Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 74

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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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Drinking Broth Before the Kimchi (4)
“Ugh….”
Yoon Min-woo didn’t answer.
He only clutched at his shin where I’d struck him, his face contorted in pain.
“Does it hurt?”
I asked as if bewildered.
This bastard had wallowed in pleasure, savoring others’ suffering.
Yet he whimpered over a mere shin strike.
I dropped to one knee, meeting Yoon Min-woo’s gaze directly.
Then I yanked his head back and spoke in a frigid voice.
“I asked if it hurts….”
“Damn it….”
Yoon Min-woo’s eyes blazed with fury.
Not a shred of remorse toward the Victim.
He was only curious why he’d been arrested.
The bastard grinned wickedly and opened his mouth.
“How did you find out?”
I gripped his shoulder hard.
He screamed again.
“Ahhh! It hurts! It hurts!”
“Endure it. It’s going to hurt a lot more.”
“Let go! Release me!”
I tapped his shoulder twice, then rose to my feet.
Then I turned to the investigator and spoke.
“Take him away.”
*
*
*
-You know about the Justice Society Awards Ceremony hosted by the National Safety Committee, right?
I was driving toward the District Prosecutor’s Office when Kim Yun-hwan called.
The phone rang as I was heading there.
“Yeah, I know.”
It was a ceremony that had spanned over twenty years in history, its prestige undeniable.
-I just got the call—I’m a recipient! Hahahaha!
Kim Yun-hwan had been selected as an award recipient largely due to the influence of the current affairs program.
The broadcast had intensely spotlighted the children and touched viewers’ hearts.
-Children in the bloom of youth were brutally murdered.
-All police forces mobilized, yet not a single piece of evidence could be found.
-The investigation had essentially concluded, but Kim Yun-hwan cracked it.
When everyone had given up, the prosecutor who refused to stop investigating and ultimately arrested the perpetrator.
It was more than enough to earn him the award.
“Really? Congratulations, hyung.”
-Thanks. Hahaha!
Seo Jin shifted his gaze to the rearview mirror as he listened to Kim Yun-hwan’s laughter.
The van following behind us—Yoon Min-woo was trapped inside it.
Kim Yun-hwan had no idea the real culprit had been caught, still chuckling away.
Then his voice suddenly turned serious.
-Ah, I laughed too much. Sorry about that. I didn’t call to brag—I actually have something troubling me. I wanted to talk it over with you.
“Something troubling you? What is it?”
-You’re the only person I can talk to about this kind of thing.
“Tell me.”
I was curious what nonsense he’d spout next.
As I listened intently, Kim Yun-hwan’s voice continued in a whisper.
-You know how all the people who’ve won this award eventually moved into politics, right? I was planning to live my whole life as a prosecutor like Father, but it’s making me reconsider.
Seo Jin fell silent for a moment.
Kim Yun-hwan had fabricated a criminal and become a star.
But he wasn’t stopping there.
Now he was even considering entering politics.
Whether he believed the real culprit would never be caught, or whether he’d already planned everything beyond that, this guy was truly insane.
“…You want to go into politics?”
At Seo Jin’s question, his voice grew more serious.
-Both the ruling and opposition parties keep contacting me these days asking to grab a meal. Some are even asking me to run as a figurehead in next year’s by-election.
Kim Yun-hwan called it a concern, but it was really just bragging.
He wanted to say, “Look how much attention I’m getting,” “I’m in a different league than you.”
Seo Jin didn’t want to play along with Kim Yun-hwan’s foolish boasting.
But he held back and spoke warmly instead.
The higher you climb, the more it will hurt when you fall.
“What matters most is what you think, hyung. What do you want to do?”
-Being a prosecutor isn’t the only way to serve the country, is it? These days I’ve been thinking that drawing a bigger picture through politics might also be a path for the people.
“That’s true, it really suits you.”
I meant it sincerely.
There was no one better suited to the world of politics—filled with betrayal and lies—than Kim Yun-hwan.
“Take your time thinking it over. If you end up running in the by-election, I’ll support you actively.”
-Okay, thanks. But you’ll come to the awards ceremony, right?
“Yeah. I’ll bring flowers.”
Seo Jin was planning to present chrysanthemums to Kim Yun-hwan.
At that moment, at the Gangwon Regional Prosecutors’ Office.
Lee So-hee was waiting for Seo Jin.
‘What on earth is this?’
He’d said he was going to arrest the person who killed Joo Min-ah.
But he told me to wait out front.
‘Sigh….’
Since Seo Jin wasn’t one to say unnecessary things, I came out and waited, but….
‘I have no idea what I’m doing.’
Then I saw car headlights in the distance.
It was Seo Jin’s car.
Seo Jin got out and handed Lee So-hee a document envelope.
“Handle this case from beginning to end. Make it yours.”
“What?”
“I’ve already asked the investigators.”
“What do you mean?”
“The serial murders of middle school girls—he’s the real culprit.”
