SFRW-Chapter 110

Ch. 110 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Fuck… why are these things so strong?!”  

Kang Cheon-wuk doubted whether the Twin-Headed Black Orcs easily blocking his axe were the same monsters he knew. As one of Busan’s top five ‘Busan Tough Guys’ guild members and an A-rank Hero, he frequently visited Toam Gate.  

This time was no different.  

After reserving a hunting slot, he was leisurely waiting for his guild members near Toam Gate when the explosion occurred. He was among the first to witness the Toam Gate explosion, along with five other Busan Tough Guys members.  

‘I finally decide to be diligent for once, and this happens?!’  

Because they had arrived two hours early, they were caught in this unprecedented disaster. Following the Hero Association’s protocols, they immediately reported the explosion and began evacuating civilians.  

The problem was Toam Gate’s location.  

While the golf course to the west and Bongdaesan Mountain to the east weren’t major concerns, the north and south were densely populated with Busan residents.  

“The Association says we have to block them from heading north at all costs!”  

At the shout of Hyung-tae, another A-rank Hero, Kang Cheon-wuk’s brows furrowed.  

“North? So we’re abandoning Daebyeon Port?”  

“With our numbers, we can’t help it! Holding just one side is already a life-or-death struggle!”  

“That makes no sense! Just a bit further down is Yongam Elementary School! The kids are still there!”  

“…Damn it! Then what do you suggest?!”  

Instead of answering, Kang Cheon-wuk swung his axe fiercely, pushing back an Orc.  

“…Insane.”  

His expression twisted as the Orc, which should have been split in half, withstood the blow and only staggered back a few steps.  

“Kang Cheon-wuk! What’s the plan?!”  

More Twin-Headed Black Orcs kept pouring out of the exploded Gate.  

Kang Cheon-wuk bit his lower lip and shouted.  

“You guys block the north like the Association said! I’ll—Shin Min-gi!”  

Shin Min-gi, a towering man close to 190 cm with a buzzcut, kicked an orc in the chest and responded.  

“Yes, Uncle!”  

“Come with me! Damn it, we have to protect the kids at least!”  

“Understood, Uncle!”  

Even knowing death was likely, Shin Min-gi didn’t hesitate for a second. Kang Cheon-wuk cursed under his breath.  

“Fuck… you idiot, do you even understand what I’m saying? I’m telling you we might die together!”  

“Uncle! Who registers as a Hero without expecting to die? If I’m gonna die anyway, I’d rather be remembered as a Hero! Let’s go!”  

Maybe that’s why Kang Cheon-wuk had called Shin Min-gi without hesitation.  

“You heard him! Shin Min-gi and I will hold the school! You guys block the north! Let’s go, Shin Min-gi!”  

“Yes, Uncle!”  

“Kang Cheon-wuk! Shin Min-gi! You bastards—!”  

Before Hyung-tae could stop them, the two sprinted south.  

“Uncle Hyung-tae! We need to move too! We might get trapped here!”  

The guild members grew anxious as the number of Orcs doubled.  

A quick decision was needed—follow the Association’s orders and block the north, or join Kang Cheon-wuk and Shin Min-gi to defend the elementary school.  

The debate didn’t last long.  

“Goddamn it! Everyone, move to the golf course entrance! If we form a defensive line there, other Heroes will come!”  

Protecting the school was important, but if they failed to hold the north, the orcs would overrun the apartment complexes.  

“Let’s meet alive… please.”  

Despite his desperate wish, as the orcs split into two groups, Hyung-tae felt he’d never see Kang Cheon-wuk and Shin Min-gi again.  

***

“Uncle.”  

“We hold here.”  

“But…”  

“We came here for the kids. At this point… the two of us can’t change anything.”  

Kang Cheon-wuk’s grave tone silenced Shin Min-gi.  

Screams of terror relentlessly assaulted their ears.  

The Orcs, having split into two groups, began destroying buildings and slaughtering anyone in sight.  

Though evacuation sirens blared, few reacted quickly enough. With many elderly residents, outrunning the Orcs was impossible.  

The slow, the disabled, and those who prioritized belongings over their lives inevitably fell prey.  

Selfish as it was, their deaths bought time for others—especially the children.  

“Mom! Mom! Waaah!”  

“Teacher! Where’s my mom?”  

“Dad! I miss Dad!”  

“Grandpa’s still at home! I need to get him!”  

“Let me go! My mom and little sister are at home!”  

“Su-jin! Su-jin!”  

“My brother’s in Class 5-3! I want to go with him!”  

Teachers struggled to evacuate students during the emergency.  

Given the school’s proximity to homes, many children begged to return to their families.  

But no teacher allowed it.  

Going back meant death.  

