Murim Login - Chapter 409

Before dawn had even broken, an unexpected visitor quietly entered my tent.

As I sat cross-legged, our eyes met.

“You’re already awake.”

“As you can see,” I shrugged toward Team Leader Choi.

“I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

To be more accurate, my need for sleep had reduced. With stamina that far exceeded human limits and a robust supply of internal energy cultivated over time, most of my fatigue could be dispelled through energy circulation techniques.

“Were you practicing the *Mana Cultivation Technique*? Or was it the *True Heart Technique*?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

In truth, I was practicing the secret technique of the *Fiery Flame Divine Art*—but it wasn’t necessary to reveal every detail.

“I should have come later then.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“But didn’t they say you shouldn’t be disturbed during cultivation? Interruptions could lead to inner demons…”

“That’s for you, not me. My level is different.”

His factual tone felt like a public service announcement: “The truth can sometimes hurt people’s feelings.” I thought I saw a flash of that on Team Leader Choi’s face for a second. He shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Well, it’s true, so I can’t argue.”

“But you’re doing exceptionally well, Team Leader Choi. I mean that sincerely—have more confidence in yourself.”

It was the truth. As the descendant of the legendary hero Cheon Tae-min, Team Leader Choi possessed an incredible innate talent for martial arts.

On top of that, for some reason, a substantial amount of internal energy had already accumulated within him, allowing him to progress in martial arts at a surprising rate.

In short, he was a prepared talent.

‘If someone like him had learned martial arts from a young age, like Wu Haixing… he would probably be an S-rank hunter by now.’

Team Leader Choi’s expression relaxed a little as he nodded.

“So, how do I compare to you, Jin Tae-Kyung?”

“Are you joking? Obviously, I learned much faster.”

As if he could ever compare to me.

No matter how much Lee Jeong-ryong had guided and monitored Team Leader Choi, he was still nowhere near my level. My life experiences were fundamentally different. Even after obtaining the system, I’d faced death multiple times.

“So, what brings you here? And so early, too.”

“I have a concern, so I came to seek your advice despite the hour.”

“A concern?”

“Yes.”

“Did Johnson confess to you?”

“I don’t mind. I know Mister Johnson has his own way of showing affection. No, this is more related to guild matters.”

“Guild matters? Did something happen in Korea?”

Team Leader Choi shook his head at my concerned question.

“No, but I’m worried that one of our guild members is about to face serious danger.”

“Oh?”

I smirked, realizing what he was getting at.

“I think I know who you’re talking about. Tall, good-looking, with a great personality?”

“I can’t speak for the other traits, but he certainly has a personality—one that stands out, in many ways.”

“Hmm, in that case, I might not know him.”

“Jin Tae-Kyung.”

His voice dropped as he addressed me more seriously now.

“You know what I mean.”

“Not really.”

“This operation is dangerous.”

“Team Leader Choi, don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do. You’re one of the few people I trust the most in this world.”

He looked at me with deep, serious eyes.

“But you’re also preparing to carry out a dangerous mission with people I wouldn’t trust at all.”

Two names immediately came to mind.

Lee Jeong-ryong and Wu Haixing. Both men were tangled in complicated fates with me, and soon we’d have to rely on each other in battle.

I scratched my chin and responded.

“‘Untrustworthy people,’ huh? That’s a pretty accurate description.”

“Jin Tae-Kyung…”

“Hey, Team Leader?”

He looked like he was about to say something, but I raised my hand and pointed outside the tent.

“As you know, my training’s not done yet.”

“…”

“Before the day is over, the battle will begin. Clear your mind and prepare for what’s coming.”

Team Leader Choi looked at me with a complex expression, then sighed deeply before standing up.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Sure. I’m not going far.”

I felt him slowly walk away, his presence gradually fading.

Once he was out of sight, the Skeleton Warlord, who had been sulking ever since his wish had been revoked, spoke up with renewed hope.

– A very wise human. Perhaps it’s not too late to take his advice?

“You try hard.”

– Why must you drag me into this?! Why not go alone if you’re so set on it?

“Because dying alone is lonely.”

– WHAT?!

“Relax, I’m kidding. This is just the best option.”

– Charging through a massive monster legion to face the Arch Lich is the best option? You’re not just a vile human—you’re insane.

This undead bastard was really getting bold with his words.

As I debated whether or not to punish him, I stretched out on my bed.

“It’s a dangerous plan, sure. But it’s possible, so don’t worry too much.”

– And if it turns out to be impossible?

“Then we’ll fight with everything we’ve got. That will give us a chance.”

The Skeleton Warlord muttered in resignation.

– A miraculous logic, indeed. To think I’m stuck with this crazy human.

“And yet, you’re still here.”

– Not here by choice! I can’t leave even if I want to!

“You’re funny. You came back to me on your own, didn’t you? Oh, wait… it was your skull, not your feet.”

