I Became the Successor of the Martial God Chapter 77

I Became the Successor of the Martial God

Chapter 77.

Dokgo-jun happened to be overseas when he heard about the situation and rushed back in a hurry.

No one would have blamed him if he hadn’t returned. The fact that he did showed he was a decent person.

“We need your unique ability, Brother.”

“My unique ability?”

Dokgo-jun looked puzzled.

That was right. 

The reason Yoo Baek-jun had urgently called him back to Korea was precisely for that.

‘Fortress Construction.’

His unique ability was ‘Fortress Construction.’ It was the power to build a fortress with defensive capabilities, excelling at protecting things.

That was exactly what Yoo Baek-jun needed right now.

“Where do you plan to use it?”

“Have you ever seen a moth?”

“A moth?”

Dokgo-jun tilted his head.

“An insect that flies toward flames due to its instincts and ends up burning to death in the hot fire.”

“I know what it is, but why bring it up suddenly?”

“I plan to make the demons act like that.”

“So, building a fortress will make that possible?”

“Yes.”

Dokgo-jun still looked doubtful.

Yoo Baek-jun reached out into the air and retrieved an artifact from subspace.

The Chalice of the Saint King.

“That’s……”

“Have you seen it before?”

“I’ve heard about it. An artifact, right? They say you used it to drive the demons away.”

“Yes, but… it lost its power after one use. We can’t wipe out the demons in one go like last time, but we can weaken them.”

“So, what do you plan to do with it?”

Yoo Baek-jun looked out the window and pointed to a building not too far away.

Specifically, its rooftop.

“We’ll use your unique ability to remodel that place into a fortress and use this to lure the demons.”

“Lure them, you say.”

“Yes. The demons will have the power of this artifact deeply ingrained in their minds.”

Dokgo-jun nodded.

Even just seeing the recorded footage was overwhelming, and the memory was still vivid.

How much more so for the demons who experienced it firsthand?

“We know it’s lost its power, but they don’t. We’ll use that to our advantage……”

“Make it seem like it still has power, like it can be used one more time.”

“Yes, exactly. We’ll bluff by making it look like we’re recharging it, as if we’ll use it again once it’s fully charged.”

Then the demons will swarm in.

“And we’ll stop them?”

“Yes. All we need is for those remaining on the ground to hold them off.”

“Those remaining on the ground?”

It was a puzzling statement.

It sounded like he was excluding himself.

“The demons have a commander. We’ll need a suicide squad to take him out. Since we’ll be attacking their stronghold, it’ll be packed with enemies.”

“That… makes sense.”

True to its name, the suicide squad was a dangerous mission. They’d be charging into enemy territory.

“The suicide squad is mainly composed of members from the Sword Saint family. I’ll lead it and strike the enemy leader.”

“But are you sure about this?”

Dokgo-jun asked worriedly.

The defenders would be in danger, but the attackers would be in even greater peril.

Was it really necessary to go that far?

“If we don’t do it, who will?”

“Hmm……”

The mood grew heavy.

The Sword Saint family had always stepped up to handle major crises. It was because of that accumulated legacy that they were still respected today.

Though things might change if Yoo Tae-rang became the family head.

“We’ve also secured cooperation from the military. It won’t work on high-ranking demons, but they’ll help deal with the lower-ranked ones.”

“The high-ranking demons will have to be handled by Hunters.”

“That’s why we’ve recruited top-ranked Hunters.”

The sound of a door opening.

Yoo Baek-jun turned around. 

Famous Hunters from the rankings were there.

First, the Sniper with Demon Eyes, Han Chang-gyu.

“Wow, some impressive folks here. Not sure if I belong in a lineup like this.”

A tall, handsome man with a large sniper rifle slung over his shoulder.

His somewhat frivolous demeanor was his only flaw.

“…….”

Then a man clad entirely in a black robe. A sinister purple glint flashed from beneath his hood.

It was Min Yi-jae, known as the Wraith.

‘What are the titles… so ridiculously flashy?’

There were also other renowned Hunters like the Spear Master Park Cheong-woon and Iron Fist Choi Ji-yeon.

He sincerely hoped he’d never end up with a title like that. It’d be embarrassing.

“I’d like the top-ranked Hunters here to cooperate in defending the tower.”

“What’s the reward?”

“The Association and the government will compensate you generously. The Sword Saint family will do the same.”

“Hmm!”

The mention of the Sword Saint family’s reward made everyone’s eyes gleam.

They all knew about the family’s immense wealth.

“Speaking of that building, does it belong to the Sword Saint family? You said you’d build a fortress there.”

“No, it’s not ours.”

“Then?”

At Dokgo-jun’s question, Yoo Baek-jun glanced at the building outside.

“We’ll just buy it, no big deal.”

“Buy it?”

Yoo Baek-jun called for an attendant.

“How much is that building?”

“One moment, young master. Hmm……”

The attendant quickly checked the price.

“Around 40 billion won. Given the current situation, we might even get it cheaper.”

“Reasonable. Find the owner and make an offer. If they refuse, add a premium.”

“Yes, understood.”

The attendant hurried off. With time being tight, they had to move fast.

“…….”

“…….”

