SFRW-Chapter 186

Ch. 186 Sword God From The Ruined World

“You’re saying we can enter the rift zone?”  

“Why are you asking something so obvious? If we can come out, why wouldn’t we be able to go back in? Of course, it’s limited, though.”  

According to Kusak, while the rift zone’s door cannot be opened from the outside (Earth), it is possible to enter through an already opened door—provided certain conditions are met.  

“If you’re with us, it won’t be difficult.”  

At Kusak’s words, Veronica and Rakun nodded in agreement.  

However.  

“I just wonder if you have the courage for it.”  

Kusak smirked as he spoke, a clear provocation. It might even be a trap to lure him in.  

“If I enter the rift zone, will I be able to meet that bastard?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s question, Kusak let out a small, impressed “Hoh—” before bursting into a mocking laugh.  

“You’re really bold, huh? What, do you think you can take on Barhaut if you meet him? With that level of skill? If you’re getting cocky just because you beat us, wake up.”  

Even as Kusak sneered, Seo Do-jun remained unfazed and asked again. He knew the opponent all too well.  

The important thing was:  

“Can I meet him?”  

“The process is a bit complicated… but it’s not impossible.”  

Complicated process?  

‘Does that mean I have to prove my worth?’  

He had a rough idea.  

Given that Barhaut was the final boss, it made sense. He’d have to break through the pawns shielding him first.  

“So? You wanna try?”  

At Kusak’s subtle urging, Seo Do-jun neither confirmed nor denied.  

Even if he did, he had more pressing matters to handle first.  

But it wouldn’t take too long.  

“First, we need to clean up the mess you made and settle your issues, right?”  

As Seo Do-jun spoke, he picked up his phone.  

Coincidentally, a call came in first—from Park Sung-wook.  

“Yes, President Park Sung-wook.”  

“I had to call you about this matter. First, let me assure you that everyone is safe.”  

Safe?  

The moment Seo Do-jun frowned, Park Sung-wook hesitated before continuing.  

“There was an attempted kidnapping of your grandmother and Eun-young.”  

“…Kidnapping?”  

Seo Do-jun’s voice turned icy.  

So much so that even Kusak and the others flinched.  

“Again, they’re both safe now. Association Chairman Na Tae-hwang, Hero Yang Chang-seop, and two S-rank Heroes from Brazil are protecting them securely. There are no injuries, so you don’t need to worry.”  

Park Sung-wook spoke faster than usual, trying to soften the blow.  

Fortunately, Seo Do-jun remained calm, digesting the facts:  

There had been an attempted kidnapping of his grandmother and Eun-young. It failed, and they were now unharmed and under heavy protection.  

He focused on the facts first.  

Though fury surged through him, now wasn’t the time for anger. Suppressing his emotions, he asked:  

“Who was it?”  

“No confirmation, but the prime suspect is Mexico’s Jose Kerzaman.”  

“Just speculation?”  

“Daniel Lopes, the Brazilian Hero Association Chairman, mentioned to Chairman Na Tae-hwang that he’d anticipated this.”  

Park Sung-wook relayed everything he’d heard, and Seo Do-jun listened silently.  

“What happened to the kidnappers?”  

“They… all died.”  

The incident had occurred two hours before the call.  

Eun-young in front of their home.  

His grandmother in front of a resort in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do.  

Boldly, the assailants had struck in broad daylight.  

Over ten armed foreigners in each location had threatened and attempted to abduct them.  

Eun-young had tried to retreat inside under the guards’ protection, but twenty A-rank Heroes—waiting under the pretense of taking the Casserian Guild entrance exam—suddenly turned on the guards, killing them before reaching for Eun-young.  

But they couldn’t even touch a single strand of her hair.  

The pendant around her neck, a soul gem gifted by Seo Do-jun, summoned Death Knights.  

The Death Knights mercilessly cut down the kidnappers. Na Tae-hwang arrived too late to save even one.  

His grandmother’s situation was the same.  

Death Knights protecting her and Yang Chang-seop’s swift intervention thwarted the attempt.  

After hearing everything, Seo Do-jun exhaled softly and hung up.  

“Tell me where Kerzaman is.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s words, Kusak grinned as if he’d caught something amusing.  

“Something fun must’ve happened, huh? Pffft!”  

Seo Do-jun stared at Kusak before letting out a cold chuckle.  

“Kusak. Did dying once dull your senses? The old you would’ve known this isn’t the time for jokes.”  

“…What are you talking about?”  

Kusak frowned, forcing a laugh.  

“I’ll ask again. Where is Kerzaman hiding?”  

The terrifying killing intent radiating from Seo Do-jun’s eyes froze Kusak’s expression.  

Even Veronica and Rakun gulped, silently begging Kusak to answer properly.  

***

Seo Do-jun headed straight for Mexico.  

