Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 220

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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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Remembering (6)
Kim Young-jun, the Prosecutor General, furrowed his brow and brought his phone to his ear. Then came the voice of the Presidential Chief of Staff.
-It’s late. Seems you haven’t been sleeping?
The tone carried a mocking quality, as if he already knew everything.
Kim Young-jun’s grip tightened, though his voice remained unhurried.
“With all these lies stirring up noise, how could I possibly sleep?”
-Lies? They’re not true?
“That’s correct.”
Kim Young-jun explained.
This was something from thirty years ago.
His wife had purchased the land approximately ten years ago and had no connection to the incident.
After hearing all of this, Choi Seo-woo, the Presidential Chief of Staff, chuckled softly before responding.
-That’s fortunate then. In that case, please confirm it as fact. I hear there’s blood evidence on the murder weapon that’s presumed to belong to the perpetrator. A genetic test would wrap this up cleanly, wouldn’t it?
“…!”
-The President is quite concerned as well. You should shake off this controversy as soon as possible and focus on your duties.
The call ended.
Then my phone vibrated again.
This time it was Baek Ki-ho.
-…It’s blown open?
Baek Ki-ho knew that Eom Si-young’s family was connected to loan sharks.
He’d already grasped that she and Eom Seon-ju were committing financial crimes together.
And Kim Young-jun knew Baek Ki-ho’s daughter, Lee So-hee.
That was the reason they could join hands.
“What should we do?”
Kim Young-jun trusted Baek Ki-ho. I wouldn’t go down alone. For Baek Ki-ho to survive, he’d have to drag me out with him.
-Do you need to worry? The statute of limitations has passed. Ignore it lightly. There’s a saying, isn’t there? It’ll bark for a few days and then quiet down.
“The Blue House called.”
-To catch the general, you naturally shoot the running horse first. Think of it as negative campaigning ahead of the presidential election.
The call ended.
Kim Young-jun bit his lip.
“Shoot the running horse first to catch the general?”
Baek Ki-ho had used a metaphor—himself as the general, Kim Young-jun as the horse. Through this incident, he’d established the hierarchy. And a horse can always be replaced.
A horse can be switched out at any time.
Kim Young-jun laughed incredulously and turned his gaze.
Eom Si-young was staring at him with wide, frightened eyes.
“W-what’s happening? Why is this….”
Kim Young-jun approached Eom Si-young with heavy steps. He gently gripped her shoulders with both hands and spoke in a low voice.
“Go see your father again. Tell him to verify everything from the beginning. From the National Forensic Service Director to the stand-in who’ll take the fall for murder—check them all.”
“…!”
“The Blue House is targeting me. Baek Ki-ho can withdraw his support whenever he wants. This case… I can’t trust anyone else.”
Kim Young-jun’s grip tightened. His gaze pierced through Eom Si-young as he continued speaking.
“Your father needs to step forward.”
*
*
*
Chairman Um’s residence, in his study room.
Chairman Um stood gazing out the window, hands clasped behind his back.
His eyes were cold and piercing.
“So? The actor never showed up?”
“That’s correct.”
Choi Ji-beom stood behind Chairman Um.
His head bowed, his expression heavy with apology.
“What does the Director of the National Forensic Service say?”
“Nothing much. It seems he’ll likely follow our wishes.”
“The Blue House got involved, and you’re saying ‘likely’?”
“I’ll confirm it.”
Chairman Um nodded, then slowly turned to face Choi Ji-beom.
“Manager Choi… how long have we been working together? I can see wrinkles forming around your eyes now.”
“…”
“I remember when you were younger. You suffered so much. Running around to collect debts. Whenever you received orders, you wouldn’t go home for months.”
Choi Ji-beom’s lips grew dry. He couldn’t predict what Chairman Um would say next.
And Chairman Um slowly approached him.
Choi Ji-beom hastily bowed at the waist.
“I’ll be more careful and attentive going forward!”
Chairman Um, standing before him, smiled benevolently and patted Choi Ji-beom’s shoulder.
