Chapter 442: Elucidating (2)

Chapter 442: Elucidating (2)

“First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming here today,” said Kang Jin-Ho before awkwardly coughing to clear his throat. 'This... doesn't really suit me, does it?'

Kang Jin-Ho rarely, if ever, had to step in front of a crowd and say something. Even back when he led the demon cult's elites, which numbered several times higher than this crowd, Kang Jin-Ho didn't need to do something as cumbersome as making a stirring speech.

His job was to issue orders back then, and it was Azure Demon's duty to convey the messages to the underlings. However, the era had changed, and what people demanded from the higher-ups had also changed accordingly. Since that was the case, Kang Jin-Ho knew he also needed to change.

“Over there. You,” Kang Jin-Ho suddenly pointed at Yi Myeong-Hwan.

Yi Myeong-Hwan flinched and hurriedly got up. “S-sir? You mean... me?”

“I know you, don't I?”

“A-ah, yes! I accompanied you back when you were heading to the Yeongnam Group, sir!”

Kang Jin-Ho smiled brightly. “I'm relieved to find a familiar face among you. I was getting a bit nervous about speaking in front of so many people, you see.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan wasn't sure how he was supposed to respond to that clear attempt at lightening the mood.

'Nervous?'

Kang Jin-Ho was getting what now?

Wasn't that joke a bit too much? How could a monster like him get nervous?

Getting nervous only happened when people were talking to those with similar status. If a regular person was told to address hundreds of other people like him, they might nervously shudder and start sweating buckets. However, would they behave the same way when addressing hundreds of kindergartners?

“I heard that Assembly Master Bang Jin-Hun has assembled you all. However...” Kang Jin-Ho scratched his head. “I'm not quite sure what to tell you.”

“...I'm sorry?”

“If you don't mind me asking, what did you hear before coming here?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan dazedly listened to Kang Jin-Ho before realizing that question was directed at him. He jolted awake and stammered ungainly. “Uh, oh... That...”

Even though Yi Myeong-Hwan stuttered and failed to answer, Kang Jin-Ho didn't get impatient and quietly waited.

Yi Myeong-Hwan relaxed at the easy-going expression on Kang Jin-Ho's face and calmed himself down with a fake cough. “Uhm, yes. I'm... not sure if I should address you as Mister Kang Jin-Ho, but... uh... Forgive me since I'm not sure how to address you. I've come here after being told that you'll be teaching us. And that I can become stronger by receiving your wisdom.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “I see. And you believe that, yes?”

“Yes,” Yi Myeong-Hwan confidently replied. “I witnessed the truth that day, after all.”

No other explanation was necessary. The powerful magnet that attracted all these people here was the memories of Kang Jin-Ho destroying the Yeongnam Group that day. And they didn't even need explanations or detailed breakdowns on how Kang Jin-Ho would strengthen them.

After all, Kang Jin-Ho had already proven himself. And with the surest, most impactful method, too! Demanding him to explain his plan was an incredibly arrogant thing to do in that case. No one here was conceited enough to do that.

Yi Myeong-Hwan knew he could answer without hesitation.

Kang Jin-Ho asked another question. “Does that mean you wish to learn from me?”

“Of course. It's something I've been dreaming of. I'll definitely say yes.”

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho's lips faintly curled up at that reply. And Yi Myeong-Hwan suddenly felt his heart tumble to the pit of his stomach at that smirk. Because it... contained clear ridicule.

Then, Kang Jin-Ho's tone of speech changed. “Even if you might die during my teachings?”

“...!”

That was when Yi Myeong-Hwan began thinking that his memories and reality had finally aligned. That somewhat naive-looking Kang Jin-Ho from a second ago was morphing into the monster from Yi Myeong-Hwan's memories.

He wasn't sure what caused this switch. Just a subtle tweak in Kang Jin-Ho's expression shouldn't be enough to make Yi Myeong-Hwan feel this way.

