Descent of the Demon Master

"Mm…!"

Kang Jin-Ho tugged at the collar of his shirt that felt a little too tight around his neck.

'This is uncomfortable.'

Being a powerful martial arts expert was a good thing. But it didn't mean it had no downsides. As an example, an expert's senses were preternaturally sharp. An expert like Kang Jin-Ho could easily hear even the smallest noises other people might miss. And he could see things too small or too far away to see for other humans.

Thanks to his brain receiving a boost as well, Kang Jin-Ho didn't have a lot of issues dealing with all the incoming information. Even so, the problem should be easy enough to figure out by giving it some thought.

How crappy would it be for one's quality of life if the noise of a pin dropping on the floor was as loud as a thunderclap?

Kang Jin-Ho's current problem was similar in nature to that pin-drop example. His hearing and vision weren't the only sharpened senses. Even his sense of touch had become excessively sharper. So, things other people didn't have to care much about, such as clothes rubbing against one's thigh or the seams of socks pressed against one's feet, felt so uncomfortably vivid in Kang Jin-Ho's senses.

The worst of the lot had to be the feeling of things touching his throat.

Even the thinnest, softest fabric touching his skin still felt vividly abrasive. To a regular non-martial artist, it'd be comparable to the sensation of a razorblade constantly touching their throat skin.

That was why top-tier martial artists usually preferred not wearing types of clothes that tightened around their throats too much.

However, the point of this lengthy explanation was…

'I'm not walking around in tracksuits for fun, you know!'

Not just any tracksuits, but ones with stretched necklines, to boot!

Kang Jin-Ho wasn't really interested in the latest fashion trends. That didn't mean he was too blind to notice how untidy his dress sense must seem in other people's view.

He also understood that a more… eye-pleasing wardrobe was necessary for him to integrate better into modern society.

Truth be told, how... How much hard work did Kang Jin-Ho put in while trying to ignore Lee Hyeon-Su's subtly critical gaze whenever he showed up at the Assembly in a stretched-neckline tracksuit?

However, his physical comfort meant so much more to Kang Jin-Ho than some critical, questioning gazes. At the very least, he did not want to yield this subject matter to anyone.

Unfortunately for him this time, though…

Kang Jin-Ho scanned his appearance through the car's rearview mirror. The sight of him wearing a dress shirt and a pair of slacks was indescribably alien to his eyes. Of course, this get-up was not Kang Jin-Ho's idea.

He originally set off from the Kang residence in his usual tracksuit, only for Kang Eun-Yeong to catch him in the act. And that was…

-Say what? You wanna go on a date looking like that?!

...When his troubles began!

Kang Jin-Ho had no problem accepting the barrage of criticism squarely aimed at his lack of decorum. Even so, wasn't it a little over the top to say his lack of decorum humiliated the Kang family or acted as proof of terrible discipline at home?!

Unfortunately, Kang Jin-Ho soon realized he had no right to argue in this situation. As a reward for his fashion-related indiscretion, he was turned into a human mannequin, whose fate was to parade around in every article of clothing his mother and sister put on him!

Even then, the duo continued to nag him nonstop.

-Why do you have so little clothes?!

-Throw away all these old clothes, will you!

-At least try to hang your clothes properly!

Was it Buddha who said that life was a trial? A series of hardships? Something like that?

Even though Kang Jin-Ho's life had changed, and his situation had transformed into something better, all the little things that tormented him did not completely vanish from his daily life.

In the end, his family decided that, out of all the clothing Kang Jin-Ho owned, this dress-shirt-and-slacks combo was the most suitable for a human being to walk around in.

However, to spin that assertion around… Didn't that mean Kang Jin-Ho was barely a human being now? Because he found this get-up supremely uncomfortable!

"Kuh-hum…!"

Kang Jin-Ho toyed with the shirt button right by his throat. He dearly wanted to undo this button, but Kang Eun-Yeong had already threatened to break his fingers if he did.

What an odd development this was. In the beginning, Kang Eun-Yeong seemingly couldn't wait to get rid of Choi Yeon-Ha. So why was she going out of her way now to help someone whom she couldn't even stand earlier?

Kang Jin-Ho simply couldn't understand the psychology of womenfolk.

He continued to scan his awkward-looking appearance through the rearview mirror before catching the sight of Choi Yeon-Ha emerging from the entrance to her home.

"…!" Kang Jin-Ho's brows rose up ever so slightly.

Choi Yeon-Ha didn't feel any different from her usual self while striding outside the doorway. Even so, something about her still came across as just a bit different from what he remembered.

Usually, Choi Yeon-Ha would show up to a meeting with Kang Jin-Ho completely wrapped up in clothing from top to bottom. Her go-to get-up always ensured not a single spot of her skin would be exposed, and she even covered her head and face with a large hat and a scarf. Finally, she'd even put on a pair of sunglasses to round off her defenses.

