SFRW-Chapter 183

Ch. 183 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Protect who?”  

“Protect Hero Seo Do-jun’s family members.”  

At Na Tae-hwang’s words, Jang Seong-ho couldn’t hide his expression of disbelief.  

“Did I seem like someone who’d enjoy such easy work to you?”  

Despite Jang Seong-ho’s uncomfortable response, Na Tae-hwang maintained his stoic expression.  

“Kerzaman is targeting Hero Seo Do-jun’s family.”  

“Kerzaman…?”  

Jang Seong-ho clicked his tongue as if asking why the infamous drug lord would target Seo Do-jun’s family.  

“Did we start a war in Mexico? Why else would Kerzaman do something so insane… unless?”  

He’d already heard strange rumors.  

Though the Mexican government and media thoroughly suppressed news of the plane terror attack, such major events couldn’t be completely hidden.  

Those well-informed knew at least about the terrorist plane incident.  

“Is this related to Seo Do-jun? What exactly happened to make Kerzaman pursue matters all the way to South Korea?”  

Deep curiosity filled Jang Seong-ho’s face.  

Seeing this, Na Tae-hwang inwardly clicked his tongue – he’d clearly chosen the wrong person.  

“I don’t have time to explain the details. Just give me your answer.”  

“Shouldn’t I at least understand the situation? Especially since it’s Kerzaman – I know enough about his lawlessness. This is literally life-risking work…”  

Life-risking?  

Na Tae-hwang frowned as if to say even for an S-rank Hero, this wasn’t that dangerous.  

“Let’s pretend this conversation never happened.”  

At Na Tae-hwang’s words, Jang Seong-ho slowly sipped his orange juice from the table.  

“It’s not like we’re fighting Kerzaman in Mexico – just protecting Seo Do-jun’s family in South Korea shouldn’t be too hard. But shouldn’t I at least know the circumstances?”  

First calling it life-risking, now saying it’s not difficult?  

Na Tae-hwang realized his misjudgment – he’d thought Jang Seong-ho, as former leader of South Korea’s top guild, would understand the greater cause.  

‘Different caliber altogether.’  

With all expectations gone, Na Tae-hwang no longer wanted to prolong the conversation.  

“If you insist on this attitude, I’ve nothing more to say. But imagine Mexican drug dealers running amok in South Korea – many citizens would panic. Especially with guns in our gun-free country…”  

Leaving words that blurred between concern and anticipation, Jang Seong-ho exited the office.  

“Sigh…”  

Na Tae-hwang felt suffocated enough to crave his long-quit cigarettes.  

Though uncertain how helpful Daniel Lopes’s people would be, Na Tae-hwang couldn’t stay idle and began considering other reliable candidates.  

After hesitation, Na Tae-hwang made a call.  

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?”  

Hearing warmth in the voice, Na Tae-hwang replied directly:  

“I need a favor.”  

“Judging by your immediate request, you must have deliberated deeply. If it’s something I can help with, I will.”  

Encouraged by the friendly tone, Na Tae-hwang requested an in-person meeting.  

“I’ll visit within the hour.”  

“I’ll be waiting.”  

***

“Ughhhh-!”  

As Park Seung-ho stretched with exaggerated groans, Choi Do-yeon poked his shoulder.  

“Why’s the guy with the best weapon complaining? From what I saw, monsters melt from your casual stabs.”  

“Give me a break. You’ve no idea how hard I push myself to avoid hearing that.”  

Park Seung-ho pointed behind him as if saying ‘see for yourself’.  

With Park Seung-ho responsible for much of the endless monster corpses, Choi Do-yeon could somewhat understand his struggle.  

“Then why fight so desperately for that unwieldy weapon?”  

“Hehehe. But it’s so good.”  

Park Seung-ho grinned foolishly, rubbing the blood-and-fluid-stained of Maharunta’s Spear against his cheek.  

“Anyway.”  

Though making a face, Choi D-yeon – understanding a Hero’s weapon importance – could comprehend Park Seung-ho’s attitude.  

“So are we heading to Zambia or Mozambique?”  

Having cleared monster waves from South Africa through Botswana to this final Zimbabwe battle…  

“Actually, the Vice-guild master and Three Commanders seem to be discussing that…”  

“Yeah? Well, wherever we go is just a matter of sequence anyway.”  

Park Seung-ho rotated his stiff shoulders, observing the four figures gathered nearby.  

Vice-Guild master Jung In-joo and the Three Commanders (Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, Shinjo) were seriously debating.  

“Given the monster waves aren’t as severe as expected, splitting into Teams 1 and 2 here seems reasonable,” Gloria said.  

Hyun and Shinjo nodded.  

Thousands of monsters posed little threat to Casserian Guild’s forces, especially with the Black Tigers’ irreplaceable contributions. Their mobility and steel-like stamina greatly enhanced the guild’s combat power.  

“Following the African Union’s intel, splitting isn’t bad, but…”  

As acting master in Seo Do-jun’s absence, Jung In-joo remained extremely wary of unforeseen incidents.  

“With Black Tigers, we can retreat from most variables. Let’s proceed.”  

With their mobility enabling quick escapes if needed, Jung In-joo stopped hesitating.  

Immediately, teams were formed:  

Team 1 centered around Jung In-joo and Hyun Joo-yeon.  

Team 2 around Shinjo and Gloria.  

“Here’s a Soul Gem.”  

Jung handed one to Team 2 leader Shinjo.  

