95 - Murim Login

Episode 95 "Hehe. Success." Hong Woo-jin laughed triumphantly. He was a seasoned veteran, adept at monitoring his target’s every move and extracting all the information needed. The tidbit that Jin Tae-gyeong's younger sister had a particular fondness for animals, especially cats, was invaluable. “Hey kitty, doesn’t it feel good to be home?” His infiltration was seamless and successful. Now inside the body of a kitten, Hong Woo-jin roared with joy. "Miyaoong." “Kyaa, so cute! Oppa, did you hear that? Did you?” “Yes, I heard it.” “How can you be so indifferent to such an adorable creature? Are you human?” “Am I a beast then?” The problem is Jin Tae-gyeong, that man. No matter how emotionally barren a person might be, most would soften around cute animals, especially a tiny kitten... "Could you move aside a bit? You're blocking the TV." But not him. His sensitivity was drier than the Sahara Desert, prompting his sister, Jin Ha-yeon, to grumble. “A person can be heartless, but this is too much. Right, Summer?” "Summer?" “Yeah. Born in summer, so the name Summer is pretty, right?” “Judging by the size, Summer seems about three months old, so it should've been Spring.” “...What are you saying? Anyway, from today, this little one’s name is Summer, right, Summer?” "Ya-ong." From Hong Woo-jin's perspective, Jin Ha-yeon was a godsend. Thanks to her, everything was going smoothly. “Kyaa! It replied! Summer just responded to me, right? Didn't it?” "Miyaong." “Ugh, my heart!” Hehe, easy to handle. Just a few cries and she's over the moon. "This is why... No, I chose my familiar wisely." Just then, Jin Tae-gyeong, who had been staring blankly at the TV, suddenly spoke up. “Isn’t it a male?” “Uh? That’s...” "We don’t know yet, right?” “Now that you mention it, I didn’t check.” “Let’s take a look.” What the...? Things were taking an odd turn. Even though he was in a cat's body, Hong Woo-jin was a young man full of vitality. When Jin Tae-gyeong’s big hand approached, a wave of shame hit him. 'Is this filthy man going to look at me there?' To be exact, it wasn't Hong Woo-jin's body. The anatomy differs by species. However, the familiar magic shares everything between the caster and the familiar. Because of this, it was hard not to feel grimy. 'Absolutely not!' In a hurry, Hong Woo-jin nuzzled into Jin Ha-yeon's embrace. "Yaong." “Oh my, it seems like it doesn’t like that.” “That’s how the world is. Who lives doing only what they wish?” “Summer is a cat, though.” “Cats are no different. If they want a can of good food or a warm meal, they should endure this much.” What a lunatic... Just to check the kitten's gender, he's spouting nonsense. Gritting his teeth, Hong Woo-jin clung to the only hope, Jin Ha-yeon. As he rubbed his entire body against her arm, looking pitifully, Jin Ha-yeon’s eyes gradually softened. “Oh no. It’s so cute I might go crazy.” “Right, since it’s cute, let’s have a look.” “Let’s do it later. It’s scared.” “It’s just your feeling.” “I’m telling you, Summer doesn’t seem to like you.” Timing is key, so he let out a whimper. "Kkiyong. Kkieeung." “See what I mean?” “...I guess it can’t be helped then.” “Don’t forcibly handle the little one. Kittens are sensitive and need careful attention.” Phew, the immediate crisis was averted. Jin Tae-gyeong, albeit a weirdo living in his own world, was weak for his family. Having absorbed all the pre-given information from the guild, Hong Woo-jin thought he was one step ahead. "This is why information is crucial. You’re already caught in my trap." However, there was a fact Hong Woo-jin was unaware of. “Hey, Sis.” “Yeah?” “Don’t you need more pocket money?” "...Are you trying to bribe me with money to let you mess with our Summer?” “Yeah. 100,000 won.” “Deal. But be gentle so it doesn’t hate you too much, okay?” “My wallet is on the desk in my room, take it.” “Kyaa!” “Mi-yaong?” Watching Jin Ha-yeon dash out like a bullet, Hong Woo-jin let out a bewildered cry. Didn’t she claim it was so cute it made her crazy? Our Summer?! 'Look at this traitor.' She acted like she’d do anything for this kitten, and yet she's selling it out for a mere 100,000 won? However, there was no time to lament the capitalist society’s reality any longer. “Now, let’s play.” Snatch. With lightning speed, Jin Tae-gyeong seized and confined Hong Woo-jin’s limbs, a sinister grin on his face. Desperation filled Hong Woo-jin as he screamed internally. 'Let go! Let go, you bastard!' “Hiss! Hiss!” In response to the hiss of alarm, the only hope in Jin Tae-gyeong’s wallet dug deeper. “Oppa!” “Ok, take another 100,000 won.” “Thanks!” Hey, hey! The only hope succumbed to capitalism! Even before the shock wore off, Jin Tae-gyeong's hot breath loomed in. “Let’s have a look at your little thing, Summer.” A moment of crisis. “Unlink!” “Miyao-oong!” With a sorrowful cry, the strength drained from the kitten's body. Gasping awake in a dim room somewhere, Hong Woo-jin panted. “Puhak!” In over a hundred assignments since starting his Hunter career, he'd never felt his life so threatened. He looked down at his goose-bump-covered arms, beginning to dry heave. “Ugh.” His stomach churned, and a dull throb mounted in his head. A side effect of the abrupt unlinking. Only after gulping down a pre-prepared potion did Hong Woo-jin manage to breathe easy. “Jin Tae-gyeong, you bastard…?” It was the first moment he regretted taking on the job. [Lv.2 Cat] “He’s gone.” I clicked my tongue and released the kitten. Perhaps just three months old. The small creature, no larger than two palms, retreated with a bewildered look. "Miyong." As Ha-yeon was leaving my room, she caught sight of the scene. "You didn't do anything bad to our Summer, did you?" "Weren't you the one who sold Summer for 200,000 won?" "...Hm. Hm." “Never mind. Jeez, of all the things you could bring home.” “What? It’s so cute.” “It’s not that... never mind.” The explanation was too lengthy and complicated. I didn't plan on explaining anyway. Imagine telling someone that a sinister guy was inside a cat's body, watching us. It's obvious how they would react, full of anxiety. My family could not know what was happening now. 