Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 962

My eyes keep wandering.

Even though I know I shouldn’t, I keep glancing at the rearview mirror.

The fact that Kang Jin-ho is sitting in the back left seat, where he’s easily visible when I turn my head, also plays a part.

‘Kang Jin-ho, huh…’

I’ve heard his name countless times.

No, to be honest, the name I’ve heard the most recently is Kang Jin-ho.

‘The head of the General Assembly, and…’

A super rookie.

No, the word rookie is a bit strange.

While the word rookie is used for newcomers, it’s also used for promising prospects. The word rookie doesn’t suit Kang Jin-ho, who has already established his own power and achieved perfect accomplishments.

Kang Jin-ho had his arms crossed and his eyes closed.

‘He looks ordinary on the outside.’

Of course, I know that’s not the case. Sam isn’t foolish enough to judge someone by their appearance. Besides, he’s just sitting there with his arms crossed and his eyes closed, but I can’t take my eyes off him. I keep glancing at him.

It’s an overwhelming presence.

‘I can’t believe he came in person.’

Sam is in a position where he needs to understand everything about the Master. So, he knew that Kang Jin-ho had fought and defeated the Master in Korea.

Moreover….

‘One-sided…’

That one word kept bothering him.

When the Master moves, they naturally follow. Separately from the escorts. Sam, who had read the report written by his subordinate who had gone to Korea with the Master, couldn’t help but doubt his eyes.

Defeat.

He could accept that in itself.

But the word one-sided defeat was unacceptable.

Who is the Master?

Even though he’s old and past his prime, the Master was a martial artist who represented Europe.

He was so strong and so unique that everyone who tried to imitate him failed, leading to a dark age in the British martial arts world for a while. That’s who the Master is.

But that Master was defeated one-sidedly?

It’s impossible.

But there’s no way not to believe it. No matter how objectively the report is written, the person who escorted the Master is his subordinate. Their perspective is bound to be favorable to the Master.

Even with that favorable perspective, the fact that they had to use the word one-sided means that the result was overwhelming.

Then….

‘Just how strong is he?’

The fact that he survived the battle with the Hong King is enough to prove Kang Jin-ho’s strength. But these words don’t resonate with me.

Because no one really knows how strong the Hong King is.

But the Master’s strength was something they could feel. A martial artist who defeated such a Master one-sidedly.

He came to Britain in person.

‘And in enemy territory.’ It’s unconventional.

Of course, the Master also visited Korea. But this is a completely different case. The Master didn’t visit Korea to antagonize the General Assembly.

If things go wrong, the burden to bear is on a different level. Even if something bad happens, the chances of the General Assembly killing the Master are not high, and even if that happens, they would have to deal with enormous consequences. But if Kang Jin-ho dies in Europe, the Round Table wouldn’t have to deal with the General Assembly.

But he boldly infiltrated enemy territory?

‘He’s crazy.’

It’s unconventional in a good way, but to be honest, it seems like he’s out of his mind.

What kind of leader in the world would do such a crazy thing?

A leader must be protected.

It’s not for nothing that the game ends the moment the king is captured in chess. A leader is worth that much. No chess player would make the crazy move of placing the king at the front.

‘It’s like the king is coming forward on his own accord.’

I let out a hollow laugh.

“What’s the situation in Britain?”

Perhaps feeling burdened by the continued silence, Wiggins asked cautiously.

“What do you mean by the situation?”

“What I heard. Isn’t the Master being detained? I’d expect there to be some unrest?”

Sam chuckled.

“I’ll say it again, you won’t get any information from me, Mr. Wiggins. I’m only cooperating on the rescue of the Master. I will not cooperate on anything else.”

The moment Wiggins sighed slightly,

A low voice was heard.

“You won’t cooperate?”

A low tone.

A voice that mixed a high-pitched sound like scraping metal with a heavy low tone.

A voice that made your soul tremble just by listening to it.

Sam raised his head with trembling eyes. Through the rearview mirror, his eyes met Kang Jin-ho’s.

The moment he saw the sunken black eyes, Sam felt a shock that made his heart stop.

“You’re talking a lot.”

Kang Jin-ho was speaking expressionlessly.

But that expressionlessness pressed down on Sam more strongly than any threat.

“It’s clear that we have a mutual goal. But even considering all of that, it’s also a fact that we came to help you. It seems you’re talking like that to someone who came to help you?”

I can’t breathe.

Why?

He’s not emitting any energy, nor is he choking me. He’s just speaking quietly.

But why can’t I breathe properly?

Is it because Sam knows that he’s Kang Jin-ho?

No. That’s not it.

Even if he didn’t know who he was, the pressure Sam is feeling now wouldn’t be any different. I could be sure of that.

What should I say?

What should I answer?

Wiggins saved Sam from that.

“…Lord, please don’t only understand English when you need to.”

Kang Jin-ho cleared his throat and closed his eyes again.

“Sorry. He’s someone who’s awkwardly good at English.”

