Murim Login - Chapter 434

“Have you looked in the mirror?”

Those were the first words Manager Choi said as he stepped off the aircraft.

I could only imagine how bad I looked if people around me couldn’t recognize me.

“No. Is it that bad?”

“Yes. Even your family wouldn’t recognize you, Jin Taekyung.”

“Come on, my mom would know me. She carried me for nine months.”

“We watched the news on the plane on our way here. She wondered aloud who that filthy man was, speaking in such a brusque manner.”

“…Really?”

Looking over Manager Choi’s shoulder, I saw my mom peeking out from the private jet’s open doorway, her voice barely a whisper.

“Sorry, son.”

After that single sentence, she disappeared, replaced by the slender face of Ha-yeon, whose skin glowed as if she’d been eating and sleeping well for days.

“I knew it was you right away! See, I’m the best, aren’t I?”

“Who are you? I’m an only child.”

“What the…”

Ignoring Ha-yeon’s retort, I turned to Manager Choi.

“Did she badmouth me the most?”

“Yes. She even encouraged your mom.”

Ah, yes, that’s definitely my sister.

Realizing she had been caught, Ha-yeon quickly ducked her head back inside. Not only was she a top student, but she was sharp too.

“It’s nice to see such a harmonious family.”

“Too much harmony and one of us might disappear from the family registry.”

Manager Choi responded with a serious look.

“But that’s still better than nothing. I don’t have a family. Except for my maternal grandfather, whom I don’t even know the whereabouts of.”

“…Why would you tell me that?”

“I was just joking.”

“Please, give me a warning before you start.”

At my grumbling, Manager Choi chuckled and extended his hand.

With a brief incantation, an item with a cleaning magic effect glowed.

A cool, mana-infused breeze swept away all the dust and grime covering me.

“Thanks. That’s much better.”

“No need to thank me. But you were quite busy to the end. Disappearing suddenly on your departure day left us all quite anxious.”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. I planned to come back on time anyway.”

Manager Choi looked at me silently, and I scratched the back of my head, offering an explanation.

“I just stopped by on a hunch.”

“Jin Taekyung.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“Even if you do, I need to say it.”

Manager Choi looked directly into my eyes and spoke clearly.

“You can’t save everyone. You… did your best.”

I smiled bitterly.

I had witnessed many deaths, both in this modern world and in Murim.

Sometimes as a bystander, other times as a participant.

Every time things concluded, I’d always ponder the same question, like now.

‘Was this really the best I could do?’

“Today’s weather is nice.”

Muttering as I looked up at the sky, I turned to Manager Choi with a grin.

“Let’s just say I did what I could. It’s easier that way.”

“It might not be the same for others. To us, it was the best. More than that.”

That wasn’t Manager Choi’s voice.

Already aware of the presence, I turned calmly.

The owner of the aged voice, wearing a gentle smile, spoke.

“So, you’re leaving after all, Mr. Jin.”

I smiled back at President Xiao Yang.

“Turns out hotel stays are pricier than I thought.”

“They’re businesspeople, after all. It’s only fair to pay for the service.”

“Well, they might have overcharged me since I’m a foreigner.”

“Oh, is that so? I’ll make sure this old man lectures them properly. Would you stay longer then?”

“The bus has already left. It’d be rude to chase it down and ask the driver to open the door.”

“Then I have no choice but to let you go, ho ho.”

No hotel would dare bill me or overcharge in these circumstances. With light banter, we reaffirmed our understanding and shook hands.

“I can’t thank you enough for your tremendous help.”

His voice and eyes carried genuine gratitude.

Those accompanying the President, high officials themselves, bowed respectfully to me.

I even recognized a few faces: Xiao Shen and Defense Minister Wei Fenghu.

I greeted them with a nod and responded jokingly.

“I only did what needed to be done. And it wasn’t even charity, as you know.”

“Of course.”

I had almost forgotten, but the bounty on the Arch Lich was 50 trillion won.

The compensation from a month-long war was so astronomically large, it was hard to believe even now.

‘Fifty trillion.’

Just half a year ago, I would save money by eating a 7,000-won bone soup for meals, only to cook ramen at home when it didn’t fill me up. Now, more than joy, I felt stunned.

“By the way…”

“Yes?”

“Do I actually get it?”

Manager Choi nudged my foot, while President Xiao Yang’s wrinkled eyes crinkled with amusement.

“Do you not want it?”

“No, no.”

My overly enthusiastic response brought laughter to those around.

President Xiao Yang laughed heartily and patted my shoulder.

“Didn’t I say? It’s only right to pay what’s due.”

For a country considered too big to be small and too narrow-minded to be a superpower, this old man was surprisingly generous.

I scratched my chin, embarrassed.

It wasn’t wrong to receive payment per contract, but accepting 50 trillion won during such a disaster felt like looting a neighbor’s pantry.

“If funds are tight, installments are fine too.”

“If you’re worried about the recovery effort, that’s our nation’s burden to bear. Your reward is already being processed and will be formally issued soon.”

President Xiao Yang leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“As we tilled the field and pulled out rotten roots, we found piles of gold. So don’t feel uneasy, Mr. Jin.”

Ah, he was referring to the Crown Prince Party.

According to the news, the seized assets alone exceeded several hundred trillion won.

And this was without even fully addressing figures like Wu Qiming, the party’s de facto leader.

‘The scale of corruption is staggering.’

