Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1611

“The battery project is showing some decent results.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Wiggins with a somewhat displeased expression. Anyone listening would think the Assembly was running a battery business.

‘Well, I guess it’s not that different?’

Wiggins’ plan was simple.

No matter how hard he tried, it was nearly impossible to produce mages who could be of immediate use in a short period.

This was related to the nature of magic itself. Both martial artists and mages required a significant amount of time to reach a certain level.

However, there was a crucial difference between them. A martial artist in training could become a useful asset with just a weapon, while a mage in training was practically useless.

In other words, mages were a typical late-blooming type.

To solve this, Wiggins focused on one thing.

Those who started learning magic didn’t have much trouble gathering mana. Especially those who were already used to gathering qi [life force] through martial arts training. They could easily increase their mana capacity.

The problem was that they needed a level of magical knowledge equivalent to going from elementary school to a Ph.D. to use that mana.

“So, I’m bypassing that and using them as high-capacity mana batteries, and I’ll do the casting.”

“Okay, I understand that… but to be precise, I don’t know the exact principle, but I can roughly understand how it works.”

“So, what do you mean by ‘decent results’?”

“The execution was successful, but the efficiency is not good yet. Basically, each mage has their own unique wavelength, so we succeeded in combining them without causing interference. However, the transfer of magical power isn’t smooth. So, there’s a loss…”

“Stop.”

I don’t understand a thing.

“Anyway, you succeeded, right?”

“Yes. Now, all that’s left is to improve the efficiency.”

Lee Hyun-soo, who had been listening, spoke up.

“Then, will we be able to use large-scale magic like we did against the Japanese last time?”

“It’ll be more than that.”

“What’s the difference?”

“It’s simple. Before, to use that kind of magic, we had to prepare a magic circle and go through a synchronization process. But now, I can quickly transfer the mana to me, so we don’t need that process.”

Wiggins grinned.

“In other words, until now, we needed to lure the enemy to a place where we could use large-scale magic. And we had to prepare in advance. But now, we can use large-scale magic while moving. I’m probably the only mage in the world who can do this.”

Wiggins tried to puff out his chest, but Kang Jin-ho tilted his head.

“What about the Elder Knights?”

“…That’s cheating.”

At the mention of the Elder Knights, the strength in Wiggins’ shoulders vanished.

“You can’t win against them?”

“Hmm, if I use the mana batteries and swordsmanship at the same time, I think I could handle one of the Elder Knights. But if you ask if I’ve reached a higher level than them… hmm…” Wiggins fell into thought.

“Before that, please stop calling people mana batteries. Isn’t that a matter of ethics?”

“It’s not uncommon for the purpose to replace the name.”

No, I mean, don’t limit people’s purpose like that!

Batteries have human rights too, human rights!

“Anyway.”

Wiggins said firmly.

“Now that this system is complete, we can definitely gain an advantage in large-scale battles. The power of each individual attack may be weaker, but in large-scale attacks based on massive mana, I’ll be better than the Elder Knights.”

Kang Jin-ho looked quite serious.

‘It was intense.’

The magic of the Elder Knights was so powerful that even Kang Jin-ho was surprised. If that kind of power could be spread over a wide area, it could literally sweep the battlefield.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Yes, Lord.”

It feels like everything is being prepared step by step.

Bator was taking his disciples to the US military training grounds and diligently training them. Most people would be intimidated, but Bator’s disciples, including Gong Young-gil, were so laid-back that they were acting as instructors for the US military while pushing their training.

Bang Jin-hoon had begun the transmission of the completed Harmony Art, and Jang Min was training the Demonic Flames while also conducting intense practical training for the Demonic Cult.

‘What’s left now?’

The Assembly is doing everything it can.

“By the way, what about the Japanese training?”

“The Demonic Cult has started teaching them practical demonic arts.”

“Hmm.”

It was already decided, but it still bothered him a little. Since the Harmony Art was completed, he had the desire to teach the same martial arts as the Assembly.

But…

‘It’s better to use demonic arts for immediate use.’

Kang Jin-ho didn’t need to think about the future of the Japanese martial arts world. That was just unnecessary meddling.

Kang Jin-ho turned to Lee Hyun-soo.

“Are there any other problems?”

“It seems the Japanese have found out that we’re expanding our business into Japan. They’re putting all sorts of pressure through diplomatic channels.”

“Really? Where did the information leak from?”

“…We never hid it in the first place?”

Kang Jin-ho and Lee Hyun-soo stared at each other blankly.

“Is that okay?”

“How can we hide the fact that we’re creating a business?”

That’s true.

“When you’re doing something on this scale, it’s impossible not to find out. The problem is that they know it, but there’s no way to stop it. How can they stop a company from expanding?”

