Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1275. Punishing (5)

“Good day, senior,” said the visitor.

Choi Yeon-Ha quickly undid her stiff expression and greeted back. “Ng, hi.”

Although Choi Yeon-Ha’s smile was bright, Han Eun-Sol could still read her true emotions hidden behind that bright expression.

‘Looks like noona is subtly irritated by this girl.’

This reaction made some sense, however. The person who had entered was Goh Ah-Reum, another actress “double-cast” for the same commercial Choi Yeon-Ha shot earlier in the day.

Out of a plethora of young actresses rising through the ranks of the post-Choi Yeon-Ha generation, which was a term Choi Yeon-Ha hated with passion, Goh Ah-Reum was someone who had managed to get herself slightly more noticed than her peers.

As for Choi Yeon-Ha’s evaluation of Goh Ah-Reum, well...

“I shouldn’t say this as an actress who relied on her looks to make it in this industry, but even then! That Ah-Reum kid is too much, don’t you think? If she wants to call herself an actress, shouldn’t she at least try to act a bit? Her acting is on the level of an elementary school kid’s... Nope, I’m not gonna say it. Child actors will burst into tears in indignation if I compare her to them, after all! A mannequin might be less wooden than her in front of a camera!”

In terms of her acting ability, people knew not to expect much from Goh Ah-Reum, and that included directors, the audience at home, her talent agency, and even herself! But her looks were so outstanding that she was constantly offered good roles in practically everything lately.

Choi Yeon-Ha would certainly become the main talking point of this commercial once it aired, but it was also a great opportunity for Goh Ah-Reum to make a name for herself. Choi Yeon-Ha sharing a commercial with one of the poster girls for the so-called post-Choi Yeon-Ha generation was a big deal, after all.

“Senior, I thought I should drop by and say hello,” said Goh Ah-Reum.

“Ah, is that so? I thought you’ve already begun shooting your part, though?”

“Ah, no. The crew said they needed more time to prepare the set, you see?”

“Hnng~?”

Choi Yeon-Ha nodded in a rather crooked manner.

Even though these two women were in the same commercial, that didn’t mean they were supposed to shoot their scenes together. The concepts of their scenes were actually in slight contrast to each other’s, after all.

“Looks like you’re not worried about the shoot? Seeing how you dropped by someone else’s waiting room just before your own shoot and all.”

“Eii~, this is just a commercial, anyway. Not a TV show or a movie, after all. So, what’s the point of getting jittery over it? Don’t you agree, senior?”

“Is that what you think?”

Han Eun-Sol took a sneaky step back.

‘Yup, I can’t stand this.’

These two ladies were conversing while smiling affably. But in reality? They were busy hurling all sorts of deadly objects, such as imaginary razor blades and axes, at each other’s faces right now!

Goh Ah-Reum said it was pointless to get jittery over a commercial. That might sound like nothing special on the surface, but the true meaning behind that statement was something like... ‘I might lose out on acting abilities if this had been a TV show or a movie, but it’s a mere commercial. In that case, I ain’t gonna lose out on you in the looks department!’ Or something like that?

Maybe Han Eun-Sol was reading too much into this verbal sparring. But you’d be wrong to think that way!

‘I mean, look at that girl’s expression!’

Although Goh Ah-Reum spoke politely, her expression was definitely not polite at all. Besides, Han Eun-Sol had gone through similar ordeals plenty of times already, anyway. He could spot the signs from miles away.

The thing about actresses was that... they were in a hostile relationship with one another.

Some might argue that they had seen actresses on TV being real-life friends. Unfortunately, those people had no freaking idea!

Technically speaking, actresses could become friends. But that possibility didn’t apply to beautiful actresses. They were all hostile toward each other, without exception. Even the various ‘cliques’ of actresses that acted like a family and whatnot had only one beauty in the group!

-Mmm, I’m not sure? I don’t think I’m all that pretty, though. I mean, there are so many seniors and juniors who are prettier than me, right?

Those words uttered by beautiful actresses during interviews were all loads of bollocks.

Actresses had functioning eyes and perfectly working brains, after all. So how could they not be sure of their own good looks? Not a single actress who mouthed off such a cliched line during interviews was a good person in reality.

