Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1399

[Prime Minister, what do you mean by that…]

There was bewilderment in the voice.

Of course.

They must have thought Kim Myung-chan would quietly die.

It’s only natural. They always said, as if it were a habit, that they could throw away their insignificant lives like trash for the sake of the nation.

Not just Kim Myung-chan, but others too.

Of course, they could.

Even now, that thought hasn’t changed. Even after falling this far, he hasn’t lost sight of what he must protect.

Because if he went that far, Kim Myung-chan would truly become nothing.

However…

“Aren’t you telling me to die? From now on, I won’t do anything you want, so you might as well just kill me. Then, at least the people will know that this whole situation isn’t entirely my fault.”

[Prime Minister, are you serious?]

Kim Myung-chan took a deep drag from his half-smoked cigarette.

“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”

[…Prime Minister, it’s for the sake of the nation.]

Kim Myung-chan laughed.

He tried to hold it back, but he couldn’t. The nation, for the sake of the nation.

Kim Myung-chan had said those words countless times. That’s why he knew better than anyone what the essence of those words was.

“It’s not for the nation, it’s for your own safety.”

[Prime Minister!]

“Look here, let’s be clear. Does the country fall apart just because one president is replaced? Does the country collapse just because the entire cabinet, including the chief of staff, is replaced?”

There was no answer.

But Kim Myung-chan wasn’t expecting an answer either.

“You know, and I know, that won’t happen. The system of the Republic of Korea isn’t so weak that it will collapse just because a few people are gone. There are plenty of people to replace them.”

[There is no one to replace that person.]

“Yes, maybe there isn’t. But what if they can’t be replaced?”

[Pardon?]

“There’s no way that will happen anyway. But even if the country collapses because they can’t be replaced, what does that have to do with me?”

[…Prime Minister, please calm down.]

“Calm down?”

Kim Myung-chan started to chuckle.

“Look here, Chief of Staff.”

[Yes, Prime Minister.]

“Even the most loyal dog will eventually bite its owner if it keeps getting beaten.”

[Prime Minister?]

“Surrender? Voluntarily surrender? You’re going to throw me in jail, shut my mouth, and do whatever you want? You bastards! Do you think I don’t know that you’re the ones leaking information to the press and digging up all the buried stuff?”

Kim Myung-chan, clutching his phone so hard it could break, roared.

“The nation? The nation? Don’t give me that crap! Do you think I’m stupid enough not to know that you’re selling me out to try and get away with it?”

[Pr, Prime Minister.]

“I’m Kim Myung-chan! Have you forgotten who I am? You made a mistake. I’m not going to die alone! Let’s go all the way!”

Kim Myung-chan didn’t wait for a reply and threw his phone to the floor.

With a dull thud, the phone, broken in half, tumbled across the floor.

“Kuh…”

Kim Myung-chan, letting out a sigh that was a mix of laughter and tears, collapsed onto the sofa.

It’s scary.

Actually, it’s terrifying.

From now on, the person he has to fight is not his old colleagues or his superiors. It was the enormous power of the Republic of Korea.

“…So this is how it felt.”

In the past, when he resisted the dictatorship, he didn’t feel like this. Even though they held power and military force, he had justice and conviction. And he had the passion to fight for democracy even if it meant burning himself out.

But now, there is nothing left in this old body.

The passion has died down, and the target to burn his conviction for no longer exists in this world.

And those he has to fight are no longer evil.

Rather, they were closer to being good people, supported by the public.

‘Those who suffered at my hands must have felt like this.’ Kim Myung-chan laughed.

Those who are the most righteous to some can be the most terrible demons to others. Some may have felt Kim Myung-chan was an angel, and others may have felt he was a demon.

And now, Kim Myung-chan’s demon is none other than the government and the nation.

Just like Kang Jin-ho was not long ago.

Kim Myung-chan turned his head and looked at the broken phone.

Then he let out a hollow laugh.

He was ridiculous for thinking he shouldn’t have broken the phone now.

Who would call him?

Even those he believed were his friends, those he thought were his colleagues, even his family had left him.

It felt like tearing off pieces of his flesh, one by one.

In the dark room, Kim Myung-chan slowly sank.

* * *

Booooooom.

The car carrying Kang Jin-ho and Choi Yeon-ha drove down the road. Kang Jin-ho, who had come to the coastal road for the first time in a while, turned his head slightly to look at Choi Yeon-ha.

“Your hair’s flying.”

“The window?”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at the wide-open window and gave a meaningful smile.

“In movies, people who escape or are released from prison open the windows and drive like this. I thought you’d want to do that after being in prison. Am I being sensible?”

“The answer?”

“Yes. I think so…”

This feels like I’m being humiliated…

Choi Yeon-ha smiled at Kang Jin-ho, who looked uncomfortable.

“How was your experience in prison?”

“…Prison is a penitentiary, and the place I went to was a detention center.”

“It’s the same thing.”

Uh… Yes. Let’s go with that. Kang Jin-ho chuckled and lightly stepped on the accelerator.

‘I can’t say I don’t feel anything.’

He had never seriously thought about freedom, but this incident made him think about it. What’s certain is that being confined by the will of someone else is not pleasant.

“So, people shouldn’t commit crimes. Reflect on yourself.”

