Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1197

Yoshinobu forcefully suppressed the trembling in his hands.

His eyes darted around incessantly, yet they remained fixed on a single point.

A figure entered his vision.

It was strange.

Truly strange.

His eyes were filled with terror, yet the figure he was looking at was in no condition to inspire fear in anyone.

The person was kneeling, slumped on the ground, barely supported by a sword stuck into the floor, preventing his upper body from collapsing. His body was covered in countless spiderweb-like wounds, and several broken blades protruded from his hunched back.

A corpse.

Yes, that was a corpse.

Even if he wasn’t a corpse now, he would soon be one.

No matter how strong or great he had been before, he wouldn’t be able to kill even an ant with his own hands now.

Fear comes from strength.

It was illogical to feel fear towards someone who posed no threat.

Yet, Yoshinobu was terrified.

‘No one will believe this.’

Who could believe it?

That a single human had single-handedly killed all the Tsukihas [Moon Blades], Tsukikazes [Moon Winds], and shadows.

And that wasn’t all; he had also cut down more than half of the elite Shin’ichi-kai soldiers they had brought.

Even those who remained were injured, some severely. If Kang Jin-ho had had even a little more strength left, not a single one of them would have survived.

It was a difference as thin as a sheet of paper.

“Hah…”

A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

It was over.

The Shin’ichi-kai was as good as finished. Their resolve had been to sacrifice anything to kill Kang Jin-ho, but that was just a resolve.

The Shin’ichi-kai’s strength was now less than one-fifth of what it had been.

Even if they killed Kang Jin-ho and wiped out the entire council, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the checks from other factions. No matter how great the leader was, it only mattered when they had the means to act.

A leader without tools is powerless.

“Chief…”

A voice filled with resentment reached him.

“Strike him down.”

“We have lost everything. There is nothing left. So, at least we must take Kang Jin-ho’s head as a trophy. Even if we lose substance, we cannot lose our honor.”

It was true.

Even if taking Kang Jin-ho’s head meant nothing, they had to do it.

Otherwise, how could they compensate for the blood of all those who had died here?

Srrr.

Yoshinobu drew his sword.

Then, he threw the scabbard to the ground.

Slowly drawing the sword, Yoshinobu took a stance and approached Kang Jin-ho with a step that was almost reverent.

‘This is a strange feeling.’

The person before him was an enemy.

The worst of enemies, who had killed and cut down all his comrades, subordinates, and even superiors.

Yet, strangely, he felt no hatred.

The anger and resentment that had been making him tremble just moments ago no longer controlled him. Instead, he was now dominated by awe.

He was also a martial artist.

A man who had devoted his life to reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.

As a martial artist, he couldn’t help but pay his respects. To this great martial artist, alive and breathing before his eyes.

“…Translate.”

It might be something he shouldn’t do.

But Yoshinobu felt that he had to show at least a minimum of respect when killing Kang Jin-ho. His trembling heart and reverent soul told him so.

Kang Jin-ho was great.

A great man deserved a death befitting his stature.

As someone approached him, Yoshinobu spoke without turning around.

“You were…”

The translation was quickly done.

But Yoshinobu didn’t think these words would be heard. He didn’t know if Kang Jin-ho was conscious, but even if he was, he wasn’t in a state to hear anything.

His almost dead body was just desperately clinging to his soul.

The blood that flowed out stained the floor red.

Yoshinobu thought he would never forget this scene until the day he died. This image would probably be branded into his mind, a figure he would have to chase for the rest of his life.

“You were amazing.”

Words filled with respect.

He suppressed his trembling voice with the utmost reverence.

“You were too great. No one can deny it. But… there is a limit to what one person can do alone. Rest in peace. I will send you off with the utmost respect.”

The stance was already set.

A stance that could sever his neck in one strike.

There was no death more fitting for a martial artist. Yoshinobu took a deep breath and raised his sword.

Quickly cutting off Kang Jin-ho’s head to relieve his pain was the greatest respect he could offer.

Then.

A twitch.

Kang Jin-ho’s body moved slightly.

His head, which had been slumped down, slowly lifted.

With difficulty, so much difficulty.

But it was definitely being raised little by little.

Yoshinobu slightly lowered the sword he had raised.

He waited.

If there was a last will, he had to listen.

Regardless of respect, Yoshinobu wanted to hear what this great martial artist would say at the end.

His head was half-raised.

Kang Jin-ho’s face came into Yoshinobu’s view.

The black pupils visible between his half-opened eyes stared at Yoshinobu.

It was strange.

It was Kang Jin-ho’s gaze, which he had seen countless times. But Kang Jin-ho’s gaze now was slightly different from what he had seen before.

The endlessly sunken eyes held a gloomy desolation.

Suddenly, Yoshinobu wondered what Kang Jin-ho would look like in a place other than the battlefield.

“…Alone.”

A faint voice was heard.

The translator frowned and listened intently.

