Bang Jin-Hun tensely scanned the passageway up ahead.

The exit had been thrown wide open so that he and his men could fight back whoever showed up, but all he could see was a passageway with all the lights turned off.

Even then, Bang Jin-Hun could still clearly sense people's presence beyond the darkness.

His hunch was reinforced by the faint rumbling of the ground felt through his feet. Besides, he could pick up on the auras of warriors in the distance rapidly closing in, anyway.

He could also pick up goosebumps-inducing demonic qi going rampant right behind him. For his mental health, he wisely chose not to look.

Kang Jin-Ho shouldn’t have a problem handling those Knight folks. Even at a casual glance, they seemed like a bunch of top dogs in this place, but Bang Jin-Hun still couldn’t imagine those fellas putting up a decent fight against the Assembly Master.

‘The problem is that we’re in a race against time.’

Bang Jin-Hun’s role this time was to buy that necessary time.

“I’ll be at the front!” Bang Jin-Hun roared at his subordinates behind.

“Sir!”

“And you lot! Deal with any stragglers! Got that!”

“Yes, sir!”

Bang Jin-Hun couldn’t help but frown slightly as the Assembly’s warriors roared their reply.

‘Can they do it, though?’

This place would be their ultimate testing ground.

These warriors were good enough to be called the Martial Assembly's top elites. In the past, such valuable combatants wouldn't have been deployed in a dangerous military expedition to an enemy country like this.

The introduction of new martial arts had improved the Assembly’s overall combat strength. That much was undeniable. However, in Bang Jin-Hun’s view, these people still needed a little more time to become elites recognizable by their peers around the world.

Even then, he still brought them here. He had a good reason for that, of course.

‘Flowers grown in a glasshouse are bound to wither right away when said glasshouse is gone.’

Bang Jin-Hun personally believed that only through battles could a martial artist mature. And his belief was thoroughly reinforced by observing Kang Jin-Ho's antics. ȐΑꞐỘＢÈṩ

Even if many got injured today or, even worse, died, a martial artist should never be scared about getting into a fight. The survivors would no doubt build on tonight's experiences to become even stronger in the future.

“Cheon Tae-Hun!”

“Yes, Director Bang!”

“Cover my rear, okay!”

“I’ll do my best, sir!”

Bang Jin-Hun smirked at that determined reply from Cheon Tae-Hun.

It felt like Bang Jin-Hun’s body had gotten a bit creaky from devoting his time to conceiving a new martial art and whatnot. It wasn’t just a feeling, though. Didn’t he confirm that while fighting the Japanese invaders not too long ago?

‘Forget about researching and whatever. A martial artist is supposed to fight. And a martial artist who doesn’t experience real fights is bound to get rusty!’

Since he had crossed one steep mountain, it was now time for Bang Jin-Hun to focus on improving as a martial artist.

Imparting a martial art distinctly Korean to the Martial Assembly was undoubtedly a crucial task for him and everyone else. It was a matter of establishing the Assembly's identity, after all. The thing was, though…

During the process of imparting this martial art, Bang Jin-Ho had an epiphany. He realized there was something, a much bigger role, he must play within the organization. And that was…

‘I need to get much stronger!’

What was the point of providing a top-class cultivation method when nobody in South Korea had mastered it to the point of rivaling Vator or Wiggins?

The ones mastering a cultivation method didn’t place much importance on the rank of what they mastered. However, they did care a lot about the experts produced by said cultivation method.

No matter how hard Bang Jin-Hun worked to create a wonderful martial art, the prospective disciples would still get drawn to stronger people like Vator and Wiggins. So, to overturn this situation, Bang Jin-Hun had to demonstrate to everyone that he was just as strong as those two.

In the past, such a thing would have been a mere pipe dream, but now…!

‘But now, I know what I should do!’

The corners of Bang Jin-Hun's lips curled up. The experience of creating a new martial art with Kang Jin-Ho turned out to be exactly what he needed.

The task of creating a martial art was not the same as challenging something that had never been challenged before. First of all, the creator had to go through the painstaking process of reviewing and organizing what they were taught, what they learned through practice, and what they had picked up along their martial journey.

Bang Jin-Hun also went through this process, and that was when he noticed all the lacking parts of his cultivation. By doing so, he found a way to take himself one step further in his martial journey.

Although he was still getting to grips with what he had figured out, Bang Jin-Hun knew he could attain even greater strength by tempering himself through real combat.

In that sense, this battle would be incredibly crucial to not only Bang Jin-Hun, but also to everyone watching his back.

“Allow me to stand beside you, Director Bang,” said Vincent while stepping heroically forward. However, that only made Bang Jin-Hun scowl a little. Vincent also frowned back. “Please don't glower like that. I'm not stupid enough to come this far only to try something underhanded.”

Bang Jin-Hun's scowl got only deeper before he looked behind him. “Oi, Cheon Tae-Hun!”

“Yes, sir!”

“I need an interpreter. What is this dude even saying?”

