SFRW-Chapter 34

Ch. 34 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Seo Do-jun, who became South Korea’s eighth S-rank Hero at the young age of 23, is receiving significant attention from the Hero Association due to his potential. According to Association officials, his abilities are already at a level comparable to existing S-rank Heroes…”

The news about Seo Do-jun becoming South Korea’s eighth S-rank Hero dominated TV broadcasts day after day. It was a natural and expected phenomenon.  

In an era where Heroes had become the measure of a nation’s strength, reaching the pinnacle of Heroism as an S-rank was an extraordinary achievement. The excitement wasn’t limited to South Korea—it spread overseas and showed no signs of cooling down.  

Some TV stations even aired special programs entirely dedicated to Seo Do-jun, with titles like ‘Seo Do-jun: Who Is He?’, ‘Seo Seo Do-jun: We Want to Know Him!’, and ‘The Past of South Korea’s Eighth S-Rank Hero, Seo Do-jun!’  

Of course, information about Seo Do-jun was extremely scarce. The Hero Association had only disclosed his name and age, keeping everything else confidential.  

***  

“Have you tried contacting him?”  

A man in his 70s watched the TV screen. Despite his age, he looked as if he could pass for someone in his late 50s, likely due to consistent health management.  

The middle-aged man sitting to his right answered immediately.  

“We have tried, but he hasn’t responded. And right now, he’s left for Brazil.”  

“Is that so?”  

A faint smile appeared on the old man’s lips.  

“I never liked how docile that boy was… But it seems becoming a Hero has changed his personality quite a bit.”  

“But do you really intend to bring him back?”  

The old man silently stared at the man who had asked the question.  

“Do you dislike the idea as well?”  

“What difference would my opinion make? I’m just doubtful he’ll willingly return.”  

The old man clicked his tongue in displeasure.  

“Even if he refuses, we must make him come back. No matter what, he’s my blood. And now that he’s become one of only eight S-rank Heroes in South Korea, we must bring him back by any means necessary.”  

“Yes, Father.”  

The old man, Seo Kyung-chul, could tell that his son, Seo Jung-jin, was still dissatisfied despite his polite response.  

“Get your head straight. That boy is someone I—and you—must protect at all costs. If you truly understand why our T Group fell to second place in the corporate rankings, you should harbor no resentment toward him.”  

Seo Kyung-chul, the head of T Group (South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate), had learned that Seo Do-jun, whom he had once cast aside, had become an S-rank Hero. Rather than surprise, he was filled with ambition—if he could use Seo Do-jun, he could reclaim the top corporate spot and even elevate T Group into a globally recognized enterprise.  

Knowing his father’s ambitions, Seo Jung-jin dared not oppose him.  

“And make sure your wife doesn’t cause any more trouble for that boy. Right now, we’re keeping things under control, but it’s only a matter of time before it becomes public knowledge that he’s my grandson. If she stirs up unnecessary gossip, I’ll ensure neither Seo Min-chae nor Seo Min-hee receive a single penny.”  

“She won’t cause any more disturbances.”  

“What the hell are you seeing and hearing?! Don’t you realize how desperate your wife has been to tear that boy apart ever since he left this house? If a person changes, so should their treatment! That boy is my grandson!”  

Despite his father’s raised voice, Seo Jung-jin remained expressionless.  

“No matter what she does, that boy is already ascending to heights beyond her reach. The situation you’re worried about won’t happen.”  

“Tch! Do you think I don’t know that? The fact that he hasn’t retaliated so far means he’s leaving room for reconciliation. But if she keeps provoking him, what good will come of it?!”  

“I’ll make sure she understands.”  

Seeing that his son intended to handle the matter himself, Seo Kyung-chul didn’t press further.  

“Prepare for when that boy returns from Brazil. No matter how powerful an individual is, they can’t achieve greatness without proper support. The group will provide all necessary resources—use him to establish South Korea’s top Hero guild.”  

P Group, once only the fifth-largest conglomerate, had skyrocketed after one of its family members became an S-rank Hero and founded a Hero guild in his name.  

As a result, T Group, which had held the top corporate position, was forced to relinquish it to P Group—and the gap between them continued to widen.  

The synergy between an S-rank Hero and immense capital was beyond imagination.  

P Group’s success had sent shockwaves through the corporate world, prompting other conglomerates to scramble to establish their own Hero guilds. However, unless they secured an S-rank Hero, their efforts were largely ineffective.  

T Group had also tried to form a Hero guild, but without an S-rank Hero—rarer than stars in the sky—their plans had stalled.  

Now that Seo Do-jun, the bloodline they had once discarded, had become an S-rank Hero, they were determined to bring him back by any means necessary.  

However—  

“Bring that lowlife back into the family? Father, I won’t allow it this time!”  

Hong Hee-ju, who had overheard the conversation between Seo Kyung-chul and his son, suppressed her rage, digging her nails into her palms.  

Returning to her room, she immediately made a call.  

“Director Hong Hee-ju, is something the matter?”  

The slimy voice on the other end was one she could never get used to, but she forced herself to respond calmly.  

