Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1314

You could feel that the weather had warmed up a bit. When the cafe was full, the glass would be covered with white frost, but now the clear glass clearly showed the street. Seong Ju-chan stared blankly at the street visible through the glass. The cafe was full of customers, and the weather was getting warmer. It was a day that seemed full of good things, but Seong Ju-chan’s mood was not pleasant at all.

“Hey! Refill my coffee!”

“…Aren’t you on your fourth refill?”

“Isn’t it unlimited refills?”

“…I’m the manager of this place, but why are you deciding the operating policy of my cafe as you please?”

“That’s why you can’t make money. In this day and age, isn’t it natural to give refills?”

“Yeah, things have definitely changed. I’m even hearing this from a jobless bum.”

“What did you say, you punk?”

Seong Ju-chan sighed deeply.

‘I wish they would all just die, seriously.’

The customers filling the cafe were all from the Assembly [a group of people who were previously part of a gang or similar organization]. Ever since the meeting with Kang Jin-ho that day, these guys had been treating Seong Ju-chan’s cafe like a meeting place, coming in as they pleased, taking up seats, and killing time.

So, isn’t it good if the place is full?

‘They’re not making me any money!’

The lifeblood of a cafe is turnover. After drinking their beverage, they should leave after a reasonable amount of time so that new customers can sit down. If they order one Americano and get refills for five hours, other customers can’t get a seat.

Moreover, Seong Ju-chan was someone who had to keep doing business here. If regulars couldn’t find a seat and went somewhere else, long-term profits would inevitably decline.

“Hey, you guys! If you have nothing to do, go home and play games! Get lost!”

“What’s he saying, that punk?”

“Hey! It’s not like we’re sitting here for free, we all paid to sit here!”

“What kind of service is this! You better watch out on the portal. I’m going to leave a barrage of bad reviews.”

Seong Ju-chan grabbed the back of his neck.

There was a time when he thought these guys were the only people he could rely on in the world. The bond they shared from their rough Assembly days was something that couldn’t be compared to even military buddies.

But at this moment, that bond was shattering into pieces.

‘…These trashy guys.’

No, to be precise, the bond was the same, but he became even more certain that these guys were trash.

“Why are you loitering here?”

“Then where should we loiter?”

“We need to do market analysis too. And see how you’re doing business.”

“That’s right, that’s right. The Chairman said that those who only do what they’re told their whole lives can’t escape their situation. Only those who think for themselves can rise to a position where they give orders to others.”

“Didn’t the Chief of Staff say that?”

“Anyway.”

Seong Ju-chan covered his face with his hands.

“So, are you going to give me a refill or not?”

“No! I said no, you punk! No way!”

“Then give me a new macchiato.”

“Yes, sir. Would you like to earn points?”

Even with the eyes staring intently at him, Seong Ju-chan did not give in.

“What, what? Why, why? I’m just trying to do business, why are you guys! You trash, if you’re going to keep loitering here, order another drink! Or I’ll sweep you all out with a broom!”

The people filling the cafe grumbled but started ordering one by one.

Seong Ju-chan sighed deeply as he processed their orders.

‘Are these guys really going to be okay?’

No matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t imagine these guys doing service work. Service work is basically about catering to the customer’s mood.

But these guys, who have never done anything like that in their lives, are now going into the service industry.

‘Is this really going to be okay?’

No matter how much he thought about it, it seemed like an unreasonable move.

At that moment, the door opened and someone came in.

“Attention.”

“What is it?”

“Who… Eek!”

The people who saw the person who came in recoiled in horror.

“Chief of Staff Lee Hyun-joo?”

“Why is she here?”

The faces of those who saw Lee Hyun-joo, who had opened the door and entered, stiffened with tension.

“Are you all the franchise applicants here?”

Is that informal or formal speech?

But no one dared to question it.

“I came to check a few things, are you all gathered?”

“Not all of us, but most of us are here.”

It was a strange sight.

The people gathered here were basically older than Lee Hyun-joo. And they were the people who would become franchisees of the company Lee Hyun-joo worked for.

From a social perspective, Lee Hyun-joo should be the one bowing down, and they should be the ones speaking loudly. But no one dared to raise their voice to Lee Hyun-joo.

Lee Hyun-joo pushed up her glasses.

“C-Chief of Staff.”

“Yes?”

“Your glasses look good on you.”

“Oh, thank you. But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say unnecessary things. It’s a little annoying.”

“…I’ll correct myself.”

Lee Hyun-joo indifferently took out a tablet and opened it.

“Tell the people who aren’t here. It’s hard to get their contact information since they haven’t received the preliminary contract yet.”

“Yes. We will pass it on.”

“Under the Chairman’s instructions, we’re identifying the list of people who need to take out loans when paying the franchise fee. We’re planning to lower the interest rate compared to first-tier financial institutions, so if you need it, contact the company. The contact information is written on the preliminary contract, so please check it.”

“Are you charging interest?”

“Then, should it be free?”

Lee Hyun-joo raised her head.

“Of course, the Chairman told me to give out loans without interest, but…”

Lee Hyun-joo raised her head.