“…”

“…”

Once Cheon Tae-Hun translated what Vincent said, Bang Jin-Hun began chuckling like an old man. “Hah. It seems there won’t be enough prey to go around today!”

Vincent grinned back. “Don’t worry. There will be plenty for everyone here. Our opponents won’t be pushovers, you see?”

Bang Jin-Hun cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Will you be alright, though?”

“Well…” Vincent's expression grew stiff as he muttered, “I feel like I have to beat someone up right now or else, you see…?”

“Kekeke…!” Bang Jin-Hun cackled away.

Anyone who knew why the Chevaliers were staying with the Martial Assembly would also know how patiently these Frenchmen had to hold themselves back until now.

Bang Jin-Hun unhesitantly stepped a little to the side and let Vincent join him. “Listen, fella. Let’s not get too wild today, okay? Comparing myself to you will dent my pride even more, you see?”

Vincent tilted his head. “A top expert like yourself saying that is rather strange, no?”

“Huh? A top expert? Who? Me?”

“Are you not an expert?”

Bang Jin-Hun sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Once upon a time, he used to take such a label for granted. Seeing how it only made him awkward like this, though… It seemed his confidence as a martial artist had dipped quite a bit lately.

“Yeah, that’s right. I am kinda strong, aren’t I…?”

Even in the entire Martial Assembly, less than ten people could win against Bang Jin-Hun in a straight-up fight. Being one of the top ten strongest people in the country should be enough to hold his head high, but…

But Bang Jin-Hun couldn’t do that.

‘How can I do that when everyone I see is a freaking monster? Blooming hell…’

Bang Jin-Hun's expression hardened. Anyone thinking of giving up just because others were overwhelmingly stronger didn't deserve to be called a martial artist.

The fundamental qualities a martial artist must be born with were competitiveness and ambition. At least, that was what Bang Jin-Hun believed.

Vincent narrowed his eyes. “Here they come!”

“Hmph!” Bang Jin-Hun grunted while tightly clenching his fists. He could see some things flash and flicker within the darkness bathing the passageway.

Clack! Clang!

Noises of metallic friction echoed eerily as if a gigantic machine had woken up and began churning away. When Bang Jin-Hun finally realized those friction noises came from groups of countless knights, clad from head to toe in metallic armor, charging madly toward his location, he reflexively cried out to Vincent. “What the hell is up with their outdated get-up?! Did they forget what era they are living in?!”

“Don’t underestimate them!” Vincent yelled back. “They are powerful warriors!”

“I already know that! I do! But!” Bang Jin-Hun frowned deeply. He couldn't even tell where he should start pointing out all the glaring problems with this situation.

‘Dammit!’

The sight of knights, their heads fully covered in metal helmets, charging straight at enemies had this magnificent power to make spectators’ hair stand on their ends.

Bang Jin-Hun tightly clenched his fist while yelling at the Martial Assembly’s fighters. “Listen up! It looks like one or two hits won’t bring those bastards down, so do not hold back! You hear me!”

“Yes, sir!”

Vincent also yelled loudly at the Chevaliers behind him. “Defeat the enemy! Burn them all with your anger and resentment!”

“Yes, captain!”

Bang Jin-Hun and Vincent dashed forward toward the incoming enemies at the same time.

***

“Uwa-hahahaha! Come at me, you little bugs!”

Vator was currently going wild without a care in the world.

In terms of raw physical strength, even Kang Jin-Ho had to take a bow at Vator. A man with such power and a gigantic physique to match blocking up a pathway would create a near-impregnable fortress wall.

“A g-giant?! No, it’s a monster!”

“Don’t try to fight him head-on! Aim for his legs!”

That order would have been absolutely correct had these knights been fighting against someone merely big in stature. Unfortunately, though… Vator wasn’t someone merely big in stature.

Those who tried to come in low in an attempt to target Vator’s legs were unceremoniously kicked by the big man and got nailed deep into the passageway’s ceiling.

BOOOOOM!

Vator didn't stop there and punched at the poor victim halfway “buried” up in the ceiling!

“Taaaaah-haat!”

KA-BOOOOOOM!

His punch was not something one could defend even after a thorough preparation. So, the result of getting hit by that thunderous punch in the defenseless state was appropriately gory and spectacular.

The full plate armor covering the knight shattered into thousands of pieces and flew away as deadly projectiles. It was as if a claymore had exploded or a shotgun had gone off!

“Aaaaaahk?!”

“My eyes! My eyes!”

The projectiles easily pierced through the knights' various armors and stabbed deep into the soft flesh beneath. Those who were unlucky enough to get injured in the face or eyes fell to the ground while clutching at the helmet-covered heads.

Vator roared. “Let’s go!”

The Martial Assembly members behind him roared back in unison. “Yes, sir!”

Vator might be a massive human being, but it was still impossible to plug up a spacious passageway all by himself. However, he wasn't alone this time. He was accompanied by many Mini-Vators, and these smaller-but-still-big terrors ably filled up the spaces the big man couldn't physically cover!

