SFRW-Chapter 22

Ch. 22 Sword God From The Ruined World

“…That’s how things have unfolded.”  

As Director Lee delivered his report, Hong Hee-ju’s expression twisted like a demon’s.  

“So, who helped Seo Do-jun?”  

“Hyun Joo-yeon.”  

“Hyun Joo-yeon? You don’t mean the Hyun Joo-yeon I’m thinking of, do you?”  

When Director Lee nodded, Hong Hee-ju couldn’t hide her shock, as if she couldn’t believe it.  

“What’s their relationship? No, how does Seo Do-jun even know Hyun Joo-yeon?”  

“That part isn’t clear. After digging deeper, we confirmed that before being handed over to the prosecution, he visited the fracture zone in Chuncheon with Hyun Joo-yeon.”  

Director Lee was well aware that Hyun Joo-yeon had also testified in Seo Do-jun’s favor during the Kang Cheol-woo incident, but he kept his mouth shut, knowing that bringing it up now would only fuel Hong Hee-ju’s anger.  

“Hyun Joo-yeon… What the hell is going on here?!”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s sudden appearance was nothing but an irritant to Hong Hee-ju.  

“And what’s this about Prosecutor Park Chul-yong saying he’s not a Hero? That Seo Do-jun awakened? Whose word am I supposed to believe here?”  

“Honestly, I’m just as confused. According to Prosecutor Park Chul-yong, they switched Hero measurement devices multiple times, but he wasn’t recognized as a Hero. However, it’s undeniable that Seo Do-jun has awakened. Perhaps… He has some ability that can fool the measurement devices. That’s all I can speculate.”  

“Has there ever been someone like that before?”  

Director Lee couldn’t answer that.  

Hong Hee-ju felt an urge to destroy anything within reach, as nothing was going her way, but she barely held back and spoke.  

“I was hoping to handle this quietly, but if Seo Do-jun won’t make it easy, then so be it. Contact Kang Young-pyo. Tell him we’ll give him what he wants and to get started.”  

“Understood.”

***

“A message came from Hong Hee-ju. She said she’ll give us what we want and to begin.”  

“After trying to cut corners to save 30 billion and failing, she suddenly remembers how desperately she needs me, huh?”  

Kang Young-pyo waved his hand dismissively, as if telling them not to joke around.  

“Tell her to double the amount.”  

“Excuse me? But isn’t that a bit excessive?”  

“Hong Hee-ju isn’t in a position to negotiate right now. And of all people, Hyun Joo-yeon got involved. Considering that, honestly, even 60 billion is cheap from my perspective. And do you even know how much money that woman stands to make? If she balks at 60 billion, she doesn’t deserve all that wealth anyway.”  

Given that this job might involve facing an S-rank Hero, Kang Young-pyo felt fully justified in demanding 60 billion.  

“If she agrees to pay, will you take the job?”  

“What’s stopping me?”  

“But isn’t Hyun Joo-yeon a bit dangerous?”  

“You know not all S-ranks are the same, right? Especially Hyun Joo-yeon? Aside from being Korea’s fourth S-rank, what else does she have? Just because she’s the fourth S-rank doesn’t mean her abilities rank fourth. If she fought me right now, I guarantee it’d be over in under 20 minutes.”  

Kang Young-pyo oozed confidence.  

“That aside, what’s the Association saying?”  

“They said the maximum offer from the U.K. is set, so they can’t raise the amount further.”  

“Those Association bastards are nothing but cheap scumbags. They’re dead set on exploiting top-tier talent for peanuts.”  

“Are you not going?”  

“Like I have a choice.”  

When his subordinate couldn’t respond, Kang Young-pyo laughed, as if he’d expected as much.  

“After all the global PR they’ve done, if I refuse over money, what do you think happens to me? I’d be branded a complete disgrace. That’s exactly what those Association rats want. They’re born with the talent to turn people into puppets.”  

“Image is everything.”  

“Yeah, exactly. The image of an S-rank Hero. An object of envy, someone who commands awe just by being seen. But if I get labeled a money-grubber here, what happens? I’m screwed. Inside and out, I’d become prime fodder for endless ridicule.”  

Kang Young-pyo chuckled darkly as he spoke.  

“What’s the McCathians’ weakness?”  

“Nothing definitive has been found yet.”  

“That’s why the Brits are whining and begging for Heroes. Thousands of those things, each tough enough to give A-ranks trouble, popped up. They said three days, right?”  

“Yes. In three days, our Heroes, along with Japan’s, are scheduled to depart for the U.K.”  

“Japan? I was meaning to meet Takashi anyway. Perfect. Tell them I’ll start on Seo Do-jun after the U.K. job. And one more thing—not a single penny less. Make that clear.”  

“Understood.”

