I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 53.
An anomaly had occurred outside as well.
The raid team had been peacefully waiting in the garden when they witnessed the surrounding landscape undergo a violent transformation.
Darkness spewing from the castle scattered in all directions, forming a shroud that enveloped the city.
“Ugh, uwaaah!”
“Hahk, heuk…!”
The raid team groaned in agony.
Horrific nightmares seized them, gnawing at their minds.
Though they had consumed the potions Yoo Baek-jun provided, even that wasn’t enough to fully resist.
Had they not taken them, they would have succumbed long ago.
—Now’s our chance.
—Surround them. Devour them. These slaves will aid in our invasion of the other world.
—Speak your desires…….
Dream demons encircled them.
The Dream demons that had been lying in wait underground emerged to enslave the hunters.
The distance closed steadily. The Dream demons stretched out their hands with eerie smiles.
Swoosh!
—Kkhuaak?!
At that moment, a flash of light erupted.
Among the fallen raid team members, Han Seong-ah, who had also been kneeling, rose like lightning and swung her sword in a wide crescent arc.
—Wh-what? How?!
—A human resisted the nightmare?!
“No need for words!”
Han Seong-ah summoned dark magic.
Countless whip-like tendrils lashed out from her, binding the Dream demons.
Simultaneously, the other swordsmen, who had been feigning collapse, rose to their feet.
“Draw your swords!”
Swoosh!
—Kyaaaaah!
Innumerable sword strikes shot out in all directions.
The Dream demons surrounding the raid team were instantly sliced apart and collapsed.
The Dream demons behind them grew even more enraged at the sight.
—How dare mere humans!
—You are our prey……!
“Grrraaah! This much is nothing!”
“Hardships and trials only make us stronger!”
Then, some members of the raid team stood up.
Holy Knights clad head to toe in heavy armor. Their bloodshot eyes glared at the Dream demons.
They raised their weapons.
“You damned demons! Die!”
“God is with us!”
“We shall bathe in the blood of those monsters!”
A fierce light erupted.
The Holy knights charged forward like tanks, unleashing every skill they had.
Their momentum was enough to make the Dream demons falter.
—Wh-what are these lunatics?!
—Uwaaaah!
“……”
Watching the Dream demons being swept away by the frenzied Holy Knights almost evoked pity.
Han Seong-ah glanced behind her.
Unlike the Holy Knights, the priests were calmly curing the raid team’s status ailments.
“Have you regained your senses?”
“Yes, thanks to the Sword Saint family’s quick response, the enemies’ mental attacks have weakened. Thank you.”
“No need. It was only natural.”
The raid team quickly regained their composure.
First among them was Peng Do-hyeok. He gritted his teeth, furious at having been momentarily ensnared by the Dream demons.
“As a warrior of the Peng family, this shame is unbearable! The only way to atone is through absolute devotion!”
“Mr Peng Do-hyeok!”
“Ugh! Let’s go!”
The Peng family’s swordsmen charged.
True to their reputation for overwhelming sword techniques, they crushed the enemies with every skill they unleashed.
But the enemies were still numerous.
“What are those things behind the demons?”
A hunter who had regained his senses asked.
Behind the Dream demons, figures resembling humans, shrouded in dark energy, were approaching.
“According to the young master, they’re humans enslaved by the Dream demons.”
“Do we have to kill them?”
“Those whose bodies have mutated like the Dream demons must die. There’s no saving them. But if they still retain human form, we must spare them.”
It was tedious and difficult.
But not impossible.
The raid team quickly shook off the Dream demons’ influence and began forming ranks.
“Form ranks! Now!”
“Priests, heal the wounded first! The Peng family will buy time!”
“Don’t kill the civilians!”
The remaining Holy Knights and the Peng family stepped forward to protect their allies.
Behind them, mages and priests provided cover. The swordsmen bought time to form their ranks.
“Han Seong-ah! What should we do?”
“Simple.”
Han Seong-ah scanned the surroundings.
The castle was bright, but the city remained dark. And from that darkness, enemies were crawling forth.
Countless monsters and controlled humans.
“We hold this ground with our lives, ensuring the enemies don’t breach the castle. That’s all.”
