In The World After the Fall, after Jaehwan’s spirit breaks through the replica of the Tower of Nightmare, he finds himself in Chaos, located at the trunk of the Tree of Illusions. To reach the top of the tree where the real Tower of Nightmare lies, Jaehwan must climb it. However, first, he needs to tackle the chaos brewing in Gorgon Fortress.
Jaehwan uses his skills, particularly his ability to copy Doctor Cheongheo’s Fiend Slash, to combat soul corruption in Chaos. This skill draws the attention of Gorgon Fortress’s leaders. The fortress’s lord faces imminent danger, and only Jaehwan can prevent his transformation into a fiend. If the spirit doesn’t receive regular purification, it will corrupt and become a monster. However, not everyone appreciates Jaehwan’s powers; some view the lord’s corruption as part of a sinister plan to seize control of Gorgon Fortress.
Jaehwan’s only option involves fighting the traitors and stopping the lord, but doing so means he must kill him. Unfortunately, a Sovereign has taken over the lord’s body, making purification impossible. Thankfully, just before vanishing, the lord regains consciousness and bestows upon Jaehwan the power to rule Gorgon Fortress, appointing him as the new lord.
Indifferent to his new title, Jaehwan declares that anyone who can defeat him in combat can claim the title of lord. If they lose, they must join the new Abyss Expedition that Jaehwan organizes. This expedition aims to gather revival fruits, which can revive souls. Although the inhabitants of Chaos previously participated in this quest, their last attempt resulted in despair, as those higher in the Tree of Illusions exploited them.
The heads of the sects in Chaos see this as an opportunity and begin to challenge Jaehwan—only to lose time and again. To recruit more soul power, Jaehwan starts a tournament where the grand prize is the title of fortress lord. The game has officially begun.
Clarifying Chaos and Its Inhabitants
Volumes 3 and 4 offer much-needed clarity about Chaos and its residents compared to Volume 2. Earlier, terms like “sect,” “fortress,” and “adapted” appeared without explanation. Now, we learn that the souls of those who died in the Great Realm inhabit Chaos, which resides on the branches of the Tree of Illusions. Chaos consists of four fortresses, where inhabitants form sects that compete for dominance. The ten sects are ranked by power, and their leaders wield less authority than the four lords governing Chaos’s fortresses. These leaders aim to gain control of the fortresses.
Additionally, some souls possess unique powers, with their power levels linked to how well they adapt to Chaos. Among them are Cheongeo and Jaehwan, who have awakened and defied the world’s limits.
As the story unfolds, readers piece together information that characters mention, sometimes in passing. The more the narrative progresses, the clearer the world becomes, though many mysteries remain. Questions about the sovereigns and monarchs linger, and readers ponder why higher-ups in the Tree of Illusion pursue Jaehwan. Nevertheless, this series continues to deliver exhilarating action, promising more battles ahead.
Visual Appeal and Printing Issues
The covers of The World After the Fall showcase simple yet striking illustrations of Jaehwan, with spot UV highlights on the title and certain design elements. Volume 4’s cover maintains this aesthetic, although my copy suffers from misaligned spot UV elements on the spine and covers—likely a printing error. It’s unclear whether my volume is an isolated case or if the entire print run experienced similar issues.
Conclusion: A Promising Series Continues
The World After the Fall is crafted by singNsong, illustrated by Undead Gamja, and adapted by S-Cynan. Volume 5’s printed edition is set for release in February 2024 by Ize Press, while digital chapters are available on Webtoon.
