I Became the Successor of the Martial God Chapter 43

I Became the Successor of the Martial God

Chapter 43.

“…It’s our first time meeting, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Peng So-young. As you probably know.”

“Yes, I’m Yoo Baek-jun.”

Yoo Baek-jun shook hands with Peng So-young.

Since she had never visited the Sword Saint family before, they were complete strangers to each other.

Peng So-young glanced over his body up and down.

“Did something get on me?”

“No, it’s not that. Ah, since we’re the same age, how about we speak casually?”

“Sure.”

Due to her unusually small frame, she was often mistaken for being younger, but Peng So-young was 21 years old.

She nodded in satisfaction.

“You’re easy going—I like that. Ah, right. The reason I was staring is that I was curious about how you built your body.”

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Wait, are you seriously asking?”

Peng So-young pointed at herself and let out a bitter laugh.

“Everyone in the Peng family has a sturdy build. Men and women alike. But I’m the only one like this.”

“Hmm, so?”

“You too—and sorry for saying this—but I heard you were pretty sickly when you were with your family.”

“That’s true.”

“So, if you used some special method to get healthier and build your body, I was wondering if you could tell me…”

Peng So-young trailed off.

It must have been awkward for her to bring this up right after meeting him for the first time.

But that just showed how desperate she was.

‘Hmm, Peng So-young…’

The sole successor of the Peng family.

Just by the name, it was clear that the Peng family originated from the martial world of another dimension.

The former head of the family had inexplicably crossed over to Earth through a gate and established the Peng family in Korea.

‘She’s kind of pitiful, that one.’

The Peng family was renowned for their mastery of the blade.

The family head and his relatives were all highly skilled and powerful hunters.

But Peng So-young was different.

‘A B-rank hunter. The problem is, that’s the result of 15 years of training.’

Peng So-young was 21 years old.

Despite enduring grueling training since childhood, her abilities had not significantly improved.

Because of this, she was the subject of much gossip both inside and outside the family.

‘Well, let’s take a look.’

Yoo Baek-jun checked Peng So-young’s status window.

[Peng So-young]

[Stats]

Strength: B

Agility: B

Stamina: B

Magic power: C+

[Unique Ability: Physical Enhancement (A)]

[Traits: Late Bloomer (S), Dull Blade Talent (S), Magic Blocked Diantans (S), Magic Insensitivity (A), Innate Bone Structure (B), …]

The traits were quite ironic.

Late Bloomer, which meant her talent would awaken later, and Dull Blade Talent, which implied she had no talent at all.

And her unique ability, Physical Enhancement.

‘A unique ability that uses magic to enhance the body, but the problem is her insensitivity to magic.’

No way she could accumulate magic properly.

That was the core difficulty of Peng So-young’s route. Of course, there was a way to solve it.

There was, but—

‘It’s just too much effort. Is it really worth going through all that trouble to help her?’

As a playable character, he felt some attachment, but she was just too troublesome.

What would he gain from it?

“…Come visit the Sword Saint family later.”

“Visit? Is there a way? What method? Can’t you just tell me now? Huh?”

“That’s not possible. I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

“Ughhh…”

Peng So-young looked disappointed, but it wouldn’t be right to push further when they’d just met.

“Alright, thanks. I’ll bring a gift when I come.”

Peng So-young quickly left, telling him to enjoy the banquet—even though it was probably her first time attending one too.

Her steps seemed a little lighter.

“She’s very different from how she was at the banquet earlier. She seemed so timid back then.”

“You heard what people were saying, right?”

“About her lack of talent?”

“Yeah. She grew up hearing that kind of talk since she was a kid. No wonder the banquet was uncomfortable for her.”

Yoo Baek-jun took the last sip of his wine.

Han Seong-ah, watching him, had a complicated look in her eyes.

Had the young master she served lived with those same feelings all this time?

The thought made her heart ache.

“I’m a little hungry. Should we grab something to eat?”

“Food… sounds good.”

“Instructor Han Seong-ah has a sweet tooth, right? Something so sweet it melts your tongue.”

Han Seong-ah’s face turned slightly red as she followed Yoo Baek-jun.

