Chapter 217
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 217.
For two months, Yoo Baek-jun learned the duties of a family head.
Since it wasn’t his first time becoming one, there wasn’t much difficulty.
At the same time, he continued his training.
"I know that seeing the end of swordsmanship isn’t your goal, but as the family head, there is a point you must reach."
The one who taught him was Yoo Moo-hak.
In the first place, there was no one else who could teach him. It was the core of the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique, something even the Grandmasters had not learned.
"At the very least, you must reach the level Yoo Tae-rang achieved."
"That sounds like you plan to work me to the bone until I reach that level. Am I mistaken?"
"No."
Yoo Moo-hak gripped his sword.
"You’re not mistaken."
True to his word, Yoo Moo-hak began pushing Yoo Baek-jun to his limits.
Once his duties as the family head were done, he had to train without rest—enough to drive a man half-mad.
"Impressive."
The only saving grace was that Yoo Baek-jun possessed Heavenly Martial Body.
"I never expected you to learn this fast."
Thanks to that, he reached the targeted level much faster than expected.
Of course, he still couldn’t match Yoo Tae-rang’s swordsmanship, but at least he could now use the skills that he had wielded.
[Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique (S, 1★)]
—A sword technique once used by the Martial God.
Techniques: Moon Cleaver, Thunderclap Strike, Sword Barrier, Blood flow Acceleration
*Moonlight: Fires countless splitting sword energies to attack enemies.
*Single Flash: Swings a sword imbued with intense sword energy to slash enemies.
*Dragon’s Descent: Stabs the sword, filled with magical power, into the ground to trigger an earthquake.
*Flying Sword Barrage: Creates a sword-based formation within a set range, restraining enemies inside before shredding them with countless moving swords.
There were a few other skills, but since Yoo Baek-jun didn’t need them yet, he skipped them for now.
He could always learn them later if necessary.
"Take this."
Yoo Moo-hak rummaged through his robes before pulling out an old book and tossing it to Yoo Baek-jun.
It was a secret manual.
"A secret manual passed down for generations. It contains the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique techniques you haven’t learned yet, as well as sword arts used by specialized units like the Intelligence Division."
"A precious treasure indeed."
"Yes, it has been handed down through generations. Each family head added new content to it as they saw fit."
It was an artifact that carried the history of the Sword Saint’s family.
Yoo Baek-jun stored it in his subspace.
‘How many points would this be worth?’
The Sword Saint family’s skills were all expensive and not cost-effective.
Obtaining an item that allowed him to learn them for free was a tremendous boon.
It was an item of immeasurable value.
"Hmm, Yoo Tae-rang used a unique technique at the end. Is that something I can also wield?"
"It’s possible. But not in your current state. Yoo Tae-rang was the same."
"So my abilities are still lacking. Yoo Tae-rang temporarily managed it by borrowing another power."
Yoo Moo-hak nodded.
Indeed, Yoo Tae-rang could only use that technique after fully unleashing the power of the Sword Demon.
"That technique is called ‘Heaven-Destruction.’ It shares the same name as the sword technique itself."
"How unoriginal."
"Unoriginal? No, the sword technique was created because that technique existed first. It is the origin."
The skill ‘Heaven-Destruction’ was the beginning of the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique. All other skills branched out from it like limbs from a tree.
‘Well, I already knew that.’
Yoo Moo-hak turned his back.
"Keep refining yourself. Then, someday, you will reach the origin."
Yoo Baek-jun nodded.
In any case, it wasn’t bad training. Though grueling, he had succeeded in upgrading the Heavenly Destruction Sword Technique’s rank.
"Since teaching you is more or less done, I should leave tomorrow."
"You’re leaving?"
"Yes."
He wanted to ask where, but he knew Yoo Moo-hak wouldn’t answer even if he did.
"This is a strange experience."
"What is?"
"This situation. It’s my first time experiencing it."
"……?"
It was an utterly baffling statement.
