Prosecutor Kim Seo-Jin - Chapter 98

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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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Honor (1)
There’s a saying: “The sister-in-law who stops the beating is more hated than the mother-in-law who delivers it.”
The way Seo Jin accepted the watch from Assemblyman Song Won-tae, coupled with what he said, was precisely that.
“Assemblyman, I’ll step outside. And I’ll tell the staff to delete the CCTV footage.”
Shin Ju-eon genuinely wanted to kill Seo Jin.
But now was the time to take a beating.
Assemblyman Song Won-tae approached with a terrifying glare fixed on Shin Ju-eon.
And the Assemblyman raised his hand in front of Shin Ju-eon.
“Interference in party nominations?”
“N-no, Assemblyman, it’s not that….”
Crack!
Shin Ju-eon’s face snapped to the side from the slap.
But it wasn’t over yet.
“Bribes in the redevelopment district?”
Crack!
“And I entrusted you with the electoral district?”
Crack! Crack! Crack!
*
*
*
Seo Jin stepped into the hallway and shut the door firmly behind him.
A hollow smile crossed Seo Jin’s lips.
No matter how I thought about it, it was utterly absurd.
Even when I believed I’d died by the hands of Prosecutor Kim Young-jun or Assemblyman Song Won-tae, I felt wronged.
But now that I’d uncovered the truth, it turned out this bastard’s scheming was behind it all.
‘This is infuriating.’
Seo Jin laughed in exasperation, staring ahead.
The staff of the Korean traditional restaurant watched Seo Jin with startled expressions.
The sounds of violence—crack, crack—echoed from behind.
Seo Jin approached the staff.
“Manager?”
The manager quickly gestured the staff away.
Then, with a cautious expression, he spoke in a low voice.
“There’s no need to worry. None of our staff are part-timers, and they all know how to keep their mouths shut. So….”
This was a place where high-ranking officials frequently dined.
Preparations of this caliber were standard.
Seo Jin nodded and opened his mouth.
“The CCTV footage….”
Before Seo Jin could finish, the manager answered.
“I’ll delete it right away. Not just the restaurant, but everything from the elevators to the underground parking lot—don’t worry about that either.”
“Ah, thank you. But before you delete it, sell it to me.”
“Sell what?”
“The CCTV footage.”
The Manager’s face went blank with bewilderment.
Out of nowhere, he was asking to buy CCTV footage.
Wondering if I’d misheard, I asked again.
“…Sell it?”
“Yes.”
I pulled my wallet from my pocket.
Then I slapped two checks with substantial sums written on them onto the table and continued.
“Everything—Assemblyman Song Won-tae and Aide Shin Ju-eon entering this place, and leaving shortly after.”
“….”
“Oh, it’s not for any other purpose. I just want to keep it as insurance for myself. That aide might try to bite and tear at me later, after all. So if you and I keep our mouths shut, there’s no way this will leak to the media or become known to anyone else.”
“….”
“Think of it as winning the lottery.”
The Manager’s gaze shifted toward the checks.
Twenty million won—money he could obtain simply by handing over the CCTV footage.
His throat bobbed as he swallowed.
It was too much money to refuse.
That’s when it happened.
“Kim Seo-jin!”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae’s voice rang out.
I gave the Manager a knowing glance, then turned my body back toward the room.
The interior of the Plum Blossom Room looked as if a shell had fallen on it.
Broken dishes scattered across the floor, and kimchi broth splattered on the wallpaper dripped down like blood.
And there in the corner, I could see Aide Shin Ju-eon, his face turned dark as coal, crouching and trembling violently.
“Get out.”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae pointed his finger at Aide Shin Ju-eon.
Aide Shin Ju-eon unsteadily rose to his feet and bowed deeply to Assemblyman Song Won-tae.
“Thank you for everything all this time….”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae picked up a soju glass and hurled it.
“Get out!”
Crash!
The glass shattered against the wall into countless fragments.
Aide Shin Ju-eon bit his lip so hard it looked like it might bleed.
