I Became the Successor of the Martial God Chapter 61

I Became the Successor of the Martial God

Chapter 61. 

“Are you sure?”

In the heavy atmosphere, Ryu Il-woo was the first to speak.

“This Great invasion you mentioned. Is it definitely going to happen? What if it doesn’t?”

“Then that’s the end of it. Good for us.”

“…….”

Ryu Il-woo looked at Yoo Baek-jun with rare disbelief. The latter shrugged.

“Just kidding. Take a look at this.”

Yoo Baek-jun pulled out the Demon God’s Jar from his subspace.

An enormous amount of demonic energy was flowing out of it.

“That’s the Demon God’s Jar we saw before. You said you’d explain it later back then.”

“Yes, the Demon God’s Jar… It’s a tool that opens a gate connecting to the Underworld of Halpeon, the demon realm. Originally, it was sealed in an underground ruin, but some treasure hunters stole it.”

“Treasure hunters? You mean the ones you mentioned earlier…?”

“Yeah, the ones I ‘took care of.’”

Ryu Il-woo asked for Yoo Baek-jun’s permission before picking up the Demon God’s Jar.

“Ugh! My hands feel tingly.”

“This jar looks unsettling.”

As the time of the Great invasion event approached, the amount of demonic energy emitted by the Demon God’s Jar had increased.

Ryu Il-woo placed the Jar on the table and subtly exerted the influence of his kingly aura.

“There are records left in the Sword Saint family. When the Demon God’s Jar activates, a massive gate opens. From what I can see, now seems to be the time.”

“Records again? This time it’s records too?”

“Didn’t we benefit a lot from the records last time?”

“That’s true. Can’t argue with that.”

Ryu Il-woo let out a hollow laugh.

What on earth were these records? It was frustrating not being able to see them with his own eyes.

But ignoring them wasn’t an option either, given the results Yoo Baek-jun had shown during the previous Red Gate incident.

“Assuming we trust these records, the likelihood is high this time as well.”

“Alright, fine. If it’s recorded, we can’t just ignore it. So, if we’re going to prepare, what’s the plan?”

“We need to set up a defense system in Seoul. During past Great invasions, gates opened in the sky, and demons poured out.”

“The sky huh….”

That meant an Emission-type gate.

And in the sky, no less. A rather tricky location.

Ryu Il-woo’s expression naturally turned grave.

“We need a way to deal with attacks raining from the sky. We have to pull them down to the ground.”

Yoo Baek-jun glanced at Chae Jeong-jun.

“I assume the government or the Hunter Association has prepared some measures for this scenario, right?”

“Uh….”

Chae Jeong-jun’s mouth momentarily clamped shut.

He had been about to mention that they had a means to pull the demons down.

‘How does he know?’

His tone wasn’t just probing—it sounded like he was certain.

Was it the Sword Saint family’s intelligence network?

“That’s correct. Seoul has been attacked by otherworldly enemies many times in the past, hasn’t it? So, we’ve prepared magic circles in advance.”

Chae Jeong-jun answered confidently.

“They have anti-air defense functions.”

“…….”

Contrary to his confidence, Yoo Baek-jun’s expression was peculiar upon hearing the answer.

He already knew, but…

“Let’s add one more function to it. Something that forces enemies who’ve invaded to crash down to the ground.”

“No, that’s easier said than done….”

Who would handle such a complex process, and who would bear the cost?

“There’s no one to make it, and above all, magic circles require magic stones. To add that function, how many magic stones would we need…?”

“How many magic stones does the family have? Just A-rank ones.”

“If we’re talking about the number we can use immediately, around 1,000.”

After hearing the attendant’s answer, Yoo Baek-jun looked at Chae Jeong-jun and shrugged.

“That’s plenty.”

“…….”

Chae Jeong-jun’s mouth twitched.

‘Each one is worth hundreds of millions, and he’s talking about A-rank magic stones like they’re neighborhood ice cream….’

