Chapter 121: Murim Hohyanghoe (武林懷鄕會) (1)

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It all started with a small word from Yekaterina.

-Yes. Another League is looking to recruit ether craftsmen who are willing to create an ‘essence dispenser' by combining magic and science with us….

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However, at that time, Yekaterina didn’t have any plan whatsoever. She thought it would be okay to start making a plan the day after she announces it. However, for numerous companies that were aiming for a new technology called ‘magic’, Yekaterina’s words hits differently.

‘Ey~ they will announce the general recruitment guideline first, right?'

‘I don’t think so. I think starting from tomorrow, they’ll start the test right away.’

‘What? In that case, shouldn't we bring a dispenser as an example?'

‘Huh, it can’t be! Let’s bring everything we have and go!’

At first, companies were confused and took a ‘wait and see' approach. But, after seeing their rivals starting to flock towards Another League’s headquarters with a whole ether dispenser, they couldn't do that anymore. They couldn’t let this opportunity pass by and got left behind.

As a result, craftsmens who were confident in their ether craftmanship skill gathered around the Another League’s headquarters, and the very next morning, masters of ether science and craftmanships from all over the world had arrived.

“So much…!”

Yekaterina, who couldn't ignore so many people around Gangnam Square, was eventually forced to guide all of them to the Another League's hideout, the Floating Garden.

They had too many free buildings inside the hideout anyway. And also, there were as many as 50 spirits in the Floating Garden, so security was not a problem. And unlike before, the spirits had completely recovered their power through replenishment of life (farming), and could exert their original power in the Floating Garden.

Most of the spirits had power around A-rank, however, there were few spirits who had power around S-rank. So even if some hunters were dispatched to subjugate them, they wouldn't be able to do it.

For the spirits, it was unpleasant for outsiders to come to their dwelling, so their eyes lit up ferociously and they monitored and inspected each person coming in and going out strictly.

“It’s amazing.”

I was quietly watching the process.

“Hyu~ so many great engineers have gathered here. I’m so nervous.”

“You don't have to be. You are the best ether firearms craftsman I know.”

"You are exaggerating."

Lee Bongjuk. He was the owner of a firearm shop in ‘Workshop Alley' located in Yongsan. His career may seem shabby because he only had 3rd grade craftsmanship license when other craftsmen gathered here were holders of at least 1st grade license or even named license. But I know him and his skill very well. He was the only one in Korea who could assemble my favourite essence magic bullet more intricately than anyone else.

From the rumours I heard, he had only been dealing with firearms throughout his life. Some said it was stupid, and some blamed him for not forgetting the old ways. Nevertheless, Lee Bongjuk didn’t waver. He kept working as craftsmen of ether-based firearms.

Why? The reason was absurdly simple. It was because he loves guns. 

As someone who also likes guns, it was a reason that touched my heart.

Of course, I didn’t bring him here just because of that. He was the one who developed the ‘Mega Shooter' and an excellent engineer who developed the ‘Winchester 777', a prototype of magic-based firearms that I used against the male-leads in the previous mission.

For such a talented craftsman like him, who was capable of making such a magnificent gun in a small workshop, I would gladly assign him to the best workshops we had as well as giving him the assistance of the fire spirit who won't ever make even the slightest error.

I was quite pleased with the result of the ‘Winchester 777', and if we start developing proper firearms, the possibilities are beyond imagination.

“To be honest… I am very grateful and burdened by this kind of support, I will try to support the development of essence-based equipment as much as possible.”

“Thank you very much.”

Since the time I first saw his mana, I knew that Lee Bongjuk had an innate talent of becoming a magician. And if he helps other technicians with his talent, the essence dispenser would surely become easier to develop.

-Hyung-nim, we're done with the paperwork!

"Oh… Okay."

After leaving Lee Bongjuk at his new workshop, I returned to my office. In the office, twenty-five spirits were moving in tandem. They were working with computers, organizing documents, or even sipping coffee.

Spirit was a creature that learned anything quickly. Even more so once they become older. I never expected things to become like this while Yekaterina was overworked with a ridiculous amount of work.

“Everything is okay?”

-No, it’s not okay. I’m tired.

“…Of course, you are. That’s why you are lazing off like that.”

-I’m not lazing off! I’m in the middle of directing and supervising the field!

