Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 96

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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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When You Meet Your Prey (2)
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“…You want to meet me first?”
“Yes.”
Song Won-tae’s Office.
Song Won-tae, who had been sitting at his desk shuffling through documents, slowly lifted his gaze.
Shin Ju-eon, his aide, sat across from him.
“Why?”
It was a brief question, but Shin Ju-eon found the tone unsettling.
Song Won-tae was one of the men who moved the Republic of Korea, and a giant capable of determining Shin Ju-eon’s future.
Even casually thrown words carried weight.
“Well, sir. Since he’s a young man, perhaps he found you intimidating?”
“Intimidating? Does that seem like the only reason?”
Shin Ju-eon briefly recalled Seo Jin.
He had just turned thirty, and by prosecutor standards, he was still a novice.
Facing a massive power broker from the ruling party would certainly be daunting.
“…Could there be another reason?”
But Song Won-tae did not think so.
He rubbed his lips, narrowed his eyes, and shook his head.
“Something’s off.”
It truly was strange.
“It feels as though the young man is defying me.”
Most people came running with their tails wagging the moment they heard Song Won-tae had summoned them.
Even those with opposing political ideologies did the same.
Proximity to Song Won-tae meant access to countless lucrative opportunities.
‘Yet….’
Seo Jin had refused.
Boldly insisting on meeting with the aide first, he was playing hard to get.
There’s a saying that a puppy doesn’t fear a tiger, but Seo Jin was a prosecutor.
His profession was one that should understand the dangers of the world.
‘Did he destroy the ledger as I suspected?’
Days ago, Song Won-tae had visited the District Prosecutor’s Office to examine the room salon’s ledger.
But the pages where his name should have appeared were pristine.
He had studied Kim Young-jun’s expression, but the prosecutor seemed to know nothing about the ledger.
A sigh escaped Song Won-tae’s lips.
‘I truly cannot fathom this….’
If Seo Jin had torn out the ledger, he would have approached him directly.
He would have made demands for what he wanted.
“Send it to the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office.”
“Going forward, I wish to serve Representative Song Won-tae.”
Yet Seo Jin remained silent.
‘Was my name never in the ledger from the beginning?’
Representative Song Won-tae shook his head.
‘I need to verify this.’
Walking through the political world is like treading on thin ice.
If there’s even a shred of doubt, you must confirm it before moving forward.
Otherwise, you’ll be stripped bare and cast before the people.
Representative Song Won-tae, who had been lost in thought for a moment, shifted his gaze to the documents on his desk.
They contained Seo Jin’s photograph and career history.
Representative Song Won-tae tapped Seo Jin’s face with his finger and opened his mouth.
“Meet with him.”
Representative Song Won-tae’s approval had been granted.
Chief Aide Shin Ju-eon slowly bowed.
“Understood.”
But as Chief Aide Shin Ju-eon turned to leave, he faced Representative Song Won-tae once more.
And he opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Representative.”
“What?”
“Next year’s local elections….”
“Don’t worry about the nomination. You’ll become the mayor of this region.”
“Thank you so much!”
Chief Aide Shin Ju-eon bowed deeply and stepped out of the office.
Then he leaned against the wall and loosened his necktie.
A tense breath escaped from his lips.
“Hah….”
All this time, I had managed the district on behalf of Representative Song Won-tae.
Thanks to that, I’ve maintained close ties with regional alumni associations and apartment residents’ representatives.
And.
‘I just need to live a little dirtier.’
I had been ruthlessly accepting bribes to gather funds for the election.
I turned a blind eye to the wrongdoings of local figures and secured their interests in return.
I drove Prosecutor Seo Jun-kyung, who had gathered evidence of my corruption, into hell.
All for one reason.
To become the mayor of this region and use that as a stepping stone to enter central politics.
‘Not much time left now.’
This is just the beginning.
I’ve lived corruptly until now, but from here on, I intend to live wickedly.
‘If you live righteously, you’re just a fool.’
The seat of power has only three hundred positions.
To sit in those limited seats and live in comfort, you must trample others beneath your feet.
Otherwise….
