Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1789

After putting the kids to bed, the two went outside and sat on the swing. Choi Yeon-ha looked at Kang Jin-ho with a listless gaze and said,

“You’ve got dead fish eyes.”

“Well, I know he’s an old man, but…”

“Why are you suddenly bringing that up here….”

“Still, he had a bit of a bright spark to him on the outside. Now, he’s just completely worn out.”

“Worn out….”

Isn’t that an expression you shouldn’t use on a normal person? Well, of course, Choi Yeon-ha isn’t someone who cares about that kind of thing.

“It seems like you still haven’t fully recovered?”

Recover….

Kang Jin-ho smiled faintly. He wasn’t sure if it was a matter of recovery. Until now, he had been sure that no matter what happened, he would return to his usual self after a little rest or a change of heart, but this felt more like a shift than a temporary deviation.

He didn’t know if that shift was in the right direction or not.

“Not really…”

Kang Jin-ho tried to say something but closed his mouth.

Seeing that, Choi Yeon-ha narrowed her eyes.

“You’ve lost your edge.”

“The Kang Jin-ho I knew wasn’t like this.”

“I’m sorry.”

“See?”

“Huh?”

Choi Yeon-ha looked at Kang Jin-ho with a strange expression.

“If I throw out a little bait, you’ll bite without thinking.”

“Bait?”

“What was the Kang Jin-ho I knew like?”

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t answer that question properly.

“You said earlier that if you really want to understand and accept someone, you have to understand not just the side you know, but also the side you don’t.”

“…I did.”

“But you shouldn’t flinch at that. You should confidently say that this is natural.”

Kang Jin-ho gave a wry smile.

He understood it in his head, but it wasn’t easy to do.

“Jin-ho, do you know what?”

“Yes? What is it?”

Choi Yeon-ha looked at Kang Jin-ho with a strange look before opening her mouth.

“You’re too aware of what others think.”

“…Huh?”

“Don’t you think so?”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Choi Yeon-ha with a puzzled expression.

He was too aware of what others think?

“You’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘I always get told I’m not aware of others, what is she talking about?’ right now?”

Is she a mind reader?

Or is his expression that obvious these days?

Choi Yeon-ha chuckled at Kang Jin-ho’s bewildered face.

“It seems like you don’t understand, but not being aware of others and not caring about what others think are different. You’re not someone who doesn’t care about what others think, you’re someone who isn’t aware of others.”

Is that an insult?

It feels like an insult.

Choi Yeon-ha chuckled as Kang Jin-ho’s expression became subtle.

“Sometimes when I look at you, I don’t understand.”

“…What part?”

“I… I’m someone who can’t help but be aware of what others think. It might seem like I live as I please, but I can’t help but be aware of what the fans and people involved think. I’ve seen too many people who have ruined themselves by acting however they want.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

It’s a world where you fall if you don’t keep that in mind.

“That’s why I don’t understand you. Even someone like me, who’s not that big of a deal, often wants to just do whatever I want, but you’re someone who doesn’t have to be aware of what others think.”

“But I don’t know why you live while thinking about others so much.”

“I…”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his head.

“I don’t know. I’ve never really thought that I live while being aware of others.”

“You try to 맞춰주다 [match/accommodate] to others.”

“Huh?”

Choi Yeon-ha stared at Kang Jin-ho.

“You try to be a good boyfriend to me, a good son to your parents, and a good older brother to Eun-young.”

“At work, you try to be a good boss, and a good teacher to your students. You live thinking about how you can lead those people to a better place.”

“Everyone does that.”

“Yes. Everyone does that. But most people only think about it and don’t actually do it. Even if they do, they only do it within their own limits. But you do all of it.”

Choi Yeon-ha shook her head.

“I used to think that was amazing. Oh, my boyfriend. You’re so great. You’re so amazing.”

“…Your tone is weird?”

“No, really. Purely, without any sarcasm.”

…It doesn’t sound like it.

“But yeah. You’re someone who seems amazing and cool at first, but the more I see you, the more I feel sorry for you. I feel like I need to make sure you eat and buy you some clothes.”

“…I have a lot of money.”

“It’s a bit different from money.”

Choi Yeon-ha chuckled.

Her eyes held a strange loneliness.

She didn’t know it before, but now she does. In her eyes, Kang Jin-ho looks like someone who is always fidgeting, unable to find his place.

