**Slice!**

The seemingly indestructible body of the Iron Golem was cut through as easily as tofu. Even steel imbued with magic couldn’t withstand the power of the **Yeolhyang Jigi** (Flame-Bearing Energy).

Wherever the spear’s blade slashed and pierced, trails of fire were left behind, and molten metal dripped to the ground.

**Ding. Ding.**

– You have defeated [Lv.95 Iron Golem]!

– You have gained a substantial amount of experience!

– You have defeated [Lv.95 Iron Golem]!

– You have gained a substantial amount of experience…

“Why is this thing so weak?”

Even I was startled by my own performance.

The Iron Golem is a notoriously difficult monster, or rather, a very difficult one. It’s nearly impossible to kill without destroying its core, and its destructive power and durability are exceptional.

‘It has the regenerative ability of a troll, the destructive power of an ogre…’

On top of that, it also possesses endless stamina and resistance to magic.

The only downside is its somewhat slow speed, but considering all its strengths, it’s hard to even consider that a flaw.

It’s no wonder that among A-rank monsters, Golems are considered some of the toughest.

But…

‘Why is this so easy?’

My hair fluttered in the wind. The Iron Golem’s fist came crashing down toward my head.

A scream erupted from the rookie guild members.

“Watch out!”

That one needs more training. If your teammate is in danger, you should at least throw a rock or something to distract the enemy. What is she even doing?

‘Well, she is a rookie.’

I clicked my tongue and clenched my fist.

In the fraction of a second, I channeled decades of accumulated energy down my arm.

The **Yeolhyang Jigi** (Flame-Bearing Energy) ignited into a blue flame that enveloped my fist.

And then…

**Clang!**

I struck out. It was a clash between fists—the Iron Fist of the Golem and my **Myeolyeom Shingwon** (Flame Annihilation Divine Fist).

With a metallic clang, the ground caved in, and compressed air exploded outward. Through the whirlwind of dust, I could see the Iron Golem staggering backward.

The arm that had been gleaming just moments ago was now melting away like molten steel, as if it had been devoured by a fiery dragon.

‘Should I roast it?’

Iron Golems are magical constructs devoid of emotion.

But right now, I felt like I could sense confusion emanating from it.

“Of course, I should roast it.”

I leapt into the air.

The Iron Golem’s gleaming steel chest came into view, and I could sense it.

Deep within its massive, lifeless frame, in its chest, was the Golem’s core, pulsating and spewing out magical energy.

“This Hunter is offering free roasting.”

With an open palm, I slammed into its chest. The cold metal was consumed by the heat of the **Hwayeom Shingong** (Blazing Flame Divine Art).

**Sizzle.** Molten metal splattered as a large hole was burned through its chest. The core that had been supplying magic shattered and disintegrated.

– *Gwooooooo…*

**Thud!**

The massive body lost its strength and collapsed into pieces after losing its core. Just as a human can’t breathe with a burst heart, neither can an Iron Golem survive without its core.

I landed lightly atop the heap of scrap metal that had piled up like a small hill.

“Next.”

– *Gwoooorrr!*

With mechanical roars, the gleaming waves of steel surged toward me from all directions.

‘If I take them all down, I should level up.’

With anticipation, I swung my spear. The **Hwaryong Shinchang** (Flame Dragon Divine Spear), which had reached the level of seven stars, cut through the air and sound, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

**Boom!**

**Thud!**

With a thunderous crash, the last Iron Golem crumbled.

It only took a few minutes to take down more than ten A-rank monsters.

As I looked around, everyone was staring at me in shock.

“This is insane…”

“Did you see that? Did you just see that?”

“Yes. I saw it.”

“Wow, he toyed with A-rank monsters. I couldn’t even see his movements.”

“I told you, I saw it.”

Above the murmuring rookies, a voice rang out.

“Is the raid already over? After the battle, clean up the debris and stand guard. Guild Master, please assist Song-yi with the coordination.”

Though the words were polite, the tone was as sharp as a whip.

Startled by the sudden appearance of Team Leader Choi, the rookies quickly scattered, pretending to be busy with their tasks.

‘He can be pretty charismatic sometimes.’

You could call it a natural aura. Some people are just born with it.

As I was musing, Team Leader Choi approached me, his face serious.

“Jin Taekyung. I’ve been meaning to say this for a while, but I can’t hold it in any longer.”

“Yes?”

“That spear, where did you buy it?”

Right, this was the kind of person he was. I almost forgot for a second.

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Team Leader Choi’s eyes were fixed on the spear in my hand, **Baekyeom** (White Flame).

“It’s like looking at a piece of art. The design is classic but beautiful, with a Chinese style. Is it made of magic stone?”

No, it’s made of **Mannyeon Hancheol** (Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Steel).

Of course, telling the truth would only complicate things, so I dodged the question.

“I’m not really sure myself.”

Team Leader Choi’s gaze, filled with greed, swept up and down the spear.

“With all due respect, would you consider selling it to me…?”

“No. It’s not for sale.”

Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. It’s a bound item that only I can use. The item description clearly states that.

Perhaps that’s why it’s the only item that can cross between the two worlds, stored in separate inventories for Murim and the modern world.

“Ah…”

Team Leader Choi smacked his lips in disappointment and changed the subject.

“Still, I’m genuinely surprised. You’re getting stronger and stronger.”

I responded half-jokingly, half-seriously.

“If you spend a year learning from a grandmaster who’s lost his mind, that’s what happens.”

