Descent of the Demon Master

Chapter 1045: In Training (5)

‘What was that?’

‘Did she say Mister Park Yu-Min? Is that the name of that pro gamer?’

‘Is he Choi Yeon-Ha’s acquaintance or something? N-no, besides all that! I’ve never heard or seen Choi Yeon-Ha being so friendly toward a guy before!’

The majority of people working in the entertainment industry were only too aware of what kind of person Choi Yeon-Ha was.

Rather ironically, the more acknowledged and acclaimed one got in this industry, the more they’d get to know about Choi Yeon-Ha’s crappy personality. That was because being famous meant you’d unfortunately interact more often with that witch of a woman.

However… The “Choi Yeon-Ha” these people knew was definitely not this kind of person!

Even so! Even then…!

They also knew Choi Yeon-Ha's attitude toward regular folks and fans differed significantly from how rude she was toward the people from the entertainment industry. However, that knowledge still couldn't explain her strange behavior today.

Since that pro gamer was about to shoot a commercial with Choi Yeon-Ha, he shouldn't technically be considered a regular pleb. And the way Choi Yeon-Ha reacted seemed a lot more… pronounced than when she was chatting to her fans, too!

Even before the crowd could recover their wits…

Grab!

Choi Yeon-Ha reached Park Yu-Min’s position in the proverbial blink of an eye and powerfully grabbed his hand.

“Wow! It’s so great to see you again, Mister Park Yu-Min! How many months have it been!”

Park Yu-Min could only smile awkwardly. “Ahaha… ha… Y-you are the same as always, Miss Choi.”

“Eii~, that can’t be right. Don’t you think I’ve gotten prettier?”

“…”

“You don’t think so?”

“N-no, that's not it. You are pretty. It's just that I was so surprised, you see? I always thought you were pretty, but now that you're in your work mode, I thought you were someone else completely unrecognizable.”

Choi Yeon-Ha playfully winked at Park Yu-Min. “That’s what women are like, Mister Yu-Min. By the way, I had no idea you were good with pick-up lines. I really thought you were totally clueless about this sort of thing.”

“Well…” Park Yu-Min chuckled helplessly. “I’m not as clueless as you-know-who.”

“Yup! Totally agree. Totally!” Choi Yeon-Ha laughed while covering her mouth.

However, the jaws of the film crew only fell even lower at this sight.

‘What the hell? What is the meaning of this sh*t?’

‘Why is Choi Yeon-Ha being so chummy with that kid? Do they really know each other?’

‘No, hang on! That Nagging Witch of the East wouldn’t talk to a guy like that just because they are acquaintances! Maybe they are secretly an item?’

‘Are you insane?’

‘Oops. My bad, I just blurted out something dumb.’

As the film crew urgently whispered to each other in total confusion, the pro gaming team's director, Oh Jin-Hyeong, personally stepped up to the plate to resolve everyone's curiosity.

“Yu-Min? H-how do you know Miss Choi Yeon-Ha?”

“Oh, uh… Yes, I do know her.”

“I can see that. But how?”

Because she’s my friend’s girlfriend?

The answer was as straightforward as it could get, but Park Yu-Min had something Kang Jin-Ho didn't have. And that was the ability to read the room in situations like this!

“Do you remember that I used to work part-time in a pizzeria? Miss Yeon-Ha was a regular there. We met several times back then.”

“…”

Oh Jin-Hyeong stared at his team's top player with the face of a man struck numb by the harshness of reality.

‘Oii, you dummy! If you’re gonna lie, make up something more convincing, okay!’

A top actress in the country frequenting a pizzeria, only to become friends with a part-time worker there? Who would believe that nonsensical story? Not even the cringiest daytime soap operas wouldn't want to resort to that kind of storyline! Or, if they did, they at least would've hired a part-timer with a face rivaling top supermodels!

Besides, Choi Yeon-Ha could befriend any A-lister if she wanted to. Why would she do something as insane and inane as hanging out with a pizzeria part-time worker like Park Yu-Min! Saying she was an esports fan and approached Park Yu-Min first to become acquaintances would've been more believable!