‘You just work yourself to death.’
Shin Ju-eon didn’t want to live that way.
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“You heard about it?”
“Yeah, apparently even the Jongno Police Station Chief is involved?”
“Huh? I heard a prosecutor was involved? The Chief is just a witness or something.”
“No, it’s the Violent Crimes Division detective.”
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office briefing room was swarming with reporters.
Though the investigation had proceeded confidentially, stopping leaked information proved difficult.
But that was all.
The information the reporters possessed was merely scattered fragments, like a blind man touching an elephant.
The Prosecution Service’s information control had worked.
“Who’s been handling this case?”
“You didn’t know? It’s Seo Jin.”
“Huh? A prosecutor from Gangwon Province? I heard he came to Seoul, but he’s already dropped a bomb? That doesn’t make sense.”
While the reporters exchanged information and verified the truth behind the rumors,
Lee Eun-ha from Seeing the World was different.
She smiled faintly, having already finished preparing to send the articles she’d written.
She had already obtained information from Seo Jin, and now she could post her article faster than anyone else under the name “breaking news.”
‘Done.’
The cameraman sat down beside Lee Eun-ha.
And whispered in her ear.
“Senior, doesn’t Prosecutor Seo Jin like you?”
“What?”
Lee Eun-ha looked at the cameraman with a bewildered expression.
The cameraman opened his mouth with a sly smile.
“Think about it. If that weren’t the case, why would he keep throwing you these exclusive scoops?”
“Hey, don’t say ridiculous things.”
Lee Eun-ha knew how detached Seo Jin was.
He simply drops the scoop and leaves.
It was the same at the Court last time, and it’s the same this time.
But the cameraman continued to prod Lee Eun-ha.
“Senior, you don’t understand men. Why would a man give anything to someone he’s not interested in? Never! He wouldn’t spend a single won….”
Just then, the murmur of the reporters’ voices vanished in an instant, and all eyes turned toward the podium.
Seo Jin had appeared.
“I’m Seo Jin, prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office.”
As Seo Jin greeted the assembled press, camera shutters erupted in a cacophony, and the formal briefing commenced.
“The Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office has launched a full investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Detective Eom Young-jin’s death at Jongno Police Station. Our investigation has revealed the following facts.”
With each word Seo Jin spoke, the reporters’ expressions twisted—the very institutions meant to uphold justice, the Prosecutor’s Office and Police, had conspired together to shield the Room Salon from accountability.
“This is huge!”
It was the perfect scoop.
The world had been quiet recently, but this case could turn everything upside down.
Without hesitation, they all rushed their articles to the portals.
(Breaking) Prosecutors and Police Took Bribes from Room Salon
(Breaking) Police Officer Who Took Bribes Is Jongno Police Station Chief Woo Ji-man
Articles with nothing but sensational headlines.
That alone guaranteed clicks.
But then.
‘Wait? What’s this?’
The article written by Lee Eun-ha was different.
It wasn’t just a headline—it contained a lengthy, detailed account.
The other reporters cast envious glances toward Lee Eun-ha.
‘When did she write this?’
‘Does she have a source inside the Prosecutor’s Office?’
‘Damn it. This is infuriating.’
Then Seo Jin’s voice continued.
“Accordingly, the Prosecutor’s Office has indicted and arrested Jongno Police Station Chief Woo Ji-man, Detective Jang Gil-joo of the Violent Crimes Division, and Prosecutor Choi Hee-jun of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office on charges of bribery, abuse of authority, and violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Crimes.”
“….”
“We will establish a dedicated team to maintain the prosecution and ensure a just verdict is rendered. This concludes our briefing.”
Seo Jin stepped down from the podium and bowed respectfully.
As he turned to leave, a sharp question cut through the air.
“Prosecutor! May I ask just one question? There’s a rumor that you unraveled this case single-handedly! Is that true?”
Seo Jin stopped and shook his head.
“No. Every prosecutor at this office worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and did their best. Thanks to their efforts, we secured objective evidence and materials….”
A measured response, deflecting all credit to the other prosecutors at the Central District Prosecutor’s Office as he attempted to slip quietly out of the briefing room.
