Descent of the Demon Master

Jo Seul-Gi’s heart shriveled up in an instant.

Choi Yeon-Ha emerged from the bathroom cubicle with the face of a pissed-off witch and glared sharply at Jo Seul-Gi.

‘T-that’s… Choi Yeon-Ha!’

Even a grim reaper wouldn’t make her heart shrivel this much! However, at least in this industry, a grim reaper was nothing in comparison to one and only Choi Yeon-Ha!

Even the term, the top actress, was not quite enough to describe Choi Yeon-Ha's lofty status.

Even before Jo Seul-Gi was a prospective actress, Choi Yeon-Ha was at the top of the game. And Choi Yeon-Ha was still at the top even after Jo Seul-Gi became an actress.

...And even at this very moment, Choi Yeon-Ha was still the top dog! In various meanings of that term!

As an actress, her achievements and reputation were undeniable. But it was her unstoppable effed-up personality that made her the real top dog in this field!

How many actresses got utterly crushed after getting on Choi Yeon-Ha's bad books? The correct answer was: far too many to count!

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes while scanning Jo Seul-Gi fidgeting nervously.

“Hey, you!”

“Y-yes, senior?”

“The cigarette! Why haven’t you stubbed it out yet!”

“O-oh, no! I, I’ll get rid of it right now!” Jo Seul-Gi hurriedly dropped the cigarette on the floor and stubbed it out. Unfortunately…

“Wow, would you look at this now?” Choi Yeon-Ha crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow. “Hey!”

“Y-yes, senior!”

“Are you brain-dead or something? Who's gonna clean that mess now? Or were you planning to pick that up yourself?”

“N-no, senior!” Jo Seul-Gi stood at attention like a private second class… And trembled fearfully like one, too!

Choi Yeon-Ha’s cocked eyebrow rose even higher. “You. Who are you?”

Jo Seul-Gi was taken aback by that question and dumbly asked back, “...Sorry?”

“Since you’re in here, that means you are an actor, right? What’s your name?”

“A-ah, I’m, uh…” Jo Seul-Gi panicked just then.

‘She… doesn’t know who I am?’

To make sure, Jo Seul-Gi cautiously tried to read Choi Yeon-Ha's body language and… It seemed this woman really didn't know who Jo Seul-Gi was!

‘But… How can you not know who I am?’

There was a good reason for Jo Seul-Gi’s flabbergast. After all, the public was saying Jo Seul-Gi could be the next Choi Yeon-Ha!

Other up-and-coming talent might not meet Choi Yeon-Ha’s lofty standards, but she should at least know about Jo Seul-Gi!

“Did you suddenly forget how to talk?” Choi Yeon-Ha tutted loudly.

“O-oh, uh… My name is Jo Seul-Gi, senior.”

“Jo Seul-Gi, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Now that is one sh… No, never mind that.”

Jo Seul-Gi thought she knew what Choi Yeon-Ha was going to say. She didn’t have to hear the rest of the sentence to know!

“You!”

“S-sorry? Oh, uh… Yes, senior!”

Choi Yeon-Ha cocked her head to the side. “I don't care whether you smoke cigarettes or joints. That's none of my business. However! Is your brain made of udon noodles? Don't you know you should be smoking in your own freaking home? Or in your damn car?”

“I, I’m sorry…”

“How dare you smoke in front of someone else?! You’re making me miss it! No, forget that. It’s bloody irritating…!”

“Sorry?”

“If I ever catch you smoking in a bathroom again, Imma rip your hair out myself! Got that? So you better not get caught again. Understand?!”

“...Y-yes, senior.”

“A kid with a face like a toad dares to…!” Choi Yeon-Ha unhappily stomped out of the bathroom while grumbling loudly.

Jo Seul-Gi, now left alone, shuddered grandly in indignation. “T-toad?!”

She urgently turned around to look at the nearby mirror. For the life of her, Jo Seul-Gi couldn't figure out why Choi Yeon-Ha would call her a toad!

“That insane b*tch! Did she take drugs or something?!”

Irritation washed over her like tidal waves. What rotten luck that was, running into Choi Yeon-Ha, of all people, in a bloody toilet!

Now that Jo Seul-Gi thought about it, maybe Choi Yeon-Ha was the reason why the production staff anxiously kept looking at their watches during the taping of her interview.

“That stupid old cow!”

Jo Seul-Gi angrily shoved her hand back inside her bag and yanked out another cigarette before mouthing it in a hurry.

"Fuu-woo…!”

She felt a little better when her lungs were filled with the unhealthy smoke once more.

Jo Seul-Gi angrily spat out, “...Argh! So f*cking irritating! She should’ve stayed in China! Why come back here and piss me off like this!”

“Yeah, I wonder about that myself.”

“That’s right! Why… Eh?” Jo Seul-Gi nearly tripped on her feet at that reply. She slowly turned around as her cheeks twitched slightly in anxiousness.