His unpredictable movements—from Somalia to Mali, then Mexico—left the Casserian Guild members bewildered.  

But Seo Do-jun hadn’t gone unprepared.  

“The European Union has mobilized a large-scale Hero coalition. They vow to dedicate all efforts to stopping Africa’s monster wave…”  

“The U.S. and Canada have dispatched 300 Heroes, including 10 S-ranks, to Africa!”  

“China, Japan, and Russia have agreed to send all available personnel beyond minimal defense forces to aid Africa as soon as possible!”  

Nations that had ignored Africa’s crisis now rushed to act.  

The Middle East, Southeast Asia, and even the African Union—previously indifferent—suddenly became proactive.  

The one behind this shift was Seo Do-jun, now en route to Mexico.  

Requests, recommendations, threats, coercion—he’d used them all.  

He’d snarled at those calculating profits instead of helping, refusing to let them stand idle any longer.  

Many were stunned by his sudden change.  

Why now?  

Hadn’t he been content leading the Casserian Guild alone?  

Yet here he was, demanding global cooperation.  

“Every rift zone on Earth now has a passage to the dimensional planet—Tirotio, Barhaut’s domain. You’ve been to Rebley’s space, right? It’s a connected zone within Tirotio.”  

“A planet like Earth? Like the Leverka Continent?”  

“Similar in being a standalone planet, but its structure is completely different. It’s a world where spaces are interwoven like threads.”  

“So going there means facing him.”  

“You can meet him—if you break through every barrier. But if you leave, what happens to Earth? The so-called ‘Heroes’ here are too weak. If Rebley regains power and unleashes monsters, they won’t last.”  

Kusak was right.  

Most nations could barely defend themselves.  

Yet they still prioritized self-interest over cooperation.  

Seo Do-jun had ignored it before, but things had changed.  

“Do you think just blocking them will work? Once an invasion starts, there’s no escape. Why? Because that’s Barhaut. A being hungry to become a dimensional god, with the power to match. You think he’ll retreat easily?”  

“You already know this, but as synchronization rises, Barhaut’s influence grows. This is a war of resources—Earth’s versus what he’s plundered across dimensions. You know how hopeless this is, right?”  

“The rift zones? Pfft! Those dimensional Gates can just be reopened. Did you think closing them meant it was over? Naïve. Or just overly optimistic?”  

“There’s only one solution: strike his base. Defeat Barhaut, and this nightmare ends. Unless he retreats—but don’t count on that!”  

This wasn’t a fight that could be won by defense alone.  

Seo Do-jun’s resolve wavered.  

In the ruined world, he’d killed countless monsters and their leaders.  

He’d shed enough blood to fill an ocean.  

Yet it never ended.  

If Earth faced the same cycle, there’d be no hope.  

Its fate would mirror that ruined world.  

The only way to avoid that crimson future was one thing:  

Attack, not defend.  

Lose everything piece by piece, or strike back and ignite hope’s ember.  

For that, global unity was essential.  

While the world held the line, Seo Do-jun would amass his strongest force and counterattack.  

This African monster wave was his test case.  

Those who ignored others’ suffering would be cut off. Internal enemies, excised.  

“Kerzaman, you’re first.”  

This was for the greater good—Earth’s peace.  

“Kerzaman boasted that crossing him would cost you everything. Even if he died, his enemy would live in regret and rage.”  

Seo Do-jun didn’t deny a personal motive.  

Two birds with one stone.  

***

The hideout Kusak revealed was a bunker near Popocatépetl, southeast of Mexico City.  

“A bunker near Popocatépetl… If that’s true…”  

Daniel Lopes, the Brazilian Association Chairman, sighed.  

He’d sent three S-ranks and 120 A-ranks to Mexico with confidence.  

Their first goal—reinforcing isolated allies—was done. Now, capturing Kerzaman remained.  

Though challenging, he was certain of success, thanks to local intel even the CIA lacked.  

Brazilian Heroes, leading U.S., South Korean, Magician Guild, and Sunrise Guild forces, were converging on Kerzaman’s suspected hideout: a mansion north of Colima.  

But Kusak’s tip pointed to Popocatépetl—500 kilometers away.  

“I can’t be 100% sure, but we can’t ignore it.”  

“Agreed.”  

Daniel Lopes acknowledged the uncertainty. Against Kerzaman, absolute confidence was impossible.  

“Since we can’t confirm either, I’ll check Popocatépetl. If he’s not there, I’ll regroup.”  

“Good plan.”  

After hanging up, Seo Do-jun headed to Kusak’s coordinates.  

Kerzaman had given detailed directions, making it easy to find.  

After neutralizing the bunker’s guards and Heroes, Seo Do-jun reached its depths—and froze.  

“…We’ve been played.”  

Staring at the bombs rigged throughout, Seo Do-jun laughed hollowly.  

KABOOOOOM—!  

The bunker erupted in a colossal explosion.