SFRW-Chapter 138

Ch. 138 Sword God From The Ruined World

After leaving Choi Kang-soo in Guam and returning, Seo Do-jun immediately summoned all Casserian Guild members. The sudden cancellation of Gate closure schedules to call this meeting left everyone wondering what could be so important.  

“Have you heard anything about this?”  

At Park Sung-wook’s question, Jung In-joo shook her head.  

“I haven’t received any information either. This is unprecedented, so I’m worried for no reason.”  

“Hmm. The Guild Master wouldn’t call us without good cause…”  

Though trailing off, Park Sung-wook reassured Jung In-joo that it probably wasn’t anything too serious.  

This summons included not just Park Sung-wook but all non-combat personnel like Choi Cheol-gwan, Park Chul, and Park Young-ki. With everyone gathered except Choi Kang-soo (who was training alone in Guam), this marked the first full guild assembly in a long time.  

As everyone buzzed with curiosity about the sudden meeting, Seo Do-jun appeared.  

“I’m sure my abrupt summons surprised everyone.”  

True to the Casserian Guild’s discipline, no one interrupted as Seo Do-jun spoke.  

“I’ve called you here because it’s time everyone learned the truth about what’s happening on Earth – and what’s coming.”  

Though his tone remained calm, Seo Do-jun’s expression was more serious than ever. Some might even call it grave.  

“Most consider the rift zones mere anomalies, but the reality is different. Those online theories about alien invasion? They might be the most accurate explanation.”  

The guild members exchanged bewildered glances at Seo Do-jun’s words. Alien invasion theories – the stuff of fiction that even so-called experts dismissed. Yet online, many treated them as serious possibilities.  

One guild member raised his hand. At Seo Do-jun’s nod, he spoke carefully:  

“No nation or expert recognizes the alien invasion theory. May I ask why you believe it, Guild Master?”  

Understandable skepticism, given that only monsters had appeared for nearly a decade without any intelligent extraterrestrial lifeforms.  

“I’ll now reveal everything I’ve discovered.”  

Seo Do-jun had pondered for a long time how to begin this explanation, eventually settling on an approach.  

“It’s common knowledge that I – then powerless – entered the Mapo Rift Zone near my home.” Too famous to not know, this earned him the nickname ‘National Nuisance’ for a time.  

“In truth, that rift transported me to another world entirely different from Earth. I am… a Returnee.”  

Seo Do-jun’s fabricated backstory mirrored many fictional protagonists. It should have sounded absurd.  

Yet…  

‘Claiming my soul crossed dimensions sounds even less credible.’  

The full truth would be harder to accept and risk him being labeled an alien. The ‘Returnee’ persona was his only option.  

But even the most perfect lie…  

“…That’s impossible…”  

As Hyun Joo-yeon murmured, the guild members stared at Seo Do-jun with disbelief. First alien invasion theories, now Returnees? Even with their absolute trust in Seo Do-jun, this stretched credulity.  

Yet they had no choice but to believe. From his skills far surpassing Earth’s Heroes to his unparalleled intelligence – everything about Seo Do-jun defied normalcy.  

“Now that I hear it…”  

“Well, the Guild Master’s abilities were never ordinary to begin with.”  

“It was strange how he knew all those magic techniques and weapon arts.”  

“And taming Casserian?”  

“Not to mention casually producing materials even top scientists couldn’t identify.”  

The mood gradually shifted toward belief. The ‘Returnee’ framework unexpectedly explained all their unanswered questions.  

“So you lived in that other world before returning?”  

Everyone focused on Seo Do-jun as if watching a movie plot unfold.  

“Yes.”  

When asked how long, Seo Do-jun lied that he didn’t remember exactly but estimated over ten years.  

The guild members buzzed in shock.  

“Since rift zones have different time flows, ten years there isn’t impossible.”  

“But ten years seems excessive…”  

“If it’s a completely different dimensional world, why not? None of us have been there.”  

After letting them settle, Shinjo raised a hand:  

“Are Earth’s current monsters from that world you lived in?”  

“Some are from Leverka Continent, others aren’t,” Seo Do-jun answered, drawing confused looks.  

The stage was set. Now for the crucial truth.  

“When I arrived on Leverka, it had just suffered a monster invasion dwarfing Earth’s current crisis.”  

Seo Do-jun paused, then continued clearly:  

“Despite their vastly superior environment and stronger humans, Leverka Continent fell. Humanity met complete extinction.”  

“…!”  

The guild members’ faces hardened.  

“Is… is that true?”  

“Absolutely. And Earth is their next target.”  