They couldn’t send children into that slaughterhouse.  

“Your mom is heading to the shelter too. It’ll be okay.”  

A teacher comforted a sobbing child with bloodshot eyes, flinching at every scream.  

As the last group reached the intersection near Daebyeon Port, Kang Cheon-wuk sighed in relief.  

“Are all the kids out?”  

Their first objective was complete. Now, they just had to buy time for the children to escape.  

“Here, eat this.”  

An elderly teacher handed them bread and milk.  

Shin Min-gi tried to refuse, but Kang Cheon-wuk stopped him.  

“Thank you. We’ll eat well.”  

“Please… survive. Next time, I’ll treat you to something better.”  

Tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t bear to ignore their sacrifice.  

“We will.”  

Kang Cheon-wuk bowed. Shin Min-gi followed.  

As an A-rank Hero, Kang Cheon-wuk had always been respected, but never had his chest felt this heavy.  

He took a bite of the bread—perhaps his last meal.  

It tasted better than anything, yet his throat kept tightening.  

He exhaled and looked at the sky.  

“Damn… the sky’s so clear. A day like this is meant for dates. Right, Shin Min-gi?”  

Sniff… sniff…  

Shin Min-gi chewed his bread, eyes red and swollen.  

“Since when does a mountain of a man cry like a baby?”  

“…N-no, the bread’s just really good.”  

Shin Min-gi wiped his tears with a hand the size of a pot lid.  

“Yeah, best bread I’ve ever had. The bread of a lifetime.”  

Shin Min-gi nodded silently.  

As they finished the milk, blood-soaked Orcs emerged.  

Having destroyed buildings and slaughtered those hiding, they now sought new prey.  

“Shin Min-gi.”  

“Yes, Uncle!”  

No trace of tears remained—only fury.  

Gripping their weapons, they stood as hardened warriors.  

“You know how cold water has layers, right?”  

Shin Min-gi glanced at him, confused.  

“If you die before me, I’ll kill you myself. Got it?”  

“Uncle, they say birth has an order, but death doesn’t. Besides, the younger brother should pave the way to the afterlife first.”  

“You little… Just remember—if we fall, those kids die. Don’t you dare let them through!”  

One, two… soon, dozens of Orcs charged at them.  

“Hold the line!”  

“Don’t worry!”  

They had prepared. Blocking every path except one with cars, they forced the Orcs into a choke point.  

Only two Orcs could pass at once.  

Of course, if hundreds came, the barricade would mean nothing.  

Screech!  

Unlike the helpless villagers, Kang Cheon-wuk and Shin Min-gi stood their ground, enraging the orcs.  

“Who gave you permission to bark, you stinking mutts?!”  

Kang Cheon-wuk swung his axe with all his might at an Orc empowered by dark magic.  

Crunch!  

Half of one head split open, spraying black blood.  

“Hyahhh!”  

Shin Min-gi’s sword plunged deep into the remaining head.  

Even for Twin-Headed Black Orcs, such force was unavoidable.  

“Stabbing works better than slashing!”  

“Understood!”  

They had hunted these Orcs countless times at Toam Gate—but never like this.  

No room for pride. No time for hesitation.  

Crunch! Splurt!  

They focused on one Orc at a time.  

But they couldn’t block them all.  

“Shin Min-gi!”  

Thud!  

“Ugh!”  

Shin Min-gi stabbed an Orc’s heart but couldn’t dodge a club swing to his thigh.  

He staggered.  

“You bastard!”  

As the Orc raised its club again, Kang Cheon-wuk intervened.  

Crunch!  

Half its skull caved in.  

Stab!  

Shin Min-gi severed its arm.  

Kang Cheon-wuk finished it.  

Crunch!  

“You okay?”  

“Never better!”  

Shin Min-gi puffed his chest, but his sweat-drenched forehead and swollen thigh said otherwise.  

“Since when does the little brother block his Uncle? Get back.”  

Kang Cheon-wuk stepped forward.  

“Uncle! I’m fine!”  

“Shut up. I’m shorter, so I’ll take point. Support me from behind!”  

Before Shin Min-gi could argue, Kang Cheon-wuk’s axe struck another Orc.  

Then—  

“Kwaoooooh!”  

A roar echoed—one every South Korean would recognize.  

Casserian.  

“Uncle!”  

“It’s him!”  

Seo Do-jun.  

The Hero of Heroes, standing atop the world.  

Hope surged in Kang Cheon-wuk’s chest.  

But—  

Screech!  

Squelch!  

Over fifty Orcs, as if fleeing something, now charged at them madly.  

“…Fuck.”  

Kang Cheon-wuk cursed as the bloodlust in their eyes promised annihilation.