SFRW-Chapter 189

Ch. 189 Sword God From The Ruined World

“Lynx’s Eye?”  

Kusak looked skeptical, but Seo Do-jun thought it was worth a try.  

Seo Do-jun immediately retrieved Lynx’s Eye from his subspace.  

The faintly glowing, blood-colored Lynx’s Eye had already proven its effectiveness against Takashi in Brazil.  

“This is pointless…”  

Kusak still wore a displeased expression, openly rejecting the idea as he glared at Lynx’s Eye with clear dissatisfaction.  

No one would willingly accept something that openly declared it would dominate their mind—  

“I’ll go first.”  

—except for Rakun.  

“Are you insane?! You’re already under a restriction from the Gem of Authority, and now you’re going to let Lynx’s Eye dominate you too? In the worst case, your mind could collapse!”  

Kusak was the first to jump up in alarm, and Veronica also seriously tried to dissuade Rakun.  

“Then should I just live like this? As Barhaut’s puppet, following his will until I die? If that’s life, I’d rather be dead.”  

“Do you even know what that bastard is capable of?!”  

“No matter how powerful Lynx’s Eye is, it can’t surpass the Gem of Authority.”  

Comparing Lynx’s Eye to the Gem of Authority was foolish.  

Considering this, Rakun had calculated that unless Seo Do-jun possessed even a fraction of the Gem of Authority’s power, Lynx’s Eye wouldn’t be able to dominate his mind.  

“That’s not entirely wrong.”  

Veronica agreed with Rakun’s reasoning and took a step back, seeing no need to stop him.  

In fact, after hearing Rakun’s words, she even felt the experiment was necessary.  

That said, she had no intention of volunteering herself.  

“Fine! Great! Whatever! Even if we assume that bastard really did bite and shatter the Gem of Authority—and that he somehow possesses a fraction of its power—!”  

Kusak paused mid-sentence and glared at Seo Do-jun.  

“How can we trust you? For all we know, you could use Lynx’s Eye to turn us into your puppets! Isn’t that right?!”  

“Typical Kusak.”  

Seo Do-jun shook his head in amusement.  

“Are you stupid? He was our comrade. One who fought with us until the very end.”  

Veronica’s words made Seo Do-jun nod in agreement.  

“Tch! Whatever. It’s not like there’s anyone left who can prove that.”  

As Kusak grumbled, Seo Do-jun immediately countered.  

“No proof, no trust—fine. But you should know this: once I decide to use Lynx’s Eye, you have no right to refuse.”  

Just because they were being treated more comfortably didn’t change their situation.  

Kusak and the others were still restrained by Seo Do-jun’s power, confined in this lounge.  

In short:  

If Seo Do-jun forced them with his power and used Lynx’s Eye, that would be the end of it.  

“Exactly what I meant.”  

Veronica gave Kusak a look as if to say she’d been thinking the same thing.  

“Wha—what?!”  

Kusak, suddenly treated like an idiot, could only sputter as Seo Do-jun turned to Rakun.  

“Are you sure you want to do this?”  

“If you knew me, you wouldn’t need to ask.”  

“I know. Rakun isn’t the type to take back his words.”  

“…Just do it.”  

Rakun’s trust in Seo Do-jun grew even stronger, seeing how well he understood him.  

“W-wait a second!”  

Seo Do-jun, Rakun, and Veronica all turned to Kusak, wondering what else he could possibly complain about.  

“Shouldn’t we have at least one safety measure in case something goes wrong?”  

“Safety measure?”  

“What if his mind collapses?! Shouldn’t we prepare for that?!”  

It was a reasonable suggestion.  

Without knowing exactly what restrictions Barhaut had placed during their resurrection, recklessly trying to undo them could lead to disaster.  

“If you just release my magic, I could—”  

Seo Do-jun narrowed his eyes at Kusak’s words.  

“Oh? You little bastard. So your ‘safety measure’ was just a way to save your own skin?”  

Veronica glared at him with utter disgust, and Rakun sighed deeply, as if he’d expected nothing better.  

