Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1986

‘What the hell is this…’

Kang Jin-ho sat on the sofa, legs crossed. But what was in front of the sofa wasn’t the usual board members of the General Assembly.

Where the long sofas used to be, matching the head table, large monitors had been set up. As soon as they were contacted, people were dispatched and had installed video conferencing equipment in just 30 minutes.

[Do you think it’s possible?]

“It’s not particularly difficult.”

The person on the screen, who had been staring blankly at Kang Jin-ho, turned his head. Where his gaze landed, Go Han-bong was wearing a troubled expression.

[What do you think, Prime Minister?]
“I….”

Go Han-bong, who had arrived at the General Assembly with those who had set up the vision, looked at Kang Jin-ho with an indescribable expression.

At the same time, his hand was gripping the phone in his pocket. The content of the meeting taking place here was being transmitted directly to the Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president]. The fact that he hadn’t received any contact meant that the decision was primarily left to him, just as they had initially discussed.

Go Han-bong felt the heavy responsibility weighing on his shoulders as he looked at Kang Jin-ho once more.

He had to try hard to hide his trembling hands just from facing the people on the other side of the screen. Even though it was just through a screen, their names were not to be taken lightly.

But Kang Jin-ho was as calm as could be.

Looking at Kang Jin-ho sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed and a cigarette in his mouth, one might even get the illusion that their titles and names weren’t that great.

“…I support the Chairman’s decision.”
[Are you sure it’s alright?]

“I don’t know what other countries think, but our thoughts have been the same from the beginning.

This isn’t our area. No matter how hard we try or worry, it’s not an area we can solve. It’s like a mammal living in a tree trying to understand a fish living in the deep sea, no matter how hard it tries.”

The people on the other side of the screen all frowned at once.

“Then, wouldn’t we have no choice but to respect the judgment of someone who can understand?”

[That’s incredibly irresponsible.]

[I hope you don’t forget that South Korea also bears responsibility for this whole situation.]

[Is that something China should be saying?]

[Ahem.]

An unofficial diplomatic channel.

Perhaps because it was a place where nothing would leak out of anyone’s mouth, the conversations were quite rough and blatant.

[Implementation isn’t difficult! But who will bear the risk?]

[Can we entrust the fate of the world to them in the first place?]

[Shouldn’t China’s Red King be the representative on their side? Shouldn’t we discuss whether a Korean nobody is qualified to represent their world?]

[We can’t ignore the reaction we’ll get if we make this public.]

Some were heads of state.

Some were in charge of the military power of a nation.

And some were beyond national borders, entrusted with all authority by a coalition of several nations.

From various perspectives, disorganized opinions poured out.

Cold sweat formed on Go Han-bong’s forehead.

The chaotic words flowing out confused Go Han-bong’s ears.

‘The simultaneous interpreters must be having a hard time.’

They must be out of their minds trying to distinguish between what to translate and what to filter out.

[More than anything…]

When a person in the center screen opened his mouth, everyone else fell silent.

The deep blue uniform and the dense array of medals on the left chest made it easy to guess this person’s identity.

[According to your opinion, the whole world will not be able to avoid the criticism that they have shifted their responsibility to your side.]

Kang Jin-ho looked at the other party without a word.

[This risk is not small at all. It is the government and the military that must protect the lives of the people, not others.]

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“You’re talking nonsense.”

[Nonsense?]

Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled cigarette smoke and spoke again.

“What we need to protect is the lives of the people, literally.”

“Not the face of the regime.”

The person on the other side of the screen closed his mouth tightly.

“Are you a soldier?”

[My duty is that of a soldier.]

“Then, shouldn’t you be thinking about what the best choice is for the safety of the people, not the face or safety of you great politicians? Isn’t that right?”

There was no answer.

But that silence was affirmation.

“Politicians are there to clean up the mess. Not the other way around, where the people clean up the mess that politicians made.”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze encompassed the entire screen.

“If there’s an alternative, we’ll follow that alternative.”

Everyone fell silent.

The reason they even showed their faces at this meeting was because they didn’t have an alternative. Or rather, even if they had an alternative, they didn’t have the courage to implement it.

It wasn’t because they were cowards, but because no one could take responsibility for this matter.

“If there’s no alternative, then let me do it my way. Then I’ll bring you the results. There will be those who will make noise, but if I present the results, it won’t be difficult to avoid responsibility.”

[Hmm.]

There were quite a few faces present, but only three places had the right to speak at this meeting.

[Even so…]

“Let’s keep it under wraps.”

[Huh?]

Kang Jin-ho smiled.

“I’ll take care of everything inside. I’m not interested in that. And it’s also one of the ways to help the country, so you should acknowledge that.”

