Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 360

“Huh?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s face went blank.

“Ah, no, wait a minute.”

He knew who the person in front of him was. The person speaking to him right now was Bang Jin-hoon, the head of the Assembly. Wasn’t he the same Bang Jin-hoon who didn’t have particularly good feelings towards him because of some past trouble?

In this kind of situation, even if they asked him to make soybean paste with red beans [a nonsensical request, implying any order would be followed], he would say yes, and if they ordered him to find the elixir of life, he would have to search even eBay. That was Lee Myung-hwan’s position.

He knew very well that making a face that said, ‘What the hell are you talking about?’ right in front of him would not help his life at all. He knew it, but… Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t help but ask again.

“What did you say?”

It was rude.

He didn’t even refine his tone, nor did he choose his words carefully.

He just blurted out whatever came to mind.

However, Bang Jin-hoon understood Lee Myung-hwan’s reaction well enough, and even looked apologetic.

“That’s what they’re saying.”

“Ah, no, Head, just a minute. No, just… wow, damn it!”

He was even starting to swear, but Bang Jin-hoon didn’t scold Lee Myung-hwan.

Even he himself thought it was absurd, so how much more would Lee Myung-hwan feel it?

At least Bang Jin-hoon had some understanding of Kang Jin-ho, so even if Kang Jin-ho did something absurd, he could accept it, thinking, ‘Well, that’s just how he is.’ But Lee Myung-hwan didn’t have that.

So, his reaction was understandable.

‘I sympathize with him.’

The situation had gone awry after he had already given the order to work alongside Kang Jin-ho. Although the situation had changed,

someone had to stick with him. So, he had no choice but to assign Lee Myung-hwan.

“Are you kidding me?”

“No. I’m serious.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Bang Jin-hoon scratched his head.

“It’s not like I’m using you as a disposable pawn. You know Chun Tae-hoon, right?”

“…Ah, yes, I do.”

Lee Myung-hwan thought of Chun Tae-hoon in his mind.

He was Bang Jin-hoon’s right-hand man who had recently started to stand out. He had been living quietly, barely noticeable, but as Bang Jin-hoon rose to the position of head, he was taking on key tasks.

There were rumors that he was a hidden talent and a secret weapon of Bang Jin-hoon.

There was no way he wouldn’t know, since those who were jealous of Chun Tae-hoon had picked fights with him and got their asses kicked.

“Chun Tae-hoon will go with you too.”

“…Is that supposed to be comforting?”

“No, it’s not that… if this was a path to death, would I send my precious Chun Tae-hoon with you? Huh? Do you understand what I mean?”

‘I don’t understand.’

‘I really don’t understand?’

‘Why are you doing this to me?’

Lee Myung-hwan protested with his eyes, but Bang Jin-hoon avoided his gaze with an awkward smile.

“Do I really have to go?”

“…It’s something someone has to do.”

“Why does it have to be me?”

“Myung-hwan.”

Bang Jin-hoon grabbed Lee Myung-hwan’s shoulder tightly.

“If you handle this well, I will never forget it. I’ll make sure to push you forward no matter what. You know my heart, right?”

“Haha…”

Lee Myung-hwan laughed in a daze.

Anyone who saw them would think that Bang Jin-hoon and Lee Myung-hwan had known each other for about twenty years. In reality, they had never exchanged a single word before this incident.

Considering the difference between the head and a regular member,

he should follow orders without complaint even if he was just gestured to do so. But this was such a crazy thing that Bang Jin-hoon had to beg him to do it.

“Wow…”

Lee Myung-hwan clutched his confused head.

‘What the hell am I supposed to do?’ It seemed better to just bite his tongue and die. But if he could just endure this, his life would be smooth sailing from now on.

The thick, sturdy rope that Gong Young-gil had mentioned on the bus earlier was not just being lowered to him, but was coming down like a snake and wrapping around his waist.

The problem was that the rope was soaked in gasoline, and sparks were constantly flying from somewhere. If it didn’t catch fire, he would be holding onto an incredibly strong rope, but if it did, he would just die with it.

‘What am I supposed to do, damn it!’

Bang Jin-hoon delivered the final blow to Lee Myung-hwan, who was at a loss.

“Think about it. That guy isn’t crazy either, so he must have a way to survive. He’ll probably just do it moderately.”

“…That’s true.”

“It’s an opportunity, an opportunity. In my opinion, this is an opportunity. Honestly, if you do this much, how can I not trust you? Not just me? Other directors and even the former head will have to acknowledge your courage. If I suddenly say, ‘Ah, let’s just promote Lee Myung-hwan,’ who could object?”

“It sounds like you’re selling snake oil…”

“It’s good medicine, good medicine. Just close your eyes and take it.”

He wished he would stop at being a medicine peddler, but it felt like he was turning into a drug dealer. It was like he was about to offer white powder in a shady alley.

Lee Myung-hwan squeezed his eyes shut.

‘I’m going to die anyway.’

That’s how life is. As a natural-born dirt spoon [born into poverty], he had to take risks to succeed and surpass others. If he just followed the path that others took, he would live worse than others until the day he died.

“…You’re really going to take care of me, right?”

“I can’t say that I’ve lived righteously, but I can say that I’ve lived with loyalty. Honestly, you guys acknowledge that, right?”

“Yes, we believe you.”

“Okay, okay.”

Bang Jin-hoon patted Lee Myung-hwan on the back.

