SFRW-Chapter 150

Ch. 150 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Ah~ It’s been so long since I had a proper meal!”  

Choi Kang-soo, who had devoured two full bowls instead of just one, wore a satisfied smile that couldn’t get any brighter.  

“Eating really is the best. Even if I only get one meal a day back in Seoul, I’ll make sure it’s proper!”  

Having rediscovered the joy and importance of eating during his time in Guam, Choi Kang-soo was practically glowing.  

Though silent, Shinjo’s spotlessly clean bowl showed he’d equally enjoyed the Galbitang soup down to the last drop.  

Seeing their reactions, Seo Do-jun felt proud of the breakfast he’d prepared.  

“Now that we’re full, let’s take a light walk to digest.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s suggestion, Choi Kang-soo eagerly led them to a spot with excellent views at this hour.  

“The scenery’s beautiful.”  

“I’ve become a Guam expert now.”  

Having lived in Guam for nearly four months, Choi Kang-soo confidently considered himself the authority on the island.  

“I’m glad you’ve been doing better than expected.”  

Seo Do-jun’s comment made Choi Kang-soo smile sheepishly.  

“Honestly, if I were alone, I’d probably be writhing in homesickness multiple times a day.”  

Choi Kang-soo looked at Shinjo with undisguised gratitude.  

Training together, sparring, sharing canned meals – having a comrade to alleviate Guam’s loneliness meant everything to him.  

Seo Do-jun understood well how difficult solitary training could be, having endured it himself since adolescence in the ruined world.  

“You both look good.”  

Genuinely pleased, Seo Do-jun admired their healthy appearances.  

“Now that we’ve digested, shall we see how much you’ve improved?”  

While Shinjo’s eyes sparkled in anticipation, Choi Kang-soo looked less enthusiastic.  

『Scared?』  

The Divine Sword taunted, reading Choi Kang-soo’s mind.  

‘You saw how incredible Uncle Seo Do-jun was in Rebley’s space! How could I possibly measure up?’  

Remembering Seo Do-jun’s terrifying divine power made the idea of sparring him seem laughable.  

『What kind of man lacks confidence like this? You’ve trained hard too! At least aim to cut his damn clothes! A Holy Knight should have that much faith!』  

‘Clothes?’  

『Exactly! You’re no match for him, but who knows? Maybe you’ll nick his sleeve! That alone would be victory!』  

As the Divine Sword egged him on, Choi Kang-soo stared intently at Seo Do-jun.  

‘Well… the gap between us is like heaven and earth – no, the universe and underground. Losing’s inevitable.’  

『What kind of comparison is that?! And never accept defeat as inevitable, you idiot!』  

The Divine Sword gave up and fell silent.  

Meanwhile, Shinjo respectfully bowed and boldly drew his sword.  

“Please instruct me.”  

Maintaining perfect etiquette, he launched the first attack like a junior should.  

Watching their spar, Choi Kang-soo’s expression gradually twisted.  

“…He was going easy on me?”  

Though he’d never beaten Shinjo in their daily spars, Choi Kang-soo had thought the gap wasn’t that large.  

What a delusion.  

Shinjo had been holding back tremendously against him.  

“Ugh… damn it. How embarrassing!”  

Choi Kang-soo suddenly grabbed his hair in frustration, remembering last night’s boasts about eventually defeating Shinjo and leaving the island. His face burned crimson with shame.  

While Choi Kang-soo wallowed in embarrassment, Shinjo despaired at being unable to even graze Seo Do-jun’s clothes despite his improved skills.  

‘Has the Guild Master grown stronger too?’  

Had Seo Do-jun trained as hard as he had?  

Shinjo shook his head.  

‘Or perhaps from the beginning, the Guild Master was matching my level from heights I can’t reach…’  

This realization deepened his reverence.  

Shinjo poured everything into the spar – holding nothing back, displaying every technique at 100%.  

Then something miraculous happened.  

A new world began opening – revealing forgotten knowledge, deficiencies, excesses – like a tiny crack breaching a massive dam. Shinjo entered a state of explosive growth, like a chick breaking from its shell.  

When Shinjo suddenly stopped to meditate deeply, Seo Do-jun smiled.  

“Uncle, why suddenly—”  

Seo Do-jun silenced Choi Kang-soo.  

『He’s entering a new realm. Your chatter would only disturb him – stay back!』  

The Divine Sword instantly recognized Shinjo’s state.  

‘A new realm?’  

Choi Kang-soo stared blankly, envy simmering in his chest.  

“Let’s go somewhere else.”  

With no telling how long Shinjo’s meditation might last, Seo Do-jun summoned ten Death Knights to guard him rather than wait indefinitely.  

“Is this common?” Choi Kang-soo asked as they walked away, glancing back repeatedly.  

“Some experience it often, others rarely.”  

“Those who do must become stronger, right?”  

“It means they’ve broken through many barriers.”  

“How many times have you experienced it, Uncle?”  

“Me? Hmm…”  

Seo Do-jun had never counted, but the number was undoubtedly vast.  

“When will I experience it?”  

Hearing the longing in Choi Kang-soo’s voice, Seo Do-jun patted his shoulder.  

“From what I see, you’re close.”  

“Really… you think so?”  

“Keep training like this and you will. Effort never betrays you.”  

