"Is it a difficult task, Chief Prosecutor?"
Contrary to the smile on my face, my voice was cold. If he had forgotten the meaning of my actions that saved him just because I was asking for a single favor... It would not be a bad thing to remind him of it at least once.
As the tone of my voice changed, Chief Prosecutor Yoon waved his hands.
"No, the atmosphere in the prosecution is a bit unsettled these days, so I was just thinking. Have I not fallen out with the current Prosecutor General? The Prosecutor General does not look upon me very favorably."
I nodded.
It was not an unconvincing story. The Prosecutor General from the previous administration had stepped down, and the acting official was appointed as the new Prosecutor General, but the president called Chief Prosecutor Yoon more often than the Prosecutor General.
Moreover, the Prosecutor General was from the last batch of the old civil service exam, while Chief Prosecutor Yoon was from the second batch of the bar exam, so their relationship could not possibly be good. But that was none of my business.
"Yes, I know. But even so, I am not really sure. I hope you do not forget where everything you are enjoying right now, Chief Prosecutor, came from."
At my words, Chief Prosecutor Yoon's face stiffened. Without avoiding his gaze, I added.
"Did you hold hands with me because of Grandfather, or did you hold hands with me because of my future? Why are you hesitating when I said it is my personal matter?"
Chief Prosecutor Yoon stiffly raised the corners of his mouth and let out a hollow laugh.
"Man, how are you going to do great things with such an impatient personality? I was not contemplating whether to do it for you or not, I was just curious why you pulled out the favor card for something that is not even a big deal. Please do not feel offended."
I did not answer and quietly stared at Chief Prosecutor Yoon. Chief Prosecutor Yoon's eyes darted around busily.
"If I offended you, I am sorry. I was not hesitating on whether to listen to your request or not. How could I possibly forget whose grace it is that I am in this position?"
"Please do not make me disappointed in you, Chief Prosecutor. I beg of you. I want to continue our ties even when you become the Prosecutor General, and even after you retire."
"You really are something. Of course, would I not know that? Now tell me. Why are you making such a request?"
Should I leave it at this for now? I withdrew my fierce gaze and took another sip of the cinnamon punch.
"The reason I asked you for the favor regarding Geukseong Construction is..."
Chief Prosecutor Yoon nodded as he listened to my words. And when all the explanations were finished, he stroked his chin with a troubled expression.
"To shake this down properly, the Public Prosecutor's Office will have to handle it. If Assemblyman Kim Se-young is involved, it is not a case for our district office to touch. No matter if he is not in the president's faction, is he not a third-term ruling party member?"
"No. You must absolutely control it, Chief Prosecutor. The moment it passes to the Public Prosecutor's Office, I cannot touch the case with my own power. It would be possible with Grandfather's help, but I want to take revenge myself. That is why I pulled out the favor card, isn't it?"
Chief Prosecutor Yoon soon nodded heavily.
"Hmm... I understand. First, the Violent Crimes Department should set the direction toward a gangster investigation and strike them."
I picked up the document envelope placed next to me and handed it to him.
"This is basic corruption data. If you shake them down based on that, you will be able to enter easily."
Chief Prosecutor Yoon, who was roughly looking over the documents inside, asked as if a bit surprised.
"Is there data on Assemblyman Kim Se-young too?"
"Because that is the core."
I added to the Chief Prosecutor, who was laughing hollowly.
"There is a high chance it will become a large-scale scandal involving the political circle and even public officials, so if you do it properly, it will not be bad for you either, Chief Prosecutor. Do not let the Public Prosecutor's Office take it. The Prosecutor General might try to snatch it."
"I can never give it to that man. I got it. I will contact you before the warrant is issued. I will put them in handcuffs within a few weeks."
"Thank you. Ah, and before the arrest warrant for Jo Hyeon-gu is issued, please do some work so that the information subtly leaks to Assemblyman Kim Se-young's side."
Then Chief Prosecutor Yoon's puzzled gaze turned toward me. To think it would end with just putting them in handcuffs, you are more naive than you look.
"That way, Jo Hyeon-gu will try to slip away. You can arrest him after he transfers the shares. If he hands over the company in exchange for money, he will live like an emperor in the detention center, won't he?"
Seeing the fishy smile that appeared on my face, Chief Prosecutor Yoon looked appalled.
"Heh... You are truly terrifying. Just like during your maternal uncle's incident, and this time too. You are someone I never want to have as an enemy."
