Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 148

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Invisible Hand (2)
Everyone needs time to deliberate.
Seo Jin bowed toward Jeon Dong-guk, hoping that time would be brief.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Seo Jin departed.
But Jeon Dong-guk remained motionless, as though frozen in place.
He continued staring only at the ledger Seo Jin had left behind.
And after several more minutes had passed.
Jeon Dong-guk’s gaze shifted toward Kim Gwan-yong.
“What do you think?”
Kim Gwan-yong found Seo Jin’s proposal attractive.
But he did not speak hastily.
Jeon Dong-guk was a man of unwavering resolve.
Opening his mouth carelessly would only invite reproach.
He had to convey his thoughts without disturbing the other’s sensibilities.
“I… saw it as an opportunity.”
“An opportunity?”
“Yes.”
Kim Gwan-yong exhaled a dry sigh and offered several words of persuasion.
Jeon Dong-guk listened in silence, merely refilling and drinking his glass.
And when Kim Gwan-yong finished speaking, Jeon Dong-guk set down his glass and opened his mouth.
“Hearing your words made me angry. But do you know why I’m angry? Because I think your proposal is an unethical method? No—because your proposal is so tempting.”
“…!”
It was from the moment Seo Jin had set down the ledger.
Jeon Dong-guk heard nothing else from Seo Jin.
Only the ledger.
The position I could ascend to by wielding it.
The intoxicating sweetness of power I could wield from that place.
“Without realizing it, I envisioned myself as First Vice Chief Prosecutor. But in that future, I wielded power without acting justly.”
“…”
“My wife would be pleased, my children would be proud, there would be good fortune in my household—such thoughts. Perhaps I could even aim for the next Prosecutor General. Only such futures unfolded before my eyes.”
“…”
“This is why they say not to covet power.”
Jeon Dong-guk smiled bitterly and refilled his glass.
Kim Gwan-yong watched carefully and asked cautiously.
“…You won’t do it?”
Jeon Dong-guk chuckled and shook his head.
“Without desire, a man is not human. And my wife would be pleased—I cannot refuse.”
“…!”
“Gwan-yong, I ask one thing of you. If I stray from the path, put handcuffs on these hands of mine. And accept them gladly.”
Jeon Dong-guk set the glass to his lips quietly, then chuckled and muttered to himself.
“Justice without power….”
Chief Prosecutor Kim Gwan-yong refilled Jeon Dong-guk’s glass, thinking he would drink heavily tonight.
*
*
*
The call came to Jeon Dong-guk the very next day, while I was absorbed in work at my office.
-I’ll stand with you.
I’d expected it to take at least two days, but the swift contact and firm commitment came faster than anticipated.
Feeling that things might unfold favorably, I clenched my fist tightly.
“Then, I’ll proceed with the plan.”
Of course, Jeon Dong-guk alone couldn’t sink Kim Young-jun.
Comparing the power of the Prosecutor-General and the First Vice Chief Prosecutor was like comparing heaven and earth.
‘I’ve simply gained one card to check him with.’
I was delighted by Jeon Dong-guk’s involvement, but I was observing the situation with the utmost detachment.
‘Still, I can shackle Kim Young-jun’s ankles.’
I turned my head toward the window.
The real work was only beginning now.
‘What I need to do now is….’
There was only one First Vice Chief Prosecutor in Kim Young-jun’s mind.
-Choo An-young, Prosecutor at Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office.
To make Jeon Dong-guk the First Vice Chief Prosecutor, I had to bring him down.
That way, I could leave the position vacant.
Then, what came next was simple.
The National Assembly members entangled in corruption would move, and they would push to seat Jeon Dong-guk in the First Vice Chief Prosecutor’s position.
‘When that time comes, even Kim Young-jun will have no choice but to consent.’
Kim Young-jun would calculate the benefits of Jeon Dong-guk becoming First Vice Chief Prosecutor.
Though not his own man, he would certainly see it as a decent card and seat him in that position.
‘But time is scarce.’
At most, I had three weeks remaining.
I had to resolve it within that window.
Having thought this far, I drew a faint smile.
‘This….’
It seemed I was inadvertently gaining another backing.
Now I had forged connections not only with Kim Young-jun but also with Jeon Dong-guk.
‘The Prosecutor-General and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office’s First Vice Chief Prosecutor….’
Among all prosecutors in the Republic of Korea, it seemed only one other could rival such backing.
Of course, that was only if all the plans fell perfectly into place.
