SFRW-Chapter 248

Ch. 248 Sword God From The Ruined World

“It’s a shame we can’t be together, but… I’m relieved knowing it’s for the sake of Earth, which is in trouble.”  

At Choi Kang-soo’s words, Shinjo nodded in agreement.  

“With an unknown number of monsters crossing over to Earth, the situation can’t possibly be good.”  

According to Rixis, Rebley had ordered monsters to be sent to Earth even at the cost of depleting Barhaut’s remaining power.  

In other words, they had overexerted themselves.  

Even while they were on Earth, a considerable number of monsters had crossed through the rift zones, but if they had sent even more than that, how many could there be?  

It was impossible to even guess.  

‘All we can do is hope it’s not too late.’  

Though there were only six of them, they had grown incomparably stronger since leaving Earth.  

Each of the six could now easily face tens or even hundreds of thousands of ordinary monsters alone.  

With that level of power, as long as Earth hadn’t reached an irreversible stage of destruction, there was no need to worry.  

“Even if the whole world collapses, South Korea should still be fine, right?”  

Choi Kang-soo thought of Choi Cheol-gwan, who had stayed behind.  

Though their father-son bond had strengthened belatedly, he felt guilty and worried for leaving without properly fulfilling his filial duties.  

“If it’s Guild Master Jung In-joo we’re talking about, she’ll handle it well. There’s no need to worry about Vice President Choi Cheol-gwan.”  

Seo Do-jun believed that as long as Choi Cheol-gwan was within the safety of the Casserian Guild, he wouldn’t fall victim to mere monsters.  

“Guild Master, don’t worry about your family. I’ll protect them with my life if necessary.”  

Remembering Jung In-joo’s words, Seo Do-jun trusted her.  

“Besides, my father is living with Eun-young and Grandma. Even if a real danger arises, the Death Knights will protect them. There’s no safer protection on Earth than that. Hahaha.”  

Even if something unexpected happened to Jung In-joo, dozens of Death Knights—the last line of defense—had been left behind to protect Grandma and Eun-young.  

As Choi Kang-soo said, as long as they were around, Choi Cheol-gwan’s life wouldn’t be in danger.  

“By the way… where is this place? Why is it so gloomy? Hey, where are we?”  

With Kusak and Veronica gone, the only person left for Choi Kang-soo to talk to freely was Rahf.  

“How should I know? It’s my first time here too.”  

Rahf knew Choi Kang-soo looked down on him, but since Choi Kang-soo was the only one he could converse with, he responded casually.  

“Don’t you know the saying, ‘Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll never lose a battle’?”  

“Know yourself and… what?”  

Rahf frowned, unfamiliar with the phrase, while Kang-soo clicked his tongue arrogantly.  

“Do you think a gloomy black mage like you, digging up corpses, would know what The Art of War is?”  

“…You’re disgusting.”  

Rahf had long since figured out what kind of person Choi Kang-soo was.  

Knowing he was far less intelligent and knowledgeable made it hard to tolerate Choi Kang-soo’s condescending attitude.  

“Even if it’s disgusting, learn this: ‘Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll never lose a battle!’ It means if you understand both yourself and your opponent, you’ll win every fight! So, you wanted revenge on Barhaut, but you knew nothing about him—that’s why your pathetic revenge was doomed from the start! Well, luckily for you, you met us, so you might succeed with our help.”  

“What… is he even saying?”  

“You still don’t get it? Let me make it simpler: dreaming of revenge without even doing basic research is just sad! You ignorant fool.”  

“Ignorant?!”  

Rahf’s face flushed red, but he couldn’t retort.  

Meanwhile, Seo Do-jun, watching Choi Kang-soo lecture Rahf with half-baked knowledge, turned away.  

While Choi Kang-soo was busy berating Rahf, Shinjo carefully observed their surroundings.  

The heavy atmosphere, the dark sky filled with rain-laden clouds—it felt like a scene from a horror movie.  

After liberating Bartloma, Seo Do-jun had changed his approach.  

