Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1028: Charging Forward (3)

Once momentum was gained, it’d continue gathering steam.

The reason for that was simple: humans were emotional creatures.

Momentum was ultimately another form, a manifestation, of one’s confidence. There was a world of difference between confidently doing something and lacking in confidence, now wasn’t there?

Once humans began thinking that they could do it, whatever “it” was, they would become more relaxed. And such a mindset could also help humans objectively reflect on or analyze the situation.

A human's boiling passion combined with calm rationality would lead to an overall improvement in that person's abilities. They would become stronger as a result.

The Martial Assembly was currently in that state.

Before Kang Jin-Ho's appearance, the Martial Assembly was stuck in a rut. Externally, it was being pushed around by the Yeongnam Group. Internally, the factions were busy fighting for supremacy and tearing each other down.

With trouble at home and abroad, it was obvious the Martial Assembly would never improve its strength.

To make matters worse, its structure and systems were… amateurish at best. And the subconscious sense of defeat had always been subtly crushing down on the Assembly's members, too—the feeling of helplessness that no matter how much stronger they could get, it'd still not be enough to compare to China or Japan.

However, Kang Jin-Ho’s entrance to the scene completely flipped that around.

That man swallowed the Assembly up in the proverbial blink of an eye, then crushed the Yeongnam Group before absorbing it into his organization. Not satisfied with that, he also fought the Crimson King's faction to a draw. Not to mention, he also one-sidedly trampled on Japan's invasion attempt, too!

...And now, he even crashed the Round Table's party, swept aside all the rebel forces, and forced the other side to enter a deeply one-sided alliance with him.

He achieved all this in less than a year. With the situation in its current state, even a three-year-old waving a stick around could join in on the fun!

The best method to boost morale was not a stirring speech, an act of inspiration, or even the vision of the future shaped by a perfect system of governance.

No, it was… victory! Not just any victory, but successive victories, no less!

The Martial Assembly continued to surge forward without experiencing a single setback. Unsurprisingly, the morale of its members was at its peak right now.

They could see a brighter future, one filled with possibilities. In that case, who would hesitate to devote themselves to training? When they had the proof that believing in the boss and doing as told could change things for the better?

That was why the Assembly’s martial artists poured their all into training with not a speck of doubt clouding their judgment. Well, that was how it was supposed to be… But…

***

“Keuh-eeeuuuh…”

Yi Myeong-Hwan groaned like a dying man.

‘What the f*ck!’

His eyes powerfully quaked. His head spun around all on its own to zero in on the figure of a man leisurely closing the distance.

‘Why?! Why is he suddenly doing this!’

Of course, that figure belonged to Kang Jin-Ho!

Yi Myeong-Hwan couldn't make head nor tail of how the situation devolved into this state.

He was understandably filled with pride after wrapping up the event in the Round Table and returning to the Assembly. Of course, he knew he and the Demon Flames hadn’t done much during this expedition. Even so, didn’t he get to confirm that there wasn’t much of a gap to speak of between his group and the elites of the West?

No, it was better than some mere gap in strength.

As long as a few variables were eliminated from the equation, all the Demon Flames working together could cleanly wipe out several knight orders in one go. In case both sides boasted the same number of combatants… Yi Myeong-Hwan was confident of utterly crushing the other side without taking on any losses!

In other words, the Demon Flames were superior to almost all of the Round Table's combat forces. Of course, they wouldn't dare fight against those Elder Knights or whatever those crazy monsters were called. And it was also easy to see that the representative Knights of each country were much stronger than any Demon Flames.

Even then, Yi Myeong-Hwan was still confident that no European knight order could best the Demon Flames in a straight-up fight.

Knowing that, how could he or his colleagues not be motivated?

Less than half a year ago, Yi Myeong-Hwan and Co. were simply the Martial Assembly's younger generation. Their skills were so meager that even the Assembly didn't treat them as useful combatants.

But now? Forget being pushed back by the Round Table’s world-famous elites, they were actually at the point of being confident about emerging victorious!

Some people might think the Demon Flames got lucky. They would argue that Yi Myeong-Hwan and his colleagues only managed to do all this by getting noticed by Kang Jin-Ho. Of course, Yi Myeong-Hwan knew that was not the full story.

Kang Jin-Ho chose the members of the Demon Flames because they had proved their willingness to throw their lives away in order to acquire greater strength.

Even now, the Demon Flames were proving that determination. They endured insane training so much harsher than anyone could possibly imagine.

