Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 556

Leap (4)

If progress were something that could be clearly seen, no one would slack off in their efforts. The reason why effort is difficult is that the rewards of that effort are not immediately apparent.

Training was the same.

Generally, one might think that when a martial artist trains, the effects would be immediate, but in reality, that was not the case.

The training of a martial artist was similar to climbing a huge staircase taller than oneself.

While struggling to climb one step, one doesn’t realize that they have become stronger. Only after barely managing to climb that step with effort that makes the whole body weary, does one realize that they have climbed to a higher place than before.

Of course, there would be an even higher step waiting ahead.

Lee Myung-hwan had always taken that for granted.

He thought that the wall of martial arts was something that martial artists were destined to face.

But…

‘This is insane.’

From the moment he received the demonic arts from Kang Jin-ho, the world of martial arts he knew began to shatter.

He felt like he understood why demonic arts made people extremely strong.

Demonic arts don’t make humans stronger without effort. They simply tear down the huge staircase that one has to climb while learning martial arts and turn it into a huge slope.

The more you work, the more you climb.

Only a martial artist could understand how incredible this was.

Think about it.

Effort is needed to climb a staircase taller than your height. The problem is that if that effort is not enough and you can’t climb the stairs, you have to go back down.

Then, you have to try again after failing. With conditions that are no better than the first time.

How many martial artists have given up on progress and chosen to settle in front of this terrible wall?

But demonic arts are not like that.

Even if you stop while climbing a slope, you can climb again from that spot as long as you don’t roll down. And the more you work, the more you can climb, even if it’s just a little bit.

The pleasure of becoming stronger in real-time.

That pleasure was more intense than any drug for a martial artist.

It was the moment when the answer came as to why those who learned demonic arts became so rapidly stronger, and how it was different from ordinary martial arts.

Of course, there were side effects, but…

“You son of a bitch?”

“What, you bastard?”

Lee Myung-hwan sighed deeply.

‘Here we go again.’

The side effects of demonic arts weren’t that serious.

Rumors of craving blood, being obsessed with murder, or eating human flesh were all nonsense. If someone had that level of mental illness, they should be caught and killed, whether they were a demon or not.

The side effects of demonic arts that he experienced were a little more trivial than that… but several times more serious.

“You bastard!”

Clang!

It was common for those who made eye contact during training to start punching each other.

‘I’m going crazy, really.’

The side effects of demonic arts were very simple.

What happens to someone who suddenly gets caught in a downpour while walking under the scorching sun of August and gets soaked to the bone?

What if, on top of that, they keep having diarrhea and their stomach is upset, and the humidity is so high that sweat is pouring down their whole body?

Wouldn’t they be so annoyed that they would want to blow up the world if someone just brushed their shoulder?

That’s exactly how these guys were.

If they were craving blood or giving in to their destructive instincts, the solution would be simple and straightforward, but these guys were like patients with nervous hypersensitivity, exploding with irritation at the slightest thing, acting neurotic, and throwing punches.

It was the result of being hypersensitive but having reduced self-control.

Look at them now.

The fight between the guys who had been punching each other a couple of times spread and caused damage to the surroundings, and the angry guys rushed in and turned it into a brawl.

Lee Myung-hwan covered his face.

‘Damn it, if I just catch and kill all those bastards, I’ll be a little more comfortable…’

Lee Myung-hwan was startled and raised his head.

“Whoa, what am I thinking right now?”

Well, it wasn’t anything new.

Lee Myung-hwan was not free from the side effects of demonic arts, and he had already punched a few people and been through a few brawls. Still, if there hadn’t been an unspoken agreement not to use internal energy [qi or chi, the vital energy in traditional Chinese medicine] when fighting among peers, dozens of people would have already died here.

‘Is this really okay?’

Of course, getting stronger was something to be welcomed, but the side effects were not insignificant.

They had made their own decision to control contact with civilians, but if even one of these guys was let loose on the streets, it could lead to a situation where the military, not just the police riot squad, would have to be deployed.

As Lee Myung-hwan was pondering how to solve this situation, a low voice came from behind him.

“That’s a fine thing you’re doing.”

Lee Myung-hwan’s body flinched.

Before his head could think, his body automatically froze. The brawl that had been spreading also stopped.

Just the sound of Kang Jin-ho’s voice instantly cooled the boiling momentum. Fearful gazes were directed behind Lee Myung-hwan.

‘Is this what it feels like?’

Lee Myung-hwan, who was feeling the gaze directly because he was in front of Kang Jin-ho, couldn’t help but be caught in a strange feeling.

So many people.

So many martial artists, who had become stronger than ever before, were simultaneously sending gazes of fear and awe to one person. This gaze was not something that Lee Myung-hwan could dare to handle.

