Chapter 172
Chapter 172
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The God of Law Returns
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172.
Kang Hyun.
In the midst of nonstop breaking news coverage of the intersection multi-vehicle collision, a name that inevitably drew everyone's attention.
His story became known to the public that very morning.
‘Kang Hyun Saves Lives at the Accident Scene.’
‘Resilient Prosecutors Comfort Grieving Families, Joint Investigation Launched at Intersection Multi-Vehicle Collision Site.’
Archival footage repeatedly showed Kang Hyun in action at the scene.
From multiple angles and situations, it was clear to anyone watching just how desperately he had worked to help people there.
On top of that, his press briefing from Namyangju University Hospital—where he had stood tall and faced a swarm of reporters—was replayed and reported day after day.
-Considering the feelings of the families who suffered such tragedy, it’s fair to say the investigative agencies hold even greater value...
His briefing was refreshingly novel in a nutshell.
It was a decision that allowed the prosecution—an investigative body not often associated with warmth—to show a compassionate heart to everyone.
Communities, websites, TV, radio, newspapers—everywhere.
People were unanimous.
[The God of Law Kang Hyun is back.]
Many remembered how, wherever he went in the past, no problem went unsolved, and if he set his mind to something, he always achieved it. Now, they were placing their hopes on him once more.
The media, not to be outdone, ramped up their praise for Kang Hyun again.
[Kang Hyun, Promising Legal Talent from Perfect College Entrance Exam Scorer.]
[First Case After New Prosecutor Appointment: Can He Solve It with His Signature Conviction and Talent?]
That was it.
The case Kang Hyun faced was a shocking incident drawing nationwide attention.
People believed that in such a ‘disaster,’ a hero-like figure needed to step in and deliver judgment.
‘A belief in warmly embracing the victims while sternly punishing those responsible.’
Could he truly hold to that belief and resolve this case perfectly to the end?
Or would the rash decisions of a young prosecutor shatter even the last shred of pride in the Namyangju Branch Office?
Everyone was watching.
Namyangju Branch Prosecutor's Office, Criminal Division Room 323.
This was Kang Hyun's first time investigating a major case solo as a prosecutor staking his name on it.
Vrooom.
“Ha... here we go again.”
Far from the entrance of the Namyangju Branch Office.
Rumble.
“Kang Hyun!”
“Prosecutor! Just one look over here!”
“What’s your take on handling your first major case!”
As Kang Hyun walked up, reporters who had been lying in wait swarmed him, snapping photos.
Not even a full day had passed, and Kang Hyun was returning after pulling an all-nighter at the hospital.
‘They’d devour me if I botch this case.’
Click, click!
Kang Hyun ignored the cameras shoved in his face as best he could, pretending not to hear the shutter sounds, and headed into the prosecution office.
He was getting a taste of the media’s unforgiving scrutiny.
“Phew.”
For an ordinary person, the overwhelming attention would have left them dazed and unable to cope.
But Kang Hyun let out a short sigh and gave an awkward smile to the suit-clad man waiting to greet him.
“Superintendent Go.”
“Prosecutor Kang... are you alright?”
“My condition’s fine. The Branch Chief wants to see me?”
“Well, that’s...”
As they passed the gate, Superintendent Go trailed off in response to Kang Hyun.
Reading the vague attitude, Kang Hyun sensed the situation.
‘He’s pretending not to know.’
Sure enough, Superintendent Go replied with a troubled expression.
“There was no specific instruction to come up, just a message to pass along.”
“If I screw up the case, I’m dead?”
“Ah... not quite ‘dead,’ but...”
Pretty much the same thing.
Kang Hyun chuckled dryly and listened.
“With the case under such intense scrutiny, if anything goes wrong or there’s any issue, it’ll be reassigned to another prosecutor’s office immediately, and your position will be handled at their discretion... That’s the message.”
“So, if I mess up, I’m out of a job.”
“Exactly... no, that’s not...”
As Superintendent Go broke out in sweat and hesitated, Kang Hyun smiled and nodded.
“Got it. I’ll do my best and let him know in person later. Thanks, Superintendent. I’m heading up—I need a shower.”
“Ah! Yes. As you know, there’s a shower room on the top floor... I’ll have Officer Yeo prepare towels and toiletries.”
“No need. I’ve got my own.”
Kang Hyun finished and left Superintendent Go behind, stepping into the elevator.
Ding-dong.
Top floor.
It was early, so no one was around. The empty shower room was dry and pristine.
Splash.
‘Finally, a shower.’
After such an ordeal.
If his mind hadn’t wavered even slightly, that would’ve been a lie. He’d felt shock and confusion in his own way.
But he’d been through something huge, saved lives.
Standing alone in this quiet shower room, letting warm water wash over him, wasn’t bad at all.
The scrapes stung a bit, but it didn’t matter.
Splash.
“Hoo.”
Surrendering to the pouring warm water, Kang Hyun sank into thought.
‘It’s no small case. Lots of casualties.’
No matter what incidents came to mind from his mental database, this one was rare.
