SFRW-Chapter 166

Ch. 166 Sword God From The Ruined World

Rumors spread that the Casserian Guild was sweeping up all the weapons, drawing negative attention and criticism from outsiders. But did they need to care?  

No.  

Frankly speaking, what difference would good weapons make for those lacking real skill?  

Sure, weapons might temporarily boost one’s apparent strength.  

But could simply wielding a fine weapon enable someone to single-handedly sweep away primitive tribes?  

Absolutely not.  

Seo Do-jun had forcibly collected weapons from Hero associations worldwide for proper utilization.  

Like the saying ‘pearls before swine’, he believed weapons should go to those who could truly wield their value.  

Thus, selecting owners wasn’t complicated.  

“We’ll judge solely by skill.”  

What more needs to be said?  

Seo Do-jun declared guild members must defeat competitors through pure ability to claim desired weapons.  

“When does the competition begin?”  

Today?  

Right now?  

Under the guild members’ gazes, Seo Do-jun raised two fingers.  

“The tournament begins in two weeks.”  

Some showed disappointment at the delay, but most welcomed the preparation time.  

Two weeks allowed for honing skills and carefully considering weapon compatibility.  

“Can we choose two weapons?”  

No one considered this request greedy.  

The Guild had secured 91 weapons for 65 combat members (excluding non-combat personnel).  

Seo Do-jun needed no weapons, and Choi Kang-soo in Guam possessed an incomparable divine sword, leaving ample extras.  

However.  

“Not allowed.”  

Seo Do-jun refused.  

The guild already overflowed with applicants taking their notoriously difficult entrance exams daily.  

Some might pass despite the extreme difficulty.  

Moreover, leftover weapons have to be reserved as replacements for any lost in battle.  

The guild members nodded in understanding.  

Weapons were displayed by type in the training hall.  

All could touch and test-swing potential choices.  

Members busily handled their top picks, checking grip and balance.  

“The most anticipated competition will be for swords.”  

Seo Do-jun murmured, noticing Hyun Joo-yeon and Shinjo eyeing the same blade.  

Currently, Shinjo held the advantage.  

But two weeks could change everything – enlightenment might strike Hyun Joo-yeon tomorrow.  

Furthermore.  

‘Desperation might secure it for her.’  

Despite Shinjo being her rival, Hyun Joo-yeon showed no intention of backing down.  

Instead, she burned with determination to defeat Shinjo and claim the sword.  

In contrast, the weapon with no competition – none whatsoever – was the bow.  

“Heh—”  

Gloria grinned foolishly at the bow.  

As the guild’s sole archer, she faced zero competitors.  

Some used bows secondarily, but none would foolishly challenge Gloria’s primary claim.  

While others fought bloody battles, Gloria received her weapon freely.  

Meanwhile, others faced completely different circumstances.  

“Park Seung-ho, sorry but this spear is mine.”  

“What nonsense! Last sparring session, I was the only one who almost beat you! Park Seung-ho! This time I’ll definitely defeat you!”  

“Apologies, but the odds of you beating me are zero. Normally I’d yield, but… looking at this, I can’t possibly step back. Haha!”  

“Getting ahead of yourselves? I’ve been going easy during guild spars.”  

Eight members vied fiercely for Maharunta’s spear, each confident of ultimate victory.  

“If swords promise the most anticipated duel, spears will host the fiercest battle.”  

The sword competition inevitably narrowed to Shinjo versus Hyun Joo-yeon.  

Realistically, no one could surpass them in two weeks.  

But the spear was different.  

While Park Seung-ho currently led, that could change dramatically in fourteen days.  

Maharunta’s spear outclassed all other weapons, making it worth every spear-user’s all-out effort.  

Axes also drew unexpected competition, while other weapons seemed leisurely by comparison.  

“This should be friendly competition, but I worry about excessive bloodshed.”  

Seo Do-jun reassured Jung In-joo’s concerns.  

“I trust the Guild Master will manage it. Ah! Capmore requested a meeting.”  

“Unless urgent, no need to meet.”  

However influential, Seo Do-jun knew frequent meetings with Capmore would become troublesome.  

“It’s an official request from Sunrise Guild’s leader to Casserian’s Guild Master.”  

This formal approach made refusal difficult. Seo Do-jun instructed In-joo to arrange time and place.  

***

“Capra bin More bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.”  

What an absurdly long name.  

As Seo Do-jun stared silently, Capmore smiled faintly.  

“Capmore is fine.”  

“I heard you’re royalty.”  

“Though of royal bloodline, my succession rank is too low for it to matter.”  

This was true.  

While born with Saudi royalty’s golden spoon, his distant succession position made him nominally royal.  

(Though even this granted unimaginable privilege.)  

Knowing his royal status didn’t faze Seo Do-jun – even direct heirs meant nothing to him.  

“Why request this meeting?”  

Seo Do-jun cut straight to the point upon sitting.  

Capmore smiled faintly – Seo Do-jun’s personality was as widely known as his own lineage.  

