Chapter 390: There Will Be Good Days

I checked the materials sent by Han Hyun-soo and set them down.

The photos showed disturbing scenes.

“Tsk… I’ve only heard about it. It’s disgustingly dirty.”

I felt like my eyes were rotting. I closed the photos and pushed them away.

Then, I picked up one of the several videos on the table and handed it to Manager Ma.

“Manager, could you play this?”

Manager Ma took it, inserted it into the VTR, flipped through it quickly, and slowed down when it showed Han Hyun-jin.

Han Hyun-jin grabbed someone’s hair fiercely and dragged them off somewhere.

Soon, she entered a building and took the elevator.

It must have been shot secretly; the quality wasn’t great, but you could tell what was happening.

And then…

The scene that followed in the video was shocking.

In what looked like an office, Han Hyun-jin wielded a golf club, violently attacking an unconscious person.

The floor was stained with blood, and blood splattered all over Han Hyun-jin’s body.

But the crazy bastard was smirking.

With her bloodied hands, she wiped the blood off her face while laughing.

A short while later.

The video even recorded the scene of others coming in and carrying out the bodies.

“Huh…”

Apparently, I had been frozen in shock.

When the video ended and the static screen appeared, a long sigh escaped me.

Manager Ma, having turned off the TV, brought out the video.

“Let’s organize it back in the box. With this kind of evidence, she’ll be in prison for a long time.”

“Yes, Boss.”

While Manager Ma put the materials back in the box, I took out my phone and made a call.

The ringtone played a new song by a mixed group that had just released their track a while ago.

Listening to the lively song, I gathered my thoughts.

Soon, with a click, I heard a familiar voice.

It was Oh Hyeon-woo, who had recently moved to the Crime Information Planning Office under the Prosecutor General.

— Hello?

Since my name would show up on the screen, he didn’t seem to be alone with someone else.

“Busy right now?”

— No, just having a cup of coffee.

“You can talk, right?”

— Uh, just a second.

I heard him asking someone for patience and shifting locations on the other end of the line.

— Oh, Mu-hyeok. You can talk now.

“You didn’t call me because you were busy, did you?”

— Even if I’m busy, I have to take your call. What are you talking about?

A slight smile crept onto my face. Oh Hyeon-woo had become quite the chatterbox since joining the Prosecutors’ Office.

“I heard you transferred to the Crime Information Planning Office.”

The Crime Information Planning Office. Also known as the ‘Criminal Intelligence’.

It was a crucial position symbolizing the Prosecutor General’s authority, alongside the Special Investigation Division.

If the Special Investigation Division was the flower of the Prosecutors’ Office, then the Criminal Intelligence was its shadow.

It’s where ace prosecutors and investigators were assigned within the prosecution organization.

Oh Hyeon-woo had steadily climbed the elite path.

Since his appointment as a prosecutor, he had only shifted positions within the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

— Ah, did you hear? I worked hard to get here. I find dealing with information more interesting than investigating. And I can do whatever I want here, right? The Special Investigation Division is limited to what they’re told to investigate.

The numerous documents gathering in the Criminal Intelligence, known as the cabinet, became a powerful weapon for the prosecution.

The saying ‘Prosecutor’s Republic’ didn’t come about for nothing.

Instead of collecting information legally, surveillance was standard, and eavesdropping was part of their gathering too.

Moreover, only a handful of people within the Prosecutors’ Office had access to that cabinet.

In fact, it was absurd for an ordinary prosecutor like Oh Hyeon-woo to even be able to enter there.

It was an opportunity made possible by the influence of my grandfather, the pinnacle of the legal cartel.

“Is there no discontent inside? It’s such a drastic appointment; I thought there would be a lot of chatter about it.”

— Would there be none? Of course there is. Still, there’s no one to say it out loud. My peers and seniors have already accepted my rise, but what can I do? It’s my destiny, so I have to accept it. But why are you calling? Are you planning to buy me a congratulatory drink? Should we gather the guys for a drink today?