Yoo Moo-hak had taught swordsmanship to Yoo Tae-rang. He had also taught other children before.
Yet he called this a first-time experience.
‘I really don’t get it.’
A few days after Yoo Baek-jun finished learning swordsmanship, Yoo Moo-hak left.
The family members came out to see him off.
"Quite the crowd. I believe I said there was no need for farewells."
"Even so, seeing off the former family head is only proper…"
They smiled awkwardly. Yoo Baek-jun stepped forward.
"Where are you going?"
"I have something to do."
"What is it?"
Yoo Moo-hak didn’t answer. He only stared at Yoo Baek-jun with emotionless eyes.
"We will meet again someday. Whether you wish for it or not."
With those cryptic words, Yoo Moo-hak left the family.
Yoo Baek-jun watched his retreating figure.
‘Originally, Yoo Moo-hak would have permanently exited the game after this.’
However,
This time, it didn’t seem like that would happen.
"Wow, what kind of event is this? I have no idea what kind of foreshadowing he’s dropping."
But right now, there were too many other things to focus on besides that.
After Yoo Moo-hak left, Yoo Baek-jun returned to his room and checked his points.
"Points are piling up like crazy."
By taking control of the Sword Saint’s family this time, he had reached the end of the Yoo Baek-jun route.
It was no easy feat, so the Book of the Martial God rewarded him generously.
Quests, achievements, and more.
―You have been awarded a total of 6,000P. All stats have increased.
―You have been awarded an A-rank item enhancement ticket and an A-rank trait enhancement ticket.
The rewards were sweet.
But there was something even sweeter, like saccharine.
―Achievement: ‘Became the Head of the Sword Saint Family’ has been completed.
―Became the Head of the Sword Saint Family: After overcoming countless trials and hardships, you have become the head of the Sword Saint Family.
―As a reward, you have been granted the artifact ‘Emblem of the Sword Saint.’
This achievement didn’t give points—only an artifact as a reward.
But this artifact…
[Emblem of the Sword Saint (Artifact)]
An emblem of a hero who overcame countless crises faced by a nation, lost after a fierce battle.
It contains the intense power of the Sword Saint, and for some reason, those who see it feel compelled to bow their heads.
Only those with the blood of the Sword Saint Family can possess it.
―Options: Sword Saint, Proof of Leadership, Hero of Reversal
*Sword Saint: Increases sword technique power and speeds up proficiency growth. Makes learning new sword techniques easier.
*Proof of Leadership: Makes members of the Sword Saint Family more likely to submit and feel stronger loyalty.
*Hero of Reversal: In combat, allies under your command become stronger than usual and are less likely to succumb to fear.
It was absurdly overpowered.
Just looking at its effects was enough to leave one speechless.
This was undoubtedly a top-tier artifact among artifacts.
"Great, now for the enhancement tickets…"
He had a place to use them.
[Black Ghost (S)]
A robe imbued with immense power. An unknown force drew out the latent potential of its materials.
―Options: Ghost’s Veil, Adaptability, Resistance
―Skill: Black Ghost
Resistance: Grants 30% resistance to all elemental attacks.
*Black Ghost: Automatically activates when the user stealths. The Black Ghost envelops the user, concealing their form and sound.
Yoo Baek-jun used the A-rank item enhancement ticket on the Black Ghost.
The Thunder Spear was also A-rank, but an event related to it would happen soon.
‘The Thunder God event.’
After that event, it would automatically upgrade to S-rank. There was no need to waste an enhancement ticket here.
As for the remaining trait enhancement ticket…
[King’s Dignity (S)]
―An innate talent for ruling people. Gains favor effortlessly and is always accompanied by prestige.
―The aura of a Saint king makes recruiting talent easier and prevents sworn loyalists from betraying easily.
―Boosts the morale and abilities of allies who follow you while imposing intense pressure on enemies.
―Instills such overwhelming pressure that the weak-willed cannot even speak against the king.
He used it on King’s Dignity.
Since it was already a near-perfect A-rank trait, there weren’t any dramatic changes.
