Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 977

Bang Jin-hoon’s eyes were tense as he stared ahead. Beyond the wide-open door, ready for any confrontation, was a dark, unlit corridor.

Yet, he could feel a distinct presence.

The vibrations through his toes and the faint energy he sensed from afar confirmed that someone was approaching.

He felt a chilling demonic energy from behind, but Bang Jin-hoon didn’t turn.

Those guys were Kang Jin-ho’s problem. Though they looked formidable at first glance, he couldn’t imagine them standing against Kang Jin-ho.

‘It’s just a matter of time.’

And buying that time was Bang Jin-hoon’s job.

“I’ll take the lead.”

“Yes!”

“Make sure to deal with anyone who tries to escape!”

“Yes!”

Bang Jin-hoon frowned slightly at the replies.

‘Is it possible?’

This was a test. The people he brought were among the Assembly’s elite. In the past, they wouldn’t have dared to accompany him on such a dangerous expedition to another country.

It was true that their overall strength had increased with the transmission of new martial arts. However, they still needed more time to truly become elite.

Nevertheless, there was a reason why Bang Jin-hoon had brought them along.

‘A flower grown in a greenhouse will rot when the greenhouse disappears.’

Bang Jin-hoon had always believed that martial artists grew through combat. And his belief had only been strengthened by watching Kang Jin-ho.

Even if many were injured or killed here today, a martial artist shouldn’t fear fighting. Those who survived would become stronger from this experience.

“Chun Tae-hoon!”

“Yes, Director!”

“Cover my back well!”

“I will do my best.”

Bang Jin-hoon grinned at the determined reply.

He had been so focused on creating new martial arts that he felt his own body had become a bit rusty. He had felt it clearly while fighting the Japanese.

‘Research or whatever, a martial artist is a martial artist. A martial artist who doesn’t experience real combat is bound to regress.’

Now that he had overcome a major hurdle, it was time for Bang Jin-hoon to develop as well. It was certainly important to pass on martial arts with a Korean identity to the Assembly. That was a matter of identity.

However, while transmitting martial arts, Bang Jin-hoon realized what his greater role was.

‘I need to become stronger.’

What good was it to give them great martial arts?

There wasn’t a single martial artist in Korea who could match Bator or Wiggins based on those martial arts.

Those who learn don’t look at the quality of the martial arts. They only look at the quality of the martial artist. No matter how good the martial arts he created and transmitted were, they would be more drawn to the martial arts of the stronger Bator or Wiggins.

To overcome this situation, Bang Jin-hoon had to show that he was just as strong as them.

It was something he couldn’t have even dreamed of before…

‘But I’ve found a clue.’

Bang Jin-hoon’s lips curled up.

The experience of creating new martial arts with Kang Jin-ho had been a great help to him as well. Creating martial arts wasn’t just about challenging something new.

First, it required a process of organizing what he knew, learned, and mastered. Through that process, Bang Jin-hoon was able to re-establish what he had mastered.

And thanks to that, he had opened a path to take another step forward.

It was still immature, but if he experienced real combat and developed a little more, he would become much stronger than he was now.

This battle was crucial for him and for the people protecting his back.

“I will also stand at the front.”

At that moment, Vincent stepped out beside him.

Bang Jin-hoon frowned slightly.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not stupid enough to come this far and cause trouble.”

Bang Jin-hoon frowned even more and turned his head.

“Hey, Chun Tae-hoon.”

“Yes!”

“Translate. What is this guy saying?”

Bang Jin-hoon grumbled after hearing Chun Tae-hoon’s translation.

“I don’t even have enough to eat.”

“There will be plenty. They are not easy opponents.”

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I’m in the mood to beat up anyone.”

“Hehehe.”

Bang Jin-hoon laughed.

Anyone who knew why the Chevaliers [Knights] were staying at the Assembly would know what they had been enduring.

Bang Jin-hoon readily gave his spot next to him to Vincent.

“Don’t go too wild. I’ll feel pressured if you outshine me.”

“It feels strange to hear such words from a strong person like you.”

“Strong? Me?”

“Aren’t you?”

Bang Jin-hoon scratched the back of his head.

There was a time when he took those words for granted, but now that they felt awkward, it seemed his confidence had dropped quite a bit.

“Well, I am a bit strong…”

Even within the entire Assembly, there were probably less than ten people who could match him. If you were among the top ten martial artists in the country, you could be proud.

But he couldn’t be proud.

‘The people I see are all monsters. Damn it.’

Bang Jin-hoon hardened his face.

If he gave up and threw in the towel just because others were stronger and more overwhelming, he wouldn’t be qualified as a martial artist. The basics of a martial artist were competitiveness and a desire for improvement. At least, that’s what Bang Jin-hoon believed.

“They’re coming.”

“Hmph!”

Bang Jin-hoon clenched his fist. Something was flashing in the dark corridor.

Clank! Clank!

A grinding sound like a giant machine turning could be heard. The moment he realized that the source of the sound was the sound of knights in full armor charging as a group, Bang Jin-hoon opened his mouth without realizing it.

“Isn’t that a bit too old-fashioned? It’s anachronistic!”

“Don’t underestimate them! They are strong!”

