SFRW-Chapter 33

Ch. 33 Sword God From The Ruined World 

“Here.”  

Seo Do-jun looked at Choi Kang-soo, who had suddenly come to see him and was holding out a long, steel case.  

“What is it?”  

“Father told me to give it to you.”  

Even Choi Kang-soo’s voice, filled with dissatisfaction, carried a strong curiosity about what was inside the steel case.  

Seo Do-jun decided to check first.  

Inside the tightly sealed steel case was a single sword.  

“What the hell?!”  

Choi Kang-soo, who had seen the sword, let out a curse.  

“Wow… I… I can’t believe this! How is this even possible? Wow… He’s lost it! Completely lost it!”  

Choi Kang-soo, seemingly unable to contain his rising anger—whether out of disbelief or frustration—huffed and puffed before pulling out his phone.  

“Father! Have you lost your mind?!”  

He immediately called his father, Choi Cheol-gwan, and started yelling, asking if he’d gone senile. Watching Choi Kang-soo’s immature behavior, Seo Do-jun clicked his tongue and picked up the sword from the steel case.  

The sword’s specifications were close to that of a bastard sword.  

It was about 130 centimeters in total length, weighed slightly over 2 kilograms, and had a blade width of no more than 3 centimeters.  

The hilt was perfectly sized for a one-handed grip, and the blade was forged to be extremely hard and sharp, ideal for both slashing and thrusting.  

Seo Do-jun knew swords better than anyone.  

From the time he could walk, he had played with wooden swords like toys. By the age of eight, he was wielding real blades, and he had lived his life swinging swords until his death. Just by holding it, he could tell the sword’s worth.  

Despite weighing over 2 kilograms, the sword in Seo Do-jun’s hand was so well-balanced that its weight felt almost negligible.  

If Choi Cheol-gwan had personally crafted this sword, his skill level might have to be reevaluated far higher than expected.  

In short:  

A sword forged with considerable effort.

And on top of that, it was an exceptionally well-made weapon.  

“Hey! Take it!”  

Choi Kang-soo, who had been arguing loudly with Choi Cheol-gwan over the phone, shoved the device toward Seo Do-jun.  

He was visibly irritated, his face flushed red with anger.  

“Hello?”  

[I’m glad that brat Choi Kang-soo delivered it without stealing it. I was worried he might’ve opened it beforehand.] 

The first thing out of his mouth was criticism of his own son.  

Seo Do-jun smirked slightly.  

“Is this a sword I can actually use?”  

Whether it was a gift or not, Seo Do-jun considered anything without practical value to him as useless.  

It was true that he currently didn’t have a usable sword, but he also didn’t want to carry around a blade that would shatter after a single swing.  

Even if it was useless to him, it could still be a valuable weapon for others.  

[I’ve always prided it as my life’s masterpiece… But you won’t be able to use it for long. Still, it should last you through Brazil.] 

Of course, Choi Cheol-gwan knew Seo Do-jun’s abilities better than anyone. He wouldn’t have gifted a sword that would break after a few uses.  

“Why would you give me something like this…?”  

[Thanks to you, I’ve learned new things. Consider this my repayment. Besides, you’re South Korea’s eighth S-rank Hero. You can’t go to another country to fight monsters without a proper weapon, can you? Think of it as a talent donation from a citizen.]

“Talent donation? Father! Be honest! You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you? How else could you just hand over a sword worth over 3 billion won as a talent donation? That’s it! I knew it! You’ve gone senile! Spending all day hammering metal in your workshop has fried your brain!”  

Choi Kang-soo, who had been eavesdropping, suddenly exploded in anger.  

“Can’t you shut up?”  

Choi Kang-soo flared up, but when Seo Do-jun clenched his fist, he hastily grabbed his own head and stumbled back.  

“An S-rank like you threatening a civilian with violence?!”  

Even after suffering from headaches for days due to two knock-raps, he still defiantly lashed out.  

Seo Do-jun wanted to knock him out cold, but since he had just received a gift from Choi Cheol-gwan, he decided to let it slide—this once.  

“I’ll use it carefully and return it later.”  

Since he wouldn’t be able to use it forever, returning it seemed like the right thing to do.  

“You’ll really give it back? No, no! Of course, you have to return it! Do you know how much that sword is worth? You can’t just accept such an expensive gift. It’s debt! And if this gets out, you’ll be in trouble too! You’ll be totally scre— Ahem! Anyway, it’s the first time you’ve said something I like! Hahaha!”  

Choi Kang-soo’s face lit up as if he had just crawled out of hell and back to life.  

[You don’t have to go that far, but if the sword becomes useless to you, then by all means, return it.]

Choi Cheol-gwan finished the call by telling Seo Do-jun to be careful in Brazil.  

When Seo Do-jun tossed the phone back, Choi Kang-soo reflexively cursed but barely managed to catch it.  

“Hey! Keep your promise! That sword is seriously expensive! He refused to sell it to anyone and kept it like a treasure, so don’t break it and return it properly! Can I trust you? You won’t go back on your word later, right?”  

“What, are you planning to sell it as soon as you get your hands on it?”  

“Of cour— Huh?! What kind of nonsense is that? Why would I sell it? What do you even take me for?!”  

Disgusted by Choi Kang-soo’s shameless lies, Seo Do-jun waved him off dismissively and turned his attention back to the sword.  

He had been worrying about whether he’d have to fight bare-handed in Brazil or if he’d need to buy a few disposable swords. The gift from Choi Cheol-gwan couldn’t have come at a better time.  

