Descent of the Demon Master

“Master, I have a new idea…!”

Vator enthusiastically shoved open the door to the Assembly Master's office, only for him to stop and narrow his eyes after discovering who sat behind the Assembly Master's desk.

The man sitting behind the desk, Lee Hyeon-Su, flinched grandly.

Vator growled. “What’s this? Why are you sitting over there?”

“No, it’s a misunderstanding!” Lee Hyeon-Su desperately waved his hands in denial. “I’m not impertinently occupying this seat, Sir Vator! I’m just a temporary sub because the Assembly Master is on vacation!”

The poor man’s voice was tinged with unmistakable fear and desperation.

‘Gimme a break. Seriously now!’

Lee Hyeon-Su's heart nearly tumbled to the pits of his stomach at the sight of Vator. Then again, didn't he enjoy the dubious honor of Vator personally showing him the correct etiquette toward the Assembly Master not too long ago? Even the mere silhouette of Vator's humongous hands was enough to cause imaginary aches all over Lee Hyeon-Su's body.

Vator tilted his head, his expression puzzled. “Vacation?”

“Why so suddenly?”

“Well, that’s because…”

Lee Hyeon-Su proceeded to explain the situation involving Jo Gyu-Min, eventually forcing Vator to nod in acceptance.

“Mm… So that’s what happened?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Indeed, my master needed to take some time off. He never took any breaks since his return from China and started working right after leaving the hospital, didn't he?”

Although Kang Jin-Ho didn't really perform any 'intensive' work as the Assembly Master, it was also true that he was constantly involved in something. That was what mattered in this case.

Physical stamina and how much of it still remained were not the issue here. With Kang Jin-Ho’s stamina, he could have gone three days without sleep and still be mostly fine. However, stamina wasn’t much of a help when trying to deal with mental fatigue and stress.

Vator grunted. “So, that man’s name is Jo Gyu-Min?”

“Yes,” Lee Hyeon-Su briefly wondered.

“Now that is an admirable man.”

“…?”

Vator nodded as if he was satisfied by something. “Noticing my master’s state should’ve been the job of people right next to him, like us. However, an outsider managed to do something we couldn’t. We must reflect on this oversight.”

“Yes, you’re correct, sir.”

“Especially you!”

“...I’m sorry?”

Vator’s scary glare suddenly locked on the poor Lee Hyeon-Su. “Do you know what being an assistant means?”

Lee Hyeon-Su firmly nodded. “Of course I know, sir.”

“All of us have loud voices,” said Vator.

He didn’t mean their speaking volume was too loud for their own good. No, he meant everyone around Kang Jin-Ho tended to be strongly self-assertive.

“Of course, my master won't lose to anyone when it comes to speaking loudly. However, it's easy to forget about looking after yourself and get swept up when so many people like that come together and start shouting at each other. So, you must keep a close eye on my master and step up if you think it's getting too much for him. Understand?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve already engraved it into my heart.”

“As you should.” Vator slowly nodded. Even he was somewhat reflecting on himself regarding this situation.

‘I shouldn’t just dump everything on Lee Hyeon-Su’s shoulders.’

Even now, the Martial Assembly was excessively relying on Kang Jin-Ho. Every plan and work being done right now centered around him. So, if he were to be removed from the picture… At least 90% of everything being done right now would either grind to a halt or collapse altogether.

Since that was the case, they needed to be more meticulous about Kang Jin-Ho’s health.

It seemed Vator's excessive faith in his master's abilities had blinded him. Despite having witnessed plenty of times strong people gradually crumbling down from everyone excessively relying on them, Vator still ended up repeating the same mistakes.

‘Jo Gyu-Min, is it?’

Vator burned that name into his memories. A man who accurately detected Kang Jin-Ho's condition in such a brief window of time and thought up a proper response couldn't have been some random nobody. Besides…

‘It’s also important to note that my master, infamous for his stubbornness, has listened to this Jo Gyu-Min’s advice without arguing back.’

Didn’t that indicate Kang Jin-Ho trusted this Jo Gyu-Min to an unbelievable degree?

If someone from the Martial Assembly, like Vator or Wiggins, said the same thing to Kang Jin-Ho, he’d probably nod to indicate he got the memo, then get right back to work. However, Kang Jin-Ho immediately heeded Jo Gyu-Min’s advice.

