Chapter 158
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 158.
Inside the car that was running nonstop.
Yoo Baek-jun checked the things he had obtained.
First, by clearing the quest to fight a strong opponent, he gained 500P and an increase in overall stat proficiency.
And then, ‘Savior of the Elves.‘
By clearing this, he also received 500P and a B+-grade trait enhancement ticket.
‘I also cleared one achievement.’
It wasn’t an achievement he was particularly pleased with.
[Achievement: Massacrer has been achieved.]
[Massacrer: You have massacred a large number of humans solely through your own power, without the help of others.]
[As a reward, you have been granted 500P and have additionally acquired the trait: Massacrer.]
The name alone was ominous enough.
Massacrer?
[Massacrer (B)]
―The scent of blood never leaves your body. Weaker enemies will instinctively feel fear whenever they see you.
For now, it was a somewhat ambiguous trait.
However, if this trait grew, it would develop into an incredibly useful one.
Though that would take time.
“Hmm, what should I use first?”
It was a pleasant dilemma.
After a brief moment of thought, Yoo Baek-jun decided to use the trait enhancement ticket first. There was something he wanted to do.
[Using the B+-grade trait enhancement ticket. Magical Veins (B+) has been upgraded to Magical Blood (A)!]
He immediately upgraded Magical Veins.
[Magical Blood (A)]
―magic overflows throughout your body. Your innate constitution has optimized your body for magic.
―You can store and regenerate more magic. The effectiveness of magic recovery methods is enhanced.
Nothing had changed drastically. The only notable difference was the part about magic recovery methods being more effective.
Simply put, when his magic was depleted and he tried to replenish it using something like a mind technique, he could recover a larger amount of magic.
‘On top of that, my magic stat also increased.’
Yoo Baek-jun took out the potion he had received from Delowin.
This was the reward for clearing the gate.
[World Tree’s Essence (S)]
―A divine elixir made by collecting the essence of the World Tree, which flows only once every hundred years, over centuries.
―Drinking it will greatly improve your body and allow you to absorb the power contained within the essence.
The reward varied depending on the achievement. If he succeeded in saving most of the elves, Delowin would give him her treasure.
And that was exactly this.
“Nice, very nice.”
Other than this, the only other reward was being able to use the elves as labor for the floating island.
Yoo Baek-jun downed the essence.
Gulp, gulp.
The liquid flowed down his throat.
An incredible refreshing sensation spread from his throat.
Paaah!
―Uwaaah?!
Light erupted from Yoo Baek-jun, startling Seol-yeong, who had been dozing, causing it to jump up.
He could feel the power coursing through his body.
―Trait: World Tree’s Blessing has been acquired.
When the light subsided, Yoo Baek-jun opened his status window with anticipation.
[Yoo Baek-jun]
[Stats]
Strength: A+ (35/100)
Agility: A+ (36/100)
Stamina: A+ (32/100)
Magic power: A+ (61/100)
[Unique Ability: Book of the Martial God(EX, 4★)]
[Traits: Heavenly Martial Body (S), Energizer (C), One Invited to the Spirit Realm (C), Master of the Extreme Cold (A), King’s Dignity (A), Demon Hunter (A), Magic Blood (A), Blood of the Battle Demon (A), Venom Blood (A), Friend of Spirits (B), Massacrer (B), World Tree’s Blessing (A)]
Looking at his stats, he felt an indescribable emotion.
Seeing that his Strength and Stamina would reach S-rank if he picked up the Thunder Spear made it even more so.
[World Tree’s Blessing (A)]
―When you are within the reach of the World Tree’s influence, you can receive various buffs.
The trait was a bit ambiguous, but it would be useful if he ever had to defend the floating island.
“I’ve finally come this far.”
―Meow…….
Yoo Baek-jun was lost in emotion.
Seol-yeong suddenly climbed onto his lap, buried its head, and began to sleep.
Looking at it, he remembered the necklace woven from the World Tree and wore it on it’s neck.
―Purr…….
“You’ve been using it well.”
Seol-yeong didn’t even react and kept sleeping.
Yoo Baek-jun looked out the window.
‘It seems like we’re almost there.’
Yoo Baek-jun was traveling by car.
It wasn’t the Sword Saint family’s car but one he had arranged separately through Jeon Soo-yeon from the Intelligence Division.
His destination was Ulsan.
‘Since it’s near Busan, it’s easy to prepare something.’
All of the cult’s research facilities had been destroyed.
But that didn’t mean all their forces were gone.
They were a globally active organization, and Vincent had recently summoned all cult members scattered around the world to Korea.
‘They’re saying they’ll establish branches or hideouts.’
The cult had several high-ranking members, but the most important ones were three.
First, Park Cheong-mun. Vincent’s loyal subordinate who would even give his life for him.
Second, Vivianne. A woman who pursued power more fiercely than anyone else. That was also why she cooperated with Vincent.
To gain power beyond humanity.
‘And the last one.’
Lastly, there was one who performed the most crucial role in the cult.
‘Jerome.’
An elderly man who cooperated with Vincent because he desired immortality.
His role was ‘training’.
He trained the necromancers needed to trigger the undead incident in Busan.
“Most of them have already been trained and probably sent to the headquarters where Vincent is. But……”
There were still some left.
The Necromancer Jerome cherished the most and trained with the utmost care.
Among them, one possessed extraordinary talent.
Yoo Baek-jun intended to take that one.
‘Might as well deal with Jerome too.’
And while doing so, he planned to plant a seed of discord within the cult.
There was something he could use at this time.
Bzzzt!
His phone rang.
Yoo Baek-jun answered the call.
―Young Master, we’ve arrived at the location you mentioned. We’ve checked the interior… It seems we can handle it without much trouble. What should we do?
