Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1686

Growl.

Kang Jin-ho wore a disgruntled expression as he looked at the beast baring its teeth at him.

Grrr.

Threatening.

The expression, the sharp teeth, and the low growling were all threatening to anyone who saw it.

That is, if the size of the threatening beast wasn’t barely bigger than an adult man’s palm.

“…This thing doesn’t even recognize its owner.”

Even if he had been away from home a little too often, to bare its teeth at its owner, wasn’t this a disqualification as a pet?

This was a perfect example of a puppy not knowing the fear of a tiger.

“Shoo.”

Grrr.

“Shoo!”

Arf!

It was baring its teeth and growling, but its tail was wagging furiously.

‘What does it want?’

Was it happy, or angry?

“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

Kang Eun-young, who had noticed the strange standoff, clicked her tongue and approached the entrance.

“How long have you been away from home for the dog not to recognize you, you human.”

“…Isn’t it just that the dog is stupid?”

“Mom, Oppa called Dong-dong stupid!”

“…Dong-dong?”

Was that its name?

Kang Jin-ho frowned slightly.

“Isn’t that name too carelessly made? It’s too old-fashioned…”

“Mom made it?”

“…It’s a sophisticated and sensible name that doesn’t feel like fate at all.”

“Tsk.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled awkwardly.

If Mom made it, it’s all good. Of course.

Dong-dong, who had been baring its teeth at Kang Jin-ho, wagged its tail and jumped up and down when it saw Kang Eun-young. Kang Eun-young, who was holding Dong-dong, looked at Kang Jin-ho with a sulky look.

“What are you doing this time that you haven’t been home?”

“…I was on a business trip.”

“By plane?”

“Uh… I did.”

Not the kind of plane you’re thinking of.

What kind of reaction would I get if I said I went to China hanging on a fighter jet?

No, they wouldn’t believe it in the first place.

Dong-dong, who was in Kang Eun-young’s arms, poked its head out towards Kang Jin-ho. Unlike a moment ago when it was growling, its face was full of joy.

“…Why are you like this, all of a sudden?”

“Because it’s not scared anymore.”

Kang Eun-young scolded him as if he didn’t even know that.

“A moment ago, it was scared when it faced you, but now that I’m here, it’s not scared.”

“If it’s scared, why is it growling?”

“Aren’t people the same? There are many cases where people act more prickly when they’re scared.”

“Hmm.”

Now that he heard it, it seemed to be true.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

“Hold it.”

“…It’s okay.”

“If you two are left alone at home, Dong-dong will have a fit, so get close quickly. Here.”

“I said it’s okay?”

“Mom!”

“No, give it here.”

Kang Jin-ho reached out his hand with a disgruntled look and took Dong-dong. Unlike before, this time Dong-dong accepted Kang Jin-ho’s touch calmly.

‘Strange.’

It felt warmer than he thought. It felt like it had a slight fever.

“Don’t hold it like that!”

“Huh?”

“Hold it! Don’t just hold it, you human!”

Kang Eun-young strode towards Kang Jin-ho and corrected his holding posture. When he held it to his chest and supported it with both hands, Dong-dong stretched its head out and licked Kang Jin-ho’s chin.

“Stay still!”

Kang Eun-young nodded as if she was finally satisfied.

“Think from the dog’s perspective. How scary would it be if someone ten times bigger than it walked up to it? Especially someone with no expression.”

“So, I have to actively show that I won’t hurt you. Like now.”

“Hmm, it’s difficult.”

“That’s your problem, Oppa. It’s not just about dealing with a dog. Your first impression is too bad. It’s a good thing that you at least look human, if you looked any more menacing, no one would approach you.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“…I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Kang Eun-young shook her head and walked inside.

“Hey, you have to take this.”

“Oppa, carry it.”

Kang Jin-ho, who was shuddering at the feeling of the tongue touching his chin, walked inside with a stiff body.

“Mom, Oppa’s here!”

Bang!

The door burst open, and Baek Hyun-jung walked out with a sullen face, holding a snack in one hand.

“My son has arrived?”

“Did you eat?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’m going to watch a drama…”

Baek Hyun-jung strode towards Kang Jin-ho and snatched Dong-dong from his arms.

“Oh, my baby. Let’s go with Mom.”

Baek Hyun-jung waved her hand and walked back into the room. Kang Jin-ho, who was staring blankly at the scene, tilted his head.

“Uh…”

“Oppa is now second fiddle.”

“Huh?”

Kang Eun-young was looking at Kang Jin-ho with a gloating face.

“At first, she was so annoyed, but now she doesn’t even care about me because she’s looking at the dog.”

“Oppa, you’re done for.”

“…Does she like it that much?”

“If you think about it, it’s natural. Honestly, what do you do for Mom? You’re always out of the house and come home late at night to get food.”

He wanted to say that wasn’t all, but when he thought about it, it wasn’t exactly wrong.

“But Dong-dong would die without Mom. It sticks by her side all day, acts cute, and cries when it goes outside. I’d rather have a dog than a child. We’re done for, you know.”

Oh my god.

To have a parent’s love stolen by a dog.

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t the type of person to be obsessed with such things, but he couldn’t help but feel a strange emotion since the object that stole it was a dog.

