SFRW-Chapter 141

Ch. 141 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Hyun Joo-yeon, isn’t it about time you got married?”  

“M-married? What are you talking about…?”  

“Oh my? Look at her face turning red! Be honest with me. What’s going on between you and Seo Do-jun? Aren’t you two in that kind of relationship?”  

“W-what nonsense are you saying, Aunt?!”  

Hyun Joo-yeon vehemently denied it, but her aunt’s eyes were already filled with mischievous teasing.  

“I don’t plan to interfere in our daughter’s love life, but since we’re all aware of the people around her, it’d be nice if we could meet the good ones at least once.”  

“I told you, it’s nothing like that!”  

No matter how much she denied it, her family refused to believe her.  

To be fair, rumors of her relationship with Seo Do-jun had been circulating for nearly a year, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the entire nation already knew.  

“Brother, if Hyun Joo-yeon ends up with the world’s best groom, it’ll all be thanks to me. You know that, right?”  

Her uncle, Hyun Sang-hyup, who had closed down his business, Stone MAN, after magic stone industries began its decline, loudly insisted that he deserved a big treat if things worked out.  

“Whether he’s the world’s best groom or not remains to be seen.”  

No matter what others thought, Hyun Sang-wook cherished his only daughter above all else. To him, Hyun Joo-yeon was far more precious than Seo Do-jun, whom he hadn’t even met yet.  

“Oh my? Brother, no matter how much you adore your child, being so stiff with someone like Seo Do-jun is just rude. What if he ends up marrying another woman because of that?”  

“What?”  

“Not that I think Hyun Joo-yeon is lacking in any way. But Seo Do-jun is… well, you know.”  

“Know what? No matter how great a guy is, he’ll always fall short compared to Hyun Joo-yeon!”  

Grumbling, Hyun Sang-wook downed his drink, while Hyun Sang-hyup tried to placate him, agreeing with his words.  

“But isn’t Seo Do-jun dating Gloria? There was even an article about them going on a date last time.”  

The comment came from Hyun Woo-hwan, Hyun Sang-hyup’s son and Hyun Joo-yeon’s cousin.  

“What? There’s another woman?”  

As Hyun Sang-wook’s eyes twitched, Hyun Joo-yeon glared at Hyun Woo-hwan as if asking why he had to bring that up.  

“I was just mentioning the article…”  

Realizing he’d said something unnecessary, Hyun Woo-hwan quickly excused himself.  

Under the scrutinizing gazes of her father, uncle, and aunt, Hyun Joo-yeon had no choice but to explain that it was just a baseless rumor made up by thoughtless reporters.  

“Is that true?”  

“Yes. That day, we had a guild gathering in Gwacheon. The photo of them walking together was just a coincidence.”  

“Anyway, let’s arrange a proper introduction someday. He’s someone who’s risking his life alongside our daughter, so we should at least know his face.”  

Though she knew there was more to their intentions, Hyun Joo-yeon had no choice but to agree to arrange a meeting.  

***

At the same time, Gloria was facing the same ordeal.  

“What? They’re coming to South Korea?”  

“Yeah, since you’re not coming back to the U.S., our parents said they have no choice but to go to you.”  

“You should’ve stopped them, Brother!”  

“Me? Why? Besides, I’m thinking of moving to South Korea too.”  

“What are you talking about?”  

“To take the Casserian Guild’s entrance exam.”  

“Exam?”  

“I’m tired of watching mediocre people squabble. With the way things are going, joining the Casserian Guild and working globally seems like the better option.”  

Gloria warned Patrick that the guild exam was far from easy.  

“I’ve already considered that.”  

Dismissing her concerns, Patrick told her to let him handle it himself, as if they’d never interfered in each other’s lives before.  

“And when our parents arrive, it’d be good to arrange a meeting with Kassal. They’ve been wanting to see him for a while.”  

“Ugh…”  

Gloria’s head already throbbed at the thought of how to bring this up.  

***

How should they approach this?  