Then he twisted his body to escape the room.
In that moment, our eyes met—mine and his at the doorway.
Sparks of fury ignited in Aide Shin Ju-eon’s gaze.
It was so clear I could see the determination to kill me dripping from his eyes.
But I met his murderous stare without flinching.
And he whispered quietly to the man passing by.
“I’m looking forward to it. Do whatever you want.”
Shin Ju-eon froze in place.
Then, in a low voice so Assemblyman Song Won-tae couldn’t hear, he spoke.
“You’ll regret this.”
“I’m curious to see it.”
That was the end of it.
Shin Ju-eon left a chilling glare behind before passing by Seo Jin and departing.
And so only Seo Jin and Assemblyman Song Won-tae remained in the Plum Blossom Room.
Assemblyman Song Won-tae gestured toward Seo Jin.
“Sit.”
Seo Jin sat across from Assemblyman Song Won-tae without paying attention to the glass shards scattered on the floor.
Then Assemblyman Song Won-tae poured soju into a water glass and handed it to Seo Jin before speaking.
“You showed yourself in an embarrassing light.”
“No, sir.”
“Drink.”
Seo Jin turned his body and drained the full cup of soju.
Then he refilled the now-empty glass with soju and handed it to Assemblyman Song Won-tae.
Assemblyman Song Won-tae then gripped the cup and asked.
“So, what will you do about Shin Ju-eon’s disposition going forward?”
“After he formally resigns from his position as aide, I’ll conduct a confidential investigation.”
“But the Opposition Party will find out anyway, won’t they?”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae had only one concern.
An attack from the Opposition Party.
Local elections and the presidential election are just around the corner.
The Opposition Party will undoubtedly launch a political offensive with teeth clenched.
That’s why Assemblyman Song Won-tae was hoping Seo Jin would let Shin Ju-eon go.
“What do you think?”
The old man’s eyes studied Seo Jin.
And Seo Jin, pretending to fall into deep thought for a moment, stroked his chin.
I already had a plan in mind.
-Assemblyman Song Won-tae would personally report Shin Ju-eon.
I’m just a prosecutor.
My name has been appearing in the media recently, but my influence is minimal.
Yet this mere prosecutor grabbed a senior prosecutor named Choi Hee-jun by the hair and even dragged out the Police Chief and detectives from the Violent Crimes Division.
I’m receiving public acclaim now, but there are certainly forces that view me with displeasure.
Especially the powerful—they don’t welcome an uncontrollable mad dog.
Because they never know when I might bite them.
‘But if I go after a politician’s aide?’
The story of my arresting a senior prosecutor hasn’t even cooled down yet.
However, if news spreads that he’s wielded a blade against the political establishment, it will be difficult for Prosecutor General Kim Young-jun to cover for him, no matter that he’s his uncle.
Seo Jin slowly lifted his gaze.
Assemblyman Song Won-tae came into view.
‘For now, let me borrow that filthy mouth of yours.’
Bad men clashing blades and fighting each other—it wasn’t a bad arrangement.
After organizing his thoughts, Seo Jin opened his mouth.
“I apologize for speaking so bluntly, but….”
“No, speak freely. Young people’s perspectives are often the right answer.”
“Then I’ll speak candidly as you’ve suggested. There is a way. You should file a complaint against Shin Ju-eon.”
“…!”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae’s hand froze mid-sip.
After sitting stunned for a moment, he gulped down several shots of soju and nodded.
“I file a complaint?”
“Hold a press conference. Say that although he’s been your aide for over a decade, you cannot overlook his misconduct and demand strict legal punishment.”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae cultivated an image as a former prosecutor of integrity.
If he refused to forgive even his close associate’s wrongdoings, his popularity would undoubtedly skyrocket.
Assemblyman Song Won-tae’s mouth split into a grin.
“Not bad.”
Seo Jin smiled faintly as well.
The preparation to eliminate Shin Ju-eon was complete, and I had now secured Assemblyman Song Won-tae’s cooperation.
