90 - Murim Login

Chapter 90 "A week-long vacation?" "Yes, that's exactly what you heard." When Team Leader Choi called that evening, it was unexpected. A whole week off? Did something happen at the guild? As I pondered over it, suddenly something didn't feel right. "Um, maybe it's not an issue with the Sangdong Guild, is it?" "The Sangdong Guild?" "You know, because of the Im Chang-soo issue...” - “Ah, you don't need to worry about that. The remodeling of the guild house is set to finish in a week." I'm relieved there are no issues. But is it common to take a break from raids just because of a guild house remodel? "A week off sounds nice." For the past seven years, my life has been a relentless forward march. Recently, I've been shuttling between the martial arts world and reality without a moment's rest. Honestly, I want to take a break… No, no. Especially during times like this, I should work even harder. With newfound resolve, I spoke with determination. "Team leader, I want to work." - "Ah, even though it's a break, you'll still receive your regular salary." "Then I'll see you in a week." "I'm hanging up now; I need to have dinner." - "…Okay." After hanging up, Hayeon approached with a spring in her step and bowed politely. "Brother, dinner is ready." "…Can you stop talking like that? It gives me the creeps." "Switching to casual mode requires a paid subscription." "You sure have a roundabout way of asking for allowance." I handed over two Shin Saimdang bills, and Hayeon grinned widely. "Mom says it's time for dinner." "Oh, what's on the menu?" "Bulgogi. And bean sprout soup that I made." "Bulgogi sounds delicious." "The bean sprout soup is tasty, too. Mom praised it." "You can never go wrong with Mom's bulgogi. It's always fresh, the best, exhilarating." With an annoyed little sister and a table full of Mom's home-cooked dishes. What is a vacation really about? A time to eat and sleep as much as I want at home. Tak. Choi Minwoo put down the smartphone he had just hung up. The steward, Kim, seated across the table, asked. "What did he say?" "He was worried indeed. About the Sangdong Guild." "The more I see him, the more intriguing he becomes. He seems to act thoughtlessly, yet he quickly grasps the situation." Choi Minwoo tapped the table with his slender fingers. The sudden appearance of Jin Taekyung remains an enigma, even now. When they first met, he was merely a diligent F-rank hunter, nothing more, nothing less. Yet yesterday, he single-handedly cleared a B-rank gate. 'He's getting stronger.' Doubt turned to certainty yesterday. Jin Taekyung is becoming stronger. And at an incredibly rapid pace! "Is there no additional information on Jin Taekyung?" "We've thoroughly rechecked, but nothing else has come up." Steward Kim is known for his precision in handling tasks. However, this case seems different. With caution, Choi Minwoo spoke. "Steward Kim." "Yes, Young Master?" "Could you possibly look into cases of a 'third awakening'?" "What?" Steward Kim's eyebrows twitched. A 'third awakening'? It's a term he's never heard in his life. If such hunters existed, no one would use the term 'reawakening.' 'Reawakening' implies there's nothing beyond it. "Young Master, that's..." Just as the steward was about to express his reluctance, a name flashed through his mind. 'Jin Taekyung. With that young man, who knows?' Steward Kim is a living testament to the upheaval. He's earned dazzling accolades and fought in numerous battles. Yet even in his eyes, Jin Taekyung stood out. 'Those movements… truly remarkable.' Sometimes powerful, sometimes graceful; a natural combat instinct knowing when to advance and when to retreat. Watching Jin Taekyung fight could only be described as overwhelming. 'A third awakening.' It might take time, but it's certainly worth investigating. Steward Kim nodded solemnly. "I will look into it." "Thank you. By the way, what's the situation with the Sangdong Guild?" "I've deployed watchers. We'll likely have most of the information in a few days." Not even half a day had passed since news spread about Im Chang-soo being called to the guild leader's office and beaten like a dog, yet watchers had already started mobilizing. It's faster than expected. "The target is likely Jin Taekyung?" "He must be marked as a key figure. For now, they'll comb through the entire guild." "What about the other guild members?" "I've hinted they might be tailed. However…" Steward Kim paused before adding. "Shouldn't we inform Jin Taekyung as well?" "It's alright. I actually hope the Sangdong Guild's information network is far superior to ours." An enigma surrounded and exposed. It's like gazing at a clear spring but not being able to see what's inside. Choi Minwoo had the urge to uncover Jin Taekyung’s identity, even if it meant relying on the Sangdong Guild's power. "Besides, it seems the Sangdong Guild leader is very angry." "Still, they seem to have become more cautious. Under normal circumstances, they would've caused a ruckus by now." "Ah, could it be?" Steward Kim chuckled and nodded at Choi Minwoo's reaction. "I have some history with the Sangdong Guild leader." "Bad history?" "Who knows." Steward Kim's laugh deepened. "For what reason?" Shiny Forehead Real Estate Agent asked, to which I replied. "Looking to buy a house." "Are you looking to rent? Lease? Or perhaps…" "Purchase." "Oh, so you're a young boss. Excuse me for a moment; I'll be right back after handling this. It's urgent and can't wait." Before I could ask what needed handling, I noticed he held toilet paper in hand. If that's the case, he definitely needs to handle it quickly. I nodded, and the real estate agent dashed into the restroom. "Feel free to