Chapter 250
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 250.
Hot.
Unbearably hot.
Whoosh!
A spark-like ember flew from the pooled lava on the ground and struck the wall.
The scorching heat enveloped his face.
‘Even with the Black Ghost robe, it’s this bad.’
Adaptability.
An option that adjusts to any environment to keep the user comfortable.
Despite having it, the heat still seeped through his exposed skin.
On top of that, the thick gas filling the air made it hard to breathe.
“…It’s hot.”
“Yeeeah……”
Min Yi-jae and Jeon Soo-yeon clearly looked exhausted from the volcanic heat.
They, too, were equipped with gear to resist the heat, but there were limits.
The deeper they went, the worse the heat became, but they couldn’t stop now.
“Other than here, Min Yi-jae, didn’t you say there’s another hideout you found?”
“Hmm, that hideout is just a storage for the manufactured golems. The production site is here……”
“You two handle that place……”
His mind grew dizzy.
Come to think of it, did he really need to come here himself?
‘…Of course I did.’
He needed to verify whether the equipment Jin Seo-yeon gave him worked properly.
Handing things off to Min Yi-jae and Jeon Soo-yeon could wait until after that was confirmed.
“We’re almost there, Family head.”
“Here?”
The deepest part of the volcano.
Lava bubbled violently, and heat surged through the cracks in the fractured ground alongside flames.
“Huh? But doesn’t something feel off?”
“What do you mean?”
“The volcano. Even if it’s unstable, its condition is way too erratic.”
Jeon Soo-yeon glanced around.
“You’re right. The volcanic activity seems more intense than when we last came……”
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun fell into thought.
Seething lava, an unstable volcano. The ground was especially volatile.
‘Staggler’s hideout locations change every time. But the main base stays fixed.’
So this was Yoo Baek-jun’s first time seeing a hideout inside a volcano.
But the more he thought about it, the more this worked in his favor.
‘Would the Staggler bastards in the hideout not know the volcano is this unstable? No way.’
There’s no way those living near a volcano wouldn’t know.
They must be aware of the volcano’s instability and are probably preparing to leave at the right time.
‘If an accident suddenly happens here, they wouldn’t find it strange, right?’
Not that he planned to erupt the volcano. There was no need.
‘Earthquakes caused by volcanic activity aren’t unusual.’
Even an artificially induced earthquake would be enough to wreck the hideout.
Dealing with an accident that happens earlier than expected wouldn’t be easy for them.
Fortunately, he had the means to do it.
“Hmm.”
“Family head, you’re making a face like you’re plotting something bad.”
“Indeed. It feels ominous……”
Yoo Baek-jun looked around and dropped an item nearby.
A teleportation magic item.
Using it nearby would allow him to return to this spot once.
‘This should be enough.’
Yoo Baek-jun raised his head.
At the bottom of the volcano, there was nothing but lava.
Of course.
Sizzle.
Until the magic was dispelled.
When Min Yi-jae used a dispelling item, the surroundings changed.
“There it is.”
A door appeared on the previously blank wall.
A large door. After sensing the presence inside, Yoo Baek-jun entered.
“Phew……”
Unlike the scorching heat outside, the interior was pleasantly cool.
“This place looks familiar.”
The inside felt oddly familiar.
It couldn’t be helped. Staggler’s hideout was a complete replica of the Magic Tower’s interior.
From the decor to the structure—everything.
“Oh, what are these? Did you guys get something done while you were out?”
“Hehe, of course. There was a guild, and we killed them all……”
The hideout was filled with villains.
All members of Staggler’s guild.
Scum who roamed the world, plundering magical artifacts.
Their spoils were scattered everywhere.
“Family head, there are many precious items here.”
“Stolen, no doubt. And there are even spellbooks. Where did these come from?”
Staggler’s influence seemed larger than expected.
There were rare items and spellbooks of unknown origin.
‘I’d love to steal everything and screw Staggler over properly.’
If things went as planned, he’d have a chance to loot it all.
Time was tight, though.
‘If I can screw them over.’