Magic stones, which are also used as alternative energy sources, are obtained by raiding gates or hunting monsters.

High-grade magic stones require defeating equally strong monsters, making them hard to acquire.

‘Only the Sword Saint family can say something like this.’

Because the Sword Saint family defends Mount Seoraksan, where high-grade gates and monsters frequently appear.

That’s why they can possess such a vast quantity of magic stones.

And judging by his tone, given time, they could bring even more.

“No one to make it… Hmm, as luck would have it, the person to make it is right here.”

“Huh?”

Yoo Baek-jun stared intently at Jin Seo-yeon.

She quickly grasped the meaning behind his gaze.

“You want me to make it?”

“Well, who else here can?”

“Uh, that’s… true, but…”

Jin Seo-yeon looked baffled.

The way he assigned her the task was too natural.

“Didn’t your people make it in the first place?”

“Our people? Really?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I heard the Magic Tower created the magic circles in the past.”

“Hmm.”

Jin Seo-yeon gave a brief thought.

“Then modifying it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Interfering with another mage’s magic circle is extremely tricky.

But if it’s from the same Magic Tower, the styles would be similar, making it much easier.

“…Sigh. Since I owe you, fine. I’ll visit soon and do as you say.”

“Great. And the golems too.”

“You want the golem too? You really are good at taking back things you’ve already given, aren’t you?”

“You’ll need to field-test them anyway. Think of this as an opportunity.”

It was decided that the Sword Saint family would provide all the necessary magic stones.

Yoo Baek-jun continued without pause.

“There’s a high probability the enemies will appear in the sky, but there’s also a chance they’ll emerge from the ground. Either way, we’ll end up fighting on the ground.”

If the magic circles are modified as Yoo Baek-jun said, the demons in the air would be forced down.

In any case, the battle would have to take place on land.

“We need to minimize civilian casualties and eliminate the enemies as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

“You’re looking at me with expectant eyes.”

Ryu Il-woo gave a bitter smile.

“You said divine energy is the natural counter to demons, right? The Crimson Crusaders will suspend operations for a while and focus all our forces on Seoul.”

The Crimson Crusade was a powerful guild.

They’re specialists in monster hunting, and above all, they know how to wield divine energy.

‘With them around, we can minimize casualties. They’ll protect people on their own.’

They’ll heal the wounded and do everything to prevent injuries in the first place.

After all, they’re servants of God.

‘Next, we need the power to handle the demons that fall to the ground.’

Even with the Crimson Crusade, they alone won’t be enough. More strength is needed.

Yoo Baek-jun looked at Peng So-young.

“Uh, no, this isn’t something I can decide alone… I’ll discuss it when I get back.”

“Do that. If it doesn’t work out, call me. Here’s my number…”

They exchanged contact information.

Unlike the others here, Peng So-young’s family isn’t in a stable position.

Though she’s the sole heir, it’s precarious. The family head would still make the important decisions.

‘I’ll probably get a call from the Peng family head.’

Persuading them won’t be too difficult.

Yoo Baek-jun slowly organized the situation in his mind.

‘Measures to deal with demons attacking from the sky, means to handle those forced to the ground and minimize damage, and one more thing…’

There was one more thing needed.

‘A team to take down the demon commander.’

The demon hierarchy is simple.

Common demons, the high-ranking demon lords who lead them, and the commander who leads all demons.

When the event occurs, the difficulty depends on how quickly this commander is taken down.

“…….”

Jin Seo-yeon is a must.

Ideally, he’d like to bring Ryu Il-woo too, but he’ll have to deal with the demons on the ground.

‘Should I just bring the Sword Saint family’s members?’

Like Han Seong-ah or others.

If Jin Seo-yeon went with them, the prestige of the Sword Saint family would rise.

That would ultimately benefit him.

“Hmm….”

Yoo Baek-jun looked at Chae Jeong-jun.

“And Chief Chae Jeong-jun.”

