SFRW-Chapter 136

Ch. 136 Sword God From The Ruined World

Vaitel’s warning kept echoing in Seo Do-jun’s mind.  

“When synchronization exceeds 50%… that’s when the real thing begins.”  

Having experienced it before, Seo Do-jun knew these weren’t empty words.  

“Does he know Vaitel is dead?”  

Probably.  

Perhaps even feeling some panic at this unexpected development.  

To that being, Vaitel must have been invaluable.  

Despite stabbing his own master in the heart and betraying many, Vaitel’s abilities were undeniable.  

Had Vaitel known about Seo Do-jun’s true nature?  

“He wouldn’t have been captured so easily.”  

The pentago ambush dealt the first blow, then Soul Gem’s properties enabled instant summoning to Vaitel’s side.  

Finally, before Vaitel could react, shattering mythic magic stones created a magic-saturated environment that blocked spells.  

This perfect sequence allowed Vaitel’s capture.  

Frankly, even Seo Do-jun would struggle if Vaitel had simply fled using long-distance teleportation – the ultimate escape method for mages.  

With Vaitel gone, preparations were needed for when synchronization reached 50%.  

“First, talent recruitment.”  

Gates worldwide were closing rapidly, eliminating the need for Seo Do-jun’s direct involvement.  

Though rift zones remained inaccessible, periodic monster waves from overpopulation would require swift containment.  

Seo Do-jun called Jung In-joo:  

“Yes, Guild Master?”  

“Which countries still have active monster waves?”  

“China, America, Russia, and India remain.”  

“Contact them offering our assistance.”  

He expected grateful acceptance, but Jung In-joo responded:  

“They’ve… all declined external help.”  

“Why?”  

“Magic stones.”  

Seo Do-jun immediately understood.  

With Gates disappearing and rift zones limited, magic stone supplies were dwindling.  

Some nations were deliberately maintaining controlled monster waves to farm resources.  

“Are you saying they’re prolonging the crisis intentionally?”  

“They deny it, but Chairman Na Tae-hwang and I share that assessment.”  

Human greed persisting even during calamity left Seo Do-jun speechless.  

“What if I intervene forcibly?”  

“Guild Master!”  

Jung In-joo was aghast. Even for Seo Do-jun, unauthorized interference would be unacceptable.  

“I know.”  

Seo Do-jun had only voiced the thought. After repeated warnings, he ended the call.  

While tempted to act, his recruitment goals prevented reckless behavior that might breed hostility.  

“…Same everywhere.”  

Having witnessed similar selfishness in the ruined world, Seo Do-jun felt only frustration toward human nature.  

“We’ll strengthen internally instead.”  

He resolved to maximize Casserian Guild members’ capabilities.  

* * *  

“Special footage?”  

Park Chul, Casserian guild’s PR director, looked at his sole subordinate Park Young-gi.  

“Choi Kang-soo – the world’s first holy knight! Unlike those healers playing nobility, he battles monsters directly while healing allies!”  

Park Chul envisioned dramatic visuals. Park young-gi nodded agreement.  

With rumors spreading about Casserian’s new recruit, public demand for details grew insistent.  

“He’s certainly different from conventional Heroes.”  

“Different? He’s revolutionary! A complete paradigm shift from traditional Hero imagery!”  

“Some say it’s just gear carrying him.”  

“That’s what makes it incredible! An ordinary man wielding power surpassing Heroes – that’s fantasy material!”  

“True. They say he outperforms the Big Three without awakening.”  

This would shock the world again.  

“But is it wise?”  

“What?”  

“Choi Kang-soo. Won’t people mock him for relying on gear rather than ability?”  

Even now, some criticized Casserian guild members for their past affiliation with the disbanded Silk Flower Guild, ignoring their merit-based recruitment.  

How would they view Choi Kang-soo?  

A level 1 character finding endgame gear – enviable luck that would quickly turn to jealousy.  

‘The backlash will be unprecedented.’  

Park Chul frowned. As PR director, he cared about Choi Kang-soo’s welfare, unlike sensationalist journalists.  

“There might be some criticism.”  

“Some? It’ll be massive! Since when do people focus only on positives? They’ll harp on about gear carrying him. And honestly, what does Choi Kang-soo have besides that?”  

A never-do-well who never held proper jobs thanks to his father’s influence.  

A dropout from an obscure college with poor grades.  

His personality?  

In today’s cancel culture, exposing Choi Kang-soo’s past would inevitably spawn hate mobs.  

“But he’s changed now.”  

