SFRW-Chapter 175

Ch. 175 Sword God From The Ruined World

The situation on the African continent was rapidly polarizing.  

In the southern region of Africa, relatively fewer dimensional rifts had opened compared to other areas.  

This meant the number of monster waves was not as overwhelming.  

Despite this, the Casserian Guild displayed their overwhelming power, conducting swift extermination operations as if to make a statement. As a result, the monster hordes dwindled day by day, and the region quickly stabilized.  

In contrast, the eastern and western regions of Africa were descending into chaos as time passed.  

Rebel forces, already struggling even when united, continued to carry out shocking terrorist attacks against key government figures. These incidents only worsened the monster wave crisis.  

No matter the reason for the civil strife, the priority during a monster wave should always be eliminating the monsters first.  

Even if cooperation was impossible, the least they could do was avoid sabotaging or hindering each other…  

“Those damn bastards!”  

Unable to bear the horrific scenes any longer, Jung In-joo turned off the TV and cursed violently.  

Still seething, she continued ranting with a face twisted in fury.  

“If you’re going to go insane, at least do it with some decency! Innocent people are being slaughtered by monsters, and you’re busy assassinating government officials over petty power struggles?!”  

“I know exactly what those rebel scum are thinking! They’re using the monster wave as an excuse to wipe out the government forces, then plan to beg other countries for help later!”  

“And then they’ll shamelessly seize power for themselves!”  

“…Th-that can’t be true, right? No matter how bad it gets, how could they… those children… the monsters…”  

The scenes broadcasted on TV were so shocking that even the battle-hardened Casserian Guild members paled.  

Particularly haunting was the sight of a child struggling in an ogre’s grip before being shoved into its gaping maw—a moment hastily censored with a mosaic, replaced by the image of a news anchor breaking down in tears. That horror would never leave their minds.  

“Are we just supposed to sit back and watch those damn bastards?! While their own people are being slaughtered and devoured by monsters, they’re too busy shooting at each other! How can we just stand by?!”  

Kang Cheon-wuk trembled with rage, his fury boiling over.  

No matter what, he could never forgive rebel forces exploiting the monster wave for their selfish gains.  

Their enemies were monsters—not fellow humans with reason.  

Creatures that would tear apart and devour defenseless civilians without hesitation, even if they begged for mercy.  

What was the point of seizing power if the people were left to die at the hands of such monsters?  

“Let’s just wipe out those rebel bastards first!”  

Kang Cheon-wuk, his anger reaching its peak, growled through clenched teeth.  

“Brother, calm down. Our enemies are the monsters, remember?”  

At Shin Min-gi’s words, Kang Cheon-wuk whirled around, eyes blazing.  

“Calm down?! How can you stay calm after seeing that?! Are you seriously telling me those bastards are any different from monsters?! If anything, the monsters are more honorable! Those bastards are worse—more cruel and vile than any demon!”  

“It’s not that the African Union and the UN are fools for staying silent. Civil wars are strictly internal matters—foreign intervention is prohibited without consensus,” Hyun Joo-yeon interjected.  

Kang Cheon-wuk nearly snapped at her but held back, exhaling sharply and shaking his head.  

“The African Union and the UN? Pah! Their motives are obvious! They won’t lift a finger unless there’s something in it for them. They’d rather sit back, watch the show, and—”  

“Vice Guild Master!”  

Hyun Joo-yeon called out softly to Jung In-joo, shaking her head.  

Jung In-joo, usually composed, had become too agitated and needed to regain her calm.  

Fortunately, she recognized her own outburst and began steadying herself.  

The trigger had been witnessing the horrors of war-torn nations on TV while clearing their fifth monster horde.  

The sight of pitch-black swarms overrunning cities, indiscriminately slaughtering terrified civilians—even resorting to cannibalism—was enough to shock the world.  

But what followed was even more infuriating: rebel forces and government troops exchanging gunfire while their nation crumbled. How could anyone not rage at such idiocy?  

The breaking point was the child being eaten alive—the anchor’s tearful plea for global assistance struck a chord with everyone.  

As the heated atmosphere subsided, all eyes turned to one man.  

A man who had remained silent while Jung In-joo and the guild raged.  

A man with closed eyes and a hardened expression—Seo Do-jun.  

Only then did Jung In-joo realize her own overreaction and clutched her head in frustration.  

The longer Seo Do-jun’s silence stretched, the heavier the tension grew.  

Ironically, the most unpredictable person here was Seo Do-jun himself.  

Since arriving in South Africa, everything had gone smoothly according to plan.  

No matter what others said or did, he calmly handled the monster waves, saving the continent from crisis.  

Even when a prominent South African politician tried to interfere on the first day, Seo Do-jun effortlessly brushed him aside.  

But now, his prolonged silence unsettled Jung In-joo the most.  

Despite the mosaic and the hurried cutaway, the image of a four-year-old child being devoured had shaken her to the core.  

“Guild Master, I…”  

She hesitated, fearing Seo Do-jun might alter their plans or intervene in the civil war.  

“We proceed as planned.”  

Seo Do-jun finally spoke, breaking his silence.  

Relieved, Jung In-joo exhaled.  

Even for Seo Do-jun, meddling in another nation’s civil war would be excessive—an action guaranteed to draw global condemnation.  

