Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 100

“My voice?”

Kang Jin-ho’s face hardened, and Kang Eun-young clicked her tongue.

“Are you really dating?”

Kang Jin-ho stared at her blankly, and Kang Eun-young flinched, bowing her head.

‘Why am I so intimidated?’

Come to think of it, Kang Jin-ho had always been her pushover, but these days, he was scarier than their dad.

‘How did this happen?’

Kang Eun-young felt a strange sense of rebellion, but as soon as she glanced up and saw Kang Jin-ho’s eyes still fixed on her, she quickly lowered her head again.

Her older brother used to be clumsy and unreliable, but after the accident, he had become a real older brother.

Moreover, her parents were giving Kang Jin-ho their full support, so even if she wanted to rebel, she couldn’t.

“Well, his voice sounded really weak. I was worried that something might be wrong. But I didn’t want to pry any further.”

“You did well.”

Kang Jin-ho looked up at the ceiling, feeling a bit frustrated.

‘He should be doing well.’

He thought Park Yu-min would be able to stand on his own now, but maybe it was still too early.

When he thought about it, other kids of similar age were still under their parents’ care. Yet, Park Yu-min was so responsible that he felt he had to take care of all the children at the orphanage, which must have put him under immense pressure.

‘I should go see him.’

When was his leave?

Kang Jin-ho thought about his leave, something he hadn’t been consciously considering. He had a leave pass, so he could take a longer break than others, even if it was just a 100-day leave.

“Let’s talk about that later… Let’s eat first, Jin-ho.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The army food wasn’t exactly bad, but it couldn’t compare to the food his mother made.

“Eat slowly. Drink some water too.”

“…Aren’t you eating?”

“We already ate.”

Kang Jin-ho looked a bit dumbfounded.

So, all this food on the table was for him alone?

That was impossible unless he transformed into a cow.

“Huh?”

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho’s head turned towards the door.

He could sense many people outside. Kang Jin-ho got up, walked to the door, and flung it open.

“Eek!”

The squad leaders, who had been eavesdropping, jumped back in surprise.

“Sir!”

Kang Jin-ho saluted, and they awkwardly returned the greeting with a smile.

“Hey, Jin-ho. How’s your visit going?”

“Yes, sir. It’s going well.”

“We just wanted to check in since it’s your first visit.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled lightly.

“If you’re okay with it, please come in and have some food.”

“Is that alright?”

Jeon Hyuk-soo asked Kang Jin-ho, glancing inside. For soldiers, civilian food was like a drug, but today, that drug was second priority. The squad leaders were all busy peeking at Kang Eun-young.

“Yes, please come in.”

As Jeon Hyuk-soo looked at him with a desperate expression, Jo Won-gu was torn.

He had come to see because Kang Se-ah [Kang Eun-young’s stage name] was here, but if it got out that they had intruded on a new recruit’s visit and ate his food, it wouldn’t end well.

He could already imagine the company commander going ballistic for damaging the unit’s image.

“We just came to say hello. You eat a lot, and we should head back.”

“Squad Leader.”

“Can’t you be quiet?”

Jo Won-gu didn’t want to cause any trouble.

“I apologize for the disturbance. I’m Jo Won-gu, the squad leader of Private Kang Jin-ho.”

“Ah, you’re the squad leader.”

Kang Ji-hwan stood up and offered Jo Won-gu a handshake.

Jo Won-gu took Kang Ji-hwan’s hand with both of his.

“Please take good care of my inadequate son.”

“If Jin-ho is inadequate, we should all die. He’s a capable guy. Don’t worry.”

“Haha, you’re a good joker.” If only it were a joke, sir. Jo Won-gu could only manage an awkward smile. He had been curious about what kind of people Kang Jin-ho’s parents were, but their ordinary appearance was even more intimidating.

Kang Jin-ho was so unique that he had expected his parents to be unusual as well, but now he wondered how such a monster could have been born under such good parents.

“Please take some of the food.”

“No, it’s his first time seeing his parents since joining the army. It would be rude to intrude.”

“I think there’s going to be a lot left over. I brought plenty.”

“It’s really okay.”

Jo Won-gu ignored the resentful glares from behind and bowed his head.

“Instead, if it’s not too much trouble, could we get your daughter’s autograph on the way out? My squad members are big fans.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Kang Ji-hwan turned his gaze, and Kang Eun-young popped her head out of her tracksuit, making a V sign.

“Of course, I’d be happy to.”

“Thank you!”

The remaining squad members cheered, bowed their heads, and headed back to their barracks.

“…My food is losing to my daughter.”

“Mom, you have to accept reality. I’m the rising sun.”

“If I were younger, you wouldn’t even be able to come near me!”

“I saw all the pictures?”

Baek Hyun-jung stared silently, and Kang Ji-hwan cleared his throat loudly.

“Okay, even though you’re my daughter, you can’t compare to your mother when she was young.”

“Dad!”

Kang Ji-hwan winked several times, hidden from Baek Hyun-jung’s view. Seeing the SOS signals, Kang Eun-young pouted.

“Dad is so whipped.”

“That’s how the house stays peaceful.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled, watching Kang Ji-hwan laugh brightly.

Life in the army wasn’t bad, but seeing his family after a long time made him feel warm.

