SFRW-Chapter 115

Ch. 115 Sword God From The Ruined World

The tables had completely turned. Those who had tried to bring down Seo Do-jun and Na Tae-hwang to prevent Gate closures had lost both their justification and practical benefits.  

[At 6:43 AM, the Chungju Dalcheon Gate was closed. With the closure of Dalcheon Gate, the number of domestic Gates has been reduced to double digits. Director Seo Do-jun announced he would close another Gate this afternoon…]  

The price was devastating. Na Tae-hwang, the Association Chairman who had been granted full authority over rift zones and Gate closures by the President, and Seo Do-jun moved forward relentlessly.  

The first thing Chairman Na Tae-hwang did was establish a new organization called the ‘Gate Closure Task Force’, entrusting everything to Seo Do-jun. As the name suggested, it was an bureau dedicated to closing rift zones and Gates, with Seo Do-jun taking the director position to oversee everything.  

The only drawback was that most task force members were from the Casserian Guild. Though small guilds and Heroes supporting Chairman Na Tae-hwang joined forces, few were actually helpful.  

The Gate Closure Task Force had a clear goal: at least one Gate per day. Unless emergencies occurred (new rifts, rift zone Breaks, monster Waves, or Gate explosions), closing one Gate daily was the minimum target.  

The task force, needing no organizational stabilization (since most were Casserian Guild members), immediately began closing Gates. While only one was closed on the first day, from the next day onward, they rampantly closed two, three, or more Gates at an insane pace.  

Some media outlets that still hadn’t come to their senses busily criticized Seo Do-jun and the task force for charging ahead like a runaway train, but public opinion wasn’t on their side.  

“At least Chairman Na Tae-hwang and Hero Seo Do-jun are better than those bastards who hide behind their keyboards, shitting out articles criticizing everything while monsters jump out of Gates and rift zones!”  

“What’s there to say? Honestly, who among those who profited from the Gate industry were commoners like us? Even if we benefited from it, living without constant fear is a hundred times better! Damn right!”  

Convenience and safety—these two values were incomparable from the start. Articles claiming that closing Gates would collapse the industry and plunge South Korea’s economy into poverty appeared several times daily, but people’s reactions were cold. Instead, stories of those living near Gates finally sleeping peacefully after closures resonated more.  

After Gate explosions, the subconscious fear that monsters might burst out and threaten lives had unknowingly filled many people’s minds.  

“The public response is better than expected. We should increase the pace,” Seo Do-jun said. Chairman Na Tae-hwang asked if that was possible.  

“Easily.” At Seo Do-jun’s calm, reassuring voice, the Chairman didn’t press further.  

“Then, do your best.” Having steeled their resolve, neither Na Tae-hwang nor Seo Do-jun had any intention of slowing down.  

With the closure speed doubling, those who held interests in the Gate industry screamed in despair.  

“It’s the beginning of the end! The end!”  

“If we stay idle like this, all of us… no, the entire country will collapse!”  

“We must do something!”  

“We need to impeach not just Seo Do-jun and Na Tae-hwang but even the President!”  

“Public sentiment isn’t favorable. Whatever we do now, it’s hard to gain support.”  

“Most citizens are easily swayed if they think even crumbs will fall their way. No need to worry.”  

“This time, let’s put Heroes at the forefront. Many have been mocking us for hiding behind articles, so let’s have Heroes openly oppose Na Tae-hwang and Seo Do-jun.”  

“That’s not a bad idea. But we need suitable replacements for Seo Do-jun and Na Tae-hwang. Any candidates?”  

“Wouldn’t the top guild in the country suffice?”  

“Hmm. I’m not disregarding Hero Jang Seong-ho and the VIP Guild, but is that enough? Our opponent is Seo Do-jun.”  

It was a question of whether the public could forget the world’s greatest Hero and the Casserian Guild.  

“What if we also enlist Park Hae-yeol and Go Dong-hyuk? And we’re currently recruiting Yang Chang-seop.”  

“If we get Yang Chang-seop… that’s half of South Korea’s S-rank Heroes. Plus the top two guilds.”  

As positive responses about feasibility poured in, one man couldn’t hide his rising smirk.  

‘The day I seize and shake South Korea is near!’  

P Group, once South Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate, was now firmly entrenched as number one. And soon, it would hold South Korea’s greatest power.  

Jang Joo-kwang, P Group’s chairman and Jang Seong-ho’s father, vowed to succeed in this plan at all costs. But greed brings ruin, and chasing rewards beyond one’s means only invites greater trials.  

***

“…Therefore, our IGA will directly oppose the reckless Gate closures advocated by the Gate Closure Task Force…”  

The ‘International Gate Alliance’ (IGA), a grandiose new organization, had formed. Centered around VIP Guild leader Jang Seong-ho, its members were surprisingly illustrious.  

Jang Seong-ho, who had held the title of South Korea’s top Hero before Seo Do-jun’s appearance, was the inaugural chairman. Joining him were Park Hae-yeol (South Korea’s third S-rank Hero), Yang Chang-seop (fifth S-rank), and Go Dong-hyuk (seventh S-rank)—four S-rank Heroes in total.  

