SFRW-Chapter 99

Ch. 99 Sword God From The Ruined World

The second Gate explosion.  

Japan devastated.  

A-rank Kowabiru.  

These were the hot keywords trending online.  

The first Gate explosion incident in France had been attributed to armed terrorists advocating Gate closure.  

Regardless of public opinion, that’s how it was concluded.  

Are Gates still safe?  

To dispel such concerns, they had to frame it as human terrorism rather than a Gate issue.  

Fortunately, being the first incident, public outcry gradually subsided over time.  

But then the second Gate explosion occurred.  

The incident in Japan couldn’t even be framed as terrorism by armed groups.  

Because swarms of Kowabiru escaping the Gate had devastated Yokohama City.  

This was on a completely different scale from France, where they’d managed quick damage control with no casualties.  

Regardless of the explosion’s cause, the immediate priority was stopping the monsters turning the city to ruins.  

The problem was, it wasn’t easy.  

“We can’t even properly assess the casualties…”  

Hyun Joo-yeon read internet articles with a worried expression.  

Even if A-rank Kowabiru were swarming in groups, the idea of an entire city being reduced to ruins was unimaginable.  

The fact it happened in Japan made it even more shocking.  

Japan – a Hero powerhouse with world-class order systems, civic awareness, and emergency response capabilities.  

That such an advanced nation could see an entire city devastated was unbelievable.  

“I saw the footage… Doesn’t this look similar to what we saw in Brazil?”  

At Jung In-joo’s question, not just Hyun Joo-yeon but all Brazil Rift veterans nodded.  

The terrifying memory of monsters enhanced by dark magic remained vivid in their minds.  

Dark magic that rendered rankings meaningless – it made perfect sense why Japan’s elite A-rank Heroes were dying helplessly.  

“Breaking news!”  

Park Seung-ho, glued to his phone, shouted loudly.  

As he said, emergency alerts flooded the internet.  

“Seven S-rank Heroes?”  

The breaking news reported Japan’s seven S-rank Heroes preparing to confront the Kowabiru swarm.  

“All of Japan’s S-rank Heroes except Kuramoto Junji, plus 800 A-rank Heroes?”  

A massive force of 7 S-rank Heroes leading 800 A-rank and B/C-rank Heroes – over 2,000 total.  

Japan’s ‘Big Three’ Heroes – Kobayashi Shinjo, Yamaguchi Hiro, and Mago Yosuke – all participated.  

“Japan’s deploying its best. This threatens Tokyo itself.”  

“Exactly. They can’t afford hesitation when the capital might be overrun.”  

No one could mock this as overkill against 300 A-rank Kowabiru.  

“With this force, they should handle it easily, right?”  

“Of course. No matter how enhanced the Kowabiru are, they’re no match for Japan’s might.”  

“But what exactly is dark magic? Is it really that terrifying?”  

When guild members who hadn’t experienced Brazil’s dark magic asked, Park Seung-ho – who had – responded:  

“Seong jun, pass me that thing next to you.”  

“This?”  

“Yeah, that. The latte, right?”  

Holding the latte, Park Seung-ho began pontificating:  

“Where to begin… Back in Brazil when I…”  

Meanwhile, Jung In-joo voiced concerns:  

“I’m worried though.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon looked at her questioningly.  

“Not about Japan – about the Gates.”  

“Ah…”  

Japan’s crisis had skyrocketed public anxiety about Gates.  

Online, distrust about Gate safety was spreading rapidly.  

Unlike France’s incident, this was too massive to dismiss as simple terrorism.  

Fundamental fear of monsters had taken root among civilians.  

“Even after Japan’s resolved, calls for Gate closure won’t fade.”  

Jung In-joo was certain. But she couldn’t have guessed who’d voice that call next.  

***  

South Korea Hero Association.  

The conference room was colder than ever.  

“W-what did you just say?”  

Vice Chairman Park Seong-cheol wondered if he’d misheard.  

But his interlocutor made clear he hadn’t:  

“I said we must close all Gates.”  

It was Seo Do-jun.  

Shockingly, Seo Do-jun advocated Gate closure.  

“Ha! So I heard right. Do you realize how absurd that sounds?”  

Though usually untouchable, Park Seong-cheol spoke freely now.  

“If you mean the immediate global economic impact, I understand.”  

“You ‘understand’?”  

Park Seong-cheol scoffed.  

The Gate industry’s economic influence was immense.  

As Gate-based industries took root worldwide, the oil industry declined.  

