Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 339

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes glowed like a beast in the darkness, a primal intensity burning within them.

The surging Asura energy, pushed to its absolute limit, coursed through his body like a raging inferno. His heart hammered against his ribs, and a scorching heat radiated from his core, threatening to consume him.

With eyes distorted by the sheer force of his power, Kang Jin-ho glared upwards. The rocks that had been holding their position were now slightly lifted by the violent shaking of the impact.

Crack!

Kang Jin-ho’s right hand, now a conduit for the raw Asura energy, shot out at lightning speed towards the rocks. It was a blur of motion, a testament to his honed reflexes and power.

Boom!

The rocks shattered into a thousand pieces, spraying fragments everywhere like shrapnel. The sound was deafening, a testament to the sheer force of the impact.

Kang Jin-ho pulled Choi Yeon-ha close with his other arm, shielding her from the debris, and leaped towards the shattered rock fragments. He could see a mass of soil above him, a suffocating blanket threatening to bury them alive. There was no turning back now. If he hesitated, the soil would fill the space where Kang Jin-ho was, sealing their fate.

If he got caught in that, even Kang Jin-ho couldn’t guarantee his survival. And Choi Yeon-ha, already weakened, would certainly perish. Now, there was no other way but to move forward, to push through the suffocating earth.

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes gleamed with a fierce determination as he looked at the soil still rising above, a challenge he was ready to meet head-on.

His right hand, now pulsating with red inner energy, plunged into the soil like a spear. He was not going to be denied.

He released the condensed inner energy in an instant, a burst of power that pushed the soil in all directions. The moment the cohesion of the rising soil weakened, he had to push through as much as possible, to create a path to freedom.

Kang Jin-ho’s body plunged through the excavated soil, a human projectile propelled by his indomitable will.

He was moving so fast that the soil felt like it was being shot at him, a barrage of earth and rock. But he couldn’t afford to worry about that now. Every second counted, every movement was crucial.

It was just a moment, a single, fleeting moment.

The moment the rising soil, which had been heaving upwards, fell back down, the pressure would increase dramatically. The cohesion would weaken, but the weight of the soil falling with gravity could not be ignored. It was a crushing force that could easily end them.

If he didn’t make a path now, he could be crushed to death, buried alive under tons of earth.

Once!

KWA-AAANG!

The Asura energy exploded from his fingertips, completely clearing the space above his head. It was a display of raw power, a testament to his mastery of his inner energy. Kang Jin-ho kicked off the ground and soared upwards, defying gravity with his sheer will.

‘Ugh!’

It felt like it took more inner energy to lift his body into the air while holding someone than to push away the soil. The added weight of Choi Yeon-ha was a significant burden, testing his limits.

Back when he was called the Demonic Heavenly Sovereign [a title indicating a powerful martial artist], he could have easily used the Skywalk [a technique allowing one to walk on air], but now he was struggling just to use the Floating Cloud Step [a basic movement technique]. His current state was a far cry from his former glory.

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes turned to Choi Yeon-ha’s face. Seeing her limp head, it seemed she had already lost consciousness. Even though Kang Jin-ho had protected her with his inner energy, she couldn’t be fine after taking such an impact with her weakened body. Her fragility was a stark reminder of the danger they were in.

Kang Jin-ho quickly confirmed that her breathing was okay, a small relief in the midst of chaos, and then looked up again with narrowed eyes. He couldn’t afford to lose focus.

Kukuku!

The rising soil seemed to pause for a moment, then began to fall with a sound like the world collapsing. It was a terrifying sound, a prelude to the crushing weight that was about to descend upon them.

A rain of soil, no, a downpour of soil began to engulf Kang Jin-ho. It was a suffocating torrent, threatening to bury them alive.

If he couldn’t resist this pressure, there would be no other outcome than being buried alive. The thought was a chilling reminder of the stakes.

Kang Jin-ho roared, a primal sound of defiance, and reached out his hand, ready to unleash his power once more.

KWA-AAANG!

Another explosion erupted, and the soil that had been pouring down above his head was flung in all directions. Kang Jin-ho shot up into the newly created, tube-like space directly above him, a temporary reprieve from the suffocating earth.

He kicked off the falling soil and climbed higher and higher, his movements a desperate dance against the forces of nature. His remaining hand grabbed at the soil in the air, and his legs flailed as if swimming, a chaotic but effective method of propulsion. It wasn’t a pretty sight, but this was no time to worry about appearances. Survival was the only thing that mattered.

“Ugh!”

The soil he had pushed away was slowly creeping back towards Kang Jin-ho. Like water filling a drained space, the space he had created was quickly being swallowed by the soil. It was a relentless pursuit, a constant reminder of the danger they were in.

Like an unavoidable death, the soil was closing in, threatening to consume them.

“Uaaaah!”

Kang Jin-ho screamed and unleashed his energy again, a desperate attempt to hold back the encroaching earth. The Asura energy surged out, pushing back the soil, but it was a losing battle.

Throb!

