82 - Murim Login

Episode 82 With a total of fifteen members, nearly half of whom were B-rank hunters, a rather luxurious raid team was assembled considering the gate level. "Were B-rank hunters always this common?" I found myself agreeing with Im Geokjeong's comment. "Exactly." Previously, even if you tried to find them, they were like a rare sight, unlikely to even brush past you. After all, our circles didn't intersect. "But Taekyung, you don't seem too impressed?" "Me?" "Yeah. Earlier, I saw you talking comfortably with the team leader over there." "Well, it just happened that way. Just some small talk." "Fair enough. Not long ago, just trying to say a word to them would've probably broken your neck from strain." Was it really like that? Thinking back, Im Geokjeong wasn't wrong. It's just that I've changed. 'They say the scenery changes when you stand on a different ground.' B-rank hunters. The peaks I couldn't even touch before are now right in front of me. But the scenery isn't as beautiful as I imagined. 'Are they top-tier? Or just first-rate martial artists?' The levels confirmed through my intuition and the mana emanating from them are precisely in that range. Even compared to martial artists of the same level, equipped with the system's cheats, I would be a step below. 'That's the difference between martial artists and hunters.' Each has their strengths and weaknesses, but in a head-to-head without equipment, hunters would face certain defeat. Martial artists train in internal energy techniques that allow efficient use of bodily energy, amplified through martial skills. 'Hunters would have a chance only when equipped with proper gear and magic.' The conclusion is simple. Individually, martial artists excel, but hunters have the upper hand in combat and tactics as a group. And then... 'I am a complete cheating character here.' I am both a hunter and a martial artist, possessing the strengths of these two distinct professions. What's more terrifying is that I'm rapidly growing, thanks to the system. 'This feels a bit like being the protagonist of a novel.' Maybe I'll write an autobiography when I get older and retire. "Log-in Murim." Something like that. To others, it would seem like pure fantasy fiction. "Alright, gather up! We'll now move to the formation I call out." Hearing the voice, Im Geokjeong took a deep breath. "It's starting now." Im Geokjeong's position is that of a tanker. At the forefront, he must protect the team. Was it the pressure of the B-rank gate? The always-smiling face was now set in stone. "Can I do this?" I tapped his shoulder gently. "You can." It's not just empty words. The system window floating before my eyes is the evidence. [Taurus Battle Armor] Type: Armor Grade: Supreme Effect: Strength, Stamina, Toughness +10 Description: Armor by the matador, for the matador, of the matador. - All stats +20 when facing ox-shaped monsters. [Taurus Shield] Type: Shield Grade: Supreme Effect: Strength, Stamina, Toughness +10 Description: Shield by the matador, for the matador, of the matador. Crimson-stained with ox blood, it's terrifying at first glance. - Certain chance of provoking when facing ox-shaped monsters. - Certain chance of hallucination inducing when facing ox-shaped monsters. 'Honestly, I thought it was too much initially.' But now, I can be at ease. At least here, in the Minotaur Maze, I can perform excellently as a tanker. "Hunter Im." The quiet-coming supply manager, or rather, Team Leader Choi, spoke with a serious expression. "Please wear them carefully. These are part of my treasured collection." What a nice thing to say. With tanker Im Geokjeong in front and wizard Kim Stewart and healer Song Yi at the back, only Team Leader Choi remained close to me. "…Why are you looking at me like that?" Why indeed? I'm just wishing Song Yi changed positions so we could walk together, have a pleasant stroll through the gate, and save each other from monsters. 'The heavens aren't helping me.' Even when I look up lamentingly, all I see is the damp cave ceiling. Of course, it's on a different scale compared to an F-rank gate. "It’s certainly vast." "Well, it is a B-rank gate." Higher grade gates have larger internal spaces and tougher monsters. This is my first time at anything above C-rank, but that's what people say. "In some cases, you even have to climb snowy mountains. I experienced that two years ago, and it was terrible." "Oh, was there an accident?" "No, just that the boots I brought didn't have waterproof magic." "I've got a cold extremity condition." "Oh, they’re both just jokes." Of course, they're jokes. It wouldn't make sense for someone over level 60 to have such a condition. As I looked at Team Leader Choi incredulously... ...... Grumble. "Huh?" "What's wrong?" "Hold on, hold on." A simple mistake? No. Through the cave floor, I detected a slight tremor. It lasted for a brief moment, but I certainly felt it. Rumble. The second tremor was more distinct and glaring. Some had already sensed it and started watching the front. Lim Changsu was among them. "Prepare for battle!" The short outcry was quick and calm. With half of the team being B-rank hunters and equipped superbly, he had no reason to panic. The one issue... "Watch the openings!" ...is that