In the Gyeonggi area, an accident of this scale happened maybe once every few years, if that.
Especially here, with victims including a child and a middle-aged woman—the wide age range had the public pouring out sympathy and outrage all at once.
‘It’s tragic. But I have to stay objective.’
He recalled Yoo Chae-eun’s words from yesterday.
‘Investigative agencies don’t have time to grieve.’
Rather than dwelling on sorrow or pain, Kang Hyun needed to focus on cracking the case. That was the only way to soothe the unjust spirits of the victims.
First premise.
‘The car driver I saw had an issue—whether negligence or something worse, I need to uncover it.’
Kang Hyun had seen it with his own eyes and had his suspicions.
That would be his starting thread to unravel the case.
Thus, step one: establishing responsibility.
Of course, pinpointing which car hit what and how the chain reaction unfolded was important—fault ratios mattered.
But the top priority was the ‘initial cause.’
The vehicle that suddenly accelerated in front of the bus, the one Kang Hyun had witnessed—that driver bore major responsibility.
To prove it, he needed evidence: black box footage, the bus driver’s testimony, intersection CCTV, and more.
‘Autopsy results on the fatalities would be key evidence for legal fault assessment, but...’
Kang Hyun had set that aside for the families’ sake. So he’d have to hustle harder, run himself ragged to nail down responsibility.
Step two: proving guilt.
If it was a vehicle defect, it’d be a battle with the car company—a protracted fight requiring not just all of Namyangju’s prosecutors but the entire district office.
‘But it wasn’t mechanical failure.’
Kang Hyun knew from what he’d seen.
The car swerving erratically, problems with the driving itself.
Then the accelerator floored, sudden acceleration.
Vehicle defect was off the table for now.
So, driver negligence or intent?
For example.
Heart attack? Even negligence wouldn’t hold legally—innocent accident.
Careless attention or operation error? Negligence crime.
But if drunk or on drugs?
Under the Special Act on Traffic Accidents, a top-tier gross negligence fatality?
‘Whew.’
Splash, squeak!
Finishing his thoughts, Kang Hyun shut off the shower.
Drip, drip.
Like falling droplets, a nagging suspicion crept up bit by bit.
‘Why isn’t that driver on the casualty list?’
Casualties included the injured, right?
The car half-wrecked, multiple collisions—yet not a scratch?
‘No way he fled, right? Surely not.’
If Kang Hyun’s tiny doubt proved true, he’d face his first world-class bastard as a prosecutor.
Bang!
“Huh?”
Busy Room 323.
People in gloves moving desks, setting up computers.
Lee Joo-im, preparing spots for new arrivals, caught the eye.
“Hello, Prosecutor!”
“Ah... thanks for the hard work amid all this.”
“No, no! Happy to help. Heard two new folks join around month’s end?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Ooh, then the Kang Hyun team will really get rolling. Pull some strings to get me in sometime?”
“Of course. With you here, it’d feel like we’ve grown wings.”
“Hehe, thanks! I’ll leave you to it! Good luck!”
Bang, click!
Two new spots in Room 323.
One for a superintendent-level investigator, one for a junior-level.
They gleamed, waiting for their new owners.
A twinge of pride at the recognition, mingled with heavier responsibility.
But Kang Hyun knew better than anyone: such pressure, paired with passion and effort, became exhilarating thrill.
“If only those two could start right now...”
Snap!
Kang Hyun checked reports, reviewing available manpower.
Currently, from Namyangju Prosecutors’ Office: some investigation team members, escort team partial, execution office fugitive apprehension partial.
Office support: about Kim from Criminal Division 2.
Hopelessly short for sitting and solving a case.
Better to think he was still flying solo.
‘Everyone’s swamped with the building collapse investigation, so make do with this support.’
The office lights burned nonstop, day and night. No time or room to ask for more.
He’d move faster than usual.
Bang.
Someone entered through the open door.
“Hello. Kim Administrative Officer here. Looking forward to working this case.”
“Yes, likewise.”
Kim Jeong-sun Administrative Officer, 30 years at Namyangju.
A middle-aged woman with a happy family, seasoned local support—huge asset for Kang Hyun.
She’d stopped by to report case progress.
“How’s police progress?”
“Well...”
A report landed before Kang Hyun, summarizing with the relevant department.
“Ah, yes. Joint task force: Criminal Affairs and Traffic Crime Investigation. But initial cause driver: unidentified?”
“Yes. Rare case—driver’s ID still unknown. Investigation ongoing, so best to monitor...”
“No.”
Snap.
He finished the paper and stood abruptly.
“I’ll head to the police station’s relevant department myself today to check progress. Tell them to collect black boxes ASAP and prepare CCTV footage for immediate handover.”
“Understood. Coordinate for your visit?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Kang Hyun grabbed his jacket and hurried out.
‘No need to check other progress.’
Usually, unidentified drivers at scenes meant ‘deceased and mangled.’
But here, the initial driver wasn’t even listed as a casualty—yet still unknown.
‘Something’s off.’