SFRW-Chapter 180

Ch. 180 Sword God From The Ruined World

“You dare try to capture me?”  

Kerzaman’s bloodshot eyes gleamed with murderous intent.  

The Heroes urgently dispatched from South Korea, the secretly assembled American S-rank Heroes, both the Magician Guild and Sunrise Guild – Kerzaman was watching every single movement in detail.  

From who was gathering to where they were meeting and what routes they were taking into Mexico.  

There was nothing Kerzaman didn’t know.  

The power of drugs surpasses the power of money.  

People think money is the greatest power, but they’re completely wrong.  

The truly terrifying power is drugs.  

Once addicted, drugs are nearly impossible to quit – even the wealthy can’t resist them.  

And Kerzaman, the Mexican drug lord, was the world’s most effective user of this terrifying power.  

Globally, fewer than three people had perfected drug manipulation like Kerzaman.  

All intelligence came from the CIA.  

Just how many CIA agents were Kerzaman’s pawns?  

Honestly, even Kerzaman didn’t know the exact number. While he personally managed some high-ranking moles, his subordinates handled many others.  

So when they tried capturing him using CIA intelligence, it was like showing all your cards before a poker game.  

Who could lose a game where their opponent reveals their hand first?  

Kerzaman was absolutely confident he wouldn’t be caught, no matter how many came for him or how powerful they were.  

Now, how to retaliate?  

After brief consideration, Kerzaman quickly devised a plan.  

Strike the planes before they even land on the runway, then attack mercilessly as they evacuate the crash.  

The operation worked perfectly.  

Five South Korean Heroes died, along with 21 Magician and Sunrise Guild members who perished without accomplishing anything.  

A complete tactical victory.  

“How’s the situation in America?”  

At Kerzaman’s question, a subordinate quickly replied:  

“The operation there should be underway by now!”  

“Keh keh keh!”  

Kerzaman burst into raspy laughter at the response.  

If they came to capture him, they’d have to risk everything.  

First their families, then lovers, finally friends and even neighbors!  

Who in the world would dare attack American S-rank Heroes’ families, lovers and friends?  

“They started this war – now they’ll pay! Make them cry rivers of blood tears, like always!”  

“Of course, sir!”  

Kerzaman smiled satisfactorily at the subordinate’s confident response.  

“What about South Korea?”  

Every operation has its mastermind. Knowing Seo Do-jun led this capture attempt, Kerzaman couldn’t leave South Korea out.  

“Kidnapping Seo Do-jun’s sister and grandmother is our top priority.”  

“The world’s strongest?”  

Malice filled Kerzaman’s eyes.  

Could the so-called ‘world’s strongest’ still act tough after seeing his beloved grandmother and sister brutally harmed?  

Maybe he’d go even more berserk trying to capture Kerzaman.  

The thought of watching that spectacle greatly amused Kerzaman.  

The global Hero revered by all, reduced to a broken wreck screaming for vengeance over his family’s suffering!  

“You know how we handle this?”  

“We’ll proceed as always.”  

Rubbing his hands excitedly, Kerzaman’s body trembled with anticipation.  

“What about the ones who came for me?”  

“We’re relentlessly pursuing them from the airport, but the many S-rank Heroes make it difficult. Still, they’ll gain nothing from this land.”  

Kerzaman shook his head.  

“No. They came all this way – can’t let them leave empty-handed. Since they visited Mexico, they should take something back.”  

“Huh?”  

As the subordinate looked confused, Kerzaman giggled.  

“The grief of losing family and resentment toward Seo Do-jun who led this operation. That’ll be our parting gift.”  

Kerzaman firmly believed – no, was determined to ensure – this incident would shatter America’s trust in Seo Do-jun.  

* * *  

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.  

Na Tae-hwang’s stiff fingers drummed his desk, his face tense.  

A habit when anxious.  

It surfaced when things went awry and he couldn’t openly express his frustration.  

“…We were overconfident.”  

Na Tae-hwang muttered near-silently.  

He’d never imagined CIA intelligence could leak.  

The planes were bombed systematically before even landing – only those carrying Heroes were targeted, proving it was no accident.  

Then the second wave:  

Before crash survivors could evacuate, they faced war-level assaults.  

Casualties reached 26, including five of Na Tae-hwang’s precious South Korean Heroes.  

“…We’re ambushed! They knew we were coming and completely isolated us! Too many wounded… five dead already…”  

The frantic call cut out before proper assessment.  

The sole comfort was Director Min Hong-gi not being among the dead.  

Stunned, Na Tae-hwang immediately contacted the CIA.  

They seemed equally shocked, promising updates while scrambling to understand the situation.  

Unable to just wait, Na Tae-hwang mobilized all connections – the White House, Hero Associations worldwide, South Korean government, anyone who could provide objective insight.  

During this, a World Hero Association director cautiously mentioned the CIA wasn’t as secure as believed.  

A leak from the organization that knew everything about Kerzaman’s whereabouts?  

Initially dismissive, Na Tae-hwang realized no other explanation fit.  

Only he and Director Min Hong-gi knew in South Korea.  

Other Heroes received briefings mid-flight.  

Same for Sunrise and Magician Guilds.  

Capmore and Cain were simply told to assist, with no details.  