help yourself to anything on the sofa. There's mocha bread on the table. Hurrk uuuurgh" Flap. Flap-flap. I don't think I can eat mocha bread anymore. Regretting it inwardly, I leaned back on the sofa. The TV was already on, playing a documentary about the great upheaval. - "Kyaaah!" - "Bang! Boom!" - Urgent news. Unidentified phenomena are occurring nationwide. In response, the government has declared martial law effective immediately… Screams echoed as people scattered, buildings collapsed, flames erupted—a newscast unfolded, marking the beginning of the cataclysm, eventually showing the haggard face of the U.S. President filling the screen. - We have yet to identify their nature, but one thing is certain. They are our enemies. Not just of the United States, but enemies of the entire world, of all humanity. Even as we speak, countless monsters are invading Earth through gates. Gate. A gate literally means a door. Demon King Asmodeus opened this gate from beyond dimensions and descended upon Earth with an innumerable army of monsters. 'From there, it was just as the textbooks say.' Humanity was defenseless. Gates appeared, and monsters poured forth, committing murder and destruction irrespective of time and place—cities, rural areas, mountains, oceans, jungles... By the end of the hellish period known as the 'Week of Blood' following the gate's emergence, the casualties reached tens of millions, and property losses were incalculable. - The Great Disruption, the most horrifying decade in human history. As the subtitles proclaimed, the documentary reached its midpoint, and the bathroom door burst open. "Phew, I can breathe now." The real estate agent fell into his chair, wiping sweat from his glistening forehead. "Sorry for the wait. You said you were looking to buy?" "Yes." "Did you stop by other agencies on your way? There must've been a few." "No, this is my first stop." "Is that so?" The way his eyes darted, he seemed to be contemplating whether to take advantage of me. Pretending not to notice, I handed him a slip of paper. It had the address I wanted written on it. "I'd like to see the properties around this area." "This address… it's in a safe zone?" "Yes." "You are buying, right? Maybe I misheard earlier because I was in a hurry?" I nodded, and his eyes flickered over me subtly. Jeans, a white t-shirt, and twenty-dollar sneakers I bought online. Not exactly an impressive outfit. "What do you do for a living?" "I run gates." "Ah, a hunter? I see. Young and successful, no doubt." His face lit up with a broad smile. Hunters are among the top high-income professions. It's not unusual for young, successful hunters to purchase expensive homes and cars. He asked in a friendlier tone. "Have you looked into the current market prices?" "I checked online on my way here." "You're in luck. We actually have a few listings available. Let me see..." The agent seemed eager, making numerous calls in quick succession. After about five minutes, as he was repeatedly answering and hanging up calls, he turned back to me with his smartphone tucked away. "I found a property that seems perfect for you. If you're not too busy, would you like to see it now?" "Sure, why not." Being on vacation, I had no reason to refuse. As I stood up, the agent beamed with a broad smile. * * * Vroom. Sitting in the passenger seat, I watched the landscape roll by. Rows of detached houses, scattered commercial spaces, playgrounds, and schools. "It changed a lot..." The agent glanced sideways at my murmur. "Did you live here before?" "When I was young." I was in the third year of middle school, sixteen years old—exactly eleven years ago. Having been born and raised here, this was my hometown. "It had a significant redevelopment about ten years ago. It used to be an old apartment complex, but they tore it down because an association branch was set to be built thirty minutes away." "I see." I already knew that. As soon as redevelopment news broke, property prices skyrocketed. Unable to cope with the skyrocketing rent that increased by millions, we decided to move. 'It was not long after my father had passed away.' The night before we moved, I saw my mother quietly crying. I didn't learn that the place was my parents' honeymoon home until several years later. "We're here." The agent's words brought me back to reality. As I stepped out, I saw a detached house with a yard. "This is the address you mentioned. Since the owner isn't home, let's have a quick look inside." "Ah, just a moment." Was it nostalgia? The old apartment complexes that once stood were gone, yet the area felt strangely familiar. 'But… thank goodness it hasn't completely changed.' Despite redevelopment, remnants of the past landscape remained. Lost in thoughts, surveying the surroundings, the agent clicked his tongue. "Feels nice to be back after so long, doesn't it? Why not take a moment to stroll around?" "Is that alright?" "You plan to buy, correct? Or am I wrong?" "No. You're right." I must buy this house no matter what. The agent chuckled and pulled out a cigarette. "Then take your time, what's a little walk around the block? I'll have a smoke here and wait, so don't worry about me." Thanking him lightly, I began to walk slowly. 'Is this the right way?' It was upon passing through an alley and finding the old grocery store I frequented as a child. "This was your secret spot when you were little. When I started smoking in middle school, the elderly shopkeeper here was very old…" In front of the store stood a flashy foreign car, parked. A couple in conversation halted upon seeing me. Or more accurately, the man did. Cocking his head, he approached me and said, "Excuse me, do I know you?"