“…Yes, I will.”

They didn’t have a particularly deep conversation, but he kept laughing.

“So, you won’t have to go back in again, right?”

“Well, if I’m found innocent, then yes.”

“What’s the probability of being found guilty?”

“Probably none.”

Even if he was found guilty, he wouldn’t go back to the detention center.

This time, Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t stand for it.

No, if they had any sense, they wouldn’t try to put Kang Jin-ho back in the detention center. Unless they had steel around their necks.

“You didn’t really commit a crime, did you?”

“Of course not.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled awkwardly.

He felt a slight pang of conscience, but he hadn’t lied.

Kang Jin-ho and Choi Yeon-ha parked the car in a secluded spot and slowly walked towards the coast.

“It feels like we keep coming here to hang out.”

“I like it here. There aren’t many people watching. Actually, I feel a bit uncomfortable in crowded places.”

“I see.”

That could be true.

Kang Jin-ho is also someone who draws attention when he walks down the street, but he doesn’t care about other people’s eyes, so he doesn’t think much about it. But Choi Yeon-ha can’t do that. She has a job where her value is determined by public opinion, so she can’t ignore other people’s eyes.

Moreover…

“I’m sorry again.”

“For what?”

“It feels like you’re being more careful because of me.”

“Oh?”

Choi Yeon-ha looked at Kang Jin-ho with surprised eyes.

“Why?”

“No, well… I just realized that Kang Jin-ho is someone who can think about such things.”

He felt a subtle surge of emotion, but the sad thing for Kang Jin-ho was that he couldn’t argue with that statement.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Still…”

“It’s like a tax.”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho, not understanding Choi Yeon-ha’s words, tilted his head.

Then Choi Yeon-ha chuckled and elaborated.

“I was really happy to meet Kang Jin-ho.”

Why are you suddenly saying that?

“But it seems like that’s how the world is. If you want to have something, you have to give something in return. I’ve lived my life… Ah, is it okay for me to say this in front of you, old man?”

No, why are you stopping in the middle of your sentence? And why are you hitting me in the chest?

Choi Yeon-ha covered her mouth and laughed as she saw Kang Jin-ho’s face twitch.

“Your emotional expressions have become more diverse lately. You used to be like a stone statue.”

“I guess I’m developing.”

“Yes. I’m glad. Anyway, that’s how it is. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If there’s something good about being with Kang Jin-ho, I have to pay the price.”

“Is this the price?”

“Correct.”

Choi Yeon-ha nodded.

“How many things in the world are only good? Sometimes you lose, and sometimes you hit the jackpot, that’s what makes life fun. We lost this time, so we’ll hit the jackpot next time. Don’t you think so?”

Kang Jin-ho slowly nodded.

Choi Yeon-ha asked, seeing the smile on his lips.

“Why? Are you impressed?”

“No. It sounds like something my grandmother would say.”

“You little…”

Choi Yeon-ha’s eyes widened rapidly.

Kang Jin-ho quickly turned his head to look at the sea.

“The sea is nice.”

“Now you even know how to change the subject.”

“I raised someone who wasn’t even human, and now you’re even scolding me.”

“When did I scold you?”

“You scolded me for being old, apologize.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I can hear those words from anyone else, but I don’t want to hear them from you, Kang Jin-ho.”

Kang Jin-ho had nothing to say about this.

“Let’s go.”

Choi Yeon-ha grabbed Kang Jin-ho’s hand and pulled him along. Kang Jin-ho followed Choi Yeon-ha and started walking along the coast.

They didn’t need any special conversation. Just walking along the coast together was enough to make them happy. So, the two of them just walked for a long time without saying anything.

Then, Choi Yeon-ha opened her mouth while looking at the sea.

“It was an interesting experience.”

“I’m trying to think of it that way.”

“You even went to prison.”

“It wasn’t prison, it was a detention center…”

“Hmm.”

Choi Yeon-ha let go of Kang Jin-ho’s hand and turned her body towards the sea. Choi Yeon-ha, who had been staring at the vast sea for a long time without saying anything, opened her mouth without turning her head.

Kang Jin-ho also said nothing and looked at Choi Yeon-ha’s back.

The sea, with the sunset, was beautiful. And Choi Yeon-ha’s figure standing in front of it was also beautiful.

“Kang Jin-ho.”

“Yes.”

“There’s something I want to ask you, can you answer it?”

“Of course.”

Despite hearing Kang Jin-ho’s answer, Choi Yeon-ha was silent for a while, looking at the sea.

Just as Kang Jin-ho was thinking about whether to ask her first without rushing her, Choi Yeon-ha’s mouth opened.

“You suffered quite a bit this time.”

“That’s right.”

“And in China too.”

“Well, yes.”

“Will it be like that in the future too?”

“I don’t know…”

This was something Kang Jin-ho couldn’t give a definite answer to.

“Hmm, is that so?”

Choi Yeon-ha turns her body. Choi Yeon-ha, silhouetted against the sunset, quietly looks at Kang Jin-ho. Her hair sways in the sea breeze.

“Kang Jin-ho.”

“Yes.”

“Can’t we just…”

Choi Yeon-ha’s red lips carefully opened.

“Can’t we just put everything down and live a normal life?”

Her voice sounded slightly sad.