Descent of the Demon Master

“...What is up with those people?” Park Yu-Min muttered in bewilderment while watching Vator and his companion.

The giant was intensely glaring at this side for some reason, only to suddenly get up and head to the exit stairwell while apologetically bowing his head repeatedly at the crowd around him.

The giant stopped before the stairwell, briefly glanced back at where Kang Jin-Ho was, then exited the stadium altogether.

Park Yu-Min clamped his slack jaw shut as a mixture of bewilderment and puzzlement swirled in his head. “Jin-Ho... Those two people. They were looking at this side, right?”

“...Who knows?” Kang Jin-Ho muttered quietly. He didn't confirm or deny anything. Then again, he didn't think a verbal confirmation would be necessary here. Park Yu-Min would encounter more and more dangerous situations by getting more involved in the shadowy world of martial artists, after all.

The light in Kang Jin-Ho's eyes became withdrawn. Icy cold.

If that giant had known anything about Kang Jin-Ho, he'd not have shown up today. Maybe he had no idea that approaching Kang Jin-Ho like this was probably the worst 'stimulant' imaginable for the latter!

Kang Jin-Ho disliked the act of martial artists invading his life in the surface world. After all, that was the same thing as idiots with muddy boots trampling on the boundary he had finally finished drawing with a lot of effort.

Kang Jin-Ho's expression grew even colder and withdrawn. However...

“Jin-Ho?”

“Mm?”

When Park Yu-Min called out to him, Kang Jin-Ho's expression instantly softened. He slowly turned his head to look at his friend.

Park Yu-Min pointed in the distance while urgently crying out, “L-look! Jong-In is trying to escape!”

“Where?!” Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly spun his head and discovered Jong-In climbing up the stairs after slipping past the caregiver aunties. “I'll go catch him!”

“You have permission to launch!” Park Yu-Min clapped loudly just as Kang Jin-Ho jumped over the chairs and rushed toward the wayward naughty child.

Han Jin-Seong also shot up to his feet. “H-hyung! Let me help, too!”

“No, you sit down,” said Park Yu-Min.

“...”

“Don't you dare go anywhere, Jin-Seong! I'm more worried about you than Jong-In, you know!”

“What? Hyyyyung?!”

“Please, please! Please behave yourself once in a while, okay!”

Han Jin-Seong slumped in his chair, his expression hollow and soulless. As he looked up at the heavens... He realized there was no God or Buddha in this world.

***

Park Yu-Min chuckled and patted Kang Jin-Ho on the shoulder. “Thanks for all your hard work today.”

“That's a weird thing to say,” Kang Jin-Ho tutted.

“Well, it was hard work in a way, right?”

Even though Park Yu-Min jokingly asked that question, could he or Kang Jin-Ho call today's events 'hard work'? Even if they did qualify, both men wouldn't have cared and kept doing this so-called hard work as long as possible.

The orphans expressed their gratitude in various ways.

“Oppa, today was so much fun!”

“Hyung! Thank you for all your hard work!”

“Wooow, it was soooo much fun. No, really.”

“Let's come here again some other time!”

“Sure, sure,” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled while ruffling Han Jin-Seong's hair. Even if the boy threw in some random comment just then, it was still fine, wasn't it?

The usual Han Jin-Seong would've tried to put up some kind of resistance, but not today. He was far too mentally drained to do anything other than let his head tilt this way and that from Kang Jin-Ho's ruffling hand.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled again at the boy's tired expression.

Not too long ago, Bang Jin-Hun asked Kang Jin-Ho if there really was a need to waste his effort and wealth on something with zero rewards and benefits. That question could've only come from someone who didn't know.

'Yu-Min is right.'

This was fun. Kang Jin-Ho was certain about that now. Nowhere and nothing in this world would give him as much fun for all the effort he put in as being here with all these kids. This thing about there being no reward or benefits was definitely wrong.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled and glanced at Park Yu-Min. “Okay, I'm off.”

“Alright. Take care,” Park Yu-Min waved his hand.

“Hyung! Take care! See you later!”

“That's right, oppa! See you later!”

“Uhwoo-woo, uwo, uh-uh.”

Only after gently hugging and patting a child waddling toward him did Kang Jin-Ho turn around and head toward the exit.

'I think I get it now.'

Kang Jin-Ho thought he could finally understand the trust Park Yu-Min mentioned before. The Seongsim Orphanage kids were wary of Kang Jin-Ho when he first showed up. However, after he showed up a few more times and got to know them a little better, the incidents of several kids holding dearly onto his hands began occurring with alarming frequency.

They were behaving this way because... They didn't want Kang Jin-Ho to leave. Although such a sight might not be rare, the Seongsim kids seemed especially... serious about this. They feared Kang Jin-Ho would never return if he left now and clung to him while sobbing and wailing desperately. But now...

