance. The female mage who had cast the spell smiled charmingly. "Did I do well?" Lim Changsoo glanced over her from head to toe. Despite being an alluring beauty with a curvy figure, her skills as a C-rank hunter were lacking. Yet, she was in Sangdong Guild simply because she was the girlfriend of the guild leader's son. She had gotten a house, a car, and numerous luxury goods from Lim Changsoo's pocket, but he never felt it was a waste. 'Well, up until now, that is.' But today, his thoughts changed. Her body, looks, and aura were tacky and cheap compared to the woman he met about 30 minutes ago. 'Wasn't her name Song Song?' Just thinking of her made his stomach flutter with anticipation. A flower too precious for a shabby new guild. He thought of uprooting her without damaging any small root and planting her in his own pot. "Oppa, are you in a good mood? Why are you smiling like that?" Lim Changsoo didn't answer. Instead, he waved at five people appearing from the distance. "Ah, over here!" Of course, he didn't forget to add a low remark towards his former girlfriend. "Who are you calling oppa, you bitch." With a bright smile, not unlike a sleazy rake, Lim Changsoo spoke. "You're here. Ah, these are my team members." The people, presumably from the Sangdong Guild, bowed their heads slightly. With Lim Changsoo, there were exactly five men and five women. They all wore expensive, flashy equipment focused more on design rather than practicality. Especially the women hunters, who made it hard to know where to look. Lim Geokjeong, a married man with two kids, whispered with a stiff face. "They're fantastic." I nearly nodded in agreement unconsciously but managed to hold back. Miss Song was looking at us with an unpleasant expression. 'Anyway... Is this a raid or a matchmaking event? Gorgeous men and women pairing off and laughing as they head into the gate is a sure way to get into trouble. Well, considering their levels and gear, they should be fine. "Is everyone gathered?" A middle-aged civil servant in charge of the gate checked the number and qualifications. It was one of the mandatory procedures before entering. "The Sangdong Guild, five B-ranks and five C-ranks. Correct?" Lim Changsoo put on a polite smile. "Correct." "Then Peace Guild. Two B-ranks, two C-ranks, and..." The civil servant flipping through the Hunter licenses hesitated. "One E-rank? Who is it?" Lim Geokjeong raised his hairy arm high. "Oh, that's me." "Could you tell me your position?" "Do you think I'd carry this huge shield and cast magic? Ha." "So, you're a tanker." The civil servant frowned. A tanker is literally a human shield that blocks monsters' attacks at the frontlines. Due to this risk, tankers, along with healers, receive the highest compensation among hunters, but the death rate is also high. "Why is an E-rank here? Especially as a tanker? Ridiculous." "There might be a big haul at once. Who knows? If we hit a jackpot with lots of magic stones, it's like winning the lottery." "Oppa, is everything really alright today?" "Don't worry. Hyerin, I'll protect you." Murmurs spread among Lim Changsoo's team members. The civil servant who had to let us in was no exception. "An E-rank tanker, really?" Kim Butler stepped up at his concerned voice. "He's a veteran with 20 years of experience. We've provided sufficient equipment for safety, so there shouldn't be a problem." "Veteran, sure, but you know. There was a fatal accident last week. Two C-rank tankers died. It's just that..." Unexpectedly, an ally appeared at that moment. "Can't you make it work, sir?" It was Lim Changsoo. He continued, softly. "We already signed the cooperation raid contract, and it's a shame to nullify it after meeting such good people." "Well, it's just that..." "I'd be really grateful if you could let this slide... please." He was an interesting fellow. Saying thanks and please while his demeanor and actions screamed arrogance. Startled momentarily, the civil servant sighed. "Alright. But make sure the team leader keeps everyone in line." "Of course." The word "in line" left a bad taste in my mouth. Though we received approval thanks to Lim Changsoo's help, there was a lingering unease; a tickling in my chest like ants crawling about. 'Well, everything's fine if it ends well.' Even Lim Geokjeong, the person involved, wore a calm expression. It seemed silly for me to be so upset. “You may proceed.” At the civil servant's words, everyone lined up in front of the gate. Ten from the Sangdong Guild, five from the Peace Guild. A total of fifteen comprising seven B-rank hunters made for an elite raid team. “Alright then…” With a sense of inevitability, Lim Changsoo winked. “See you inside the gate.” Swoosh! As Lim Changsoo disappeared beyond the magical field, Song Yi muttered. “What a jerk.” I couldn't agree more. Swoosh. The thick and eerie energy unique to magic only wrapped around my body briefly. As I opened my eyes, a new space unfolded before me. A vast cave that dwarfed anything an F-rank gate could offer, with three gaping entrances. Exactly like the place I had watched in videos earlier. 