SFRW-Chapter 117

Ch. 117 Sword God From The Ruined World 

“…What? What did you just say?”  

Jang Seong-ho’s usually composed expression shattered completely.  

“Director Park Hae-yeol suffered severe injuries and had no choice but to withdraw—”  

“Not that! Who did he lose to?”  

“A temporary civil servant from the Gate Closure Task Force named Park Seung-ho—”  

“I asked who that is!”  

Jang Seong-ho gripped his glass as if warning against further frustration.  

“He’s a member of Casserian Guild. Previously an A-rank Hero from the Silk Flower Guild.”  

After forcing himself to recall the data on Casserian Guild members implanted in his memory, the man swallowed dryly.  

“Park Hae-yeol lost to an A-rank Hero? You expect me to believe that?”  

“It seems he hasn’t received his updated rank evaluation.”  

“Updated evaluation… Are you saying he got promoted to S-rank?”  

“Field reports confirm this.”  

If the opponent was an S-rank Hero, it made some sense. But Jang Seong-ho knew exactly how difficult it was for an A-rank Hero to advance to S-rank. Even if newly promoted, how could Park Hae-yeol – South Korea’s third S-rank Hero, a battle-hardened veteran – lose to some rookie who just reached S-rank?  

‘Even if he was careless, this makes no sense! That bastard Kobayashi Shinzo must have ambushed him!’  

Finally understanding, Jang Seong-ho could picture the scene clearly.  

“Those sneaky bastards tricked us! Two against one, even Park Hae-yeol couldn’t win.”  

He seethed at lacking proper intel about Casserian Guild. With prior knowledge, they wouldn’t have been caught off guard.  

But—  

“No. Director Park Hae-yeol was defeated by Park Seung-ho alone.”  

“What? Not a joint attack with Kobayashi Shinzo?”  

“Shinzo just watched. Director Park Hae-yeol was defeated solely by—”  

Crash!  

“Park Hae-yeol! You useless bastard!”  

Jang Seong-ho  had already been annoyed by Park Hae-yeol’s newly acquired belly fat, but this incompetence was unbelievable! An S-rank Hero who couldn’t even maintain his physique got beaten by a freshly promoted rookie.  

This operation was crucial to establishing IGA’s reputation. And Park Hae-yeol ruined it.  

“No, not yet.”  

Unlike fat Park Hae-yeol, Yang Chang-seop and Go Dong-hyuk had honed their skills beyond their prime.  

‘Those two could easily handle Hyun Joo-yeon and Gloria!’  

Unless Seo Do-jun interfered.  

“Is Seo Do-jun still at the Association?”  

“Yes. Having coffee with Chairman Na Tae-hwang.”  

“How peaceful. Of course, hiding an S-rank Hero like that – he’s probably dancing with joy by now.”  

The thought of Seo Do-jun laughing at him with Chairman Na Tae-hwang made Jang Seong-ho’s blood boil.  

Grinding his teeth, Jang Seong-ho vowed never to lose to Seo Do-jun again.  

But this resolution crumbled within five minutes.  

“…Two more S-ranks?”  

What’s more shocking – like Park Hae-yeol, Yang Chang-seop and Go Dong-hyuk were also defeated by rookie S-rank Heroes.  

“…How…how is this possible…”  

Though intended to establish IGA’s name, the result was disastrous. Instead, it only boosted the Gate Closure Task Force and Casserian Guild’s fame – globally at that. For Jang Seong-ho, this bitter reality was something he wished was just a bad dream.  

* * *  

Formed to counter the Gate Closure Task Force, IGA was completely shattered from its debut event. Its founding members and pillars – S-rank Heroes Park Hae-yeol, Yang Chang-seop and Go Dong-hyuk – suffered humiliating defeats.  

“It must be Seo Do-jun?”  

People initially thought it was Seo Do-jun, or perhaps Kobayashi Shinzo or Casserian Guild’s existing S-ranks.  

“Park Seung-ho…who?”  

“Choi Do-yeon? Hwang Jin-joo? Never heard these names before.”  

Unknown Heroes’ names began circulating. These rumors were soon officially confirmed.  

“…With this, South Korea now has 43 S-rank Heroes.”  

Chairman Na Tae-hwang’s triumphant announcement shocked not just South Korea but the entire world. South Korea’s status changed overnight – now the country with most S-rank Heroes.  

From eight (reduced to seven after Kang Young-pyo’s disappearance), South Korea suddenly gained 36 new S-rank Heroes – surpassing even China by seven. More astonishing – all belonged to Casserian Guild.  

