SFRW-Chapter 164

Ch. 164 Sword God From The Ruined World

A bloody storm of unprecedented scale had swept across the globe.  

After four grueling days of Heroes and armies battling against the primitive tribes that emerged from 100 rift zones, the situation finally stabilized.  

While the overall crisis had been contained, many nations were still struggling to eliminate the remaining tribal remnants.  

But time would resolve these issues, and citizens no longer needed to live in fear.  

“Looking only at the immediate situation, that may be true.”  

Director Min Hong-gi displayed a graph on the screen.  

It showed the number of rift zones each country possessed worldwide.  

“America has 246?”  

“Russia isn’t far behind with 213.”  

“China’s insane—306!”  

“India’s over 200 too!”  

Five nations in total held more than 200 rift zones.  

Though high numbers were expected, seeing the actual figures was nothing short of shocking.  

Most damningly—  

“How many were they secretly hiding? Unbelievable!”  

“They kept it all under wraps when things were good, and now that they’re terrified, they come begging for help? Disgusting!”  

The gap between official numbers and reality was so vast that no rebuttals could defend it.  

Many other nations also held over 100 rift zones—far more than anticipated.  

Meanwhile, South Korea had only 23.  

“Our country really has the fewest!”  

“A clean zone, just like we said!”  

“Remember how they mocked us for closing rift zones and Gates? Now they must be green with envy!”  

“No doubt they’re kicking themselves!”  

Countless nations had openly ridiculed South Korea’s decision to seal rift zones.  

Politicians worldwide had claimed South Korea was ‘abandoning its economy’.  

But after the tribal invasion, the tables had turned completely.  

Economic collapse?  

Before worrying about that, many nations now faced literal collapse.  

Few countries held fewer than 50 rift zones. Aside from microstates, nations like South Korea with under 30 were nearly unheard of.  

“Jamaica? They have an S-rank Hero?”  

“Not that I know of…”  

“How can a country with no S-rank maintain 13 rift zones?”  

“Maybe their zones are low-risk. And don’t forget, S-ranks work abroad as mercenaries too.”  

“Looking at this, it’s clear how greed blinded them!”  

Not all rift zones are equally dangerous.  

If the entrance is secure, even a Level 3 zone can be maintained with controlled monster numbers.  

And as mentioned, S-rank Heroes and major guilds often profit by operating in foreign Zones.  

Rift zones are like mines.  

The ideal is to monopolize the resources, but even just owning one can generate massive wealth.  

Unlike conventional mines, rift zones offer near-limitless resources.  

No nation would willingly give them up unless absolutely forced to.  

“If another tribal invasion happens across all those zones…”  

The speaker’s sarcastic tone faded as the horrific scenario became too real to voice.  

“This is human nature. Our endless greed and selfishness don’t disappear until death.”  

The room sighed collectively.  

“Imagine how many more crises we’ll need to survive before those zones are gone.”  

Everyone shook their heads at the grim thought.  

As tensions eased, Director Min Hong-gi continued.  

The recent events had transformed global awareness—Earth’s peril was no longer hypothetical but undeniable.  

Some nations were particularly vocal.  

“Several countries have explicitly stated they’ll comply with any request from Guild Master Seo Do-jun. This has significantly strengthened our Association’s influence. Thank you.”  

Min Hong-gi bowed deeply toward Seo Do-jun.  

Taken aback by the sudden gratitude, even Association Chairman Na Tae-hwang echoed the thanks.  

‘How transparent.’  

Seo Do-jun clicked his tongue silently.  

Their motives were obvious—to further cement his authority.  

Not that anyone would dare oppose him regardless.  

As the briefing-like meeting concluded, Min Hong-gi briefly mentioned Japan’s situation.  

The escape of imprisoned tribesmen from Mount Tsurugi in Tokushima.  

“Japan reports over 400 confirmed deaths so far.”  

“My God!”  

“The damage, is that severe?”  

After the breakout, all of Shikoku Island was in chaos.  

“The tribes scattering made containment impossible. Japan’s Hero Association claims they’ve become abnormally stronger.”  

Given Japan’s history of exaggerating and downplaying, Min Hong-gi seemed skeptical of both casualty numbers and threat assessments.  

“These images show the escaped tribesmen. They’re clearly different from before…”  

The footage was shocking—but familiar to Seo Do-jun.  

“Japan’s reports are likely accurate. Underestimating them will lead to heavy losses.”  

The red eyes, the mindless aggression—identical to the enhanced tribesmen Seo Do-jun fought in Indonesia.  

At Seo Do-jun’s detailed explanation, Min Hong-gi pressed for confirmation. Every detail could save lives.  

“Without their shields, can’t we just fill them with bullets?”  

The square-jawed man in a crisp suit—likely military—spoke dismissively.  

“They’re fast. You must hit the head precisely,” Min Hong-gi countered.  

“That’s your problem.”  

The officer emphasized that guns could work, clicking his tongue.  

Indeed, firearms’ effectiveness meant Japan’s crisis wouldn’t last long.  

With this, the large-scale meeting involving government and military officials concluded.  

