Chapter 305
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 305.
The enraged Sword Master was no different from an unstoppable calamity.
The knights and soldiers tried to stop him, but they couldn’t even buy time.
They fell like autumn leaves.
“Wow… He’s a real monster.”
Jeon Soo-yeon, who had been watching the scene, clicked her tongue in awe.
It was like watching a human tank.
He was charging forward recklessly, mowing down everything in his path.
“Ugh, that’s terrifying. Ah! Here they come!”
Jeon Soo-yeon stood up.
The people who had escaped from the underground slave market were emerging through the exit.
But unfortunately—
“You, you bastards…!”
The exits of the slave market were already guarded by knights and soldiers.
The nobles and merchants were restrained as soon as they stepped out, and the knights rescued the slaves they had been dragging along.
“I’d heard rumors that nobles were enslaving the Demi-humans, but to think they’d do such things beneath the capital…!”
“L-Let go of me!”
The knight glanced at the condition of the Demi-human slaves and glared at the noble with disgust.
“You will answer for what you’ve done. Without fail.”
“Do you know who I— Gah!”
A fist slammed into the noble’s face.
The soldiers restrained the noble, who collapsed noisily. Since he was already unconscious, there was no resistance.
“Good, good. Things are going well.”
Hayden’s forces were blocking the various escape routes of the slave market.
And from one of those exits, Yoo Baek-jun and his group appeared.
“Ah, Family head.”
“The underground is all taken care of.”
Yoo Baek-jun shook the blood off his hands. Behind him stood armed Demi-human slaves with resolute expressions.
“What about the locations of the slaves who were already sold?”
“Yes, I’ve marked them on the map.”
“Good. Let’s move quickly.”
The Demi-human slaves who had already been sold—
Jeon Soo-yeon had used her skill to attach threads to them, allowing her to track their locations.
“Why is there so much commotion outside—?”
Kwaaaang!
“W-Who are you?! Gah!”
Keuheok!
A tiger beastkin smashed through the mansion’s gate and tore apart the soldiers.
“You filthy bastards! Graaaah!”
“Where did you take our kin?! Talk!”
The beastkin swept through the mansion in an instant, rescuing the enslaved Demi-humans.
“We’re short on time, so split up. I’d like half of you to take care of that side. You there, follow them and guide them.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
Yoo Baek-jun pointed at a middle-aged beastkin. The same one who had been speaking with Delowin underground earlier.
“Why are you entrusting this to me? With this withered body of mine…?”
“I don’t see anyone more suitable than you. What does it matter if your body is weak when leading your kin?”
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun and the middle-aged beastkin locked eyes. The beastkin shrugged and led the Demi-human slaves away.
The sight felt oddly familiar.
Jeon Soo-yeon, who had been eyeing the middle-aged beastkin for a while, asked,
“Family head, about that beastkin earlier… He doesn’t seem like an ordinary beastkin, does he? Am I right?”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
He wasn’t an ordinary beastkin.
Yoo Baek-jun’s Observer’s Eye had discerned the middle-aged beastkin’s true identity.
‘The former chieftain of the Beastkins.’
A man who had been captured while trying to protect his kin from being enslaved.
“We’ll talk about that later. Guide us to the other mansions first.”
“Yes, Family head.”
Yoo Baek-jun stormed through mansions all over the capital, rescuing the Demi-human slaves.
Though there were knights of the nobility who tried to stop him, they were no match.
“Keuk!”
“H-He’s fighting barehanded…!”
At the moment, Yoo Baek-jun wasn’t wearing any gear on his fists.
He wasn’t even using Aura Install.
All he had was the Fist King’s Conviction.
‘Using the hammer paid off.’
Yoo Baek-jun smashed through locked doors with his bare fists and rescued the slaves.
All the rescued slaves were sent outside the city.
—Uwaaaah!
—It’s a rebellion! Hurry to the castle!
The city was in chaos due to the rebellion, and no one had the time to worry about slaves.
Thanks to that, they were able to evacuate the slaves without much difficulty.
“I think we’ve rescued everyone by now.”
Yoo Baek-jun gathered the Demi-human slaves near Hayden’s childhood hideout.
