Chapter 15

Heavenly Demon.

The head of the Demonic Cult.

The Demonic Cult is a group of strong believers who purely worship strength, a group of those who respect the strong.

Therefore, the existence of the Heavenly Demon naturally meant the strongest person in that place.

How did Kang Taehan rise to that position?

In fact, when he first fell into Murim, Kang Taehan had no interest in martial arts.

What kind of martial arts could he possibly do when he couldn’t even fend for himself?

The reason he became a Murim person was…

Because when he was wandering around in that unfamiliar world like a beggar, the only person who helped and took him in was a Murim person, his master.

And the reason he became the Heavenly Demon was…

When his sect was destroyed and his master, who was his benefactor, was murdered, it turned out that the previous Heavenly Demon was behind the conspiracy.

Revenge.

After that, Kang Taehan survived solely for revenge and did anything to survive.

He was weak, and the weak could not be picky about their means.

If murder was necessary, he killed people without hesitation.

And finally, when he finished all those things…

He had become the new Heavenly Demon.

That was all.

‘…It’s not something I can do twice.’

He had no regrets.

Unlike the common teachings of the world that ‘revenge is only bitter,’ revenge was sweet.

…However, as time passed and his hair turned white…

One word from his old master lingered in his heart.

That one word, ‘You don’t have to live like a saint, but live a life where you can be thanked by others.’

‘That was a teaching I couldn’t keep in Murim.’

The Heavenly Demon is a symbol of power and fear.

By then, he had already come a long way, and it was too late to turn back.

But now it’s different.

The remaining time and the era are different.

Then, this time, it wouldn’t be bad to walk the path of ‘a life where you can be thanked’ according to his old master’s teachings.

‘…In a way, I’ve buttoned the first button well by chance.’

Massage therapist.

Originally, it was something he started simply because of money when he was in urgent need of it.

But now it’s a little different.

His martial arts and related knowledge were originally honed only to harm others.

He had never helped anyone, and he had no time for it.

But being able to help someone with this and be thanked for it felt better than he thought.

To be honest, he was quite proud.

‘But I’m not going to become a saint.’

Having a job that helps someone…

And being able to do good deeds if he has the time.

Just that kind of life.

He wasn’t sure yet if he would make this his profession, but it wouldn’t be bad to take it more seriously.

With that thought, Kang Taehan moved his steps.

⟢⟢⟢⟢⟢⟢

Manager Kim Gwanho of Cheonli Products.

He was in a good mood these days.

His heavy body had become lighter, and since he was sleeping soundly every night and waking up refreshed, his condition couldn’t be bad.

“Manager Kim, your face looks bright these days, doesn’t it?”

A bright smile without a hint of darkness.

He had been looking unwell lately, making people wonder if something was wrong, but now he seemed full of motivation and passion.

Even though it was Sunday and he was out playing golf with a client.

“Haha. I was so excited to play golf with Manager Yoo after so long, I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“Don’t give me that. You’re saying that with a straight face?”

“Huh? I’m serious.”

When Kim Gwanho said this with an exaggerated gesture, Manager Yoo waved his hand dismissively.

“I know you like me, so let’s share something good for our health. What is it? Something to eat? Or something to drink?”

Manager Yoo pretended to use chopsticks and then pretended to drink from a soju glass.

Kim Gwanho glanced around and then covered one side of his mouth with his left hand, speaking secretly.

“It’s neither.”

“Then what is it? …It can’t be this, can it?”

Manager Yoo said, pretending to inject a syringe.

“Hey, what are you talking about?”

“I was just kidding, but your current energy does look like you’re on something. I heard you were looking down in the dumps until recently.”

“On something…”

Kim Gwanho stroked his chin and paused for a moment.

“I’ve never been on anything, but when I first got it, it definitely felt like I was. Of course, there was nothing harmful to the body.”

“So what is it? What is it that you keep beating around the bush about?”

Manager Yoo’s voice rose as Kim Gwanho kept stalling.

Kim Gwanho laughed and finally opened his mouth.

“Well, an employee at a client company I recently met introduced me to a massage shop, and one of the therapists there is amazing.”

“Massage? Where is it?”

“It’s a massage shop attached to a sauna.”

“…A sauna?”

Manager Yoo’s expression fell at Kim Gwanho’s words.

If it was a massage shop attached to a sauna, it would be just like any other.

As if he knew what he was thinking, Kim Gwanho waved his hand.

“It doesn’t seem like much, but when you actually get a massage there, it’s a whole different level. I didn’t think much of it either, but as soon as I got out, I made my next appointment.”

“…Really?”

“I’m telling you. I’ve been to all the famous places, like massage parlors, sports massage, Thai massage, you name it. But this is different.”

Manager Yoo knew that Kim Gwanho had pretty good taste.

If he was saying this much, there must be something different about it.

“If you’re saying that much, let’s go sometime.”

“Sure! The sauna is ordinary, but it’s quite clean, so it’s perfect for relaxing.”

Kim Gwanho said with a friendly laugh.

It wouldn’t be long before Manager Yoo became one of Kang Taehan’s regular customers.

Word of mouth didn’t have an immediate effect, but it had a slow and sure promotional effect.

Just like how a recommendation from a local acquaintance was more reliable than dozens of online restaurant reviews.

