Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1594

“This is insane.”

Suzuki Ryuichi gritted his teeth as he saw the wooden sword flying towards him.

Even though it was a wooden sword, it was imbued with sword energy [a martial arts concept where a practitioner’s inner energy enhances their weapon]. If he were hit directly, it wouldn’t end with just a broken bone or two.

“Aaaah!”

Ryuichi swung the bamboo sword in his hand, blocking the incoming wooden sword.

Clang!

The wooden sword and bamboo sword collided, creating a dull, heavy sound.

The impact felt like it would break his wrist.

But now was not the time to feel the impact.

Ryuichi immediately threw himself to the ground. He could feel the energy of the wooden sword flying from behind him.

Rolling away from the sword’s range, Ryuichi looked up with a disgusted expression.

“Aaaah!”

“You damn Japs!”

“Die!”

It was utter chaos.

Ryuichi swallowed hard as he looked at the scene unfolding before him.

‘What the hell are these guys?’

When he crossed over from Japan, he had vowed to become the best here.

He didn’t have high expectations for them anyway.

Why would they teach anything significant to those who might become potential enemies? They would probably just go through the motions and send them back.

But he didn’t care.

What he wanted was the signboard that the Assembly protected [a symbol of power or authority]. If he could get that signboard, he thought he could make his own way.

However, the moment Ryuichi arrived at the Assembly after crossing the sea, he had to realize how wrong he had been.

“Uwaaaaaaa!”

A Demonic Cultist with a wooden sword charged at him with bloodshot eyes. Overwhelmed by the murderous aura, Ryuichi unconsciously stepped back.

‘Damn it!’

The one charging at him now was not strong at all. Normally, he was confident he could win every time if they fought ten times.

But now, Ryuichi was keenly aware.

That real combat was a completely different world.

“Die, you Jap bastard!”

The Demonic Cultist yelled and swung his sword at Ryuichi.

Ryuichi, whose body had stiffened, couldn’t even counter properly and squeezed his eyes shut.

Thud!

A dull sound was heard.

But he didn’t feel any pain.

When he cautiously opened his eyes, the Demonic Cultist who had been charging at him was falling sideways.

“Get a grip, you idiot.”

He snapped back to his senses when he saw Michihiro standing next to him.

“Hoo!”

The moment Ryuichi took a short, deep breath and gripped his bamboo sword tightly.

“Stop!”

A low, heavy voice echoed, and the Demonic Cultists stopped all at once. Then, as if the ridiculous battle they had been engaged in was all a lie, they calmly gathered the injured and lined up on one side.

On the other hand, the Japanese trainees were still unable to come to their senses even after the Demonic Cultists had finished lining up.

Jang Min glanced at the Japanese trainees and opened his mouth.

“That’s it for today.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Elder!”

“We are always grateful!”

“Hmm.”

The Demonic Cultists all bowed and then rushed to one side to prepare.

“…Crazy bastards.”

Ryuichi gritted his teeth.

Seeing the guys who had been trying to kill them just a moment ago walking away cheerfully like students after class, he was beyond annoyed.

‘They’re all crazy.’

He didn’t know where to even begin pointing out the problems.

Should he question why they put the Japanese trainees through such ridiculous real combat for their first training, or should he point out that they do this kind of training every day?

It was completely beyond Ryuichi’s common sense.

“How was it?”

“How was what?”

“Today’s training.”

Michihiro said with a smirk, and Ryuichi’s face contorted.

“I don’t know about the rest…”

More like, he didn’t want to evaluate it.

“But one thing is for sure.”

“What?”

Ryuichi hesitated for a moment before sighing and saying.

“Why we lost.”

Michihiro, who had been speaking playfully, couldn’t just brush off those words and made a subtle expression.

“I really don’t want to agree, but I have to.”

Ryuichi rubbed his face with both hands.

‘Damn it.’

Japanese martial arts are generally known as ‘Budo’ [a collective term for Japanese martial arts].

Budo (武道).

Depending on how you interpret it, it can have various meanings, but Japanese martial arts are closer to self-discipline (免己). Its significance lies in honing the sword and perfecting oneself.

In other words, as a martial art, it tries to pursue a certain etiquette (禮) [a system of rules and conventions].

Therefore, there must be decorum in drawing a sword, and even handling the sword carelessly is not allowed. They believe that swinging a sword according to thoroughly established rules and etiquette is what gives it value.

But what about these guys?

‘It’s just war.’

From his perspective, they were not martial artists but soldiers. A group that uses martial arts merely as a means of fighting.

The only difference was the type of weapon they held. What was the difference between them and soldiers?

“I would have laughed at this before.”

“But now we can’t laugh, can we?”

“…Yeah.”

Japan was defeated by those very soldiers.

Japan finds aesthetics even in violence. Or rather, they find aesthetics in violence.

But these guys only pursue extreme efficiency.

Whether that was the Korean way, the Chinese way, or Kang Jin-ho’s way, there was no way to know in this situation, but what was certain was that they were thoroughly defeated by this method.

