Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 787

The preparations were quickly completed.

Kang Jin-ho knew exactly what he needed to do. His first action was to transmit a martial art to Bator.

‘Iron Blood Monarch Demon Art?’

‘Yes.’

Bator stared silently at the martial arts manual placed before him.

‘Master.’

‘Speak.’

‘Is this a martial art that you created?’

‘No. It’s one of the demon arts I originally possessed.’

‘Master.’

Bator exhaled sharply.

‘It’s not that I have any complaints. I said I wanted to learn a demon art, not that I would learn a specific one.’

Bator took a slight breath and continued.

‘However, Master, since the situation has changed a bit, I’d like to make a somewhat unreasonable request.’

‘An unreasonable request?’

‘Let me learn that Mara Flame Blood Technique as well.’

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho’s eyes gleamed.

‘Mara Flame Blood Technique?’

‘I know what you’re going to say. Considering your understanding of martial arts, this Iron Blood Monarch Demon Art is probably the most optimized martial art for me. It’s probably the most suitable demon art for me, who is starting late in demon arts.’

‘Well…’

‘But!’

Bator immediately continued, not even listening to Kang Jin-ho.

‘I don’t need something adequate, Master! I want to become strong. Not just adequately strong, but stronger than anyone else. If there’s danger, I’ll overcome it, and if there’s a limit, I’ll break it. So, teach me the Mara Flame Blood Technique.’

Bator’s face was filled with determination.

Certainly, Bator’s desire to become the best, even at the risk of danger, was commendable.

There was one problem though…

‘Why do you want to learn the Mara Flame Blood Technique?’

‘Because it’s a demon art you created.’

‘Ugh…’

Bator firmly conveyed his thoughts.

‘I don’t think that just because it’s a demon art you created, it’s unconditionally better than past demon arts. But I know you, and I trust you. If it’s a demon art you newly created, I think it will have something that past demon arts didn’t have. Let me challenge it.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

Bator’s words made sense.

In fact, Kang Jin-ho thought that the Iron Blood Monarch Demon Art suited Bator more than any other demon art. The reason was simple. The Iron Blood Monarch Demon Art was the only high-level demon art possessed by the Demonic Cult that had the nature of external martial arts [Martial arts focused on physical strength and techniques rather than internal energy].

Bator’s style was more about strengthening his body than internal energy. So, it could be said that it was the most suitable demon art for him.

‘To become stronger, learning this is the most efficient.’

‘What about potential?’

‘Potential, huh…’

Kang Jin-ho sighed softly.

‘This is just my opinion…’

‘I’d like you to tell me without holding back.’

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Bator before opening his mouth.

‘If we’re talking about potential, it would be better to learn the Mara Flame Blood Technique. There’s a limit to external martial arts alone. You have pride in the martial arts you’ve learned, and you probably think you can become stronger that way… but I think it’s difficult.’

Bator acknowledged Kang Jin-ho’s words without a second thought.

This was an undeniable fact.

Hadn’t he seen it, the fight between Kang Jin-ho and the Red King?

In that terrifying battle, Bator could only be a spectator.

To try harder?

No.

That wasn’t a problem that could be solved by effort. No matter how hard a cat tries, it can’t become a lion. Something fundamental had to change.

‘Then shouldn’t I learn the Mara Flame Blood Technique even more! Since external martial arts alone won’t work.’

‘Theoretically, yes.’

‘Does that mean it’s different in reality?’

‘You’ve been practicing external martial arts for over 50 years.’

‘Every single hand movement, every breath, everything is optimized for external martial arts. It’s almost impossible to change it all from now on.’

‘Master.’

Bator glared at Kang Jin-ho with burning eyes.

‘Tell me exactly. Is it impossible, or is it almost impossible?’

‘Almost.’

‘But there’s still a possibility, isn’t there?’

Bator didn’t back down at all.

‘Even your current martial arts could collapse.’

This wasn’t meant to scare him.

MArtial arts are ultimately about harmony. The reason why there’s no problem even if you learn multiple martial arts is because they harmonize with each other or don’t interfere with each other. But demon arts devour everything.

Even the martial arts Bator currently possessed could disappear. And it would be impossible to regain his current martial prowess after that. It would take decades just to restore his devastated dantian [A key energy center in the body according to traditional Chinese medicine].

‘I don’t care.’

‘Bator…’

‘Master!’

Bator bit his lip tightly. His lip cracked and blood trickled down. But Bator didn’t seem to even realize that his lip was torn.

‘Master, I don’t want to be a mere extra.’

‘Bator.’

‘It’s not because I have great loyalty to you that I follow you. It’s not because I have calculations like Wiggins. I just lost to you, and I had no choice but to follow you.’

‘I thought I had to break away from you someday. Every time that damned demon art erased my mind.’

Bator’s voice was filled with passion.

‘But not anymore. Even if there were no restrictions, I wouldn’t leave you. Loyalty? I don’t know about that. The reason I accept you as my master is because you are the only one who can make me strong. Master, I want to become strong. I don’t want to feel that powerlessness again. If I can become strong, if I can be like that… I can give up everything I have now.’

Unlike the passionate Bator, Kang Jin-ho’s eyes were lowered.

‘What if you fall into the abyss? What if you have to lose even your current martial arts?’

