Chapter 247
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 247.
"Huh, I can’t believe my eyes. Tugwi is struggling?"
"That’s right."
Gold Rich was watching the match.
The fight was fiercer than expected, and the crowd was electrified by the unprecedented sight of Tugwi being pushed to his limits.
Gold Rich was just as shocked.
"So even that monster is human after all. He bleeds too. Who would’ve thought there’d be someone who could fight him on equal footing?"
Gold Rich shook his head.
He had heard reports of the man’s strength, but who could’ve guessed it would be to this extent?
"Who do you think will win?"
"Hard to say. At this rate, wouldn’t that traveler from another world take it? Though, of course, Tugwi must still have some hidden strength left."
"The Traveler from another world wins, huh."
Tap, tap.
His fingers drummed against the desk.
“I don’t like that."
Yoo Baek-jun was a Traveler from another world. It wouldn’t be strange if he left this casino at any moment.
But Tugwi was a man of this world, thoroughly addicted to the casino.
As long as his needs were met, the chances of him leaving were slim.
"Not yet…"
Gold Rich thought to himself.
"Tugwi is still too useful. It’s troublesome if he loses here."
For the sake of his own ambitions.
Gold Rich had no intention of ending his life in this underground casino. He wanted to rise to the surface and live in splendor.
Yes, if possible, even become king.
That had long been Gold Rich’s ambition—and the wish of his ancestors.
This king is incompetent, and the nobles are corrupt. This is the perfect opportunity.
The moment Gold Rich’s family had long awaited had finally arrived. The perfect chance to realize their grand scheme.
And in that, Tugwi was invaluable.
Especially with his title—the Undefeated King of the Arena.
"Then what will you do?"
"I’ll have to pray."
"Huh?"
Gold Rich grinned.
"For Tugwi to win."
As always.
The moment Gold Rich’s heart leaned toward wishing for Tugwi’s victory, the statue of the Goddess of Fortune exerted its power.
Kiiing!
An inexplicable energy swirled through the casino, guiding the arena’s fortune toward Tugwi.
However, there was one thing Gold Rich had overlooked.
"GOLDRIIIIICH!"
"Uwaaah!"
He hadn’t realized that Tugwi thirsted for an equal battle even more than he was addicted to gambling.
The first evenly matched fight of his life—and Gold Rich, that pig, had ruined it.
Enraged by the thought, Tugwi charged at him with murderous intent.
"Wh-why is he doing this?!"
"Mr. Gold Rich!"
This was an unforeseen situation. Gold Rich hastily called for his guards.
"Wh-what are you doing?! Stop him!"
"Y-yes…!"
But their opponent was Tugwi. There wasn’t a soul in this arena who didn’t know of his strength—including the guards.
"Out of my way, you maggots!"
"Keugh!"
Terrified guards stood no chance against him.
Tugwi tore through them like insects, closing the distance to Gold Rich in an instant.
"Die!"
A fist like lightning.
Gold Rich, who had never trained in martial arts, had no way to evade the strike.
But—
"...!"
The attack missed.
No, it didn’t even land.
The ground beneath Tugwi suddenly collapsed, throwing him off balance.
"Hah, hahaha!"
Gold Rich, who had been frozen in fear, finally let out a relieved laugh.
"That’s right! The Goddess of Fortune is always smiling upon me! Did you really think a wretch like you could kill me?!"
An open sneer.
A laugh so infuriating it would make anyone’s blood boil.
"So it was you…!"
But Tugwi only laughed in return.
Because now it was clear who had interfered in this exhilarating battle.
"GRAAAH!"
"Ugh…!"
Though Tugwi’s attacks kept missing, his ferocity was unmatched.
The scene repeated—Gold Rich fleeing in terror, Tugwi in pursuit.
"Hmm."
And watching it all—Yoo Baek-jun.
He won’t catch him like that.
Tugwi was reliable, but he couldn’t lay a hand on Gold Rich.
Fortune was on his side.
Then there was only one way.
‘It’s about time.’
To eliminate that Luck.
Yoo Baek-jun pricked up his ears.
Grrrrumble!
The sound of something collapsing not too far away.
A smile crept onto his lips.
"Took you long enough, kid."
***
While Yoo Baek-jun was busy fighting Tugwi in the underground casino, Seol-yeong had made its way to the surface.
—Khh… Awooo…
The scorching sunlight beat down.
Seol-yeong covered its face with its front paws and let out a long howl.
In response, creatures burst forth from the desert around it—Kodogos.
—Chiiii…
—Khh… Grooowl…
Seol-yeong hastily ducked under a Kodogo to escape the sunlight.
It let out a relieved expression.
—Hah!
But only for a moment.
As if remembering its task, Seol-yeong’s expression changed.
It looked up at the Kodogos.
—Umya, awoo… Aeeong!
—Shiiii…
—Kyaooo!
Seol-yeong conversed with the Kodogos.
No one could understand what it was saying, and to an observer, it just looked like it was hopping around excitedly.
—Hooong!
But it was dead serious.
And astonishingly, the Kodogos seemed to understand. They nodded in unison.
One Kodogo carefully scooped Seol-yeong into its arms and stood up.
Whooosh!
Countless Kodogos began burrowing into the ground, descending deeper and deeper.
Their destination? The casino.
Booom!
But the casino had prepared for monsters like Kodogos.
Defensive magic circles firmly protected the ceiling.
Meaningless before Seol-yeong.
—Grrr…
Seol-yeong growled at the barrier, then swung its paw.
Craaack!
