Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 2001

“The preparations are almost complete.”

“Oh, really?”

Black King whistled at Liu Yang’s report.

“Well, at least they understand what I’m saying.”

“…Our side hardly did anything. They took care of everything.”

“See? I told you he’s good at this.”

“Didn’t you say he was as stubborn as a mule?”

“That’s right. But that stubborn personality is how he gets his subordinates to work so well.”

Black King grimaced and rubbed his face roughly.

“Ugh, damn it. I’m getting PTSD.”

‘I don’t get it.’

No matter how much Liu Yang thought about it, he couldn’t understand this man. He knew from the start that he couldn’t comprehend someone of his caliber, but…

‘Isn’t this something else entirely?’

He just seems like a neighborhood idiot…

Liu Yang turned his head and looked across the way.

The people around Kang Jin-ho all had similar expressions.

‘They’re all suffering.’

‘I don’t get it.’

Is it because these guys are the Black King and the Demon Lord that this is happening, or are all the people at the top like this? It was impossible to tell.

A small sigh escaped Liu Yang’s lips.

‘It’s going to be a mess.’

His eyes caught the sight of the broadcasting personnel they had brought in from outside, sweating profusely as they set up the cameras.

The setup was almost complete. All that was left was to finalize the agreement for external broadcasting. Yet, the reason they were glued to the cameras was only one.

They didn’t have the courage to make eye contact with them while doing nothing and standing idly by.

‘I don’t get it.’

Seeing this, he doubted whether all of this would even work.

He roughly understood why Black King and Kang Jin-ho had agreed. He, too, had felt it deeply.

People fear the unknown.

Ghosts, the universe, the deep sea.

It’s human nature to feel fear towards what they can’t understand or see. In other words, the more you understand, the less fear you feel.

But…

‘Is that really true?’

Of course, the statement isn’t wrong. Those who have only heard of tigers are afraid of them, but those who have seen tigers at the zoo sometimes find them cute.

But…

‘If you were to go into that cage and face a tiger, could you really not be afraid?’

Of course not.

No matter how much you understand, the gap doesn’t disappear. The reason people fear tigers isn’t because of their habits or appearance. It’s because they can sink their teeth into your neck at any moment and tear your throat out in an instant.

If you know more about how easily a tiger can hunt a human, how strong it is, will that fear disappear?

It’s difficult.

This is a very difficult problem.

Even so, the only reason Liu Yang didn’t oppose what Black King was doing was this.

‘In the end, if we don’t try something, the end is set.’

The people here have gathered to struggle. If they’re going to try something, whether it works or not, there’s no reason to stop them.

At that moment, two people walked towards them from the other side.

Liu Yang, having assessed the situation, stepped forward to meet them.

“I’m Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Chai Ke-chang.”

“…I’m Liu Yang.”

The three of them, especially Lee Hyun-soo and Liu Yang, felt a subtle sense of camaraderie in their eyes.

“…Have we met before?”

“Yes. I visited the Assembly [a governing body or organization] once. I showed a rather unsightly appearance.”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s our daily life.”

Lee Hyun-soo put his fist to his mouth and coughed softly.

He hadn’t forgotten his position. The person he was facing was clearly an enemy. And an enemy more powerful than any they had faced so far.

But…

“The external coordination is almost finished.”

“…That’s incredibly fast? It hasn’t been long since we started talking.”

“Didn’t we broadcast our conversation with your side a while ago? Since we’ve already done it once, it wasn’t that difficult. The system is already in place, and we’re just reusing it.”

“No, that’s what’s difficult. And creating that system must have been a huge headache.”

“Haha, that’s what I do.”

Liu Yang looked at Lee Hyun-soo with endless pity.

It must be like the saying, ‘There are those who start the work, and those who clean up the mess.’

“Anyway… you’ve been through a lot.”

“It’s okay. It looks like you’ve been through more.”

“Don’t mention it. The camera setup is already complete, so please prepare at your own pace.”

“But when did you prepare those cameras? Were you planning this from the start?”

“No. Yesterday.”

“To be precise, about half a day ago?”

Lee Hyun-soo looked at Liu Yang with eyes that looked like he was about to cry.

“…Is this common?”

“It’s daily life.”

“It must be hard.”

“I’m used to it now.”

They both sighed at the same time, feeling an inexplicable sense of camaraderie.

Chai Ke-chang, who had been watching them, spoke in a cold voice.

“You’re about to go for coffee. Stop wasting time and finish quickly.”

Liu Yang and Lee Hyun-soo simultaneously turned their heads and glared at Chai Ke-chang.

“…What?”

“I’m jealous.”

“You must be happy.”

“What, what?”

Lee Hyun-soo shook his head.

“Hong King is at least a reasonable person. He doesn’t require much attention.”

As Chai Ke-chang was about to retort, Lee Hyun-soo neatly cut him off.

“Anyway, the preparations will be finished within 30 minutes.”

“30 minutes…”

Liu Yang’s gaze turned to the center of the hangar.

