SFRW-Chapter 68

Ch. 68 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Brotherrrr!”  

Eun-young, who had been playing at the playground, immediately spread her arms and ran toward Seo Do-jun as soon as she spotted him.  

“Be careful not to fall.”  

Seo Do-jun watched her with worried eyes, concerned she might trip while running.  

Poof— Thud!  

Kneeling on one knee, Seo Do-jun warmly embraced Eun-young as she jumped into his arms.  

It had been a full month since they last saw each other.  

“Have you been well?”  

“Uh-huh!”  

Cuddled in Seo Do-jun’s arms, Eun-young chattered away like a little bird, sharing countless stories.  

Seo Do-jun listened quietly, a smile forming at the corners of his lips.  

As Seo Do-jun and Eun-young were engrossed in their warm reunion, a cute-looking girl hesitantly approached them.  

“Eun-young, aren’t you going to play with me?”  

“Ha-yoon! This is my brother! You know him, right?”  

Eun-young proudly introduced Seo Do-jun, and Ha-yoon shyly nodded while staring at his face.  

Seo Do-jun was someone easily recognizable from TV, and seeing him in person left Ha-yoon utterly amazed.  

“So you’re Ha-yoon? I’ve heard a lot about you from Eun-young.”  

“From Eun-young?”  

“She said you’re her best friend.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s words, Ha-yoon broke into a bright smile.  

“Ha-yoon, you should say Eun-young is your best friend too.”  

Ha-yoon’s mother gently prompted her giggling daughter.  

Seo Do-jun stood up and greeted Ha-yoon’s mother.  

“Thank you for looking after Eun-young in many ways.”  

Ha-yoon’s mother waved her hands dismissively.  

“Ha-yoon adores Eun-young, and Eun-young is such a well-behaved and kind girl that there’s hardly any need for me to look after her.”  

Even to Seo Do-jun, Ha-yoon’s mother seemed like a genuinely good person.  

Eun-young, still in Seo Do-jun’s arms, eventually gave in to Ha-yoon’s persistent pleas to play. After making Seo Do-jun promise not to go anywhere, she dashed off to the playground.  

“Eun-young is such a pure soul.”  

“Thank you for saying that.”  

Anyone who knew Seo Do-jun would be shocked by how politely he behaved toward Ha-yoon’s mother—like a well-mannered young man.  

“By the way, I heard you’re moving?”  

“Did Eun-young tell you?”  

“No, I saw it on TV.”  

Every move Seo Do-jun made had become national news.  

From purchasing a large plot of land in Guro District to the ongoing construction there—it was all public knowledge with just a glance at TV or the internet.  

“Ha-yoon will be really sad when Eun-young moves.”  

Though they hadn’t known each other for long, the two had become inseparable, making the impending separation difficult for both.  

“The move isn’t happening right away, and it’s not too far from here. You’re welcome to visit anytime.”  

“Really? Are you sure?”  

The mere idea of being acquainted with the world’s strongest Hero—let alone visiting his home—was an honor for Ha-yoon’s mother.  

“Of course. Come anytime.”  

“Then we’ll definitely attend your housewarming.”  

Before he knew it, Seo Do-jun had promised Ha-yoon’s mother a housewarming party.  

After saying goodbye to Ha-yoon and holding Seo Do-jun’s hand tightly on the way home, Eun-young found her grandmother (now discharged from the hospital) and Hyun Joo-yeon sitting together watching TV.  

“Seo Do-jun!”  

“I’m back.”  

“Yes, yes. You’ve worked hard, so hard.”  

Grandmother held Seo Do-jun’s hand, her eyes glistening with tears.  

No matter how much the world praised him as the strongest Hero, to her, Seo Do-jun was just her pitiful grandson who worked tirelessly to support her and young Eun-young.  

“How’s your back doing?”  

“Much better. But what about you? Are you hurt anywhere? Have you been eating well? Why do you look so thin?”  

Seeing her worry only deepened Seo Do-jun’s affection for her, even if they weren’t related by blood.  