“What?! What did I even do to deserve those looks?!”  

“We’ll use a magic scroll instead. This much magic stone should be enough.”  

Seo Do-jun took out a clean sheet of A4 paper and an intermediate-grade magic stone. Kusak grumbled about how nothing ever went his way but began crafting the scroll.  

*** 

A short while later…  

Seo Do-jun stood before Rakun, holding Lynx’s Eye.  

Veronica stood nearby, ready to tear the magic scroll at any moment.  

Kusak chewed his lip nervously, his anxious eyes darting between Rakun and Seo Do-jun.  

“Starting now.”  

Seo Do-jun raised Lynx’s Eye to Rakun’s eye level and infused it with magic.  

As Seo Do-jun’s magic flowed in, the faint blood-colored glow from Lynx’s Eye intensified.  

***  

Meanwhile…  

Pshhhhhhh—  

One of the small dolls on the display shelf suddenly emitted black smoke.  

No—it was more like an expulsion.  

“—The restriction…?”  

A massive shadow, as if cloaked in darkness, trembled violently.  

This was an unprecedented shock.  

A restriction placed using the Gem of Authority—something that should never be broken—had been shattered.  

“An unbreakable restriction… How?!”  

The shadow’s furious aura rippled outward, so violent that the surrounding space itself shuddered in response.  

Earth again.  

Of all the countless worlds he had conquered, Earth was the weakest—filled with pitifully frail humans.  

A world where even his breath alone should have made all living beings tremble and grovel.  

Yet, anomalies kept occurring here.  

“Impossible events keep happening… which means…”  

More could follow.  

An unsettling unease gripped him.  

Having lost the Gem of Authority—his most formidable power—he couldn’t act recklessly.  

If he could, he would willingly sacrifice more power to descend upon Earth himself.  

“Grrr—!”  

A stifled growl of frustration escaped the shadows.  

If only that bastard hadn’t shattered the Gem of Authority…  

Losing any more power would make it impossible to maintain what he still held. That was why he had to remain here.  

For the sake of preserving what he had, he couldn’t afford to lose even a fraction of it for a worthless world like Earth.  

“Time is on my side.”  

He forced himself to regain composure.  

No matter what happened on Earth, time would only make this battle more overwhelmingly in his favor.  

Then—from another doll…  

Pshhhhhhh—  

A twitch.  

After some time passed…  

Pshhhhhhh—  

All three who had been sent to Earth had their restrictions broken.  

“RAAAAAAAAAAAGH—!!”  

A roar of fury echoed through the shadows, shaking the vast darkness itself.  

***  

Back on Earth…  

Chaos erupted.  

“Y-you… y-y-y-you…!”  

Kusak was so overwhelmed he couldn’t even form a coherent sentence, his face a picture of utter shock.  

“Kassal…?”  

Veronica stared at Seo Do-jun as if seeing a lover returned from the dead, tears welling up in her eyes—though she still clutched the spicy ribs tightly.  

“I feel my heart burning with passion once again.”  

Despite his words, the tears brimming in Rakun’s eyes made Seo Do-jun wonder if he’d always been this sentimental.  

At any rate, everyone’s memories had returned.  

Though their appearances had changed, making their reactions slightly artificial, it was still a joyous moment.  

“I’m so glad we’re together again.”  

What more needs to be said?  

Veronica rushed into Seo Do-jun’s arms, Kusak kept shaking his head in disbelief, and Rakun discreetly wiped away tears.  

“By the way, Kassal, your fate is really something else. You barely escaped that damn bastard’s grasp, only to end up in another world he’s invading…”  

At Kusak’s words, Seo Do-jun shrugged.  

“Guess it’s destiny. Maybe it’s giving me another chance.”  

“Another chance?”  

“A chance to kill him.”  

“Hmm…”  

Kusak stroked his chin, deep in thought.  

His reaction suggested he thought it was a futile hope.  

But so what?  

This was an unavoidable fate—an enemy they’d faced before. All they could do was prepare their best.  

“Did you get married here? Or is there someone you like?”  

