209 - Murim Login

Chapter 209 10:00 AM. Returning from a blissful vacation, Lim Geokjeong, a D-rank hunter of the Peace Guild, stood with his mouth agape. "What the heck is this?" His reaction was understandable. Just a week ago, before his vacation, the guild house looked no better than a rundown neighborhood store. But now, gleaming marble and a sign crafted from a luxurious font stood before him. 〈Peace Guild〉 "Wow, the remodeling is outstanding." While Lim Geokjeong was admiring the new exterior, a familiar voice resonated from somewhere nearby. "Why aren't you coming in?" Startled, he looked around. Seeing no CCTV or intercom in sight, he cautiously responded. "Choi, Team Leader Choi? Is that really you?" "Yes, it's me." "What in the world is this... How are you speaking to me?" As if waiting for that question, the response came without a moment’s hesitation. "It's nothing special. We commissioned artisans from the renowned Italian Berceani family to make it. It includes messaging, observation, and alarm magic..." "No, no, you don't need to explain all of that." "Ah. Then please open the mahogany door, wrapped in fire-resistant salamander leather, and come inside..." "I’m coming in! I'm coming in right now!" "……Yes." With a somewhat dejected tone, the locked door smoothly slid open. Inside, which had been renovated as grandly as the exterior, three people awaited him. "You’re here." "Hunter Lim." "Hey, you're back?" The practical leader of the Peace Guild, Team Leader Choi, the nominal guild master Kim the Butler, and the sole woman in the guild, Song Songi, greeted him one by one, sitting around a round table. Lim Geokjeong greeted them with a good-natured smile. "Maybe it's because it’s been a while, but it’s great to see you all. Did everyone enjoy their break?" As quickly as his words ended, the three exchanged odd expressions. After a brief silence, Song Songi spoke up. "We did have a break. But there were so many bugs at home, it was a bit worrying." "Bugs?" "Yes. Didn't you have any bugs at your place?" At Song Songi's question, Lim Geokjeong tilted his head. Now that he thought about it, his wife had seemed irritated about a similar issue during his vacation. "Just a few flies, I guess. They kept coming in no matter how many we caught, but they eventually stopped on their own. Didn’t even fly around much." "Oh, really?" "Yeah. They were the calmest flies I've ever seen." Song Songi shuddered as if the thought unsettled her. "There were so many, it made showering uncomfortable. Felt like the bugs were watching." "Bugs watching? Haha! Miss Song, you have quite the sense of humor." Engulfed in laughter, Lim Geokjeong failed to notice the other three exchanging meaningful glances and silent messages. 'Seems like Hunter Lim doesn't know.' 'He doesn't seem to have a clue.' 'Wow, is this guy really that oblivious?' While the trio had been under surveillance by familiars from the rival Sangdong Guild throughout the vacation, Lim Geokjeong had been obliviously enjoying a perfect rest. It wasn't that he wasn't being watched; he just hadn’t noticed. It was a textbook case of "ignorance is bliss." "Those perverted bastards... When we catch them, I'll tear them apart." Song Songi's muttered threat, enough to make any Sangdong Guild sorcerer tremble, paused Lim Geokjeong’s laughter. "Huh? What did you just say? Perverts?" "No, just saying the bugs were gross." "Are they still around? I know someone from a pest control firm, want me to check it out?" Her tone laced with concern, Song Songi smirked and nodded towards the two silent figures. "They're all dealt with. Thanks to these two gentlemen, especially Butler Kim." "Really? So the Guild Master has expertise in that area?" Kim the Butler awkwardly chuckled as he responded. "Not really. Just happened to know someone in that field." "Oh, pest control?" "……Yes, something like that." In a way, monsters were giant pests, so it wasn't inaccurate. Lim Geokjeong, who had effectively turned the elite Sangdong Guild into nothing but pest exterminators, continued earnestly. "The person must be really skilled." "Oh, they're quite adept." They were so good at it that they're even recognized as a hero of the Cataclysmic War. Of course, to Kim the Butler, Sangdong Guild leader Lim Chunsu was just one of the trainees he used to work like a dog. "Let's leave that topic. Rather…" Team Leader Choi, struggling to suppress his smile, quickly shifted the conversation. There was, conveniently, a topic that needed attention. "Why isn’t Jin Taekyung here?" Amidst the laughter and chatter, it was well past work hours. Only now noticing Jin Taekyung’s absence, Lim Geokjeong rubbed his beard with a worried expression. "What’s going on? Taekyung's never been late before. When it comes to diligence, he’s the best I know." "I know that well," Team Leader Choi nodded. He had thoroughly investigated Jin Taekyung’s background. From what he saw on paper and in person, the man’s dedication and perseverance were genuine. 