210 - Murim Login

**Chapter 210** There are times when a stray spark can ignite a massive inferno. One day, two days, three days... as a week passed, a small spark grew into a wildfire, with me at its center. *[The Korean Daily]* The Rise of an F-Rank Hunter. "I just trained according to the book." *[The Goryeo Times]* Birth of a New Hero. "Step aside, S-Rank Hunters!" *[Happy Thoughts]* A 20-something saving the day from disaster. "I just did what needed to be done." *[Current Affairs Hot Topic]* Two Gates Emerge in One Day... Unprecedented Events Stir Intense Political Strife Over National Security. *[Parliament's Words]* Controversial Remarks by the Patriot Party Leader. "Jin Taekyung's sturdy forearms clearly indicate a conservative stance. It’s the conservatives who saved the nation." Everywhere, from daily newspapers to weekly magazines, current affairs publications, and lifestyle journals—one thing was common. My face and name were plastered across them all. Even I was overwhelmed by the sheer quantity as I looked at them. ‘Why are there so many?’ How many interviews did I give over the past week? Hungry for exclusives, various media outlets unleashed a torrent of articles. Reporters camped outside the guild house and my home, and my personal details, past endeavors, and photos circulated online. ‘What a bunch of lunatics.’ Though I was somewhat accustomed to the fame in the martial arts world, it was nothing compared to this. South Korea has long been an internet powerhouse. What starts with the fifty-something decorous folks as keyboard warriors is no empty talk. "Amazing how interested everyone is in someone else’s business." At my murmur, Jin-ho, who was in the middle of having bibimbap, shrugged his shoulders. “It’s good, isn’t it? Your name is known for good deeds.” “Well, I’m not sure. There’s all sorts of crazies.” ...That family of yours— Seeing my expression, Jin-ho promptly closed his mouth. I hadn't looked in a mirror, but my face must have been quite fierce. ‘Of all things, why involve my family?’ The world is indeed vast and filled with madness. After my appearance on KPS's nine o’clock news, the public reaction was explosive. Reporters, eager for fresh scoops, thoroughly investigated everything around me. The problem was that my family’s personal information was exposed in the process. “You know Ha-yeon called a few days ago, right? Because the reporters kept following whenever she went out, she ordered delivery food, only to find out the delivery guy was a disguised reporter.” “Ah, that guy was a real scumbag. I had only heard about stuff like that, but to see it firsthand—unbelievable.” “Some even hired familiar magic users.” This is what we call trash journalists and paparazzi. When I first heard about it, I lost it, but before I could confront the reporter and the media outlet, netizens rose like wildfire. Massive communities with over a million members are still burning these trash journalists as kindling. *(Top Comment)* Crazy trash journalists crossed the line again. Thanks to Taekyung, people survived, but they're acting like this; I’m embarrassed for them. └ Even if their families were there, they’d act the same. Insane. └ Which company is it? Link to the article. └ Hailey News. BHJ. Although the original article has been deleted, it's too late. └ Let’s turn it into Hell News. └ It's already Hell News. Site closed. *(Top Comment)* Some media even hired eavesdrop magic users and familiar magic users, what happened to them? └ The related guys are having a cell meeting. Their lives are over. └ People don’t understand Hell Joseon; those who gave orders usually only get probation at most. └ Nope, there’s a petition about it that surpassed 3 million signatures, and the Blue House is preparing related legislation. Seems they’ll overhaul the system. └ We won't know until the results are out, but I hope so. └ Looks like they’re organizing everything. They messed with someone they shouldn’t have for a scoop. └ I’m in my 20s. My peers all admire Jin Taekyung. With such reactions, I felt a mix of joy and a sense of burden. 'I just did what I was supposed to do.' It was an unforeseen accident. The news hailed me as a hero who had averted a disaster, but thoughts of "if only I were a bit quicker" haunted me, wondering if I could have reduced casualties even slightly. “Why the long face?” “Hm? Oh, it’s nothing.” “Doesn’t look like nothing when you’re just picking at your food.” “I ate three bowls, though.” “Your standard is five.” “Well, that’s true.” “Hey, Taekyung. I may not be qualified to give you advice, but let me say one thing." Jin-ho put down his spoon and spoke seriously for the first time in a while. “Don’t try to be a hero.” “You’re not a god. How can you save everyone? Even gods can’t do that.” He was right. While not denying the existence and capabilities of gods, I couldn't fully accept it either. But it’s an undeniable fact that during the catastrophe, billions of humans perished, my father died in an accident, and our family lived a poor and fierce life. “What was your dream?” “To make sure my family lives comfortably, to protect those dear to me.” “Summarize it in one word.” Unexpectedly, instead of the term "building owner," which I used to parrot like a parrot every day, another word surfaced spontaneously. ‘Supreme in the world, or the greatest of all time?’ Caught in thought, I quickly answered Jin-ho, who was looking curious. “Well, a strong hunter who’s a landlord?” “That’s good enough. You’ve almost achieved your dream, so don’t push yourself with unnecessary guilt or ambition.” “Unnecessary ambition…” “Let me ask you one thing. Did you fight monsters with this in mind?” “Absolutely not.” “Then you’re fine.” Jin-ho smiled and picked up his spoon again. “Just embrace it. Think of it as a reward for all your hardships and good deeds,” Jin-ho suggested. A reward. Though I’ve received plenty through the system, Jin-ho was referring to a different kind of reward entirely—a mental one. It was an invitation to find satisfaction and peace. ‘Satisfaction and peace.’ These words felt foreign as I repeated them in my mind. Back when I was an F-rank hunter, I fought monsters for money, and now, I strive to become even stronger. Reflecting on it, I realized that I must be quite insatiable. “Hyung,” I called out to Jin-ho. “Yeah? What’s up?” “Just... thanks.” Jin-ho paused, his spoon heaping with bibimbap on its way to his mouth. “Really?” “Yeah, genuinely.” “Then lend me a hundred thousand won,” he quipped. “You’re making it awkward with a money joke.” “I’m serious too.” What’s with this guy? As I was baffled by him, my phone, resting on the table, began to vibrate, signaling a new message. *From: Branded Addict - 'I've arrived. Please come down to the underground parking immediately.'* Just as the message indicated, Chief Choi was waiting for me in the underground parking. But he wasn't alone. “Oh my, it's from News! Just a word on the current situation…” “Mr. Jin Taekyung, I’m reporter Hong from a daily housewives’ paper. You’ve been voted number one dream man by married women in their 40s this week…” “This is Live Current Affairs Talk! A word on the recent comments from Parliament about your arm size?” “Where are you headed now? What did you have for lunch?” Over twenty people surrounded me with cameras and microphones, turning the place into chaos. While I sighed heavily, Chief Choi calmly tackled the opposition. “Please step aside.” “Just a minute, really just a minute.” “Mr. Jin Taekyung is part of the Peace Guild. Please leave any interview requests on the guild’s official website.” When did they even set up an official website? A while back, they had posted a massive recruitment announcement; now they seemed determined to seize every opportunity. Yet, the reporters clung desperately, determined to get what they hadn’t for days. “Aren’t you the Peace Guild manager? We’re not asking you, so move aside!” “Yeah, move! They’ve set up that website so pathetically, who knows when you'll get an interview at this rate?” “It’s just a word; why make it so hard? Eh?” “Do you ignore small media just because you can?” “Mr. Jin Taekyung is a team member of mine and I am currently acting as the guild spokesperson, so I do have the authority. The website functions properly, we're not being difficult, and we aren’t ignoring you—it's because you bypassed the proper procedures.” Unfazed, Chief Choi firmly but gently pushed back against the reporters and cameramen. Though slender at a glance, he harbors immense strength. Using just one arm, he pushed away the crowd that blocked our path. “Gasp!” “Oh, so now he’s using force?” “Hunter assaulting people!” What a spectacle… I swallowed the words that reached the tip of my tongue. As could be seen, these reporters were of poor character. Having seen Chief Choi conduct dozens of interviews over the past week, I could trust his judgment on worthwhile engagements. ‘The level of these questions is absurd.’ Responding to such questions would only result in them being distorted with malice. “We’ll be passing through now,” Chief Choi announced as he continued to clear us a path. But then— “Oh no!” Smash! A camera slipped from someone’s hands and shattered upon hitting the parking lot floor. What troubled me was the obvious intention behind the incident. “My camera! Oh no!” While his voice sounded earnest, his eyes gleamed as if relishing the opportunity. As Chief Choi bent down to pick up the shattered device, the cameraman jerkily slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch! I caught all of this on tape, get ready…” Thud! Crack. All eyes turned to the floor. A wristwatch tumbled down from Chief Choi’s wrist and rolled across the parking lot surface. More than ten clock hands embedded with jewels, and a surface cracked like a spider web. Gulp. The cameraman’s audible gulp echoed in the parking lot. Chief Choi’s quiet voice pierced the air, reaching everyone’s ears. “A masterpiece of Switzerland’s finest watchmaker, Peter Philip’s final work in his later years, the Universe-302. To see the pinnacle of mechanical automatic watches, which even survived the cataclysm, end so very anticlimactically in pieces.” Possessing the watch—universe or school bus, whatever it’s called—Chief Choi delivered the final blow. “I’ll be pressing charges.” People part like the Red Sea at his words, allowing passage. Vroom. The luxury sedan glided smoothly over the asphalt. Glancing at the rear-view mirror, Chief Choi commented, “They aren’t following us anymore.” “I wouldn’t follow either. What’s the price of that watch?” “Beyond what you’re imagining. Considering it’s authentic, of course.” “Oh, a replica? No wonder. I thought you discarded such a priceless gem way too easily.” “You figured it out?” “A wristwatch loosened that easily would be odd otherwise.” “I just startled them a bit. I wore it in case of a situation like this; it turned out to be a good choice.” He’s like Zhuge Liang with those clever mind games. As I marveled at Chief Choi’s crafty manipulation, something abruptly emerged in front of the sedan as we were just about to exit the office complex. “Chief Choi!” Squeal. Chief Choi hit the brakes just half a beat before my shout, mumbling while looking at the person visible beyond the window. “It doesn’t seem like a reporter.” I agreed. No ordinary person could maintain such a calm smile in this situation. And besides… without needing to focus, I could sense the formidable aura lurking within the man smiling at us. ‘A hunter. And quite a high-level one at that.’ The unexpected visitor, appearing to be in his early thirties and dressed in a suit, tapped lightly on the window and spoke. "Let's have a chat."