‘Come to think of it…’

He came home after a few days, but there was no special reaction. If it was before, there would have been a fuss.

“You have the face of a kindergarten student who had their candy taken away.”

“…Huh?”

“That’s why one-sided love has its limits. When one side is chasing after the other, the one being chased is indifferent, but when the one chasing gives up, the one who was indifferent becomes desperate.”

“That’s why people should express themselves and try harder when they like someone. That’s how you win them over.”

“Is that your story?”

“What, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Kang Jin-ho narrowed his eyes.

He had put it aside for a while because of the Chang King issue, but he had to resolve this issue somehow.

“You.”

“Uh, uhm? Why?”

When Kang Jin-ho looked at her with narrowed eyes, Kang Eun-young flinched and turned her gaze away.

“Make time for dinner tomorrow.”

“…Ti, time? Why?”

“With Yoo-min.”

“Okay?”

“U, uhm.”

Cold sweat was beading on Kang Eun-young’s forehead.

Kang Jin-ho sighed as he saw her.

Lee Hyun-soo told him not to get involved if possible, but it was also a chore for Kang Jin-ho to keep ignoring it while living under the same roof. Of course, it would be a chore for Kang Eun-young, who was watching Kang Jin-ho’s every move.

“O, Oppa.”

“Why?”

“…Do you know what’s going on?”

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

‘How could a barbarian be my friend…’

It made his stomach churn when he thought about it… but what could he do, if Yoo-min liked him?

If he had known this would happen, he should have taken Park Yoo-min around and introduced him to many people. He had no immunity to women, so that’s why he got hooked on someone like that.

“…Anyway, tell Yoo-min to come tomorrow. Got it?”

“O, o, okay.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head and walked into the room.

And Kang Eun-young stared blankly at Kang Jin-ho’s figure before picking up her phone aggressively.

“…How did he find out?”

“…I don’t know.”

Kang Eun-young and Park Yoo-min, sitting in a cafe, looked at each other with anxious eyes.

“He found out, right?”

“Otherwise, there’s no reason for that human to ask me and Oppa to meet together. I don’t even remember the last time I met my Oppa outside of the house.”

“…He found out.”

Park Yoo-min looked at the ceiling of the cafe with a slightly resigned face.

“What should we do?”

“…Co, come on, you’re not a man if you’re not brave! He’s my Oppa, but he’s your friend! You have to talk to him confidently.”

“He’s a friend, but…”

“But?”

Park Yoo-min scratched the back of his head with an awkward face.

“Jin-ho is a friend, but he’s also kind of… uh, like an older brother? It’s… anyway, it’s kind of strange.”

Kang Eun-young sighed deeply.

To be honest, it was unreasonable to ask Park Yoo-min to do this.

‘It’s not Yoo-min Oppa’s fault.’

That human is the problem, that human.

Kang Eun-young could still treat Kang Jin-ho lightly because she had a family filter. She had never seen anyone who didn’t stumble over their words when facing Kang Jin-ho.

‘The atmosphere is so heavy.’

“Is Jin-ho angry?”

“I don’t think he’s angry.”

“Right?”

Kang Eun-young, feeling frustrated, frowned and raised her voice slightly.

“No! Let’s be honest! Did we do anything wrong?”

“We didn’t do anything wrong. Right.”

“A grown-up sister and a grown-up friend are dating! Who is he to interfere! He should mind his own business!”

“Calm down.”

“No, Oppa. I’m going to say everything I want to say today! Honestly, why do we have to be so careful?! He should do better himself!”

“U, Eun-young.”

“Don’t stop me. He’s already dating, so why is he only…”

“It’s not that, Jin-ho is coming.”

“Huh?”

Kang Eun-young was startled and turned her head.

In her eyes, she saw Kang Jin-ho’s red sports car approaching at a high speed.

Screech!

Kang Jin-ho got out of the car, which had stopped abruptly in front of the cafe.

The sight of him getting out of the car with a cigarette in his mouth was like a scene from a noir movie.

Kang Jin-ho, who had narrowed his eyes and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray in the car, slammed the door shut and looked at them.

Twitch.

Twitch.

The two people, who were feeling guilty, shut their mouths and smiled awkwardly at Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho spotted the two of them and started walking towards the entrance.

“Oppa.”

“Huh?”

“Do something.”

“…You told me not to stop you?”

“Can you say that after seeing that expression?”

But before they could even prepare themselves, Kang Jin-ho opened the door and walked inside. Then, he walked over and sat across from them.

“Yo, you came?”

Park Yoo-min greeted him with an awkward face.

Then, Kang Jin-ho nodded and leaned back in his chair.

Kang Jin-ho, who had tilted his head slightly, stared at the two of them with his eyes lowered and opened his mouth.

“Okay.”

“Tell me, now.”

Kang Eun-young, who was glancing at Kang Jin-ho, opened her mouth with an awkward smile.

“Oppa, it seems like there’s some misunderstanding, but I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“If you lie, your hand will be chopped off.”

“Tell me.”

Kang Eun-young and Park Yoo-min looked at each other.

A smile appeared on both of their faces at the same time.

‘Let’s just confess.’

‘I don’t know anymore.’

Kang Eun-young, who had given up, began to tell everything honestly.