SFRW-Chapter 76

Ch. 76 Sword God From The Ruined World 

The death of Takashi caused an uproar not only in South Korea but also in Japan and the rest of the world.  

Particularly, the fact that Kang Young-pyo had killed Takashi and then disappeared led Japanese media and government officials to relentlessly attack the South Korean government, demanding that they take full responsibility.  

This was no ordinary person—Takashi was an S-rank Hero.  

Given that his death represented the loss of a figure who was part of Japan’s national strength, their reaction was understandable.  

However, from South Korea’s perspective, it was both baffling and unfair.  

Kang Young-pyo was a Hero with an international bounty on his head, not just in South Korea. To demand that the South Korean government take responsibility for Takashi’s death simply because Kang Young-pyo was South Korean was an unreasonable demand.  

Moreover, Takashi had done nothing for South Korea—he had merely been engaged in personal activities when he became Kang Young-pyo’s target and was killed.  

If Japan’s logic were to be followed, then every government would have to take responsibility for crimes committed by Heroes within their borders. How did that make any sense?  

Naturally, the South Korean government found this difficult to accept.  

Amid the noisy blame game between South Korea and Japan over Takashi’s death, Seo Do-jun’s sole concern was Vaitel’s whereabouts.  

“Based on the description you provided, we’ve checked all Heroes registered with global Hero associations, but there wasn’t a single person who matched.”  

“So, if he’s an unregistered Hero, there’s no way to find him?”  

“Yes, unregistered Heroes are virtually impossible to track. Some associations do support unregistered Heroes, but… as the name suggests, they’re unregistered, and any support they receive is kept strictly confidential. Even if we demanded information, they’d just dodge it, so we’d never know.”  

Seo Do-jun hadn’t expected much to begin with, but Deputy Director Min Hong-gi’s answer still left him disappointed.  

“We even checked airport records, just in case…”  

“There’s no way.”  

Vaitel was an Archmage considered one of the strongest in a ruined world. It was obvious he wouldn’t travel by something as mundane as an airplane.  

“Could you investigate any murder cases involving magic, committed by Heroes?”  

“In the past four years, there hasn’t been a single murder case in South Korea with traces of magic.”  

“Then look into global records.”  

“Is this really that important?”  

“It’s extremely important, so please do this for me.”  

“Understood. I’ll do my best.”  

After hanging up with Deputy Director Min Hong-gi, Seo Do-jun immediately made another call.  

“Kassal?”  

The person on the other end sounded surprised as they called Seo Do-jun’s name.  

“Cain, I need a favor.”  

“A favor? Calling out of nowhere like this… Fine, let’s hear it.”  

Seo Do-jun described Vaitel’s appearance to Cain and explained that his magic was fundamentally different from that of Earth’s magic-wielding Heroes.  

“Wait! You’re saying someone like that exists? Hmm… Honestly, that’s hard to believe. Kassal, if what you’re saying is true… then the world’s strongest magic Hero wouldn’t be me—it’d be him!”  

Even though Cain’s tone sounded wounded, Seo Do-jun replied coldly.  

“Frankly, Cain, you’re no match for him.”  

The gap between Vaitel and Cain was so vast that comparing them was impossible. Seo Do-jun had already softened his words, but for Cain—who had been woken up by this call—it felt like an insult.  

“Huu… Alright, Kassal. Seems like you’re underestimating me… Whatever! Now that I know this guy exists, I can’t just sit still. I’ll find him no matter what and prove to you, Kassal, that I’m better than him! And… the favor you wanted was for me to find him, right?”  

Cain was sharp, so Seo Do-jun got what he needed and ended the call.  

If anyone could track Vaitel’s movements faster than Deputy Director Min Hong-gi, it was Cain.  

Since finding Vaitel’s trail was now a matter of time, Seo Do-jun decided to quickly handle something he had postponed.  

“First, the Guardian.”  

Though his house wasn’t fully constructed yet, there was no telling when an emergency might arise. So, Seo Do-jun moved to capture a Guardian that could protect his home.  

Chuncheon Rift Zone – Revisited  

Seo Do-jun walked past the crowd gathered in front of the rift zone without a second thought.  

“Huh? Seo Do-jun?”  

A towering man, over 190 cm tall, recognized Seo Do-jun and approached.  

Already on edge due to the Vaitel situation, Seo Do-jun’s brow twitched slightly as this stranger blocked his path.  

“Don’t you remember me? We fought together during the American Monster Wave.”  

Seo Do-jun had no idea how many Heroes had participated in that battle. Many South Korean Heroes had joined, but he hadn’t formed any personal connections—he had always worked with U.S. Hero Association officials, including Gloria.  

For this man to boldly ask if Seo Do-jun remembered him was absurd.  

“You’re breaking my heart. I’m Park Hae-yeol! Really don’t remember? We even shook hands back then—”  

“I shook hands with over a hundred people that day.”  

