- "Hey friend...have you ever seen a Devil?...I'll show you, the Devil that lives...in my right arm..."
- -Kang Horyang to Rapdevil.
Kang Horyang (강호량, Gahng Horyahng; "Kang Horyang", formerly known as Beniamino Ilmar) is a Regular currently on the 30th Floor. He is one of the first Living Ignition Weapons alongside Beniamino Cassano. He seems to be the second strongest on his team based on the Trustworthy Room Test.
History
Much of Kang Horyang's personal history is unknown and shrouded in mystery; however, it is known that he grew up in a testing facility and was experimented on to become a living Ignition Weapon.
Appearance & Personality
Kang Horyang's bandages
Kang Horyang is a Regular that we meet first time during the Survival Round Test on the 20th Floor. He is a massive, brooding man with a strange mark floating above his right shoulder which under normal circumstances makes him look like a one-winged angel. His upper body and possibly lower body, seems to be wrapped in black bandages, which have buttons.
He generally keeps quiet, but can be ferocious in combat. Along with Hon Akraptor he tried to take on Viole, but was defeated when caught off guard. Nevertheless, he survived and passed the Survival Round Test.
The mark over his shoulder seems to change depending on his emotions. It normally takes the shape of a blue wing, but can turn red when he is embarrassed.
Tower of God: Part 2 - The Return of the Prince
You're bigger than me... let's be friends!
Last Chance
Horyang first appears on the 20th Floor when Ja Wangnan was about to attack him. Through some negotiations, they agreed to team up for the test. He doesn't contribute much at first until Hon Akraptor joins the group. When Horyang was about to choose who to vote off, Viole interrupts them, saying, "There's no need to vote. You will all fail here". During Viole and Akraptor's fight, he intervenes trying to stop Viole. He is about to attack Viole until Akraptor fires a beam of shinsoo from his umbrella. However, they continue fighting again until Akraptor's next beam hits him and Horyang switches his target to Akraptor. Before he can land an attack on Akraptor, Viole sends them flying back with his shinsoo technique. At this point, they agree to team up against Viole with Horyang holding him down. The plan fails and both of them are knocked out immediately after. Soon, the time runs out and all of them pass the first test.
The Strongest Regular
Horyang shows his strength.
In the second test, the World's Greatest Shinsoo Competition, he is the 19th person to go. He is repulsed by Prince when he makes a bet on who gets the girl, Yeon Yihwa, as a prize. He steps up to the machine and hits it with his Red Fist. He manages to score 1st Place with 6350 points, but by the end of the test he places 5th. Test Administrator Mule Love then announces that, as the winner, Viole will pick the remaining seven members. This causes Ja Wangnan to plead his case to Viole, followed by Akraptor. Horyang simply kneels and states, "Pick me. There is someone I must find".
The Untrustworthy Room
In the resting period before the test, he bonds with Akraptor. During the Trustworthy Room Test, he helps the others in stealing a room. When Wangnan runs off to get Viole's help in killing Lurker, Horyang makes the strategic decision of abandoning a room in order to prevent the team's loss. He leaves by himself to help Prince. He manages to make it in time, but Yihwa blocks the way. He almost makes the decision to kill her but Viole interferes and frees her from possession. Horyang enters the room opened by Prince and tells Viole to get Lurker. In the room he faces a showdown with Rapdevil and is seen to imply that he is the real 'Devil of the Right Arm'. He easily defeats Rapdevil and demands that no one reveal what they had seen. Rapdevil quickly agrees out of fear while Prince agrees out of admiration. Horyang considers trying to stop Viole, but concludes that it would be too dangerous with the red exoskeleton. He bandages Prince up.
After the test he is seen celebrating with the other Regulars who passed the test.
