Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 59

“A senior who says you need to be a heavy drinker to have a good college life wouldn’t be a lightweight, would they?” This was a provocation. A blatant one at that. Everyone’s eyes turned to Gong Gil-young at Kang Jin-ho’s words. People at other tables also stopped talking and watched the situation with interest. “Are you kidding me? I’m the top drinker in our department.” “Then you wouldn’t need a glass like this.” Kang Jin-ho pushed aside the soju glass and grabbed a water cup, offering it to Gong Gil-young. “Right?” Gong Gil-young stared at the water cup, chuckled, and then glared slightly at Kang Jin-ho. “You want me to drink from this?” “No. I’ll drink from it too. And I’ll drink for the guys next to me as well. Three cups for me for every one of yours. If you win, you can do as you please, and if you lose, you won’t try to force drinks on others.” Gong Gil-young laughed as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘Does he have something up his sleeve?’ He was coming on so strong that it made him feel a little uneasy, but having boasted that he was a heavy drinker, he couldn’t back down from this challenge. Besides, there were too many eyes watching. “What’s your name?” “Kang Jin-ho.” “I’ll remember you.” “No need to remember me. Let’s just have a drink.” At Kang Jin-ho’s words, Gong Gil-young stared at him for a moment before downing the full cup of soju in one go. “Does it seem like I’m lying?” “I wonder.” Kang Jin-ho leisurely poured soju into the water cup in front of him and drank. One cup, two cups, three cups. He downed three cups in a row and then poured another drink for Gong Gil-young. “Hey, Jin-ho. Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?” Park Yu-min asked worriedly. But Kang Jin-ho just asked back as if wondering why he was worried. “Why?” “Drinking like that…” Kang Jin-ho chuckled. What a worrywart. In the past, Kang Jin-ho’s favorite drink was baijiu [a strong Chinese liquor]. Among the many liquors of the Central Plains, baijiu was known for its potency. And among those, Kang Jin-ho only enjoyed the most potent baijiu from Sichuan. Compared to that baijiu, the soju he was drinking now was nothing. And even if Kang Jin-ho tried to get drunk, his body would automatically eliminate the toxins that entered it. No matter how much of this kind of alcohol he drank, he couldn’t get drunk. Kang Jin-ho reassured Park Yu-min with a light smile and urged Gong Gil-young. “You should have another drink.” “Hey, I’ve been thinking…” “Yes.” “If you win, I won’t force drinks on others, but if you lose, I just keep doing what I was doing? That means you’re not taking any risk, right?” Kang Jin-ho nodded. Indeed, this bet wasn’t fair. He wasn’t interested in unfair bets. “What can I do for you?” “What can you do?” “Just tell me.” Gong Gil-young’s tone was a bit stiff. Those who thought this was more than just a simple happening quietly watched the two of them. Even the loud music couldn’t mask the atmosphere. “Are you messing with me? If you lose, you’re paying for everyone’s drinks here.” “That’s ridiculous!” Han Se-yeon raised her voice. “That’s not balanced.” “What do you mean?” Kang Jin-ho said calmly. “Let’s change the bet.” “To what?” “The person who loses here pays for everyone’s drinks. If you lose, senior, you pay. And don’t force drinks on anyone else from now on.” “It seems like I’m adding more to it?” “I’m drinking three cups for every one of yours. With that handicap, I think it’s okay to add that condition. If you think you’re going to lose, you can stop.” Those words provoked Gong Gil-young. He was known as the top drinker in the Business Administration Department. Kang Jin-ho was drinking three cups for every one of his, but he couldn’t back down. It was a matter of pride, and there was no reason to avoid a fight he was sure to win. “Okay, let’s do it. Don’t go back on your word.” “You too, senior.” At that moment, other seniors approached. The situation was getting a bit serious. Gong Gil-young, who was heated up, didn’t seem to realize it, but even if he won the bet, there was nothing good to come out of this tense atmosphere. “What are you doing, man? Stop it and come out!” “Ah, let go.” “Hey, Gil-young, are you drunk?” Gong Gil-young looked straight ahead and said. “Did you see me drunk?” The senior who was trying to stop Gong Gil-young shook his head. He wanted to stop him if possible, but he wasn’t in a mood to listen. “Look, it’s fun. This is what an orientation should be like. Okay, let’s do it, junior.” As soon as Gong Gil-young finished speaking, he picked up the glass in front of him and downed it in one go. As soon as Gong Gil-young put down his glass, Kang Jin-ho poured and downed three cups in a row. “It’s your turn, senior.” “I know.” Then Gong Gil-young poured and drank again. And so the drinks went back and forth. Intrigued gazes gathered at the table. As the soju bottles piled up, the outcome began to become clear. “It’s your turn, senior.” “My… turn… is it…?” “Yes.” “No… did… you… drink…?” “Yes.” Gong Gil-young stared blankly at Kang Jin-ho with unfocused eyes and shook his head. “You… drank?” “Yes.” “I… don’t think… I saw it.” “Really?” Without a word, Kang Jin-ho poured and drank three more cups. “Th-that…” The people watching were so shocked that their mouths dropped open. The number of soju bottles Kang Jin-ho had