Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 2124

Kang Jin-ho slowly opened his eyes.

After staring blankly at the ceiling for a while, he turned his head to look at the window on one side of the room.

The morning light had already brightened. Sunlight streamed through the square window, draping over the bed as if embracing him.

Kang Jin-ho slowly pulled back the blanket and sat on the edge of the bed, stretching. He got up slowly and stared blankly at the blue sky visible outside the window before muttering,

“It’s morning.”

Just another ordinary day.

It was the start of just another ordinary morning.

“Come, sit down.”

Kang Jin-ho, who had come out of his room, frowned subtly as he saw his father wearing an apron.

“Why are you looking at me like that? There should be days when I prepare breakfast too.”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Huh?”

“I don’t feel like eating breakfast. Can I just go…”

“Eat if you don’t want to starve forever.”

“…Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho sat at the table with a sullen face. Just then, Kang Eun-young burst out of her room, looking back and forth between the table, Kang Jin-ho, and Kang Yu-hwan before her face contorted in a grimace.

“I’m just going to work…”

“Sit down.”

“…Okay.”

Kang Eun-young also sat down next to Kang Jin-ho with a sullen face.

“Dad, where’s Mom?”

“Your mother is busy with preparations.”

“Oh, right. Mom and Dad are going on a trip to Jeju Island today, right?”

Kang Yu-hwan, who was bringing a plate of toast, frowned.

“It’s just Jeju Island, why is there so much to prepare from the crack of dawn…”

“Dad, shush!”

“Please don’t, Father.”

“…Okay.”

Kang Yu-hwan sighed deeply.

There had been many incidents recently, so they decided to go on a trip to change their mood, but he didn’t expect things to progress so quickly.

“Anyway, we’ll be back, so take good care of the house while we’re gone.”

“Am I taking care of the house, or is Dong-dong taking care of it?”

At that moment, the door to the master bedroom opened, and Baek Hyun-jung walked out, all dolled up.

“Wow, look how pretty our mom is.”

“Oh, you.”

Baek Hyun-jung waved her hand. But even so, she didn’t seem to dislike it.

“How long has it been since the two of you went on a trip together?”

“Hmm? Has it been about ten years?”

“It’s been a really long time. Did Dad suggest it?”

At that moment, Baek Hyun-jung’s eyes widened.

“As if your dad would! Jin-ho booked it!”

“Wow… My brother can do that too? Did Director Lee tell you to do it?”

But Kang Jin-ho calmly took a bite of his toast.

“I was the one who told them to do it, so it’s right that I did it.”

“…If it were someone else, I would argue, but if my brother thought of it, I have to acknowledge it. But why don’t you do that for me! For me!”

“Don’t bother your brother!”

“Mom only hates me!”

Kang Jin-ho smiled as he watched the three of them bickering.

A noisy and boisterous, but perfectly ordinary morning. This was the morning he had wanted.

“I’ll get going first.”

“Huh? Already?”

“Actually, it’s a bit past the time my brother usually leaves for work. Do you have something to do today?”

“I have a place to stop by.”

Kang Jin-ho headed for the front door, then turned his head to look at the three people sitting at the table.

“I’ll be back.”

“Okay.”

“Be careful.”

“Brother, I think I’ll be a bit late today…”

“You’re dead if you’re late.”

“…That rotten human.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled and left the house.

Kang Jin-ho was about to take out his keys when he reached the car parked in front of his house.

Baaang!

Kang Jin-ho turned his head at the sudden loud honking sound. A familiar four-wheel drive that had been parked next to him stopped in front of him.

“Why are you coming out so late today!”

“…Why are you here from the morning?”

“I came to give you a ride to work with a good heart! I’ve been waiting for over an hour!”

“You could have called.”

“That wouldn’t be fun! Don’t you know that directing is the life of a movie?”

“Indeed, a great actor.”

“Enough! Get in!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Kang Jin-ho smiled wryly and got into the passenger seat. Choi Yeon-ha, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, asked as if grumbling.

