SFRW-Chapter 73

Ch. 73 Sword God From The Ruined World  

“How much longer do you plan to keep this up?”  

Hong Hee-ju glared at Kang Young-pyo with visible irritation.  

Over a month had passed since Kang Young-pyo first sought her out, and he remained holed up in the same hotel.  

Of course, sharing a room was out of the question, so Hong Hee-ju had arranged everything—fake identities to avoid suspicion and covering all expenses.  

But what was tolerable for a day or two became increasingly aggravating as time wore on. Having been cast out by both her in-laws and parents, Hong Hee-ju’s finances weren’t as flush as before. She desperately wanted Kang Young-pyo to either kill Seo Do-jun or get caught and executed—anything to end this ordeal.  

“You think I want this?”  

Kang Young-pyo had a long list of people to exact revenge upon. Hong Hee-ju, with her ugly scowling face, was among them, but Seo Do-jun remained his top priority.  

However, Kang Young-pyo had come to accept the harsh reality: he couldn’t defeat Seo Do-jun alone. The American Monster Wave broadcast had been the final nail in that coffin. Seo Do-jun was far stronger than Kang Young-pyo had anticipated—an opponent beyond his reach.  

So, he turned his attention to Seo Do-jun’s family.  

Damn you, Na Tae-hwang!  

The Hero Association had them under ironclad protection, with Hyun Joo-yeon and the Silk Flower Guild standing guard. Even this wasn’t easy.  

Thus, Kang Young-pyo chose a war of attrition.  

“They can’t protect them forever. Waiting for an opening is our best move now.”  

At his words, Hong Hee-ju gritted her teeth.  

“And when will that be?”  

“How should I know?”  

Kang Young-pyo chuckled, downing expensive liquor like water. Watching him, Hong Hee-ju felt like she was losing her mind. If only she’d never gotten involved with these people—regret gnawed at her endlessly.  

Just as she stood fuming, Kang Young-pyo’s phone rang.  

“Guild Master?”  

It was Gwak Jung-cheol, Kang Young-pyo’s right-hand man and vice-guild leader of Black Tiger.  

“What is it?”  

Once one of South Korea’s top guilds, Black Tiger had suffered devastating losses after Kang Young-pyo became a fugitive. With enemies seizing the opportunity to tear it apart, the guild was on the verge of collapse. Only Gwak Jung-cheol’s leadership kept it from dissolving entirely. Without him, Kang Young-pyo wouldn’t have even made it from Brazil to South Korea.  

“Takashi is arriving in Korea tomorrow morning.”  

“What?!”  

Kang Young-pyo’s eyes blazed at the name. Takashi was someone he wanted to tear limb from limb. In Brazil, had his dagger sunk just a few centimeters deeper, Takashi would have died on the spot. Instead, the bastard survived with only a neck wound.  

“That dog… Hah! Hah! Why is he coming?”  

Kang Young-pyo forced himself to calm down through measured breaths.  

“Well… he’s acquiring Taesan Industries.”  

Gwak Jung-cheol hesitated before answering.  

“What?!”  

Kang Young-pyo shot to his feet, hurling his glass across the room. Hong Hee-ju flinched with a shriek, but Kang Young-pyo paid no attention.  

Taesan Industries.  

On paper, a respectable construction firm. In reality, a loan-sharking operation dabbling in any profitable venture. The critical detail? It was Kang Young-pyo’s secret financial lifeline. Very few knew this—and Takashi was one of them.  

“Takashi and the Teikoku Guild are also struggling in Japan.”  

The implication was obvious: Takashi aimed to secure new funds by swallowing Taesan Industries.  

“Is there any way to stop him?”  

“…I’m sorry.”  

As an S-rank hero, Takashi still held power, and unlike Black Tiger, Teikoku hadn’t collapsed. Without Kang Young-pyo, Gwak Jung-cheol and the remaining guild members stood no chance against him.  

“Monitor his every move. Report in real-time.”  

“Understood.”  

Hanging up, Kang Young-pyo gnashed his teeth. No matter what, he couldn’t lose Taesan Industries. Its money was essential for his comeback.  

“That sneaky Japanese bastard… Fine. Let’s see this through. I’ll bury your bones where no one will ever find them.”  

Hong Hee-ju trembled at the murderous aura radiating from Kang Young-pyo, too terrified to speak.  

***  

“Takashi?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon frowned at Seo Do-jun. Takashi was among the last people she ever wanted to see again.  

“Ever heard of Taesan Industries?”  

“No.”  

“It’s Kang Young-pyo Young-pyo’s secret money pipeline—slush funds, essentially.”  

“How do you know that?”  

Familiar with Kang Young-pyo’s nature, Hyun Joo-yeon found it astonishing that Seo Do-jun had uncovered this.  

“Just stumbled on it.”  

Would she believe him if he said Takashi had spilled everything? Not wanting to explain further, Seo Do-jun brushed it off.  

“So you’re using Takashi to take over Taesan? That’ll force Kang Young-pyo out of hiding, right?”  

“The perfect bait—one he can’t ignore, even if he knows it’s a trap.”  

While pondering how to lure Kang Young-pyo out, Seo Do-jun had coincidentally seen Takashi on TV. Specifically, news about Takashi and Teikoku losing ground in Japan.  

