SFRW-Chapter 239

Ch. 239 Sword God From The Ruined World

Thud—!  

“Guhk!”  

“…Kgh!”  

It was a strike so powerful it sent shivers down the spine. No—it was a life-risking attack that no one could have anticipated, making it impossible to defend against.  

Koroka barely magicged to stand while clutching his trembling right arm, while Rahf gripped his throat tightly with both hands as blood gushed out like a fountain.  

“Hey! Choi Kang-soo!”  

At Kusak’s urgent call, Choi Kang-soo finally unleashed his powerful healing divine energy to envelop Rahf’s neck.  

One second.  

That brief moment was enough to save Rahf’s life.  

Only after Rahf’s eyes—which had turned white as his body teetered on the brink of death—returned to normal did Kusak let out a sigh of relief.  

Rahf was an essential asset to Seo Do-jun’s party.  

Though not a major combatant, his ability to open dimensional portals made him invaluable.  

Had Rahf died here, the party would have faced dire consequences.  

“Why the hell did you interfere and cause this mess?!”  

Choi Kang-soo shouted at Rahf while examining Koroka’s wounds.  

“Heh heh… Back from the dead.”  

Rahf let out a half-crazed laugh, having genuinely come close to death.  

“…Divine energy?”  

Araes, kneeling on the ground, looked up at Choi Kang-soo with a hollow expression.  

It had been a final, desperate attack.  

Instead of targeting Grichuk, who possessed endless regeneration, Araes had aimed for Rahf and Koroka—the more realistic targets.  

From Araes’s perspective, there had been no other choice.  

The moment Rooker Himaid died, Araes knew time was up.  

There hadn’t been enough time to stubbornly focus on Grichuk, so Araes had gone for the killable targets—Rahf and Koroka.  

The results were as intended.  

Though Araes failed to decapitate Rahf in one strike, the attack had been fatal.  

Koroka, despite his draconic regeneration, had nearly lost an arm.  

Araes considered it a fair trade—a life for a life.  

At least, that had been the case until witnessing Choi Kang-soo’s supreme divine energy.  

Araes’s gaze shifted from Choi Kang-soo to Seo Do-jun, who stood far away.  

More precisely, to Scal Himaid.  

A decisive slash—one that could cut through anything—bisected Scal Himaid’s upper body diagonally.  

‘A Transcendent who single-handedly killed the Himaid siblings…’  

Someone of that caliber could pose a serious threat to Barhaut.  

After losing the Gem of Authority, Barhaut was merely one of the stronger Transcendents.  

Araes should have brought more allies—powerful Transcendents like Seo Do-jun.  

Instead, Araes now found Grichuk standing before them.  

Araes’s abdomen had been pierced, and both legs cleanly severed below the knees.  

The desperate final attack on Rahf and Koroka hadn’t been for nothing.  

“This. Fight. Taught. Me. My. Shortcomings.”  

With respect befitting a warrior, Grichuk swung his sword and cleanly beheaded Araes.  

Thud.  

With the death of Araes—a being capable of destroying entire planets—the battle finally ended.  

***   

“What’s that?”  

At Hyun Joo-yeon’s question, Seo Do-jun held out two stones to the party—one deep blue, the other ashen gray.  

Each was the size of a child’s fist, oval-shaped and unremarkable at a glance.  

But Seo Do-jun’s explanation left everyone speechless.  

“Stones imbued with the power of the Water God and Thunder God.”  

In other words—  

“So… these are the source of their power?”  

Seo Do-jun nodded, and Kusak gulped audibly while staring at the stones.  

“Does that mean absorbing them could make someone a Transcendent?”  

Choi Kang-soo’s eyes gleamed with greed.  

『Have you no shame? After stealing an otherworldly god’s divine energy, now you covet divine power too?』  

“If I grow stronger, I can help Uncle more! What’s wrong with that?”  

『Using Vandeyan as an excuse? As if I can’t see through your rotten motives.』  

Despite the Divine Sword’s scathing remarks, Choi Kang-soo’s avarice remained.  

And he wasn’t the only one.  

Even Koroka, who normally took pride in his draconic superiority, stared at the stones with mesmerized eyes.  

Before greed could escalate further, Seo Do-jun declared the stones’ new owners.  

“Veronica. Shinjo.”  

The two snapped to attention at their names.  

“These belong to you.”  

The announcement shocked everyone.  

Though Seo Do-jun had made the decision unilaterally, no one could protest.  

The stones were spoils from his solo victory over the Himaid siblings—he had every right to distribute them as he saw fit.  

Still…  

‘If only I’d gotten a chance…’  

Everyone shared the same thought.  

Even Grichuk wasn’t immune to such desires—proof of the stones’ immense value.  

“Don’t get too envious. Absorbing these won’t instantly make anyone a Transcendent.”  

The party looked puzzled.  

“Do you think the Himaid siblings became Transcendents just from these? Absolutely not.”  

Like Seo Do-jun—who hadn’t become a Transcendent solely by absorbing the Dragon Heart—the siblings had built their foundation over time.  

The energy radiating from the stones confirmed this.  

