Murim Login - Chapter 295
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I will re-publish the earlier chapters to fix those issues with the translation. I apologize in advance if it did not meet your standard. Please comment the chapters you find that is lacking in quality so I can fix them ASAP. Thanks for understanding!
Current re-published chapters (270 - 305)
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The Skeleton Warlord stood tall, its armor gleaming with an unsettling sheen. The dark green cape fluttered like wings, and the eerie purple ghost fire burned within its empty eye sockets.
And then, there was its voice.
**”Come. Down. Human.”**
Its voice grated like metal being dragged across stone, and I almost lost my footing on the tree.
**”It spoke?”**
This wasn’t the first time I’d encountered a monster capable of speech. The wyvern and the one-eyed Karus I had fought in the past also had the ability to speak.
But a talking monster was never something to take lightly.
**”A Named Monster…”**
The words slipped out as a quiet murmur.
Indeed, according to what is known, only Named Monsters are capable of speech.
And now, a Named Monster had emerged before my eyes. Or more precisely, it had evolved.
**[Lv.105 Skeleton Warlord]**
Evolution, of all things. I’d never heard of a Named Monster appearing this way.
**’What is this, Digimon?’**
Was this some sort of evolution system for monsters? Even with all the strange things I’ve encountered, this situation was pushing the limits of my understanding. And if I was this taken aback, it was no surprise that the rest of the guild members were in shock.
“What the hell is that?”
“Did it just… talk?”
“I’ve never seen anything like this in the Monster Encyclopedia…”
Of course, they hadn’t. Named Monsters are variations—each with unique traits and power levels. No one can predict their appearance until they show up.
‘Why now, of all times?’
I licked my dry lips.
I had no way of gauging this Skeleton Warlord’s full strength, but it was clear it had the power fitting a Named Monster.
‘And on top of that, there are two A-rank Skeleton Knights.’
The remaining 150 or so monsters were all E-rank Skeleton Mages or Warriors, essentially forming a small army. This would be a tough fight, no doubt.
But if I could handle the Warlord and the two Knights, the rest of the guild should be able to manage the remaining skeletons.
‘We’ve been running raids nonstop, after all.’
There were only fifty guild members inside the Gate right now.
But more than half of them had endured my relentless training and hellish sessions. Over the past week, they’d become sick of fighting skeletons. If they kept their cool, they should be able to handle twice, maybe even three times their number.
‘The new recruits are skilled, and since we’re offering salaries higher than the major guilds, we only selected the best.’
I personally participated in the interviews and evaluations, scoring them on their potential.
To withstand the storm that is the Ares Guild, I chose only the best seedlings and transplanted them into the front yard of the Peace Guild.
‘It’s a bit risky, but it’s worth the shot.’
Chief Choi and the others had stopped most of their guild duties to focus on training in the Jingga Heart Technique. If they were here, this fight would be much easier, but even if they were, I wouldn’t have deployed them.
The deadliest dagger is the one kept hidden. With so many eyes watching, now is not the time to reveal our cards.
I finished my thoughts and called out to someone.
“Jin-soo!”
“Yes, sir!”
Kim Jin-soo, who had effectively taken on the role of vice-captain, answered quickly. I pointed my dagger at the Skeleton Warlord. The green flames in its hollow eye sockets still fixated on me.
“That’s a Named Monster.”
I heard the guild members gasp and swallow hard.
Most of them were rookies, having been hunters for less than two years. Facing a Named Monster—something that even veterans rarely encounter in their entire careers—was enough to make anyone nervous.
But Jin-soo was different. Though briefly surprised, he quickly composed himself and nodded.
“I see.”
“Oh, trying to act tough now?”
“Honestly, I’m a bit rattled, but we can’t just stand around and wait to be slaughtered, right?”
This kid…
I knew he had guts, but this was more than I expected from a first-year hunter.
Maybe sensing my thoughts, Jin-soo smiled slightly and added,
“If the situation were truly hopeless, wouldn’t you have already signaled for a retreat? Am I wrong?”
“Hmm.”
“…Did I guess wrong?”
“No.”
I smirked and shook my head.
“You’re right. This fight is winnable.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll take the three over there. How long can you hold the rest?”
Jin-soo thought for a moment before answering.
“The new recruits are inexperienced… but we should be able to hold for an hour.”
“An hour?”
“Yes, at least an hour.”
The moment Jin-soo confidently responded, the Skeleton Warlord opened its mouth and emitted an eerie, unearthly resonance.
**- Graaagh!**
**Beep!**
– [Lv.105 Skeleton Warlord] has used a special skill!
– The special skill [Summon the Dead] has been activated!
– The sleeping dead respond to their commander’s call!
The sound was spine-chilling, a summons that awakened the cursed dead.
**Rustle, rustle!**
The ground quaked as bones erupted from the earth. Skeletons rose, formed from the heaps of bones scattered around, joining the ranks.
Among the new skeletons were more Warriors, Mages adorned with skull-emblazoned necklaces, and even two more A-rank Skeleton Knights.
Adding these to the existing Skeleton forces, their numbers now exceeded 300.
I quietly observed the scene before speaking up.
“Jin-soo.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Still think you can hold for an hour?”
“Um…”
“Be honest.”
“…Maybe 30 minutes.”
“That bad, huh?” Jin-soo glanced at the Skeleton Warlord with a grim expression.
“Unless that thing pulls more tricks.”
“It probably will.”
“No way…”
**- Graaagh!**
“See? I told you.”
Jin-soo sighed deeply.