It could be because the advice giver happened to be an outsider, but…

‘What’s important is that now I know there is someone who can stop my master from going overboard.’

Vator grew more interested in this man named Jo Gyu-Min. Maybe, the Martial Assembly should seriously consider utilizing him strategically someday!

“Hmm. In any case, that means my master isn’t around,” said Vator.

“Is it something important? We can contact him on the phone if you want, sir.”

“No, not really.” Vator firmly shook his head. “Nothing is more thoughtless than contacting a man on vacation for work-related matters. I hope you’re not that thoughtless, Lee Hyeon-Su.”

“O-of course not, sir…” Lee Hyeon-Su’s voice progressively got smaller.

Vator narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you dare do it.”

“...Understood, sir.”

“Hmph. In any case, my master is absent, eh? That's… a bit of a problem.” Vator grunted, then slowly scratched his chin.

Kang Jin-Ho's absence would create a few issues. Things that were already underway should be fine, but what about the new plans? Without the Assembly Master's approval, they would have to be delayed until who knows when.

‘At this crucial period, too.’

Vator realized he was getting a little anxious just then. At the same time, he also sensed that this situation was abnormal.

A corporation's CEO taking a few days off shouldn't lead to massive problems appearing in the corporation. If it did, then that implied the utter incompetency of everyone except the CEO working there.

‘Even I was relying on my master.’

A hollow chuckle leaked out of Vator's mouth. He always had been by himself. Thoughts of relying on someone else never crossed his mind.

It hadn't been all that long since Vator began serving Kang Jin-Ho, so just when did he start relying on the latter to this degree?

Vator quietly muttered, “Now that’s charisma, alright.”

“I’m sorry?”

“No, it's nothing,” Vator waved his hand dismissively. “In any case. It seems I won't be able to do anything now. Is there no other way, I wonder?”

Lee Hyeon-Su sat up straight in his chair. “Actually, you can report it to me, sir.”

“Mm?” Vator cocked an eyebrow.

Lee Hyeon-Su spoke resolutely, “I believe the reason why the Assembly Master has been so overworked is our current system of reporting everything directly to him.”

“Hoh-oh?”

“If someone could take on the role of summarizing the reports down to their key points and even providing additional investigation if necessary, I believe the Assembly Master's workload will decrease considerably.”

“Do you understand what that means? Establishing an official channel that filters reports going upstairs means you must be ready to shoulder the responsibilities. Are you prepared to handle the fallout if the reports get distorted?”

“I can't dump all the work on my boss because I'm scared, sir.”

“So, you want to handle that role, eh?”

“Yes, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su firmly replied. “That’s why I’ve created this Operations Management office. And became its chief officer.”

“I thought you only wanted a raise?”

“...Well, that was one of the motivations, yes.”

Vator chuckled slightly.

‘As I thought, this brat’s too damn fearless.’

The role Lee Hyeon-Su was talking about was incredibly important. However, no one seemed willing to do it. The act of filtering the reports reaching Kang Jin-Ho's desk was the same as declaring that you'd shoulder all the responsibilities if a problem arose from the filtering process. Also…

Lee Hyeon-Su was implying that he'd deal with those things Kang Jin-Ho might find a little 'difficult' to deal with.

“It doesn’t sound like you are after something as simple as reducing my master’s workload. Am I right?”

“It seems I can't fool you, Sir Vator.” Lee Hyeon-Su sighed softly. “We're an organization, sir. Sometimes, what's good for the organization doesn't always coincide with the... 'values' of our society.”

“Indeed.”

“In such a situation, I believe putting the organization's welfare first should be obvious for us.”

The corners of Vator's lips curled up. “Oh-ho, so you will handle all the unsavory things for my master, then?”

“It’s nothing as noble as that, sir. It’s more like I wish to reduce the amount of things the Assembly Master has to worry about. That’s all.”

Vator slowly nodded in agreement.

‘Yes… I agree it is necessary.’

Humans couldn’t subsist solely on early morning dew. It’d be wonderful if practical benefits could co-exist in harmony with morality and good intentions all the time. Unfortunately, one would sometimes have to do unsavory things while slogging their way through life.

Still, Kang Jin-Ho personally handling them wouldn’t be a good thing overall.

“Listen to you, brat. You are surprisingly hands-on, aren't you?”

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled awkwardly. “Well, I don’t want to lose to that Crimson King’s faction bastard, you see?”

