Chapter 233
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 233.
The atrocities of Vulcanus were reported through the media and public broadcasting.
Videos of them trading with villain organizations, and even footage of them eliminating those who knew their secrets.
—These guys are complete bastards!
The public reaction was overwhelmingly furious.
Not only that, but it was also revealed just how dirty Vulcanus’ business practices had been all this time.
Among the revelations was their tampering with items sold under the pretext of cost-cutting.
—Vulcanus Guild used materials different from those advertised in their lineup of hunter gear, known as the Metas Line…
—Materials one grade, or in severe cases, several grades lower than advertised. While the options were similar, durability was compromised.
—The Hunter Association and the government have launched a joint investigation into Vulcanus.
An investigation into the Vulcanus Guild had begun. The Hunter Association and the government promised a transparent investigation through the media.
“We can’t stop here.”
Yoo Baek-jun, who had been observing the situation, gave another order to the intelligence department.
“You have the materials, right? Leak them through secret channels. Vulcanus, the Blacksmith Alliance, and even the executives of the Hunter Association.”
—Yes, Family Head.
An example needed to be made.
They had to show what would happen to those who dared cross the family.
Vulcanus and Black Hammer fit that necessity perfectly. And so did the executives.
‘We should also send a warning to the Hunter Association.’
A warning that if they dared interfere, they should be prepared for bloodshed.
“We need to dismantle Black Hammer completely. Understood?”
—Leave it to us.
The intelligence division collaborated with other departments of the family to carry out the operation.
From then on, the misdeeds of the Alliance and Black Hammer also began to surface.
—Evidence has emerged of the Blacksmith Alliance and Black Hammer engaging in so-called ‘power abuse.’ They…
—They repeatedly eliminated newly established or rival guilds by leveraging the Alliance’s influence.
—Several traveler guilds have accused Black Hammer of exploitation, alleging that they threatened to cut off gear supplies unless materials were sold to them at unfairly low prices…
Power changes people.
The Blacksmith Alliance was no exception. Originally founded with the purpose of selling items at fair prices, its objectives had become corrupted. Now, it serves only the interests of its members.
“The Hunter Association cooperating with such an organization is a contradiction in itself.”
Considering the Hunter Association’s efforts to suppress major guilds and families, including the Sword Saint’s family, it was clear they wouldn’t let Vulcanus and Black Hammer off the hook after such a massive scandal.
“Now, all we have to do is wait.”
“You ruthless bastard…”
Yoon Song-ha, standing nearby, clicked her tongue in disgust.
“Seriously, how did you even find these materials? It’s like you’ve been grinding your teeth and preparing for this.”
“…I prepared them.”
“Eeek!”
Min Yi-jae appeared like a ghost next to Yoon Song-ha, who had been tapping the documents in her hand. Startled, Yoon Song-ha swung her fist.
“Hey! At least turn on the lights before sneaking up on someone!”
“…Your temper is as rough as ever. If it weren’t me, you’d have landed that punch.”
“You deserved it, you jerk!”
“Hmm…”
Min Yi-jae seemed satisfied as he watched Yoon Song-ha’s flustered reaction.
Yoo Baek-jun’s gaze turned cold.
‘I’ve always suspected it, but he really does enjoy people’s reactions.’
It seemed he deliberately appeared like a ghost just to see startled expressions.
Yoo Baek-jun sighed.
“I’ve been planning to deal with Vulcanus and Black Hammer for a long time. Their collusion has been nothing but a nuisance.”
“Wait, so you were planning to take them down from the start? They basically handed you the opportunity.”
“Pretty much.”
He had always intended to sell Black Iron gear —improved and upgraded, expanding the business.
The problem was that Vulcanus and Black Hammer would have been a constant thorn in his side.
“No point leaving annoying flies buzzing around when you can just swat them.”
“Ugh…”
Yoon Song-ha shuddered.
“Hey, if I ever do anything to piss you off, just tell me upfront. Don’t suddenly decide to ‘swat’ me out of nowhere.”
“What nonsense are you spouting…?”
Yoo Baek-jun looked down.
He was sitting on the rooftop of a building with a clear view of the Vulcanus Guild.
Below, a crowd had gathered, and just then, Jeong Seung-hoon stepped outside.
“Mr. Jeong Seung-hoon! Do you have any comments regarding the recent exposé?”
“Is it true that you engaged in false advertising?”
“…….”
Surrounded by Hunter Association escorts, he moved toward his car without answering the reporters’ questions.
Suddenly, Jeong Seung-hoon looked up.
“You….”
Had he sensed the gaze?
His eyes met Yoo Baek-jun’s, and his face twisted in rage.
“You son of a bitch!”
“Sir, you mustn’t move!”
“Let go of me, you damn— Let go!”
The escorts struggled to restrain Jeong Seung-hoon as he thrashed violently.
Yoo Baek-jun smirked as he watched.
“It’s amusing. To think there’s still someone who sees me as beneath them.”
It was inevitable.
Jeong Seung-hoon had known Yoo Baek-jun for so long that his prejudice was deeply ingrained.
And that prejudice led to his downfall.
“I hope he’ll show some manners next time we meet. Though—”
Yoo Baek-jun stood up.
“—there won’t be a next time.”
“…What do we do now?”
“Who knows.”
He glanced at Yoon Song-ha.
“Is everything ready?”
