SFRW-Chapter 98

Ch. 98 Sword God From The Ruined World  

“M-Magic Heart Method?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon looked at Seo Do-jun with a flustered expression.  

“I plan to teach it equally to all combat members.”  

“T-that makes sense but…”  

“But?”  

“N-no, nothing.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon shook her head vigorously and forced an awkward smile.  

As someone who understood the value of Seo Do-jun’s Magic Heart Metod better than anyone, it pained her to think of this incredible treasure being shared with others.  

While it was true they were now guildmates who should share such things…  

‘I don’t want to lose this secret just between me and Seo Do-jun…’  

But the decision was Seo Do-jun’s to make.  

Moreover, for Casserian Guild to become the world’s strongest, sharing the Magic Heart Method with all members was the right choice.  

“The sooner the better – gather everyone immediately.”  

Having made his decision, Seo Do-jun wasted no time summoning all guild members.  

Casserian Guild’s headquarters was the building next to Seo Do-jun’s house – a mixed-use complex originally built by the Silk Flower Dance Guild.  

Since most of that guild had been absorbed into Casserian Guild, Seo Do-jun had naturally acquired the building.  

“What’s this about?”  

Jung In-joo asked Hyun Joo-yeon curiously.  

Having had to dismiss guildmates she’d worked with for years, Jung In-joo wasn’t as cheerful as before.  

Still, as an experienced guild magicger, she worked hard handling Casserian Guild’s important affairs.  

Though to Hyun Joo-yeon, it just seemed like Jung In-joo was desperately trying to hide her incompetence and emotional scars from dismissing her former members.  

Since time would heal these wounds, Hyun Joo-yeon treated Jung In-joo more playfully than usual.  

“It’s something amazing.”  

“Amazing?”  

“Maybe top three most shocking things in your life. So brace yourself.”  

“What is it?”  

“Seo Do-jun… I mean, the Guild Master will explain.”  

Though she tried using formal titles in official settings, the words still felt awkward for Hyun Joo-yeon.  

Jung In-joo grumbled about being left in suspense, but Hyun Joo-yeon calmed her down, telling her to wait.  

Distant members quickly returned as everyone gathered in the guild building’s basement training room.  

Currently, Casserian Guild had 59 combat members – Seo Do-jun (Guild Master), Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, Jung In-joo and 55 others.  

Seo Do-jun addressed the seated members:  

“I’d like to begin what I promised you all.”  

Promise? What promise?  

Members exchanged confused glances.  

“The promise that becoming Casserian Guild members would make you stronger than ordinary Heroes.”  

While he had mentioned this, few had taken it seriously.  

They were here because of Seo Do-jun – the world’s strongest Hero – not necessarily his promise of strength.  

“What exactly do you mean by making us stronger?”  

Gloria asked through her translation device.  

Even as a member, she still spoke casually to Seo Do-jun.  

Seo Do-jun didn’t mind informal speech as long as boundaries were respected.  

But unlike before, he now used formal speech with all members, which actually enhanced his imposing presence.  

Just this change in speech made members feel his overwhelming charisma as a leader.  

“Rather than explain, I’ll show you.”  

As he had with Hyun Joo-yeon, Seo Do-jun demonstrated the Magic Heart Method’s value publicly.  

Members watched awestruck as Seo Do-jun manipulated magic in ways beyond their imagination.  

Gloria, an S-rank Hero like Hyun Joo-yeon, looked particularly shocked at this magic control defying common sense.  

“S-so we can learn to control magic like you, Guild Master?”  

“Correct.”  

This wasn’t about moving with magic’s flow to use abilities, but directly controlling magic to enhance them.  

While it might sound similar, the difference was astronomical.  

“How is this possible?”  

Gloria asked. Seo Do-jun answered simply:  

“By training in the Magic Heart Method.”  

“Magic Heart Method? Hyun Joo-yeon, you too?”  

At Jung In-joo’s question, Hyun Joo-yeon nodded openly.  

“Yes. I’ve been training in it too.”  

Jung In-joo was surprised but not resentful – she understood such a treasure shouldn’t be shared lightly.  

“When can we start training?”  

An excited member asked. Seo Do-jun answered without hesitation:  

“Right now, I’ll teach everyone.”  

Thus began the true formation of Casserian Guild, which would shock the world within months.  

* * *  

After teaching all members, Seo Do-jun finally turned on his phone.  

He’d turned it off to avoid interruptions, and now found countless calls and messages.  