“Why were you so late? Aren’t you going to work?”

“No. I have a place to stop by.”

“Where?”

“Hmm, it’s hard to explain in words… Let’s go. It’s close.”

“Then put it in the GPS.”

Choi Yeon-ha held out her phone, but Kang Jin-ho stared silently at the phone she was holding out.

After a long time, when Kang Jin-ho still didn’t take the phone, Choi Yeon-ha’s eyes narrowed.

“…Don’t tell me you can’t use the GPS?”

“What can you even do, you old geezer!”

Kang Jin-ho, who was hurt, made a sullen face, and Choi Yeon-ha pinched his cheek and laughed.

“Well, what does it matter? We’re in the same boat, growing old together.”

“Come to think of it, you’ve got wrinkles.”

“You’re dead, really.”

Choi Yeon-ha, gritting her teeth, picked up her phone and asked.

“So, where do we need to go?”

“Ugh… My stomach hurts.”

Jo Mi-hye sipped the coffee in her paper cup.

Park Yu-min, who had closed the thermos, swallowed hard and said.

“Don’t be too, too nervous.”

“Yeah, Oppa. Don’t worry.”

“Be, be calm… If you’re calm… Yeah, if you’re just calm…”

“Are you taking the test? Why are you more nervous?”

“Be, because I’m nervous!”

“You’re worrying too much.”

Jo Mi-hye chuckled as she looked at Park Yu-min.

“Don’t worry. It’s not me who’s the problem, it’s Han Jin-sung, that guy.”

“You’re worrying too much. I’ll do it myself.”

“Yeah, your life is your… What? Why are you here, you crazy bastard!”

Jo Mi-hye, who was about to answer calmly, turned her head sharply and looked at Han Jin-sung, who was standing there sulking.

“Hey, you crazy bastard! Did you give up on the college entrance exam? Are you going to try again?”

“Ah, I’m going to take it too!”

“Then why are you here! Are you crazy?”

“Ah, my test site is right next to the school. It’s over there!”

“Oh, really?”

Han Jin-sung pouted.

“Why don’t you cheer me on in front of the test site, me! Are you discriminating against me? What if I end up trying again?”

“If you try again, I’ll kick you out.”

“Aish.”

Han Jin-sung grumbled and turned his head slightly. He looked at the kids who were in front of the test site to cheer them on, chuckled, and then looked at Jo Mi-hye with a serious face.

“Take a deep breath.”

“Who’s worrying about who? You should…”

“I know, so take a deep breath. You’re too nervous right now.”

“Me?”

“You touch your ear when you’re nervous. Your hand hasn’t left your ear since a while ago.”

Jo Mi-hye lowered her hand from her ear with an awkward face.

“Anyway, acting tough.”

“Who’s acting tough! It’s, it’s my first time! You’ve been blinking since a while ago. You’re going to spit your heart out soon?”

“…Honestly, I feel like I’m going to die.”

Han Jin-sung’s face was pale as he nervously tapped his leg. He felt like he was going crazy with the pressure of having to do well this time.

“Ugh, well, there’s nothing I can do. Anyway, go in quickly. You need to get used to the atmosphere of the test site. Then I’ll go…”

“Wait a minute. Both of you stay here.”

“Huh? Hyung, why?”

“Just a minute.”

Park Yu-min looked at the phone in his hand and turned his head to one side.

Then…

Vroooom!

A familiar four-wheel drive appeared on the road in front of the test site.

“Oh? It’s Unnie [older sister]!”

“…Wow, Noona [older sister] ‘s coming?”

Screech!

The passenger seat of the car, which had braked abruptly, opened, and someone other than Choi Yeon-ha appeared.

“Hyung [older brother]!”

“Oppa [older brother]!”

Han Jin-sung and Jo Mi-hye, surprised by Kang Jin-ho’s unexpected visit, approached him.

Kang Jin-ho smiled and faced the two of them.

“How’s your condition?”

“I, I don’t know. I’m out of it.”

“It’s okay.”

Kang Jin-ho said calmly.

