SFRW-Chapter 114

Ch. 114 Sword God From The Ruined World

[National Hero’s Secret Tax Evasion!]

[National Hero Who Abandoned His Parents?]

Articles poured out.

Malicious articles about Seo Do-jun suddenly flooded the media like mushrooms after rain.

The problem wasn’t that these were baseless rumors or speculative reports.

They were fact-based articles with clear evidence.

Of course, the sensationalized tone and cleverly crafted criticism of Seo Do-jun’s behavior were also problematic.

But focusing on taxes of all things made it perfect for stirring public opinion.

In Canada, he received 100% tax exemption, and there were talks of similar benefits if he naturalized in the U.S., but that was only if he moved there.

Regardless, the fact that Seo Do-jun was receiving tax exemptions while remaining in South Korea was uncomfortable enough.

“Honestly, isn’t this going too far? He makes more money than he can spend, yet he’s dodging taxes?”

“It’s not even that much money!”

“That’s exactly the problem! You know the saying – small thieves become big thieves? Who knows if he planned to gradually increase these exemptions? Especially since he apparently secured these benefits secretly right after getting his S-rank!”

“Well, regardless of the amount, secretly receiving tax exemptions proves Seo Do-jun is just another opportunist.”

“As a proper South Korean citizen, paying taxes is fundamental! Especially someone receiving nationwide support should set an example, not secretly take tax exemptions! Honestly disappointing!”

“Money trumps everything, even Heroes. This proves you can’t judge people by appearances.”

Most public criticism expressed disappointment.

Of course, many still defended Seo Do-jun, but that didn’t justify his actions.

Following the tax issue, the second criticism was about ignoring his stepmother Hong Hee-ju’s death.

While understandable, many articles cleverly criticized this to manipulate public opinion.

No matter how evil a stepmother, having called her ‘mother’ during childhood made this as hard to justify as the tax issue.

This particularly resonated with South Korea’s elderly population obsessed with filial piety.

But this wasn’t the end.

[First Hero Covering for the National Hero?]

[How Far Will Hero Association Chairman’s Power Abuse Go?]

[Chairman Na Tae-hwang Overstepping Even with the President!]

Articles about Chairman Na Tae-hwang poured fuel on the fire.

Before Seo Do-jun, Chairman Na Tae-hwang was South Korea’s most trusted Hero without question.

South Korea’s first S-rank who devoted his life to public safety.

Now even he was accused of power abuse, leaving people feeling betrayed.

Though facts should be verified first, most readily believed ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’.

“Damn it! Those bastards!”

Kang Cheon-wuk couldn’t contain his anger about the articles about Seo Do-jun.

“They ignore all Guild Master’s unpaid service and call him a tax evader? Those damn—!”

The articles angered him, but the supportive comments enraged him more.

“This seems strange.”

Shin Min-gi, quietly reading articles and comments on his phone, frowned.

“Strange? They’re just being idiots!”

Despite Kang Cheon-wuk’s outburst, Shin Min-gi continued calmly:

“The articles appeared simultaneously as if it was planned. And comments seem pre-prepared, quickly gaining upvotes to manipulate opinion.”

“So what? Is it all fabricated?”

Kang Cheon-wuk’s expression turned icy at Shin Min-gi’s sharp observation.

Deliberate manipulation to tarnish Seo Do-jun’s image?

Kang Cheon-wuk wanted to find and kill whoever was behind this.

Though brief, Kang Cheon-wuk knew the real Seo Do-jun.

The tax exemption was minor compared to Canada’s full exemption.

It only applied to magic stone sales, which Seo Do-jun had stopped long ago.

“They should be bowing daily to Guild Master for their comfortable lives!”

“More absurd is calling him unfilial for skipping his stepmother’s funeral.”

“Which paper first used that word?”

“XX Daily. I remember clearly. They started this unfilial narrative.”

“XX Daily again? Those pro-Japanese bastards! Remember them! I’ll break every finger so they can’t write again!”

Shin Min-gi nodded, vowing to smash their wrists too.

“But dragging Chairman Na Tae-hwang into this…this smells bigger.”

“Obviously! Those bastards! Lives matter more than money! They think Guild Master will back down? Never!”

“Right! He won’t yield to these schemers!”

* * *

“You’ll admit it?”

“Cleaner that way. Foreign tax exemptions were earned, but this is different.”

The S-rank condition for tax exemption was clearly unfair.

Considering other Heroes’ feelings and public disappointment, clean admission was better.

At least it only involved anonymous transactions – Chairman Na Tae-hwang had refused further demands.

“But confidential information leaking means even Chairman Na Tae-hwang’s inner circle can’t be trusted.”

“Seems so.”