There were too many of them to fit inside.
“How many are there?”
“At least over 500. I lost count after that.”
“Damn, they really captured a lot.”
He couldn’t help but click his tongue.
“Some were taken outside the city too. Probably by merchants….”
“There’s nothing we can do about that.”
He’d save them if they were within reach, but that was beyond his scope.
Yoo Baek-jun let out a sigh.
“We’ll have to leave it to Hayden.”
“Yes.”
Yoo Baek-jun entered the hideout. Inside were Delowin and the middle-aged beastkin.
“Thank you. Without your help, everyone would have died there.”
The moment he saw Yoo Baek-jun, he bowed deeply in gratitude.
Yoo Baek-jun raised a hand to stop him from bowing repeatedly.
“What will you do now?”
“We must return home. To the forest where we once lived.”
Yoo Baek-jun scratched the back of his neck.
“I’d like to just cheer you on, but I don’t think you can go back to your homeland.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Your kin have left your homeland. They probably joined the Demi-humans Alliance.”
The middle-aged beastkin frowned.
The Demi-humans Alliance—a nation formed by the persecuted beastkin and other demi-humans.
It was located far from here.
“How can I believe that?”
“Believe it or not, that’s up to you. But, well… Even if your homeland still exists, do you think you can make it back there?”
Yoo Baek-jun glanced at the Demi-human slaves outside.
Most of them were in terrible physical condition due to their long enslavement.
Their mental state wasn’t any better.
“…….”
And the same went for the middle-aged beastkin standing before him.
He, too, was pitifully emaciated.
Not to mention, his left arm was completely gone—likely lost in the gladiator arena.
“In that state, a lot of you will probably die on the way back. Are you okay with that?”
“That’s….”
The middle-aged beastkin fell silent.
He already knew the truth. It would take a long journey to return to their homeland from here.
“You might even run into demi-human hunters along the way. The merchants here know you’re worth money now.”
“…Why are you telling me this? Do you want something from us?”
“I do have an alternative to propose.”
Yoo Baek-jun gestured to Delowin. She stepped forward.
“There’s a place where the Demi-humans can stay.”
“A place to stay? Nearby? That’s perfect. We can recover there and then—”
“…It’s in another world.”
“…….”
The middle-aged beastkin’s face, which had brightened, suddenly froze.
“A-Another world?”
“Yes, but you can go there directly from here. If you wish, we can guide you there immediately.”
“That’s… Uh, umm…….”
It was an unexpected proposal.
He had been thinking of returning to his homeland, and now he was being asked to go to another world.
It was only natural to be taken aback.
“Don’t overthink it. It’s not like you have to live there forever. You can recover, stay for a while, and return when the time comes.”
“…Is it really that simple? Traveling between worlds, I mean.”
“For us, it’s easy. But for you, it’s normally impossible.”
“So there’s a special method.”
The middle-aged beastkin looked outside.
His kin—both physically and mentally broken. Could they really make it back to their homeland like this?
Even if they did—
‘Would our kin even still be there?’
He turned his gaze back to Yoo Baek-jun.
Could he trust this man if they crossed over to another world? What if he changed his attitude afterward?
“What’s with that look? If you don’t trust me, trust Delowin.”
“An elf….”
“We’ve been living well there. So have the other demi-humans.”
The beastkin bowed his head, deep in thought. But the answer came quickly.
“Would it be alright to owe you this debt?”
“Yeah. Of course, you’ll have to do some work while you’re there. We might need your strength for a few things.”
“That’s better than just eating for free. Fine.”
Yoo Baek-jun extended his hand, and the middle-aged beastkin clasped it firmly.
“My name is Ashurm. Former chieftain of the Beastkins. I will repay this debt without fail.”
Despite his emaciated body, Ashurm’s will was formidable.
Yoo Baek-jun nodded.
Woooooong!
“Huh? What’s that?”
“…It’s nothing.”
The White Sword at his waist was vibrating wildly, as if overjoyed.
Yoo Baek-jun sighed.
“Delowin, prepare for our return. I’ll go check the city and come back.”
“Yes, Human.”
Delowin began creating a gate using the power of the World Tree.
