I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 48.
“Phew, that was exhausting.”
Yoo Moo-hak had always liked people who were confident. He didn’t care much for those who are bookish like the old Yoo Baek-jun or timid like the current Yoo Kang-ho.
‘It’s troublesome to cater to his tastes.’
Yoo Baek-jun walked down the hallway of the building. From the opposite end, someone quietly approached.
An old man—Jeon Dae-kwon.
“Grandmaster Jeon Dae-kwon. It’s been a while.”
“Hmm. It has been a while, young master.”
The grandmaster who, alongside Lee Gun-mo, supports Yoo Tae-rang. The old man smiled faintly.
“On your way to see the family head?”
“Yes. He said he had something to ask.”
“I see. It must be about the meeting. Hoh, lately, the family head has been summoning you quite often, hasn’t he?”
“That’s correct. He’s been calling me frequently.”
“Seems he’s quite fond of you……”
Yoo Baek-jun didn’t respond.
Jeon Dae-kwon stared at him for a long time. Observing him, as if trying to read his thoughts.
“Young master, I wonder what happened to make you change like this.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.”
“Well, wouldn’t anyone? The young master who preferred books over swords and disliked fighting… who would’ve thought you’d become so aggressive.”
“Aggressive?”
Yoo Baek-jun chuckled softly.
“Well, if I’ve offended you, I apologize. Seeing how you’re aiming for the family head’s position, that’s the only word that comes to mind……”
“No, I’m not offended.”
His eyes locked onto the old man’s. A forced smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
“Because it’s the truth.”
Jeon Dae-kwon’s smile wavered for a moment.
“…The truth?”
“Yes. I intend to become the family head, Grandmaster.”
“You must be fully aware of what those words imply, young master.”
“Would I say it otherwise?”
The old man’s gaze sharpened.
“Why does it displease you?”
“Young master, what you’re saying is—”
“Grandmaster Jeon Dae-kwon, Grandmaster Lee Gun-mo. The two of you have been supporting my elder brother, haven’t you?”
“…….”
Yoo Baek-jun leaned closer to Jeon Dae-kwon’s ear and whispered softly.
“Keep doing so. In the end, I’ll be the one to become the family head.”
“How confident.”
Jeon Dae-kwon’s expression cooled. Yoo Baek-jun smiled lightly and tried to walk past him.
“The young master will return soon.”
A voice called out to his back.
“Let’s see if you remain this confident after Yoo Tae-rang returns.”
“By all means.”
Yoo Baek-jun left the building, feeling the old man’s gaze piercing his back.
As he stepped outside, cold air greeted him.
“Sigh, phew.”
The earlier conversation replayed in his mind.
Even he knew his words had been provocative. Had he unnecessarily stirred trouble?
No, he hadn’t.
“Jeon Dae-kwon, Lee Gun-mo. Both must have started seeing me as an obstacle to Yoo Tae-rang.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned how often the family head had been summoning him from the very first meeting.
At any rate, the day of Yoo Tae-rang’s return wasn’t far off.
‘Before that, the Great Invasion event will occur.’
Honestly, compared to Yoo Tae-rang, his current self was lacking in both skill and reputation.
But…
‘If I build a great reputation during the Great Invasion event… who knows what could happen.’
Yoo Baek-jun looked up at the sky.
Beyond the curtain of clouds, white snowflakes were falling. The weather was still cold—winter.
‘Well, I’ve gotten Father’s permission.’
Until Yoo Tae-rang was dead, spring would never come for him.
With permission secured, all that remained was to conquer the Gate. For that, he needed a few things.
Whoosh!
Yoo Baek-jun opened a subspace.
Inside was a jar emitting a sinister aura—the Demon God’s Jar recovered from the residence.
‘Judging by its state, the event will likely trigger in about two weeks.’
Time to become a hero.
Yoo Baek-jun took a step forward.
***
Time passed quickly.
During this period, Yoo Baek-jun crafted potions using materials provided by various guilds.
“You’re making rare potions.”
“Hehe, a bit unusual, right?”
Joo Jung-won assisted him.
After watching Yoo Baek-jun brew, he tilted his head in confusion.
“Sleep, charm, confusion, fear, hallucinations… just how many status effects are you trying to prevent?”
“As many as possible.”
“I doubt a single potion can handle all of that.”
“That’s why I need your help, Master.”
“You’ve got a silver tongue.”
Joo Jung-won smirked and continued assisting.
The supplied ingredients were of high quality, and with Joo Jung-won’s help, the crafting process wasn’t too difficult.
‘His potion-making skills have improved. And here I thought he’d be too busy training in martial arts…’
Joo Jung-won clicked his tongue in amazement as he watched Yoo Baek-jun work.
Meanwhile, Yoo Baek-jun kept receiving updates on other guilds’ situations while preparing for the raid.
“Phew.”
And then, the day of the raid arrived.
On a certain mountain in Incheon, a large group had gathered on its slopes.
Among them was Yoo Baek-jun.
‘Seeing everyone gathered like this is quite a sight.’
He scanned the assembled forces.
The Crimson Crusaders, clad in heavy armor; the Peng Family warriors in simple martial attire, carrying massive blades on their backs; the mages of the Magic Tower; and the swordsmen of the Sword Saint Family.
Four factions united in one place.
“Young master, we’ve gathered all the supplies sent by the guilds. Would you like to inspect them?”
“Hmm, Instructor Han Seong-ah. Yes, I should.”
Yoo Baek-jun checked the items.
Most were potions and scrolls—all of high quality.
There was also equipment.
“The gear matches the number of people, right?”
