Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 135

It was raining as if the sky had opened up. The sedan carrying Kang Jin-ho cut through the rain, speeding along the highway.

“…Isn’t the person currently hospitalized the same one who was on leave with us a while back?”

“That’s right.”

“How did this happen…”

When Kang Jin-ho didn’t answer and just stared out the window, Jo Gyu-min didn’t ask any further. If there was something they needed to do, Kang Jin-ho would tell them.

Kang Jin-ho’s silence meant that it wasn’t something they should get involved in yet.

‘Can we even get involved?’

Even considering Hwang Jung-hoo’s power, this was not something they could easily interfere with.

While all matters within the military are influenced by the opinions of military generals, issues related to accidents within the military escape the control of those generals.

The moment the media starts attacking, those who wield absolute power within the military can be reduced to mere old men in an instant.

That’s why soldiers tend to avoid media attention at all costs.

‘Besides…’

No matter how much influence Hwang Jung-hoo might exert, it wouldn’t make sense for them to reveal a military accident that would be a critical blow to their own performance.

‘This is messed up.’

Jo Gyu-min sighed.

He would try his best if Kang Jin-ho asked, but he had no idea how to resolve this situation.

The resources he could use were not enough to solve this problem.

“The Chairman is worried about you.”

“You know that even though I didn’t say anything.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice sounded somewhat cold.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not blaming you. I figured you’d know.”

“Was there hazing involved?”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t answer. But anyone with a bit of sense could see it clearly.

‘He didn’t seem like that kind of guy…’

From the impression he had of Joo Young-gi, he didn’t seem like the type to silently endure such hazing. But you never know what’s inside a person. He might have been surprisingly weak-willed.

“If you ask the Chairman, he can put pressure on the political circles. Right now, that seems to be the only best option. If a member of the National Assembly raises questions, the investigation will be reopened, and it will help clear your friend’s name.”

Kang Jin-ho didn’t respond. With Kang Jin-ho silent, Jo Gyu-min had nothing more to say. They silently headed towards Seongnam.

“You need to change your clothes.”

“Clothes?”

“I’ve taken care of things roughly, but if you go for a visit in your military uniform, it’ll leave a record.”

“…Okay.”

He didn’t know the reason, but he thought it was better to do as he was told in these matters. Jo Gyu-min was much better than him in these things.

‘No, most things, probably.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled as he changed his clothes.

How many things was he better at than others?

Kang Jin-ho silently changed his clothes and headed into the hospital.

After confirming Joo Young-gi’s room at the desk, Kang Jin-ho got on the elevator. Jo Gyu-min silently followed behind him.

Arriving at Joo Young-gi’s room, Kang Jin-ho stood in front of the door, just staring at it without opening it.

Jo Gyu-min didn’t rush him.

After staring at the door for over a minute, Kang Jin-ho slowly reached out and opened it. Then, he stepped inside.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Kang Jin-ho’s steps halted.

It was a familiar sight.

A sight he had seen so much of not too long ago.

The difference was that, unlike the head nun who wasn’t even on a respirator, Joo Young-gi was on a respirator and unconscious.

Kang Jin-ho quietly stared at the scene.

He felt a churning sensation in his stomach.

Did he have to go through this again?

Crack.

The sound of Kang Jin-ho’s clenched fist hitting bone echoed. Joo Young-gi was so emaciated that he was unrecognizable from the face Kang Jin-ho had first seen.

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked down at Joo Young-gi’s face.

“You bastard.”

If it was hard, he should have said something.

Why couldn’t he say a word and just suffer alone when he had a comrade right next to him, and then do something so stupid?

Before feeling sorry, anger surged up.

He just had to reach out once! Just once!

Then he would have solved everything. Why didn’t he think to rely on him, after seeing him turn the unit upside down so many times?

Why!

Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes and tilted his head back.

‘A person who reaches out.’

It was too difficult.

Too difficult.

“They say they can’t tell how likely he is to regain consciousness.”

“They can’t tell?”

“The emergency treatment was appropriate, but since his heart stopped for so long…”

“Is he in a vegetative state?”

“They say that’s not the case. There’s a possibility he’ll regain consciousness, but they can’t say when, or if he’ll fully recover.”

Kang Jin-ho silently put a cigarette in his mouth.

He felt suffocated.

He felt so suffocated that he didn’t know what to do.

‘Let’s take it step by step.’

Kang Jin-ho gritted his teeth.

If he had moved more calmly and decisively when he first heard about Joo Young-gi’s situation, this wouldn’t have happened. Being cautious and being slow are completely different things.

“First, Young-gi is the priority. Is the Armed Forces Capital Hospital reliable?”

“…It’s not particularly better than a regular hospital. They can provide basic treatment, but in Joo Young-gi’s case, it’s a bit too serious to leave it to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital.”

“What should we do?”

