I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 55.
Yoo Baek-jun checked his status window after accumulating magical power in the training magic circle.
[Yoo Baek-jun]
Strength: B+ (16/100)
Agility: B+ (21/100)
Stamina: B+ (23/100)
Magic Power: B+ (49/100)
[Unique Ability: The Book of the Martial God (EX, 3★)]
[Traits: Heavenly Martial Body (S), Energizer (C), One Invited to the Spirit Realm (C), Master of the Extreme Cold (A), King’s Dignity (A), Demon Hunter (B+)]
[Martial Arts: Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique (B, 3★), Heavenly Destruction Mind Technique (B, 4★), Dragon-Fang Spear Technique (B+, 2★)]
[Footwork Techniques: Lightness Technique (B, 1★), Ghost Phantom Step (B, 3★)]
[Skills: Cold Aura (A, 2★), Berserker (B+, 2★), Elemental Manifestation (A, 2★), Heavy Strike (C, 4★), Ground Kick (C, 3★), Joint Strike (C, 2★), Gale Kick (B, 1★), Stealth (C)]
His stats had slightly increased, and the proficiency of his skills had also improved. Notably, his Lightness Technique and Gale Kick had grown significantly.
“Well, I did use those two the most.”
Both skills were now B-grade.
However, since their base grade was C, even after ranking up to B, they still had many shortcomings.
But if the proficiency of The Book of the Martial God increased by just one more level, he could compensate for this.
“It means I can reinforce the skills with higher-tier equivalents.”
The problem was that right now, he had neither the means to raise his proficiency nor the time to do so.
It was unfortunate, but he had no choice but to use them as they were.
“I also need to go find the Heavenly Destruction Fist Technique…”
—Gyaaah!
“Keugh!”
While lost in thought looking at his status window, Seol-yeong suddenly pounced on him.
It swung its front paws playfully, but it still hurt quite a bit.
“You, you… where did you learn to hit like that…?”
—Awoo, grrrrl!
Its squirming seemed like an attempt to get his attention.
Yoo Baek-jun sighed and called Han Seong-ah.
“Yes, young master.”
“I’d like you to summon Ho-yeon here.”
“Understood. I was just about to report something regarding the Treasure Hunters.”
Han Seong-ah immediately went outside, and soon after, Ho-yeon entered.
An interrogation specialist in charge of the Sword Saint family’s underground interrogation room.
The faint scent of blood lingered around him, as if he had just finished an interrogation.
“How did it go? Is the interrogation over?”
“Yes, young master. We’ve even uncovered the location of the Treasure Hunters’ headquarters.”
“Good. Write it down as you explain.”
Ho-yeon carefully took a pen and began writing on paper as he spoke.
“The Treasure Hunters have headquarters all over the world and periodically relocate. Currently, their headquarters is here, in Hokkaido… Wakkanai.”
“Wakkanai?”
“Yes.”
Fortunately, this time it was close.
Once, they had stayed on an island near the Arctic, making it incredibly difficult to reach.
“Wakkanai is located at the northernmost tip of Japan, so it’s an area with minimal Hunter activity. If a gate appears there, significant damage is inevitable.”
“Is that so? Well, good.”
Yoo Baek-jun searched his memories.
The Treasure Hunters had deep ties with local powerhouses in Wakkanai, allowing them to live lavishly in that region.
‘No matter how deep their connections are…’
The Sword Saint family’s influence didn’t end in Korea. They also had connections in Japan.
Utilizing those would make things easier.
“Good work, Ho-yeon. Also, there’s someone I’d like you to interrogate personally…”
“Personally, you say?”
Ho-yeon’s brow twitched.
Being entrusted with something personally, rather than on behalf of the family, was concerning.
“Can you interrogate a former instructor of the Sword Saint family?”
“Huh? Former instructor? What do you mean…?”
“My former instructor, the one who tried to kill me.”
Yoo Baek-jun smiled quietly.
“Shin Woo-hyun.”
“……!”
Ho-yeon held his breath.
