Descent of the Demon Master

Chapter 232: Sitting Idle (2)

Choi Yeon-Ha was left a little stupefied. Although, she did expect that reply from Kang Jin-Ho. Even if it weren’t him but some other random person, they would have all initially said no to this kind of sudden suggestion. So, Choi Yeon-Ha wasn't flustered by the negative response.

What flustered her was the firmness of Kang Jin-Ho's refusal.

“Can I even pull that off? No, I don't think I can do that. Honestly, I'm not confident about it. But, uh... You don't think it's a crazy idea?”

Usually, people's refusals would be tinged with hidden undercurrents similar to those sentiments. However, Kang Jin-Ho's tone was like an iron wall: firm, unyielding, unmovable.

'How come?'

Such a firm response wouldn't have been all that surprising if the person making the offer was not Choi Yeon-Ha, but someone else. However, this was none other than Choi Yeon-Ha!

Just who was she? If she grabbed a random passerby right now and asked them if they wanted to star in a movie, they would instantly see themselves as a hidden diamond in the rough of the film industry or some such! That was the level of impact Choi Yeon-Ha possessed on the public. So, to think Kang Jin-Ho would unhesitantly reject an offer from her!

“Which part are you not satisfied with, Mister Jin-Ho?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked while putting on a relaxed smile. She was frustrated, and her heart was madly pounding away, but acting was still her calling. Putting on a facade was quite easy for her.

“Rather than being dissatisfied...” Kang Jin-Ho leaned back and mulled his answer.

Choi Yeon-Ha didn't wait for him and spoke first. “Mister Jin-Ho, you said earlier you don't know much about me.”

“Yes, I did.”

“In that case, you should get to know me first. To know what kind of a person I am. And what it means for me to offer something of this magnitude.”

Kang Jin-Ho didn't respond and quietly stared at her.

Choi Yeon-Ha shook her head. “I'm not trying to show off myself to you, Mister Jin-Ho. And I'm certainly not implying things like, 'How dare he reject me when I'm extending my goodwill?' No, I merely want you to understand that this offer is an incredible opportunity for you, something that deserves a more considered response than a quick dismissal.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded, but his expression said he still hadn't understood anything.

A sliver of cracks appeared in Choi Yeon-Ha's mask just then. Her voice grew a little louder as this feeling of being triggered began taking over her. “Don't you see what I'm trying to say? For your sake, I've been blocking the casting of the male lead for a project, Mister Jin-Ho. We're not talking about something as simple as a TV production but a big-budget film, so even I'm facing a lot of pressure by doing that, Mister Jin-Ho!”

Kang Jin-Ho slightly tilted his head. “Is there any need for you to go that far?”

“It's because I think you're perfect for that role!” Choi Yeon-Ha yelled while jumping up to her feet. However, she seemed to have noticed her slip-up and sneakily scanned the surroundings before sitting back down. “...Well, something like that.”

Kang Jin-Ho silently brought the cup of coffee to his lips. He took another sip, put it down and muttered, “Thank you for your consideration, Miss Choi.”

Choi Yeon-Ha's expression crumpled. She could already guess what he would say next.

“However, it sounds like I shouldn't get involved in this matter. Well, then.” Kang Jin-Ho briefly bowed, then got up to leave.

Choi Yeon-Ha hurriedly reached out and grabbed his arm. “P-please wait!”

“Yes?” Kang Jin-Ho stopped walking and stared at her, waiting.

Choi Yeon-Ha blushed a little. She felt weirded out by how she was now clinging to him. In her entire life, she had never found herself in this kind of a position before, and this situation was making her feel a bit…

“Can you at least tell me why?”

“...”

.

“Even if I'm being rejected, please... At least give me a clear reason, so I can move on without regrets and not get obsessed about this. If not, I... I might keep hassling you about this matter, Mister Jin-Ho. I don't think that will be good for either of us.”

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho nodded as if he agreed with her, then sat back down on his spot. He looked to be agonizing over his answer before finally saying something. “I'm not sure how to explain it to you.”

“In that case, let me ask you instead. Do you find the concept of acting in front of a camera too difficult? Uncomfortable?”

“No, not really.” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head.