The existing effects were strengthened, and a few new ones were added.
But that alone was more than enough.
"This will be useful for a long time."
Especially since it would allow him to recruit characters who were originally ‘unrecruitable’ in upcoming events.
Yoo Baek-jun checked his status window.
[Yoo Baek-jun]
Strength: A+[S] (87/100)
Agility: A+ (85/100)
Stamina: A+[S] (87/100)
Magic Power: A+ (99/100)
His stats were just shy of reaching S-rank.
A little more, and he’d get there.
Fortunately, he had the means to do so.
"It’s about time to climb the Tower of the Martial God."
Ascending the Tower of the Martial God.
The tower had 30 floors, but previously, only the first five were accessible.
However, progressing the story had unlocked an additional 15 floors.
‘It should be easier than when I climbed the first five floors.’
It wouldn’t be too difficult.
The first five floors tested pure skill, but from the sixth onward, they introduced various gimmicks.
Floors with puzzle-like elements.
‘The thing about these is that they’re hard the first time when you don’t know the gimmicks, but…’
Yoo Baek-jun smirked.
"If you already know the gimmicks, they’re not that hard."
* * *
True to his words.
Yoo Baek-jun actively utilized his knowledge to climb the tower.
Whether it was a maze-like floor or one filled with cryptic puzzles, nothing could stand in his way.
―Congratulations on reaching the 15th floor.
―A reward for those who test their limits has been placed inside the chest.
Yoo Baek-jun reached the 15th floor.
Like the 5th floor, there was an exit gate and a chest beside it.
He collected the rewards inside.
"More secret manuals."
Just like before, the chest was filled with the Martial God’s secret manuals.
Of course, there was a difference.
The ones from the 5th floor were suitable for teaching trainees.
The 15th floor contained manuals that instructors could learn and use.
"Grandmaster Ja-yeon will love these."
And one more item.
[Martial God’s Essence (S)]
―A crystal imbued with the power of the Martial God. Improves the user’s physique and greatly enhances stats.
A crystal that seemed to condense pure white light sat inside the chest.
It was a kind of elixir-like item.
Yoo Baek-jun took the Martial God’s Essence from the chest and used it immediately.
Paaaat!
Light erupted from his body.
He felt the familiar energy circulating within him.
When the rotation of that energy ended…
[Yoo Baek-jun]
Strength: S [S+] (1/100)
Agility: S (1/100)
Stamina: S [S+] (1/100)
Magic Power: S (8/100)
Yoo Baek-jun’s stats had finally surpassed A+ and reached S-rank.
―Achievement: All-Master has been completed.
―All-Master: Achieved the feat of reaching S-rank in all stats.
―Reward: 500P and the trait: Exceptional Bone Structure (A).
Before Yoo Baek-jun could even check the trait, another message followed.
―Due to the effects of the Martial God’s Essence, Exceptional Bone Structure (A) has been transformed into Innate Martial Bone (S).
―However, you already possess a trait with a similar effect…
Ellipses appeared before his eyes, as if loading.
And then—
―Innate Martial Bone (S) has merged with Heavenly Martial Body. Due to the effects of the Martial God’s Essence, Heavenly Martial Body has been upgraded.
A welcome message appeared.
Heavenly Martial Body had reached S+-rank.
Though the letter grade didn’t change, the existing effects were enhanced.
"My body feels lighter?"
His already light body now felt even lighter.
Yoo Baek-jun hummed cheerfully.
"Jackpot. Absolute jackpot."
After collecting the secret manuals, Yoo Baek-jun left the Tower of the Martial God and returned to the family in high spirits.
Another two months passed like that.
"Family Head, we’ve received a message."
"From where?"
While Yoo Baek-jun was carrying out his duties as the family head and teaching the secret manuals obtained from the tower—
"The Hunter Association. They’re demanding a report regarding the execution of the rankers…"
The expected message had arrived.
"These bastards have no patience."
Yoo Baek-jun smirked.