*
*
*
A few days later, at a Korean Traditional Restaurant.
I met with Do Gwang-hyun.
Do Gwang-hyun asked me, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
“Who? Who am I supposed to meet?”
“Lee Ki-seung, the First Vice Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors Office.”
“Wow….”
Do Gwang-hyun’s former profession was con artist—prosecutors terrified him.
But a Vice Chief Prosecutor? Do Gwang-hyun’s tongue flicked out in disbelief.
Still, I pressed on without hesitation.
“From now on, you’re not Do Gwang-hyun anymore. You’re Jayden Kim, the major shareholder of Shinma Construction.”
While I was handling Jeo Hoo-an, Do Gwang-hyun had materialized Jayden Kim.
And he’d become one of Shinma Construction’s largest shareholders.
“If an ordinary person called him, he wouldn’t even glance at them. But if a major shareholder of Shinma Construction called? He’d kick off his shoes and come running. Lee Ki-seung is exactly that type of man.”
Lee Ki-seung is the right hand of Choo An-young, whom Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun considers his Vice Chief Prosecutor.
They believed themselves bound by unshakeable trust, but that was far from the truth.
Human trust isn’t a chain.
A single variable, and humans turn their backs.
And I knew Lee Ki-seung’s greed intimately.
“…So, what am I supposed to do when we meet?”
“Give him money.”
“What?”
“We’ll decide the price when the time comes.”
“If I meet with a prosecutor and just hand over cash, and then I get dragged away….”
Do Gwang-hyun trailed off, his casual quip dying on his lips.
He’d seen my expression and realized this was no joke.
As Do Gwang-hyun fidgeted with his glass, lost in thought, I placed a miniature earpiece on the table.
“Your job is to relay my words exactly as I say them.”
I couldn’t appear in person.
My face was already known throughout the Prosecutor’s Office.
And if I made one wrong move, word could reach Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun’s ears.
Until I’d drained every last drop of honey from Kim Young-jun, I had to stay completely hidden.
Do Gwang-hyun exhaled deeply and picked up the earpiece.
“Where do you even get something like this? This isn’t the National Intelligence Service.”
“Online shopping. Fifty thousand won.”
I told him the truth, but Do Gwang-hyun laughed as if it were absurd.
*
*
*
At that very moment.
Kim Young-jun, the Chief Prosecutor, was meeting with the Minister of Justice.
The Minister of Justice was a former judge who had served as a National Assembly member.
Her gaze shifted to the two résumés placed on the table.
These were candidates for the position of First Vice Chief Prosecutor who would assist Kim Young-jun when he became Supreme Prosecutor.
“While the appointment authority rests with you, Minister, I trust you will respect my selection.”
The Minister of Justice picked up the résumés in her hands and offered a thin smile.
“Chief Prosecutor, what’s the rush? The appointment has already been decided. All that remains is the announcement and the confirmation hearing. I think personnel selection can wait until after that.”
Her tone was deliberately provocative.
The Minister of Justice was attempting to test Kim Young-jun’s resolve.
The Supreme Prosecutor stood at the apex of Korea’s prosecution service—one of the ultimate seats of unchecked power.
Yet the Ministry of Justice held authority over prosecution appointments and budget allocation.
Still, one could not simply disrespect the Supreme Prosecutor.
Only the Supreme Prosecutor could direct investigations, and if he chose, he possessed the power to eliminate the Minister of Justice herself.
It was a delicate balance.
One misstep would draw blood.
“Take your time—prepare for the confirmation hearing first. As they say, no one emerges without dust when shaken. I’m curious how you’ll fare, Chief Prosecutor.”
Her eyes gleamed with the hope that he would fall.
But Kim Young-jun dismissed it without concern.
“I have lived my entire life on law. You need not worry about dust.”
Kim Young-jun had already filled the pockets of National Assembly members with money.
Their mouths would remain sealed until they had swallowed every last coin.
Shortly after, Kim Young-jun departed.
The Minister of Justice picked up the résumés on the table once more.
Her brow furrowed.
‘Damn it.’
The Minister of Justice knew Kim Young-jun well.
He was already a man who moved among National Assembly members, wielding formidable power.
Moreover, he did not acknowledge her—a former judge—as Minister of Justice.
If such a man became Supreme Prosecutor, it would be truly alarming.
And now he was trying to control personnel appointments as well.
Of course, the appointment authority belonged to her, but she had no justification to block him.
If every position were filled with Kim Young-jun’s people…
“…This cannot happen.”
