100 - Murim Login

Episode 100 Everyone tends to have a hobby of their own, and Im Chunsu was no exception. When the Team 1 Leader stepped into the guild master's office, the first thing he noticed was a golf ball rolling towards the door. Thud. Thud. The ball, having strayed far from the hole, finally stopped after bumping into the Team 1 Leader's shoe. Im Chunsu gestured him to sit as he bent down to pick it up. “Leave it. Come have some tea.” “Yes.” A brief silence settled between them. Im Chunsu, savoring his tea, suddenly spoke up. “Nice aroma, isn't it?” “Oh, yes. It must be fine tea.” “This is Longjing tea. I got it as a gift, but to be honest, I don't really know much about it. Apparently, it's just disgustingly expensive.” “Pardon?” “Why so shocked?” “I thought you were fond of tea.” “Not at all. I just pretend to appreciate it for appearances. At home, I just drink instant coffee.” The Team 1 Leader stifled a laugh. Among the guild executives, Im Chunsu's love for tea was well-known, to the point where they competed to gift him the finest tea. “This will surprise a few people.” “For instance?” “The Team 3 Leader. He just returned from a business trip to China, boasting about bringing back some rare tea.” “Fire him. He's too focused on gathering leaves when he should be working.” “Are you serious?” “Of course not. Can't I joke around?” A light laughter floated between them. Im Chunsu drained his tea like it was cold water and clicked his tongue in thought. “So, when are you going to tell me?” “Pardon?” “The new news you've been hesitant to share. I took a chance and shared secrets, but...” “Was I that obvious?” “In the future, check yourself in the mirror before you come in. Who wouldn't notice when you wear a face like that?” It wasn't long before the Team 1 Leader spoke up with difficulty. “The investigation you ordered on the Peace Guild... has failed.” “Both targets?” “Yes, I'm sorry.” “Explain in more detail.” “We approached it cautiously, but it seems best not to touch the Peace Guild Master and Team Leader.” “I somewhat expected that. I should have intervened directly, but my pride got in the way, so it's partly my fault too.” “No, it's due to my inadequacies.” “That’s true too. Regardless, even if the ones with protection are out of reach, we should have succeeded with that C-rank hunter, Jin Taekyung.” Im Chunsu pierced him with a cold gaze. “Why on earth did it fail? We even assigned a hired familiar magician and the guild’s security team.” “Well, um...” The Team 1 Leader hesitated before finally spitting out what he couldn't say. “We've lost contact.” “Hmm? That Hong Woojin?” “Hong Woojin sent one text and disappeared. The security team is who we've lost contact with.” “Why? Don't they report periodically?” “Yes, they submit reports every two hours... Four hours ago was the last one.” “Are you saying the security team deserted collectively?” “No. Based on circumstances, there's a high probability they fell victim to Jin Taekyung.” “What?” What could this mean? To the bewildered Im Chunsu, the Team 1 Leader handed over a printed report. “Today’s report.” Only certain parts were marked in red, indicating an urgent report rather than a regular one. Im Chunsu's eyes quickly scanned the text. The target had a conversation with an unknown individual, and both the dialogue and actions seem suspicious. After reading thoroughly, he exhaled a heavy sigh. “Well, this guy is more interesting than I thought. So what’s next?” “The security team leader made a personal attempt to contact and reported he would take immediate action before submitting a detailed report.” “And then communication was cut...” Im Chunsu drummed on the table, lost in thought. Tap. Tap. Tap. By the time he looked up, the elegant wooden table had frozen solid. “Who is this person Jin Taekyung spoke with? You did find his name at least, right?” “Sung Jin-ho. A 30-year-old civil service exam student living in Bucheon.” “...Team 1 Leader, did I hear wrong? Not a hunter, but a civil service exam student?” “I double-checked, and it's correct. He's the manager of the boarding house where Jin Taekyung lives. They’re like sworn brothers.” “Well, this is surprising in many ways.” Im Chunsu had expected at least an A-rank hunter, but what? A civilian exam student? Shaking his head, Im Chunsu stood from his seat. “Ugh, we’ve been completely outmaneuvered this time.” “How can such a small guild of just five members have so many secrets?” “What should we do next?” “What do you mean what should we do? It’s almost mealtime, so let’s go grab dinner.” “...What?” Im Chunsu clicked his tongue at the puzzled Team 1 Leader. “Stop talking and just follow me.” Tonight’s dinner is set for Ilsan. The 6-on-1 fight ended in the blink of an eye. From the start, the only one who could hope to contend with me was Choi Byung-il, and even he soon fell to his knees. ‘Well, that's to be expected.’ But for someone, it seemed like a great shock. Choi Byung-il, with both ankles broken, kept talking to me, his face ghostly pale. “An A-rank hunter? Have you been hiding your identity?” “Nope. Never hid anything.” “Reveal your true affiliation! Are you possibly from the Ares Guild targeting our Sangdong Guild??…” “I’m from the Peace Guild. And the Ares Guild probably doesn’t even care about your guild. We're in completely different leagues.” “Then who was the person you called?” “I’ve said several times, he’s my boarding house manager, Sung Jin-ho. Does that ring any bells for you?” “This can't be happening, this can’t...” In the end, I had to use a mouth sealing technique. After tearing his clothes to gag him, I healed him and the remaining injured ones around. Oh, and it wasn’t with the potions I bought from the store. “Wow, Sangdong Guild sure is well-funded.” Just from what these guys brought with them, the quality and quantity of their equipment and consumables are considerable. I used some for healing, and as for the rest... “I’ll be confiscating this for now. Anyone have any complaints?” Of course, not a single one dared raise a hand. Perhaps it was my overwhelming display of force, but even after their wounds were healed, none of them dared to challenge me again. These were indeed quite intelligent fellows. "So, who among you is going to tell me about your mission in detail?" Once again, no one raised their hand, so I had to make the choice myself. The decision was an easy one. “You.” “M-me?” “Yes, you.” The familiar magician, Kim Junsu, flinched but soon adopted a resolute expression and declared, "I’m part of the security team. I cannot divulge any guild secrets to outsiders." “Oh?” I was impressed, and at that moment, I grabbed his hair. There was a faint sound of tape peeling, and off came a wig, revealing a shiny bald head underneath. “What the heck!” “From now on, if you lie or feign ignorance to my questions, I’ll start pulling out clumps of your hair.” “......!” From then on, everything went smoothly. From the mouth of someone desperate to protect their precious few hairs, a wealth of information began to flow. “Hong Woojin?” “Yes, he is a B-rank magician the Team 1 Leader hired externally. His specialty is familiar magic, like mine.” “Is that so?” Such a shame. I should have caught him too. 'One day, I’ll run into him. If it takes too long, I’ll just track him down myself.' I continued to extract information, and whenever Kim Junsu hesitated, I gently caressed what little hair he had left to encourage him. “That’s it, that’s really everything. Even though I’m part of the security team, I don’t know any more. So please, at least spare my hair…” His tone, full of frustration and sincerity, really tugged at my heartstrings. 'That should about wrap it up.' As expected, the mastermind behind this was the Sangdong Guild, specifically Im Chunsu. His son, who had been living extravagantly, had been extorted for millions, and that seemed to be when they started targeting our guild. In the end, they were the ones who got targeted by me instead. “The Guild Master won't let this slide.” “That’s the go-to line for weaklings. Stop bringing up the Guild Master and start cleaning up your own mess.” "..." Choi Byung-il lowered his head in frustration at my remark, but his words weren’t entirely wrong. 'The Sangdong Guild Master is going to be embarrassed.' He sent his men to spy on us, but they ended up getting caught and humiliated. This is an unprecedented disgrace for both the guild and its master. Given the serious nature of this incident, I can only hope they'll cover it up quietly on their end. 