Chapter 97
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 97.
After finishing the visit, he stepped outside.
Unlike the quiet interior, the hallway of the VIP ward was noisy. And with a familiar voice, at that.
“Ugh, what the hell! Why visit a dying old man at this hour? So gloomy!”
“You little—! Ugh, watch your mouth.”
“Did I say anything wrong? Huh?”
They were arguing fiercely.
The staff in the VIP ward seemed used to it, barely paying any attention.
“He’s awake! Uncle is!”
“That old man woke up? I thought he’d just wheeze his way to death. Guess he pulled through.”
“Do you want to die by my hand first?”
“If you can, go ahead and try.”
Yoon Song-ha growled fiercely, but Song Tae-yeon didn’t seem bothered at all.
In fact, he even smirked.
“Yoon Song-ha, how long do you think you can keep acting like this?”
“What?”
“Once that old man dies, there’ll be no one left to cover your back. Then it’s over for you too.”
“……”
Yoon Song-ha let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re really—”
“Yeah, I’m kicking you out.”
She had already suspected it, but hearing it directly from Song Tae-yeon was even more shocking.
Yoon Song-ha’s face twisted in disbelief.
“Not just you—everyone who worked with that old man is out too. And I’ll be making my own guild.”
“The Golden Lion is the guild Uncle built!”
“Now it’s mine!”
A sneer curled on Song Tae-yeon’s lips.
“I’ll erase all those outdated traces and replace them with my own.”
“You’re really insane.”
“And you won’t be part of it.”
“You—!”
Yoon Song-ha was about to explode in anger when Yoo Baek-jun, who had been observing the situation, subtly revealed himself.
Her rage subsided.
“…Yoo Baek-jun.”
“It’s heartwarming to see you two getting along so well.”
Song Tae-yeon’s face twisted in disgust.
“Why the hell is this bastard here again?”
“Watch your language. I thought I gave you a stern warning last time during the meeting.”
“…Tch!”
Perhaps recalling the humiliating memory, Song Tae-yeon’s bravado deflated slightly.
How many times had this reckless punk been forced to apologize?
“Your uncle is still awake, right?”
“Yes, his so-called son… Wait, is he even his son? More like some stray he picked up off the streets. Anyway, he said he’s waiting.”
“What?”
“Oh, did you hear that?”
Song Tae-yeon glared murderously but couldn’t retort and tried to walk past him.
“Hey, hold on.”
Song Tae-yeon ignored Yoo Baek-jun and attempted to leave, but Yoo Baek-jun grabbed him first.
He slung an arm around Song Tae-yeon’s shoulder and spoke slowly into his ear.
“You’ve been busy lately.”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb. I’ve heard you’ve been frequenting the Magic Tower nonstop.”
Song Tae-yeon’s eyes changed.
A furious glare—one so intense it was almost savage.
“What’s it to you?”
“Oh, nothing to me. Of course not.”
Yoo Baek-jun chuckled.
“Does a dog dare bark at a tiger?”
“What did you say?”
Song Tae-yeon didn’t understand at first but quickly grasped the meaning.
His face flushed red with rage.
“They say if a sparrow tries to follow a stork, its legs will tear apart. Watch your step.”
“You son of a—!”
“Ah, what a lovely father-son chat.”
Yoo Baek-jun shoved Song Tae-yeon’s back, but the latter didn’t leave.
Instead, a sneer tugged at his lips.
“What, are you jealous or something?”
“Huh?”
That came out of nowhere.
Yoo Baek-jun’s eyes widened. Song Tae-yeon, misinterpreting his reaction, smirked triumphantly.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you? Worried I’ll take Jin Seo-yeon from you?”
“Is that how it is?”
“Wake up. You’re just her ex-fiancé, clinging pathetically. She and I actually like each other.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, she’s just shy about it.”
Song Tae-yeon smirked and walked into the room. Yoo Baek-jun stared at his back, dumbfounded.
Yoon Song-ha shared the sentiment.
“Is there something wrong with him?”
“…Seems like a headache.”
Yoon Song-ha let out a deep sigh.
“Wasn’t it exhausting?”
“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”
Despite her words, deep fatigue was etched on Yoon Song-ha’s face.
Not from recent events—this was exhaustion that had been building for a long time.
‘It’s about time Song Tae-yeon starts pressuring the guild’s core members.’
Yoon Song-ha had never been treated well, but lately, it had gotten worse.
In this situation, the words she needed to hear were…
“Yoon Song-ha.”
“Yes.”
“Does someone of your caliber really need to follow a person who doesn’t appreciate your worth?”
“Are you… trying to recruit me now?”
Yoon Song-ha frowned. She wasn’t foolish enough to miss the implication.
“Song Dae-san was a tiger who saw through the times. But what about his son?”
“……”
“There’s a reason the saying goes, ‘A tiger father begets a dog son.’ Do you really need to sacrifice yourself to repay a debt to him?”
“I…”
“Ask Song Dae-san yourself. What you should do after he’s gone.”
Yoo Baek-jun patted Yoon Song-ha’s shoulder.
“I’m sure he’ll give you the answer. Just like he always has.”
“…This isn’t even worth discussing.”
“Is that so? I don’t think so.”
Her face was filled with conflict.
