SFRW-Chapter 147

Ch. 147 Sword God From The Ruined World

Seo Do-jun stood firm.  

Even if others thought him shameless, he had absolutely no intention of compromising this time.  

Having clearly witnessed the combat capabilities of these creatures named Black Tigers, Seo Do-jun was resolved.

‘I can’t hand over even a single one.’  

Even if Indonesia claimed they could domesticate them, Seo Do-jun wouldn’t leave behind even one Black Tiger.

“This is truly excessive!”  

“The Black Tigers emerged from Indonesia’s rift zone! Even with your assistance, we should at least retain partial… no, minimal ownership rights!”  

“Wouldn’t an amicable resolution be preferable?”

Despite their complaints, anger, and attempts at persuasion, Seo Do-jun remained immovable.  

“Like saving a drowning man only for him to demand his bundle back… how typical.”  

Seo Do-jun openly released his energy.  

This show of force made his stance clear – he wouldn’t tolerate further arguments. The results were immediate.

“Th-that’s not what we meant! We’re truly grateful for your help. But taking all those Black Tigers is simply too much!”  

Even as they pleaded almost desperately, Seo Do-jun didn’t bat an eye.

Truthfully, he could have left behind one or even more.  

But.  

‘Setting precedents leads nowhere good.’  

With unpredictable future situations, compromise now could establish expectations that might force him into struggles over truly essential resources later.  

Using force to reclaim them then?  

Better to prevent such situations entirely.

‘Must make this definitive.’  

Had Indonesian Heroes defeated the primitive tribes themselves, it might be different. But they had been retreating until Seo Do-jun intervened, even being threatened by the chieftain. By any measure, Seo Do-jun was their savior with indisputable claim over the Black Tigers.

“If you continue asserting ownership… I’ll slaughter every last one here. And henceforth disregard all matters concerning Indonesia. Shall we proceed?”  

His ultimatum – massacre the Black Tigers before their eyes and abandon Indonesia to future crises – left the Hero Association officials flustered.

When suspicious glances were exchanged, Seo Do-jun proved his seriousness by approaching one Black Tiger.  

Before anyone could intervene—  

Crunch!  

The beast’s skull shattered under his palm, its massive body collapsing.

“…Gasp!”  

“…Unbelievable!”  

“H-he actually killed one?!”  

Admittedly, this Black Tiger had been severely injured – requiring extensive time and money for uncertain recovery.  

‘He only killed one that was beyond saving!’  

‘Surely he wouldn’t slaughter healthy ones!’  

Reading their doubts, Seo Do-jun approached an unharmed Black Tiger.  

The creature whimpered and lowered its head, having witnessed its kin’s death.  

‘Sorry… but necessary.’  

As Seo Do-jun raised his hand—  

“W-we concede! No further claims on the Black Tigers!”  

Faced with Seo Do-jun’s resolve, the officials abandoned their ambitions, realizing that obstinacy might cost them not just the creatures but future aid from the world’s strongest Hero and his guild.

‘After all, could we even domesticate them?’  

Even if they obtained some, unusable Black Tigers would be worthless.  

Seeing their surrender, Seo Do-jun lowered his hand.  

“Never again assert ownership. In return, I’ll consider Indonesia’s generous concession as a debt owed.”  

The phrase ‘debt owed’ from Seo Do-jun himself somewhat soothed their bitterness.

‘This is acceptable!’  

‘The world’s strongest Hero acknowledges a debt!’  

‘An unwinnable fight anyway – we’ve gained enough!’  

Though dissatisfaction lingered, they recognized this as the optimal outcome.

Seo Do-jun then made calls.  

First to Chairman Na Tae-hwang, requesting cargo planes for transport after explaining the Black Tigers.  

-How many total?  

“96… no, 95 now.”  

-Size and weight?  

Measurements were already taken with Indonesian officials’ help.  

“Smallest: 6.4m, largest: 8.5m. Lightest: 660kg, heaviest over 800kg.”  

-Impressive.  

“There’s an alpha – 15.9m, 1,250kg.”  

-…Are these beasts or monsters?  

The sizes warranted the term ‘monster’.  

-Special containers and Boeing freighters needed. I’ll expedite government coordination.  

Next, Seo Do-jun called Park Sung-wook about land acquisition.  

-You’ll need separate grounds for 95 Black Tigers.  