To be precise, it’s like he’s desperately holding onto the things he has now because he’s afraid they’ll disappear like bubbles at any moment.

Choi Yeon-ha can’t understand why Kang Jin-ho, who seems to have everything, lives like that. She can only think that everyone holds onto something different.

So….

“Jin-ho.”

“…Yes.”

Choi Yeon-ha looked at Kang Jin-ho quietly and smiled. Her smile looked a little warmer than usual.

“Do whatever you want.”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t care what you do. Even if you’re lazy like you are now, or if you go around throwing tantrums, or if you dress up in designer clothes and act like a jerk, I’ll still nag you, but I won’t push you away.”

“So…”

Choi Yeon-ha’s bright smile pierced into Kang Jin-ho’s eyes.

“Do whatever you want. It’s good enough for me if you’re comfortable.”

It was a night where the blowing wind felt warm.

Bwoooom.

Kang Jin-ho’s car sped along the road.

The air was sucked out through the slightly open window. Kang Jin-ho tapped the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray and put it back in his mouth. As he hummed along to the song playing from the speakers, the conversation he had with Choi Yeon-ha yesterday came to mind.

“Do whatever I want…”

Strangely, those words seemed to hit the nail on the head.

Even though he was languid with an unknown sense of lethargy, there was an anxiety in his mind that he couldn’t stay like this. He couldn’t shake off the impatience that he had to pull himself together and start doing something quickly.

But hearing those words made him feel a little more comfortable.

‘Why do I feel like this?’

He felt like he knew a little now.

Even though he couldn’t grasp it clearly, he knew why he had fallen into such a state of helplessness, as if he had let go of everything.

“It’s over.”

His war was over now.

When he thought about it, he had lived every day like a war since he returned to this world. At first, adapting to the world was like a war, and after getting involved with the Murim [martial arts] world, he had really lived through wars.

But now he instinctively knew.

That this long war was finally over.

Even if the existence of the Demon King remained, he couldn’t target the General Assembly alone. As long as the Red King and the Red King faction were holding out in China, they had to be overcome before they could invade Korea.

This meant that the situation where someone would target them and advance on them tomorrow was no longer going to happen.

‘It wasn’t the end of the war with the Creation King.’

For Kang Jin-ho, the end of this war was like the end of the long war that had continued since he returned to this world. So, all the fatigue of the war that had accumulated until now had come at once.

So, it was understandable that he had lost his mind.

And that also meant that Kang Jin-ho had finally completely adapted as a member of this world.

It had taken this long.

Bwoooom.

Kang Jin-ho stepped on the accelerator a little harder.

“Do whatever you want. It’s good enough for me if you’re comfortable.”

A smile appeared on Kang Jin-ho’s lips.

‘That’s why I can’t help it.’

The comfort he felt from Choi Yeon-ha was a little different from the comfort he received from other people. It was a feeling that the parts that had not been filled in his life were being filled by her.

It was strange.

That this person with a bad personality and who does whatever she wants understood him better than anyone else in the world.

“Whatever I want…”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes looked past the road to a deeper place.

‘I couldn’t do that.’

That’s why he messed up.

Because he did whatever he wanted and destroyed everything. If he had been a little more considerate of others, his second life wouldn’t have ended like that.

He knew.

Kang Jin-ho wasn’t originally a person with that much responsibility, nor was he a person who was considerate of others. The reason why Kang Jin-ho, who had returned to the modern world, became so meticulous about taking care of others was because of the trauma he faced at the end of his second life.

But Choi Yeon-ha was telling him to let go of even that now.

She was telling him to make himself a little more comfortable.

Could he do it?

Could Kang Jin-ho now break free from even that and truly accept himself?

His car turned onto the road leading to the General Assembly. The car went up the winding hill for a long time and finally stopped at the wide training ground at the top of the hill.

Kang Jin-ho parked the car in a corner and slowly got out, looking at the General Assembly.

It was strange.

It felt familiar yet a little unfamiliar.

But Kang Jin-ho didn’t push away that unfamiliarity and quietly moved his feet. He crossed the empty training ground and approached the General Assembly building.

Step, step.

The sound of his footsteps on the ground clearly pierced his ears. Kang Jin-ho went up the stairs to the Assembly Head’s office, stared at the door, and quietly turned the handle.

Creak.