The two entered the banquet hall and picked up some light snacks.

“Ha, right. Now that Father’s retired, I’m the guild master… Huh?”

“Hm?”

They ran into a man.

Golden hair, a rugged physique, and a confident smile lingering at the corners of his lips.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Yoo Baek-jun?”

“Long time no see, Brother Tae-yeon.”

The Golden Lion Guild’s heir, Song Tae-yeon—son of guild master Song Dae-san.

His eyes widened in surprise before twisting into a sneer.

“I heard a lot about you from Yoo Kang-ho. The family’s cast-off child. I never thought you’d actually show up here.”

“Uhh…?”

Now it was Yoo Baek-jun’s turn to be surprised.

Why is this guy so aggressive? Sure, he was always more of a villain in the game, but he wasn’t this hostile toward Yoo Baek-jun originally.

“What exactly did Brother Kang-ho say?”

“Ah, he said there was a half-penny runt in the family. Hearing your name just now reminded me.”

“Half-penny runt.”

“Yeah, half-penny runt. Said you were so hopeless your own father abandoned you, and the family kicked you out. Or was I mistaken?”

Song Tae-yeon burst into laughter. The people nearby awkwardly looked away.

That was just his character—arrogant, unruly, disrespectful, and shameless. Spoiled rotten by his father since childhood.

“Man, that’s weird. I heard you’d never step foot outside the family for the rest of your life, so how’d you get out? And you were skin and bones before…”

Song Tae-yeon eyed Yoo Baek-jun’s body.

“Did you take some kind of miracle drug?”

“Who knows? Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.”

“Tch, whatever it was, if it can turn trash like you into this, it must be good stuff. How about selling it to me for a high price?”

“Hmm…”

Yoo Baek-jun stared silently at Song Tae-yeon.

Han Seong-ah beside him looked ready to draw her sword at any moment.

But he wasn’t particularly angry.

‘I know he’s always been like this, so I’m not mad, but why is he so hostile toward me all of a sudden?’

He couldn’t understand it at all.

“What, cat got your tongue? Or did you take some illegal drug? Ah, is that why you got engaged—”

“Song Tae-yeon!”

Just as Yoo Baek-jun was debating how to respond, a woman came rushing over from behind.

Long ash-blonde hair.

A rough-looking woman with a complex tattoo etched across her cheek.

“Yoon Song-ha.”

“What the hell are you saying to a guest?”

“What? I’m just talking. What did I say that’s so wrong?”

“You damn—!”

Yoon Song-ha growled the moment she arrived, and Song Tae-yeon scowled in annoyance.

That was just how the two of them were.

“Father always told you to respect others! If he saw you acting like this—!”

“Father? That’s rich. Anyone listening would think you’re actually part of the Golden Lion family.”

“Hey, that’s not the point—!”

“Know your place, Yoon Song-ha.”

Song Tae-yeon’s voice was icy.

The look he gave Yoon Song-ha held not an ounce of affection—only hostility.

“You’re just a stray bitch Father picked up out of pity. Don’t act like you’re my sister or something.”

“You little—!”

“Ah, it’s fine if you two want to fight, but…”

Yoo Baek-jun stepped between them.

“Everyone’s staring right now. How about we keep the family drama private and end it here?”

“……”

“Ha… unbelievable.”

Yoon Song-ha bit her lip, and Song Tae-yeon snorted in disdain.

Just then, a bodyguard approached him.

“Young Master, she has arrived.”

“What? She’s here?”

“Yes. What should we do with the gift you prepared—”

“Bring it to me now.”

Song Tae-yeon’s previously irritated expression brightened instantly.

He glanced at Yoo Baek-jun.

Ahem.

“Well then, enjoy the banquet.”

Song Tae-yeon left like the wind.

Han Seong-ah  stared blankly at the spot where he had been, while Yoon Song-ha let out a deep sigh.

“I apologize. Those were words that should never have been spoken to a member of the Sword Saint family. If you’ll forgive me, I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

She bowed her head to Yoo Baek-jun.

