Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1762

Crack!

The sword’s hilt screamed.

Kang Jin-ho, gripping the sword with tremendous force that twisted the blade—a blade sufficiently reinforced with inner energy—swung it explosively.

Fwoooooosh!

The sight of the sword, wreathed in surging demonic energy, being swung explosively was reminiscent of a cascading waterfall.

And…

Even if that energy resembling a waterfall was not demonic energy but actual water, it seemed impossible for a human body to withstand it.

Thwack!

A deafening boom erupted as the sword collided with a human body. The human body, literally pulverized, burst into pieces like fireworks, scattering in all directions.

“Hoo…”

His breathing became slightly labored.

It felt as if his spirit, not his body, was boiling over.

His coldly composed reason was clearly maintained, but heat surged from deep within his chest.

However, regardless of Kang Jin-ho’s inner state, his outward appearance remained unchanged.

In the black flames, the crimson glint in his eyes flickered.

Once more.

Fwoooooosh!

Excessive.

An excessive amount of energy was explosively unleashed, far too much to simply cut through a body made of bone and flesh.

Those swept away by the waterfall of black flames did not even leave behind proper corpses. All that remained was the ground, stained red.

As that demon cut them down with black flames and crimson eyes, the world surrounding them was gradually changing into a darker sky and red earth.

“Ah… Ahh…”

And the one who had been watching the scene from the front began to retreat, unconsciously.

For the first time.

It was the first time since this battle had begun.

And…

Just as it is difficult to stop a crack once it has started, a chain reaction occurred as one person began to retreat.

Those who had been holding on with desperate will and fear of what was behind them began to step back, half voluntarily, half involuntarily.

“D-don’t retreat!”

“The King of Creation is watching!”

Those who had noticed the change beginning at the front shouted to regain control of the situation, but that was not enough to reverse a resolve that had begun to crumble.

Their will stemmed from fear.

The fear of facing a fate worse than death if they disobeyed the King of Creation’s orders.

However, those who had seen Kang Jin-ho before their eyes realized that there was a fundamental problem with that fear.

‘Who guarantees that it’s not worse than dying right now?’

There was no way to know.

Because no one had experienced death.

They had simply assumed that the King of Creation’s torture would be more terrifying than death.

But now, faced with the ‘death’ that had materialized before their eyes, they could not help but understand how short-sighted that thought had been.

Is there really anything more terrifying than death?

That is something that can only be said when there is a certainty that death guarantees a more peaceful state than the King of Creation’s pain. How can they be sure of that when they do not know what lies beyond death?

It was coming.

A grim reaper, shrouded in black darkness and emitting a crimson glow, was approaching them.

The only result for those who had encountered that grim reaper so far was one thing.

Death.

Utterly fair and utterly certain.

For the first time in their lives, those who had only known death as an abstract concept were forced to recall their instincts as living beings.

Their trembling legs moved on their own.

They could not tear their gaze away, but their bodies tried to move away from that demon.

Even the reason that had desperately suppressed that instinct could not exert its power this time.

“R-run…”

“Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Someone’s scream.

That was enough to be the signal flare that snapped the taut bowstring.

Those at the front began to retreat faster and faster, and soon they turned and began to run.

Fear spreads like wildfire.

The start was slow, but it took almost no time for that fear to spread.

When the person next to them screamed and ran away, who would remain alone to face Kang Jin-ho?

The moment the two factors that had been holding them back—numerical superiority and the gaze of those around them—were removed, the thoroughly trained soldiers abandoned their reason and reverted to beasts.

“Uwaaaaaaah!”

“Demon!”

The greater the suppression, the greater the backlash. Those who were running away from Kang Jin-ho with all their might no longer saw those blocking their path as comrades.

After all, if they ran away now, they would have to hide for the rest of their lives to avoid the King of Creation. So what was there to hesitate about?

“Get out of the way!”

“Get out of there!”

A hand reached out, grabbing the back of the neck of someone trying to run and pulling them back. Those who had been running almost on all fours became entangled with each other, shouting.

“W-what is it!”

The rear ranks, who had not been able to accurately assess the situation at the front, could only be bewildered by the sight of their comrades suddenly rushing towards them like zombies.

“Get out of the waaaaaay!”

“Uwaaaaaaah!”

They charged.

This was not a situation to be concerned about comrades or anything else. There was no one who could leisurely wait their turn when a demon was chasing them from behind.

“W-what are you doing!”

Hands reached out.

Desperate hands flailed in the air, pushing through the wall of humans. Those who were trying to hold their ground in confusion and those who were trying to break through collided, mixed, and entangled with each other.

“Get out of the waaaaaay!”

Blood spurted from somewhere.

And that blood was enough to further excite those who had abandoned their reason. Those who had given up everything for the sake of survival no longer hesitated.

Swish! Swish!

Swords were swung.