However, what about now?

Kang Jin-Ho muttered absentmindedly. "...A pair of hot pants?"

Choi Yeon-Ha showed up wearing a simple T-shirt and a pair of hot pants. Although she still retained her hat and sunglasses, the overall impression given off was that she wanted to pursue comfort and simplicity rather than hide her face.

She energetically approached the car and opened the door to enter. But when her long legs slipped into his view, Kang Jin-Ho momentarily freaked out and hurriedly turned his gaze away in a hopeless attempt to find a different thing to stare at.

Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly. "Did you wait long?"

"N-no, I didn't."

"I was trying to keep it simple, but… I couldn't decide on what to wear for some reason. My bad."

"N-no, no need to apologize."

"Nnng?" Choi Yeon-Ha cocked an eyebrow and playfully shifted her torso to look at Kang Jin-Ho. When she saw how he was resolutely staring far away from her, she couldn't help but feel something didn't seem quite right with him. "Mm? Why aren't you looking at me while answering me?"

"…"

"Ng?" Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes and finally noticed the hint of flushed cheeks on Kang Jin-Ho's face. "No way…?"

"...I-it's not what you think," Kang Jin-Ho stammered ungainly.

Choi Yeon-Ha blinked her eyes in shock. "Are you from the Joseon era?!"

"W-well, it is kind of awkward, that's why." Kang Jin-Ho fake-coughed while still looking away.

Choi Yeon-Ha couldn't hold it anymore and began laughing, although she covered her mouth while doing so.

'He can be so adorable like this.'

Objectively speaking, Kang Jin-Ho had all the specs to seduce any woman he wanted. Heck, he didn't even need other qualifications besides his face!

Even with only his looks that radiated like the halo of an angel, countless women would queue up to get a chance to date him!

Of course, that didn't mean Kang Jin-Ho lacked in other departments.

He went to a good school. He was loaded. And his personality was… That was still a bit of a mystery factor, but what Choi Yeon-Ha witnessed so far didn't suggest any concerning traits.

So, in short? Kang Jin-Ho could have easily gotten very friendly with as many women as he wanted.

But he was still behaving like a naive little boy. This irony cracked Choi Yeon-Ha up big time.

"Is my get-up a bit too much?"

"N-no, it's not."

"Honesty, please."

"...Well, it's making me a little uncomfortable, yes."

Choi Yeon-Ha covered her mouth again while laughing softly. "Okay, got it. I won't wear this next time. Or you want me to change now?"

"N-no, no need to go that far."

"Hmmm…?" Choi Yeon-Ha sneakily scanned Kang Jin-Ho's face, a meaningful smirk forming on her face.

Something about his reply didn't sound so… convincing? That could only mean his real opinion was something else.

"Your reply seems kinda forced, so… Hmm, what could it be, then? You wanted to say something else to me, didn't you?"

Kang Jin-Ho groaned after noticing a mischievous tone in Choi Yeon-Ha's voice. "No, it's not what you think…"

"Ah, I got it!" Choi Yeon-Ha lightly snapped her fingers. "You don't want me to wear this in other places. Am I right?"

"…" Kang Jin-Ho clamped his mouth shut. People who got their true intentions exposed usually had trouble finding what to say.

Choi Yeon-Ha smirked deeply. "I am right, aren't I?"

Kang Jin-Ho grew even more flustered. "N-no, hang on a sec…"

Choi Yeon-Ha exploded into raucous laughter while patting Kang Jin-Ho on the shoulder. "I might as well hang out with a grandpa at this rate!"

"…"

"Ah, well. It's fine. I can humor you that much. I'm still good-looking with long pants, anyway."

Kang Jin-Ho quickly asked her, "Where should I take you?"

"Look at you trying to change the topic! You've grown, Mister Jin-Ho."

Kang Jin-Ho resolutely fixed his gaze on his front, right outside the car's windscreen.

Another bright smile bloomed on Choi Yeon-Ha's face as she scanned his clothing. "Don't worry, I'll let it go this time. You've actually bothered to dress nicely today, after all."

"Kuh-hmm!" Kang Jin-Ho fake-coughed while thanking his little sister in his mind.

"For now, let's go get something good to eat," said Choi Yeon-Ha.

"Understood," Kang Jin-Ho nodded, then gently depressed the accelerator.

While driving, his demeanor seemed a lot more relaxed and at ease than usual.

***

It seemed the preconception born out of how someone looked still played a big factor in Kang Jin-Ho's thought process.

He wasn't sure how it was with other people, but for him? Such preconceptions could influence his opinions by quite a margin. Even if he was supposed to not judge a book by its cover, he couldn't help himself. That was what Kang Jin-Ho was like, after all!

As long as he didn't show it on the surface for other people to notice, it should all be fine, no?

