Chapter 215
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 215.
His mind was in chaos.
Yoo Baek-jun stood by the window, just as Yoo Moo-hak had done, and looked outside.
“The mastermind behind the Gates’ appearance?”
It was utterly absurd.
A plotline he had assumed would remain as nothing more than a MacGuffin had suddenly resurfaced now—and in connection with the Martial God, no less.
—I have no time left.
Yoo Baek-jun recalled the Martial God’s words.
The purpose behind founding the family was related to the mastermind behind the Gates’ appearance.
If he had to guess, it was likely to prepare against that very mastermind.
‘If that was the purpose, then the normal course of action after the family’s collapse would be to stay and rebuild. But he didn’t do that.’
Whether he chose not to or couldn’t—
There was too little information to make any assumptions.
‘The qualification must be the Book of the Martial God. And to seek me out… That must be the Tower.’
The Tower of the Martial God.
Nothing else came to mind.
The voice he had heard while climbing the Tower was almost certainly the Martial God’s.
“Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said something like making me his successor.”
This, too, was different from what ‘he’ had known.
In the past, when he had fully conquered the Tower of the Martial God, he had never met the Martial God.
Even the event he had just witnessed with Yoo Moo-hak was different from what he had experienced before.
“This is……”
Yoo Baek-jun tapped the windowsill.
“It feels like a major event.”
The feeling was undeniable.
It was as if a major event—one even he, a veteran, had never experienced—was waiting for him.
A major event unknown even to someone like ‘him’—his heart pounded…….
“Stop it……”
Pounding? More like a damn nuisance.
Yoo Baek-jun slumped in frustration.
“Would it kill them to let me rest a little?”
Now that his life was secure, he had thought he could take it easy for a while.
But that had been a futile dream.
‘After the succession ceremony, I’ll be busy reorganizing the family for a while.’
He’d have to work nonstop.
And once that was done, he’d have to prepare for multiple major events—those related to the Magic Tower, the Black Shadows, or the Hunter Association.
Yoo Baek-jun let out a sigh.
“Guess I’m fated to work without rest.”
He looked out the window.
People were moving about.
The members of the Sword Saint family bustled around, energetically restoring the family grounds.
“Still, well.”
Not everything was bad.
“For now, I should just be glad I survived.”
A faint smile touched Yoo Baek-jun’s lips.
* * *
Yoo Baek-jun moved busily.
He had to prepare for the succession ceremony in a week and, accordingly, invite numerous grounds.
“Ah! Can’t we just keep it among ourselves?!”
“No. It’s important for the new family head to be celebrated in a gathering of the nation’s influential figures.”
“Ughhh……”
Yoo Baek-jun sent invitations to those he barely knew and made personal calls to those he was close with.
―A succession ceremony? So you’re becoming the family head now?
―Congratulations. I’ll gladly attend.
―You’re the family head?
―Hmm, it’s been a while since I last saw you after the chaos in Seoul. I’ll make time to go.
Peng So-young, Ryu Il-woo, Jeong Seung-hoon, Dokgo-jun.
All but Jeong Seung-hoon, who reacted awkwardly, agreed to attend willingly.
Then, the people from the Hunter Association.
―Congratulations, Yoo Baek-jun! You’ve finally become the family head. Our entire team will attend.
―The Chairman said he’ll be coming too.
Chae Jeong-jun and Han Chang-woo also expressed their intention to attend. The problem was that Chairman Baek Jang-hyeon, who held a grudge against the Sword Saint family, was also coming.
“Well, it’s not necessarily bad.”
It was an opportunity to face him directly.
After inviting people left and right, Yoo Baek-jun finally recalled the last remaining person.
“…Should I call Song Tae-yeon?”
“No! Don’t! Hey, Yoo Baek-jun! Do you really want to see me lose my mind?!”
“Tch, whatever you say.”
Yoon Song-ha, who was staying with the family alongside the White Wolf Guild, flared up.
Inviting someone from the Golden Lion Guild would surely lead to disaster during the ceremony.