Assemblyman Song Won-tae would survive only as long as his usefulness lasted.
‘Next….’
Now it was time to restore Seo Jun-kyung’s honor.
Shortly after, Seo Jin was bowing toward Assemblyman Song Won-tae’s car.
Once the vehicle disappeared from sight, he straightened and checked his phone.
There was one missed call—from Investigator Lee Dong-young.
Seo Jin called back immediately.
“Yes, Investigator.”
-Shin Ju-eon appeared an hour ago.
Investigator Lee Dong-young had been staking out the official’s pojangmacha.
And Shin Ju-eon had shown up.
“…He went to find the official?”
A hollow laugh escaped Seo Jin’s lips.
To rush over immediately after being beaten by Assemblyman Song Won-tae—this was unexpected.
‘He really was in a hurry,’ was all I could think.
-His lips were completely swollen from being hit somewhere, and he was clinging to Jin Yun-hee’s shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Do you have any idea what they discussed?”
The official knew Investigator Lee Dong-young’s face.
So all he could do was observe their movements from outside.
There was no way he could have known what they talked about.
-Fortunately, my daughter was inside the pojangmacha. She said she would help me.
In Seoul, I had one more person I could trust.
It was Sung-ah.
Seo Jin’s grip tightened, and Lee Dong-young’s voice continued.
-According to my daughter, Shin Ju-eon kept crying and asking just one more time.
A smile played at Seo Jin’s lips.
I could see right through Shin Ju-eon’s thoughts.
He’d already decided on the headline in his mind.
A woman who was once sexually assaulted by the Prosecutor’s Office again
Jin Yun-hee, who lived with difficulty after being sexually assaulted, faces another tragedy
‘I thought he’d try a different approach this time.’
It was Jin Yun-hee again.
He must have thought it would be more dramatic for bringing me down.
‘Insane bastard.’
Seo Jin’s eyes turned cold.
And in front of the pojangmacha.
As Lee Dong-young put his phone away, Sung-ah stood before him.
Just barely a college student.
An age where she’d be beautiful in nothing but jeans and a t-shirt.
Sung-ah blinked and asked.
“Is this the prosecutor who looks similar to you, mister?”
“Huh? Yeah. You’ve worked hard. Let’s call it a night.”
Lee Dong-young turned his body away.
Sung-ah stood beside Lee Dong-young and broke into a bright smile.
“Dad, I hate to leave, but how about some grilled pork belly and soju with your daughter?”
“You’re young but you don’t hold back.”
“Why? I drink well.”
“Forget it. Go inside. Let’s order chicken at home.”
“Then chicken and beer?”
A daughter so precious she’d never cause pain.
That daughter linked her arm through Lee Dong-young’s and spoke.
“But if we do this, can you restore your reputation?”
“It has to. It absolutely has to.”
Lee Dong-young wanted to see Seo Jun-kyung.
But he was someone I couldn’t see, so I smiled bitterly and shook my head.
I could only hope that his reputation would be restored, even in this way.
And Sung-ah gazed up at the sky as she walked.
The night air was still chilly.
And on nights like this, there’s someone who comes to mind.
“I wish you were here too, mister. Don’t you think?”
“That’s right.”
“You bought me drinks without Dad knowing….”
“Wait… Prosecutor Seo Jun-kyung bought you what?”
*
*
*
“Yes? Right now?”
The next day.
Lee Eun-ha, sitting at her desk in the office, beamed as she answered Seo Jin’s call.
“I’ll be right there. I should go. Of course.”
She hastily slipped her phone into her bag and rose to her feet.
The other reporters around her turned to look at Lee Eun-ha.
“What?”
“Did you get a tip?”
Lee Eun-ha shook her head with a slight smile.
“No, that’s not it.”
A junior reporter caught on and casually positioned herself beside Lee Eun-ha.
“…Could it be?”
“What?”
“The way you’re smiling… could it be…?”
“What? What?”
“Are you going to meet Prosecutor Kim?”