“Enough talking—let’s eat.”  

“With your back still bothering you, we should just eat out.”  

“Nonsense! You’ve probably been eating out every day in America. You need a proper home-cooked meal. It won’t take long, so just relax.”  

Seo Do-jun couldn’t stop her as she headed to the kitchen, her back slightly hunched.  

“Grandma! I’ll help too!”  

Eun-young scurried after her, leaving Seo Do-jun and Hyun Joo-yeon alone in the spacious living room.  

Finally, Seo Do-jun expressed his gratitude to Joo-yeon.  

“Thank you.”  

“For what? Nothing special happened.”  

“What about Kang Young-pyo?”  

“Actually, not just the Hero Association but even Sister Jung In-ju is searching everywhere for him. And I don’t know if you’re aware, but Chairman Na Tae-hwang has placed Eun-young and your grandmother under tight security. Even someone like Kang Young-pyo wouldn’t dare show his face easily.”  

Seo Do-jun already knew this from his meeting with Na Tae-hwang.  

The Chairman was fully aware of why Kang Young-pyo had hired Takashi to assassinate Seo Do-jun and who Kang Young-pyo was connected to. That’s why he had deployed Heroes to protect Eun-young and the grandmother around the clock.  

True to his word, Seo Do-jun could sense numerous Heroes stationed around the apartment.  

“He must have met Hong Hee-ju by now.”  

“That’s what I think too. Hong Hee-ju is the only person Kang Young-pyo can rely on now. But given Hong Hee-ju’s own precarious situation, I doubt they can do much for each other.”  

One thing was certain: T Group had ousted Hong Hee-ju, and W Group was no different.  

“Anyway, I don’t think anything you need to worry about will happen.”  

“It better not.”  

But he couldn’t be sure.  

That’s why Seo Do-jun was determined to find and neutralize Kang Young-pyo as soon as possible—before he could harm Eun-young or his grandmother.  

“By the way… what’s this rumor about you and Gloria getting engaged?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s eyes trembled with unease, much like Chairman Na Tae-hwang’s during their meeting.  

***

“You’re here!”  

Choi Cheol-gwan beamed upon seeing Seo Do-jun, immediately extending his hand.  

“I always knew you weren’t an ordinary Hero, but… I never imagined you’d be the world’s strongest! Hahaha!”  

Learning that Seo Do-jun was the world’s top Hero had filled Choi Cheol-gwan with pride.  

“Of course! How could I not feel proud knowing the sword I made is wielded by the strongest? Thanks to you, I’ve been walking around with my chest puffed out lately! Hahaha!”  

Moreover, the sword he crafted for Seo Do-jun was the first in his career to bear his personal mark.  

“But why didn’t you use the sword in America?”  

Choi Cheol-gwan had secretly wished Seo Do-jun would wield his creation on the world stage.  

As if reading his mind, Seo Do-jun replied nonchalantly:  

“You don’t use a butcher’s knife to slaughter a chicken.”  

“What? Hahahaha! Right! Exactly!”  

In unusually high spirits, Choi Cheol-gwan burst into hearty laughter.  

“Ah! That request of yours is finished too!”  

Choi Cheol-gwan disappeared into his workshop, telling Seo Do-jun to wait briefly.  

While alone, Seo Do-jun took a seat.  

“Of course! Who do you think I am? Since when do I bluff? Seo Do-jun? He’s my regular! We’re like brothers! Obviously! Proof? What kind of petty… Huh? You little— Fine! I’ll send a damn photo! If you still talk nonsense after seeing it, I’ll rip your mouth apart!”  

Choi Kang-soo stormed in after ending a loud phone call—only to freeze like a statue upon locking eyes with Seo Do-jun.  

“You… why are you here…?”  

“Should I call you ‘Uncle,’ or should you call me ‘Uncle’? Since I have no intention of calling you ‘Uncle’… I guess I’m your Uncle now?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s question, Choi Kang-soo’s face turned beet red, as if about to explode.  