The barrier shattered in a single strike.
For Seol-yeong, whose power as a spirit beast was growing, it was no obstacle.
—Shiiii!
—Chiiii!
The Kodogos burst through the ceiling and stormed the casino.
Their target? The Goddess of Fortune statue.
—Grooowl!
Seol-yeong saw the statue.
—Hmph!
It swung its fist—but tripped over a loose stone and missed.
—Uuwaaang!
Seol-yeong kept trying to smash the statue, but it was futile.
Huff, huff.
Exhausted, it recalled Yoo Baek-jun’s words.
—No matter how much you try to break it, it won’t shatter. Just seal it with your power.
—Not like you’ll remember anyway…
Seol-yeong’s eyes widened.
Seol-yeong studied the statue carefully.
An inexplicable energy flowed from it, dominating the space around them.
—Kyarrr…
Finally understanding, Seol-yeong nodded and unleashed its power.
Magic swirled from its small body.
A cold energy enveloped the statue, forming a massive barrier.
—Screeech!
The energy flowing from the statue was blocked.
—Hooong!
Seol-yeong then puffed up proudly.
Unbeknownst to it, its actions caused a massive ripple effect in the arena.
***
At the exact moment Seol-yeong sealed the statue with its magical barrier, chaos erupted in the arena.
"Wh-what’s happening?!"
"The ceiling collapsed?! And Kodogos appeared?! How?!"
"Kyaaaah!"
The ceiling had caved in.
The news of Kodogos invading sent the crowd into a panic.
Amidst the chaos, Tugwi continued chasing Gold Rich with murderous intent.
"Get back here!"
"Haha! You fool! As long as luck is on my side, you’ll never catch me!"
True to his words, Tugwi kept getting close but never quite reaching him.
Gold Rich laughed mockingly as he fled through a narrow corridor.
Then—
Rumble… CRASH!
"Guhk!"
A massive boulder fell from the collapsing ceiling, perfectly blocking the path between Tugwi and Gold Rich.
With debris raining down, Tugwi was forced to halt.
"Kehehe, lucky me!"
"You bastard!"
Gold Rich cackled as he sprinted down the corridor.
His destination? The emergency exit.
The underground casino had an escape route for emergencies.
Gold Rich planned to use it to reach the surface.
‘Damn that Tugwi I’ll repay this debt of humiliation tenfold!’
He swore to himself.
After all he’d done to help him win, this was how he was repaid?
"Damn you! Huh?"
Thud!
Gold Rich’s hefty body collided with something blocking his path.
He turned around.
There stood Yoo Baek-jun.
"Y-you?! Why are you—?!"
"Lucky you."
"What?"
Yoo Baek-jun swung his fist without another word.
A strike so fast Gold Rich couldn’t even perceive it.
Useless effort!
Gold Rich was sure it wouldn’t land.
But—
CRACK!
"Keugh!"
The fist connected.
Square on Gold Rich’s face—with full force.
"Ghk—! Aaagh!"
Thud! Crash!
Gold Rich’s massive body tumbled across the floor.
His teeth flew out, and white chunks splattered from his bloodied mouth.
"Wh-what…?!"
"What else? Your luck just ran out."
"W-wait—!"
Yoo Baek-jun hoisted Gold Rich’s body and tossed aside the debris blocking the path.
Beyond it, Tugwi—busy smashing through the rubble—locked eyes with Yoo Baek-jun.
"A gift."
"Ghk!"
Yoo Baek-jun hurled Gold Rich forward.
Tugwi caught him.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"A gift I’ll gladly accept."
"Tu-Tugwi! Wait—just listen to me—!"
"I’ll shut that mouth for you!"
"Gyaaah!"
Tugwi began pummeling Gold Rich without mercy.
Yoo Baek-jun turned away.
There was no need to watch further.
"Yoo Baek-jun! Don’t you dare leave! Our fight isn’t over yet!"
"Crazy bastard…"
Yoo Baek-jun sighed.
A headache was coming. He had a feeling he’d gotten stuck with a troublesome guy.
He regrouped with Han Seong-ah, who had been waiting midway.
"Family head!"
"Yeah, let’s go."
They hurried forward.
Their destination? The warehouse where Gold Rich hoarded his treasures.
Deep inside stood a massive statue—and Seol-yeong, perched atop it.
—Mrrp?
"Good job."
Yoo Baek-jun picked up Seol-yeong, who had been licking its paws.
It wriggled happily.
It’s about time.
Yoo Baek-jun waited.
For the moment the enraged Tugwi would end Gold Rich’s life.
And when that moment came—
"Now."
Seol-yeong released the magical barrier.
Yoo Baek-jun and Han Seong-ah swung their swords.
A slash that split the statue in two.
Crash!
The shattered statue collapsed.
Amidst the debris, Yoo Baek-jun picked something up.
"Master, what is that?"
"A die."
The die clutched in the Goddess of Fortune’s hand.
‘I’d like to take the statue, but it’s bound to Gold Rich…’
It wasn’t destroyed for nothing.
Because of its binding, even if he took it, he wouldn’t be able to use it.
But this die was different.
[Goddess’s Die (Artifact)]
A die the Goddess of Fortune always carried with her.
Given as a gift to a mortal, who then crafted a statue holding it so only his descendants could benefit…
Now, only the die remains—in your grasp.
―Option: Luck
*Luck: When using the die, in matters of gambling, absolute luck ensures you cannot lose.
Only one option.
But that was enough.
"Let’s go back."
A smile played on Yoo Baek-jun’s lips.