SFRW-Chapter 137

Ch. 137 Sword God From The Ruined World

At first, everyone thought the same thing.

He’ll give up soon enough.

He’s just started, so he’ll tough it out for a few days out of pride.

They believed Choi Kang-soo might have changed, but his fundamental nature wouldn’t be so easily altered.

And that was…

“He was always enthusiastic about starting things since childhood.”

Choi Cheol-gwan smiled bitterly.

What matters is how you finish.

No matter how grand the beginning, if you can’t see it through to the end, it’s ultimately a failure.

Knowing his son always gave up midway, Choi Cheol-gwan could only smile wryly.

When Choi Kang-soo entered the rift zone with Seo Do-jun and the lockdown occurred, Choi Cheol-gwan felt his world crumbling.

Regardless of ability, Choi Kang-soo was his only flesh and blood.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Seo Do-jun, but with the unprecedented rift zone lockdown, who knew what might happen inside? He couldn’t be certain Seo Do-jun could protect his powerless son.

Though relieved to hear Choi Kang-soo emerged safely from the rift zone…

“He’ll quit soon. He’s never had any perseverance…”

Knowing that criticizing his son would only reflect poorly on himself, Choi Cheol-gwan changed the subject.

“But can we really trust this Divine Sword?”

“At the very least, nothing bad should happen.”

Probably.

He left the rest unsaid.

Honestly, even Seo Do-jun didn’t know why Mute’s Divine Sword had chosen Choi Kang-soo.

However, he’d heard that in the ruined world, unlike corrupt high-ranking priests, the Holy Knights – though rigid – never committed evil deeds.

At best, they were upright; at worst, they were inflexible fools who knew of the priests’ double standards but couldn’t oppose them.

‘Maybe the sword’s twisted personality comes from the Holy Knights’ stubbornness?’

Seo Do-jun speculated that the Holy Knights’ unspoken frustrations about the priests’ hypocrisy might have influenced the sword’s consciousness.

‘Many said the Church didn’t completely corrupt thanks to the Holy Knights maintaining balance.’

From this perspective, while the sword might be eccentric, it likely wouldn’t harm Choi Kang-soo.

Or at least, he had to believe so.

“I’m trusting you. He’s lacking, but he’s my only son.”

Choi Cheol-gwan sighed deeply, wondering how he’d raised such a son.

“I’ll do my best to look after him.”

At Seo Do-jun’s words, Choi Cheol-gwan’s expression brightened slightly.

“And how’s progress on the item we discussed?”

“I was just about to mention that! Thanks to you, I might accomplish what countless nations have failed to achieve despite their research!”

“I was just lucky.”

“Luck… That’s too modest. Countries have poured astronomical sums into weaponizing magic stones, yet none have succeeded.”

Choi Cheol-gwan praised Seo Do-jun endlessly for this remarkable achievement.

“But I’m worried about the dwindling magic stone supply.”

“I’ve stockpiled some, and we’ll obtain more from closing Gates.”

“But if we close all Gates and rift zones, won’t these weapons become unnecessary? Why produce so many?”

“They’ll be absolutely necessary.”

Seo Do-jun’s firm answer made Choi Cheol-gwan nod without further question.

If Seo Do-jun said so, then it must be so.

Choi Cheol-gwan had long become one of those who trusted Seo Do-jun unconditionally.

* * *

That afternoon, Seo Do-jun summoned Choi Kang-soo.

“Pack your bags.”

“My bags?”

“There’s an excellent training ground for you. You’ll stay there for three months.”

“Where?”

To Choi Kang-soo’s curiosity, Seo Do-jun only said it was a scenic place others couldn’t access even if they wanted.

-Kwaaaaaaah!

Casserian took flight after a long time.

“…So this is how it feels.”

Clutching Seo Do-jun’s waist tightly on Casserian’s back, Choi Kang-soo gulped nervously.

“Let’s go.”

At Seo Do-jun’s command, Casserian flew swiftly southward.

Hyun Joo-yeon watched wistfully.

If only she were the one holding Seo Do-jun’s waist, flying through the skies on Casserian…

“What are you imagining? Some romantic date?”

Jung In-joo’s pointed question made Hyun Joo-yeon wave her hands frantically in denial.

“Suspect.”

Having observed Hyun Joo-yeon for more than a day or two, Jung In-joo could easily guess.

“Three months, right? I wonder if Choi Kang-soo can endure alone that long.”

While Choi Kang-soo flew south cluelessly with Seo Do-jun and Casserian, Jung In-joo and Hyun Joo-yeon knew exactly where he was going.

Guam.

Now Seo Do-jun’s property, Guam would be Choi Kang-soo’s solitary training ground for three months.

Of course, no one would scold him if he didn’t train.

But if he quit, he’d only prove himself that worthless.

“Can he do it?”

“Hmm… Hyun Joo-yeon, want to bet?”

“Bet?”

“Most guild members are betting about Choi Kang-soo.”

“And you?”

“I put 100 million on him not giving up.”

When Hyun Joo-yeon asked if she really believed Choi Kang-soo could last three months alone, Jung In-joo smiled like an older sister.

“I just… hope he can.”

Imagine how reliable Choi Kang-soo could become with the sword’s power plus his own skills?

That’s what Jung In-joo considered. She also wanted to support Choi Cheol-gwan’s wish to see his only son improve.

