Descent of the Demon Master

“So, this is South Korea?” A brown-haired Caucasian said while stepping past the customs and into the airport's interior. He scanned his new environment and muttered in disinterest. “It's a lot more bustling than I expected. Maybe it's only this area?”

“No, sir. I don't believe that’s the case. This country named the Republic of Korea is a surprisingly highly-developed nation, at least in terms of its economy.”

“Really?” The brown-haired man cocked an eyebrow.

“It's almost at the top ten in the global GDP ranking, sir.”

“Top ten? Really?” The brown-haired man, Vincent, opened his eyes wide and stared at Mathieu. “Since it's near the top ten, Korea should be among the most-recognized first-world nations. In that case, how come I've not heard about its prowess until now?”

“Well, sir... This country strangely lacks presence on the global stage, so...”

“...Hmm? That certainly is bizarre.” Vincent chuckled softly.

Then again, this situation wasn't so strange when he thought about it a little more. After all, a country's GDP didn't signify its true national strength. Besides, a ranking like that wasn't enough to boast about since Korea's neighbors possessed such powerful individual global presences, anyway.

One shouldn't forget that Korea was surrounded by China, Japan, and even Russia up north. And then, the most infamous nation in the world, North Korea, shared a land border with it, too.

'...That reminds me of how important this mission is.'

This was the reality of East Asia: a country boasting a top-ten GDP ranking couldn't even get a shout in. Not only on the surface world but also on the other side hidden beneath the surface, no one dared to make light of East Asia's importance on the global stage. But now, a nation that acted as a buffer zone to all those global powerhouses was experiencing a subtle but noticeable shift in its stability?

'...It'll be like a nuke going off, then.'

Vincent gained a renewed appreciation of how important his new mission was. He carefully scanned his surroundings once more, this time with a far sharper glare in his eyes.

The surface world and the hidden world ostensibly existed in separate realms, but they were also intricately linked on so many levels. A country's national strength naturally had an impact on its martial society as well.

'And the overall strength of a country's martial society can also impact the national strength, too...'

The best example of this dynamic was none other than the USA. Its relatively short history meant its martial society used to be pathetic. However, after it became the strongest, most prosperous nation on Earth, the American martial artists also rose to the level of power where they could even threaten the Chinese.

Since South Korea possessed considerable national strength, this country's martial artists experiencing a boom could produce a considerable synergistic effect in the near future.

'We shouldn't view this mission lightly, then.'

Rather than boasting a high difficulty, this mission came with a different hurdle. The ripples from failing this mission could be large. Far too large for Vincent's liking, in fact. He swore inwardly to succeed in this mission, no matter what, then addressed Mathieu next to him. “So, where are we supposed to go next?”

“A bus has been prepared, sir. I've been told it's parked in a nearby parking lot, so I'll call it to come and fetch us immediately.”

“No, don't. We'll head there ourselves.”

“Sir?”

Vincent shook his head. “No need to attract attention that way. We might be in an international airport, but a large contingent of foreigners entering a bus together will no doubt attract strange gazes.”

Mathieu was about to say something but stopped himself before any words could come out.

'Even though there are so many foreigners around here...?'

Their group only numbered fifty. Mathieu didn't think this number of people climbing into the same bus would attract much attention, but Vincent had issued his commands. Mathieu's job was to follow without complaining. They were on a mission, after all.

Bringing up his personal thoughts in every little trivial matter would only lead to an eventual breakdown in the chain of command. Besides, there was another problem here. Where should the bus driver come to fetch them in this airport? This place might be awash with multi-language signboards everywhere alongside detailed maps, but foreign airports always possessed this strange power to weaken the hearts of the visitors.

Vincent looked around. “Didn't you call our agents ahead of time?”

“Captain, sir. We don't have any agents stationed in South Korea. I initially thought about mobilizing agents in Japan or China, but such a thing seemed pointless as there is no guarantee that they are knowledgeable about this country.”

“This isn't the matter of convenience, Mathieu. We need to think about our mission. Finding our target in a country where we don't speak the language will be practically impossible.”

“The Round Table has agreed to dispatch their agent, sir. However, apparently we'll join forces only after two days.”

“How incompetent...” Vincent clicked his tongue.