No time or opportunity for leaks there.  

That left only the American Hero Association and CIA.  

The S-rank Hero deployment was solely American Association Chairman Eric Jonathan’s decision.  

Meaning only he knew the full plan.  

Given Eric’s gratitude toward Seo Do-jun, betrayal seemed unlikely.  

But the CIA…  

“Were we too careless?”  

Na Tae-hwang sighed deeply, covering his face.  

Then his phone rang.  

Daniel Lopes – Brazil’s Hero Association Chairman.  

Why would this casual acquaintance call now?  

Na Tae-hwang answered normally:  

“Hello?”  

-Daniel Lopes here.  

“What is the purpose of your call, Director Lopes?”  

-Heard about Mexico. Trying to capture Kerzaman… is that true?  

Had rumors spread so fast? Na Tae-hwang smiled bitterly.  

-How could you attempt Kerzaman…  

Lopes clicked his tongue.  

Already overwhelmed, Na Tae-hwang had no patience for lectures from distant colleagues.  

“Circumstances led us there. Apologies, but I can’t chat now.”  

Even if rude, this wasn’t time for niceties.  

As Na Tae-hwang moved to hang up, Lopes urgently continued:  

-Wait! I heard Hero Kassal requested Kerzaman’s capture. True?  

Where’d he hear that?  

Was this common knowledge now?  

Lopes sounded so certain that Na Tae-hwang bit his lip and admitted:  

“…Yes. Why does that matter?”  

-No time for details. Immediately protect Kassal’s family thoroughly.  

“Protect? What do you mean?”  

Lopes tsked.  

-You don’t know Kerzaman. He’s demonic toward those who cross him – targeting families, lovers, even friends and neighbors.  

“Th-that’s absurd…”  

Lopes’s tone turned deadly serious:  

-Remember my words. We can send personnel if needed. For Hero Kassal, we’ll assist.  

Was he sincere?  

Na Tae-hwang was speechless at the outrageous claim.  

But Lopes clearly wasn’t conspiring with Kerzaman against Seo Do-jun.  

“Hmm…”  

As Na Tae-hwang hesitated, Lopes sighed and confessed:  

-Frankly, my position became difficult after the rift zone operation. I thought I treated Hero Kassal decently, yet…  

In essence: Lopes believed he’d built rapport with Seo Do-jun, but received no reciprocal gestures from Casserian Guild, leaving him in an awkward position.  

He hoped helping now might make Casserian Guild view Brazil more favorably.  

In short: political maneuvering.  

Na Tae-hwang understood and accepted the offer without hesitation.  

-Thank you. I’ll send reliable people. And… don’t trust the CIA too much. Not that they betrayed you – Kerzaman’s lobbying is simply superior.  

Lopes’s CIA warning mirrored others’.  

“Thank you. We won’t forget this.”  

-Hahaha! No need for thanks. Just put in a good word with Hero Kassal later. Also… we’ll send aid to Mexico too.  

“R-really?”  

This being the first good news, Na Tae-hwang eagerly accepted before hanging up.  

With the CIA compromised, Lopes’s aid was rain during drought.  

“A demon… We must prepare thoroughly!”  

Mexico was one thing, but threatening Seo Do-jun’s family in South Korea?  

Na Tae-hwang’s eyes flashed dangerously.  

* * *  

Learning of Mexico’s failure, Seo Do-jun became truly ruthless.  

Kerzaman was now out of reach.  

The plan to secretly capture him for information was ruined.  

With Kerzaman forewarned endangering the Heroes, Seo Do-jun bore full responsibility.  

The solution was simple:  

First eliminate Kusak, Kerzaman’s powerful backer.  

Why could Kerzaman so boldly attack the approaching Heroes?  

Because Kusak either terrified him or he trusted Kusak’s protection absolutely.  

But if Seo Do-jun captured Kusak?  

Hope would become despair, breeding fear and terror.  

Kerzaman might hide more carefully, but not for long once Casserian Guild scoured Mexico.  

‘Someone clever would realize this…’  

But what if he’s truly reckless?  

Seo Do-jun frowned.  

In the ruined world too, some had betrayed humanity from momentary lapses, many persisting stubbornly until the end.  

The resulting damage and sacrifices had been immense.  

If Kerzaman was such a man, salvaging the situation would be hard.  

“Then I’ll make an example so thorough no one dares repeat it.”  

He’d leave alone those who stayed quiet.  

But any who betrayed would pay an unforgettable price.  

Resolved, Seo Do-jun flew swiftly with Casserian toward Mali.  

Their target: an underground bunker near Koulikoro, 50km from Bamako.  

Reportedly one of Mali’s largest rebel bases by French intelligence – a heavily fortified secret stronghold near the capital that even French mercenaries had failed to infiltrate.  

Koulikoro came into view.  

Aged concrete buildings dotted the ochre landscape along the Niger River.  

Crossing the river would lead to the secret bunker.  

French intel on Mali had always been reliable, so Seo Do-jun trusted it now as they flew over the Niger.  

KWA-AAANG!  

-KWAOOOO…  

Casserian screamed, plummeting rapidly toward the river.  

THUD-SPLASH!  

“Direct hit!”  

Kusak giggled, watching Seo Do-jun and Casserian plunge into the water.