Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 904

“They say I can return to Japan?”

It was a dreamlike notion.

Nobuo had completely dismissed that possibility. Logically, it was absolutely impossible. In Japan, he was a traitor, someone they would want to eliminate at all costs.

Without the Assembly’s protection, surviving in Korea wouldn’t be easy either.

It wouldn’t be surprising if assassins came for him every day from Japan. If he were in Japan’s position, he would do even more, not less.

“Can I really live in Japan?” Nobuo asked, his voice trembling, and Lee Hyun-soo nodded.

“It’s a matter of how you live,” Lee Hyun-soo said, pausing for a moment as if in thought before clarifying the situation.

“First, a new identity is essential. And we’ll need to change your face so you can’t be recognized. If we go through these steps, it won’t be difficult for you to live with your family.”

“The only family I have is my mother.”

“Then it’ll be even easier.”

“But, I don’t think those guys will let my mother go easily.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. She’s already on her way.”

“……Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged.

“It’s my job to prepare for any eventuality. Just in case, the moment we identified you, we sent someone to Japan. I thought we needed to secure your mother’s safety on our side. I apologize if that was presumptuous.”

“Ah, no. Presumptuous? I should be the one thanking you.”

“However, there might be some trouble in securing your mother. If they say they’re there because her son sent them and that she has to go to Korea with them, they might think it’s a kidnapping.”

“That’s true.”

Nobuo nodded unconsciously. Usually, that’s a common line used in voice phishing or child abduction. Any normal person would naturally be suspicious.

“I’ve ordered them to try to call me if the situation allows, so you might be able to talk to her first. That might smooth things over, but I can’t guarantee it.”

“That, that’s fine. But, I wonder if those guys will just let my mother go…”

“They won’t be able to pay attention. They probably haven’t even grasped the situation yet.”

Thinking about it, he was right.

How could they report that the ship sank in Korean waters and everything failed? Japan was probably waiting anxiously for news that the passenger ship had arrived at the coast.

But they wouldn’t be getting any news.

“So, you don’t have to worry. You can do whatever you want. Of course, if you live in Japan, you’ll have to give up your life as a warrior, but I guarantee you’ll be able to live a life that’s worth enjoying, even if you have to accept that.”

Nobuo swallowed hard.

It was an unexpected offer, and an unexpected price.

Of course, he thought there might be some reward for being rescued by them, but he never imagined they would give him such complete support.

More than anything, the fact that they had secured his mother’s safety in preparation for any eventuality felt incredible.

‘So this is what they’re like.’

He could see why Japan had been so thoroughly defeated. It wasn’t just the martial prowess of the Kang Jin-ho group, but their quick response to every situation.

And perhaps, at the center of that response was this man.

‘That explains it.’

He had thought it was strange that he was talking so loudly to those terrifying people, but with this level of ability, he must have gained their trust and secured his position despite his weak martial power.

“So, what kind of compensation do you want?”

“……Can I think about it for a bit?”

“Of course. You can take your time to answer. In the meantime, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable with your treatment and stay in Korea. We’ll also assign you a guide, so if you have any problems, please contact them.”

“Ah, yes.”

“We’ll send someone later to guide you on things like getting a cell phone and other matters for your stay.”

“Thank you.”

Thinking the conversation was over, Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho. Then, Kang Jin-ho, who had been quietly watching the two of them, spoke.

“I’m not the type to repay favors thoroughly…”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his eye with his finger, looking slightly awkward.

“I think it’s right to repay what you’ve received. Especially in this case, since we received something so big. However…”

Kang Jin-ho was about to say something but shook his head.

“No. It’s not the right thing to say in this situation. Rest.”

“……Yes.”

Lee Hyun-soo gestured, and the Mayeom [a member of the Assembly] approached and led Nobuo away. They would guide Nobuo to a cabin below the speedboat.

Wiggins, who had been watching Nobuo disappear down the stairs, quietly spoke.

“What were you going to say?”

Kang Jin-ho hesitated for a moment and then sighed.

“I was going to say that it would be better for your life not to do such a foolish thing again, but somehow it felt like something I shouldn’t say.”

“You did well. That’s something you shouldn’t say. Even if it’s the truth.”

Wiggins also smiled wryly.

Things had turned out well, so he could receive compensation for it. If Nakata Yuji had been a little more ruthless, Nobuo would be dead and drifting at the bottom of the sea right now.

It wasn’t something a member of the Assembly who had benefited from his heroic actions should say, but from Nobuo’s personal point of view, this was a reckless act.

“I have a hard time understanding sacrifice.”

“Everyone probably does.”

“Then what’s left for the person?”

“……A sense of purpose, I guess.”

“Is it worth wasting your life for something so trivial?”

“Well, isn’t that what the Lord [referring to Kang Jin-ho] is already doing?”

