Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 235

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

Cutting Off the Head (1)
I ended the call and set my phone down.
Then I walked to the window and threw it open. The sound of protests beginning in front of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office carried all the way here.
—Kim Young-jun, resign as Prosecutor General immediately and submit to investigation!
—Submit! Submit!
—Kim Young-jun, reflect on your crimes and step down at once!
—Step down! Step down!
I picked up my phone again with an indifferent gaze.
The news articles on the Portal Website were chaotic, and so were the comments below them.
—Isn’t the Ruling Party just trying to catch Baek Ki-ho? Kim Young-jun is the one who imprisoned his own wife and son.
└I agree.
└With the presidential election approaching, they’re pulling out all the stops.
—The government and Ruling Party must be terrified of Kim Young-jun. Look at what they’re doing.
—Where did Jaejeong Construction suddenly come from?
└They probably promised them a plot of land in the New City. Let them develop on prime real estate, and in return, arrest Kim Young-jun.
Those supporting Congressman Baek Ki-ho had stepped forward to protect Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun.
Kim Jun-man had held a press conference with tears in his eyes, but the opposing faction was turning a blind eye to the truth.
Their only concern was one thing: they worried that the chain reaction of events would break Congressman Baek Ki-ho’s approval ratings. So they were desperately defending Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun.
‘How amusing….’
I smiled bitterly and gazed out the window.
*
*
*
That night, Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun was meeting with Congressman Baek Ki-ho.
Congressman Baek Ki-ho opened his mouth with a grave expression.
“I will consent to the Special Investigation Act.”
A cold smile played at the corners of Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun’s lips.
“You’ll consent?”
“Yes.”
Congressman Baek Ki-ho set down his glass and continued.
“Your limbs have been severed. I heard the Chief Prosecutor and key prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office are ignoring your orders. The Prosecutors General aren’t even taking your calls?”
The prosecutors had betrayed him. He was worried that he might be swept away and drowned in the current tide.
Congressman Baek Ki-ho continued, his gaze sharp as he looked at Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun.
“Do you think I still need Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun?”
But Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun still hadn’t abandoned his composure. He laughed dismissively and shook his head as if it were absurd.
“Congressman… I think you’re misunderstanding something. I don’t die alone. I have no desire to pathetically walk the road to the afterlife with those prosecutors who followed my orders… But I think you, Congressman Baek, would make fine company on that lonely journey to the other side. What do you think?”
Congressman Baek Ki-ho’s lips twisted.
“Do you think the people will listen to what the Prosecutor General has to say? At the same time as attacking me, the forces that have been protecting you will also disappear. They’re taking a favorable stance toward you for my sake, after all.”
“I will endure.”
“…Pardon?”
Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun placed his hand on the table, clenching and unclenching his fist as he spoke.
“A special investigation doesn’t wrap up in a day or two. It’ll stretch on for months. Even after the presidential election, even if Congressman Baek becomes president, it will continue. I’ll endure until then.”
“…!”
“And once Congressman Baek becomes president, we can simply let it fizzle out.”
Congressman Baek Ki-ho shook his head.
“Prosecutor General Kim….”
“Time will wear down the public’s attention. Eventually, they’ll believe I was truly caught up in a political conspiracy. From now on, I’ll become a pitiful man. An upright prosecutor who had his wife and son imprisoned, who even tried to destroy his own brother. A man who lost everything, swept up in the currents of political machination.”
Congressman Baek Ki-ho’s eyes hardened with intensity.
Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun clenched his fist and spoke.
“I’ll craft this image. You keep pretending to affirm my innocence. The presidency will be yours.”
“…!”
“Don’t worry about those prosecutors who briefly left my side. They’re the type who’ll come running whenever you dangle candy in front of them.”
Congressman Baek Ki-ho chuckled softly, then wrapped his hand around Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun’s fist and spoke.
“I think I may have misunderstood something, but I never intended to let go of the hand I’ve joined with you.”
*
*
*
-Attorney Lee Du-jin has been appointed as the special prosecutor for what is being called the “Kim Young-jun Gate.” Taking on an unprecedented investigation of a sitting Prosecutor General, Attorney Lee Du-jin has previously resolved cases such as the Shinma Chemical industrial accident and the Cheonha Automobiles sudden acceleration incident….