There was no easy way to explain it, but... But, Yi Myeong-Hwan's instincts were screaming at him. They said that this 'Kang Jin-Ho' was not the same creature as the 'Kang Jin-Ho' from a few seconds ago.

“Now, answer me.”

“Mister Jin-Ho, not everyone can risk their life every day like you, you know! Please remember that!”

“Yes, I do remember,” Kang Jin-Ho replied without showing much concern.

Bang Jin-Hun groaned in frustration. “Then, why did you say all that back in the auditorium?”

“I know everyone doesn't live that way. However, I don't need people like that.”

Bang Jin-Hun clamped his mouth shut.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at him. “What were you expecting from me?”

“Sorry?”

“Were you hoping that I'd take in any random rabble and train them? Then, applaud at my handiwork for raising the overall strength of the Assembly?” Kang Jin-Ho muttered coldly, sending shivers down Bang Jin-Hun's spine.

This Kang Jin-Ho was not his... 'daily' self. His switch had been flipped up. Which indicated he was taking this matter very seriously.

'This guy, he... He's not joking!'

Kang Jin-Ho was seriously planning to put his words into action. He was genuinely thinking of thrusting the Assembly's younger generation into the proverbial Hell, then picking the promising survivors to train them even further! However, such a method was simply too extreme in the modern era, was it not?!

“Assembly Master Bang. There is no need for everyone to become stronger,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“...May I know why you think that?”

“I'm sure you've noticed it already.”

“Huh? I don't follow?”

Kang Jin-Ho put the paper cup down and looked at Bang Jin-Hun. “The era is changing, Assembly Master Bang. Surely, you must've noticed how much behind-the-scenes maneuvering was necessary before you could move against your opponents. However, you can't keep fighting like that. You having tens of thousands of troops and my forces numbering in the thousands are altogether meaningless. It's not like every soldier in your army will go to war, anyway.”

Bang Jin-Hun's expression froze. That was something he hadn't thought about before.

Kang Jin-Ho continued to lay out his case. “What we need is a small pool of elites consisting of truly powerful individuals. Focusing almost all of our resources into a few will ensure that we will be more agile and flexible by several folds.”

As someone who had experienced it first-hand, Kang Jin-Ho could say this with utmost confidence. The demon cult boasted over ten thousand direct followers and called the vast mountain range of Shiwan Dashan its home, but Kang Jin-Ho as the demon cult's leader only ever directly commanded a small number of people, including the members of the Demon Flames. And the Demon Flames were responsible for helping Kang Jin-Ho rule Gangho with an iron fist.

The numbers game was meaningless in the face of a unit consisting of truly powerful elites. Since the upcoming battles weren't between powerless civilians!

“...I understand what you're trying to say, Mister Jin-Ho. I really do. However!” Bang Jin-Hun groaned loudly, his expression stiff. “Will the younger generation agree to join us after you threatened them like that? Wouldn't this whole thing be a colossal waste of time if no one applies? And you said recruiting and forcing people will be useless, too.”

“Don't worry,” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “Someone will step up.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Kang Jin-Ho stared into Bang Jin-Hun's eyes. “Regardless of era, regardless of factions...”

“Sorry?”

A faint smirk crept up on Kang Jin-Ho's lips. “There always are insane bastards, you see?”

“Hah...” Bang Jin-Hun shook his head in resignation.

Kang Jin-Ho was being serious again. He genuinely believed in what he was saying!

'Are we even doing the right thing here?'

Bang Jin-Hun suddenly thought it might be better for no one to apply and let this whole training idea be quietly forgotten. Unfortunately, he had a hunch that... that wouldn't happen.

He learned his lesson by now, after all. Whenever Kang Jin-Ho said something would happen, it'd inevitably happen sooner or later.

Bang Jin-Hun groaned under his breath, then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho finishing his coffee.

Kang Jin-Ho put his empty paper cup down and asked, “I'd like another cup of coffee, please.”

“...Get it yourself.”

That was the best 'resistance' Bang Jin-Hun could offer under the current circumstances.