The sound of the hinges turning and the sight of the Assembly Head’s office came into his view.

Kang Jin-ho, who had been looking at the scene without going inside, moved his feet, looking a little awkward.

Step, step.

Kang Jin-ho went inside, looked at his chair, and sat down without a word.

Then, he opened the lid of the ashtray on the desk and put a cigarette in his mouth.

Click.

Kang Jin-ho lit the cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.

It was familiar.

But something still felt uncomfortable.

It was a place he had always been, a place he had always lived, but something still felt out of place.

“So, what kind of coffee would you like?”

Kang Jin-ho raised his head and looked at Lee Hyun-soo, who was coming through the door.

“…How did you know?”

“Perhaps the Assembly Head…”

“Huh?”

“Do you know what a CCTV is?”

“Hmm, no. Someone else will get the coffee.”

Lee Hyun-soo walked over and sat on the nearest sofa.

“First, let’s secure a spot.”

“…‘Secure’?”

“Yes. They’ll be swarming in. Oh, there they come.”

“Huh?”

At that moment, Jang Min burst through the open door.

“Oh, Great Demon Lord!”

Kang Jin-ho squeezed his eyes shut.

“Oh, Great Demon Lord! To see your face again, I, your subordinate, have nothing more to wish for! That magnificent form…”

“Jang Min.”

“Yes!”

“…Please, just stop it.”

But this time, it wasn’t just Jang Min who was making a fuss.

“What? The Assembly Head is here!”

Bang Jin-hoon burst inside.

“Lord, you’ve been gone too long! What are you going to do about those damn Round Table bastards!”

Wee-gins almost flew inside.

Thud!

“Ugh, why is it always so cramped here!”

Barthor, who had hit his head while passing through the door, frowned.

“So, are you feeling better now?”

“You’ve been slacking off too much! Too much!”

“We have a lot to report!”

“Oh, Great Demon Lord!”

Kang Jin-ho pressed his temples as he listened to the noisy clamor pouring into his ears.

‘My peace….’

He was completely out of it.

But….

The corners of Kang Jin-ho’s lips curled up slightly.

‘I don’t have to do anything….’

It was okay for him to be here.

Here.

Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth with an exceptionally gentle smile.

“Everyone…”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho, who had hesitated for a moment, nodded.

“It’s good to see you all again.”

Outside the window, a clear sky was spread out.

That’s how things are in the world.

Even things that seem impossible to solve, like a tangled ball of yarn, tend to unravel more easily than you think once they start to unravel.

Lee Hyun-soo had no doubt that this situation would be the same.

When he thought about it, this wasn’t the first time Kang Jin-ho had suffered from aftereffects after a battle. It was just particularly severe this time.

But, then again…

“Hey…”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes twitched.

His gaze landed on Kang Jin-ho, who was sprawled in a large executive chair, feet up on the desk, engrossed in his phone.

“Chairman.”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head to look at Lee Hyun-soo.

Seeing Kang Jin-ho’s face, Lee Hyun-soo couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Playing.”

“…I’m asking what you’re doing on your phone?”

“A game?”

A game? Oh, games are great. Such a wholesome pastime.

But why are you half-lying down in the chairman’s office, playing a phone game, you good-for-nothing!

‘It’s like someone who just lazed around at home came to the office to laze around some more.’

What is this, what is this!

Lee Hyun-soo’s frustration began to boil over.

“No…”

But just as Lee Hyun-soo was about to start, Kang Jin-ho casually raised his hand.

“…Yes?”

“If you’re going to nag, get out.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes widened.

“Huh?”

Lee Hyun-soo blinked a couple of times, looking at Kang Jin-ho with a bewildered expression.

“We’re going to have a meeting later anyway, right?”

“…That’s right.”

“Then you can say it then. Why bother barging into the chairman’s office to nag? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Of course, that was a very valid point.

But you shouldn’t be the one saying that right now, you idiot!

“No…”

“Enough.”

“Ah, let’s talk, let’s talk!”

“Later, talk later.”

Steam was practically coming out of Lee Hyun-soo’s ears.

‘Why is this guy evolving into a loafer now?’

He should have acted like a thug from the start! Then he wouldn’t have had to go through all this hell!

“Then why did you even come in!”

“It’s comfortable here.”

