Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: Rewards from the Chief
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"Man, this is wild."
"Huh?"
The one most amazed that Kang Hyun had resurfaced in the news and become the talk of the town was Prosecutor Kim Si-hwan.
One morning, he burst through the door without warning and blurted it out.
"I've never had my face plastered all over the news like this since I became a prosecutor. You gonna be on the news again?"
"Oh."
"And on TBS too! They're making a huge deal out of it on broadcast TV. Not weird to you?"
"It's pretty weird."
Another day.
Bang!
"Senior, about that case that got assigned last week..."
"You! Did a magazine interview you?"
"Huh? It wasn't in person, just over the phone..."
"What? Why didn't you tell me? You're a real celebrity..."
"Haha... Sometimes it's better to live quietly."
And today.
Bang!
"Junior. I've got a dilemma."
"Yes? Senior."
"I wanna land a big one. Sweep all the bad guys away. Why can't I?"
"...Have you had a drink?"
"Huh? What?"
"Oh, nothing. Let's definitely grab one together later, Senior."
"Right? Let's nail one big case and lock up all the suspects. That's the fate of a trial prosecutor."
"Yes. Sounds good. Coffee, Senior?"
"Yeah!"
He was sitting on the sofa in the middle of the room, newspaper spread out, and took the coffee Kang Hyun handed him with deep appreciation, sipping it politely.
"By the way. Oh Division Chief took another day off today?"
"Probably sore that things are going well for me."
"Heh, wasn't he thrilled when you traded rooms with Prosecutor Cheong? But Cheong Senior was pissed about moving to our Division 2 and stopped working altogether."
"Is that so."
"That's what I heard. You get it? How everyone feels about our Oh Division Chief?"
"Nobody really likes Division Chief Oh."
Oh Jin had vanished for days, clearly unhappy with Kang Hyun's sudden rise to prominence.
Plus, according to Kim Si-hwan, Division 2's performance had plummeted since Kang Hyun left.
Given the nature of criminal division cases that needed several dispositions a day, the cases coming up to the chief's office had dropped to just 10% of normal after Kang Hyun's departure.
It was the general consensus that he had good reason to be shocked and take time off.
This marked the end of the head-on clash with Oh Jin—a complete victory for Kang Hyun—and the prevailing prediction was that he'd keep his mouth shut and show up at the office from now on.
So no one would utter a peep about Kang Hyun moving to Division 1 and spending nearly a month with Park Min-seong and Hwang Jae-eun.
The biggest gain for Kang Hyun from all this was the foundation to build experience alongside top-notch seniors.
'It's all about the people. Good job.'
In the end.
Kang Hyun had carved out nearly a month to set up his own office next to some prickly but highly capable and talented prosecutors.
'As long as I get the prosecutor's office running stably, I can even handle my own investigations.'
Kang Hyun leaned back in his chair with a pleased expression, stretching his back leisurely.
The moment he transferred to Criminal Division 1, the endless cases assigned to him had vanished like smoke, at least for now.
Free from the workload that had zeroed in on him alone, Kang Hyun finally had some breathing room—and he deserved to enjoy it.
"Feels relaxed."
"Lucky bastard."
A bird chirped by outside the window, as if celebrating Kang Hyun's leisure.
This peaceful moment of casually chatting with Prosecutor Kim Si-hwan.
Ring ring.
The office phone shattered the tranquility.
Kang Hyun leaned toward the receiver to check the caller. It was Park Min-seong's extension.
"Yes, this is Kang Hyun."
*Come see me.*
"Got it."
Click.
"Huh, who was it?"
Kim Si-hwan asked with a shrug as Kang Hyun hung up after just three words. Kang Hyun replied nonchalantly and stood up.
"Division Chief Park."
"Why? Got something to say about this case?"
"Who knows. I'll go find out."
"Alright, alright. Junior, there's that saying—successful folks stick together and take care of their talented juniors. Guess I'll review some indictment cases and prep for early clock-out."
"Yes. I'll call later."
It might've felt odd leaving Kim Si-hwan alone in his office, but Kang Hyun didn't care and headed straight for the Division Chief's room.
He pondered for a moment.
'Probably about the search and seizure.'
Park Min-seong hadn't had time to summon him amid recent case briefings, press conferences, and interviews.
The moment he did, he'd called Kang Hyun.
Whether it was to sort things out, grill him, scold him for mistakes, or praise him—who knew. But his voice hadn't sounded bad.
Maybe.
'That rumor about Park Min-seong coming to Namyangju on Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jung-hun's orders. Is it true?'
If the rumor was real.
Then effectively, Park Min-seong and Kang Hyun were in the same boat, heading the same direction—and Kang Hyun could fully rely on him for support.
Still, he recalled Park Min-seong's cautious attitude toward Jeong Jung-hun back when he was deputy chief, which nagged at him a bit.
'I'll find out when I get there.'
Anyway, after meeting and talking with him.
Kang Hyun would learn more about why he'd come to Namyangju, what lay ahead for him, and what he needed to do.