Feeling the pressure disappear, Sam raised his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Ah, no. What he said isn’t wrong.”

What he said is right.

In any case, Sam is in a position where he needs to ask Wiggins for help. It’s not right to maintain an overbearing attitude.

‘I need to make my position clear.’

I have to choose one of two options: whether to truly oppose the Round Table and rescue the Master, or to give up the Master according to the principles of the Round Table.

There is no middle ground.

With a position like now, where I’ll rescue the Master but not join hands with the traitors, I’m bound to mess things up.

“…The new Knight’s influence isn’t strong yet.”

“Chadwick, was it?”

“Yes.”

“Chadwick, Chadwick… He’s become a Knight.”

Wiggins had a slightly sentimental look on his face. If Wiggins had normally served as a Knight, Chadwick would never have become a Knight. Because his age would be too old by the time Wiggins finished his term.

He was able to become a Knight because Wiggins gave up his position as a Knight.

“Is he friendly?”

“He hasn’t revealed his tendencies yet. It’s ambiguous whether he’s pro-Round Table or pro-Master.”

“I guess so. It’s still early.”

“What’s certain is that he’s not pro-LeBeau.”

“That’s probably true.”

Wiggins nodded quietly. Then, he could roughly see how things were going.

“That means he’s also a potential threat until the Round Table is firmly organized.”

“Yes. He was also in the Round Table when the Master was detained. It’s not certain whether he voted in favor, but the fact that he didn’t move and remained silent even after seeing all of that… It seems that he’s siding with the Round Table.”

Wiggins stroked his chin.

‘I can really feel that this is enemy territory.’

Even though it’s his hometown that he’s visited after a long time, this place was no longer his hometown. This place is ruled by Knight LeBeau and the Round Table.

I can’t relax anywhere.

“Mr. Wiggins.”

“Hmm?”

“We can’t travel by car from here.”

Wiggins looked outside and nodded. It was the entrance to the forest.

The road that goes straight to the Round Table is bound to be heavily guarded. That’s why Sam came around the forest. This is the last line of defense that is not monitored.

“I’ve seen this place before.”

“I’ll guide you.”

“Alright.”

Wiggins turned his head.

“Lord, it seems we’ll have to walk from now on.”

Without a word, Kang Jin-ho opened the door and got out of the car.

All that could be seen was the dark forest. Perhaps this is how those who don’t belong to the General Assembly feel when they try to find it. The first thought that comes to mind is what could possibly be in this deep forest.

Behind the sedan that Kang Jin-ho got out of, vans and trailers were lined up. Then, everyone started getting out.

Even though quite a few people were moving, there was no sound. Quietly and secretly, everyone melted into the darkness.

“How far is it?”

“It’s about 10km from here. If we move secretly, we can reach it within an hour.”

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

“It’s there.”

What can he see?

I was curious, but Wiggins didn’t ask. You shouldn’t try to judge what Kang Jin-ho does with common sense. What’s important is that the Round Table really exists at the end of where his gaze is directed.

“Move secretly?”

“Yes, Lord.”

“It’s impossible.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“Huh?”

“They’re everywhere. It’s impossible to infiltrate without being detected with this many people.”

Wiggins’ eyes trembled slightly.

They’re everywhere?

‘I thought they would have prepared…’

The fact that Kang Jin-ho is saying this means that they are more prepared than I thought.

It felt like something had gone wrong from the start.

Wiggins narrowed his brow as he watched the people lining up according to Lee Hyun-soo’s instructions.

“Do you know this place?”

“No. It seems the security has been strengthened.”

“…I see.”

What should I do?

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth.

“Wiggins.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Decide.”

Kang Jin-ho said as if spitting out the words.

“Whether to kill and break through, or to turn back.”

Wiggins pursed his lips.

Both Wiggins and Kang Jin-ho know that once they’ve come this far, the option of turning back doesn’t exist.

“…For the sake of the greater good, there are times when we have to accept bloodshed.”

“Good.”

Kang Jin-ho curled up the corners of his mouth.

Then, he turned his body and looked at the people lined up.

“Bator.”

“Speak, Master.”

“Take the lead.”

“Understood!”

Bator strode forward.

“Jang Min on the left, Bang Jin-hoon on the right.”

“I obey your command! Oh, Demon Lord!”

“Understood.”

“Who will take the rear?”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head at Wiggins’ question.

“There’s no need for a rear. I won’t leave anyone alive.”

Feeling a chill at that answer, Wiggins nodded.

“Go to the destination at the fastest speed. Kill everything that gets in your way.”

“Yes!”

“Sam, was it?”

Overwhelmed by his aura, Sam nodded without realizing it.

“Don’t fall behind. Follow me with the determination to die.”

“…Yes.”

“Then, let’s go.”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head and walked forward.

“Finish it before dawn, Bator.”

“Yes!”

Bator ran forward with his eyes turning red. Then, like a black wave, the demons and the martial artists of the General Assembly followed Bator.

It was the moment when a night that would be remembered as a nightmare began for the Round Table.