SFRW-Chapter 107

Ch. 107 Sword God From The Ruined World

Kobayashi Shinzo barely passed the test.  

And as expected, the aftermath was enormous.  

Immediately, the Japanese government lodged fierce protests—not just against Seo Do-jun and the Casserian Guild, but even against the South Korean government.  

The Japanese Hero Association and most media outlets repeatedly declared that Kobayashi Shinzo’s admission to the Casserian Guild was ‘unacceptable’ and ‘must be revoked’, treating Seo Do-jun and South Korea like outright bandits.  

Naturally, the backlash against Shinzo within Japan was equally severe.  

Amid this turmoil, Shinzo held a press conference with a resolute expression.  

His decision would not be reversed.  

He had made his stance clear.  

Of course, Shinzo’s press conference only poured fuel on the already raging fire across Japan.  

It got so bad that burning Shinzo’s photos became a common sight, and even Japanese Heroes—who had been restraining themselves—began openly hurling vicious insults and personal attacks.  

But it wasn’t just anger toward Shinzo that grew.  

Anti-South Korean sentiment flared, and far-right groups, who had been relatively quiet, expanded their activities, dragging political tensions between the two nations into the fray.  

Just as emotions were spiraling out of control, Seo Do-jun stepped forward with an official statement.  

First, he clarified that Kobayashi Shinzo was a member of the Casserian Guild, not a South Korean Hero.  

Like Gloria—an existing member and an S-rank Hero from the U.S.—Shinzo would operate internationally as part of the guild.  

Second, while Shinzo was now a Casserian Guild member, Seo Do-jun promised that if Japan ever faced a crisis, Shinzo’s personal efforts to aid his homeland would not be restricted.  

Furthermore, the Casserian Guild itself would commit its full strength to assist Japan if Shinzo requested it.  

Third, Seo Do-jun offered Japan the opportunity they had long desired: a chance to tame a Casserian.  

However, the offer was limited to Heroes or Japanese nationals who had already successfully tamed even the lowest-rank monster. No compensation would be demanded.  

Seo Do-jun’s words were unprecedented.  

From Japan’s perspective, these were overwhelmingly favorable terms.  

Yet, far-right factions still foamed at the mouth, claiming Seo Do-jun’s promises were empty lies.  

But objectively, Japan stood to gain—not lose.  

***

“Do we really have to go this far?” Jung In-joo asked, her voice laced with dissatisfaction.  

Logically, Shinzo had joined the Casserian Guild of his own volition.  

No matter how much Japan barked, they had no right to dictate an individual’s choice.  

The uproar would eventually die down—though it might take time.  

So why was Seo Do-jun bending over backward to offer Japan such one-sided benefits?  

Even some domestic media and public opinion criticized his decision as overly generous.  

“The first point doesn’t even need explaining,” Seo Do-jun said.  

The Casserian Guild was always meant to be multinational.  

Though based in South Korea, it wasn’t framed as a ‘South Korean’ guild—just as Gloria remained an American Hero, Shinzo would still be Japanese.  

This distinction needed to be made clear.  

“The second point aligns with the guild’s founding purpose, so no issue there.”  

The guild was created for ‘world peace and humanity’s protection’—a lofty, if cheesy, goal.  

Helping Japan in times of crisis fit that mission.  

Seo Do-jun had simply phrased it in a way that flattered Japan’s ego.  

But let’s be real—if crises erupted in both South Korea and Japan simultaneously, where would the Casserian Guild prioritize?  

The answer was obvious.  

“And the third point?”  

Seo Do-jun smirked.  

He was certain no Japanese Hero could tame a Casserian.  

Japan had been desperately offering increasing rewards for a chance to try—so getting it for free was a win for them.  

Sure, the ‘must have tamed at least a low-rank monster’ condition was strict, but compared to being denied outright, they should’ve been grateful.  

“Still…”  

Jung In-joo couldn’t refute Seo Do-jun’s logic, but something about it rubbed her the wrong way.  

‘Is it just because it’s Japan?’  

She wasn’t entirely free of anti-Japanese sentiment, and after seeing the guild’s logo burned and hearing the vitriol, her opinion of Japan had soured further.  

“Don’t overthink it. This won’t be the last time something like this happens.”  

Realistically, Seo Do-jun had just recruited Japan’s top Hero with a few well-placed words.  

Who got the better end of the deal?  

And Shinzo’s recruitment was just the beginning.  

More national Heroes would join the Casserian Guild, and similar situations would arise.  

If anything, Seo Do-jun’s public statement might ease other countries’ wariness toward the guild.  

Despite lingering noise in Japan, public sentiment was calming.  

