Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1433

“Wow, this is like a scene from a movie!” Like that one movie with the aliens. Of course, it’s not a futuristic building with a strong sci-fi vibe like in that movie, but still. No, that’s why it’s even more surprising. In the center, there’s a huge plaza, and corridors extend to the left and right. And on one wall of the plaza… “Is that… a Burger X?” A franchise burger joint was open for business. ‘Are these guys… crazy?’ They build a base in the desert underground to keep things secret, and then they open a franchise burger joint there. I couldn’t understand their way of thinking at all. “The cooks are all soldiers too. They’re supplied with ingredients delivered from specific regions.” “…Is that okay?” “There’s no problem. We pay for everything. Basically, everything inside here is provided free of charge.” Hearing the word ‘free’ made me feel like I was getting a reward. I could stop by and grab something later… “Wow, there’s an ice cream shop too.” Looking around, it seems like there’s nothing missing. “…Wait, isn’t this a place where soldiers train? It’s on base. This is like a shopping mall!” “It’s only natural.” Willie Reese looked at Lee Hyun-soo as if he couldn’t understand why he was asking. “The people here are sacrificing themselves for the country. It’s only right that they receive a salary for their service, and it’s the country’s job to ensure they have no discomfort while training.” “Wow.” Lee Hyun-soo wiped his eyes as if he was about to cry. “There aren’t many countries that can do what’s obvious.” It’s not just Korea. This is just the might of the United States. It means they can invest this much capital. Just as Willie Reese was about to add a few more words, a sturdy man came running from inside. As soon as he arrived, the man lightly saluted Willie Reese, then turned to Kang Jin-ho and extended his hand for a handshake. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Major Jimmy Bohr, the person in charge of this H27 sector.” Kang Jin-ho took Jimmy’s hand and shook it lightly. “I’m Kang Jin-ho.” “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Kang Jin-ho made an awkward expression. These days, everyone he meets seems to know him. It’s convenient in some ways, but it’s still difficult for Kang Jin-ho to accept such things naturally. “I’ll show you around the facility. Would you like to come this way?” As if taking the baton from Willie Reese, Jimmy began to guide Kang Jin-ho. Kang Jin-ho nodded lightly and followed Jimmy. “The facility seems very large?” Jimmy smiled. “It’s grown to this size after being expanded here and there from its original size. In reality, we’re not even fully utilizing this size.” “How many people are here?” “There are about five thousand people stationed at this base. Not all of them are combat personnel; about two thousand are combat personnel.” Five thousand people… That’s about a brigade level [a military unit typically consisting of several battalions]. To have a space large enough for a brigade-level force to live entirely underground, I can’t even begin to imagine how that’s possible. It was the first time since coming to the United States that Kang Jin-ho truly felt the might of America. “That’s amazing.” “Haha, there’s no need to be so surprised. This isn’t everything. There are several places like this just in Nevada. I can’t tell you about all of them, though.” Even Wiggins was surprised by those words. “Did you say there are several more places like this?” “Not as big as this one, but yes.” “Wow…” Wiggins was also at a loss for words. No, rather, it was because it was Wiggins that he was more surprised than Kang Jin-ho. Unlike Kang Jin-ho, who had a vague concept of economics, Wiggins knew very well how astronomical the costs would be to maintain such a facility with that many people. If it were in Britain, it would be difficult to create even one facility of this size, even if they poured all their national power into it. The Round Table [a reference to the legendary Arthurian knights, here likely a metaphor for a powerful organization] is similar to this place, but the Round Table is basically a coalition of all of Europe. It was something that Britain alone could never dream of. But there are several more facilities of this size. “America, America, they say…” No wonder people say that about America. Kang Jin-ho also seemed speechless at this scale, constantly looking around. Soldiers in military uniforms passed by him. “This way, we have the muscle training center and the swimming pool.” “…Wait a minute. A swimming pool? Underground?” “Is there any reason why a swimming pool can’t be underground?” “That would take a lot of water. This is a desert, isn’t it?” Jimmy smiled. “Just because it’s a desert doesn’t mean there’s no groundwater. It’s just that it’s deep, so it’s hard to bring it to the surface. This place is deep enough underground, so it’s easy to use groundwater.” I don’t know anymore. Lee Hyun-soo just laughed. This is a place that can’t be explained by their common sense. ‘Let’s not try to understand it.’ Just accept the facts as they are. “This way is the soldiers’ quarters. Would you like to see a room?” “No. There’s no need to go that far…” I’d probably just feel self-conscious if I saw it. ‘It might be better than my house.’ Lee Hyun-soo is already satisfied with his life. He doesn’t want to lower his satisfaction with his current life by foolishly sticking his nose into another life. Wiggins looked around and said, “How do you handle the food supply? It wouldn’t be easy to prepare food for that many people?” “We cook it here ourselves. However, since it’s underground, it’s almost impossible to produce the ingredients ourselves, so we bring them in from outside.” “Isn’t that dangerous?” “We have enough stockpiled to survive for more than six months on our own, even if we get cut off from the outside.” “That’s incredible.” A brigade for six months. Wiggins shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it the more he thought about it. Lee Hyun-soo thought this place was like a giant submarine. The structure is used efficiently, and the walls are almost all made of steel. It’s just that it’s painted in a slightly brighter color so it doesn’t feel stuffy. The concept itself is not much different from a submarine. ‘Well…’ Living in the water or living underground, there’s not much difference. It’s the same in that you live in a limited space cut off from the outside. “And this way is the training ground.” Walking along the corridor, they came to another large space like a plaza. Inside, there was a huge field in the center, and along the walls, there were small training grounds with transparent glass so you could see inside. “Do you train here?” “Of course, this isn’t the only training ground. We have various training grounds for different types of training. However, we haven’t deviated much from the traditional training methods, so we still need an open training ground like this.” Wiggins nodded. The facility is modern, but the central space is not much different from a European training ground. Knights swing their swords in such large spaces, and mages do their research in those small rooms. Jimmy opened his mouth with a slightly triumphant look. “As you can see, we have created the most advanced training method by combining traditional martial arts training with modern training methods. Of course, we are still continuously modifying and supplementing it. As a result, we are proud to say that the martial artists of the United States have the best skills in the world.” Kang Jin-ho and Wiggins looked at each other. “That’s not all. Through this series of processes, we have also solved the chronic problem of the martial arts world.” “Chronic problem?” “That they are difficult to control.” Jimmy grinned. “Until now, martial artists have only been united. The individual is the subject, and they have increased their power through alliances. But such a method is bound to lead to ruin. They have no choice but to be at odds with the state.” “Moreover, even if they cooperate with the state, the methods of martial artists and the methods of the state are bound to be different. But these people are martial artists, but they are also soldiers. They move like soldiers through military training. In other words, it means they can use their power accurately in the right place.” Jimmy glanced at Kang Jin-ho and said, “When they are put into actual combat, the results are obvious.” “I have a question…” At Kang Jin-ho’s question, Jimmy puffed out his chest. “Ask me anything.” “Is smoking allowed here?” At the completely unexpected question, Jimmy was flustered and stammered. “Ah, of course.” “I see.” Kang Jin-ho took out a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth. Lee Hyun-soo quickly took out a portable ashtray and stood next to Kang Jin-ho. Kang Jin-ho took a deep drag of his cigarette and flicked the ash into the ashtray. “Is there anything else you’re curious about?” “Yeah.” Kang Jin-ho shrugged and said, “When do we eat lunch? I’m curious about the food here.” “I’m curious too.” “Oh, me too. I heard the US military food is so good!” Confusion appeared on Jimmy’s face. ‘What are these guys?’ This isn’t the first time they’ve opened this place to the public. Although it’s confidential, there’s no need to hide it from those who are already part of the martial arts world. Before Kang Jin-ho came, several people had already visited this place. And after seeing this facility and the soldiers, they were half-terrified and declared themselves allies of the United States. But the reactions of the three people standing in front of him now were completely different from them. It was as if everything they had seen so far was nothing, and they were completely nonchalant. As Jimmy seemed flustered, Willie Reese stepped forward. “Lord of the Alliance.” “Hmm?” “Would you like to check the soldiers’ skills?” “Why bother?” Kang Jin-ho asked nonchalantly, and this time it was Willie Reese who was flustered. The reason Kang Jin-ho accompanied them all the way here was not to tour the facility. It was to see with his own eyes how strong the people training here were. But suddenly, his words had changed. “A-are you saying you don’t need to check?” “I guess so.” Willie turned his head and looked at the soldiers doing their autonomous training. ‘Did he grasp their capabilities just by looking at them in this short time?’ That can’t be true. But this guy is such an unconventional being. “…May I ask for your impressions?” Kang Jin-ho shrugged. “I don’t think you’d want to hear it?” “Please, tell me.” Kang Jin-ho looked at Willie Reese quietly and opened his mouth. “They’re not strong enough.” “It looks like they’re having fun playing house, but that’s all it is.” Jimmy’s face turned bright red as he listened to Kang Jin-ho’s words. Playing house? He had never heard such an insulting word in his life. “I think you’ll change your mind if you actually experience it?” He said, trying his best to suppress his anger. But he couldn’t help but have a rough tone. “Nothing will change.” Kang Jin-ho chuckled. “At least, that’s what I think.” Jimmy glared at Kang Jin-ho and retorted. “How strong are you to say such things so carelessly? I’ve seen so many people who just talk big!” Willie Reese was horrified and grabbed Jimmy’s shoulder. But the words had already reached Kang Jin-ho’s ears. Kang Jin-ho slowly curled up the corners of his mouth. “You’re going to regret those words.” His voice was slightly excited.