Even though Kang Jin-Ho was leaving, the Seongsim children casually waved their hands at him. No one tried to cling to him or stop him from leaving.

Was it because they had grown apart? Of course not.

No, they firmly believed that Kang Jin-Ho would always come back later even if he went away for now. That confidence, that trust, was born out of the bond created through all the time and effort Kang Jin-Ho spent with these children.

This bond was something Kang Jin-Ho couldn't find even after spending dozens of years in the demon cult. Yet, he found it so quickly in an orphanage. That was why... How should he put this?

Kang Jin-Ho looked behind to confirm that the Seongsim children were far away now, then took out his phone. He calmly tapped on the phone's screen to call someone.

-Yes, this is Lee Hyeon-Su.

This novel is available on "pawread dot com".

Kang Jin-Ho spoke in a still, cold voice. “Someone tried to provoke me earlier in the day.”

-Provoke you?

“Yes. He provoked me from a distance before going away.”

A weighty silence came from the other side of the line. After that bout of silence, Lee Hyeon-Su's cautious voice came out from the phone's speaker.

-What are your orders, Mister Jin-Ho?

“I need you to confirm something for me.”

-Confirm...?

“Yes,” Kang Jin-Ho quietly chewed out his next words. “Find out who that was, please.”

***

The response was swifter than Kang Jin-Ho thought.

He figured it might take some time, but no; Lee Hyeong-Su only needed to retrieve the CCTV footage from the baseball stadium to acquire the provoker's images.

Lee Hyeon-Su sent the image to agents in China and Japan and quickly uncovered the identity of the mysterious giant. However, despite finishing the task quickly and painlessly... Lee Hyeon-Su's complexion was dark as he stood in front of Kang Jin-Ho. As a matter of fact, his complexion could even be described as gloomy.

“Mister Jin-Ho. This man's name is Vator.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes while looking at the photo. “Vator...?”

“Yes, and he's a rather famous individual,” said Lee Hyeon-Su, a hint of uncertain nuance creeping into his words. Kang Jin-Ho noticed it but didn't urge Lee Hyeon-Su to explain himself. An explanation would be forthcoming if he waited, after all.

Lee Hyeon-Su grimaced a little. “Technically speaking... He's from the Crimson King's faction.”

“The Crimson King's faction, is it...?” Kang Jin-Ho rubbed his chin. It felt like he'd been hearing that name rather often.

China was indisputably one of the biggest factors influencing South Korea's martial society. However, for some reason, Kang Jin-Ho only ever heard about the Crimson King. He knew practically nothing about the other two kings.

“I said 'technically' because Vator isn't exactly affiliated with the Crimson King's faction,” said Lee Hyeon-Su. He fake-coughed when Kang Jin-Ho signaled with his eyes for more information. “Although we haven't fully grasped the situation with the Crimson King's faction, we do know that Vator's name is not on their roster. Obviously, someone of his caliber would've occupied a very high position if he was a part of the faction, Mister Jin-Ho. However, we don't consider him as a true member of the Crimson King's faction because... Vator didn't willingly accept the Crimson King's rule, but some kind of contract is binding them together.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “I see. Something like an honorary elder, then…”

“I'm sorry?”

“No, don't worry about it. Carry on.”

Lee Hyeon-Su seemed to think more explanation from him was necessary, but Kang Jin-Ho didn't need to hear it. He could already guess the nature of the relationship between the Crimson King and Vator.

Back in Zhongyuan, one could find a fair number of outsiders making themselves home in various large sects and clans under the moniker of 'honorary elders'. The clans or the sects would've loved to have these talented experts join their ranks, but various hurdles—such as different bloodlines and not being disciples from the same school of cultivation—prevented that from becoming a reality. So, the alternative was to call them the honorary elders and treat them like a part of the family.

These honorary elders would be asked to offer their strength in a battle or provide assistance in various matters in return for all the favorable treatments they received.

Back when the Namgung Clan was at the height of fame, the number of honorary elders was double that of the actual clan members.

“In any case... Yes, that's the situation with Vator, Mister Jin-Ho. Affiliated with the Crimson King's faction, yet he isn't a member. Vator is originally from Mongolia. But he entered China on an unknown business and got scouted by the Crimson King. Before the scouting, it seems Vator has performed some eye-catching feats, Mister Jin-Ho. Thanks to his achievements, people now recognize him as a true expert, even if his active period within China's martial society hasn't been all that long.”

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho nodded again. “In other words, the Crimson King has sent him here.”

“Yes. That's the most likely explanation.”

“However... Why?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “I don't have any animosity with this Crimson King, so what is his reason for trying to eliminate me? By even resorting to dispatching an honorary elder, no less?”