‘In 30 minutes, the scene here will be shown to the whole world.’

It was something they had done once before, but the feeling was different this time.

“Let’s start as soon as you’re ready.”

“What are the rules?”

“Last man standing.”

“…With consecutive wins?”

Lee Hyun-soo shook his head.

“That’s no fun. We’ll decide the winner in one-on-one matches, and those who can fight more can challenge again later.”

“Hmm… well, it doesn’t matter. We’ll win anyway.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled wryly at Liu Yang’s words.

“There’s one thing you should know.”

“What is it?”

“No one who has ever faced the Assembly has not said those words.”

“It’s always been like that. We’ve always fought from a disadvantage. But in the end, we’re always the ones standing.”

Liu Yang looked at Lee Hyun-soo without a word.

“Watching them, I’ve come to realize. Those people were probably born strong. They’re people who were strong in the past, returned to the past to live as strong people, and became strong again.”

Liu Yang frowned. He didn’t understand what Lee Hyun-soo was trying to say.

“So… you’ve probably never fought someone stronger than you. No, you’ve probably never even fought someone equal to you. You’ve always lived with the idea that you’re the strongest.”

“We broke all of that and stood here. Yes. That’s why it’s last man standing.”

Lee Hyun-soo winked lightly.

“We’re the ones who will be standing at the end.”

“Then.”

Lee Hyun-soo bowed his head and turned around.

Liu Yang watched Lee Hyun-soo’s retreating figure for a long time before turning silently and walking towards where Black King was.

“How was it?”

A sudden question.

But Liu Yang understood what Black King’s question meant.

“When I saw him before, he wasn’t particularly impressive…”

“But?”

“…I’ve come to realize how amazing Kang Jin-ho is. It’s rare to find someone who can control someone like that.”

“He’s someone who has the power to draw people in.”

Black King laughed as if he had received a compliment.

Liu Yang, who had been quietly watching him, opened his mouth slightly.

“…Black King.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s blasphemous, but may I ask you one thing? Even if my head is cut off for this question, I want to ask it.”

“You’re being serious. What is it? Go ahead.” Usually, at times like this, he would say that there was no chance of his head being cut off. But Black King didn’t say such words.

He was completely open, yet completely closed. Black King was someone who didn’t allow anyone to cross the line, no matter how close they were.

That’s why…

He had to ask this question.

“Do you really want to win?”

Black King’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“…I understood after seeing this stage. You’ve already achieved most of what you wanted to achieve. Whether you win or lose this match, the new world you desire will open.”

“So?”

“Could it be that you’re planning to complete your plan by losing here? That you’re planning to make the Demon Lord the future ruler…”

“Ha… Hahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!”

Black King laughed, clutching his stomach.

Liu Yang’s face hardened at his extreme reaction.

“I was wondering what you were talking about, but it’s so absurd that I don’t even feel like killing you.”

“…Does that mean?”

“The only reason I’m praising Kang Jin-ho is this. The stronger the enemy, the more the winner shines. The perfect lead is made by the best villain.”

“Liu Yang.”

“Yes, Black King.”

“I like that man so much.”

“But I don’t trust him.”

Black King shook his head.

“Didn’t I tell you? It was that man’s simple whim that ruined the plan that should have been completed a long time ago.”

“…Yes.”

“I like that man so much. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had in my life. But I hate that man so much. He’s the worst villain I’ve ever had in my life.”

Liu Yang closed his mouth.

“I’m not the kind of person who hands over my plan to someone else and washes my hands of it. I can’t allow it to leave my hands until the very end. If Kang Jin-ho had sided with me, he would have been the best chess piece. But… if I can’t have him, it’s better to break him. Just because I lose a piece doesn’t mean I can’t play chess.”

Black King smiled cruelly.

“There’s only one last courtesy I can give to a friend. To cut off his breath with my own hands, while ensuring the safety of the rest.”

Black King shrugged.

“If he had a child, I would have made him the king of the world… It’s a shame. He’s so hopeless in that area. What a waste of a face.”

“…Isn’t that the same for you?”

“I’m a non-marriage advocate. That man has a girlfriend.”

Black King chuckled.

“And… that’s something that even that man wouldn’t allow. Our relationship is more complicated than you think. There’s nothing left but to fight with all our might. So…”

Black King’s eyes coldly pierced Liu Yang.

“Don’t insult me anymore. I’m someone who has given up three lives for the completion of this world. I don’t have the right to choose death. I will prove that I’m not wrong with victory.”

Liu Yang shuddered.

The obsession in each of Black King’s words made him tremble.

Black King stood up from his seat.

He glared across the way. As if knowing Black King’s mood, Kang Jin-ho was also looking this way.

The moment their eyes met in the air, similar smiles bloomed on their lips.

A smile filled with murderous intent.

And then.

Lee Hyun-soo raised his hand and sent a signal. It meant that all preparations were complete.

“Alright, let’s begin. A warrior’s war to prove who is right with swords.”

Led by Black King and Kang Jin-ho…

The two sides slowly walked towards the center.