“Well, I’m off. And… Use it carefully. You have to return it, okay?”  

Choi Kang-soo repeated himself several times before finally leaving.  

***

The news that a South Korean Hero was heading to Brazil was officially reported by the media.  

Surprisingly, the lineup of Heroes voluntarily participating in this Brazil rift-closure operation was even more impressive than during the recent U.K. monster wave crisis, both in quality and quantity.  

There were as many as five S-rank Heroes alone.  

The fact that Jang Seong-ho, notoriously slow to act, had mobilized meant this Brazil operation was a big deal, right?  

Of course! Jang Seong-ho might not be good at much, but he has a nose for money like no other!  

He single-handedly carried P Group from fifth place to the undisputed top of the corporate ladder. When it comes to money-making, he’s the undisputed number one in Korea!  

According to translated Brazilian tabloids, all magic stones and monster byproducts obtained from this rift-closure operation will belong entirely to the Heroes, tax-free, and Brazil will buy them all!  

Wait, tabloids? If that’s true, every mid-to-high-grade magic stone they get means a clean 1 billion won straight into their accounts! This Brazil monster hunt is a goldmine!  

It’s not even a Gate, just a rift zone… How much are they planning to make from this? Heroes from all over the world are flocking there, not just South Korea… At this rate, Brazil might go bankrupt!  

No wonder the number of Heroes heading to Brazil is insane! Truly fitting for Money Heroes.  

Jang Seong-ho, Park Hae-yeol, and Kang Young-pyo are definitely going for the money. As for Hyun Joo-yeon, the Association likely sent her to Brazil to solidify the image she built in the U.K. And Seo Do-jun? What’s his deal? Is this his debut battle in Brazil?  

I heard he’s a Hero the Association has been grooming with great ambition. That’s why his face hasn’t been revealed yet. Rumor has it he’s planning a grand debut in Brazil!  

Talk about picking the perfect stage for a debut! I’m dying to know how strong Seo Do-jun really is!  

Why overthink it? If he’s S-rank, he’s S-rank.  

He’s only 23, so don’t expect too much. Maybe in ten years.  

Ten years? By then, all the other S-ranks would’ve climbed to SS-rank!  

Seo Do-jun, whom no one had high expectations for, was heading to Brazil three days ahead of the official schedule.  

“Is there a reason you’re in such a hurry?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon, sitting next to him, asked. Seo Do-jun answered immediately.  

“The early bird catches the worm.”  

“Who even says that these days? Nowadays, people say the early bird just ends up more tired. Haven’t you heard that?”  

She meant it as a joke, but when Seo Do-jun stared at her blankly, her face turned as red as a persimmon.  

Why did I say something so stupid?! You idiot!

Flustered under Seo Do-jun’s impassive gaze, she quickly changed the subject.  

“I’m genuinely curious—why did you specifically claim the rift zone near Santarém?”  

“To hunt Blue Crocos.”  

“Blue Crocos?”  

Seo Do-jun explained briefly.  

He needed a Blue Croco’s heart immediately, and obtaining one wasn’t easy.  

“…That’s it?”  

“Do I need another reason?”  

His reply left Hyun Joo-yeon shaking her head vigorously.  

She had wondered if Seo Do-jun had some personal feelings for her, but his answer was so disappointingly blunt that she felt a pang of self-loathing.  

Seo Do-jun, oblivious to her thoughts, asked why she was curious about his choice of the Santarém rift zone.  

“Don’t worry. The Brazilian Association approved it without question.”  

The Santarém rift zone was already infamous.  

Compared to other rift zones, it had a greater variety and number of monsters, all of which were strong.  

The environment was harsh, and the area was vast—once inside, it could take anywhere from 40 to over 60 days to get back out.  

The only consolation was the absence of a Boss Monster.  

But with multiple sub-boss-level monsters, it required extensive preparation for each hunt, making it too daunting for most Hero guilds.  

“Even better. Fewer distractions when hunting.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon didn’t argue with Seo Do-jun’s satisfied remark.  

She knew his capabilities better than anyone.  

If Seo Do-jun could single-handedly take down a Casserian, the Santarém rift zone was hardly a danger zone for him.  

Knowing this, Jung In-ju and the Silk Flower Guild, who would also be operating in Brazil, had agreed to let Seo Do-jun move freely.  

“Seo Do-jun.”  

He looked at her questioningly.  

“You know I’m three years older than you, right?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon considered her age a disadvantage.  

But since Seo Do-jun showed not even a hint of romantic interest, she couldn’t help but feel irritated.  

To be precise, it was a childish provocation born out of wounded pride.  

“So?”  

“Not ‘so’—you should show some respect to your elders. I’ve been addressing you politely, haven’t I? That’s basic courtesy.”  

She wanted him to treat her with the same respect.  

“You can drop the formalities too.”  

Seo Do-jun suggested they speak casually to each other.  

“Seo Do-jun, no matter how you look at it, that’s…”  

“Do you want things to stay awkward? Then keep the honorifics.”  

Left with the choice, Hyun Joo-yeon shut her mouth.  

Why am I at a loss for words here?!

More than Seo Do-jun’s attitude, she hated the fact that she didn’t want to keep things formal with him.  

By the end of the long flight to Brazil, she had grown accustomed to Seo Do-jun’s casual speech.  

Why am I like this?

Even as she questioned herself, his informal tone started to feel more and more familiar.