Veronica and Shinjo’s vessels were too small and fragile to fully absorb the divine power.  

Forcing it could kill them or leave them crippled.  

Seo Do-jun planned to personally supervise their absorption, ensuring they only took what they could handle.  

After his calm explanation, the party understood and let go of their greed.  

Though some still harbored regrets.  

Seo Do-jun understood their feelings.  

But—  

‘Everyone must grow evenly.’  

Veronica and Shinjo had lagged behind in growth. This was their chance to catch up.  

The fact that their existing spirit stones aligned with these elements was another reason for Seo Do-jun’s choice.  

“Suck them dry. That way, I won’t feel jealous anymore.”  

Kusak’s words drew a laugh from Veronica.  

“Don’t worry. I’ll push my body to its absolute limit.”  

Shinjo remained silent but nodded firmly, determined to make the most of this opportunity.  

After the discussion, Seo Do-jun left to find the optimal location for the absorption.  

With the planet’s Administrator gone, no threats remained.  

The party stayed behind—there was little to see on this ruined world anyway.  

Veronica and Shinjo isolated themselves to prepare, wanting to be in peak condition.  

“Divine power… I’m so jealous.”  

Rahf licked his lips, unable to hide his envy.  

“Don’t even dream about it!”  

Kusak’s glare made Rahf chuckle.  

“Do I look that stupid? I’m just admitting I’m jealous. Why so tense? Afraid I’ll steal them?”  

Kusak shot to his feet, and even Choi Kang-soo and Hyun Joo-yeon turned sharp glares on Rahf.  

“What did you just say?!”  

“Yikes! So scary.”  

Realizing he’d gone too far, Rahf shut his mouth.  

“Choi Kang-soo, keep an eye on him. He might actually try something.”  

“I’ll cut his throat before he gets the chance!”  

At Choi Kang-soo’s bloodthirsty remark, Rahf pouted.  

‘We’re supposed to be allies…’  

But no one took his side.  

***  

Two days later, Seo Do-jun returned.  

“I found the perfect spot. We’ll leave now—only Veronica, Shinjo, Kusak, and Grichuk need to come.”  

“Huh? Uncle! I’m coming too!”  

Choi Kang-soo volunteered eagerly, but Seo Do-jun refused.  

“I need you to protect the others.”  

Though disappointed, Choi Kang-soo didn’t argue.  

The remaining members resumed their training, determined not to fall behind.  

Days passed—one, two… a full week.  

***    

Twenty days later, Seo Do-jun finally returned.  

Veronica’s skin now glowed with a translucent, water-like clarity, while Shinjo exuded a sharper, more refined aura. Their transformations spoke of significant growth.  

“Did you absorb as much as you wanted?”  

At Rakun’s question, Veronica only smiled mysteriously.  

“What? Why won’t you answer? How much stronger did you get? Are you on my or Grichuk’s level now?”  

Choi Kang-soo’s blunt question echoed everyone’s thoughts.  

The answer came from Kusak instead.  

“Ugh… Don’t ask. They’ve become… monsters.”  

“Monsters? How strong? Seriously, are they like me and Grichuk now? Grichuk! Tell me! Is it true?”  

Grichuk responded slowly.  

“They. Have. Grown. Strong. Enough.”  

“That doesn’t answer anything!”  

Frustrated, Choi Kang-soo pounded his chest.  

“You’ll find out in time. Rahf.”  

Seo Do-jun interrupted, calling Rahf forward.  

“I’ve charged enough magic. Five short jumps or two long ones.”  

The extended absorption period had allowed ample time to recharge.  

“Then we move now.”  

“Where to?”  

Seo Do-jun’s answer was immediate.  

“A long jump. Not maximum range, but… far enough.”  

“Where exactly?”  

Rahf’s question drew Rakun’s explanation.  

“Bartloma. The Land of Monsters. Home to Rebley—Barhaut’s most trusted lieutenant and commander of the monster legions.”  

“Rebley? That eyeball bastard?”  

Choi Kang-soo grimaced, recalling the desolate planet overrun by monsters.  

Memories of his near-failure there made him grip the Divine Sword tightly.  

『If not for that Vandeyan brat, I’d never have chosen a fool like you! Escaped the worst only to step in shit…』  

Lost in thought, Choi Kang-soo suddenly raised the Divine Sword and slammed it into the ground.  

“Damn you! Rusty piece of scrap metal!”  

The party barely batted an eye at their usual antics.  

“So attacking Bartloma will deal a major blow to Barhaut?”  

“Not major—devastating. It’ll cut off his endless monster production.”  

“Which Guardian Planet is it?”  

“The sixth.”  

“Sixth… Alright, I’ll try my best.”  

Rahf focused intently as the others watched.  

No one else could open dimensional portals—this task was his alone.  

Huuuuum—!  

A massive magic resonance shook the ground as a portal formed.  

“No guarantees where this leads… but I aimed for Bartloma.”  

“Better odds than picking 1 out of 39, at least.”  

Kusak glanced at Seo Do-jun, who stepped forward as always—first into the portal.