Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1785

‘It’s impossible…’ It’s strange. That one simple word sticks in my ear, oddly enough. It wasn’t exactly a comforting word, nor did it have any great meaning, but still. Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho and opened his mouth. “Actually, I came to whine a bit. With the Guild Leader gone, the Guild is a mess.” “Is there a problem?” “More like….” Lee Hyun-soo chose his words carefully. “Should I say it’s the atmosphere? Since the person who was holding the center is gone, people seem to be a bit lost.” Lee Hyun-soo has a real problem in mind, but he doesn’t want to say it in front of this person right now. “But after seeing the Guild Leader…” Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho’s expression and chuckled. “This is not something I should be doing either. I realized it’s not something to whine about.” Lee Hyun-soo took out a cigarette from his pocket. “…I thought you were using an e-cigarette?” “Ah, does it work right away?” “Why are you being so grumpy?” Lee Hyun-soo groaned and put the cigarette in his mouth. He rarely used to smoke, but recently he’s been reaching for them quite often. He even bought an e-cigarette to try to quit, but it looks like it’s all for naught. Click. Lee Hyun-soo lit the cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke. “So…” Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Hyun-soo and opened his mouth. “What do you want me to do?” “There’s nothing you need to do.” “Hmm?” Lee Hyun-soo opened his mouth with a slightly sullen face. “I think I understand what Elder Jang Min meant now. It seems like everyone was being childish. If the Guild can’t function without the Guild Leader, it deserves to fail.” “Fail?” “Not in the literal sense.” Lee Hyun-soo chuckled. “We should be finding our own way without him, but we’ve been habitually looking for the Guild Leader first. This isn’t usually my style.” Lee Hyun-soo shook his head as if he couldn’t help but laugh. It’s funny. In the past, he was the one who helped Kang Jin-ho. He helped and supported Kang Jin-ho, who lacked strategic skills and social skills. Kang Jin-ho also acknowledged that fact. But somehow, that relationship has been reversed. Of course, Lee Hyun-soo doesn’t think it’s a problem that he relies on Kang Jin-ho. But it was definitely a problem that it had become a habit. The fact that Lee Hyun-soo is here now is proof of that. ‘Independence, huh…’ Lee Hyun-soo chuckled. They say old ginger is spicy, and Jang Min must have understood all of this. To think he was acting like he was on top of things in front of such a person. His face felt hot. “What are you thinking so hard about with someone right in front of you?” Lee Hyun-soo looked up and stared at Kang Jin-ho. “Why?” “No. It’s just… I feel like my pride is a bit hurt.” “…Out of the blue.” Lee Hyun-soo smiled bitterly. Kang Jin-ho probably wouldn’t understand this feeling. How could he explain that he, who had been so proud, felt like a kindergartener looking for his mom, running to Kang Jin-ho as soon as a problem arose? “Anyway, I understand.” “Huh?” “I said I understand.” “…What?” Kang Jin-ho stared at Lee Hyun-soo with a blank look. He suddenly came to find him, dragged him out, mumbled a few words to himself, and then said he understood. ‘That’s why dealing with smart guys is so tiring.’ Shouldn’t they understand and match the thinking speed of others? “Then I’ll be going.” “What?” “I’m done here, so I should go.” Kang Jin-ho blinked. ‘What kind of guy is this?’ Kang Jin-ho isn’t one to claim he has social skills, but this guy was way out of line even by Kang Jin-ho’s standards. “Stay a little longer.” “Why waste time when we have nothing to say? We’re both busy.” “I’m not busy.” “And…” Kang Jin-ho glanced back at the house. “I just came out, and if I go back in right away, I’ll feel like I’m being watched.” Lee Hyun-soo began to think that this wasn’t just a problem with the General Assembly. Slurp. Kang Jin-ho sucked on his iced Americano with a straw. “Is it good?” “It’s cold, so it’s fine.” Lee Hyun-soo chuckled as he looked at Kang Jin-ho sitting across the table. ‘He’s practically a public service exam student, a public service exam student.’ It’s a shame. If this were Noryangjin [a neighborhood in Seoul known for its cram schools], the picture would be perfect. “No…” Lee Hyun-soo started, as if he couldn’t understand. “How long have you been resting that you’re already being so careful?” “I’m not like that when I eat.” “No, that’s not what I mean!” Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Hyun-soo with a slightly pitiful look. “You see.” “Yes.” “When you’re watching your parents, it seems like they want you to rest comfortably…” “…Yes.” “It seems like that’s not working out.” He seemed to understand something. Even Lee Hyun-soo felt a surge of emotion as soon as he saw Kang Jin-ho, who was so drained. ‘Their son, who was once so successful, is now wearing a stretched-out shirt and rolling around on the sofa, so it must be heartbreaking.’ That’s not something you can control with reason. “Then it would be better if they just gave you a hard time…” “Yes.” “They don’t give me a hard time, so I feel like I’m being watched.” “…Seriously.” This guy is impossible to deal with. Lee Hyun-soo sighed as he watched Kang Jin-ho sipping his iced Americano. “If that’s the case, why don’t you take this opportunity to move out?” “Move out?” “Yes. It’s not like you don’t have money, and you’re old enough. It wouldn’t be bad to live on your own.” “No. I’ll get scolded.” “…By whom?” “Mom.” No way. This guy is beyond help. Lee Hyun-soo’s heart was truly devastated as he confirmed that the boss he had served with his life was a waste. “I’m just asking, just in case.” “Are you thinking of going back to school?” “Would I?” “Right. I guess not.” What would specs [qualifications] mean to Kang Jin-ho? He’s already the chairman, so it’s not like he needs to get a job anywhere. It might be meaningful in terms of learning, but Kang Jin-ho isn’t someone who particularly likes learning. Telling such a person to go to college would be a terrible thing. Moreover…. “Just thinking about him wandering around campus in that state…” No… wait, he’s handsome? The world is so unfair, how can he still look good in that state? Lee Hyun-soo could see people passing by glancing at Kang Jin-ho. They must be amazed too. He’s handsome even in that state. Damn world. “Then at least go on a trip.” “Lee Hyun-soo.” “Yes?” Kang Jin-ho put down his glass and stared at Lee Hyun-soo. “Has there ever been a time when I went on a trip and it ended well?” “It’s not just ‘leaving home is hard,’ it’s ‘leaving home is destruction.’” That’s true. And that was the same for Lee Hyun-soo. “Outside the sofa is dangerous.” “No, you!” If Kang Jin-ho is in danger, everyone else is dead! Lee Hyun-soo sighed. “Still, the director must be happy. Her boyfriend is free.” “She’s busy.” That’s right. She’s busy too. She must be busy with filming and everything else. Lee Hyun-soo, who had finally accepted that there was no way to get Kang Jin-ho out of the house, just smiled. ‘Let’s not worry about it.’ It’s strange for someone else to interfere when he’s resting. It’s better to just forget about it so I don’t get frustrated. But there’s one thing…. “Guild Leader.” “Hmm?” “Can I ask you something? I’m asking because I honestly don’t understand.” “Ask away.” “…That Black King, that guy.” The moment the name Black King came up, Kang Jin-ho’s hand, which had been stirring the ice with a straw, stopped. “What about him?” “Do you know anything about him?” When Kang Jin-ho didn’t say anything, Lee Hyun-soo added. “According to Bator and Elder Jang Min, that Black King guy has no interest in the General Assembly and is only interested in you, which doesn’t make sense to me.” “Why?” “Isn’t it obvious? If someone is only interested in you personally, it’s one of two things. One is an extreme martial arts fanatic who only focuses on the strong. But if that were the case, they wouldn’t interfere in other people’s duels like that.” Like Bator or Hong Wang. No matter how much Lee Hyun-soo thought about it, he couldn’t imagine Hong Wang or Bator interfering in other people’s one-on-one duels. That’s not just an insult to them. It’s close to an act that shakes the foundation of their lives. “That’s right.” “Then there’s only one possibility left…” Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho. “It’s a case of personal grudge.” Even though the word grudge came up, Kang Jin-ho didn’t show any change in expression. “Do you have any idea?” Kang Jin-ho put down the straw he was waving around and shrugged. “No.” “A grudge with someone I’ve never met before. I haven’t lived that badly.” “You have lived badly.” Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth with a sullen face. “I’ve done so many things, there must be more than one or two people in the world who hold a grudge against me.” “Hmm.” “Other than that, I have no idea.” Lee Hyun-soo nodded. “Okay, I understand for now.” Kang Jin-ho leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. ‘A grudge, huh…’ Can it be expressed in such a way? The relationship between Cheongma and him is too complex to be expressed in such a way. But unless it’s confirmed that the Black King is Cheongma, it’s better not to bring it up carelessly. And more than anything…. “If he has a grudge against me, it’s something I can take care of.” “Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I haven’t dealt with guys like that before.” “Okay.” The two of them hung out until the cafe closed and walked out. Kang Jin-ho spoke first, looking at Lee Hyun-soo. “Don’t worry. I’ll rest for a bit and then go to work.” “No. Well, now that I think about it, it’s not that necessary.” “Take this opportunity to relax as much as you can. It’s not easy for a person to rest without thinking about anything. You should do it when you can.” “The Guild is in my hands. I’ll take care of MK too, so don’t worry about it.” “Hearing you say that makes me want to go to work?” “…Your personality is something else.” Lee Hyun-soo chuckled. “Go home quickly. You’ll get nagged again for being too late.” “…I was worried about that.” Kang Jin-ho waved his hand briefly. “I’m going.” “Yes.” Lee Hyun-soo, who was watching Kang Jin-ho walk away, took out a cigarette. Lee Hyun-soo lit the cigarette and exhaled smoke with a strange smile. ‘He has no idea?’ Lee Hyun-soo chuckled. “That guy is always bad at lying.” Lee Hyun-soo turned around, his eyes turning cold. “A personal matter…” Lee Hyun-soo walked towards where he parked his car with a strange expression. ‘Whether it’s a Black King or whatever, I don’t know what kind of bastard he is, but he can’t lay a finger on the Guild Leader.’ Even if that’s not what Kang Jin-ho wants.