“I had a feeling that might be the case...”

Based on what Choi Yeon-Ha had observed the last time they were together, Kang Jin-Ho's personality was as 'easygoing' as anyone could ever hope to be. Never mind regular people, even the highly-trained actors would lose their cool and want to quit after messing up the scene?that?many times. However, Kang Jin-Ho maintained his relaxed demeanor throughout the shoot, even after being subjected to hours upon hours of nonstop groaning and sighing.

'It can't be that easy to be so thick-skinned, that's for sure...'

Such a thing might be frowned upon in society, but not in the film industry. It would allow the actor to stick to their vision without getting shaken up by external factors, after all!

Choi Yeon-Ha moved on to the next question. “Then, are you uncomfortable about drawing attention to yourself?”

Kang Jin-Ho's brow furrowed slightly.

'He's... seriously thinking about it?'

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes. Maybe Kang Jin-Ho had that side to him? She could tell that he didn't have the disposition of someone who craved attention. However, acting in TV shows and movies didn't mean he would get exposed to too much 'attention' unlike, say, acting in a theater production or singing on a stage.

Kang Jin-Ho finally shook his head. “No, I don't think that's it, either.”

Choi Yeon-Ha realized she would get nowhere like this and decided to be more—direct with her approach. “Mister Jin-Ho. I didn't want to say things like this, but…”

“Yes?”

“I assure you, being a star is one of the best things in the world.”

“...Hahaha!” Kang Jin-Ho laughed at Choi Yeon-Ha's unexpected straight punch.

She was undeterred, however. “It's no laughing matter, you know? Do you know why so many celebrities end up a wrecked, pale shadow of their former selves? It's because there isn't another way to rediscover the ecstasy of standing on top.”

“Is that so?”

Choi Yeon-Ha sucked in a deep breath. It sounded like Kang Jin-Ho had no freaking idea. None at all! “You probably can't even imagine the level of satisfaction you’ll feel when countless people are looking up to you and when you're always showered with envy and admiration wherever you go. Not to mention, celebrities are sometimes judged by different standards than regular people in our country. I mean, those celebs who got caught smoking weed even escaped jail time, you know?”

“Mm...”

“Even though it's awkward to say this... I'm pretty sure that after you make two or three films, most actors and models would kill themselves for a chance to work with you!”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly. “I see. Sounds amazing, then.”

“Yes, it is.”

“After listening to you, now I know.” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

“...What would that be?”

“Now I know why I'm not interested in becoming an actor.”

A look of pure stupefaction washed over Choi Yeon-Ha's expression as she stared at him.

'This guy! What... What is even on his mind?!'

Did Kang Jin-Ho let her words enter one ear and go out the other one or something?!

The former seemed to have understood the meaning behind her stare, and to explain himself, he leisurely opened his lips.

“I'm not trying to denigrate your profession, Miss Choi. It's just that…” He stopped for a second to scratch his nose as if he was sheepish about something. “Well, I'm kind of sick and tired of pretending to be someone else, you see.”

“...I'm sorry?” Choi Yeon-Ha blinked her eyes in confusion.

Even Kang Jin-Ho found what he said just now hard to fathom, so he quickly changed the topic. “Besides, what would making movies get me, anyway? Wealth and… maybe a good movie as my legacy?”

“It'll also satisfy your desires for glory and fulfillment.”

“Miss Choi, I don't watch a lot of movies. And I'm not the biggest fan of them, either. As such, I don't think I'll derive much of anything even after making a good movie, Miss Choi.”

“...”

“As for wealth, hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho rubbed his chin, wondering how he should explain this part.

Choi Yeon-Ha did that for him, though. “From what Miss Se-Ah told me, you're apparently incredibly rich, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“Yes. Although, it's a bit strange to say that wealth is actually mine...” Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders after conceding to the truth.

Choi Yeon-Ha almost blurted out, 'Do you even have any idea how much top actors make per movie?!' but she somehow managed to hold her tongue.

Kang Jin-Ho wouldn't know the asking prices for the top actors, but that was not true for his little sister, Kang Eun-Yeong. Since the individual with the inside knowledge had declared that the wages of top actors wouldn't be enough to make a dent in her brother's bank account... It was safe to assume that any talks of financial incentives would be useless in this situation.