It seemed the size of the land correlated with the size of its corruption.

Well, now that those once in power were stripped bare and imprisoned, a semblance of justice had been served. Feeling a bit lighter, I replied.

“Then, I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“Thank you once more, on behalf of all the citizens who couldn’t be here.”

Before I could respond, President Xiao Yang and his entourage bowed deeply.

These were key figures running the country.

They were China’s backbone and brain.

As I stood momentarily stunned, a familiar voice whispered in my ear.

“Should I bow too?”

“Pai Chen.”

She approached with a playful grin, poking my cheek.

“You’ve worked hard, young man.”

“It was a group effort…”

“Of course, everyone did their part. But without you defeating the Arch Lich, we wouldn’t have this peace. I think everyone agrees. Except maybe that annoying prince.”

Prince Felix, adorned in a dazzling uniform and white cape, coughed irritably, staring at me.

“What?”

“I salute you, commoner of Korea.”

“…Thanks, but could you drop the ‘commoner’ part?”

“I salute you, commoner of Korea.”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“I am sincere.”

“I thought so, you jerk. I am a commoner, after all.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Prince Felix unexpectedly extended his hand.

But unlike before, he didn’t offer the back of his hand but grasped mine firmly.

Before I could process it, he brought it to his lips for a kiss.

‘What the…’

As I stood in shock, Pai Chen burst into laughter, and Felix, unflustered, said his piece.

“It was a salute. Cherish it as an honor for generations. Farewell for now.”

Without changing his expression, he led his attendants away, leaving Magic Johnson watching the scene with a smirk.

“Charming.”

“…You’re into that?”

“Respect it.”

“You have a spouse.”

“That’s why I hold back.”

I better keep him away from Korean convenience stores. One bite of tuna mayo could set off an unprecedented global upheaval.

Shaking my head, Manager Choi spoke softly.

“Mr. Jin Taekyung. It’s time to depart.”

It was not just meant for me but for everyone present. Nodding, I said my final goodbyes to everyone, including Xiao Shen and Wei Fenghu.

“Take care.”

“We’ll meet again, big brother.”

Xiao Shen, barely in his early twenties, wiped his reddened eyes with his sleeve as he spoke.

“I’ll become an outstanding hunter like you and protect people as the head of public security.”

“Starting young and already ambitious. It’s going to be tough.”

“I’m embarrassed, but I’ll rely on my grandfather’s help.”

“Yeah. Listen to his advice and take it to heart. I’m sure whoever he is, he’ll have good words…”

My words cut off as Xiao Shen added something unexpected.

“You know him.”

“Huh? Who?”

“My grandfather.”

“What are you talking about? The only grandpas I know are the caretaker at our guild and the landlord of the place near the boarding house.”

President Xiao Yang chimed in with a chuckle.

“Ho ho, I’m here too.”

“Come on. Stop joking…”

Wait a second.

My eyes twitched involuntarily.

Xiao Yang, Xiao Shen… Xiao?

I brushed it off as a common name, like Kim or Park in Korea, but now that I looked closer, they did resemble each other.

“Don’t tell me…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You’re just like everyone else, Mr. Jin. Surprised, huh?”

“…I’m going to be sick.”

“Brother?”

“Mr. Jin?”

What was this, some kind of novel? ‘The Tale of a Familiar Acquaintance in China Turns Out to Be the Grandson of the President.’ It sounded so far-fetched.

How did I keep running into all these high-profile people? Shaking off my brief panic, I managed to respond.

“I see. I didn’t know.”

“Beyond my position as President, I’m grateful as a grandfather for bringing back my grandson. It’s a debt I can never fully repay.”

“Well… take your time repaying it.”

I had unknowingly saved the President of China’s grandson. I exchanged final farewells with the grandfather and grandson duo, my gaze drifting to one last figure.

Wei Fenghu.

The faint smile on his lips didn’t seem empty by accident. Unlike his superior, he had lost a loved one.

For a moment, we shared a silent look before speaking at the same time.

“Goodbye.”

“Farewell, Mr. Jin. You have endured much.”

Though brief, it was enough.

“Well, then.”

With a small nod to everyone, I followed Manager Choi to the waiting plane.

My mom inspected me with a mix of worry and joy, and Ha-yeon, sipping champagne, flashed me a mischievous smile when our eyes met.

“Want a drink, bro?”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? Hand over her glass.”

The Skeleton King, sitting in human form and ignoring us, muttered darkly.

“It won’t rise… Am I cursed…” (TL Note: HAHAHAHAHA. WTF, I think we all know what he meant by that. ROFL)

Manager Choi, sitting beside him, patted his back sympathetically.

“Cheer up. Maybe Mr. Johnson could help next time.”

“Really?”

I nearly smacked him but ended up chuckling. It felt like I was finally back in my place.

With my beloved family, comrades, and friends.

It wasn’t home, but the private jet felt just as comfortable.

Yes, this was enough.

– “We will begin takeoff. Passengers, please…”

The announcement came, and under the escort of the aircraft fleet, we soared into the sky.

After chatting and laughing for a while, I felt the moment had come.

Glancing at those who had fallen asleep from exhaustion, I reclined in my seat.

‘Login.’

Ding.

With the familiar sound and the darkness closing in, I set off.

Towards another world and the people waiting for me there.

(TL Note: And there you go folks! Arch Lich Arc is done!)