'Should I call Team Leader Choi?' As I hesitated with my smartphone in hand, it happened. [010-xxxx-xxxx] A call from an unfamiliar number. What could it be? An inexplicable tension filled the air as I answered. “Hello?” -Come down. I’m waiting outside. “Excuse me? I think you’ve dialed the wrong number.” -Aren’t you Jin Taekyung? “I am, but... who is this?” -This is Im Chunsu. I heard you have some of our guys. -You listening? I was listening, but I was speechless. The Guild Master of a mid-sized guild came all the way here to meet me in person. Not just anyone, but the notoriously ill-tempered Im Chunsu. -Come on down. We can clear things up over a meal. There's no real misunderstanding to clear up, but saying 'no' could invite unforeseen complications. Given he's already found his way here, what choice did I have? “I’ll come down right away.” Im Chunsu's first impression was striking. He looked younger than I'd expected, with eyes that were calm yet intense. 'Like fire.' Ironically, that was the first thought I had upon meeting the master of ice magic. “Hello. I’m Jin Taekyung.” “Im Chunsu.” His voice was cold, in sharp contrast to his fiery gaze. He finally seemed to fit the nickname "frozen." “Seeing you in person after only seeing you in reports is quite surreal.” It's amazing how he can candidly admit he'd had me investigated without a hint of embarrassment. “Where are our people?” “They're upstairs.” “Any fatalities?” “Of course not. I have no desire to become a criminal.” “Well, that’s a relief.” Im Chunsu nodded my way. “Our men acted out of impatience. Can you understand that?” “If there’s suitable compensation.” Im Chunsu smirked at my response, while the man standing beside him, who seemed like a team leader, frowned. “Youngsters these days lack manners.” “I might be a bit like that... but hearing that from someone who sent spies after me—well, it feels a bit strange.” “No matter the reason—” His sentence went unfinished. Im Chunsu raised a hand to stop him. “Team 1 Leader, go upstairs and release them.” “...Yes, Guild Master.” If Kim the butler exuded gentle charisma, this man had an aura of raw charisma. Perhaps it was because they both were magicians, but the two overlapped in my mind. “Why don’t you and I take a walk?” Im Chunsu led the way, and I followed. “Are you aware of something?” After walking for a while, Im Chunsu abruptly spoke. “Once I hold a grudge, I see it through to the end. I don’t know about you, but that’s just my nature.” Very martial-arts-movie-esque. Survival of the fittest. The strong devour the weak. This guy seems to have the warrior spirit flowing in his veins. “I built the current Sangdong Guild by piling it up that way. Tearing down and building higher.” “I see.” “What about the Peace Guild?” “...What do you mean?” “For the past ten years, things have been dull. We have allegiances with all nearby guilds, and there were no longer any worthy rivals. Then you guys appeared.” Seeing the curiosity and passion boiling in his eyes, only one thought crossed my mind. 'This is dangerous.' Regardless, Im Chunsu continued speaking. “The Guild Master and Team Leader are people whose information is hard for even me to access... But most of all, your presence fascinates me.” We were ascending a sloping path, and despite his age, Im Chunsu didn’t seem the least bit out of breath. “Do you know why I came all the way here?” “To see me, I presume.” “Only halfway correct.” Im Chunsu’s footsteps halted. As he slowly turned around, a chilling cold emanated from his entire being. [Lv.75 Im Chunsu - The Frozen Magician] “At my age, time is precious. I’m not extravagant enough to come all this way just for a chat.” The veteran A-rank magician, who had navigated the great upheaval, extended his hand towards me. Thssss. Out of thin air, a dozen ice spikes appeared over my head. The midsummer air froze, and frost settled on the sun-scorched dirt path. 'I’ve gotten myself into something big.' Just when I thought he was a reasonably respectful old man, I didn’t expect him to confront me head-on like this. “Is this really necessary?” “It’s precisely because it’s you that I’m doing this.” “But I’m just a C-rank.” “Indeed. Let’s see what a C-rank hunter can do.” As soon as he finished speaking, Im Chunsu clenched his fist. The frigid ice spikes shot towards me. Swoosh! Yet the ice didn’t even graze my clothes. "Rise, Fire Wall.” With a clear voice, the mana infused in the air surged. The frost-covered ground, created by Im Chunsu’s magic, melted, and flames erupted. Flare, whoosh! It was a literal wall of fire. The blue flames engulfed the ice spikes and created a barrier between Im Chunsu and me. Beyond the flickering flames, Im Chunsu’s voice was filled with astonishment. “This is...” However, I was not looking at Im Chunsu. Behind him, at the entrance of the trail, stood a man who greeted in a gentle voice. “Glad I’m not late, Chunsu.” [Lv.80 Kim Hwajong] Kim Hwajong. The butler, Kim’s appearance.