They survived the hellish training to get this far. In that case, how could they not be proud of their achievements?

When Kang Jin-Ho said he’d take some time out of his busy schedule to oversee the Demon Flames’ training today, Yi Myeong-Hwan was genuinely happy.

Recently, their training was often overseen by Vator or done at the individual member's discretion. So, to think Kang Jin-Ho would personally coach their training!

That had to be a reward of some kind, no?

That was why Yi Myeong-Hwan and the rest of the Demon Flames happily headed to the training ground. Kang Jin-Ho's training was unquestionably extreme, but enduring it would definitely make them stronger.

As long as they could become stronger, they were willing to withstand any pain! No matter how unbearable it might be!

That was what they all believed, but…

“Kkeuh….”

“Urgh…”

Pained moans were coming from everywhere. And no, none of the Demon Flames was pretending here.

Yi Myeong-Hwan believed he could grin and bear most pain these days, but the pain wrecking his entire body right now was severe enough to render him utterly speechless.

“You are all so weak,” Kang Jin-Ho grunted in displeasure, then scanned his surroundings.

Yi Myeong-Hwan was flabbergasted by that.

‘How…!’

Wasn’t Kang Jin-Ho’s strength just too illogical? The entirety of the Demon Flames charged at Kang Jin-Ho, yet they couldn’t even land a single hit?!

The lofty confidence of Yi Myeong-Hwan and Co. had instantly crumbled into dust.

Even if Kang Jin-Ho was heaven-defyingly strong—and was still getting stronger—Yi Myeong-Hwan thought the gap between them was steadily narrowing. In his mind, it was impossible for Kang Jin-Ho’s rate of improvement to be faster than that of the Demon Flames.

Logically, that should have been the case. However, Kang Jin-Ho was grandly trampling on that logic with an expressionless face.

“Yi Myeong-Hwan.”

“Yes, sir!”

Yi Myeong-Hwan thought he was too hurt to speak properly, yet his vocal cords moved on their own when Kang Jin-Ho called out to him.

“What have you been doing?”

“…!”

“You guys enjoyed all this time to train.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan’s eyes powerfully quaked as he listened.

“Even then, is this the best you got?” Kang Jin-Ho’s disinterested gaze locked on Yi Myeong-Hwan.

However, that disinterested look crushed down on Yi Myeong-Hwan far worse than any criticism.

“...My apologies, sir.” Yi Myeong-Hwan weakly muttered as his head faltered.

“Didn’t you say you want to become stronger?”

“...Yes, sir.”

“So? You think you’ve gotten stronger now?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan subtly chewed on his lip. He still fully recognized and respected Kang Jin-Ho’s authority over them. Even so, he must…

“Sir, may I speak frankly?”

Kang Jin-Ho silently stared at Yi Myeong-Hwan before nodding briefly. “Sure. Speak.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan nervously swallowed. The mere thought of speaking up against Kang Jin-Ho caused his limbs to shake uncontrollably and cold sweat to trickle down his back.

However, he still had to get this off his chest.

“I’m sure we seem lacking in your point of view, sir. However, we… We have been pouring out our all to become stronger as quickly as possible.”

“…”

“No one in the Martial Assembly has gotten stronger faster than us, sir! And we really did our absolute best to…”

“Your best?” Kang Jin-Ho suddenly smirked derisively.

Yi Myeong-Hwan was besieged with a heart-stopping terror when he saw Kang Jin-Ho bare those white fangs. That was because Kang Jin-Ho would only make that expression whenever he was genuinely angry or overcome by murderous urges!

Clomp, clomp…!

Kang Jin-Ho approached Yi Myeong-Hwan. Right in that brief passage of time, Yi Myeong-Hwan realized what would happen to him.

Grab!

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Kang Jin-Ho grabbed Yi Myeong-Hwan’s throat without warning and lifted the latter up. Yi Myeong-Hwan reflexively clawed at Kang Jin-Ho’s hand and wrist choking him.

Kang Jin-Ho grunted sardonically. “You sure are so full of yourself.”

“K-kueeeeehk?!”

The hand tightened around Yi Myeong-Hwan's throat. The gripping strength was nearly enough to break his neck!

‘I… I’m going to die!’

This was not a joke. And it was not a simple punishment, either! Kang Jin-Ho was choking Yi Myeong-Hwan with the full intention of breaking the latter’s neck!

