Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 778

When do humans gain confidence?

Usually, it’s one of two things.

When they are recognized, or when they achieve something.

Humans are not objective creatures. Especially, humans cannot look at themselves objectively. Even the most objective person has a filter when looking at themselves.

A man standing in front of a mirror is bound to think, ‘I’m not so bad, am I?’

Even if others see his face as no different from a squid, few people would admit that they look like a squid.

Because there’s always a filter on how they see themselves.

Therefore, to know one’s true position, it’s important to rely on the evaluation of others, not oneself.

What if those around you consistently acknowledge someone as great?

And what if there are many who acknowledge them?

They will gain confidence in themselves.

Some will express that confidence, and some will try to hide it with awkward smiles, but regardless of how they react, most people will be overflowing with confidence.

Or, there’s also the method of achieving accomplishments that no one can dare deny.

Accomplishments leave no room for emotions to interfere.

Even if it’s an accomplishment made by someone you dislike, you can still disparage the person, but there’s no way to disparage the accomplishment. Something great is great.

Those who have achieved accomplishments that they can proudly show to anyone can have confidence in themselves, even without the recognition of others.

And Lee Myung-hwan had recently achieved both of these things.

He had gained recognition from those around him.

And he had even gained recognition from the Assembly Lord. Even Lee Hyun-soo, who could be considered the strictest in the Assembly, trusted him and gave him a significant role.

Even if you searched the entire Assembly, no one would have received such rapid recognition in such a short period.

Moreover, he had also accumulated tremendous achievements. There are countless merits one can achieve in the Assembly. Increasing sales by expanding business locations would be a merit, and becoming stronger through relentless training would also be a merit. However, no merit could compare to the merit of saving the Assembly Lord from the brink of death.

It was an achievement that would be considered remarkable even in normal circumstances. But the person he saved was none other than Kang Jin-ho. This was truly a great achievement.

He received recognition and accumulated achievements. So, it was only natural that his confidence soared to the sky.

Of course, this confidence was justified.

No one in the Assembly could criticize Lee Myung-hwan. Lee Myung-hwan had passed the difficult test and proudly became Kang Jin-ho’s disciple. After that, he had accumulated tremendous martial prowess in a short time.

He was in charge of the ferocious Demonic Flames, and he had sufficient achievements. So, even if Lee Myung-hwan acted arrogantly, few would have any complaints.

Probably.

No, it should have been that way…

“Not for me.”

‘I didn’t even make a peep, though?’

Lee Myung-hwan looked at Bator, who was right in front of his face, and had several thoughts at the same time.

Is his head looking so big because it’s so close, or is it really just that huge?

Of course, it must be the latter.

Otherwise, the fist that was gripping his collar wouldn’t be this big either.

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes!”

“Lee Myung-hwan.”

“Yes!”

Bator’s face contorted.

The space between his nose and mouth tightened slightly, his eyes lowered, and his cheekbones rose. It’s a facial expression that’s usually called ‘frowning.’ But Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t describe it that way.

At this moment, Lee Myung-hwan realized that the same expression could be described differently depending on who was making it. For example, if a lion frowned right in front of you, could you really call that expression a frown?

Probably not.

When an expression that would be nothing to others appeared on Bator’s face, it became a threat more terrifying than anything else. Lee Myung-hwan unconsciously clenched his buttocks. Otherwise, something might leak out.

“You’ve really gotten cocky, haven’t you?”

Lee Myung-hwan subtly turned his eyes to the side. Then, Jang Da-jing, standing next to Bator, translated with a very gentle face and voice.

‘That bastard is even more annoying.’

The gap between that gentle voice is too extreme. It’s like hearing a subway announcement saying, ‘I’m going to smash the heads of those freeloaders,’ in the voice of a very gentle announcer.

“You weaklings, you’ve done something and now you’re sprawled out like dogs in the summer yard. With that kind of mindset, you think you can receive the master’s teachings? You insolent bastards!”

Listening to the translation, Lee Myung-hwan unconsciously smiled.

Today, one more fact was proven.

What?

That those who have mastered Demonic Arts become more violent?

That’s bullshit.

There are over a hundred Demonic Flames gathered here right now, but none of them are showing any violence. Because there’s a natural anger management treatment right in front of them.

Bator was a very skilled doctor.

The Demonic Flames, who had been complaining about their blood boiling over trivial matters and feeling homicidal urges over minor things, were now standing at attention with their eyes shining like well-behaved kindergarteners.

Even new recruits just assigned to their units wouldn’t be able to maintain such a disciplined posture.

In that sense, Bator could be said to be a truly skilled doctor. There was just one problem…

‘The teacher is overdoing it.’

There were those who had been thrown against the wall after receiving preemptive treatment, even though they hadn’t even shown any anger yet (though they wouldn’t have dared to). Of course, they would become excellent patients who would think three hundred and twenty times before getting angry in the future.

It’s like watching a treatment where they break your bones in advance because they might break someday, and then put them back together to make them stronger.

The result will be certain! The result!

“Rolling your eyes?”