“Easy for you to say!”
Peng Do-hyeok, who had just cut through the enemies, laughed bitterly.
“It’s not hard. Just hold out. The young master said he’d handle the rest.”
“You… believe that?”
“Yes.”
Peng Do-hyeok was left speechless.
Her answer held not a shred of doubt. She firmly believed Yoo Baek-jun would resolve everything.
And oddly enough, hearing that eased some of the anxiety gnawing at him.
“We eliminate every enemy that approaches.”
Boom!
Han Seong-ah stomped the ground with all her might.
The enemies surged forward. Han Seong-ah and the swordsmen kicked off the ground.
“Draw your swords!”
The battle began.
* * *
[Save the city of Corden.]
What sin has this poor city committed?
Let’s slay the demons that have seized the city and rescue as many innocent citizens as possible.
—Reward: Points.
—Reward increases based on the number of people saved.
Yoo Baek-jun read the quest before his eyes.
Combined with the achievement rewards, this gate could yield a massive haul.
‘The first strike was a success. I’ve preemptively removed the reinforcement patterns, and in that state, it’ll take time to recover, so they won’t be able to mount a major attack.’
Yoo Baek-jun surveyed his surroundings.
Dream demons from below had surrounded him. Beyond them, Barwe was absorbing humans indiscriminately to recover.
Still, there was no need to worry.
“Light!”
“Ah, damn it! Get lost!”
“E-everyone! Protect me first! You know I’m a mage, right?!”
Allies’ voices rang out from behind.
Ryu Il-woo, Yoon Song-ha, and Serberia.
A surge of divine power, a whirlwind of blades, and magic power spreading in all directions wiped out the Dream demons in an instant.
“Have you come to your senses now?”
“I’ve got nothing to say. Damn, this is my first time facing this kind of mental attack.”
“Same here…….”
“I’m ashamed, Yoo Baek-jun.”
Ryu Il-woo clicked his tongue and looked back.
“It’s fine. Han Seong-ah will hold the outside. We focus on Barwe.”
“That’s fine, but how do we handle that?”
Yoon Song-ha pointed ahead.
Barwe, recovering his strength in the distant rear. A massive horde of Dream demons blocked the path like a wall.
“Enemies keep coming. That Barwe won’t just let us approach.”
“Probably not.”
So, what to do? Yoo Baek-jun pondered briefly and quickly found the answer.
“Clear a path.”
“A path?”
“Yes, just close the distance. And it’d help if you drew their attention too.”
Yoo Baek-jun gripped his spear tightly.
“Hmm, so you want us to go wild? That’s my specialty. Leave it to me.”
“Leave it to me. Hammering their skulls will naturally draw their eyes.”
“Haaa…….”
Finally, a deep sigh from Serberia’s. Each responded differently.
But no one objected. Yoo Baek-jun crouched low as the three stepped forward.
Ryu Il-woo slammed his hammer into the ground, drawing the Dream demons’ attention.
—Humans approaching.
—Stop them! Don’t let them reach Lord Barwe!
The Dream demons tightened their defenses around Barwe.
“Serberia.”
“Understood.”
Serberia stepped forward as if she’d been waiting.
A white wave spread outward from her, and chains of light rose from the ground.
Clatter!
The chains bound the Dream demons and soldiers.
The sturdy chains immobilized them.
—You dare play these petty tricks?!
The Dream demons roared, twisting their bodies.
They were on the verge of shattering the chains. But the follow-up strike came first.
“Judgment!”
A massive magic circle formed on the ground.
Then, an angelic figure appeared on the castle’s ceiling and hurled a giant spear.
The spear split apart, countless beams of light sweeping across the enemies below.
—Kyaaaaah!
Ryu Il-woo charged forward, guarding Serberia. But the enemies were still numerous.
Moreover, Barwe, recovering his strength, noticed them and began to interfere.
—Humans… you’ve come to your graves.
Barwe stretched out his hand.
A black mist flowed from his palm, transforming into a multitude of blades.
The blades shot toward Ryu Il-woo in unison.
—Do you know what you’ve done?
Barwe swung his left arm wide.