“Just do your best. You’ve prepared well.”

“Yeah, but…”

Kang Jin-ho, who had been looking at the two people who were nervous and at a loss, reached out and lightly touched their foreheads with both hands.

“Huh?”

“Ah…”

The two people trembled slightly and looked at Kang Jin-ho with surprised eyes.

“Do well on the test.”

The pounding hearts calmed down, and the heavy shoulders felt lighter. The two people, who felt themselves return to their normal state in an instant, nodded to Kang Jin-ho.

“Don’t worry, Hyung! I’ll do well on the test.”

“Okay.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled, and the two people showed a small fist before turning and heading to the test site.

“Unnie! Fighting!”

“Oppa, good luck!”

When the children from the orphanage shouted loudly at the backs of the two people, Kang Jin-ho turned his gaze to Park Yu-min, who was approaching him.

“You’ve worked hard, Jin-ho.”

“What do you mean by working hard? But you, have you been doing this all along?”

“Not all the time…”

Park Yu-min rubbed his nose as if embarrassed.

“Somehow, Mi-hye and Jin-sung feel a bit special.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at the backs of the children heading to the test site and smiled lightly.

“That’s true.”

Indeed, those two are a bit special even in the orphanage.

It’s not because they’re close to them. It’s because those two are the ones who have taken over the work that Park Yu-min and Kang Jin-ho did in the orphanage in the past.

And someday, someone among the children here will take over those tasks again.

‘It’s being passed on.’

What the head nun gave them will continue to be passed on in this orphanage.

“Let’s go. I’ll give you a ride.”

“No. I came by car.”

“You bought a car?”

“Yeah.”

Park Yu-min smiled.

“It’s inconvenient without it now.”

“Oh my. Yu-min, you got a car?”

“Ah, Choi Yeon-ha.”

Choi Yeon-ha nodded as if she understood.

“Well, when you’re dating, it’s inconvenient without one.”

“…It’s not like that.”

Park Yu-min scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed.

“Now that I have a car, I was going to go out with Eun-young after practice tonight…”

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho grabbed Park Yu-min’s shoulder tightly.

“Huh? Jin-ho?”

“…Don’t do anything you’ll regret, and go home early.”

“Jin-ho… You should tell Eun-young to go home early.”

“No. You go home early. My sister is more dangerous.”

“I’m telling you again, Yu-min, no matter what they say, don’t be shaken…”

Thwack!

Choi Yeon-ha slapped Kang Jin-ho on the back and dragged him away by the back of his neck.

“Anyway, you can’t say anything. Yu-min, be careful. We’ll go first.”

“I told you! You have to, Yu-min! It’s not too late now! Think again. You don’t know her, Yu-min!”

“Ah, be quiet! Why are you blocking my sister’s marriage path!”

“I have to protect my friend!”

Park Yu-min sighed deeply as he watched Kang Jin-ho being forcibly put into the passenger seat.

“Anyway, I can’t stop them.”

Park Yu-min smiled brightly as he watched Choi Yeon-ha’s car drive away.

“I knew he was going to be late. That sly thing is trying to seduce someone.”

“…He used to be less than human, but now he can say anything. How did he become like this?”

“Yu-min…”

“Hey! I’ll break up with her. I’ll get out of the way with Eun-young, so you two just live together, you two!”

Choi Yeon-ha yelled and stepped on the accelerator.

“Huh? What kind of car is that? Let’s stop…”

“Hey! That’s the director’s car, you crazy bastard! Open it! Open it now!”

“Hic!”

The guards, recognizing Choi Yeon-ha’s car, were horrified and raised the barrier. Choi Yeon-ha’s car slowly slowed down and lowered the window.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“No, sir!”

“Loyalty!”

The people who had seen the de facto number one in the General Assembly, who had not shown his face for a while, were on high alert and stood at attention.

“The Chairman hasn’t arrived yet!”

“When he arrives and when he leaves! We will report immediately.”

“Yes, thank you.”

