SFRW-Chapter 88

Ch. 88 Sword God From The Ruined World   

“…Unbelievable.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon couldn’t believe her eyes.  

The fierce battle unfolding in Death Knight Castle exceeded all her expectations.  

“They’re stronger than regular Champion Death Knights?”  

The difference wasn’t enormous.  

Yet it was undeniable that Seo Do-jun’s summoned thirty Champion Death Knights were demonstrating greater combat prowess than the identical Champion Death Knights guarding the rift core within the castle.  

Even without a dramatic difference, the superiority was unmistakable.  

What truly astonished Hyun Joo-yeon was how the thirty Champion Death Knights formed three squads executing near-perfect rotational combat.  

These three squads then coordinated as one massive unit – essentially thirty knights fighting as a single, unified force.  

Such flawless teamwork could only result from extensive, practiced coordination.  

Already formidable individually, these Champion Death Knights – equipped with superior combat suits, swords, and shields – now fought in perfect sync with their comrades. Normal and even Elite Death Knights fell without managing a single proper sword swing.  

“This is absolutely broken…”  

Their efficiency surpassed that of five or six average S-rank Heroes.  

With such summons, Seo Do-jun could sweep through most rift zones without lifting a finger.  

The man himself was already monstrous enough, but now his summons matched his capabilities. Hyun Joo-yeon wondered if any character could be more overpowered.  

“And if the Casserian joins them…”  

The mere thought made Hyun Joo-yeon shake her head vigorously.  

Frankly speaking, Seo Do-jun alone surpassed the military might of nations boasting world-leading power.  

Seeing the Champion Death Knights’ flawless performance, Hyun Joo-yeon turned away – the castle would clearly fall to them alone.  

Knowing this, Seo Do-jun remained completely focused on his own tasks, unconcerned with the battle.  

Returning to Seo Do-jun’s side, she found him still immersed in Magic Heart Method training.  

“…So selfish.”  

How much stronger did he need to become?  

The saying ‘the rich get richer’ fit perfectly here.  

Watching Seo Do-jun now, his relentless pursuit of power seemed almost greedily excessive.  

“Tch.”  

Despite this rare opportunity for just the two of them to hunt in a rift zone, Seo Do-jun remained fixated on his training, irritating Hyun Joo-yeon.  

Unable to interrupt his concentration, she sat down and began her own magic heart technique practice.  

Time passed indeterminably.  

When Seo Do-jun finally opened his eyes, the sounds of battle from Death Knight Castle had ceased.  

‘Even in rift zones, accumulating magic isn’t easy.’  

While superior to Earth’s environment, it still didn’t satisfy him.  

But what choice did he have?  

Currently, rift zones remained the fastest magic absorption sources available.  

Noticing Hyun Joo-yeon still deep in concentration, Seo Do-jun quietly headed to the castle.  

Corpses of Death Knights littered the area.  

Seo Do-jun ordered his thirty Champion Death Knights to harvest magic stones.  

Searching over a thousand Death Knight corpses was no simple task, but they couldn’t leave empty-handed. Seo Do-jun rolled up his sleeves and joined the gruesome harvest.  

Hyun Joo-yeon appeared much later.  

“This is truly unfair.”  

“Unfair how?”  

“You know the saying ‘the bear performs while the king profits’? This situation fits that perfectly.”  

“Having the performing bear itself is a talent worth acknowledging.”  

“…”  

Seo Do-jun’s retort – implying complaining without ability was pointless – left Hyun Joo-yeon speechless.  

After an awkward silence, Hyun Joo-yeon finally spoke:  

“Seo Do-jun, what’s your dream?”  

The sudden question made Seo Do-jun look at her quizzically.  

“I’m just curious. Honestly, you have everything anyone could want. I wondered what someone like you dreams of.”  

Dreams…  

He’d once had many.  

Becoming the knight all others admired, elevating his family’s honor, building an eternal empire – in the ruined world, Seo Do-jun had lived with grand aspirations.  

Yet…  

He’d achieved none.  

Despite his lofty ambitions, he’d failed at the most fundamental:  

Protecting his family.  

Safeguarding loved ones.  

Defending his nation.  

What should have been basic responsibilities… he’d fulfilled none.  

Without hesitation, Seo Do-jun answered:  

“To protect my current happiness.”  

For him, this was an incredibly comprehensive dream – encompassing family, people, nation, and ultimately this world called Earth.  

Having failed catastrophically once, could he really succeed this time?  

‘It won’t be easy.’  

A bitter smile flickered across his face.  

Though daunting, he was determined to protect what he had now.  

Meanwhile…  

“…Isn’t that surprisingly simple?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon found his dream almost disappointingly ordinary.  

“Simple? I’m not sure…”  

Was it truly simple?  

Seo Do-jun knew better than anyone that maintaining happy daily life might be harder than conquering worlds.  

In fact, world conquest seemed trivial by comparison.  

