SFRW-Chapter 40

Ch. 40 Sword God From The Ruined World  

Seo Do-jun’s original plan was to explore one more rift zone.  

The hearts of the Blue Crocos—if he didn’t get them this time, he didn’t know when he’d have another chance.  

Even though they had secured priority over the rift zones near Santarém to hunt as many Blue Crocos as possible, Seo Do-jun wanted to secure at least one more in advance.  

However, due to Takashi and the Teikoku Guild, he had no choice but to change his plans.  

Regardless, Seo Do-jun was the one who had nearly killed an S-rank Hero.  

At the very least, he had to provide an explanation and justification for what happened.  

“…That’s how it happened.”  

After Jung In-joo’s words, Daniel Lopes, the Association Chairman, was left speechless.  

To summarize her explanation:  

1. Takashi and the Teikoku Guild had picked the fight first.  

2. A battle broke out.  

3. Takashi and Shun’ike were beaten to the brink of death by Seo Do-jun.  

Daniel Lopes’s gaze naturally shifted to Seo Do-jun.  

A young man sitting with an expressionless face, savoring the finest Brazilian coffee.  

Am I supposed to believe this?  

This was Takashi they were talking about—no ordinary Hero.  

Japan had a total of nine S-rank Heroes.  

Takashi was one of the top four in terms of sheer combat ability.  

And if you factored in the Teikoku Guild, who worshipped him like a god?  

They were a force capable of competing for the title of the strongest in Japan.  

Yet, Takashi and the Teikoku Guild had been utterly crushed by a newly minted S-rank Hero from South Korea.  

Who in their right mind would take this at face value?  

Hyun Joo-yeon and the Silk Flower Guild must have helped. But still…

Even with that, it was hard to believe Takashi and the Teikoku Guild had lost so decisively.  

The power gap between the Teikoku Guild and the Silk Flower Guild was that severe.  

Of course, South Korea had two S-rank Heroes, so it wasn’t impossible.  

But.  

How is it that not a single person on their side was injured?  

The only casualties were Takashi and Shun’ike.  

Even if they were fighting two S-rank Heroes, someone like Takashi should have at least inflicted serious injuries on either Hyun Joo-yeon or Seo Do-jun.  

Yet, both Seo Do-jun and Hyun Joo-yeon were completely unharmed.  

The fact that Takashi had been beaten to near-death without even scratching his opponents was simply unbelievable.  

Is this Hero someone South Korea’s Na Tae-hwang is pushing with full force?

No matter the circumstances, one thing was clear:  

They were pinning everything on Seo Do-jun alone.  

The intention was obvious.  

A strategy to minimize responsibility by placing it all on Seo Do-jun?  

At first glance, that might seem plausible, but judging by Jung In-joo and Hyun Joo-yeon’s attitudes, that wasn’t the case.  

It seemed more like they wanted to firmly imprint South Korea’s newly emerged S-rank Hero onto the world stage.  

Daniel Lopes let out a small sigh.  

Whatever their intentions, an unfortunate incident had occurred in Brazil.  

Even if it had nothing to do with them, as the Association Chairman, he couldn’t help but feel responsible.  

So, Takashi and Shun’ike were receiving the best possible treatment.  

Brazil’s elite healers—those who treated Heroes like nobility—had all been mobilized, and the medical team was top-notch.  

The problem was that Takashi’s injuries were far too severe.  

Even with a Hero’s monstrous recovery rate, it would take at least a month before he could walk on his own.  

Returning to active duty would take even longer.  

Effectively, Takashi had no choice but to be excluded from this rift zone closure operation.  

As for Shun’ike, his right shoulder was beyond repair.  

It would take at least a year, possibly two, before he could properly function as a Hero again.  

I knew relations between South Korea and Japan were bad, but I didn’t expect it to be this brutal.  

Honestly, Daniel Lopes didn’t have a favorable impression of the South Korean Heroes.  

It was a conflict born out of their own grudges, but in the end, it was his people who had to deal with the fallout.  

