Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1279

“I have no intention of doing that, so please go back.”

“Sir.”

“How many times do I have to say it’s difficult? I told you it’s not going to happen.”

“Sir, we’re not asking you to do it for free. We will pay you handsomely.”

“Pay?”

The cafe owner’s face slightly contorted, and Hwang Min-soo realized his blunder, feeling a pang of regret.

‘I shouldn’t have brought up money with these artisans.’

Usually, those who delve deeply into a field find fulfillment in their work itself rather than monetary gain. Among them, many feel a strong aversion to the act of trying to buy their skills with money.

Just as Hwang Min-soo was about to correct his mistake, the cafe owner opened his mouth with a subtle smile.

“I have more than enough money, so much that it’s practically rotting.”

Ah, so he’s not the type who’s attached to money.

That’s a relief.

“Of course, if you run a place like this, you must be financially comfortable, but we’re offering more than that…”

“No. It’s not like that, I really have so much that it’s rotting.”

Hwang Min-soo’s face twitched slightly.

‘I’ve seen it all now.’

This was the first time in his life someone had bragged about money in front of Hwang Min-soo. He might be in this state now, but there was a time when he was a well-known second-generation chaebol [a son of a wealthy business owner] in South Korea.

Although there are many prominent second-generation chaebols in South Korea, none of them dared to boast about money in front of Hwang Min-soo. Who was he? The son of Hwang Jeong-hu, a legend in the business world.

Yet, the owner of this small cafe was now talking about money in front of him.

The fact that Hwang Min-soo didn’t burst out laughing was proof that he was an excellent businessman.

“Sir, I think the scale of money you’re thinking of is a bit different. We’re really…”

“You don’t understand.”

The cafe owner shrugged.

“Anyway, I’m fine with money. I have no intention of making more.”

Hwang Min-soo sighed quietly.

‘This is a headache.’

He seems interested in money, but says he has enough…

It was a strange thing to say.

Hwang Min-soo could sense it intuitively. This person wasn’t someone who had money from the start. Those who grew up wealthy from a young age have a certain aura about them, even when they get older.

It’s not about looking rich, but a unique vibe. Those who grew up believing that no one in the world could harm them have a different way of dealing with people than those who grew up normally.

And Hwang Min-soo, who had always encountered only such people, had a keen eye for distinguishing his own kind.

But in his eyes, the cafe owner was definitely not someone who had lived a wealthy life.

Rather, he had the air of someone who had gone through quite a bit of hardship.

Yet, he says he has enough money.

‘Did he win the lottery or something?’

Even if he won the lottery, it wouldn’t be enough to make him indifferent to money.

“I’ll say it one last time. If you franchise your cafe, you can earn an unimaginable amount of money. The amount you’re thinking of…”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t need more money than you think. My son makes a ton of money.”

Hwang Min-soo chuckled.

‘There’s no hope.’

There’s no point in pushing further here.

No matter how much his son earns, if he pointed that out, it would be like disrespecting his son. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t do in front of a parent, it’s definitely disrespecting their child.

Hwang Min-soo subtly changed the subject.

“Sir, it’s a shame that this coffee can only be tasted here. More people should be able to enjoy this coffee…”

“I’m sorry, but…”

The cafe owner said firmly.

“That’s exactly why I’m saying it’s difficult. This isn’t something you can learn in a short time. I’ve been dedicated to this for at least five years to get to this level.”

There was no arrogance on the cafe owner’s face as he waved his hand.

He genuinely meant it.

“I don’t have the ability to manage other stores, and I’m not good at teaching others. My ability is just enough to manage this one place. I want to help, but it seems difficult.”

Hwang Min-soo clicked his tongue.

‘He’s smart.’

It’s not about pride in his skills, nor is it the stubbornness that artisans often have. He assesses himself coldly and judges objectively.

These are the most difficult people to deal with when doing business.

Normally, it would be right to back down in this situation. But before Hwang Min-soo could even open his mouth, Gu Jeong-beom, unable to give up, made the first move.

“Then, would it be possible for you to just help with the training? If you just teach us how to make the coffee, we’ll pay you handsomely…”

“I’m telling you, it’s not something you can learn in a day or two. And there’s nothing special about making coffee. It’s not like there’s some great secret. You just have to keep doing it yourself.”

With a mix of sound theory and basic principles, he was an impregnable fortress.

Just as Gu Jeong-beom was about to say something more, Hwang Min-soo raised his hand to stop him.

“I fully understand what you’re saying, sir.”

“Yes.”

“However, we are also business people. We don’t give up so easily. We’ll keep coming back until you change your mind.”

“Huh.”

The cafe owner looked at Hwang Min-soo with a dumbfounded expression.

“Look here. You’re already causing enough trouble. I need to close the shop and go home, so please leave.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll leave today. But we’ll visit you again tomorrow. So please think about it positively.”

“Whether it’s ten days or a month… nothing will change even if you keep coming.”

“Then we’ll visit you for half a year, or even a year.”