“Lost his mind, what did you say?”

“I said, a grandmaster.”

“Isn’t that a term from martial arts novels? Master, grandmaster.”

“Yes. I’m thinking of writing a novel as a hobby after I retire. Maybe something with a title like *Murim Login*.”

“That title doesn’t sound great. It won’t be a hit.”

“I’m not serious about writing it, anyway.”

Team Leader Choi chuckled and spoke.

“It feels strange to say this every time, but whenever I see you, Jin Taekyung, I can’t help but wonder.”

“About what?”

“Whether you’re the same kind of person as I am.”

His light brown eyes seemed to take on a reddish hue.

“A lowly F-rank Hunter became this strong in just a few months? If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it.”

It’s a reasonable suspicion.

Second awakeners aren’t common, but they’re not exactly rare either.

But in my case, I’ve achieved a level far beyond that of a typical second awakener.

Moreover, Team Leader Choi has been watching my growth up close.

‘He won’t be fooled like the others.’

In his eyes, I might as well be a second, third, or fourth awakener.

I licked my dry lips.

This is a secret I must keep to myself until I die.

If it ever leaked, I might end up being taken by the National Intelligence Service, or worse, NASA, and live the rest of my life as a lab rat.

“Team Leader, I’m sorry, but that’s…”

Team Leader Choi cut me off with a small shake of his head.

“I know. I understand that you have secrets you can’t share. In a way, I’m in a similar position, so I have no intention of pressing you.”

A similar position?

Before I could dwell on that, he continued speaking.

“A Hunter with an unprecedented second awakening. That explanation should suffice. Butler Kim shares my thoughts on this.”

Although Song-yi and Im Jik-jung joined later, Butler Kim has been with Team Leader Choi, observing my growth.

Given that the internet is already flooded with news articles titled *The Rebellion of the F-Rank Hunter* or *A Miracle*, I could consider this matter settled if those two kept quiet.

I bowed my head slightly.

“Thank you. I owe you one.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“But can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Why are you going this far for me?”

“Oh, that?”

Team Leader Choi laughed with a sound like air escaping from a balloon.

“You just said it yourself. You owe me.”

“I did.”

“I plan to collect that debt, with interest.”

“…?”

“Just keep that in mind. Now then.”

As he finished speaking, Team Leader Choi started to walk away but then hesitated.

“The novel you mentioned earlier, if you ever write it, let me read it first. I enjoy reading more than you might think.”

“Then you won’t be able to read mine.”

“Why not?”

If I ever write something, it won’t be a novel you’ll enjoy; it’ll be a memoir of my experiences.

Team Leader Choi tilted his head, puzzled by my silent smile.

The six-day, seven-night workshop—no, the raid—ended in just three days.

I hunted down every monster I could find, leaving none for anyone else.

“What was supposed to be a bonding experience through the raid ended up like this.”

I avoided Song-yi’s gaze as she stared at me in disbelief.

Not only did I wipe out all the Golems in the gate, but I also took down the boss monster by myself.

The experience points were like sweet nectar.

“Ahem.”

“New recruits need to gain experience through raids. Why are you so eager to jump into action whenever you see a monster?”

“What’s done is done. Let’s move on.”

“Excuse me, Jin Taekyung.”

“Ahem, let’s move on, Song-yi.”

“And what if I can’t let it go?”

“I’ll confess my love to you.”

Song-yi, who had clamped her mouth shut, took a step back, a frightened look on her face.

I accomplished my goal, so why do I feel like crying?

‘Ah, my love…’

Like a tragic hero, I trudged forward.

As we exited the dungeon, the reporters waiting outside the gate began flashing their cameras.

Although I spent a year in Murim, only a few days had passed in the modern world.

It would take more time for the public’s interest and excitement about me to die down.

“Please step back, everyone! Reporters, move back!”

“Only authorized personnel beyond this point!”

The security guards quickly blocked the reporters, allowing us to escape the barrage of flashes.

Once the sound of shutters ceased, the excited rookie guild members, their faces flushed, shouted energetically.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

Their eyes sparkled with admiration and respect as they looked at us.

Of course, most of that attention was focused on me.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I turned to the veteran members, only to realize that someone was missing.

“Where’s Jik-jung?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it, he’s not here.”

Team Leader Choi answered.

“He slipped away on the way back, only telling me that something urgent had come up.”

“What could be so urgent that he didn’t even change out of his gear before leaving?”

“It must be something very important.”

What could it be? Did something happen at home?

A sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach.

‘Now that I think about it, we barely talked after coming back.’

Most of the raid was spent moving solo, so I hadn’t had many conversations with the others.

Looking back, Im Jik-jung’s expression did seem a bit dark.

At the time, I just thought he was tense…

‘Could it be something serious?’

Even after changing out of my gear and dispersing, the thought lingered in my mind.

After debating for a while, I finally sent a message to the saved contact. A simple note suggesting we grab a drink together sometime.

He must have his own worries, and I didn’t want to overstep and intrude.

‘This should be enough.’

As I stared at the unread message indicator, my phone suddenly vibrated.

The screen lit up with a name I hadn’t seen in months.

A name I had completely forgotten after saving it.

[Park Ji-hoon, Garam Middle School Classmate]

It was the guy I had randomly run into on the day I went to buy a house, the one I hadn’t heard from since.

What could he want?

I answered the call with mild curiosity.

Murim Login — Chapter 2

Murim Login Chapter 2 — Chapter 271

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