Descent of the Demon Master

Lee Seong-Hwi smirked after noticing the look on Nakata Yuji's face.

‘Looks like he’s finally sobered up.’

Even though Lee Seong-Hwi came off as high-handed and critical, the truth was that he empathized with Nakata Yuji. No one would be able to maintain their composure when witnessing a carnage like this, after all!

After endless research and investigation, Lee Seong-Hwi could proudly boast about knowing Kang Jin-Ho better than anyone else. Even then, he still felt his heart quiver in sheer dread at this sight. So, how much worse would it be for Nakata Yuji?

‘What a monstrous bastard…!’

Kang Jin-Ho was gradually getting stronger. And stronger!

When Lee Seong-Hwi fought Kang Jin-Ho for the first time, endless despair was his only reward. He realized he couldn't possibly compare to Kang Jin-Ho's talent. Even then, he still saw a glimmer of possibility. A hope.

That was why he gladly accepted demonic cultivation. He believed that, as long as he could become stronger… So much stronger than his old self, he could fight against Kang Jin-Ho and perhaps win.

However, their second encounter helped Lee Seong-Hwi gain an epiphany. And that was… His hope had been nothing more than a pipe dream. A delusion! He'd never catch up to Kang Jin-Ho regardless of how hard he trained!

‘Aren’t we both supposed to be humans?!’

Coal and diamonds were both products of carbon molecules. However, their monetary values differed as much as that between Heaven and Earth.

Those who yap on and on about dogsh*t, like how all people were born the same and how everyone held endless potential, had no idea of this world's unfairness.

From the get-go, Lee Seong-Hwi's innate talent was far inferior to Kang Jin-Ho's. That was why he clung shamelessly to the Chinese and even resorted to borrowing the Japanese's strength.

If Lee Seong-Hwi's strength was insufficient, he should resort to other underhanded schemes instead, including borrowing the powers of his enemies!

However, this third encounter revealed a new side of Kang Jin-Ho. And that side proved to be absolutely marvelous.

Hatred nearly blinded Lee Seong-Hwi when he locked his glare on Kang Jin-Ho’s mug. However, even that hatred became meaningless and insignificant in the face of Kang Jin-Ho’s godly strength.

Lee Seong-Hwi thought he had completely abandoned the martial artist side of himself, yet that display of godly might still triggered something in his heart. His blood began boiling in the remote corner of his chest.

Did that mean he still had something like the spirit of martial arts burning in his soul? Even though he learned demonic cultivation and sold out his own bloody country?

‘Don’t… Don’t make me laugh!’

Lee Seong-Hwi wasn't dumb or deluded enough not to recognize his position. He was no longer qualified to talk about something as noble as the spirit of martial arts. Indeed, he was the lowest, most contemptible trash among all martial artists. Even demonic cultivators should spit at him in contempt.

He was a man who willingly dragged himself into the endless depths of the abyss!

Compared to Lee Seong-Hwi, how was Kang Jin-Ho? He was undeniably, incomparably more radiant, wasn’t he?

Kang Jin-Ho was unbelievably cruel and equally cold-hearted. Looking at him evoked the feelings of staring at a goosebumps-inducing devil!

However, wasn’t that what martial arts were all about? After all, martial arts were meant to suppress, threaten, and trample the others.

Respecting other people's opinions and persuading them was the job of the academia. The only thing that mattered in martial arts was to kill and suppress the enemy as efficiently as possible. That was all!

In that sense, Kang Jin-Ho was the perfect embodiment of the ideal of all martial arts. He should be a role model for all martial artists to aspire to!

The sight of an expert not letting things like righteousness and pity sway him and mechanically cutting his enemies down could very well be the “ideal” every martial artist pursued since the dawn of human history.

While Lee Seong-Hwi fell deeper and deeper into the abyss, Kang Jin-Ho managed to climb to the loftiest of lofty peaks!

Lee Seong-Hwi subtly chewed on his lips.

‘It doesn’t matter!’

Whether Lee Seong-Hwi’s heart withered from envy and jealousy, whether his eyes got blinded by Kang Jin-Ho’s radiance… None of it mattered.

‘Yes… keep climbing, Kang Jin-Ho. Climb even higher!’

Only then would his fall be even more tragic. Even more wretched! Just like what it felt like for Lee Seong-Hwi!

“Get a grip on yourself and…”

Slap!

Before Lee Seong-Hwi could finish his sentence, Nakata Yuji slapped Lee Seong-Hwi’s hand gripping his collar. The Japanese man coolly slicked back the hair strands tumbling down his forehead next.

He then fake-coughed a couple of times to clear his throat before muttering in a subdued but cold voice. “That’s enough from you.”

“Hmph!” Lee Seong-Hwi sneered. He could see that Nakata Yuji was back to his usual self.

“I didn’t think he’d be this strong…!” Nakata Yuji growled unhappily.