***

“Next, we bring you updates on the monster wave situation in the U.K.. The footage you’re seeing now is from Cambridge, approximately 65 kilometers from Long Sutton, Shropshire, where the first monster wave emerged. As you can see, the devastation is horrific. The U.K. is throwing everything it has to halt the monsters’ southward advance, but with the defensive line collapsing hours ago, stopping them has become nearly impossible. The European Hero Association has already dispatched 2,000 Heroes, with another 3,000 en route, but the new monsters are proving formidable. Despite this, the U.K. and European Hero Association vow to fight desperately to prevent further southward movement. They have no choice—just 60 kilometers straight ahead from the current battleground lies London. The U.K.’s capital, home to 18 million post-Fracture, is the nation’s safest zone…”  

The news anchor’s voice was thick with urgency.  

The monster wave in the U.K. was that dire.  

With London, the capital, at risk of being overrun, the gravity of the situation was undeniable.  

“Brother, are all those people dead?” Eun-young asked, staring at the ruins of Cambridge on the news.  

“Everyone was evacuated in time. They’re fine.”  

As Seo Do-jun said, the U.K. had acted swiftly, minimizing casualties despite massive property damage.  

The real problem was London.  

Opinions were divided on whether to evacuate its citizens or not.  

Given London’s vastly larger population compared to Cambridge, mass evacuation was logistically daunting.  

Even if attempted, where would they go? Temporary shelters were another unsolved issue. The U.k. Hero Association was preparing for a last stand, resolved to defend London at all costs.  

Though the U.k. and neighboring European nations were sending as many Heroes as possible, stopping the McCathians was no easy task.  

Globally, Heroes were volunteering—or being volunteered—to aid the U.k..  

The South Korean Hero Association had hastily assembled 200 Heroes, including three S-ranks.  

“Is it really true that red flower ant venom can stop the McCathians?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon called Seo Do-jun just before her departure, seeking confirmation.  

The McCathians were undeniably powerful monsters.  

But they were also infamous for one critical weakness.  

In the ruined world, Seo Do-jun had witnessed an entire kingdom wiped out by them.  

Their brute strength and aggression had turned human settlements to rubble, but once their vulnerability to red flower ant venom was discovered, they became mere pests.  

“All eyes are on whether the Heroes gathered from around the world can protect London—and by extension, the entire U.k.. We pray for the U.k.’s safety and the safe return of Korea’s Heroes.”  

Moved by the anchor’s heartfelt plea, Eun-young clasped her hands together.  

“Please protect the U.k.. And let our Heroes come home safely.”  

At the child’s innocent prayer, Seo Do-jun unconsciously patted her head gently.  

***

“As you can see, even A-rank Heroes struggled against the McCathians, but now, exposed to rainwater sprayed from above, they’re seizing up, their bodies paralyzed. Their once-impenetrable hides now crumble at the slightest impact, and their famed agility is gone—reduced to helpless scarecrows, cut down effortlessly by Heroes. Though 4,000 Heroes rallied to save the U.k., the McCathians’ onslaught brought them within 10 kilometers of London, pushing the situation to the brink. But the tide turned when Hyun Joo-yeon of Korea revealed their fatal weakness: red flower ant venom…”  

Hyun Joo-yeon had become a literal Hero.  

No, a savior who pulled the U.k. from the jaws of despair.  

“U.k. public sentiment already calls for Hyun Joo-yeon to be knighted. The royal family and parliamentary honors committee are reportedly leaning toward awarding her the GBE, a first for a South Korean. The only South Korean to receive even the second-highest KBE was former Prime Minister Kang…”  

Knighthood for Hyun Joo-yeon was now on the table.  

And not just any honor—the highest grade was being considered.  

Yet no one saw it as excessive.  

Without her, London would’ve been trampled, with astronomical losses. No U.k. citizen would oppose rewarding her.  

The red flower ant venom strategy ended in resounding success.  

Had it been known sooner, the U.k. might’ve avoided even a single pound or life lost. The public’s frustration was palpable.  

Once the crisis passed, the royal family and major media scrambled to court Hyun Joo-yeon.  

Given her unmatched contributions, it was only natural.  

The U.k. government, while focused on recovery, also pushed to highlight her role.  

South Korean media, too, gave extensive coverage to her appearances.  

“Hyun Joo-yeon is insane, right? Looks, skills, personality—she’s got it all. She’s South Korea’s top Hero now, right?”  

“Skill-wise, she’s technically the lowest among S-ranks, but after this, her global image is unmatched. But how long will that last? Heroes live and die by strength. Unless she improves, she’ll just be a figurehead.”  

“True. If only she’d climbed the ranks as fast as she became S-rank. What a waste. She’s the real deal.”  

“Look at that bastard Kang Young-pyo, clinging to her for screen time.”  

“If only Hyun Joo-yeon were as strong as Kang Young-pyo. That guy’s a scumbag, but he’s top three in South Korea.”  

“Seriously. Why hasn’t he returned yet? Just trailing after her.”  

“She’s global news now. He’s milking it for fame. That guy’s a schemer, I’ll give him that.”  

“Only his skills make that tolerable. He took down the most McCathians among Asian Heroes. Gotta respect that.”  

On a famous U.k. talk show, Hyun Joo-yeon sat poised while Kang Young-pyo butchered English for his moment in the spotlight.  

Seo Do-jun watched Kang Young-pyo’s face on the screen and thought,  

That filthy glare… He won’t let Kang Cheol-woo’s matter rest quietly.