**Ding!**

– [Logout] complete.

I opened my eyes with a flash, and instead of the familiar ceiling, I found myself staring into two pairs of eyes looking down at me.

“Ahhh!”

“Oh my god!”

With ear-piercing screams, the two people in front of me fell backward in shock.

I yawned as if I had just woken up from a nap, looking at my mom and Ha-yeon.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Gasp… gasp…”

“Pant… pant…”

They looked as if they had just seen a ghost. Still sitting on the floor, trying to catch their breath, both of them shouted at me simultaneously.

“You almost gave us a heart attack!”

“You rascal! You rascal!”

**Smack! Smack!**

Ha-yeon’s eyes blazed, and my mom rushed over, furiously slapping my back.

Somehow, the slap of a 50-year-old housewife felt more painful than a martial artist’s punch.

‘Is this *Gyeongsubup*?’ [1]

My body and soul remember the technique known as **Mother’s Divine Palm**.

After getting smacked around for quite a while, my mom finally stopped her hand.

But, of course, a few slaps didn’t solve all the problems.

“Son.”

I swallowed nervously at my mother’s serious tone. Just as I expected, the atmosphere was tense.

“Y-yes, mother?”

“Did you know you’ve been asleep for two whole days?”

Ha-yeon added.

“To be exact, 42 hours.”

“Right. You wouldn’t wake up, and I almost called an ambulance.”

Forty-two hours, huh?

That’s a lot of sleep. Considering I spent over a year in Murim, it makes sense that this much time would have passed.

Honestly, even I didn’t expect it to last this long.

“Do you have narcolepsy or something? How could you sleep for so long? You didn’t even react when we shook you.”

Ha-yeon asked with a face full of disbelief, and I lied smoothly.

“What are you talking about? I woke up once or twice in the middle.”

“No, you didn’t. Every time Mom and I checked, you were still asleep…”

“I woke up at dawn each time. How would you know?”

“Huh?”

“Every time I opened my eyes, it was dawn. I was tired, so I just went back to sleep.”

“No way. Can someone really sleep that much?”

Of course not.

But I’ve long since mastered the art of handling this suspicious little sister.

“Hey, Jin Ha-yeon.”

Her name made her flinch, and she paused.

“Y-yeah?”

“Do you remember how I was in high school?”

“N-no, I don’t.”

“I slept through all seven periods without eating lunch and then napped during evening study sessions.”

“That’s it?”

“You think that’s all?”

“There’s more?”

“Of course. What do you think I did after school at home?”

“Could it be…”

“Yeah. I came home and slept again. That’s the kind of person I am.”

“Wow.”

Ha-yeon nodded solemnly, and my mom, who had been silently listening, looked at me with an expression that showed her heart was breaking.

“Son, that’s nothing to be proud of…”

I’m sorry, Mom.

But it’s better to set the stage now in case something similar happens in the future.

Even if it means driving a nail into your heart.

‘I’m accumulating more *unfilial stacks* like this.’

I quietly avoided my mother’s gaze. Anyway, it’s not like my poor academic performance was anything new. At least the talk about narcolepsy was dropped.

Before Ha-yeon could say anything else, I changed the subject.

“Oh, right. The massage chair. Weren’t we supposed to go buy a massage chair?”

Ha-yeon responded with a look of exasperation.

“We already bought it, you idiot.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. I picked the most expensive one. It’s worth the money. I lay down for a bit and almost went straight to heaven.”

“If you die, it’ll be an express trip to hell. But whose money did you use?”

“Whose money? All yours, of course. Here. I used the card well.”

“…Good job.”

When did she even take my card?

But given my guilty conscience, I couldn’t say anything.

If she bought the most expensive one, how much did it cost? I should’ve set aside some of the money from the last raid monster sale.

I was lost in thought as I took the card back when the doorbell rang.

**Ding-dong.**

Mom and Ha-yeon’s ears perked up at the sound.

“Is it here?”

“It’s here!”

What’s coming?

I asked, bewildered.

“Is someone expected?”

“Of course. The delivery person.”

Ha-yeon answered excitedly as she ran out of the room.

But shortly after, when I heard the door open, the voice that followed wasn’t the delivery person Ha-yeon was expecting.

“Excuse me. Is Jin Taekyung here?”

“Who… Are you a reporter?”

“No.”

The voice that followed was soft and low.