“Who’ll believe that? Most will assume it’s image crafting.”  

“Such wasted potential… Why did he live like that?”  

Park young-gi shrugged at the rhetorical question.  

“This is why clean pasts matter.”  

Park Chul considered scrapping the project.  

Meanwhile…  

In the training room, Choi Kang-soo endured brutal sparring while the holy sword berated him:  

『Idiot! Step right to shift your center naturally! Backpedaling makes both offense and defense impossible!』  

Choi Kang-soo couldn’t retort – barely managing to block relentless attacks.  

『Left pivot!』  

『Charge diagonally while swinging! Don’t clash strength – redirect! Retreat means defeat!』  

The sword’s frustrated shouts continued.  

THUD!  

“Ugh!”  

An axe strike sent Choi Kang-soo sprawling. His chest burned where Kang Cheon-wuk had kicked him.  

“…I’m fine.”  

He reassured his sparing partner despite the pain.  

While Choi Kang-soo dripped sweat, Kang Cheon-wuk looked barely warmed up, eyeing other sparring pairs longingly.  

“…Damn.”  

Choi Kang-soo cursed, realizing he was nothing without the sword’s holy power.  

Even when wielding it, he’d felt superior to Casserian’s Big Three.  

『Face reality. You’re trash by nature.』  

The sword’s salt-in-wound remark made Choi Kang-soo snap:  

“Stop calling me trash! If I’d properly awakened, I wouldn’t be like this!”  

His outburst drew stares. Humiliated, Choi Kang-soo lowered his head.  

『…Frustrated? Want power?』  

The mocking tone made Choi Kang-soo ignore it.  

『I could make you strong.』  

“What?”  

『Repurposed trash can still be useful. I’ll remake you.』  

“Really?!”  

Choi Kang-soo’s eyes shone with desperate hope.  

『But can you endure? This won’t be ordinary training.』  

“I can do it!”  

Being a Hero had been his dream. Though his rift zone ordeal dimmed that ambition, obtaining holy power reignited it.  

『Truly want this?』  

“Anything! I’ll do anything!”  

Choi Kang-soo meant it.  

『Then let’s sample what awaits.』  

“Sample?”  

WHOOSH!  

Blinding light erupted from his armor and sword, filling the training room.  

“What’s happening?”  

“Hey, what’s going on?”  

Startled guild members watched as Choi Kang-soo collapsed moments later, drenched in sweat and gasping.  

Those 4-5 seconds felt like months to Choi Kang-soo.  

『That was a glimpse of Palaresta’s life – the ordinary man who became the greatest holy knight through grueling training. Could you endure that?』  

Choi Kang-soo hesitated.  

Briefly experiencing Palaresta’s memories revealed unimaginable suffering:  

Hands shredded from sword practice.  

Nails torn out.  

Daily torment making him want to quit hundreds of times.  

Only unwavering faith in Mute sustained Palaresta.  

‘Could I…?’  

Choi Kang-soo doubted himself. Already his limbs trembled from the brief exposure.  

『No shame in quitting. Just channel my power – that’s all I need from you.』  

Unbeknownst to all, the sword’s holy energy was fading.  

Without Mute’s believers in this world, its power was on borrowed time.  

It chose Choi Kang-soo solely to fulfill Palaresta’s dying wish – vengeance against the ruined world’s destroyers.  

“…I’ll try.”  

『Years of unbearable agony await. The urge to quit will haunt you.』  

Despite the warning, Choi Kang-soo stood firm.  

Memories surfaced:  

“Quitting after that? Pathetic!”  

“What are you good for, brother? I’m ashamed to be seen with you!”  

“Hah! Live like Choi Kang-soo – leeching off dad!”  

No proud memories came. Only shame at his past self.  

“Why so serious?”  

Seo Do-jun’s voice snapped Choi Kang-soo from his thoughts.  

The radiant man everyone respected.  

Who never surrendered to adversity.  

‘I want to be like him.’  

“…Can I really do it?”  

Seo Do-jun studied Choi Kang-soo’s watery eyes, then glanced at confused onlookers.  

Suspecting the sword’s involvement but unable to ask directly, Seo Do-jun extended his hand.  

“Try to find out. Never quit untested. And look – so many stand ready to help.”  

Choi Kang-soo surveyed the guild members who’d accepted him without reservation.  

Whether due to his father’s influence or Seo Do-jun’s word, their sincerity was undeniable.  

‘Yes! I can! No – I will!’  

Clasping Seo Do-jun’s hand, Choi Kang-soo rose with newfound determination.