FUG
On the 21st Floor, he forms a team, Team Tangsooyook, with the people he passed the test with on the 20th Floor. He begins to interact more with Prince as they scout the other teams on the 21st Floor. Later, the team learns that they must take a special test instead, since the other team ran off in fear upon learning that Viole was their teammate. Test Administrator Noma takes them out into the sea and informs them that they must find a flower inside Zygaena and bring it back.
Flower of Zygaena
After the group splits off, Prince and Horyang scout on ahead of Viole and Yihwa. Inside, they find red parasites swarming towards them. Prince slows them down with his Lighthouses while Horyang punches them out. Horyang notices that they weren't attacking them but running away from something. He then notices something above and both of them take cover under the parasites they just killed. A red eyed man with the name 'Mazino' tattooed onto his back lands down. Horyang, sensing his immense power, tells Prince to run while he buys him time. The man
Prince and Horyang working together.
stops them by destroying all the red parasites around them and warns them not to run off if they want to live longer. Prince angrily retorts but Horyang yells his name forcefully. Horyang then asks what is a man with such power doing here. Urek replies with no comment but if his presence was known, the whole Tower would cause a fuss. He goes on to say that they were persistent, sending in Ranker after Ranker even after he killed all the ones before. Horyang is surprised at this and informs him that they were Regulars. Urek laughs at this and tells them that he was searching for the flower and the Rankers must have sent Regulars instead after getting tired of their Rankers dying. Horyang suspects that this must be a ploy of the Great Families to kill Viole. Urek says that if they keep quiet and give up the test he would let them live. Horyang decides that there is no other way. Viole runs into the scene and sees Urek. Horyang tells him that he thinks it's best if they give up on this test and informs him of his suspicions. Viole refuses and tells them to run while he completes the mission. Horyang pleads with Viole to no avail. Horyang tells Prince to contact the others in order to give Viole back up. Despite all this, they are unable to stop Urek and Viole ends up severely wounded. Urek leaves them with a flower since he is impressed by Viole's courage.
After the test, Horyang can be seen shopping for groceries and discussing with the others on how to help Viole with his FUG problem.
Connection
A photo of Cassano
On the 28th Floor two years later, after Team Tangsooyook wins their latest test, Goseng shows everyone a photo that has just been posted on Box in which a person in the background bears a strong resemblance to Horyang, who then takes a closer look and says it's Beniamino Cassano, the Devil of the Right Arm.
Devil of the Right Arm
Horyang tells his team about his past. He was an illegal child in the Middle Area that was cast away and became a workshop experiment. Horyang became a living Ignition Weapon along with Cassano, with Horyang receiving one half of the 'devil' and Cassano receiving the other half. After his explanation he makes the decision to leave the team to look for Cassano. Viole is called out in the middle of the night by Horyang who wants to know what relation FUG has to do with the experiments. Viole informs him that he knows nothing and Horyang is relieved, saying that they are both victims. Viole attempts to convince Horyang not to leave but Horyang says he does not want to involve his new family with his dark past.
He leaves for the residential area where Cassano was sighted and asks an informant called Xia Xia for his location. He is directed to the Hand of Arlen, which is a remnant of what used to be a larger statue. Once there, he is attacked by several stone doll traps and, as he clears his way through them, he encounters Ran, who immediately assumes that he is the Devil of the Right Arm and starts attacking him. Horyang retaliates, but is pushed back by his opponent's moves. After enduring Ran's Lightning Spear, Electrica Perla, he is attacked and
Horyang triggers a trap at the Hand of Arlen
approached by Novick as well. Noting the direness of the situation, he is wondering what to do when Cassano speaks to him through an observer. He is told to follow the observer, and does so, being led to a dead end. He is about to start fighting again, when Cassano reveals himself, stating that he is the real Devil of the Right Arm. He watches speechless as Cassano gets pierced by Ran's Espada de Luz. Afterwards, believing that Cassano is dead, he engages Ran and Novick. Although the pair seem to be gaining the upper hand, Horyang manages to hold his own until he is attacked from behind by Cassano. Shocked, he falls to the ground, losing consciousness.
