SFRW-Chapter 106

Ch. 106 Sword God From The Ruined World

“What kind of situation is this now?”  

Everyone, including Seo Do-jun, frowned at Kobayashi Shinzo’s incomprehensible behavior of suddenly drawing his sword without warning.  

“What exactly are you doing right now?”  

Jung In-joo was the first to sharply question Kobayashi Shinzo.  

“Seo Do-jun, I wish to spar with you.”  

Despite his rude action of immediately drawing his sword, his tone was polite and respectful.  

Perhaps because of that?  

Even Jung In-joo’s tone softened slightly.  

‘Was this his intention all along?’  

This must be why he insisted on meeting at the training grounds rather than a reception room.  

“I can roughly guess your intentions, but this behavior upon first meeting is improper. Please put that sword away first.”  

Kobayashi Shinzo stared at Seo Do-jun for a moment before finally sheathing his sword and bowing slightly.  

“I apologize for my rash actions.”  

It was absurd, but since the other party sincerely apologized, refusing would make them seem petty.  

Jung In-joo glanced at Seo Do-jun, hoping he would say something to defuse the situation, but—  

“Rather than hiding dark intentions behind polite words, sometimes extreme yet straightforward actions can be refreshingly honest.”  

While this might not make sense by conventional standards, in the ruined world where Seo Do-jun had lived, there had been countless knights like Kobayashi Shinzo who acted first.  

Especially those with the same burning determination in their eyes—they only revealed their true selves after clashing swords.  

They were preferable to those who concealed their intentions behind false courtesy while making provocative remarks.  

Kobayashi Shinzo immediately understood Seo Do-jun’s meaning and drew his sword again.  

“What on earth—”  

As the situation took another strange turn, Jung In-joo frowned and stepped forward, but Cain grabbed her arm.  

With a mischievous smile and a slight shake of his head, Cain’s eyes sparkled like a child who had found a fascinating toy.  

“Sister, since the Guild Leader seems fine with it, let’s wait and see.”  

Even Hyun Joo-yeon said so, so Jung In-joo sighed and stepped back.  

“I’ve heard your primary weapon is the sword. Please face me with it.”  

As if he had researched Seo Do-jun beforehand, Kobayashi Shinzo requested a sword duel.  

“Very well.”  

Since Seo Do-jun couldn’t openly retrieve a sword from his pocket dimension in front of everyone, he picked up the Febrinium training sword Choi Cheol-gwan had sent him recently.  

While its durability wasn’t suitable for actual combat, it was more than enough for a simple spar.  

Even if this were a real fight, any sword in Seo Do-jun’s hands would be unmatched.  

Though it was clearly just a training sword, Kobayashi Shinzo showed no displeasure.  

That, too, was part of skill.  

If the training sword broke, it would only be due to Seo Do-jun’s arrogance or lack of ability.  

“Let’s begin.”  

No challenger yields the first move.  

Though Kobayashi Shinzo was acknowledged as Japan’s strongest, here he was the challenger, so he unashamedly took the initiative.  

Tap—ah!  

His footwork, closing the distance with swift upper-body movement, was admirable.  

Even Seo Do-jun could clearly sense that Shinzo had spent a long time seriously wielding a sword.  

‘His fundamentals are decent.’  

He knew how to conceal himself behind his sword.  

Though not quite reaching the level of ‘unity of body and blade’, his momentum was sharp.  

But.  

‘Too light.’  

The most basic purpose of swinging a sword is to cut.  

In that regard, Kobayashi Shinzo’s sword was far too light.  

Others might not notice, but to Seo Do-jun, it felt almost as if the sword was flying rather than striking.  

Tap—ang!  

With a single clash, Kobayashi Shinzo’s sword was violently knocked back, sending him stumbling.  

Though he quickly regained his balance, the shock on his face showed he hadn’t expected this outcome.  

He had never imagined someone could repel him so easily in a single strike—nor had he ever experienced it.  

‘As expected… he’s strong!’  

Realizing Seo Do-jun was far stronger than he had anticipated, Kobayashi Shinzo gripped his sword tighter.  

Assuming Seo Do-jun had mitigated the impact, he spoke.  

“Again.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s words, Kobayashi Shinzo gritted his teeth and swung.  

This time, he aimed for Seo Do-jun’s waist—a move impressive enough to draw gasps from onlookers.  

Yet.  

‘Still too light.’  

If he could properly wield magic, Kobayashi Shinzo’s strikes would be at least three or four times stronger.  

Tap—ang!  

Again, Seo Do-jun didn’t move a single step, effortlessly deflecting the attack.  

The key was that Seo Do-jun didn’t use much magic to counter.  

He read Shinzo’s movements and countered with minimal force.  

The difference in their swordsmanship was as vast as heaven and earth—not just in magic control, but in predicting every attack from the slightest movement.  

“Again.”  

Though Seo Do-jun’s tone sounded dismissive, Shinzo didn’t seem offended.  

Instead—  

“Thank you.”  

With gratitude, Kobayashi Shinzo swung again without pause.  

Tang!  

“Again.”  

Tang—  

“Again.”  

Tang!  

“Again.”  

Each time the metallic clang rang out, Seo Do-jun’s two-syllable response followed.  

After about twenty minutes, Kobayashi Shinzo was drenched in sweat, panting heavily.  

In contrast, Seo Do-jun hadn’t even a single hair out of place.  

The disparity was stark.  