He had heard that Shin Woo-hyun left on a mission and hadn’t returned yet. Why was his name coming up now?
“There’s something I need to uncover, even if it means skinning him alive. Can you do it?”
“Tell me… the reason. If this is related to a power struggle, I won’t do it.”
“It’s to uncover the truth.”
“The truth…?”
“Yoo Jong-min.”
Ho-yeon’s eyes widened.
The successor he once followed, the reason he distanced himself from power struggles.
And the one who made Yoo Jung-yeon decide to become the successor—Yoo Jong-min.
“Why… why is his name being brought up here…?”
“Many among my older sisters and brothers have left this world. For various reasons.”
“…….”
Ho-yeon fell silent.
Some died of illness, others never returned after attempting to conquer a gate.
Though there were clear reasons, some found them unconvincing.
“As I said earlier, I was nearly killed by Shin Woo-hyun. He lured me to a remote part of Seoraksan Mountain and tried to kill me there.”
“No way, Young master.”
“Yes, I’m certain someone is behind Shin Woo-hyun. I want you to find out who that is.”
Ho-yeon swallowed hard.
The Sword Saint family’s successor, Yoo Baek-jun, was nearly killed by none other than his instructor.
Was it a solo act? Unlikely. Someone must have orchestrated it from behind.
“Yoo Jong-min was murdered. And you’re saying… the one who ordered his death is the same person who ordered your assassination?”
“That’s what I believe.”
“…Will you reveal the truth behind Yoo Jong-min’s death?”
Yoo Baek-jun nodded without hesitation.
Ho-yeon exhaled deeply.
“Then, understand. I have a secluded space prepared where no one will know. If you bring Shin Woo-hyun there…”
Ho-yeon’s eyes flashed sharply.
“Even if I have to tear him limb from limb, I’ll make him spill everything he knows.”
Yoo Baek-jun nodded, and Ho-yeon left the room with a resolute expression.
As they crossed paths, Han Seong-ah entered.
“Instructor Han Seong-ah, I’m sorry to ask this right away, but I’ll need to climb Seoraksan Mountain tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind, young master. If it’s to get Shin Woo-hyun… I’ll go anytime.”
Sparks flew from Han Seong-ah’s eyes.
Shin Woo-hyun had followed Yoo Baek-jun through the Labyrinth Forest to the cliffs. The problem was, he didn’t know the way back.
‘He would’ve needed to follow the exact route to return, but he couldn’t.’
Because of that.
Shin Woo-hyun was likely still lost in the Labyrinth Forest.
Fighting monsters, desperately surviving while waiting for rescue.
He probably wouldn’t last long.
The Seoraksan’s Mountain environment was too harsh for solo survival.
Even if left alone, he’d die soon enough. But Yoo Baek-jun had no intention of letting that happen.
“I don’t forget grudges, after all.”
He had to go get that bastard.
* * *
Shin Woo-hyun was lost in the Labyrinth Forest.
His hair was disheveled from lack of care, and his clothes were in tatters.
When he first entered the forest, there were other disciples, but now he was alone.
—Gahahaha! Human food…!
“Huuuk!”
Because they had all died.
Shin Woo-hyun swiftly stabbed his sword into the neck of a troll that lunged at him.
The Labyrinth Forest was a maze teeming with monsters. Strangely, the monsters never got lost here.
“Prey, prey…”
Shin Woo-hyun and the disciples were hunted down one by one like prey.
Only Shin Woo-hyun remained.
‘I have to survive. To return and report to Young Master Yoo Tae-rang…’
That single thought kept him going.
But now, he was nearing his limit. Trapped in the forest, he had no sense of time and was mentally exhausted.
“…….”
Now, he had no thoughts left.
Just surviving, killing monsters, and eating their corpses.
But then, something changed.
“…Huh?”
Something appeared in the distance.
A human figure. A mirage? Shin Woo-hyun cautiously approached and realized it was real.
“Hey! Who’s there?!”
“…….”
The figure in the shadows stepped forward.
“…Han Seong-ah? Instructor Han Seong-ah!”
