I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 21.
The Book of the Martial God contains countless traits.
Among these traits, some act as triggers for specific events, while others are strengthened upon completing those events.
The trait Yoo Baek-jun was trying to learn now belonged to the latter.
[Friend of the Ice Spirit (C)]
—The finicky Ice Spirit has acknowledged you as a friend. Ice Spirits who see the mark engraved upon you will welcome you.
Was it an impressive trait?
Absolutely not. At best, it merely made ice spirits approach you with goodwill.
But having this trait was a prerequisite for something else.
‘Am I really burning 300 points here?’
The points he had painstakingly saved were now reduced to a mere 100.
Points were far too scarce.
The biggest issue was the lack of ways to earn more.
‘I need to upgrade the Book of the Martial God as soon as possible.’
Heroes Road had a <Challenge Quest> system, but with the Book of the Martial God, it was replaced by an enhanced <Achievement> system.
‘I could clear challenge quests right now, but they don’t mean much to me.’
Clearing challenge quests wouldn’t grant points.
However, unlocking the achievement system would allow him to earn points with every achievement completed.
‘To raise proficiency…’
He needed to clear events related to the Martial God.
In this world, there were places where traces of the Martial God remained.
Exploring such locations would increase the Book of the Martial God proficiency.
‘The problem is the difficulty.’
It was ridiculously hard.
Still, there was one place where he might stand a chance. If he completed the current ‘Tears of the Snowfield’ event and brought Han Seong-ah along…
‘It’s worth a try.’
Yoo Baek-jun calmly organized his goals.
First, clear the ’Tears of the Snowfield’ event.
Second, raise the Book of the Martial God proficiency to unlock the <Achievement System>.
Third, obtain the Observer’s Eye.
‘I’ll get the second one soon enough anyway. Father will send me to clear a gate.’
He could take care of it while he was there.
The third goal was in Busan.
The location had shifted slightly, so he’d have to send Choi Seung-min to investigate.
“Having goals gives me motivation. Good.”
Yoo Baek-jun stood up.
It was time to meet his former fiancée.
* * *
A group of people had gathered at the main gate of the Sword Saint’s family.
They were there to welcome the visitors from the Magic Tower.
Among them was Yoo Jung-yeon.
“Where’s Father?”
“He went to the underground training hall. I asked if he’d come, but he said he wouldn’t, so we should handle the greetings ourselves.”
“Well, that’s just like him.”
It wasn’t as if the master of the Magic Tower was coming.
Her father wasn’t the kind of person to personally welcome someone just because that person’s heir was visiting.
Yoo Jung-yeon let out a small scoff.
“Jin Seo-yeon, Jin Seo-yeon…”
She was an unexpected visitor.
“I can’t even remember the last time I saw her. Wasn’t it when our youngest was in middle school? I don’t think I’ve seen her since then.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I can’t imagine what merit this remote part of Seoraksan holds for the Magic Tower’s future master.”
Jin Seo-yeon had said she had something to investigate here in Seoraksan. Yoo Jung-yeon couldn’t begin to guess what it might be.
“…I’ll find out when she arrives.”
Jin Seo-yeon was punctual to a fault.
She was due to arrive in exactly ten minutes, with no margin for error.
Yoo Jung-yeon decided to wait at ease.
However.
“Huh?”
Her composure shattered when an unexpected figure appeared.
Yoo Jung-yeon frowned.
Someone was approaching from the family’s side, accompanied by a woman.
“Yoo Baek-jun?”
It was her youngest half-brother.
No one had mentioned he was coming.
“It’s been a while, Sister.”
“……”
Yoo Jung-yeon’s expression was unreadable.
In the past, she might have at least pretended to smile and greet him, but now her feelings were complicated.
‘Back then, he was just a worthless duckling of a brother I could ignore. But now…’
He was someone their father had taken notice of, someone the entire family was watching with interest.
In other words, a person of concern.
‘What should I do about him?’
Yoo Jung-yeon exhaled deeply and forced a smile.