Yoo Baek-jun smirked darkly.
“Where are the golems?”
“…Over there.”
The three activated stealth.
The bright interior wasn’t ideal for hiding, but it didn’t matter.
Min Yi-jae was here.
Swoosh.
Using his wraith form, he cleared the path for Yoo Baek-jun to move easily.
Yoo Baek-jun and Jeon Soo-yeon advanced quickly through the opening.
After some time—
“Yoo Baek-jun, the golems……”
They arrived at the golem workshop.
The place where golems were being produced using the blueprints Yoo Baek-jun had given Jin Seo-yeon.
Dozens of golems stood in rows inside the workshop.
“The cost to make one of these isn’t small. They managed well.”
“Either they used their own money or had help from someone.”
“Probably the latter.”
Many technicians were in the workshop.
“Is the activation test for the A-line golems done?”
“Done! No issues!”
“B-line, report.”
“There’s a delay in overall movement. We’ll adjust it immediately.”
The technicians were testing the performance of the newly manufactured golems.
Yoo Baek-jun frowned.
“These bastards… They’re using the blueprints someone else brought?”
It was an infuriating sight.
Even Jin Seo-yeon, during their earlier call, had openly expressed her displeasure at this situation.
“Are there other workshops besides this one?”
“Looking into it. But this is likely the largest facility.”
“Another reason to wreck this place.”
Yoo Baek-jun observed the situation.
“We need to move the golems now! Hurry! We don’t have much time! The portal will open soon!”
“Yes!”
Yoo Baek-jun and Jeon Soo-yeon exchanged glances.
“Family head, they’re moving them?”
“I heard.”
“This is the production site, so they must be relocating the golems to another hideout.”
He checked the number of golems.
Easily over a hundred.
“The key is how many golems are in the other hideout……”
He never planned to hack all the golems. Half would suffice.
Even that much would be enough to ruin their plans.
“Jeon Soo-yeon.”
“Yes.”
She pulled out a magic scroll they had brought earlier.
An illusion spell crafted by Jin Seo-yeon herself, taken from the Magic Tower.
Swoooosh……
Purple, dreamlike powder began falling from the ceiling.
Moments later—
“…….”
“…….”
The busy technicians’ eyes grew hazy.
They continued working, but their gazes seemed distant.
Yoo Baek-jun deactivated stealth.
“Let’s make this quick.”
Min Yi-jae and Jeon Soo-yeon also dropped stealth, but the technicians paid no attention.
They didn’t even perceive their presence—thanks to the illusion magic.
‘All they see are the golems. They won’t even realize they’re under an illusion.’
This was the perfect opportunity.
Yoo Baek-jun raised the item Jin Seo-yeon had given him and channeled magic into it.
The activated item—
Weeeing!
Tiny firefly-like lights burst from the small sphere and scattered, seeping into the golems.
“Will this work?”
“It won’t have much effect here. It’ll activate once the golems enter the Magic Tower.”
The item was linked to a magic circle Jin Seo-yeon had set up in the tower.
The conditions were finicky, but the effect would be undeniable.
“And here……”
Yoo Baek-jun placed an “Eye.”
Another magic item—a device shaped like an eye that shared its vision when nearby.
“Now, let’s see.”
He examined the golems.
Unlike the ones from the Magic Tower, these were black.
Not just painted differently—they were made of different materials.
‘The Evil Dragon must’ve helped.’
The final boss, the Evil Dragon.
As the name suggested, it was a type of dragon—though far from ordinary.
‘Did they use a fragment of its scales? If they improved the blueprints too…’
The golems’ enhanced magic resistance wasn’t surprising.
Even a tiny piece of the Evil Dragon’s scales had immense effects, and its centuries of existence meant vast knowledge.
“…The portal is open. The golems are ready—we’ll transport them now.”
“Good. And the important guest from the Black Shadow—are they here?”
“Yes, they’re speaking with the leader.”
Yoo Baek-jun, lost in thought, overheard the technicians’ conversation.
‘An important person from the Black Shadow?’
And the leader was here too.
