Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 574

The Approaching Storm (2)

Humans crave fame. Most people desire their reputation to grow.

Cho Kyu-min had never understood this phenomenon.

Becoming famous, having others know more about you—how much inconvenience does that cause?

As a staunch individualist, Cho Kyu-min simply couldn’t comprehend why people would actively seek to be known.

Take celebrities, for example. Sure, they earn a lot of money as they become famous, but in return, they have to give up almost all of their privacy. There are always obsessed fans and paparazzi lurking around their homes, and they can’t even open a window without being scrutinized.

Of course, gaining fame doesn’t always mean having your privacy invaded as extremely as a celebrity, but broadly speaking, similar things tend to happen.

Imagine that everyone you meet on the street recognizes you. Some might enjoy it, but Cho Kyu-min was certain he couldn’t endure such a situation.

How much would that bother you, is what he meant.

Cho Kyu-min thought that his current life as an ordinary citizen was far better than the life of a famous person recognized by everyone in the world.

But today, Cho Kyu-min was beginning to understand why people desired fame so much.

‘Huh? It’s been processed?’

Cho Kyu-min was bewildered by the phone call he received as soon as he arrived at work.

‘I heard the review would take about three months?’

It had only been a week, so what was this about it being approved?

‘Yes? Ah, a bit early. Ah…’

The voice coming from the other end of the phone was extremely polite.

‘I remember him being quite overbearing?’

Most high-ranking public officials were like that. They had a sense of pride in doing important work and a confidence in wielding state power.

Because of this, they often looked down on the people they were dealing with.

Since Cho Kyu-min couldn’t use the name ‘Jae-kyung’ in relation to the foundation, he had no choice but to silently endure the other party’s overbearing attitude.

But….

[Yes. I put in a little effort. Originally, the review was supposed to be pushed way back, so it should have taken longer, but it seems you’re busy, so I moved the review up a bit.]

Cho Kyu-min chuckled.

Putting aside the fact that he had become as kind and docile as a different person, the content of his words was also absurd.

If simply moving up the review could solve things this quickly, there would be no reason for the review to be delayed for so long.

It wasn’t like there was a line of people in South Korea waiting to create a foundation.

If it took a long time to do just one review, he might have understood, but seeing how quickly it was resolved, it didn’t seem to be the case.

‘Anyway, seriously.’

He wanted to curse a blue streak, but Cho Kyu-min knew very well that living life according to one’s temper would lead to ruin.

‘Thank you for your consideration. Thanks to you, I think I can proceed with the work quickly.’

[No problem. Of course, we should take care of you. You’re doing good work for society, so isn’t it our job to help you?]

‘That mouth, seriously.’

Cho Kyu-min couldn’t help but shake his head.

When he went to submit the related documents, the face of the person who looked like he was about to die from boredom was still vivid in his mind, but now he was suddenly doing a kind employee cosplay, so he couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Of course, he knew very well why this guy was acting like this.

Hwang Jung-hoo.

The rumor that Hwang Jung-hoo, a giant in the business world, was interested in the welfare foundation had spread throughout the country in just a few days. It hadn’t been reported in the media yet, and the general public was completely unaware, but those in the know already knew.

Naturally, the related departments were in an uproar, and while re-examining the people related to Hwang Jung-hoo, they seemed to have found him.

‘I didn’t even provide any information, but they found me. Should I say that’s amazing?’

He was already thinking about how to subtly bring up the topic, but they had figured it out on their own and resolved the issue, so it wasn’t a bad thing. This was what they meant by ‘things going smoothly’.

‘Was it this much?’

Cho Kyu-min thought that perhaps he had underestimated the impact of Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo.

Of course, he thought that if Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo was with him, things would be easily resolved. But the degree of ‘easily resolved’ was different.

At the very least, he thought that he would need to subtly let them know that the chairman of this side was Hwang Jung-hoo and go through the process of proving that fact. That way, the other side would show some sincerity.

And, sorry to say to Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo, he thought that there would be cases where Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo would have to go the extra mile to resolve issues that couldn’t be resolved from below.

But this was….

‘This side hasn’t even started yet, but that side is finishing up.’

He didn’t have to step forward and do anything; the people around him were taking care of things on their own. What could be more comfortable than this?

This was something that would never have happened if it weren’t for the three letters of Hwang Jung-hoo’s name. He hadn’t even provided any benefits, but the other party was offering him favors first. No, it was more than a favor; they were providing excessive benefits.

‘So this is why fame is necessary.’

He felt like he could understand why people struggled so much to gain fame.

[Ah, and I checked, and there are a few complaints that have come in regarding your side.]

‘What? Complaints?’

Cho Kyu-min frowned.

Complaints? What on earth did that mean?

And if it was about ‘that side,’ was he talking about the foundation?

[Yes. To be precise, it’s not about that side, but about the academy that you’re running.]

‘The academy?’