“Guild Master left one with me too,” Shinjo responded.  

Jung In-joo showed his own: “I know – he entrusted one to each of us before Somalia. These two were extra for me. One’s for Team 2.”  

Before Somalia, Seo Do-jun had entrusted all six of his Soul Gems as precaution. Though instructed not to reveal the Death Knight unless absolutely necessary, with teams splitting up, the gems’ use became unpredictable.  

Shinjo carefully accepted the gem.  

“With Guild Master’s situation unclear and him overexerting himself, please hurry,” Jung said.  

Shinjo and Gloria nodded reassuringly.  

Thus divided, Casserian Guild began advancing faster through Africa.  

***

BANG!  

Rakun’s shield blocking Seo Do-jun’s sword produced an explosive sound like stopping a bomb, shaking violently.  

“Guh!”  

With arms trembling from impact, Rakun gritted his teeth and charged forward.  

When Seo Do-jun clicked his tongue and swung right:  

SHING!  

“Tch!”  

Veronica, seeing her near-successful attack blocked, rapidly retreated while firing sword energy volleys.  

BANG BANG BANG BANG!  

Seo Do-jun effortlessly deflected everything without blinking, leaving Veronica awestruck.  

THUD!  

Easily circling Rakun’s raised shield, Seo Do-jun struck his waist with the sword hilt.  

“Kuh-uck!”  

Already wounded from a previous spear injury, Rakun collapsed as Seo Do-jun’s elbow smashed his face.  

CRACK!  

As Seo Do-jun’s lightning-fast sword descended toward the fallen Rakun:  

A massive fireball targeted Seo Do-jun’s back.  

Spinning like a top, Seo Do-jun’s blade bisected the fireball.  

BOOMBOOM!  

The split flames exploded for secondary damage, but Seo Do-jun minimized harm with a thin sword barrier.  

“Impossible… How can he face all three of us like this?” Veronica gasped.  

Rakun, having retreated while blowing his bloody nose, glared fiercely and raised his axe.  

“An absolute monster. Now I truly understand how Maharunta lost!”  

He couldn’t deny it – Seo Do-jun wasn’t faltering against Kusak, Rakun and Veronica combined.  

“Buy me time. I’ll land a proper hit,” Kusak said, all playfulness gone from his face.  

CLANGCLANG!  

Rakun charged first, hammering his axe against his shield. Veronica focused on restricting Seo Do-jun’s movements with sword energy.  

‘If it’s Kusak…’  

Seo Do-jun instantly recognized Kusak’s preparation.  

How could he not?  

‘Shall we dance for old times’ sake?’  

Smiling slightly, Seo Do-jun decided to see how much his old friend had changed.  

He kicked aside Rakun’s shield and deflected Veronica’s attacks.  

Rakun swung wildly again while Veronica created 64 sword energies.  

Even knowing these were ineffective, their persistence showed determination to pin Seo Do-jun down.  

Playing along, Seo Do-jun shielded himself completely.  

Expecting projectile attacks, Rakun hid behind his shield while Veronica zigzagged vigilantly.  

When all attacks were blocked, Rakun hurled his shield with all might.  

WHOOSHWHOOSH!  

The violently spinning shield could shred even large monsters.  

Seo Do-jun deflected it upward, feeling thrilling vibrations through his arm.  

But Rakun’s true attack came next.  

“RAAAAH!”  

A shadow loomed over Seo Do-jun – while the shield distracted, Rakun’s real move was an overhead axe smash.  

The ground cratered from the colossal impact, yet Seo Do-jun’s sword held firm against the trembling axe.  

“Y-you…!”  

Seeing Rakun’s comically distorted face, Seo Do-jun burst out laughing.  

“Didn’t I say brute force alone would break you someday?”  

Shoving the axe away, Seo Do-jun kicked Rakun’s stomach.  

THUD!  

“GWAH…!”  

Rakun flew backward and crashed.  

“Am I that insignificant?”  

Veronica asked disappointedly while Seo Do-jun watched Rakun, then unleashed a crimson sword energy tsunami.  

Facing the incoming tide, Seo Do-jun swung his sword.  

Vandeyan Family Swordsmanship  

Fifth Form: Torrential Flurio Stfluer!  

-The flooding of a whirlpooling river-

Seo Do-jun’s sword also created energy waves.  

Once, twice, thrice – stacking three waves before clashing with Veronica’s tsunami.  

CRASHHHHH!  

Breaking, shattering, demolishing.  

Though Veronica’s attack looked more imposing, Seo Do-jun’s waves overwhelmed it.  

“…Wh-what is th- GYAHHH!”  

Shredded shoulders, arms, waist, thighs, calves – Veronica screamed as she tumbled away pathetically.  

Glancing at the defeated pair, Seo Do-jun turned to Kusak.  

No one left to hold me back now?  

At this taunting look:  

“Arrogant bastard! Let’s see you withstand this!”  

Gnashing his teeth, Kusak spread his arms wide.  

A colossal pillar of crimson fire erupted behind him, twisting into a massive shape that gaped its maw at Seo Do-jun.  

‘Fire Dragon, was it?’  

Literally ‘flame dragon’ – an uncreative name, but Seo Do-jun acknowledged its power as Kusak’s ultimate technique.  

Gathering blue magic imbued with Eternal Ember properties, Seo Do-jun prepared as the fiery dragon descended.  

Thus began the clash between dragon and man.