At the same time, a pain like a hot iron rod being stabbed into his lower abdomen shot through him. It was a sharp, debilitating pain that threatened to cripple him.

‘Already?’

His inner energy was running out. He had pushed himself too hard, and his body was now paying the price.

Even though he hadn’t been able to gather his energy properly, he was already suffering from a lack of inner energy when he hadn’t even made it halfway out. His reserves were depleted, and the situation was becoming increasingly dire.

Kang Jin-ho instinctively pulled Choi Yeon-ha closer, a protective gesture born of his unwavering resolve. Then, he raised his head and looked up, his eyes narrowed in determination.

The soil pouring down from above was clearly visible, a suffocating mass that threatened to bury them alive. Like a fate that kept dragging him into suffering no matter how much he resisted, the soil was merciless and powerful. It was a relentless force that seemed determined to crush them.

The soil was closing in on him as if it would never let him go, a suffocating embrace that threatened to end their lives.

He could instinctively tell. The moment he got caught in that, he would lose the strength to escape. The weight of the earth would be too much, and they would be trapped.

If he had pushed through the soil alone from the beginning, taking the pressure on his body, he might have been able to escape. But having already used up this much inner energy, it was difficult to push through that weight with his limbs. The burden of protecting Choi Yeon-ha had taken its toll.

But Kang Jin-ho did not waver. His resolve was unbreakable.

From the start, the option of leaving Choi Yeon-ha behind and escaping alone did not exist. This wasn’t a matter of choice. It was simply something he had to do. His loyalty and sense of responsibility were unwavering.

Kang Jin-ho bit his lip, a sign of his determination and the pain he was enduring.

Shaking off the momentary confusion, Kang Jin-ho’s eyes gleamed with a renewed sense of purpose. He would not give up, not now, not ever.

The explanation was long, but all of this happened in an instant. The soil that had been rising, now released from its cohesion, was falling towards Kang Jin-ho with several times the force. It was a crushing weight that threatened to overwhelm him.

‘Don’t resist.’

Kang Jin-ho’s body relaxed, a surprising move in the face of such danger. He was not going to fight the soil head-on.

If he couldn’t overcome it with force, he could solve it in a different way. Kang Jin-ho’s right hand began to weave through the soil like seaweed swaying in the water. It was a delicate dance, a subtle manipulation of the earth.

Softly, and softly, but never slowly. His movements were precise and deliberate.

His right hand pushed the soil aside and lightly deflected it. He wasn’t forcefully breaking it. He was gently pushing the falling soil to the left and right, without resisting its direction. He was working with the flow of the earth, not against it.

Then, the soil that had been falling with the intent to swallow him began to flow gently to his left and right, creating a path through the suffocating earth.

‘This is it!’

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes gleamed with a spark of hope as he kicked off the ground, propelling himself upwards.

Even if he couldn’t use the Sky Piercing Step [an advanced movement technique], he could use the Floating Cloud Step. He also didn’t forget to kick off the falling rocks when the timing was right, propelling himself upwards. He was using every trick in his arsenal to escape the suffocating earth.

Just like this! Just like this! He repeated the movements, his body a blur of motion.

At that moment, when Kang Jin-ho’s eyes were filled with desperation, a moment of truth!

It came like fate, an unexpected twist in their desperate struggle.

At first, he didn’t even recognize it properly. He just felt a huge darkness covering his head. It felt completely different from the soil he had been seeing so far. It was a massive presence that filled his vision.

His body recognized it before his eyes did. His instincts screamed a warning.

Kang Jin-ho’s body froze for a moment at the massive presence covering his head. It was a force of nature, a threat unlike any he had faced so far.

A rock.

That was generally what it was called. It was a huge rock that several people couldn’t fully encircle if it were brought outside. It had been quietly buried in the soil between the tunnel and the surface, and it was now falling as Kang Jin-ho dug through the soil. It was a massive obstacle, a deadly trap.

The rock was falling on Kang Jin-ho’s head with overwhelming weight. It was a force that could crush him instantly.

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes widened in disbelief and horror. He had escaped the soil, only to face an even greater threat.

Could he take it? Could he withstand the impact of such a massive rock?

Impossible! The sheer weight was too much, even for him.

Then could he avoid it? Could he maneuver his body out of the way?

Kang Jin-ho gritted his teeth, his mind racing to find a solution. Thanks to naturally letting the soil flow to the left and right without pushing it away, he was now completely surrounded by soil. He couldn’t take it, and he couldn’t avoid it. He was trapped.

Then?

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes turned bloodshot, a sign of his desperation and the sheer will to survive.

Then he had no choice but to break it! He would not be defeated, not by a rock, not by anything.

The energy, emitting a blood-red light, gathered in Kang Jin-ho’s right hand. He pulled up every last bit of energy left in his body, pushing himself beyond his limits.

He even pulled up his innate energy, causing crimson blood to gush from his mouth like water from a broken faucet. It was a desperate measure, a last-ditch effort to survive.

Gathering all his remaining strength, Kang Jin-ho thrust his right hand towards the rock falling above him. It was a final act of defiance, a desperate gamble against fate.

