Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1412

[What happened to you?]

There are people in the world who can’t resist being late to the party. Of course, ‘Park Yu-min’ was one of them.

[A detention center? What’s going on?]

And while there are many oblivious people in the world, it would be hard to find someone as oblivious as him.

“Is that the first thing you say after calling me out of the blue? That happened ages ago…”

[I just saw it now.]

Then why did you see it now? Did you go into the mountains to practice asceticism [a rigorous form of self-discipline or spiritual practice]?

Of course, he’s slow and sometimes a bit of a late bloomer, but there’s a reason why Kang Jin-ho can’t help but like Park Yu-min as a person.

[I’m sorry, Jin-ho. I should have known sooner. If I had, I would have gone straight to Korea. I didn’t see the article. I usually don’t go online during tournaments because of the hate comments. I’m so sensitive that even one hate comment makes my heart race.]

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t help but smile.

Usually, in these situations, people would make all sorts of complaints or excuses, but Park Yu-min apologizes first.

Kang Jin-ho liked this about Park Yu-min. It was something he didn’t have. Looking at Park Yu-min, he couldn’t help but reflect on how recklessly he was living his life.

“It’s okay.”

[If the others knew, they would have called me, but even the kids from the orphanage didn’t tell me. How could this happen?]

Ah, he does complain.

It’s not about Kang Jin-ho, though.

[Why?]

“Because of the tournament.”

[No, what’s so important about that tournament!]

No, you shouldn’t be saying that.

That’s usually what I should be saying. You’re the one participating in the tournament, so how can you say that?

[I can always participate in another tournament. If something like this happened, I should have known first and gone to Korea.]

“It’s fine.”

That’s why he told them not to contact Park Yu-min.

Kang Jin-ho knew that Park Yu-min would drop everything and come to Korea.

But that wouldn’t do.

For a pro gamer to give up a tournament is like giving up their pro career. In a world where stories of people finishing games while crying after hearing about their parents’ passing are celebrated, would he give up a tournament, not even a game, because his friend was in a detention center?

That would be career suicide.

[No, but…]

“Yu-min.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled and said,

“I’m answering your call right now.”

[…]

“It’s something that can be easily resolved, so I didn’t contact you. I didn’t want to worry you. If I had really committed a crime and been arrested, I would have contacted you. It was just a minor misunderstanding.”

[Liar. You still wouldn’t have contacted me.]

Sharp, isn’t he?

Where did the Park Yu-min who would believe Kang Jin-ho even if he said he was making soybean paste from red beans go? It was a sad thing.

[So, nothing serious, right? You won’t be arrested again?]

“I’m done with sightseeing at the detention center.”

That’s the truth.

It was a unique experience, but I don’t want to do it again.

[That’s a relief. Jin-ho, I thought my heart was going to drop.]

He’s weak-hearted in strange ways.

Park Yu-min, who seems to have a heart made of steel when he plays games calmly in front of so many spectators, is still so timid in these personal matters.

‘Well, that’s what makes Park Yu-min interesting.’

Kang Jin-ho smiled and continued,

“How’s the tournament going?”

[The finals are in three days.]

“Huh? Already?”

[Already?]

Kang Jin-ho scratched the back of his head.

So many things had happened and so many problems had arisen that he had lost track of time. In fact, it was hard to keep track of time in the detention center.

That’s how solitary confinement is, isn’t it?

“Hmm, is that so?”

Three days later…

Kang Jin-ho scratched his cheek.

“Wait. If the finals are in three days… does that mean you made it to the finals?”

[Yeah. I got lucky.]

Lucky? That’s nonsense.

How can you get to the finals of a world tournament by luck? That’s when people say luck is also a skill. Only those with skill can seize luck.

“Congratulations.”

[No, it’s not time to hear that yet. I’m so worried about losing in the finals. I’d rather lose early. Being the runner-up is like hell.]

“You’ve never lost in the finals before, have you?”

[That’s why I’m more scared.]

Ah, that’s true.

Kang Jin-ho nodded as if he understood.

“Okay. You must be busy practicing now, so I shouldn’t take up your time. Go practice.”

[Okay, Jin-ho. Take care of yourself, and let’s meet in Korea. I’m sorry I can’t come this time.]

“Sorry for what?”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled and hung up the phone.

Personally, he hadn’t felt like he was isolated from society while being in the detention center, but hearing that Park Yu-min’s finals were tomorrow made it feel real.

The tournament that had been going on for almost a month was already ending…

“Ending?”

Kang Jin-ho frowned.

No, if the tournament was a month long, shouldn’t he have called at least once until it ended?

Come to think of it, Park Yu-min was amazing.

Even though Kang Jin-ho had his reasons, instead of expressing his disappointment to a friend who hadn’t even called to check on him, he just apologized.

It felt like a part of his conscience, which he thought he had thrown away a long time ago, was being poked somewhere in his chest.

“America…”

“Was it LA?”

Kang Jin-ho reached out and picked up the intercom.

“Yeah, come in.”

Of course, his intercom was connected to Lee Hyun-soo’s office.

“Did you call for me?”