Regaining his cool didn't mean his shock had abated. The only thing that had changed was his ability to objectively analyze the situation working again. Unfortunately, his objective analysis concluded that this situation was the absolute worst.

As a matter of fact, it couldn’t get any worse even if it tried!

Nakata Yuji frowned deeply. “Looks like Kang Jin-Ho is several times stronger than our estimation.”

Lee Seong-Hwi smirked. “Frogs in a well have finally seen the rest of the world, in other words.”

“Frogs…?”

“Yes. I'm talking about you idiots from the islands.” Lee Seong-Hwi's smirk deepened into a sneer. “A group of idiots who had never witnessed the world kept boasting about being an equal to China's might. And I always found that utterly laughable. Here's a rude awakening for you. This is all you idiots amount to.”

Nakata Yuji furrowed his brow but didn't argue back. Now wasn't the right time to start a shouting match with Lee Seong-Hwi, after all.

He must think of a way to stop Kang Jin-Ho and his men. Otherwise, tonight's event would end as a one-sided massacre!

‘A massacre, huh…?’

Nakata Yuji could only chuckle wryly. Warriors on this ship were about to get one-sidedly massacred?

Even though this army boasted considerable combat strength, they were about to get slaughtered by only four enemy combatants?!

Although Nakata Yuji loathed to admit it, this improbable scenario was still unfolding right before his eyes. If he wasted more time here, they would really reach the point of no return.

Nakata Yuji stopped thinking about the warriors on the ship’s deck. They could not be counted as a combat force anymore.

Indeed, those too terrified to even stand properly could never serve as soldiers. No, they would only negatively affect the morale of everyone else instead. Besides, even if they were brimming full of the desire to fight, things would not have changed much.

Forget one thousand, not even ten thousand of these riff-raff could fight against a monster like Kang Jin-Ho. Which meant the big fishes should step forward to deal with this situation, but for that to happen…

Nakata Yuji glanced behind him. The representatives of various gumis participating in this invasion had gathered there, but their expressions had been frozen in stupefaction and bewilderment for a while now.

‘What a bunch of pathetic fools…!’

Nakata Yuji was irritated by this sight, but how could he criticize these people? When he was in a similar state only a few seconds ago? Anyone bearing witness to this horrifying spectacle would behave the same as them.

For the time being, Nakata Yuji should try to gently bring them back to Earth.

“Everyone, please get a hold of yourselves.”

“…! Ah!”

“If you don’t, we will all die.”

“…!”

It seemed the warning of everyone dying did the trick. Light returned to replace the glazed looks in their eyes. It seemed these people had finally begun taking stock of the situation.

Nakata Yuji continued to speak. “There is only one way to deal with a predator that has invaded your ranch. And that is to… kill it! Failing to do so will mean our destruction, after all.”

This warning about destruction also applied to Japan as a whole.

The combat force riding on this ship could never be called weak. If so many elite warriors were killed tonight… Japan wouldn't be able to dream of invading South Korea again for a long time. Trying to quell the internal strife and reorganizing the pecking order would easily take several years, after all!

But that was the path to utter ruination.

Kang Jin-Ho wouldn’t just sit back and suck on his thumbs while the Japanese tried to reorganize themselves. Even a moron could tell that that man would strengthen his forces even more in the meantime.

In other words, the time Kang Jin-Ho required to grow strong enough to overwhelm Japan would finally be his. If that happened, Japan would never be able to hold an upper hand against South Korea.

As a matter of fact, the Japanese would more likely cower in fear and paranoia, wondering when Kang Jin-Ho would invade them instead!

‘I must prevent that, no matter what!’

That meant this ship was their final line of defense. Failing to kill Kang Jin-Ho here meant it’d be over for Japan. However, if that statement was flipped around… If Nakata Yuji could somehow get rid of Kang Jin-Ho here, everything would be resolved.

“There is no retreat for us, gentlemen,” said Nakata Yuji. Everyone's attention locked on him when they heard how grim he sounded. “As you can see, there is no escape. Yes, with your abilities, I'm sure you could swim to the mainland from here. However, even if you reach dry land… The only thing waiting for you there will be the Iemoto's fury.”

Silence descended on the group when the Iemoto’s fury was brought up.

These people were scared of Kang Jin-Ho. And Vator horrified them. However, that fear and horror quickly lost some of its luster when compared to the Iemoto's rage. Fighting against Kang Jin-Ho and his people meant a certain death, but an angry Iemoto vying for blood would mean a quick, painless death was out of the question.

No one here wanted to end up in that wretched state!

“Everyone, we don't have a choice in this,” said Nakata Yuji as he pointed at Kang Jin-Ho. “Kill him and seize the glory… Or get killed in the process!”

Nakata Yuji’s words triggered strange auras of fighting spirit and agitation to start circulating within the group.

***

KA-BOOOOOM!

Unchecked primal savagery filled Vator’s mind. He was currently in a realm he had never experienced before.