“A more detailed investigation will follow.”  

That was Japan’s responsibility.  

With their own Heroes harmed, Japan wouldn’t stay silent.  

“I understand.”  

At Jung In-joo’s response, Daniel Lopes nodded.  

“Leaving that aside, this operation has become much more difficult.”  

As he spoke, he looked at Hyun Joo-yeon.  

She met his gaze, silently asking what he meant.  

“Only South Korea and Japan had secured priority over the rift zones near Santarém. We were counting on the Heroes from both nations to cooperate in closing them.”  

Between the two, expectations had naturally been higher for Japan.  

Objectively speaking, Takashi and the Teikoku Guild had been stronger than South Korea’s forces.  

Aside from having two S-rank Heroes, South Korea didn’t have much else to offer.  

Of course, the power of an S-rank Hero far surpassed that of a hundred A-rank Heroes—that much was undeniable.  

But even excluding Hyun Joo-yeon, South Korea’s face of Heroes, Seo Do-jun’s combat abilities had never been properly proven since he’d only just been labeled S-rank.  

Especially since Seo Do-jun was a complete rookie with no notable achievements, he was bound to receive even harsher evaluations inside the unpredictable rift zones.  

Hyun Joo-yeon understood Daniel Lopes’s implication.  

“Since you’re the ones who crushed the Japanese Heroes, you’ll have to handle the rift zone closure operation on your own.”  

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Daniel Lopes continued as if making an excuse.  

“I know it won’t be easy. Frankly, even with Japan’s cooperation, the chances of success weren’t high to begin with. So, all we’re asking is for you to buy as much time as possible until the other rift zones are closed.”  

In other words, they just had to stall.  

Roam the rift zones near Santarém and reduce the monster population.  

At this point, it was the most realistic solution.  

“We’ll do our best.”  

At Hyun Joo-yeon’s uncomplaining response, Daniel Lopes smiled in satisfaction.  

Well, how could she complain?  

They’d brought this upon themselves.  

“We’ll also do everything we can to lighten your burden as soon as possible.”  

With that, the discussion ended.  

Jeong In-joo and Hyun Joo-yeon stood up first, followed by Seo Do-jun.  

Throughout the entire conversation, Seo Do-jun hadn’t said a word—just sipped his coffee.  

Tall and handsome, but his cold, expressionless face gave off a peculiar impression, Daniel Lopes thought.  

Staring intently at Seo Do-jun’s retreating figure, Daniel Lopes eventually rubbed his face with both hands.  

The rift zones near Santarém were a headache even for Brazil.  

That’s why no Heroes from other countries had rushed to secure them.  

Fortunately, South Korea had taken the initiative, and Takashi had followed, raising some hopes—but now those hopes had been dashed.  

At least the Santarém problem had been postponed for the time being.  

“What can we do? They brought this upon themselves.”  

Unless Heroes from other nations stepped in now, Brazil had no choice but to leave the Santarém rift zones to South Korea’s Heroes.  

***  

The issue with the Brazilian association had been resolved cleanly.  

“Japan’s side will definitely come at us with everything they’ve got…”  

After the economic retaliation measures, relations between South Korea and Japan had hit rock bottom.  

They were already bitter rivals, but now, with the whole world watching, there was no way they’d let the Takashi incident slide.  

Seo Do-jun brushed off Jung In-joo’s concerns.  

“If the involved parties settle it themselves, that’s the end of it.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“If Takashi and the Teikoku Guild admit it was their fault, there won’t be any further issues.”  

“How is that even possible?”  

It made sense, but would Takashi really do that?  

Jung In-joo doubted it.  

“It’s entirely possible.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s confident reply, Jung In-joo thought he must live in a very carefree world.  

The Teikoku Guild members might be controllable due to their fear of Seo Do-jun, but Takashi? No way.  

His pride as an S-rank Hero would demand retaliation.  

“At least hunting in the rift zones will be easier now.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s carefree words, so unlike her own worries, Jung In-joo could only let out a hollow laugh.  

