Chapter 216
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 216.
Time passed quickly.
With the conclusion of the succession ceremony—or the rite of inheritance—Yoo Baek-jun finally ascended to the position of family head.
As expected, becoming the family head meant he had to dedicate himself to work without a moment’s rest.
“Ah, aaah…”
Though the desire to rest crept up on him daily, there was no time for it.
Yoo Baek-jun was in agony, and he needed a target to vent his anger on.
Fortunately, there were suitable candidates.
“The Association won’t stay quiet!”
“Kuaaack!”
The traitors.
He executed key figures, including Jeon Dong-heon, Han Shin-ok, Lee Jae-im, and Kim Rae-ho.
The rankers begged for their lives, invoking the government and the Association, but Yoo Baek-jun was not one to spare them.
“Yeah, sure. But what do you want me to do about it?”
“Yoo Baek-jun! We’re rankers! Rankers are this nation’s precious assets! You can’t just dispose of us as you please!”
“Uh, I think I can?”
The rankers resisted fiercely, causing the executioners to pause momentarily.
Seeing this, Yoo Baek-jun gripped his sword.
“Rather than leave them alive to become future threats…”
One step.
Yoo Baek-jun took a stride forward.
“It’s better to deal with them now.”
Swoosh!
That was the end of it.
Yoo Baek-jun’s sword energy severed the traitors’ heads in a single stroke.
“Demote the instructors involved in the rebellion and keep the swordsmen under strict surveillance. Execute anyone who shows suspicious behavior on the spot.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
Others argued that everyone involved in the rebellion should be killed, but the burden would be too great.
‘The number of traitors isn’t small. It’ll create a manpower shortage.’
The family was already in chaos due to the change in leadership, and a manpower shortage would make things unmanageable.
He was confident he could control them. After all, he had a unique trait.
‘With the dignity of a king, well…’
It wouldn’t be too difficult.
Yoo Baek-jun turned his back. Just then, Grandmaster Ja-yeon approached him.
“What the traitors said isn’t entirely wrong. Once the Hunter Association learns of this, they’ll interfere. Especially…”
“The newly appointed Chairman, right?”
“Yes. That man has always disliked our family.”
The Sword Saint Family wielded transcendent authority. In some ways, they held more power than the Hunter Association—even more than the government.
This wasn’t unique to the Sword Saint family; large guilds like the Magic Tower and the Golden Lion were in similar positions.
‘Baek Jang-hyeon won’t be happy with this situation and will try to break it.’
A clash was inevitable.
Knowing this, Yoo Baek-jun didn’t hesitate to make choices that would antagonize the Hunter Association.
‘If they don’t like it, they can fight me.’
There was nothing to fear.
In fact, he welcomed it.
“To prepare for that day…”
Yoo Baek-jun let out a deep sigh.
“I’ll have to work myself to death.”
The first thing he focused on was restoring the family, which was in shambles.
Yoo Baek-jun offered the dwarves Seolhwa and various rewards in exchange for swiftly repairing the family buildings.
Among those rewards was something special.
“Ooh, is this the treasure of the elves?”
“Amazing, truly amazing! The Verdant Magic Stone? Kheh! I never thought I’d see an elven treasure in my lifetime!”
“P-please use it carefully. We couldn’t bring many, so there aren’t many to spare.”
It was the Verdant Magic Stone.
There were a few items the elves treasured, brought from the forest, and Yoo Baek-jun distributed them to the dwarves.
“Hahaha! Leave it to us. Combining this with Black Iron will yield something interesting.”
“How about giving some to the elves as a gift? Since we received something from them!”
“That’s not a bad idea either!”
Bigtums and the dwarves were delighted to have a new research project.
Yoo Baek-jun didn’t understand why they were so excited, but since it benefited him, he didn’t question it.
However, there was one regret.
“Can’t we produce Verdant Magic Stones here? Hmm…”
“We can.”
“We can?”
Delowin, who had been watching the dwarves with a bright smile, spoke up.
“Yes. The Verdant Magic Stone was a specialty of the Ruwinid Forest. But actually…”
“Actually?”
“It existed thanks to the World Tree.”
Yoo Baek-jun’s expression changed.
“Hey, are you saying…”
“If we show the Verdant Magic Stone to the World Tree, even if it’s not exactly the same, we might be able to create something similar.”
“Oh, nice.”
Coincidentally, the floating island also had magic stone deposits. Considering that, producing Verdant Magic Stones might become even easier.
‘This could be quite useful.’
When used in crafting equipment, it grants options like lightening the body or reinforcing durability.
No wonder the Baim Kingdom coveted it—it was an incredibly useful magic stone.
“Let’s summon her now. Seol-yeong!”
—Ugh?
“Call the fairy.”
Yoo Baek-jun called Seol-yeong, who had been rolling around on the ground nearby.
The little one scurried over and used it’s necklace to summon the fairy.
—Oof… Huh?!
The fairy had been sleeping under a blanket and suddenly fell mid-air when summoned.
Seol-yeong caught her.
—Purr.
—I-I would’ve been mad if it weren’t you. Hmph, you’re as fluffy as ever.
The fairy initially looked angry but let it go when she saw it was Seol-yeong.
Instead, they rubbed cheeks, flaunting their close bond.
“Look at this.”
—What’s this? Huh? Feels familiar… Interesting.
Yoo Baek-jun showed the Verdant Magic Stone to the fairy, who was busy bonding.
She seemed intrigued.
“They say you can make this.”
—Me?
“Yeah, you.”
—How can I make something I don’t know?
The fairy tilted her head cutely, but Yoo Baek-jun wasn’t swayed.