It was a prosecutor's instinct. It felt that way.
Knock knock.
"Kang Hyun here."
*Come in.*
Bang.
The door opened, revealing Park Min-seong—his face a bit rosier than usual but still expressionless.
"Our search-and-seizure hero has arrived."
Neck tie loosened halfway, legs crossed, he greeted Kang Hyun.
Kang Hyun knew exactly what to say first.
"...I'm sorry. I didn't expect Jeong Yun-ja to suddenly drive off like that."
"Nah, it's fine. After hearing the full report, I thought it'd be entertaining to see a prosecutor not even a few years in show 'em what dying looks like."
"...I'll be more careful."
Seeing how much Park Min-seong enjoyed his embarrassment at the sarcasm, Kang Hyun could picture the chief peppering him with nitpicky questions in that mischievous tone.
"You a high schooler? College kid? Can't tell right from wrong, jumping into a moving car not knowing if there's an axe or machete inside?"
"Given Jeong Yun-ja's behavior, it wasn't that dangerous. I was confident."
"How confident? You some judo-specialist investigator? Or CRPT?"
"...I did train quite a bit."
"Yeah. Back when you were a kid, that drug bust."
"Yes?"
"The Asan drug case. Took a hit to the head, passed out for hours, climbed over that mountain anyway—and came out fine. Guess your stamina was always good, then and now."
"Chief... why bring up old stuff..."
Kang Hyun felt a twinge of embarrassment as the chief referenced his past exploits.
"You haven't changed a bit. Grabbing a moving car with a dangerous suspect at the wheel and jumping into the back seat? Means you still haven't grown."
"It's growth. Couldn't let evidence slip away right in front of me, so I made the call and acted."
"Now you've got real responsibilities, and that's just bravado."
"Can't shift blame to the 'victim' of obstruction of special public duty. Even if I got hurt, it'd be Jeong Yun-ja the 'suspect's' fault. Just hit her with enhanced punishment."
"You're a smartass. Can't you get 'take care of yourself'?"
"...Yes. I get it."
"This turned out okay, so I'm letting it slide. From now on, watch your own back."
"Yes."
Kang Hyun bowed his head at Park Min-seong's words—praise or worry, it was ambiguous—and the chief seemed satisfied, changing the subject.
"What about Jeong Yun-ja? Hwang Senior had some interesting stuff to say."
"Under investigation. As reported, she clearly instructed evidence destruction over the phone. Once we secure the black box and analyze call records, we can confront her with it and figure out who the suspect is."
"So accomplices confirmed. Grounds for direct KW investigation. Keep this quiet inside and out—no need for other evidence, but analyze everything circumstantial or expert for indictment maintenance."
"Yes."
"Help Hwang Senior."
"Got it."
"Anyway."
Park Min-seong trailed off, subtly shifting his demeanor.
"This case? You get the credit, in the end."
Undeniable achievement by Kang Hyun.
The case progressing smoothly thanks to it.
Park Min-seong had summoned him to talk it all over—and ultimately acknowledged his success.
'He likes the results.'
Surprisingly, it seemed he'd called Kang Hyun just to commend his big win.
Praise from Division Chief Park Min-seong.
Rare even for other prosecutors, let alone Kang Hyun.
And with the praise, Park Min-seong slid something over.
Slide.
"...?"
A neatly organized report on the approval pad.
"Take it. Gotta reward results."
"Yes?"
At the meaningful words, Kang Hyun calmly accepted the report, slowly opening it to read.
The first page was some staffer's personnel record.
"Two items. First, assigning one senior investigator and one assistant to your Room 323."
'Staff support? Whoa!'
Kang Hyun's eyes widened at the unexpected announcement.
"Wow! Oh. Sorry."
He jumped up, then scratched his head seeing Park Min-seong's blank face.
This was a total shock—a genuine surprise gift.
Two investigators for a rookie prosecutor's solo office.
Extravagant even for big district offices.
'Jackpot.'
Kang Hyun couldn't hide his joy in front of Park Min-seong for a second.
His heart was pounding too hard.
Finally, Room 323 was shaping up as a proper prosecutor's office.
Depending on the staff's skills, it could become a top-tier investigative unit rivaling the central special division—or just a small complaints desk in a two-story countryside post office.
First people, then the right people—that was key.
One senior investigator, one assistant.
Even without full-time staff, it'd look like a standard prosecutor's office.
For Kang Hyun, who'd started with zero, this was pure Park Min-seong pulling strings—and he bowed deeply in thanks, practically prostrating.
"Thank you so much, Chief."
"Work harder. Once the busy stretch passes, try some cognizance investigations."
Cognizance investigation—prosecutor-led probes where they uncover clues themselves.
Not reliant on complaints; pure prosecutor initiative meant heavier responsibility, but greater honor per case.
"I'll do my best!"
"Good. How's it feel to be a proper prosecutor's office head?"
"Feels great. Awesome."
Pleased by Kang Hyun's stronger-than-expected reaction, Park Min-seong nearly cracked a fond smile but held back, continuing.