Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: Room 323's Remarkable Performance
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Criminal Division 1, Room 323, Prosecutor Kang Hyun's office.
Kang Hyun was currently involved in the Namyangju building collapse case as a supporting prosecutor, not the lead.
So even if he dug into it diligently, his performance metrics would inevitably fall short of the lead prosecutor's.
To put it bluntly, under normal circumstances, he should be at the bottom.
"But that's not the case."
Park Min-seong paused in surprise while skimming through the reports.
The performance of Room 323 was not at all inferior to other Criminal Division offices. In fact, excluding the building collapse investigation progress, it surpassed even Prosecutor Hwang Jae-eun and Prosecutor Kim Si-hwan.
"Does he have ten hands and ten feet or something? Aiming to be named an elite office."
At this level, it wasn't enough for a simple judgment to award an elite office commendation.
It was too close.
Several offices, including Kang Hyun's, would need to be elevated for review under the branch chief's name, and given that Kang Hyun was a rookie prosecutor, there was a high chance the commendation would go to him.
"How on earth...?"
The performance of Kang Hyun that left him in awe.
Rustle, click, click.
He began meticulously analyzing the planning office's reports for a while.
Page after page turned.
"Ah."
He realized the reason.
Generally, the methods for evaluating prosecutorial office performance varied by district office, high prosecutor's office, and were kept confidential.
However, weighting cases by severity, assigning points based on processing status, and adding bonus points upon disposition—whether non-indictment or indictment—was standard.
By this absolute standard.
"Used goods scams, internet fraud, used goods scams, used goods scams... How many used goods scam cases alone?"
So-called sheep herding.
Room 323 had racked up volume by churning through pattern-based cases like mad, resolving a high number and boosting their metrics.
But Park Min-seong still couldn't wrap his head around one thing.
"Even so, it's not like they have a police detective squad of a dozen or so per team. How did they handle this volume?"
Even easy cases took two or three days per suspect—summoning, taking statements, disposing.
Even at peak efficiency for one person, the volume was double or triple that.
After pondering endlessly, Park Min-seong finally recalled something he hadn't considered at all.
The recent change in Kang Hyun's office.
"Could it be...?"
If it was due to the recently assigned investigators Seong Tae-o and Choi Tae-ri?
"No way. They're practically useless with no real investigative experience."
It was an assignment born of the delicate conflict: wanting to fill the quota without giving them wings.
They had reputations for incompetence despite some tenure, so he'd turned a blind eye and slotted in the ambiguous underlings.
"He already assessed their skills and got them producing results on their own...?"
Insight, leadership, drive. Nothing less than exceptional.
"Beyond imagination."
Kang Hyun's time to join the major case directly was approaching soon. He was expectant and astonished at what greater feats he'd show.
But on the flip side, a creeping feeling from Park Min-seong's depths.
Fear.
"As expected, a scary guy is a scary guy."
Park Min-seong recalled the previous incident.
Perhaps challenging Kang Hyun boldly—go ahead and try if he dared—had been a mistake.
Would Kang Hyun seize the advantage instantly once the investigation kicked off against him?
Was he just a supporting act, making Kang Hyun the top dog as Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jung-hun desired?
"In the end, maybe I should just bury myself in cases..."
Gazing into space briefly, Chief Prosecutor Park Min-seong could only fret over various fears regarding Kang Hyun.
That adults don't like steak, pasta, or burgers is all a lie.
Kang Hyun felt the truth of that today.
Weekend evening, a rare leisurely day.
A luxurious famous Gangnam restaurant bathed in soft lighting.
"This way."
"Oh my goodness..."
Kang Hyun pulled out the chair politely and wittily, as if for a lover. And the one taking the seat was none other than his mother.
"Oh dear... How did you reserve a place like this?"
"I had dinner with coworkers the other day and got recommended."
Kang Hyun gazed fondly at his mother, who looked around the restaurant's interior in wide-eyed wonder.
In truth, he'd brought her to fancy restaurants a few times before, but only on truly special anniversaries.
This was the first time on an ordinary weekend, taking her not to a soybean paste stew joint or kimchi stew place, but a high-end spot.
"I'll take your order."
"The dinner course here. The marrow in the appetizer might be hard for her to eat—could we switch to shrimp? Main is grilled French rack of lamb with fennel, dessert is..."
The impeccably dressed waiter exchanged details with Kang Hyun on allergens, cooking preferences, drinks, and more.
His mother watched Kang Hyun fondly before speaking warmly.
"Where did you learn all this?"
"I didn't know much either since I haven't been to places like this... Just picked it up glancing at senior colleagues who love food."
Kang Hyun smiled sheepishly, then added to his mother.
"Later, I'll introduce you to them too. They're all as good as Senior Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min."
"Good. I'm glad you're getting along with such fine people."
His mother smiled. It was the kind of smile that let Kang Hyun feel at ease.
It had taken so much time for her to smile so openly, without a trace of worry.