Something like this was only possible because the Round Table was led by a group of useless Brits. Other than boasting about how they got fat from the blood of its colonies, those Brits were a useless bunch who couldn't even cook one decent meal.

“Very well... Everyone must be exhausted from this lengthy trip, so let us take the next two days to unwind and rest. That shouldn't deviate too much from our mission brief.”

“It won't, sir.”

“Then, let's head to the bus.” Vincent haughtily declared that to his companions. However, Mathieu didn't budge from the spot. Vincent frowned slightly. “What are you doing?”

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

“S-sir. Please wait...? I'm looking at the map right now, but... Uh, which way is east...?”

Vincent's frown got deeper. “Keuh-hmm. Take a closer look, Mathieu.”

As Vincent was a smart man, he knew he'd be no help even after glaring at the map together with his subordinate. He had never been here before, after all. Butting in without knowing anything would only make him look like a fool.

“Mm... Sir, this won't do,” Mathieu looked away from the map and narrowed his eyes. “When in an overseas territory, the best thing is to ask a local for directions. In that case, sir... Let us find someone who can help us.”

“I agree, that sounds logical.”

After getting his captain's permission, Mathieu began scanning the surroundings. Who could be a suitable guide for them, though?

Obviously, there wouldn't be an intellectual with knowledge of French strolling around here at this exact hour. Which meant Mathieu should suss out someone younger who might know some English. And it should be a strapping young man who wouldn't get scared by the sight of a group of foreigners.

“...! Excuse me!” Mathieu raised his hand and rushed toward a young man walking past.

“H-hello?” The young man panicked slightly when foreigners suddenly rushed at him next but regained his cool soon enough.

Mathieu asked in English about the exact location of the airport's car park, but the young man's expression became unreadable as he listened.

'Ah. His expression is saying, why did you have to choose me for directions?'

Since the young man understood, he seemed to have some knowledge of English but lacked experience in conversing with foreigners. The young man intensely pondered something while rubbing his chin.

'Hmm...?' Vincent narrowed his eyes, his expression slightly weirded out. 'Isn't this guy unusually handsome for an Asian?'

The young man's clearly-defined facial features left a strong impression in Vincent's mind, which was unsurprising since it was human instinct to be drawn to people who were beautiful enough to transcend nationalities and races.

“Uh, mm...” The young man finally decided to say something. “Go... ahead. Straight. Mm... Turn left... Right? Left...?” [1]

He stuttered ungainly for a bit before his expression hardened.

“Hmm?” Vincent tensed up when he sensed a hint of killing intent suddenly creeping into this young man's glare. But, just as Vincent almost got ready to pounce into action...!

“Come on! We go together!”

“...”

The young man took the lead and energetically strutted forward.

...That seemed like a terribly great idea. And oh-so friendly, too.

***

Thanks to the young man's effort, Vincent and his group safely negotiated their way to the airport car park and reached the waiting bus.

“Thank you!”

“Merci beaucoup!”

The young man smiled warmly and waved his hand at the barrage of gratitude.

'Hmm, I guess Korea is not a primitive country, at least.'

To find out about the standard of a country, one should look at how its citizens treated foreign nationals. Seeing a young Korean man spending his valuable time guiding a bunch of strangers, Vincent was left with a somewhat better impression of Korea itself.

“Well, then. Take care.” The young man bowed his head slightly and walked away.

Vincent's group waved their hands at him and started loading their luggage into the bus's cargo area.

“Mathieu? Where are we headed now? To our hotel?”

“Yes, captain. A portion of the data on our target should be in the bus, while the rest will arrive via email and fax.”

“Huh. To think we must receive our intel on-site like this...”

“Knight Wiggins is the one handing over the collected intel, captain. And the process is taking a bit of time.”

“Incompetent bastards, those Brits who only know how to roast beef...! I guess it's their way of giving us a hard time.” Vincent cursed lowly under his breath.

Mathieu didn't say anything and listened. He couldn't quite understand this hatred of Britain permeating his knight order. The older they were, the greater the level of hatred seemed to be.

As Mathieu was also a proud Frenchman, his impression of Britain wasn't all that great, either. Even so, his hatred hadn't reached Vincent's level.

