SFRW-Chapter 206

Ch. 206 Sword God From The Ruined World

The land where the giant mushroom-shaped cloud had bloomed was an isolated area where volcanic activity had ceased.  

“It feels like a completely different world here.”  

Moreover, it was a place where remnants of Moteor’s past had survived despite the cataclysm.  

Not that one could expect a dazzling city—just a small town that had developed modestly before stagnating.  

Judging by the size and structure of the buildings, it had once been a human city. But now, with its inhabitants long gone, it was nothing more than a lifeless husk.  

“At least that’s a relief. I was worried it might have been a settlement of other races.”  

Choi Kang-soo began scouting the ruined buildings, looking for a suitable place to stay.  

Since they didn’t know how long they’d be here, they needed somewhere clean, with a good vantage point over the city, and an escape route in case of emergencies.  

“Oh! Uncle! How about that one?”  

The building Choi Kang-soo pointed to was a hexagonal tower at the city’s center—the tallest structure and, from the looks of it, the least dilapidated.  

“Oh! Nice! It’d be great to light a fire there and stay warm! And if we do, the Half-Dragons will come to us on their own, saving us the trouble.”  

At Veronica’s words, Choi Kang-soo’s face turned bright red.  

“Y-you’re being too obvious!”  

“Why? It’s a good idea! No need to go looking for trouble. Let’s just head there. If we light it up, anyone nearby will notice and come to us—easy and convenient.”  

The more Veronica spoke, the more Choi Kang-soo hung his head in embarrassment.  

“Please, use your brain a little. That head of yours isn’t just for decoration, is it? Right?”  

Veronica clicked her tongue in disdain, while Kusak chuckled gleefully at Choi Kang-soo’s misery.  

In the end, the building they chose to wait for the Half-Dragons was a shabby two-story mansion in the northern part of the city.  

Though not tall, it stood on relatively high ground, providing a decent view of the city. Behind it, a mountain loomed, obscured by the thick, fog-like mushroom cloud, making it a good spot for a quick retreat if needed.  

“Now begins the battle against boredom, huh?”  

Kusak sprawled out on the bare floor as he said this.  

“Huh? One’s coming.”  

Speak of the devil.  

Veronica, peering out the window at the city below, spotted a Half-Dragon flying toward them.  

Startled, everyone rushed to her side to look outside.  

A Half-Dragon, flying at a moderate pace, was heading straight for the hexagonal tower in the city.  

Naturally, all eyes turned to Choi Kang-soo.  

『Don’t cower! Hold your head up high! Say confidently that it was a strategic choice to save us the trouble of searching!』  

At the Divine Sword’s words, Choi Kang-soo’s face only grew redder.  

***    

This time, they had to capture it alive.  

Killing the Half-Dragon was a last resort—they needed information.  

Naturally, Seo Do-jun would have to step in to ensure a safe capture.  

Of course, this time, a few others would also face the Half-Dragon to test their skills firsthand.  

The chosen ones were Shinjo, Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, and Choi Kang-soo.  

Kusak, Veronica, and Rakun had never fought a Half-Dragon before, but their extensive combat experience meant they wouldn’t be a liability.  

They were assigned to guard different city entrances, just in case another Half-Dragon appeared during the fight.  

“We’ll set the time limit to one hour. During that time, the four of you will fight with everything you’ve got.”  

Seo Do-jun gave them an hour to battle the Half-Dragon without interference.  

If things turned dangerous or the Half-Dragon tried to flee, Seo Do-jun would intervene—but otherwise, he wouldn’t lift a finger.  

“We’ll capture it within the hour.”  

Shinjo declared with fierce determination, resolved to succeed before Seo Do-jun had to step in.  

“We should at least earn our keep.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon, too, steeled herself, determined not to rely on Seo Do-jun unless absolutely necessary.  

“I won’t let it escape.”  

Gloria was confident she could pin the Half-Dragon down from a distance.  

“Don’t worry, Uncle! As long as I’m here, no one will get hurt!”  

Choi Kang-soo took on a support role rather than a frontline one.  