Yet she could not stop Kim Young-jun.
Recently, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office had accumulated tremendous achievements, and Kim Young-jun had earned the trust of Blue House officials.
For now, she had no choice but to be dragged along by Kim Young-jun’s will.
Personnel appointments, administration—everything…
*
*
*
The news that Kim Young-jun would be appointed as the next Prosecutor General was officially announced.
Three days until the confirmation hearing.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Jayden Kim.”
Do Gwang-hyun had a tiny earpiece inserted in his ear—invisible to the naked eye—as he met with Lee Ki-seung.
“Thank you for making time for me.”
A Chinese restaurant in a hotel, specifically a VIP room.
Not a place a prosecutor could easily access on their salary.
Lee Ki-seung scanned the room with vacant eyes for a moment before taking his seat.
Then he studied Do Gwang-hyun intently.
He’d come because the man was supposedly a major shareholder of Shinma Construction.
Building connections with wealthy men always proved advantageous.
But this man was only in his mid-thirties.
“You’re younger than I expected. Did your family have money, or did you make your fortune young?”
“Fortune simply favored me.”
Lee Ki-seung was studying Do Gwang-hyun carefully.
A wealthy young man.
He was calculating whether to cultivate him as a connection or mark him as a target.
But behind Do Gwang-hyun stood Seo Jin.
I could see exactly what he was thinking.
Do Gwang-hyun recited Seo Jin’s words verbatim.
“I heard it’s promotion season. Choo An-young will be moving up to First Vice Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, correct?”
At that moment, Lee Ki-seung’s eyes gleamed.
His expression showed he understood Do Gwang-hyun’s intention in summoning him.
Lee Ki-seung smiled faintly and grasped his glass.
Then he spoke with a mocking tone.
“Is there a problem with Shinma Construction? Are you asking me to cover it up in exchange for cutting ties? Because the First Vice Chief Prosecutor would have that power? I’m sorry, but I don’t accept favors.”
Lee Ki-seung’s gaze had shifted.
He’d decided to mark Do Gwang-hyun as a target.
The first operation after Kim Young-jun became Prosecutor General.
Destroying a major corporation like Shinma Construction would be quite a prize.
And if that operation began from his own hands, it would be perfect.
But that was Lee Ki-seung’s miscalculation.
Seo Jin hadn’t placed Do Gwang-hyun here for such trivial favors.
Seo Jin was beginning to exploit Lee Ki-seung’s greed.
“Let me be frank with you.”
“I already said I don’t accept favors.”
“We don’t want Choo An-young as the First Vice Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
“Ha!”
Lee Ki-seung rose to his feet as though he had nothing more to hear.
His eyes turned cold and menacing as he glared at Do Gwang-hyun, his voice dropping to a low whisper.
“Jayden Kim, is it? We’ll meet again soon—but next time, it’ll be in an Interrogation Room, not a place like this.”
“….”
Do Gwang-hyun felt as though he were dying.
The First Vice Chief Prosecutor’s gaze was sharp enough to make his skin crawl.
Following Seo Jin’s instructions, I sat there feigning composure, but all I wanted was to go home immediately.
Then Lee Ki-seung dropped the tissue he’d used to wipe his hands onto the table and continued speaking.
“I wonder if you’ll be so cocky then.”
With that, Lee Ki-seung walked toward the VIP Room’s door with heavy, deliberate strides.
Then.
“Five billion won.”
“…!”
Lee Ki-seung’s footsteps halted.
It was too large a sum to pretend he hadn’t heard.
His gaze slowly turned toward Do Gwang-hyun.
“…What did you say?”
“Five billion won, and a position at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
Lee Ki-seung swallowed dryly.
And he waited for Do Gwang-hyun to continue.
“During personnel reshuffle season, even falling leaves must be careful. A minor infraction can cost someone a position as First Vice Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
“….”
“Just one small infraction—the kind Choo An-young committed—that’s all I’m asking for. I believe five billion won more than compensates for it.”
“….”
“I don’t understand your hesitation. Choo An-young won’t lose his position. He won’t be arrested. He simply won’t become First Vice Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
“…!”
“Does Choo An-young becoming First Vice Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office benefit you in any way?”
No.
At best, you gain a position at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.
But Do Gwang-hyun was offering that position along with five billion won.
“Decide.”
At Do Gwang-hyun’s words, Lee Ki-seung let out a long sigh and sat down.
Then he gulped down some water and nodded.
“Let me see the money first.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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