Chapter 54

Ch. 54 Sword God From The Ruined World

The incident that occurred at the banquet spread across the world in an instant.

Everyone was shocked, but the impact on South Korea and Japan was beyond imagination.

Both countries’ Hero Associations, as well as their governments, had no choice but to officially announce that they would thoroughly investigate the incident.

Crash!

“You fucking bastard! Stupid idiot! Aaaah—!”

Expensive decorations were shattered and torn apart.

Hong Hee-ju, her face flushed as if it might burst, destroyed everything she could get her hands on. If she didn’t vent like this, she felt she would truly go insane.

Only after completely wrecking the room could she finally stop.

After barely calming her rage, Hong Hee-ju called for Director Lee, who had been waiting outside.

“What happened to Kang Young-pyo?”

“The Brazilian Hero Association is chasing him, but it doesn’t seem like they’ll catch him easily.”

“That fucking bastard! I hope he dies resisting!”

Hong Hee-ju barely suppressed her boiling anger.

“What about our traces?”

“We’ve taken all possible measures on our end. The accounts were untraceable from the beginning, and just in case, we’ve deleted all CCTV footage from the places you and Kang Young-pyo met, as well as the surrounding areas. But… if Kang Young-pyo has direct evidence like we did…!”

Before Director Lee could finish, Hong Hee-ju hurled a broken flowerpot beside her.

Yes, did Kang Young-pyo ever imagine Takashi would self-destruct like that?

He had been completely blindsided.

The problem was that Kang Young-pyo, now cornered, might do the same thing.

Because…

He had called.

He threatened to reveal the real reason why she had used Takashi to try to kill Seo Do-jun if she didn’t help him.

Even without that, there was already intense curiosity about why Kang Young-pyo had hired Takashi.

Kang Young-pyo was now a fugitive, and Seo Do-jun remained silent, so suspicions only grew with time.

What if Kang Young-pyo mentioned her name in this situation?

“…Can’t we just kill Kang Young-pyo?”

Director Lee’s silence answered Hong Hee-ju’s question.

“Think of a way! We have to find a way somehow!”

Even as Hong Hee-ju screamed in desperation, Director Lee had nothing to say.

“You’re all useless bastards! I don’t even want to see your faces—get out! Get out right now!”

As Hong Hee-ju shrieked, Director Lee decided it was better to disappear for now and reached for the doorknob.

Click—!

Without even applying force, the knob turned, and the door opened.

“Ch-Chairman!”

Standing before Director Lee was the de facto ruler of T Group, the titan responsible for South Korea’s economy—Chairman Seo Kyung-chul.

“Are you so old now that you block my way?”

At Chairman Seo’s words, Director Lee hastily stepped aside and bowed deeply.

“My apologies!”

Chairman Seo stepped inside, surveyed the wrecked room, and clicked his tongue.

“F-Father, this is… well…”

Hong Hee-ju was flustered by Seo Kyung-chul’s sudden visit.

“Director Lee, close the door.”

At Chairman Seo Kyung-chul’s icy command, Director Lee quickly closed the door without a sound.

Seo Kyung-chul walked up to Hong Hee-ju and slapped her across the face.

Slap!

“……!”

Has she ever been slapped in her life?

Hong Hee-ju was more stunned than angry at this unprecedented situation.

But soon, she glared at Seo Kyung-chul with resentment.

“What is this…!”

Slap!

Another sharp slap landed on her cheek.

“Father!”

“Did I spoil you so much that you’d dare ruin the T Group I built my entire life?”

“What are you talking about!”

“Did you think I wouldn’t know you hired Kang Young-pyo to kill Seo Do-jun?”

“Th-that’s…”

Hong Hee-ju could see it in Seo Kyung-chul’s expression.

It was over.

This old man would discard her and W Group without hesitation if it meant protecting T Group.

And now, he intended to bring Seo Do-jun back into his embrace.

***

On the plane back to South Korea

Seo Do-jun shook off Chairman Daniel Lopes, who had desperately clung to him, begging him not to leave, and boarded the flight to South Korea.

With the exception of the rift zones corrupted by dark magic, the remaining zones could be sealed by the Heroes still in Brazil, making his departure feasible.

He had also secured the Blue Croco’s heart, his original reason for coming to Brazil.

Additionally, he had obtained enough of the items on his shopping list to leave without regrets.

‘The greatest gain is still the subspace.’

The subspace of Achromos, acquired through unexpected luck, was the biggest prize of this trip.

On top of that, the payments for sealing the rift zones were astronomical.

The agreed fee was 50 million dollars per rift zone.

Seo Do-jun had sealed eleven zones alone, earning 550 million dollars.

He had also sealed six zones with the Silk Flower Guild, earning an additional 300 million dollars, which was fairly distributed among the members. Seo Do-jun’s share was 7.3 million dollars.

In total, from sealing rift zones alone, Seo Do-jun had earned 557.3 million dollars—approximately 557.3 billion WON.

Since the payments were made in cash via bank transfers, he could now live without financial constraints.

Given this, Seo Do-jun saw no need to sell the magic stones and monster byproducts he had acquired to the Brazilian Hero Association.