we're in a maze. There are five open holes right before us. Finding the exact direction they're coming from just by ground vibrations is tough. "Where is it!" Who is Lim Changsu asking? It's not like the Minotaur will respond. - Moo! "There! The far left opening!" "…Is this for real?" Even witnessing it, it's hard to believe. Clicking my tongue, I gripped my spear. [Master's Black Thorn Spear], an ominous tool capable of commonly inducing a bleeding status on enemies. "The grip is nice, right? The finish is meticulously applied… another wicked one, huh." I don't doubt that if Team Leader Choi dies, he'll fall into the pit of mediocrity. Next moment. Thud, thud, thud. - Moo! Moo! Moo! Out of the darkness, they suddenly appeared. With human-like bodies yet inhumanly massive builds and bulging muscles, their horns were stained with dust and someone’s blood, accentuated by a floating rectangular level window above. [Lv.58 Minotaur Warrior] - Mooo! It had a much more intense presence than what I’ve seen in videos, but... “Is that it?” “Only one?” Indeed, it was just a lone creature. Honestly, could it have lost its way in the labyrinth? “At this rate, we could handle it without any long-range support, don’t you think?” “Hey, Hyerin, I'll be right back.” The members of the Sangdong Guild stepped forward confidently. Two tanks and two dealers, all B-rank hunters. It was clear they wanted to show off in front of the women. 'Oh dear, idiots.' Fools like them often meet their end due to their arrogance. Though one Minotaur probably wouldn't cause such a fate. “If you’re gonna do it, get it done quickly.” The four, permitted by Lim Changsoo, drew their weapons and advanced toward the monster. Thud. Thud. “Huh?” - Mooo. From the second hole among the five, another Minotaur emerged. “Oh, now it’s two.” “That one's a bit smaller, might be weaker? You take it.” “What are you talking about, weakling?” Thud. Thud. - Mooo. The third hole. “Oh, three now. This might actually be fun.” “Whoever gets even a scratch today buys drinks. Deal?” "Deal." “Deal. And it’s usually the loudest one who gets hit.” Thud. Thud. - Mooo. “Uh, crap. What’s going on here?” “Four might be a problem.” “Might be best if we just form our own formation and handle one each.” “I agree." Watching the scene, Team Leader Choi scratched his neck. "It might be better to wait a bit and come up with a plan." “Huh?” “The holes. Doesn’t it feel like more might come out?” “No way, this isn’t an Olympic team introduction.” Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Indeed, more came. On the fifth lane – no, I mean the fifth hole – more emerged. What was unexpected was that this time it wasn’t just one. - Moo! Moo! Apparently a social creature, no less than four more charged out. With those who appeared earlier, there were eight in total. Impossible for the four B-rank hunters alone. Team Leader Choi spoke up. “What do you think?” “It might be challenging.” Not just challenging, if you don’t want to die, you better stay behind the tank. Luckily, I managed to filter my words somewhat. “What would Taekyung do?” “Me?” “Yes, Taekyung.” "Hmm." Minotaurs, B-rank monsters, are in the upper 50s in level. Close to top-tier for martial artists, but when fighting them, many variables must be considered. Simply put, you'll know only when you face them. “It’s hard to say.” “Hard to say… You know?” Team Leader Choi gave me a curious look. “Normally, C-rank hunters don’t answer like that. They don’t even consider such questions seriously.” Unexpectedly, I felt a jolt in my chest. I had no reason to hide my strength, yet I wasn’t willing to broadcast it to everyone either. I simply wanted to keep it as my secret for a little longer, remaining just a slightly more capable hunter than most. “I’ve known for a while, you’re quite an intriguing person, Jin Taekyung.” “No, hey, Team Leader. I think you might be misunderstanding something.” Just as I was about to speak up, Lim Changsoo interrupted. “Haha, indeed. Even listening makes me curious.” His gaze flicked between me and Team Leader Choi. “You’ve been having such interesting conversations that I caught a bit of it. That’s okay, right?” Was it just my imagination that it sounded like “what if it’s not okay?” “You insignificant C-rank, thinking how to handle Minotaurs. Writing your own fantasy novel, aren't you?” Ah, it wasn’t my imagination. I looked at Lim Changsoo with newfound eyes. ‘Fits perfectly.’ There’s a right outfit for everyone. The smile, the attitude. The sneer on Lim Changsoo's lips, curled arrogantly, fit him like a glove. “I didn’t mean to offend.” Team Leader Choi’s bland expression and tone made Lim Changsoo chuckle. “Nothing to be offended about, it’s the truth. Those jokers just look decent cause everyone’s hyping them as B-rank. Among B-ranks, they’re completely washed up. But...” He gestured his chin towards me. “They're still better than C-rank, right, Jang Taekyoung?” I finally said what I’d been holding back. “It’s Jin Taekyung, actually.” “Jin Taekyung, Jang Taekyoung, doesn’t matter to me what your surname is.” “Then should I call you Shib Changsoo?” “What?” “Whether it’s Lim Changsoo or Shib Changsoo, your surname doesn’t matter to me.” The smile vanished from Lim Changsoo’s face.