“I can’t stand to see that.”

The same feeling was rising in everyone’s hearts.

‘She’s the female Lee Hyun-soo [a character known for being strict and demanding].’

‘She’s even worse. At least you could joke around with Chief of Staff Lee Hyun-soo.’

‘She’s ruthless, so ruthless.’

“Besides that, we’ll be accepting franchise applications around next week, and after a week, we’ll start training right away. Please confirm.”

“Yes, Chief of Staff.”

“And this is just a heads up…”

Lee Hyun-joo threw the tablet down on the desk in front of her.

Then, she took off her glasses and pulled out the hair tie, letting her tied-up hair down. At the same time, Lee Hyun-joo’s atmosphere changed completely.

“I know very well that you guys have no concept. Well, that’s not strange. The Assembly has always valued skill over manners.”

“But the person you guys will be training with this time is the Chairman’s father. I’m warning you in advance…”

Lee Hyun-joo gritted her teeth.

“I will also be participating in the training. If I see anyone slacking off, or being rude to the Chairman’s father, or doing anything unnecessary, I swear on my name that I will personally sink you in the waters off Incheon [a port city in South Korea].”

This was not a joke.

Overwhelmed by the murderous aura Lee Hyun-joo was emitting, they couldn’t even make eye contact and lowered their heads.

“And this applies even after that.”

Lee Hyun-joo tapped the table.

“I’ll talk about it enough during the training, but since the Chairman’s father doesn’t know your nature, I’m warning you. If anyone opens a franchise and doesn’t properly serve customers, changes the service as they please, or acts unkindly… I won’t sue you legally. I’ll come find you myself.”

“If you don’t want to die, do it right. Got it?”

“Yes! Chief of Staff!”

The answer came out loud and clear.

Lee Hyun-joo looked at everyone once and sighed.

“This is MK’s first independent project, and it’s the Chairman’s consideration. I hope you don’t start this with a light heart. The company is putting everything on the line here.”

This was Lee Hyun-joo’s true feelings.

Kang Jin-ho may have started this lightly with the intention of helping them, but for Lee Hyun-joo, who is in charge of MK’s operations, this was the first project to decorate her career.

Even though Hwang Min-soo is the nominal person in charge, Lee Hyun-joo had no intention of shirking her responsibility for that reason. At least, Lee Hyun-joo was responsible for everything done under the name of MK.

The only way to repay Kang Jin-ho and Lee Hyun-soo for trusting her was to somehow make MK successful and grow.

“I will also do my best to support you. So please do your best too. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Chief of Staff.”

Lee Hyun-joo smiled and tied her hair back up.

‘It felt like a knife just flew by?’

‘I got stabbed.’

Seong Ju-chan swallowed hard.

‘Well, how could that bloodline be any different?’

She is the granddaughter of Lee Jung-geol, who was the legend of the Assembly before Kang Jin-ho appeared. And she is the person who was called the practical successor of that Lee Jung-geol.

There was no way such a person would be ordinary.

“Then, if this goes through, will the actual management be done by the Chief of Staff?”

“To be precise, the president will be doing it. He’s someone from outside the Assembly.”

“Ah…”

“However.”

Lee Hyun-joo added, putting on her glasses.

“Since he’s someone the Chairman personally brought in, I won’t tolerate any arrogant behavior. I know that you guys have a tendency to subtly look down on ordinary people. I’m not going to say anything about that. However… be selective about who you do that to. The person the Chairman brought in is not an ordinary person.”

“Of course, Chief of Staff.”

“We have that much sense.”

Lee Hyun-joo nodded.

“What I do is manage the parts that the president doesn’t know. For example, filling in your non-existent concepts, or correcting your reckless behavior.”

Lee Hyun-joo pushed up her glasses.

“I want to do it with words if possible. Because times have changed. But I hope you remember that I haven’t forgotten what the cure is for people who don’t understand words.”

Just speak informally.

Why are you threatening us with formal speech?

“You don’t have to worry about the cafe. We’ll do our best in many areas. First of all, the interior will be top-notch from the company, and we’ll research the menu to the point where you don’t have to worry about it at all. And the director will personally step up as a model, and visit each store for a day to give guidance.”

“The director… Director Choi Yeon-ha?”

“Yes.”

“That’s awesome.”

As a positive atmosphere spread, Lee Hyun-joo nodded slightly.

“Then, please pass on the information I’ve shared today to those who aren’t here, and it would be good if those of you who are sure about franchising could elect a representative. It’s difficult to come here every time like today.”

“Wouldn’t it be okay to just tell him?”

Everyone pointed at Seong Ju-chan.

“W-Why me?”

“You’re always here.”

“Other people have to take time out, but you just have to pass on the information. You can attend every time, so you’re the best.”

No, you crazy bastards!

Why do you think it’s natural to have meetings here? This isn’t a franchise yet, it’s just my cafe?

“Then Ju-chan can do it.”

“Yes? M-Me?”

“Why? Is there a reason why you can’t?”

“…Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

“Okay. Then I’ll contact you if there’s a problem.”