His divine shields and healing abilities were unmatched in the group, and he knew exactly what his role entailed for the battles ahead.  

“Choi Kang-soo, don’t take this as me underestimating your combat skills.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s words, Choi Kang-soo shook his head, insisting he wasn’t upset.  

“I know what the priority is. And I know how difficult and crucial my role is.”  

Satisfied, Seo Do-jun patted his shoulder.  

“Shall we begin?”  

At Seo Do-jun’s signal, Shinjo and Hyun Joo-yeon took the lead, followed by Choi Kang-soo, with Gloria bringing up the rear, bow in hand.  

They were about 200 meters from the hexagonal tower when—  

BOOM!  

A section of the tower exploded outward, and a Half-Dragon burst forth.  

“…Humans?”  

Hovering in the air with wings spread, the Half-Dragon stared wide-eyed at Shinjo and the others approaching the tower, visibly shocked.  

“How… humans…?”  

It swallowed the rest of its words—how are you alive?—and closed its mouth, scanning the situation.  

It had sensed their approach and came out to investigate.  

What more needs to be said?  

Before the Half-Dragon could move, Gloria acted first.  

Though Shinjo, Hyun Joo-yeon, and Choi Kang-soo drew its attention, Gloria had hidden behind a building the moment the Half-Dragon emerged.  

It was a habit she’d picked up from the elves of Valitao.  

An archer had to be as skilled at concealing their position as they were at maintaining distance.  

SWOOSH—!  

An arrow, slicing not just through wind but space itself, was about to strike the Half-Dragon’s wing when—  

“Ha!”  

With a contemptuous flick of its wing, the Half-Dragon batted the arrow aside.  

Though effortlessly blocked, Gloria had expected as much—she immediately nocked another arrow.  

THWIP-THWIP-THWIP-THWIP!  

As she loosed a rapid barrage, the Half-Dragon’s eyes darkened with murderous intent.  

“Pest!”  

Ignoring the arrows flying toward it, the Half-Dragon dove straight for Gloria.  

It intended to sever both her arms at the shoulders—but then—  

CLANG!  

A sharp sword aura erupted from below, forcing the Half-Dragon to twist midair and raise an arm in defense.  

The aura dissipated harmlessly against its scales, but the impact was undeniable.  

The Half-Dragon’s gaze shifted to Shinjo, who had just swung his sword.  

Another sword aura followed, tracing an elegant arc as it slashed downward.  

Again, the Half-Dragon blocked with its wings—but again, the force rattled it.  

Its eyes darted from Shinjo to Hyun Joo-yeon, and its bluish lips twisted in fury.  

“Humans… how dare you?!”  

Killing intent exploded from its body, briefly freezing Shinjo, Hyun Joo-yeon, and Gloria in place—but—  

“Shut up, you bald lizard bastard!”  

Choi Kang-soo’s sword radiated pure divine energy, scattering the Half-Dragon’s killing intent like mist.  

“……”  

The Half-Dragon stared at Choi Kang-soo in disbelief, unable to comprehend how its aura had been dispelled so easily.  

It didn’t know what divine energy was.  

But its killing intent carried a trace of dragonfear—an instinctive terror that should have paralyzed any ordinary being.  

Yet here it was, nullified in an instant.  

Choi Kang-soo’s divine energy didn’t just neutralize the Half-Dragon’s aura—it also invigorated Shinjo and the others.  

The effect was slight, but enough. Shinjo channeled an enormous amount of magic into his sword and swung, while Hyun Joo-yeon precisely predicted the gaps in his strikes and unleashed her own sword aura.  

“Y-you insects!”  

Had it ever imagined being attacked by humans?  

The problem was, these humans weren’t weak enough to ignore.  

Not life-threatening, but enough to risk injury.  

“KYAAAAH!”  

As the Half-Dragon prepared to unleash its full power, magic surging violently—  

THUD!  

A single arrow, faster than anything before, pierced clean through its left wing.  

CRACK!  