In the Floating Garden, there was a Spirit King who ruled all the spirits. Originally, the Spirit King is supposed to be equal to an SS-rank, but because he distributed his power to other spirits first, it could be said that he had yet recovered his original power.

I actually knew that he’s not playing around but supervising other spirits through ‘spiritual exchange’. That’s why I always treated the Spirit King well, for example, serving him the best coffee beans on earth.

-Oh, awesome! This is Earth's coffee beans! It tastes like waking up!

“You don’t sleep, though.”

-I think I can stay up all night today!

“You are always staying up at night.”

-Everyone has a different perspective. I learned something good.

He was a spirit of fire and ice, so basically, he was taking the form of a blue fire that kept burning. That was why I couldn’t hit him in the face, because I don’t know where his face was.

“Whatever.”

Still, thanks to the spirits, the piled up works had decreased significantly. The guild expenses also became less. They seemed to be working like this because they were grateful that I extended the life of the Floating Garden as well as giving their reasoning back. They also said that if the Floating Garden is fully revitalized, new spirits might be born inside the garden.

"What's this?"

-That is the armor that Madam  Yekaterina loves!

“Ah, is it that armor?”

I looked at the suspicious black armor on top of Yekaterina's desk. I heard that it's a goblin's stuff or something. It was brought here because the people of Murim thought that Yekaterina, a magician, could dispose of it. But far from disposing of it, Yekaterina was hugging it every day.

They said that the sight of Yekaterina wandering through her office while hugging the armor that didn't fit her own body was a cute scene, but it was only funny for me.

“Take it to the warehouse.”

-Okay, hyung-nim!

After the Spirit King answered vigorously, he reached out toward his armor.

-Oh? Oh oh? My body is sucked into the armor! Oh oh!

“What, what happened?”

Suddenly, the blue flame of the Spirit King penetrated into the armor and assimilated with it. I took a step back because I was quite surprised by it.

-Spirit…Synchronization….

“Spirit Synchronization? what is that?"

-Do not talk to me….

“…Wait… you're walking?”

The synchronization or whatever it is was completed, the Spirit King had grown considerably in size to match the size of the armor. He seems to be between 190cm and 200cm tall, his shoulders have become wider too.

‘What are you talking about?'

‘What, really?'

Clutching his fists, the Spirit King strikes a muscular people pose.

-Well! My whole body is full of power! I think I can do anything now.

He still had a foolish personality, but now, he actually had a great power. Although currently he was at S-rank level… If he regains his original power, he might be able to reach the SS-rank. Moreover, he could use his power outside too.

‘…It means that I got a free S-rank powerhouse, right?'

At first glance, S-rank seems to be not a big deal since there were an SS-rank superhuman like Taylor Nine and Ha Sun-young in the guild, but it should be remembered that around the world there were only less than 60 SS-rank superhuman. So yes, S-rank was also very valuable.

I smiled happily in front of this unexpected gain. It would be nice to take him with me right away, however, for now, his task would be protecting Yekaterina, who often goes outside.

"Good. From now on, you are Yekaterina’s exclusive bodyguard.”

* * *

Three days have passed since then.

All the available buildings inside the Floating Garden were renovated into a workshop for craftsmens who were sponsored by companies, and also dozens of elite craftsmens who came because they're interested with magic. We also provide a swordsmanship training of at least the four basic-move to all 50 hunting supporters. (P/N: basically non-superhumans who went inside dungeons, so Seodam is trying to teach the supporters basic swordmanship so they aren't so helpless in a dungeon)

In the midst of various experiments, such as applying new technologies, a soldier came to find me.

His name was Ryu Gyeongsoo, he wore a sparkling star on his beret. it was not difficult to guess that he was a S-rank superhuman. Because these days, one needs to have practical combat experience in addition to political power in order to get a star.

“Nice to meet you, Hunter Yoo Seodam. I heard that you are a veteran hunter in your 16th year and have become 30 this year. I was so surprised when I saw you, because you look like you are still in your early-to-mid 20s.”

“If that’s the case, You are also in your early-to-mid 20s, Brigadier General Ryu Gyeongsu, Because it seems like you are someone around my age.”

Humans who have reached S-rank start to age in reverse. It means that even if they live for several decades like Ha Sun-young, they would still look like a teenager in their twenties.