Something boiling-hot continued to well up uncontrollably from deep within his chest. This intense burning sensation akin to his whole body being on fire, coupled with unbridled exaltation, pushed Vator’s agitation to the absolute limit.

...And then, this intense desire to kill!

An indescribable urge to kill every living thing before his eyes completely ruled over him. Vator was willing to do anything and everything if it meant he'd get to tear and rip apart every person in front of his eyes!

‘Blood…! More blood! More… More!’

Vator’s primal savagery was erupting like a volcano!

‘This is… demonic cultivation!’

Vator, who had reached a peak of martial arts through decades of orthodox cultivation, couldn't maintain his grip on his sanity. The rage and bloodlust to destroy everything in this world had completely taken over his mind.

Kill!

Kill everyone and destroy everything!

“Hu-aaaaaaaah!”

Vator’s loud roar rocked the ship as his punch shot forward. The aura emanating from his body was not his usual pure-white strengthening qi’s light. The fist light in an ominous hue of pitch-black ink exploded forth from the big man’s fist to sweep everything aside in its path.

KA-BOOOOOM!

The power of his attacks also far surpassed his past self. It was easy to see Vator had become incomparably stronger after mastering demonic arts. And such a powerful man was relentlessly charging forward as foams of blood bubbled out of his mouth.

A giant in the berserk state was rampaging around, his rational mind long gone.

“Crazy son of a…!” Bang Jin-Hun grunted while sneakily backing away from that carnage.

‘I’ll get killed if I step forward here!’

Bang Jin-Hun could instinctively tell. Being near either Vator or Kang Jin-Ho right now would be very hazardous to his health!

Vator quite literally had lost his mental faculty. There was no way he’d be able to differentiate allies from enemies in his state. In that case, Bang Jin-Hun would not be of any help. In fact, not getting in Vator’s way would help out so much more!

Bang Jin-Hun obviously knew how strong Vator was. But the current Vator had far surpassed that evaluation. By a large margin, too!

‘I mean, look! Seriously!’

KA-BOOOOOM!

KA-BOOM!

Each and every punch produced ear-deafening explosion noises. It was as if Vator had attached a cannon to his arms or something! Worse still, he wasn't attacking at full power, either. All he did was lightly stretch his arms a bit, but each of those attacks still contained scarcely believable destructive strength.

“What the hell is up with…” Bang Jin-Hun grimaced. Could mastering demonic arts result in such an explosive growth in one’s strength?!

Bang Jin-Hun’s question was answered by Wiggins. “It’s because Sir Vator is not hesitating anymore.”

“...Not hesitating?” Bang Jin-Hun tilted his head.

“You won’t understand even if I explain to you, so let’s leave it at that, shall we?”

“What did you say?”

“...It's nothing, Mister Bang.” Wiggins shook his head while smiling bitterly. Should he just walk around with an automatic translator and make things simpler for himself?

‘That’s that, but this…’

Wiggins’ withdrawn eyes locked on Vator’s broad back some distance away.

‘He seemed to have gotten three times stronger.’

Wiggins knew the truth that Vator’s new-found strength wasn’t simply because of demonic cultivation.

Adding demonic arts to a solid foundation built through decades of orthodox cultivation methods shouldn't result in such an explosive improvement in Vator's strength. So, the real reason had to be something else.

Vator often proudly boasted about being the Warrior of the Great Plains. And he also frequently mentioned how he pursued “delight” only found in intense battles. Fundamentally, though, he was not an evil or twisted person.

Obviously, Vator was familiar with bloodshed. That didn't mean he felt absolutely nothing while killing people. All humans instinctively felt some level of discomfort at the prospect of ending someone else's life, after all.

This discomfort was usually responsible for subconsciously reducing the power behind each attack or dulling one's reaction times.

However, the current Vator had been liberated from that discomfort. As a matter of fact, he was going even crazier just to kill more people!

For an expert at a realm as high as Vator’s, even the most subtle shift in their mindset could result in such a massive difference in their strength. And this effect seemed more pronounced since this switch was not something a person could consciously flip.

‘Should I… also try my hand at demonic arts?’

Wiggins slowly licked his lips. What he could see proved rather enticing. Incredibly enticing, as a matter of fact! So much so that Wiggins was tempted to try if that door was still open for him.

‘Unfortunately, I shouldn’t.’

Demonic arts didn't suit Wiggins. As a warrior relying on both magic and swordsmanship, he had to maintain his rational mind at all times. If not, he might end up harming himself instead. Besides…

“That’s not the only way to get stronger, now is it?”

There were plenty of other ways to improve one’s strength. For instance…!

Blinding light began gushing out from Wiggins' right hand. And then, magic circles engraved near his right hand quickly dyed in a distinct blue hue.

Bang Jin-Hun groaned weakly at this sight. “What the hell is it this time…?”

Maybe he shouldn’t have come.

Yup. It was a mistake coming here. A mistake, I tell ya...

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