Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1171

“Disembark!”As the sharp voice echoed, those filling the deck jumped into the sea all at once.Kazuhiro’s gaze flicked back. The patrol boats were pressuring them, maintaining a certain distance.“I knew the Korean bastards were incompetent, but I didn’t expect them to just watch like this.”“Hmm.”“That Chinese guy was right. Korea really can’t touch China.”Kazuhiro frowned slightly.‘It’s like spitting in your own face.’He understood the desire to curse the Koreans, but saying it like that meant Japan was getting hit too. Recently, Japan had also failed to put a stop to China’s statements and actions.“They’re being rather lukewarm about it.”“Isn’t it common?”What if this had happened in Japan?Clearly, the same situation as in Korea would have unfolded. Japan’s bureaucratic system is incapable of handling unexpected situations.In the past, when Lieutenant Belenko, a Soviet Air Force officer during the Cold War, defected to Japan in a MiG-25 [a Soviet fighter jet], it was a well-known fact that the Self-Defense Forces did not respond at all, even though an unidentified enemy aircraft had violated their airspace.Basically, Japan’s bureaucracy prioritizes following orders from above. In other words, if an unexpected situation occurs and the responsibility exceeds the authority of the front-line commander, the front line must immediately stop acting and wait for instructions from above.‘We’re in no position to criticize.’Looking at it calmly, it might be a rather wise response. If you can’t immediately attack an unidentified enemy, observing their movements and maintaining distance is the best course of action.Kazuhiro raised his head and looked at the sea.They had come much further than expected. His men were jumping into the sea within reach of the harbor. It would have been ideal to dock completely without getting wet, but that was a pipe dream. This distance was more than he could have hoped for.They had come more than 1km further than their initial target. There might be some trouble because the plan was slightly off, but Kazuhiro didn’t particularly care.It wasn’t their job to solve problems.Even if the fishing boats they came on were seized by the Korean Coast Guard, it was China or Shin-Nichikai’s job to clean up the mess. So, Kazuhiro could do whatever he wanted without any hesitation.They had the rights but no responsibilities. Isn’t that what everyone wants?If this were Japan, they could never act like this. Japan is their home. To protect the place where they live, they must not break the delicate balance between the Murim world [martial arts world] and the outside world.Just as the Murim world subtly influences the political and business circles, Japan’s political and business circles also have a clear influence on the Murim world. If the balance of the outside world is broken, the relationship between the political and business circles and the Murim world will become strained, and that will ultimately harm the Murim world.But….‘Not here.’Kazuhiro licked his lips.This is a land of freedom.They don’t have to take responsibility for anything they do. Even if they cause a lot of trouble, it will only be Korea that suffers, not the Yamashiro-gumi [Kazuhiro’s gang].It means they can run wild, literally.“Where…”Kazuhiro gripped his beloved sword.“The General Assembly, the General Assembly… It’s time to see if that name, which I’ve heard so much about, lives up to its reputation.”“Here it is, Chief.”Kazuhiro chuckled as he looked at the vinyl handed to him.“I don’t need it.”“Yes?”“Everyone gathers at the front.”At that moment, Kazuhiro leaped into the sea.Splash!And the moment his foot touched the surface, a huge spray of water erupted, and Kazuhiro’s body shot forward like a cannonball.“Oh!”Those watching all widened their eyes.Is he running?No, the expression ‘running’ is ambiguous.It wasn’t such a leisurely sight. Kazuhiro was pushing off the water’s surface and moving forward like a stone skipping across the water.Each time he pushed off, he sank a little deeper into the water, but that was enough. When his legs stopped, his body was only submerged up to his waist.He had reached the shore in an instant.Splash, splash.Kazuhiro walked slowly towards the land without hurrying. Those who had witnessed his divine feat were filled with morale and followed Kazuhiro.Thud.Finally on land, Kazuhiro slowly scanned left and right.It was quiet.Even though it was dawn, there wasn’t a single soul to be seen at the pier. The storage yards and large warehouses, lit by dim lights, looked desolate.Kazuhiro turned his head back.Behind him, about fifteen hundred Kanto warriors were gathering at a rapid pace.‘What a sight.’Kazuhiro had fought countless battles to unify Kanto [region in Japan], but this was the first time he had led such a force. Right here, not only the Yamashiro-gumi but also the elites of Kanto’s powerful gangs were gathered.It wasn’t just fifteen hundred random people. They were truly elite troops. All the power of Kanto was gathered here.Kazuhiro smiled contentedly as he watched the warriors rushing onto the land through the night sea.“Excellent.”“Everyone is waiting for your orders, Chief.”Chief of Staff Kokubo Shigeru bowed with an impeccable gesture.“Give the order. We will take the peninsula.”