Chapter 133
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 133.
“Young Master.”
Yoon Song-ha faithfully kept her word.
As she had said—‘Roll,‘ she worked Yoo Baek-jun to the bone, making him learn the intricacies of Elemental Manifestation .
The problem was…
“Ah, what the hell! Why do you learn so fast?”
“Why are you complaining to me about that?”
“It’s unfair!”
Yoo Baek-jun’s learning speed was simply too fast.
‘As expected of the Heavenly Martial Body.’
A talent bestowed by the heavens for martial arts.
No matter how difficult Elemental manifestation was to learn, it was meaningless in the face of the Heavenly Martial Body.
Of course, Yoon Song-ha hadn’t known that. Excited at the prospect of working him to exhaustion, she was now deeply disappointed.
“What kind of cheat character is this…?”
“Our young master is an extraordinary person.”
“Ah! Wh-what the—?”
“Young Master, here’s a towel.”
Han Seong-ah, who had appeared like a ghost, handed Yoo Baek-jun a towel and water.
Her face was brimming with pride.
Seeing this, Yoon Song-ha was baffled.
“Do you know why she’s like that?”
“…I don’t know the reason, but she seems to treat me like her own child.”
“What? What kind of play is that?”
“Don’t… say weird things.”
Yoo Baek-jun let out a deep sigh.
But seeing Han Seong-ah looking so proud, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
She hadn’t been like this at first, but the more time passed, the more she…
“Well, whatever. It ended up being shorter than I expected, but your training ends here. You’ve already grasped the essence of Elemental Manifestation, right?”
“Yes, I’ve mastered it completely.”
“Good, you talent-filled brat. No need to say more. Try using Elemental Manifestation here.”
Yoo Baek-jun stood up.
He didn’t need a dummy or anything. He channeled the Elemental magic dwelling within his body.
First, wind.
Swoosh—!
Wind coiled around Yoo Baek-jun’s fist.
“If it were just Elemental manifestation, it would’ve ended with wind wrapping around your weapon. But now!”
Yoon Song-ha smirked confidently.
The wind that started from Yoo Baek-jun’s fist began spreading across his entire body.
“The improved version has additional effects.”
A kind of effect similar to Blood flow acceleration.
When the Elemental wind-energy was activated, it also increased his movement speed.
The same applied to other Elements.
‘Flame enhances skill power, ice strengthens energy intensity, and lightning…’
And finally, The Lightning Element.
Yoo Baek-jun clenched his fist. Lightning surged from his hand, spreading in all directions.
‘This one consumes noticeably less magic.’
While all Elements now consumed less magic, lightning magic’s consumption was especially reduced.
It was the most efficient element.
“How is it?”
“Overall, magical power consumption has decreased.”
“Right. I made this to vent my overflowing magical power, but you’re not like me. So I modified it to be usable by normal people.”
Yoon Song-ha scratched her cheek.
“But! It’s still ridiculously high!”
“Yes… I agree.”
Even though it had been optimized, the magic consumption was still absurdly high.
Still, it was a relief that it no longer drained his magic completely after just a few uses like before.
Yoo Baek-jun checked the skill description.
[Elemental Manifestation (S, 1★)]
―A technique created by the (Named) Magic Swordsman, Yoon Song-ha, to channel her overflowing magic into her sword.
―Combines magic and Elemental magic to manifest and wield energy.
―Originally consumed an enormous amount of magic per use, but due to Yoon Song-ha’s modifications, magical power consumption has been significantly reduced.
―Additional buff effects vary depending on the Elements activated. (Flame: Skill power boost / Ice: Energy intensity boost / Lightning: Efficiency increase for Manifesting Attributes / Wind: Movement speed increase)
Overall, he was satisfied.
It was practically like learning an S-rank skill for free—how could he not be satisfied?
Yoo Baek-jun expressed his gratitude to Yoon Song-ha.
“Ah, enough! I told you not to thank me.”
“If I’m grateful, shouldn’t I say so? Or should I slap the person who gave me a gift instead?”
“I’d prefer that!”
“What?”
It seemed she was deeply uncomfortable with being thanked.
Yoon Song-ha grumbled as she walked away.
“Oh, right! If you ever need anything, call me. I’ve got nothing to do anyway.”
Those were her parting words.
Lately, he’d been relying solely on Min Yi-jae, which had been weighing on his conscience.
This was perfect.
‘I’ll use you without hesitation.’
Well, if she’s offering…
Yoo Baek-jun closed the skill description and checked his Status window. Several skills had increased in proficiency. But…
‘Progress is slow.’
Raising proficiency required grinding. For high-rank skills, the grind was insane.
Frankly, he’d been too busy to focus on proficiency.
Stats took priority over skills.
“Hmm……”
“Young Master, is something troubling you?”
―Mrrow?
Han Seong-ah was now holding Seol-yeong in her arms. She lifted one of its paws as she asked, creating a scene that was hard to describe.
“…You two seem closer now?”
“Seol-yeong seems to have taken a liking to me.”
―Purr, mrow, meow…
Seol-yeong rolled over in Han Seong-ah’s arms, exposing its belly. If Choi Seung-min or Jin Seo-yeon saw this, they’d probably cry.
Yoo Baek-jun looked away.
‘Never mind those two.’
He took out the Book of the Martial God.
While learning the Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique’s secret manual earlier, he had discovered traces of the Martial God’s presence in a new location.
