SFRW-Chapter 279

Ch. 279 Sword God From The Ruined World

The buzz-cut mercenary, Kreek, blinked blankly at the absurd situation unfolding before him. 

What kind of place was the Crimson Fox Squad? One of the continent’s Top Ten mercenary groups – even count-level nobles from the Five Kingdoms had to tread carefully around them.  

‘He can’t possibly be a marquis…’ 

Kreek thought while nodding confidently as he observed Seo Do-jun. 

As someone who prided himself on knowing all the marquis-level nobles across the Five Kingdoms, he was certain no noble matching Seo Do-jun’s appearance existed. Not among the royal families, nor among the 12 Dukes who formed the core of power.  

‘Some backwater noble who doesn’t know how the world works! A jumped-up country bumpkin!’ 

That was his conclusion. Now that he thought about it, Seo Do-jun’s claim about wanting to meet the Mercenary King had been suspicious from the start. Probably some swordsman who got a bit of local fame and let it go to his head.  

‘How dare this arrogant bastard provoke the Crimson Fox Squad with such cheap tactics?’ 

Just as Kreek resolved to teach him a lesson and started to rise-  

“Why? Not enough money?”  

Clink-clink-clink!  

Seo Do-jun scattered another handful of gold coins across the floor.  

No mercenary, no matter how money-driven, could tolerate being disrespected like this. Especially not members of the prestigious Crimson Fox Squad. Seo Do-jun’s provocation was something they could never let slide.  

“You’re really asking for-”  

The slit-eyed mercenary who had thrown the dagger earlier stepped forward grimacing, when-  

“Hey, do you realize what you just did?”  

A hulking mercenary with a horrific scar across one eye grabbed his shoulder and slowly approached Seo Do-jun. Seeing the slit-eyed mercenary immediately back down revealed this was a superior officer. Seo Do-jun chuckled in response.  

“Provoking you?”  

The giant mercenary momentarily closed his mouth, apparently not expecting Seo Do-jun to act so nonchalant.  

“Squad Leader Rudnik! Fold that bastard in half!”  

“Pull out all his fingers so he can’t throw money around anymore!”  

“Start by bursting those useless eyeballs of his first!”  

Amid the surrounding mercenaries’ shouts, Rudnik stared intently at Seo Do-jun as if asking his opinion.  

“Sounds fun. If you can actually do any of that, I’ll give you ten times the coins on this floor.”  

Rudnik’s expression hardened completely at Seo Do-jun’s continued mockery with money, radiating murderous intent like he’d met his lifelong enemy.  

“Draw your sword. I’ll give you exactly what you want right now.”  

While mercenaries often fought to the death over minor disputes, they rarely dueled privately without witnesses. Even in their rough world, accountability mattered. And the best proof came from bystanders’ testimonies. With this many witnesses present, not even high nobility could demand retribution for a fair duel.  

Rudnik intended to take Seo Do-jun’s life through legitimate combat.  

“Draw it if you’ve got the skill. Don’t worry, just come at me.”  

As Seo Do-jun wiggled his fingers mockingly, Rudnik glanced around and declared:  

“I’ve challenged him to a fair duel, and he’s accepted. No one bears responsibility for the outcome. Agreed?”  

“Of course!”  

“Rudnik! Kill that bastard!”  

“Show this clueless fool how terrifying the Crimson Fox Squad is!”  

Amid the fervor, Rudnik drew the sword slung at his waist. 

“Rudnik, 5th Squad Leader of the Crimson Fox Squad. Focus – unless you want to die unprepared!”  

Before even finishing his words, Rudnik charged at Seo Do-jun. Though it was a deceptive surprise attack under the pretense of speaking, none objected – the duel had already begun.  

His bent-forward charge looked impressive enough to show his experience, but to Seo Do-jun, he remained small fry.  

‘Just standing there blankly! I’ll take an arm first!’ 

Rudnik smiled confidently seeing Seo Do-jun fail to react to his surprise attack. Clearly this opponent, however skilled, wasn’t used to real combat.  

Just as Rudnik raised his sword tip to sever an arm-  

A black shadow suddenly filled his vision.  

Thud!  

Seo Do-jun’s punch landed perfectly on his philtrum, knocking him out cold as he crumpled forward.  

“…!”  

“…!”  

Everyone froze at the abrupt scene. Rudnik’s low stance and drawn sword had shown his vicious intent – he’d clearly expected this money-throwing upstart to beg for mercy while bleeding. But…  

“…W-what just happened?”  

“D-did you see that?”  

“Why did Rudnik just collapse?”  

Surprisingly, only a handful of mercenaries had actually seen Seo Do-jun’s short but powerful punch. Most only witnessed Rudnik suddenly falling forward.  

As murmurs spread, Seo Do-jun casually kicked the unconscious Rudnik aside. Despite his massive frame, he flew like paper to slam against a wall.  

Then Seo Do-jun addressed all the first-floor mercenaries like they were petty thugs: “No one more competent than this weakling? I’m offering gold here.”  

Only then did the mercenaries’ expressions harden at Seo Do-jun’s calm words. This wasn’t some fame-seeking provocateur – he was the real deal. Someone who could knock out a Crimson Fox Squad leader in one punch!  

As they hesitated, Kreek scowled and shouted: “What are you doing? Gang up and take him down!”  

At his cry, the mercenaries exchanged glances and began moving when-  

“That’s enough.”  

Clomp, clomp, clomp.  

A neatly dressed man descended the wooden stairs.  

“Vice Captain Body!”  