“I’m the team leader. The Peace Guild’s team leader.”

There was only one Peace Guild team leader I knew.

When I walked into the living room, I saw a man in a black coat standing behind Ha-yeon.

“Team Leader.”

Team Leader Choi nodded slightly in greeting.

“Did you rest well?”

“…Well, more or less.”

To be honest, I’m mentally exhausted after spending over a year struggling in Murim.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen his face, but my anxiety outweighed any sense of relief.

If this man had come all the way to my house, I knew what to expect.

“I’m glad to hear you rested well.”

“I didn’t say I rested well… So what brings you here? I don’t think I have any scheduled appearances on TV or in the media.”

“Of course not. You’re not a celebrity, Jin Taekyung.”

“Then what is it?”

“The new guild members’ workshop starts today.”

“Workshop?”

“Yes.”

If that’s all, then that’s fine. I’m curious about the new recruits, and I can rest after stopping by for a bit.

“When does the workshop end?”

“It’s scheduled for about six nights and seven days.”

“What kind of workshop lasts a week… Is it in Pyeongchang or Gapyeong?”

“Think bigger.”

“Could it be… a resort in Southeast Asia?”

“Hmm.”

“Phuket? It’s Phuket, right?”

Team Leader Choi gave a bright smile and answered.

“We’ve secured an A-rank Gate.”

“Ah.”

“We’ll be hunting monsters to build team cohesion.”

“…”

A workshop with monsters, huh. Sounds thrilling.

—

*Thud! Thud!*

The ground shook with every step the massive creature took.

Standing five meters tall, its entire body was made of solid rock, with patches of moss here and there, giving it a damp appearance.

At the top, where its head was covered in vine-like tendrils, a red light flashed.

The monster’s eyes. The gaze of this magical being, devoid of any life, made someone mutter under their breath.

“A Golem…”

An undeniable A-rank monster.

The B-rank rookie hunters, who had just graduated from training, were paralyzed with fear just looking at the Golem.

“How are we supposed to kill that…?”

“One hit from that thing and we’re dead.”

As the twenty-something new guild members nervously watched the Golem ambling around in the distance, swallowing dryly, a voice cut through the tension.

“There’s no need to be afraid. The Stone Golem coming toward us now is powerful and durable, but its weakness is its slow speed.”

The young team leader, who looked like he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine, spoke, and the female hunters nodded with dreamy expressions.

“He says it’s slow.”

“If Team Leader Choi Minwoo says it’s slow, then it is.”

At that moment, the Stone Golem’s head slowly turned toward them.

After a brief silence, the rock legs started to move faster. Each stride closed the distance by three meters in a flash.

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

“…It’s pretty fast.”

“Damn it, I should’ve been a dealer instead of a tank.”

“Excuse me? Do you think dealers just sit around doing nothing?”

“Well, then how about you take the shield and tank for me?”

“Pass.”

The dark clouds of doubt and fear that had settled over the new guild members were dispersed by a clear voice.

“The wind imbues us. Haste!”

“The strength to shatter rocks. Strength!”

“Revitalize the weary body. Heal!”

**Swoosh.**

One after another, spells were cast.

Cool wind and radiant light descended over the new guild members.

Feeling their bodies significantly enhanced, the rookies turned to each other in amazement.

‘What’s going on? This feels completely different.’

‘Isn’t she also a B-rank healer? How is it this effective?’

‘Wow. I heard she’s from Ares Guild.’

Noticing their gazes, Song-yi frowned, her flawless brow furrowing.

“What are you all doing? Do you want to end up having a workshop in heaven because you were daydreaming?”

The rookies, who had been mesmerized by the exceptional buff magic and her beauty, finally snapped out of it.

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

– *Roarrrrr!*

The Stone Golem, now only 20 meters away, swung its arm.

**Whoosh!**

With a tremendous tearing sound, the massive tree that had been deeply rooted in the ground shot toward them like a cannonball.

“Sh-shield!”

**Clank, clank, clank!**

With a cry of desperation, several mana-infused tower shields were raised to form a barrier.

But could they really block the enormous tree, which had been launched with such force?

Just as everyone braced for impact, gritting their teeth in anticipation of the shock, a voice rang out.

“Fire Wall.”

**Fwoosh!**

A massive wall of fire erupted.

The intense heat instantly incinerated the dry branches and leaves. The charred tree trunk crumbled to ash as soon as it touched the tower shields.

