Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: The Solitary Path to Dual Mastery
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Prosecutors are appointed from those who have passed the Judicial Examination and completed the Judicial Research and Training Institute, or from those qualified as attorneys, in accordance with the Act on the Organization of Prosecution Offices.
Passing the Judicial Exam requires finishing the training institute, while law school demands passing the Bar Examination.
As such, aspiring legal professionals typically choose one path from the start and pursue it diligently.
Even if they dip a foot into both, they usually shift fully to whichever seems more promising.
Given this conventional pattern, Kang Hyun's decision to pursue both—regardless of any justification—was strikingly unconventional compared to ordinary people.
But Kang Hyun wasn't acting without thought.
Obtaining both the Judicial Exam and Bar Exam qualifications offered something special that a single qualification couldn't provide.
Namely, the qualification granted under the Act on Special Appointments of Judges and Prosecutors.
The Special Committee for Appointments of Judges and Prosecutors, established by the President under the main law, could certify that all conditions were met through its resolution.
This "proof of meeting all conditions"—available only to those who conquered both notoriously grueling exams.
With it, Kang Hyun could bypass all other requirements for becoming a prosecutor.
For example:
The six months of practical training required after just the Judicial Exam, or the various mandatory courses without granting a degree.
Conversely, for law school alone, the numerous classes, subjects, and tests required for initial prosecutor appointment.
This right eliminated the need for all of it.
In short, beyond mere "prestige," it dramatically accelerated his timeline.
'I'll end it all with these exams at once.'
His resolve was firm, but Kang Hyun's path was utterly lonely.
If others had chosen this, there would be forums for sharing info, comrades to bolster his will. But he was alone.
A choice diverging from the norm. Its weight fell solely on him.
'...Ha, conflicting precedents. Shouldn't have bothered looking.'
Even a genius found preparing for both exams simultaneously overwhelming.
The more he studied, the more he felt his shortcomings.
'I need to do more.'
After becoming a second-year law student, he poured every moment after class into holing up somewhere to study.
He cut back on sleep, meals, even bathroom breaks.
Study alone.
That was Kang Hyun's "a little more."
He could prepare steadily and tackle them one by one.
'Not much time left.'
The first stage of the Judicial Examination was approaching too. Plenty of reason to push harder.
Judicial Examination.
Composed of three stages, it had never produced a perfect scorer.
Compared to perfect scores on the College Scholastic Ability Test every year, its difficulty was on another level.
The infamous second stage: scoring over 60 out of 100 put you in the national top ranks.
But beyond the exam's toughness, various circumstances were shrinking Kang Hyun's odds of success.
Law school building.
Students clucked their tongues at the posted notice.
"It's come to this after all."
"Postponed?"
"Guess the Judicial Exam really disappears next year."
The large notice on the board.
Law students eyeing the Judicial Exam shook their heads and walked away.
'Postponed again?'
The first stage, meant for early spring, dragged to late spring—fine. But pushing to the second half of the year felt off.
With abolition debates ignited and the bill already passed committee.
High-flying Judicial Exam alumni deflated, law school grads shoving forward—an unbelievable power struggle unfolding.
'This might be the last Judicial Exam ever.'
Kang Hyun doubled down on studying.
Up at dawn to study, post-class breaks for more study.
Even during exam periods, juggling law school tests and Judicial Exam prep meant some days hit 16 hours.
16 hours left no room for meals, let alone sleep.
Living like a shadow, devoted to study, he began worrying those who cared: professors, seniors and juniors, even close friends.
-Hyung, you gotta eat.
-Yeah! Open your mouth and I'll feed you!
Despite pleas from Yoon Chan-rim and Woo Si-hyung, Kang Hyun shook his head and plunged madly into study.
Yoon Chan-rim was prepping for the Judicial Exam himself then, and Woo Si-hyung was headed to law school.
'I need to tighten the screws more.'
Eventually, his fierce determination left those around him speechless, tongues clicking in awe as they waited.
Late summer arrived, another notice posted.
"Insane. It's really abolished."
"We dodged a bullet. All those exam hermits are out on the streets."
"Why bother with the Judicial Exam anyway? Even geniuses fail. Good we came to law school."