“That’s enough.”
Lee Eun-ha furrowed her brow and gripped her bag.
The junior reporter grinned widely.
“Senior! Are we going to eat noodles at a wedding?”
“Hey, get out of here.”
At those words, the other reporters began glancing slyly between the two.
“What? Wedding noodles?”
“Did this reporter get married?”
“She had a boyfriend?”
“Her standards are incredibly high, though.”
Lee Eun-ha waved her hand and left the office.
“No! I don’t! I really don’t!”
Shortly after, a coffee shop in Seocho-dong.
Lee Eun-ha sat across from Seo Jin.
“…Weren’t we supposed to eat?”
“Oh, I was busy. Did you not have a meal?”
Lee Eun-ha quietly studied Seo Jin’s face.
After hearing her junior’s words, she had harbored just a sliver of hope.
But looking at Seo Jin’s austere expression.
‘Noodles my ass.’
I could immediately grasp how absurd my junior’s rambling had been.
Seo Jin set the documents down in front of Lee Eun-ha.
Lee Eun-ha examined the documents intently.
At the same time, her eyes widened as she asked quietly.
“…An aide to Assemblyman Song Won-tae? He took bribes to facilitate redevelopment?”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae is one of the giants of the Ruling Party.
If it’s revealed that his aide accepted bribes, a massive political storm will undoubtedly sweep through the political arena.
Lee Eun-ha swallowed dryly.
The urge to open her laptop right now and start typing tickled her insides.
But Seo Jin ignored her desire.
“Don’t break it now. Hold onto it, and when Assemblyman Song Won-tae makes his move, publish it then.”
“Ah, yes.”
Lee Eun-ha nodded.
It was somewhat disappointing, but for the sake of her relationship with Seo Jin, she had to wait a little longer.
After Seo Jin handed over all the materials, he brushed his hands off and spoke.
“And I have one more request.”
“Tell me anything.”
“You know of Prosecutor Seo Jun-kyung, right?”
“Ah, the sexual assault case?”
Seo Jin didn’t care for the descriptor “sexual assault,” but he nodded anyway.
“I want to restore his honor.”
“Restore his honor?”
“Yes, it’s a false accusation.”
At Seo Jin’s resolute voice, Lee Eun-ha’s eyes crinkled with a smile.
So far, Seo Jin had never spoken nonsense.
If it’s a false accusation, then it’s a false accusation.
And if this is truly the case, it’s not just an exclusive—it’s a bombshell.
‘Jackpot!’
Lee Eun-ha bowed her head deeply toward Seo Jin.
“Thank you so much, truly.”
“No, there’s no need to thank me. I need your help as well. I’m not sure exactly when, but I’ll contact you within three days at the latest.”
Assemblyman Song Won-tae will report Shin Ju-eon within three days at the latest.
Before being reported, Shin Ju-eon will certainly try to eliminate Seo Jin.
That’s the only way he can make another deal with Assemblyman Song Won-tae.
“For the next three days, don’t drink and keep your phone beside you even when you sleep. I don’t know if I’ll call you at dawn or late at night.”
At Seo Jin’s serious expression, the smile evaporated from Lee Eun-ha’s face as well.
She nodded with an equally grave expression.
“Understood. I’ll do that.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Seo Jin rose from his seat without taking a single sip of the coffee that had been prepared for him.
Reporter Lee Eun-ha felt slightly slighted by how he spoke only what was necessary before standing up, but she let it pass—until that moment.
Zzzzzing.
Suddenly, Seo Jin’s phone rang.
And in that instant, Reporter Lee Eun-ha witnessed an expression on Seo Jin’s face she had never seen before.
Upon checking the caller ID, Seo Jin’s face lit up with genuine joy.
He brought the phone to his ear with the expression of someone who had finally reunited with a long-awaited lover.
‘…A girlfriend?’
As she entertained that thought, Seo Jin spoke.
“This is Kim Seo-jin.”
-It’s Shin Ju-eon. I think we still have more to discuss, don’t we?

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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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