Additionally, South Korea’s top guild VIP and second-ranked guild joined IGA. Not to mention Sweet Life Guild, which had once ranked among South Korea’s top three before declining after the Casserian raid, and numerous smaller guilds rushed to join.  

In scale, IGA overwhelmed the Gate Closure Task Force, rivaling any single organization worldwide.  

“Do you believe Gates are safe?” At a journalist’s prearranged question, Jang Seong-ho answered with an arrogant yet natural expression.  

“We understand public concerns about Gate safety after the explosions. But when circumstances change, we adapt. Gates were never inherently safe—we made them safe. Our duty now is—!”  

Pausing dramatically, he continued firmly to the cameras.  

“To find solutions, not just advocate closures. For this, I’ve staked everything to establish IGA. We’ll ensure not just South Korea’s but all Gates worldwide remain safe.”  

IGA members erupted in cheers and applause—a rehearsed act, but many watching citizens nodded along.  

As momentum built, Jang Seong-ho declared, “The Gate industry has significantly improved Earth’s environment. Reverting now is unthinkable. Faced with challenges, we must solve them, not flee. IGA will usher in a new era of safe Gates!”  

His press conference split public opinion again. And IGA acted swiftly.  

***

“What is this?”  

Jung In-joo, leader of the Gate Closure Task Force’s Second Team, frowned at Park Hae-yeol blocking the Gate entrance.  

“We don’t want to do this either, but we can’t just watch Gates keep closing,” Park Hae-yeol replied, looking as uncomfortable as someone forced into an unpleasant task.  

Having known Jung In-joo well, this confrontation itself was awkward.  

“We’re executing official duties.” With the president’s approval, her statement was indisputable.  

“Official duties? That’s a stretch.”  

Park Hae-yeol clicked his tongue. “Between us, isn’t it? Threatening to leave South Korea if you don’t get your way—how’s that different from a kid refusing to eat unless given candy?”  

Laughter erupted around them.  

“Is that what you call reasoning…?”  

“Admit the truth. Do you think public opinion supports Seo Do-jun because it’s ‘right’? If it were so righteous, why didn’t people back him sooner?”  

Jung In-joo was momentarily speechless.  

“Nothing to say?”  

At Park Hae-yeol’s smug grin, she snapped back to focus. Get a grip! Looking shaken is admitting defeat!  

Taking a breath, she said, “No need to respond to baseless claims. Blocking us is clearly illegal.”  

“Illegal?” Park Hae-yeol shrugged at his companions, sparking more laughter.  

“I already said—we’re on official duty. If necessary, I can cite penal code.”  

“Since when do people like us fear laws? Be honest—haven’t you broken plenty yourself?”  

Most Heroes scoffed at laws, though some tried to follow them, avoiding only the worst crimes.  

“Obstruction of justice charges won’t stop you.” Jung In-joo’s remark made Park Hae-yeol smirk.  

Violence seemed inevitable.  

“Just let us pass?” A man behind Jung In-joo spoke—in Japanese.  

Kobayashi Shinzo. Though he didn’t understand South Korean, he grasped the tension. Who wouldn’t? Especially knowing an S-rank Hero stood before him, he felt compelled to step forward.  

“This is insane. A Japanese closing Gates in South Korea… How should we take this? Isn’t this pro-Japanese collaboration?”  

Park Hae-yeol clicked his tongue theatrically. He’d been more wary of Shinzo than Jung In-joo anyway. To stop them, defeating Shinzo was key.  

Japan’s strongest? Show me what you’ve got! He’d been curious about the famed Japanese Hero’s skills. While unsure of victory, he didn’t expect defeat either. As South Korea’s third S-rank Hero, in pure combat, “Except that monster Seo Do-jun, I won’t lose easily!”  

His confidence came from building Sweet Life Guild into South Korea’s top three with his bare fists.  

As Park Hae-yeol and Shinzo eyed each other, ready to clash—  

“I’ll handle this.” Unexpectedly, Jung In-joo stepped forward.  

“…Are you joking?” Park Hae-yeol’s eyes twisted furiously. An A-rank Hero daring to challenge an S-rank? All his discomfort toward her turned to rage.  

Then came voices that infuriated him further:  

“Wanna bet? 100 grand on whether Team Leader or Park Hae-yeol wins?”  

“Fun! I’m betting on Team Leader!”  

“Damn it! I wanted Team Leader too!”  

Betting was fine—but betting against him? The Casserian Guild members’ nonchalance, as if a neighborhood dog were barking, left him speechless.  

One man raised his hand. “Team Leader! Let me take this!”  

It was Park Seung-ho, who had witnessed Seo Do-jun’s power firsthand in the Silk Flower guild and been captivated. His eager eyes made Jung In-joo nod.  

“I’ll yield to you, Park Seung-ho.”  

As she coolly stepped back, Park Seung-ho grinned and stepped forward.  

“…Have you lunatics lost your minds? You fucking bastard! Did you leave your guts at home?”  

Park Hae-yeol’s murderous intent surged. Yet Park Seung-ho remained unshaken, drawing his spear.  

“An S-rank Hero with such a big mouth? Did you rank up by talking? Let’s see what you’ve got.”  

Twirling his spear provocatively, Park Seung-ho finally snapped something in Park Hae-yeol’s mind.  

“You fucking bastard—!”