Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Bismuth Champions
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The grueling battle was heading into its final stretch.
The closing arguments from both sides.
"...For these reasons, the defendant had just cause for self-defense in this case. That concludes our argument."
Seok Ji-hoon's closing statement carried a notably subdued and gentle tone.
Gone were the claims from Kang Hyun's side about how absurd or nonsensical it all was. Instead, it wrapped up on reasonable grounds, hoping for a fair conclusion.
This spoke volumes.
The scales had already tipped heavily.
"We have heard the defendant's closing argument. Does the plaintiff's side have anything further to add?"
"Yes. I would like to speak."
Kang Hyun rose from his seat, his eyes brimming with joy. Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim were no different.
By this point, all three could already sense victory. It was only natural.
The faint scrape of a chair being pulled back echoed loudly through the courtroom.
The crowd's faces were like those on the verge of cheering—frozen in shock, teetering on the edge of electrified thrill.
And at the center of it all stood Kang Hyun.
"The jurisdictional merger provisions, the shipper's potential tort liability, the letter of credit issuing bank's duty of care—these issues we've debated here would, in reality, spark an international dispute dragging on for ages, with the outcome likely favoring the defendant. Their opponent? Kawasaki Corporation. After all, power dictates outcomes in the international arena."
The judges listened intently to Kang Hyun's words.
"But consider this: judicial proceedings are grounded in the rule of law as their foundation and principle. The law is the absolute standard with the mission to guide our society fairly and justly. Show that no force of power can shatter it."
Kang Hyun's logical closing argument punctuated the entire competition.
As he finished speaking, the pent-up tension exploded.
-Whoa!
-Great job!
Cheers erupted like a dam breaking, and thunderous applause swept through the room.
The final verdict was yet to come, but victory already seemed sealed.
"..."
The court maintained a neutral silence, expressionless. It might have seemed like an effort to stay impartial, but even before a decision, they let the audience's cheers and claps continue unabated—proof they'd already made up their minds.
Once the cheers died down and calm returned, the judges delivered their ruling without delay.
"We will now issue our order."
David Jeong began speaking.
His face remained impassive, but a glint in his eye hinted at sensing the birth of a remarkable hero.
"Kawasaki Corporation shall pay the plaintiff 2,569,476,891 won. All litigation costs shall be borne by the defendant."
'We did it!'
Ding-dong. ⚙ Competition Result ⚙ [Korea Team 3: Victory] The stunned silence shattered, replaced by a crisp bell chime as the monitor displayed the message announcing Kang Hyun's team's win.
A resounding victory for Kang Hyun.
The Bismuth World Mock Trial Competition.
Law's grand festival, with a top prize exceeding 100 million won.
This was the moment Kang Hyun claimed the top spot.
With dignity and poise!
The instant the judges finished, Kang Hyun stood and pulled Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim into a powerful embrace as they rushed to him.
Camera shutters clicked dizzingly, flashes blinding, but none of it mattered.
"It's over, right?"
"It's over. You're the best!"
"Hyung, you were amazing!"
"We all worked hard!"
The three hugged tightly.
Applause poured from behind.
Then someone started chanting Kang Hyun's name.
-Kang Hyun! Kang Hyun!
-Kang Hyun! Kang Hyun! Kang Hyun!
As his name echoed through the vast courtroom, Kang Hyun raised his hand in response.
Lost in joy and excitement, one thing was crystal clear.
"We won Bismuth..."
In a quiet murmur, Kang Hyun acknowledged his own triumph.
In a gathering of the world's top talents, he'd dominated with overwhelming skill.
No one could match him in trial advocacy. This proved Kang Hyun was the unrivaled master.
"Hold on a sec."
At that moment, Kang Hyun left his elated teammates and headed to the opposite side.
Straight to Seok Ji-hoon.
"Good work, sunbae."
"..."
Seok Ji-hoon could only stare at Kang Hyun. He couldn't storm out or offer congratulations.
He just bit his lip, glanced upward into space, then glared at Kang Hyun.
Seok Ji-hoon looking up at Kang Hyun.
Kang Hyun looking down at Seok Ji-hoon.
"See you around sometime."
With those words, Seok Ji-hoon stood and left the arena.
"..."
Amid the roaring cheers, Kang Hyun watched him go with a look of pity until he vanished. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Congratulations."
"Thank you. You all worked hard during the competition."
"Grow into a fine person and shine in the legal world."
Kang Hyun exchanged brief greetings with the judges, David Jeong, and others before moving on.
Behind the Foreign Ministry building.
Reporters swarmed the front entrance, but thanks to someone's help, they slipped out the back door used by staff.
That someone was Nam Shin-hwa, the administrative officer from the Foreign Ministry.
"You timed it perfectly, Officer."
"Someone from the event coordination team can't just go gawking at you, now can they?"
Nam Shin-hwa downplayed it, but he was clearly thrilled by Kang Hyun's win.
"The whole place is buzzing about your victory. Congratulations again."
"Thanks. But it's not just my win—it's the team's."