“...Captain, I believe it'll be difficult to operate without the local agent showing us the way. In that case, let's just treat the next two days as a short vacation. It hasn't been that long since we finished our last assignment, so this situation couldn't have happened at a better time, sir.”

“Hmm...” Vincent frowned a little. He was still not happy about this situation. Taking a short break between missions was not a problem, but doing the same during a mission? That didn't feel right to him.

That was because what happened during the mission—from when the order accepted the assignment to finishing it—would serve as proof of their capabilities.

They were fighting for time here, yet still needed to waste two days doing nothing of note? That aspect was displeasing Vincent quite a bit. “Very well. As we don't have a choice... Let's not get hung up about this.”

“You made the right call, captain.”

“Tell the group to enter the bus. Our next stop will be at our designated hotel.”

“Yes, sir!”

After confirming all the members of their group had climbed aboard the bus, Vincent and Mathieu were about to join them, but then...!

Vroooooom!

A red Lamborghini speedily approached the duo for some reason. Vincent frowned and glared at the flashy supercar. Who would drive a car so recklessly in a parking lot, of all places...?

The driver's side window wound down, and the young man from earlier waved his hand at the duo.

Vincent's expression relaxed a little at that. “Mm... What an exemplary young man.”

“I agree, sir.”

The two men watched the distancing rear lights of the red Lamborghini like a pair of kind grandpas, then entered the bus. After they settled in their seats, the bus slowly set off.

Vincent glanced at Mathieu. “Didn't you say something about this bus containing some of the collected intel?”

“Yes, captain. I ordered the already-organized intel to be printed first and made available before our arrival.”

“Don't you think that was a little rash?” Vincent muttered while shifting his gaze to the bus driver.

“We might not have any agents stationed in Korea, but... People loyal to their mother countries exist everywhere, sir. Especially a great nation like France. The driver is someone from our Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“...Mm. He should be reliable, then.” Vincent nodded weightily.

An unbridgeable chasm must exist between the surface world and the hidden world. That belief must be adhered to. However, sticking to that belief religiously in the current era was asking for the impossible.

Especially when the Round Table's agents had to travel the world to carry out their assignments; the cooperation from their mother nations was essential to the success of their missions. As such, all European nations' foreign ministries had dedicated offices to support the Round Table's agents.

“Where are the documents?”

“In there, sir.” Mathieu pulled out piles of well-organized documents from a box next to the driver's seat and distributed them to everyone.

Vincent glanced at the group. “For now, let us study the intel as much as we can.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Hmm...” Vincent flipped open the cover of the documents. However, after checking out Kang Jin-Ho's photo and personal details on the first page, he began chuckling wryly. “I knew it. East Asians are a bad match for me, it seems.”

Mathieu raised his head away from the documents. “Sir?”

“Let me be honest here. They all look alike in my eyes. What about you, Mathieu? Doesn't our target's face resemble that young man from earlier? It seems I can't seem to tell Asian faces apart.”

“...?” Mathieu silently stared intently at the photo. Soon, sweat drops began forming on his forehead. “S-sir... Even to me, they... look the same?”

“Is that so? I guess you are also ill-suited for this... Mm?” Vincent stopped talking there and hurriedly raised his head to stare at Mathieu. “Did you say... they are the same?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hold on. I thought that young man was uncharacteristically handsome for an Asian man. Does that mean such good-looking men can be found everywhere in South Korea? Did we stumble into the land of Elves? Is that it?”

“...”

“What about you? What do you think!” Vincent shot up to his feet and shouted at the rest of the group. However, for some reason... They all began avoiding Vincent's glare.

“...! You... You bunch of idiots!” Vincent's face grew bright red. This meant they had been laughing and bidding goodbyes like friends with their target just now! Vincent hurriedly shifted through the documents and confirmed the make and model of Kang Jin-Ho's car, then angrily threw the paper at the seat while yelling at his group. “Stop the bus! All of you will now run to the hotel instead! You goddamn idiots!”

And just like that, the encounter between Kang Jin-Ho and the Chevalier started on the lowest—and perhaps, the highest—note imaginable.

1. This, ahem, 'unknown' young man is speaking in English in the raw. ☜