SFRW-Chapter 72

Ch. 72 Sword God From The Ruined World  

“Magic?”  

Seo Do-jun looked at Hyun Joo-yeon with a puzzled expression at her sudden remark.  

“I know everything.”  

“Know what?”  

“Your secret.”  

“My secret?”  

Getting impatient with her roundabout way of speaking, Seo Do-jun told her to just say it directly.  

“That game you’ve been playing with Eun-young lately. It’s actually about sensing magic, isn’t it?”  

When she mentioned Eun-young’s name, Seo Do-jun responded indifferently as if it was nothing special.  

“It’s just meditation to keep the body and mind healthy.”  

“Just simple meditation? I’ve never heard of anyone feeling ticklish in their stomach every time they meditate. Be honest. You… can manipulate magic, can’t you?”  

Seo Do-jun silently observed Hyun Joo-yeon as she asked with certainty.  

Not making Eun-young swear to secrecy might have been his mistake, but he didn’t think it was that big a deal even if others knew a little.  

Moreover, he believed Heroes should at least be able to handle basic magic manipulation, so he thought there’d be no harm in telling her.  

“Then let’s consider this our date.”  

“Date?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon, who had been looking at Seo Do-jun as if asking what he meant, suddenly remembered their promise.  

“That… that’s a separate matter!”  

“More important than just going on one date?”  

“…Tch!”  

As Hyun Joo-yeon’s face filled with dissatisfaction, Seo Do-jun chuckled and began speaking.  

“How much do you think current Heroes are properly utilizing magic?”  

“Well…”  

Hyun Joo-yeon explained how Heroes channel magic into their swords to unleash sword energy, those with awakened magic abilities use spells, and others reinforce their bodies with magic, detailing why Heroes are inherently strong and able to hunt monsters.  

Instead of responding, Seo Do-jun extended his palm forward.  

As if showing was better than telling a hundred times.  

Magic formed into a sphere above his palm.  

“That much…”  

Any A-rank Hero with good senses could do that much. Sword energy projected through blades worked on the same principle.  

Then, as if asking ‘how about this?’, Seo Do-jun shaped the magic into a dagger form.  

“…Huh?”  

Form manipulation.  

This was something even Hyun Joo-yeon had never seen before.  

“Is it a magic ability?”  

Since Seo Do-jun’s magic was red and emitted intense heat, she suspected he might have magical powers.  

“Not at all.”  

Unfortunately, Seo Do-jun couldn’t use magic.  

The Vandean Marquisate had specialized in swordsmanship for generations, neither learning nor permitting magic.  

Most importantly, having reached the pinnacle of the continent with just a sword, he’d never needed to learn magic.  

Seo Do-jun’s magic had only changed after absorbing the Eternal Ember, and it transformed according to his will.  

“…W-what is this…?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon watched as Seo Do-jun’s magic shifted from red to deep blue, its heat intensifying, then to pale white as the scorching heat completely vanished.  

But the real surprises were just beginning.  

Seo Do-jun gradually increased the magic’s size, shaping it into a longsword, then an axe, a spear, and various other forms.  

To clearly demonstrate how differently he could manipulate magic compared to Heroes with magic abilities, Seo Do-jun showcased multiple techniques.  

“H-how is this possible?”  

“It’s only natural you should be able to.”  

“That’s… unbelievable.”  

No Hero in ten years had achieved this.  

That Seo Do-jun called it ‘natural’ could only seem absurd.  

“The truly important part isn’t this. You need to continuously accumulate magic within your body and use it as a foundation to unleash greater power.”  

This was true.  

What he’d just shown were mere parlor tricks – basic entertainments anyone could perform in the ruined world.  

As he said, the real importance lay in building up internal magic reserves to amplify one’s strength. Though Earth’s magic-deficient environment made this exceptionally difficult.  

Seo Do-jun knew this environment was why Heroes couldn’t properly utilize magic.  

But rift zones and Gates were different – places far richer in magic than Earth.  

With sufficient willpower, one could accumulate magic and grow stronger in these areas.  

As Seo Do-jun continued explaining, Hyun Joo-yeon’s mind grew increasingly tangled.  

This was knowledge no one else possessed, leaving her uncertain how much to believe.  

But one thing came through clearly:  

“So if I train in this ‘Magic Heart Method’, I can become like you?”  

“…The potential exists.”  

Though no one could predict how long it might take.  

“Can you… teach me?”  

More important than how Seo Do-jun learned it was whether he’d share his knowledge.  

“You want to learn?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon frowned at what seemed an unnecessary question.  

“Are you teasing me?”  

Seo Do-jun found her pouting expression oddly endearing.  

“Teaching you wouldn’t be difficult.”  

“Really?”  

Just like that?  

Would he really share this world-changing secret so easily?  

“But there’s a condition.”  