“Ah, yes. Yoo Baek-jun. Oh, no need for formal titles like ‘Chief’… Just speak comfortably.”

“Never mind that. Please prepare in advance so you can mobilize hunters at any time.”

“Hmm.”

Chae Jeong-jun fell into brief thought.

“Understood. I’ll discreetly arrange schedules to gather hunters in Seoul without raising suspicion.”

“Yes, and if the event occurs, offer massive rewards to encourage participation in the defense. If necessary, the Sword Saint family will provide support.”

“That’s… Uhm, Yoo Baek-jun.”

A flustered Chae Jeong-jun scratched the back of his head.

“I hate to ask this, but… why are you going this far to support us?”

“Why?”

“Yes.”

Yoo Baek-jun answered without hesitation.

“Isn’t it the obvious thing to do?”

“The obvious thing…?”

“If I didn’t know, that’s one thing. But since I do, I have to act. As the heir of the Sword Saint family, it’s a duty I must bear.”

“I… see.”

Chae Jeong-jun inwardly marveled as he mulled over those words.

‘I wish all those so-called heirs of guilds and families would hear this.’

Due to the nature of his department, Chae Jeong-jun had to deal with many guilds, families, and high-rank hunters.

Most were extremely arrogant and pursued only their own interests to a disgusting degree.

Among them, Yoo Baek-jun stood out—a rare exception.

‘Yoo Kang-ho was a detestable guy. Yoo Tae-rang… is different, but I doubt he would’ve stepped up like this.’

Yoo Tae-rang also fundamentally only acts if it benefits the family or himself.

Chae Jeong-jun quietly observed Yoo Baek-jun.

‘The Sword Saint family’s succession battle is still ongoing. Yoo Tae-rang is the favorite, but Yoo Baek-jun is rapidly rising…’

Between the two, who would benefit the Hunter Association—and ultimately the nation—more as the family’s successor?

‘If the incident unfolds as Yoo Baek-jun says, and we successfully defend under his direction…’

Chae Jeong-jun gulped.

If that happens, he and the Hunter Association might have a role to play for Yoo Baek-jun’s sake.

“Let’s end the meeting here for today. Once things are confirmed, we’ll seek cooperation from other guilds.”

Yoo Baek-jun wrapped things up.

He returned the Demon God’s Jar to his subspace.

“This Jar has a function to detect demons. Specifically,  it senses demonic energy.”

“Hmm, a useful feature.”

“Yes, I plan to test whether this can predict where the demons’ gates will appear. If it works, I’ll contact you.”

Yoo Baek-jun was the first to rise from his seat.

“Thank you all for your time.”

* * *

They left one after the other.

Yoo Baek-jun watched them go, particularly Chae Jeong-jun’s retreating figure.

‘Seems like it went well?’

Yoo Baek-jun had decided to spend a significant amount of his family’s resources to prepare for the upcoming Great Invasion.

And the words he said during that meeting:

—It’s the obvious thing to do.

It wasn’t a lie.

To successfully defend against the invasion, it was indeed the obvious thing to do. Failing would endanger lives or complicate future developments.

‘But Chae Jeong-jun probably took it differently.’

He likely misinterpreted it as some kind of noblesse oblige.

Not that Yoo Baek-jun hadn’t intended that.

‘Chae Jeong-jun is someone aiming for higher positions in the Hunter Association.’

Between Yoo Baek-jun and Yoo Tae-rang, who would benefit the Hunter Association more as the Sword Saint family’s leader?

Chae Jeong-jun would be calculating that right now.

“And if he decides that it’s me…”

Then when the Great Invasion event concludes successfully.

“The Association will likely provide supporting fire.”

In a way that amplifies Yoo Baek-jun’s achievements.

That would boost his reputation and serve as valuable leverage in the succession battle.

For that, spending magic stones or money is a worthwhile investment.

“I’ll extract as much as I put in.”

That’s the plan.