“It would be best to contact his guardian and move him to another hospital. The Armed Forces Capital Hospital often transfers patients with serious conditions to other hospitals, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

I can look into moving him to Jae-kyung [a hospital name]. Should I do that?”

“Please do.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly closed his mouth, then slowly opened it again.

“Has his guardian been contacted?”

“No. Not yet.”

Jo Gyu-min scratched his head.

His job was to support and monitor Kang Jin-ho, not to investigate information about Kang Jin-ho’s acquaintances. He had investigated because there was an accident in Kang Jin-ho’s unit. Otherwise, there was no reason for Jo Gyu-min to be interested in Joo Young-gi.

“It’s strange that the patient is in such a serious condition and his guardian isn’t here. Could you look into that?”

“Yes. I’ll look into that. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin-ho pressed his chest, feeling as if a heavy stone was weighing on it.

‘I wasn’t able to do anything.’

If Jo Gyu-min hadn’t been there, he wouldn’t have been able to handle this situation at all.

“Is there enough money?”

“…Kang Jin-ho’s assets are worth more than you think.”

“Then don’t hold back. Please save him, no matter what.”

“I’ll try my best, but I can’t give you a definite answer.”

“That’s enough.”

The sound of rain hitting the umbrella was unusually loud.

Kang Jin-ho quietly closed his eyes at the sound of the rain echoing in his ears.

“Have you returned?”

“Yeah.”

Kang Jin-ho entered the barracks.

“How’s the unit?”

“The atmosphere is a mess, sir. You can barely hear anyone breathing.”

“I figured.”

Jang Jae-hwan looked exhausted. Well, he was the first to discover him, so he must have been subjected to the most intense investigation.

“Corporal Kang Jin-ho.”

“Yeah?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

Jang Jae-hwan lowered his head with a dark expression.

“If I had been more composed and rescued him right away, the situation might have been better than it is now.”

“Don’t blame yourself.”

“But still…”

“I’m sorry for getting angry back then. I lost my temper too. Who could stay calm in that situation? It’s not your fault, so don’t think like that.”

“…Yes, sir.”

The person who should be reflecting and blaming themselves wasn’t Jang Jae-hwan. But it was Jang Jae-hwan who was feeling guilty for not being able to save Joo Young-gi.

Then what were they doing?

Kang Jin-ho left the barracks and headed towards the first barracks.

Before he could even get close, he heard sounds.

Low laughter. And a calm tone of voice.

Kang Jin-ho stood in the hallway, quietly listening to the conversation.

It wasn’t particularly strange.

There were no insults about Joo Young-gi. It was just the same everyday conversation as usual.

The same as usual.

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t accept that.

Someone they lived with had disappeared. He was now fighting for his life.

But the people who had put him in that state were going back to their normal lives as if nothing had happened, and that ignited a fire in Kang Jin-ho’s chest.

‘As if nothing happened.’

That’s right. As if nothing happened.

Then it really should be as if nothing happened, right?

Nothing should change.

Kang Jin-ho stood quietly in the hallway, listening to the conversation, then turned around.

After roll call, Kang Jin-ho closed his eyes and lay down on his bed. After a long time passed and everyone had fallen asleep, he quietly opened his eyes.

Kang Jin-ho got up without making a sound.

Then, he slowly went outside.

Kang Jin-ho slipped out of the barracks without being noticed by the night watch.

“I hid it because I was afraid of getting caught if I threw it away.”

Kim Hak-cheol had clearly said that.

That meant that there was something Joo Young-gi had left behind. It was likely to be a suicide note.

The words ‘hid it because I was afraid of getting caught if I threw it away’ meant that he had probably put it somewhere that wouldn’t be seen by others. The barracks had already been inspected once, and considering Kim Hak-cheol’s timid nature, he wouldn’t have left such an important item in the barracks.

Then where could it be?

Kang Jin-ho had a guess.

It had to be hidden but not seen by others.

A place where the movements of other squad members were restricted, and a place he knew best.

Kang Jin-ho headed towards the gun emplacement of One Platoon.

Humans can never keep things they consider important far away from themselves.

Even if they know that burying it in the mountains is the safest option, they can’t leave it there for fear that someone might find it. So, it was likely to be in a place that was most familiar and safe for Kim Hak-cheol.

Arriving at the gun emplacement of One Platoon, Kang Jin-ho immediately walked towards the storage box in one corner of the emplacement.

If it was an accident related to the gun, this place would have been turned upside down too, but the investigators hadn’t come here.

As Kang Jin-ho opened and examined the boxes inside the emplacement, a large mass caught his eye.

‘Camouflage net.’

Just touching it would cause endless dirt to fall out, so no one would want to touch it. A huge camouflage net that would never be unfolded unless it was during training.

Without hesitation, Kang Jin-ho shoved his hand inside. He rummaged for a while, and just as he was about to give up, something caught his fingertips.

‘Hmm…’

He reached further and grabbed a thin booklet. Kang Jin-ho immediately grabbed the book and pulled it out of the camouflage net.