Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 814

“What was that sound?”

Han Jin-sung’s face hardened.

He had clearly heard a strange noise just now. Kang Jin-ho was also looking in one direction, as if he had heard it too.

“Hyung?”

“Yeah.”

Kang Jin-ho’s brow was slightly furrowed.

‘It can’t be.’

Han Jin-sung’s heart sank at Kang Jin-ho’s expression. Only one scenario came to mind. But no matter how he thought about it, it was impossible.

‘Maybe if it was an old place…’

This place hasn’t even been open for a week. There shouldn’t be any problems with a newly built structure.

But…

Han Jin-sung, after a moment of hesitation, seemed to make up his mind, his eyes gleaming.

‘It’s not like I haven’t seen accidents happen because I thought it couldn’t be.’

When major accidents occur, it’s not that the people involved were too foolish to avoid them. Their only mistake was trusting people.

The belief that a large facility like this wouldn’t be managed carelessly, the belief that those in charge would know better than him.

When that trust is betrayed, accidents turn into disasters.

If only people had been a little more suspicious of others and the company, those accidents wouldn’t have happened.

And Han Jin-sung was someone who was very good at being suspicious.

“Excuse me!”

Han Jin-sung raised his hand, pointing to a safety staff member in front.

“Yes, sir. Is there a problem?”

The safety staff member approached Han Jin-sung with a smile. Seeing his attitude, Han Jin-sung’s suspicion momentarily subsided.

‘Am I being too sensitive right now?’

Everything is connected.

Could a company with perfect employee training fail at facility management? Or could a company with good facility management have terrible employee training?

That was unlikely.

Management is usually integrated. Places with good employee training are also likely to have thorough facility management. In that sense, the staff member currently attending to Han Jin-sung was providing perfect service.

Even though Han Jin-sung was young and didn’t seem to have a guardian with him, the staff member was showing a gentle smile and polite demeanor.

Han Jin-sung, his excitement slightly dampened, lowered his posture a bit and asked politely.

“Excuse me, I just heard a strange noise.”

“A strange noise, sir?”

“Yes. I just heard a cracking sound.”

“Ah, I see.”

The safety staff member glanced back and replied in a slightly troubled tone.

“I didn’t hear anything, so I’m not sure what kind of sound you’re referring to. I’m sorry, but could you please tell me again what the problem is?”

“Ah, well…”

As Han Jin-sung was about to ask something again, Jo Mi-hye quietly approached and grabbed Han Jin-sung’s shoulder, pulling him back.

“I told you not to cause trouble.”

“Just a minute.”

“Oppa, be quiet.”

“Mi-hye-ya.”

When Han Jin-sung spoke in a slightly lower voice, Jo Mi-hye flinched and loosened her grip.

“It’ll be over soon, so just wait a bit.”

“Okay.”

As Jo Mi-hye stepped back, Han Jin-sung cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry, but I heard a sound like something cracking. It’s unlikely, but I was wondering if there might be a problem with the aquarium.”

“Ah, that’s what you meant.”

The safety staff member nodded and smiled gently.

Then, he turned his head and looked at the guide. The guide slightly bowed his head and began to explain.

“Yes, sir. You don’t have to worry about that. Our Sea Paradise Aquarium is doing its best to ensure the safety of all visitors. The tank in front of you is made of 35cm thick special acrylic.”

The safety staff member pointed to the transparent tank. It was spotless, and it was hard to believe that the tank was that thick.

“It’s safer than it looks. It’s so strong that even a tank wouldn’t be able to penetrate it.”

At the guide’s words, people exclaimed, “Wow!” and laughed.

Slightly mocking glances were directed at Han Jin-sung.

But Han Jin-sung instead asked back.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I’m asking because I heard a strange noise myself. Is it really safe?”

“Yes, sir.”

The guide replied with a smile.

“We have done our best to ensure safety since before the opening. We have taken all safety measures so that our visitors can enjoy our aquarium comfortably. The outer walls are made with sufficient thickness, and the floor has a triple waterproof system. Even if there is any water leakage, it will be completely discharged through the drainage system.”

Those who had been listening with a hopeful heart all nodded.

Everyone was sending similar looks.

The belief that a place built with so much money wouldn’t have neglected safety management.

It would be nice if it ended there, but…

‘What is this?’

Han Jin-sung was keenly aware that there was a hint of contempt mixed in the gazes directed at him.

He couldn’t not know. He had lived in fear of such gazes since he was a child. He was more than familiar with people who treated him well in front of him but threw slightly unpleasant glances behind his back.

Han Jin-sung, feeling a surge of anger, was about to open his mouth but closed it again. If he got angry or excited here, he would really become a fool.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I clearly heard something. And you’re saying that without even checking?”

“I’m sorry, sir. We were short-sighted. We will check it right away.”

As the guide said this, the people around them looked at Han Jin-sung with slightly harsh eyes.

“Hey, it’s nothing, why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

“That’s a troublemaker. What else is a troublemaker?”

“How much is the entrance fee that he paid to come in here and act like this? Anyway, these days kids…”

“No!”

Han Jin-sung’s face flushed.

“I clearly heard it!”

“Heard what? No one here heard anything!”

