Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1194

“That!” Tsukikage screamed without realizing it. For an assassin, losing composure is the most forbidden thing. No matter the situation, they must not become agitated. Tsukikage had broken that taboo. However, his shock was justified. Explosions. The shadows, equipped with plastic explosives, detonated amidst the Tsukihas [a group of assassins]. If detonated properly, the explosives could turn a building to dust. These specially made explosives, more expensive than their weight in gold, detonated, turning the surrounding Tsukihas into a bloody pulp. His eyes became bloodshot. His teeth clenched as if they would break, and his fists involuntarily tightened. ‘What the hell is that guy?’ Martial arts have inherent tendencies. What does that mean? Tsukikage excels at secret kills. He is confident that he is unbeatable in darkness. However, he cannot exert his power in bright, exposed places. This is the characteristic of his martial arts. The same applies to others. For example, Bator, the most famous warrior in the General Assembly [a group of warriors] besides Kang Jin-ho, is unmatched in strength and power. No one can surpass Bator in terms of raw power and toughness. However, this is due to Bator’s innate physical abilities and the characteristics of his martial arts. Bator sacrificed flexibility for strength. It’s natural that flexibility decreases as strength increases. You can’t have everything. If you gain something, you lose something. What to focus on is the biggest choice for martial artists. Yes. That was the principle. An absolute principle. But now, Kang Jin-ho was shattering that principle before his eyes. Kang Jin-ho is strong. But there is a specific kind of strength. Kang Jin-ho’s strength comes from his destructive power and aggressiveness. Each sword strike unleashes a tremendous force capable of collapsing a mountain. The human body is powerless against such force. That’s why Tsukikage targeted Kang Jin-ho’s heaviness. Those who unleash great power must lack flexibility. However, the moment Kang Jin-ho realized Tsukikage’s aim, he changed his fighting style. From a raging, sweeping form to a form that charged and attacked faster than anyone else, then retreated. Is that possible? It’s impossible. A fighting style isn’t something that can be changed so easily. Martial arts are like formless weapons. Those who wield a bow must fight like a bowman, and those who wield a dagger must fight like a dagger wielder. Would it make sense for a bowman to charge with an arrow, or for a dagger wielder to create distance? Bator must fight based on his strength. Tsukikage must utilize his secrecy and speed. However, Kang Jin-ho simply changed his style by making up his mind. ‘Like a monster…’ This can’t be possible. There’s no way someone with a bow can fight like someone with a giant greatsword. But Kang Jin-ho instantly transformed the greatsword in his hand into a thin sword. And the Tsukihas were paying the price with their bodies. “Kuaaaaaaak!” Just as something white seemed to pass by, an arm fell off and a leg was severed. Those who fell to the floor could only see Kang Jin-ho’s back as he passed them. If the previous Kang Jin-ho made them tremble with his monstrous power, the current Kang Jin-ho was like a ghost. Not only that… Bang! A shadow that jumped out of the darkness was kicked by Kang Jin-ho’s foot. It’s impossible to jump out, check Kang Jin-ho, and then press the switch. Their wrist would be cut off instantly. To inflict damage on Kang Jin-ho, they had to detonate the explosives without thinking about the consequences the moment they appeared. However, the price was paid by others, not Kang Jin-ho. Kwaaaaaaaang! Those swept away by the huge explosion were torn to pieces and scattered. Kang Jin-ho accurately kicked the shadows towards the Tsukihas. Some have learned and are flying away to avoid it, but those panicking with severed limbs couldn’t cope even when they saw the shadows coming. The result is simple. Those who flew away might be buried in the ground, even in a foreign land, but those who couldn’t avoid it lost the chance for a grave forever. Because those whose bodies have disappeared cannot be buried. “Uaaaaaaaah!” The shadows popped out one after another, rushing towards Kang Jin-ho. They emerged from the floor like ghosts. But Kang Jin-ho was faster. Bang! Kwaaaang! Kwaang! The air exploded in succession. The shadows, realizing it was difficult to land a hit, detonated their bombs before they could get close. It was an attempt to inflict even a little damage, even if a sure hit was impossible. However, Kang Jin-ho easily avoided their attacks. Kwaaaaaaaang! After the last bomb exploded, the surroundings were momentarily still. “Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!” Rough, panting breaths echoed like a song in the stillness. Shock and fear. Everyone looked at Kang Jin-ho with eyes mixed with excitement and