Clink, clink.
Pre-meal bread arrived, then salad, then appetizers.
Soon, vibrant, beautiful dishes in top-grade dishware that satisfied not just taste but all senses.
"Wow!"
Even Kang Hyun, unused to such fare, couldn't help marveling at each course.
They looked stunning—and the taste was otherworldly.
Chomp, chomp.
"Wow... Delicious."
"Really, it's amazing how they make food like this."
"Totally."
Shrimp dish mixed with caviar in some luxurious sauce.
Main of lamb ribs infused with fantastic spices, paired with rare high-end vegetables.
His mother, awkwardly gripping the knife, savored each bite, her eyes fluttering shut in bliss.
She was savoring not just the food, but happiness itself.
Scrape.
"Try this too!"
"Sure. Son, want some of this?"
Nom nom.
Eating meat sliced by the other, trying food plated for them.
No cutesy affection, nor overly clingy.
But in their own way, they looked after each other while eating food filled with love.
A time when Kang Hyun felt alive with every breath, sensing the sturdy pillar in his heart that would never crumble, always supporting him.
A moment focused solely on family, no other thoughts intruding.
"Coffee and tea for you."
Rich, flavorful coffee.
Warm tea for his mother.
Her eyes closed in satisfaction drew fond looks from those around.
'Worries are mostly gone now.'
Debt fully cleared—just a matter of time.
House: no lease renewal next time; planning to move more central.
Mother: gradually cut back work, enjoy hobbies fully.
But amid this peace, one faint worry surfaced.
His mother's health.
Right after a problem-free meal, stepping out happily.
"Cough, cough, hack, hack."
"Huh, coughing again? Shall I get water?"
It happened sporadically, out of nowhere.
"Cough, no, it's fine."
"We should go to the hospital. You've been coughing a lot lately..."
"No. It's just occasional, like before. Really..."
Intermittent coughs, labored breathing expression.
Kang Hyun had secretly booked a hospital, but couldn't force his staunchly refusing mother.
"Whew, all good now."
Waving it off with a grin, as if to erase his worry. Kang Hyun's concerned face softened into a smile before hers.
"Got it. If it gets bad, tell me right away."
"Yes. Don't worry, let's head home."
"Yeah. I'll grab a taxi."
"Oh, no. Bus is more comfortable."
Even now with household finances eased compared to debt-ridden days, she rarely took taxis unless necessary.
Kang Hyun silently by her side made her shoulders lift proudly.
Though worried about her health, the bus ride home together was warm and serene.
Vroom.
The bus was crowded, but she barely got a seat; Kang Hyun stood beside.
Whisper whisper.
"Huh? Isn't that Kang Hyun?"
"Nah, no way..."
As the bus started, his tired mother soon closed her eyes.
Kang Hyun heard the whispers—likely recognizing him.
He was used to it now. But the road ahead was long.
Fame brings responsibility. Caution upon caution was never enough.
'The attention when I step into cases. Misuse it, and it could spell real disaster.'
Public support and cheers for Kang Hyun.
It would hold even if he erred in a case or flipped judgments deliberately.
In other words, framing the innocent as guilty or freeing the guilty as innocent.
His abilities could turn him into a devil.
That was always his worry.
Lost in such thoughts on public transit, news mentioning him often played.
-The Namyangju branch states Prosecutor Kang Hyun's involvement was not substantive in the guilt determination for this case. Next story...
'Now the prosecutor's office is speaking for me.'
He figured this peaceful evening, ears tuned casually to news, wouldn't shatter.
But a shocking report slammed into his ears.
-Recently captivating with lovable charm in entertainment, sweeping beauty, fashion, and ad trends, model Yoon Haneul is embroiled in dating rumors.
"Huh?"
-'Dispatch' just broke the exclusive at around 7 p.m., raising suspicions of Yoon Haneul's romance...
Kang Hyun doubted his ears, then lowered his head toward his mother, pretending to sleep with eyes shut.
'She's famous, so rumors explode like this.'
Heart pounding a bit, but he tried dismissing it.
'She's in a different world now.'
She seemed from another realm, yet he'd trust her to handle it.
Their recent encounter had surprised him, but memories were fading anyway.
But the shock didn't end there. The next line delivered a bigger blow, shattering today's peace.
-...claims they were together, sparking the dating rumor. The alleged partner in Yoon Haneul's scandal is Namyangju branch Prosecutor Kang Hyun, dominating SNS and media nonstop.
'Huh?'
Dating rumor partner... Kang Hyun?
He abruptly felt all eyes in the bus on him.
Something was wrong.
Something was terribly wrong!
-...Prosecutor Kang Hyun draws massive public interest with every move, solving major cases with striking looks and so-called 'superhuman abilities,' earning expert praise as a bridge between legal field and public trends. Next story...
Oblivious to whether Kang Hyun heard, the news breezed through his profile and moved on.