“Hmm.”Kazuhiro nodded quietly.With this much power, they could easily sweep through the weak Korean peninsula. No matter how much the Korean bastards have developed, they would not dare to face this great army.‘In the end, our enemy is not Korea.’They must not forget. Their ultimate enemy is Shin-Nichikai [rival gang]. Through this war, they must gain profits, and with those profits, they must eventually defeat Shin-Nichikai and unify Japan.“Line up.”The last person jumped out onto the shore and finished lining up. Kazuhiro quietly watched the scene before opening his mouth.“In the past, our ancestors ruled this land. But due to a lack of power, they had no choice but to retreat from this land. But it is not the same now. We have gathered our strength again, and we have gained the power to rule this land. Today, we will let those on this land know that fact.”A low but powerful voice.Those who heard it also shone their eyes without answering.“The key is speed! Run like the wind, seize the enemy’s base, and kill the enemy!”“Yes!”“Wait there for a moment.”Kazuhiro turned his body and looked forward. The chief of staff and the vice-chiefs ran to him.“What’s the situation?”“The fishing boats will probably be seized. But there’s no one left on the fishing boats, so you don’t have to worry about it.”“What’s the first destination?”“Incheon.”“Hmm.”Kazuhiro unfolded the map and nodded quietly.“What happened to the 3rd unit?”“They’re probably preparing to enter now. There’s no need to coordinate with the 3rd unit, so you don’t have to worry about it.”“Kokubo.”“Yes, Chief!”“Don’t speak carelessly. It is not you who decides the operation and the situation, but me.”Kokubo stood stiffly, bending his back as if he were breaking it, and answered.“I will correct myself.”“You’re arrogant.”Kazuhiro’s eyes flashed coldly.“The Kumicho [Gang Boss] wants a perfect victory. The situation can change rapidly depending on how our forces move. Just because we’re not coordinating doesn’t mean we can ignore their movements.”“I was foolish. Please forgive me.”Kazuhiro, who had been staring at Shigeru quietly, nodded.It’s good to point out a subordinate’s mistake to instill overall tension, but it shouldn’t be too much.“Don’t let your guard down. This is enemy territory.”“Yes, Chief!”“Hmm.”Kazuhiro scratched his chin while looking at the map.‘Incheon, huh….’Dealing with Korea is not as easy as one might think. The reason why Korea, whose power is weaker than Japan, is a difficult opponent is very simple. It is because Korea is an unprecedented unified nation in the Murim world.Japan has hundreds of gangs running rampant.In the end, Kanto is led by the Yamashiro-gumi, and Kansai is led by Shin-Nichikai, but that doesn’t mean they control all the land.Each gang protects its own territory and operates under the orders of the head gang when necessary. In other words, Murim people are spread throughout the entire land of Japan.This is the same for other countries.China is also in a form where the Three Kings spread their influence in all directions from their respective bases, and the Round Table is also in a form where the Murim worlds of each country cooperate with the center while having their own power.But what about Korea?It is a system where a single force called the General Assembly has swallowed all the sects. In other words, it means that all the Murim people in Korea are gathered in one place, centered around the General Assembly.The war will not end if they cannot occupy the General Assembly. But all of Korea’s forces are gathered at the General Assembly. It means that a conquest war that only occupies the surrounding areas will not lead to a victory.That is why the 1st unit, which went in first, and the 3rd unit, which will arrive later, will surround and attack the General Assembly from three directions. The key was how appropriately they set their direction.If they moved carelessly, they could be surrounded by the overwhelming forces of the General Assembly and annihilated.“Any contact from the 1st unit?”“Not yet.”“Pathetic.”Kazuhiro narrowed his brow slightly.The fact that no enemies have appeared here could mean that the 1st unit, which went in as the advance party, is doing a good job of drawing attention. But Kazuhiro didn’t want to give a good evaluation to the 1st unit, which was centered around Shin-Nichikai.“Ignore the 1st unit and head to Incheon as planned. We must move as discreetly as possible, so be secretive!”“Yes, Chief!”It was then.“I hate to say this…”A heavy voice pierced Kazuhiro’s ears. Kazuhiro quickly raised his head and turned his head to where the sound came from.“It seems like you’ve already been spotted, what should we do?”A dark alley.A shadow of a person slowly falls over a small alley between huge material warehouses.‘An optical illusion?’No, it’s not.No matter how narrow the alley is, it was a space where three grown men could stand side by side. Anyone who saw the shadow filling that space would think it was an illusion.But it’s not an illusion.A person slowly walked out from under the shadow cast over the alley and into the light.In an instant, the sense of reality disappeared.A huge body, as if it had popped out of a computer game, filled the alley and his vision. The moment he saw that unbelievably large body, even the mighty Kazuhiro couldn’t help but open his mouth.He had heard of it.A cadre of the General Assembly who had such a body.The owner of a body imbued with divinity.“…Batoru.”An uncontrollable groan escaped from Kazuhiro’s mouth.