SFRW-Chapter 65

Ch. 65 Sword God From The Ruined World

The place Gloria and I arrived at was a hotel in Las Vegas.  

“Is this where the Gold Market is being held?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s question, Gloria nodded.  

“Yes. For the next three days, this entire hotel will be the Gold Market.”  

It was supposed to be held annually on December 1st, but due to the Monster Wave in the U.S., the schedule had been unavoidably delayed.  

Even then, the Gold Market could only proceed because the Monster Wave had ended without major damage and the rift zones had been closed.  

Security around the hotel hosting the Gold Market was extremely tight.  

Heroes stood guard densely around the perimeter, and surveillance was airtight—from CCTV to drone cameras—leaving no room for even a mouse to slip through.  

After parking the car and stepping out, individuals who appeared to be Heroes took the vehicle keys.  

“Please present your ID and entry permit.”  

From the hotel entrance, they thoroughly checked whether attendees had the credentials to participate in the Gold Market.  

‘Even if someone is famous, they can’t just enter freely, huh?’  

Though surprised they recognized his face, Seo Do-jun obediently handed over his ID and entry permit as requested by the security personnel.  

Well, if fame alone granted easy access, discipline and order would collapse, and the Gold Market’s prestige would cheapen as a result.  

Even if the process was a bit cumbersome and strict, it was a necessary measure.  

Gloria, standing beside him, also presented her ID and permit without complaint.  

“Hero Seo Do-jun, welcome.”  

Upon confirming that Seo Do-jun possessed a Gold Market VIP membership, the security officer bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle in greeting.  

Even after entering the hotel, there was nothing particularly special to see—just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill hotel.  

However, after verifying Seo Do-jun and Gloria’s memberships at the front desk, they were immediately given a key to a room on the 15th floor, the highest level of the hotel.  

“You may freely use room service and all hotel facilities.”  

A privilege reserved only for Gold Market VIP members.  

“When does the auction start?”  

Uninterested in amenities, Seo Do-jun cut straight to the point.  

“The auction has already begun. You can place bids through the tablet provided in your room. Check the items, bid within the allotted time, and the highest bidder wins.”  

Hearing that it had already started, Seo Do-jun saw through the true nature of the Gold Market.  

“So it’s a social gathering.”  

Gloria didn’t deny his remark, nodding instead.  

The Gold Market—the world’s most exclusive private auction.  

But beneath the surface, it was also a means to draw Heroes to the U.S.  

Of course, its role as the sole channel for obtaining rare items couldn’t be ignored either.  

Additionally, since it provided a legal way for the U.S. government to launder money, the Gold Market’s popularity only grew year after year.  

Seo Do-jun didn’t care about its true nature or the U.S. government’s ulterior motives.  

What mattered was whether he could acquire what he needed here.  

‘This method actually works better for me.’  

A real-time auction within a set timeframe would’ve been exhausting.  

This system was far more convenient.  

‘Money isn’t an issue, so there’s no need to overthink it.’  

With 1.24 billion dollars at his disposal, he wasn’t going to lose any bidding wars.  

Upon reaching the 15th floor, Seo Do-jun agreed to meet Gloria later and entered his room.  

Though excessively spacious for a three-day solo stay, having already experienced the best luxury suites provided by the U.S. government, he felt no particular awe.  

Seo Do-jun immediately picked up the tablet Gloria had mentioned.  

His purpose here was to check the auction items he needed.  

There were over a thousand items up for bid.  

Rare, high-grade magic stones, Hero stones, monster byproducts, and various materials only found in rift zones and gates—each available in quantities ranging from single digits to dozens or even hundreds.  

Seo Do-jun began scanning through the monster byproducts first.  

Given the sheer variety, it would take time, but with three days ahead, that wasn’t a concern.  

***

“Find anything good?”  

At Gloria’s question, Seo Do-jun responded with a meaningful smile as he sipped champagne.  

“I did find something worthwhile, thankfully.”  

And not just anything—something far more valuable than expected.  

“Gloria!”  

Someone called out to her, waving their arms enthusiastically.  

Their face lit up with excitement—until they noticed Seo Do-jun standing beside her, at which point their expression soured.  

The man strode over, alternating his gaze between Gloria and Seo Do-jun.  

“Hmm… Gloria, don’t tell me—”  

At his cryptic words, Gloria shook her head vigorously without even responding.  

“Seo Do-jun? No, Kassal? What should I call you?”  

Seo Do-jun silently observed the man.  

Similar height, a well-built physique from training, soft features paired with the sharp jawline and deep, intense eyes characteristic of Westerners.  

He could’ve passed for a movie star without anyone batting an eye.  

Seo Do-jun already knew who he was.  

Until the recent Monster Wave incident in the U.S., this man had been the highest-rated Hero—the S-rank Hero leading America’s pride, the Magician Guild: Cain Lester.  

“Whatever you prefer.”  

Since Cain spoke casually, Seo Do-jun matched his tone.  

Even in the ruined world, formalities had never mattered much to him.  

Mockery and respect weren’t tied to speech levels—one could insult with honorifics or show respect with informal speech.  

In Seo Do-jun’s eyes, Cain’s casual tone leaned toward the latter.  

“South Korean names are a mouthful, so I’ll just call you Kassal. Cain Lester—in case you didn’t know.”  

Seo Do-jun shook the hand Cain offered.  