“Hmm?”

Wiggins shrugged.

“The Lord is already spending his money and passion for his family, friends, and acquaintances.”

“That’s different from this.”

“I don’t think it’s that different. It’s just a matter of where you draw the line. For some, the money they spend on acquaintances might be more precious than their lives. But some people don’t think twice about giving their lives for the people they love. I think it’s just a matter of degree.”

Kang Jin-ho closed his mouth.

He wanted to deny it, but it made sense.

“More than anything…”

Wiggins scratched his head slightly.

“It’s a bit strange for me, a Westerner, to say this to the Lord, who is an Easterner. In a conventional sense, this is something an Easterner should say to a Westerner. Anyway, humans are not that rational. And they are impulsive beings. It’s impossible to make choices by considering rationality in every situation.”

“Hmm.”

“In the end, I think it’s a matter of what kind of philosophy you live by in order to make the right choices.”

“That makes sense. But I still don’t understand.”

Wiggins smiled.

“Is it self-hatred?”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t seem to know it himself, but from Wiggins’s point of view, Kang Jin-ho was no different. Kang Jin-ho was the kind of person who didn’t mind taking damage for the sake of others.

“But there’s no need to point that out.”

Pointing out these things is like stepping on a landmine. It should be avoided if possible. Kang Jin-ho was also human.

“Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes!”

“What about Director Bang?”

“He’s on his way to the Assembly’s ship. He said he’s checking if there are any casualties. He seems worried since it’s the group led by Cheon Tae-hoon.”

“I see. What about the damage?”

“There’s almost none.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

Considering their power and the situation, it was a miracle that there were no casualties. It wasn’t just that they were able to fight on the sea that resulted in no casualties, but that they had anticipated all those situations and still had minimal damage.

It was a victory that was more than a complete victory.

“I see.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded quietly.

“Yes. We’ll do a more thorough investigation when we return, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. It was an accurate judgment. Thanks to you, we achieved a great victory.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled and was about to end the conversation when Lee Hyun-soo asked again.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head and looked at Lee Hyun-soo.

“What are you going to do with them?”

“Them?”

“The ones we left in the sea. Even if they have life jackets, they won’t last long if they’re left there. They’ll all die.”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his head.

“I forgot.”

“Yes?”

“……No, it’s nothing. Contact them.”

“Contact them, you mean?”

“Contact Japan and tell them to take them.”

“All of them?”

An unexpected answer came out. Lee Hyun-soo thought Kang Jin-ho would just give them a few lifeboats and be done with it. It had been a while, but considering they were warriors, they would be able to hold out until a rescue ship arrived.

Then, more of them than Lee Hyun-soo had expected would return alive.

“That’s better for us.”

“……I don’t quite understand?”

At that, Wiggins answered instead.

“Your vision has narrowed.”

“Master?”

“Sacrifice unites the enemy, but fear paralyzes them. What would happen if they returned to Japan and spread rumors about the Lord’s power and the Assembly’s strength?”

“Ah…”

Only then did Lee Hyun-soo understand Kang Jin-ho’s intention.

If they returned alive, rumors about Kang Jin-ho would spread in Japan. And they would become the biggest obstacle to the next expedition.

They would never try to participate, and they would instill fear in the people around them.

“That’s definitely more beneficial.”

But it was a bit unexpected.

Kang Jin-ho was not the kind of person who usually thought about such things. Kang Jin-ho’s style was to kill all the enemies and break their spirit.

The current response felt a little different from his usual self.

‘Is he more rational?’

Whether he had become softer or was looking further ahead… he couldn’t make a judgment right now. But what was certain was that Kang Jin-ho was changing little by little.

“Yes. Then I’ll handle it that way.”

When Kang Jin-ho didn’t answer, Lee Hyun-soo quietly turned around. Then, Bator and Wiggins also left the bow of the ship, following Lee Hyun-soo.

“Hmm?”

As Lee Hyun-soo was about to say something, Wiggins gestured with his finger to his lips.

“It’s better to leave him alone for a while.”

“……Yes.”

He didn’t know the intention, but if Wiggins said so, then that was it. Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho and completely left the bow of the ship.

As the people around him disappeared, Kang Jin-ho stared at the sea with a slightly dazed look.

What his gaze was chasing was not the battle.

When he split the ship with one blow.

Others might not have seen it, but he had clearly seen it. The figure of a person without arms and legs. A corpse that had already died and turned cold was swept away by the waves.

‘Kim Seok-il.’

He clearly remembered that name.

Perhaps he was the one who made the hole in the ship.

Fighting, protecting, and living, he built relationships. And in that process, he was clearly accumulating grudges and bad blood as well.

Thinking about all those unavoidable things, Kang Jin-ho quietly closed his eyes.

‘That’s what living is.’

Everyone does it that way.

That’s how everyone lives.