Choi Yeon-Ha faltered despite her best efforts. “H-hold on, Mister Jin-Ho. I, uh, so—”

Unfortunately for her, Kang Jin-Ho abruptly cut her off and got ready to leave. “We only have a limited time, Miss Choi.”

“...”

“Being an actor is a good job. All jobs in this world are valuable in their own way. However, different people will have different opinions on what jobs are truly worthy of them. This isn't something I should say to an actor, but... I believe that, instead of acting in a movie, I can use that time to do something more worthwhile.”

Choi Yeon-Ha quietly bit her lower lip. What he said could be taken as a rude remark depending on how one interpreted it. She chewed her next words out. “In that case, what do you want to do instead?”

“Hmm. I'll be looking after some kids.”

“...I'm sorry?”

Kang Jin-Ho replied nonchalantly, “Helping out with their homework, teaching them sports, maybe even wiping their runny noses? That sort of thing?”

Choi Yeon-Ha's expression grew as cold as ice. “Are you trying to make fun of me?”

Despite her icy tone, Kang Jin-Ho remained unperturbed. “Different people will see different levels of value in any given matter. It may sound laughable to you, but I feel that doing such things is a better use of my time than shooting a movie.”

Choi Yeon-Ha glared at Kang Jin-Ho's expressionless face. “Tell me, then, what kind of 'value' is in that sort of thing?”

“Hmm, I wonder...” Kang Jin-Ho seriously pondered his answer. “Mm, when you ask me like that, it's not easy to give you a straightforward answer, Miss Choi.”

“Look here, Mister Jin-Ho!”

“At the very least...” Kang Jin-Ho's voice became a little more serious as he cut her off. “If I reach out and offer my help, wouldn't that be able to transform the fate of a child?”

“...?”

“A child's life that would have been stuck in a rut without my help could potentially become something better with my involvement. That alone is worth my time, I think.”

Choi Yeon-Ha had no idea what Kang Jin-Ho was on about. The only thing she managed to glean from his 'ramblings' was that no words would change Kang Jin-Ho's mind at this point. “So, what you're saying is... You're definitely not interested?”

“Yes...”

“However, I don't understand what you've been trying to tell me. In other words, do not think I'll accept that flimsy explanation and back off.”

“Nothing will change, though.”

“Yes, I can see that. If you were the type of a man who would change his mind from a convincing argument, I wouldn't be like this. That's why! You better steel yourself, Mister Jin-Ho. You'll soon see how stubborn and driven I can be!”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply, looking somewhat troubled. Something was telling him that things were about to get rather annoying for him.

Choi Yeon-Ha shot up to her feet and headed to the counter. She finished paying the tab and returned to the table to bow deeply at Kang Jin-Ho. “Well, I'll be in your care from now on!”

“Hah...”

“See you next time.” Choi Yeon-Ha spun on her heels and exited the cafe.

Kang Jin-Ho silently raised his hands and began rubbing his face.

'I shouldn't have come...'

It felt like his attempt to quell the fire only made it worse—much worse.

***

The manager sitting in the van and waiting noticed Choi Yeon-Ha and greeted her. “Oh. Noona, are you finished?”

Choi Yeon-Ha shoved the door open and entered the van before yelling, “Does he think that bullsh*t will work on me?!”

“I'm sorry?” The manager shrunk in his seat in terror.

She threw her bag on the van's floor and even began stomping her feet after her frustration got the better of her. “You think I'll give up and back off from some random excuse?! Never! This business taught me that crazy b*tches and gutsy b*tches always come on top! And I'm gonna show you what a crazy and gutsy b*tch looks like! Let's see who's gonna win between you and me!”

The manager wordlessly observed Choi Yeon-Ha losing herself to rage and yelling at the top of her lungs, then stared outside the van's window.

'Yup, I better quit.'

He was?this?close to throwing the towel and quitting his hellish and extreme job. As it turned out, Jo Gyu-Min wasn't the only employee being tormented by their work.

Just like that, Kang Jin-Ho ended up producing yet another victim with his actions, albeit unintentionally this time.