In any case… That must be why Kang Jin-Ho thought the person before his eyes felt a little different than usual today.

Choi Yeon-Ha noticed Kang Jin-Ho staring at her. "What's wrong?"

"No, it's… nothing."

Choi Yeon-Ha put her utensils down and tilted her head. "You've become a lot more evasive while I was away, now haven't you? But I liked it more when you just blurted out what was in your mind, though."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"It's really not what you think," Kang Jin-Ho fake-coughed for an umpteenth time that day before pointing at the food between them. "I was under the impression that you liked Western food, you see?"

"Western food?" Choi Yeon-Ha lowered her head slightly to look, and her view was filled with the sight of a pot containing enticingly bubbling kimchi stew. "...Ah! You mean, stuff like pasta and steak?"

"Yes, those."

"I don't like them all that much, you know?"

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head in genuine confusion. "Hmm? But when we hung out, you always…?"

"Aaah, that?" Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled softly. "Well, how should I explain this… You can say this is pretty ironic."

"Okay…?"

"It's because I really, seriously hate paparazzo with passion, you see? I really don't want my pictures taken without permission. Whenever they are around, it feels like… Hmm, imagine yourself walking around in your house in your undies, and some creep is watching you from afar with a telescopic lens."

Kang Jin-Ho didn't want to imagine that scenario. If such a thing happened to him, he'd try to locate the so-called photojournalist by any means possible and slam the fool's face into the dirt below!

Choi Yeon-Ha tutted loudly. "But these creeps don't keep the pictures to themselves and publish them."

Kang Jin-Ho frowned. "Isn't that against the law?"

"Well, some of the cases are, but most aren't… The thing is, though, the money you get from the pictures more than makes up for the fine you pay after getting caught by the cops, you see? That's why these creeps will never disappear."

"Hmm…!"

Choi Yeon-Ha casually shrugged. "What I'm trying to say is that I really despise paparazzo, Mister Jin-Ho. I don't mind getting my pictures taken when I know the cameras are there, but getting papped by creeps is a definite no-no.

"You know what's funny, though? As long as I'm in this profession, I have no choice but to prepare for paparazzo ambushes at all times."

"Mm. That makes sense."

"And that means… I gotta constantly worry about how I'll look if they take pictures when I least want them to. Do you have any idea what that's like?"

Kang Jin-Ho couldn't even imagine it. Just the sound of it alone seemed complicated enough.

"That is why I frequented those eateries, you see? Rather than, 'Choi Yeon-Ha, seen drinking soju in a pork belly diner!' the better headline will be, 'Choi Yeon-Ha, seen elegantly twirling spaghetti with her fork in a restaurant!' I hope you get it now."

"…"

No, Kang Jin-Ho didn't get it. These sorts of things were firmly not in his wheelhouse, after all! He genuinely couldn't see what was so different about those two activities.

"I can guess from your face that you don't get it," Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled slightly. "Even though you were pointing out the discrepancy just now."

"Mm…!"

Kang Jin-Ho frowned a little. Because this and that didn't sound the same to him.

He found this situation a little weird not because the kimchi stew and Choi Yeon-Ha shouldn't go together, but because he hadn't seen her enjoy traditional Korean cuisine to this degree before.

As a matter of fact, the first time he saw her doing that was when she came home from her sojourn in China and literally drank the kimchi stew out of the earthen pot!

"I know it's kinda wrong. Pasta doesn't make you more elegant, and enjoying kimchi stew doesn't turn you into a country bumpkin overnight. I get all that. But I still have to go that extra step when presenting myself to the public. In a way, you could say I'm also shockingly shallow."

"I don't think it's necessary to get philosophical over this matter, though…?"

"I'm just saying that this is how I feel."

Despite the contents of her confession, Choi Yeon-Ha's expression didn't seem so bad. As a matter of fact, she seemed a little refreshed, too.

"But I'm not going to do that anymore. I figured I was just suffering from some kinda celebrity disease. I mean, Hollywood and Chinese stars do what they want whether they get papped or not, so who am I to try dodging the creeps like a princess on the run?"

"Then… Your attire?"

"Yup. I'm gonna start dressing the way that feels right to me." Choi Yeon-Ha smiled faintly and asked Kang Jin-Ho. "So? Do I look alright?"

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. "Yes, you do seem alright."

"Then, am I good-looking, too?"

"…"

Kang Jin-Ho would always become speechless whenever Choi Yeon-Ha expertly landed unexpected blows like that. Unfortunately, it seemed Choi Yeon-Ha was deriving a great deal of entertainment from Kang Jin-Ho's flustered response to stop any time soon!

"Ohh? No answer…?" Choi Yeon-Ha playfully cocked her head.

"H-how was China?"

When Kang Jin-Ho quickly changed the topic, a meaningful grin formed on Choi Yeon-Ha's face.