It was the right response. The Sword Saint family wasn’t some subordinate guild to the Golden Lions—if Yoo Baek-jun made an issue out of those insults, things could escalate badly.

She was trying to smooth things over.

‘I could make a big deal out of this…’

Yoo Baek-jun thought for a moment before shaking his head. He stood to gain more by letting it go.

Smiling, he gestured for Yoon Song-ha to raise her head.

“It’s fine. It’s not like he was wrong. Right, Instructor Han Seong-ah ?”

“Young Master!”

Han Seong-ah glared sharply. She was furious that Yoo Baek-jun had been insulted.

He extended a hand to Yoon Song-ha.

“Nice to meet you, Yoon Song-ha. I’ve heard a lot about you. The ‘Magic Swordsman’—the Golden Lion Guild’s pillar, they say.”

“Well, in my current state…”

Yoon Song-ha laughed bitterly.

“How is Guild Master Song Dae-san doing? I heard his condition has worsened recently.”

“He’s still in the hospital. But lately, he’s been able to speak a little.”

“That’s a relief.”

She seemed to genuinely believe Song Dae-san would recover.

Yoo Baek-jun clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘He won’t.’

Song Dae-san would die.

No matter what anyone did, it couldn’t be stopped. He had been cursed, and after suffering for so long, his body was beyond repair.

A month or two at most.

“I hope he recovers soon.”

“Yes… Again, I’m truly sorry for what happened earlier.”

Yoon Song-ha bowed repeatedly before leaving.

Normally, she was a confident, dignified woman—but not today.

She looked utterly exhausted.

“Sigh, and here I thought I’d just grab a bite to eat. What a mess. Right, Instructor Han Seong-ah ?”

“Young Master, I’m so angry right now that I’ve completely sobered up. Let me go cut that bastard down.”

“Are you sure you’re sober? You sound drunk.”

Yoo Baek-jun tried to lead the fuming Han Seong-ah  back to the terrace. But then—

“Ooh, is that…?”

“That person actually came to the banquet? They never attend these things.”

“Still as beautiful as ever…”

The banquet hall grew noisy.

The same reaction as when Yoo Baek-jun had entered. He turned toward the entrance.

And immediately understood why.

“Jin Seo-yeon.”

Jin Seo-yeon had arrived.

Dressed in a striking red gown, her snow-white hair made the colors seem even more vivid and dazzling.

Her cold eyes swept across the room.

“Seo-yeon! You came!”

“Song Tae-yeon.”

Song Tae-yeon rushed toward her, holding a small box.

“I invited you, but I didn’t actually think you’d show up… Thanks for coming.”

“You invited me?”

“Y-Yeah. Since the talks were happening, I sent an invitation asking you to attend…”

“I don’t remember receiving one.”

“R-Really?”

Jin Seo-yeon tilted her head, looking as though this was the first she’d heard of it.

Song Tae-yeon coughed awkwardly.

“Uh, well. This is that thing I mentioned before. Made from the gem called the Ocean’s Treasure.”

“Oooh…”

“I can feel strong magic emanating from it…”

Song Tae-yeon carefully opened the box. Inside was a jeweled necklace.

Crafted from a rare gem of another world, it was worth an astronomical sum.

The crowd gasped in admiration. But—

“I don’t need it.”

“Y-You don’t need it?”

Jin Seo-yeon was utterly indifferent.

As the heir to the Magic Tower, she already possessed artifacts far more powerful than this.

Caught off guard, Song Tae-yeon fidgeted nervously.

Watching this, Yoo Baek-jun suddenly remembered the route.

‘Ah, right! Song Tae-yeon had a thing for Jin Seo-yeon! That’s why.’

Unlike the route he had played, Yoo Baek-jun and Jin Seo-yeon were now engaged.

To Song Tae-yeon, who loved Jin Seo-yeon,

Yoo Baek-jun was nothing but an obstacle.

“Hm?”

“……”

Yoo Baek-jun, having solved his curiosity, locked eyes with Jin Seo-yeon.

A faint smile played on her lips.

“There you are, Yoo Baek-jun.”

Jin Seo-yeon walked toward him.