“Student, enough is enough. You shouldn’t be harassing the staff like that.”

Han Jin-sung turned his head away with an annoyed expression.

Han Jin-sung also knew. From their perspective, it wasn’t wrong to scold Han Jin-sung. If they didn’t hear the sound that Han Jin-sung heard, it would look like he was being unreasonable.

If Han Jin-sung were in their position, he would be cursing the same way.

Because the world has become sensitive to power abuse.

But…

“Please check it.”

Han Jin-sung was firm.

It was better to be cursed at. If an accident happened, people would be in danger. It was better for Han Jin-sung to be a fool and be ridiculed than for people to get hurt.

“Oppa, let’s stop now.”

“Just a minute, Mi-hye-ya.”

“Oppa.”

“I wasn’t raised that way.”

Han Jin-sung said firmly.

“Please check it. If there’s no problem.”

“Yes, sir.”

The safety staff member bowed his head and then took out a walkie-talkie and started contacting someone.

Seeing that, people frowned and looked at Han Jin-sung.

“That…”

“I don’t know why these days kids are like that. He probably doesn’t think he’s being abusive right now.”

“I know, right?”

“That’s why people’s emotional labor is getting worse. They keep picking fights over nothing.”

Han Jin-sung’s face contorted.

He knew he shouldn’t engage, but he couldn’t help but get angry.

Just as Han Jin-sung, who was fuming, was about to shout something, someone grabbed his shoulder.

Han Jin-sung turned his head.

“Hyung?”

Kang Jin-ho was holding his shoulder.

“Hyung. No, I clearly…”

“Listen to me.”

“Huh?”

Han Jin-sung’s expression changed.

He thought Kang Jin-ho was trying to stop him, but it didn’t seem like it. Kang Jin-ho’s expression was stiff.

“Gather all the kids… and get out of here.”

“…Huh?”

“Can you do it?”

“Yeah, I can do it.”

Kang Jin-ho patted Han Jin-sung’s head.

“Good job.”

Han Jin-sung looked at Kang Jin-ho with trembling eyes.

“Hyung, then…”

“They won’t understand anything I say right now. So, you have to do it. It would be nice if I could take them out, but it doesn’t seem like that’s possible. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes.”

Han Jin-sung nodded.

Actually, he didn’t really understand what he meant. But if Kang Jin-ho told him to do something, he could follow without question. He had built that much trust.

“Don’t leave anyone behind.”

“Okay, hyung.”

“Okay, go. Gather all the kids as quickly as possible. But don’t lose any of them.”

“Yes.”

Han Jin-sung nodded vigorously and gathered the children.

“Oppa, what’s going on?”

“I don’t really know. But Jin-ho hyung told us to leave right now.”

“Really?”

Jo Mi-hye didn’t argue any further. The person she trusted the most here was Kang Jin-ho, and the next was Han Jin-sung. If those two were saying in unison that they had to leave, what more reason did she need?

Jo Mi-hye also followed Han Jin-sung and gathered the girls.

“This way!”

Han Jin-sung took the lead, and Jo Mi-hye took the rear. Seeing their organized movements, people were dumbfounded.

“What are they doing?”

“They’re overdoing it.”

Laughter poured out.

But the children didn’t pay any attention to those reactions. If Kang Jin-ho said to leave, that was right. No reason or evidence was needed.

“Hyung, then!”

“Be careful going out.”

Han Jin-sung hurriedly headed to the front. But just like the entrance was narrow, the exit was also narrow. Since the narrow path was crowded with people, it was not easy to overtake and get out.

“Excuse me. Please move aside a little. Excuse me.”

“Ah! What are you doing!”

“Geez, stop being so dramatic!”

As the children pushed through the narrow path, people got annoyed.

“What are they trying to do?”

“Ah, damn it.”

Han Jin-sung’s face contorted at the words that flew out as if they were spitting.

It was at that moment.

“Just a moment!”

At that moment, a loud voice was heard.

“I’m going in. Please move aside. I said I’m going in!”

A man in a black suit pushed through the people in front and entered the center.

“I will escort you, Kang Jin-ho.”

“You’re here?”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho gestured silently.

“Please.”

“Yes!”

Cho Kyu-min, who had grasped the situation inside, led the children without a word.

He didn’t know exactly what was happening inside. But since Kang Jin-ho said that the children had to be taken out, he had to take on that role. The reason could be heard later.

“Just a moment, just a moment, please move aside. Just a moment!”

When Han Jin-sung was in front, people were annoyed, but when Cho Kyu-min took the lead, they started to make way.

“Please move a little to the side.”

Cho Kyu-min’s words had weight. As the path opened, Cho Kyu-min glanced back at Kang Jin-ho. When Kang Jin-ho nodded silently, Cho Kyu-min went straight ahead without a word.

Under Cho Kyu-min’s guidance, all the children got out. Kang Jin-ho waited for a long time after that, with his arms crossed.

The chaotic atmosphere was slowly settling down. People were still glancing, but Kang Jin-ho kept his mouth shut and stared at the tank.

And then, Kang Jin-ho finally opened his mouth.

“Those who don’t want to die should leave now.”

The atmosphere in the hall turned cold.