Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1143

Han Eun-sol stared blankly at the building in front of him.

Then, without realizing it, he swallowed hard.

The front glass reflected the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly.

‘I feel intimidated.’

He didn’t intend to act like a country bumpkin now. Han Eun-sol was, after all, a celebrity manager. He had been to all the top places in South Korea.

Considering that celebrity managers often suffer from ‘celebrity disease’ and ruin themselves because they only frequent nice and expensive places, there was no reason to be intimidated by the grandeur of this building.

That is, if this wasn’t the place Han Eun-sol had to go to work from now on.

Han Eun-sol swallowed hard.

Even major domestic entertainment agencies were only now starting to move from their old, worn-out headquarters after finally making some money.

Because they are associated with celebrities who live a sparkling life, entertainment agencies also have an image of being successful, but in reality, the only person who lives a successful life in an agency is the CEO.

Investments?

Of course, they invest.

But what kind of foolish CEO would invest in a headquarters when most of the work is done outside by the celebrities? They would just do some basic interior design and call it a day.

‘Don’t be intimidated.’

Han Eun-sol clenched his fist and took a step forward.

It’s just a building, after all.

It’s not like a dragon or a tiger lives there, so there’s no reason to be intimidated…

Ah, Kang Jin-ho lives there.

Han Eun-sol shook his head and opened the revolving door, stepping inside.

Was it the 9th floor? Here…

That’s when it happened.

“What is it?”

A person at the information desk stood up and looked at Han Eun-sol.

“We don’t accept solicitors.”

Han Eun-sol, who was about to say something, closed his mouth.

‘Is he an American cop?’

He was wearing something like a security uniform, but his image was very different from the security guards he knew. His bulging shoulders and massive chest muscles that looked like they would tear through his shirt were reminiscent of a police officer from an action movie.

It was nothing short of a culture shock for Han Eun-sol, who had imagined a friendly Korean security guard.

“We don’t accept solicitors, so get out.”

“Ah, no, that’s not it…”

Han Eun-sol said, sweating profusely.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“No, that’s not it… I came here to work. I’m affiliated with this place…”

“Work?”

The security guard frowned and strode out from behind the desk. As his large frame approached, the movie genre changed from action to horror. Or maybe a thriller.

“Is this punk trying to mess with me? I know all the employees here, so who are you trying to fool? Do you want to get beat up, or just leave?”

“I respect your will to try to make a living… but kid, this isn’t that kind of place. Leave while I’m talking nicely? I’m a scary guy.”

“I’m telling the truth.”

“No, is this punk still…”

“I’m serious. I’m starting work at MK Entertainment today.”

“Entertain… what?”

The security guard’s eyes widened. He looked Han Eun-sol up and down, then stuttered, looking slightly flustered.

“Wh-what’s your, uh, position?”

“Ah, well…”

Han Eun-sol scratched the back of his head.

“Officially, I’m a department head for now…”

“D-department head?”

The security guard’s face turned pale in an instant.

“Uh… just a moment.”

The security guard rushed back to the information desk, rummaged through something, and then quickly ran back.

“Then, what’s your name, by any chance…”

“Han Eun-sol.”

“Hic!”

Han Eun-sol tensed up, seeing the security guard hiccup as if he was truly surprised.

‘Is there even a reason to be this surprised?’

“I-I’m sorry. I was out of my mind… I’ll correct myself!”

The security guard bowed his head deeply, which surprised Han Eun-sol, who tried to stop him.

“Please don’t do this. It’s not like I’m anyone special.”

“I’ll guide you to the elevator.”

The security guard, now completely disciplined, led the way to the elevator with a respectful posture.

Han Eun-sol, not understanding the excessive kindness, awkwardly followed behind the security guard. Unlike him, the security guard’s mind was replaying the words he had heard not long ago.

“I don’t care what you guys do among yourselves, but this isn’t a general meeting. I’ll personally bury any punk who causes trouble. And just in case, I’m emphasizing again, distinguish between messing around with each other and messing around with other departments in the company. Especially if you cause trouble with the entertainment department, I’ll personally rip your heads off.”

The person who said those words was someone who could really rip someone’s head off.

It was none other than Lee Hyun-soo.

Cold sweat dripped down the security guard’s forehead. A department head was a superior he couldn’t even look at. But he had threatened and even cursed at such a superior. If this fact reached Lee Hyun-soo’s ears, he would come running to skin him alive.

“U-uhm… Department Head.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really sorry. I apologize.”

“P-please don’t do this. It’s making me uncomfortable.”

“Then… please make sure this doesn’t reach Director Lee’s ears…”

“Director Lee? I don’t even know who that is.”

“I’m begging you!”

The security guard even pressed the elevator button.

Han Eun-sol got into the elevator with a bewildered look, not knowing what was going on.

Then, he silently watched the security guard bowing his head until the doors closed.

Click.

The elevator doors closed, and Han Eun-sol, who had pressed the button for the 9th floor, leaned against the wall with a dumbfounded expression.

‘This is absurd.’

He had no idea what was going on.

“Why are you so late?”

“…Noona.”

Choi Yeon-ha scolded Han Eun-sol with a slightly annoyed expression.