***

The clothes made for Eun-young using Belcera’s thread.  

While the design was unavoidable, the use of Tailapu’s sap allowed for ten times more elasticity, ensuring she could wear them as she grew.  

“If they ever feel too tight, bring them to me. I’ll adjust the size.”  

Stretchy fabric alone wasn’t enough—it couldn’t be skin-tight to the point of embarrassment.  

However, with a specialized frame and chemical treatment, the clothes could be resized.  

The downside was that once enlarged, they couldn’t easily be shrunk back. But since they were for Eun-young, it didn’t matter.  

Seo Do-jun thanked Choi Cheol-gwan for the careful packaging.  

“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”  

He pulled out two Soul Gems from his pocket.  

“What’s this?”  

Choi examined the dark blue gems. Though unremarkable at first glance, he knew better than to assume they were ordinary.  

“I’d like two pendants made with these.”  

“Pendants? No gem cutting?”  

“The gems can’t be cut.”  

“They can’t?”  

“They’re too hard. And there’s no need anyway.”  

Seo Do-jun had reinforced the Soul Gems with his magic to prevent damage.  

“If no cutting is needed, the work will be easier. Any specific design?”  

“You can decide.”  

“Well, I should at least know who’ll wear them to design accordingly.”  

Learning one was for Eun-young and the other for the grandmother, Choi nodded approvingly.  

“It won’t take long. Come back in three days.”  

Seo Do-jun handed over an envelope of cash despite Choi Cheol-gwan’s protests.  

“Don’t do this.”  

“It puts my mind at ease.”  

Choi Cheol-gwan knew exactly how much Seo Do-jun had earned—the media wouldn’t stop talking about his American earnings.  

With a sigh, he reluctantly accepted the envelope and carelessly tossed it onto his desk.  

“I do this because I enjoy it. Don’t keep doing this—your peace of mind shouldn’t come at my discomfort. I’ll take this as a one-time gesture.”  

At Choi Cheol-gwan’s sincerity, Seo Do-jun nodded in agreement.  

“Then I’ll return in three days.”  

As Seo Do-jun turned to leave, he glanced at Choi Kang-soo sulking in the corner.  

“Choi Kang-soo, aren’t you going to say goodbye to your Uncle?”  

“J-just go already!”  

Choi Cheol-gwan clicked his tongue at his son’s grumpy outburst.  

***

Three Days Later  

Seo Do-jun stood before a rift zone in Seosan, Chungcheong Province.  

After receiving word that the pendants were ready, he had rushed to Choi Cheol-gwan’s workshop early in the morning. Now, with both beautifully crafted pendants in hand, he came straight here.  

The Seosan rift zone had been empty for three days—thanks to Seo Do-jun’s request to Chairman Na Tae-hwang.  

Rated at Level 3, it was impossible for even an S-rank Hero to clear alone.  

But Seo Do-jun was the exception. The Hero Association’s threat levels meant nothing to him.  

As Seo Do-jun approached the entrance, three Association Heroes on guard duty swallowed hard and saluted.  

“Hero Seo Do-jun, it’s an honor to meet you!”  

After the American Monster Wave broadcast, Seo Do-jun had become a legend among Heroes.  

If foreign Heroes worshipped him, South Korean ones were even more fervent.  

Seo Do-jun handed over his Hero license.  

Fame aside, procedures were procedures.  

The guards stiffened further as they verified and returned it.  

“Ha-have a pleasant hunt!”  

Normally, they’d say ‘safe hunt,’ but ‘safe’ felt inappropriate for Seo Do-jun.  

“Sure.”  

With a faint smile, Seo Do-jun stepped into the rift.  

“Whew! I can’t believe we just saw Seo Do-jun in person!”  

“Did you see how casually he walked into a Level 3 rift alone? Unreal!”  

“To think such an incredible Hero represents South Korea…”  

The Heroes buzzed with excitement, already brainstorming ways to boast about this encounter.