“You’re here, Baek-jun. I heard you went to Seoul yesterday. Did you enjoy the sights?”
“Yes, though they couldn’t compare to the beauty of Seoraksan. I prefer it here.”
“That’s good to hear. I remember you used to be desperate to leave this family.”
“Did I?”
Yoo Baek-jun chuckled.
She was bringing up the past, but there was a sharp edge to her words.
“I don’t remember those days very well.”
“…Right, that’s understandable.”
A cold glint flickered in Yoo Jung-yeon’s eyes as they briefly swept over him.
Yoo Baek-jun clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘Ah, this dysfunctional family.’
If it weren’t necessary, he would’ve left long ago and let them rot together.
Yoo Jung-yeon glanced at Han Seong-ah beside him.
“So you’ve become his personal instructor?”
“Yes, Lady Yoo Jung-yeon.”
“How amusing. When I asked you multiple times, you said you had no intention of serving anyone.”
“……”
Han Seong-ah was an outstanding hunter.
Her exceptional talent proved that nature itself had chosen and taught her.
That was why Yoo Jung-yeon had tried to recruit her several times, but Han Seong-ah had always refused firmly.
‘Guess she’s just stubborn.’
Han Seong-ah looked unusually troubled. Yoo Baek-jun stepped forward.
“People’s hearts change, don’t they? Maybe she just liked me more than you, Sister.”
“…What an interesting thing to say.”
The smile on Yoo Jung-yeon’s face cracked.
The onlookers stifled their gasps.
This bold, almost reckless attitude was nothing like the Yoo Baek-jun they knew.
Han Seong-ah beside him looked uneasy.
“Y-Young Master, you shouldn’t say such things.”
“Ah, this is just my opinion. Don’t mistake it for Instructor Han Seong-ah’s.”
“…Right.”
Yoo Jung-yeon turned her head away, as if too irritated to continue.
Yoo Baek-jun calmly looked ahead.
“I see people approaching.”
“It’s the visitors from the Magic Tower!”
The guards announced the arrival of the guests. Yoo Jung-yeon straightened her posture, while Han Seong-ah adjusted Yoo Baek-jun’s attire.
“Even if she’s your former fiancée, it’s been a long time since you’ve seen her. You should at least put in a little more effort.”
“I doubt it’ll make a difference, but thanks.”
Yoo Baek-jun waited for the gates to open.
Soon, the massive doors creaked and began to part.
Beyond them, a group of people came into view.
“They’re here.”
Figures clad in robes adorned with intricate patterns.
It is a pattern shaped like a giant tree, symbolizing membership in the Magic Tower.
‘The World Tree in the Magic Tower.’
The World Tree appeared alongside the Gate, standing alone in the middle of the ocean.
The Magic Tower was built upon it.
‘The World Tree produces an enormous amount of magical power, and the Magic Tower uses it for training.’
One could even say it’s parasitic.
However, there are many groups targeting the World Tree, and the Magic Tower also plays a role in protecting it from such groups.
“Like a crocodile bird…”
“Huh? Did you say crocodile bird?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
At the forefront of the Magic Tower’s visitors walked a woman with a feminine figure.
She entered the family estate and pushed back the hood that had been covering her face.
As she did, her face was revealed.
“Ohh…”
“That’s…”
The onlookers couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
It was understandable.
Yoo Baek-jun could confidently say she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life.
‘No wonder players chased after Jin Seo-yeon, calling her name. Anyway, her appearance…’
Snow-white, voluminous hair, flawless skin, and sharp, cat-like eyes.
Her beauty was overwhelming just to look at.
“Long time no see, Seo-yeon.”
Yoo Jung-yeon stepped forward with a smile.
Jin Seo-yeon nodded with an expressionless face.
“Is this the first time since last year’s meeting? It’s good to see you looking healthy, Older Sister.”
“What could possibly make my health worse? And you, you’ve become even prettier, girl.”
“Really?”
Yoo Jung-yeon smiled warmly.