“Oh, come on…”

The cafe owner shook his head as if he couldn’t understand.

Watching him, Hwang Min-soo bowed his head slightly.

“Please help us, sir. We’re not doing this just to make money. We’ll make sure that the franchisees benefit fairly.”

“I’m saying I can’t help because I don’t have the ability, so why do you keep saying other things? Just leave. Or I’ll call the cops.”

“Get up. Let’s go.”

Even at Hwang Min-soo’s words, the board members didn’t easily move.

‘We need to push a little harder.’

‘It’ll be hard to find a place like this.’

Seeing them hesitate, the cafe owner sighed.

“Look here. Do you think this is the first time I’ve received such an offer?”

“Many people have come to me saying that if I franchise, I’ll make a hundred, two hundred times more, and sit on a pile of money. If I were greedy for money and had the ability, I would have done it already. They all said the same thing and gave up. So don’t waste your time and look somewhere else. There are so many people who make good coffee, why are you coming to an amateur like me?”

“Amateur? This is…”

“That’s enough.”

The cafe owner’s face became firm.

“Just leave. I won’t say it twice.”

Only then did the board members reluctantly get up from their seats.

Although they were clearly disappointed, seeing his firm attitude, they knew that pushing further would be counterproductive. It was best to retreat for today.

“I’m sorry for taking up your time, sir.”

Hwang Min-soo took out a business card from his wallet and offered it to the cafe owner. But his hand didn’t reach out to take it. Hwang Min-soo smiled without showing any discomfort and placed the business card on the table.

“If you leave that, I’ll throw it away.”

“You can throw it away. I’ll come back tomorrow and give it to you again.”

“I’m telling you, it’s no use.”

Hwang Min-soo said with a friendly smile.

“You said many people have come and given up, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll show you that I’m different from those people.”

“Huh?”

The cafe owner glared at Hwang Min-soo.

Unwavering eyes.

The moment he saw those unwavering eyes, the owner’s mouth slightly opened.

“It might be hard to understand, but I’m also desperate. Please don’t call me rude, and understand that I’m just that earnest. Then.”

Hwang Min-soo bowed his head and turned around, and the directors followed him towards the entrance.

“Wait, just a moment!”

Hwang Min-soo turned back with a delighted expression.

“Have you changed your mind?”

“No, it’s not that!”

“Yes?”

The owner’s face, which had been as firm as if you couldn’t draw a drop of blood with a needle, was now filled with bewilderment.

“This, the business card.”

“Yes? The business card?”

“Is this, is this your business card?”

Hwang Min-soo’s face became strange.

This was the first time he had heard such a question in his life. He had seen him take the business card out of his wallet and hand it over, so why was he asking if it was his business card?

“Yes. It’s my business card. If you contact me at that number…”

“MK?”

“Ah, that business card is temporary for now. Although I’m in charge of the food business division, the official title is…”

“So, it’s MK, right?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

The cafe owner, who had been looking at Hwang Min-soo with a dumbfounded expression, suddenly chuckled and opened his mouth.

“No, this is where my son is the president.”

“..Yes?”

Hwang Min-soo’s face became even stranger than the cafe owner’s.

“I don’t think we have a president in our company yet…”

“Ah, chairman. That’s right. Chairman! He said he was the chairman! I don’t know what kind of chairman a young punk is, but anyway.”

Hwang Min-soo’s head tilted to the side.

“Could your son’s name be…”

“Kang Jin-ho. My name is Kang Yu-hwan.”

“Wow…”

An exclamation that Hwang Min-soo didn’t usually use popped out of his mouth. His mouth reacted before his head could even think.

“Y-you’re Chairman Kang Jin-ho’s father?”

At Hwang Min-soo’s question, the cafe owner, no, Kang Yu-hwan, chuckled and replied.

“That’s right.”

“What is this…”

The threads in Hwang Min-soo’s head began to unravel.

“I have more than enough money, so much that it’s practically rotting.”

Of course.

Because he’s Kang Jin-ho’s father.

“My son makes a ton of money.”

Of course.

Because his son is Kang Jin-ho.

The two of them, unable to hide their bewilderment, looked at each other. The directors, not knowing what was going on, didn’t dare to intervene and held their breath.

That’s when it happened.

Clang.

The bell on the door rang, and a person walked into the cafe.

“You haven’t finished closing yet. There were a lot of customers today… President Hwang?”

Hwang Min-soo, with a dumbfounded expression, looked at the person who had opened the door.

Now, his one and only boss in the world was looking at him with a bewildered face.

No wonder.

He thought he had seen him somewhere.

It wasn’t that he had met Kang Yu-hwan before, but that Kang Yu-hwan was Kang Jin-ho’s father, so they looked alike. Looking back and forth between the two, he could see it clearly. Subtly, very subtly, they looked alike. Subtly.

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head and asked.

“Why are you here?”

Hwang Min-soo, not knowing where to even begin to explain, just laughed like an idiot.