Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 506

Kang Jin-ho felt a sense of relief for the first time in a while.

He wasn’t oblivious. As a martial artist, there was no way he couldn’t read people’s expressions. He couldn’t possibly miss the subtle discomfort that appeared whenever the word ‘foundation’ was mentioned.

But now, he had met someone who completely understood and believed in him for the first time.

How could he not be happy?

Moreover, the fact that the person who understood him was none other than Park Yumin made him feel even more at ease.

At least, if Park Yumin didn’t object to something, it probably wasn’t wrong.

‘But why were you so worried?’

‘Worried?’

‘You’re not usually one to ask about things like that. Are you being cautious because it might cost a lot of money?’

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

To him, money was just a tool to make life a little easier, not something to be obsessed over.

‘It’s just that, when I’ve tried to do something, I haven’t often received a positive response…’

‘Well, you kind of deserve it.’

Park Yumin chuckled lightly.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t seem to realize it, but the things he did were often quite unconventional. Park Yumin was incredibly surprised when he suddenly decided to open a pizza place.

‘Why is he the only one who doesn’t know?’

Park Yumin couldn’t help but laugh.

Everyone knew that Kang Jin-ho had an eccentric side, but it was funny that he didn’t think so himself.

‘This time, it seems like everyone is particularly disapproving, so I guess I got a little intimidated.’

‘That’s how it usually is.’

‘Huh?’

Park Yumin scratched his cheek.

‘There are a lot of good people in the world. People applaud those who do good things. But strangely, when there are people around them doing those things, they tend to look at them with a bit of a negative eye.’

‘Really?’

‘I don’t really know why either. But people who volunteer at the orphanage have told me that when they say they’re going to work at the orphanage, they get sarcastic remarks like, ‘Oh, you must be doing well for yourself,’ instead of being told they’re doing a good job. After that happened repeatedly, they said it became difficult to tell people around them that they were going to the orphanage.’

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t understand what he was saying.

Why would people look at someone doing good with such a negative view?

‘But if you look at it, it’s actually quite common. People who go overseas for volunteer work get told to help the needy in their own country first, and people who volunteer domestically get told to take care of themselves first.’

Kang Jin-ho scratched his face.

Come to think of it, he had seen similar comments a few times in articles about overseas volunteer work.

‘Even though the idea of ‘sharing’ and ‘living together’ has spread a lot… in the end, that’s how it is. It takes time for awareness to become reality.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded. Then, Park Yumin waved his hand.

‘Ah, don’t get me wrong. It’s not like I’m complaining or anything. It’s not wrong for someone to spend the money they earned entirely on themselves.’

‘That’s right.’

‘But… if that’s freedom, then I wish they would understand that sharing what you have is also freedom. Hmm, I’m talking too much. Sorry. I guess I have a lot of pent-up feelings about this.’

‘I didn’t say anything. Don’t apologize unnecessarily.’

‘Okay. Sorry.’

‘You’re doing it again.’

‘I am, aren’t I?’

Park Yumin scratched his head.

Watching Park Yumin, Kang Jin-ho sighed. It was a problem that the man was so unconditionally kind.

‘I should be the one apologizing.’

‘Huh? Why you?’

‘I know you’re busy and have a lot to do, but I guess I have to take up some of your time because you know more about this kind of thing than I do.’

‘Jin-ho, that’s a bit offensive. It’s impossible that I’m getting involved in this just to live well on my own. Then I’d be a shameless ingrate.’

‘That’s different from this.’

‘How is it different?’

Park Yumin’s voice rose slightly.

‘It’s not like I’m helping you. This is something I want to do. But I haven’t been able to do it because I didn’t have the ability until now.’

‘Hmm…’

‘So, when my friend says he’s going to do it, I have to jump in and try it out. And to be honest… what help would I be in managing a foundation? I’m just sharing my experiences and stories.’

‘That experience is exactly what we need the most.’

‘Then that’s a relief.’

Park Yumin grinned.

‘But why did you suddenly make this decision? You’re so unpredictable that it’s not surprising, but… there must have been some kind of trigger, right?’

‘A trigger…’

Kang Jin-ho scratched his head.

‘There’s one thing I’d call a trigger, and then there’s another reason…’

‘Huh?’

Kang Jin-ho pondered.

Where should he start?

‘If I had to name a trigger, it would be Chief Jo. He suddenly asked me what I wanted to do.’

‘What you want to do… that might be the most distant thing from you…’

‘…That’s right.’

Park Yumin’s casual jab was typical of him.

He felt like he couldn’t hide anything from this guy. Not that he intended to, anyway.

‘That question became a topic of discussion. But the reason I actually decided to do it doesn’t seem to be that.’

‘Then what is it?’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

‘Han Jin-sung.’

‘…Huh?’

Park Yumin’s eyes widened. Why was that name coming up here?