‘I guess I understand now that I’m away.’

He realized how much comfort his family gave him. He had felt it a lot right after returning from the Murim [a martial arts world], but after living together for several years, he had taken their preciousness for granted.

‘In that sense, the army isn’t so bad.’

He could experience the preciousness of everyday life that he hadn’t felt before, so there was definitely something to gain from being in the army.

They spent a pleasant time together, and soon the visiting hours were over.

“Here you go.”

“Please, write it on my back.”

“On your back?”

“Just write it on my tracksuit.”

Jo Won-gu offered his back.

Kang Eun-young giggled and signed her name largely on Jo Won-gu’s back.

Many people rushed to get autographs, but Kang Jin-ho and Kang Ji-hwan didn’t have to step in as the squad took care of it.

“Hey! Our Se-ah is getting annoyed.”

“They’re our squad’s visitors, why are you guys crowding around! Move!”

“You can’t come here, sir.”

Kang Eun-young, who had signed for each of the squad members, waved her hand.

“Please take good care of my brother.”

“Don’t worry!”

“We’ll take perfect care of him.”

Kang Eun-young stuck her tongue out at Kang Jin-ho.

“I’m going. I’ll come again.”

“…Come here.”

Kang Jin-ho gestured for Kang Eun-young to come closer.

“Huh?”

“Don’t forget what we talked about earlier.”

“…Do I really have to?”

“I won’t say it again.”

Kang Eun-young nodded with a reluctant expression.

“Okay.”

“You can do that later.”

“Okay.”

She wasn’t completely happy about it, but Kang Eun-young knew that Kang Jin-ho had never been wrong when she followed his advice, so she didn’t say anything more.

And Kang Jin-ho wasn’t the type to change his mind just because she rebelled.

‘He’s so stubborn, really.’

He was someone she couldn’t even think of as a man these days. But the problem was that she didn’t hate it.

“Take care of yourself.”

“Call me when you get leave.”

“Yes. Don’t worry and go safely.”

“Then, we’re going.”

Kang Ji-hwan, as if forcibly pulling Baek Hyun-jung, who was reluctant to leave, into the car, smiled at Kang Jin-ho.

“Jin-ho.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Remember. Even if it’s unreasonable, endure it one more time.”

“Yes.”

“I trust you.”

As Kang Ji-hwan drove the car out of the guard post, Kang Jin-ho turned around. Then, Jo Won-gu put his hand on his shoulder and smiled gently.

“Brother-in-law.”

Kang Jin-ho’s face subtly contorted.

“Is army life hard? Shall we go to the PX [Post Exchange, a military store], brother?”

“I’m fine.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I ate a lot.”

Kang Jin-ho started walking towards the barracks, leaving Jo Won-gu behind.

“Hey, brother-in-law! Let’s go together, together!”

Kang Jin-ho’s pace quickened.

Army life wasn’t particularly special for Kang Jin-ho.

Contrary to what many people had expected, Kang Jin-ho didn’t have any particular trouble.

It was only natural.

Trouble usually arises in human relationships, but in the army, it usually stems from a junior who can’t handle their work properly.

It’s impossible for a junior who doesn’t know anything about the army to do everything perfectly.

The problem is that there aren’t many people who are patient enough to understand that obvious fact and explain the work to their juniors several times. Even if someone has a good personality, they are bound to raise their voice when they are being chased by their own work and scolded for not properly training their juniors. And when that happens repeatedly, they get annoyed.

The vicious cycle of a rigid society and the vicious cycle of a closed society occur simultaneously in the army.

The reason why sergeants become powerful and gentle at the same time is because they escape that vicious cycle.

In that sense, Kang Jin-ho had no reason to enter that vicious cycle in the first place.

“Did you do the equipment check?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you clean the guns?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you clean the gun emplacement?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you pull the weeds?”

“Yes, sir.”

“…Is there anything you haven’t done?”

“I’m looking for something now.”

Watching Kang Jin-ho, who had not only finished all his work but also cleaned the entire barracks and was even contemplating organizing the senior’s lockers, Sung Tae-ho wondered what his own army life had been like.

“Hey, are you really new to the army?”

“Are there people who come to the army twice?”

“Don’t you watch TV?”

“I don’t.”

Sung Tae-ho sighed, looking at the monster-like new recruit in front of him. Looking at Kang Jin-ho made him feel so small.

He had wanted to take care of his junior, but seeing what he was doing, it was clear that he was the one who needed to be taken care of.

‘That’s why the seniors like him.’

Even Jeon Hyuk-soo, who had initially been wary of Kang Jin-ho, was now grinning whenever he saw him. It wasn’t because he had ulterior motives towards Kang Eun-young like Jo Won-gu, but because he genuinely liked him.

After all, since Kang Jin-ho had arrived, it felt like their workload had been cut in half, so they couldn’t help but like him.

“Is your leave preparation almost done?”

“I don’t think there’s anything to prepare.”

“As soon as you come back, it’s the field training. You’re in big trouble.”

“Field training, sir?”

“Yeah. I’m worried since it’s my first time too.”

Kang Jin-ho responded to Sung Tae-ho’s words with a blank expression.

“You just have to do it, sir.”

“…Yeah, you would.”

Sung Tae-ho felt inexplicably sad.