SFRW-Chapter 188

Ch. 188 Sword God From The Ruined World

Lately, Seo Do-jun’s movements gave the impression of someone being pursued.  

This began after his return from Mexico.  

On the surface, Seo Do-jun was pushing forward with a grand plan:  

Transforming the World Hero Association into a truly functional organization.  

His first step was elevating Na Tae-hwang to Chairman of the World Hero Association.  

Until now, the Association had been led by 17 alliance directors.  

But even that ‘leadership’ was merely nominal, with power still concentrated in the hands of major Hero nations.  

At best, they gathered to vote on issues—with no real authority to enforce decisions.  

No wonder many dismissed the Association as a hollow facade.  

Seo Do-jun was determined to change this.  

He wanted the Association to fulfill its original purpose: uniting Earth’s defenses with full commitment.  

An impossible task for anyone else—but not for him.  

Unsurprisingly, resistance was fierce. Most opposed the changes.  

Yet as Seo Do-jun intervened and Na Tae-hwang publicly championed the reforms, momentum shifted.  

One by one, major nations declared support:  

Eric Jonathan (USA), Daniel Lopes (Brazil), Canada, China, Japan, Italy, the UK, France…  

With these powerhouses backing Seo Do-jun and Na Tae-hwang, resistance crumbled.  

Of course, some withdrew entirely—North Korea, India, Pakistan—while others hesitated, calculating benefits.  

“Snatch away their calculators.”  

“Smash them.”  

Seo Do-jun bit back the words as Na Tae-hwang shook his head.  

“We must understand their perspective.”  

“And that’s how we ended up here.”  

Na Tae-hwang smiled wryly at Seo Do-jun’s sharp retort.  

“Fair. But this time, it’ll be different.”  

Why?  

Because Seo Do-jun—the undisputed strongest—stood unshakably behind him.  

Seo Do-jun didn’t shy from Na Tae-hwang’s expectant gaze.  

Having staked this much, retreating wasn’t an option.  

Instead:  

“Use me as you need.”  

Na Tae-hwang laughed heartily, as if hearing the world’s most reassuring words.  

“Thanks to you, the Association is finally on the right path.”  

“I’ve heard enough gratitude.”  

Seo Do-jun preempted further thanks.  

Chuckling, Na Tae-hwang sipped his lukewarm coffee.  

“I hear you’ve been busy lately.”  

Between reforming the Association and other undisclosed matters, Seo Do-jun had no respite.  

“What keeps you so occupied?”  

Na Tae-hwang probed gently, but Seo Do-jun remained silent—now wasn’t the time for answers.  

***

After their meeting, Seo Do-jun returned to the guild building.  

“You’re back!”  

“Have you eaten?”  

Guild members greeted him boisterously.  

Since Africa, their faces glowed with vitality.  

Though exhausted from nonstop monster hunting, not a trace of fatigue showed.  

The Casserian Guild had saved Africa when all others turned away.  

The world’s praise filled them with pride no fatigue could overshadow.  

Moreover, the guild distributed magic stones and spoils fairly among members.  

Seo Do-jun treated his loyalists as they deserved—none complained, though monetary rewards were unnecessary at their level.  

Join the Casserian Guild, and you’d receive:  

– Magic Heart Methods  

– Personalized combat techniques  

– Top-tier weapons  

– Support even top Heroes envied  

– Generous pay  

With such benefits, their devotion to Seo Do-jun bordered on fanaticism.  

Catching someone insulting him would’ve sparked a lynching.  

Under admiring gazes, Seo Do-jun ascended to the guild’s top floor—a luxurious lounge doubling as his private quarters.  

“You’re here?”  

Kusak waved from the couch as Seo Do-jun entered.  

Veronica noisily devoured ribs in the kitchen, while Rakun sweated on exercise equipment.  

Ignoring their antics, Seo Do-jun snatched the remote and turned off the TV.  

“Hey! I was watching that!”  

Kusak scowled as the screen went dark.  

“Veronica, Rakun. Sit.”  

Noticing Seo Do-jun’s unusual tone, they obeyed.  

“Chomp— Can’t I finish eating first?”  

Veronica slurped a rib, bowl in hand.  

“I’ve been thinking how to lift your restrictions.”  

Kusak cut him off.  

“Like I said last time, not even Barhaut can undo these.”  

“So it’s possible with the Gem of Authority?”  

“Pfft! That’s long gone. Barhaut would’ve torn the world apart to reclaim it.”  

Kusak tapped his head mockingly.  

As he reached for the remote again, Seo Do-jun countered:  

“If the Gem was destroyed, why aren’t you free? No medium means no restrictions.”  

“Huh?”  

Kusak blinked. Rakun’s head jerked up.  

Veronica, mid-bite, froze.  

“…He’s right.”  

As a mage, Kusak knew this better than anyone.  

“Well, that’s—”  

He floundered for an answer.  

“What if the Gem’s power still exists somewhere?”  

“That… makes sense.” Veronica admitted, gnawing her bone.  

“But without knowing where, how does that help us?” Kusak scoffed.  

“Just kill us or let us go. We’re walking time bombs for you.”  

Currently, Seo Do-jun’s magic suppressed their powers—but that could change anytime.  

If they regained strength in his absence, devastation would follow.  

Yet Seo Do-jun kept them close.  

Not just as former comrades, but because they were his ticket into the rift zones.  

The ideal solution? Restore their memories and break Barhaut’s binds to reunite their forces.  

Realistically, Earth’s Heroes—save a few like Shinjo, Hyun Joo-yeon, or Gloria—were useless to Seo Do-jun.  

(Ah… is Choi Kang Soo still in Guam?)  

He made a mental note to visit.  

With so few allies capable of entering the rifts, Kusak’s group was invaluable.  

“I might know where that power is.”  

Three pairs of eyes locked onto him.  

Seo Do-jun theorized:  

When the Gem shattered, his past self (Karserian Le Vandeyan) was beyond resurrection—but his soul survived.  

What if the Gem’s power fused with his soul during dimensional transfer?  

Most had dissipated, but traces might remain…  

Kusak howled with laughter.  

“You bit the Gem of Authority like an ice cube? HA!”  

“I didn’t expect it to work either.”  

Veronica stood to leave, done with the absurdity.  

Only Rakun remained serious.  

“Describe Barhaut.”  

Seo Do-jun did—down to the last detail.  

“…Huh?”  

Kusak’s smirk vanished. Veronica’s eyes bulged.  

“…Every word matches.” Rakun murmured, stunned.  

“…What the hell are you?” Kusak breathed.  

Smiling at the first productive moment, Seo Do-jun answered:  

“Karserian Le Vandeyan. The Sword God called ‘Kassal’. Your most trusted final comrade.”