“Yes, we’ll distribute them shortly.”
Weapons and armor were included.
Ryu Il-woo, feeling bad about just accepting them, had offered to purify everything with divine energy—and during that process, Vulcanus had apparently decided to throw in armor as well.
“Jeong Seung-hoon must be furious.”
“Yes… Um, young master. About the consumables—there are some unusual ones here.”
Han Seong-ah showed him the items.
Potions to cure various status effects, special sedatives, lockpicks, sleep and silence magic scrolls, stealth items, and even traps.
The former was understandable, but the latter was suspicious.
“…Young master, are you planning something strange?”
“Instructor Han Seong-ah, what’s with that look? Huh? Why are you eyeing me with suspicion?”
“No, I trust you, young master.”
“That’s not the look of trust right now.”
Yoo Baek-jun sighed deeply.
“Distribute all the status recovery potions. Give me the last three items. I have a use for them.”
“Yes… I’ll be watching you, young master.”
“Tch, fine. Ah, give this to me.”
Yoo Baek-jun returned to his spot.
Their current location was a border area right at the edge of the Red Gate’s radius.
Ahead lay trees and grass, blackened as if rotten, waiting ominously.
“The radius has expanded.”
Ryu Il-woo approached him.
Thud, thud!
Clad in massive armor, he moved like a tank.
“What’s the state of the Gate?”
“It seems redder than before. I suspect this week is the limit.”
“Leaving it unchecked would be troublesome.”
Yoo Baek-jun nodded.
“Let’s resolve it before then. Ah, here.”
He handed Ryu Il-woo a pouch.
“What’s this? Hmm, scrolls? Mass status recovery… and immunity boosters?”
“Yes. Use them when the time comes.”
“Hmm, understood.”
Ryu Il-woo pocketed the pouch.
“By the way, Jin Seo-yeon and Peng So-young didn’t come. They sent others instead.”
“Jin Seo-yeon is busy, and Peng So-young… well, it’s risky to send her here.”
“True.”
She was, after all, the Peng Family’s heir.
Since she wasn’t exceptionally strong, sending her into an unknown Gate would’ve been unwise.
Yoo Baek-jun greeted the leaders of the Peng Family and the Magic Tower.
“I’m Peng Do-hyeok!”
“I’m Serberia. My full name is longer, but just call me this.”
“…I’m Yoon Song-ha from the Golden Lion Guild.”
One was a burly man with a buzz cut, the other a glamorous blonde woman.
And lastly, Yoon Song-ha.
Yoo Baek-jun gave them a slight nod.
“There will be frenzied beasts along the way. Test your new equipment and use them appropriately.”
Everyone nodded. Then, Peng Do-hyeok suddenly spoke up.
“But is this number of people enough?”
“We have about 50, right? Too few?”
“For an unknown Gate, this feels insufficient! Shouldn’t we have up to 100?”
“It’s manageable. I understand your concern.”
Yoo Baek-jun glanced at the group.
About 30 knights and swordsmen, 20 mages and priests—around 50 in total.
For four factions combined, the number was indeed small.
“But this is the best we can do.”
“The best?”
“We’ve stationed a backup team in case of failure. If things go wrong, they’ll step in.”
“Understood. We’ll give it our all!”
Yoo Baek-jun said no more.
Shortly after, the raid team finished preparations and began advancing toward the Gate.
“Left flank, beasts attacking!”
“Wait for them to charge! Defend and counter immediately!”
Beasts attacked along the way.
At first, they seemed ordinary, but upon engagement, it was clear they weren’t.
“A damn fox is this strong?!”
The beasts were stronger than expected.
Corrupted by demonic energy and further enhanced, they were formidable.
Still, they weren’t overwhelmingly powerful, making them perfect for testing the new equipment.
‘Divine energy is the natural counter to demonic energy.’
Weapons imbued with divine energy visibly pained the beasts.
The Crimson Crusaders themselves were a natural counter to demonic beings.
Yet, in the game, they failed to conquer the Gate. Why?
‘The reason is…’
The raid team reached the Gate.
An ominous red Gate. The air grew thick, making it hard to breathe.
“The air feels heavy, doesn’t it?”
“I thought it was just me. It’s hard to breathe…”
Yoo Baek-jun looked up.
“This isn’t Seoul’s fine dust.”
A black mist floated ominously.
Ryu Il-woo remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings.
Yoo Baek-jun spoke to him.
“Can you use divine energy? To brighten the area?”
“Hmm, it shouldn’t be too hard.”
Ryu Il-woo focused briefly.
Fwoosh!
A sacred light erupted from him, pushing back the darkness.
“Oh, breathing is easier now.”
“Thank you, Ryu Il-woo!”
Peng Do-hyeok bowed. Ryu Il-woo nodded slightly and stood before the Gate.
“This feels wrong. The demonic energy here is leaking from the Gate.”
“Yes, I feel it too.”
Serberia agreed.
The demonic energy radiating from the Gate was anything but ordinary. Its malevolence was palpable.
She gulped.
“With this much energy, the monsters beyond won’t be normal.”
“Hmm, I wonder what kind of quest awaits…”
“Whatever it is, we’ll face it head-on!”
Peng Do-hyeok laughed heartily.
Typical of the Peng Family—unabashedly bold nature.
Sometimes, it bordered on foolishness, but still.
“Let’s go in.”
Yoo Baek-jun stepped into the Gate first.
His body vanished as if sucked in. The others followed cautiously.
Whoosh!
Everyone entered, tense.
Expecting unknown monsters to emerge the moment they crossed.