Previously, after freeing major Guardian Planets like Bartloma, he would move unpredictably.  

But this time, he used that pattern against them—heading toward a Guardian Planet further ahead.  

“It’s true that the lower the number of a Guardian Planet, the more powerful its overseers. Some are even Transcendents.”  

If Rixis was right, the overseers ahead would be formidable.  

This defied the expectation that they would take a break.  

Rixis had shared much with Seo Do-jun, hoping to earn favor and beg for his life.  

“The only publicly known Guardian Planet overseen by a Transcendent is the 1st—Pedroma, the final Guardian Planet.”  

Pedroma, the last gate before Barhaut’s planet, Tirotio, was overseen by a Transcendent: ‘Vipiens’.  

“I’ve never seen Vipiens. They say even Barhaut can’t force him. His power rivals Barhaut’s.”  

Seo Do-jun was curious about this Transcendent.  

As he walked, recalling Rixis’ words, his steps suddenly halted.  

The group stopped too. Shinjo and Grichuk drew their swords, while Choi Kang-soo stuck close to Rahf, wary of their surroundings.  

Tap-tap-tap-tap!  

A dozen figures—not quite human—approached swiftly.  

Over two meters tall, with lean yet muscular builds, they resembled humans but had pointed snouts, blue eyes, and gray fur covering their bodies.  

They looked like…  

“Werewolves?”  

As soon as Choi Kang-soo spoke, the creatures howled in unison.  

“Awooooooo—!”   

***

Thud!  

Seo Do-jun frowned, surprised that a mere werewolf’s kick could shock his arm.  

“…Blocked?”  

The werewolf seemed equally stunned, its blue eyes gleaming fiercely.  

“Try blocking this too.”  

The werewolf’s foot blurred, striking at Seo Do-jun’s head, chest, and thigh simultaneously.  

The technique was impressive—speed, precision, and power combined.  

Wham! Wham! Wham!  

Seo Do-jun had never seen close combat skills like this.  

Werewolves, or ‘lycanthropes’, were considered monsters on Earth.  

But here, they lived as intelligent beings, with their own societies and cultures.  

Wham! Crack!  

The werewolf attacking Seo Do-jun was flung back, bones breaking.  

“Brother Twek!”  

The others rushed to their fallen comrade.  

“I’m fine.”  

Twek stood, his right shoulder dangling, and glared at Seo Do-jun.  

“I’ve never heard of slaves like you… and that holy power…”  

He muttered in disbelief, eyeing Choi Kang-soo.  

“Slaves? You damn mutts! Who are you calling slaves?!”  

Twek’s eyes narrowed.  

“What else should we call humans groveling at vampires’ feet? Walking blood bags?”  

“Walking blood bags?”  

Choi Kang-soo looked baffled. Finally, Twek sensed something odd.  

“Who… are you?”  

“It’s a bit late to ask that, isn’t it? You attacked first, and now you’re asking who we are? You’re insane!”  

One of the werewolves shouted,  

“You humans attacked us first! Killed our brothers mercilessly, just to please those filthy vampires!”  

Choi Kang-soo was taken aback but refused to be blamed for something they didn’t do.  

“What nonsense is this? When did we—”  

Seo Do-jun cut him off.  

“Enough. Let’s clear this up. We’re not from this world.”  

Twek silenced his pack and nodded for Seo Do-jun to continue.  

“We’re humans from another planet, here to liberate Barhaut’s Guardian Planets.”  

“You… oppose Barhaut?!”  

Twek had guessed they weren’t locals but never imagined they’d be rebels.  

“We’ve already freed 22 Guardian Planets!” Choi Kang-soo boasted.  

The werewolves’ faces twisted in disbelief.  

“Lies! Barhaut’s Guardian Planets can’t be freed!”  

“They can. And these two are proof.” Choi Kang-soo pointed to Rahf and Grichuk.  

Twek studied them, then shook his head.  

“If that’s truly your goal, we won’t stop you. In fact… we’ll ask for your help. Free Iostem.”