As attendees swarmed Seo Do-jun to forge connections—now that his global influence was undeniable—he ignored them all and exited immediately.  

***

Seo Do-jun’s next destination was Choi Cheol-gwan’s workshop.  

With T Group’s full support, T Construction had rapidly built facilities for the Black Tiger’s care, training, and Choi Cheol-gwan’s smithy.  

On the expansive grounds, one house under construction caught Seo Do-jun’s eye—the future home of T Group’s chairman, Seo Kyung-chul, and his immediate family.  

Neither extravagant nor palatial, its mere proximity to the Casserian Guild building made it enviable worldwide.  

While other nations reeled from the tribal invasion, Korea remained tranquil.  

More than that—the Casserian Guild’s Heroics had cemented its reputation as Earth’s safest haven.  

Entering the workshop, Seo Do-jun was greeted by gleaming state-of-the-art equipment.  

And new faces.  

“Guild Master!”  

“Welcome!”  

Choi Cheol-gwan’s newly recruited blacksmiths bowed.  

“Ah, our Guild Master arrives!”  

Choi Cheol-gwan hurried over, wiping his hands.  

“You seem busy.”  

“Setting up a new home keeps me on my toes. Haha!”  

Choi Cheol-gwan’s joy was palpable. As a smith, having this fully equipped workshop was a dream realized.  

The scale and facilities rivaled those of major guilds—a testament to Seo Do-jun’s consideration.  

Though exhausted, Choi Cheol-gwan had never been happier.  

“Sorry to bring more work while you’re swamped.”  

Seo Do-jun presented the bone greatsword obtained from slaying Indonesia’s tribal chieftain.  

“What’s this now?”  

Choi Cheol-gwan’s eyes sparkled as he hefted the weapon.  

“Whoa! This weight is no joke.”  

Despite his strength, the sword nearly made him stagger.  

The master smith inspected it with professional fascination.  

“I’d like you to forge a new blade from this.”  

“A new one?”  

Seo Do-jun then unveiled a cloth-wrapped object—a sword hilt, its blade completely shattered.  

“Quite the destruction.” Choi smiled bitterly.  

That sword had been his pride as a smith. Seeing it reduced to this stung.  

“My apologies.”  

“Nonsense! Blame my inadequate craft for failing your needs.”  

Choi Cheol-gwan examined the bone greatsword—clearly extraordinary material that could compensate for any shortcomings.  

“What creature—no, what monster does this bone belong to?”  

“I don’t know either.”  

“Eh? There’s something you don’t know?”  

Choi’s genuine shock made Seo Do-jun chuckle.  

“I don’t know everything.”  

“W-Well, I suppose not.”  

Choi Cheol-gwan still seemed amazed.  

“The sooner, the better.”  

“Just not too late.”  

“I advise against drastic reshaping—it might compromise durability. But staying close to your preferred form should work. Also…”  

Choi Cheol-gwan meticulously discussed specifications, determined to meet Seo Do-jun’s needs.  

Seo Do-jun engaged patiently, suggesting adjustments.  

“Our Guild Master can’t wander weaponless. I’ll finish this ASAP.”  

“I leave it to you.”  

Choi Cheol-gwan vowed to start immediately despite his workload.  

Not wanting to delay him further, Seo Do-jun soon departed.  

“For now, I’ll use this?”  

He summoned the Maharunta Spear from his subspace.  

While undoubtedly powerful—far surpassing the bone sword—it wasn’t his preferred weapon.  

“Tools should go to their rightful owners.”  

Seo Do-jun had little experience with spears outside of throwing them.  

Their techniques differed fundamentally from swordsmanship.  

He headed straight to the guild’s training grounds.  

Fewer members trained today—many were still returning from missions abroad.  

But those present, despite their newly global fame, remained humble, sweating through drills.  

“You’ve arrived.”  

Shinjo—now more spotlighted than ever—bowed with undiminished loyalty.  

“Getting many offers from Japan?”  

Shinjo smiled dryly at Seo Do-jun’s question.  

“Unless you cast me out, I have nowhere else to go.”  

Seo Do-jun patted his shoulder approvingly.  

“But that spear…?”  

Shinjo eyed the extraordinary weapon curiously.  

“I thought I’d find its rightful owner.”  

“You mean… give it to a guild member?”  

Shinjo’s eyes widened.  

“Why gift such a weapon when you could wield it yourself?”  

While Seo Do-jun’s swordsmanship was peerless, Shinjo knew he’d master any armament.  

It baffled him why Seo Do-jun would pass this to someone less skilled.  

“Greed breeds avarice, and avarice leads only…”  

To ruin.  

Knowing this too well, Seo Do-jun handed the spear over without hesitation.  

“Keep it safe until everyone returns. We’ll find its match then. The other chieftains’ weapons should also go to those who need them most.”  

Seo Do-jun planned to acquire not only weapons obtained by Casserian members but also those held by foreign associations—through fair means whenever possible.  

But if refused?  

‘No pearls before swine.’  

Stronger foes likely awaited.  

His guild would need weapons worthy of their skills.