‘Magic stones have specific uses, and I can use the monster byproducts whenever needed.’

With more than enough money, he decided to store all the magic stones and byproducts in his subspace.

“Try contacting this person.”

Hyun Joo-yeon, sitting beside him, handed him a note with the name ‘Park Sung-wook’ and a phone number.

“He used to be the chief secretary of S Group. He’ll be a great help to you.”

“Thanks.”

Seo Do-jun planned to build a house upon returning to South Korea, and for that, he needed someone reliable to handle various tasks. When he asked Hyun Joo-yeon and Jung In-joo for recommendations, this was their answer.

“An opportunity like this is rare. Why not stay in Brazil?”

Hyun Joo-yeon shook her head.

“Thanks to you, I’ve earned enough money, and I have a lot to think about. I just want to go back and rest.”

Like her, Jung In-joo and the Silk Flower Guild members had also earned a significant amount thanks to Seo Do-jun.

The rewards for sealing rift zones were substantial, but since Seo Do-jun had let them keep most of the magic stones and byproducts, the profits from selling those were also considerable.

Frankly, after Seo Do-jun annihilated the monsters, the guild members had little to do besides picking up magic stones and byproducts scattered on the ground.

Only Hyun Joo-yeon had assisted him in hunting monsters.

Because of this, the guild members felt guilty about how easily Seo Do-jun handed over the spoils.

But since Seo Do-jun kept what he needed, he didn’t feel at a loss.

“I’m really curious—why did you let Kang Young-pyo escape?”

“It’s more fun this way.”

“Huh?”

Kang Young-pyo was a dangerous man.

Though not a threat to Seo Do-jun, if an S-rank Hero like him decided to wreak havoc, how many could stop him?

Now that he had fallen completely, no one could predict what he might do.

“Takashi sniped Kang Young-pyo, so now who will Kang Young-pyo snipe? Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“Was that your plan? To make Kang Young-pyo act directly?”

Hyun Joo-yeon stared at Seo Do-jun in shock.

This was something most wouldn’t even consider.

Since she knew Seo Do-jun well, she could guess who Kang Young-pyo would target.

‘Hong Hee-ju?’

The woman obsessed with ruining Seo Do-jun’s life.

The one who had manipulated Kang Cheol-woo and allied with Kang Young-pyo—was she Seo Do-jun’s ultimate target?

‘Ah! Don’t tell me…’

A sudden thought made her pupils tremble.

Seeing this, Seo Do-jun smirked the same way he had when Kang Young-pyo escaped.

‘If I’m right… he’s playing a much bigger game!’

Hyun Joo-yeon felt a chill realizing that Seo Do-jun’s intellect was as terrifying as his combat prowess.

***

The first thing Seo Do-jun did upon returning to South Korea

“Is it delicious?”

“Yeah! So yummy!”

Watching Eun-young happily munch on a hamburger, Seo Do-jun smiled the most genuine smile in the world.

After rebuking Deputy Minister Min Hong-gi, who had prepared a grand welcome event, Seo Do-jun’s first priority was a hamburger date with Eun-young.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“Just watching you eat fills me up. So eat a lot, okay?”

“Okay! Hehe!”

Being with Eun-young made Seo Do-jun let his guard down.

She was his only source of comfort and peace, something he hadn’t even experienced in the ruined world.

Suddenly, Eun-young put down her hamburger.

“What’s wrong?”

“It would’ve been nice if Grandma was here too…”

Eun-young’s eyes welled up with tears as she worried about her grandmother, who had been hospitalized while Seo Do-jun was in Brazil.

Her grandmother had been admitted due to chronic back pain, which had worsened over time, leaving her spine severely curved. Modern medicine couldn’t cure her condition.

Seo Do-jun also felt uneasy whenever he saw her hunched back.

‘If only she were healthier…’

Using magic, he could heal her spine and relieve her pain.

But only if her body had enough stamina and vitality to withstand the magic.

For someone as frail as her, recklessly using magic could be harmful, which was why he hadn’t treated her yet.

He had even prepared herbal medicine to boost her stamina and energy.

But how much can a few doses help?

It was ultimately a battle against time.

‘The problem is, she might not have enough time.’

Seeing Eun-young miss her grandmother, Seo Do-jun resolved to find another solution.

Though tearful, Eun-young soon brightened up and continued eating.

After finishing their meal, Seo Do-jun took her shopping at a department store, filling both hands with clothes and dolls she liked before heading home.

***

That evening

Seo Do-jun made a call.

“Hello?”

A neutral voice answered.

“Is this Park Sung-wook’s phone?”

“Yes, this is Park Sung-wook. Who is this?”

“I’m Seo Do-jun, referred by Hyun Joo-yeon.”

“Seo Do-jun… the Hero who just returned from Brazil?”

“Yes. Hyun Joo-yeon said you could help with what I’m planning. Can we meet tomorrow?”

“I have a prior engagement in the morning, but I’m free around 3 PM.”

“Let’s meet wherever you’re comfortable.”

“My morning appointment is in Yeongdeungpo. Can you make it there?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Then let’s meet at the café in front of Exit 6 of Yeongdeungpo Station at 3 PM.”