The first stage proceeded normally in late summer. But the schedule was grim.
Late summer stage 1, winter stage 2, spring stage 3 next year. The grace system—advancing prior stages granted retries—was meaningless in this final Judicial Exam.
No stage 1 chance during stage 2, no stage 1 or 2 during stage 3.
Truly the last one before abolition.
'Still, fortunate.'
Kang Hyun thought it a relief the exam wasn't instantly scrapped, and the timeline actually fit perfectly.
'Pass the Judicial Exam, then charge for the Bar Exam.'
Months of mad studying.
His first Judicial Exam stage 1 result: naturally, "pass."
He nodded at it. Joyful, but just stage 1.
Even strong candidates passed in three months sometimes. Nothing to brag about.
But the quality of his result was otherworldly.
"They say someone got a perfect score among those who picked elective B."
"Full 100? Civil Code too? And elective B—niche subjects."
"Must be a monster. Picking philosophy of law, criminal policy, tax law... ugh, intellectual property law for top standard score? Scarce materials, tons of legwork."
"Constitution, Criminal Code, Civil Code. Big Three perfect? Wait, that's..."
A whispering law student glanced at passing Kang Hyun, then averted eyes upon meeting his.
All older, more studied than him.
Yet they revered him warily, always centering him in their talk.
"Can't wait for stage 2..."
Murmurs.
Now everyone's focus: Judicial Exam stage 2.
Essay format, never a perfect score. Covered core three laws plus four electives.
Four days straight—tested stamina too.
But this hellish ordeal might favor Kang Hyun.
Endless energy and focus, sleepless nights or not.
Deeper legal insight cleared his mind, sped his pen.
Stage 2.
The grueling 15-hour marathon began.
Yet Kang Hyun grew calmer. Told Mother only, "Heading to the exam," and strolled out.
Stage 2 perfect: 150 Civil Code, 100 others.
But standards incomparable.
60 on Civil Code or Constitution alone warranted a news blurb.
Yet,
What if near-perfect?
Exam hall, pre-start.
Silence as proctor entered.
"Distributing codes."
Rustle, flip.
Frantic marking corners, highlighting key articles for speed.
Kang Hyun differed.
Eyes closed, still.
No need. All knowledge stored in his head, ready.
'Doesn't make it easy. Stay calm.'
Indeed.
Allocate time, pinpoint issues, unfold logic.
No slips allowed, cite fitting precedents for intent.
All must align for top marks.
Kang Hyun walked a tightrope. Skill mattered, but luck too.
Ding-dong!
End bell after eternity.
"Exam over. Collecting answer sheets."
'Good. Pretty great.'
Kang Hyun wiped sweat, looked up.
Once pen hit paper, nothing special.
No magical genius spree like his law epiphany day, no blink-and-exam-over.
But results stunned all.
Days later.
"Crazy?"
"Perfect on Judicial Exam stage 2?"
"Alien?"
"More like leak."
Shock rippled.
Historically, 50-60 split top tier. Last exam's stage 1-2 top: flawless perfect.
Less awe or cheers—fear of the monster.
Kang Hyun, viewing pass notice: expressionless.
'Knew it all. Obvious.'
Precise, no confusion.
Answers matching model near-perfect; he even worried they'd suspect leaks, grill him.
Kang Hyun: flawless.
Beyond CSAT perfects—epochal, historic.
'Good I studied quietly. Nearly dragged into circus, derailed prep.'
Media hunted the star, offering 10 million won for tips.
Kang Hyun prepared next methodically, obsessively.
While others danced in stage 2 joy.
Stage 3: interview.
Stages 1-2 proved quals; just disqualifiers checked, formality.
But not for Kang Hyun. Goal: Judicial pass then Bar.
One worry.
With Judicial and Bar camps warring, his neutral stance midstream? Political bomb.
Many fretted. Like Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min.
-Just ace interview quietly, enter JRTI! Got it?
"No. Two more years studying."
-Argh, this blockhead'll stir trouble. Fine, lie: "Grateful for pass, quitting law school." Got it?
"No? Heading in."
-Hey! You...
Click.
Kang Hyun, tenser than ever, entered interview room with resolute face.