Attorney Lee Du-jin slowly turned his gaze, surveying the assembled people in the room.
Dozens of prosecutors appointed as assistant prosecutors and dispatched from various offices were visible. And among them was Prosecutor Jang Ji-hyuk.
Attorney Lee Du-jin opened his mouth in a low voice.
“As you know, our opponent is a monster named Kim Young-jun. A man who stands alongside the formidable presidential candidate Congressman Baek Ki-ho and knows how to wield that power like a whip.”
“….”
“Our objective is to sever the power cartel, starting with Kim Young-jun. But the investigation won’t proceed smoothly. The Prosecutor’s Office won’t welcome our investigation, and the public will suspect we have political motives.”
“….”
“And one of us could be compromised and become a mole. So… during the investigation period, we’ll eat together and sleep together. Suspect each other. Now, please hand over your phones.”
The assembled people placed their phones into baskets. New phones were then distributed.
Attorney Lee Du-jin continued speaking.
“We’ve gathered in an official capacity. There is no personal time. I apologize, but I’ll be checking your call logs daily. So please use your phones only for official purposes, and handle everything else in front of me. I know it’s inconvenient, but please bear with it for a while.”
Attorney Lee Du-jin bowed respectfully at the waist.
*
*
*
“The special prosecutor won’t be able to accomplish anything.”
Seo Jin was meeting with former Congressman Gong Dae-chul.
Former Congressman Gong Dae-chul, who had been sipping makgeolli, nodded in agreement.
“That’s right.”
A special prosecutor isn’t a regular prosecutor. Though they operate under the pretext of investigating high-ranking officials, their investigative authority is severely limited.
Moreover, obstruction from Congressman Baek Ki-ho’s camp would be formidable. His supporters are fanatically protecting Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun.
If time passes and Congressman Baek Ki-ho becomes president, there’s a high probability that everything will simply fade away.
But Seo Jin remained unhurried.
“The special investigation will serve to blind Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun. It’s like placing a blindfold over the eyes of a death row inmate.”
“But is there a way to sever his neck?”
“Yes.”
Congressman Gong Dae-chul’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. The fact that something could be accomplished that even a special investigation couldn’t manage—he stared intently at Seo Jin.
Seo Jin nodded and spoke.
“Contract murder.”
“…!”
The reason the original Seo Jin fell from the apartment. The culprit behind it all.
It was still speculation. But Seo Jin was nearly certain—that Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun had tried to kill the original Seo Jin.
“Of course, there are many other methods. But the most certain one. I intend to find perfect evidence that cannot be dismissed as political conspiracy and seal his mouth with it.”
The voice of Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun echoed through Seo Jin’s mind.
“But… you don’t remember the moment of the accident? Why it happened, what occurred?”
Now was the moment to confirm that truth.
*
*
*
Screeeech.
The door to the visitation room at the Detention Center swung open.
Eom Si-young, entering inside, twisted her lips upon seeing Seo Jin seated in a chair.
“What brings you here?”
Eom Si-young’s voice was cold. But Seo Jin rose from his seat and bowed respectfully toward her.
“I apologize for not visiting sooner, Kim Young-jun’s Wife.”
Eom Si-young sat across from Seo Jin.
The staff member left the visitation room, leaving only the two of them in the space.
Seo Jin opened his mouth.
“I’ve come to propose a deal.”
“…A deal?”
Seo Jin placed his phone on the table. An article was visible—the contents of his father Kim Jun-man’s press conference.
“I saw it. It was a mess.”
The smile at the corners of Eom Si-young’s mouth deepened. She seemed delighted watching the clash between Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun and Kim Jun-man. Eom Si-young was disgusted by Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun’s pretense.
Seo Jin pocketed his phone and spoke in a dry tone.
“Your husband visited Chairman Um. And he said it—in exchange for releasing you, he wants half of the assets.”
Eom Si-young’s brow furrowed. A murderous glint flashed in her eyes.
“…Half? That bastard has lost his mind?”
“So I came here to propose a deal to you as well, Kim Young-jun’s Wife.”
“Why? Do you also want half the assets?”
Seo Jin smiled faintly.
This statement was merely a seed planted to deepen distrust toward Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun.