“Simple… but not bad.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon actually smiled faintly at his dream.  

She began envisioning herself sharing that simple, happy daily life with Seo Do-jun.  

***  

Emerging from the rift zone, Seo Do-jun found dozens of missed calls.  

Hyun Joo-yeon was similarly inundated.  

“Did something happen?”  

She immediately called Jung In-joo, who’d left the most messages.  

“Are you with Seo Do-jun? This can’t be discussed over phone – come to the Association immediately.”  

The urgency in Jung In-joo’s voice sent them straight to the Hero Association.  

While Seo Do-jun drove, Hyun Joo-yeon researched the situation:  

“A mysterious black fog has covered Namibia.”  

Satellites and drones from South Africa, Botswana, and Angola all malfunctioned upon entering the fog.  

International media treated this unusual phenomenon as a serious crisis.  

“Black fog?”  

Glancing at Hyun Joo-yeon’s photos while driving, Seo Do-jun saw the description fit literally.  

But drones failing suggested something more sinister than mere fog.  

“Do you recognize this?”  

Knowing Seo Do-jun’s vast knowledge, Hyun Joo-yeon wondered if he might understand.  

“Not sure.”  

Photos alone weren’t conclusive.  

While something seemed suspicious, Seo Do-jun withheld judgment without certainty.  

“An 8th Wave… If everyone had cooperated, this might’ve been prevented.”  

Hyun Joo-yeon sighed regretfully.  

Namibia was already ruined – its president, government officials, and most citizens dead from monsters.  

Only scattered border communities survived, leaving no one to rebuild even if territory was reclaimed.  

Faced with this, the World Hero Association had essentially abandoned Namibia.  

Though neighboring nations (South Africa, Botswana, Angola) advocated monster eradication and rift zone closures,  

“How many Heroes would risk their lives without compensation?” Hyun Joo-yeon frowned.  

Even the World Hero Association, despite its peacekeeping motto, acted pragmatically – observing from afar unless proper compensation was offered.  

Worse, the three affected nations prioritized self-interest over cooperation, exacerbating the crisis.  

“They don’t even know what truly matters…”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s frustration resonated with Seo Do-jun, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.  

The ruined world had been the same.  

Prioritizing personal and national interests over critical needs led to universal collapse.  

By the time they tried rectifying mistakes, it was too late.  

With this experience, Seo Do-jun couldn’t ignore Namibia’s plight.  

‘The most urgent matter lies there.’  

He resolved to eliminate Namibia’s monsters and close its rift zones.  

After receiving multiple speeding tickets en route, they reached the Hero Association building. Parked haphazardly, they headed straight for the Chairman’s office.  

“Hero Seo Do-jun.”  

Deputy Director Min Hong-gi greeted them as if waiting.  

“Everyone’s assembled in the main conference room. Hero Hyun Joo-yeon, please join as well.”  

Following Min Hong-gi, Seo Do-jun asked about the situation.  

Avoiding direct answers, Min Hong-gi said,  

“You’ll understand better seeing it firsthand.”  

Seo Do-jun nodded – no need hearing explanations twice.  

Then Min Hong-gi added:  

“About your earlier request… I have news.”  

Seo Do-jun stopped walking immediately.  

“Did you find him?”  

“Not exactly. However…”  

Min Hong-gi described several overseas magical murder cases.  

“Each displayed power incomparable to existing magic-wielding Heroes. Witnesses described fire pillars reaching the sky, black fireballs exploding like bombs, and black ice pillars falling from above. Based on testimony, we assess this power surpasses Cain Lester’s.”  

“A magic Hero stronger than Cain Lester?”  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s shocked question prompted Min Hong-gi to emphasize this was speculation – but shocking nonetheless.  

Officially, Cain Lester was the strongest magic Hero. Someone surpassing him would astonish the world.  

“We must find him ASAP. Request cooperation from as many as possible.”  

“Who is this person?”  

Min Hong-gi’s instincts suggested Seo Do-jun knew the answer.  

“I can’t confirm yet, but if it’s who I suspect… he may be more dangerous than current me.”  

“What? Stronger than you?”  

“Someone stronger than Seo Do-jun?”  

As Min Hong-gi and Hyun Joo-yeon gaped in shock, Seo Do-jun shook his head.  

“He’s no Hero – he’s an evil that will bring this world’s destruction.”  

More accurately, a harbinger of that evil.  

Min Hong-gi’s expression turned graver than ever.  

For Seo Do-jun to declare someone potentially more dangerous than himself – and call them world-ending evil – conveyed an unimaginable threat.  

“We’ll find him without fail.”  

“I expect nothing less.”  

Entering the conference room, they found Chairman Na Tae-hwang, high-ranking officials, government representatives, and major guild leaders all assembled.  

And…  

“Kassal!”  

Gloria waved enthusiastically at Seo Do-jun.  

‘Why is she here?’  

Hyun Joo-yeon’s face twisted with displeasure at Gloria’s presence.