Myeong-su shuddered at the thought of drinking after getting into politics, but this guy seemed to have only increased his drinking since entering the Prosecutors’ Office.

It wasn’t bad, but since I had other business today, I decided to decline.

“No, I called for something else today. By the way, do you have a reliable prosecutor at the Central District Prosecutors’ Office, aside from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office?”

— Central District? Why? Can’t you just hand it over to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office?

“It’s not about chaebols or political issues. It’s about minor crimes like sexual assault and murder, so the Special Investigation Division wouldn’t match the case level.”

— What? Why are you worried about something like that?

Since it was rare to contact him about small matters, confusion laced Oh Hyeon-woo’s voice.

I slowly explained about the Heaven Church.

After listening to my explanation, Oh Hyeon-woo cursed.

— Ah, damn! I knew those bastards would do something like that. Cult-like scoundrels! What the hell are they doing, selling God? It’s infuriating.

For Oh Hyeon-woo, who had been going to church since childhood, this was certainly offensive.

“Anyway, since religion is involved, the pressure will be immense. I can shield you from the prosecution side, but you know well how those fanatic religious folks might react, right?”

In Korea, religion was practically sacred territory that one must never touch.

For them, the doctrine came before the law.

Once the investigation began and Han Hyun-jin was arrested, it was clear that numerous believers would gather in front of the prosecution to protest.

No, not just protests. The prosecutor in charge could even face threats to their life.

So, finding someone willing to investigate was no easy task.

I could force someone to take on the investigation, but what I desired was someone who would voluntarily do their utmost to bring Han Hyun-jin down.

“No one? Someone who can take charge and dance with a knife. Ideally, someone who can point the blade exactly as I ask without escalating beyond that.”

— Hmm. It’s certainly a tricky case to hand to someone with a bright future. The media exposure might bring in many enemies…

There were indeed Heaven Church members within the Prosecutors’ Office. Oh Hyeon-woo must be aware of that, hence his hesitation.

After pondering for a while, Oh Hyeon-woo suddenly mentioned someone.

— There is one. A high school graduate who passed the bar exam. He’s five years my senior from the training center, but since he has no background, his promotions have been slow, and he’s only been spinning around the outskirts until he came to the Central District due to a rotation. If that guy gets a promise to help you, he’ll do just as you say.

“That’s perfectly fine, but… he’s not overly rigid, is he?”

If he was stubborn with unnecessary principles and a strong sense of justice, he would be a hassle to deal with.

Perhaps knowing my thoughts, a small laugh escaped Oh Hyeon-woo’s voice.

— No. I’ve met him a few times, and he’s quick-witted and quite ambitious. He seems just right for this job, don’t you think? You know it’s difficult for someone from Korea University to enter the inner circle. He’s capable but without any connections.

“For now, set up a meeting. How about tonight?”

— Okay. I’ll arrange it. A pub?

I need to create an occasion to buy congratulatory drinks soon.

“Let’s eat first. Make a reservation at a Japanese restaurant. In Seocho-dong… What’s that name again?”

— Geumgang?

“Yeah. Let’s set the meeting there. If I like him, we might even move to a bar for another drink.”

— Deal! I love drinking!

I laughed quietly and shook my head.

“If you keep this up, I’m going to call Min-kyung.”

— Hey! Come on! Alright, I’ll make the reservation. See you later, Mu-hyeok.

I also said my goodbyes and hung up.

I have a dinner appointment in Seocho-dong tonight. Cancel all other plans if there are any.

“Understood, Boss.”

Now that I think about it, I didn’t ask for his name. Well, he’ll mention it when we meet.

To avoid being late for the dinner appointment, handling the piles of documents before me was my priority.

Arriving at Geumgang in Seocho-dong as the appointment time rolled around.

As I entered the restaurant with Manager Ma, a man who looked like the manager approached us, typical of a high-end Japanese restaurant.

“Do you have a reservation?”

“It should be under Oh Hyeon-woo’s name.”

“Ah, you must be with Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo. This way, please. They are already here.”

We had arrived earlier than the appointment time, but it seemed Oh Hyeon-woo was already waiting for me.

