Chapter 203
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 203.
Yoo Baek-jun approached.
Drip, drip.
Blood falls from the sword.
Jeon Dae-kwon felt an indescribable terror at the sight.
"What are you all doing?! Help me now!"
"Yes, yes!"
The situation is not good.
Jeon Dae-kwon berated his disciples.
But Yoo Baek-jun was not alone.
"Don't move, traitors!"
"Grrk!"
"Huff!"
The swordsmen who crossed over with Yoo Baek-jun blocked Jeon Dae-kwon's disciples.
Han Seong-ah, at the very front, subdued the enemies using dark magic and ghost sword techniques.
"T-this is... Call for backup outside! Someone will hear and come to help!"
"Do you think I didn't consider that?"
Yoo Baek-jun smirked, and as if waiting for it, a swordsman tore a scroll.
A silence spell unfolded across the area, completely blocking all noise.
"Yoo Baek-jun, you bastard!"
"That's no way to speak to the family's successor. Have you no manners?"
Yoo Baek-jun took his stance.
The stance of the Moon Cleaver Sword.
Having taught the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique himself, Jeon Dae-kwon knew all too well how Yoo Baek-jun would attack.
‘He’ll strike with Moon Cleaver. I’ll deflect it and counter. Since he’s using his left hand, the power should be weaker. If I aim for a decisive blow with my strongest technique…!’
Jeon Dae-kwon tightened his grip on his sword.
There was a secret sword technique passed down only to the Grandmasters.
He planned to use it for a finishing strike against Yoo Baek-jun.
Their thoughts clashed.
"Huff!"
Yoo Baek-jun stepped forward, rotating his body in a full, wide turn.
At the same time, his sword flashed, releasing a massive circular sword energy.
Swoosh!
Jeon Dae-kwon, who had anticipated the attack, narrowly dodged the Moon Cleaver strike.
He feigned losing his balance as if the evasion had destabilized him.
He expected his opponent to seize the opening and charge.
And that assumption was correct.
'Yes, come at me!'
Yoo Baek-jun, having executed Moon Cleaver, rushed forward.
The distance closed. Jeon Dae-kwon, having effortlessly blocked Moon Cleaver, prepared his fatal strike, waiting for him to approach.
Then, Yoo Baek-jun's eyes flashed.
Screech!
Grandal turned blood-red.
Yoo Baek-jun gripped Grandal, brimming with magical power, and slashed through the air.
A seemingly meaningless sword strike that merely tore through the air.
But with the Black Sword Grandal, even such a strike held meaning.
Szzzt!
A sound was heard.
The sound of space tearing.
As if a gate had opened, a crack formed in the air, and Grandal forced its way through.
And then.
"Guhk!"
Jeon Dae-kwon's abdomen was slashed.
He couldn’t believe his eyes.
"What’s this...?"
Right in front of his abdomen—
A black blade emerged from the empty air and sliced through his stomach.
Jeon Dae-kwon looked up.
"Why so surprised?"
"What the hell is that sword?!"
The Black Sword Grandal’s ability: Spatial Severance.
Using this, Yoo Baek-jun could distort space to attack distant enemies without moving from his spot.
The distance between Yoo Baek-jun and Jeon Dae-kwon closed, and he tilted his sword back.
"Grk!"
Jeon Dae-kwon braced himself, wary of another inexplicable attack.
But contrary to his expectations—
"Wha—?!"
Yoo Baek-jun suddenly threw his sword.
A blade hurled forward.
Then, spinning his body, he kicked the hilt with his foot.
The impact accelerated the sword.
The blade, propelled by tremendous force, shot toward Jeon Dae-kwon.
Whoosh!
Yoo Baek-jun immediately drew a spear from subspace and closed the distance to Jeon Dae-kwon’s face.
The thrown sword reached Jeon Dae-kwon first, aiming for his neck.
He barely managed to deflect it.
Yoo Baek-jun didn’t miss the opening.
Szzzt!
"Jeon Dae-kwon! You once told me something—"
The Frozen Soul Palm unleashed from his fingertips froze Jeon Dae-kwon’s body solid.
And then, the Cold aura.
Yoo Baek-jun thrust his spear at the slowed Jeon Dae-kwon.