“Then why are they putting pressure on us?”

“They’re trying to buy time to prepare a response. Well, the government doesn’t seem to care. They don’t have a good relationship, so they don’t need to consider it.”

In fact, the government wasn’t just ignoring them; they were practically opening the way for MK to go to Japan and suck them dry. They were even paving the road.

The important thing was that this was being done by MK, not the Assembly. There was no reason to stop them from earning foreign currency in a legal way.

If they started making noise about the relationship with Japan and the Assembly got involved instead of MK, they would end up looking like a dog chasing a chicken [a futile effort].

“So, we can proceed as planned?”

“We expected this level of response. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded. If Lee Hyun-soo said it so definitively, he had no choice but to believe him.

“Then, are there any other problems?”

“Actually, there is one problem.”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho turned back, looking puzzled. Lee Hyun-soo narrowed his eyes slightly.

“The amount of information we’re getting from the Chinese government is decreasing. They haven’t completely cut off the information, but it’s less than a tenth of what we were getting before.”

“Really?”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his cheek.

“What about Blood Demon?”

“That bastard, no, that guy…” Lee Hyun-soo sighed deeply.

Kang Jin-ho had sent Blood Demon to China to gather information. Blood Demon had volunteered to be Kang Jin-ho’s bodyguard, but Kang Jin-ho had said, ‘Why do I need a bodyguard? If something happens, I’ll be the one protecting you, not the other way around,’ and Blood Demon had given up.

“It’s not that we’re not getting any information… it’s just that he sends it so randomly…”

“Is it useful?”

“If I mention the Assembly Head’s name, he reluctantly does it… Ha, I should have focused more on martial arts… There are times when I want to beat him to a pulp.”

Don’t even try.

You can’t beat him even if you’re reborn. People have their own talents. Would a chick beat a tiger just by training?

“Anyway, this is not a good sign.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho turned to Wiggins.

“What do you think?”

Wiggins, who seemed to be pondering, opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it possible that the situation in China has become urgent, making it difficult for them to gather information?”

“If it’s urgent, shouldn’t the amount of information increase?”

“That’s true if an actual war breaks out. But before a war, everyone tightens internal security and blocks the outflow of information.”

“Hmm, that could be it.”

Lee Hyun-soo tilted his head and said,

“Isn’t it possible that the Three Kings are dealing with the government forces first before the war? I think that’s a high possibility.”

“That’s unlikely. If that were the case, they would have no reason not to ask us for help. If they had the mindset of solving Chinese problems among themselves, they wouldn’t have even formed a superficial alliance with us.”

“That’s true.”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded.

“To summarize…”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho narrowed his eyes slightly.

“The Three Kings are tightening internal security to the point where it’s difficult to get information from them, and even if they have information, it’s difficult to send it to us?”

“Yes. Another possibility is that they might be looking for the right time to cut ties with us and join them. Either way, it’s not good news for us.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Anyway, it means the time is coming.”

“Yes. I think so.”

That’s when it happened.

“No, that’s not all.”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head. A man in black clothes appeared like a phantom from the shadows in the corner of the room.

“You, you, you bastard!”

Lee Hyun-soo gritted his teeth as he looked at the man.

Blood Demon.

He had revealed himself.

“This bastard, you disappear without a word and then come to Korea as you please? Do you really want to die?”

“It seems you’ve lost a lot of your courage while I was gone. I could fill you up in five minutes.”

Blood Demon licked his lips and threatened Lee Hyun-soo. Kang Jin-ho sighed.

“Blood Demon.”

“Yes.”

“If you treat Lee Hyun-soo like that one more time, I’ll rip your head off.”

Blood Demon prostrated himself on the spot.

“Please forgive me, Demon Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

“Okay. What’s the matter?”

“I came in person to report. I thought it would be difficult to convey it over the phone.”

“Tell me.”

“The Hong King faction and the Chang King faction have started fighting.”

Kang Jin-ho’s face hardened instantly. Lee Hyun-soo, who had been looking at Blood Demon with a displeased expression, also stiffened.

“What?”

“They’ve literally started fighting. It’s still just a local conflict, but the situation is clearly different from before.”

“It’s not just going to end there?”

Blood Demon shook his head.

“There’s a rumor that the Chang King has moved. The Chang King faction, which had been avoiding escalation, is now attacking more aggressively.”

“…”Chang King.”

“The Chang King is a cunning snake. Even that small change must have an intention. It’s a small battle now, but it will soon become a full-scale war.”

Wiggins and Lee Hyun-soo simultaneously turned to look at Kang Jin-ho.

Then, Kang Jin-ho nodded calmly.

“Summon all the directors.”

“Yes!”

Kang Jin-ho watched Lee Hyun-soo rush out and took out a cigarette.