Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1135

‘This is completely different from what I imagined…’

Lee Hyun-joo looked ahead with a renewed expression. On the table were takeout coffee cups, and the chairs behind them were empty.

Choi Yeon-ha, who had come to the break room, had gone to the restroom for a moment. Because of that, Lee Hyun-joo was left alone, sitting there awkwardly.

‘Maybe it’s a consideration to give me time to organize my thoughts.’

Whether it was a consideration or not, she did get some time to think about Choi Yeon-ha.

What should she say about Choi Yeon-ha after meeting her in person…?

She seemed like a completely different person from what she had known.

She is Kang Jin-ho’s assistant.

Although her actual job is related to the overall finances of the General Assembly, the reason she is in charge of the General Assembly’s finances is to develop the General Assembly.

And the one who leads the development of the General Assembly is Kang Jin-ho.

In the end, everything in the General Assembly returns to Kang Jin-ho. For anyone holding a major position in the General Assembly, understanding the circumstances around Kang Jin-ho was essential.

Lee Hyun-soo was rather lax in this regard, so Lee Hyun-joo had taken time out of her busy schedule to investigate all the circumstances around Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho might not like it, but this was only natural from the General Assembly’s perspective.

Based on that investigation, Choi Yeon-ha was someone who could be summed up in four words.

Self-centered.

‘It’s only natural.’

Beautiful.

It might be an anachronistic thing to say… no, no. It’s even more so in this era. For a woman living in modern times, being beautiful is a great weapon. And a woman with Choi Yeon-ha’s level of beauty has nothing to fear in the world.

Without much effort, money and fame roll in. And everyone in the world tries to please her. In such a situation, there is no need to cater to others’ feelings or be humble.

Beautiful roses have thorns?

That’s really stupid.

It’s not that they have thorns because they are beautiful. Everyone has thorns from the start. It’s just that as they live in the world, they realize that showing those thorns is detrimental to them.

Sometimes, even when they feel bad, they have to accommodate others, and sometimes they have to accept others’ attacks without showing it. That’s how they can be called good-natured and gain benefits.

That process of being worn down is called becoming well-rounded.

It’s a good thing to say.

Yes, being well-rounded is a good thing to say.

But within it lies the harshness of a society where you can’t survive if you’re not well-rounded.

But what about Choi Yeon-ha?

She doesn’t need to. Even if she shows her thorns, others will endure being pricked by them. If everyone says it’s good, why bother changing herself?

So, it’s only natural that Choi Yeon-ha is self-centered. Isn’t that something that can be excused?

But, what should she say….

‘It seems like it’s not just that.’

The Choi Yeon-ha she saw in person was a little different.

She’s not just self-centered. She’s quick-witted, smart, and understands her position perfectly.

It’s almost an overreach, but she knows how to push in without making people feel bad.

She’s smarter than she thought.

Well, yeah.

She’s Kang Jin-ho’s girlfriend, so she wouldn’t be someone who just relies on her looks. Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t tolerate that.

More than that….

Now, what does Choi Yeon-ha want from her?

The door opened, and Choi Yeon-ha came in. Choi Yeon-ha lightly shook her hands and sat down with a bright smile.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I couldn’t go to the restroom earlier.”

“It’s alright, Director.”

Choi Yeon-ha and Lee Hyun-joo smiled at each other.

This was a time to explore each other.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from the Chairman.”

“Really?”

“…Yes, of course.”

“That’s strange. Our Jin-ho doesn’t seem like the type to talk about me in front of others. It would be kind of cute if he were a fool who couldn’t help but brag about his pretty girlfriend, but he’s not like that, is he?”

“Ah….”

Choi Yeon-ha smiled.

“Let’s skip the formalities. It’s not that I find it bothersome, but I want to be on good terms with you, Manager Lee. A comfortable and enjoyable relationship. Okay?”

Lee Hyun-joo smiled without answering.

‘She’s not easy to deal with.’

It’s funny, but Choi Yeon-ha is her superior right now. If you consider what Lee Hyun-joo has done in the General Assembly, it doesn’t make sense that Choi Yeon-ha, an outsider, became a director while she remained a manager.

But Lee Hyun-joo didn’t have any particular complaints about that.

She wasn’t foolish enough to feel jealous of a director position with no real power or justification.

Anyway, regardless of whether she has real power or not, based on the positions set by MK, Choi Yeon-ha is Lee Hyun-joo’s superior.

Most people would try to suppress Lee Hyun-joo based on their external and actual positions. It’s worth a try whether it works or not.

But Choi Yeon-ha doesn’t seem to have any intention of suppressing her. Rather, she was lowering her stance and reaching out to Lee Hyun-joo.

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Choi Yeon-ha quietly and smiled.

“Director.”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why you’re doing this to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t understand why you’re being so nice to someone like me. After all, you can directly express your opinions to the Chairman if you want to.”

“Ah… that person?”

Choi Yeon-ha made a subtle face.