“I know they’re strong! I know!” Where do I even begin to point out the problems! Damn it!

The sight of the knights charging in full armor made one’s hair stand on end. Bang Jin-hoon clenched his fist and shouted.

“It looks like they won’t go down easily with just a few hits, so don’t hold back!”

“Yes!”

Vincent also shouted.

“Defeat the enemy! Unleash your frustrations here!”

“Yes!”

Bang Jin-hoon and Vincent rushed forward almost simultaneously.

“Hahahaha! You beetle-like things!”

Bator was literally rampaging.

In terms of raw power alone, even Kang Jin-ho had to take a step back. When he blocked the corridor with his massive body, it created an impenetrable iron wall.

“A, a giant! No, a monster!”

“Don’t face him head-on! Aim for his legs!”

That would have been the right command if they were dealing with someone who was just big, but unfortunately, Bator was not just big.

Those who rushed down to target Bator’s legs were kicked by Bator’s feet and slammed vertically into the corridor ceiling.

Koo-oong!

Bator threw a straight punch at the body that had pierced the ceiling.

“Taaaah!”

Kwaaaaaang!

It was a punch that couldn’t be blocked even with defenses. The price for blocking such a punch without even being able to defend was devastating.

The plate mail covering the knight’s entire body shattered into pieces and flew off. It was like being hit by a claymore [a large two-handed sword] or a shotgun.

“Aaaagh!”

“My eyes! My eyes!”

The fragments that flew off pierced through their armor and into their bodies. Those who were hit in the face or eyes grabbed their heads with both hands and rolled on the floor.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes!”

No matter how big Bator was, he couldn’t block the wide corridor alone. But Bator wasn’t alone now. Mini-Bators were filling the remaining space to Bator’s left and right.

“Trample them!”

“Uwoooooooo!”

Gong Young-gil shouted at the top of his lungs and rushed forward with Bator.

A knight who had fallen to the floor tried to get up, but was struck in the head by Gong Young-gil’s kick and lost consciousness.

Kwaang! Kwaang!

The effects of mastering external martial arts were evident here.

The knights, who basically used mana to enhance the defense of their armor to the extreme, were no match for Gong Young-gil, who had mastered external martial arts.

Gong Young-gil’s body was stronger than their armor. Their bodies, which had a strength greater than steel, easily crushed the knights’ armor and even inflicted damage on the bodies inside the armor.

Clang! Clang!

The swords they swung bounced off his body!

Gong Young-gil was certain at that moment.

They were strong.

Bator’s training had definitely been effective. No, it was extremely effective. The strong opponents that he wouldn’t have dared to stand against in the past were now confused and unable to break through Gong Young-gil’s external martial arts.

The pleasure of punching those confused faces was incomparable.

‘This is what it feels like to be strong!’

What was he like in the past?

Could he have dared to swing his fist against the knight orders of various countries, who were considered the strongest forces of the Round Table [a reference to the legendary knights of King Arthur]?

It was impossible.

However, as a result of keeping pace with the changing flow of the Assembly, he was now fighting on equal terms with those who were incomparably stronger in the past. No, he was even overwhelming them!

“You idiots! Don’t just rely on your bodies! Dodge what you can!”

“Yes!”

“Let’s go! Trample and crush them! We’ll be the ones with the most achievements today. I won’t let anyone fall behind!”

As Bator ran forward as if he was having fun, something hot surged within Gong Young-gil’s chest.

“Uwaaaaaaaaaa!”

Gong Young-gil, unable to contain his feelings, let out a shout and ran forward with all his might, keeping pace with Bator.

Strong.

I am strong!

“Elder, the enemies are coming.”

“Hmm.”

Jang Min turned his head slightly.

The figure of Kang Jin-ho, who had unleashed demonic energy, came into his view.

“Hmm.”

He didn’t like it at all.

Although he had followed the order, this was not where he should be. It was Jang Min’s job to stay by Kang Jin-ho’s side and protect him from danger.

It might not seem like Kang Jin-ho needed protection, but even the strong needed protection. The leaders of the Demonic Cult were always the strongest of their time, but they were not free from the ambushes and surprise attacks of their enemies.

It was the job of the Demonic Cult’s chief elder to block the blades raining down on the leader and protect him. But now he was being asked to deal with these small fry.

“Listen.”

“Yes!”

“This is an order from the Demonic Lord. There must not be even the slightest mistake. We will kill the enemies as quickly as possible and protect the Demonic Lord. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Elder!”

Jang Min frowned slightly.

He was extremely loyal in front of Kang Jin-ho, but away from Kang Jin-ho, he was the chief of the Demonic Cult and the second greatest demon after Kang Jin-ho.

“Those who do not step aside will die!”

Jang Min bared his teeth as he watched the knights charging.

“How dare you!”

Grrrrk.

His fingernails grew long. To be precise, the powerful energy that emanated from his fingertips took the shape of animal claws.

Then, those claws sliced the knight who was leading the charge in half.

A fountain of blood erupted into the corridor.

The blood that had splashed up to the ceiling dripped back down to the floor.

Jang Min bared his teeth and said.

“Those who dare to challenge the majesty of the Demonic Lord will pay the price with their deaths.”

Jang Min let out a chilling laugh and charged forward.