It was plainly obvious who Lee Hyeon-Su was referring to with 'that Crimson King's faction bastard' jab.

Cai Kechang!

‘Hmm. Is it pride?’

Objectively speaking, no one would deny that Lee Hyeon-Su and Wiggins got played by Cai Kechang. Sure, they managed to wring out considerable benefits from the Crimson King’s faction, but was this result really satisfactory when viewed from the schemer’s perspective? No, not really. Actually, it was irritating enough for said schemer to kick himself in the butt.

People usually responded in one of two ways when facing defeat. One, admit to their loss and congratulate the other side. Alternatively, one could desperately obsess over the defeat and swear vengeance upon their name.

The world said the first option was the right one. However, Vator preferred people who went with the second option. A hot-blooded man should choose the latter, no question about it!

“Very well, brat. Do what you want. Don’t worry, I’ll support you.”

Lee Hyeon-Su bowed slightly. “Thank you, sir!”

“Before that happens, though… You will first show me how you handle your tasks. Get up.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You’re coming with me. I shall confirm with my own two eyes how you summarize what you witnessed and make a report out of it. If you pass this test, I will unconditionally back you.”

Lee Hyeon-Su began smirking suspiciously. “I might sound impudent while saying this, but…”

“Mm?” Vator cocked an eyebrow as Lee Hyeon-Su leisurely got up.

“As far as my abilities are concerned, I've never disappointed anyone before, sir. Although, I can't say the same thing about my personality, though.”

“Kekeke. Yes, it is indeed impudent. But I like it!” Vator strode over to Lee Hyeon-Su and noisily pounded the younger man's back.

Each shot produced a sound similar to human bones breaking. Even then, Lee Hyeon-Su didn't scream. Not because he was enduring the assault, though… It was just that each hit had nearly knocked him out of his consciousness!

“...Sir, I will die if you keep hitting me like this.”

Vator tutted. “How could you be so frail…? Maybe you should come under my wings and get some proper training.”

“Sir, I’ll have to decline. People are born with different talents, after all.”

The two men left the Assembly Master’s office and quickly walked down the corridor to head outside the building. While glancing at Vator’s back, Lee Hyeon-Su’s eyes began gleaming sharply.

‘The pieces I want are now all in their places.’

There was only one reason why Lee Hyeon-Su had been ‘unreasonably’ pushing hard for the establishment of this new system. Wiggins seemed a little concerned that Lee Hyeon-Su was trying to seize power within the Assembly, but that was a completely wrong assumption.

‘Power like that has no meaning to me.’

He had already experienced how futile the power without the strength to back it up was during the destruction of the Yeongnam Group. As a mere demi-martial artist, Lee Hyeon-Su could never independently wield power like that.

Kang Jin-Ho's power was his power, in a sense. In that case, there was no point in drooling over the power and control of the Assembly.

Lee Hyeon-Su created this system for a simple reason—to reduce the burden on Kang Jin-Ho’s shoulders and give him the ‘free role.’ It looked like Kang Jin-Ho was trying hard to do his role as the Assembly Master, but he was never the type to work within an organization’s restrictive framework.[1]

Kang Jin-Ho's type created the best synergy possible with the people around him when he was given free rein to think of what he should do, and his subordinates unhesitantly followed him.

‘Since that’s the case, I need to handle all the small matters.’

Even the reports from Wiggins, Vator, and Chang Min would have to go through Lee Hyeon-Su's desk first. And to make that system a reality, he was taking the necessary first step.

‘Tsk, I wonder if the Assembly Master is even aware of how hard I’m working for his sake…’

Although Lee Hyeon-Su knew that being uber-loyal for the sake of recognition wasn't really loyalty, he still had this urge to create a PowerPoint presentation of every little thing he was doing right now and report it to Kang Jin-Ho in the future.

Motivation could only come from someone recognizing all your hard work, no? What’s the point of charity if no one knew what was happening? At least, that was what Lee Hyeon-Su believed.

Vator glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su. “By the way?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been hearing weird rumors about you.”

“Weird? How so?”

“I hear you’ve been completely whipped by a woman with a similar name to yours? What have you been doing, Lee Hyeon-Su?”

“…!”

Lee Hyeon-Su’s expression distorted tragically.

1. A free role is a soccer term, and it means a manager has given a player creative license to decide where and how the latter plays on the field. ☜

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