fear. On the other hand, Kang Jin-ho showed no such excitement. He lowered the swords in both hands, not looking like someone who had just been in a battle. No excitement, no exhilaration, not even the guilt that should arise when a person takes another’s life. That stillness crushed their souls. Thud. A loud footstep captured their attention. A footstep consciously created. Those driven to the point of mental collapse reacted to the sound. Their gazes gathered on Tsukikage. Tsukikage felt the gazes and slowly walked forward. He didn’t know what to say. There was nothing in particular to say. Nevertheless, Tsukikage made a sound because he felt a sense of crisis that if this confrontation continued for just five more seconds, most of them would be terrified. Tsukikage’s response was appropriate. A person who has fallen into the water needs a straw. Tsukikage became their straw. In the current situation, the future is unclear. But if Tsukikage joins, the situation might change. It was such an urgent situation that they had to rely on even such baseless hope. Knowing the situation, Tsukikage quietly raised his small sword and pointed it at Kang Jin-ho. “Is your life precious?” A voice dripping with murderous intent. This wasn’t directed at Kang Jin-ho, but at everyone who was terrified. “I am also afraid.” Tsukikage raised his hand and tore off his mask. A middle-aged man’s face full of scars appeared. One eye was blind, with no pupil visible, and the other had a long scar across it. Those who saw his scarred face swallowed hard. Because that face was terrible? No. Revealing one’s face meant they were prepared to die. Just as a swordsman throws away his scabbard, Tsukikage was declaring he would throw away his life here. “I’m afraid that I might live and go back in disgrace, that my courage and loyalty are less than those who died here. There is nothing more humiliating for a warrior. Isn’t that so?” The eyes that had been shaking trembled as if struck by lightning. And what bloomed after that was shame and determination. Those who had unknowingly retreated seemed to have regained their composure and shifted their weight forward. “Do not suffer the disgrace of surviving. A great death is what a warrior should desire most. I will prove my loyalty to Gumi [a Japanese criminal organization] and my loyalty to the Great Japanese Empire by dying here today.” Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Tsukikage. He didn’t understand what he was saying. The translator’s words were no longer audible. But even without understanding, he felt like he knew. It must be obvious. His anger boiled. It’s ridiculous. They are invaders. Kang Jin-ho had never started a fight with them first. They started it. The General Assembly and Kang Jin-ho were just responding. But they were talking as if they were fighting a sacred war. Isn’t it ridiculous? It doesn’t matter. ‘You guys were the ones who touched me first.’ Then he would just respond. There is only one way to respond to an enemy who has targeted him. It has been like that until now, and it will not change in the future. Thud. Kang Jin-ho took a step forward without saying a word. That small movement stimulated everyone in the training ground. “Kill him! Our glory will not come without killing that man. Your deaths will be the foundation of the vast empire. Die and become legends!” “Uaaaaaaaaaaaah!” “Ooooooooong!” Those who had turned their eyes inside out began to rush in without looking back. It was different from before. Not only the Tsukihas, but even the warriors who had already surrounded Kang Jin-ho began to rush in, aiming for his life with all their might. Charge. Anyone watching could tell. That charge would not stop. That attack would never stop until Kang Jin-ho was killed or they were all annihilated. Kang Jin-ho smiled, revealing his teeth, as he watched the warriors rushing in like angry waves. Somehow… It felt like he was realizing he was alive. ‘It’s ridiculous to be angry.’ It’s also ridiculous to discuss methods and ways. Since when has Kang Jin-ho cared about such things? To be honest, that Tsukikage is much more of a human than Kang Jin-ho. Because no one here would have killed as many people as Kang Jin-ho. If those who died at Kang Jin-ho’s hands saw this scene, who would they support? Kang Jin-ho? There’s no way. So, put away such clumsy feelings… “It’s about killing and being killed.” Until one of them is finished. That is the most fundamental form of battle. Kang Jin-ho threw himself forward, entrusting himself to the murderous intent. His eyes instantly turned red and emitted magic. If he was to face this many people, magic was essential. In the end, he had no choice but to give up on defense to some extent. Kang Jin-ho’s whole body was covered in magic. His red eyes emitted a bloody glow, and the ascending magic fluttered over his shoulders like burning wings. A wounded tiger and hungry wolves began their final battle, aiming for each other’s necks.