It was a daily occurrence. Now, that slightly frowning face was almost recognized as Choi Yeon-ha’s normal expression.

No, considering that, it could even be said that she looked quite happy.

“There’s more than one or two things to handle, right? The agency is in chaos, there’s a lot of luggage to take out, and there are many things to transfer.”

Han Eun-sol sighed deeply.

“Why are you being like this to someone who couldn’t even attend the opening ceremony and has been running around like crazy?”

“Are you protesting because you have a lot of work?”

“…That’s not it.”

“Or are you sulking because you didn’t become the CEO?”

“Absolutely not!”

CEO, huh?

Cold sweat dripped down Han Eun-sol’s forehead.

When opening MK Entertainment, Choi Yeon-ha had tried to make Han Eun-sol the CEO. It was because she couldn’t take the CEO position herself.

In fact, considering that Choi Yeon-ha was the one who practically managed MK Entertainment, it wouldn’t have mattered if she had taken the CEO position herself, but there were many problems with a currently active celebrity taking the CEO position.

First of all, if she had the image of running a business with a title, it would be difficult to get offers, which was a practical issue…

– You’d look old.

…was also a very simple and clear reason.

Han Eun-sol agreed with that point.

Besides, since Choi Yeon-ha was currently active, she had to leave the company often. If she, who had to handle overseas schedules from time to time, took the CEO position, there would inevitably be a work gap.

That much was obvious, but…

The problem was that the person considered as her replacement was none other than Han Eun-sol.

‘You have to say something that makes sense.’

Han Eun-sol, who wasn’t even thirty yet, becoming the CEO?

That was definitely not a good thing.

People interpret the world based on their own common sense. If Han Eun-sol, who had no age, experience, or wealth, became the CEO, there would inevitably be a basic sense of disregard for MK Entertainment.

And Han Eun-sol would also be treated as a figurehead CEO.

“If you have any thoughts now, tell me. We can still change it.”

“No. I really don’t have any thoughts.”

“Really?”

“Noona, I’ve told you countless times, that’s not a good direction for the company or for me.”

“At least you’d gain experience.”

“Experience that ruins my image is not experience, it’s a dark history. And I still like working in the field. And frankly…”

Han Eun-sol sighed deeply.

“If I’m not there, who’s going to manage Noona?”

“Can’t a CEO be a manager?”

“What do you think people will think of a company where the CEO takes the director to the field?”

“Hmm… I guess so. Then we can just get another manager.”

“Huh?”

“Another…”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to get hit?”

Han Eun-sol let out a hollow laugh.

Another manager, another manager…

If that were possible, he wouldn’t even hesitate. When Han Eun-sol joined MK Entertainment and decided to bet his life on Choi Yeon-ha, his goal was to train a new manager who could take care of Choi Yeon-ha within five years.

In some ways, this was a more difficult goal than making MK Entertainment the best management company in Korea.

“Anyway, don’t regret it later.”

“There’s nothing to regret. I’m already so burdened by this position.”

Han Eun-sol wiped his forehead.

Thinking about the treatment he received on the first floor, his limbs felt like they were curling up.

In the first place, a celebrity manager is that kind of job. You have to bow to everyone you see, and you always have to keep your head down. Among the managers of big celebrities, there are some who act like they are celebrities themselves, but Choi Yeon-ha’s manager could never dream of doing that.

If they were ever caught, a high heel would be immediately embedded in their forehead.

And mistreating fans?

That’s nonsense.

Choi Yeon-ha is the type who cherishes her fans very much. In fact, unlike idols who go back and forth between heaven and hell depending on fan support, Choi Yeon-ha is an actress who can maintain her status to some extent with her acting skills and beauty, but she managed her fans even more than idols did.

The reason why she was able to have a long run despite her difficult personality was also because she never ignored her fans, even in the days when they were treated like money-making machines.

Of course, rigorous self-management was a given.

Anyway, that’s how it is. Being ignored by officials, scolded by directors, pushed around by fans, and rejected by celebrities is the role of a manager.

You have to engrave the character for patience on your whole body like a tattoo to even survive.

But suddenly being treated like a superior?

For Han Eun-sol, who had only ever had junior managers and stray dogs as subordinates, it was like a complete change of the world.

“Do I really have to be the department head?”

“Why?”

“No… I’m just a bit intimidated.”

Choi Yeon-ha chuckled and looked at Han Eun-sol.

“Hey, what are you so intimidated about?”

“There are only two employees, you and me, one is a director, and the other is a department head! Does that even make sense?”

“We’re going to hire employees. People are coming.”

“Still, that’s true. And I thought that when we started, we’d rent an office somewhere in a corner. Who would have thought that something so grand would start like this?”

“You’re really sick.”

Choi Yeon-ha clicked her tongue.

Usually, when a manager has that much experience, they become more bold, but Han Eun-sol was still as clueless as a new manager.

‘Well, that’s a good thing though.’

Not losing your initial intentions is a good thing. There’s a difference between keeping your initial intentions with a firm resolution and just not losing the new recruit vibe… well, whatever. As long as the result is the same.

Knock knock.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

When Choi Yeon-ha answered, the door swung open and a person walked in, waving their hand.