“A condition?”  

What could Seo Do-jun possibly want?  

He had more wealth than she could imagine, no lack of fame or recognition.  

And he wasn’t the type to demand anything unethical.  

“Don’t tell anyone until I say you can.”  

“…That’s all?”  

“You need something else?”  

His nonchalance left Hyun Joo-yeon more flustered than before.  

Could it really be that simple?  

“Ah! One more thing.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon looked at him with an ‘I knew it’ expression, ready to agree to almost any terms.  

“Keep looking after Eun-young and Grandma like you have been.”  

This was something she’d do regardless, so she assured him not to worry.  

“Shall we start now?”  

“Right now?”  

“Unless you want to quit.”  

“No! I’ll do it! Let’s start now!”  

Seeing her enthusiasm, Seo Do-jun clicked his tongue lightly.  

‘The greater the expectations, the bigger the disappointment.’  

Given the Magic Heart Method’s nature and Earth’s poor magic environment, dramatic short-term results were impossible. He could only hope she wouldn’t be too disappointed when progress proved slow.  

***

Seo Do-jun lay on the sofa browsing his phone when his eyes narrowed slightly at an article:  

[Exclusive] The Hero Couple of the Century?!  

It detailed Seo Do-jun and Hyun Joo-yeon’s relationship with surprising accuracy, focusing on facts rather than speculation. The main point was how Hyun Joo-yeon visited Seo Do-jun’s home as if it were her own.  

Their close relationship had drawn suspicion even before Seo Do-jun rose to fame, stemming from when Hyun Joo-yeon assisted him during his prosecutor investigation. Now her frequent visits made their connection undeniable.  

Most comments were positive – praising them as a good match, calling it a boon for South Korea’s Hero community, even urging marriage. Though some negative remarks criticized Seo Do-jun as a playboy, mostly stemming from jealousy over his association with Gloria and other beautiful Heroes.  

Interestingly, Hyun Joo-yeon received considerable criticism too.  

Ring-ring—  

Hyun Joo-yeon arrived right on cue.  

“Keep visiting like this and of course articles will appear.”  

Seo Do-jun tossed his phone to her. After scanning the article, she returned it nonchalantly.  

“Does it bother you?”  

“Why would I care about that?”  

“Me neither.”  

Since becoming a Hero, Hyun Joo-yeon has frequently been tabloid fodder – from dating rumors to all manner of speculative stories. Some days featured conflicting rumors about different men.  

These false reports meant many who didn’t know her personally disapproved of her association with Seo Do-jun. Ironically, most comments supported her, vehemently against Seo Do-jun marrying Gloria and moving to America.  

Having grown accustomed to such articles, Hyun Joo-yeon felt nothing – though she was curious about Seo Do-jun’s reaction.  

“Still, to avoid worrying Eun-young and Grandma, try not to visit unless necessary. You can practice the Magic Heart Method alone, right?”  

“I could, but… I’d still worry.”  

At her concerned reply, Seo Do-jun clicked his tongue.  

Her frequent visits, as the article described, were precisely for practicing the Magic Heart Method. Seo Do-jun had taught her the technique in detail, but fear of the unfamiliar made her reluctant to practice alone. Having Seo Do-jun nearby gave her confidence.  

Anticipating further objections, Hyun Joo-yeon quickly settled in a corner of the living room. Sitting cross-legged with closed eyes, she began the breathing exercises.  

The method Seo Do-jun taught was a secret technique from a famous count family in the ruined world. Unable to share the Vandean Marquisate’s method, he’d selected this from numerous techniques he knew.  

After ten days of practice, Hyun Joo-yeon was seeing better results than expected. The magic channels he’d secretly opened in Brazil and residual magic from Hero magic stones were systematically coalescing within her, granting unexpected power. In the ruined world’s magic-rich environment, the effects would have been far greater.  

Watching her diligent practice, Seo Do-jun swallowed his regret.  

They spent hours this way – Hyun Joo-yeon practicing while Seo Do-jun idled about. Only after an elaborate dinner did they finally leave the house.  

“Aren’t you going rift hunting?”  

“I will.”  

“When?”  

Her eyes sparkled eagerly.  

Seo Do-jun had told her Gates and rift zones were far better for magic practice. His recommendation alone made her desperate to enter one.  

“We’ll see.”  

The problem was Seo Do-jun’s leisurely pace contrasted sharply with her impatience.  

“Can’t you take me just once?”  

“What about Kang Young-pyo?”  

“Ah…”  

She muttered a quiet curse about ‘that bastard’ where Seo Do-jun couldn’t hear.  

“We’ll go soon enough.”  

“How?”  

“I’ve already laid bait to catch Kang Young-pyo.”  

“Bait?”  

Seo Do-jun only smiled cryptically in response, indicating she needed no further details.