“Whenever you are.”
“Then there’s no reason to hesitate.”
Leaving behind Jeong Seung-hoon’s enraged screams, the three of them left the rooftop.
“Let’s go deal with the Golden Lion.”
***
Once one of South Korea’s most prestigious guilds, the Golden Lion Guild.
But now, both its reputation and glory were slowly fading.
“…This is all?”
“Yes.”
The guild master who inherited the Golden Lion, Song Tae-yeon, was in his office.
Located on the top floor of the guild building.
The subordinate in front of him trembled, unsure of what to do.
“How… How is this all we have? That old man owned buildings and assets worth a fortune!”
He was looking at a document.
A list of the Golden Lion’s and Song Tae-yeon’s personal assets.
‘This is it?’
Song Dae-san had amassed immense wealth over his long tenure as guild master.
Naturally, that wealth should have gone to his son—himself.
But it didn’t.
“M-Most of the assets were transferred to Yoon Song-ha. And to the executives who sided with her…”
“Why the hell would he give it to those bastards? That’s mine! As his son, I should’ve inherited everything!”
“He left a will. It was notarized, and by the time we realized, they had already processed everything…”
“And you call that an excuse?!”
“Ghk!”
Song Tae-yeon punched the subordinate in the face with all his strength.
Crash!
The subordinate tumbled to the ground.
“You useless idiot! You didn’t even notice? And you just let it happen? Are you proud of this?!”
“C-Cough! S-Sorry… Ugh!”
Song Tae-yeon continued his merciless assault before finally exhaling sharply.
He called for another subordinate.
“Hah… Hah…Get this trash out of here.”
“Yes.”
Song Tae-yeon turned his back.
Through the window, he could see the outside world.
“How dare they… How dare they take what’s mine? That bitch… I picked her up when she was starving on the streets, and this is how she repays me? How dare she!”
“Guild Master, there’s more—”
“What now?”
Song Tae-yeon glared. The subordinate swallowed hard before continuing.
“About the buildings owned by the late Song Dae-san…”
“Don’t tell me she took those too?”
“Y-Yes, Guild Master.”
Song Tae-yeon’s face twisted. The subordinate cautiously added:
“They were transferred… to the White Wolf Guild.”
“What the fuck kind of insane bullshit is that?!”
“Eek!”
Bang!
Song Tae-yeon kicked the desk. The terrified subordinate flinched.
“What the hell were you doing while those bastards stole everything from us?!”
“W-We didn’t know… We had no idea Song Dae-san was making such arrangements…”
“That damn old man… What the hell did those bastards even do to deserve this? And the guild too!”
What was taken wasn’t just wealth.
Many of the Golden Lion’s veteran members, who had led its golden age, had also left.
A consequence of Song Tae-yeon purging Song Dae-san’s influence after becoming guild master.
—The Golden Lion is past its prime.
—Honestly, White Wolf feels more like the spiritual successor to Song Dae-san’s legacy than Song Tae-yeon…
Now, the Golden Lion was a toothless lion.
Their recent guild activities were overshadowed by White Wolf.
—As long as Song Tae-yeon is in charge…
“Those fucking bastards.”
Song Tae-yeon gritted his teeth.
“What’s the intel on White Wolf?”
“W-Well, according to our informant in White Wolf, they’re planning to raid an Emission-type Gate… That’s what we heard.”
“Where?”
The subordinate pointed out the location on a map.
After a moment of thought, Song Tae-yeon’s expression darkened.
“A high monster-spawn zone. Remote, so there won’t be any witnesses.”
“Yes, and the fog makes it hard to see the surroundings.”
“Right, exactly…”
Song Tae-yeon grinned.
“Kill them all.”
“Huh?”
“I said kill them. Yoon Song-ha, that bitch, and all the traitors who abandoned the guild—wipe them out!”
“B-But Guild Master, how…?”
Song Tae-yeon pointed at the map. The Gate White Wolf was targeting.
A high monster-spawn zone.
“It’s a deserted area anyway. We’ll stab them in the back while they’re fighting monsters. Simple.”
“T-That’s too dangerous…”
“…Are you questioning my orders?”
“…….”
The subordinate fell silent.
“Pathetic. Fine, I’ll handle it myself. I want to see that bitch die with my own eyes.”
“…Yes.”
Song Tae-yeon ordered his subordinates to prepare and issued a mobilization order.
As he left the office, he let out a deep sigh.
‘This is insane…’
He should’ve left the Golden Lion when the others did.
Regret washed over him—too late.
***
Yoo Baek-jun headed for the remote wilderness.
A desolate area far from the city, with an unforgiving environment.
“Mountains everywhere, huh?”
“…And thick fog too. No wonder hunters avoid this place.”
A Gate had appeared in this treacherous zone. Unsurprisingly, no one lived nearby.
And no one was trying to resolve the situation.
“But… seriously, what kind of hunters would even come here?”
“…Hmm.”
Yoo Baek-jun spotted a group of hunters climbing the mountain.
White Wolf Guild hunters.
At the forefront was Yoon Song-ha, leading the way.
“This is the perfect place to get stabbed in the back during a Gate raid.”
“…Indeed.”
Yoo Baek-jun and Min Yi-jae exchanged glances. A cold smile played on his lips.
“Let’s go. We have some backstabbers to deal with.”
“Mhm.”