Kreek quickly approached the descending figure.  

“Escort our guest to the fourth floor.”  

“Eh? B-but…”  

“Someone who can knock out Rudnik in one punch? I couldn’t do that. Could you, Kreek?”  

“…N-no sir.”  

“Escort him.”  

“Yes sir!”  

As Kreek nervously approached to guide them, Seo Do-jun shook his head and pointed at the floor. “Pick up every last coin. Doesn’t seem like any mercenary here deserves them.”  

“…Understood.” Though Kreek’s face twisted, Seo Do-jun ignored him and approached Body.  

“Where’s Mercenary King Joi?”  

Despite the provocative question, Body acted appropriately for his position. “Let’s go upstairs first. You’ll hear the answers you want there.”  

At Body’s faint smile, Seo Do-jun patted his shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid. Unless you want the Crimson Fox Squad to disappear.”  

After this warning, Seo Do-jun began ascending the stairs himself, wiping the smile from Body’s face. ‘Where did this guy come from?’ His confidence was too natural to be mere bravado – Body had never met anyone like him.  

‘Tough luck today.’ 

Clicking his tongue, Body called Kreek collecting coins and gave quiet orders.  

***

“Uncle, you seem different today.” Choi Kang-soo grinned, clearly enjoying Seo Do-jun’s new attitude. In a way, this bold, unrestrained version matched Choi Kang-soo’s ideals.  

“I just treated them like mercenaries. Being polite wouldn’t get us anywhere with them.” Seo Do-jun explained that with mercenaries who lived by money, you couldn’t show weakness – they’d stab clients in the back otherwise.  

“Mercenaries…” As Choi Kang-soo fell into thought, the door opened to reveal Vice Captain Body.  

“Sorry for the wait. Had urgent business to handle.” As vice leader of a Top Ten mercenary group, Body naturally carried the confidence of someone who received better treatment than most high nobles.  

“So you want to meet Mercenary King Joi… Why?”  

“Personal business. None of your concern.” At Seo Do-jun’s reply, Body nodded as if he wouldn’t pry further, leaning back on the sofa.  

“Let me answer your question first. I don’t know where he is – that’s the truth. After disappearing, he’s been traveling the continent without a fixed residence.”  

Body’s expression showed no deceit.  

“There must be a way to contact him.”  

“…How did you know that?” Rather than trading barbs, Seo Do-jun explained what Shinjo had uncovered about Joi’s connection to the Crimson Fox Squad.  

“Hmm. I’m surprised you know that much. Then I’ll be frank – there is a way. But only our captain can contact him. To be precise, only our captain has that privilege.”  

The current leaders of the Top Ten mercenary groups were all former close aides of Mercenary King Joi who ended the age of war. So Body’s words carried weight.  

“Where’s your captain?” Body studied Seo Do-jun quietly at this question.  

“I won’t ask about personal business, but reconsider meeting him.”  

“Whether advice or warning, that’s my concern. Tell me where your captain is. Even better if you can call him here.” Seo Do-jun’s attitude suggested he’d rather wait here than chase someone down. Body laughed, acknowledging his boldness.  

“Unfortunately, we can’t summon the captain here. He’s currently at the Khetalu Plains for the Top Ten Mercenary Leaders meeting.”  

“Top Ten meeting?”  

“An irregular gathering of the continent’s leading mercenary captains. Even if the Crimson Fox Squad were destroyed, our captain would prioritize attending. Those are the rules.”  

Seo Do-jun’s eyes flashed at this. “Is Mercenary King Joi attending?”  

At this sudden question, Body’s lips curled slightly. “Perhaps.”  

“You little-! Answer clearly!” Choi Kang-soo slammed the table and shouted.  

Body looked startled by the energy radiating from Choi Kang-soo. 

‘This guy’s no ordinary either!’ 

Noticing Shinjo’s considerable strength too, Body frowned.  

“I truly don’t know if he’ll attend. Everything about the irregular Top Ten meetings is confidential.”  

But his tone strongly hinted Joi would likely attend.  

“When’s the meeting?”  

Body answered immediately: “I don’t know exactly. But since the captain said he’d return within 20 days, it should end before then. He left 7 days ago, and it takes 7 days to reach Khetalu Plains… so he’s probably arriving now.”  

A 14-day round trip. With 20 days until return, the meeting would last 5-6 more days.  

“By my calculations, you’re already too late. Even if you left now, the meeting would be over by arrival.”  

Seo Do-jun slowly stood at Body’s words. “If you’ve made me waste my time, be prepared. The Crimson Fox Squad will cease to exist.”  

“You’ll arrive too late even if you leave now!” Body shouted, but Seo Do-jun ignored him.  

If it took 7 days by horse for a mercenary captain, then by Body’s logic, they were indeed too late. For ordinary people, that is.  

“How long would that 7-day horse ride take us?” 

Body frowned at the odd question, but Choi Kang-soo answered:  

“Two days should suffice.” 

Body looked at him like he was crazy.  

“You have four days left. If you’ve lied, use that time to prepare every possible method to stop me.” 

As Seo Do-jun exited, Shinjo and Choi Kang-soo followed.  

Left alone, Body sat dumbfounded before finally snapping out of it. 

“Madman! Crossing a 7-day journey in 2 days? Four days left? No matter how I think about it…”  

He was insane. Yet remembering Seo Do-jun’s warning gaze made Body’s hair stand on end. At least one thing was certain – the Top Ten meeting wasn’t a lie.  

“Still, better prepare.” 

Body hurried downstairs.