These actresses grew up being showered with affection by the people in their surroundings, all thanks to their superior looks. And even in their latter teen years, people would give them preferential treatment, too. No wonder they grew up into egocentric adults who believed the world revolved around them!

In their eyes, actresses just as pretty or even prettier than them were nothing more than competition they must trample over. Nay, a hindrance blocking their path to superstardom!

The so-called camaraderie between beautiful actresses was nothing more than some dumb fantasy cooked up by people who knew nothing about this industry.

As such, whenever two beautiful actresses ran into each other in an enclosed space like this one...

‘...The situation will devolve into this state.’

Of course, there was one wrinkle in this situation.

Han Eun-Sol frowned deeply.

‘This girl doesn’t know her place.’

Even if Goh Ah-Reum’s star was on a rapid ascent lately, her status was still not enough to start a war of nerves with Choi Yeon-Ha.

The proof was with her ‘classification’. If Goh Ah-Reum had reached the status rivaling that of Choi Yeon-Ha’s, people would’ve referred to her by her name, not group her along with the rest of her peers into the so-called ‘post-Choi Yeon-Ha’ generation.

People like Goh Ah-Reum sometimes showed up before Choi Yeon-Ha, of course.

This type of people usually had too much belief in themselves and thought they only had a rosy future ahead of them. Who could blame them, though? When their popularity seemed to be soaring through the roof, while the number of roles being offered was increasing day-by-day?

Unfortunately, this type of people usually made a fatal mistake of believing that the rosy future had already arrived for them, and that they had also attained the status of their future self.

Simply put, Goh Ah-Reum was one of those types of people who embodied the attitude of, ‘Sure, you might be slightly better than me right now, but I’ll be overtaking you soon enough. So what’s the problem if I want to stand as your equal right now?’

Choi Yeon-Ha casually asked, “So? What brings you here?”

“I told you, senior. I just wanted to say hello.”

“Okay. So, what brings you here?”

“...”

Goh Ah-Reum’s expression stiffened almost imperceptibly just then.

Choi Yeon-Ha was obviously telling her to stop with all this bullsh*t and get to the main topic. Judging from how quickly she saw through the facade, it seemed Goh Ah-Reum might have slightly underestimated her opponent today.

“Senior, is it true that you opened your own agency recently?”

“That’s old news, though?”

“I only heard about it not too long ago, you see? My schedule’s been too hectic lately for me to notice minor news like that, unfortunately.”

“Aha, is that so?” Choi Yeon-Ha smirked dismissively. “You don’t seem that busy to me, though.”

“...Yes, that’s true. Compared to you, that is. But things are gradually ramping up for me. Did you know that getting used to the pace of things is a lot harder than everyone thinks?”

“No need to get used to anything, though. It ain’t gonna last for long, anyway.”

Goh Ah-Reum shot a sharp glare at Choi Yeon-Ha just then.

“Goodness me? What was that all about? Are you glaring at me right now?”

“N-no, of course not. Maybe my makeup is overdone a little around my eyes, that’s why.”

Goh Ah-Reum smartly backed off when Choi Yeon-Ha got ready for a showdown. Even though Goh Ah-Reum was an insolent brat, she was also smart enough to know that it was too early in her career to get into an open feud with Choi Yeon-Ha.

“Yeah, I have opened my own agency. What about it, though?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked again.

“I was curious, you see? And I’m also a little interested, too.”

“Interested? Do you want to join my agency?”

“I’m thinking about it. My contract is about to run out, after all. And I think it’ll be a significant boost to my career if I join the company you represent.”

“I see. But it’s too bad.”

Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly while crossing her legs.

That was when Goh Ah-Reum was momentarily stupefied by the sight before her eyes. Something about Choi Yeon-Ha seemed so different from all the other actresses she had been dealing with until now.

Not just in the looks department, but... But Choi Yeon-Ha had this peerless aura about her.

“We aren’t accepting anyone at the moment, you see?”

Goh Ah-Reum sobered up quickly. “I’m... sorry?”

“It’s as I said. We aren’t accepting anyone. Especially actors,” said Choi Yeon-Ha with a smirk. “We’re not a modeling agency, after all. We make a living by selling off the services of people who can act, so it makes no sense for us to sign on a wannabe actor who has embarrassed herself in public with zero acting talent. Don’t you agree? I mean, I do have my reputation and pride to uphold, you know?”

