Chapter 81
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 81.
Was Mephisto weak?
Absolutely not. If we're talking about his strength before being weakened by the Chalice of the Saint King, he could be considered an S-grade monster.
―Did they make this to break us?
―Ah, damn it, why won't these hunters listen? Even if we say we're invading, they don’t believe us;;
―Is this grounds to completely dismantle the Hunter Association?
But that wasn’t the only problem.
Since this event occurs early in the game, the players' influence wasn’t significant.
Most users couldn’t handle the hunters properly and failed the event.
―Maybe being dominated by the demons is the right ending……?
―All hail Lord Mephisto! ^^7
Mephisto is powerful enough to destroy Seoul single-handedly.
But only if you know the strategy.
‘It’s worth a try.’
Honestly, that’s how any game works.
If you don’t know, it’s ridiculously hard, but once you learn the right strategy, the difficulty drops.
The boss Mephisto was no exception.
―Kuaaaaah!
It wasn’t too surprising that Yoo Baek-jun, who knew the strategy, was pushing Mephisto back.
Mephisto was being unilaterally overwhelmed by Yoo Baek-jun’s attacks, writhing in pain.
―G-Get away from me!
Kwaaaang!
Mephisto stomped the ground, causing it to cave in, and the shock sent Yoo Baek-jun’s body flying into the air.
Or rather, he was allowed to float up.
Zzzzt!
Yoo Baek-jun steadied himself mid-air and drew his thunder spear.
Then, he took precise aim at Mephisto and struck.
Thud!
The spear pierced Mephisto’s arm.
―Huh, huuuuh…!
Mephisto’s body trembled violently.
He knew it too.
That his current condition was far from normal—it was the worst.
The one who sealed the demons deep underground was none other than that Saint King…
‘Why is his power here?!’
It was the power of a hero whose name was etched in Halpeon, practically the founder of a religion.
A sacred relic, in essence.
Mephisto, struck again by that power, was so deeply wounded he could no longer wield his full strength.
―But if this continues…!
He couldn’t lose.
Why had he come this far? Why had he brought his kin here?
It was to find a new home, to ensure the survival of his people.
―I can’t fall here!
Mephisto gritted his teeth.
An immense demonic energy erupted from him, sending Yoo Baek-jun and Jin Seo-yeon flying back from the shockwave.
“Ugh!”
“H-hey, something’s not right here?”
The demonic energy swirled around Mephisto like a vortex.
Anything caught in it was shredded as if thrown into a blender of rotating blades.
Crrack!
“That’s…”
Jin Seo-yeon tested a spell, but it was torn apart and vanished in the vortex.
The surrounding ground was being corroded black.
It completely blocked any approach.
‘Phase 2. Berserk mode.’
Similar to Gaph.
When demons are cornered, they burn their life force to enter a frenzy.
They lose their sanity as they’re consumed by demonic energy, but in exchange, they gain immense power.
“He’s growing.”
Indeed, Mephisto’s body was expanding, returning to his original form when he first appeared.
The transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 doesn’t take long.
Meaning, the berserk mode completes quickly.
But there’s no way to stop it.
‘An average player would enter Phase 2, learn the patterns, and figure out a strategy.’
But that’s not what veterans do.
“Hey, prep a big shot.”
“What?”
Yoo Baek-jun left those words for Jin Seo-yeon and charged forward.
In his hand was the thunder spear. He kicked off the ground and soared high.
Lightning enveloped his entire body.
He pulled his right arm back and hurled the spear.
Rumbleeee!
A Thunder dragon roared as it shot forth.
And then—impact.
Boooom!
The Thunder dragon tried to pierce the vortex, while the vortex tried to block it.
A deafening explosion echoed.
So, could it break through?
‘No.’
The power wasn’t enough.
But,
‘It’s enough to concentrate the demonic energy in one spot.’
To block the thunder dragon, the demonic energy forming the vortex had shifted to one side.
Meaning, the defense on the other side weakened.
Yoo Baek-jun landed and dashed forward.
“W-wait!”
Jin Seo-yeon was stunned.
To anyone, it looked like suicide. Throwing himself into that vortex.
But surprisingly,
“He got in…?”
Yoo Baek-jun was unharmed inside the vortex.
His sword’s barrier was the reason.
He swallowed hard.
‘The stench, and this demonic energy.’
The barrier was being chipped away with a grating noise.
How long could it last? Probably not even a moment.
Yoo Baek-jun sprinted, using footwork techniques.
―Come to die?
A mocking voice came from beyond the darkness. Mephisto, now half-insane, was laughing.
Yoo Baek-jun used the sound to gauge the direction and moved faster.
―Pathetic fool. You think a human can endure this demonic energy?
He was right.
The barrier vanished instantly, exposing his skin to the vortex.
His flesh was sliced, the wounds turning black and rotting instantly.
Yoo Baek-jun countered.
―Just a futile struggle!
“Ugh…”
Even the counter shattered quickly.
Yoo Baek-jun’s body was fully exposed to the demonic energy.
“Aaaaaaah!”
His entire body was being torn apart, rotting in agony as he screamed.
His running slowed to a stop. Overwhelmed by pain, he dropped to his knees.