Actually, Chairman Na Tae-hwang was hit harder than Seo Do-jun by this.

“Prepare a press conference.”

“Understood.”

* * *

Seo Do-jun directly countered the negative publicity.

First, he apologized:

“I admit and apologize for magic stone sales tax exemptions that disappointed many.”

But he only addressed taxes – not mentioning Hong Hee-ju at all, implying it wasn’t worth discussing.

Of course, reporters wouldn’t let it go.

One boldly provoked Seo Do-jun using ‘unfilial’.

“Even with time reversed, I’d do the same.”

That ended it.

No wrongdoing, no regrets.

Before follow-ups, Seo Do-jun dropped a bombshell:

“Henceforth, Casserian Guild will deprioritize South Korea in all matters.”

Shock!

The press conference erupted.

TV viewers froze, staring blankly.

“I’ve never sought compensation for protecting South Korea from Gates. But many don’t appreciate this. Especially corrupt elites prioritizing profits over public safety by opposing Gate closures who’ll keep harassing me and my family. It’s time to step back as they wish.”

Reporters, especially those instructed to cause trouble, were stunned.

One carefully asked:

“Are you…leaving South Korea?”

Seo Do-jun met their gaze:

“I’m seriously considering it.”

Boom!

Second bombshell!

The world’s strongest Hero and guild leaving South Korea shocked the nation.

Seo Do-jun stared straight into cameras:

You attacked first – now it’s your turn.

How will you respond?

His cool eyes reflected the media battle they wanted.

After the conference, this became an international matter.

[South Korea’s crazy! Tax exemption was just for magic stone sales? Rejecting the world’s top Hero over that? Come to America! Full tax exemption like Canada!]

[Thank you South Korea! Kassal’s Canada’s First Hero anyway! Make Casserian our national bird!]

[Did Kobayashi Shinzo know this would happen? Offer anything to bring him to Japan!]

[Weren’t Seo Do-jun’s ancestors Han Chinese? Come to the mainland…]

[France welcomes…]

Love calls flooded in worldwide.

Major powers and obscure nations alike promised anything to get Seo Do-jun.

“Britain’s offering nobility?”

“Nobility’s nothing. America, Russia, Canada are offering land and custom guild bases!”

“Japan’s desperate too!”

“San Marino or whatever offered a Consul position!”

“San Marino? Where’s that?”

“Near Italy? Is the Consul like the President? Anyway, full power if he comes.”

“Everywhere’s offering anything! Brazil’s exempting all guild members’ taxes too!”

“Serves them right!”

“But…is Guild Master really considering leaving?”

“Who knows? But he doesn’t speak lightly. Have you ever heard him say something he didn’t mean?”

“If he really leaves, what do we do? We’d follow but…”

“Families left behind are the issue.”

Guild members would follow without hesitation, only worrying about families remaining.

“Just bring everyone! With such offers, would they refuse a few more dependents?”

“Exactly! They’d welcome extended families with open arms!”

Members puffed up proudly at such treatment.

“Reporters who criticized him must be suicidal now!”

“Especially XX Daily calling him unfilial – their personal info got leaked, they can’t even leave home!”

“Serves them right! Messing with our Guild Master! Instant karma!”

“The Blue House emergency briefing at 7 PM?”

“Of course! After Guild Master’s remarks, petitions to stop him leaving hit 9 million signatures!”

“9 million? That fast?”

“Shows public sentiment! Might hit 10 million tomorrow!”

Criticism transformed into overwhelming support.

Amid this, another bombshell hit South Korea.

“Effective immediately, I resign from all positions. My apologies for troubling the nation.”

Chairman Na Tae-hwang – synonymous with South Korea’s Hero Association – announced his resignation.

After Seo Do-jun, now Chairman Na Tae-hwang.

With both pillars possibly leaving, South Korea entered emergency mode.

At 7 PM,

The presidential briefing was upgraded to a national address.

“My fellow citizens…”

The message was brief but powerful.

Full support for Seo Do-jun and Chairman Na Tae-hwang’s dedication to national safety.

And:

“By presidential authority, I grant Chairman Na Tae-hwang and Hero Seo Do-jun full control over all domestic Gate and rift zone closures.”

A devastating blow to corrupt elites.

“Things went as you planned.”

Chairman Na Tae-hwang turned from the TV to Seo Do-jun.

Without expression, Seo Do-jun sipped coffee.

“Just the beginning.”

Closing South Korea’s Gates is only the start.

Worldwide Gate closures are needed for global peace.

“They set the stage nicely. Focus on closures – I’ll handle the rest.”

Chairman Na Tae-hwang looked colder than ever.

With presidential authority and public support,

He now had both power and popular mandate.

No better justification existed.

With these, he could crush corrupt elites without hesitation.