'The difference is…' Ding. -[You've entered the Minotaur's Maze.] -A quest, [B-rank Gate Clear], has been created. It was a system alert only I could hear. And there was a quest too. “Alright, let’s check our equipment and team members once more before entering.” While everyone confirmed their gear, I quietly moved to a corner of the cave and spoke internally. 'Check quest.' Ding. [B-rank Gate Clear You have entered a B-rank gate for the first time. Successfully completing the raid for the first time grants you a corresponding reward. Grade: First-class Restriction: Jin Taekyung Task: Clear the Gate (Incomplete) Reward: ??? What a refreshing start. Just as I closed the quest window with a warm smile, a voice suddenly spoke from behind me. “What are you doing alone?” Turning around, I saw Lim Changsoo walking towards me. “Me?” I thought it was a case of mistaken identity, but it wasn't. “You’re from the Peace Guild, Jin Taekyung, right?” “Actually, it’s Jin Taekyung.” “Sure, Jin Taekyung.” I didn’t know if he had a hearing problem or if it was my tongue, but I nodded anyway. 'It's just a fleeting acquaintance anyway.' I still felt a slight sense of gratitude since he had helped us with Geokjeong's issue earlier. “Is there something you need from me?” “Haha, need is a bit too strong. It’s just that we’ve met by chance, so I thought we might as well introduce ourselves. You know who I am since I introduced myself earlier. Nice to meet you.” Whoever said you can’t spit at a smiling face was right. It was a bit awkward, but I shook hands with the smiling Lim Changsoo. “Oh, yes. Nice to meet you too.” A team leader from another guild initiating a handshake at first meeting? Over the past seven years, I participated in collaborative raids a few times and worked as a temporary hunter quite a bit, but this was a first. 'Then again, I was an F-rank back then.' At that time, I was treated like air, but maybe now as a C-rank hunter, I'm being treated like a person. It made me feel odd. 'But why me, of all people?' The question was resolved soon enough. “That’s a Black Drake Leather Set, right?” 'Ah.' This guy's a brand enthusiast too. He scanned my equipment up and down with awe. “Wow, I've only seen this in pictures. Where did you get it? Overseas order? Or Cheongdam-dong?” “It’s a rental.” “Oh, you leased it from the company. I heard you’re a C-rank hunter. Can you sustain that...? Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Did I offend you?” Of course I'm offended, you idiot. But I'm not stupid enough to show it blatantly. And what he said holds cold, hard truth as well. 'But the guy doesn't have much tact.' I waved my hand dismissively, with a slight grin. “I’m barely keeping together. All my earnings go into maintenance. People around me call me crazy.” “Haha, but what’s more important than life, right?” “Exactly.” “So, it’s the same for everyone else, right?” “Pardon?” “The other members. Your guild mates from Peace Guild. They all seem to have good equipment, too.” “Do they? I’m not really sure.” Lim Changsoo laughed as if he'd heard an amusing joke. “Heh, not the kind of thing you'd say if you went through the effort to lease high-end gear.” It’s a lease, but not costly. Team Leader Choi provided it for free. I briefly debated whether to set the record straight but decided against it. 'Explaining won't do much good.' Saying anything would just tire me out. Tired of the equipment talk, I mumbled something unconvincing. “They're about the same as me.” “I see.” Just then, one of Lim Changsoo’s team members ran up, saying they were ready. “Oh, we’ve talked too long. I’ll be off. I need to check on the team and get everyone moving.” “Take care.” “Yep.” As Lim Changsoo politely nodded and started to leave, he turned and asked an unexpected question. “Oh, one thing I wanted to ask earlier.” “Yes?” “Have we met somewhere before?” I would’ve been over the moon if Song Yi had asked this, but hearing it from a guy in heavy armor was quite annoying. “It’s our first meeting.” “Really?” “Yes.” Maybe the name sounded familiar, but it was indeed our first encounter. Lim Changsoo's smile deepened at my firm answer. “I see. Well then.” What’s with that last grin? It’s kind of unsettling. While I watched his retreating back, Chief Choi approached and asked. “Do you know him?” “No. He just wanted to make friends.” “Hmm. Not a scout offer?” “Not at all. He seemed more like a gear fanatic. He randomly asked where I bought my stuff.” “Tell him you got it in Cheongdam-dong.” I don’t care. “Hyung, what’s up with that guy?” “Just found his gear interesting, I guess.” “Wow, seriously? He's wearing that himself?” Use your head, moron. How do you think a C-rank like me could afford such gear?” “Then it’s a lease? He’s out of his mind. The maintenance costs must be no joke.” “Leave him be. It’s kind of cute, isn’t it? He’s probably just trying hard to get by.” Lim Changsoo chuckled. 'As I thought, they’re nothing special.' For a moment, seeing someone decked out in such expensive gear made me curious. If I got involved with the wrong person, it could complicate things. But now that I’ve assessed the situation, I feel relieved. 'Song Song.' With money and power, anything is possible. Winning over a woman is nothing. That’s what Lim Changsoo believed. “Let’s start moving. Pass the word.” “Got it!”