Murim Login - Chapter 427

It was a winter night in December, with snow pouring down heavily.

People, who had trusted the weather forecast that predicted clearer skies than usual, were baffled as they hurried along the streets, and the meteorological office was in disarray.

“What the hell is going on? What’s the problem?”

“We’re analyzing it. This shouldn’t be happening.”

“Snow the size of hailstones is falling, and you say it shouldn’t be happening? Stop making excuses and bring me the data. There must be real-time observation records!”

“We… we’re checking now… Ah, it seems an abnormal phenomenon has occurred due to a surge of mana in the Sichuan region, China. The predicted snowfall is no joke.”

“Sichuan? Damn it. Is that Arc Lich bastard controlling the weather now?”

After the Great Cataclysm, the meteorological office had incorporated various forms of magic, allowing them to predict the weather almost prophetically.

An hour later, the office issued a heavy snow warning nationwide, concluding that the snowfall would be the heaviest in 30 years.

However, people rushing home soon came to a stop.

It was due to a message coming from a large screen in the middle of the bustling downtown area.

– On this day, we are thrilled and overwhelmed to bring you this news.

An old East Asian man appeared on the screen.

Behind him sat the leaders of nations affiliated with the UN Security Council. The President of the People’s Republic of China, with red-rimmed eyes and a choked voice, spoke into numerous microphones.

– The Arc Lich has been eradicated. We… have won.

Victory.

That one word was enough. In that moment, people stood in stunned silence, mouths agape, before erupting in a thunderous cheer at the news that the unprecedented monster wave, which had raged for 34 days and threatened the world beyond Sichuan, had finally ended.

“Waaahhh!”

“Wait, wait! I didn’t hear it! What did he just say?”

“…We won!”

“What?”

“Look at the subtitles!”

“Arc Lich eradicated… Oh my God, it’s true! Ahhhhhh! I thought I was going to get dragged into the reserves!”

They paid no attention to the rest of President Xiao Yang’s 30-minute-long announcement or the additional explanation from the UN Security Council’s spokesperson.

With the fall of the Arc Lich, the vast undead army lost its power and was annihilated, ushering in the peace everyone had longed for.

“Mom, it’s me! Did you see the news? If not, turn it on now! Hurry!”

“We can’t miss this! Manager Kim, let’s go for round three!”

“Round three? But the server update is tomorrow. Section Chief Noh will flip out.”

“Section Chief Noh is coming too, with the company card.”

“Ugh, I hate seeing that guy’s face. Fine, let’s go.”

“Unity! Yes, Battalion Commander! This is Captain Lee Jun-beom. I was wondering if I could extend my leave by a day… Never mind, sorry!”

Those who had been suppressing their anxieties burst into cheers and flocked to bars, while others, who had predicted a second Great Cataclysm and stayed home, poured into the streets to join the festivities.

The cheers didn’t subside even past midnight.

The next day, and the day after…

The world buzzed with excitement over this monumental victory, with new articles flooding in across all nations.

There were even jokes that the coverage of the victory was more abundant than the record-breaking snowfall that had lasted three days in Korea.

And amidst all these articles, one name was consistently mentioned.

[The New York Times: “A Great Victory, A New Hero.”]
[The Times (UK): “The Rising Star of the East. A Friendship with Prince Felix?”]
[Asahi Shimbun (Japan): “Jin Tae-Kyung, the Pride of Asia. But Japan’s First-Class Hunters Could Surpass Him!”]
[The People’s Daily (China): “A Young Hero from Korea Saves Countless People. The Tragic Death of Our Genius, Wu Haixing.”]
[Chinese Youth Gazette: “Jin Tae-Kyung is a Descendant of Chen Lin, a Ming Dynasty General. With Chinese blood flowing through him, his naturalization is only a matter of time.”]
[Korean Goryeo Daily: “Ares Vice Guild Leader, Hunter Lee Jeong-ryong (68), Presumed Dead…”]
[Korean Das Patch: “We’ve been thoroughly investigating Jin Tae-Kyung for months, but nothing has surfaced. His relationships? Impeccably clean.” When asked if he had cleanly ended multiple relationships, the reporter was told, ‘No, it’s because he’s never been in one.’]

The media treated Jin Tae-Kyung’s existence like a Christmas gift.

Every spotlight was on him, with endless stories circulating about him.

There was no shortage of material. From the so-called “Winter War” to the smallest details of his past and personal life, everything became news.

Even tabloid articles, which would normally be ridiculed as gossip, gained interest.

The world’s attention was focused on the new hero who had led this great victory.

However, not all the attention was positive.

Leaked information from the tightly guarded investigation began to raise suspicions.

[Four Days Post-War. What Lies Behind This Great Victory? Questions Surrounding Jin Tae-Kyung.]
[Lee Jeong-ryong Presumed Dead. The Suspicious Death of Wu Haixing. Two S-Rank Hunters Dead Amidst the Rise of a New Hero.]
[Testimonies from the Joint Forces Command: “Despite the intensity of the battle, Jin Tae-Kyung’s body showed no significant injuries when found. We are still investigating whether healing potions were used. Once he regains consciousness, everything will be clarified.”]