“Seo Do-jun, I need to talk to you.”  

At Hyun Joo-yeon’s words, Seo Do-jun looked at her questioningly.  

“Sister, sorry. Can you give us a moment?”  

“You’ve got something to say just between the two of you, huh?”  

Though she sounded a little hurt, Jung In-joo obediently stepped aside.  

Once they were alone, Hyun Joo-yeon spoke cautiously.  

“About the Takashi incident… I think he might have been targeting you.”  

“Could be.”  

Seo Do-jun couldn’t say for sure, but the circumstances were suspicious.  

Takashi had suddenly appeared with the Teikoku Guild, and the hostility he’d shown (was it really just because of Hyun Joo-yeon?) had been questionable.  

Would someone attack with lethal intent over mere hostility?  

Seo Do-jun had crippled Shun’ike, so he couldn’t exactly complain, but Takashi’s cold abandonment of him beforehand felt off.  

No matter how he looked at it, Takashi’s aggression had been excessive.  

Like he was a lifelong enemy or acting under someone’s orders.  

“You suspected it too?”  

“Not confirmed.”  

Just a feeling.  

At Seo Do-jun’s response, Hyun Joo-yeon bit her lip hesitantly before speaking again.  

“I have someone in mind.”  

“Who?”  

Seo Do-jun asked casually.  

Anyone else would’ve pressed urgently, but his calm demeanor made it hard for Hyun Joo-yeon to read him.  

“Kang Young-pyo has close ties with Takashi.”  

“Oh?”  

Even at Kang Young-pyo’s name, Seo Do-jun showed no reaction.  

“You expected it?”  

“No.”  

“Then why… Appl

ren’t you surprised?”  

“You said it’s just a hunch. I want the confirmed truth, and I’ll know soon enough.”  

“How will you know?”  

“If someone put him up to it, he’ll talk.”  

“You think Takashi will confess?”  

“Obviously.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s matter-of-fact reply, Hyun Joo-yeon shook her head.  

“Takashi isn’t that easy. He won’t bow to you like the Teikoku Guild members. Especially now that he’s under protection—he’ll be scheming revenge.”  

“We’ll see.”  

“Where does this confidence of yours come from?”  

She genuinely wanted to know.  

Why was he so self-assured?  

Seo Do-jun didn’t answer.  

He just smiled.  

That evening.  

Seo Do-jun visited Takashi’s hospital room.  

It was a luxurious place, heavily guarded.  

A clear sign of the Brazilian association’s special attention.  

Seo Do-jun was allowed in without issue.  

Despite being the aggressor, his status was undisputed, and no one expected him to harm a bedridden patient, no matter the bad blood.  

The surveillance cameras in the room also played a role.  

With real-time monitoring, letting Seo Do-jun in alone wasn’t a major risk.  

Takashi lay motionless, hooked up to various machines—a far cry from the imposing S-rank Hero he once was.  

Brought to Brasília in near-fatal condition, the healers had stabilized him, and he was now slowly recovering.  

“Takashi.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s calm call, his eyes snapped open.  

Fear, anger, and hatred flashed in his gaze as he recognized Seo Do-jun.  

Just as Hyun Joo-yeon had said, now that he was under protection, he looked ready to retaliate by any means.  

“You want revenge, but you won’t get the chance.”  

Takashi’s pupils sharpened.  

He couldn’t speak, but his expression screamed defiance.  

“Know what these are?”  

Seo Do-jun pulled out two eyeballs from his pocket.  

Lynx’s eyes.  

Takashi stared at them warily, unsure what they were.  

Silently, Seo Do-jun channeled magic into the eyes.  

The faintly bloodstained orbs began glowing intensely under his power.  

The surveillance camera, positioned behind Seo Do-jun, couldn’t see them.  

A short while later.  

“Don’t expect a quick recovery.”  

Seo Do-jun left the room.  

To the Brazilian Heroes monitoring the feed, it had just looked like Seo Do-jun standing at a distance from Takashi.