Seo Do-jun’s retort made Park Hae-yeol’s face twist in frustration. As an S-rank Hero, he wasn’t used to being ignored. But what could he do? Having witnessed Seo Do-jun’s strength firsthand during the American Monster Wave, he couldn’t resort to his usual fist-first approach.  

“So?”  

“S-So…”  

Though he raised his voice for his guild members’ sake, Seo Do-jun’s icy demeanor made Park Hae-yeol gulp involuntarily.  

‘He’s in a terrible mood. Damn it! Of all times…’  

Park Hae-yeol regretted not checking Seo Do-jun’s expression before speaking. But he couldn’t back down in front of his guild.  

“Ahem! Anyway, I just meant we should get along. You know how society works—connections matter. As fellow S-rank Heroes, it’d be good to have a friendly senior-junior relationship. Not that I’m some old-fashioned guy who cares about age! Let’s just be like brothers, hahaha!”  

Sweat poured down Park Hae-yeol’s back as Seo Do-jun’s expression remained unreadable.  

If he angered Seo Do-jun further and a fight broke out, the humiliation would be unbearable.  

“If you’re done talking, move.”  

Park Hae-yeol’s mind flooded with curses, but he forced a laugh and stepped aside.  

“Hahaha! Guess I bothered you when you’re busy!”  

Seo Do-jun immediately entered the rift zone.  

Park Hae-yeol turned to his guild members.  

“Everyone, that was Seo Do-jun! We got along well in the U.S., but he must be swamped today. We’ll grab drinks later. Ah! Maybe he’s upset because I promised to buy him a drink in South Korea but never called? That guy… Hahaha!”  

He desperately tried to play it cool.  

“Guild Master… didn’t we reserve this rift zone first?”  

One guild member asked. They had gathered for a major hunt to gain experience.  

“Huh?”  

Park Hae-yeol blinked like he’d been hit with a hammer.  

In his panic over Seo Do-jun’s mood, he’d forgotten to stop him from entering.  

“Ah! Right! I totally forgot! The Association called earlier—Seo Do-jun had urgent business inside, so they begged us to let him go first. I just… forgot to mention it.”  

He fabricated excuses on the spot.  

“So… Do we just go back?”  

Seeing their disappointed faces, Park Hae-yeol hesitated.  

“Go back? No! Like I said, Seo Do-jun has urgent business. Once he’s done, we’ll go in. Should I call and ask how long it’ll take?”  

Afraid they’d question the wait, he quickly walked away.  

‘Damn it! What the hell is Seo Do-jun’s problem? Just barging into our rift zone! That bastard’s insane! I can’t let this slide!’  

Fuming, Park Hae-yeol called the Hero Association—not some lowly employee, but Chairman Na Tae-hwang himself—to demand action.  

But—  

“It seems Hero Seo Do-jun had urgent business. Please understand.”  

Instead of reprimanding Seo Do-jun, Chairman Na Tae-hwang defended him, fueling Park Hae-yeol’s rage.  

“Is that what you’re saying? If we have to accommodate personal emergencies, what’s the point of reserving rift zones? This is clearly Seo Do-jun’s fault, yet the association is protecting him? This is an insult to all South Korean Heroes!”  

He ranted for over an hour, dredging up every minor grievance.  

Then—  

“KWAOOOOOOOOH!”  

A monstrous roar shattered the air.  

Park Hae-yeol froze mid-sentence and turned.  

Unbelievably, a Casserian—a Boss Monster that should’ve stayed inside the rift—had emerged.  

“M-My God! Chairman! A C-Casserian’s outside! We need every S-rank Hero—”  

His voice died as he saw something impossible.  

A man stood triumphantly atop the Casserian.  

“…S-Seo Do-jun?”  

Park Hae-yeol couldn’t believe his eyes.  

“Hmm… So Hero Seo Do-jun has tamed the Casserian.”  

“W-What did you just say? Tamed? That Boss Monster?”  

“You’re seeing it yourself, aren’t you?”  

Park Hae-yeol’s mind reeled.  

No Hero had ever tamed a monster—let alone a Boss Monster.  

“This is insane! If that Casserian goes berserk—!”  

The consequences would be catastrophic. As someone who had fought Casserians before, Park Hae-yeol knew their brutality.  

This was madness.  

“Well, at least Hero Seo Do-jun has exited the rift. From now on, no Hero or guild may enter until you and your Sweet Life Guild complete your hunt. I’m busy, so goodbye.”  

“Chairman?!”  

The call ended before Park Hae-yeol could protest.  

Meanwhile—  

A powerful gust swept the area as the Casserian spread its wings and soared into the western sky.  

“G-Guild Master!”  

His panicked guild members rushed to him.  

“We’re heading to Seoul—now!”  

Park Hae-yeol stared at the disappearing Casserian, dread filling his heart.