He glanced at Min Yi-jae, who nodded in understanding.
Min Yi-jae vanished beyond the wall.
“Let’s at least see who it is.”
“Yes, Family head. Should we let them take the golems?”
“Yeah. Let them take them. If the golems disappear too, they might change their plans."
In a situation where they've already lost guild members at their hideout, if they lose the golems as well, they might postpone the Magic Tower collapse event.
It’s better to let them transfer the golems.
However…
“The hideout must be thoroughly destroyed.”
Along with all of Staggler’s guild members and items inside.
Yoo Baek-jun smirked darkly.
* * *
Min Yi-jae returned after scouting the lab using his wraith form.
He guided Yoo Baek-jun to where Staggler’s leader was.
‘There was a mine underground too.’ The tectonic shifts from the Gates must’ve created it beneath the island.
Somehow, they’d found it despite the volcano drawing no attention.
“Maybe this is why they built the hideout here.”
“…That’s them.”
Min Yi-jae spoke quietly.
In the heart of the mine, surrounded by ores, stood two men.
One wore tattered robes, his body covered in tattoos.
“Staggler’s leader.”
Valmir.
The grotesque tattoos covering his body weren’t ordinary—they were magic circuits.
“…Those are magic circuits.”
“Right. For faster incantations or amplifying power.”
Magic stones were embedded all over his body to form the circuits.
Jeon Soo-yeon shuddered.
“Ugh, he doesn’t seem sane.”
“Hunters will do anything to get stronger.”
“Hmm……”
Min Yi-jae nodded.
The stronger a Hunter, the more money and status they gained.
Plenty would go to extremes for power.
“And that guy……”
Yoo Baek-jun looked at the man facing Valmir.
A muscular man with grotesque tattoos covering his face.
“Dante.”
Min Yi-jae gritted his teeth.
“He’s connected to you?”
“Yeah… He led the Black Shadow during the rebellion against the Sword Saint’s family. He’s a core executive of the Black Shadow.”
“I see.”
Yoo Baek-jun knew him too.
He remembered most of the Black Shadow’s members.
Especially the core ones.
‘The only downside is not knowing where their main base is…’
Listening to their conversation might give him a lead.
Everyone focused as Valmir and Dante began speaking.
“The volcano’s condition seems dangerous. Is it safe here? There was an earthquake earlier.”
“…The volcanic activity is more intense than we thought. We’ll transport the golems and retrieve the resources before leaving.”
“Tch, I don’t get it. Why set up a hideout in a place like this?”
Dante clicked his tongue.
There was a reason. The mine held rare magic stones essential for golem production.
“Valmir, the golems are ready, right? We don’t have much time.”
“I know. Preparations are almost done.”
“Do you really?”
Dante’s tone was mocking, but Valmir ignored him.
“Listen, the Magic Tower must fall. The money invested by you, Harun, and that guy isn’t small. Understood?”
“I know. How many times must you say it? Everything’s ready.”
“Really?”
Dante narrowed his eyes.
“We have three days left. We’ll move as planned. And…”
Valmir clenched his fist.
“We’ll bring down the Magic Tower and spread its knowledge to the world.”
“Hah, a grand ambition. Fine.”
Dante chuckled.
“Just in case, I’ll join too. That's alright? I won’t interfere directly.”
“You’ll just watch?”
Valmir gave him a displeased look but eventually nodded.
“…Do as you wish.”
Hearing this, a deep smile formed on Yoo Baek-jun’s lips.
‘I’ve got my way in.’
He’d heard enough.
Still merged with the shadows, he spoke to Min Yi-jae and Jeon Soo-yeon.
“You two, record their conversation.”
“And you?”
“I’m—”
Yoo Baek-jun activated the teleportation item he’d placed earlier in the volcano’s depths.
His figure vanished.
“—Going to bring this place down.”
When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the lava zone.
Seething magma.
“Now, let’s…”
He tore up a few scrolls and placed items around.
Then, aura enveloped his fists, forming massive gauntlets.
“Shall we begin?”
Aura swirled around his clenched fists.