*”Damn it.”
**Beep!**
– [Lv.105 Skeleton Warlord] has used a special skill!
– The special skill [Commander’s Inspiration] has been activated!
– Under the command of the Skeleton Warlord, the monsters’ strength, agility, and magic have been enhanced!
– The enemies’ morale surges greatly!
The Skeleton Warlord roared, and its effect was immediate.
“Wow… My Sense is showing that every single one of them just leveled up by 5.”
The aura from the 300-plus strong Skeleton army was now overwhelming.
Glancing over, I saw Jin-soo looking almost dazed.
“Still think you can hold for 30 minutes?”
He’s glaring at me with his eyes now.
Sure, even I could tell this was a stretch. Clicking my tongue, I made the next call without hesitation.
“Pull back slowly. Don’t provoke them.”
“To where?”
“Right to the path in front of the Gate. Make sure you can retreat at any time.”
“The path is narrow, so it should be easier to defend.”
“Exactly.”
As Jin-soo said, the path near the Gate was narrow enough that even seven or eight Skeletons at a time would be a squeeze.
However…
“Just retreat fully.”
I revised the plan; there would be no full-scale battle with these guys.
“What?”
“Take everyone and exit the Gate.”
Jin-soo’s face turned pale at my words.
“What about you, sir…?”
“Do you think these guys will just let you go while I run around? Someone has to buy you time.”
“Sir! That’s too dangerous!”
“Jin-soo. No, to all members of the Peace Guild.”
I looked down solemnly. Fifty pairs of eyes, like baby birds, stared up at me.
“I, and the Peace Guild, always prioritize the safety of our members.”
Some of the veterans muttered quietly.
“That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve heard this year.”
“I feel like I almost died seven times this week.”*
“I’d say ten.”
Meanwhile, the rookies trembled with emotion.
“Sir!”
“Oh, no, Jin Tae-kyung!”
“To think you’d go this far for us…!”
I continued in a heartfelt tone.
“I will risk any danger to ensure your safety. Even if I lose an arm! Even if I lose a leg! I will return you to the ones you love!”
Some of them cried out passionately.
“We can fight too!”
“Let us fight alongside you!”
I bit my lip and shook my head.
“That cannot happen! This is a task that requires sacrifice, and in this situation, it’s best that I step forward!”
“But…!”
**Whoosh! Slash!**
Before anyone could respond, a sinister black aura flew toward us.
A towering tree, tens of meters tall and meters wide
, was sliced clean through by the Skeleton Warlord. Its grating voice echoed once again.
**- All. Will. Be. Killed!**
**Thud!**
I leaped from the tree and shouted.
“Everyone, retreat to the Gate! I’ll handle this!”
This time, no one argued. The 300-strong Skeleton army was already advancing.
**Clank. Thud. Clank. Thud.**
The monsters moved in perfect sync, their aura terrifyingly intense.
Strengthened by the Warlord’s special skill, they marched with renewed vigor, the faint lights in their skulls flickering ominously.
**- Grrraaaagh!**
The Skeleton Knights bellowed, and a hail of rusted arrows and magic spells shot toward the retreating guild members.
“Block them!”
“Tanks! Hold your shields and retreat slowly!”
“Return fire!”
The two forces were about 300 paces apart. They needed to create more distance to retreat safely.
I swung my spear, blocking the lead Skeletons.
“You bastards! How dare you threaten my precious guild members!”
**Whish! Crunch!**
With one powerful sweep, I shattered bones and slashed through the air with the transparent spear tip.
I took down ten in a single move, but then three Skeleton Knights rushed me at once.
**- Grrraaagh! / – Grrraaaagh!**
**Whoosh!**
Three black auras barely missed me, grazing various parts of my body.
A stream of blood trickled down my neck where the wind pressure had cut me, and anguished cries erupted from the guild members, who had just reached the path.
“Ah! Sir!”
“It’s too dangerous!”
**Clang! Clang! Clang!**
I parried the relentless strikes, struggling as I shouted,
“Go! I’ll catch up soon!”
“But…!”
“Jin-soo! Get them out of here!”
Reluctantly, Jin-soo led the guild members toward the Gate, shouting,
“You have to come back, sir!”
I smiled faintly and nodded.
“I will.”
“I’m sorry, sir!”
“It’s fine. Now go!”
“Ugh!”
Jin-soo hesitated but finally disappeared beyond the Gate with the others.
Now, it was just me and hundreds of Skeletons filling the path.
**- Foolish.**
**Clank, clank!**
The Skeletons parted, and the Warlord stepped forward.
**- Have you. Accepted death. Human?**
But I wasn’t listening to its words.
I scanned the surroundings with hawk-like eyes, letting out a sigh of relief once I confirmed they had all left.
“Phew, finally gone.”
“Those guys are too sentimental. When the captain says go, just go. What’s all this about helping? Right?”
I wiped the blood from my neck. I thought I had controlled the hit, but it was deeper than expected—about 0.2 centimeters.
“Damn it, what a waste of blood.”
The Warlord’s purple ghost fire flickered uncertainly.
**- What. Are you. Scheming?**
“Nothing much.”
I grinned as I looked at the army of Skeletons filling the narrow path.
“You’re all going to die here. That’s all you need to know.”
**- What. Did. You say?**
Instead of answering, I took a deep breath.
My muscles twitched, and following the formula of the Fiery Flame Divine Art, the fire dragon coiled in my dantian began to move.
In the next moment, I merged with my spear and thrust it forward.
“First Slash.”
**Boom!**