‘Jin-sung? The Jin-sung from the orphanage?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Why? Did Jin-sung say something to you?’

‘No. It’s not like that… Don’t you remember? When I first visited the orphanage, Jin-sung was still in elementary school and really small.’

‘Yeah, he was. And he was very weak.’

Park Yumin nodded.

‘Maybe it’s arrogant to think this, but after I started going to the orphanage, Jin-sung became brighter and healthier, and now, well…’

‘He’s become a delinquent.’

‘No, delinquent is a bit harsh. Let’s say he’s become a cynical kid.’

‘Okay. I’ll compromise with that.’

The two looked at each other and chuckled.

‘Anyway, seeing him healthy and complaining, I felt like… maybe, well…’

Park Yumin finished the sentence that Kang Jin-ho couldn’t bring himself to say.

‘Maybe his life changed because of you?’

‘It’s not to that extent.’

‘Hey, Kang Jin-ho.’

‘Hmm?’

Park Yumin sighed and said,

‘Your humility is a disease. It’s undeniable that you’ve changed the kids’ lives significantly. It’s disrespectful to the kids if you say you’ve only helped a little after doing that much.’

‘Even if it was a small help, it can be a big help to the person receiving it. And what you really gave the kids wasn’t just that. There’s something bigger than you think.’

‘Huh?’

Park Yumin smiled and said,

‘Being there with them.’

Kang Jin-ho stared at Park Yumin.

‘It’s not something you need to think about too hard. It’s the truth. And that’s really the biggest thing. I think I’ve said this before? Do you know when the kids are most shocked?’

‘I think I remember…’

‘When someone who used to visit them stops coming.’

‘Hmm…’

‘They’re kids who basically have trauma from being abandoned. They don’t trust people easily. But when someone they’ve barely opened their hearts to suddenly stops coming, they get really disappointed. They think they’ve been abandoned again.’

Kang Jin-ho nodded. He seemed to understand what he meant.

‘But you’ve been there with them all the time. You don’t know how much strength it gave the kids that an outsider came to the orphanage naturally and stayed with them. Especially since you’re not someone who’s lacking in any way, and people look up to you wherever you go. It’s amazing that someone like that would hang out with them at the orphanage like a brother.’

‘Don’t exaggerate.’

‘It’s the truth. So you can be a little more confident.’

‘I’ll break, you idiot.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

‘Anyway, seeing Jin-sung made me think. Maybe I made this kid a little brighter. And…’

‘And?’

‘Couldn’t I have done more?’

Park Yumin looked at Kang Jin-ho without saying anything.

‘Like you said, just being there with them can stabilize the kids, and that small thing alone can change their lives. If I had known this a little earlier and paid a little more attention, it would have been much better than it is now…’

‘You’ve done enough, you idiot. Stop being so greedy.’

‘I know, but still.’

Kang Jin-ho sighed.

‘That’s why. That’s why I can’t look too far into the future. I’m worried that while I’m taking time to prepare, the kids who could be a little happier might become unhappy. That’s why I’m a little impatient.’

‘You can’t do everything.’

‘That’s right.’

‘But you can do your best. Yeah, that’s enough.’

‘Hmm…’

Kang Jin-ho scratched his head.

‘There’s one thing I want to ask you.’

‘Yeah?’

‘I think you can give me an answer. Is there anything I should never forget when doing this kind of work?’

Park Yumin quietly looked at Kang Jin-ho. His eyes seemed a little calmer.

‘Just don’t make one mistake.’

‘A mistake?’

‘Yeah. The reason why you’re doing this.’

Kang Jin-ho looked at Park Yumin with a puzzled expression. He thought he had explained the reason why he was doing this, so what mistake was he talking about?

‘For the kids, for something better, for the world… if you start to sugarcoat it with that kind of nonsense, things will go wrong. You have to look at reality straight. I’ll tell you. The reason you’re doing this is just for your own satisfaction.’

Kang Jin-ho couldn’t say anything.

‘Because I just want to do it, because I enjoy seeing the kids improve. You’re not sacrificing yourself, you’re doing it because you enjoy it. The moment you think you’re doing this out of a sense of duty, everyone will have a hard time. So remember this. If you’re not enjoying it, it’s useless. The only people who can do this to the end are those who can feel an abnormal amount of joy from helping others.’

‘…You’re incredibly cold.’

‘You become like that when you experience it.’

‘But it’s… yeah, it’s a refreshing thing to say.’

Kang Jin-ho smiled.

It felt like something that had been pressing down on his chest had disappeared. Now, he felt like he could confidently answer if someone asked him.

‘Then I’ll ask again…’

Park Yumin grinned and asked,

‘Why do you want to do this?’

Kang Jin-ho smiled back and answered,

‘Because it’s fun.’

‘That’s enough.’

Park Yumin downed his drink coolly.