“Thanks for playing such a big role in saving the U.S. this time. Whatever others say, from what I saw, we wouldn’t have stopped that Monster Wave without you.”  

Seo Do-jun brushed off Cain’s heartfelt words, replying that it wasn’t like he’d worked for free.  

“Worked for free? Pfft—HAHAHA!”  

Cain burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.  

Seo Do-jun glanced at Gloria, who frowned as if this wasn’t the first time she’d seen this.  

“Right, right. Someone as incredible as you deserves proper compensation.”  

Cain’s sudden shift to seriousness reminded Seo Do-jun of an old comrade.  

‘So there’s someone like Rosello here too?’  

The fleeting thought brought a momentary wistfulness to his expression before it vanished.  

“So what’s your relationship with Gloria?”  

This question carried a bit of an edge.  

“Cain, I’ve told you before—stay out of my business.”  

Gloria’s voice was equally sharp, but Cain ignored her, waiting for Seo Do-jun’s answer.  

“Hmm… What do you think our relationship is?”  

They weren’t quite friends yet, nor were they just fellow Heroes, since they’d never hunted monsters together.  

Even Gloria, who’d been ready to snap at Cain again, turned to Seo Do-jun curiously.  

How did he see her?  

After a pause, Seo Do-jun continued.  

“For now, I’d say we’re just a man and woman who know each other.”  

Just a man and woman who know each other.  

At those words, the expressions on both Gloria and Cain’s faces twisted in different, amusing ways.  

***

As Seo Do-jun had defined it—the Gold Market’s hidden function as a social gathering—he ended up exchanging greetings with countless people.  

In the ruined world, Seo Do-jun had been from a Marquis family, near the pinnacle of the class hierarchy.  

Rank-wise, Marquises were third, below the imperial family and dukes.  

However, since the imperial and ducal families were symbiotic, their power and prestige fluctuated with each regime change.  

In contrast, the Vandean Marquis remained unshaken regardless of who sat on the throne.  

Their loyalty was to the empire itself, not any individual ruler, and they wielded their swords solely for the empire’s safety.  

Of course, this was only possible because they possessed the strength to withstand immense external pressure.  

Coming from such a background, Seo Do-jun was adept at social gatherings.  

Before the war against monsters, his life had revolved around wielding his sword, mingling with nobles at banquets, conversing, and dancing with noble ladies.  

But being skilled in social settings didn’t mean Seo Do-jun was warm.  

His tone and expressions could come off as cold or blunt depending on the person.  

Yet few criticized or viewed him negatively for it.  

As the undisputed world’s strongest Hero, his demeanor was seen as fitting—something to be understood and accepted.  

Naturally, many Heroes clamored to engage with him, and Seo Do-jun humored them while carving out moments of solitude.  

While dodging the clingy gaze of a French female Hero, Seo Do-jun overheard an interesting conversation.  

“Did you see that weird item in the auction?”  

The speaker was a Hero whose name Seo Do-jun couldn’t recall, but he’d mentioned being Spanish.  

The small group of Heroes turned to him.  

“You didn’t see it? That… Letonia flower? The one with seven petals, each a different color? Looked almost mystical.”  

“Oh! That iridescent flower? I saw it too! But what’s it even for?”  

“Just ornamental, maybe?”  

“The starting bid was 10 million dollars. What lunatic would pay that much for a flower?”  

“I checked earlier—someone already placed a bid.”  

“Seriously?”  

The Heroes clicked their tongues in disbelief, shaking their heads.  

Sure, the flower was mesmerizing, but it was just a flower—a perishable cut one at that.  

Spending 10 million dollars on it?  

Even for wealthy Heroes, that was insane. They assumed the seller had listed it as a joke.  

From a slight distance, Seo Do-jun smirked.  

‘To think I’d see a Letonia flower here.’  

When he’d spotted it in the auction listings—dismissed as mere decoration—he hadn’t hesitated to bid.  

Even in the ruined world, the Letonia flower had been exceptionally rare.  

The Letonia flower, with its seven petals, each imbued with a different magic attribute: the four classical elements (water, fire, wind, earth), lightning, light, and darkness.  

Its use was simple: place a petal in your mouth, channel magic, and for that moment, your magic would take on the petal’s attribute.  

A one-time effect per petal, but it’s situational value was immeasurable.  

Far more useful for mages than a swordsman like Seo Do-jun, but who here would recognize its worth?  

Assuming it would just rot as decoration, Seo Do-jun bid on it without a second thought.  

He’d also placed bids on several other items whose true purposes were lost on this world’s Heroes.  

“Lea has been looking for you.”  

Cain approached, chuckling.  

Lea was the French A-rank Hero who’d been eyeing Seo Do-jun with blatant interest.  

A rising business magnate with deep political ties, she was an influential figure in both sectors.  

“Be careful. Lea rarely lets go of a man once she’s set her sights on him. Pfft!”  

Having warmed up to Seo Do-jun in just a day, Cain spoke like an old friend.  

His easygoing nature made it hard for Seo Do-jun to dislike him.  

“Oh, by the way—heard some interesting news.”  

When Seo Do-jun showed little interest, Cain pressed on.  

“Kassal, it’s about someone very close to you. Aren’t you curious?”  

That piqued Seo Do-jun’s attention.  

Cain grinned mischievously.  

“Kang Young-pyo. The one who disappeared in Brazil? They say he’s resurfaced in Seoul.”  

Kang Young-pyo, whose whereabouts had been unknown, had reappeared.