Descent of the Demon Master

diently lowered her head.
However, her thoughts weren't so obedient at the moment.

'Why does my oppa sound like a character from a historical drama?'

Who in this day and age would throw a fit just because a girl wore a pair of hot pants? The last time she checked, they were living in the 21st century, not Joseon!

Kang Jin-Ho continued, “Your appearance is quite troublesome, but you dancing on TV in such revealing outfits is even more concerning.”

“Oppa, that's not something I have decided on my own.
The agency decides concepts like outfits and dance moves.
I'm telling you the truth.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded.
“I know.
That's why I've already called your agency.
I told them to alter your concept and wardrobe.
I have also informed them that you'll be on a break until your next single.”

Kang Eun-Yeong shot up to her feet.
“No! No freaking way! Oppa, the public had only just started noticing me, you know! No way, I'm not gonna do it!”

“You will do it.”

“I told you, I won't!”

“You will.”

Kang Eun-Yeong swiftly reached the conclusion that talking to a wall would be more productive at this stage, so she began clinging to her parents next.
“Mom, Dad! Please say something! Oppa is trying to destroy my career!”

“…Mm. I think Jin-Ho has a point.”

“Dad?!”

“I told you to be more careful, didn't I!”

“Mom?!”

Kang Yu-Hwan sneakily turned his head to avoid meeting his daughter's pleading gaze.
Past experiences told him they could never win against Kang Jin-Ho in a situation like this.

Kang Jin-Ho usually went about his life unconcerned and disinterested, simply doing as others told him.
However, whenever he decided that something was worth getting worked up for and started offering his opinions…
No one could change his mind no matter how hard they tried.

“B-but, this can't be…” Kang Eun-Yeong continued to whine tearfully.

However, Kang Jin-Ho didn't care and simply drove in another nail.
“Dye your hair back to black, too.”

“E-Even my hair?!”

Kang Jin-Ho tutted loudly.
“A mere high schooler dares to dye her hair blonde? It won't be too late to do that after you graduate first.
Indeed, do it after you start attending university.”

“Oppa, don't you get that I'm an entertainer now?! Are you seriously trying to kill my career?!”

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly started grinning for some reason.
“Ah, I see.
So, being an entertainer was the root cause.”

“…H-Hang on, Oppa.
Listen…!”

“In that case, the problem will be solved by you not being an entertainer anymore.
It seems that you have made your debut too early.”

Kang Eun-Yeong finished analyzing her situation and hurriedly jumped into Kang Jin-Ho's arms.
“My dearest older brother, this girl's thoughts have been too immature.
I shall do as you command, so please, find it in your heart to forgive this foolish child.”

“…Release me.”

“Oppa! Just this once, please! I'm really sorry! I'll dye my hair black right away.
And I'll pull up my hair in a bun all the time, too!”

Kang Jin-Ho assertively nodded.
“Yes, that's how it's supposed to be.”

Kang Eun-Yeong was this close to shedding tears of blood.
However, she knew better than anyone that her debut as an idol had only happened thanks to Kang Jin-Ho.
She also knew that he could take away everything she was enjoying right now with a simple snap of a finger.

'I…
I wonder, will a pure, naive girl concept suit me?'

She could only see a gloomy future ahead of her, but that was still way better than going back to being a trainee idol.
Kang Eun-Yeong grumbled while burying her face between her knees.
“I shouldn't have come here.”

Kang Eun-Yeong had been eager to show off her new self as a bonafide entertainer to her oppa that she even took time out of her packed schedule to come here.
But this ungrateful dude not only failed to congratulate her, but he even poured a bucket of cold water on her!

Kang Eun-Yeong suddenly had an idea and cautiously raised her voice, “…Oppa, your seniors were all thrilled to see me, right? Wouldn't your military life be a bit easier if I doll up a bit on TV?”

“No, I don't need something like that,” said Kang Jin-Ho in a firm, resolute voice.

Kang Eun-Yeong pretended to scratch him like a cat.
“You…
You! You ain't gonna bleed if I prick you with a needle now, are you?!”

“It does not matter what you say.
A no is still a no.
I'll update Mr.
Gyu-Min on our discussion today and have him oversee the changes to your concept.
If you don't like it, then quit.”

“…I'll do my utmost best, Oppa,” Kang Eun-Yeong barely squeaked out a reply while slumping in her chair from that last knockout blow.

“Yes, Eun-Yeong.
You should listen to your oppa.
As for you, Jin-Ho.
Let's continue after we enjoy lunch first.” Baek Hyeon-Jeong began pulling out all kinds of dishes from a cooler box she had prepared before coming here.

Kang Jin-Ho was slightly taken aback.
“But, Mother? You didn't have to, you know.”

“It's for my son, so of course, I had to.” Baek Hyeon-Jeong smiled brightly as she set the food on the table.

With slight concern in his voice, Kang Yu-Hwan asked, “Son, how are you finding the army food? Is it bearable?”

“Yes, Father.
It's fine.”

“Really? You don't have to be brave and lie to us.”

“No, Father.
The food here really is fine.”

“…Are you serious?” Kang Yu-Hwan tilted his head, still unconvinced.

Baek Hyeon-Jeong suddenly nodded as if she had remembered something.
“Ah, right.
Our son has a poor sense of taste, doesn't he…”

“Mm? Really?” Kang Yu-Hwan stared at his wife, waiting for further explanation.

She explained what happened while handing out cutlery.
“I accidentally cooked a very salty stew a while ago, dear.
I must've dropped a bag of salt or something for it to be that salty.
But Jin-Ho just ate it without saying anything.
I tried to taste it after he was done and got a nasty shock, you know?”

“Oh, I see.
Jin-Ho must have a dull sense of taste, then.” Kang Yu-Hwan shrugged his shoulders.

Kang Jin-Ho didn't say anything and just faintly grinned.
His taste buds weren’t rubbish; he simply believed that all edible food was precious.
During his first life after his family’s death, he survived almost entirely on instant foods for well over a decade.
Moreover, during his early years in Zhongyuan, he even had to dig through piles of garbage to find something to eat.

He didn't care whether the stew was made with buckets of salt or not; edible food shouldn't be thrown away.
Especially more so when his mother cooked the food.
The mindset of treating all foods preciously had already been engraved deep into his soul.

Kang Jin-Ho faintly smiled and nodded.
“The army food is not bad at all, Mother.”

“Well, that's a relief.”

Kang Jin-Ho took a bite of the food and asked a question that had been weighing on his mind while chewing, “By the way, Yu-Min didn’t come with you?”

Kang Eun-Yeong nearly threw her hands up in the air in dismay.
“Oppa, since when did Yu-Min Oppa become a member of our family? And why would he come when this occasion is only for family members? Hang on, are you going out with Yu-Min oppa?”

“…Hmm.” Kang Jin-Ho expressionlessly glared at his little sister, forcing her to pull her head inside the tracksuit's collars.
Kang Jin-Ho then harrumphed.
“Watch your mouth.”

“…I'm sorry.”

Kang Yu-Hwan scratched his cheek.
“I did phone him before leaving, and he said he had something to take care of and can't come today.”

“Oh, I see.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded.
It couldn't be helped, then.

“Mm. But, Jin-Ho…”

“Yes?”

Kang Yu-Hwan rubbed his chin.
“I was wondering whether I should bring it up with you or not, but…
Maybe it's better that I do.
Yu-Min didn't sound okay when we chatted on the phone.”

“Please tell me the details, Father.”

“Something must've happened to him.
His voice was noticeably shaky.”

Kang Jin-Ho's glare immediately turned cold and withdrawn.

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