“Let’s stop here.”  

As Seo Do-jun lowered his sword, Kobayashi Shinzo bit his lip and protested.  

“I can still go on.”  

Shinzo raised his trembling sword, but Seo Do-jun shook his head.  

“Then this time, I’ll attack.”  

With that, Seo Do-jun raised his sword overhead.  

Just one step forward—  

His downward slash seemed utterly ordinary to onlookers.  

In fact, Kobayashi Shinzo’s previous attacks had appeared far more flashy and powerful.  

But.  

‘…I-I can’t block it!’  

Shinzo’s pupils trembled violently as he stared at the descending blade.  

For the first time in his life, he felt terror—trapped under an inescapable pressure.  

He couldn’t move a finger, couldn’t even shift his gaze.  

This wasn’t a sword—it was a mountain.  

A colossal mountain of a blade, crushing and tearing everything in its path!  

Just as Shinzo, overwhelmed by fear and pressure, felt an unbearable urge to urinate—  

Seo Do-jun’s sword vanished.  

As if the terror, fear, and pressure had all been illusions, Shinzo was flooded with relief.  

“I can’t humiliate a swordsman.”  

Seo Do-jun returned his sword to its place.  

Seeing how Seo Do-jun had perfectly read his emotions and physical state, Shinzo felt not helpless defeat, but reverence.  

This man was different.  

Staring at his own sword, Kobayashi Shinzo—  

Snap—kang!  

“What the—?!”  

“What’s he doing?”  

“Why suddenly—?”  

Everyone stared in shock as Kobayashi Shinzo broke his own sword with his bare hands.  

Just how furious was he to snap his own blade?  

Was he so ashamed he had to express it this way?  

As worried gazes turned to him—  

Thud.  

Kneeling, Kobayashi Shinzo bowed his head to Seo Do-jun.  

“I wish to serve you.”  

Silence fell like cold water had been poured over the room.  

No one had expected this drastic declaration. While everyone was stunned, Seo Do-jun’s expression remained calm.  

No—it almost seemed like he had anticipated this.  

“This will cause quite a stir.”  

“I will handle all consequences.”  

“But you know about our guild’s policy, right?”  

“Huh?”  

“The test. Pass that first, then we’ll talk. Kobayashi—”  

“Shinzo is fine.”  

“Take Shinzo to the examination hall.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s words, Jung In-joo stared at him wide-eyed, as if asking, Are you serious?!  

Just what kind of situation was this?!  

***  

Later…  

“Do you really intend to recruit Kobayashi Shinzo into the guild?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s question was met with Seo Do-jun’s reply: If he passes the test.  

“Not just South Korea—the Japanese government and media won’t stay quiet. Kobayashi Shinzo is—”  

“Japan’s representative swordsman.”  

Since it was obvious, Seo Do-jun cut her off.  

“This is something to seriously consider. Of all people, Kobayashi Shinzo…?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s lips felt parched, as if this was an impossible idea.  

But Seo Do-jun was unfazed.  

In fact, he was inwardly pleased at the thought of gaining a talented Hero like Shinzo.  

‘Not only is he skilled, but his fundamentals are solid and his will is strong. If properly trained—’  

He would be a tremendous asset.  

Of course, he had to pass the test first.  

Meanwhile, Kobayashi Shinzo, facing the most important test of his life—  

‘W-what kind of absurd difficulty is this?!’  

He broke out in a cold sweat staring at the exam sheet.  

His purpose in coming to South Korea, his reason for challenging Seo Do-jun—  

It had all been to confirm something.  

Seeing Seo Do-jun slice off a One-Horned Kowabiru’s horn bare-handed had shocked him deeply.  

Shinzo hadn’t even been able to cut through a regular Kowabiru with his sword. The helplessness he felt then had been the greatest trial of his life.  

Seo Do-jun’s display of power had shattered his confidence completely.  

At first, Shinzo refused to acknowledge Seo Do-jun, who had suddenly appeared and claimed the title of world’s strongest.  

But after watching his combat footage, Shinzo felt an irresistible competitive fire ignite within him.  

He wanted to spar.  

To cross blades with Seo Do-jun.  

Especially the footage from Guam, stored by the U.S. Hero Association—it had been like pouring oil on Shinzo’s burning desire.  

As a lifelong swordsman, he wanted a fair duel.  

Once Japan’s situation stabilized, he came alone to Korea and sought Seo Do-jun out.  

And through their spar, he realized Seo Do-jun existed on an entirely different level.  

His competitive spirit was utterly crushed, replaced by pure reverence.  

‘If I follow this man, perhaps I too can reach new heights.’  

A swordsman’s pure ambition and selfishness surged within him.  

He knew joining a South Korean Hero’s guild would cause an uproar in Japan.  

They would condemn him, trembling with outrage and betrayal.  

Yet Shinzo was willing to endure it all if it meant serving at Seo Do-jun’s side.  

Once he reached the level he truly desired, he would return to wield his sword for his homeland.  

Even if everyone rejected him, he would ensure Japan never suffered such helplessness again.  

But now—  

‘How am I supposed to pass this?!’  

The test questions before him were harder and more impenetrable than the Kowabiru that had blocked his sword.  

Now he understood why no foreign Hero had ever passed this exam!  

‘Is this the answer for question 1? Or… 2? But 3 seems correct too…’  

Lost in indecision before questions with no clear answers, Shinzo faced the greatest crisis of his sword-devoted life.