– The place is crawling with vicious humans ready to kill me! What was I supposed to do?

I chuckled softly at the Warlord’s indignant response.

‘He really likes to complain.’

I had a lot more I wanted to say, but I held back. He’d have to come to that realization on his own.

– Are you laughing? I swear you just laughed!

“When did I do that?”

Feigning innocence, I smoothly changed the subject.

“Anyway, the key is to take down the Arch Lich. Once the head is gone, the body won’t be able to move.”

– Dullahan didn’t have that problem.

True.

I was momentarily at a loss for words, even though I had to agree. Frustrated, I reached into my inventory and pulled out the Skeleton Warlord.

“You really have a way with words, don’t you?”

– W-wait! I was only telling the truth!

“Right. Dullahans move without their heads. Let’s see how you manage.”

*Smack!*

With a flick as fast as lightning, I struck the Warlord’s skull, and he screamed in pain.

– Ack! My forehead! There’s a crack!

“I hit you gently. What are you talking about? Oh… wait, there really is a crack.”

Maybe I should have held back a little more. A fine crack had appeared on his shiny black skull.

I touched the bone fragment that had been slightly raised by the impact, and the Skeleton Warlord screamed again.

– My bones! My bones!

“Okay, okay, stop screaming.”

– I’ve been feeling so brittle lately, and now this… you savage!

He sounded like a drama queen with sensitive skin. At this rate, he could start a YouTube channel for undead beauty tips and hit a million subscribers.

‘Is he even a real monster?’

Shaking my head in disbelief, I opened the side of the tent. Outside, the sun was beginning to rise in the east.

It was a signal—the day had begun, and with it, the impending battle.

* * *

Suining City, located in the central Sichuan Basin, covered a vast area of over 5,000 kilometers, including two districts and three counties.

Once a cultural center known for its serene landscapes and advanced agricultural and commercial development, those days were long gone.

*Caw! Caw!*

Above the hazy sky, countless crows circled, descending onto the corpses scattered across the ground. There was no infighting among the birds as they feasted on the rotting flesh that had once belonged to humans.

What was a catastrophe for mankind had become a feast for the crows.

But their peaceful meal didn’t last long.

*Thud, thud, thud.*

A rumbling noise vibrated the earth, and the crows screeched irritably before flying away all at once.

Several black feathers caught the wind and drifted across the basin.

The feathers were crushed under the boots and wheels of marching soldiers and tanks.

*Thud, thud, thud.*

A human army stretched across the horizon.

At the front, tanks rolled forward, their shields brushing the ground. Behind them, thousands of hunters marched in formation, their faces hardened with determination.

Someone’s tightly pressed lips could be seen under the brim of a deep helmet.

Thousands of humans, enveloped in the invisible energy of war, marched in silence.

They moved toward the fog-shrouded city in the distance, toward the battle that awaited, toward a glorious victory.

At the heart of the army, a voice suddenly broke the silence.

“Goddamn it, look at that fog. It looks like something straight out of a disaster movie. Has anyone seen that movie?”

Jin Tae-Kyung’s out-of-place curse caused a ripple of soft laughter across the ranks.

“Heh.”

“Snort.”

“What, am I the only one who’s seen that masterpiece?”

Just as Jin Tae-Kyung shrugged, someone on his right responded.

“I’ve seen it.”

“Really? Team Leader Choi, that’s surprising.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t know… You seem like the type who’s more into musicals or orchestral performances.”

The hunters nearby bit their lips, trying to stifle their laughter.

As their bodies loosened and their breathing steadied, they felt their tension ease.

The conversation between the two continued.

“I watch movies from time to time. The one you mentioned was quite entertaining.”

“Oh, so you know the twist at the end.”

“Of course. It was tragic.”

“Yeah, I thought the same thing.”

Jin Tae-Kyung slowly spoke.

“If only he hadn’t given up at the end, he could have survived. If he had fought with everything he had, maybe…”

His voice was soft, but there was power behind it.

The resonance of his words, backed by a deep internal energy, spread through the air, reaching everyone’s ears.

And at that moment, the thousands of hunters and soldiers on the western front realized:

Jin Tae-Kyung’s words weren’t just a casual comment. They were advice—directed at all of them.

“By now, the other fronts should be surrounding Suining City like we are, right?”

“They should be closing in without any gaps.”

“And soon, the battle will begin.”

“We will win.”

Xiao Shen responded confidently, and Jin Tae-Kyung chuckled.

“Yeah, we will. But…”

His laughter stopped abruptly. In that moment, the playfulness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, steely gaze.

In his frigid pupils, the vast basin reflected back at him.

“It seems they have other plans.”

*Rattle, rattle.*

Slowly, the corpses began to rise—Skeletons. Fog slid eerily across the basin as monstrous growls echoed within.

“From now on…”

Jin Tae-Kyung took a deep breath.

“It’s starting.”