Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1243

‘Still, aren’t we family?’

‘The closer you are, the more thorough you should be with money matters.’

‘That’s just a saying. If you’re too strict about money, you’ll hurt each other’s feelings.’

‘I’ve learned that it’s better to have a brief falling out than to hide resentment and end up cutting ties completely.’

‘MK Entertainment’s sales are ultimately part of the MK Group’s revenue anyway…’

‘Even among affiliates, there’s competition for sales.’

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes twitched slightly.

‘Wow, this guy… what is he?’

He thought he was just an accessory to Choi Yeon-ha, but he’s not backing down at all. Even with Choi Yeon-ha right there, the pressure a normal person would feel facing Lee Hyun-soo wouldn’t be insignificant.

‘Manager.’

‘Yes.’

Han Eun-sol opened her mouth, looking a bit troubled.

‘Actually, we’d love to help you out. But it’s an unwritten rule here not to lower prices for any reason. If we contract with one party at a lower price, that price will be used in other contracts from that moment on.’

‘Can’t you just keep it quiet?’

‘…There are no secrets in this industry.’

Lee Hyun-soo let out a groan.

Han Eun-sol spoke, sounding slightly disappointed.

‘And actually… since we’re affiliates, it’s customary to offer a bit more, not less. It’s not about cutting costs, but about giving a little extra.’

‘Huh?’

‘Think about it. If MK gives you the best treatment in the industry, you can’t ignore that price when you do a CF [Commercial Film] contract somewhere else, can you?’

‘…That’s true.’

‘So, companies usually raise the price when contracting with related companies. That’s how you increase sales in this industry. But if you ask for a discount instead of a raise…’

Lee Hyun-soo was speechless.

He knows everything about the unmanned world, but he honestly knows nothing about this industry. So, he can’t tell if what Han Eun-sol is saying is right or wrong.

‘If the head office doesn’t look out for its affiliates, who will? In that sense, it would be good to raise the model fee a bit more…’

‘Huh?’

‘Please consider it.’

Lee Hyun-soo smiled slightly, watching Han Eun-sol push forward with her direct approach.

‘She’s not bad.’

She’s using her young age as a weapon. When a seemingly inexperienced kid starts to insist, adults usually scold them. But that depends on the situation. Who would scold someone while sitting at a contract negotiation table?

Besides, with Choi Yeon-ha sitting behind her, you can’t help but be aware of her. This is clearly a method she’s calculated several times.

Normally, Lee Hyun-soo would have surrendered and raised both hands by now. Like Han Eun-sol said, it’s not just a business relationship, and they’re all in the same boat. She’s negotiating so well, it’s admirable enough to agree.

But…

‘Her overly confident face is annoying…’

He doesn’t like that she can’t maintain a low profile until the end. Then he should show her that the world is vast.

Sometimes, a whip is better than praise for growth.

‘Well, I’ll have to consider it. Actually, the director’s model fee is too high, and it’s not easy to handle. It doesn’t make sense to use the head office’s money for a model. Independence is important…’

‘It’s a shame, but we can’t help it then.’

Han Eun-sol comes on strong.

But Lee Hyun-soo’s target wasn’t Han Eun-sol from the start.

‘I thought it would be a good fit since the Chairman also agreed to be a model… It’s a shame. But there’s nothing we can do…’

‘Who?’

Choi Yeon-ha, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, opened her mouth with a glint in her eyes.

Lee Hyun-soo quickly answered before Han Eun-sol could stop him.

‘Ah, not the Chairman, but the Chairman [referring to the company’s chairman]. The Chairman has agreed to be the male model.’

‘Jin-ho did?’

‘Yes.’

‘What got into that man…’

‘S-Sis, I’m in charge of the contract here…’

‘You, come out here.’

‘Yes?’

‘I said come out here.’

Lee Hyun-soo smiled slightly as he watched Han Eun-sol get up from her seat, looking defeated.

‘Still young, kid!’

How dare you try to play with me already? Go learn some more!

Han Eun-sol did a great job. But if there’s one thing she missed, it’s that ultimately, the contract depends on the actor’s feelings. Especially if it’s an absolute power like Choi Yeon-ha.

‘Why would Jin-ho do something like that?’

‘It means the Chairman thinks this project is that important.’

‘Did the manager instigate it?’

‘…I can’t say that didn’t happen.’

‘Hmm.’

Choi Yeon-ha looked at Lee Hyun-soo with amusement.

When she talks to Kang Jin-ho, Lee Hyun-soo’s name comes up a lot. Except for her friends… no, recently, she hears the name Lee Hyun-soo more often than even her friends.

Lee Hyun-soo, whom she actually talked to, is… well…

‘This guy is not ordinary.’

Choi Yeon-ha has dealt with all sorts of sly people in the entertainment industry. But just by feeling, the sly people she’s dealt with so far are just a snack for Lee Hyun-soo.

Behind his slightly nervous and awkward smile, there’s an indescribable sharpness hidden.

A type who hides himself?

‘Probably not.’

There’s a hint of coldness in his tone. The reason Lee Hyun-soo is acting humble in front of her now is simply because he doesn’t think Choi Yeon-ha is his enemy.

‘He’s similar to Jin-ho.’