Lee Myung-hwan’s eyes were fixed forward.

His liver must be swollen properly. How dare he think of anything else when the person holding his collar is who he is? Lee Myung-hwan focused all his attention on Bator.

“You are the master’s… no, the Assembly Lord’s personal guard. That means you are in a position to protect him from his closest side. But… are you protecting the Assembly Lord?”

‘I was also very puzzled by that.’

It’s more realistic for a dragon to be protected by a loach. They may be called a personal guard, but the Demonic Flames were doing nothing more than running errands for Kang Jin-ho.

“But what have you done to be so arrogant and slack off on your training?”

Confidence?

Ah, right. There was a time when I was overflowing with that. Was it before I opened that door? At that time, Lee Myung-hwan also had a tiny bit of confidence.

But Bator, the thresher, was threshing away Lee Myung-hwan’s confidence like grains of rice.

“I have good news for you.”

Bator grinned.

“You are the Assembly Lord’s personal guard. A personal guard means those who assist the Assembly Lord from his closest side. And there’s only one person in the Assembly who fits that description the most. Who do you think it is?”

Bator-nim.

There is one person that comes to mind.

But I don’t think I’ve ever wished so much that my thoughts were wrong in my life.

“It’s me!”

It’s not wrong, is it?

Oh, my.

“Rejoice, you trash. From today, I will take charge of you and make you reborn as true warriors.”

Lee Myung-hwan, trembling, hurriedly opened his mouth.

“B, Bator-nim.”

“What is it?”

“Bator-nim, you have disciples, don’t you? But you’re going to teach us too?”

“Who said I was going to teach you?”

“…Yes?”

“I’m not going to teach you. I said I’m going to make you warriors. I’m going to pull out the rotten mindset that’s filling your heads and bleach it clean.”

Heh.

Hehehe…

Something is wrong here.

Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t understand this situation at all. No, why would Bator bother to come here and beat them up? Even if Bator wielded absolute power within the Assembly, to the point where no one could oppose him, they were Kang Jin-ho’s direct personal guard.

No matter who Bator was, he had no right to do this.

‘It’s definitely like that in theory…’

The law was far away, and the fist was close. If he said everything he wanted to say, his teeth wouldn’t be left intact. Lee Myung-hwan hadn’t given up his desire to chew meat with his own teeth yet.

“Repeat after me! I am trash!”

“I, I am trash!”

“Louder!”

“I am trash!”

Bator smiled contentedly.

“Good, let’s approach it with that mindset. The master’s martial arts are too much for you. If those lucky enough to learn such martial arts walk around with their chests puffed out, there’s nothing more pathetic. I will favor those who work hard, and those who are arrogant will pay the price. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

The moment he was about to cry out of sorrow…

Creak.

The door opened, and a person appeared from behind it.

“A, Assembly Lord!”

“My Lord!”

“Boss!”

“Hyung!”

Who’s the hyung?

Who’s the idiot who doesn’t understand the situation?

The Demonic Flames looked at Kang Jin-ho with a mix of sorrow and anticipation, like children who had been beaten by neighborhood bullies and saw their father passing by.

Kang Jin-ho would surely say something to Bator.

As expected, Kang Jin-ho’s brow narrowed instantly. The fact that his face changed that much meant that he was clearly very upset. Lee Myung-hwan cheered inwardly.

Kang Jin-ho, having confirmed the Demonic Flames thrown against the wall, the Demonic Flames unable to move, and Lee Myung-hwan held in Bator’s hand, looked at Bator with a stern face.

‘I’m saved.’

Lee Myung-hwan’s face regained its color. Not long ago, Kang Jin-ho had even bowed his head to thank him. There was no way that such a person would stand by and watch him suffer like this.

“Bator.”

“Speak, Master.”

“There are people standing.”

“I told you to handle it properly.”

“…It seems I was too lenient. Master, give me one more chance…”

What?

How is the conversation going?

Lee Myung-hwan couldn’t accept the rapid change in the situation and rolled his eyes in violence… no, in confusion.

“I’ll come back later. Do it properly.”

“Understood!”

Kang Jin-ho retreated backward. Lee Myung-hwan unconsciously reached out his hand towards Kang Jin-ho, who was moonwalking away.

Creak.

But the door closed mercilessly. At the same time, Lee Myung-hwan saw it. Before closing the door, Kang Jin-ho smiled at him.

While Lee Myung-hwan was staring at the closed door without saying a word, he heard the sound of Bator grinding his teeth.

“It seems I was mistaken. The Assembly Lord wants an even more drastic change!”

“First, I’ll show you your current level. Accept it and feel it with your bodies!”

Isn’t that just saying you’re going to beat us up?

He wanted to ask. He wanted to ask, but he couldn’t. As Lee Myung-hwan was already soaring into the air and being spun around like a windmill, he had no choice but to clench his mouth shut to avoid biting his tongue when he hit the ground.

‘Right, that bastard was a Demonic Flame too.’

The reward for his life-risking loyalty was coming back too fiercely. Lee Myung-hwan’s long tears scattered sadly in the air.