Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1208

Choose whether to die or live. It’s an absurd statement.

Who in this world would choose the former upon hearing those words?

Everyone wants to live. Even those who speak of death constantly will struggle to survive when death actually approaches.

Isn’t that only natural?

But this wasn’t such a simple matter.

‘To give everything?’

It would be exactly as it sounds.

The wealth, businesses, and even the martial prowess of the Japanese warriors.

Surrender, bow your heads, and you’ll be spared. That’s the deal.

It was excessively violent and oppressive.

If anyone else had said those words, Akino would never have tolerated it.

He would have ripped out the tongue that dared utter such words and displayed it as a trophy.

But…

Akino couldn’t say anything right now.

When the powerless speak of oppression, it’s just bluster. But when the powerful speak of oppression, it becomes terror.

Kang Jin-ho was clearly the stronger one.

And he had the ability to fully carry out the words that came from his mouth.

Akino unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fist.

Out of anger?

No.

It was because the sensation of the leader’s neck he had just felt was still vivid on his fingertips.

A clear death.

A clear end.

The subtle resistance he hadn’t yet discarded was suppressed by the sensation on his fingertips.

“Death, or submission.”

A groan-like voice escaped him. His eyes followed Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho was staring at him with an unchanged expression. There was no murderous intent or pressure in his eyes. Just a calm, somewhat indifferent gaze.

But now, that look felt several times more burdensome.

Was he really so unconcerned?

The moment negotiations broke down, those here would risk their lives to attack Kang Jin-ho. Of course, they could try to escape by jumping into the sea, but there would be no guarantee of survival.

Yet, how could he be so calm? Akino chuckled to himself. Well, yeah.

If he didn’t have the confidence, he wouldn’t have done something so crazy as to board this ship with only six people.

That wasn’t recklessness or madness. It was confidence that those six alone could handle everyone here.

The fact that Kang Jin-ho wasn’t the only one with a calm expression proved it. The people guarding Kang Jin-ho’s sides, especially that manager or whatever, who didn’t seem to have any martial prowess, were also staring at him with incredibly calm eyes.

Akino closed his eyes.

The battle was already decided.

With the first and second units annihilated and the leader’s head cut off, they had no future. Even if they achieved unparalleled victories from now on, unless they killed Kang Jin-ho, all that awaited them in the long run was defeat.

Then, could they kill Kang Jin-ho here?

Akino slowly turned his head.

He wanted to confirm.

He wanted to see the faces of the subordinates who were listening to the man who declared he would kill all two thousand of them.

Then, Akino tightly closed his eyes.

It would have been better not to look.

The subordinates behind him all had blank faces.

They weren’t terrified, nor were they filled with anger. They were faces that didn’t grasp the situation they were in, the reality they were facing.

If they had been trembling with fear, it wouldn’t have been so hopeless.

There was no way those who had completely entrusted their lives to others and were being swayed could be a fighting force.

Akino, having finished his calculations, slowly opened his eyes. Then, in a slightly subdued voice, he spoke.

“If we submit…”

His voice echoed on the silent ship.

Despite the presence of so many people, not even a breath could be heard.

“If we submit, what do we have to do?”

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Akino.

“Why are you curious about that?”

Akino looked bewildered after hearing the translation.

“You seem to be mistaken…”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“I only said I would talk, not that I would negotiate. What I’m demanding from you isn’t negotiation, but surrender. Do those who surrender ever set conditions?”

“You don’t understand the reality of our situation.”

Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled cigarette smoke.

“What I want is complete subjugation. Complete subjugation without any reasons or conditions. I don’t want anything else. If you can submit, then surrender. If not…”

His voice was emotionless.

Like a mechanical sound.

That’s why it felt more chilling than any intense emotion.

“You’ll die.”

He wasn’t threatening.

He wasn’t yelling.

It was a calm voice, as if he were conveying a fact that had already been decided.

Akino’s eyes trembled as he moved his lips.

He had to say something.

But he couldn’t say anything.

It was Lee Hyun-soo who gave him a breather.

Lee Hyun-soo, who had been watching both sides, smiled and leaned his upper body forward slightly.

“It seems like things are getting a bit too aggressive…”

Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho for his approval. When Kang Jin-ho nodded, Lee Hyun-soo stepped forward and smiled.

“You asked what would happen if you surrendered?”

Akino’s gaze also turned to Kang Jin-ho.

He was checking if this man was qualified to intervene in the conversation between him and Kang Jin-ho. Kang Jin-ho was smoking, looking at the sky with an indifferent expression.

It meant he was leaving it to Lee Hyun-soo.

“That’s right.”