Jin Seo-yeon remained expressionless but engaged in the conversation well.
They were exchanging the usual pleasantries. Yoo Baek-jun sighed inwardly.
“….”
“Hm?”
At that moment, Yoo Baek-jun and Jin Seo-yeon’s eyes met. To be precise, she was the one who looked at him.
A hint of curiosity flickered in her emotionless eyes.
“Seems there’s someone I’m meeting after a long time.”
“Ah, yeah. Originally, I was the only one supposed to greet you, but for some reason, he came along too.”
“Is that so…?”
Jin Seo-yeon’s blue eyes studied Yoo Baek-jun.
They were piercingly cold.
Those eyes were observing him.
‘Former fiancé relationship. Ah, this is the first time with this setting. How should I greet her?’
After a brief hesitation, Yoo Baek-jun decided to speak casually. Since they were supposedly close.
“Long time no see, Seo-yeon.”
“…Seo-yeon? Informal speech?”
Was this not it?
Jin Seo-yeon was 22 years old, one year older than him. Still, since they were close as children, he thought they’d address each other casually.
“…Sister?”
“Sister?”
She wasn’t nitpicking or scolding him, just repeating his words.
Jin Seo-yeon tilted her head slightly.
‘Are we really former fiancés?’
He thought she might look at him with lingering affection since they were former fiancés, but there was none of that.
If anything, she seemed even colder.
‘Former fiancés! You were close as kids!’
‘I wouldn’t know even if you asked me. But from what I saw, that’s how it was…’
Yoo Baek-jun shot Han Seong-ah with a glance of protest.
They didn’t seem close at all.
‘Why did it have to be former fiancés?’
The story of Heroes Road doesn’t always unfold the same way.
Each character acted like a real person, and the butterfly effect could alter the story.
‘That’s true, but…’
Depending on the route and the character, there were subtle differences.
The same event could have multiple routes, changing the content.
Moreover, this time, though it’s a game, it’s reality.
Because of that, it wouldn’t be strange if things differed from what a veteran like ‘me’ knew.
‘It’s sudden, but not unbelievable. The Sword Saint’s family and the Magic Tower have had a long-standing relationship.’
A political engagement wasn’t unusual.
The problem was figuring out the distance between them.
After some thought, Yoo Baek-jun let out a deep sigh.
He felt this worry was pointless.
“You said you came because there’s something to find on Seoraksan Mountain.”
“…That’s right.”
Jin Seo-yeon spread her hand.
Whoosh.
Magical power flowed out, soon transforming into cold ice crystals.
“I want to cultivate a new power I’ve recently obtained. I wish to accumulate Magic power in the coldest, most extreme remote area of Seoraksan Mountain.”
“So you came to train?.”
Jin Seo-yeon nodded.
This was already known.
And the so-called ‘most extreme remote area’ was a place she knew better than anyone.
“You’ll need a guide, then.”
“Yes, I need someone from the Sword Saint family who knows Seoraksan Mountain well. Someone to guide me to that place of extreme cold.”
Yoo Baek-jun looked at Yoo Jung-yeon.
“Who was supposed to guide her?”
“I don’t have time to go myself, so we decided to send someone from the family who knows the mountain well.”
“May I go instead?”
“You?”
Yoo Jung-yeon looked slightly surprised.
“You don’t know Seoraksan Mountain well, do you?”
“Don’t you know I like books? The remote area that is known for its extreme cold. I know such a place.”
“…Are you sure?”
She seemed doubtful.
Since it wasn’t a decision he could make alone, he glanced at Jin Seo-yeon.
Nod.
She nodded as if giving permission. What could she do when the person asking was like this?
Yoo Jung-yeon sighed.
“Well, do as you please.”
“Thank you.”
Yoo Baek-jun bowed his head lightly.
A faint smile played on his lips.
‘Things are falling into place easily.’
The place he intended to guide Jin Seo-yeon to was related to the <Tears of the Snowfield> event.
He had a feeling things would go smoothly.
