Chapter 152

Ch. 152 Sword God From The Ruined World

Seo Do-jun silently observed the world map displayed on the screen, dotted with red marks across numerous countries.  

Indonesia, United States, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, India, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Sweden, Norway…  

The map was covered in red.  

“…Firearms are effective, but not enough to decisively end the situation,” reported Min Hong-gi, newly promoted from Deputy Director to Director General of the Second Domestic Affairs Division.  

“What exactly does that mean?” Jung In-joo asked.  

“Their regeneration is rapid. They exhibit troll-level recovery, making it difficult to inflict fatal wounds without precise head or heart shots using conventional firearms,” Min Hong-gi explained. 

“Please review this footage.”  

The screen displayed Indian soldiers firing various portable heavy weapons at approaching tribal warriors. The initial barrage was devastating – the primitive warriors were torn apart beyond recognition. The soldiers cheered, but their celebration was short-lived.  

When one tribesman waved a golden flag, a translucent dome enveloped a wide area. Suddenly, nothing worked – not heavy weapons, tanks, nor airstrikes.  

“…What is that?” Jung In-joo frowned in disbelief.  

“While unconfirmed, we believe the flag generates an Area-of-Effect shield against modern weaponry. All emerging hostile forces appear to use identical flags,” Min Hong-gi explained.  

“An area shield,” Seo Do-jun finally spoke, immediately recognizing the mechanism. 

The tribes were using flag-based wide-area defensive magic – something he could replicate using magic stones, though they’d chosen flags as their medium.  

Director Min Hong-gi nodded, impressed by Seo Do-jun’s instant analysis. 

“As Guild Master Seo Do-jun suggests, global Hero associations concur it’s some form of protective dome.”  

The footage continued showing the shielded tribesmen’s brutal counterattack. 

Within the shield, modern weapons still functioned, leading to chaotic close-quarters carnage as desperate soldiers detonated grenades, taking themselves and attackers down together.  

“No reports of resurrection?” Seo Do-jun asked, recalling the Japanese rift incident.  

“None so far,” Min Hong-gi confirmed.  

“What’s the current global response?”  

“Most nations are focusing on conventional weapons since they still work to some degree,” Min Hong-gi reported before hesitating. 

“Some countries have… taken more extreme measures.”  

“Do they have suicide squads?” Seo Do-jun guessed.  

Min Hong-gi’s startled expression confirmed it. 

“We haven’t received official reports, but certain nations are… attaching explosives to death row inmates…”  

Jung In-joo erupted in anger, but Seo Do-jun remained calm. Suicide units were common in the ruined world – desperate measures against overwhelming odds. 

However horrific, these sacrifices were buying civilian safety.  

“…Regardless, this has reduced enemy numbers significantly. This information is strictly classified,” Min Hong-gi emphasized.  

The primitive forces emerging from rifts numbered between 4,000 to 8,000 per location, all exhibiting B-rank Hero-level combat abilities with exclusive melee specialization.  

“Every single one is melee-focused?” Seo Do-jun’s brow furrowed until a realization struck. 

“Have additional forces emerged from the rifts?”  

Before Min Hong-gi could answer, Na Tae-hwang entered abruptly. “New reports confirm additional, significantly stronger forces are now emerging.”  

Behind him filed in Jang Seong-ho and other guild masters, all grim-faced.  

* * *  

Primitive tribes had emerged from exactly 100 rifts worldwide. Their appearances varied too widely to be one tribe, but they shared one commonality.  

“Scouts?” Jung In-joo asked as Seo Do-jun drove.  

Seo Do-jun nodded. “In primitive warfare, scouts always deploy first to assess enemy strength.”  

The car jerked as another vehicle cut them off. 

Suppressing road rage, Seo Do-jun continued: “Next come the warriors. Fearless, relentless fighters who either avenge fallen comrades or revel in victory.”  

Jung In-joo sighed wearily. “Are there… more after them?”  

“Yes.” Seo Do-jun’s certainty made her expression harden.  

“Support forces. Finally, the chieftains and leadership arrive to declare war’s end.”  

“…This is catastrophic.”  

South Korea’s 23 remaining rifts – remarkably few compared to similar-sized nations – remained closed thanks to Seo Do-jun’s earlier efforts. Now the Casserian Guild would respond.  

* * *  

The Casserian Guild’s 65 combat members – all surpassing S-rank – divided into nine teams led by: Jung In-joo, Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, Shinjo, Park Seung-ho, Choi Do-yeon, Hwang Jin-joo, Kang Cheon-wuk, and Shin Min-gi. Each team would assist different nations.  

“Let’s call it the ‘7-Man Special Task Force’!” Park Chul suggested.  

After two hours, their promotional video showcasing all teams boarding jets like movie Heroes went viral globally, with #Casserian7 dominating worldwide searches.  

[Online Comments:]  

“America here! Just heard Team 3 (Gloria Tyler’s squad) is coming! Casserian is our strongest ally!”  

“Shinjo’s Team 4 must be heading to Japan!”  

“Team 2 (Hyun Joo-yeon) is reportedly en route to England – she can’t ignore her adopted homeland.”  

“Busted already?” Park Chul laughed seeing comments identify him as the guild’s PR manager.  

In the monitoring room, nine screens stood ready. Only Screen 4 was currently active.  

“Shinjo’s status?”  

“Just departed Guam,” Park Young-gi reported.  

“Good! No sleep until this ends! Recording started?” At the technician’s confirmation, Park Chul declared: 

“Then let’s work like our lives depend on it – because theirs do!”  

Twenty-seven hours after the primitive invasion began, the Casserian Guild launched its first counteroffensive.