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho turned his head with a blank look and looked at the people outside the car window.

“You… were you reporting my schedule?”

“Uh… Ch, Chairman.”

“Y, you were here?”

The guards, who had finally discovered Kang Jin-ho, were sweating profusely.

While Kang Jin-ho was making a hopeless face, Choi Yeon-ha smiled and praised the two of them.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Yes!”

“We will work hard, Director!”

“Okay then.”

Choi Yeon-ha’s car drove forward with Kang Jin-ho, who had a face as if he had lost everything.

“No…”

“What?”

“Ah, no, why…”

“Why would I give away what I’ve worked for! I have to manage it in advance! Who knows what he’ll do when he doesn’t age well!”

“Just go with it, just go with it.”

“Smile.”

“Yes?”

“I said smile.”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes were getting teary.

“Good morning, Chairman!”

“It’s been a while, Director!”

As they entered the main building, people who were passing by greeted Kang Jin-ho enthusiastically. Kang Jin-ho smiled and accepted their greetings.

“Good morning.”

“Everyone’s doing well, right?”

Someone, with good sense, brought two iced Americanos from the cafe and handed them to Kang Jin-ho.

“Here you go!”

“I could have done it myself… Thank you.”

“It’s okay. It’s not my money anyway. The president is buying.”

“I take back my thanks.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head and took the coffee.

“Chairman! I applied for a job training people outside this time, do you think it’s okay?”

“…Director Bang doesn’t seem to be picky about who he hires.”

“Ah, I passed, I passed!”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Kang Jin-ho headed for the stairs, sharing silly jokes. He slowly climbed the stairs, greeting the people who were talking to him leisurely.

“Oh my, my legs. Install an elevator!”

“You’re not getting enough exercise.”

“Why are you just walking up four floors!”

“I was going to talk about it anyway…”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho turned to Choi Yeon-ha with a serious face.

“Starting tomorrow, learn what I’m going to teach you.”

“…What is it? Martial arts?”

“Yes.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“You’ll age less.”

“…Teach me thoroughly. Perfectly.”

Choi Yeon-ha’s eyes began to burn.

“Good morning.”

As he opened the door to the Chairman’s office, greetings poured in from all directions.

“Oh Great Demon Lord, did you have a peaceful night!”

“Oh, Master. You look energetic today.”

“…You’re late. I have so much to do these days!”

“Oh? Director, you’re here too?”

“Start with greetings, start with greetings! People have no respect for their superiors!”

Kang Jin-ho, who had received greetings from Jang Min, Bator, Bang Jin-hoon, Lee Hyun-soo, and Lee Hyun-joo in order, smiled and walked inside.

Lee Hyun-soo approached Kang Jin-ho as if he had been waiting and spoke to him.

“The Prime Minister called this morning.”

“Why?”

“It seems like we need to schedule a business trip. The US side wants to see you in person.”

“Okay.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded and chuckled.

The bait that Lee Hyun-soo had thrown had worked well. If the US cooperates, the work they are trying to do will run smoothly for a while.

Kang Jin-ho sat at the head of the table and looked at the faces of the people sitting on his left and right.

Everyone was waiting for his words.

A scene that was now familiar. The moment he took in that scene, Kang Jin-ho realized where he was again.

‘This is it.’

This is where he arrived. And where he achieved. And… where he will live.

‘I’ve come a long way. Isn’t that right, Cheongma?’

Perhaps he could have created a place like this in the past.

But Kang Jin-ho did not regret it. His mistakes, his failures, and his life had led him here now.

In the future, he will still make mistakes, fail, and regret.

‘But it’s okay.’

Because there are people by his side who will support his mistakes and cheer him on in his failures.

The world is still a scary and difficult place for him.

But… now Kang Jin-ho can overcome the world. Now he is not walking alone.

So…

“Well then…”

Kang Jin-ho said with a handsome smile.

“Let’s start the meeting.”

“Yes!”

Beyond the window where they were sitting…

There was an endless expanse of bright blue sky, not a dark sky.