Moreover, there was even a chain reaction.

Nam Woohyeon brought Kim Gwanho, Kim Gwanho brought new customers, and those customers became regulars and brought other customers, a continuing cycle.

And this phenomenon was not just happening to a few people but to the majority of the customers who had experienced Kang Taehan’s touch.

“Father, you said your back has been bothering you lately, right? I found a good massage shop…”

“Minsu’s mom told me that there’s a massage therapist there who’s really amazing. Her husband is so full of energy these days.”

“It feels different from the moment you wake up in the morning. It’s no lie when they say it feels like you’ve become ten years younger.”

Word of mouth spreading from acquaintance to acquaintance.

As a result, Kang Taehan’s premium course, which had been discussed earlier, was booming even before it started.

“…Should I have charged a little more?”

Manager Hwang tilted his head and let out a small exclamation.

What was displayed on the screen in front of him was the reservation sheet for the Master Course.

The Master Course was the premium course they had talked about before, a service operated by full reservation and assigned only to the two massage therapists who had many regular customers and good reviews.

However, the original price was the factor that had the biggest impact on consumer sentiment.

Therefore, there were many concerns, and the increase wasn’t set too high…

‘It’s ridiculous that I was worried.’

Kang Taehan’s reservation sheet was already full.

For the next two weeks, only unpopular times like opening hours were left, and even those were being filled one by one.

“The price doesn’t seem low…”

Manager Hwang brought up another reservation sheet on the screen.

It was the reservation sheet for Kim Seonghun, the other massage therapist who was in charge of the Master Course with Kang Taehan, and who also had many regular customers and good skills.

However, compared to Kang Taehan’s, this one was sparsely filled, almost empty.

‘…No, this is just Mr. Taehan being strange.’

Kim Seonghun’s side was closer to the expected reaction.

The Master Course was starting next week, so how could it be fully booked already?

It was just that the response to Kang Taehan was unbelievably good.

“But is Mr. Taehan that good?”

Originally, the person with the best skills and the most customers in the shop was Kim Seonghun.

But Kang Taehan, who had only joined recently, had quickly caught up and now even widened the gap this much.

At this point, he even wanted to try getting a massage from him.

He suddenly recalled that the customers who had received a massage from Kang Taehan all had relaxed expressions on their faces.

A feeling overflowing with satisfaction, so to speak.

‘…But it’s a bit awkward to ask.’

Manager Hwang chuckled as he scrolled the mouse wheel.

Kang Taehan worked non-stop from late morning to evening, and even then, there were so many customers that reservations were backed up.

It would be awkward to ask him for a quick massage.

Manager Hwang grabbed his left shoulder and turned his neck.

‘Speaking of which, did I sleep wrong…’

His neck was stiff as if he had a crick, and it hurt when he bent it. It didn’t interfere with his work, but it was annoying that it would suddenly hurt when he moved carelessly.

He was thinking that he should go to the sauna for a bit after the counter staff arrived…

“Oh, Manager Hwang. You’re here?”

“Oh! Mr. Taehan. Are you done working?”

“Yes. Please take care of the customers if they come out.”

Kang Taehan, who had just finished a session and was heading to the waiting room.

He suddenly seemed to notice something and walked towards Manager Hwang.

“You must have slept funny.”

“Huh, huh? No… Does it show?”

“Did you change your pillow or something? This side must be uncomfortable.”

Manager Hwang reacted awkwardly, momentarily flustered.

On the other hand, Kang Taehan tapped the lower left side of his neck and spoke in a casual tone.

“How did you know?”

“I can tell just by looking. The angle of your neck is different.”

“A, angle?”

“Yes. Anyway, if you’re okay with it, should I loosen it up for you? It’ll only take a moment.”

Kang Taehan strode towards him without waiting for an answer.

“Just a moment will do.”

“Really?”

“Yes. This is nothing, really.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that…”

As soon as Manager Hwang finished his sentence, Kang Taehan grabbed his left shoulder and the back of his neck.

And he pressed firmly on the points where the muscles were knotted, between the muscles, with his thumbs.

“Ugh…?”

For a moment, it felt like an electric shock ran through his body.

His body instinctively recoiled, but the next moment, his tension strangely eased, and his body relaxed.

It was a strange feeling, as if he wasn’t being held by the neck but was leaning on it.

As he was getting used to the feeling…

“How is it?”

“…Huh?”

Kang Taehan, who had already released his hands, was standing in front of him.

Manager Hwang reflexively rotated his neck and shoulders a couple of times.

There was no stiffness, and his movements were smoother and lighter than before, as if his muscles had been oiled.

To express this feeling in a common phrase…

“…It feels good.”

“It’s okay, right? If you have any discomfort, let me know next time.”

Kang Taehan smiled brightly and went into the waiting room, waving his hand.

Manager Hwang kept rotating his head and shoulders with a look of wonder.

It felt like a lie that he had a crick in his neck just a moment ago.

“How is this possible?”

He looked at his watch; less than a minute had passed.

In that time, he had completely relieved the stiffness in his neck.

It was more like magic than a massage.

“…No wonder he has so many customers.”

If it was this good in such a short time, what would it be like to receive it for dozens of minutes?

He even wanted to get a little more right now.

Manager Hwang nodded to himself, convinced.