Goh Ah-Reum couldn’t respond right away at that painful jab, and bit her lower lip instead.

‘Oh? So you wanna have a go? Is that it?’

Despite the spicy venom bubbling in her glare, Goh Ah-Reum somehow forced a smile on her face.

“Well, I guess that’s to be expected of a small agency. I mean, it’s so tiny that its top representative has to go around advertising her roster of talents like an insurance saleswoman, so... Yes, I feel for you, senior. Oh, and I heard that you’re shooting extra footage tomorrow. Is that true?”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“Something like that would’ve been unimaginable in the past, you know? That director is being too unfair, don’t you think? It’s not nice to disrespect you and take advantage of you at your low point like that, after all.”

“...”

Han Eun-Sol’s hearing caught a particular noise just then. And that noise was Choi Yeon-Ha subtly gritting her teeth!

‘Holy cow! This girl is no joke, either!’

Many aspiring actresses tried to get in Choi Yeon-Ha’s face over the years, but none of them had pushed her to the point of gritting teeth like that. But Goh Ah-Reum had pulled off a feat that should’ve been nearly impossible!

Choi Yeon-Ha seemed just about ready to erupt like a volcano, only for her gaze to shift over to her phone’s screen. She confirmed something on it, then her expression instantly softened to a warm smile.

“Are you busy right now? I want to chat a little more with you, you see?”

“We can talk, but not for long, senior.”

Choi Yeon-Ha nodded graciously. “Is it? Then why don’t we take a walk together instead? My ride is here, which means I don’t have a lot of time left to chat with you, anyway. Although, you can say no if you think walking with me will make you feel uncomfortable. I won’t mind.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine, senior. I’m not uncomfortable at all.”

“Is that so?” Choi Yeon-Ha smiled even more radiantly. “Okay, then walk with me.”

“But, senior? Is your agency’s situation not great? Seeing how you have to call for a ride-share like this.”

“Ah, no. It’s not like that. I just had some other circumstances, you see?” Choi Yeon-Ha smirked while grabbing her handbag. Then she strode outside the waiting room. “Eun-Sol? Can you update the agency on tomorrow’s schedule before going home for the day?”

Han Eun-Sol coolly nodded. “Got it, noona.”

Choi Yeon-Ha glanced at the younger actress next. “Come with me.”

“Okay, senior,” Goh Ah-Reum smiled brightly and began walking slightly behind Choi Yeon-Ha.

As the two women walked down the corridor, Goh Ah-Reum began asking more questions.

“Is it hard being a company representative?”

“More or less, I guess?”

“I saw so many seniors opening their own agencies, only to start regretting it immediately. Then again, if opening an agency was that easy, why would we sign on with already-existing agencies? Instead of opening our own? At least my current agency is influential in the industry and all. That’s been massively helpful with opening various doors for me.”

“Didn’t you say you were thinking of switching agencies to mine?”

Goh Ah-Reum grinned brightly. “I was only thinking about it, unnie. It is your agency, after all.”

“Hnng~?”

Choi Yeon-Ha snorted derisively. Not a senior, but unnie now?

“Let me give you a piece of advice. As your senior.”

“Yes? What advice?”

“Your feet. They are not touching the ground.”

“...?”

Goh Ah-Reum wordlessly glanced at her own feet.

“I’m being genuine about this, Ah-Reum. So listen well. Girls who enjoy a bit of ascendancy before disappearing completely number around a dozen or more each year. Don’t think of your current bit of popularity as the real deal. Because when you do, you’re gonna get crushed into oblivion, never to be heard from again.”

Goh Ah-Reum firmly shot back. “Don’t worry, that’s not how I view my career, anyway.”

“Really now?”

“Yes. I know it’s too early for that. However, if I work my butt off for the next few years, wouldn’t that popularity become the so-called real deal? By then, you would have transitioned into being a real actor, too. So, I’ll just swoop in to fill the void you’ve left behind, unnie.”

“Well, now. Aren’t you a positive thinker?”

Very positive, indeed!

The corners of Choi Yeon-Ha’s lips curled up. Girls like Goh Ah-Reum were not the type to lie down and give up even if they got suppressed and ground down by greater strength. That was because they had this unshakable belief that, regardless of what happened to them, they would still emerge victorious in the end.