A long blade flashed from his sleeve, slamming into the ground. Black explosions erupted in succession, engulfing the party.
—Do you know what you’ve ruined?
Barwe stomped the ground with all his might.
A massive black magic circle formed instantly, and countless orbs appeared above it.
Explosive orbs targeted the group.
—Know your sins!
A simultaneous onslaught.
Countless blades and orbs attacked from all directions, leaving no blind spots for Ryu Il-woo and the others.
As Ryu Il-woo hastily prepared to use a skill—
Swoosh!
A crimson flash split the air.
Not one, but countless sword strikes shot forth indiscriminately, slicing through the incoming attacks.
Yoon Song-ha.
“Ugh!”
At the same time, Serberia raised a barrier.
A violent explosion rocked the barrier. Their vision shook.
Ryu Il-woo and Yoon Song-ha charged toward the encircling Dream demons.
—Fools.
Barwe sneered at them.
The Dream demons were endless. And the humans they’d enslaved were limitless.
Though these humans were formidable, they were still just humans. Eventually, they’d reach their limit.
“Coward! Face me!”
—Idiots. Do you think you can close this distance?
They would fall before they even cut through the tide of Dream demons.
All he had to do was wait.
Yes, just wait….
‘Wait, one of them is missing.’
A chill ran down Barwe’s spine. One of the humans was missing.
The one who had dealt him a critical blow.
‘Why did I forget? Where is he?’
A bad feeling.
As Barwe searched for Yoo Baek-jun, he activated a skill.
Whoosh!
Thick darkness spewed from him.
The darkness spread like mist, shrouding the surroundings and concealing Barwe completely.
“Damn it, the light…!”
Even Ryu Il-woo’s divine power couldn’t pierce the overwhelming darkness.
Their vision was instantly obscured.
“Hey, light it up quickly!”
“Trying! Damn it, it’s too dark!”
“I can’t even see the boss monster like this. If this continues…!”
The three fought the swarming Dream demons in the dark. Their attention was fixated on Yoo Baek-jun, who had stealthily followed from behind.
The surroundings were pitch black.
“…….”
Yes, it was dark.
But the darker it was—
Rumble…!
—No!
The brighter the lightning shone.
Lightning crashed down from the sky. The castle’s ceiling collapsed, and lightning crashed into the earth.
Kwaaaaang!
The thunder shook the ground.
Simultaneously, the surroundings lit up brilliantly.
—Get rid of that light!
A panicked Barwe concentrated his magic to thicken the darkness.
But it was futile.
Light illuminated everything.
At its center stood Yoo Baek-jun. He kicked off the ground and soared into the air.
“What, surprised?”
Clad in lightning, his hand gripping a writhing bolt.
He pulled his right arm back.
“Thunder Dragon…!”
The lightning-wrapped spear transformed. Into the roaring form of a thunder dragon.
Yoo Baek-jun stomped down hard. The ground cratered, and lightning spread outward.
The lightning blocked Barwe’s attempts to interfere.
“…Release!”
And the thunder dragon shot forth.
Multiple shockwaves erupted as blood burst from Yoo Baek-jun’s right arm.
The thunder dragon, bathed in its master’s blood, skimmed the ground, incinerating everything in its path toward its target.
Barwe.
—Kkhuehk!
He hastily raised a barrier, but it was meaningless. The thunder dragon shattered it and surged forward.
And then—impact.
—Kyaaaaah!
The thunder dragon consumed Barwe whole.
The world flashed gold in an instant.
Countless lightning bolts scorched Barwe’s body, leaving searing marks.
Blue sparks scattered wildly.
—Ugh….ooooh……!
Barwe groaned in agony.
He looked down at himself.
Nearly half his body had melted into sludge.
His eardrums were ruptured—only white noise remained.
His blurred vision refused to clear.
—How… is this possible……?
A mere human.
A worthless human—how does he wield such power?
Barwe desperately raised his head.
His eyes met Yoo Baek-jun’s.
—You… who the hell are you……?
Barwe’s voice trembled as he asked. Yoo Baek-jun stood before him in an instant.
“Me?”
Yoo Baek-jun gripped his spear, poised to strike.
“A veteran.”
That was his answer.