Even if this was all true…

“O-oh, is that right?” Oh Jin-Hyeong still nodded away. It wasn't as if he could start interrogating Park Yu-Min in this place, anyway!

The film crew also looked unconvinced, but they followed Oh Jin-Hyeong's example and didn't pursue the matter any further.

Then again, why should they? Choi Yeon-Ha didn't object to what Park Yu-Min said, after all. Didn't that mean she was happy with his version of the story? Besides, no one here was courageous enough to question her judgment, anyway!

“Eiii, that’s too cold, Mister Yu-Min,” Choi Yeon-Ha playfully laughed. “I’m not just a regular, you know? Aren’t we friends?”

“...Y-yes, that is true.”

“Drawing a line between us like that kinda makes me sad, you know?”

Park Yu-Min sheepishly scratched his head. “I guess… I’m still not really used to it.”

“That’s my fault, though. I should’ve visited the pizzeria more often. To help you get used to my presence.”

“Ah, no. That’s not what I meant, you know?” Park Yu-Min hurriedly replied, his face getting redder and redder.

Choi Yeon-Ha grinned brightly. “By the way, I didn’t know you were a pro gamer.”

“Oh, that… Yes, I am.”

“Ohhh?” Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head from side to side. “Why didn't you say anything back then? I thought you were a normal uni student all this time.”

“That’s because I wasn’t active in the scene back then,” said Park Yu-Min.

Although he used to be an active pro gamer before his stint at the pizzeria, he chose not to mention that. Choi Yeon-Ha wouldn't know or care much about such things, anyway.

“That means you became a pro gamer afterward?”

“Yes.”

Choi Yeon-Ha looked suitably impressed. “Mm…! You're really talented, aren't you? What you're saying is that you've become popular enough as a pro gamer to appear in a commercial. I mean, this commercial is for a big media company, after all.”

Park Yu-Min hurriedly waved his hand. “No, that's not true. My team belongs to this media company, you see?”

Choi Yeon-Ha nodded as if she understood something. “Aaah…”

“And I guess… I was a bit famous before joining the team, too.”

That was when Choi Yeon-Ha politely gathered her hands near her belly button, then bowed deeply. “My sincerest apologies for not recognizing you sooner, good sir. I’m not wise to worldly affairs, you see?”

“...Please don’t tease me like that.”

“Oh? You saw through my jokes? I knew it. You are so different from a certain you-know-who.” Choi Yeon-Ha laughed cheerily.

...And that was when Oh Jin-Hyeong gave up on his attempt to comprehend this situation.

‘Yup, I don’t know what’s what anymore.’

Although it was true that unexpected connections could be found everywhere in the world, there was a limit to how unexpected they should be. No one here could have guessed that the notorious Choi Yeon-Ha would be acquainted with Park Yu-Min.

‘Well, whatever the case may be…’

Oh Jin-Hyeong sneakily scanned the surroundings before nodding slightly.

‘This is for the better, actually.’

He could imagine the situation if Park Yu-Min and Choi Yeon-Ha had been total strangers. The film crew already thought of Park Yu-Min's presence as an eyesore, so Choi Yeon-Ha's arrival would've made it doubly difficult for him to endure the filming of this commercial.

After all, Choi Yeon-Ha’s notoriety stemmed from her crappy personality.

Of course, Park Yu-Min was not the type to cower and give up on the shoot no matter how rubbish the treatment was.

However, the tournament season was still in full swing. The last thing Oh Jin-Hyeong wanted to see was the stress of this situation getting to Park Yu-Min and wrecking his condition for the rest of the season.

To prevent such an eventuality, this shoot had to be as trouble-free and relaxing as possible. Now that everyone here knew Choi Yeon-Ha and Park Yu-Min were friends, the mood of the film crew toward the star pro gamer should improve noticeably.

“W-well, this is…” Choi Jong-Cheol, the director of this commercial, sidled up to Choi Yeon-Ha before anyone noticed it and sheepishly laughed. “Ahahaha… I, uh, I had no idea you two knew each other.”

“…”

“…”

Choi Yeon-Ha icily glared at Choi Jong-Cheol. Meanwhile, Park Yu-Min couldn’t win against the awkwardness and lowered his gaze away from the director.