“Kkeuuuuh!” Yi Myeong-Hwan gasped, his eyes bloodshot. He urgently grabbed and clawed at Kang Jin-Ho’s arm. The realization of impending death immediately wiped out his awareness of who he was dealing with from his mind.

Yi Myeong-Hwan began kicking. He struggled like mad to break the arm gripping him. Eventually, though, his struggles gradually weakened. Just before his body went completely limp…

Kang Jin-Ho unceremoniously chucked Yi Myeong-Hwan’s figure to the floor.

Bang!

“…! Kuh-huk?! Cough! Cough, cough!”

Yi Myeong-Hwan coughed and wheezed painfully while filling his lungs with air again. He shivered like a lone leaf against storm winds while urgently breathing in and out, before staring at Kang Jin-Ho with his bloodshot eyes.

“This… is what it means to do your best,” said Kang Jin-Ho while rolling up his sleeve to display the state of his forearm. An imprint of someone's hands could be seen on his skin.

Yi Myeong-Hwan on the verge of death struggled hard enough to leave behind his handprint on Kang Jin-Ho!

“You say you did your best?” Kang Jin-Ho expressionlessly stared at Yi Myeong-Hwan. And those disinterested eyes crushed down on Yi Myeong-Hwan once more. “Yes, you might have. Back when your training began. You were desperate back then, after all. You were probably prepared to throw everything away in the pursuit of strength.”

“…”

“However, what about now? Do you think you can throw everything away?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan couldn’t readily reply. Even though he thought he could… Could he really do that now?

“Do you know when humans stop trying?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan shook his head. “...No, sir.”

“It’s when they feel satisfied. Content,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

That prompted Yi Myeong-Hwan to clamp his slack mouth shut.

“It is as you say. You and your group have gotten stronger faster than anyone. Because of that, it seems you don’t feel the need to become stronger anymore.”

“S-sir! That’s not the case.”

“Oh, really?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan’s head faltered again. He and the rest of the Demon Flames still endured painful training. They forewent sleep and rest to focus solely on getting stronger. Even then…

Kang Jin-Ho’s words stabbed so painfully into his gut.

Not desperate enough, he said.

Even though the Demon Flames were spending the same amount of time training as usual, they were… no longer as desperate as before. They were no longer the same people from half a year ago who didn't hesitate to throw their lives away for a chance to acquire greater strength.

“Getting stronger is easier than you think. All you have to do is put in extra effort. That is all. However, getting even stronger than that? That'll be impossible. After all, the stronger you get, the harder it is for you to put in the extra effort.” Kang Jin-Ho's expression grew icy. “The idea of fighting against oneself doesn't just mean you must temper yourself. No, it means you must keep your wits about you and stop yourself from gradually falling into a lull and taking your foot off the accelerator.

“So, tell me. Have you been fighting against yourselves lately?"

Yi Myeong-Hwan bit down hard on his lip. Hard enough to draw thick crimson blood!

He was so confident of his strength after crushing the Round Table. He was so eager to show off how strong he had become to everyone else. He wanted to regale them with stories of what he had done in the Round Table. That was where his focus had been.

However, what if it was in the past? Yi Myeong-Hwan wouldn’t have hesitated. He would have rushed to the training ground and pushed himself to the point of abusing his body.

Things he thought of as obvious no longer seemed so obvious when he thought about it some more.

“I’ll ask again,” Kang Jin-Ho scanned everyone in the training ground. “Have you been doing your absolute best?”

The answer this time was much easier to find.

“...No, sir!”

“You've finally got it, then,” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “The reason why it's harder to keep moving forward is simple. In the beginning, you have a reason. And drive. But those things don't last forever. And those who grow satisfied with what they have are bound to stall. What you need in pursuit of strength isn't talent or ability. No, it's whether or not you can continue focusing on your goal of acquiring strength. In other words… How desperate are you?”

A smirk floated up on Kang Jin-Ho’s lips.

“So, are you desperate?”

“Yes, sir!” Yi Myeong-Hwan and the rest roared at the top of their lungs.

A few seconds ago, they wouldn't have felt this way. But now? They knew for sure. They were still desperate. Hungry. Nay, starving!

“I see. Then, prove it,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

Craaack!

Kang Jin-Ho popped his knuckles and grunted menacingly.

“Come at me.”

Just as he finished issuing that order, the bloodshot-eyed Demon Flames charged fiercely at Kang Jin-Ho.

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips curled up at this sight. This smirk was different from the one before. After all, it was a grin of satisfaction.