Just like when she and the elves had left the forest for the floating island long ago.
A special event triggered by bringing her along.
‘Let’s see how the rebellion is going.’
Yoo Baek-jun headed toward the city.
***
The rebellion was growing fiercer.
Hayden and the Golden Wolf Knights advanced like a tank.
Crushing everything in their path, they marched toward the castle.
—Waaaaah!
At first, it was just the knights and their soldiers, but strangely, their numbers kept growing.
Other soldiers were joining them.
“His reputation is really something.”
“Right? The moment they hear it’s Hayden, they follow without hesitation.”
“Was the current king that terrible?”
“That’s what I heard. Indecisive and incompetent…”
If the king had been well-regarded, the rebellion wouldn’t have gained this much support.
Hayden’s charisma played a part, but the king’s failings served as the perfect contrast.
“Oh, we’ve reached the castle. But… Hmm, this won’t be easy.”
The rebel forces led by Hayden arrived at the royal castle in no time.
And then they hit a wall.
—Traitor Hayden!
—Drop your swords!
An enormous barrier enveloped the entire castle.
A magic circle prepared for emergencies, in case the royal castle was ever attacked.
—Or else every last one of you will burn to death here!
—M-Mages!
The mages appeared atop the outer walls. Having already finished their incantations, they were unleashing their magic.
“Block with a barrier and wipe us out with magic? Nice.”
“I don’t think ‘nice’ is the right word, Family head. Should we just leave them like this?”
“Why not?”
The gate objective had already been achieved.
Whether the rebellion succeeded or failed was irrelevant.
An irrelevant footnote Yoo Baek-jun didn’t need to care about.
—Everyone, fall back. I’ll handle this alone.
—Commander!
“Oh? He’s stepping forward alone?”
Hayden, gripping his sword wreathed in aura, stepped out alone.
He intended to break the barrier by himself. Of course, the mages wouldn’t just stand by and let that happen.
—It’s Hayden!
—Even a Sword Master isn’t invincible! Unleash your magic on the traitor!
The mages’ staff all pointed at Hayden. Baek Jun-kyung clicked his tongue.
“Is he going to be alright?”
“Of course not. But this time…”
Yoo Baek-jun gripped the Thunder Spear.
“Hayden’s lucky.”
And then he threw it.
The roaring lightning dragon shot forth at blinding speed. In an instant, it collided with the outer castle’s barrier.
—Kyaaaaah!
—W-What the…?!
Kaaadududuk!
With a deafening roar, the Thunder dragon unleashed an overwhelming surge of lightning.
The barrier couldn’t withstand it.
Kwaaaang!
—Uwaaaah!
The Thunder Dragon, enhanced by the Avatar of Thunder God trait, was devastating.
The barrier shattered, and the lightning engulfed the mages below.
“Baek Jun-kyung.”
“Y-Yes. He really is lucky.”
Yoo Baek-jun gestured, and Baek Jun-kyung immediately fired an arrow.
Amid the chaos on the walls—
Jeon Soo-yeon, who had been waiting nearby, infiltrated alone.
—Aaaah!
—E-Enemies…!
With her lightning-fast sword, she assassinated key figures on the walls and retreated.
Baek Jun-kyung clicked his tongue.
“So this was your plan all along. I wondered where that girl had gone.”
Hayden, who had been walking toward the castle, looked in the direction the spear had come from in surprise.
His eyes met Yoo Baek-jun’s.
“…….”
As Hayden bowed his head, Yoo Baek-jun turned away.
“Let’s go. This is enough.”
“Yes.”
The gate’s objective had always been rescuing the Demi-human slaves. The mission was accomplished.
Now it was time to return.
The two left the castle and headed toward the gate Delowin had prepared.
“About that vice-commander… No matter how I look at it, she seems to like Hayden. Am I just imagining things?”
“Are you a teenager? Why are you worrying about that…?”
“Do you know how many years I’ve been single? Huh? While trapped inside the gate, do you know how lonely I—”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Yoo Baek-jun sighed.
Then, recalling the moment his eyes had met Hayden’s earlier, he smirked.
‘I’ve always felt this way, but this game really loves rebellions.’
It definitely wasn’t just his imagination.