“Hey! That’s not important right now!”  

Kusak barked, making Veronica roll her eyes.  

“Shut up, you impotent bastard!”  

“I-impotent?!”  

“Yeah, impotent!”  

“…Ugh! I swear!”  

Just like old times, the two bickered endlessly, dust practically flying between them.  

‘They must have forgotten all this when their memories were sealed.’  

Seo Do-jun smiled as he watched Kusak and Veronica growl at each other, claws out.  

It really felt like they’d returned to the past.  

“So, do you have a plan?”  

At Rakun’s question, Seo Do-jun looked at him and replied:  

“The first step was a complete success.”  

“First step?”  

Seo Do-jun’s gaze shifted between Rakun, Kusak, and Veronica.  

Bringing his old comrades back to his side.  

Rakun nodded in understanding.  

“We were resurrected, lived as his puppets, and definitely grew stronger…”  

Mid-sentence, Rakun’s face twisted bitterly.  

Though they were indeed stronger than before, the fact that all three of them had been effortlessly defeated by Seo Do-jun left a bitter taste.  

“I’ve grown much stronger too.”  

“Right! I’ve been dying to ask—how the hell did that happen? Judging by the humans here, your new body shouldn’t be anything special. What’s the deal?”  

Kusak’s question made the other two openly curious as well.  

There was so much they wanted—and needed—to hear.  

Seo Do-jun told them to wait and left the lounge.  

When he returned, his hands were full of beer, soju, whiskey, chicken, pork trotters, and more.  

“We’re eating and drinking all night.”  

As Seo Do-jun set the food and drinks on the table, the three cheered.  

The reunion party lasted until dawn.  

***  

Despite the enormous amount of food and alcohol, everything was eventually devoured.  

“Ugh… I should’ve been the one to kill that bastard Vaitel!”  

Crunch.  

Kusak crushed his empty beer can, grinding his teeth.  

After betraying them in their ruined world, that bastard had even followed them to Earth—what cursed fate.  

Knowing how close Seo Do-jun and Vaitel had been, Kusak couldn’t even imagine what Seo Do-jun must have felt.  

“Why so worked up? We were the same.”  

“We were under restrictions! Vaitel betrayed us of his own free will!”  

“Then you should’ve killed him back then! Instead of acting all calm when you saw him and only getting angry now!”  

Veronica clicked her tongue in disdain, making Kusak shut his mouth.  

He didn’t want to argue, knowing anything he said would just sound like an excuse.  

“So you still plan to cross over to the Tirotio dimension through the rift?”  

At Rakun’s question, Seo Do-jun nodded as if it were obvious.  

“You still believe just defending here is pointless?”  

With their options already limited, the three could only sigh in reluctant agreement.  

Knowing exactly what the Tirotio dimension was like, they couldn’t help but wonder how long Seo Do-jun could last.  

But staying on Earth wasn’t an option, and mere defense would only lead to a doomed future.  

“So, when are you planning to go?”  

“As soon as I can assemble a strike team.”  

“Anyone in mind?”  

Veronica cut in sharply.  

“Let me make this clear—unless they’re exceptionally strong, it’s better to leave them on Earth.”  

Seo Do-jun, as if already aware, gazed out the window.  

The sun had risen.  

After collecting his thoughts and shaking off the alcohol, Seo Do-jun checked the time and stood.  

“Let’s go eat breakfast. There are people I want you to meet.”  

Despite having feasted all night, none of them refused.  

Breakfast was one thing—but the real draw was meeting the new comrades Seo Do-jun had found on Earth.  

Seo Do-jun led them straight to the guild cafeteria on the third floor.  

Many Casserian guild members were already eating breakfast.  

“Guild Master… Huh?”  

Noticing the three following Seo Do-jun, their expressions twisted slightly.  

Weren’t these the interdimensional beings captured in Africa?  

Yet they seemed oddly comfortable around Seo Do-jun, leaving the guild members utterly confused.  

“There they are.”  

At one table, Jung In-joo, Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, and Shinjo were all eating together.