From his body language, I could tell that Ryu Gyeongsoo was curious about the small flames that flew around the office to make coffee or bring refreshments, but he didn't let it show on his face.

It was the work of Yekaterina. I was aware that she had some hobby in decorating things since the time we spent in ‘Library of the White Witch’. That’s why our guild office was fully decorated with magic, and frankly, there were a lot of things that I couldn't know what principle it worked on. Such as a sofa that completely unfamiliar with all of it, and it was hard to pretend that I know all of it just because of my pride.

‘Now that I think about it, both the library and this office are mine…'

Knowing that all my space was filled with Yekaterina’s presence, I couldn’t help but feel like I’m the guest, not the owner.

“Thank you for your kind words, now let’s get down to the business. Hunter Yoo Seodam, can you accept one request from the Korean Government as the Military Advisor of the Murim League?”

“As a Military Advisor you say?”

"That's right."

Not as a hunter, but as a military advisor. This request seems to be directed towards Murim League.

“Let’s listen to the request first.”

"There’s….. a warrior of Murim who had infiltrated Korea.”

“Warrior of Murim? I’m sure that our master is aware of the movement of the people of Murim of the Murim League…. I believe that the word ‘infiltrated’ is not correct.”

“They are people who are not affiliated with the Murim League.”

Ryu Gyeongsoo said.

At those words, my face hardened.

A warrior of Murim who does not belong to the Murim League. It was something I know very well.

“Are you talking about Murim villains?”

"Yes, you are correct."

It’s been 5 years since the people of Murim returned to Earth. During those five years, quite a lot of them weren’t able to adapt to the present age and ran wild. Of course, 90% of the cases were resolved by the ‘Supreme One’, and those who broke the ban were all executed.

However, ‘Supreme One’ was not a perfect being, he couldn’t resolve all of it. Those Murim villains who caused an accident in the time when Supreme Dharma wasn’t active, were still freely roaming around without being caught.

“They started moving after calling themselves ‘Murim Hohyanghoe’.”

“That name means Murim people who miss their hometown.”

I said.

In the past, Supreme Dharma put a ‘ban’ on the people of Murim. However, they were only pretending to be obedient while holding to their bloodlust. There were some of them who moved in groups to release their anger.

Dharma could only take care of them only after they carried out their atrocious act such as destroying a small country or even helping a terrorist group. 

Even when Dharma solved most of the case, he couldn’t solve all of it.

I know the reason well. It was because Dharma had his ‘daily life’. If the Murim villains moved in the gap when Dharma was busy with his daily life, they couldn’t be caught.

“Did you watch the news lately?”

"Are you perhaps talking about the news of China claiming the ownership over Mugong?”

"Yes. It may sound like bullshit at first, but all people of Murim who do not belong to the Murim League are flocking to China.”

Ryu Gyeongsoo let out a long sigh.

There were quite a lot of Murim returnees who didn’t join Murim League than I expected. Including those who had PTSD because of Mugong, those who were reluctant to use them, and those who returned without being able to master Mugong.

There were also those who wanted to go back to Murim and those who wanted to put the world under the rule of Murim's laws. Those radical people joined the Murim Villain Alliance and stuck to China.

Since their number will be at least at a few hundred, it was natural that China had become so arrogant.

However, there was one part that I couldn't understand.

‘Does their claim make any sense? In the end, Murim League had numerous family heads as well as Seol Jungyeon.'

The Master of Murim League, Seol Jungyeon, gained strong support around the world, and recently, she was able to directly negotiate with the President of the United States. 

Although the number of Murim League was only 3,000, they were now gaining more strength than before.

Despite all of that, just why did China claim the ownership Mugong all of a sudden?

"We are unable to find their motive, So on top of our previous request, we also want your cooperation regarding the matter with China.”

"Well."

Since it was the request for Murim League, it was a wise move to ask for help from me, the Military Advisor of Murim League.

“First of all, I will accept it. I still need to talk with Master Seol Jungyeon, though.”

"Thank you very much. And please, I beg you to do it as quietly as possible.”

"Of course! Civilians would only be scared if we told them there’s a Murim villain wandering in the street.”

Ryu Gyeongsoo walked away from my office with a serious expression, and I also rubbed my face, which had become quite stiff.

‘For what reason did the Murim villain infiltrate Korea?'

And, how the hell do I catch a Warrior of Murim?