Bet
After the explosion of Arlen's Hand, Cassano puts Horyang on the floor of the golem. After regaining consciousness, he angrily demands an explanation for Cassano's actions. After his long lost childhood friend tells him that their mentor Sophia Amae is waiting on the next Floor, he becomes a part of Viole's new team. Shortly after passing the test for entry to 30th Floor, he can be seen standing alongside Viole, Cassano, Reflejo and other members of Viole's Team.
Tower of God: Part 2 - The Workshop Battle
One Shot, One Opportunity
Horyang is seen by Koon as he's helping Viole by stopping Verdi. When Ja Wangnan tries to stop Verdi from taking Miseng and Prince with her he's hit by the octopus' hax punch, what makes Horyang worried. After Verdi escapes, Horyang bids his farewell to Wangnan.
Archimedes
Reunited with Sophia
After entering the Acorn Workshop with Cassano, he's finally reunited with Sophia his teacher in the research laboratory. After catching the intruder, she introduces them to Beta and Emile. He is shocked by the existence of his new "brother" and the continuation of the research creating living Ignition Weapons.
Battle x Gamble
He's chosen for the fourth group of the Plug event. Shortly after the round starts, he protects Goseng from a crazed Regular. Afterwards, he's warned by Chang, who has already killed everyone except Goseng and him, to never engage Varagarv in combat.
The Truth
After arriving to the party with Xia Xia and Novick, he is led by the two love cupids on a date with Goseng. After the dance he tells her that he has met Sophia again, but is now wondering whether all the love he received from his teacher was real.
Tournament
During the Development Tournament, when Horyang was engaging Team Mad Dogs members, he notices that they are stalling rather than attacking properly. Later on he saves Novick, by blasting away Ridong and Viviolga, and flees with him before running into Yuto, who tells them to follow her.
Thorn
After arriving at Viole's location, Horyang and Novick take out Pandit and Grobin and then attempt to open the door to where the Thorn, and Viole, are being held. Suddenly a Workshop Patrol assaults the two, and Horyang battles it while Novick tries to open the door. Fortunately Viole bursts free and subsequently destroys it.
Summoning
Yuto suddenly reappears and reveals herself to actually be Hwa Ryun. The four then leave to escape but are then intercepted by Ron Mei and Varagarv. As they are attacked by the Team FUG duo, they allow Viole the chance to escape, before fleeing themselves with the prompting of Hwa Ryun.
Closure
Reflejo capturing the hostages
He is captured by Reflejo and Cassano, alongside Hwa Ryun and Novick, due to Cassano placing a tracker on his person. He is then made a hostage while Reflejo challenged Viole; he was guarded by Xia Xia during this time. After Xia Xia revealed the location of the hostages to the rescue teams, he was successfully rescued along with the other hostages.
Epilogue
He is briefly seen resting at the Wolhaiksong resort after the events of the Workshop Battle and currently stuck in a coma after having his devil taken from him.
Powers & Abilities
Horyang has proven to be a powerful hand-to-hand combatant, which combined with his "wing" (the manifestation of the weapon within him), makes him quite powerful for a Regular. His wing can take the following forms.
Blue Wing: The default form his wing takes. It changes form according to his thoughts and emotions.
Red Fist: This is Horyang's usual choice of offence. It involves him making his fist turn red and grow into enormous proportions, and then smashing or hitting the intended target. It is unknown if Horyang can use this technique with both arms.
Boot: Raising his speed, Horyang can reach his opponent in a matter of moments.
Strong Shield: Used as his main defense, this shield makes his body almost invulnerable. It is yet to be clarified if he can move when he does so. He shows a second version against Ran (with wings) which seems to strengthen his shinsoo resistance.
Fire Fist: Similar to his Red Fist, makes his fist grow in size and sets it on fire, for even more power.