It was a gaze that only absolute beings who were naturally revered by people could enjoy.

“Why don’t you keep going?”

The tangled people were startled and stood up like sheep meeting a wolf. In an instant, they were lined up in formation.

‘It’s like a military unit.’

They looked like soldiers seeing a division commander who had come for a surprise inspection.

No, it was definitely more than that. All a division commander could do was send a soldier to court-martial or to the brig, but Kang Jin-ho could cut their heads off right now.

Besides, what should I say…

‘It’s strangely scarier than before.’ In a slightly different way.

In the past, he understood and feared with his head, but now he felt an instinctive fear.

It seemed that it was because the demonic arts they had learned feared the demonic arts that Kang Jin-ho had learned.

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes!”

Lee Myung-hwan answered and immediately turned around.

“I told you to let them spar moderately, didn’t I? Why are you doing this as a group?”

“I, I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t joking. If you want to control them, you have to let out their energy.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind!”

‘But why me?’

He wasn’t exactly their superior. But why should he control them?

“Make a match schedule and rotate them every cycle. We also need to sort out the rankings.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at everyone and frowned.

“You are improving. But it’s slower than I thought.”

“……”

“Are you dull?”

“I, I will try harder.”

“You should try harder. If you don’t try, you will pay the price. I don’t know what the methods are here, but my methods are not exactly humane.”

“……I will keep that in mind.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at everyone for a moment and then turned his gaze away.

“Um…”

At that moment, a voice leaked out from among the aligned martial artists.

“What is it?”

“Is it okay to ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

The person who had raised their hand in the middle opened their mouth.

“We are worried if we are learning in the right way. Don’t we need a check-up?”

“I already did.”

“……Ah!”

The person who remembered Kang Jin-ho’s gaze as he looked around nodded greatly.

‘Is that all it takes?’

Just by looking at them, he could tell if they were doing something wrong or if they were doing well? No matter how different their understanding of demonic arts was, he wondered if that was really possible.

But he didn’t have the courage to ask again if it was really okay.

“Then, what about the forms…”

“It’s too early.”

Kang Jin-ho said firmly.

“First, make the vessel. When I think you are ready, I will take you myself. But not yet.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Any other questions?”

“……We seem to be getting a bit aggressive, is this normal?”

“It’s a side effect you have to endure. I told you from the beginning, didn’t I?”

“It seems a bit more severe than I thought…”

“Severe?”

Kang Jin-ho just laughed.

If they knew how terrible the things those who learned demonic arts in the past Demonic Cult did, they would never say such a thing.

‘In that sense, humans are amazing.’

It was not that humans were amazing, but that education and culture were amazing.

Even in the past Demonic Cult, they restricted internal energy due to concerns about these side effects. But even among the demons who were restricted from using internal energy, they often killed each other.

They would beat people to death with their fists, or chop off their heads with axes.

Even though severe punishments were given to those who harmed their comrades, such things never stopped.

But what about here?

Even though so many people were learning demonic arts together, not a single person had been injured yet. Their ability to endure the same level of impulse was on a different level.

It was a clear example of how much humans had changed compared to the barbaric era when it was not unusual for people to die on the streets.

‘Thanks to that, they’re a bit soft, though.’ Compared to those who had learned similar levels of demonic arts, they were much less rough and sharp. To the point where it felt a bit bland.

But well, it should be seen as an advantage.

“Work hard.”

Kang Jin-ho said in a low voice.

“The only thing that can develop me is myself. Work hard. If you do that, I will make you strong.”

“Yes!”

A loud answer was heard.

Just as Kang Jin-ho was about to say something, the door opened and someone came in with quick steps and told Kang Jin-ho something.

Kang Jin-ho nodded quietly and opened his mouth.

“Let’s go right away.”

“Yes.”

After the messenger left, Kang Jin-ho turned his head again.

“I don’t think I need to say anything.”

“Yes!”

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes!”

“Write what we talked about in a report and get approval from Lee Hyun-soo.”

“I understand.”

“I’m going.”

As Kang Jin-ho turned and left the training ground, quiet sighs leaked out from here and there.

“I can’t even breathe.”

“No. He definitely seems a bit softer than before, but why is he scarier than before? I almost peed my pants.”

“……I already peed a little?”

“Ugh, damn it. Disgusting!”

Lee Myung-hwan’s face hardened as he watched them whispering among themselves.

‘If a little more time passes like this, no one will even dream of disobeying.’

They were this afraid now, so how could they think differently if this fear grew even more?

What was growing here was not the power of the General Assembly, but Kang Jin-ho’s thoroughly loyal private army.

“Well, I’d rather have that.”

Lee Myung-hwan chuckled and turned his head.

Pondering how to pit these blockheads against each other to make sure they get a proper nosebleed.