KUUUUUUNG!

Jo Gyu-min watched the explosion with an anxious face, his heart pounding in his chest.

‘What’s going on!’ He was desperate to know what was happening, to see if Kang Jin-ho had succeeded.

He desperately wanted to see with his own eyes if the exploded area was heaving properly, but all he could see was a huge cloud of dust. The ground had heaved at the same time as the explosion, causing a thick cloud of dust to rise. The visibility was near zero.

“Please!”

An earnest voice escaped him without him realizing it. He was praying for Kang Jin-ho’s safety, his anxiety reaching a fever pitch.

Only he and Bang Jin-hoon were here. Everyone else had been sent outside because they didn’t know what would happen at the same time as the explosion. They were the only ones left to witness the outcome.

‘Is this enough?’

The inside was not clearly visible through the dust. That also meant that the soil had not risen any further than that dust. Jo Gyu-min, who had expected to see the soil shooting up like a fountain at the same time as the explosion, was filled with anxiety at the sight of the underwhelming impact. He had expected a more dramatic result.

It was obvious that such a small tremor wouldn’t be enough to have the desired effect. Then, Kang Jin-ho would have to escape on his own. The thought was terrifying.

Even if it was Kang Jin-ho, could he escape from there with another person? The odds were stacked against them.

Jo Gyu-min watched the situation with a sinking heart, his hope dwindling with each passing second.

‘Why!’

He wasn’t coming out. The silence was deafening, the absence of Kang Jin-ho’s presence a chilling reminder of the danger he was in.

He had thought that if he just gave it a push, Kang Jin-ho would kick off the soil and jump out like Superman, but Kang Jin-ho was nowhere to be seen. His expectations had been shattered.

“Ah…”

The dust was settling, slowly revealing the scene of the explosion. The wind was blowing, and the dust was being swept away by the wind, revealing the truth.

Jo Gyu-min’s pupils began to tremble like the scattering dust, his fear growing with each passing moment.

“Ah, he’s not coming out?” The words were barely a whisper, a testament to his despair.

Jo Gyu-min turned to Bang Jin-hoon, who was standing next to him, with eyes that looked like he could devour a person. His anger and fear were palpable. Bang Jin-hoon was also looking at the soil with a dark expression, his face etched with worry.

But Kang Jin-ho was nowhere to be seen. The reality was sinking in, and it was a bitter pill to swallow.

This was something that had been started with the aim of exploiting a single moment. It was a gamble, and it seemed they had lost.

If they couldn’t penetrate the single moment when the pressure of the soil disappeared and push their way up, the heaving soil would collapse a second time and penetrate the space they were in. It was a race against time, and they had failed.

Then they would be buried alive. The thought was a chilling reminder of the consequences of their actions.

Jo Gyu-min had been aware of all those possibilities, but he had overlooked the danger, thinking, ‘If it’s Kang Jin-ho…’ He had placed his faith in Kang Jin-ho’s abilities, but it seemed even he had his limits.

But….

“You bastard!”

Jo Gyu-min grabbed Bang Jin-hoon by the collar, his anger boiling over. He needed someone to blame, someone to take responsibility for this disaster.

“You said it would work! You said he could get out! Do you know what you’ve done? I’ve buried Kang Jin-ho with my own hands! You son of a bitch!” His voice was filled with rage and despair.

Jo Gyu-min’s roar echoed loudly, a testament to his grief and anger. He was consumed by the thought that he had been responsible for Kang Jin-ho’s demise.

Even though Jo Gyu-min was openly showing hostility, Bang Jin-hoon didn’t say a word. He could have blown Jo Gyu-min away with a single gesture, but he knew how much this man was burning with anger, so he couldn’t bring himself to retaliate. He understood Jo Gyu-min’s pain.

“What are you going to do! What are you going to do about this?” Jo Gyu-min demanded, his voice trembling with emotion.

“No……”

Bang Jin-hoon, who was about to make an excuse, began to see something strange. His eyes widened in surprise.

‘Huh?’

At first, he thought he had seen it wrong. But the movement was the same the second time. He was sure of it now.

“There, there!” He pointed towards the soil, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and disbelief.

Jo Gyu-min turned around in surprise at Bang Jin-hoon’s voice, his anger momentarily forgotten.

“What, what is it?” He was desperate for any sign of hope.

“There, there! Look over there!” Bang Jin-hoon shouted and pointed, his voice filled with urgency.

Jo Gyu-min, wondering what he was talking about, craned his neck and narrowed his eyes, trying to see what Bang Jin-hoon was pointing at.

And at that moment, he saw it too.

“Huh!”

Jo Gyu-min also clearly saw it. The middle of the soil was slightly twitching. The slight heaving of the soil clearly meant something. It was a sign of life, a flicker of hope in the darkness.

“Uwaaaaaaa! Kang Jin-hooooo!” Jo Gyu-min started running at full speed towards the place where the movement was, his heart filled with a renewed sense of hope and determination. He was not going to give up on Kang Jin-ho.