“Then… I’ll bet 100 million too, same as you.”

Sharing the sentiment, Hyun Joo-yeon gazed at the southern skies.

* * *

Choi Kang-soo couldn’t believe his eyes when they arrived in Guam.

“Look around for now. Let me see the sword.”

“Okay.”

While such a request would be absurd from anyone else, with Seo Do-jun it was different.

Taking the sword Choi Kang-soo handed over without hesitation, Seo Do-jun asked him to step aside.

“Yes!”

As Choi Kang-soo scurried away, Seo Do-jun spoke to the sword:

“You know the situation here, right?”

『What situation? That both our world and Earth face the same fate?』

Ignoring the sword’s curt tone, Seo Do-jun continued calmly:

“Your goal is to make Choi Kang-soo a Holy Knight – isn’t it to preserve your own consciousness?”

『What nonsense.』

Though hit the mark, the sword feigned ignorance.

But deceiving Seo Do-jun was difficult.

“Mute’s divine power from Leverka Continent couldn’t last forever. But if true Holy Knights worshipping Mute emerge, that changes things, doesn’t it?”

The sword stayed silent.

Seo Do-jun wasn’t entirely correct, but partially right.

A Holy Knight believing in Mute on Earth wouldn’t eternally preserve the sword’s consciousness – just prolong it slightly.

“Your motives don’t matter. I don’t oppose Choi Kang-soo becoming a Holy Knight.”

『For your revenge?』

Seo Do-jun didn’t deny the sword’s sarcastic remark.

“Correct. And isn’t it the same for you?”

Again, the sword’s silence signaled agreement.

“I have two questions. Does Choi Kang-soo truly have potential to become a Holy Knight? And if so, can he fully wield your divine power?”

After a pause, the sword answered:

『Honestly? Fifty-fifty. Becoming a Holy Knight requires both physical and spiritual faith. Believing in a nonexistent god isn’t easy. But if that fool succeeds… I’ll lend him all my power. Like you said, I owe debts too.』

“About as strong as when you defeated Rebley?”

『Don’t be absurd. That power accumulated over centuries from countless Holy Knights. You think that fool could reach such heights? A tiger turning back into a human by eating herbs would happen sooner.』

Seo Do-jun couldn’t refute this.

As he expressed disappointment, the sword added:

『But with my full support, he could at least deserve the Holy Knight title. If he survives the brutal training.』

Watching Choi Kang-soo curiously exploring, Seo Do-jun said:

“We’ll see. I’m counting on you.”

Choi Kang-soo had never been part of Seo Do-jun’s original plans.

But if he could gain an ally capable of wielding divine power properly, it was worth the effort.

Seo Do-jun recalled Choi Kang-soo and returned the sword.

Surprisingly, Choi Kang-soo accepted his situation bravely.

“Is this part of the test too?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. I’ll definitely show you my improved self.”

With monsters having occupied Guam, proper housing was scarce – hardly ideal for solitary living.

Yet Choi Kang-soo’s composed acceptance gave Seo Do-jun slight hope he might truly change.

From subspace, Seo Do-jun produced daily necessities.

Having already revealed subspace in the rift zone, he used it freely before Choi Kang-soo.

“It’s amazing and enviable every time I see it. That subspace.”

Seo Do-jun’s invisible, unstealable bag made Choi Kang-soo genuinely jealous.

“A sword like that should be able to create a small subspace, right?”

In the ruined world, even Palaresta had used subspace.

While unsure if it was through the sword or other means, Seo Do-jun believed the Divine Sword could manage it.

Sure enough:

“What? Really? I can use subspace too? Why didn’t you say so?”

Obviously, because Choi Kang-soo never asked.

At the sword’s indifferent reply, Choi Kang-soo gritted his teeth.

“You could’ve hinted! I wouldn’t have packed this huge backpack!”

As Choi Kang-soo bickered with the sword – a familiar sight now – Seo Do-jun finished unpacking supplies.

“…Uncle, you must be tired. Why not rest a day before…”

Suddenly nervous about being left alone, Choi Kang-soo tried to delay Seo Do-jun’s departure.

“Adjusting quickly is best for you.”

Seeing Choi Kang-soo’s reluctant expression, Seo Do-jun gently grasped his shoulder.

“I believe in you. I have much to do. Having you by my side would help greatly. So endure. I’ll return in three months.”

Seo Do-jun mounted Casserian.

“Uncle! I won’t betray your trust! Definitely! Absolutely!”

As if responding to Choi Kang-soo’s shouts, Casserian roared.

-Kwaaaaaaah!

Soon, they became a black speck disappearing toward Seoul.

Sighing deeply as if the ground had vanished beneath him:

“Haaaaa-“

『Stop standing there like an abandoned puppy. Let’s begin. Three months, right? Follow my training well, and I’ll gift you subspace.』

“Gift? Some gift when I can’t use it without owning you!”

When Choi Kang-soo said even a seven-year-old wouldn’t fall for that, the sword surprised him:

『Gift means I’ll transfer authority. You could use it without me. Though you’d need enough divine power to maintain it.』

While the conditions weren’t easy, unaware of this, Choi Kang-soo burned with motivation at possibly owning his own subspace.

“Great! Let’s start now! Day one!”

『…Strange. I suddenly feel annoyed.』