"Instead, wouldn't I be an endlessly good person to my allies?"
"Hahaha."
Chief Prosecutor Yoon picked up the document envelope and stood up first.
"I will get going now. I will contact you soon."
Chief Prosecutor Yoon went outside and closed the door. After seeing him off and sitting back down, I drank a glass of cool water and thought. I had stopped at just words for now, but a warning was not something to be done half-heartedly.
A moment later, the door opened and Section Chief Ma came in.
"Did he leave?"
"He just departed."
"Did you deliver the money?"
"Yes, I loaded it into the trunk before the Chief Prosecutor came out."
"You worked hard."
I left the traditional Korean restaurant together with Section Chief Ma. Inside the shaking car. Looking out the window, I suddenly asked.
"What about Jo Chan-seong?"
"Not yet."
"I wonder when Park Dong-soo will do it..."
I leaned my head against the seat and closed my eyes. It was two days later when Park Dong-soo contacted me. - Little brother. Jo Chan-seong, I took care of him.
"Is that so? You worked hard. What about the person who carried it out?" - I sent him down toward Geoje Island for now.
Since an investigation might come in if he is in Busan, or Jo Hyeon-gu's side might notice.
"You did well. You provided him with hidden funds, right?" - Of course.
"I have made preparations on my end too, so there will be no investigation coming toward you. Feel at ease and wait. Soon enough, when the arrest warrant drops, Jo Hyeon-gu will go into hiding somewhere. Catch him then and take over all his shares. You can do that, right?" - Isn't that kind of thing my specialty?
Do not worry. Then give me a call later.
"Yes."
I hung up the phone and looked at Section Chief Ma as I spoke.
"He says he took care of it. Please check which hospital he is in."
Section Chief Ma bowed his head and left the room. Watching Section Chief Ma's car disappear somewhere beyond the window, I muttered.
"This is only the beginning. Look forward to what comes next."
"What? Fuck, what kind of bullshit is that? Our Chan-seong's Achilles tendon is cut?"
Jo Hyeon-gu's shout erupted in the boss's office of Geukseong Construction.
"Korea University Hospital? Got it. I will go right now."
His face was burning red with anger. Hanging up the phone, he immediately contacted someone through the internal line.
"Hey! They say Chan-seong's Achilles tendon got worked on. Who are we at war with right now? No, even if we are at war, isn't it the rule not to touch family?" - What?
Chan-seong got worked on?
"Fuck, I do not know what is going on either. I have to head out right now so get the boys ready. Can you still not reach that bastard Won-chun?" - Yes, we released the boys and are asking around, but...
"Just what in the world is happening? Anyway, keep looking for Won-chun."
"Yes."
Running into the emergency room, the sight of Jo Chan-seong lying down with his leg suspended in the air caught Jo Hyeon-gu's eyes.
"Chan-seong!"
Jo Chan-seong, who had been lying limply, turned his head to look at him.
"Da, dad..."
"What is it? Just what happened? Who did this? Which bastard!"
Jo Hyeon-gu's shouts blanketed the emergency room. The patients and their guardians looked over with surprised faces.
"Guardian, please lower your voice. You cannot cause a disturbance in the emergency room."
A nearby doctor ran over and tried to stop Jo Hyeon-gu, but Jo Hyeon-gu had already lost his reason and could see nothing else.
"What? Are you saying that to me right now? Has this bastard gone crazy! Do you know who I am to be spouting such nonsense!"
The doctor, flustered by Jo Hyeon-gu raising his voice even louder, looked around. A moment later, security guards came in, but Jo Hyeon-gu's subordinates blocked them. Eventually, due to the continuous uproar, even the police arrived.
However, the police also left after exchanging only a few words. After some time passed, Jo Hyeon-gu suppressed his anger, grabbed Jo Chan-seong, and asked.
"Do you remember their faces?"
"They rushed me suddenly so I do not remember. I think it was two men..."
Jo Hyeon-gu ground his teeth and fell deep into thought. 'That bastard Won-chun suddenly disappeared too, just what kind of bastards are they?'
At that moment when the people in the emergency room were turning their eyes away from the fierce momentum of Jo Hyeon-gu's subordinates lined up around them, there was a gaze watching the scene through the window outside the emergency room. A fishy smile appeared on Mu-hyeok's lips.
I calmly turned my body and went up to Hyeon-seong's hospital room. As I opened the door and entered, Hyeon-seong and Hyun-seong's mother welcomed me.