The mocking laughter echoed in his ears.
―Hahaha! Died like a bug, human!
A laugh filled with madness.
Yoo Baek-jun, head bowed, smiled faintly as he listened.
Before Mephisto could notice—
Fwooosh!
―What?!
Divine power erupted from Yoo Baek-jun. The light repelled the darkness, rapidly healing his wounds.
―T-this light! How?! What?!
Mephisto was stunned as Yoo Baek-jun rose to his feet.
Yoo Baek-jun slowly lifted his head.
“Now I can see clearly.”
Mephisto was right in front of him.
Just as Mephisto had done earlier, a dark smile curled on Yoo Baek-jun’s lips.
―What did you do?!
No matter what he did, breaking through the vortex alone was impossible.
Yoo Baek-jun knew that. Yet he charged anyway.
Because he had one thing he believed in.
‘Judgment.’
The effect of the Chalice of the Saint King.
It delivers a powerful judgment—destroying evil and protecting those who resist it.
This was that protection.
A buff that revives the user at death’s door and provides a sturdy shield.
“Haaah!”
Yoo Baek-jun charged.
Mephisto frantically attacked, but the shield blocked every strike.
Before the shield could break, Yoo Baek-jun closed the distance.
―H-how is this possible…!
Yoo Baek-jun met Mephisto’s eyes.
Eyes filled with fear and terror. He took a deep breath and stepped into the final stance.
“It’s called gear advantage, dumbass.”
The Heavenly Chain Strikes unfolded.
Simultaneously, fist techniques battered Mephisto’s entire body. And finally—Heavenly Destruction.
―Waaaaaah!
A crimson dragon erupted from his fingertips, engulfing Mephisto.
The demon screamed horribly as the vortex of demonic energy around him dissipated.
The berserk state was canceled.
“There he is. I was waiting.”
As if she’d been waiting for this, Jin Seo-yeon’s magical bombardment rained down on Mephisto.
From above, below, everywhere—magic circles of all sizes appeared.
As Yoo Baek-jun retreated, the magic circles unleashed their firepower.
Kwa-booooom!
A dazzling pillar of light pierced Mephisto’s body.
Then—explosion.
A blinding light filled the vision.
Sssss…
The light faded quickly.
Yoo Baek-jun opened his eyes. Mephisto, battered and mortally wounded, was there.
The great demon, kneeling, smoke rising from his body.
“Ah, it’s over.”
Yoo Baek-jun sighed in relief.
* * *
―Ah, ahh… Lord Mephisto…
Some demons were still alive in the chapel. They looked at the fallen Mephisto in disbelief, then despaired.
Soon after, their lives faded.
‘They were already mortally wounded.’
Yoo Baek-jun stared at Mephisto.
He, too, was on death’s door. Holes riddled his body, blood pouring out.
“Hmm.”
Yoo Baek-jun watched quietly, then swiftly severed Mephisto’s arms and legs.
“That won’t kill him, right?”
“He won’t die that easily. Well, he won’t see tomorrow’s sunrise. But that doesn’t matter.”
“Yeah, true.”
Jin Seo-yeon nodded.
Whether the invader lived or died didn’t matter. As long as he didn’t die now.
Yoo Baek-jun took Mephisto’s sword, then rummaged through his clothes.
“Should be around here… Found it.”
A crystal orb tumbled out.
No ordinary orb.
[Crystal of Dominion (Artifact)]
A crystal containing the power to manipulate the demonic realm’s land from another world. Upon use, grants control authority, and the crystal disappears.
―Option: Control Authority
*Control Authority: Grants the right to manipulate the demonic realm.
Yoo Baek-jun whistled and stored the orb in his subspace.
A very useful Artifact.
“…….”
“…….”
Jin Seo-yeon stared at him blankly. Expressionless face, emotionless eyes.
But she seemed to have something to say.
“…What, why, what are you looking at? What’s with the stare?”
“That thing you just took, what is it?”
“An Artifact…”
“Show me.”
“No… Ugh.”
Jin Seo-yeon stared harder. She even leaned her face closer.
‘Tch, can’t ignore her.’
Yoo Baek-jun groaned.
With anyone else, he’d just brush it off, but with Jin Seo-yeon, it was different.
Honestly, this was the easiest they’d ever repelled a large-scale invasion.
‘And it’s thanks to her.’
Jin Seo-yeon.
An unexpected friendship formed, allowing them to cooperate and prepare for the invasion.
He couldn’t ignore her contribution.
“…Here.”
So he handed her the orb.
Jin Seo-yeon examined it with the same blank eyes.
Then she snorted lightly.
“Hmph, fine.”
She gave it back.
A surprising reaction.
In other routes, Jin Seo-yeon was more calculating and might’ve demanded a share.
“You did the most, so it’s right for you to have it. Isn’t it?”
Another unexpected answer.
‘Is this really the Jin Seo-yeon I know…?’
Maybe her personality changed because of the childhood engagement backstory.
Well, it wasn’t a bad thing.
“Right. But this stays between us, got it?”
“A secret?”
Jin Seo-yeon blinked.
She muttered ‘secret’ a few times, then nodded.
“Not bad.”
As if she liked the word.