No matter how furious, restraint was necessary.  

…Or so she thought.  

“I’ll go alone.”  

“Guild Master!”  

Jung In-joo, along with Cain and Capmore—both well-versed in international law—furrowed their brows in concern.  

Until now, Seo Do-jun had never crossed the line as a Hero, which was why his actions, however unorthodox, were tolerated.  

But interfering in a civil war?  

That would be a clear overstep.  

With so many already wary of his power, disrupting global order would only invite backlash.  

The consequences would be catastrophic—potentially turning the world’s powers against him.  

“I understand your anger, but we must approach this differently. Starting with a formal appeal to the international community would be wiser,” Capmore advised quietly.  

As royalty, he emphasized the importance of legitimacy, global consensus, and public support.  

But Seo Do-jun’s response was chilling.  

“What’s the point of acting after everyone’s dead?”  

His words weighed heavily on their hearts.  

“While we play by the rules, negotiating with those who only care for their own greed, innocent people will keep dying. What’s the use then?”  

Seo Do-jun stood.  

“There are many kinds of people in this world. Some persuade with words, seek justification and support, and move hearts.”  

Rolling his shoulders, he continued.  

“And then there are those who act first.”  

A faint smile touched his lips.  

“Even if it defies order. Even if it lacks justification or support.”  

The smile darkened, brimming with killing intent.  

“Sometimes, what the world needs most is someone who refuses to compromise—someone bold enough to act like a madman.”  

Just like in the past.  

Even as the shadow of ruin loomed, nobles and kings stood idle, debating legitimacy and protocol, insisting on securing majority support first.  

And what was the result?  

When their armies crumbled and monsters breached the walls, they were the first to flee.  

From that moment, Seo Do-jun learned:  

Legitimacy was human lives.  

Justice was the sword that punished evil.  

Support was the gratitude of the living.  

Violence was indeed the lowest form of action—unforgivable under normal circumstances.  

But—  

“For those who won’t listen, nothing works better than the whip.”  

Rebel forces. Government troops.  

Their petty squabbles no longer mattered to Seo Do-jun.  

Above all—  

This isn’t normal.  

Watching the news, Seo Do-jun felt an inexplicable unease.  

Before, even if factions pointed guns at each other, the moment monsters appeared, they’d redirect their fire—no questions asked.  

So why not now?  

What had driven them to forget even basic survival instincts?  

This was what troubled Seo Do-jun most—and why he needed to see it for himself.  

“I leave command to the Vice Guild Master.”  

Without delay, Seo Do-jun and Casserian headed straight for Somalia.  

***  

Somalia  

If asked to name one of the world’s poorest, most dangerous, and famine-stricken nations, nine out of ten would say Somalia.  

Arriving alone from South Africa, Seo Do-jun witnessed its devastation firsthand.  

It was horrific.  

Earth’s technological civilization far surpassed that of the ruined world he came from.  

Yet Somalia’s state made him question if this was truly part of the same planet.  

The city, ravaged by monsters, was in ruins.  

But even the shattered buildings and corpses’ clothing were worlds apart from South Korea.  

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!  

A massive lizard-like monster rampaged through the debris.  

Seconds later, a bloodied man, tangled in its tongue, was dragged up.  

Though barely alive, it was too late to save him.  

Delighted, the monster let out a grotesque cry and widened its maw—  

Whooosh—CRACK!  

—Kuuuaaaaagh!  

A spear struck like lightning, piercing straight through the monster’s brain.  

Like a fish impaled on a harpoon, it thrashed violently before collapsing.  

Thud.  

Seo Do-jun landed lightly on its skull, retrieving his spear.  

“…Ugh…”  

The man, still wrapped in the monster’s tongue, weakly opened his eyes, pleading silently—before going limp.  

Ignoring the corpse, Seo Do-jun turned his gaze elsewhere.  

Monsters, scattered throughout the city, began gathering.  

Low-tier fodder. Mid-tier predators howling for attention.  

A familiar sight from the ruined world.  

Scavengers—creatures that lingered after a horde’s rampage, picking off survivors.  

To think he’d see them on Earth.  

With a sigh, Seo Do-jun raised his spear.  

“Annoying. I’ll kill you all at once.”  

A spatial rift opened.  

Whooosh—!  

Hundreds of spears materialized midair.  

The scavengers, rather than frightened, seemed amused.  

Understandable.  

Humans here were weak.  

Time to educate them.  

—Whooosh!  

Hundreds of spears rained down.  

A technique Seo Do-jun had occasionally used in the ruined world—though magic-intensive, its lethality was undeniable.  

Thud! Thud! Thud!  

Each spear struck with terrifying precision.  

Small monsters died instantly, heads exploding.  

Larger ones were skewered through the heart or brain.  

The biggest—those over five meters—became pincushions, dozens of spears severing their lifeforce.  

Silence reclaimed the ruined city.  

With his task complete, Seo Do-jun turned away as the spears floated back into the rift.  

Mounting Casserian, who had waited quietly, he uttered:  

“Let’s go.”  

Casserian obeyed without complaint, soaring into the sky.  

Today, its master’s mood was foul. Best not to provoke him.  

Casserian had never seen Seo Do-jun this dark—so it flew faster than ever.