'With the raid starting in two hours… is something wrong?' Pondering the situation, Team Leader Choi reached for his phone when Song Songi, who had been silent for some time, suddenly spoke up. "About that Taurus, no, Jin Taekyung." "......?" "He’s right there." Her slender finger pointed over Team Leader Choi's shoulder. Following her direction, the guild members turned their heads, astonished. On the guild house wall's TV screen, a familiar face dominated the 80-inch display. "……What." "Taekyung! Isn't that Taekyung?" "It looks like Jin Taekyung, doesn't it?" Even the usually composed Kim the Butler found himself stammering in surprise. However, all the guild members had their attention completely captured by the subtitles flashing beneath Jin Taekyung's face on the screen. Jin Taekyung (Buchon-si, Wonmi-gu. C-rank Hunter) Live) Toll Gate Hero "Toll Gate Hero? What's that? Why isn't there any sound?" "It's on mute! It's on mute mode! Quick, turn the sound on!" Once someone hurriedly fumbled with the TV, the previously muted audio started to come through. Shshshshshsh! Thudthudthudthud! Accompanied by some unknown noise, Jin Taekyung's voice followed. - …And that's how it happened. - Yes, I see. Lastly, could you share a few words on how you feel? - Uh, first of all, I deeply love my family. I'm immensely grateful to my fellow Peace Guild members. Also, to those I— - Yes! Thank you very much. - Wait, just a moment. - We're running out of time, so we'll end here. Dear viewers, that was our interview with the Toll Gate Hero, Jin Taekyung! As the screen switched to a cosmetic commercial, Lim Geokjeong shouted in frustration. "What the heck was that? We didn't hear anything!" "Hold on. I'll search right now. Toll Gate Hero, Toll Gate Hero… Whoa." "Miss Song, what's going on?" Song Songi, who had been staring wide-eyed, silently handed her phone over. On the main page of the portal site, the name 'Jin Taekyung' was prominently displayed. "Jin Taekyung is currently the number one trending search." The guild house became eerily silent, as if cold water had been poured over it. Everyone was at a loss for words at the completely unexpected turn of events, when suddenly— Shshshshshsh! Thudthudthud! "Gasp." "Could it be?" That very sound from his interview just moments ago echoed again. The brief sigh of relief from seeing the continuation of a commercial on TV was cut short. "Wait, why are we hearing this?" The instant the noise's source was realized, Team Leader Choi and Kim the Butler exclaimed in unison. "Outside!" "It's outside! It's not the TV!" Thudthud! Before the words had even finished, people sprung from their seats in unison. - Wow, what's going on. - Did we find the right place? - Yes, Peace Guild. The remodeling looks amazing. - Are guild members available for interviews as well? - No way, you cut off my earlier interview— Hunter, about that... The lively conversation, perfectly audible through the communication magic, filled the room. As the guild members processed what was happening, Team Leader Choi collected himself and spoke into the communication device. "Jin Taekyung. It's me." - Gasp, what? A transmission? Is that you, Team Leader Choi? "Yes." - What's this? How are you doing that? Without hesitation, Team Leader Choi replied, his instincts kicking in. "It's nothing special. We commissioned the distinguished Italian Berceani family to specially craft—" Lim Geokjeong muttered a quiet curse under his breath. * * * 'Woke up a star,' they say. Never would I have imagined experiencing such a reality, especially in real-time like this. - Um, hey, so about what I just witnessed... It's hard to believe. "Do you want to die, calling me 'legal mate'?" - No, seriously, that's not the problem right now. On the other end, Ha-yeon's voice was filled with shock and disbelief. - Your name’s on Neiber's real-time search trends... I knew exactly what she was going to say. I’ve gotten dozens of calls like this over the last few hours. I interrupted her impending tirade. "Number one on the trending searches. Yeah, that’s me." - …Is this for real? You're the Seoul Outer Ring Toll Gate Hero? "Please don't call me that. It's embarrassing." - Wow. It's true, then. Your profile photo pops up as the person of interest as soon as I click your name. Even after seeing that, I was skeptical. I never anticipated such a huge reaction. In mere hours, articles abusing my name are everywhere—just search and there they are. - What actually happened? The headlines are insane. You aren't hurt, right? "Not a scratch, and it’s a long story from start to finish. Does Mom know? Heard anything?" - Not yet. But if she finds out you fought those kinds of monsters, she might faint. Ha-yeon’s concern wasn't exaggerated. An ogre—who doesn't know about them? Even a monster-illiterate could discover through a simple search that they’re as formidable as they look. Imagining Mom's reaction to the news that her son faced such a creature was unnerving. "Damn. You're right." - Well, I have no idea. Just get here soon and show your face before things blow up. "Sure. I'll briefly drop by after the interview." - Interview? Are you interviewing now? "Yeah." - Where? A women's magazine or something? "I'm waiting my turn for the KPS nine o'clock news desk." - ……Whoa. Just as I was about to explain to a speechless Ha-yeon, a broadcasting producer frantically gestured me over. "I gotta go; this is live. I'll see you at home." - Uh, oh? Uh-huh... I hung up and headed into the studio set—something I'd only seen on TV. Surrounded by recording equipment and the gaze of countless staff, my lips dried up, and my legs trembled. 'I'd rather face a hundred ogres.' Every minute and second dragged on until the awaited signal finally came. "We're going live. Standby… Cue!"