Choi Jong-Cheol’s awkward smile only got more cramped just then. “In that case, the chemistry between you two should be even better. And the end product will…”

“Eun-Sol!” Choi Yeon-Ha suddenly yelled loudly to interrupt the director.

That was when Han Eun-Sol ran toward her with all his might from the far corner of the film set. “Yes, I'm here, noona!”

“Call the client. Right now.”

“Okay. What should I say to them?”

“Tell them to fire this director. And hire another one!”

“...I’m sorry?” Han Eun-Sol stared in flabbergast at Choi Yeon-Ha.

Which insane actor would be ballsy enough to switch the director of the project they were in? If anyone’s getting the boot, it should be the actor, no?

“N-noona, what are you…”

“I'm not shooting anything with this director. Make that call, Eun-Sol. Either the client fires this director, or I ain't gonna be in this commercial!”

“N-noona!” Han Eun-Sol hurriedly gauged the director’s reaction a couple of times before clinging to Choi Yeon-Ha to whisper urgently. “You shouldn’t say that when the person in question is right next to you!”

“Why not? When the person in question did exactly that already?”

“Eh? What?”

Choi Yeon-Ha glanced at Park Yu-Min and his slightly unbalanced stance before chewing on her lip. “Listen, Eun-Sol.”

“Yes, noona.”

“I honestly believe that people should be… loyal!”

“…” Han Eun-Sol grew dejected just then.

Trouble with the director during a shoot could be resolved somehow. However, now that Choi Yeon-Ha said this… It seemed negotiating till both sides reached a common ground was not going to happen.

With the word “loyal” now in the picture, Choi Yeon-Ha would never work with this director, even if Planet Earth was about to explode!

“W-wait a sec, noona!” Han Eun-Sol urgently pulled Choi Yeon-Ha away toward a corner of the film set. After confirming that they were out of everyone's earshot, he properly freaked out and hurriedly asked her, “Why are you suddenly doing this, noona!”

Choi Yeon-Ha tutted loudly. “You know who Mister Yu-Min is, don't you?”

“Uh, mm, well…”

Of course he knew who Park Yu-Min was. Wasn’t he a part-timer in Kang Jin-Ho’s pizzeria?

“R-right. Wasn’t he working at the pizzeria?”

“Nope. He’s Mister Jin-Ho’s closest friend. His best friend! The brother in…”

“Okay, okay! I got the picture! Stop!” Han Eun-Sol hurriedly interrupted Choi Yeon-Ha. Not only was he worried about others eavesdropping on their conversation, but he was less than keen to hear the stuff Choi Yeon-Ha might blurt out in the heat of the moment, too! “Please hold back on giving me too much detail. So, what you're saying is… Mister Yu-Min is Mister Jin-Ho's… uh, like a soul mate?”

“Pretty much.”

“Oh…”

Despite seeing Kang Jin-Ho and Park Yu-Min in the same space multiple times already, Han Eun-Sol had never guessed the two men to be close friends. But there was a reason for that.

Han Eun-Sol believed friendships usually formed between people who were “similar.”

It might be cynical to think this way, but… People with similar tastes, classes, and statuses usually flocked together.

In that sense, he just couldn’t picture Kang Jin-Ho hanging out with Park Yu-Min as friends.

“Okay, so they are friends. But what’s that got to do with this situation?” Han Eun-Sol desperately asked.

Choi Yeon-Ha scowled. “The director called him a cripple.”

“Eh?”

“That loser director casually called Mister Yu-Min a cripple! Just because someone's got a bit of a limp, he starts insulting someone he doesn't even know for potentially ruining his shoot?!”

“…”

“Since he's Mister Jin-Ho's best friend, I… Aren't I technically Mister Yu-Min's friend, too? In that case, do you think it's right for me to grin like an idiot and work together with a loser who insulted my friend just for a quick buck?”

“No, it’s not right,” Han Eun-Sol firmly replied, his expression also getting icy. He now understood why Choi Yeon-Ha talked about loyalty.

