Special Prosecutor

Won Youngoh seemed to be briefly reminiscing about the events of a few days ago.
Jeong Donghyeok and I still hadn’t told him that Won Hayeop had visited the office.
Judging by Won Youngoh’s reaction, it seemed Won Hayeop hadn’t either.

‘He had to have a difficult conversation and make a request to the family he hadn’t seen in years…’

Won Youngoh let out a short sigh, rubbed the corner of his mouth, and then spoke.

“Still, I’m glad it went according to plan. Especially since a prosecutor can’t choose their own cases. I was worried about that part…”

When Won Youngoh had said he would go to In Yuyeong’s house, I was worried about him but couldn’t stop him.
Because I couldn’t dare to fathom the feelings with which he had brought up that story.

[Prosecutor In Yuyeong is a trustworthy prosecutor even in this situation. I’ll go and talk to her.]
‘Attorney, but…’
[If this gate opens now, everyone will rush in for Jo Hyeokjun’s money. Then it’ll be hushed up again.]
‘If it’s Prosecutor In, I also know a few of the cases she’s handled. I know she’s a trustworthy person.’
[Yes, I think so too. The only person I can entrust this to with a clear mind is Prosecutor In Yuyeong.]
‘But… will you be okay?’
[You don’t have to worry about me. Take care of yourself.]

I had secretly hoped that In Yuyeong would take this case.
Nevertheless, it was a story I couldn’t easily bring up to Won Youngoh.
Because it was something that might hurt him.
But Won Youngoh’s thoughts were different.
He put the case before his personal matters, made a decision, and moved.
And so, after finishing the call with Won Youngoh, I immediately contacted Im Suho.
Right after getting the information from Im Hyeongseok.

[You want me to bring up what Prosecutor In Yuyeong has done so far?]
‘Yes. I want it to be seen in connection with the data we’ll be releasing from now on.’
[In Yuyeong… impressive. She’s drawn her sword against large corporations more than once or twice. She must not have been promoted because she was so impressive.]
‘Because the price of righteousness is oneself. That shouldn’t be the case anymore.’
[This is part of the picture too, right?]
‘Yes.’

In Yuyeong’s actions led the public from a precise counterpoint to the corruption of Nam Eunsuk and Jo Hyeokjun.

‘What people want in the end is justice. Because deep down, everyone hopes for a world where good intentions are easily reciprocated.’

People gathered before the fire that Im Suho and I had thrown.
The reaction was immediate.

[Please form a special investigation team for the Nam Eunsuk-Jo Hyeokjun bribery gate]
[Prosecutor In Yuyeong as the special prosecutor]
[Please ensure that Prosecutor In Yuyeong can continue her fair investigation]

As a result, petitions and the national complaint hotline were filled with the same story.
The government sided with the people through a large-scale press conference.
It was no different from showing that they would not oppose the repercussions this case would bring.

‘They also showed their intention to reform the chaebols. Like a warning.’

Still, we had done everything we could.
Enough not to have regrets, enough to be proud.
We also handed over Im Hyeongseok that day.
We also handed over all the dense evidence that would make it impossible for anyone to escape.
I smiled at the people in front of me.

“You’ve all worked hard this time too. We’ll have to get back to our own work now.”

Won Youngoh clapped his hands lightly.

Clap, clap, clap.

“As Attorney Cha said, everyone has worked very hard this time too.”
“I never imagined things would get this big.”
“Still, I’m glad it ended well. You’ve all worked hard.”

I stood up from my seat, stopped clapping, and nodded.

“Well, shall we get back to work? There are still many people who need us.”

While the people of Dike were having a conversation worthy of their name, another person was in despair.
Like a person who never thought the karma he had built with every step he took would crash down on him like a wave.

Clang.

Nam Eunsuk kicked the soju bottle rolling at his feet.
The soju bottle rolled and hit the wall of the cramped motel, a place he would not have even glanced at in normal times.

“Be quiet… I said be quiet!”

Crash!

He then indiscriminately threw the glass cup on the side table. Fragments shattered and scattered in all directions.
The black cigarette ash piled inside also flew around, emitting a pungent smell.

“What is this? This… is my house.”

When the second call came from an unknown person, it was like a savior from heaven.
He had thought that the person who had saved him from the explosion that had left nothing behind was now going to help him get revenge.
But in this situation, there was no one he could trust.
And so, for an hour, he replayed the video of the bomb being installed in his house over and over.
Enough to memorize the flow of the grass swaying in the wind.
Until then, Nam Eunsuk still had a way out.
Or so he had thought.

“If I threaten Chairman Jo with this again, at least the money… What the fck is this!”

Until the headline that seemed like a dream, even seeing it with his own eyes, appeared.

<Why Did a Chaebol Chairman Instigate a Terror Attack on a High-Ranking Public Official?>

That was just the beginning.
Nam Eunsuk had thought that the saying ‘the dog is eaten after the hunt is over’ would be an exception for him.
But it was clear. The President had made a decision faster than anyone.
As a result, his assets were frozen, and his face was all over every media outlet all day long.
Nam Eunsuk had to hide.
To a place where no one could recognize him.
To a shabby, old motel filled with a musty smell.

“How did it come to this…”

He felt it was unfair.
That there were countless people worse than him, but it had to be him.
That all the world’s pointing fingers were directed only at him.
His wife and children had left without a moment’s hesitation the moment the ledger came to light.

