Descent of the Demon Master

Things that needed to be sorted out were sorted out quite quickly.

Kang Jin-Ho already knew what he had to do, after all. And the first item on Kang Jin-Ho's to-do list was imparting a suitable demonic cultivation method to Vator.

Inside Kang Jin-Ho's office...

Vator tilted his head. “So, it’s called Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art?”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “That’s right.”

Vator wordlessly stared at the secret manual placed before him. “...Master?”

“Yeah?”

“Is this a new martial art you have created?”

“No. It’s one of the demonic arts I already knew.”

“I see. Master?” Vator exhaled powerfully before staring straight at Kang Jin-Ho. “It's not like I'm unhappy with what you're offering me. I didn't say what demonic cultivation method I wanted to master, after all.”

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Vator stopped there, then sucked in a quick but deep breath.

“It's just that... The situation has changed a bit, master. Now that we're here, well... I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Even if it's a bit unreasonable.” ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

“...Unreasonable?”

“Yes. Allow me to master that Mara Blood Flame Qi, too.”

Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly in puzzlement. “Mara Blood Flame Qi? Why?”

“I know what you're going to say. Considering your degree of understanding on all things martial arts, I'm sure this Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art suits my constitution the best. Especially someone like me who's starting on demonic cultivation late in life.”

“Yeah, but…”

“However!” Vator didn’t wait for Kang Jin-Ho to finish and continued to make his case. “I don’t need suitable something, master! What I want is to become stronger. Not suitably stronger, but stronger than anyone on Earth! If there is a risk, I shall overcome it. If there is a limit, I’m going to break through! That is why I request you to also teach me this Mara Blood Flame Qi.”

Vator's expression was filled with unwavering conviction. His desire to become the best despite the danger was indeed worthy of high praise. Although, there was a problem here, and that would be…

“Why do you want to master Mara Blood Flame Qi?”

“Because you have newly created it.”

“Mm…” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

Vator voiced his thoughts as clearly as he could. “I'm not naive enough to believe the demonic cultivation method you have created is unquestionably better than ones from the past. However, I know you. I believe in you. A cultivation method you created must contain something that the older demonic cultivation methods lack. That's what I think. That is why I'm making this request. Grant me this opportunity, master.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded again. He could see where Vator was coming from.

Honestly speaking, this Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art suited Vator better than all the other demonic arts Kang Jin-Ho knew. The reason why Kang Jin-Ho thought that was simple: This demonic art was the only high-tier cultivation method in the demon cult's possession that boasted the characteristics of external arts.

Vator’s style was strengthening his physical body rather than focusing on the growth of internal qi. So, in Kang Jin-Ho’s opinion, the demonic art he chose was the best pick for Vator.

“Listen, Vator. To become stronger, Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art is the most effective way.”

“I see. However, what about the latent potential?”

“Latent potential, is it…?” Kang Jin-Ho sighed softly. “This is just my opinion, but…”

“I don’t mind if you speak bluntly, master.”

Kang Jin-Ho stared at Vator in silence for a few seconds before raising his voice. “Mastering Mara Blood Flame Qi will benefit you more if your focus is on 'potential'. After all, there is a clear limit to how far you can go with external arts alone. I'm sure you're proud of the martial arts you've mastered until now and believe you can still become stronger through them, but… I think that will be difficult for you.”

Vator didn’t argue back and accepted Kang Jin-Ho’s evaluation. There was no getting away from reality, after all. Didn’t Vator also witness the incredible battle between Kang Jin-Ho and the Crimson King?

All Vator could do during that stunning battle was play the role of a helpless spectator.

Could he overcome the gap by working even harder? Unfortunately, no.

Effort alone wasn't going to solve this problem. It was the same principle as a cat being unable to transform into a lion no matter how hard it trained. So, something had to change with Vator. Something fundamental.

Vator sat forward, his voice getting even louder. “In that case, isn't that all the more reason for me to master Mara Blood Flame Qi?! Because external arts alone isn't enough for my goal!”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “Yes. In theory, at least.”

“...Are you saying things will be different in practice?”

“Yes. Vator, you’ve been focusing yourself on external arts for over fifty years.”

“…!”

“Everything about you, starting from a simple movement of your finger to how you breathe… Your body has become fully optimized for external arts. At this stage in your life, it's practically impossible to tear that foundation down and start from scratch.”