Lee Hyeon-Su clamped his mouth shut. He originally planned to explain that the irreparable animosity was created when Kang Jin-Ho destroyed and absorbed the Yeongnam Group which had been funded by the Crimson King's faction.

However, a question suddenly popped up in Lee Hyeon-Su's head just before he could say anything.

'Wait a second. Is that... really true?'

His mind quickly produced the answer. And it was a 'no'.

There was no doubt that Kang Jin-Ho hurt the Crimson King's faction by destroying the Yeongnam Group. However, was the hurt caused by this incident severe enough to require such an extreme measure? No, it was not. Not from the Crimson King's perspective, in any case.

To a man who ruled one-third of a massive nation called China, a conflict between factions in a small peninsula wouldn't have been worth the trouble.

'In that case, why?'

Lee Hyeon-Su's thoughts went messy from the topic Kang Jin-Ho raised. No matter what he thought, Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't imagine a solid reason for someone like the Crimson King to go out of his way to eliminate Kang Jin-Ho.

Even if the Crimson King did want to kill Kang Jin-Ho... The order of things seemed off. He funded the Yeongnam Group as a way to exert his influence in the Korean peninsula, didn't he? If that had been his goal, why didn't he contact Kang Jin-Ho and try to win him over first before going with this route of elimination? And there had been no discernible movement from the Crimson King to fund another faction to rule South Korea once Kang Jin-Ho was eliminated, so why...

Lee Hyeon-Su's expression stiffened just then.

'Maybe... No, not maybe. I'm definitely missing something here.'

Lee Hyeon-Su couldn't explain it verbally, but his hunch said there was something here that he couldn't see. He'd need time and more information to confirm whether or not his premonition was on the money.

“Mister Jin-Ho, I'd like to investigate this and find out what exactly is going on here.”

“I'll leave it to you, then.”

“The... important part about this isn't their motivation but the fact they are targeting you, Mister Jin-Ho,” said Lee Hyeon-Su while frowning deeply. “From what I saw in the footage, they kept their distance before retreating. Do you have a reason to believe they are here to eliminate you?”

“You'll know soon enough.”

“I'm sorry?”

“You'll see when you meet them. That wasn't a simple provocation.”

Lee Hyeon-Su frowned but still nodded anyway. It all sounded like they were chasing after clouds, but nothing was better than seeing it for himself to confirm the truth. After all, Lee Hyeon-Su was half a martial artist, wasn't he?

Even he could determine the other party's animosity by sensing the emitted qi, so an expert of Kang Jin-Ho's caliber should be even more accurate in this regard.

“In that case... How should we proceed, Mister Jin-Ho?” Lee Hyeon-Su grimly asked.

Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “We don't have to do anything.”

Lee Hyeon-Su grew momentarily dazed as he stared at Kang Jin-Ho. He couldn't understand this course of action.

Of course, as a considerate man, Kang Jin-Ho was ready to explain himself. “I only wanted to find out who it was, that's all.”

“But, Mister Jin-Ho. Leaving a dangerous individual like Vator alone is not...”

“You think I'm leaving him alone?” Kang Jin-Ho deeply smirked. And Lee Hyeon-Su froze stiffly at that sinister smirk.

He still remembered that expression. On that day, when Kang Jin-Ho slaughtered the Yeongnam Group by himself, then leisurely ripped Kim Seok-Il's limbs off...!

Kang Jin-Ho made the same smirk on that day.

When the memories from that hellish day he desperately wanted to forget reared their ugly heads once more, Lee Hyeon-Su's body began shuddering all on its own. Even though Lee Hyeon-Su believed they were on the same side now, he still couldn't do anything about this tidal wave of instinctive fear.

That was how scared he was of Kang Jin-Ho making that sinister face. His fear was now branded into his soul as an ever-lasting trauma.

Lee Hyeon-Su prayed he'd never see that sinister smirk ever again, yet it was etched on Kang Jin-Ho's face right now!

Kang Jin-Ho quietly muttered, “I'm not leaving him alone. We don't have to do anything as the other side will come seeking me out first. So, we only need to wait.”

Lee Hyeon-Su dazedly nodded before snapping awake. He bit his lower lip before raising his voice. “Mister Jin-Ho...”

“Mm?”

“Is it possible to… not be in a hostile relationship with the other side?”

“...Why should I do that?”

“That man is the Crimson King's subordinate, even if he's not officially part of the faction. This matter won't be resolved even if you defeat him, Mister Jin-Ho. The Crimson King will dispatch even more men and stronger experts to deal with you. Shouldn't you... try to prevent the situation from escalating before that happens?”

Kang Jin-Ho's smirk deepened even more as he listened to Lee Hyeon-Su's earnest advice. And then, he leisurely, oh-so-leisurely, spoke what was on his mind.