This was monumental. With existing members (Seo Do-jun, Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, Shinzo), 40 S-rank Heroes under one organization meant power surpassing any nation.  

“This proves it! There’s something special about Seo Do-jun!”  

“Obviously!”  

“An A-rank suddenly becoming S-rank is shocking enough…but a B-rank promoted to S-rank? That’s insane!”  

Some had even risen from C-rank to S-rank in just six months.  

Hero growth is irregular. The only pattern involves Hero magic stones – requiring astronomical investments, like global tycoon Capmore and other wealthy S-ranks who took years and fortunes to achieve their status.  

But 36 S-ranks from Casserian Guild defied even this explanation.  

“They’ve shattered all conventions!”  

“This is impossible!”  

“What method did they use? How did over thirty Casserian members become S-rank?”  

“We must uncover this secret immediately!”  

“Deploy all available personnel!”  

“Find out at any cost!”  

Individuals, organizations, nations – all flocked to Casserian Guild. But none could cross its threshold.  

For those wanting to become S-rank like Casserian members, there was only one way: pass the test.  

Thousands took it – none succeeded.  

The test required absolute trust in Seo Do-jun – willing to stake one’s life. Recently, one examinee emerged – an ordinary-looking man in his late 30s named Lee Seong-seon, scowling at Casserian Guild’s building.  

“Failed.”  

“Why? What was wrong?”  

“Test answers aren’t disclosed.”  

“What kind of test is this? Bizarre questions with no clear answers! Who could possibly pass this—”  

“Sorry. Further disturbance will get you removed.”  

“…Sigh. Can I retake?”  

“Retakes are allowed…but honestly, you should give up. With current backlogs and your record-low score, passing seems impossible.”  

“…Record low score?”  

“You fucking bastard.”  

Lee Seong-seon’s voice dripped with venom. These nonsensical questions were no laughing matter.  

“Damn! If only I could get inside…”  

After over two months surveilling Casserian Guild, he’d gained nothing – even learning about their S-rank promotions through official announcements. His entire surveillance operation proved worthless.  

Needing to investigate whether Seo Do-jun had helpers or special methods, Lee Seong-seon had monitored secretly. Conclusion: nothing could be learned externally. Hence changing tactics – joining the guild.  

But even that failed. The absurd test had zero chance of passing.  

“Goddamn it! Now what…”  

His only option remained recruiting a guild member – but was that feasible?  

“Ugh…”  

Facing this near-impossible task, Lee Seong-seon sighed deeply, glared at the building one last time, and left.  

Meanwhile, someone watched him through the windows.  

“Surveillance on that man?”  

At Hyun Joo-yeon’s question, Seo Do-jun nodded.  

“Just track his location. No approaching.”  

“Who is he? Someone you know?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon looked puzzled – the man seemed completely unfamiliar.  

“Kang Young-pyo.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s eyes bulged in shock.  

“Then we should capture him immediately!”  

As Hyun Joo-yeon tensed to rush out, Seo Do-jun calmed her.  

“He’s just the tail. We need the head.”  

Heading to the chaotic testing site, Seo Do-jun coincidentally noticed a man arguing with proctors – a complete stranger, but Seo Do-jun could clearly see magic distortion around him – signs of Polymorph magic.  

‘Should’ve used higher-level magic if you were going to.’  

He understood. Having used low-level Polymorph himself, he knew Earth’s Heroes couldn’t detect it.  

‘Vaitel’s dog now?’  

Kang Young-pyo wouldn’t know Polymorph magic – this was undoubtedly Vaitel’s work. With Vaitel absent, it must be a spell scroll. For someone of Vaitel’s caliber, creating Polymorph scrolls would be trivial.  

Capturing Kang Young-pyo would be easy, but Seo Do-jun planned to use him to catch Vaitel.  

‘Vaitel would easily detect Lynx’s Eye too, so I can’t make the first move carelessly.’  

They’d have to wait until Vaitel contacted Kang Young-pyo or vice versa. Of course, if Kang Young-pyo had Teleport scrolls, things could get complicated.  

Thus Seo Do-jun planned to place perfect shackles on Kang Young-pyo- undetectable even by Vaitel.  

“Where are Pentagos most commonly found?”  

“Pentagos? China.”  

“China…then the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum.”  

“But why Pentagos suddenly—”  

Before Seo Do-jun could answer, Jung In-joo burst in:  

“China just had a Gate explosion!”  

“China?”  

“The Terracotta Warrior Gate exploded! China’s Hero Association requests assistance – massive Pentago numbers expected!”  

Seo Do-jun and Hyun exchanged glances at her urgent news.  

“Perfect timing.”  

A smile played on Seo Do-jun’s lips.