“It’s because I raised my children poorly that you’ve had to suffer so much.”
“That’s not true!”
“Don’t come in tomorrow. Spend the day with your family. Have meals together, drink coffee.”
“Ch-Chairman…”
“The coming days will be busy. Who else will clean up the mess my children made if not you?”
Chairman Um withdrew a thick envelope from his pocket and placed it in Choi Ji-beom’s hands. His eyes filled with trust, he continued speaking.
“I trust only you.”
“Th-thank you so much.”
Choi Ji-beom’s face flushed with emotion. Despite his mistake, he felt even greater trust.
Chairman Um tapped Choi Ji-beom’s arm.
“Go home. You won’t see your family’s faces for the coming days. Spend tomorrow seeing them to your heart’s content.”
Choi Ji-beom bowed several times before leaving the study room.
Chairman Um then sat in his chair and picked up the telephone.
“Have Director Son come here.”
Moments later, the door creaked open and the man called Director Son entered.
Director Son, a man in his mid-thirties, stood before Chairman Um and opened his mouth.
“I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
“Listen here. Manager Choi has been under me for over thirty years. Shouldn’t we give him time to say goodbye to his family? Make it the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Director Son left.
Chairman Um placed a cigarette between his lips and spoke.
“Come out now.”
As he finished speaking, a small door in the corner of the study room opened, and Eom Si-young walked out from within.
Chairman Um lit his cigarette and continued.
“Choi Ji-beom will write a suicide note and take his own life. The note will be filled with apologies to you. All suspicions against you will be closed. Your father will make it so.”
“Thank you.”
“Si-young… now let go of the dead man and take Kim’s hand.”
“Dad…”
“That man would have risen to that position even without my help.”
Chairman Um rose to his feet. He stepped toward Eom Si-young and continued speaking.
“He’s just like me. He’s the kind of man who can kill a pet dog without hesitation. The kind who can abandon those beside him, trample those below him, and bring down those above him.”
“…”
“Even after I die, that man will raise you to the highest position. Si-young, take Kim’s hand now. That’s the only way Seon-ju and your life will find peace.”
Chairman Um was now at an age where he gazed upon death. A life looking toward its end, desiring only his children’s happiness.
*
*
*
The next day.
Choi Ji-beom sat at home after finishing a meal with his family.
The top floor of a mixed-use apartment complex with an unobstructed view of the Han River.
“What’s the occasion? You have the whole day off.”
“Things will get busy starting tomorrow, so I took a day off.”
“You, Chairman?”
“Yes.”
His wife’s mood seemed to have improved, pleased by the outing.
His son and daughter, meanwhile, appeared indifferent.
They had wanted to spend the weekend with friends, but Choi Ji-beom had suddenly called them here.
Choi Ji-beom chuckled as he observed his children’s expressions.
“Min-woo, when are you going to marry your girlfriend? Do it soon. Dad found a nice apartment in Seocho-dong for you.”
“Really?”
At the same moment, Choi Ji-beom’s daughter sat down beside him with a warm expression.
“Dad, you’re only giving it to Min-woo? What about me?”
The children who had been indifferent until now suddenly had their eyes light up at the mention of property.
His daughter linked her arm through Choi Ji-beom’s and continued speaking.
“Dad, I like the view of the Han River. It would be even better if it’s close to a department store.”
“Apgujeong-dong?”
My daughter nodded quickly.
But I couldn’t hear Choi Ji-beom’s response.
A phone call had come through.
“Huh? Now? Got it.”
Choi Ji-beom rose to his feet and walked toward the entrance. His wife, who had been bringing out fruit, tilted her head in confusion.
“Where are you going?”
“Oh, just outside for a moment. A junior colleague from work has an urgent matter. I’ll be back soon.”
Choi Ji-beom waved to his wife and slipped out the door.
*
*
*
“What’s going on?”
Choi Ji-beom approached Director Son with a cigarette between his lips.
Director Son was someone who had come on Chairman Um’s orders.
Director Son opened his mouth with an uncomfortable expression.