“Gate explosion?”  

Checking messages from Chairman Na Tae-hwang and Deputy Director Min Hong-gi, Seo Do-jun quickly searched online.  

The internet was in chaos.  

After France’s Gate explosion, another had occurred – this time in Japan, South Korea’s neighbor though not exactly friend.  

“Complete devastation?”  

The shocking part was how monsters from the Gate had devastated the surrounding area.  

France’s incident had caused minimal damage with no casualties – both due to quick response and the gate containing manageable monsters.  

Japan was completely different.  

Not only was the area around the gate destroyed, but nearly a hundred responding Heroes had died.  

As Seo Do-jun reviewed censored photos and short videos, his phone rang.  

“Yes, Chairman.”  

“Finally! I was about to come find you.”  

“I’ve checked the situation online.”  

“Can you come to the Association?”  

“I’ll be there.”  

After hanging up, Hyun Joo-yeon approached as Seo Do-jun had been overseeing members’ training.  

“Did something happen?”  

“A Gate exploded in Japan.”  

“A Gate?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s eyes widened at another gate explosion.  

“I need to go to the Association. Watch over things here.”  

“Of course.”  

Since initial Magic Heart Method training was crucial, Seo Do-jun gave final instructions before leaving.  

Park Sung-wook met him outside.  

“I’ll drive you to the Association. Reviewing these on the way will help.”  

Seo Do-jun took the tablet and headed to the parking lot.  

During the drive, Seo Do-jun studied Park Sung-wook’s meticulously prepared materials about Japan’s Gate explosion.  

Close-up photos and videos showed why Japanese Heroes had failed.  

Only one monster type had emerged – Kowabiru.  

Though A-rank, their simple attack patterns made them manageable for three same-rank Heroes.  

Yet three hundred Kowabiru had escaped.  

While the number was daunting, Japan being a Hero powerhouse made the scale of damage inexplicable.  

Until Seo Do-jun saw the videos.  

‘Dark magic…’  

The same dark magic from Brazil’s rift zone was now affecting Japan’s gate monsters.  

‘Vaitel’s work?’  

He couldn’t be certain.  

But it was suspicious.  

If not Vaitel…  

‘Could it relate to what Avarr called ‘synchronization’?’  

Seo Do-jun had no answers.  

But one thing was clear – Earth’s crisis was escalating.  

* * *  

The video at South Korea’s Hero Association was even more shocking.  

“That’s really a Kowabiru?”  

“It looks several times stronger than normal!”  

“Did you see that? Kajikawa Jiro’s sword energy got deflected! How?”  

Kajikawa Jiro was Japan’s rising star – an A-rank Hero at his peak, considered future S-rank material.  

Yet his sword energy couldn’t even scratch these Kowabiru, just bouncing off.  

Watching Heroes found this unbelievable.  

“Retreat! Fall back!”  

Unable to stop the horde, Kajikawa tried buying time for others.  

“Kweeeeeek!”  

One massive Kowabiru – twice normal size – leapt like a missile.  

The sight was pure terror.  

Splat!  

Kajikawa’s body exploded like fireworks, limbs scattering everywhere.  

“…Holy shit.”  

“…I’m gonna be sick!”  

“Damn it!”  

Viewers grimaced, looking away or clenching fists.  

The Kowabiru that had crushed Kajikawa let out a long cry.  

Beep!  

The video froze there.  

“This footage was sent from Japan’s Hero Association 30 minutes ago. 460 Heroes including Kajikawa Jiro failed to stop the Kowabls…”  

The result matched the shocking footage.  

Kajikawa and nearly half the Heroes had died.  

Survivors scattered, leaving the Kowabiru to rampage unchecked.  

The problem was…  

Beep!  

A map of Japan appeared with a red dot at Yokohama’s Inoshishi Gate.  

The red dot (Kowabiru) first moved southwest.  

Before Japan’s Association could respond, they’d devastated Yokohama.  

Online was flooded with images of the destruction.  

After ravaging southern Yokohama, the Kowabiru turned north toward Kawasaki.  

The concern was…  

“If they keep going north…”  

Someone voiced the worry Deputy Director Min Hong-gi calmly confirmed:  

“Correct. If unchecked, after Kawasaki…”  

His composure broke momentarily.  

After a short breath, he continued:  

“Tokyo is in danger.”  

Beep!  

The screen showed Tokyo – Japan’s largest city with millions of residents.