“Are you certain? This time, you’ll make sure Seo Do-jun never sees the light of day, right?”  

“This again? I assure you—Seo Do-jun will never return from Brazil alive.”  

“You’d better keep that promise.”  

Madness flickered in Hong Hee-ju’s eyes.  

***  

September 1, 2025  

This was the date Brazil’s Hero Association had set to begin the operation to seal the dimensional rift zone. Heroes participating in the operation were required to arrive in São Paulo no later than three days prior.  

Those three days were reserved for briefing sessions and a morale-boosting party hosted by the Brazilian government and Hero Association.  

However, on August 21, a group of Heroes unexpectedly arrived in São Paulo.  

“Who did you say?”  

“South Korean Heroes Hyun Joo-yeon and her team.”  

“The Flower of Asia?”  

Upon hearing Hyun Joo-yeon’s name, Daniel Lopes, the president of Brazil’s Hero Association, immediately recalled her nickname.  

Hyun Joo-yeon was not just South Korea’s most famous Hero but also the most popular in all of Asia. The world referred to her as ‘The Flower of Asia’.  

Though the nickname emphasized her beauty over her abilities, it was one she personally disliked.  

“That’s correct.”  

“Did all the South Korean Heroes come? Fitting for a country known for diligence and punctuality.”  

Since this was technically another nation’s affair, most Heroes weren’t expected to arrive until August 28. The fact that the South Korean team had arrived a full week early pleased Daniel Lopes.  

“Not all of them—just Hyun Joo-yeon and her team for now.”  

“Is that so? Even a partial arrival is beneficial for us. Saves time. With so many participants, briefing everyone would’ve been difficult. Let them rest comfortably for a day.”  

“Well… They immediately boarded the fastest flight to Belém without even stopping.”  

Daniel Lopes stared at his aide in disbelief.  

Under his sharp gaze, the aide stiffened slightly before explaining.  

“They said it was a preliminary survey—just to take a look around…”  

“A look around?!”  

Daniel Lopes’ face twisted in displeasure. The aide quickly added,  

“They promised to return by the 21st at the latest.”  

“Sigh… They went to Belém, you said?”  

“Yes, that’s correct.”  

Daniel Lopes picked up a file from his desk—’Operation: Dimensional Rift Cleanup – Application Forms.’  

His brow furrowed as he scanned the contents.  

“So, the Flower of Asia and her team are heading to Santarém right now?”  

“…I only just realized that’s where they applied to go.”  

Daniel Lopes glared at his aide before speaking in a low, commanding tone.  

“Make sure they don’t enter the BA014 rift zone under any circumstances!”  

The aide nodded frantically under his murderous gaze.  

***  

“Mr. Seo Do-jun, what’s your secret?”  

Jung In-joo, leader of the Silk Flower Guild, asked with poorly concealed curiosity. Seo Do-jun simply stared at her blankly.  

“Hyun Joo-yeon—how did you win her over? She’s never had a boyfriend before, and she’s not the type to easily open up to men. I’m dying to know how you managed to charm her.”  

At her words, Seo Do-jun’s gaze shifted to Hyun Joo-yeon.  

She was chatting with her guild members, acting no differently than usual. But when their eyes met, she flinched slightly before looking away—definitely not a normal reaction.  

Romance, huh…  

Seo Do-jun tried to recall the last time he had been in a proper relationship. Only two women remained in his memories.  

In his late teens, during his time at the Imperial Academy: Lady Meisil Grain, the young daughter of Count Grain. A fresh, youthful romance.  

In his early twenties, as a knight in the Imperial Capital: Lady Lewendia Leslian, the daughter of Count Leslian. A serious relationship he had believed would lead to marriage.  

His first love, filled with innocent memories, and a love built on trust.  

There had been other noblewomen and commoners he’d briefly been involved with, but to Seo Do-jun, the word ‘love’ only applied to Meisil and Lewendia.  

…And Veronica.  

Veronica, whom he had met as the world was ending.  

In those days when the world was drowning in darkness and blood, Veronica had fought monsters by his side. To Seo Do-jun, she wasn’t so much a final love as she was the only solace for his weary body and soul.  

A commoner with enough talent to enroll in the Knight Academy, Veronica had more courage than most men. She had remained by his side until her dying breath.  

“Mr. Seo Do-jun.”  

Snapped out of his memories, Seo Do-jun returned to reality at Jung In-joo’s call.  

“I asked what your secret is.”  

“Honey doesn’t seek out bees.”  

“……!”  

Jung In-joo’s face twisted in horror.  

“Good god… That’s the worst line I’ve ever heard in my life.”  

She aggressively rubbed her ears as if trying to erase the words.  

Unfazed, Seo Do-jun looked at Hyun Joo-yeon again.  

Even in the ruined world, he had met many women—yet Hyun Joo-yeon’s beauty stood out among them.  

Her personality was decent, and her abilities were impressive.  

Though Seo Do-jun, having experienced brutal betrayal, couldn’t fully trust her yet, she was still the most trustworthy person he had met so far.  

“Someone like her… Isn’t bad.”  

That was Seo Do-jun’s honest thought about Hyun Joo-yeon.