Shin Woo-hyun’s mouth fell open slightly.
A hallucination? No, if it were, it would’ve been someone closer.
He and Han Seong-ah were merely acquaintances.
“D-did the family send a rescue team? Or the young master?”
“Are you the only one left?”
“Huh? Y-yes. Just me. The others were all eaten by monsters or got lost in the maze.”
Shin Woo-hyun shuddered.
“Yoo Baek-jun, that bastard! He ruined everything. Damn it, the young master won’t let this slide. What should I do…!”
“Yes, he won’t let it slide.”
Han Seong-ah nodded.
Seeing this, Shin Woo-hyun relaxed, his tension easing as he staggered.
Han Seong-ah carefully approached and supported him.
And then.
“Neither will I.”
Thud!
A long sword pierced Shin Woo-hyun.
A ghost sword oozing dark energy. A chilling cold seeped into his side.
“Guh…!”
The ghostly energy invaded his entire body.
Shin Woo-hyun’s body convulsed before freezing.
His stiff face turned to Han Seong-ah.
“H-Han Seong-ah, why…?”
“I’m sorry, but the young master you serve and the one I serve are different.”
“W-what? Keugh!”
Han Seong-ah kicked Shin Woo-hyun away.
His body crashed to the ground.
Someone’s foot stomped on him, stopping his roll.
“G-guh…!”
“Long time no see, Instructor Shin Woo-hyun.”
A familiar voice.
Shin Woo-hyun raised his trembling head. There stood Yoo Baek-jun.
The Yoo Baek-jun he knew—yet didn’t know—in an unfamiliar form.
“H-how…?”
“My, my. The ever-cautious man, tsk tsk. Well, after wandering a snow-covered maze for over a month, it’s understandable.”
“Y-you were skin and bones before!”
The Yoo Baek-jun he remembered was emaciated, with no muscle to speak of.
But now, he was different.
Not only had he filled out, but his toned muscles were visible beneath his black robe.
“How much time has passed? What happened outside…?”
“A month and a half. You’ve been lost in this forest all that time.”
“A… a month and a half…?”
Shin Woo-hyun gasped and looked up.
“Why… Did you come for me?”
“Why do you think?”
Yoo Baek-jun smirked.
A smile full of ridicule.
The moment Shin Woo-hyun saw it, he foresaw his fate.
He sprang up like lightning and thrust his sleeves toward Yoo Baek-jun.
Whoosh!
Blades shot out from his sleeves.
Aimed precisely at Yoo Baek-jun’s throat—too fast to react.
The moment Shin Woo-hyun was certain of his success—
Clang!
“Instructor Shin Woo-hyun’s unique ability was Physical Enhancement, right? Hmm, still impressive.”
An aura infused hand deflected the blades.
Shin Woo-hyun’s face paled instantly.
Aura?
The weak Yoo Baek-jun was using aura?
“You won’t need your arms where you’re going.”
Yoo Baek-jun pulled both hands back and aimed precisely at Shin Woo-hyun’s arm joints.
Crunch!
“Gaaaaaah!”
One strike.
A fist loaded with power smashed into his joints, breaking both arms.
“Your legs aren’t needed either.”
Crack!
His legs met the same fate.
In an instant, Shin Woo-hyun collapsed, his limbs useless. A scream erupted from his mouth.
‘H-how did he get this strong? No, even so… I can’t be taken like this!’
Shin Woo-hyun opened his mouth wide.
To crush the poison pill hidden between his molars.
But before he could, Yoo Baek-jun’s fist slammed into his mouth.
Crunch—shattering teeth.
“Tsk tsk, poison? You should value your life more.”
Yoo Baek-jun plucked out the poison pill.
Shin Woo-hyun’s eyes trembled.
“You’ll suffer far worse than drinking this. No need to drain your strength prematurely.”
Yoo Baek-jun slung Shin Woo-hyun over his shoulder.
“Let’s return to the family, Instructor Shin Woo-hyun.”
It was a homecoming after a month and a half.
