Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1188

Thwack!

In the darkness.

In a space still shrouded in darkness, where dawn had yet to break, an incongruously sharp blue blade emerged from Kang Jin-ho’s shadow, piercing his side.

Clang, clang, clang!

The blade, imbued with a chilling aura, clashed against Kang Jin-ho’s demonic energy, creating a sharp metallic sound.

The sword, having lost its momentum, was retracted faster than it had pierced.

Whoooom!

Kang Jin-ho’s fist, charged with demonic energy, struck the spot where his shadow had been.

The floor shattered, sending fragments flying in all directions, but no human body was found within.

Kang Jin-ho turned his head to look at one spot.

A figure that hadn’t been there before appeared.

A person clad in tight-fitting black clothes and a mask was glaring at him with arms crossed.

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head.

‘I didn’t sense it?’

Shadows are always the closest to humans. Yet, a person had hidden in his shadow, and he hadn’t felt even a trace of their presence.

‘I don’t understand the principle.’

Kang Jin-ho, who knew many of the Demonic Cult’s sorceries, couldn’t comprehend how they had completely concealed their presence. The same went for hiding in the floor.

In the past, he had heard of a sorcery used by the Betrayers to seep into walls, but this was the first time he had witnessed it.

“Ts, Tsukikage [月影 – Moon Shadow]?”

Yoshinobu’s flustered voice reached Kang Jin-ho’s ears.

‘Tsukikage, huh…’

It was a name he had heard once before.

Though not certain, he seemed to have seen similar individuals.

However, what was clear was that their level was vastly different from those he had met before.

Even Hong Wang wouldn’t be able to completely deceive Kang Jin-ho’s senses and hide in his shadow.

Yet, someone incomparable to Hong Wang had done it.

Kang Jin-ho looked at the assassin with renewed interest.

‘Unique.’

This wasn’t a matter of skill. Rather, it was a matter of their unique traits.

No matter how well-versed Kang Jin-ho was in martial arts, his knowledge was primarily focused on Korean and Chinese styles. However, as Kang Jin-ho had learned in modern times, martial artists around the world were developing their own unique styles.

The magic and swordsmanship of the Round Table were completely unknown to Kang Jin-ho. Manipulating space and using mana to defy the laws of physics was an unimaginable concept in the martial arts of the Central Plains.

So, it wasn’t strange that Japan had developed its own unique martial arts.

“A peculiar one indeed.”

It seemed they felt the same way about Kang Jin-ho.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone who can’t be cut. I thought I had you. You’re not just a name, are you?”

Kang Jin-ho slowly absorbed his demonic energy.

As the burning black demonic energy completely disappeared into Kang Jin-ho’s body, Tsukikage stared at him with a calm gaze.

Just as Kang Jin-ho was about to speak, his eyes fixed on Tsukikage, Yoshinobu shouted.

“H, how did you get here!”

Tsukikage’s gaze shifted slightly towards Yoshinobu.

“You’re spouting nonsense. Of course, I came under the order of the leader.”

“I, I didn’t hear about this.”

“Does the leader have to explain every plan to the likes of you?”

“…That’s not it.”

Tsukikage licked his lips behind his mask.

‘Indeed.’

Tsukikage also thought it was excessive.

The arrogant Chinese man’s plan didn’t make sense. Sacrificing fifteen hundred as pawns to kill one person, and sending a thousand elites deep into enemy territory for a special attack.

Anyone with common sense and a brain would know it was a foolish plan that no one would attempt.

However, the leader hadn’t rejected the plan and had sent Tsukikage, who had achieved great feats, here as reinforcements.

It was something ordinary people couldn’t imagine.

But at this moment, Tsukikage could feel how perfect the leader’s choice had been.

“According to that guy, Kang Jin-ho is a person who deserves the title of ‘remarkable growth.’ But this plan was made based on the Kang Jin-ho of the past. It’s a contradiction. I want a complete victory. Even if we have to throw everything away, I will perfectly take Kang Jin-ho’s head. Do you understand?”

‘Of course, leader.’

If Tsukikage hadn’t come here, they would have been annihilated without even putting up a proper fight.

Tsukikage looked at Kang Jin-ho with a calm gaze.

‘A powerful foe I’ve never faced before.’

Someone stronger than him?

He had seen quite a few.

Though there weren’t many left now, he had a childhood too. He had countless experiences of feeling despair at the strength of his opponents.

But…

‘That’s not the issue.’

It was the difference between what could be reached and what couldn’t.

A high mountain could be climbed someday with enough effort, but one couldn’t fly in the sky without wings. Even if Tsukikage went back to the beginning and devoted himself to martial arts for decades, he didn’t think he could reach where Kang Jin-ho had reached.

That’s how daunting his strength was.

“Impressive. It’s beyond words.”

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho let out a deep sigh. Then, he stuck his sword into the ground and rummaged through his pockets. Kang Jin-ho, who had taken out a cigarette and lit it, turned his head.

It felt like there had been a similar situation before…

“Anyone here speak Korean?”

Everyone fell silent at Kang Jin-ho’s casual question.

“Translator.”

Tsukikage looked at Kang Jin-ho as if he couldn’t believe it.