“Hmm, if I’m lucky, it might open now……”
“What did you say?”
“No, nothing.”
The Martial God had left behind a training ground for his successor.
The so-called ‘Tower of the Martial God.’
If he could get there, it would greatly help in raising his skill proficiency.
‘I should go when I have time.’
After memorizing the location of the Martial God’s traces, Yoo Baek-jun closed the book.
‘I can go after dealing with Vincent.’
Since he’d ruined Vincent’s original plan, the man must have altered it. That meant there was about a month left before the new plan would activate.
Not enough time to find the Tower of the Martial God, and there was plenty else to do in the meantime.
‘The gate to the elf village will open soon, so I’ll clear that first.’
And one more thing.
The gate to the North Sea Ice Palace would also open soon. He needed to handle that too.
“I just want to chop off his head and be done with it……”
“Huh? What did you say, Young Master?”
“No, nothing.”
Vincent had received a portion of Thanatos’s divine power. Not just anyone’s—the God of Death
Thanks to that, he now possessed immortality. That power would only disappear when Vincent attempted to summon Thanatos in Busan.
That was the only chance to kill him.
‘I want an easy life.’
Yoo Baek-jun blankly stared at the sky.
Unlike his endlessly complicated thoughts, the sky was cruelly clear.
He sighed and stood up.
“Let’s head to Busan first.”
From the moment he was dragged into this world by the Supreme Overlord’s hand, any hope of an easy life had vanished.
All he could do was struggle desperately to survive.
***
The Sword Saint Family had branches in various regions.
The authority of each branch’s leader also varied depending on the region’s importance.
In that sense, the Busan branch was recognized for its significance, and its leader held considerable power.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
A high-rise building with a clear view of the blue sea—specifically, the top-floor office.
Inside the lavishly decorated office were a muscular middle-aged man and a sharp-featured man.
“Im Woo-do, the 1st Iron Sword Unit has returned. They successfully conquered the gate in Haeundae.”
“Hmm. Casualties?”
“There are injured, but no fatalities.”
The middle-aged man was Im Woo-do.
The long-standing leader of the Sword Saint Family’s Busan branch and a skilled swordsman.
“A smooth operation. Wouldn’t you agree, Choi Gun-woo?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The one reporting was Choi Gun-woo, a loyal subordinate who had served Im Woo-do since his youth.
Unlike the boisterous, muscular Im Woo-do, Choi Gun-woo had an icy demeanor.
“The magic stones obtained from the gate conquest have been partially sold, and the rest were sent to the main family.”
“Hmm, I heard they’ve been using a lot lately. That foolish brat…”
“……”
Im Woo-do spoke disdainfully. Choi Gun-woo remained silent, bowing his head.
“Tch, using nearly half the main family’s magic stones for some gate. Does he even know how much that amounts to?”
“……”
“A brat who’s been holed up in the family all his life probably has no sense of reality. And now he’s making a fuss about becoming the family head? Pathetic.”
Im Woo-do glanced at Choi Gun-woo, who hadn’t spoken.
“Don’t you agree?”
“Yes.”
Choi Gun-woo reluctantly agreed.
His thoughts differed from Im Woo-do’s, but as a subordinate, he couldn’t openly disagree.
So he changed the subject.
“There’s one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“…The young master is coming to visit.”
“What?”
Im Woo-do frowned.
This was completely unexpected.
“Why is that brat coming here?”
“I’m not sure. He said he has something to discuss with you and requested an appointment.”
“Requested an appointment…”
His mind raced.
Lately, a power struggle had been brewing within the Sword Saint Family.
At its center were Yoo Tae-rang and, surprisingly, Yoo Baek-jun.
Im Woo-do supported Yoo Tae-rang.
“Don’t tell me he’s coming to ask for my support?”
“Hard to say, but even the young master himself must know the chances of that are low.”
“Low? They’re nonexistent!”
Im Woo-do declared firmly.
“I’ve sworn loyalty to Yoo Tae-rang. No one else is fit to be the family head—least of all that brat Yoo Baek-jun!”
“I share your sentiment, Branch Leader.”
“Exactly! And now he expects me to switch sides? Ha! What a joke. If he comes, I’ll just—”
“You can’t do that.”
Choi Gun-woo cut him off sharply. Im Woo-do awkwardly laughed and covered his mouth.
Sprinkling salt. If he actually did that to a successor, he wouldn’t leave unscathed.
“It might cause misunderstandings with Yoo Tae-rang. Can’t we just send him away?”
“Since the successor is visiting personally, you must meet him. Afterward, you can report the details of the conversation to Yoo Tae-rang…”
“That sounds good.”
Im Woo-do laughed heartily.
“As expected of Choi Gun-woo. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to handle the Busan branch’s affairs! You’re practically running the place for me.”
“I’m honored, Branch Leader.”
“Exactly! Keep this up, and I’ll make you the next branch leader. Right?”
“Yes, I’ll work harder.”
Im Woo-do clapped Choi Gun-woo’s shoulder.
Choi Gun-woo bowed his head without expression.
“……”
As he bowed, a faint expression slowly surfaced on his face.
A look of doubt.
‘Yoo Baek-jun isn’t fit to be family head? I’m… not so sure about that, Branch Leader.’
Even in Busan, news traveled.
Yoo Baek-jun’s recent actions were too significant to dismiss lightly.
‘Why is such a man coming here?’
Choi Gun-woo felt a strong sense of wariness.