“Master…!” Vator glared at Kang Jin-Ho with a pair of sizzling eyes. “Be straight with me. Is it completely, utterly impossible? Or almost impossible?”

“It’s almost.”

“Which means… There is still a chance!” Vator roared passionately. It was obvious from his reaction that he wasn't planning to back down.

“Listen, Vator. Do this, and everything you’ve built up until now could crumble to nothing.”

Kang Jin-Ho wasn't trying to scare Vator here. Martial arts were all about synergy. You could learn many varied martial arts as long as they worked synergistically or didn't interfere with each other and create issues.

However, demonic arts played by different rules. They devoured everything. Vator's current attainment in martial arts could even disappear altogether. If that happened, it'd be impossible to regain his current realm. Repairing the ravaged dantian would take several decades, after all!

“It doesn’t matter,” said Vator.

“But…”

“Master!” Vator roared before biting his lip. His skin tore, and blood trickled down. However, it seemed Vator didn't notice his lip had split. “Master, I have no desire to remain as a sidekick.”

“Vator…”

“I’m not following you because of loyalty. And I have no ulterior motives for following you like Wiggins. I am following you because I lost to you. That’s it.”

“…”

“Even as that damn demonic art thing was erasing my thoughts, I knew I must escape from your dominion over me sooner rather than later,” Vator spoke with barely-contained fervor.

“However, that's not the story anymore. Even without the mental restriction, I won't abandon your side. Loyalty? I don't know anything about that. I accept you as my master because you're the only person who can make me stronger!

“Master, my wish is to grow stronger. More powerful! I… I do not wish to feel that powerless ever again. As long as I can gain more strength and never feel that way again…! I'm fully prepared to cast everything aside.”

Despite Vator’s heated attitude, Kang Jin-Ho remained calm, his eyes withdrawn and cold.

Kang Jin-Ho quietly asked Vator. “What if doing so only leads you to the depths of Hell? What if you end up losing what you've already achieved?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Do not be so casual about this, Vator!”

“I said, it doesn’t matter, master!”

Kang Jin-Ho groaned loudly. He knew only too well that a martial artist who lost their cultivation would be haunted by crippling despair. This sense of loss would be far, far worse than what an Average Joe would feel after losing a limb. It was so bad that not a single martial artist was able to lead a normal enough life.

But here was Vator, claiming that he’d gladly shoulder this risk?

Kang Jin-Ho grew pensive. “The odds of success are minuscule at best, but the odds of you ending up as a cripple are uncomfortably high.”

Vator tutted. “It’ll be a fun challenge, then.”

“I’m not joking here, Vator.”

“Do I look like I'm joking, master?”

Kang Jin-Ho and Vator silently stared at each other. Eventually, Kang Jin-Ho leaned back against his couch and broke the silence first. “...Why are you being this reckless, Vator?”

“What do you mean, why?”

“You’re different from me. You don’t have anything to protect. And you have no reason to risk your life like this. Even so, why are you betting everything on demonic arts?”

Vator's figure gradually began quaking. His eyes grew crimson after tiny blood vessels in his eyeballs ruptured.

Kang Jin-Ho instantly figured out what was going on here. Vator was fighting against the demonic art restricting his actions. And when his gigantic figure began vibrating, the entire building seemed to tremble unsteadily. It was as if an earthquake had erupted in the vicinity!

“Don't you… dare… act arrogant… with me!” Vator barely managed to squeeze those words out. He seemed to be in great pain right now. “I… I'm not a… loser! I shall… become… strong! More than you, master! More than anyone!”

Even as he desperately resisted the crippling pain gripping his entire body without mercy, Vator did not relent. He didn’t give in!

What could Kang Jin-Ho say to this heroic fighting spirit, this commendable determination? The only thing he could do was nod in acceptance. “I understand now, so stop. That’s enough.”

Vator slowly but gradually calmed down. It took a while, but Kang Jin-Ho patiently waited.

Once the big man regained his cool, Kang Jin-Ho raised his voice again. “Do not hold me responsible for what might happen to you.”

“Stop, master. Don’t treat me like a little kid. My choices are my own, no one else’s. I will be responsible for my actions.”

“...Indeed.” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded, then took out a different secret manual from his inner pocket. The secret manual for… the newly-reconstructed Mara Blood Flame Qi!