"Let’s see if you’ll still be so confident when Yoo Tae-rang returns!"
"Guhk, huff!"
He unleashed a relentless assault.
Strikes with the Dragon Fang Strike.
Jeon Dae-kwon countered with his swordsmanship, but his frozen body could barely move.
The first strike pierced his shoulder, the next his thigh, and then his wrist.
"Ghh... Aaaagh!"
Yoo Baek-jun crouched low and abruptly used Frozen Shattering Kick.
A leg as sharp as a frozen blade cleanly shattered Jeon Dae-kwon’s ankle.
Yoo Baek-jun took a deep breath.
Then, tilting his spear back—
Thud!
He impaled Jeon Dae-kwon’s abdomen.
The spear lifted his body high. Yoo Baek-jun raised it upward and slammed it down with all his might.
Crash!
That was the end.
Jeon Dae-kwon’s mangled body rolled across the ground like trash.
Yoo Baek-jun shook the blood off his spear and looked at him with indifferent eyes.
"Look with those old eyes of yours. How do I appear to you now?"
Their gazes met.
In the old grandmaster’s pupils were shock and terror—eyes stained with emotion as they reflected Yoo Baek-jun.
He raised his sword high.
Slash!
"Ghh, aaaagh!"
The blade severed Jeon Dae-kwon’s left hand.
Excruciating pain.
The overwhelming despair of losing both hands made him scream uncontrollably.
"Kuh, t-this... How could this...?!"
He writhed pathetically on the ground, desperately trying to crawl away.
A far cry from the dignified grandmaster of the illustrious Sword Saint family.
"N-no! My glory... It was right within my grasp after waiting so long!"
Yoo Baek-jun leisurely followed. Seeing him approach, Jeon Dae-kwon shrieked.
"I-I am a grandmaster! I’ve upheld this family alongside the family head for years! How dare you kill me?!"
"Is there any reason I shouldn’t?"
Yoo Baek-jun sneered.
"I’ll thank you for your long service to the family, Grandmaster."
He raised his spear high.
"In the family I rule, filth like you won’t even be allowed to set foot."
"N-no—!"
Before Jeon Dae-kwon could finish, Yoo Baek-jun’s spear shot forth.
A spear piercing precisely through the head.
That was the end.
"I wonder what the past you, who fought alongside Father, would say if he saw you now, Jeon Dae-kwon."
Jeon Dae-kwon was no easy opponent.
A man who rose to the position of grandmaster in the Sword Saint family through sheer skill.
Fighting him head-on would have been difficult, and even if victorious, the cost would have been great.
‘This counts as an easy win.’
That was why Yoo Baek-jun had waited for Yoo Tae-rang’s rebellion to unfold.
Letting them grow complacent, then striking in their moment of weakness.
Now was the time to eliminate as many troublesome foes as possible.
"Are they all dealt with?"
"Yes, young master. Those who resisted fiercely have been restrained separately."
"Bring them all here."
Han Seong-ah and the swordsmen brought forward some of Jeon Dae-kwon’s instructors and disciples.
The ones who resisted fiercely.
Those who truly followed Jeon Dae-kwon and were enthralled by Yoo Tae-rang’s charisma.
"You trash!"
“A sneak attack like this… You’re not fit to be the family head!”
"Such sharp tongues. I like that."
Yoo Baek-jun placed a hand on their shoulders.
Just as they tried to shout at him to let go—
Crunch, snap!
"Gyaaaaah!"
A horrific sound echoed.
The sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing. The rampaging magical power twisted their bodies, producing the ghastly noise.
"I won’t kill you. But you’ll pay for your sins. Until Father returns..."
Tendon-Shattering Bone Crush.
Yoo Baek-jun smiled wickedly.
"Feel the agony."
"Huff, huuuuh!"
He graciously bestowed the same punishment upon the others.
Then he raised his head.
The enemies who surrendered without resistance couldn’t even meet his gaze.
Their will to fight was utterly broken.
“They may still have some chance for repentance. Restrain them and make sure they’re watched.”
"Yes, young master!"
"Yoo Baek-jun."
Yoo Min, who had been waiting for him to finish, grabbed his arm.
"...Sister is in danger."