Up-and-coming actors and idols desperately thirsted for opportunities to appear in commercials. But not Choi Yeon-Ha. She could pick and choose whatever piqued her interest. Someone like that would never swallow her anger and proceed with this shoot.

“Call the client, Eun-Sol. I’m not doing this with that director. Never.”

“H-hold on, noona.”

“There’s no need to think about this. Just do it.”

Han Eun-Sol sighed. “Wait. The shoot going down the drain might not affect you, but what about Mister Yu-Min?”

“Eh?”

“...If he can reschedule the shoot, that’ll be great. But he’s a pro gamer, right? That means he’s on a tight schedule himself. If this shoot is canceled, he could lose the spot in the commercial altogether. What will you do in that case?”

“Nah, it’ll be fine. Just call Mister Bak Dong-Sik.”

“Eh?”

“Mister Bak is a far better director than that loser, anyway. Everyone agrees on that, am I right?”

“W-well, yeah, that’s true.”

“So, phone Mister Bak, see if he's available for the day. If he's got nothing lined up, get him over here right away. In return, tell him that, regardless of the client or the script, I'll shoot one commercial for him in the future.”

Han Eun-Sol nodded weightily. With a condition like that, Bak Dong-Sik the director should say yes. “Okay. I’ll make some calls first.”

“Don’t mess this one up, Eun-Sol,” Choi Yeon-Ha growled. “Because I am not working with that loser.”

“...Got it, noona,” Han Eun-Sol sighed grandly before pulling out his phone.

Choi Yeon-Ha cocked her head to the side while walking toward Park Yu-Min. “Sorry about this, Mister Yu-Min, but can you wait for a little while longer? It looks like this film set will have to be… reorganized a bit, you see?”

Park Yu-Min blinked his eyes in confusion. “I’m sorry?”

“Now, let’s see. In the meantime…” Choi Yeon-Ha frowned while scanning Park Yu-Min’s attire, then glanced at Oh Jin-Hyeong. “Are you his manager?”

“N-no, ma’am. I’m the team director.”

“Aha, so you're Mister Yu-Min's team director. Mister Director, Mister Yu-Min's makeup doesn't look right to me. And his wardrobe looks wrong, too.”

“R-really? We thought we did a good job, though?”

“Don't tell me, he's gonna be in the shoot like this…?”

“Oh, no. We were told that they would provide us with the clothes and everything, so…”

Choi Yeon-Ha scanned the surroundings before spotting someone. “Please bring me Mister Yu-Min's wardrobe.”

One of the film crew hurriedly rushed toward the corner of the set before wheeling the clothes rack toward Choi Yeon-Ha. She rummaged through the clothes before scowling deeply.

“Who is the stylist in charge? Who prepared these?”

The crew member sweated in silence.

“Just because he's not a celebrity or an actor, you dare bring this rubbish out? Even though he's about to act opposite me?”

“...W-we’re sorry, Miss Choi.”

“Fuu-woo…!” Choi Yeon-Ha sucked in a deep breath before smiling brightly at Park Yu-Min. “Mister Yu-Min.”

Park Yu-Min worriedly stepped back. “...Yes? Can I help you?”

“It seems we need to get more hands-on with you from now on.”

“...Eh?”

Choi Yeon-Ha turned her head and shouted at her own team. “Everyone! We need fresh makeup on him! And quickly find new clothes for him, too!”

“Yes, unnie! We’ll get on it!”

“We’ll source the clothes right away! This way!”

The members of Choi Yeon-Ha’s team already knew what was coming when she began talking about Park Yu-Min’s appearance. So, they moved quickly and precisely to fulfill her commands.

One of the stylists grabbed Park Yu-Min’s arm. “Sir! Please come this way!”

Park Yu-Min blinked his eyes furiously. “...Ehh?”

“You must come this way, sir! While we do your makeup, your new wardrobe will be sorted out by our stylists.”

“...Ehhh?”

As he got dragged away to the dressing room, Park Yu-Min’s jaw dazedly fell lower and lower. It felt like his soul was about to escape from his slack mouth.

‘How… How did things end up this way?’

Please come and save me, Jin-Ho.

Your girlfriend is out of control!