Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Unassailable Briefing
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Since entering the Prosecutor's Office.
Had there ever been such a ridiculous situation for them?
They had abandoned all the prestige of the prosecution, summoned a mere prosecutor just two days into his assignment to the branch chief's office, and now they were sitting there listening to a speech from a junior prosecutor on how to handle cases.
"Then, I'll report on the next case."
The clearer and more concise Kang Hyun's words became, the more Oh Jin ground his teeth and tensed his arms. When Kang Hyun summarized complex cases in just a few succinct words without any fluff, Oh Jin even stomped his foot lightly.
"This case was forwarded for indictment on charges of habitual assault and assault on an ascendant. However, it's more appropriate to consolidate the remaining acts under the single, more serious charge of 'habitual assault on an ascendant.'"
"The assault on Victim 1 easily qualifies as habitual. But is there evidence to establish a pattern for assault on an ascendant?"
"If we look at assault on an ascendant alone, no."
"Exactly. There isn't. So, shouldn't we charge Suspect 1 with habitual assault and Suspect 2's mother with just assault on an ascendant? Isn't that the obvious approach?"
"Branch Chief, the 'pattern of assault' is determined comprehensively, considering prior similar convictions, the number of incidents, the period, motives, and so on. Saying the prior assault on the acquaintance qualifies as habitual, but the assault on the mother does not, is inconsistent."
"You just don't get it. What you're saying is that he habitually beat the acquaintance, but only hit his mother a couple times—yet you're claiming it was habitual for her too?"
"It's not about judging the two acts—habitual assault and assault on an ascendant—separately. They stem from the same pattern of assault behavior, so both qualify as habitual. In simple terms, we need to emphasize that it has become a 'habit.' Indicting like this would lead to legal misinterpretation regarding habituality and the number of offenses."
"Hmm..."
"It's possible to indict on habitual assault for Victim 1, but suggesting we can't for Victim 2 and just charge simple assault is hard to understand.
Moreover, indicting on habitual assault on an ascendant means it doesn't fall under the non-prosecutable offense of Criminal Code Article 260 Paragraph 3, so we can proceed even against the victim's explicit wishes. With Victim 2—the mother—already expressing no desire for punishment, bundling the charges is even more necessary to ensure the suspect pays the due price under the law."
"Ha..."
The branch chief was at a loss for words.
Instead, a single thought bubbled up in his mind, nearly escaping his lips.
His mouth twitched as he barely held it back.
*He's the real deal.*
There was no other way to describe the situation.
In over a decade or two as a prosecutor, he had never seen someone like this.
What prosecutor handles cases like a machine?
Even as a fresh recruit in the Republic of Korea's prosecution service, who could process cases this effortlessly from the start?
But Kang Hyun was different.
In truth, everyone here already knew of his reputation and abilities.
Who in the legal world nowadays didn't know Kang Hyun?
That was partly why they tried to cut him down to size—and because he was a rookie, no matter how impressive, they figured he was still just taking his first steps.
That had been the decisive reason for looking down on him and trying to crush him with work.
But in this situation, it was clearly a blunder.
It was like handing wings to Kang Hyun.
On top of that, Section Chief Park Min-seong, who could be called a witness, was sitting right there beside him.
Unusually, he had his hands clasped together, listening intently to Kang Hyun as if they were one.
Two p.m.
The branch chief face-off following the seolleongtang lunch.
From round one to round two.
Kang Hyun's complete victory brought the farce to a close.
"Next."
The branch chief's finger, adorned with a thimble, urgently beckoned the next file—but the game was already over.
"That's all. I'll conclude the verbal review report."
Kang Hyun bowed politely before the branch chief, capping off the cases impeccably.
Perfect in personality, ability, and every other aspect—no handles to grab, no openings to exploit.
"...Clerk, please return all the files to the prosecutor's office."
"Yes, sir."
Click, click, click, click.
As the case files were neatly gathered by another staff member, the three executives in the branch chief's office couldn't exchange a single word.
Kang Hyun alone stood there blankly, gazing at them with clear eyes that seemed to say, *'Am I free to go now?'*
"Ahem, Prosecutor Kang."
"Yes."
"The reason I went this far with you is that a prosecutor needs not just ability, but humility as well."
"Yes. I agree completely."
The branch chief's eyes said otherwise, but his voice had softened endlessly.
He had nothing left to say. He had indeed dismissed and belittled Kang Hyun.
But it was still better than Oh Jin, who was sweating bullets and speechless.
One could hardly believe Oh Jin had worn that arrogant expression earlier; he looked utterly transformed.
His fists were clenched tight, his back hunched.
Sweat beaded on his bare scalp.
He lacked the shamelessness to fawn over Branch Chief Gu Ik-hwan, who was trying to salvage the situation. Instead, he couldn't even meet Gu's eyes, just nodding along.
"I already knew you were exceptional. You graduated law school and passed the prosecutor qualification exam, bar exam, judicial exam—all of them, right?"
"I didn't take the prosecutor appointment qualification exam while in law school."