drunk was overflowing on the table and even reaching the floor. Yet, in that situation, he was drinking three more cups of soju from a water cup as if nothing was wrong. “It’s your turn, senior.” “Hmm… I… this…” Suddenly, Gong Gil-young covered his mouth. “Ugh, ugh, ugh!” “Hey, get that guy out of here!” The other seniors who were watching rushed over, helped Gong Gil-young up, and ran to the bathroom. Fortunately, there was no mess on the floor, but the outcome was clear to everyone. Kang Jin-ho grabbed the glass in front of Gong Gil-young, downed it in one go, and put it down lightly. “Looks like I saved on the drinks.” At Kang Jin-ho’s words, exclamations flowed from the mouths of those watching. “How many bottles is that?” “More than twenty, right?” “So, he drank fifteen bottles by himself?” “Looks like it.” “But why is he so fine? He should be a mess after that much.” “…Yeah. His face hasn’t even changed color.” Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat. “Jin-ho, where are you going?” Park Yu-min asked worriedly. “Bathroom.” “Are you feeling sick?” Park Yu-min’s concern was understandable. It was impossible for someone to be fine after drinking that much. There were stories of people drinking a case of soju, but that was when they drank slowly over time. How could someone be fine after drinking so much soju without any food? “No.” “Then why the bathroom?” “Imagine what I drank was water.” “Huh?” “My stomach is about to burst.” “Ah…” Kang Jin-ho turned and walked to the bathroom. If he wanted to, he could release the water through his pores, but if he did, the air would be filled with alcohol vapor, which would be bad for everyone. Kang Jin-ho entered the bathroom and stood in front of the urinal. He was lightly urinating when the door to the stall opened and a couple of seniors came out. “Hey, Gil-young, are you okay?” Gong Gil-young was almost unconscious and couldn’t even stand properly. Kang Jin-ho ignored them and finished his business. “Hey!” At that moment, someone called out to Kang Jin-ho. “Yes?” A senior with a sharp look approached him. “You better watch yourself.” “What do you mean?” “Looks like you don’t respect your seniors… You’ll get yourself killed, you little punk.” Kang Jin-ho nodded. “I’ll be careful.” It was best to avoid unnecessary trouble. “You little shit, are you being sarcastic?” “I’ll be careful.” “This little punk!” “Hey! What’s wrong!” A senior wearing glasses stopped him. “Ah, this kid is really out of his mind.” “Stop it! What are you doing at the orientation? You’re supposed to be a senior.” “You little shit! You better watch out! If I see you and your friend again, I’ll make sure you’re both done for.” Kang Jin-ho’s hand slowly reached forward. “Huh?” Kang Jin-ho’s hand grabbed his collar and pulled him close. “Gasp!” The senior, who had gasped for air, raised his fist. “Listen carefully.” But the fist was lowered powerlessly at the cold voice that rang in his ear. A feeling of weakness all over his body. It was a strange thrill he had never felt before. “It’s okay to talk about me. If you felt bad, you can do it as much as you want. But…” Kang Jin-ho whispered quietly. “Don’t touch my friends. Do you understand?” “Answer me.” “Y-yes, I understand.” Kang Jin-ho let go. The senior, now free, stumbled back. “Then.” Kang Jin-ho turned around. “Um… did you say your name was Kang Jin-ho?” A voice came from behind him. “Do you have something else to say?” This time it was someone else. The senior with glasses, who had stopped the fight earlier, approached him. “I’m sorry, but could you call off this bet? There are over fifty people here. The drinks alone must be close to a million won, and for him to pay for all of that…” “A bet is a bet.” “I know. That’s why I’m asking you. I wouldn’t ask a senior I just met for a favor, but please understand.” Kang Jin-ho glanced at Gong Gil-young, who was lying on the floor. “Is he your friend?” “Yeah, he’s my friend.” “Then let’s call it off.” “Thank you.” “But instead…” “Huh?” “Please tell him to keep his promise not to force drinks on others.” “…I’ll make sure to tell him.” “Yes.” Kang Jin-ho turned and walked out. When he returned to his seat, something strange was happening. Their table, which had only had three people, was now surrounded by many. ‘What’s going on?’ He thought they might be getting into trouble, but that wasn’t the case. On the contrary, the atmosphere seemed rather friendly. “Ah, that senior kept forcing me to drink, and it was so annoying, but that was so satisfying.” “You too?” “Don’t even get me started! I don’t know why he was doing that.” Han Se-yeon was surrounded by girls. “No matter what I do, my rating won’t go up from 1,200. Can you teach me?” “Huh?” “Hey, if your rating is 1,200, you should just give up! Hey, Yu-min. I keep losing to my friend. It’s just a hair’s breadth difference, so please teach me a little. I’ll buy you food. Twice.” “Well, it’s not hard to teach you…” “It’s a promise?” Kang Jin-ho watched the scene and returned to his seat. “Oh? The booze monster is back!” “Booze monster? He’s not a monster! He’s a god of alcohol!” “Wow! He’s not even staggering.” “Did he throw up?” “He doesn’t have bloodshot eyes, so he didn’t.” “Wow, he’s amazing.” Kang Jin-ho sighed. What was so amazing about being a good drinker? His drinking match had become a catalyst for the fun, and the drinking party became even more lively.