He called Delowin.
“Take a good look, World Tree. Doesn’t this feel familiar?”
—Hmm? Well… a little.
“Then I’ll help you.”
—Do I have to?
Delowin coaxed the reluctant fairy, guiding her in the desired direction.
The sight was quite satisfying.
“The power of bloodlines, indeed. I can trust you to care for the World Tree.”
—Baddd… human…
In truth, the fairy was already busy with many tasks.
Yoo Baek-jun had previously planted elixirs and medicinal herbs near the World Tree, which required tending.
‘The elixirs need more time, but the herbs… were a jackpot.’
Common herbs planted near the World Tree yielded extraordinary results.
Unlike ordinary herbs, these had terrifyingly potent effects and even additional properties.
‘This is the power of the World Tree.’
With the World Tree, they could continuously grow such herbs.
Moreover, they had the elves, experts in this field.
“We could sell these for profit.”
It could become a stable source of income.
Of course, there were risks, but he’d worry about that later.
Next, Yoo Baek-jun prioritized the survival of the swordsmen.
“The casualty rate is too high.”
The extreme environment of Seoraksan meant many sustained injuries—big and small—while conquering gates.
Some even died.
Each of them was a valuable asset, so he couldn’t let them perish.
“Hmm, let’s reduce it as much as possible.”
Survival of the fittest was like a family motto for the Sword Saint family, but it was outdated.
Yoo Baek-jun had no intention of following it.
“Try this on.”
“This is… new gear?”
“Yeah. Test it and give me your thoughts.”
Yoo Baek-jun first distributed Black iron gear crafted by the dwarves.
Despite being made from ore, it was unbelievably light yet durable.
Using its properties, they created inner armor, which proved immensely helpful.
“It’s easy to move in. Feels like I’m wearing nothing.”
“It has an attack-detection function. It automatically hardens to block incoming attacks.”
The swordsmen were astonished.
They’d never seen inner armor like this before.
Other Black iron gear also boasted exceptional performance.
A few days later…
“Family Head, the casualty rate among swordsmen has dropped significantly since using the Black iron gear.”
“Bigtums released lower-quality Black iron gear on the market, as you instructed. The cost-performance ratio is outstanding, and the market response is positive.”
“People who learned the Sword Saint family supplies Black iron are demanding sales, but we’ve refused, as you ordered.”
Satisfactory reports came in.
Blacksmith guilds, including Vulcanus, requested Black iron supplies, but Yoo Baek-jun ignored them.
The whole point of distributing Black iron was to attack Vulcanus, so there was no reason to supply them.
“Hmm…”
But this wasn’t enough.
Next, Yoo Baek-jun established a pharmacy, led by pharmacist Joo Jung-won.
Until now, the Sword Saint family hadn’t valued pharmacists.
Unlike those fools, Yoo Baek-jun recognized their worth.
“This is… a formula. Did you create this yourself, Family Head? Or…”
“Half and half. Some I made, others I obtained by chance.”
Yoo Baek-jun appointed Joo Jung-won as the pharmacy’s director and let him recruit talent.
Soon, the team was complete.
“You already know how to make healing potions. These enhance physical abilities, accelerate regeneration… things like that.”
“Buff potions?”
“Yes, but…”
Yoo Baek-jun smiled faintly.
“These are far more effective.”
“Hmm, I like your confidence.”
Joo Jung-won smiled back.
The buff potions were made from ingredients commonly found on Seoraksan Mountain.
Of course, ’common’ only applied there—outside, they were rare and precious.
“Only you, Joo Jung-won, will know the formula. Share it only with those you truly trust.”
“I’ll show it to you first before sharing it with anyone.”
“Good idea.”
Using Yoo Baek-jun’s formulas, they could create pills with various buffs.
Adaptable to different situations, they’d surely help reduce casualties.
“But this still isn’t enough.”
He needed to reduce the rate further.
Was there another way? Something to aid the swordsmen in battle?
“…….”
Golems.
That was the first thing that came to mind.
If the family could deploy golems like the Magic Tower, it’d significantly reduce casualties.
‘Unexpected situations, like monster ambushes… That’s when heavy losses occur.’
If something could sacrifice itself in place of the swordsmen…
Golems were perfect for that.
But there was a problem.
“I’m not the only one who’s thought of this.”
“You’re right. It’s been discussed before. But…”
“We can’t trust the Magic Tower?”
Han Seong-ah nodded.
“Since it’s the Magic Tower’s creation, we don’t know what tricks they’ve embedded. If they turn hostile, we could suffer heavy losses.”
It was a valid concern. But there was a solution.
If Yoo Baek-jun’s most trusted person, Jin Seo-yeon, became the Magic Tower’s family head, their worries would lessen.
And one more thing.
‘If the Sword Saint family and the Magic Tower form a blood alliance, we won’t have to worry.’
An idea came to mind.
“You could get engaged.”
“Yeah… Wait, what?”
“An engagement.”
Han Seong-ah’s eyes sparkled.
It was the first time he’d seen that expression outside of her eating sweets.
“If you get engaged to Jin Seo-yeon, the Sword Saint family and the Magic Tower could form a bond thicker than blood. Doesn’t that sound right?”
“It does. But, no…”
Yoo Baek-jun hastily shook his head.
“You’ve gotten cheeky, Han Seong-ah.”
“I’m not joking…”
Han Seong-ah grumbled, but Yoo Baek-jun ignored her.
There were other ways.
‘The fall of the Magic Tower.’
Harun and his faction were likely preparing for a coup.
If he helped them…
“Hmm, let’s prepare.”
There was much to do.
Two months passed like this.