"Right, so it's as good as coming through the judicial exam. Which batch of the judicial exam?"
"I entered via special admission. Passed the 65th judicial exam, and I'm from the 7th law school class. No judicial training institute class number."
"Ah, yes, yes. Who cares about judicial training institute classes these days? Let's see—you're practically a 'fellow' from our late judicial training institute 55th class! Right?"
Gu Ik-hwan jumped up hurriedly, extending his hand to Kang Hyun.
"Y-Yes... that's right."
At his sudden move, Oh Jin nodded even more vigorously than before, while Park Min-seong crossed his legs from behind, out of sight, watching them with a pathetic expression.
"Ah... well, thank you."
"Good! Let's get along from now on, Prosecutor Kang. I'm sorry about skipping lunch earlier. As you said, we had urgent matters..."
"It's fine."
"I'll throw you a proper welcome party later! We'll have a grand dinner, titles be damned!"
Excuses upon excuses, followed by appeasement. He shook Kang Hyun's hand vigorously, swallowing his pride.
*'Half-baked law school' my foot earlier.*
Kang Hyun naturally couldn't view him fondly, but he was still a superior.
The head of this branch office, wielding even a sliver of power. Trampling his pride further would just give him ammunition.
No need to strut.
"Thank you for treating a new transfer like me so generously. It will all be nourishment for me, and I'll do my absolute best."
"Excellent! Section Chief Oh."
"Yes."
"Make sure no one badmouths our junior Kang Hyun or law school grads from now on! If it reaches my ears..."
"...Understood."
"Good. Take good care of him. Everyone, dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
Prosecutor Park Min-seong strode out without lingering.
"Thank you, Branch Chief. I'll make sure Prosecutor Kang fully understands your instructions..."
"I said go!"
"...Yes, sir."
In stark contrast, Prosecutor Oh Jin rubbed his hands behind before getting sharply rebuked.
*'Whew.'*
With that, Kang Hyun had navigated a life-or-death crisis at the office just two days in.
"Successfully navigated" understated the overwhelming result, but since no one was seriously hurt and everything was patched up nicely, it was another gain for Kang Hyun.
Clunk.
"You can head back now. Start processing the files as reviewed."
"Yes, sir."
At Oh Jin's words, chest puffed out, Kang Hyun held back a laugh and bowed.
"And what happened in the branch chief's office stays here."
"Thank you."
"Don't spread weird rumors. Just focus on doing well going forward."
"Got it."
Oh Jin waddled off with grumbling steps.
But Kang Hyun knew.
Prosecutor's office rumors spread in half a day.
No—even faster.
"So that's what happened! The rookie prosecutor won... Oops!"
Kang Hyun happened to glance back at the annex office seats.
Senior Clerk Ko, excitedly spreading the battle's outcome to the staff, met his eyes. The two exchanged the most innocent smiles possible.
* * *
It was the scandal of the century.
Who knew snubbing the infamous rookie prosecutor would exact such a brutal toll.
Kang Hyun's boldness and confidence at the seolleongtang restaurant spread via the prosecutors' gossip, while his feat of silencing the executives word-for-word in the branch chief's office circulated through the general staff.
The parties involved suffered no harm, but the administrative office seemed thrown into disarray work-wise.
The neatly revamped Namyangju Branch Office Criminal Division 2, Room 323 prosecutor's office.
Slide!
"Hold on, let me tidy up, Prosecutor!"
"Ah, sure."
Phones, computers, copiers—fine.
But then paintings went up, fresh potted plants arrived, and suddenly reference books for investigations started pouring in with bookshelves.
Thud! Click.
"Ah, Staff Member Lee... why this?"
"I'm in charge of supplies too! Let me know if you need anything!"
"That's not... I mean, even this..."
"TV! Don't you need a TV? All the prosecutors have them in the break room. No break room for you, so I'll put it here."
"...Ah, thank you."
"Yes! Have a good one!"
Creak, bang!
Everyone gone, the room fell silent.
"Wow..."
Kang Hyun stood back from the desk, taking in the room.
It was 180 degrees from the office he'd seen on his first day. No wonder his jaw wouldn't close.
An undeniably luxurious workspace.
Chair, sofa, desk—even the books—all brand new.
The floor gleamed spotless, as if relaid yesterday.
Proudly on the desk sat a nameplate: *Prosecutor Kang Hyun*.
*'They even changed the curtains.'*
Plus, seemingly the best computer in the building.
Full access rights, helpful programs—all set up.
"Now it feels like a place to work."
In one corner, another new desk had appeared—likely for the new staffer to be assigned to him.
No official word yet, but it wouldn't be long.
"Man... feels like I'm a veteran prosecutor."
He sank into the comfy new swivel chair, spinning around to gaze outside slowly.
The Namyangju vista sprawled before him.
*'The view was great from day one.'*
A corner room, but with killer scenery.
Now fully tricked out, Kang Hyun savored the simple joy to the fullest.
He deserved this treatment, didn't he?
His resolve hardened further.
*'Gotta work hard to match this office.'*
Flames ignited in Kang Hyun's eyes.