Takashi was bait he’d used before—brilliantly, in Brazil. Confident he could deliver again, Seo Do-jun immediately called him and learned Taesan’s secrets. The plan came together swiftly. Now, all that remained was waiting for Kang Young-pyo to take the bait.  

***  

Takashi’s arrival sent shockwaves through South Korea.  

A prominent Japanese right-winger known for anti-Korean remarks, Takashi was someone South Koreans loved to hate. His failed assassination attempt on Seo Do-jun and subsequent fallout with Kang Young-pyo had only intensified public outrage.  

Yet here he was, entering South Korea openly—not sneaking in. His audacity divided South Koreans into two camps:  

“That insane bastard… I hope he rots!”  

—those who unleashed a year’s worth of curses in one go.  

“Talk about mental victory. That guy’s shamelessness is next-level.”  

—those who shook their heads, begrudgingly impressed by his nerve.  

Regardless, Takashi strode confidently through his schedule, which included a formal apology to Seo Do-jun.  

“I sincerely regret my past actions. My attempt against Hero Seo Do-jun was solely due to Kang Young-pyo’s manipulation. I know how South Koreans view me, but I’m not one to hide. Here, I formally apologize to all South Koreans.”  

He even held a press conference, delivering his apology publicly.  

Some remained skeptical, while others mocked him—’Finally came to his senses after getting beaten up by Seo Do-jun’—though secretly pleased.  

The crucial outcome?  

“It was Kang Young-pyo, that trash, all along!”  

“Humiliating South Korea on an international scale!”  

“What’s the Hero Association even doing? Can’t they catch one guy?”  

“I hope he gets caught soon and beaten to pulp by Seo Do-jun!”  

Public condemnation of Kang Young-pyo reached new heights.  

True to his word, Takashi visited Seo Do-jun, bowing deeply in apology. Cameras captured the moment, spawning countless articles. While Japanese right-wingers fumed, many praised Takashi’s courage. Seo Do-jun, in turn, graciously accepted, further cementing his magnanimous image worldwide.  

***  

“These goddamn lunatics!”  

Kang Young-pyo’s eyes burned with fury every time he saw news about Seo Do-jun and Takashi. He flooded comment sections with vitriol until Gwak Jung-cheol’s call interrupted him.  

“What’s the status?”  

“Everything’s prepared as you instructed… but are you sure about this?”  

Despite Gwak Jung-cheol’s concern, Kang Young-pyo reassured him.  

“Just follow the plan. I’ll handle the rest.”  

“Guild Master… about the money you promised…”  

“I know. You’ll get it. But first, we protect Taesan Industries. Understood?”  

“…Yes.”  

Gwak Jung-cheol’s deflated tone made Kang Young-pyo grimace. With Black Tiger’s funds cut off, finances were dire. Gwak Jung-cheol and the remaining members hunted Gates, but the Hero Association openly obstructed them. Worse, the government was auditing them, aiming to dissolve the guild entirely. Keeping the remaining members in line required money they didn’t have.  

“Gwak Jung-cheol.”  

“Yes, Guild Master.”  

“Hang in there. Kang Young-pyo doesn’t die easily. If South Korea’s a lost cause, we’ll start fresh overseas. Just get through this.”  

After placating his last loyal subordinate, Kang Young-pyo hung up.  

“Fine. Seo Do-jun might be untouchable… but Takashi? That bastard will die.”  

Tomorrow evening, at Taesan Industries, Takashi will meet his end. Then, Kang Young-pyo would leave South Korea. Revenge would come step by step, starting with what was achievable.  

***  

Bucheon City, Gyeonggi Province. Beoman-dong.  

Taesan Industries occupied an entire six-story building.  

A luxury imported car pulled into its parking lot, and out stepped Takashi.  

“Welcome.”  

Yang Woon, Taesan Industries figurehead CEO, bowed deeply. Takashi, one of the few who knew Yang Woon was just a front, barely acknowledged him before heading straight to the top floor.  

Entering the CEO’s office like it was his own, Takashi took Yang Woon’s usual seat.  

“Are the documents ready?”  

Yang Woon nodded, understanding Takashi’s Japanese fluently.  

“Everything’s done. You’ll start receiving profits in three months.”  

Takashi’s cheekbones lifted in satisfaction.  

“Kang Young-pyo can’t interfere anymore. And as promised, I’ll guarantee your safety. No need to worry.”  

“Thank you!”  

Yang Woon bowed again, his waist nearly folding in half.  

Knock knock.  

A beautiful secretary entered with tea. After she left, Yang Woon gestured for Takashi to drink. Without suspicion, Takashi took a sip—then froze.  

His face turned bluish as he realized—Poison.  

Before he could react to Yang, chaos erupted outside.  

CRASH!  

The office door shattered. In strode Kang Young-pyo, his blade dripping blood. Outside, two Teikoku Guild members lay dying.  

“You came here wanting to die? And you thought you could take what’s mine? You fucking Japanese bastard!”  

Takashi choked, blood spilling from his mouth.  

Obla’s venom—even an S-rank hero wouldn’t die instantly, but fighting was impossible.  

“Go on ahead. I’ll send Seo Do-jun to join you soon!”  

Kang Young-pyo advanced, murder in his eyes.