Seeing that sulky expression, she strangely couldn’t help but laugh.

“Um… Manager Lee.”

“Yes, Director.”

“You don’t like me, do you?”

“…What?”

Choi Yeon-ha chuckled.

“No one welcomes a newcomer. Especially if that newcomer comes over their head, no one wouldn’t be annoyed, right?”

“Ah, that’s a bit different.”

Lee Hyun-joo waved her hand. This needed to be made clear.

“It might be different elsewhere, but MK doesn’t have any particular prejudice against newcomers.”

“Come on, is that even possible?”

“It’s true. I don’t know how much you’ve heard about MK’s history, but from my perspective, all the current directors are newcomers. Even the Chairman is a newcomer if you think about it that way.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyun-joo smiled gently.

“If you’re upset about newcomers, you can’t do this job. And the world has changed. It’s a world where you can take a position as long as you have the ability. Instead of blaming the newcomer for being upset, I think it’s right to develop your skills so that no one can come over you.”

“Hmm, that’s very idealistic.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. But people can’t be idealistic. You’re upset, aren’t you?”

Since the conversation had flowed this far, Lee Hyun-joo couldn’t easily answer.

Then Choi Yeon-ha grinned.

“See? That’s how people are.”

“…I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say.”

Lee Hyun-joo’s mask cracked slightly.

Upset?

Of course, she was upset.

Who would be happy in this situation?

No matter how powerless the director’s position is, who would welcome having to serve someone of a similar age with no achievements as their superior?

“Others will feel the same way. Someone who hasn’t done anything has suddenly taken the director’s position.”

“I know that MK and MK Entertainment are just affiliates in name only, and they are not really related.”

“Still, it’s upsetting.”

This woman really knows how to dig into people.

“And what if that upsetting woman talks directly to the Chairman and does whatever she wants?”

Choi Yeon-ha crossed her legs and put her arms on the table. Then she leaned forward.

“How do you think that would be?”

“Wouldn’t she be treated as a pain in the ass in an instant?”

Lee Hyun-joo unconsciously raised her hand and pressed her temples.

‘She’s definitely smart.’

Choi Yeon-ha understands her position perfectly. She’s surprisingly sensitive to other people’s thoughts.

But… it doesn’t seem very wise to say such things out loud.

It’s refreshing, though.

“Lee Hyun-joo, you probably see me as someone who doesn’t know anything and just took a position.”

“…That’s not true.”

“But from my point of view, the people here are the ones who don’t know anything. I’ve been in the entertainment industry, a harsh place, for at least fifteen years.”

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Choi Yeon-ha with a renewed expression. She hadn’t thought of that.

Choi Yeon-ha, who received Lee Hyun-joo’s gaze, smiled gently.

“So, I know how important it is to have good communication with the production company for the field to run smoothly. The Chairman? Yes. It would be good if the Chairman supports me. But the Chairman’s support is just about giving more money or pushing the subordinates. It only creates a rift with the people you actually have to work with face-to-face. I think I know who I need to work with face-to-face.”

“So…”

Lee Hyun-joo opened her mouth while looking at Choi Yeon-ha.

“What you’re doing now isn’t about internal power or anything like that, but rather a preliminary operation to properly run MK Entertainment?”

“It’s a bit direct, but… well, something like that?”

Choi Yeon-ha leaned back in her chair and stared straight at Lee Hyun-joo.

The power struggle was coming to an end.

“It’s a win-win situation. If a little support goes well, I can make this company work properly. That will definitely help improve the image of the MK group.”

“Please help me, Manager Lee. Then I will do my best within my capabilities.”

Lee Hyun-joo made a slightly troubled face.

In the end, the key is what the gains and losses are.

And according to Lee Hyun-joo’s calculations….

“Director Choi.”

“Yes, Manager Lee.”

“I understand what you’re saying. However, there’s a wall if you want to move in that way.”

“Walls are there to be broken, aren’t they?”

“Yes. I think so too.”

“So…”

Lee Hyun-joo smiled.

“Instead of just talking about it, I’d like to have a proper conversation over a nice meal.”

“Just say the word. I’m an expert at feeding people. I can treat you to a full course meal.”

Lee Hyun-joo smiled brightly.

‘Not bad.’

A relationship of using and being used?

What’s wrong with that?

The worst relationship is not a relationship where you use each other, but a relationship where you can’t use each other.

From a social perspective, a relationship where you use each other is the best relationship because it doesn’t break as long as there is a benefit for each other.

Of course, she doesn’t intend to stop there.

“I think we have a lot to talk about. Just as much as you need me, I have a lot to gain from you, Director Choi.”

“That’s good then. It’s good to have something to give.”

Choi Yeon-ha grinned.

“In that sense, there’s something I want to hear first.”

“Yes?”

“What does Jin-ho usually do at the company?”

“…Yes?”

“He’s not fooling around, is he?”

Lee Hyun-joo’s forehead slightly beaded with sweat.

She’s a really formidable woman.