Better not to invite them at all.
“Alright, is that everyone?”
“No, young master. There’s still paperwork……”
“Young master! Do you have a moment?”
Just as the Grandmaster beside him was about to remind him of the paperwork, Han Seong-ah rushed in breathlessly from outside.
Yoo Baek-jun brightened.
“Oh, of course! Ah, Grandmaster, I’d love to do the paperwork, but it seems something urgent has come up.”
“…….”
The Grandmaster let out a deep sigh.
“Your words flow as smoothly as a mountain stream.”
It was permission.
Yoo Baek-jun, as if he had been waiting for this, bolted outside with Han Seong-ah.
“Thanks, Instructor Han. I almost got caught by the paperwork demon.”
“Young master, calling Grandmaster Ja-yeon a paperwork demon is a bit harsh”
“Tell me what dessert you want later. I’ll treat you properly as thanks.”
“Ah, thank you… Hah!”
Han Seong-ah’s face turned bright red, as if embarrassed by her own excitement.
The two walked for a while and soon arrived at Yoo Tae-rang’s mansion.
“As you instructed, we were dismantling the place when we found something underground. You should see it.”
“Then let’s see it.”
Yoo Baek-jun, accompanied by swordsmen guarding him, entered the mansion’s basement.
“We’ve already checked for traps. But just in case……”
“Right.”
Yoo Baek-jun walked down the dark passageway.
A corridor devoid of any light. The swordsmen ahead cautiously scanned their surroundings until they finally reached the end.
There was a door.
Creeeak.
The door opened, revealing a well-furnished room where a man sat.
He was emaciated, almost sickly.
“That’s……”
The most peculiar thing was—
“He has no eyes.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
He had no eyes.
A long cloth covered where his eyes should have been, with what looked like burn marks peeking through.
“We found him underground. They say Yoo Tae-rang kept him locked up here.”
“Hmm… Ah.”
Yoo Baek-jun let out a sound of realization. Now he remembered.
‘The person Yoo Tae-rang used to verify others’ talents. His unique ability was related to that.’
It came back to him belatedly.
Yoo Baek-jun approached the man, who tensed at his approach.
“Who… are you?”
“Yoo Baek-jun. The younger brother of Yoo Tae-rang, who locked you up here, and the man who’ll become the family head.”
“Become the family head……”
The man muttered.
“Then that means, Yoo Tae-rang is…”
“Yeah, dead. To be precise, I killed him not long ago.”
“I… see.”
The man fell into thought.
Yoo Tae-rang had discovered his unique ability and imprisoned him here.
He had wanted to exploit that ability solely for himself.
“You have no eyes. What happened?”
“I… burned them myself. I didn’t want to see anymore.”
“See what?”
“People’s talents. Those whose talents I saw ended up unhappy. I couldn’t bear to see that anymore.”
Han Seong-ah, standing behind him, let out a small gasp. Yoo Baek-jun nodded.
So, this was that character.
Which meant there would be an event related to him.
“Do you also want me to use you to see people’s talents, like he did?”
“No.”
“…….”
Even for the sake of the event, he needed to earn this character’s favor.
“Your talent is rare, but I don’t need it. From now on, you can live as you wish.”
“What do you mean……”
“You’re free.”
Yoo Baek-jun helped the man up.
“Though I can’t give you complete freedom. Many would covet your ability if it became known. You’ll have guards.”
“…….”
“But I swear this much. You’ll be free to use your ability as you choose. Use it if you want, or don’t if you don’t. I won’t force you.”
The man looked utterly stunned.
Just like Yoo Tae-rang, he had assumed Yoo Baek-jun would lock him up and exploit him for his own ends.
But Yoo Baek-jun had no such intention.
‘I already have the Observer’s Eye, anyway.’
Strictly speaking, the man’s ability was a higher-tier version, but it didn’t matter.
“Those eyes… It’s too late to restore them. But I’ll find something to replace your vision.”
“…Yes.”
The man bowed his head.