“Deal with all of them. Prioritize rescuing the people I mentioned above all else. Understood?”
―Yes, we’ll do that.
The call was from Jeon Soo-yeon.
There was a necessary preparatory task to steal the necromancer Jerome treasured.
Fortunately, it seemed it would end successfully.
“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
Right on time, the car stopped.
Yoo Baek-jun tucked Seol-yeong into his clothes.
“Shall we go?”
It was time to meet Jerome.
* * *
Just as there were remote areas in Gangwon-do where monsters appeared, making people avoid them.
Ulsan also had such a place.
―Kiii!
―Kaaaaa…….
Monsters roamed the towering mountains.
Having been left unattended for so long, the monsters had formed an ecosystem, and the mountain’s appearance had mutated into something that seemed like it belonged to another world.
―Grr? Grrrr…….
On one of the mountain’s slopes stood a mansion.
A luxurious mansion that didn’t fit at all with the remote, monstrous landscape of the mountain.
One of the monsters wandering nearby took an interest in the mansion and approached.
At that moment.
Whoosh!
―Kyaaaaak!
A barrier surrounding the luxurious mansion emitted flames, incinerating the monster.
The monster collapsed, burning.
Someone watched this.
“Pathetic creatures. No matter how many times they get burned, they never learn to stay away.”
On the top floor of the mansion, behind a massive window, stood an elderly man.
Snow-white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and eyes emitting a purple glow.
An old man who gave off an ominous aura.
―Another monster came?
“Yes. I wonder when they’ll learn. Maybe they’ll stop coming only after we wipe out all the monster nests in this area.”
―Jerome… That would be problematic. Didn’t you say you needed practice materials?
He was talking to someone.
“It was just a light joke, Vincent.”
It was Vincent.
Despite his sinister appearance, the old man spoke in a gentle, gentlemanly tone.
“The monsters are annoying, but they serve as a barrier to keep hunters away… I suppose I’ll have to tolerate this level of nuisance.”
―I appreciate your understanding. As you know, your activities must remain undisclosed.
“Yes, I know.”
Jerome watched as other monsters dragged away the burned corpse.
Probably to eat it.
“How were the ones I sent last time?”
―They were excellent. As expected of the necromancers you trained, their skills were outstanding. They’ll surely be of great help on the coming day.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
―That’s why I’m even more curious… About the ones you’ve been particularly focused on training. When can you send them?
A faint smile appeared on Jerome’s lips.
“I still need a bit more time. Since their talent is exceptional, training them requires extra effort.”
―I look forward to it. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. We’ve recently gained a valuable sponsor, so finances aren’t an issue.
“Understood.”
Normally, the call would have ended here.
Just as Jerome was about to hang up, Vincent suddenly added something.
―Vivianne will visit you soon. It’s about time to rotate the cult members, and she mentioned she has something she needs your cooperation with.
“That damned woman… Vivianne, you say?”
―Are you still on bad terms with her?
“…….”
Vivianne was like the cult’s vanguard.
She loved battle and had a fiery temper.
To put it nicely, she was simple-minded; to put it bluntly, she was a single-celled organism.
Because of their clashing personalities, Jerome had suffered plenty, so there was no way he’d like her.
―I don’t care about your personal issues, but make sure they don’t interfere with your work.
“I know.”
Jerome ended the call.
His already foul mood worsened at the news of Vivianne’s visit.
“Sigh…….”
Jerome stood by the window.
Outside was the gloomy landscape of the mountain. Monsters roamed, making the scene dreary beyond words.
“I hate this country.”
Jerome muttered as he looked outside.
A small Asian country.
The land was cramped, the language incomprehensible.
The food didn’t suit his palate, and he disliked the people living here.
“Tch… To think I was sent to such a place.”
Jerome originally lived overseas.
Under Vincent’s orders, he scouted and trained talented necromancers across various countries.
Well, ‘scouting’ wasn’t entirely accurate. He brought them by any means necessary.
Regardless, that was his job.
‘Vincent, acting all high and mighty, giving me orders now, but once I achieve my goal…’
What he wanted was immortality.
Technically, immortality was already possible. He was a master of necromancy and could turn himself into an undead.
But that wasn’t what he wanted.
‘To become immortal while maintaining a human form, like Vincent…’
That was Jerome’s desire.
He had met Vincent long ago, but the man never aged and couldn’t be killed.
If he could obtain that immortality, there would be no need to maintain his partnership with Vincent.
“…….”
He only wished for that day to come sooner.
Jerome left the room and headed underground.
While the mansion appeared luxurious on the outside, the basement was entirely different.
“Ugh, aaaaah…….”
“P-please… let me out……”
“I’ll do anything, anything! Just name it!”
The basement was like a massive prison.
Countless people were locked in lightless cells, moaning in pain.
They were abducted locals, hunters, and the necromancers he was training.
Guarding them were hordes of undead and cult members, ensuring no one escaped.
‘The brainwashing process is almost complete.’
It was the process of breaking a person’s will and implanting blind loyalty in their mind.
But this time, there was a difference.
‘Until now, I made them loyal to the Cult of Resurrection. But these ones will give their loyalty to me.’
They were handpicked from among those with exceptional necromantic potential—those who would one day become his greatest strength when he eventually split from Vincent.
Creeeak.
At the very back was a single room.
Unlike the prison cells outside, it was well-furnished.
Inside was a young boy.
“Have you been well, Noel?”
“…….”
Jerome smiled brightly.
Among all the necromancers here, this boy possessed the most exceptional talent.
The finest masterpiece Jerome had ever trained.
“…Yes.”
Noel, the boy called by that name, answered gloomily.