Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1160

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Bang Jin-hoon lit the third cigarette he’d taken out, placing it between his lips.

‘What a mood.’

He had held it together well all day, but he couldn’t resist the urge for a cigarette any longer. He knew that smoking wouldn’t relieve his stress, but it seemed that habits were hard to break.

Over a hundred people had visited today, including Seong Ju-chan, who had just left. There were probably some who hadn’t made up their minds yet, so he would need to take another round of applications tomorrow.

Then, even more people might leave the General Assembly than today.

Bang Jin-hoon let out a deep sigh.

Wasn’t he disappointed?

Of course, he was.

They might have their own teachers, but Bang Jin-hoon had genuinely considered them his disciples. It was disheartening to see those he had personally taught give up on his teachings and leave for the outside world.

But this was something that had to be done.

Bang Jin-hoon stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood up. Then, he opened the door and stepped outside.

Thud, thud.

Bang Jin-hoon’s footsteps echoed loudly in the slightly dim hallway. It was something he would normally not pay attention to, but today, the sound of his footsteps felt exceptionally lonely.

He walked up the stairs to the front of the Assembly Leader’s office, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

‘Assembly Leader, it’s Bang Jin-hoon.’

‘Come in.’

Bang Jin-hoon opened the door and went inside.

After quietly closing the door, Bang Jin-hoon bowed slightly and spoke.

‘The first round of withdrawal applications is complete.’

Kang Jin-ho, who had been looking out the window, stood up and walked forward. Kang Jin-ho, sitting on the sofa, extended his hand and pointed to a spot.

‘Sit down.’

‘Yes.’

Bang Jin-hoon sat on the sofa without a word.

Kang Jin-ho opened the lid of the ashtray and put a cigarette in his mouth.

‘Want one?’

‘It’s alright. I’ve had plenty.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded silently and lit his own cigarette.

‘How many?’

‘Quite a few.’

‘I see…’

There was a hint of bitterness in Kang Jin-ho’s voice. It was expected, but it was still not a pleasant thing to hear.

‘What about the training?’

‘We’re preparing separately. Normally, we would provide individual training to those leaving the Assembly immediately, but this time, there are too many, so individual training is not possible. As soon as the war is over, we plan to summon them separately for a comprehensive training session.’

‘Hmm, you can handle that, Director Bang.’

‘Yes, Assembly Leader.’

Bang Jin-hoon hesitated slightly before speaking.

‘And there’s one thing I need your permission for, Assembly Leader.’

‘Permission?’

‘Yes, Assembly Leader. I’d like to provide some support to those who are leaving the Assembly this time.’

‘Support…?’

‘Yes.’

Kang Jin-ho frowned slightly.

‘Support, huh…’

The leather of the sofa creaked as it was pressed against his back.

‘Those who remain are going to fight, risking their lives.’

‘Wouldn’t you say that not going to the battlefield is support enough? Normally… normally, even if you could quit, it’s impossible to quit in this situation. Isn’t that right?’

‘You are correct, Assembly Leader.’

‘But you’re not only letting them quit, but also providing support?’

Bang Jin-hoon lowered his head slightly.

However, Kang Jin-ho didn’t look particularly angry. He trusted Bang Jin-hoon. If Bang Jin-hoon was saying this, there must be a reason.

‘Tell me.’

‘Why do you think we should provide them with support?’

‘It’s the same context as what I mentioned before, Assembly Leader.’

‘Before?’

‘I mentioned before that the way we operate the Assembly needs to change a little.’

‘You did.’

‘Until now, the Assembly has been primarily operated by those who are proactive. You had to pass the test to receive the Assembly Leader’s martial arts teachings, and you had to meet the standards to become a disciple of Bator [a high-ranking martial artist]. Of course, that’s not to say it was wrong. It was right in the beginning. But for the Assembly to continue to develop over the long term, we need to turn our attention to ordinary people as well.’

Kang Jin-ho silently stared at Bang Jin-hoon. Bang Jin-hoon continued, his eyes unwavering.

‘Of course, it’s true that the Assembly has done a lot for them. But isn’t it also true that the Assembly has received a lot from them? The projects and various tasks that the Assembly is currently undertaking were only possible because of the members.’

‘That’s true.’

‘If they have done something for the Assembly, shouldn’t the Assembly also do something for them?’

His words stopped there.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t respond, and Bang Jin-hoon silently observed Kang Jin-ho’s reaction.

After a moment of silence, Bang Jin-hoon spoke again.

‘Assembly Leader.’

‘Speak.’

‘They’ve spent their entire lives learning martial arts. What can they do when they go out into the world without any preparation?’

Bang Jin-hoon had seen many cases.

It wasn’t uncommon for those who left the Assembly to fail to adapt to society, fall into crime, or use their martial arts and get caught by the Assembly.

But it wasn’t entirely their fault.

They were people who had only learned martial arts their entire lives. Most of them hadn’t even completed basic education.

Sending such people into society?

They were too vulnerable to survive in the jungle that was society. Just because their bodies were strong didn’t mean they were strong as people.

In the eyes of society, they were nothing more than strong, stupid people.

Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled cigarette smoke.

‘So, you’re saying we should provide support so they can adapt to society?’

‘Yes.’

‘I don’t quite understand.’