“Thank you. But why are you being so kind to me? I don’t understand……”
‘Why? Because you’re useful, of course.’
To be precise, there was a character connected to this man—
And this event would give him a chance to recruit that character.
‘He’s strong. He’ll be a great help.’
Yoo Baek-jun swallowed the words that almost slipped out and said what he needed to.
“Consider it atonement for the sins my family committed.”
“…….”
The man fell silent for a long moment.
After much deliberation, he finally nodded as if reaching a conclusion.
Then, he bowed deeply.
“Thank you, young master. My name… is Baek Go-woon. I’ll never forget the kindness you’ve shown me today.”
“Mm, take him away for now. Have Joo Jung-won the pharmacist look at him and let him rest.”
“Understood.”
The swordsmen escorted the man away.
Only Yoo Baek-jun and Han Seong-ah remained in the room. He glanced around the basement.
“Nothing else left, right?”
“Yes. We’ve already collected all the treasures Yoo Tae-rang had hoarded in the locations you mentioned.”
“Good……”
One week remained until the succession ceremony.
“Once the mansion is completely demolished, prepare this place for the ceremony.”
“Symbolic. Understood.”
With the dwarves’ craftsmanship and additional manpower, it was entirely possible.
Yoo Baek-jun smirked.
‘History is written by the victors.’
As Yoo Moo-hak had said, he would erase all traces of Yoo Tae-rang from the family.
As if he had never existed in the first place.
“Yoo Tae-rang would’ve done the same.”
Yoo Baek-jun left the basement.
Soon after his departure, the dwarves demolished the mansion.
A few days later, even the debris was cleared away, leaving behind an empty lot.
As if nothing had ever stood there—just an empty plot of land.
* * *
A week passed like that.
Restoring the family, preparing for the succession ceremony, and handling endless paperwork—
Yoo Baek-jun had to deal with countless tasks, leaving him with dark circles under his eyes.
“Young master, your complexion……”
“Ughhh……”
“W-well, we’ll cover it up with makeup.”
Han Seong-ah had makeup artists on standby to fix Yoo Baek-jun’s appearance.
Thanks to his Vitality surge, he didn’t feel physical fatigue, but his mind was another matter.
“Ugh, I’m dead. Once the ceremony’s over, I’m taking a full day off.”
“You should, young master. The most urgent matters have been handled.”
“Yeah, I will.”
Today was the day of the succession ceremony.
After a week of exhausting preparations, the day had finally arrived—the day Yoo Baek-jun would become the family head.
“Many guests have arrived. The government, the Hunter Association, various families and guilds…… Hundreds of people have gathered.”
“Don’t they have anything better to do? That’s a lot.”
It made sense.
Yoo Baek-jun had become the family head over Yoo Tae-rang, the former heir of a prominent family.
And Yoo Tae-rang had disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
People would naturally be curious about what had happened.
“I’m sick of it, really.”
Yoo Baek-jun rose from his seat.
The makeup had noticeably improved his exhausted appearance.
He took the clothes handed to him by Choi Seung-min.
“This suits me best. Right?”
“Absolutely, young master.”
Choi Seung-min grinned.
He couldn’t contain his smile and had been like that all morning.
“That happy?”
“Of course. I never thought I’d live to see the day you become family head……”
“Don’t cry.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Choi Seung-min was holding Seol-yeong. The little creature stared up at Yoo Baek-jun with round eyes, and he stretched out his arms.
“You’re coming too.”
―Kyawung!
Seol-yeong leaped into Yoo Baek-jun’s arms and climbed onto his shoulder.
As if it belonged there.
“You’re heavy, you pig.”
―Keuheung! Kyao!
“Tch. Slow and fat.”
Yoo Baek-jun dodged Seol-yeong’s playful punches while listening to the noise outside.
With the guests arriving for the ceremony, the commotion had grown louder.
“Shouldn’t it be about time?”
Just as Yoo Baek-jun muttered those words, a servant opened the door and entered.