“Any available adjacent land?”  

Money wasn’t the issue – availability was.  

-Nothing sufficiently large is currently listed nearby.  

The area had been bought up by conglomerates and speculators after Seo Do-jun’s residence increased land values.  

“Difficult then.”  

He regretted not purchasing vast remote land earlier.  

-Some corporations own unused land…  

“Willing to sell?”  

-Negotiations would be required.  

“Please proceed. No need for excessive concessions – we can relocate my home and guild if necessary.”  

-Your firm stance gives me strong negotiating position. I’ll contact you soon.  

Observing the docile Black Tigers (subdued by Casserian), Seo Do-jun noted their trainability – explaining how primitive tribes rode them.  

The alpha, healed by Seo Do-jun after its injuries from Casserian and possibly due to its chieftain’s death, now wagged its tail at him.  

‘Fascinating creatures. Rapid healing too – versatile assets.’  

Arachne shell-derived medicine worked on animals and monsters too, but the alpha’s recovery speed was exceptional.  

With tribesmen detained by Indonesian authorities, only Seo Do-jun and the Black Tigers remained by the rift.  

Recalling Chairman Na Tae-hwang’s update:  

Primitive tribes from Japan and Indonesia were captured after their chieftains fell to Seo Do-jun.  

Strangely, those from Australia and Britain’s rifts had retreated back inside – coinciding exactly with the Indonesian chieftain’s death.  

The rifts then closed, allowing Seo Do-jun to remain peacefully in Indonesia.  

“Why retreat?”  

Seo Do-jun speculated:  

“The chieftain’s death warned them to flee.”  

The tribes’ ability to create massive monster armies suggested higher control.  

“Inside or outside the rifts?”  

Seo Do-jun wondered whether the true controllers had emerged or remained within.  

“And are these four tribes the only ones?”  

His intuition suggested more would appear.  

“Primitive tribes after monsters…”  

Though unprecedented in his ruined world, this was preferable to endless monster waves.  

“Or did killing too many monsters force this alternative?”  

Remembering his massacres in Rebley’s space, Seo Do-jun smiled slightly at the possibility.  

***

Transport proceeded rapidly with Chairman Na Tae-hwang’s influence and South Korean government support, both determined not to lose a single Black Tiger to other nations.  

Special containers were ready within two days for the 95 creatures.  

Despite secrecy attempts, news leaked globally:  

[New ‘Black Tiger’ creatures from Indonesian rift!]  

└Fake news!  

└The US, Russia and China are in uproar!  

└What are they?  

Indonesia’s fools! Let Seo Do-jun take rift creatures without protest!  

└Nonsense! Since when has Seo Do-jun hoarded rift resources?  

└I’m reporting you! How dare you insult Seo Do-jun? You’re dead!  

└Truth is Seo Do-jun monopolized all Black Tigers.  

└Seriously? Need to reevaluate him then.  

└Indonesian eyewitnesses say he saved their Heroes’ lives – fair compensation.  

└Exactly! Seo Do-jun’s no greedy thug!  

Black Tiger photos surfaced! Mind-blowing!  

└Where?  

└Link please!  

└Troll – no photos exist!  

└Photos are up! Here’s the link!  

└Just saw – absolutely incredible!  

Photos spread after an Indonesian Hero shared them privately. People marveled at the creatures’ size and that primitive tribes rode them.  

Interviews with battling Heroes amplified interest – especially after learning the Black Tigers surpassed most monsters in combat capability.  

Naturally, covetous voices emerged:  

“Monopolizing so many? Shouldn’t global Hero Associations manage them?”  

“Find ways to acquire some!”  

“Can’t let Casserian Guild grow unchecked!”  

“We must obtain Black Tigers by any means!”  

Seo Do-jun’s response was simple:  

“Let them try taking any. Just be prepared to die for it.”  

Global Hero Association ownership?  

Preposterous. With Indonesia having relinquished claims, Seo Do-jun wouldn’t tolerate outsiders’ greed.  

Anyone attempting theft would pay dearly.  

“Let’s go.”  

After loading all Black Tigers, Seo Do-jun escorted the flight atop Casserian, prepared for any sabotage attempts by those following ‘if I can’t have it, no one can’ mentality.  

Fortunately, no such recklessness occurred.  

Thus, all 95 Black Tigers arrived safely on South Korean soil.