Ignition: Igniting himself causes Horyang's wing to increase in size, and the bandages of his right arm to unwrap. His regular abilities seem to become far stronger in this form. It is implied that using this ability twice in a day takes a toll on him. By blasting the ground, he can also use it to avoid attacks.
Relationships
Yeo Goseng: He has a crush on her, shown various times by his wing turning into hearts because of her. She doesn't appear to like him romantically, but treats him like a friend and ally.
Yeo Miseng: He treats her kindly and like a child. When she cries in front of him, he grows nervous because he doesn't know what to do.
Hon Akraptor: At first, these two did not get along, since Akraptor tried to take him out while pretending to aim for Viole. Later on these two ended up sharing a room and became friendly with each other. Horyang often sees through Akraptor's actions for the real reason why Akraptor acts the way he does.
Ja Wangnan: These two do not interact a lot, but they appear to be on good terms.
Jyu Viole Grace: Horyang appears to be somewhat wary of Viole because of his power, but does not appear to hold any grudges for Viole's past actions. He was willing to fail a test in which it seemed like it would be impossible to pass and was set up so that Viole would be killed. When Viole refused to back down, Horyang gathered the team to help Viole. Curiosity of the strange being lodged inside of Viole's body is what prompts Horyang to join the team as it might have something to do with the experiments performed on him.
Prince: Initially Prince looked down on Horyang like he did everyone else but once he saw Horyang's true power, he became an instant fan. Prince rarely disagrees with Horyang and usually agrees to do what Horyang tells him, even if it is against his nature. Horyang seems to tolerate Prince's hero worshipping with grace. These two often perform combination fighting moves.
Yeon Yihwa: These two do not often interact. Horyang is confidant that he is strong enough to kill her but not non-lethally stop her if he was serious (when she was being controlled). Horyang took over her cooking duties when the team tricked her into nursing Viole instead of making them food.
Beniamino Cassano: Horyang describes Cassano as his only childhood friend, as they were raised by and experimented on by the Workshop. They were separated just before Horyang was chosen by Headon to enter the Inner Tower as a Regular.
Sophia Amae: She was Cassano and Horyang's teacher until the boys reached the age of 12. She was the first person to give them real names instead of numbers; the name she gave Horyang was Beniamino Ilmar. Once they became Living Ignition Weapons, they never saw her again. Horyang describes her as their first love.
Notes & Trivia
- He allowed Miseng to ride on his shoulders, so she could see. (Note: despite misconception, he was not holding thumbs with Miseng. That was actually Miseng holding her camera phone.)
- His wing can take on other shapes that are unrelated to combat:
- A single or double heart, when he is attracted to someone.
- Crying eyes, when it looked like Goseng failed The World's Greatest Shinsoo Contest.[1]
- Devil's face, when Ja Wangnan almost took his pants off.[1]
- Exclamation point, then sweat, while Miseng was crying after Akraptor chased off Yeongsuk the Yogurt woman.[2]
- "Deer", "Stop!!", "Go! Go! Go!" etc. making Horyang horrible at card games.[2]
- He is quite powerful as he got a score of 6350 on the World's Greatest Shinsoo Competition.
- His previous name, Beniamino Ilmar, is possibly an amalgam of Beniamino Gigli, an Italian opera singer, and Ilmar Ojase, a footballer (soccer player).
- Horyang is currently on a diet.
- Horyang's number as an experimental body (21), is probably a refernce to Yoon Suk-Min's back number, a Korean right-handed pitcher in KIA Tigers (Casano's number 99 is probably from Ryu- Hyunjun, a left-handed pitcher who is now in LA Dodgers).
Quotes
- (Horyang to Jyu Viole Grace) That's enough. I don't know how skilled you might be but on the 20th floor there is not a single regular who'd lose so ealsily to you. Even if we fight now it only gives a adavntage to the other competitors stop this.
- (Horyang to Prince) Why don't you shut up now can't you see that the other Regulars are repusled by your actions.