Both Hyun Joo-yeon and Gloria were grappling with the same dilemma, searching for a solution.  

The answer came more easily than expected.  

“A family gathering?”  

At Jung In-joo’s sudden question about the purpose of the gathering, Seo Do-jun replied:  

“Actually, my grandmother mentioned it yesterday. She said since we’re all fighting together, our families should at least share a meal once.”  

“So you’re suggesting a family gathering?”  

Seo Do-jun thought that if they didn’t seize this opportunity now, they might never get another one. With the uncertain future ahead, he believed it wouldn’t hurt to gather all the guild members’ families for a meal beforehand.  

“It doesn’t sound like a bad idea. The atmosphere lately has been heavy, so this might lighten things up. What do you two think?”  

At Jung In-joo’s question, Hyun Joo-yeon and Gloria answered simultaneously, as if they’d been waiting for this.  

“I agree!”  

“Sounds great!”  

While Hyun Joo-yeon’s response was expected, even Gloria, who had to fly her family in from the U.S., agreed so readily that Jung In-joo narrowed her eyes.  

In the past, she would’ve suspected the blonde of scheming something. But now, as guildmates, and knowing Gloria was a good person, she couldn’t bring herself to doubt her.  

‘Still, just in case, I should warn Hyun Joo-yeon about that reckless girl.’  

Business was business, and love was love.  

With that, things proceeded smoothly.  

Since these were the families of guild members who’d risked their lives together, Seo Do-jun booked an entire luxury hotel and ensured all families could stay overnight.  

***

“Guam?”  

“Yes. I don’t have any family to invite, so I thought I’d check on what training Choi Kang-soo is doing there.”  

Shinjo wanted to skip the family gathering.  

It was well-known that his parents and younger sister had died in a monster wave. Some even whispered that his obsession with becoming stronger stemmed from that loss.  

“Do as you wish. I’ll take you there tomorrow and teach you how to use the teleportation stone.”  

“What’s a teleportation stone?”  

Seo Do-jun took Shinjo outside to demonstrate.  

After a 30-minute explanation, Shinjo was astonished.  

“…I’m amazed magic stones can be used like this.”  

“That world prioritized magic over science.”  

“Thank you for entrusting me with something so valuable!”  

Bowing deeply, Shinjo accepted the stones Seo Do-jun gave him—enough to return from Guam to South Korea if needed.  

“I also need to deliver supplies to Choi Kang-soo, so we’ll leave early tomorrow.”  

“I’ll be ready.”  

The next day, Shinjo skipped the family gathering and headed to Guam with Seo Do-jun.  

***

On the eve of the Casserian Guild’s large family gathering, Gloria’s parents and Patrick arrived in South Korea.  

“The air in South Korea feels different!”  

At Gloria’s puzzled look, her father smiled.  

“The air in South Korea, protected by the world’s strongest guild, feels safer than in the U.S. Honey, should we move here?”  

“If Patrick stays too, that wouldn’t be bad. Ho ho ho!”  

Gloria shook her head at her parents’ playful banter. Though they joked, if Patrick joined the Casserian Guild, they might seriously consider immigrating.  

‘Would that be better than them staying in the U.S.?’  

Given that South Korea was currently the safest place in the world, Gloria thought it might not be a bad idea.  

“The party’s tomorrow, right? Then I’ll head to the Casserian Guild for my exam.”  

Having escorted his parents to South Korea, Patrick promptly left for the guild building alone.  

While Gloria took her parents to her home, Patrick headed straight for the guild via taxi.  

***

Having been forewarned by Gloria, Seo Do-jun greeted Patrick upon arrival.  

“Welcome to South Korea, Patrick.”  

“Am I too late?”  

Hearing about the guild exam, Seo Do-jun assured him he wasn’t and personally guided him to the testing site. As a former U.S. S-rank hero, Patrick deserved the courtesy.  

“I hope you get good results.”  

“I’d love to proudly claim a spot at tomorrow’s party… but we’ll see.”  

Despite his words, Patrick didn’t seem nervous—if anything, he radiated confidence.  