“Guh…”

Lee Hyun-soo clutched his chest. According to his theory, the moment the chairman feels comfortable at the company, that company is doomed.

The company is a fierce battlefield! Everyone should always feel the pressure.

“That…”

“Director Lee.”

“Yes?”

“Get out.”

Lee Hyun-soo turned away weakly.

‘This place is done for.’

The meeting, which was supposed to start right after lunch, was delayed a bit. There was no particular reason, except that Kang Jin-ho, who had gone out for lunch by car, returned later than expected.

Thanks to that…

“Are you crazy?”

“He’s lost it.”

“Is he not in his right mind these days?”

“Hey, wanna try joining the Demonic Cult?” Lee Hyun-soo smiled gently and closed his eyes.

‘This dirty world.’

Ah, of course…

It’s true that he went out to eat with Kang Jin-ho, and it’s also true that they were late returning.

Just for that, he deserves to be cursed out.

But!

‘No! Logically, how could I be the one who was late!’

He’s the one driving, how could anyone think that I would be late?

Of course, that guy was late. How am I supposed to handle a guy who orders coffee after lunch is over!

And!

“Um…”

“What?”

“…Chairman was also late.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Before I smack your lips.”

“Oh, for crying out loud!”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

‘Yeah, hit me, hit me.’

You dirty bastards.

Actually, that’s a bit of an unreasonable request. No matter what, it’s impossible to scold the chairman for being a little late for a meeting, at least not in front of Jang Min.

No one who doesn’t want a collar around their neck would dare to scold Kang Jin-ho for such a thing. Honestly, these days, Jang Min is scarier than Kang Jin-ho.

“Did you all get your fill of nagging?”

Looking at Kang Jin-ho, who spoke indifferently, the directors nodded with awkward smiles.

“Yes.”

Look at them being so obedient.

The sharp edge from Kang Jin-ho had almost disappeared, but strangely, the directors seemed to be even more wary of him. It’s hard to understand, yet it’s also understandable.

Looking at Kang Jin-ho now, the word that comes to mind is…

‘A discharged soldier, a discharged soldier.’

A person who has nothing to fear in the world. Or, should I say, a person who is afraid of the whole world?

Anyway.

Kang Jin-ho, who the directors were already wary of, was now exuding the aura of a discharged soldier, so it must be awkward for them.

“Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes?”

“When are you going to start? When the sun sets?”

The directors’ sharp gazes landed on Lee Hyun-soo.

‘Yeah, it’s all my fault. Yeah.’ Lee Hyun-soo, having given up on everything, smiled faintly and opened his mouth.

“Let’s start the meeting. Please report on the work that has been done while the chairman was away.”

“You go first.”

“Yes.”

After a timid protest, Lee Hyun-soo opened his mouth.

“The funerals for the deceased have all been completed. And we have paid compensation to the bereaved families.”

“How much?”

“About 500 million per person.”

Kang Jin-ho narrowed his brow slightly at the amount of 500 million.

“Is that all you gave them?”

“I wish I could give them 50 billion, but… Chairman, we have to pay according to the company rules. If we pay based on our feelings, there will be unfair cases…”

“I know, give them another 500 million.”

“Chairman, as I said…”

“If you’re short on money, take it from my account.”

Lee Hyun-soo realized something new.

This guy, he’s impossible to reason with.

“And…”

“…Yes.”

“It’s not over just because you gave them money. Whether it’s 500 million or a billion, you can’t compensate for the loss of a family member with money. The company should continuously manage them so that the bereaved families’ lives are not difficult in the future.”

Lee Hyun-soo glanced at Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho’s relaxed face from a moment ago had briefly returned to his old self.

“I will do that.”

“If necessary, consult with MK and help as much as possible.

That’s the least compensation and atonement for those who risked their lives for the company.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and then half-lay back on the sofa.

“Continue.”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyun-soo swallowed dryly and opened his mouth.

“The injured have almost recovered. However, some of them have permanent disabilities. It seems impossible for them to return as warriors.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Hyun-soo and said,

“What do we do?”

“…In my opinion, it would be best to let them retire and pay them compensation like the deceased. As you said, we are considering providing living support in cooperation with MK, like other retirees.”

“Before that…”

“Yes.”

“Ask them if they want to leave.”

“Just because they’re weak doesn’t mean they’re not warriors. The important thing is their own will. If they want to remain as warriors, accept them and come up with a plan on how to utilize them.”

