In Volume 1 of The World After the Fall, Jaehwan learned that the Tower of Nightmare was merely a replica of the real tower, which stands atop the Tree of Illusion. This false tower sits at the tree’s roots, and Jaehwan has no desire to start again, despite the Dream Demon’s suggestion to do so. His goal is clear: to break through the tree and reach the top. After leaving the tower, he finds himself in the trunk of the tree, ready to push forward.
Meeting Mino: The Witch of Destruction
At the tree’s trunk, Jaehwan encounters Mino, the witch of destruction, who guides him through Chaos—a realm where the dead dwell. Although the people there seem human to one another, Jaehwan sees their true forms. His experience in the Tower of Nightmare gave him the ability to perceive the world’s deeper reality. Jaehwan’s power comes from his skepticism, which helped him break free from the limits imposed by the tower. Though he cannot share his ultimate mission, his presence might help others see the truth as well.
A Mysterious New World
Mino is puzzled by Jaehwan. His spirit is unlike anything she’s seen before, seemingly immune to corruption. In Chaos, the souls of the dead must constantly medicate themselves to avoid turning into fiends—monsters driven by corruption. Jaehwan, as a living human, doesn’t face this challenge, but he keeps this fact hidden. He recognizes the truth about these inhabitants: they are skeletons in disguise.
Confusion in Chaos
The World After the Fall Volume 2 begins with many new details that aren’t fully explained, leading to some confusion. In Chaos, there are fortresses and sects, though their purposes remain unclear. These sects aren’t on good terms with one another. Mino belongs to one, but it’s too soon to know whether she’ll become Jaehwan’s ally or enemy. Another new character, Captain Carlton Xavier, enforces order in his fortress. Jaehwan seems to hope Xavier will become a comrade, but as with Mino, it’s too early to tell where his loyalties lie.
Power Levels and Fighting Scenes
One element that remains vague is the concept of power levels. The strength of people in Chaos is linked to how much they have “adapted,” though what adaptation entails is not yet clear. We’ll likely learn more about this in future volumes. For now, what’s evident is that greater adaptation brings more power. Compared to Volume 1, this volume features shorter and faster-paced fight scenes. Jaehwan easily overcomes numerous enemies, as they are no match for him. The action is intense but not overly graphic, as Jaehwan primarily battles monsters and dead humans, leading to little bloodshed. This differs from Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, another series by the same author, which is much more explicit in its portrayal of violence. However, the monsters Jaehwan faces in The World After the Fall are hideous and bear the brunt of his ferocity.
Conclusion
The World After the Fall, written by singNsong, illustrated by Undead Gamja, and adapted by S-Cyan, continues its gripping narrative in Volume 2. You can read the digital comic on Webtoon or find the English print version published by Ize Press.