Goh Ah-Reum would eventually learn the harsh lesson even if left alone. But Choi Yeon-Ha wasn’t gracious or patient enough to let nature take its course like that.

“Sure, do your best. I hope there’s something left for you when it’s time for me to step aside from the industry.”

Goh Ah-Reum smiled deeply. “Eiii~, don’t say that, unnie. That probably won’t happen anytime soon, you know?”

“Anything’s possible, right? I say that, because...”

The duo stepped into the parking lot. And that was when Choi Yeon-Ha stopped walking.

“Because things will get even busier for me from now on.”

RUUUMBLE! VROOOOOM!

A thunderous roar of a huge engine boomed inside the parking lot as an ultra-sleek sports car glided to a stop right before Choi Yeon-Ha.

“...!” Goh Ah-Reum blinked her eyes in stupefaction and alternated her gaze between the car and Choi Yeon-Ha. “U-unnie? Did you buy a new car?”

“Oh, this? No, it’s not mine.”

“Unnie, this is so childish, don’t you think? I know you’re loaded, so you don’t have to do this to...”

“I’m telling you, it’s not my car,” said Choi Yeon-Ha with a deep smirk.

That was when the driver’s side door swung upwards. And Goh Ah-Reum’s eyes grew wider and wider.

“Uh...?!”

A young man kitted out in a deep gray business suit and sleeked-back hair emerged from the driver’s side. Goh Ah-Reum’s eyes powerfully quaked as she took in the sight of this man.

‘What? What’s going on here? How can anyone be that handsome?!’

Regardless of what, Goh Ah-Reum was still an actress. As such, she had met most of South Korea’s popular actors at least once. However, no matter how hard she combed through her memories, none of those actors could hold a candle to this young man!

“Can you give me a minute?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked the young man. “I’d like to finish speaking to my junior.”

“Of course,” said the man with a cool nod.

Choi Yeon-Ha jutted her chin out a little while staring intently at Goh Ah-Reum.

“Unn... Senior?” Goh Ah-Reum narrowed her eyes and spoke, her tone noticeably sharper than before. “I didn’t think you’d be this brazen, senior. Is it okay for you to openly go on a date with a man? A scandal like this can easily sink you, you know?”

Choi Yeon-Ha haughtily smirked. “Sounds like you’re mistaken about something. I don’t care about scandals.”

“I... don’t follow?”

“It’ll be a good advertisement for us, actually. This gentleman is our company’s actual representative, after all.”

“A-actual representative?”

“Yup. If I’m being technical about it, he’s the chairman of the company. But that title makes him sound like an old fart, so let’s stick with ‘representative’ for now, okay?”

Goh Ah-Reum gasped loudly. “W-wasn’t it your company, senior?”

Choi Yeon-Ha laughed while covering her mouth. “You’re such a jokester, aren’t you? Where would I get the money to set up a company in the first place? That’s right, only the uber-wealthy can launch a massive company. Someone as poor as me trying to do that will bankrupt themselves in no time at all.”

Poor? Choi Yeon-Ha was poor?!

Goh Ah-Reum’s eyes powerfully quaked just then. That was because she heard that Choi Yeon-Ha’s overall wealth had already surpassed most small-to-medium enterprises by now. As far as Korean actors were concerned, only a handful might be richer than her. Even when looking at the entire Korean entertainment industry, only a few idols and legendary singers would be rich enough to look down on Choi Yeon-Ha.

That was the case, yet she dared to call herself poor?

In that case, just how wealthy was that young man, then?

“Listen, Ah-Reum.”

“...Yes, senior?”

“Do your best to take over the void I leave behind, okay?”

Choi Yeon-Ha looked down on Goh Ah-Reum as indescribable arrogance filled her expression.

Goh Ah-Reum bit her lower lip, unable to respond, as this thick and disgusting feeling of defeat washed over her.

“Then, see you later.”

Choi Yeon-Ha climbed into the passenger side, prompting Kang Jin-Ho to enter the car in silence as well.

RUMBLE, VROOM!

The exhaust fumes spat out by the Lamborghini whooshed past Goh Ah-Reum still standing there in stupefaction.