Now was the perfect time to shake her resolve. Soon enough, Song Dae-san would wrap things up.
“You have a lot ahead of you. Wouldn’t it be better to be where you’re needed rather than in a guild that doesn’t want you?”
“……”
Yoo Baek-jun and Yoon Song-ha’s eyes met.
“…I’ll think about it.”
Yoon Song-ha left with a heavy sigh.
She must have a lot on her mind. Just as Han Seong-ah served Yoo Baek-jun, she had been serving Song Tae-yeon—but his recent actions were undoubtedly disappointing.
‘The guild is in turmoil because of Song Dae-san’s critical condition. He’s alienating the core members, neglecting the guild’s chaos, and chasing after women instead.’
It was impossible not to be disillusioned.
Rumors said Song Tae-yeon had hidden in a safe spot during the recent crisis without doing anything noteworthy.
“Hmm, it’s about time…”
“Young master, you look sinister.”
“Do you have to say it?”
“Let’s head down. I think Seol-yeong ’s patience is about to run out.”
Yoo Baek-jun left the hospital with Han Seong-ah. When they got into the SUV in the parking lot—
—Waaah!
“Ghk!”
The moment the door opened, a fluffy mass kicked him square in the face. But the impact wasn’t fluffy—it felt like being hit with a hammer.
“You little brat…”
—Baek-joo human! Kuap!
Yoo Baek-jun rubbed his face, staggering. Seol-yeong bit his arm hard.
A flawless combo.
“Where did you learn that move?”
“Self-taught, probably.”
“This cub’s going places…”
Yoo Baek-jun got into the car with Seol-yeong still latched onto his arm. It didn’t seem inclined to let go, clearly still angry.
“Hey, you know we can’t bring animals into the hospital, right? You know that, don’t you?”
—Waaah!
It was furious at being left behind. Even after being bribed with meat.
Yoo Baek-jun sighed and was about to tell the driver to go when—
—Bad human!
“What?”
This was a new word—not Baek-joo or human, but Bad human.
A bad human.
“Where did you learn that? Self-taught again?”
“I taught it.”
“Han Seong-ah, you did?!”
Yoo Baek-jun turned to her, startled.
“Yes, It’s quite smart. I’ve been teaching it words little by little whenever I look after it.”
“So you’re the culprit?”
“Culprit?”
Han Seong-ah tilted her head.
He had wondered where she picked up those words—never expecting the source to be this close.
“It’s rewarding to teach such a quick learner.”
“Right…”
Yoo Baek-jun let Seol-yeong gnaw on his arm and glanced back at the hospital.
“…….”
By now, the event inside the hospital room was likely unfolding.
What was it called again?
Tears of Father and Daughter, or something like that.
‘The real child hates his father terribly, while the one who isn’t his child loves him dearly.’
An ironic situation.
Song Dae-san had brought it upon himself, so it was hard to pity him entirely—but it was understandable.
‘Yoon Song-ha should be about ready.’
Just a little more time.
Yoo Baek-jun decided to wait for that moment.
“Got a lot out of this.”
Plus, Seol-yeong had added another word to its vocabulary.
—Bad human!
“Ugh…”
Whether that was a good thing or not, he wasn’t sure.
Yoo Baek-jun rubbed his forehead.
***
After Yoo Baek-jun left, loud shouting continued in the hospital room where Song Tae-yeon had entered.
Before long, Song Tae-yeon stormed out, his face flushed red.
“Spouting absolute nonsense!”
“…….”
He glared fiercely at Yoon Song-ha before leaving. She entered the room.
“Uncle.”
“Ah, you’re here.”
Song Dae-san was staring out the window. Only when Yoon Song-ha approached did he turn his head.
His face was filled with bitterness.
“What did he say to make you like this?”
“No… it’s nothing.”
“Nothing? I could hear you arguing all the way outside.”
“Is that so?”
Yoon Song-ha sat beside Song Dae-san.
He gestured for her to come closer, and she leaned in.
A wrinkled hand gently stroked her cheek.
“You’ve grown so much. Feels like just yesterday I took you in when you were little.”
“That was years ago…”
“They say people live on memories. Now that I’m dying, they keep flooding back.”
“Stop talking like that!”
“…….”
Song Dae-san smiled bitterly.
If only it were just ominous talk. But this was his reality now.
He gazed out the window again.
“Song-ha.”
Then, casually—
“Live your own life from now on.”
Yoon Song-ha tilted her head at first, as if she didn’t understand.
Then her eyes widened.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“Heh, I missed that tone.”
That was Yoon Song-ha’s original way of speaking.
As unfiltered as her overflowing magic power. She had changed her speech after Song Dae-san collapsed and the burden on her grew heavier.
“You’re awake now. Stop talking like that—it’s bad luck.”
“Face it. I’m dying.”
“I said stop—!”
“Song-ha.”
Song Dae-san had always spoken gently to her, but this time was different.
His tone was deadly serious.
“I took you in and raised you, but you don’t owe me your life.”
“What nonsense! This is your guild!”
“Now it’ll belong to my son.”
“You’re really giving it to him…?”
Yoon Song-ha let out a frustrated sigh.
“…Tell me why.”
“Alright, I will.”
Song Dae-san slowly began to speak.