Earth must prepare for annihilation. While he couldn’t risk global panic by revealing this publicly, his loyal Casserian Guild needed to know the truth and prepare accordingly.  

As Seo Do-jun studied their shocked expressions, he contemplated the path ahead.  

***

Seo Do-jun had gathered the guild to reveal partial truths for one purpose: preparation for war.  

“I’d prefer giving you time to process, but we have none.”  

Any other guild would have rebelled. But the Casserian members, who trusted Seo Do-jun absolutely, waited calmly.  

“From now on, we’ll undergo far more intense training to multiply your abilities.”  

Most guild members were either S-rank or preparing for reevaluation. Yet Seo Do-jun spoke of improving beyond that.  

‘Power beyond S-rank?’  

‘My God! How much stronger can we get?’  

‘Could we truly become the world’s greatest Heroes?’  

Rather than doubt, their eyes shone with excitement.  

As scion of the Vandeyan Marquis family and top graduate of the Empire’s finest academy, Seo Do-jun possessed immense knowledge.  

‘Just need to push them.’  

As in the ruined world, so on Earth – human potential is limitless. Even when hitting perceived limits, relentless training could break through.  

Previously, he’d improved their skills through sparring with Death Knights.  

‘Now I must lead personally.’  

Seo Do-jun knew exactly what customized, intensive training each member needed. While Earth’s synchronization rate increased danger, the environment was changing rapidly – meaning magic density had qualitatively and quantitatively improved, creating conditions for dramatic growth.  

But conditions alone weren’t enough. They’d need training that scraped their bones. They’d taste hell, perhaps wanting to quit hundreds of times daily. Yet Seo Do-jun vowed to drag every single one forward.  

***

The Death Knights had been gentle.  

Though they sparred seriously with guild members, their attacks never threatened lives.  

Seo Do-jun was different.  

He pushed them to death’s door.  

“…Gulp!”  

“You died again today.”  

Under Seo Do-jun’s cold gaze, the guild member trembled before the sword at his throat.  

“S-sorry.”  

“Next.”  

Seo Do-jun coldly turned to the next waiting member.  

“Please go easy on me!”  

The member charged Seo Do-jun like confronting his family’s murderer, swinging his sword with terrifying ferocity. Yet he couldn’t touch a hair on Seo Do-jun’s head.  

When Seo Do-jun counterattacked, the member desperately defended while drenched in cold sweat. At his absolute limit:  

“You died today too.”  

Like the previous member, he bowed before the sword at his throat.  

Seo Do-jun’s sparring method never varied:  

First, let them attack with everything they had – any technique allowed. He even promised to grant any wish if they could graze his clothes. Naturally, none had succeeded. Not even the Three Great Captains.  

Once their assault ended, his counterattack began. They had to defend until complete exhaustion, suffering cuts and stabs as baseline. If their defense proved lacking, Seo Do-jun mercilessly struck with fists and feet.  

No mercy existed. As he tailored attacks to their limits, any lapse in concentration brought instant punishment.  

Attack and defense – simple pattern repetition that made members recognize and break their limits through grueling effort.  

Those showing insufficient effort were sent to the Death Knights, who beat them near death.  

The methods were demonic. Yet this brutal training rapidly improved the guild members’ skills.  

“Ugh…”  

Even as a black-eyed member groaned, Seo Do-jun left the training room without remorse.  

***

“Guild Master, the IGA requested partitioned Gate closure zones.”  

“After opposing closures, now they want to do it themselves?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s sneer, Jung In-joo smiled helplessly.  

The tide had turned. With nations worldwide closing Gates, the IGA’s opposition found no supporters. Unable to forcibly stop the Closure bureau, their only option was to participate and secure whatever magic stones they could.  

“Gate closure is the bureau’s exclusive right. We can ignore the IGA.”  

Jung In-joo, disliking the IGA, wanted to deny them any role.  

But Seo Do-jun disagreed.  

“Allocate them closure zones.”  

“What? Why accommodate Jang Seong-ho?”  

“It reduces our workload with no downside. But stipulate they must transfer 90% of obtained magic stones to the bureau.”  

“…Would Jang Seong-ho accept such absurd terms?”  

Jung In-joo could already see Jang Seong-ho’s furious reaction to doing hard work for just 10%.  

“If they refuse, tell them to forget about Gate closures entirely.”  

Jung In-joo chuckled darkly at Seo Do-jun’s words.  

“I’ll deliver that message personally – no, I’ll go see his face when I tell him.”  

Her childlike anticipation made Seo Do-jun smile faintly at this unexpected side of her.