Cho Kyu-min was even more puzzled.

What was wrong with the academy?

[To be precise, it’s not a complaint, but a report. The report is that the educational facility you’re currently operating is illegal.]

‘Illegal?’

[Educational institutions must be registered in advance. A facility that is not registered is an unauthorized illegal facility.]

‘No, no. It’s not something that’s being operated commercially, but an unauthorized illegal facility that teaches children from the orphanage… Are you saying that even that needs to be reported in advance?’

[Of course. You have to report it. Moreover, there are rumors that high-profile instructors are coming and going there. It’s not just one or two, but it doesn’t make sense that so many people are adjusting their schedules every week to volunteer.]

Cho Kyu-min was speechless.

‘That’s right, actually…’

Because he was paying them under the table.

Outwardly, it was called volunteering, but he was paying them a substantial amount. It was something that would be exposed quickly if an investigation came in.

[So, it would be best if you quickly report your business. For now, we’ve stopped the investigation from going out. You need to sort out what needs to be sorted out and deal with what needs to be dealt with. I’ll send you the details by fax.]

‘Th-thank you.’

Cho Kyu-min wiped the sweat from his forehead.

It was an unexpected problem. He was reminded that there was a big difference between running a company and running a foundation.

[Well… um, that’s….]

When Cho Kyu-min sensed the hesitation on the other end, he quickly took the words.

‘I’ll be sure to tell the chairman that you took care of things.’

[Ah, thank you. It’s not that I was hoping for that.]

‘No, no. It’s the truth.’

[Yes. Then, I wish you prosperity. I’ll send you the fax today.]

‘Thank you.’

Cho Kyu-min hung up the phone and let out a deep sigh.

‘Nice, power.’

Or should he say, financial power?

Just by having Hwang Jung-hoo’s name associated with the foundation, everything was being resolved smoothly. They were even resolving things that they didn’t even know about.

If the other side hadn’t told him about the academy-related issue, he could have been in big trouble. Because there was a bit of a shady aspect to it.

‘So this is why people are so obsessed with power.’

He wondered why people with so much money would go to such lengths to get a seat in the National Assembly, but if the world was going to provide them with such convenience, what was a little bit of criticism?

It was a moment when he realized that South Korea was the best country for the wealthy to live in.

‘Hoo…’

Cho Kyu-min took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. The lit cigarette burned, and smoke filled his lungs.

‘Anyway, the immediate fire is out.’

It would have been nice if he could have proceeded leisurely, but that wasn’t the situation right now. There wasn’t a particular reason.

It was just… what should he say….

‘They’re so damn impatient.’

Cho Kyu-min wanted to proceed with everything cautiously, but Hwang Jung-hoo and Kang Jin-ho were shouting, ‘If the bridge collapses, just jump over it.’

Once they started something, they were of the opinion that they should run without brakes.

Between Hwang Jung-hoo, who was yelling and giving orders, and Kang Jin-ho, who was subtly giving him the eye, Cho Kyu-min’s back was just getting torn apart.

‘Sigh.’

Cho Kyu-min shrugged his shoulders.

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

That’s how work is. If work isn’t hard, it’s not work. If you want to be comfortable while working and getting paid, you’re a thief.

Cho Kyu-min looked at his watch, checked the time, put out his cigarette, and got up from his seat.

‘Hmm.’

It was the appointed time.

‘It’s about time they came…’

Cho Kyu-min slowly walked out of the room. He arrived in front of the elevator. The elevator was coming up from the lower floors.

‘They’re here.’

The top floor was where the chairman’s office and the secretary’s office were located. To visit this place, you had to make an appointment in advance. Even if you were a president-level executive, you wouldn’t come up to the floor where the chairman’s office was located without permission.

It wasn’t that they had ever blocked it, but the presidents themselves were reluctant to enter the chairman’s office.

There was only one person who came and went here without any hesitation.

Ding.

The elevator opened, and a familiar person was standing inside.

‘Welcome.’

‘You weren’t waiting the whole time, were you?’

‘I thought you’d be here around this time, so I just came out.’

‘Please don’t wait like this next time. It makes me uncomfortable.’

‘Haha, if Mr. Kang Jin-ho is uncomfortable, I shouldn’t do that.’

Cho Kyu-min walked ahead, and Kang Jin-ho followed behind him. They headed towards the chairman’s office.

‘Please tell the chairman that we’re here…’

‘Yes, just a moment.’

The secretary who was guarding the front of the chairman’s office contacted the inside.

‘He says you can come in.’

‘Thank you.’

Cho Kyu-min stood in front of the large wooden door and knocked.

‘Chairman, it’s Cho Kyu-min.’

‘Come in.’

As the old voice welcomed him, Cho Kyu-min quietly opened the door and went inside.

Then, he widened his eyes as if he was dumbfounded.

‘Huh?’

His gaze was fixed on Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo’s desk.