Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1134

Proving It (2)

Several people were gathered on the top floor of the MK Building, which overlooked the dense forest of buildings that filled Seoul.

“Where is Chairman Hwang?”

“He had a prior engagement and left earlier.”

Kang Jin-ho let out a soft sigh.

‘That’s a relief.’

If Chairman Hwang had been here, he would have been nagging him even now. It was obvious he was itching to say something.

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

The relationship between Hwang Jung-hoo and him started as a contract. Kang Jin-ho would cure Hwang Jung-hoo’s illness, and Hwang Jung-hoo would pay Kang Jin-ho. It was the most common type of relationship in South Korea.

However, that relationship developed and evolved to the point where they were now.

Neither Kang Jin-ho nor Hwang Jung-hoo saw each other as mere contractual partners anymore.

‘It’s interesting.’

The relationship that should have been the most straightforward had become the most deeply intertwined. That’s what makes the world interesting.

“You look tired.”

“I am a bit.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled wryly.

It was rare for Kang Jin-ho to be told he looked tired, or for Kang Jin-ho to admit it.

It was also an indication of how much Kang Jin-ho struggled with dealing with people.

‘It’s understandable.’

Now, it didn’t seem strange for Kang Jin-ho to be in a position to deal with politicians, but when Lee Hyun-soo first met Kang Jin-ho, it was a transformation that was like heaven and earth.

What was the information Lee Hyun-soo first received about Kang Jin-ho? To put it in modern terms…

‘An outsider.’

A complete loner at that.

He only maintained relationships with certain people he felt comfortable with and had no intention of expanding his circle. His world was so solid that he didn’t allow others to enter it.

But now?

‘He’s really improved a lot.’

No, ‘improved’ might not be the right word. Being an outsider wasn’t wrong. It was just a personality trait.

To be precise, it wasn’t that Kang Jin-ho had improved, but that he was fulfilling his role as the head of the General Assembly. Especially in a situation like now, where they were expanding outward, it was essential for Kang Jin-ho to take on this role.

“Is it done now?”

“Yes, it is.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled brightly.

“You’ve worked hard, Chairman. There are still some things to do to stabilize the company, but I can handle those. You only need to attend the absolutely necessary events.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard recently.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed and took out a cigarette.

His whole body felt weary.

The people Kang Jin-ho found most difficult to deal with were those he didn’t know but couldn’t treat carelessly. The Prime Minister and the members of the National Assembly who attended the opening ceremony today were exactly that type.

“What about the Prime Minister?”

“He’s gone back. He asked me to tell you that the higher-ups are also watching with interest.”

The higher-ups…

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

The only person the Prime Minister would refer to as the higher-ups was the President.

‘I’m definitely Korean.’

It hit him.

In the past, when Kang Jin-ho led the Demonic Cult, the one who ruled the world was the Emperor of China.

If you were to compare the power and authority of the Emperor at that time with the President of South Korea now, the current President couldn’t even be compared to the Emperor.

It wasn’t a matter of whether China was great or not. There was a difference in eras. The current President couldn’t deviate from the absolute law, but the Emperor could ignore the law.

The Emperor wielded such immense power that he could wipe out entire families for the slightest reason. The modern President was like a representative or spokesperson of the people, while the Emperor of that time was almost like a demigod.

However, Kang Jin-ho at that time didn’t even care about the Emperor. He would occasionally receive messages from the Demonic Cult, but he never once listened to the Emperor’s words.

He was just someone he could kill whenever he wanted.

But the fact that the President, whose authority was relatively weak, was watching him made him feel uneasy.

Perhaps this was the biggest proof that Kang Jin-ho was Korean.

“It’s a burden.”

“I understand.”

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged.

“Still, you can relax a bit now. After all, the biggest problem is over.”

“Isn’t it just the beginning?”

“For a typical company, the opening is the beginning. But our case is a bit different. We don’t really need to do anything to expand our business. For now…”

Lee Hyun-soo glanced sideways.

“Department Head Lee will take care of it.”

“Yes. Please leave it to me, Chairman.”

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Kang Jin-ho with a determined expression.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Lee Hyun-joo created most of MK. Although Lee Hyun-soo and Kang Jin-ho helped with external affairs, almost all of the practical work was done by Lee Hyun-joo.

So, it was natural for Lee Hyun-joo to be so motivated now. She had worked hard for a long time and was finally seeing the results. It was human nature to want to finish things perfectly.

“There may be some trial and error, but I will make sure there are no major problems. I will adapt within about three months. I will ensure that MK’s operations are absolutely flawless.”

“Oh my, that sounds a bit strange?”

Everyone’s heads turned towards the entrance.

Choi Yeon-ha was coming in, pulling a drink carrier.

“Welcome, Director.”

Lee Hyun-soo greeted her, but Lee Hyun-joo hesitated slightly.

“Here, have some coffee. I bought it.”

“Ah, thank you. I should have prepared it, but I was so out of it… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I figured someone with a picky coffee palate would be drinking plain water, so I bought some while I was out.”

Choi Yeon-ha smiled brightly.