Choi Yeon-Ha was standing by the bathroom’s exit, her arms crossed.

Jo Seul-Gi hurriedly clamped her mouth shut. “…!”

“Sorry for being a stupid old cow,” said Choi Yeon-Ha.

“N-no, that’s not what I…”

“I don't really care about you calling me names. However…” Choi Yeon-Ha's eyes began burning ominously. “Didn't I say I'll rip your hair out if I catch you smoking in a bathroom?”

“S-senior?!”

“This is great, actually. I’ve been feeling really crappy lately, you see? You… Come here, you little punk!”

“Hiiiieeeek?!”

When passersby heard Jo Seul-Gi’s scream and rushed to the bathroom, they were greeted by the sight of her squatting on the bathroom floor, crying, with cigarettes littered around her.

The passersby could roughly guess what happened by looking at the figure of Choi Yeon-Ha standing tall and proud before the sobbing Jo Seul-Gi. Her chin was haughtily jutted forward, after all!

Soon, the rumors of Choi Yeon-Ha dragging an up-and-coming younger actress into a TV station’s toilet to beat her up while chomping on cigarettes began spreading around.

***

“Jin-Ho? It is you, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes and stared at the woman before him. Without a doubt, that was Han Se-Yeon.

Although she had changed a bit, her overall appearance closely matched the one ingrained in his memories.

“Se-Yeon?”

“Wow! It really is you! This is so insane! Seeing you here like this and all!” Han Se-Yeon walked up to Kang Jin-Ho while covering her mouth in shock.

Even the one and only Kang Jin-Ho was flustered by this unexpected encounter. Why did Han Se-Yeon suddenly show up in this place?

“How long has it been?” Han Se-Yeon curiously asked. “It’s been two years, right? The last time we spoke to each other?”

“M-mm!” Kang Jin-Ho nodded. The last time they met was when he got some time off from his compulsory military service. So, two years sounded about right.

Han Se-Yeon tilted her head. “What are you doing in England, though? Wait, are you here as a tourist?”

“No, I'm not,” Kang Jin-Ho quickly shook his head. “I had a business to take care of nearby.”

“Oh, okay. But… What are you doing in the museum, though?”

“Uh… I was thinking of buying souvenirs before going home.”

“Souvenirs?” Han Se-Yeon chuckled airily. “Jin-Ho, you’re still the same, aren’t you?”

It sounded like some kind of a misunderstanding had been created just now, but Kang Jin-Ho didn’t feel a need to straighten the situation out. Not yet, anyway!

To change the topic, he hurriedly asked, “What about you? What are you doing here?”

“Mm? Didn’t Yu-Min tell you? I’m studying in England now.”

“You’re studying here?”

“Yeah. I decided to… Right after that talk. You know.”

This was the first time Kang Jin-Ho heard this news. Then again, how would he know when he never bothered to ask Park Yu-Min about Han Se-Yeon in the first place?

Besides, Park Yu-Min wasn't the type to candidly reveal information on things no one asked him about, to begin with.

“I… didn’t know,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Really? Oh…”

The atmosphere instantly grew weird just then. Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow ever so slightly.

‘What should I say to her?’

He couldn't think of anything to say. Which was funny, considering he never worried about stuff like this back when the two of them were still friends.

They used to have common interests back then. And had plenty of things to talk about. But now? It felt like they had nothing in common.

The gap of two years seemed like a gaping hole to Kang Jin-Ho’s senses.

“Then… Uhm, when are you going back?”

Thankfully, Han Se-Yeon found a way to restart their conversation.

“Oh… Either tonight or tomorrow,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Oh, I see…” Han Se-Yeon awkwardly nodded away. “That’s weird, though. I’m also scheduled to go back later this week.”

“Really?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

“I was thinking of calling you, maybe to catch up, once I'm back home, you know? Isn't it funny how things work out? I never imagined I'd run into you on the other side of the world.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded in agreement. Even he never imagined an encounter like this.

‘Right. This does feel a little strange.’

The name of Han Se-Yeon carried a lot of importance in Kang Jin-Ho’s life. There was a time when the relationship he had with her felt even closer than what he had with Park Yu-Min, after all.

Back when Kang Jin-Ho was still not fully acclimatized to the modern era, Han Se-Yeon was one of the most important bridges connecting him to the broader world. Unfortunately, his immaturity led to that bridge collapsing later on.

If Kang Jin-Ho back then was more used to the modern era, like his current self, his relationship with Han Se-Yeon could have worked out a little differently.

It wasn’t as if he was rueful about it, of course.

Han Se-Yeon peeked over his shoulder at the display shelf. “Were you trying to pick a souvenir?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Yeah.”

“Need help?”

“Mm?”

“I mean… You’re totally hopeless in stuff like this.”

Kang Jin-Ho flinched slightly. He couldn’t deny that, now could he!