“No, I’ll have a steady salary and a pension when I retire. I have no greed for money.”
“Then?”
“I’ll get Yun-hwan out.”
“…!”
Eom Si-young’s eyes widened. Her entire body seemed to freeze in time. I tapped the table lightly and continued.
“Of course, he won’t be able to join Jaejeong Construction. But he’ll breathe fresh air. As long as he doesn’t engage in anything illegal, he can live freely.”
Eom Si-young, who had been listening quietly, let out a bitter laugh.
“Seo Jin… I can leave this place soon enough without your help. Same goes for Yun-hwan. It’s just a matter of timing.”
“….”
“I’m not a prosecutor, but I’ve observed long enough to know. How many cases do you think the Prosecution Service has actually indicted wealthy people and sent them to prison? Even if you crash a plane, you get a suspended sentence.”
Eom Si-young looked at me with contempt.
She believed in the power of money—an amount beyond comprehension. Prosecutors could be bought, judges could be approached, and top-tier lawyers could be kept at her side.
“Seo Jin, don’t propose something I can already do myself. That’s not a deal.”
Eom Si-young’s gaze was arrogant. But I shook my head with a soft chuckle.
“My aunt, I’m sorry, but… my uncle is currently under suspicion under the name Gate. In this situation, you and Yun-hwan just walk free?”
“…!”
“My uncle will do everything he can to reduce the sentence. Even if he’s lost some teeth, he still has the power of a Prosecutor General. And Yun-hwan…”
I let my words trail off.
But Eom Si-young understood perfectly what I meant. ‘Kim Yun-hwan is not Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun’s biological son.’ There was no reason to save him despite Gate.
The ease drained from Eom Si-young’s face. She bit her lip, lost in thought.
My words were right. Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun would throw Eom Si-young and Kim Yun-hwan into hell for his meager power.
Eom Si-young looked at me, her eyes narrowing.
“But you can do this?”
“Yes.”
“What power do you have?”
I set down my phone again. This time, my contacts were visible—the names of former Congressman Gong Dae-chul and various National Assembly members, Shin Ji-yeon of Shinma Group, and key executives from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.
I tapped my phone with my finger and spoke.
“Pick anyone. I’ll show you that I hold the power of these people in my hands. And…”
I opened my gallery and spread out the photos.
There was a photo of Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun and Congressman Baek Ki-ho entering a Korean Traditional Restaurant side by side.
It was a photo Jang Seok-min’s subordinate had sent me a few days ago.
“I have information networks too.”
“…!”
“I promise you. I’ll get Yun-hwan out. I’ll have him dressed neatly and able to visit you. A deal… will you take it?”
Eom Si-young’s hands trembled slightly as she stared at my phone.
“…What are you?”
“Your nephew, my aunt.”
“What do you mean!”
“What you should be thinking about now isn’t who I am, but the deal itself. My aunt.”
The silhouette of Seo Jin, whom she had dismissed as insignificant all this time, loomed immense. He had been quietly cultivating power beyond imagination.
Eom Si-young unconsciously licked her dry lips. Seo Jin’s presence felt ominous. And she thought that if it was Seo Jin, he might truly be able to get Kim Yun-hwan out.
“…What are your conditions?”
I wanted to confirm whether it was Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun who had hired someone to push the original me to my death.
But I didn’t open my mouth right away. I fell silent for a moment, keeping my lips sealed.
My mind grew tangled as questions piled upon one another.
What if Eom Si-young didn’t know? What if that wasn’t the truth? What if something even more sinister lurked beneath?
All of that could wait until after I heard the answer.
My voice emerged low and measured.
“Years ago, the person who pushed me… who hired them to do it?”
Eom Si-young’s pupils trembled. She knew the truth.
My voice pierced through her like a blade.
“You can answer. I know about my uncle. I came here to confirm it.”
A twisted smile played at the corners of Eom Si-young’s mouth.
And she took the bait I had cast.
“…Where did you hear that?”
“Some of my memory returned, and I caught a thug whose face I remembered.”
“A thug? I don’t know who, but he must have been fearless, running his mouth about such things.”
“Was it my uncle?”
Eom Si-young picked up her water glass. She moistened her throat lightly and looked at me.
“Yun-hwan, can you really promise that?”

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