Rather than framing Shinzo as ‘stolen’, many now argued the Casserian Guild had become Japan’s ally.  

“If another Kowabiru disaster strikes, won’t the Casserian Guild send Casserian to help? Isn’t that enough?”  

“Exactly! Even the stronger One-Horned Kowabirus trembled before Casserian like mice!”  

“Maybe Shinzo humbled himself for Japan’s sake—a sacrificial act of patriotism!”  

“Unlike those far-right loudmouths who just stir trouble!”  

Gradually, support for Shinzo grew.  

The far-right’s biggest weakness? They couldn’t do anything tangible.  

Thus, the controversy over Shinzo’s guild admission quickly settled.  

***

Busan, Toam Gate.  

A man in his late 40s stepped out of the Gate’s entrance, moving quietly.  

His expensive combat suit and well-maintained sword marked him as a high-ranking Hero.  

After checking into a nearby hotel, he changed into a sleek black suit.  

Staring into the mirror, he examined his new face.  

“Perfect. Not a trace left.”  

The reflection showed no resemblance to his original features—or even the burn scars.  

He chuckled darkly.  

“That monstrous bastard…”  

Kang Young-pyo grimaced, remembering Vaitel handing him the magic scroll that altered his face and body.  

“I’ll kill you too. Slowly.”  

He’d obediently bowed his head to Vaitel, but revenge simmered beneath the surface.  

Patience was key.  

And then—  

“I’ll take everything you have. That power… it’ll be mine.”  

With gritted teeth, Kang Young-pyo left the room.  

For now, he’d follow Vaitel’s orders meticulously.  

But Seo Do-jun wasn’t his only target.  

Smirking, he drove off in a luxury sports car—heading straight for Seoul.  

***

Casserian Guild Training Grounds.  

“What… what is this?”  

Sixty Champion Death Knights stood imposingly in formation.  

The guild members were stunned.  

What’s the fastest way to improve the guild’s combat skills?  

“Realistic sparring.”  

Just as Seo Do-jun had trained in the past.  

Currently, most Casserian Guild members were far from elite.  

Sure, they had three S-rank Heroes—Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, and now Shinzo.  

But the rest?  

Pathetically weak by the standards of a guild aspiring to be the world’s strongest.  

Seo Do-jun didn’t have time to wait for gradual growth.  

He needed to force their improvement—now.  

And what better way than one-on-one tutoring?  

Thus, he’d bound an additional 60 Champion Death Knights into Soul Gems (excluding the 20 guarding Eun-young and her grandmother).  

These knights would serve as merciless sparring partners.  

“Sparring? With Champion Death Knights?”  

“Even A-rank Heroes struggle against them!”  

“You’d need to be S-rank to—”  

Seo Do-jun ignored their protests and began the matches.  

Thud!  

“Agh—!”  

“Uwaaak!”  

Screams and groans filled the arena immediately.  

The Champion Death Knights, obeying Seo Do-jun’s orders, pushed the guild members to their absolute limits.  

Even the S-rank Heroes weren’t spared.  

“Haah… haah…!”  

Hyun Joo-yeon panted, surrounded by ten knights.  

Normally, fighting ten Champion Death Knights alone would be tough for an S-rank.  

But these knights—battle-hardened in Guam, Seosan Rift Zone, and Namibia’s Skeleton Mist—were far stronger than average.  

Despite her progress with the Magic Heart Method, Hyun Joo-yeon was outmatched.  

Clang!  

Blocking a strike aimed at her shoulder, she countered—but the knights’ coordinated assault left no openings.  

Thunk!  

A blocked hit still rattled her, and three blades lunged from different angles.  

Too slow to parry, she released a weak magic barrier—  

Slash! Stab!  

Too thin. Blood sprayed from her arm and leg as she staggered back.  

The knights didn’t press further, but their dominance was undeniable.  

Next was Gloria.  

But she fared no better.  

“Too strong…”  

Disheveled and bleeding from her left shoulder, she too admitted defeat.  

Finally, Shinzo stepped forward.  

Though he’d just begun training with the Magic Heart Method, the knights felt like an insurmountable wall.  

Total defeat for the S-ranks.  

And the scariest part? The knights showed no fatigue after consecutive battles.  

The other guild members fared even worse.  

Battered and exhausted, they faced the knights—who remained as fresh as when they’d started.  

“Still… if we keep at it, we’ll win eventually, right?” someone asked hopefully.  

Seo Do-jun crushed that optimism.  

“The Champion Death Knights grow stronger with each battle too. Don’t expect time to solve this for you.”  

The guild members paled.  

Not only were they outmatched from the start—their opponents would keep evolving.