“I have a proposal.”  

Seo Do-jun nodded slightly for him to continue.  

“Casserian Guild – specifically Guild Master Seo Do-jun – reportedly possesses methods to enhance Heroes’ abilities. Correct?”  

Capmore sought confirmation before presenting his offer.  

Seo Do-jun nodded without hesitation – this was public knowledge.  

“Indeed.”  

His simple answer helped Capmore gauge the man.  

Only straightforward approaches worked with someone like this – nonsense would make him leave immediately.  

“I wish to acquire this enhancement method for myself and Sunrise Guild.”  

Before Seo Do-jun could dismiss this as absurd—  

“100 billion dollars.”  

Over 122 trillion won.  

“For that amount—”  

“Merely a deposit. 40 billion dollars upfront for the method, plus 60 billion dollars upon verified results.”  

Totaling 100 billion dollars!  

122 trillion won!  

Capmore’s confidence suggested he expected no refusal.  

“Rejected.”  

Seo Do-jun’s answer shattered that confidence completely.  

Capmore never anticipated someone refusing astronomical wealth without hesitation.  

But he’d come prepared.  

“Double the offer.”  

200 billion dollars!  

An unimaginable sum.  

“Rejected.”  

“Why…how…?”  

The Gate industry had collapsed.  

Closed rift zones eliminated magic stone supplies.  

Heroes’ value plummeted accordingly.  

In this economic climate, rejecting 200 billion dollars defied all logic.  

Though Capmore wanted to methodically dissect this, shock left him speechless.  

Beyond the refusal, Seo Do-jun’s icy gaze petrified him.  

‘This man…is a predator!’  

A terrifying beast that could immobilize prey with just a glance.  

Capmore had never felt such overwhelming pressure from anyone.  

Suddenly—  

Seo Do-jun’s lips curved into a slight smile, and the oppressive aura vanished.  

“Haah…!”  

Capmore exhaled involuntarily, gulping down water.  

“Why seek the enhancement method?”  

Seo Do-jun sipped coffee while posing the key question.  

Capmore instantly understood.  

“To protect.”  

“Protect what?”  

“Myself. Us.”  

“Us?”  

“My royal family and Sunrise Guild initially. Then my nation. The Middle East. Ultimately…this planet.”  

Seo Do-jun looked up from his coffee.  

Capmore’s eyes held no tremor, falsehood, or shame – just pure determination.  

The eyes of someone protecting what mattered.  

They reminded Seo Do-jun of fallen comrades who’d fought beside him to the end.  

“I can share the method.”  

“Truly?!”  

Capmore’s face lit up excitedly.  

“I can triple the offer! More would require special approval, but if needed—”  

“No money required.”  

To Seo Do-jun, such sums were trivial.  

He could live free from financial constraints whenever he chose.  

“Then what do you require?”  

Seo Do-jun answered simply:  

“A pass certificate. Casserian Guild’s entrance exam pass will suffice.”  

“…Ah.”  

Capmore’s face twisted as if he’d bitten something foul.  

Because—  

“Capmore failed. His score fell far short.”  

One day before this meeting, Capmore had taken – and failed – the guild’s entrance exam spectacularly.  

The problem?  

‘…That impossible test is the requirement?’  

Capmore silently covered his face.  

“Bring me that pass, and I’ll share all desired methods.”  

Seo Do-jun turned away from the despondent royal.  

“Goddammit…”  

Capmore’s soft curse followed him out.  

***

Guam  

A man in tattered clothes, face obscured by untrimmed beard, stared blankly northward.  

“…Brother.”  

He called out pointlessly, as he did countless times daily.  

He’d heard the world faced crisis.  

Had it endured?  

Or did desperate battles rage on?  

The man stared at his shattered phone before crushing it completely.  

CRUNCH!  

A week ago, dropping it had severed his last connection to the world.  

『No one remembers you. Forget them. Train. You never mattered anyway. He’s probably forgotten you too.』  

The negative voice whispered like a demon in his mind.  

“That’s impossible! Uncle would never forget me!”  

But the whispers continued.  

『Then why hasn’t he come? Food’s almost gone – just fish remain. Would someone that meticulous not know?』  

“That’s…the situation…”  

『What situation? You’re abandoned! No one misses or remembers you! Only I remain! Grow stronger for revenge! Become unstoppable! Show them all who truly reigns supreme! That the lonely Divine Knight alone can save this world!』  

“…This world’s savior?”  

As Choi Kang-soo’s eyes glazed over, the Divine Sword within him chuckled.  

It thought:  

With this fool around, boredom was impossible.  

“AAAAH! Fine! Let them forget! But eventually all will know! That I! Choi Kang-soo! Am this world’s savior! AAAAAH!”  

As madness flickered in Choi Kang-soo’s eyes, the sword erupted in uncontrollable laughter.  

“Train! Train to grow stronger!”  

Choi Kang-soo swung the blade wildly.  

Thus continued his lonely, desperate training.