Kang Hyun turned to introduce Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim, and Nam Shin-hwa nodded leisurely before continuing.
"Congratulations to you all. Friends from the same department?"
"Yeah, my closest buddies."
"And a great hyung too."
Nam Shin-hwa looked at them fondly in turn, then gave Kang Hyun some quick info.
"The awards ceremony will reveal it for sure, but you're a shoo-in for Best Individual Advocacy too. Inquiries are already flooding the Foreign Ministry. It's the hottest topic, so results will come fast."
"Best Individual Advocacy?"
"Of course. After that performance?"
His matter-of-fact tone set Kang Hyun's heart pounding.
Bismuth champion, plus Best Individual Advocacy winner.
Irrefutable proof he'd earned this world title on his own merits.
Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim beside him patted his shoulders excitedly.
"Jackpot!"
"Congrats, hyung!"
They'd dreamed of a world championship, but Best Individual too?
With his wildest dreams suddenly real, Kang Hyun couldn't hide his joy.
"And also..."
Trailing off after the good news, Nam Shin-hwa paused.
"...?"
Kang Hyun shot him a puzzled look, and Nam Shin-hwa opened up without hesitation.
"You'll be getting tons of ad and endorsement offers soon."
"Huh? Ads?"
"It's what every Bismuth winner goes through yearly."
Nam Shin-hwa continued, looking a bit awkward.
His point: fame from this win meant money-making chances and spotlight, so stay cautious.
"Don't lose your drive, keep that pure heart. Not that I'm in a position to say it."
With a polite bow, he turned and left.
"..."
Watching his back, Kang Hyun smiled proudly.
He'd set an unimaginable goal for ordinary folks—one they'd never even dream of—and achieved it through effort and skill.
But he wouldn't get lost in the success. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cheers and applause still rang in Kang Hyun's ears.
He headed straight home.
To share the joyous news with the one person he wanted to tell first.
"I'm home."
He opened the front door, but the living room held only the quiet murmur of the TV.
His mother lay curled on the small sofa, breathing softly in sleep.
'She waited up and dozed off...'
He wanted to wake her and hug her tight, but he couldn't rob her of precious rest.
It had been years since Kang Hyun declared he'd pay off the debt collectors.
Bit by bit, they'd covered interest and principal. Kang Hyun kept his promises, but the heavy load had fallen mostly on his mother.
No means or spare cash to clear the big debts outright—her struggles were beyond words.
But now, things were different.
Bismuth top prize: 100 million won.
Split three ways: about 30 million each.
Plus 20 million for Best Individual Advocacy.
Some 50 million won heading straight to college student Kang Hyun.
And if he leveraged the win for more opportunities, as Nam Shin-hwa suggested? Perfect.
'Not much longer now.'
Gazing at his weary, sleeping mother, he smiled warmly.
They'd planned to eat out after the event, but rather than wake her, he tucked away his excitement, slipped into the kitchen quietly, and set water to boil in the kettle.
At least prepare a warm cup of tea.
Bubble, bubble.
As the water boiled and the teabag steeped, a fragrant aroma rose from the old mug.
"Mmm... Son, when did you get back?"
His mother finally stirred, shuffling toward him.
"Mom."
Kang Hyun approached carefully, joy bubbling over.
"So, how'd the competition go? Sorry I couldn't come watch..."
Her legs were swollen. Gripping her waist to steady herself, she touched his heart with poignant ache.
"Mom! I won. And the prize money's huge."
She might not grasp just how monumental it was, but she opened her warm embrace as always.
"Good job. You worked so hard..."
Pat, pat.
A tender evening.
'Not much longer now, for real.'
Resting in her arms briefly, Kang Hyun thought.
Soon, the noose would loosen, and he'd fill her days with nothing but happiness. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Click.
The door shut. A shabby room.
Yet cozy, infused with all his efforts and triumphs thus far.
News, forums, SNS buzzed wildly about Kang Hyun's win, but here it was quiet.
"Whew."
Kang Hyun let out a deep sigh, slumping onto the bed. In his own space, finally a moment to rest—his chest warmed.
Just then, as he sat blankly.
Riiing.
"...?"
Riiing, riiing.
His phone rang.
An unknown number. Not a regular mobile— an institutional line.
'Who could it be?'
Sensing something off, Kang Hyun grabbed his phone.
"Hello?"
-...Ahem.
A throat-clearing.
A cough he'd never heard before.
Sounded elderly. No reason for such a person to call, so Kang Hyun waited.
Soon, a voice came through.
-Is this Kang Hyun?
"Yes. Speaking. May I ask who this is?"
-This is Jeong Jung-hun, Chief Prosecutor at the Central District Prosecutors' Office. They said you were impossible to reach, so I called directly.
"Pardon? Jeong Jung-hun... Chief Prosecutor?"
Kang Hyun nearly dropped the phone in shock.
Central District Prosecutors' Office First Chief Prosecutor.
Jeong Jung-hun.
A powerhouse in the prosecution hierarchy.
And he'd called Kang Hyun personally?