“Alone…”

Kang Jin-ho forced his unmoving muscles to twist, raising the corners of his mouth. Could that grotesque twist be called a smile?

At least, it looked like a clear smile to Yoshinobu.

“…That’s right.”

Kang Jin-ho laughed softly.

There was a limit to what one person could do alone.

In the past, he had also fought against everyone alone and eventually fallen in defeat. The whole world had been his enemy.

But….

Kang Jin-ho’s voice became a little clearer.

“No.”

Yoshinobu narrowed his eyes.

‘Is he not in his right mind?’ It was probably so. Rather, it was only natural.

He had thought he would be able to hear something, but it seemed like he had been greedy. Yoshinobu closed his eyes and raised his sword. He didn’t want this great martial artist to show an ugly side. It was better to end his life quickly.

“Not anymore.”

It was at that moment.

A beast’s cry that seemed to tear the ears was heard from somewhere.

The ferocity and anger contained within it momentarily froze Yoshinobu’s body.

‘Where?’

Yoshinobu’s head was violently tilted upwards.

The moon?

What came into view was the moon, floating above his head. But there was something inside that moon.

A black dot.

No, the shape of a black person….

At that moment, the shape expanded greatly. It was too late when Yoshinobu realized that the shape was someone falling towards him.

A figure covered in red and black energy like a beast’s fur, screamed like a beast and pounced on Yoshinobu.

Chwaaaaaaak!

Space was cut apart.

Yoshinobu felt a chilling sensation as something brushed past his body, and he trembled.

Then.

Kang Jin-ho’s slightly smiling voice was heard.

“…Now, I am not alone.”

Yoshinobu took a step back without realizing it.

“Th, this…”

Only then did he see the figure that had fallen in front of Kang Jin-ho. A crimson black beast was wailing as if in mourning.

“You fool…”

Paah!

Yoshinobu’s body split apart and fell.

“Lord! Looooord!”

A man covered in crimson black energy.

Lee Myung-hwan grabbed Kang Jin-ho, letting out a beastly cry.

“Th…”

His eyes were filled with explosive killing intent. Turning his head, he saw the Japanese martial artists who had not yet grasped the situation.

“Kill! Kill them all! Don’t leave a single one alive! Tear them apart and crush them to death! Daaaaaamn!”

As if responding to his desperate cry, the entire mountain was covered in the cries of beasts.

“Wh, what is it?”

“What’s going on!”

At the same time, those who were panicking saw it.

Crimson black meteors soaring up the dark mountain.

Demons covered in demonic energy and bloodlust were rushing towards them with unbearable rage.

It was as if the flames of hell were burning.

“Kuaaaaaaaaah!”

“Krrrk!”

Reason no longer existed.

The demonic flames, having had their most sacred place violated, had lost their last shred of reason and charged towards the Japanese warriors. Their eyes, completely consumed by madness, glowed red.

“Aaaaaaaah!”

“Save meeeeeee!”

They were tearing them apart.

It was a scene that could no longer be called a battle. Those who had completely lost their strength to Kang Jin-ho had no power left to face the enraged demonic flames.

And the demonic flames were now unleashing their extreme rage.

The heads of those who had rushed to the council and confirmed Kang Jin-ho’s condition turned white.

Rage that felt like their hearts would explode.

Naturally, they sought a place to release that rage.

Kill.

They wouldn’t kill them gently.

They would tear them apart, crush them, and break them, showing them all the pain that existed in the world.

The demonic flames, abandoning themselves to the fire of rage, swept away the remnants of the Shin’ichi-kai.

Desperate screams echoed.

Flesh fragments flew everywhere, and screams rang out like an orchestra.

Lee Myung-hwan, who had been glaring at the scene with bloodshot eyes, violently turned his head and pulled Kang Jin-ho closer.

“L, Lord.”

He shook him, but Kang Jin-ho didn’t open his eyes.

“Lo…”

Lee Myung-hwan, terrified, couldn’t even call out to Kang Jin-ho. He was afraid that Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t answer.

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes rolled back in uncontrollable rage.

If Kang Jin-ho died like this, he would never return to his senses. He would become a demon consumed by blood and madness, killing everything he saw.

But what did it matter?

That was better than living with his sanity after losing Kang Jin-ho.

“You bastards…”

“…Lee Myung-hwan.”

Lee Myung-hwan’s head turned violently.

Kang Jin-ho, who had half-opened his eyes, was looking at him.

“L, Lord!”

“…You’re late.”

Lee Myung-hwan trembled as he held Kang Jin-ho.

He was alive.

Kang Jin-ho was alive.

“You…”

“Yes, Lord!”

“…Let’s talk after I open my eyes.”

Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes and lost consciousness.

Startled, Lee Myung-hwan put his ear to Kang Jin-ho’s heart. After confirming that his heart was beating, Lee Myung-hwan slumped down as if his strength had left him.

“…How can you say that in this situation, you old man.”

Lee Myung-hwan laughed hollowly, not even thinking of wiping away the tears that were flowing.

Another battle had come to an end.