Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1229

“Why me?”

Shimizu’s eyes turned red.

Panic washed over him.

Everyone else’s gaze was also fixed on Shimizu.

‘Why!’

He knew.

Someone had to make a choice. Humans were ultimately beings that were swept along. It was impossible for everyone to say the same thing at the same time and share the responsibility. Someone had to take the lead and make a decision.

But why did Shimizu have to be the one to take the lead?

Normally, he would have complained.

He would have sought the support of others and argued against the unfairness.

But he couldn’t do that now.

The devil’s scythe was at his neck. No other answer was allowed. The moment he tried to evade the question, that scythe would surely dig into his neck and separate his head from his body.

His gaze.

Jang Min’s gaze, like a devil’s scythe, was cutting into Shimizu’s neck.

“You’re hesitating…”

Jang Min took a step towards Shimizu.

“I’ll help you with that hesitation.”

The translator’s eyes became frantic.

His voice trembled as he conveyed the words. Shimizu, without realizing it, turned to look at the translator. His eyes were filled with terror.

Then it dawned on him.

The translators here had clearly seen what had happened to the previous Gumi leaders. So, they could probably guess what was going to happen to Shimizu now.

Those frantic eyes were saying it.

Death.

A gruesome death.

At that moment, Shimizu realized what he had to do.

The easiest way to subdue everyone was to set an example. No matter how much they complained and grumbled on a daily basis, they would become quiet the moment they saw an example right in front of them.

One life had already been taken as an example.

The next in line would be Shimizu. And…

Shimizu had no intention of using his own life as a means to help others make their choices.

Shimizu forcefully lowered his trembling head.

His head bowed until it touched the floor.

He didn’t know if this was the right choice. But what was important to him now wasn’t the aftermath of this choice. It was saving his life right now.

“…I pledge my loyalty.”

The words came out of his mouth on their own, his tongue moving as it pleased. Before he could even fully realize what he had said, the words were already out.

And…

With that one word, the dam broke.

Even in the eyes of those who had been unable to completely shake off their subtle resistance, resignation began to bloom. Some closed their eyes, while others stared at the ceiling.

But their gazes eventually converged on one place.

The floor.

They lowered their waists, bowed their heads. And then, they shouted in unison.

“We pledge our loyalty!”

Jang Min quietly looked around at everyone.

Then, he opened his mouth.

“Don’t forget.”

A chilling smile bloomed on Jang Min’s lips.

“Everything you have belongs to the Demon Lord. Even your lives are no longer your own. Those who forget that will be taught by me. I will take everything, down to the last thing you have.”

“Akinori.”

“Yes, Elder!”

“Clean up.”

“Yes!”

Jang Min turned and left the room.

A heavy air settled in the room.

Tap, tap-tap-tap, tap.

The light, rhythmic sound of typing echoed through the office. Slightly thick fingers danced across the keyboard more smoothly and lightly than a woman’s delicate hands.

It wasn’t a strange sight.

The typing was professional-level fast, and the movements for office work were incredibly skilled, but wasn’t this a sight that could be easily seen in most companies?

However, none of those who saw this scene would think that way.

“The security is a bit unstable, should we use our own server? Even so, it’s impossible to secure the communication lines themselves… Hmm.”

The hand that had been tapping on the keyboard moved to the keyboard next to it. The keyboard connected to the phone via Bluetooth began to make a clear sound.

“For now, the only option is to set up the server as quickly as possible.”

Watching the person make quick decisions and write reports, Akinori’s shoulders trembled.

Being good at computers wasn’t something to brag about. It was a common thing in today’s world. Having professional-level dexterity wasn’t a big deal either. There were too many computer experts in the world.

But if the person handling the computer was an old man over 100 years old, things were a little different.

‘What on earth is he?’

Akinori slightly opened his mouth as he looked at the screen Jang Min had pulled up.

It was full of programs that he couldn’t understand at all. Moreover, the base language of most of the programs was English, not Korean or Chinese.

‘No, it’s not that strange, but…’

A Chinese person from the Korean Murim [martial arts world] using a computer in English.

What on earth should he call that?

‘Just a moment ago, he was so brutally pressuring people…’

Now, he was writing reports and setting up systems in a way that didn’t suit his age. It was unpredictable and hard to understand.

“…Elder?”

Jang Min raised his head. There was no way he wouldn’t have noticed Akinori’s unease. He had probably kept typing to show that he didn’t want to stop working, but Akinori also had something to say.

Jang Min got up from his seat and came forward.

Jang Min glanced at the ashtray and opened his mouth.

“Do you smoke?”

“Ah, yes. Do you smoke?”

“No.”

Then why did you ask?

“Smoke.”

Akinori nodded and carefully took out a cigarette.

“I heard that it’s not polite to smoke in front of your superiors in Korea. Is that not true?”

“That’s true. But I’m Chinese.”

“Ah… I see. Then…”

“In the Demonic Cult, those who commit such disrespect usually have their wrists cut off.”

Akinori subtly pulled his hand back.