Staggered by the wound, the Half-Dragon couldn’t react in time—Shinjo’s sword, wreathed in lightning, carved a deep gash from its groin to the crown of its head.  

SHWING!  

Not to be outdone, Hyun Joo-yeon’s blade erupted with blinding light, tearing a foot-long gash in its other wing.  

Gloria wielded wind, Shinjo lightning, Hyun Joo-yeon light—all drawing on the power of the spirit stones they’d received from Valitao’s elves.  

THUD!  

The Half-Dragon crashed to the ground, battered and humiliated.  

Its wings punctured and torn, its body slashed from groin to skull—this was a far cry from the dignity befitting Moteor’s ruling race.  

Now was their chance!  

Shinjo and Hyun Joo-yeon exchanged a glance, then charged without hesitation, swords flashing.  

Sword auras rained down, slashing, tearing, and rending the fallen Half-Dragon’s body.  

For a moment, they thought they might actually capture it—then—  

BOOM!  

“Guh!”  

“Ugh!”  

A violent explosion of magic sent Shinjo and Hyun Joo-yeon flying backward.  

At the same time, Gloria, who had kept an arrow nocked, released it.  

WHOOSH!  

SNAP!  

The Half-Dragon caught the arrow midair and crushed it effortlessly.  

Though not at full strength, the ease with which it intercepted her shot left Gloria’s expression frozen in shock.  

“All of you… I’ll chew you to the bone!”  

With a sound like shattering air, the Half-Dragon moved.  

Its first target, once again, was Gloria.  

Not only had she pierced its wing, but her relentless sniping from the rear had earned its full wrath.  

As the Half-Dragon closed in, Gloria kicked off the ground, flipping backward with feather-light grace.  

Her movements—taught to her by the elves—were as swift as the wind.  

SWISH-SWISH-SWISH!  

She dodged three consecutive strikes, but her face was tense.  

A margin of mere centimeters.  

Her heart pounded harder than ever.  

“KYAH!”  

The Half-Dragon pursued relentlessly, arms swinging wildly.  

Though its movements were crude, Gloria knew even a single hit would be catastrophic. She focused entirely on evasion, cold sweat dripping down her back.  

Seeing her peril, Shinjo and Hyun Joo-yeon flanked the Half-Dragon.  

Empowered once more by their spirit stones, their coordinated assault posed a real threat.  

“KYAAAAH!”  

A bestial roar erupted from the Half-Dragon’s throat.  

Its body spun like a top, deflecting their attacks and countering in the same motion.  

A black bone jutted from its wing, aiming for Shinjo’s throat, while another from its elbow sought Hyun Joo-yeon’s chest—  

CLANG! CLANG!  

A radiant white barrier materialized, deflecting both strikes.  

Before the Half-Dragon could process this, another arrow struck—this time piercing its right heel.  

Gloria again.  

“…Guh!”  

The impact was significant.  

This was the same arrow that had pierced its wing.  

As the Half-Dragon wobbled, a sword aura descended like lightning, striking its skull.  

CRACK!  

And then—light erupted, blindingly bright, as sword auras from all directions detonated at once.  

BOOM!  

“…Ghk!”  

A heavy groan escaped the Half-Dragon’s lips.  

Were they about to win?  

For a moment, Shinjo, Hyun Joo-yeon, Gloria, and even Choi Kang-soo felt the thrill of victory—until—  

The Half-Dragon, seemingly on the verge of collapse, suddenly kicked off the ground, leaping high into the air.  

It inhaled deeply, chest swelling—  

SHWING!  

THUD!  

“GYAAAAAH!”  

A spear, hurled from nowhere, pierced straight through its cheek, sending it crashing back down.  

Now with gaping holes in both cheeks, the Half-Dragon lay in a pitiful heap.  

“Be wary of its breath. And its berserk state.”  

At Seo Do-jun’s warning, their elation vanished, replaced by solemn focus.  

“Shall we prepare for a proper conversation now?”  

The Half-Dragon stared at Seo Do-jun approaching and instinctively knew—  

This man… was a terror beyond its ability to oppose.