The Public Enemy of the Murim

The public enemy of the Murim. A massive tree revealed its form. New plum blossoms began to bloom on the plum tree, spreading out to the surroundings.

“Behold, the beauty of the plum blossoms.”

As the blossoms that had spread in all directions fell to the ground, new sprouts emerged.

“Listen, to the whispers of the plum blossoms.”

It did not take long for the sprouted buds to grow and take the shape of a tree.

“Inhale, the fragrance of the plum blossoms.”

Flower buds formed at the tips of the new tree’s branches, and a subtle scent rode the wind, spreading far and wide.

“Feel, the life force of the plum blossoms.”

Under the dazzling spring light, the plum tree shone even more brilliantly, signaling the beginning of the season.

“This is the true sword of Mount Hua.”

With a single gesture of her hand, the blooming plum blossoms burst forth in full, claiming the lives of the remaining enemies.

At the same time, a message appeared.

“Yes.”

An ability that strengthens Transcendents? If I have this, would even the ancient Pharaoh become stronger?

While I was lost in thought, she approached my side and smiled brightly.

“How was the Sword of Mount ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Hua that you saved?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Is that so? That is enough.”

Soon after, she was enveloped in a bright light.

“Mount Hua will always be with you.”

With those final words, she vanished. But in the martial arts game I used to play, surely….

Public Enemy of the Murim (). A person regarded as the primary target for elimination, hostile to every martial artist in the Murim.

This is the first time such a figure has appeared since the one who incited the Great War of Righteous and Evil thirty years ago, yet the charges against him are questionable.

“I know he is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a presence causing chaos in the Murim, but is this something the Murim Alliance needs to step in for?”

“That is correct. This is a direct order from the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“The Alliance Leader himself? Just who is that man to….”

Just as I was checking the wanted poster of the man whose every detail was classified, I felt a surge of energy.

With an aura as if the sky were splitting, the doors to the closed-door training hall opened.

The first to enter was 'Baek Cheong-cheon', the head of the Cheong-un Sect of Mount Cheongmyeong. Countless sword energies were embedded within his eyes, which were as clear as the sky.

Behind him, the 'Chwi-un Taoist', wearing a blue robe, walked in slowly while tilting a liquor bottle.

“Tsk, the taste of the wine is ruined.”

He staggered as if drunk, taking one step after another, yet he was as light as the wind and as soft as the clouds.

“Oh my, is that so?”

A beam of moonlight poured down from the ceiling, and the 'Wolhwa Fairy' descended from within it. The fan held in her hand emitted a subtle plum blossom scent.

“I don’t think so from what I see?”

“You speak because you do not know this old man.”

The floor shook as 'Jin Mu-cheon' of the Mount Tai Sect entered. The sound of the floor stones cracking under his weight could be heard.

Krrr-crack!

At the same time, a cold wind blew in through the opposite window. 'Seven-Star Sword' Bukgung Cheon-u of the Bukgung Family took his place with eyes as cold as frost.

“The stench of the filthy Righteous Faction is here.”

Along with a cold voice from the darkness, black smoke rose. When 'Black Snake Ghost' Sa Cheon-myeong, the leader of the Blood Demon Cult, struck his red staff against the floor, red flowers bloomed and withered on the spot.

“It has been thirty years since the Righteous and Evil factions stood in one place.”

At Baek Cheong-cheon’s words, Sa Cheon-myeong twisted his red lips.

“You whisper like a snake.”

Green smoke leaked from the walls, and 'Poison King' Baek Sa-gwi of the O-dok Sect appeared with a smile.

“This is a new poison I made recently; aren’t you curious?”

Green poison energy rose from his fingertips.

Sitting on the rafters of the ceiling, 'Ghost Soul' Mu-myeong, the ruler of the Dark Cult, wore a cold smile beneath his black mask.

“You look weak.”

“…What did you say?”

The moment Mu-myeong’s hand moved toward his sword hilt and the green poison energy turned dark red.

“Everyone, calm down.”

The main gate swung open, and 'Heavenly Sword' Lee Tae-san, the Murim Alliance Leader and the strongest of the Righteous Faction, and 'Blood God' Ma Cheon-ryeong, the strongest of the Evil Faction, walked in side by side.

The enemies of the Great War thirty years ago stood in one place.

“For today, let us put aside past grudges and join hands for the safety of the Murim.”

At Lee Tae-san’s words, Ma Cheon-ryeong laughed coldly.

“That is fine, but your neck looks more tempting.”

At that moment of tension in the quiet hall, a wanted poster fell from the sky, and everyone’s gaze turned toward it.

Ma Cheon-ryeong looked at the wanted poster with intrigued eyes.

“He looks weak, so what is there to be so afraid of?”

At Ma Cheon-ryeong’s question, Lee Tae-san let out a deep sigh.

“That man… possesses the power to completely change the order of the Murim.”

“Achoo!”

“I’m fine.”

…But the last one is a bit strange. Why would I go into a sarcophagus for a week!? Did ancient Egypt have such customs?

“Wait a second.”

I asked the Transcendents for their understanding and downloaded a new game on my phone. I don’t know how long it’s been since I played a game.

It was the first game created after all existing games disappeared. It was made by mixing in all sorts of elements, but the reviews were said to be good.

How long has it been since I’ve done a gacha….

Alright, let’s go!

As soon as I downloaded it, I connected to charge cash for the gacha, but my dream did not come true. An error message appeared as soon as I connected to the game.

At the same time, the game was deleted, and when I checked the store, the game itself had vanished as if it had never existed in the first place.

“What is this?”

Even if I access the official site, nothing appears, only a completely empty homepage. Am I a body that can no longer play games?

Ah, what is the point of living longer? …No, my son and daughter are inside the Tower, aren’t they!?

“Let’s go meet my son and daughter! Enter!”

In an instant, my vision changed, and a massive tower appeared before my eyes. As I approached and opened the door, a message appeared.

“Yes!”

I closed my eyes and opened them, and my vision changed. Merchants selling various goods were visible; it seemed I had been moved to a village this time as well.

“Let’s move for now.”

Just as I was about to move, a voice rang out.

“I-it’s the Public Enemy of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Murim!!!!”

At the loud shout, everyone’s gaze turned toward me in an instant, and before long, the village turned into chaos.

“Waaaaaah! Mom!!!!!!”

“P-please save me, sir!!!!”

“R-run away!!! Hurry!!!!”

“Kyaaaaaaaaah!!!!!”

All sorts of screams filled the air, and people ran in all directions to escape, tangled up with each other—it was absolute bedlam.

“I didn’t do anything, so this is unfair.”

…Is that really the right thing to say in this situation?

At that moment, a message appeared before my eyes.

In an instant, my vision changed, and I was moved outside the village. What was that just now?

“Heh heh heh, you have strange abilities.”

At the unpleasant voice, I turned my head and saw an old man holding a liquor bottle. …Was that a dangerous situation just now?

“Help me.”

A woman appeared, scattering pure white snowflakes.

“My husband, it has been a long time.”

The woman with silver hair and blue eyes looked at me, smiled brightly, and drew her sword from its scabbard.

“I will handle this.”

As she drew her sword, pure white snowflakes formed, and the temperature around us began to drop. …I-it’s cold.