“But it’s okay. The Demon Lord is merciful and doesn’t say anything even if his subordinates smoke in front of him. I should be digging out the throats of those impudent bastards.”

“Hmm? Ah, don’t worry about it and smoke. You just have to be careful in front of the Demon Lord. I don’t mind.”

“It’s alright.”

“I said smoke.”

“It’s really alright.”

“Suit yourself.”

If he had smoked after being told to, his head would have definitely flown off.

Akinori was so sure of it that he secretly crumpled the cigarette in his pocket. He had to ruin it so he wouldn’t even touch it. That way, he wouldn’t make a mistake.

Jang Min stood by the window, looking outside.

Akinori couldn’t help but admire the sight.

It wasn’t just because they were in the same group, but there was definitely something about Jang Min’s appearance that caught people’s attention. It was like a scene from a movie.

“So, what is it?”

“The people from Gumi have returned. It seems they’ve accepted it for now. They’ve agreed to prepare the tribute by the end of the month.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“That’s good.”

“But there will definitely be those who resist. This isn’t enough… Ah, of course, I don’t mean that you didn’t handle things well, Elder. It’s just…”

“It’s true that it’s not enough.”

Jang Min cut off Akinori’s words.

“It’s true that it’s not enough. And it has to be not enough.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Do you know when people lose hope?”

“I’m not sure.”

“When they face overwhelming power? When they fall into an endless abyss? When they can’t see anything in front of them? No.”

Jang Min said in a cold voice.

“People despair when what they thought was hope turns out not to be hope. When they think they’ve made a decisive rebellion, but that rebellion has no meaning, when they believe that if they just do this one thing, it will be resolved, but nothing changes, when no matter how much they struggle, the situation doesn’t improve… That’s when people learn the meaning of the word despair.”

“Fear can make people follow, but it’s only temporary. What truly drives people to hell is helplessness. I plan to teach them helplessness. I’ll make them struggle using every method they can. In the end, all they’ll feel is the helplessness of not being able to do anything.”

Akinori was impressed by Jang Min’s words, but Jang Min was feeling a bit bitter.

‘That’s what the Demonic Cult was like.’

No matter what they did, they couldn’t resist. No matter what they did, they couldn’t change anything. No matter how much they struggled, nothing changed. That cold reality gnawed at the Demonic Cult and taught everyone helplessness.

If another 30 years had passed like that, the Demonic Cult would have truly been destroyed without even leaving a trace.

People didn’t understand the loyalty he had for Kang Jin-ho.

They doubted and wondered how he could bow his head and offer absolute loyalty to someone younger than him just because the absolute being of the past had returned.

Foolish talk.

The Demon Lord, Kang Jin-ho, was not just a person from the past.

He was the one who showed light to the Demonic Cult that was heading towards destruction and revived the lineage that was about to disappear.

It wasn’t enough to worship him by offering his soul. If someone who had nothing to do with the cult had achieved such a feat, he would have licked their feet and worshiped them, but Kang Jin-ho was none other than the Heavenly Demon Lord himself.

Jang Min couldn’t understand the others even more.

They received excessive grace from the Demon Lord, yet they took that grace for granted. They were no different from beasts.

‘This place will not become like that.’ Jang Min curled up the corners of his lips.

“One month, one month is enough. In a month, humans will disappear from this place. Only dogs that turn their bellies up and wag their tails at the mere mention of the Demon Lord will remain.”

“Akinori.”

“Yes, Elder!”

“Are you a human or a dog?”

Akinori couldn’t answer right away.

At that moment, Jang Min chuckled and answered for him.

“You are a human. Do you know why?”

“I don’t know.”

“You swore to follow the Demon Lord with your own will. So, you have the right to be human. Those who don’t are not worthy of being called humans.”

“Monitor their actions. And if any signs of abnormality are found…”

“I will report it.”

“No. Encourage it.”

“…Yes?”

Jang Min’s smile deepened.

“Make them resist, make them struggle. I will weed them out and weed them out again.”

Akinori silently nodded.

“You may go.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, and…”

“Yes!”

Jang Min said without turning around.

“A task force will be coming soon to take over Shin’nichikai’s businesses, so prepare an office and accommodation for them to carry out their work.”

“I will proceed with that.”

Akinori’s steps as he bowed deeply and turned to leave were not very light.

‘How will posterity evaluate me?’

He knew.

How he would be evaluated.

Either way, he had already come to a point of no return.

Then?

‘I can just eliminate the evaluation itself.’

If the Japanese Murim world completely collapsed and disappeared, and its history was no longer passed down, then his name would no longer be passed down either.

A clear killing intent bloomed in Akinori’s eyes.

‘I’ll show you what thoroughness is.’

Jang Min smiled faintly as he watched Akinori’s back as he walked away, emitting a subtle killing intent.

“What makes humans the most vicious is the sense of betrayal.”

And a human consumed by betrayal becomes a monster. The success or failure of this endeavor will depend on how that monster is used.

Jang Min whistled and looked out the window.

His gaze turned to the distant west.

“All glory to the Demon Lord.” It was a voice filled with unwavering faith.