Though only a minority entertained these conspiracy theories, they sparked heated debates on the internet.

Many of these articles were quickly taken down due to backlash and complaints, but they left seeds of doubt among the public. Eventually, all eyes turned toward one question:

When would Jin Tae-Kyung finally make his appearance?

—

Beep. Beep.

The latest medical equipment emitted mechanical sounds.

In a private hospital room, accessible to only a select few, those present looked with concern at Jin Tae-Kyung, who lay unconscious, wearing an oxygen mask.

“How is Mr. Jin’s condition?” President Xiao Yang asked.

Choi Min-woo replied, “The same as always. Everything appears perfectly normal, but strangely, he remains unconscious.”

“Did both specialists say the same thing?”

“Yes, neither could determine the cause.”

“Hmm… Then there’s no doubt. But why hasn’t he regained consciousness?”

President Xiao Yang sighed.

The two specialists he referred to were renowned figures. One was a private doctor hailed as the reincarnation of Hua Tuo, and the other was a top-tier healer known worldwide.

Since they both reached the same conclusion, it had to be true.

“I heard his family is here?”

“Our Peace Guild is taking good care of them. Thankfully, they seem to have found some comfort.”

“Good. Would it be possible to meet them, even briefly?”

“I’ll ask, but their wishes are our top priority.”

“I understand. No one could feel differently when their loved one is still unconscious. Consider it the foolish request of an old man.”

“Not at all, sir. We’re grateful for your consideration.”

“There’s no need for thanks. If it weren’t for Mr. Jin, an even greater disaster would have occurred. Though I don’t have long left in this world, I’ll carry my gratitude with me to the grave.”

Xiao Yang’s words were sincere.

Four days had passed since the battle ended. An international investigation team had thoroughly searched the Arc Lich’s former base and found traces of a massive Gate.

The remnants of overwhelming magic suggested that the Gate’s scale could have been catastrophic.

“If Mr. Jin hadn’t stopped the Arc Lich, not only our nation but all of Asia—no, perhaps the entire world—would have become a battlefield.”

“That’s entirely possible.”

Though slightly exaggerated, it was largely true.

Choi Min-woo nodded in agreement, feeling neither embarrassed nor inclined to dismiss the gratitude of a leader representing over a billion people.

A debt of gratitude often becomes the greatest gift.

“But, sir, there have been troubling rumors about Mr. Jin lately… Are you aware of them?”

“Do you mean internally or externally?”

“Internally. Specifically, within the Communist Party’s inner circle—more precisely, among the Crown Prince faction.”

Xiao Yang nodded.

“Yes, I’m fully aware.”

The issue was related to Wu Haixing’s death.

His body had been found severely mutilated, and conspiracy theories surrounding the circumstances were spreading both inside and outside the Party.

“Some suspect Mr. Jin. They point to the argument he had with Wu Haixing during their first meeting. And when Mr. Jin was found, he had no significant injuries.”

These speculations had two main narratives:

First, that Jin Tae-Kyung, harboring ill will toward Wu Haixing, killed him and disguised it as the Arc Lich’s doing.

Second, that Jin Tae-Kyung and Lee Jeong-ryong, presumed dead or missing, used Wu Haixing as a shield and seized the opportunity to kill the Arc Lich.

President Xiao Yang was already aware of these theories and had reached his conclusion.

With a firm tone, he addressed Choi Min-woo.

“They’re baseless slanders and conspiracy theories.”

“I appreciate your trust, sir…”

While it was a favorable response, it wasn’t enough.

Choi Min-woo continued cautiously, “However, it seems the Crown Prince faction holds a different view.”

Even within China, these conspiracy theories were criticized as national disgrace, but to a grieving father, they seemed credible.

Wu Haixing’s father, a political giant leading the Crown Prince faction, was actively spreading the rumors and had even formed an independent investigation team.

“If Mr. Jin regains consciousness, the truth will come to light. But for a high-ranking politician to lead such baseless rumors…”

Xiao Yang gave Choi Min-woo a faint smile.

“You’re quite candid.”

Despite Jin Tae-Kyung’s great achievements, their lives and positions were fundamentally different.

Yet the young man before him was expressing his thoughts without hesitation, carefully adjusting his tone as needed.

‘So it’s true.’

Recalling Choi Min-woo’s background, Xiao Yang tapped the armrest of his chair.

“It seems I didn’t explain myself well enough. Let me clarify.”

“I’m listening.”

“My comrades and I are already aware of everything, and we’ve made all the necessary preparations.”

“All the necessary preparations?”

“Yes. Before he can seek justice for his son’s death, he will face a trial.”

It wasn’t just the Arc Lich that had fallen during this war.

Massive corruption had been exposed, and to deal with it, the Crown Prince faction would have to be uprooted.

Choi Min-woo finally smiled faintly.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Completely.”

The conversation ended there.

After exchanging a few more words, Xiao Yang took his leave. Left alone, Choi Min-woo suddenly spoke up.

“So, that’s how it is.”

At that moment, someone’s eyes snapped open.

“Ugh, damn it. I thought I was going to die from boredom.”