“I apologize. I know it’s your day off, sir….”
“But?”
“A problem has arisen.”
“A problem?”
“The men killed a debtor while collecting. The problem is that the debtor bastard announced far and wide that he was coming to meet us….”
Choi Ji-beom’s expression darkened.
“Where’s the scene?”
“The office.”
“First, find someone with a similar build to use as a stand-in. Then make sure the CCTV captures him leaving the office. After that… no, let’s go together.”
Choi Ji-beom got into Director Son’s car.
He could have just given orders, but he wanted to go to the scene himself and show how to handle it.
Choi Ji-beom’s time to retire was approaching. He believed that thorough training of his successor was for Chairman Um’s benefit.
And as the car door shut with a decisive click, a bleak smile crossed Director Son’s lips.
*
*
*
“Why… why are you doing this!”
Moments later, on the rooftop of a building.
In that place where harsh winds blew, Choi Ji-beom was backing away with fear etched across his face.
Before him stood Director Son and a dozen men in black suits.
Director Son spoke with a cigarette between his lips.
“Manager Choi… please don’t resent us. It’s all Chairman Um’s orders.”
“…!”
“Your will has already been prepared. You know roughly what it says, don’t you? You’re taking all the sins upon yourself for Chairman Um and his daughter.”
The men advanced toward Choi Ji-beom, and he continued retreating backward.
But Choi Ji-beom could retreat no further.
His back had touched the railing.
A harsh wind whipped through Choi Ji-beom’s hair.
Director Son stood before him, wiggling his fingers playfully.
“If you jump on your own, I’d appreciate it.”
“Please… save me! Please!”
“My, my… how many people have begged for their lives before Manager Choi Ji-beom, crawling on their hands and knees? Did you spare all of them?”
“Director Son!”
“Manager Choi Ji-beom killed every single one of them. Sold their organs too. Isn’t that right?”
“Report me as dead. Keep quiet and live!”
Director Son began to cackle with laughter.
“Manager Choi Ji-beom… why do you think we’re doing this in the heart of Gangnam? You have to die falling from here so everyone knows. It’ll be big news. People will see it! So now, die.”
Director Son waved his hand. The men in black suits standing behind him advanced relentlessly toward Choi Ji-beom.
Choi Ji-beom turned his gaze downward, looking below the building.
Dizzying.
A fall from here meant certain death.
Choi Ji-beom’s lips trembled violently. His entire body shook.
Over thirty years of loyalty—and this was the reward: death.
The meal he’d shared with his family had been his last supper.
“You bastard, Eom Dong-seok!”
Choi Ji-beom screamed Chairman Um’s name, his voice dripping with blood.
“Director Son, you son of a bitch! Do you really think you’ll survive this? You’ll end up just like me!”
Director Son spoke as if it were absurd.
“Everyone dies anyway. Before I do, I want to live in a Mixed-use Apartment Complex with a view of the Han River. A penthouse, specifically.”
The men in black suits quickened their pace. They seized Choi Ji-beom’s body.
That was when it happened.
The locked rooftop door shattered with a loud crack and burst open.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the rooftop door.
There stood Seo Jin, hammer in hand.
“Hey!”
Seo Jin smiled, looking at the dozen or so men, Director Son, and Choi Ji-beom.
Director Son’s face contorted.
“…Who are you?”
“Me? A prosecutor.”
“…A prosecutor?”
It was difficult to make out faces in the dark rooftop.
Seo Jin approached them and continued speaking.
“Choi Ji-beom… he’s an important witness for us, you see?”
Director Son cackled with laughter.
“Do we look like people who fear prosecutors?”
As I spoke, I slammed the hammer against the floor with a resounding crack. Then, fixing Director Son with a piercing glare, I continued.
“If you’ve committed a crime, you should be afraid.”
“Grab that bastard first.”
Director Son exhaled a plume of cigarette smoke as he spoke. Men began filing in behind me.
Ten, twenty, more kept coming.
They were unmistakably not investigators. They were clearly thugs.
They were Jang Seok-min’s subordinates.

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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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