Her usual composure was gone, replaced by panic.
Though she often seemed cold and detached, Yoo Min cared deeply for Yoo Jung-yeon.
"I know."
Yoo Baek-jun replied curtly.
"I’ve already sent someone."
"Someone?"
"Yes. One more to deal with."
Yoo Baek-jun looked out the window.
Toward the mansion where Yoo Jung-yeon was likely imprisoned.
* * *
Kill Yoo Jung-yeon.
Secretly, in the room where she’s confined.
‘I’m perfect for the job.’
Ryu Si-young grinned as she walked through the mansion holding Yoo Jung-yeon captive.
Someone with the skill to kill the family’s successor, Yoo Jung-yeon.
‘If not me, then who?’
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.
As someone cruel and bloodthirsty, Ryu Si-young wouldn’t spare Yoo Jung-yeon out of pity.
Yoo Tae-rang had sent her for that very reason, and his judgment was correct.
"Her arrogance always annoyed me. Well, she’s going to die anyway... No harm in making her suffer a bit."
The process of taking over the family was nearly complete.
No one would care if she indulged himself for a while.
Ryu Si-young reached the room.
"Lady Ryu Si-young."
"Don’t let anyone in."
"Yes, understood."
Swordsmen guarded the room.
Creak—
As Ryu Si-young opened the door, she added as an afterthought:
"It’ll take a while, so don’t even think about peeking. Understood?"
“...Yes.”
Ryu Si-young stepped inside.
One of the guards clicked his tongue as he watched her leave.
"No doubt she’s going to torture her."
"Torture?"
"Yeah. That psycho... She’s insane."
Her brutality had even earned her severe punishment from the family head before.
But her exceptional talent kept her from being outright exiled.
"Phew!"
Ryu Si-young took a deep breath as she entered.
The room was surprisingly clean for a prison.
Likely because the woman inside was of noble status.
"Long time no see, young lady."
Yoo Jung-yeon.
Bound by magic restraining cuffs, her face was a picture of disbelief.
"Ryu Si-young, why are you—?"
"How’s confinement treating you? I was worried you might be uncomfortable without your usual attendants."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Yoo Jung-yeon let out a hollow laugh.
"If you’re going to pretend to care, at least try to control your expression."
"Expression?"
Ryu Si-young touched her face.
A grotesque, indescribable smile was plastered across it.
"Oh dear, my face isn’t cooperating."
She tried to adjust her expression, but it remained unchanged.
She then slowly walked toward Yoo Jung-yeon.
"Well, since you’re no longer needed, I’ve been ordered to kill you."
"Yoo Tae-rang’s orders, I assume."
"Obviously."
Step, step.
The distance closed.
"But he only said to kill you, not how."
"...What are you getting at?"
"Ever since my disciple days, I’ve heard about how the Sword Saint family’s successor was to be revered like a god. So, I’ve always wondered—"
Ryu Si-young stood before Yoo Jung-yeon.
Close enough to feel each other’s breath, their eyes met.
"What sounds would such a noble successor make when pushed to the brink of death? What would she say... Things like that."
"......"
Yoo Jung-yeon remained expressionless.
Silent, she simply listened to the madwoman’s words.
"Now seems like the perfect time to find out."
"You’re insane."
"I’m hardly normal."
Sshing!
Ryu Si-young drew her sword.
Her eyes licked over Yoo Jung-yeon’s face.
"Let’s see how long that prideful expression lasts, young lady."
She moved her right arm.
The blade aimed at Yoo Jung-yeon’s face approached slowly, excruciatingly slowly.
But Yoo Jung-yeon could do nothing.
The magic restraining cuffs bound her limbs and drained all her power.
"Heheh..."
The blade touched her face.
Yoo Jung-yeon clenched her eyes shut, unable to suppress her fear.
Seeing this, Ryu Si-young smirked and moved her hand.
Or tried to.
Thud!
A flash of light erupted.
At first, Ryu Si-young didn’t understand what had happened.
By the time she realized—
"Guhk, aaaah?!"
Her right hand was already gone.
Ryu Si-young staggered back. Something surged up from the ground where she had stood moments ago.
A human figure.
"...What kind of lunatic is this?"
It was Min Yi-jae.