If the path would not open, they had to force it open. The one who had just stabbed a sword into the neck of a comrade who had been protecting his back a moment ago stepped over the face of the fallen, whose eyes were wide with shock, and leaped forward.

“You crazy bastards!”

Those who had been shoulder to shoulder just moments ago were now swinging their swords at each other.

It was a scene that could only be described as a pandemonium.

Perhaps it was only natural.

If the place where demons live is hell, then it is only natural that the place where a demon descends would also become hell.

However, Kang Jin-ho denied that fact.

The look in his eyes as he watched them run and become entangled did not change in the slightest. No matter how the situation changed, what he had to do remained the same.

Rather…

Kang Jin-ho kicked off the ground and launched himself forward.

Then, without hesitation, he swung his sword, burning with demonic energy, towards the place where the King of Creation’s warriors were entangled.

“N-nooooooo!”

Thwack!

The demon’s blade pierced the bodies of those who were entangled, their bodies pressed tightly together.

The space where warriors reinforced with inner energy were entangled without any gaps could be said to be stronger than a wall made of steel. But Kang Jin-ho’s sword crushed that space in an instant.

Fwoooooosh!

The severed upper bodies spun like tops, flying into the air. The violently rotating bodies spewed blood and entrails like fountains from their severed cross-sections.

Even the most strong-willed person would have to close their eyes tightly in the face of this sight.

It was that gruesome and horrific.

Life itself is sacred. But at least here, life had no value. The only thing that was sacred here was Kang Jin-ho.

“Haa… Hyaaaaaaak! Aaaaaaaah!”

Those who had barely survived because the tip of the sword had not reached them cried out in tears.

“Get out of the way! You bastards!”

No one dared to fight again. The moment their morale was completely broken, those here were no longer soldiers or warriors. They were just prey, terrified and yearning to escape from the predator.

The sword in his hand was thrust into the back of a faltering man. Not satisfied with that, he screamed and stabbed the back several times.

As one person fell, they trampled over the body and ran again.

But no matter how fast they ran, they could not outpace Kang Jin-ho’s pursuit.

Thud!

The sound of footsteps behind them.

Those who sensed their fate widened their eyes and threw themselves forward, but Kang Jin-ho’s sword was faster, stronger, and more merciless.

Fwoooooosh!

It was a swing that was difficult to even call swordsmanship.

A simple swing without any technique.

But that was why it was faster, and that was why it was stronger.

Bodies were torn apart.

The army was pierced through.

Those who could no longer resist created a perfect path of attack for Kang Jin-ho, and simply advancing along that path resulted in more casualties than an adult stepping on an ant colony.

Excessively sprayed blood floated like mist.

Those who wanted to survive struggled to escape the blood mist, shedding tears, and the demon who had abandoned his human heart advanced, tearing through their backs.

Army Demolition.

The Demon King’s advance.

Bator clenched his fist.

Behind him, the warriors of the General Assembly were following. He could not show them his trembling fingertips.

‘Master…’

He desperately calmed his trembling jaw.

Bator, who prided himself on never having feared anyone in his life, was shaken by the sight unfolding before his eyes, despite having fought in countless battles.

“…He’s insane.”

He tried to force a slight smile, but the corners of his mouth would not lift.

‘Will I ever see such a sight again in my life?’

How many were gathered here to stop them?

At least tens of thousands.

Yes, tens of thousands.

So many people were terrified and running away, unable to withstand even Kang Jin-ho alone, not the General Assembly.

They stabbed their comrades in the back, struggling and writhing to run away, even crawling on the ground.

This was a truly horrific sight.

But also…

‘It’s damn amazing.’

Bator clenched his fist tightly.

He was a warrior. One who had mastered martial arts and sought to stand at the pinnacle of the world. Anyone who had mastered martial arts would dream of such a sight. The sight of those who had transcended humanity and entered the realm of the superhuman, reigning supreme over the absolute, transcending the difference in numbers.

It was a terrifying sight, but also a thrilling one.

“…He’s not human.”

Bator nodded unconsciously at Wiggins’ groan-like voice.

He was always surprised.

Kang Jin-ho was always stronger than they thought, and he became stronger than they expected. But the current Kang Jin-ho was surpassing even their predictions that had taken all of that into account.

“…He’s like a monster.”

A groan escaped Bator’s lips.

But now was not the time to simply admire. Just as Bator was about to shout and order them to advance, it happened.

Thwack!

Kang Jin-ho, who had struck down the massed warriors, casually extended his foot.

And at that very moment.

Thwack!

The ground where Kang Jin-ho had stepped suddenly exploded, and Kang Jin-ho’s entire body was engulfed in black and red flames.

The explosion was so powerful that just being hit by the shockwave felt like being hit by a dump truck.

Bator, who had reflexively cowered, widened his eyes and shouted.

“Maaaaaaster!”

In his eyes, a huge plume of smoke rising into the sky was imprinted like a brand.