Following the manager’s lead, I walked ahead.

The manager opened a door in the far corner, and inside were two people sitting across from each other, clinking their glasses.

Two people facing each other with an empty seat between them.

As the door opened, Oh Hyeon-woo waved his hand, and the other man turned to follow suit.

“Looks like you’ve already started.”

I slipped off my shoes and stepped inside. As the door closed, both men stood up.

The man was unfamiliar to me. It seemed he truly had no connection within the prosecution ranks.

“Mu-hyeok, this is Prosecutor Jeong Tae-hoon.”

Oh Hyeon-woo introduced the man immediately to avoid any awkwardness between us.

Jeong Tae-hoon, extending his hand first, greeted me warmly.

“I’m Jeong Tae-hoon. I’ve heard a lot about you, Boss Kim.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Mu-hyeok. I hope you’ve onlyheard good things.”

I smiled and reached out my hand in return.

After a brief handshake, I instinctively went to the main seat.

I understood why Oh Hyeon-woo had left the seat empty and what he was aiming for.

It was an unspoken signal to establish a clear hierarchy.

After exchanging glances with Oh Hyeon-woo, I poured the alcohol and presented it to Jeong Tae-hoon.

“Here, have a drink first.”

Jeong Tae-hoon accepted the alcohol with both hands, showing respect.

Pouring some for Oh Hyeon-woo and setting the jug down, Jeong Tae-hoon swiftly picked it up.

“I’ll drink too.”

He was definitely quick-witted, as Oh Hyeon-woo mentioned. When I held out my glass, Jeong Tae-hoon poured it with evident nervousness.

“Since it’s fate that we’ve met, let’s drink first and resume our conversation afterward.”

As I extended my glass forward, both Oh Hyeon-woo and Jeong Tae-hoon followed suit.

After I took a sip, Oh Hyeon-woo followed, and finally, Jeong Tae-hoon hesitantly drank.

“You mentioned your name is Jeong Tae-hoon, right?”

“Yes, Boss Kim.”

“What do you know about me?”

“I heard about you from Prosecutor Oh Hyeon-woo when I came over. I didn’t know before that.”

“Oh really? What did Oh Hyeon-woo say?”

As I briefly glanced at Oh Hyeon-woo, he was smiling.

What else had he said?

“He said you could open up my path, so I should be sure to make a good impression.”

“Hearing that from a junior wouldn’t make me comfortable, would it?”

“Prosecutor Oh is a different breed from me. It’s no surprise. Regardless, he shows me more respect than other juniors.”

Jeong Tae-hoon’s face bore a slightly bittersweet smile, which quickly faded.

“I heard you managed to pass the bar exam as a high school graduate. That’s quite impressive. You’re well-known.”

“…What good does fame bring? I’m just a dragon born from a stream, now hanging around as a face to the local area.”

To be part of the prosecution, one had to be from Seoul High School—Korea University.

The Seoul High School-Korea University route was a prestigious path, while those from other high schools who went to Korea University were regarded as lower-tier.

A prosecutor without a college degree wasn’t even considered.

I didn’t know what feelings this person had at that moment.

Most of the prosecutors around me were from the upper echelon.

But he must have had dreams of a future when this man passed the bar and became a prosecutor.

Despite the harsh reality, that future must have been withheld from him.

I poured him another glass.

“There will be good days ahead. No matter how long winter lasts, spring will eventually arrive, right?”

“…If you guide me, I will do anything you ask.”

Jeong Tae-hoon lowered his head. He seemed ready to give everything.

“Well then, have another drink.”

I continued to ask him light questions to ease his tension while encouraging him to drink.

When the atmosphere warmed up a bit, I raised my glass and asked.

“If you become my lifeline, will you do whatever I say?”

At my question, Jeong Tae-hoon knelt down and replied.

“Yes, I’ll do anything.”

His answer came without a hint of hesitation, and I nodded in satisfaction.

I downed the drink in one go.

I smiled gently, extending the empty glass towards Jeong Tae-hoon.

“Then, let’s team up for a job.”