The expressions on some people’s faces changed noticeably.

But they wouldn’t be all of them. Even those who skillfully maintained their composure might have done something behind the scenes.

About half of them, or maybe even more, had already made secret deals with them. Now, Kang Jin-ho was saying that he would eliminate any evidence that might be there.

[How do you plan to handle the cleanup?]

“I’ll take care of it. I’ll get out of there without touching anything. If we form a joint team of those who enter first, there won’t be any issues. And that is….”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to one side.

“It’s also something that requires someone’s cooperation.”

[….]

The Chinese government representatives, who received Kang Jin-ho’s gaze, frowned.

[This is an internal problem for China, but it’s not just a problem for China. We have no intention of demanding the rights to internal data. However, the only method is complete disposal.]

“So that’s what you’re saying.”

China wouldn’t be able to move easily either.

If they secured evidence that they had made secret deals with terrorists, they might gain a great advantage, but if the number of those who made secret deals was greater than they expected, China would be pushed to the brink.

The majority’s choice would become the right one, and everyone would turn their blades against China, which had exposed their flaws.

There was no value in taking such a risk.

“So decide. Time is passing even as we speak. If you don’t have the courage to act, at least show some responsibility.”

Low sighs flowed through the speakers.

[We approve.]

It was the voice from the central vision that broke the silence.

The weight of the person who made that voice might be greater than all the people here combined.

[Europe also approves. There is no other way. We agree that the way to solve the problems of that world must be found in that world.]

On that side, Wiggins had already done his best.

As the European Union had been working closely with the Round Table [a fictional organization], they would have already decided on the best way to resolve the current situation.

Then there was only one place left.

[China….]

The Asian man on the other side of the screen looked ahead with a serious face. But his gaze was not on the camera or the vision, but on the teleprompter behind it.

The people who came forward were not the leaders, but the leaders of each country were also watching this place, just like the President of Korea who sent Go Han-bong.

[We approve. However! I hope you don’t forget that China bears the greatest risk in all of this.]

“That’s something you guys need to discuss.”

Kang Jin-ho shook off the ash from his burnt-out cigarette and nodded.

“Does anyone else object?”

There was no answer.

“If there are no objections, let’s proceed immediately.”

[How long will it take to prepare?]

“There’s nothing to prepare. We’ll move as soon as you’re ready.”

[Then we’ll be ready within two hours.]

[We’ll be ready in two hours as well.]

“Then we’ll move in two hours.”

The decision was made.

Too easily, considering the gravity of the matter.

But it wasn’t that strange. Everyone here would have been waiting for someone to step up and resolve this situation, just like anyone who has encountered something they can’t handle on their own.

“We’ll solve the problem that happened here, here. But….”

Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth with a determined face.

“There’s one thing you have to promise.”

[What is it?]

“If we succeed in cleaning up the mess that bastard made, I hope you won’t hold the Inhumans responsible for this. Just like we don’t turn ordinary people into enemies when we are harmed by a few crazy people.”

[….]

“If it’s not a war that ends only when one of us is completely dead, then we will eventually have to coexist. We will also make an effort. So, at least, I hope you will think about coexistence, not just survival.”

Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat.

Then, he bowed politely to the screens across from him.

“Please.”

[….]

The man in the uniform cleared his throat softly.

[We understand that this whole situation is not your responsibility. And that most Inhumans are just innocent.]

[No one wants war. Especially if that war is a civil war. We will try our best to accommodate your request.]

[Same here.]

[We don’t want trouble either.]

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Thank you. On behalf of all Inhumans.”

[However, that’s only if you succeed.]

“Of course.”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes shone coldly.

“I’ve never even considered failure.”

[You’re reliable. We’ll contact you as soon as we’re ready.]

The visions turned off one by one.

Kang Jin-ho, who had sat back on the sofa, took out a new cigarette, lit it, and took a few puffs before tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.

“Chairman.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded as Go Han-bong called out.

“I know. It’s just the beginning.”

“They said two hours, but it won’t take even an hour to finish the preparations. This is something that’s better done quickly.”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes.

‘Mammals can’t understand fish….’

It was just a way to persuade them, but that statement clearly showed how Go Han-bong, an ordinary person, viewed the Inhumans.

Even if they overcome this wall, the Inhumans will have a mountain of things to overcome in the future. First of all, there’s that huge wall of perception.

‘But that’s not my role.’

His role was to give them the opportunity to stand in front of that wall.

Even if he had to pour everything into it.

‘Cheongma.’

Kang Jin-ho opened his eyes.

‘Let’s end it now. This long, long fight between you and me.’

Kang Jin-ho grinned, revealing his teeth.

Now, there were no obstacles between him and Cheongma.