‘I don’t care.’

‘It’s not something to say lightly.’

‘I said I don’t care.’

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

Kang Jin-ho knew very well how much despair a martial artist suffers when they lose their martial arts.

They feel an extreme sense of loss, more than a normal person losing their limbs.

To the point where no one who has gone through it has been able to lead a normal life.

And yet, he was willing to take such a risk?

‘The possibility is very small. And the probability of becoming a cripple is very high.’

‘That would be an interesting challenge.’

‘I’m not joking, Bator.’

‘Do I look like I’m joking right now, Master?’

Kang Jin-ho and Bator’s gazes intertwined in the air.

‘…What’s the reason you’re going this far?’

‘Reason?’

‘Yes. It’s different for me. You have nothing to protect, and no reason to risk your life. But why are you going this far?’

At that moment, Bator’s body began to tremble more and more.

His blood vessels burst, and his eyes turned bright red.

Kang Jin-ho could tell that this phenomenon was Bator fighting against the demon art that had suppressed him.

As Bator’s massive body trembled violently, the building shook as if there was an earthquake.

‘Don’t… you… dare… patronize me!’

With difficulty.

Bator opened his mouth with great difficulty.

‘I… I am not a loser. I will become stronger… stronger than Master! Stronger than anyone else!’

He didn’t give up his will, even while resisting the pain that was tightening his whole body.

What could he say in the face of this unwavering will?

Kang Jin-ho could only nod.

‘Alright, stop it.’

Bator slowly calmed down. Kang Jin-ho waited for Bator to completely calm down before opening his mouth.

‘I can’t take responsibility.’

‘Master, don’t be so modest. I’m not a child. All choices are my will, and all responsibility is also mine.’

‘…That’s right.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded quietly and reached into his pocket to take out another martial arts manual.

The Mara Flame Blood Technique.

The manual of the Mara Flame Blood Technique, which he had almost created anew, was there. Without a word, Bator grabbed the manual of the Mara Flame Blood Technique that Kang Jin-ho had handed him.

‘Don’t start alone.’

‘Huh?’

‘It’s good to read it first and understand it. But don’t start alone. I’ll help you with the beginning.’

‘There’s no need for that.’

‘Don’t overestimate yourself. No matter how strong you are, you’re a beginner when it comes to demon arts. The moment you overestimate your own martial prowess and aren’t careful, you’ll lose everything.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

A firm resolution settled in Bator’s eyes.

Watching that scene, Kang Jin-ho was feeling a strange sensation.

‘Is this passion?’

Or enthusiasm?

He didn’t know what words to use to express it. But one thing was certain.

The desire to become stronger also existed in Kang Jin-ho. No, even the current Kang Jin-ho has the desire to become stronger. But Kang Jin-ho’s enthusiasm was out of necessity. It was different from Bator’s desire.

Bator’s enthusiasm came from the pure purpose of just wanting to become stronger. That enthusiasm was shaking Kang Jin-ho now.

‘I need to make one choice before that.’

‘Huh?’

Kang Jin-ho’s hand grabbed Bator’s head.

Bator flinched, but didn’t resist any further. After all, his life was already mortgaged to Kang Jin-ho.

Wooong.

With a sound like a swarm of bees buzzing, demonic energy gathered in Kang Jin-ho’s hand. The demonic energy gathered at his fingertips pierced into Bator’s head. Bator bit his lip tightly at the sudden pain.

Woo-woo-woo-woong!

The demonic energy shook Bator’s head once and then receded like a tide. It felt like the hazy fog in his head had cleared, and his mind became clear.

‘You are now free.’

‘Free?’

‘I’ve removed the things that were restricting you. Now you don’t have to listen to my orders anymore.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

‘It’s a bit different from the initial plan, but you’ve done more than I expected. So, let’s consider your debt paid. So, choose. Whether you’ll stay in the General Assembly or return to the grasslands. It would be good if you went to the Red King.’

‘You’ve lifted the restriction?’

‘Yes, completely.’

Bator’s eyes trembled.

He thought he had to break away someday. But he didn’t think Kang Jin-ho would let him go. Even if he were in Kang Jin-ho’s position, he wouldn’t try to let go of a force like himself.

‘Why?’

‘Because your debt is paid.’

‘Master.’

Bator shook his head.

‘I feel it every now and then, but you’re really stupid, Master. I don’t know what you’re thinking.’

‘You start cursing as soon as I lift the restriction.’

It was natural, if anything.

‘You must be confused, so you don’t have to decide right now. So, once you’ve decided, do as you wish…’

‘Forget it.’

Bator waved his massive hand.

‘You’re saying that once I understand all of this, I can go find you, right?’

‘…For now, yes.’

‘I’ll analyze it by tomorrow, so keep your time open. It won’t take long.’

‘Huh?’

Bator said firmly.

‘I’ve already said it. You’re the only one who can make me strong. You can never escape from me. Until I beat you, you can’t die, and you can’t get weaker.’

‘I wanted to monitor you thoroughly anyway, but there were limits because of the restriction. Good. Now I can do as I please.’

Is the direction a bit strange?

Did I lift it for nothing?

Watching Bator smile slyly, not befitting his size, Kang Jin-ho felt a strange sense of unease.