“It’s like the old Japanese army that was crushed while emphasizing the Yamato spirit [a term referring to the traditional Japanese spirit and values].”

“That level of self-deprecation is a disease.”

Ryuichi sighed at Michihiro’s words.

‘Damn it.’

What had he been doing all this time?

‘Just talking big.’

He felt like he could do anything if given the chance.

He was confident that he would never miss the chance if he was given just one opportunity.

But the moment he experienced this training, he had no choice but to realize.

‘There’s no way a chance would just be given to me.’

While he was wasting time blaming the situation in Japan, these guys were training here and improving their skills.

‘What the hell have I been doing?’

He felt his teeth grind.

He was so ashamed that he wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

What made him even more ashamed was that the level of the Demonic Cultists he had just faced was not high at all. But compared to him, the relatively weaker Demonic Cultists had overwhelmed him in real combat.

‘Damn it.’

Because they are used to real combat?

That’s bullshit.

That was a statement that ignored what they had done to become so accustomed to real combat.

Even if that was true, Ryuichi, who had been lamenting his fate and extorting money from yakuza, had no right to say that.

“How is it?”

Ryuichi slightly turned his head at Michihiro’s voice.

Michihiro, who met his gaze, said with a mocking smile.

“Looks like you’re finally getting motivated?”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Ryuichi turned his head away.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t been motivated. He was just a little flustered.

“This isn’t the end, is it?”

“Probably not. It doesn’t seem like they plan to just give us some real combat training and send us back.”

Ryuichi chuckled.

‘These guys are really hopeless.’

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Kang Jin-ho’s words. He didn’t pride himself on having a great eye for people, but even to him, Kang Jin-ho didn’t seem like someone who would lie.

So, his intention to properly teach them must have been genuine.

The reason he didn’t have high expectations was because he thought that an organization couldn’t be controlled by the will of individuals alone.

Even if Kang Jin-ho had the will to do so, the Assembly wouldn’t be too happy about spreading their martial arts to Japan. So, in the end, they would inevitably be blocked by the wall of reality. That was Ryuichi’s judgment.

But that judgment was completely off the mark.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“They’re not thinking.”

Ryuichi glanced at Michihiro.

Michihiro waved his hand at the look.

“Ah, I think I misspoke. I don’t mean that they are doing things without thinking.”

“Then?”

“They are not thinking.”

Isn’t that the same thing?

Michihiro chuckled at Ryuichi’s bewildered expression.

“I think the worst habit of Japan is being overly cautious.”

“Is being cautious a bad thing?”

“Of course, being cautious isn’t bad. But that caution usually becomes a good excuse to postpone immediate decisions.”

He seemed to understand what he meant.

“Sometimes, you have to do things without thinking about the consequences. But Japan doesn’t know when to do that. So they wait and wait. They keep pondering in the pot until the water boils and their flesh is cooked.”

Ryuichi frowned.

“Isn’t that too much of an exaggeration?”

“Are you saying that even though we are the victims?”

“Huh?”

What is he talking about?

Michihiro chuckled.

“If they hadn’t been so hesitant and worried about China’s reaction when the Korean peninsula was up for grabs, we wouldn’t be in this mess. No matter how much Kang Jin-ho appears, if the Assembly and Yeongnam Association had all disappeared, he wouldn’t be able to do anything alone.”

“They lost everything because they hesitated.”

Ryuichi didn’t particularly respond.

It wasn’t because his pride was hurt. It was just that he didn’t really agree with Michihiro’s words.

‘Even in that situation, that person would have done something.’

But there was some truth in Michihiro’s words.

“The Assembly knows. They know that if they keep calculating the future while worrying about the approaching crisis, they will end up like Japan. So they leave the aftermath to later and do everything they can right now.”

Michihiro sneered.

“Something Japan couldn’t do.”

“Honestly, I’m curious about something every time this happens…”

“What?”

“Are you a Zainichi [a term for ethnic Koreans living in Japan]?”

“Absolutely not! I am 100% Japanese. I can be this self-deprecating and cynical because I am Japanese.”

“Impressive.”

Ryuichi shook his head.

“Anyway, one thing has become clear.”

“Right.”

They really intend to properly teach the trainees. Then, he should properly respond to that intention.

“First, we should thoroughly respond to their intention.”

“Don’t forget what the price is. We are bullet shields.”

“I don’t care.”

Ryuichi said with cold eyes.

“But if we endure being bullet shields, then we will be recognized.”

“You’ve completely turned into a pro-Korean.”

“It’s thanks to you.”

“…What?”

“You said that sometimes you have to charge without thinking about the consequences, right? I think now is the time.”

“I don’t care about what happens later. I will do my best with what is given to me now.”

“Good attitude.”

Michihiro curled up the corners of his mouth as if he was satisfied.

Seeing that, Ryuichi frowned and turned his body.

He knew that wasn’t his intention, but that smile felt like it was mocking his defection, which made him uncomfortable.

‘It’s not defection.’

He was just making the right choice.

And with that, Ryuichi firmly believed that his choice would also help Japan.

At least for now.