No, he knew they didn’t speak the same language, but who would calmly ask for a translator in this situation? Especially from the enemy?

It felt slightly out of the ordinary. Well, it was harder to find a sane strongman anyway.

“If there’s anyone who can translate, come forward.”

At the order, two or three people hesitantly stepped forward. Tsukikage gestured for them to come closer.

“Relay the message.”

“Yes!”

Tsukikage, who was about to speak, closed his mouth and chuckled. The situation was quite absurd.

“The leader highly valued you. That’s why he sent me to take your head.”

Kang Jin-ho, having heard the translation, quietly puffed on his cigarette.

The war paused just by the two of them talking. And the others, who hadn’t fully grasped the situation, didn’t dare to open their mouths.

“Hoo.”

Kang Jin-ho, having exhaled a short, strong puff of smoke, glared at Tsukikage.

“You?”

“That’s right.”

“You know the outcome, right?”

“Of course.”

Tsukikage nodded.

“I can never defeat you.”

Tsukikage readily admitted it. It wasn’t something to be ashamed of. Unless one was the strongest under the heavens, there would always be someone they couldn’t defeat. Admitting one’s shortcomings was far better than not admitting them.

“But the fact that I can’t defeat you isn’t that important. I may not be able to defeat you, but I can kill you.”

“Hmm?”

Kang Jin-ho smiled slightly. He felt a strange tingling sensation.

‘They were lacking.’

The elites of Shin’nichikai, including Yoshinobu, were far too weak to be Kang Jin-ho’s opponents.

Whether they were weak or Kang Jin-ho had become stronger than before, he didn’t know.

However, he could feel a chilling aura from that Tsukikage that he couldn’t feel from Yoshinobu and the others.

“And…”

Tsukikage snapped his fingers.

“Isn’t it possible that I don’t have to be the one to kill you? As long as the result is the same.”

Sliiiide.

At that moment, a dozen black shadows appeared behind Tsukikage.

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes widened slightly.

There were ten more individuals who emitted the same aura as Tsukikage. The problem was that, once again, Kang Jin-ho hadn’t sensed that they were hiding there until they revealed themselves.

Although there was some distance this time, their ability to conceal themselves and their presence was enough to put the Central Plains to shame.

And that wasn’t all.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

The sound of numerous footsteps could be clearly heard from the hill leading up to the main hall.

Everyone’s gaze turned towards that direction.

Kang Jin-ho curled up the corners of his mouth as he watched the people coming up the hill.

Individuals wearing black uniforms and multiple long swords were lined up and walking up the hill. They didn’t even glance at the people filling the training ground, walking straight towards Kang Jin-ho.

Their momentum caused the warriors to part, creating a path for them. Yoshinobu was among those who parted the way. He looked at the people passing him with a complex expression.

Blood seeped from his tightly clenched lips.

‘Did you not trust me, leader!’

In the end, it might be the right choice. But there was no way to restore Yoshinobu’s shattered pride.

Kang Jin-ho stared at them for a moment before turning his gaze back to Tsukikage.

“Is that what you call samurai?”

“It’s not that anachronistic.”

“In those outfits?”

“…There’s no excuse. Anyway, they’re not related to the sword-wielding guys in movies. What matters is whether they’re strong or weak, not what they’re called.”

“That’s right.”

He liked that.

The weak cared about what they were called. But the strong didn’t care about such things.

If they could prove themselves with their own skills, why would they be concerned about titles?

“It’s an excessive force to deal with just you. You can be proud.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled softly.

It was different from the smiles he had shown so far. It wasn’t a sneer. It was a genuine smile of amusement.

“Let me tell you in advance.”

“There have been quite a few who have said those words in front of me. But where do you think they are now?”

Kang Jin-ho pulled out the Red Tear and Blue Tear that he had stuck into the ground.

“I’ll let you meet them.”

Tsukikage smiled wryly.

He gestured, and the warriors who had been glaring at Kang Jin-ho rushed forward, surrounding him in a circle. At the same time, the shadows that had been guarding his back melted into the darkness.

“You will die without even knowing how you died.”

“I’ll return those words to you.”

“Kill him.”

A tense killing intent poured towards Kang Jin-ho.

His muscles tightened, and his jaw clenched. It was a killing intent so intense that even Kang Jin-ho, who was very familiar with it, felt tense. Kang Jin-ho bared his teeth, feeling the killing intent like blades piercing his skin.

The hair on his body stood on end, and a chill ran down his spine.

‘This is it.’

This was a fight.

This was a battle.

His heart pounded, and every cell in his body felt like it was awakening. At that familiar yet strange sensation, Kang Jin-ho couldn’t help but smile.

“This time, please…”

The Red Tear and Blue Tear were pointed forward.

At the same time, a killing intent greater than what was being directed at him erupted from Kang Jin-ho’s body. It was a terrifying killing intent that could shock even those with weak martial power to death.

“I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

Kang Jin-ho bared his teeth and charged forward.

The demon’s eyes turned blood red. It was a sign that a hell of blood and gore was about to unfold.

The moon hid behind the clouds, and the world was shrouded in deeper darkness.