Lee So-hee’s gaze shifted to the van that had followed behind.
A man was being dragged along by the investigators.
It was Yoon Min-woo.
Most people would be nervous when brought to the Prosecutor’s Office, even if innocent, but his expression was unnervingly calm.
“…That person?”
“Yeah. I only pursued Joo Min-ah’s disappearance case. The rest….”
Seo Jin tapped the documents in Lee So-hee’s hands and continued.
“That’s on you.”
Lee So-hee was flustered.
The serial murders of middle school girls had captured the public’s attention to an extreme degree.
Kim Yun-hwan had become a national hero, and his name was heard everywhere.
But if she overturned this narrative, Lee So-hee would become the center of attention.
“How am I supposed to handle this?”
“But let me decide the D-day for when the case goes public.”
Seo Jin was saying something different.
Lee So-hee spoke again.
“D-day isn’t the problem. How am I supposed to do this?!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll help from behind. And don’t be concerned. Once you resolve this case… not even the President could touch you.”
“What?”
“And everyone will want to be on your side. So trust me.”
At Seo Jin’s final words, Lee So-hee blinked.
She wondered if Seo Jin knew something about her.
But she soon shook her head.
There was no way he could know.
No matter how capable Seo Jin was….
‘It must mean something else.’
Seo Jin and Lee So-hee were the youngest at the District Prosecutor’s Office.
They were being pushed around from all sides.
‘That must be what he meant.’
And Lee So-hee’s thoughts shifted elsewhere.
‘…No one can touch her? He’d want to make her one of his own?’
Lee So-hee nodded.
She’d always wanted to be free, to become someone necessary.
Interrogation Room.
Lee So-hee and Yoon Min-woo sat across from each other.
Seo Jin stood beyond the glass partition, observing them both.
He pulled out the identification cards that bastard had collected from his pocket.
Twenty-two in total.
Student IDs from six middle school girls, followed by women in their late twenties to early thirties.
Seo Jin flipped through the IDs one by one.
Each time, his psychometry activated.
Horrific scenes contained within each card unfolded.
Women strangled to death.
Before them, Yoon Min-woo breathed heavily like a pervert, savoring the pleasure.
Seo Jin squeezed his eyes shut.
Curses flowed unbidden from his lips.
After the middle school girl, the victims were women without legal protection—those in the entertainment industry, illegal residents.
“You enjoyed it too, didn’t you? You did! So endure it!”
Seo Jin slowly opened his eyes.
Beyond the glass partition, Yoon Min-woo’s face was visible.
A composed expression.
He nodded readily at Lee So-hee’s questions, answering smoothly.
So I really wondered.
Would he wear that same face when the Judge pronounced the death sentence?
Seo Jin set the identification cards he’d been holding down on the table with a soft tap.
Then he opened his mouth toward the staff member.
“Would you pass these along to Prosecutor Lee So-hee?”
I’ll postpone watching that bastard cry for now.
Right now is the time to break Kim Yun-hwan’s wings.
*
*
*
A Convention Center in Seoul.
A large banner reading “The 23rd Justice Society Awards Ceremony” hung prominently.
And in front of it, a hamburger chain restaurant.
Seo Jin was taking a bite of his hamburger.
Buzz.
His phone vibrated.
The caller ID showed Kim Yun-hwan.
I set my hamburger aside and brought the phone to my ear.
-Where are you?
“Almost there. I should arrive in about thirty minutes.”
-Call me when you get here. I wrote an acceptance speech for this awards ceremony too, and I need your feedback.
“I’ll read it on the way. Just take a photo and send it to me.”
-Okay.
Kim Yun-hwan’s voice was bright.
A message arrived shortly after.
His acceptance speech.
Something about continuing to pursue justice and truth going forward.
I didn’t even glance at it.
Right now, Kim Yun-hwan needed clarification far more than he needed an acceptance speech.
I picked up my hamburger again when Lee Eun-ha walked into the restaurant.
She quickly approached my table and sat across from me.
Having already learned about Yoon Min-woo’s case through me, she wore the unmistakable glow of someone who’d just landed a massive scoop.
Before she’d even caught her breath, she spoke rapidly.
“Today’s D-day, right? I drafted a scenario. Would you like to hear it?”
“No need. I’ve already written the scenario.”
I slid a folded A4 sheet across the table toward Lee Eun-ha.
She unfolded the carefully creased paper and read it silently.
Then she looked up and stared at me intently.
“…Do you have a grudge against Prosecutor Kim Yun-hwan?”
“Well, it’s personal.”
I smiled faintly and picked up my cola.
The Convention Center was filled with prominent figures from society.
Leaders of civic organizations, members of parliament from both ruling and opposition parties, and prosecutors who’d come to support Kim Yun-hwan.
Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun was nowhere to be seen.
“It would have been nice if he’d come, but Yun-hwan said he’d feel pressured if he did.”