The Association staff listening in were inwardly stunned.

‘We knew they were rich, but…’

‘Buying a building in Seoul as casually as buying an ice cream…’

The Hunters weren’t much different.

Hunters of this caliber could afford to buy buildings in Seoul without much trouble.

But that was strictly for investment purposes.

‘They say the Sword Saint family’s wealth is limitless.’

This wasn’t just spare change to be spent so casually—it was still a huge sum, even for them.

“And Wraith.”

“…….”

The Wraith didn’t respond.

“We’ll need your unique ability too.”

Yoo Baek-jun stared straight at the Wraith.

Still, the Wraith said nothing.

But slowly, he nodded.

* * *

The next day, Yoo Baek-jun went to watch Dokgo-jun use his unique ability.

Swoooosh—!

Magic flowed out from Dokgo-jun, spreading in all directions before taking shape.

Some formed walls, some the ground, some the ceiling, and others defensive weapons.

“Whoa.”

—Kyaooong…….

In an instant, a fortress was erected.

The rooftop of the building Yoo Baek-jun had pointed to was reinforced into a fortress.

And at its center stood a tower.

“I reinforced the building with magic to handle the weight. You asked for that tower, so I built it.”

Dokgo-jun let out a sigh.

His unique ability was imagination-based, allowing him to create whatever he envisioned.

“It looks fine on the outside, but its durability is a mess. My ability isn’t limitless… If it takes a hit, it’ll collapse like dominoes.”

“Doesn’t matter. As long as it stands for now.”

“How do you plan to defend it?”

Yoo Baek-jun climbed to the top of the tower with Dokgo-jun. 

Looking around, they could see the entire city of Seoul.

‘What a mess.’

There hadn’t been enough time to fully restore it.

Yoo Baek-jun examined the top floor of the tower. There was a device designed to hold something in place.

“I’ve already spoken to the Magic Tower. They’ll deploy barrier devices or golems here.”

“Will that be enough?”

“We’ll need soldiers and Hunters to defend it too.”

The Association and the government had given Yoo Baek-jun full authority.

He had stationed soldiers and Hunters in strategic locations to prepare for the demons’ attack.

The top priority was this tower.

“But it won’t hold for long.”

“I know.”

Yoo Baek-jun took out the Chalice of the Saint King from his subspace.

“That’s why……”

Click.
As he placed it into the device, the chalice locked firmly into place.

Yoo Baek-jun smiled quietly.

“We’ll have to end it before that happens.”

The Chalice of the Saint King, now devoid of its light.

This would be the bait to lure the enemies.

* * *

The demons were observing the surface.

What were the humans doing? What was that power they used last time? Could they use it again?

They needed as much information as possible.

—The vanguard’s failure was a big blow.

The demon with the appearance of an enchanting woman, the 2nd Legion Commander Carousel, clicked her tongue.

But her body was far from human—it was made of tree roots, with demonic plants growing from it.

—Is there a time difference between this world and Halpeon? It didn’t take us long to cross over, yet…

—Gaph, Severius. Both died in such a short time? Impossible.

—Valum is dead too. Lord Mephisto said he was already on the verge of death before the transfer.

Two other legion commanders answered.

One was a man with the appearance of a dragonkin, the 9th Legion Commander Shahanat. His body was covered in dragon-like scales, with wings and horns to match.

The other was Grimoire.

He was severely wounded, half his body injured.

—That human…

Carousel recalled the face of one human.

That bastard with the disgusting divine power. 

She believed he was the one who ruined everything.

And the humans’ reaction…

—They knew we were going to invade.

—How is that possible?

—Perhaps…

She mentioned the name of a demon on the surface.

—Barwe, maybe he told them something. We lost contact with him recently.

—Barwe wasn’t given detailed information about the plan. He was only told to recruit humans in preparation.

—That’s… true.

Carousel let out a low hum.

Otherwise, there was no explaining the humans’ preparedness. They clearly knew the demons were coming.

Maybe even the method of attack and the exact date.

‘Is that even possible?’

They had failed to invade before.

But that was due to unforeseen circumstances. The legion commanders had crossed over unprepared, and so had their subordinates.

It was an invasion in name only—too sloppy to even call it one.

—What about Lord Mephisto?

—He’s recovering. It’ll take time.

—So we just hold out here? Damn it, if only Barwe were here…

As a Dream demon, he could easily blend in among humans and gather information.

He could have seduced humans too.

But Barwe wasn’t here now.

—Show me the surface.

—Yes.

The demon mages nearby waved their staffs. 

The air distorted, revealing a clear image of the surface.

—Shades have infiltrated the surface.

—We can see through their eyes too.

—We’ll check that later.

The legion commanders studied the surface.

The humans hadn’t fully recovered from the damage yet.

—Now’s the time to attack.

—Who doesn’t know that? But we’ve taken heavy losses too. Attacking now would be…

—Wait, look there.

While observing the surface, Valum pointed to one spot.

A fortress was being built amid the ruined city.

And at its center stood a towering spire.

—What’s that?

—Zoom in.

The image of the tower was magnified.

It was tightly sealed, so nothing was visible. 

But something felt off.

—There’s something there.

The humans were hiding something.

That much was certain.