But that plan fell apart.
“That’s right. Prosecutor Seo Jin accomplished this alone.”
Cameras swiveled toward the source of the voice.
Chief Prosecutor Jo Woo-jae stood there.
It was unclear when he had arrived, but Chief Prosecutor Jo Woo-jae flashed an oily smile and continued speaking.
“There was no evidence whatsoever of Detective Eom Young-jin’s suicide. When everyone was ready to close the case as a suicide, Prosecutor Seo Jin, who had just been transferred here….”
The reporters’ eyes gleamed at Chief Prosecutor Jo Woo-jae’s words.
Without hesitation, they typed furiously and began uploading their articles.
It was easy to predict what headlines would emerge.
‘Oh no….’
Jo Woo-jae, the Chief Prosecutor, thrust his thumb toward Seo Jin with a snap.
-So you’re saying that Seo Jin got assigned and immediately slapped the Police Chief across the face?
Netizens were in an uproar.
-Grabbed a senior prosecutor by the hair and got him arrested.
-But I’m curious about something. Does that even make sense?
└No way. Think about a company. A junior-level employee grabs a department head by the hair. Is that possible?
└Of course it’s possible. Seo Jin isn’t just some junior-level prosecutor.
└Then what?
└His dad’s the CEO of Jaejeong Construction. His uncle’s a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. Diamond spoon.
└Damn, he can really do whatever he wants?
└It’s not like he’s just relying on his dad’s backing. The prosecutor who solved the serial murder case of middle school girls—that’s him. The Chuncheon furnace incident too. And before that, the unsolved case in Dongnam County. And before that, there was that woman who killed her younger sister for insurance money? That was Seo Jin too.
└Crazy fucking cider man! lol
└He’s like Sherlock.
└More like Conan or Kim Jeon-il. People die wherever he goes.
└Make Seo Jin Prosecutor General!
“Senior, shall we go? Do we need to edit more?”
The cameraman stood beside Lee Eun-ha.
Lee Eun-ha nodded and moved her hand toward the power button on her laptop.
A comment she had written appeared on the screen.
-It’s not like he’s just relying on his dad’s backing. The serial murder case of middle school girls….
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And that night.
Seo Jin arrived in front of a Korean traditional restaurant in Jamsil.
It was to meet with Shin Ju-eon, the chief aide.
When I stood in front of the elevator, my phone vibrated.
It was Lee Dong-young, the investigator.
“Yes, Investigator.”
-Will you be alright on your own?
“Ah, I’ll be fine. Today is the day I make my declaration of war….”
Soon, Shin Ju-eon will want to kill me.
“But it will be burdensome for him to lay a hand on me.”
Netizens are in an uproar.
A righteous prosecutor, and all that.
It will be difficult for Shin Ju-eon to resort to physical force.
“So won’t he try to destroy me using the same method as Seo Jun-kyung?”
The simplest way to destroy a politician or celebrity at the peak of their popularity in an instant is through ‘sex’.
Seo Jun-kyung was also swept up and destroyed by that method.
“Shin Ju-eon will do the same thing this time. Because he’s already succeeded once.”
Shin Ju-eon had experience destroying Seo Jun-kyung before.
And humans tend to trust the methods that have worked for them in the past.
Having succeeded once, they believe they’ll succeed again this time.
“This time, I’ll be the one to finish it. So please verify the practical administrator, investigator.”
Seo Jin’s eyes turned a cold, steely blue.
I could see right through Shin Ju-eon’s thoughts.
Now I just needed to use that against him.
Seo Jin ended the call and stepped into the elevator.
And then.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
The staff member at the Korean Traditional Restaurant bowed their head as Seo Jin arrived.
As the staff member tried to guide him, Seo Jin waved them off.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll find my way. Which room is it?”
“It’s the Plum Blossom Room at the end of the hallway.”
Seo Jin brushed past the staff member and headed toward the room.
The hallway was short, and I arrived quickly.
And as I reached out to open the sliding door.
‘What?’
The world drained into black and white.
It was Song Won-tae.