Kang Jin-ho stared at Bang Jin-hoon. Looking into his indifferent eyes made him tense up.

‘What benefit is there for us in supporting those who leave the Assembly?’

‘…Assembly Leader.’

‘It’s not that what you’re saying is wrong. But we’re in the position of running the Assembly. There are times when we have to put aside our personal preferences.’

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t a person who was stingy with supporting people either.

But that was Kang Jin-ho’s personal matter.

Providing support with the Assembly’s money was a separate issue. The Assembly’s money wasn’t Kang Jin-ho’s money. It was money that countless people had earned through hard work. Even if the process wasn’t entirely legal, it wasn’t money that could be used carelessly.

‘There is a benefit, Assembly Leader.’

Bang Jin-hoon said firmly.

‘It’s not just because I’m worried about the kids leaving. Supporting them is absolutely necessary for the sake of those who remain.’

‘Why?’

‘Do you know that many young people in the outside world are obsessed with civil service exams these days?’

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

It was something you couldn’t not know if you had eyes and ears.

‘Why do you think that is?’

‘Because it’s hard to get a job.’

‘Yes, that’s right. But that’s not all. The reason why people entering society are obsessed with civil service is because they have no backup.’

‘Hmm?’

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head. He didn’t immediately understand what he meant.

‘Even if you get a job at a large company, it’s not the end. You have to compete endlessly again. And what happens if you fail?’

Bang Jin-hoon shook his head.

‘The problem is that when you’re doing your best at what you’re doing and you hit a wall, there’s no backup. The society of Korea doesn’t look back at those who have fallen off the rails. From that point on, you have to solve everything on your own. It’s not easy to get re-employed either.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

That was true.

Success once wasn’t the end. The problem was that if you couldn’t continuously demonstrate the ability to overwhelm others, you would eventually fail.

Those who failed were thrown back into society again. The fear of that was so great that those who hadn’t experienced it couldn’t understand.

‘The reason why the kids can’t easily quit the Assembly is also because of that. They’ve spent their entire lives just punching. What would they do if they quit the Assembly? The smarter ones might be able to work in an office, but it’s not easy for these guys. If they have no way to make a living, they’ll commit crimes, and then there will be problems.’

Bang Jin-hoon rubbed his neck as if he was thirsty and continued.

‘If they see those who quit the Assembly committing crimes or living hard lives, everyone will desperately try to stay in the Assembly. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. If they don’t have the talent, it’s also a way to look for other paths early on. The Assembly doesn’t allow that, so those without motivation remain, and they even diminish the motivation of others.’

‘So, you’re saying we should create a virtuous cycle.’

‘Yes.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

Whether Bang Jin-hoon hadn’t thought of it, or he hadn’t said it, there were definitely advantages.

The biggest expense in the Assembly right now was labor costs. The salaries that those in the Assembly received were surprisingly high. The problem was that even the surplus forces who didn’t particularly intend to get stronger were receiving the same salary.

If they couldn’t get rid of all of them, they had to create a way for them to choose other paths on their own. That way, they could reduce wasted money.

‘I want to ask you one thing.’

‘Yes, Assembly Leader.’

‘So, is it okay?’

Bang Jin-hoon, understanding what Kang Jin-ho was asking, let out a low sigh.

‘They’re all like my children. I can’t feel good about it.’

‘I guess not.’

‘But I think it’s a necessary process. I’m their master, but I’m also a director of the Assembly. Stagnant water is bound to rot. If the Assembly is to develop further, we need to leave only the more motivated ones.’

A brief silence fell.

As if he had said everything he needed to say, Bang Jin-hoon closed his eyes and waited for Kang Jin-ho’s answer.

And there was only one thing Kang Jin-ho could say.

‘Alright. We’ll talk about the support again when the results become clear.’

‘Yes, Assembly Leader. Then…’

Bang Jin-hoon stood up and bowed deeply. Kang Jin-ho gestured, and Bang Jin-hoon opened the door and went outside.

Kang Jin-ho stubbed out his cigarette and took out a new one, putting it in his mouth.

It was bitter.

Kang Jin-ho had done his best for the Assembly. But no matter how hard he tried, there would always be those who failed. The best thing would be to prevent anyone from failing, but the best was just the best, and the world could never only walk on the best path.

Then, he had to choose the next best thing.

If the best thing was to prevent anyone from failing, then the next best thing was to make the Assembly stronger through those who failed.

It was a little bitter, though.

Kang Jin-ho slowly stood up and walked towards the window.

The darkened Assembly was visible in his eyes.

‘Those who failed…’

If it had been the Kang Jin-ho of the past, he would never have reached out to them. Kang Jin-ho was a person who only reached out to those who followed him thoroughly.

Then what about now?

He still wasn’t sure.

No matter how much he changed, Kang Jin-ho was still Kang Jin-ho. Supporting those who couldn’t go to the battlefield with their comrades was something that didn’t make sense to Kang Jin-ho’s common sense.

His true intention was that he didn’t want to put those who were weak but did their best on the same level as those who gave up because they were weak.

‘There’s no need to make a quick decision.’

In any case, the preparations were complete. He had filtered out all those who could panic or undermine morale if they were deployed to the battlefield.

So now, all that was left was to fight with those who were prepared.

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze, having cleared his mind, stared into the distance.

It was time for the war to begin.