He was a negotiator recognized by Kang Jin-ho.

Because of that, Akino’s tone became a bit more cautious.

“Our demands are simple. 70% of the profits from your businesses.”

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged.

“It’s a very realistic ratio.”

Akino’s face contorted. Realistic?

Warriors didn’t live by digging in the dirt. They needed money to maintain a minimum standard of living. Could they maintain their lives if they gave up 70% of their income?

Was it greedy for the defeated to want the same life as before?

Of course not.

They didn’t even dream of the same life as before. They could accept it as long as they could breathe. But if they had to give 70% as tribute, even breathing wouldn’t be easy.

“And ownership of the territories you control, and absolute loyalty. Those are the basic three things for now.”

“Y-you want us to give up our territories?”

“That’s right. However…”

Before Akino could even object, Lee Hyun-soo drew a line.

“We can’t directly govern the territories we absorb, so we’ll have to leave it to you.”

Akino closed his mouth.

It meant they would only take the name.

It was impossible for the General Assembly to actually govern the Japanese territories. How many people would they need?

Not only the number of people, but the capabilities of the General Assembly’s warriors weren’t particularly superior to those of the Japanese warriors. The General Assembly was led by a small number of top-ranking warriors, wasn’t it?

So, if they tried to actually govern Japan, endless problems would arise.

So, they were saying that in exchange for giving up the territories, they would give them the right to govern those territories.

This wasn’t a bad deal for Akino either.

However…

‘But if we have to give up all the profits from those territories, what’s the point of governing them?’

It meant they would have the name but give up all the substance. The moment they accepted this offer, they would become puppets of the General Assembly.

That was why Akino couldn’t easily answer.

“70% is too much.”

“It’s not too much.”

“But…”

“It’s not too much.”

Lee Hyun-soo said with a smile.

“It’s not too much at all. You’ve already taken more than 70% in the past.”

“We’re being very humane right now. We’re not asking for anything other than money. We don’t want to become the same kind of bastards.”

Akino’s eyes trembled.

It was an insulting remark.

But he couldn’t object.

“And you seem to be mistaken, but giving up 70% is the best you can get. If you don’t accept this offer and choose to fight, we’ll mercilessly sink everyone on this ship into the sea and push into Japan. We’ll kill all those who resist and take over.”

“That’s possible…”

“Ah, it’s annoying, troublesome, and irritating. But we can do it.

You still haven’t gotten rid of that stupid habit. After getting crushed for ignoring the General Assembly, are you still going to say it’s impossible?”

Each word was like a punch to the gut.

It was such a piercing point that there was no room for rebuttal. It felt like being beaten all over with a heavy hammer.

Sweat broke out on Akino’s forehead.

“Please remember that we’re showing you mercy. The reason we’re choosing this troublesome method is because the Chairman doesn’t want any more blood. However!”

Lee Hyun-soo bared his teeth.

“Don’t make the mistake of taking the words ‘doesn’t want any more blood’ as ‘avoids blood.’ If we want blood, we can give you as much as you want.”

That was true.

Those who had already killed two thousand wouldn’t be afraid of blood.

“We’ve told you all the conditions. Now, make a decision. I think we’ve given you enough time?”

Lee Hyun-soo pressured Akino with a smooth face.

Akino bit his lip.

He knew.

The decision had already been made.

Resistance was meaningless.

Akino, biting his lip, raised his head and looked at Kang Jin-ho.

“Chairman.”

A groan-like voice escaped Akino’s lips.

“Could you dismiss everyone and talk to me alone?”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head after hearing the translation.

“Impossible.”

The moment he heard the word impossible, Akino’s eyes wavered.

“…Why?”

“We need a translator.”

Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat.

“Follow me down.”

Without another word, Kang Jin-ho walked to the bow of the ship and jumped down to the ship anchored below. Akino bit his lip and turned around.

“Stand by.”

“…But, Director.”

“Stand by!”

At the sharp voice, Kohei nodded. Then, Akino sighed and jumped down to the ship they had come on, following Kang Jin-ho.

“Uh…”

Lee Hyun-soo leaned his head over the railing with a subtle expression.

Hmm…

He jumped down from there?

From this height?

Seriously.

As Lee Hyun-soo was hesitating with a subtle smile, Bator slowly approached.

Looking at the warm smile Bator was wearing, he felt naturally at ease. Right, if Bator helped…

“Should I throw you down?”

“Should I throw you, or will you jump?”

“I’ll jump, Director Bator.”

“Go.”

“Yes!”

Lee Hyun-soo jumped down to the ship below with all his might. Watching that, Bator clicked his tongue.

“He’s so into it.”