Seo Do-jun knew this truth intimately – from himself, others, and now Shinjo.  

Persistent effort inevitably leads to enlightenment and new realms.  

“Uncle, I’ll train even harder. To definitely… become strong enough to help defeat those damn bastards.”  

“Damn bastards?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s questioning look, Choi Kang-soo nodded gravely as if he knew everything.  

Had the Divine Sword talked?  

Seo Do-jun simply glanced at the sword clutched tightly in Choi Kang-soo’s hand.  

***

“Have they been well?”  

At Hyun Joo-yeon’s question, Seo Do-jun nodded.  

Well? Shinjo had ascended to a new realm – effectively becoming the strongest among Casserian Guild’s three captains.  

When Seo Do-jun explained, Hyun Joo-yeon expressed amazement and desire to meet Shinjo.  

“Is this like those fortuitous encounters in novels?”  

“Fortuitous? Perhaps.”  

“It happened during sparring?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s eyes gleamed with unusual intensity. Seo Do-jun suspected he’d be receiving many sparring requests from her in the coming days.  

“Any notable incidents?”  

“It’s been surprisingly peaceful.”  

Aside from the primitive tribes emerging from rifts, the world had returned to calm.  

Gates were disappearing daily, and the rift zones remained firmly closed to all visitors.  

The only disturbance was global protests by Heroes losing jobs as Gates vanished worldwide – though hardly Seo Do-jun’s concern.  

If anything, this peace unsettled him, feeling like the calm before a greater storm.  

“Oh! Sister Jung In-joo went to the Association about the Black Tiger training ground selection.”  

“They’ll likely designate Gwanak Mountain as you requested.”  

Seo Do-jun had brought the Black Tigers from Indonesia to serve as mobility and combat support for guild members – requiring proper training grounds.  

Gwanak Mountain’s proximity made it ideal, though Seo Do-jun would have preferred Gangwon Province.  

“How about volunteer selection?”  

“Every single member wants to become a rider.”  

The Casserian Guild members all coveted Black Tiger mounts.  

“But without saddles prepared, is that okay?”  

“Saddles just provide comfort. They must learn to ride bareback first for emergencies.”  

The idea that lack of saddles could prevent riding was laughable to Seo Do-jun.  

“Once the training ground is confirmed, begin preparations immediately.”  

“Understood.”  

Their conversation continued with minor updates until—  

“Oh! Eun-young has been acting strange lately.”  

At Eun-young’s mention, Seo Do-jun’s expression instantly changed.  

“Eun-young? Strange how?”  

His unusually strong emotional reaction made Hyun Joo-yeon secretly envious of their bond.  

“She talks to herself oddly often, and Grandma says she prefers playing alone over with friends recently.”  

“Alone?”  

Seo Do-jun frowned slightly. Knowing how sociable Eun-young was, this couldn’t be dismissed lightly.  

Busy with recent crises, he’d neglected spending time with her. When rushing to Japan for the tribal crisis, Eun-young had wanted to tell him something but he’d forgotten to follow up.  

“I should check on Eun-young.”  

Deciding to spend time with her, Seo Do-jun checked the time – soon she’d return from piano academy.  

Eun-young had started piano after her friend Ha-yoon enrolled.  

After finishing some work, Seo Do-jun went to meet her.  

“Brother!”  

Spotting Seo Do-jun, Eun-young’s eyes widened delightedly as she ran into his arms.  

He lifted her with an unusually bright smile.  

“Hope learning went well today?”  

“Uh-huh! Brother isn’t busy today?”  

“Free today. Want to get hamburgers?”  

“Yeah! Awesome!”  

Her cheerful response seemed perfectly normal, making Hyun Joo-yeon and Grandma’s concerns puzzling.  

Seo Do-jun observed Eun-young closely throughout their date – hamburgers, hand-holding walks – but detected nothing unusual.  

“Eun-young, how are things with friends lately?”  

“Friends? We get along like you said!”  

Eating ice cream, she answered nonchalantly.  

Seo Do-jun hesitated – should he ask about bullying or exclusion? But Eun-young showed no signs of distress at the topic.  

‘No issues with friends apparently.’  

What then had concerned Hyun Joo-yeon and Grandma?  

Contemplating direct questioning, Seo Do-jun worried it might upset her.  

‘This is harder than fighting Rebley again.’  

He genuinely missed facing those black eyes.  

Returning home empty-handed from their date—  

“Oh! Brother!”  

Remembering something, Eun-young clapped excitedly in the doorway.  

“Remember I said I’d introduce my new friend?”  

“New friend?”  

Vaguely recalling this before Japan, Seo Do-jun nodded.  

“I wanted you to meet first! Well… except Seri. Heehee!”  

Seo Do-jun intuited this is connected to Eun-young’s strange behavior.  

Dragging him to her room—  

‘Why bring me here to introduce a friend?’  

His confusion turned to alarm as a refreshing coolness emanated from Eun-young.  

‘…This is!’  

Seo Do-jun recognized this energy – similar to magic but distinct.  

“Ta-da! Brother! My new friend! Her name is Shuma! Shuma, this is my brother! Say hello!”  

A water droplet on Eun-young’s palm transformed into a tiny seahorse shape staring intently at Seo Do-jun.  

Without doubt—  

This was a water spirit.