He stood in front of the Plum Blossom Room, patting Shin Ju-eon’s shoulder.
“Have a talk before you come out.”
Song Won-tae had come to the meeting place himself.
In the cutthroat world of politics, leaving behind a weakness was like holding a gun to your own head.
Song Won-tae wanted to quickly confirm whether the ledger actually existed.
“I need to settle this before things get messy.”
Because my briefing today had shaken the entire nation.
Corruption involving prosecutors and police chiefs—but if Song Won-tae were added to that mix, the opposition would parade his head around like a festival trophy.
“Understood.”
With Shin Ju-eon’s respectful bow, the brief psychometry came to an end.
And Seo Jin let out a hollow laugh.
‘Look at these bastards….’
The saying about a thief getting itchy feet was truly a perfect axiom.
For someone of Song Won-tae’s stature to show up in person.
Seo Jin ran a hand through his hair, lost in thought, and muttered to himself.
‘I can use this.’
Seo Jin slid the door open.
Shin Ju-eon, who had been waiting, greeted him with a smile.
“The star prosecutor has arrived? I watched your briefing.”
Seo Jin felt the same way.
I shook hands with Shin Ju-eon while wearing a bright smile that concealed my true feelings.
“Have you been waiting long?”
After exchanging such light pleasantries, Shin Ju-eon took his seat and glanced subtly at me.
‘As expected….’
Shin Ju-eon believed his suspicions were correct.
And with good reason—Song Won-tae had said something like that a few days ago.
“It’s strange. The young fellow seems to be defying my words.”
Shin Ju-eon had judged Song Won-tae’s assessment to be accurate.
No matter how much of a prosecutor I claimed to be, I was still young.
Even now, I was hesitating in front of him.
And this kind of fellow was about to meet Song Won-tae directly?
‘He must have felt burdened.’
With that thought, Shin Ju-eon opened his mouth.
“I found what’s supposed to be quite a good restaurant, though I’m not sure if it will suit your palate.”
All the food and side dishes were already laid out on the table.
It had been arranged beforehand so that the staff couldn’t overhear the conversation that would follow.
I picked up the bottle and poured a drink for Shin Ju-eon, then asked.
“But why did the congressman want to see me?”
“I’ll ask you directly. Were there no other names in the room salon’s ledger?”
“Pardon? Other names?”
“Well, it’s a bit awkward to bring this up, but I’m curious if there’s anyone from the Opposition Party involved. According to our internal investigation, there are rumors that an Opposition Party member is involved.”
What he really wanted to know was whether Song Won-tae’s name appeared in the ledger, not the Opposition Party’s.
Shin Ju-eon spoke in circles while observing my expression.
But I simply shook my head as if there was nothing.
“There isn’t.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Shin Ju-eon didn’t stop.
Song Won-tae was in the next room.
To earn points, he had to be certain.
So.
“Prosecutor, according to my investigation, I heard there was. Surely you haven’t destroyed evidence after receiving a proposal from the Opposition Party….”
I began to chuckle.
Then, shaking my head as if it were absurd, I looked at Shin Ju-eon.
“Assistant, I said there isn’t.”
“According to my investigation….”
“Do I look like someone who would do that for a few measly won? I’m wealthy.”
“Prosecutor!”
“Forget it. But there’s something more important, isn’t there? Aren’t you curious why I asked to meet with you in the first place?”
Shin Ju-eon narrowed his eyes and studied me carefully.
But Seo Jin’s expression had shifted.
The hesitant gleam in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a sharp, piercing gaze.
And then.
“Is it true that you received money at the district redevelopment site?”
“…!”
Shin Ju-eon’s eyes contorted.
He swallowed hard, his face growing progressively pale.
Song Won-tae was in the adjacent room.
He would have his ear pressed to the wall, listening to every word spoken here.
I had to deny it unconditionally.
“W-what are you talking about!”
“I… I support the congressman. That’s precisely why I believe someone like you shouldn’t be standing beside him. That’s why I suggested we meet in secret. If I’ve gone this far in telling you, shouldn’t you finally admit it?”

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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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