Middle Eastern oil magnates and royalty – with nothing but oil – had fiercely opposed it.  

Despite wielding enormous oil wealth against Gates, they’d ultimately surrendered.  

Yet Seo Do-jun proposed closing them.  

“Japan’s incident was just an accident! The first in nearly ten years! And you’d cripple the global economy over one accident?”  

To any listener, this sounded insane.  

Magic stone-based energy had replaced coal/oil, improving Earth’s environment.  

Pollution-free energy – exactly what environmentalists championed.  

Countless industries relied on Gates, with more to come.  

Even ignoring all that, magic stones alone made Gates indispensable.  

Did Seo Do-jun not know this?  

He knew.  

But:  

“Who can guarantee it won’t happen again?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s calm retort, Park Seong-cheol’s face twisted.  

“You think this could recur?”  

“If you’re asking about possibility: 100%.”  

Absolute certainty.  

Dozens in the room frowned or shook their heads at Seo Do-jun’s firm reply.  

“You sound like you want it to happen.”  

Unfazed by Park Seong-cheol’s sharp tone, Seo Do-jun’s own tone hardened:  

“Think what you want. My point is: if basic human survival isn’t guaranteed, Gates aren’t worth maintaining.”  

His aura intensified.  

Even S-rank Heroes present felt breathless; Park Seong-cheol nearly wet himself.  

A warning – no more meaningless arguments.  

As Park Seong-cheol paled and turned away, Seo Do-jun addressed Association Chairman Na Tae-hwang:  

“Gate incidents will continue. Each time, damage will be unpredictable. When oil first expanded, people were satisfied with progress and improved living standards. But nothing has only benefits.”  

Pollution had been oil’s major downside, enabling magic stones’ rapid adoption.  

Yet no magic stone downsides had emerged.  

Currently seen as divine blessings, scientists could spend lifetimes studying them.  

But Seo Do-jun knew better.  

Magic stones weren’t divine gifts nor perfect energy sources.  

They’d bring catastrophe beyond any pollution.  

Humanity’s end.  

Gates forcibly control rift zones.  

Japan’s explosion made Seo Do-jun realize:  

Gates themselves threaten humanity.  

Ticking time bombs.  

To Seo Do-jun, Gates were bombs waiting to detonate.  

Human arrogance created them, and they’d clearly cause unmanageable problems.  

But Earth’s people wouldn’t know.  

Only Seo Do-jun, having witnessed world-ending destruction, could be certain.  

“We must close domestic Gates first.”  

Starting nearby.  

This wasn’t a request but notice.  

Notice that he and the Casserian Guild would methodically close South Korea’s Gates.  

The room froze again.  

Meanwhile in Japan…  

The elite force engaged the Kowabiru swarm.  

***  

“Never let your guard down.”  

Kobayashi Shinjo.  

Japan’s strongest Hero, its second S-rank.  

A kendo prodigy who became national champion at 17, his abilities exploded after awakening as a Hero.  

Renowned as a top-three swordsman worldwide.  

Politically incorruptible, famously stating his life belonged solely to the sword.  

Polar opposite of yakuza-linked far-right figure Yamaguchi Hiro, their clashes were frequent.  

Thus, Japan’s Hero association divided its force into three teams:  

Team 1 followed Kobayashi.  

Team 2 followed Yamaguchi.  

Team 3 followed Mago Yosuke – the third of Japan’s ‘Big Three’.  

“Hah! Scared of mere Kowabiru?”  

Unlike cautious Kobayashi, Yamaguchi beat his chest confidently.  

Finally, Mago Yosuke:  

“This must be their last stand. If we fall, Japan falls.”  

With his drama-star looks and slender build, Mago had global female fans.  

Kind and gentle yet not aggressive, many wondered how he ranked among Japan’s top three.  

But his skills nearly matched Yamaguchi’s – steel beneath silk.  

Avoiding politics and commercial activities earned widespread respect.  

“Rushing from America exhausted me! Let’s finish this!”  

Yamaguchi’s Team 2 moved first.  

Mago sighed at their haste.  

“We move too.”  

Kobayashi drew his soul-bound sword and advanced.  

“We’ll hold position and monitor. Be ready to reinforce Teams 1-2 if needed.”  

Mago’s eyes turned icy as he watched ahead.  

“Yahhhhh!”  

Yamaguchi clashed head-on with the swarm.  

KWA-BOOOM!  

The battle began with an explosion-like roar.