He shows endless aggression and cruelty to those he considers his enemies, but he becomes gentle to those he considers his allies.

Moreover, his range seems even narrower than Kang Jin-ho’s.

‘Indeed.’

Kang Jin-ho would like him.

From Kang Jin-ho’s twisted perspective, he would find a person who is similarly twisted interesting and amusing. Maybe he even felt a sense of kinship.

‘Manager.’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you often hear that you have a bad personality?’

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes widened at the sudden direct question.

‘I’ve never heard that in my life.’

‘Or is it that no one dares to say that in front of you?’

‘Haha…’

Lee Hyun-soo laughed awkwardly.

‘Even if it’s not wrong, it’s strange that you’re the one saying it.’

Isn’t Choi Yeon-ha the same?

‘I was curious about what kind of person you were, but now that I’ve met you, I think I was curious for no reason.’

‘I’m sorry to disappoint you.’

‘No. It’s not disappointment, but… well, how should I put it, it feels familiar.’

Choi Yeon-ha curled up the corners of her lips.

It’s a strange feeling.

If you look at them one by one, Kang Jin-ho and Lee Hyun-soo have nothing in common. But if you watch them quietly, Lee Hyun-soo gives off a similar vibe to Kang Jin-ho.

For some reason, thinking that there’s someone like this next to Kang Jin-ho makes her feel a little relieved.

‘I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you quite often in the future. Don’t you think so?’

Lee Hyun-soo raised his head and stared at Choi Yeon-ha.

Then, he smiled slightly and opened his mouth.

‘Yes. It would be good if we could see each other often. But our fields are so different, I’m not sure if we’ll see each other that often.’

‘Isn’t that up to us?’

‘…Did you just say “us”?’

‘Yes.’

Choi Yeon-ha smiled and nodded.

‘Why? Is it wrong to say that? Was I a bit presumptuous?’

‘No. That’s not what I meant.’

‘Manager Lee.’

Choi Yeon-ha leaned forward.

Lee Hyun-soo unconsciously leaned back.

‘Wow, this is no joke.’

It’s not an experience that most people can have, having Choi Yeon-ha’s face fill their vision. And that experience is more overwhelming than Lee Hyun-soo thought.

‘Hyun-joo would try to eat me alive if she knew?’

His mind went blank for a moment.

It wasn’t Lee Hyun-soo’s fault. Anyone who saw Choi Yeon-ha up close would react similarly to Lee Hyun-soo. Rather, it’s commendable that Lee Hyun-soo didn’t stutter even though it was his first time experiencing this.

‘I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to beat around the bush. Maybe it’s because of my bad personality, but I get hives when I try to talk indirectly.’

‘Ah…’

‘So, I’ll get straight to the point. How about we become friends?’

‘I refuse.’

Lee Hyun-soo cut off Choi Yeon-ha’s words firmly.

‘A formal relationship is perfect.’

Choi Yeon-ha’s face twisted subtly.

‘Look, I don’t want to be friends with you either.’

‘You look like you have a bad personality.’

‘Haha, you’re the same, Director.’

‘Hahaha, right?’

‘Hahahaha…’

‘This punk?’

‘This woman?’

Sparks flew between the two.

Lee Hyun-soo, who was glaring slightly at Choi Yeon-ha, realized his mistake and cleared his throat.

‘This isn’t right.’

He has no intention of being at odds with Choi Yeon-ha. It would only be a disadvantage for Lee Hyun-soo. But when he actually faces Choi Yeon-ha, he strangely feels something bubbling up inside.

‘It’s not about being friends in that way. It’s about sharing information with each other.’

‘Information?’

‘You probably know a lot about Jin-ho that I don’t. If I just ask you once in a while, you can just tell me what Jin-ho did…’

Lee Hyun-soo answered firmly.

‘I refuse.’

‘Don’t test my loyalty to the Chairman. I only act for the Chairman’s benefit. And that’s the same even if the other party is the director. I have a duty to protect the Chairman’s private life…’

‘When Jin-ho is being stubborn, I’ll stop him once in a while.’

‘I will cooperate.’

Choi Yeon-ha and Lee Hyun-soo looked at each other with subtle gazes.

‘This is the worst.’

‘This is terrible.’

Choi Yeon-ha erased the thought that Lee Hyun-soo was similar to Kang Jin-ho from her mind, and Lee Hyun-soo deleted the information that Choi Yeon-ha was pretty from his mind.

‘Ahem.’

Lee Hyun-soo cleared his throat once to change the atmosphere and put on a friendly smile. It already felt a bit late, but he had to fix things anyway.

‘Then, let’s put that aside and go back to the model fee discussion.’

‘Ah, that?’

Choi Yeon-ha smiled brightly.

‘Don’t worry. MK and Jin-ho are starting a new business, so of course, I have to help. Just set the schedule well.’

‘Ah, thank you. If Director Choi Yeon-ha agrees to be the model, our franchise will be able to greatly increase its recognition.’

‘I hope that will be the case.’

‘Then, about the model fee…’

‘Ah, the model fee.’

Choi Yeon-ha smiled even more brightly.

‘I won’t give you a single penny discount, so don’t even dream about it.’

And so, Lee Hyun-soo and Choi Yeon-ha’s first official meeting was ending in the worst possible way.