‘No matter how I think about it, it’s crazy…’

He knew that any sane person would run away right now. But humans are beings who buy lottery tickets even though they know there is almost no chance of winning. The temptation that his life would change if he just hit it once was sweet.

Even though the risk was extremely high.

“Okay, you’ve heard enough explanation, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then go stick with Kang Jin-ho. I don’t know when that guy will start.”

“…Yes.”

Lee Myung-hwan sighed and turned to look at Kang Jin-ho, who was sitting on a pile of stacked bags.

‘Crazy bastard.’

He had known he was crazy from the start, but the ‘crazy’ now had a different meaning than before.

He had said he was crazy, but he never thought he was this crazy.

Kang Jin-ho, who was going to do it, was crazy, and Bang Jin-hoon, who wasn’t stopping him, wasn’t in his right mind either.

‘I’m the craziest one for saying I’d go with him, who am I to blame?’

He cursed himself for not being able to say ‘I won’t do it’ until the end and becoming like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse. Lee Myung-hwan went and stood next to Kang Jin-ho.

Sizzle.

The end of the cigarette that Kang Jin-ho was smoking burned down. And with it, Lee Myung-hwan’s insides were burning too.

“A-are you going?”

Gong Young-gil quietly approached him and whispered.

“Yeah.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow, you…”

Gong Young-gil, who was about to say if he was in his right mind, saw Kang Jin-ho sitting next to Lee Myung-hwan and shut his mouth.

“Don’t talk to me, it’s annoying. You said you weren’t going anyway, right?”

“Yeah. I can’t do it.”

“Then go away. If I die, bury me well.”

Gong Young-gil looked at him with an awkward face, then turned and walked away.

‘A spineless bastard.’

They should die together if they die, and live together if they live. Seeing him turn tail just because it was a bit dangerous made him feel pathetic for thinking of such a person as a friend.

“What?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s face contorted at the voice he heard in his ear.

“…I’m your escort.”

“Escort?”

The one who spoke to him was Chun Tae-hoon.

Chun Tae-hoon, who looked slick, was looking at him with a very disdainful face. It was Chun Tae-hoon who didn’t hide his expression that said, ‘What kind of escort are you supposed to be?’

“Don’t argue with me. The Head ordered it.”

“Okay. There are times when you need an interpreter or a guide.”

“Hey, watch your mouth.”

“Or what?”

“Don’t try to act tough. I’ve seen more than a few guys get their asses kicked and cry like babies. You understand?”

Lee Myung-hwan shut his mouth.

He still lacked the skills and power to stand up to Chun Tae-hoon, who was called the core of the younger generation in Bang Jin-hoon’s faction.

While he was trying to find a way to mock Chun Tae-hoon without irritating him too much, Kang Jin-ho threw his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out. Then he got up.

‘What is it?’

Immediately after, Lee Myung-hwan saw a strange sight.

Chun Tae-hoon, who was called ‘Siberian bastard’ with affection because he was as cold as the Siberian plains, began to panic like a naive middle school student who had seen his first love in front of him.

He was visibly flustered.

It wasn’t just a feeling.

‘Cold sweat?’

In that short moment, beads of cold sweat were forming on his forehead.

‘What’s wrong with this guy?’

It didn’t make sense that he was nervous about what was about to happen, considering how calm he had been until now. So, it meant that he was this flustered just because of Kang Jin-ho’s movement….

‘He wouldn’t be this scared even if a tiger was roaring in front of him.’

It was an unimaginable sight for Chun Tae-hoon, who had been spewing venom just a moment ago.

Kang Jin-ho turned to Chun Tae-hoon and opened his mouth.

“Are you coming with me?”

“Yes!”

Chun Tae-hoon answered in a rigid posture, like a new recruit on his first day of assignment.

“Do you have to?”

“…Head Bang Jin-hoon told me to stay by your side and assist you.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho frowned slightly.

He clearly looked annoyed. It would have been better if he had been a little more annoyed and tried to get rid of them somehow, but contrary to Lee Myung-hwan’s wishes, Kang Jin-ho nodded lightly.

“Then let’s do that. Where’s the entrance?”

“It’s that way.”

“Tell them we’re going up.”

“Yes! They’ll know as soon as we move. So…”

“I understand.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced upwards and began to walk.

‘Is he going?’

Lee Myung-hwan swallowed hard.

Whatever the outcome, this event would probably become a legend. Whether in a negative or positive sense. Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t decide whether to consider it an honor or a misfortune to be able to participate in that page of history.

‘I’m crazy.’

Kang Jin-ho started walking briskly upwards even though he wasn’t fully prepared. Even though it wasn’t a fast pace, it felt like he was using teleportation to Lee Myung-hwan.

He wanted to shout, ‘I’m not ready yet!’ but Kang Jin-ho’s feet were merciless, and soon Lee Myung-hwan had to see with his own eyes what the main gate of the Yeongnam Assembly looked like.

‘Ugh, damn it!’

His legs were trembling. His whole body was shaking, and cold sweat was pouring down like a waterfall.

He could feel the busy movements behind him. There was no turning back now.

The guards at the main gate, who had noticed Kang Jin-ho’s appearance,

approached with frowns.

“What are you guys?”

Then Lee Myung-hwan saw it.

Under the dim moonlight….

Kang Jin-ho began to smile, revealing his white teeth like those of a wolf.