"Are you here."
"Mu-hyeok, you are here? Have you eaten?"
"I ate, Mother. Hyeon-seong is discharging next week, right?"
Hyun-seong's mother nodded at my words.
"Are you planning to stay in Seoul for the time being?"
"Once he moves into Myeong-soo's house, I should cook a meal for you boys and then head down. Since there will only be men in the house, I expect it is already a mess."
Hyun-seong's mother glared briefly at Hyeon-seong with an untrusting face.
"Hahaha... Ji-seong is doing well, right?"
"Ji-seong is different from a certain someone, so she does well on her own, doesn't she? This guy is like a bear taking after his dad, it is a big problem."
Hyeon-seong slyly turned his head, avoiding his mother's fierce glare. His mother clicked her tongue.
"You two keep talking. I have been in the hospital room too much, my head hurts. I will go outside for a walk and come back."
"Yes, Mother."
His mother left, and I was left alone with Hyeon-seong.
"...Jo Chan-seong was brought into the emergency room."
At my words, Hyeon-seong looked at me as if a bit surprised. When I was looking into the emergency room I felt like I was in a good mood, but now as I was telling Hyeon-seong, for some reason I was not very pleased.
"They say his Achilles tendon was cut. Son of a bitch, he ruined your athletic career, serves him right."
Even as my words continued, Hyeon-seong just stared at me blankly without answering.
"..."
"Why? Say something."
Hyeon-seong, who had only been staring for a long time, spat out.
"Was there a need to go that far?"
"What? Who are you worrying about right now?"
"Mu-hyeok. I wish you would not change. Do not overdo it because of me."
"What do you mean I am changing."
Is this a time for him to be worrying about me. Anyway, this foolish guy...
"Whatever. If the people around me get hurt, I plan to take revenge ten times, no, a hundred times over."
"Mu-hyeok."
I turned away from Hyeon-seong, who was looking at me with somewhat pitying eyes, and stood up from my seat.
"Let us see each other next week when you get discharged. We should all eat the food your mother cooks together after a long time."
I left the hospital room without listening to Hyeon-seong's answer. Sitting in the car driven by Section Chief Ma, I blankly looked out the window. 'Have I changed.'
It was not difficult to answer the self-deprecating question. I had returned from the face of death. It would be stranger if I had not changed.
Rather, I consider it a welcome and fortunate change. Because I saved Grandma, I did not forget my friends, and I won Grandfather's heart.
But why...
"...Section Chief Ma."
"Yes, Boss."
"Am I thinking about this wrong?"
Section Chief Ma glanced at my face and briefly pulled the car over to the shoulder of the road.
"What do you mean?"
"Everything I am doing for my friend's revenge."
Section Chief Ma's honest and steadfast eyes gazed at me.
"Hyeon-seong said that. That he wishes I would not change. I guess he thinks I am doing this because of him. Honestly speaking, it is closer to me doing it for my own self-satisfaction because I was angry that they touched someone around me."
"If it weighs on your mind, you can stop anytime. The only one who can decide that is you, Boss."
Inside the car, enveloped in silence once again. Before long, a small sigh scattered into the air.
"That is right, because I am the one who takes responsibility for the decisions. Let us go. I am tired."
Section Chief Ma moved the car again without replying. A few days later. I picked up Hyun-seong's mother and Hyeon-seong, who had finished the discharge procedures, and headed to Myeong-soo's house.
I supported Hyeon-seong as he got out of the car. His left leg and arm had not completely healed yet, so he had to use a wheelchair.
"Congratulations on your discharge."
"Thanks."
As we opened the door and entered, Myeong-soo welcomed us.
"Mother, you are here? Hyeon-seong, you bastard!"
"Hey! Do not do it!"
Hyeon-seong was startled by the sight of Myeong-soo rushing to hug him.
"Everyone sit down and hang out. I will make you something delicious."
"Wow! It has been a while since we had a meal cooked by our mother. I am already swallowing my saliva."
Hyun-seong's mother laughed for a long time at Myeong-soo acting cute so shamelessly and went into the kitchen. As the three of us gathered and talked together for the first time in a while, a phone call came.
"Wait a moment, I will go take this call."
I went into Hyeon-seong's room and answered the phone.
"This is Kim Mu-hyeok." - Mu-hyeok, is it okay to talk?
It was a call from Chief Prosecutor Yoon.
< Don't Overdo It Because of Me > The End.