Lee Hyun-soo quickly rushed in, opening the door. It was rare for Kang Jin-ho to call Lee Hyun-soo. Usually, even if he had something to order, he would wait until he reported it. He reported several times a day, so there was no need to call him separately.

Anyway, the fact that Kang Jin-ho had called Lee Hyun-soo separately meant that there was something urgent to order.

“Get me a ticket.”

“What kind of ticket?”

“The ticket for the tournament Yu-min is participating in.”

“Park Yu-min… What? Mr. Park Yu-min? The one in America? America?”

“…Don’t mess up the pronunciation.”

Lee Hyun-soo stared blankly at Kang Jin-ho.

Was that all he called him for?

“You made a good decision.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been through a lot, so it’s good to take a break.”

This was Lee Hyun-soo’s true feeling.

Kang Jin-ho had been pushing himself too hard. Even though the circumstances surrounding him didn’t allow him to rest, those who push themselves beyond their limits tend to break down.

The reason why many people suffer from overwork or panic disorders is that they haven’t recharged properly.

“Don’t just go to watch the game, but also do some sightseeing, eat delicious food, and recharge. Make sure to have a generous schedule.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his cheek.

“Are you going with the director?”

“Director? Choi Yeon-ha?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, I haven’t thought about it.”

Kang Jin-ho frowned. Well, if he had time, it would be nice to go together. He had asked her to go on a trip several times, but every trip had turned into a mess.

“It would be better to go together. You can’t call a business trip a vacation. Vacations are for personal time.”

“Hmm, I’ll ask her.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded as if he liked Lee Hyun-soo’s advice.

“I’ll proceed with that.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled.

“Then I need to get tickets for Choi Yeon-ha and the Lord, and prepare the plane tickets.”

“No.”

“Yes?”

“I have to take the kids from the orphanage.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes twitched.

The orphanage?

What? The orphanage?

“O-Orphanage? W-Wait a minute, Lord. Their numbers…”

“Ten, twenty, thirty?”

“No, it’s more than that, isn’t it?”

“You don’t have to take the young ones. To them, Yu-min is like an uncle who comes to play with them. But the older ones will want to go.”

“That’s right, that’s right. But… no, even if we only take the middle schoolers, it’ll be about thirty people, right?”

“How are we going to get those tickets? And it’s pointless if they’re all sitting separately.”

Cold sweat began to form on Lee Hyun-soo’s forehead.

It felt like the mission he thought was easy was getting harder and harder.

“I-I’ll look into it first.”

“Okay, do that.”

“No, but they’re in school, aren’t they? Even if they just go to watch the finals and come back, there will be problems with their attendance, right?”

“They have something like that these days, don’t they? Experience… what was it called?”

“Experiential learning?”

“Yeah, that.”

“…You’re going to solve going to a game as experiential learning? Lord, the world hasn’t developed to the point where it follows your thoughts. There’s no way the teachers will approve that.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled.

“Isn’t it your job to make them approve it?”

Wow…

Is this how it’s going to be? This?

Lee Hyun-soo’s cheeks began to twitch.

“I’m just kidding. Don’t worry. The finals are on Sunday, so if we watch it and come back, they’ll only miss one day of school, or they can go to school depending on the schedule. That’s okay. I’ll tell the ones who are worried that they don’t have to go.”

Lee Hyun-soo sighed in relief at Kang Jin-ho’s words.

“Ah, that’s a bit better. If it’s that much, I can somehow make up an excuse… wait a minute.”

Lee Hyun-soo tilted his head.

Did he just hear something strange?

“When are the finals again?”

“Weekend.”

“Next week?”

“This week.”

Ah, that’s right.

Let’s see, today is… oh, it’s Thursday. Then we have to leave on Saturday…

Lee Hyun-soo smiled contentedly.

“So, you’re saying that I have to get tickets for all those people within two days? Even after the people who are going and not going are decided? And arrange plane tickets and accommodations?”

“That’s right.”

Lee Hyun-soo trembled.

‘If I had a spear, I would really!’

I would stab him right away!

Is this even reasonable? If you’re going to ask someone to do something, you have to give them at least some time! Sometimes, it seems like Kang Jin-ho sees Lee Hyun-soo as Doraemon [a popular Japanese manga and anime character known for having a magical pocket with endless gadgets].

Or maybe he sees him as a goblin with a club.

Kang Jin-ho chuckled at Lee Hyun-soo’s expression.

“You don’t have to do it if it’s too difficult.”

“Yes. Lord, I think it’s too much to take the kids…”

“What can you do if that’s all you’re capable of?”

Lee Hyun-soo flinched.

This, it feels like I’ve heard this somewhere before?

“Go.”

“Then I’ll take care of it.”

“No, leave it and take care of other things.”

“Yes? What about you and the director’s…”

“It’s okay. I’m going to call Hyulma and have him do it. He seems to be good at that kind of thing.”

Crack.

Lee Hyun-soo broke the pen he was holding.

“Capability?”

“Can you have it ready by Saturday?”

Kang Jin-ho sighed and turned his head, seeing Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

There are people in the world who go out of their way to do work.