“Yes. I will do that…”

Lee Hyun-soo looked at Kang Jin-ho with a different light.

‘This is subtle.’

Kang Jin-ho’s expression is indifferent. He was clearly not as serious about the meeting as he used to be.

However, Kang Jin-ho’s instructions had a clear sense of his own judgment, which was not common in the past.

‘Is he really a discharged soldier?’

The way he throws out words is exactly like that.

“Any other issues?”

“The political circles want a meeting with you, Chairman.”

“It’s annoying, refuse.”

“…Yes?”

“I said refuse.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes trembled.

“…The Prime Minister wants to meet.”

“So?”

“No, but… there’s such a thing as protocol…”

“Is there a problem if I don’t meet them?”

Lee Hyun-soo pondered for a moment. No, there wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, there’s almost nothing left for the political circles and the General Assembly to discuss.

However, he had almost run away from them before, so constantly refusing their requests could cause relationship problems.

“If we keep giving the impression that we’re avoiding them, they’ll get anxious.”

“Then Director Lee can meet them.”

“Say I’m injured and weak. There’s nothing to say anyway.”

No, if this thug is healthy…

“Lower your eyes.”

“Yes.”

Lee Hyun-soo quickly lowered his eyes.

He’s so perceptive, it’s amazing.

“…Other than that, there are no major issues. The reorganization of the returned members is mostly done, and we’ve been operating normally since last week.”

“And regarding the report from China, the Hong Wang faction has reportedly dealt with more than half of the remnants of the Chang Wang faction. If things continue like this, they will be able to either eliminate or absorb about 70 to 80 percent of the remnants within two weeks.”

“They’re going to get quite big.”

“It’s a bit unsettling. It’s good that the Chang Wang faction is collapsing, but the growth of the Hong Wang faction is definitely a source of anxiety.”

“It’s okay.”

Kang Jin-ho said indifferently.

“A wolf bites people when it’s hungry, but a dog whines for food when it’s hungry.”

“You mean the Hong Wang faction won’t target us anymore?”

“I’ve said it many times.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice came out slowly.

“From the beginning, what Hong Wang wanted was the unification of the Central Plains [a historical region in China]. That guy is obsessed with China. He won’t want anything more than that.”

“Then what about before?”

“Back then, he thought I would invade China at any time.”

“Ah…”

It meant that he had come to know what kind of person Kang Jin-ho was through living with him. Indeed, it was a fact that anyone could quickly realize that Kang Jin-ho had no ambition for Chinese land after just a little conversation.

“So, just make sure to get what we deserve.”

“I will definitely do that.”

Lee Hyun-soo finished his report and glanced at Wiggins.

“Lord.”

“Hmm?”

“Yes. We have not yet found the Master’s whereabouts. We are continuously searching, but it’s almost impossible to track a person.”

“I guess so.”

How can you find a person who flies around with teleportation? If he sets his mind to it, you might never catch him in your lifetime.

Knights who can get close, mages who can interfere with teleportation, and troops who can counter short-range teleportation in case of an emergency are all needed.

The problem is that in order to catch the Master with all these requirements, you first need to know where he is.

“Leave him alone.”

“…Is that okay? He’s a traitor. We have to find him and punish him.”

“He’s already being punished.”

Kang Jin-ho said indifferently.

“Can a person who tried to do something by risking everything endure being in a situation where he can’t do anything?”

“He’ll either show up in front of me on his own, or he’ll fall into hell while plotting something ridiculous. Either way, I don’t care.”

His voice sounded a little chilly.

“Then I will stop the search for the Master from this moment on.”

“Okay.”

“Then, about the Round Table…”

“Most of the knights of the Round Table responded to the summons, but two did not. Their affiliated countries are…”

“Deal with them appropriately and replace them.”

“…You mean eliminate them.”

“Well, we can just kick them out.”

Kang Jin-ho shrugged.

“It’s not a crime not to follow.”

Wiggins blinked.

But Kang Jin-ho continued with words that he had not expected at all.

“Now, give them some autonomy within the bounds of not being hostile. After all, it’s almost impossible for Europe to target Korea anymore.”

Wiggins looked at Kang Jin-ho with a new light.

‘Was this guy always this relaxed?’

Wiggins and the directors strongly felt that Kang Jin-ho had changed.