“Go and trample them to dust!”

“Wuoooooooh!”

Gong Yeong-Gil roared at the top of his lungs before exploding into a full-blooded sprint alongside Vator.

A collapsed knight tried to get up, only for his head to get kicked mercilessly by Gong Yeong-Gil. The poor man passed out on the spot.

Bang! Boom!

The choice to master external arts was finally paying off handsomely for these warriors.

Putting on the armor and infusing it with mana to improve one's defensive capabilities to the absolute maximum was standard practice for the knights of the Round Table. However, Gong Yeong-Gil and his peers didn't feel any impediment while punching and kicking the living daylights of these armored men.

As it turned out, Gong Yeong-Gil's physique was tougher than the knights' and their armor. With his flesh's hardness exceeding that of mana-infused steel, it became rather easy to utterly crush the fancy-looking plate armor and land bone-crushing blows on the squishy humans wearing said armor.

Clang! Bang!

The knights swung their swords hard… Only to get deflected by Gong Yeong-Gil's skin!

That was when Gong Yeong-Gil finally confirmed the truth. He and his comrades were… powerful!

Vator’s lessons did work, after all! No, never mind working, the effects of those lessons were truly profound!

Gong Yeong-Gil of the past wouldn't have dared to oppose these Western experts, but now? The same people failed to break through Gong Yeong-Gil's defenses and could only panic like idiots!

To Gong Yeong-Gil, the euphoria of slamming his fist into that panicking face could not be compared to or replaced by anything in this entire world.

‘This… This is what it feels like to be strong!’

How would his past self act in this situation? Would he have been able to punch and kick at the top knights from various European nations who formed the Round Table's elite combat force? No. Not even in his wildest dreams!

However, Gong Yeong-Gil chose to entrust himself to the rapid changes sweeping across the Martial Assembly. And, as a result of his decision, he was now fighting against powerful experts on even terms! Experts he wouldn't have dared to compare himself to in the past!

No, forget fighting evenly… Gong Yeong-Gil was actually overwhelming the enemies right now!

Vator roared to the Martial Assembly’s elites. “You fools! Don’t just blindly believe in your physique! Dodge what you can!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let's go! Crush your enemies. Trample on them mercilessly! We're gonna rack up the most merits today! If you fall behind for some reason, I'll beat you up myself!” Vator roared in excitement while sprinting up ahead.

Gong Yeong-Gil felt something boiling-hot like lava welling up deep inside his chest.

“Uwaaaaaah!”

Unable to hold it back anymore, Gong Yeong-Gil released a primal roar before charging madly forward, his steps matching that of Vator's.

‘Yes. I am strong. I truly am!’

***

“Elder Chang, the enemies are headed this way!”

“Hmm…” Chang Min nodded to indicate that he heard the report, then glanced behind him. He could see Kang Jin-Ho busy rousing up his magnificent demonic qi. “Mmmmm…!”

To be brutally honest, Chang Min didn't like this arrangement one bit.

Even though he knew he must follow the demon emperor’s commands, Chang Min believed this was not where he was supposed to be.

Indeed, his rightful position was right next to Kang Jin-Ho. Guarding him and shielding him from potential dangers was Chang Min’s sole purpose in life!

Of course, the concept of protecting Kang Jin-Ho was somewhat laughable considering his strength. Even so, top experts still needed protection. Not always, but sometimes.

Only the strongest demonic cultivator of the era affiliated with the demon cult could become the cult leader, but such an individual was still not free from the enemy ambushes or dastardly machinations.

As the head elder of the demon cult, it fell on Chang Min’s shoulders to deflect away all the barrage of enemy attacks and protect the cult leader. However, to be told that he must go away and deal with all these small fries!

“All of you, listen!” Chang Min grunted unhappily.

“Yes, sir!”

“The demon emperor has commanded us. Therefore… I will not tolerate a single mistake from you. We shall slaughter the enemy as quickly as possible and return to our liege's side and protect him with our lives! Do you understand me!”

“Yes, Elder Chang!”

Chang Min frowned slightly. He was undoubtedly the most loyal out of all subjects when in Kang Jin-Ho's presence, but when he wasn't in the demon emperor's company? Chang Min was the head disciplinarian of the cult and the top demonic cultivator second only to Kang Jin-Ho!

“Anyone who refuses to stand aside, you kill! Do you understand!” Chang Min glared at the knights running toward his location and bared his fangs in anger. “You dare!”

Creeaaaak!

Chang Min's nails began extending. To be more precise, the materialized qi extended from his fingertips until it resembled beastly claws. And then, he powerfully swung his claw at the nearest incoming knight, completely tearing his victim apart in half!

A fountain of blood splashed all over the passageway. Blood splattering the ceiling dripped back to the floor again.

Chang Min bared his fangs again like a ferocious beast. “Any bastard daring to challenge our liege’s authority and majesty… will pay with their life!”

Chang Min pounced forward while flashing a spine-chilling smirk of a madman.