'Besides, I allowed it.' The familiar was in the house not because Ha-yeon asked or because mom gave permission. 'It's because I wanted it.' Regardless of who hired them, even if I chase them out, they'll keep trying. Whether the familiar is a bug like last time or a cat like today, it doesn't matter. What matters is that I know the familiar's identity and can eliminate it anytime. They're definitely nearby. Within a maximum radius of 500 meters from the house, there's a mage controlling the familiar. If I find him, I’ll surely uncover a connection. 'I’ll start by punching him right in the face.' Since they’ve been illegally spying on civilians, they can't report me no matter what. The thought of dealing with them properly was already making my fists itch. 'Who dares mess around in my home?' My vacation, in ruin, and already over three billion won spent because of these guys. This was becoming a losing game in many ways. As I watched TV with a frown, Ha-yeon timidly began to speak, sneaking glances at me. “Oppa, are you mad?” “No. What’s there to be mad about?” “I’m sorry.” “...Why are you being like this? It's making me scared.” I wasn’t joking; it was true. More surprising than discovering the familiar, I didn’t expect her to say something like this. I asked seriously. “Are you feeling sick?” “Not really.” "Then, are you hungry?” That’s not it... Just as Ha-yeon was about to say something, a growling sound came from somewhere. It wasn’t me. Mom had stepped out for a bit. “You’re hungry.” “Um, a little?” "Right, that’s why you’re talking nonsense. You know where my wallet is, right? Order whatever you want.” “Really?” “Yes. Limit it to 100,000 won.” “Wow, you've become quite generous, making money and all. My brother is the best.” Living to hear you call me “oppa.” It sent shivers down my spine; it’s been since she was in middle school that I last heard it. “You’re not a familiar, are you, you brat!” “What nonsense. Anyway, I’ll go ahead and order within the 100,000 won limit?” “Oh, never mind. Go ahead, order everything.” “What about the leftover money?” “...Did you leave any money with me?” “The more, the better.” I was dumbfounded yet pleased by Ha-yeon’s confident demeanor. She never once asked for pocket money. Just by looking at her clothes and how she usually was, compared to other kids we sometimes ran into on the street, she was quite plain. ‘A child who matured too early.’ Come to think of it, Ha-yeon has always been like that since she was little. She rarely cried and seldom expressed her feelings openly. It was after she entered high school that her personality became like this. She could afford to act childishly sometimes... she’d matured too early. 'Maybe even more than me.' Perhaps that's why her actions and words didn't annoy me at all. Instead, I found them admirable and delightful. “Yeah, take it all, take it.” “Really?” "Yeah." Ha-yeon smiled brightly at my words. “That’s a relief. I almost felt bad.” “What’s there to feel bad about?” "I already took 300,000 won from your wallet earlier.” “...What?” “But since you said I could keep whatever is left after ordering up to 100,000 won, it makes me feel better.” “Wait, didn’t I tell you to take 200,000 won?” “It was an impulsive decision.” “...Isn't this an impulsive crime?” Forget what I said earlier. Her humming form returned to her room, annoyingly cheeky from the very back. The chief of security at the Sangdong Guild frowned. “A cat familiar?” “Yes, I can confirm.” The person who answered firmly was from the security team, the guild's only familiar magician. Though only a C-rank Hunter, he possessed rare psychic abilities, making him a key member of the security team. “They say the target’s sister is a cat fanatic. They found a good opportunity.” “Don’t you understand the mood? Praising that bastard in front of me?” “I’m, I’m sorry.” “I heard from Team 1 leader. Hong Woo-jin called and ranted that he almost got caught because of us.” “If you think about it, that guy is somewhat on our side. But we can’t lose to a freelancer, right? Aren’t you aware the guild master is paying special attention to this?” The operation included six members, including himself. One familiar magician, the rest were Hunters specialized in tracking and stealth, and he, the team leader, was a B-rank Hunter. “If you’re under any illusion… We’re not here just to take down a single C-rank Hunter.” The security team leader glared at his members with a fierce expression. This was a direct order from the guild master. They had to produce results beyond what was tasked. “Let’s do well. This is direct from the guild master. Do you plan to end it here? You need to get bonuses and promotions.” The team members nodded silently. The person most desperate for bonuses and promotions was the security team leader himself. As a middle-aged family man nearing retirement, his hysteria was rather common now. “And you.” The team leader pointed at the familiar magician. “You do a cat too.” “A cat? But they already did that.” “So what? Want to mess around with an uncontrollable tiny familiar again and die like last time?” “Do as you're told. The girl’s a cat fanatic, right?” If they say jump, you jump. With the team leader storming out, the familiar magician immediately turned on his smartphone and started searching. Tap. Tap. Tap. [Ilsan Cat Adoption] “...Will they reimburse this too?”