After Kang Jin-Ho put the secret manual down on the coffee table, Vator silently reached out and powerfully grabbed it.

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. “Do not try this on your own.”

Vator looked up at Kang Jin-Ho. “Mm?”

“It's fine for you to read the manual and try to comprehend its contents. However, do not start cultivating without my input. At least in the initial stages, I must help you.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Do not overestimate yourself. No matter how strong you think you are, don’t forget that you’re a complete novice in demonic arts. The moment you overestimate your own martial prowess and become careless will be when you lose everything.”

“...I will engrave that to my heart, master.” Vator nodded, firm determination burning in his eyes.

Kang Jin-Ho studied the big man’s face as this strange feeling washed over him.

‘Is this what people call… fervor?’

Or was it passion? Kang Jin-Ho wasn't sure how to describe what he could see. Still, one thing was for certain.

The desire to become stronger also used to exist in Kang Jin-Ho's heart.

No, that's incorrect. That flame still burned inside his heart even now. However, Kang Jin-Ho's passion was born out of necessity. It was different from Vator's passion.

The big man was driven by the pure and uncorrupted goal of 'becoming stronger.' And this desire had ever-so-slightly shaken Kang Jin-Ho up.

Kang Jin-Ho slowly got up. “...Before we start, though, there’s a choice to be made first.”

“Mm?” Vator cocked an eyebrow. Before he could say anything else, though…

Kang Jin-Ho reached out and suddenly grabbed Vator's head. The big man flinched in surprise but did not resist. His life was already in Kang Jin-Ho's hands, anyway.

Rumble, buzzzz…!

Demonic qi began gathering in Kang Jin-Ho’s hand while producing buzzing noises of a colony of bees beating their wings. This gathered demonic qi began burrowing into Vator’s head next.

Vator hurriedly bit his lip at the sudden invasion of incredible pain.

Buzz, brrrrrr!

Kang Jin-Ho’s demonic qi circulated rapidly inside Vator’s skull, then retreated like the outgoing tide. It felt like a dense fog clouding Vator’s mind dissipated, and his head became incredibly clear.

Kang Jin-Ho withdrew his hand. “You are now free.”

Vator suspiciously looked back. “...Free?”

“Yes. I’ve removed the restriction placed in your mind. You no longer need to obey my commands.”

“…!”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled slightly. “Although this is different from what I originally envisioned, you've already done far more than what I asked of you. So, I'll take that as you fully paying for your sin. Now, decide. Will you stay with the Martial Assembly? Or return to your great plains? It's also fine for you to return to the Crimson King's side if that's what you want.”

“Wait, you undid that seal of whatever?”

“Yes. Completely.”

Vator's eyes powerfully quaked. He knew he'd have to break free of this restriction sooner rather than later, but... Never did he expect Kang Jin-Ho would release him first like this! If Vator was in Kang Jin-Ho's shoes, he'd never let a powerful warrior like him walk away.

“Why are you doing this?”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “Didn't you hear me? I said, you've paid for your sins.”

“Master, you…” Vator slowly shook his head. “I have to say, you can be such an idiot sometimes. So much so that I have to wonder what's even cooking in your brain.”

“…The first thing you do after I release you is insulting me?” Kang Jin-Ho ruefully shook his head. Although, that was expected of Vator. “I’m sure you’re flustered right now, so you don’t have to decide right away. Take your time, and when you’re ready…”

“That’s enough of that,” Vator abruptly interrupted Kang Jin-Ho while dismissively waving his big hand. “As soon as I finish reading this manual, I should come find you, right?”

“...Well, yeah.”

“Hmph! I will finish analyzing this manual by tomorrow, so make room in your schedule. It won’t take long, that I assure you!”

“...Eh?”

Vator didn't mince his words and spoke directly. “I already told you, master. You are the only one who can make me stronger. Which means you can never escape from me! Before I can defeat you, you must not die. Obviously, you're not allowed to grow weaker, either!”

“...Huh.”

“Actually, this is perfect. I've always wanted to step up my monitoring of you, but the restrictions have been preventing me. But now… I can do whatever I want.”

Kang Jin-Ho grimaced slightly. Wasn't… Vator's reaction somewhat strange?

‘Did I make a mistake releasing his restriction?’

Inexplicable anxiety flooded Kang Jin-Ho's heart when Vator betrayed his impressive physical stature and smirked suspiciously like a cunning raccoon.

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