‘These are the divorce papers.’
‘Is this what you’re doing to me right now?’
‘Then, what. Should the kids and I die with you? Get a grip. This is the only thing you have left to do for us.’
‘Seohyun, Seoyoung! What have I done to you! This will all be resolved over time!’
‘How much time will pass? Why should we waste that time because of you, Dad?’

He saw the coldest gazes from the people who were closest to him.
He had thought that even if they weren’t a harmonious family, at least there was no discord.
That was only Nam Eunsuk’s thought.

‘You always told us that nothing in the world is free, that we should be grateful to you for everything we eat, sleep, and wear.’
‘Nam Seohyun!’
‘There’s nothing to be grateful for anymore. That great house of yours is gone too.’

Nam Eunsuk had weighed and measured everything in his life.
This small motel room became the evidence that reflected his life.
Just a few days ago, he had lived in a different world.
Now, everything had crumbled into fragments.

“Jo Hyeokjun…”

Nam Eunsuk didn’t want to sink alone.
Because he had lost his honor and future, but Jo Hyeokjun’s life would only be left with a brief moment of noise.

‘It’ll probably just be a small fine. He’ll use his age as a shield and get probation or hole up in a hospital.’

It was as clear as day.
Because Nam Eunsuk himself had often thrown logs on that fire.
It was a custom.
He had only followed the custom.
Another person would appear in the place Nam Eunsuk had vacated.
He found that fact terribly unfair.

Ring, ring…

[The customer you are calling is unavailable…]

It was an automated message he had heard several times already, but he couldn’t put down the phone.
He called everyone whose name he could remember, but he couldn’t reach anyone.

‘I’ve bought so many meals for those bastards, but not a single one… If it wasn’t for that fox-like Chairman Jo, this wouldn’t have happened.’

The end of his terrible self-justification was soon anger.

Knock, knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door of the motel where Nam Eunsuk had been staying for days.

“…It’s me, Secretary Jeong.”

The other person spoke before Nam Eunsuk could ask his identity.
Because it was a long-standing habit from serving him.
Nam Eunsuk staggered to the door and roughly pulled the handle.
All his actions were steeped in alcohol.

Clank!

Secretary Jeong carefully took out a thick manila envelope from his coat and pushed it through the tautly latched chain.

“I’ve brought it as you said… but Prosecutor General, do you really have to do this?”
“Whatever happens, act like you don’t know anything, Secretary Jeong. You can go now. Thanks for granting a difficult request.”
“Prosecutor General…”

Bang!

The door closed, and he was alone again.

“…The defendant is found not guilty.”

At that declaration, I gently patted the shoulder of my client, who burst into tears she had been holding back.

“You’ve worked hard.”
“Thank you so much. Thank you, Attorney…”
“If you have any other problems, please contact me right away.”
“Yes, yes. I will. Thank you for your help, Attorney.”
“Not at all. I’ll be on my way.”

We were swamped with work for the next few days.
Requests for cases poured in, and trial dates approached quickly.

‘Haa, I wish a day had 36 hours.’

[What are you going to use them for? You’re already overworking yourself like this…]

‘I have to use them for work. And just add two more hours of sleep.’

[You know that even with two more hours, it’s still only 6 hours, right?]

‘That’s more than enough.’

[You’re going to collapse at this rate.]

‘But this is the last trial for today.’

For a while, I had to defend several cases a day.
So much so that I spent more time at the courthouse than in the office.

‘This reminds me of the old days.’

In my past as a judge, I had spent less time outside the courthouse.

“Attorney, is your trial over? You don’t have any more trials today, right?”
“No. Shall we take a short break?”
“Yes, I think you should.”

I got a drink from the vending machine, handed it to Lee Ilwoo, and we sat down on a bench together.
I took a sip of the cool sports drink and opened my mouth.

“Everyone’s just looking straight ahead, aren’t they? We’re the only ones sitting on the bench.”
“…That’s true.”

Lee Ilwoo looked around, following my gaze, and answered.
I smiled bitterly and spoke again.

“The people in the courthouse, which is supposed to be a place of justice, are more heartless than anyone else. I sometimes have that thought.”
“…Even from a distance, it’s suffocating sometimes. To be honest, I still haven’t gotten used to the atmosphere of the courthouse.”

I opened my eyes wide and turned my gaze from the people passing by to Lee Ilwoo.

“You still haven’t gotten used to it, Mr. Lee Ilwoo? That’s a bit surprising.”
“I’m a human too. I’m glad that I don’t have to feel any guilt for liking human things now.”
“Guilt… are you okay?”
“Yes, you don’t have to worry. Even during my leave, I felt at ease when I was at the office.”

Lee Ilwoo chugged the sports drink as if he were terribly thirsty and added.

“The Family Diner feels like home, and Ms. Seonghui’s coffee is still the best I’ve ever had.”
“We think alike on both counts.”

We looked at each other and smiled quietly.

“Yes, that’s why I like this daily life. So much that I’d risk everything to protect it.”
“Me too. That’s why I’ll try harder.”

As I replied to Lee Ilwoo, a commotion was heard from somewhere.

“Does that make sense in our country? Isn’t that a false report?”
“Why, there was that incident a while ago…”

Swoosh.

We stood up from the bench at a similar pace and looked up to where people’s gazes were directed.
Breaking news was on the large electronic billboard on the building across the street.
Everyone who was passing by stopped and looked at one place.
Some covered their mouths, some clicked their tongues.
Lee Ilwoo and I stood still without saying anything.

[BREAKING NEWS]
[Former Prosecutor General Nam Eunsuk, Firearms Terror Attack on Chairman Jo Hyeokjun of Korea Defense]