“Wow…”

“What the…”

The rookies stood with their mouths agape when a deep voice that sounded like it belonged in a coffee commercial echoed from above.

“I blocked it once, but don’t expect it a second time.”

It was odd. Despite the polite tone and demeanor, the elderly man’s gaze exuded an intensity that reminded them of the sadistic drill instructors who had tormented them during training.

No, it was worse than that.

“Fire Wall.”

For the second time, the spell was cast, and once again, a wall of fire sprang up.

The difference this time was that it appeared behind them, not in front.

“Ouch, it’s hot!”

“What is this?”

“Guild Master! Guild Master?”

With a sly smile, Butler Kim, who had blocked the rookies’ retreat with the fiery barrier, spoke.

“You won’t grow if all you do is rely on help inside the gate. Fight with all your might.”

“Mages, use detection magic to find the core. Tanks, protect the healers and draw aggro. Dealers?… I trust I don’t need to explain further.”

With a flick of Butler Kim’s hand, Team Leader Choi and Song-yi floated into the air.

Just as the abandoned rookies were about to descend into panic, a voice boomed.

“Tanks, up front!”

**Thud!**

A giant clad in full armor slammed his tower shield into the ground with a loud crash.

A few of the rookies frowned as they recognized the person who had stepped forward first.

The giant was none other than a middle-aged D-rank hunter with nothing but 20 years of experience to his name.

“What are you doing! Get it together!”

But they had no choice. Their bodies, now keenly aware of the life-threatening danger, moved toward the front line instinctively.

“Formation!”

**Clank, clank, clank!**

With shouts loud enough to split the sky, the tower shields formed a solid wall.

The mages and healers gathered their mana, and the dealers prepared their most powerful attacks.

Hiding behind his shield, Im Jik-jung shouted with a determined look.

“Hold the line!”

– *Roarrrrr!*

The Stone Golem, now almost upon them, charged at the shield wall.

**Boom!**

“Hah… hah…”

“Ugh…”

Heavy breaths and groans filled the air.

One tank had a broken arm, the mages and healers had exhausted their mana and collapsed to the ground, and the dealers lay sprawled across the remains of the Stone Golem.

“I’m dead tired…”

“Did we really take down the Stone Golem?”

After a five-hour-long raid, the process had been grueling and slow, even with over twenty people, but the rookie hunters who had just completed their training were brimming with pride.

“I can’t believe we took down an A-rank monster…”

“Let’s take a group photo later and hang it in the living room.”

“Who gets to say they took down a Stone Golem on their first raid?”

“Great job, everyone.”

As they reveled in their accomplishment, eyes shining with pride, something caught their attention.

– *Roarrrrr!*

In the distance, more Golems appeared, their roars growing louder as they drew closer. The rookies’ faces turned to stone.

‘What is that?’

Even at a glance, there were over ten of them, and they looked even bigger and sturdier than the Stone Golem. Each time their massive forms moved, light glinted off them.

Someone screamed in terror.

“Iron! Iron Golems!”

“Ahhhhh!”

The appearance of the Iron Golems, one of the highest-ranked Golems, was enough to send everyone into a panic.

“W-why are they here?”

“They’re supposed to be scattered! That’s how it usually is!”

No one had ever heard of Golems living in tribes.

But the sight of them approaching, along with the tremors that shook the ground like an earthquake, made it clear that this was real.

In the end, the rookies had only one lifeline to cling to.

“Please help us! We’re all going to die like this!”

Their desperate cries reached the sky, where Team Leader Choi had been watching the situation unfold.

With a slight smile, he answered.

“There’s nothing we can do to help.”

“…What did you say?”

Has he gone mad?

Everyone was questioning their hearing when, suddenly,

**Shing! Slash!**

A red flash sliced through the air, and the Iron Golem charging toward them was split cleanly in half, from its crown to its groin.

**Boom!**

As the massive steel body crumbled to the sides, a figure appeared in the middle.

“Hunting in herds is a piece of cake.”

The young man, Jin Taekyung, grinned.

***

Footnotes:

[1] Gyeongsubup (Precision Strike Technique) — A fictional technique referring to precise and controlled strikes, used humorously to describe the surprisingly powerful and accurate slaps from Jin Taekyung’s mother.

Murim Login — Chapter 1

Murim Login Chapter 1 — Chapter 270

You May Also Like

Comments