“I'm kinda worried that you'll spend so much time choosing something weird. That's all.”

Kang Jin-Ho reflexively nodded at that. Other people’s evaluation of him being consistent could be a good thing. However, what if that consistent evaluation wasn’t so kind? Now that would be a different story altogether!

Kang Jin-Ho admitted that he needed the help of another person in things like this. However…

“No, it’s fine,” Kang Jin-Ho briefly shook his head.

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah. I have to do it myself.”

Han Se-Yeon frowned slightly. “I'm just worried that you'll do a bad job at this, you know?”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed under his breath after noticing that Han Se-Yeon had gotten a little defensive. “It’s just that… I think I should be the one choosing the souvenir this time.”

“…! Ah!” Han Se-Yeon stepped back a little. She fidgeted for some reason, then nodded as if she had figured something out. “Is this for… your girlfriend?”

“Yeah, it is.”

When Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded, Han Se-Yeon’s eyes grew wider.

She could now understand why Kang Jin-Ho was reticent just now. A woman picking a present for a man’s girlfriend would present a problem, especially considering Han Se-Yeon’s history with the man in question.

If the position was flipped around, Han Se-Yeon wouldn't be happy about this situation, either!

This much was easy to understand. What Han Se-Yeon had trouble understanding was something else.

“You… have a girlfriend now? Really?”

This was the part she couldn't quite comprehend. From Han Se-Yeon's point of view, Kang Jin-Ho's dating skills were worse than a three-year-old toddler.

Of course, his looks meant women would constantly flock to him. But Kang Jin-Ho wasn't the type to accept such women as his girlfriend.

So, for him to say he had a girlfriend?

Kang Jin-Ho nodded again. “Yeah. I do.”

“Oh…” Han Se-Yeon reflexively stumbled back. “I…”

Before she could say something, though, her hearing caught the voice of someone calling out to her. “Se-Yeon! What are you doing? We gotta go! Hurry!”

“Ah…” Han Se-Yeon looked behind her to see her companions urging her on. She then turned her head back to Kang Jin-Ho and awkwardly said, “I… I gotta go now.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll call you when I’m back in Korea.”

“Okay. Understood.”

“Then… I’ll see you later?”

“Got it. Take care.”

Han Se-Yeon slipped out of the gift shop while waving her hand.

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly stared at the doorway before turning around to face the shelf full of so-called gift ideas. He furrowed his brow again.

‘Okay, so… I must now…’

Just before he could do anything else, he heard urgent footsteps. Han Se-Yeon rushed inside the shop again.

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes in puzzlement as she approached him.

“Jin-Ho, your number.”

“Mm?”

“Gimme your contact number, Jin-Ho.”

“…?”

“You changed your number, didn’t you? You got a new phone after your discharge, right?”

“Mm. I did.”

“Here,” said Han Se-Yeon while pushing her phone toward Kang Jin-Ho. He didn’t say anything else and saved his contact number on her mobile device.

“Okay. Gimme your phone.”

Kang Jin-Ho unlocked his phone and handed it over to Han Se-Yeon. She typed her number, tapped on the icon to save it, then handed the device back to him.

“Don’t lose my number, Jin-Ho.”

“Mm. I won’t.”

Before he could respond, Han Se-Yeon quickly rushed toward the exit while waving her hand. “I’ll call when I’m back home, okay! And you also call me when you have time!”

“Mm…”

“Later, Jin-Ho!” Han Se-Yeon waved her hand while slipping out of the exit once more.

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly scratched his cheek at that sight.

‘Still as hectic as I remember...'

He recalled that their interactions in the past were just as hectic as this one. Even so…

Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged before turning around. However, a creepy cackle coming from somewhere behind him stopped him in his tracks.

“Fufufufufu…!”

Flinch!

Kang Jin-Ho flinched, then tensely glanced behind him.

“Sir… Before you ask, yes. I saw everything.”

“…!”

Lee Hyeon-Su, making an all-knowing face, was standing there, looking back at Kang Jin-Ho.

“What are you doing here?” Kang Jin-Ho suspiciously asked.

“Fufufu~! I came running after hearing about your desire to buy souvenirs. I figured you’d get frustrated by stuff like this, you see? You must recognize my undying loyalty to you, sir!”

“…”

“My diligence has rewarded me with something good, though. Kuh-euh~! To think our one and only Assembly Master would get a girl’s phone number! When we’re so far away from home, no less! Sir, my respect for you has gone up even higher now!”

Lee Hyeon-Su began applauding as if he was greatly moved by this scene. On the other hand, Kang Jin-Ho could only frown back at him.

“However!” Lee Hyeon-Su wagged his index finger like a lecturer. “Now I’m genuinely curious about how Madame will respond if she finds out. Uhehehehehe~!”

Kang Jin-Ho groaned loudly. It seemed he got caught in the act by a troublesome fellow.