“Young master, all the guests have arrived. It’s time to go out.”
“Alright.”
Yoo Baek-jun opened the door.
Stepping outside, he was met with a wave of heat and the sight of people.
All gathered to celebrate his ascension as family head.
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun scanned the crowd.
Those he was close to—Peng So-young, Ryu Il-woo, Dokgo-jun, Chae Jeong-jun, Han Chang-woo.
Delowin and Bigtums, Noel.
Even Min Yi-jae and Yoon Song-ha.
“Hmm.”
The crowd parted, leaving a path as they all watched Yoo Baek-jun.
No one spoke, but they smiled as they looked at him.
Han Seong-ah walked beside him.
“The family head is waiting over there.”
A straight path stretched ahead.
Yoo Baek-jun walked slowly down it.
“Congratulations, Baek-jun!”
“May divine blessings be upon your path.”
Peng So-young and Ryu Il-woo congratulated him, while Dokgo-jun silently clapped.
Yoo Baek-jun passed them by.
“Congratulations, Yoo Baek-jun!”
“Wow, I never thought you’d actually become the family head.”
“…….”
Chae Jeong-jun and Han Chang-woo.
Baek Jang-hyeon simply watched without a word.
Yoo Baek-jun continued forward.
“…Hmm, so my contract is fulfilled?”
“Congratulations! Thank you, as always!”
“Me too.”
Min Yi-jae, Yoon Song-ha, and Noel.
“To see that brat become the head—what a joyous day, hahaha!”
“Sir, you’ve had too much to drink… Ah, congratulations, human!”
Even Delowin and Bigtums.
The White Wolf Guild, the elves, the dwarves, and the necromancers all celebrated him.
As did the family members, including Yoo Jung-yeon and Yoo Min.
And as he neared the end of the path—
“…….”
“…….”
Jin Seo-yeon came into view.
Her usual expressionless face. The two exchanged a silent glance.
“When you were young, you used to say you could never live up to your father’s expectations.”
Jin Seo-yeon spoke quietly.
“How about now?”
“Can’t you tell?”
Yoo Baek-jun shrugged.
“I’ve exceeded them to the point of overflowing.”
“Hmph, arrogant as ever.”
Despite her thorny tone, a faint smile touched Jin Seo-yeon’s lips.
“How does it feel to be family head?”
“Not bad.”
“Good……”
Jin Seo-yeon pushed him forward.
“Congratulations on becoming family head.”
Yoo Baek-jun walked ahead.
At the end of the path stood Yoo Moo-hak, his beloved sword planted in the ground.
“Yoo Baek-jun.”
“Yes.”
A commanding voice echoed.
“The position of family head is not as sweet as you might think. Do you understand?”
“…….”
Yoo Moo-hak looked down at Yoo Baek-jun. His impassive eyes probed his innermost thoughts.
“Some will wish for your downfall. Some will hope for the family’s ruin.”
Yoo Moo-hak didn’t point at anyone, but a few flinched.
“From now on, you must fight against people’s malice. You must stand against those who target this family and protect what is ours.”
Swoosh!
Yoo Moo-hak drew his sword.
He walked slowly toward Yoo Baek-jun.
“Are you prepared to protect this family?”
“Yes.”
“Are you prepared to become a sword sharper than any other, to cut down those who stand in our way?”
“Always.”
“Then……”
Yoo Moo-hak stopped before him.
Their gazes locked in silence.
“From this moment on, you are the head of the Sword Saint family.”
He spun the sword, offering its hilt to Yoo Baek-jun.
A blade passed down through generations, wielded only by the family head.
Yoo Baek-jun—
“Yes.”
—took the sword.
Gripping it as naturally as his beloved sword, Yoo Baek-jun turned around.
As if waiting for this, cheers erupted.
―Waaaah!
Applause and shouts filled the air.
The members of the Sword Saint family and Yoo Baek-jun’s acquaintances celebrated him.
Yoo Baek-jun engraved it all in his mind.
Every result of his efforts, etched clearly into his eyes.