It was Chief Prosecutor Jo Woo-jae.
“Where’s Prosecutor Kim Yun-hwan?”
“Haven’t you seen him? He’s probably in the lobby. Oddly enough, he’s practicing his acceptance speech.”
I left Chief Prosecutor Jo Woo-jae behind and headed toward the lobby.
I spotted Kim Yun-hwan sitting at a table, muttering as he held a piece of paper.
“You’re here?”
Kim Yun-hwan turned his head leisurely to look at me.
Then he continued.
“Did you read the acceptance speech?”
“There’s nothing to fix. You could be a writer.”
I hadn’t actually read it.
I checked the message and closed it.
Kim Yun-hwan chuckled softly.
“Thanks. But I’m a bit nervous, you know? I’ll give my acceptance speech looking at your face, so sit right in front, okay?”
I was already planning to sit in the front row without being told.
Seo Jin nodded with a broad smile.
“Oh, I’ll film a video too.”
“Why go that far? Just take a few photos and be done with it.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
This was a moment worth preserving forever.
Photos alone would feel insufficient.
I was determined to capture it all on video.
Seo Jin crossed his legs and spoke.
“But what are you going to do?”
“About what?”
“Politics.”
“I have no idea. Should I stay at the Prosecutor’s Office and pull you up with me, or move the office to Yeouido? It’s a dilemma, a real dilemma.”
He was joking around, oblivious to the wings that would soon be clipped.
But Seo Jin played along with his nonsense.
“Later, when you become president, you can make me Prosecutor General.”
“Think so?”
As we were chuckling, the usher emerged into the lobby.
“Award recipients, please enter!”
Kim Yun-hwan folded the A4 paper and tucked it into his jacket, rising to his feet.
“Let’s go.”
Seo Jin followed Kim Yun-hwan into the auditorium.
The seat Seo Jin took was directly in front of the stage.
The perfect vantage point to see Kim Yun-hwan’s face.
Congratulatory remarks from high-ranking officials followed, and award presenters from various fields took the stage one by one.
Journalists, teachers, and so on.
-Next is our legal community presenter. The hottest person in South Korea right now, wouldn’t you say? Prosecutor Kim Yun-hwan from the Dongnam Branch of the Gangwon Regional Prosecutors’ Office!
At the emcee’s voice, Kim Yun-hwan adjusted his tie and stepped onto the stage.
Warm applause filled the hall as the emcee continued.
-Prosecutor Kim Yun-hwan continued investigating a case everyone had given up on. He worked tirelessly to clear the injustice done to an innocent young life, and ultimately caught the devil. His conviction and determination will be remembered forever.
Kim Yun-hwan received the award and stepped up to the microphone.
Then, wearing the most virtuous expression he could muster, he slowly lifted his gaze.
At that moment, camera shutters clicked and flashes burst forth.
Kim Yun-hwan opened his mouth with the confidence of a true hero.
There was not a trace of nervousness on his face.
“I am Kim Yun-hwan, Prosecutor at the Dongnam District Prosecutors’ Office.”
His eyes turned toward Seo Jin.
They say looking at a familiar face helps ease tension.
A lie.
I was actually watching Seo Jin’s face, wanting to see him envious as I received the award.
But then.
‘Huh?’
Seo Jin’s behavior was strange.
He drew an X with his hand, then clamped his lips shut.
Even his ears had turned red.
‘What the hell is wrong with that bastard?’
Kim Yun-hwan narrowed his eyes and studied Seo Jin’s expression while continuing to deliver his acceptance remarks aloud.
“I only did what was natural, yet you’re bestowing such a great honor upon me….”
That was when it happened.
“Wait a moment!”
An unexpected voice rang out.
Everyone’s attention, including Kim Yun-hwan’s, snapped toward the source.
It was reporter Lee Eun-ha.
She lowered her slightly raised hand and opened her mouth.
“We’ve just received breaking news. The real culprit has been caught?”
“…What do you mean caught?”
“The true perpetrator of the middle school girl murder case.”
A crack split across Kim Yun-hwan’s face.
His acceptance speech, which had been flowing from his lips without pause, stopped dead.
In that instant, a reporter seated on the opposite side raised his hand.
“The culprit has confessed to everything! Were you aware of this?”
It wasn’t over.
A reporter sitting in the center of the seating area shot to his feet.
“Prosecutor! The suspect is claiming he also committed the sexual assault on Kim Tae-kyung! Did you perhaps conduct an overzealous investigation to close the case?”
The awards ceremony had transformed into a press conference.
Everyone murmured in agitation.
Every person in the auditorium fixed their gaze on Kim Yun-hwan, their eyes brimming with suspicion.
Kim Yun-hwan’s expression twisted grotesquely.
Unable to utter a word, his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, the reporters’ voices continued.
“Please answer us!”
And Seo Jin, head bowed, laughed quietly to himself.
‘His mental fortitude is weaker than I thought.’

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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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