Those who received the coffee sighed in relief. They were craving caffeine. Kang Jin-ho’s reaction was even more dramatic. The way that stoic man received the coffee as if it were ambrosia made everyone laugh.

“But what part is strange?”

“Isn’t Jin-ho the chairman here?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“But the operations are being handled by… I’m sorry, what’s your title?”

“I’m Department Head Lee Hyun-joo.”

“Yes, Department Head Lee. If Department Head Lee handles everything without problems, what will Jin-ho do?”

Lee Hyun-joo slightly adjusted her glasses.

“First of all, within the company, please refer to Jin-ho as Chairman, not Jin-ho, Director. It might feel a bit awkward, but it’s something we need to adhere to going forward.”

It was a polite and considerate remark that didn’t feel offensive.

“Ah, I apologize. I’ll be careful.”

“Yes. Of course, the company’s operations are handled by the Chairman. That’s a given. However, since the Chairman also has other duties outside of MK, we plan to handle general tasks and tasks that don’t need to go up to the Chairman’s level at the lower levels.”

“Really? Then that person will do it?”

“…Yes, Director.”

Lee Hyun-joo and Choi Yeon-ha’s gazes met in the air.

“Hmm.”

Choi Yeon-ha nodded and looked at Kang Jin-ho.

“Chairman.”

“…Huh?”

“Is it right for this Department Head to handle the practical work?”

“That’s how it’ll be.”

“Then that’s not right.”

“Huh?”

“She’s a department head.”

Choi Yeon-ha said with a pout.

“Handling practical work means she has to contact the collaborating parties, but what can she do with a department head title?”

Kang Jin-ho became speechless and looked at Lee Hyun-soo.

Lee Hyun-soo smiled awkwardly and began to explain instead.

“Ah, I’ll explain that part. As you know, we’re a bit different from a typical company. As you said, Department Head Lee will handle the overall work, but the actual president or director positions will be held by other people. If we do external work through them…”

“Why?”

“…Yes?”

“Why do you do it through other people?”

“Ah, well, since Department Head Lee is young, it might not look good to give her a high position…”

Choi Yeon-ha’s gaze turned sharply. Kang Jin-ho, caught by that gaze, subtly turned his head.

“The chairman is younger, though?”

Ah, no… that’s a bit of an exception.

It’s an exception…

Lee Hyun-soo was at a loss for words and just opened and closed his mouth.

It was an exception, but if you brought it up as evidence like that, there was nothing he could say.

“I don’t understand why you’re doing such an inefficient thing. If you’re going to use people, you should use them properly. If you’re going to assign work, shouldn’t you help them do it properly? That’s what a superior should do, right?”

Lee Hyun-joo’s lips twitched.

She had thought about it countless times, but Choi Yeon-ha was saying the words she couldn’t dare to say.

Even though Lee Hyun-soo was her boyfriend, he was still her superior in terms of work. And not just in title, but a superior who held overwhelming power.

It was difficult to demand such things from such a person.

But now, the blockage in her chest was being relieved.

“If president is difficult, at least give her a general manager position. Or even better, a director.”

“D-Director? A director is absolutely out of the question.”

“Why?”

Why, you idiot!

I’m the general manager, and if she becomes a director, what am I supposed to do!

“Chairman!”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Choi Yeon-ha with a pale face.

“What do you think?”

“I actually had something to say about that part…”

“Yes!”

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze turned to Lee Hyun-joo and Lee Hyun-soo.

“Do I really have to be the chairman?”

Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth with a look of utter despair.

“Every time I hear it, I feel like I’ve aged fifty years, and it makes me feel… really bad. Is there any other title? It’s different from ‘Cult Leader,’ but it’s still making things difficult for me.”

“It’s not strange if you just look at the age?”

Lee Hyun-soo quickly turned his head away from the blank stares.

“Anyway.”

Choi Yeon-ha wrapped up the situation.

“Please address this issue. I’m going to be working under the MK name from now on, and if the person I actually need to consult with has a low title, it won’t look good for me either. Don’t you think? I can’t be getting permission from a department head. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have joined here.”

They didn’t even ask her to join.

It’s strange. Why do I feel like I’m the one who brought her in?

“Then, I’ll leave it to you. And Department Head Lee?”

“Yes? Yes! Director.”

“I think we have some things to talk about. How about we go to the break room and chat before the coffee gets cold?”

“Yes, Director! I was thinking the same thing! Shall we go now?”

“Let’s go.”

Lee Hyun-joo jumped up and followed behind Choi Yeon-ha.

The strange tension from when they first spoke had already disappeared. Lee Hyun-joo looked at Choi Yeon-ha with sparkling eyes, as if she had found a place to lean on.

“See you later then.”

Choi Yeon-ha pulled Lee Hyun-joo out of the room.

Kang Jin-ho and Lee Hyun-soo, left behind, stared blankly at the closed door.

“…She charmed someone in five minutes.”

“Right?”

Was it Choi Yeon-ha who was amazing for finding and recruiting a practical worker so quickly, or was it Lee Hyun-joo who was amazing for recognizing the person in power and sticking to her like glue?

The sighs of the two men, who had become like spare parts, filled the chairman’s office.