“You seem more confident than I expected.”  

“Gloria gave me some tips about the exam.”  

“That alone shouldn’t make it easy.”  

Patrick smirked and entered the exam site.  

And the result was…  

***

The next day, the Casserian Guild’s large family gathering began.  

Though reporters captured the event and published real-time articles, no one outside the guild members’ families was allowed into the hotel. Even Na Tae-hwang, the Hero Association’s Chairman, jokingly asked to join, but Seo Do-jun coldly refused.  

The gathering became a heartwarming opportunity for everyone to bond. The families, united by their trust in Seo Do-jun and their shared pride in their children, siblings, or grandchildren—now members of the world’s strongest guild—felt a deep connection.  

“My son was never patient as a child, so I worried about his future. Now, seeing him as a Casserian Guild member, I couldn’t be prouder!”  

“Same here! Do you know how many envy me? Have you been getting many requests too?”  

“Oh, don’t even ask! Distant relatives I’ve never met suddenly show up, begging to get their kids into the guild. It’s exhausting!”  

“Exactly! I never thought having a successful child would bring such luxuries—politicians have nothing on us!”  

Laughter filled the room as parents finally voiced their pride freely among peers.  

Even the most reserved individuals quickly warmed up, calling each other ‘brother’ and ‘sister’. Watching this, Seo Do-jun regretted not organizing such an event sooner.  

“Guild Master, this is my father.”  

At Hyun Joo-yeon’s introduction, Seo Do-jun bowed respectfully.  

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Seo Do-jun, indebted to your daughter’s help.”  

“I’m Hyun Sang-wook, Hyun Joo-yeon’s father. I’ve heard much about you. The pleasure is mine.”  

“Please, no formalities.”  

“But this is our first meeting…”  

“Not at all. To me, you’re like a father as well. Please speak comfortably.”  

“Is that so? Hahaha!”  

Seo Do-jun’s words brightened Hyun Sang-wook’s face. Hyun Joo-yeon, who’d been nervously watching, was deeply moved by Seo Do-jun’s respect for her father.  

‘Thank you, Seo Do-jun.’  

Just as their conversation flowed naturally—  

“Kassal, my parents wanted to greet you.”  

Gloria, dressed more elegantly than ever, approached with her parents.  

“Excuse me for a moment.”  

Seo Do-jun politely excused himself from Hyun Sang-wook and greeted Gloria’s parents. The conversation unfolded in English, and when Gloria’s mother hugged Seo Do-jun lightly, the atmosphere turned surprisingly intimate.  

Watching this, Hyun Sang-wook whispered to Hyun Joo-yeon:  

“Is that the other woman?”  

The one rumored to be in a relationship with Seo Do-jun. He didn’t need to ask—it was obvious. And more importantly—  

‘Hmph. Not an easy opponent.’  

Though he’d seen photos, Gloria’s real-life presence was formidable. Her parents were no less impressive, their natural affection toward Seo Do-jun almost making it seem like—  

‘Anyone would think they’ve already claimed him as their son-in-law!’  

Unacceptable.  

His daughter’s only flaw was the absence of her mother. Worried Hyun Joo-yeon might shrink back in this situation, Hyun Sang-wook’s eyes burned with determination.  

‘Hyun Joo-yeon, trust your dad!’  

He immediately inserted himself between Seo Do-jun and Gloria’s parents.  

“What’s this interesting conversation about, Seo Do-jun?”  

“Let me introduce everyone. These are Gloria’s parents, and this is…”  

Seo Do-jun mediated the introductions, unaware of the silent clash unfolding.  

‘I heard our Hyun Joo-yeon staked her claim first! How dare they try to swoop in now? That’s against all decency!’  

‘So this is the father of the woman competing with Gloria for Kassal’s affection?’  

Amid the warm atmosphere, the two families were the only ones eyeing each other warily.  

“Sigh…”  

“Ugh…”  

Gloria and Hyun Joo-yeon could only exchange resigned sighs at their families’ antics.