Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Stars Collide
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Silence hung in the air.
In the end, Nam Shin-hwa, who had been listening quietly, stepped in to block Seok Ji-hoon.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we're short on time. The director is scheduled to leave the country today."
"...."
"Unlike Mr. Seok Ji-hoon, I'm out in the boonies, so I'm not sure if I made the right call, but there's someone at the junior level who deserves a grade upgrade."
Nam Shin-hwa treated Seok Ji-hoon with an attitude similar to Song Ha-dong's, perhaps trying to get under his skin. His tone was dry, but he couldn't hide the deep-seated grudge. Seok Ji-hoon fired back with sarcasm.
"...Is that so. A great accomplishment for the legal academia."
"That's right. It's like I've unearthed someone who belongs at the senior level."
A fierce war of nerves raged on, invisible sparks flying between Song Ha-dong, Nam Shin-hwa, and Seok Ji-hoon.
"...I'm curious. Just who could this person be to earn such recognition."
"It's surprising you don't know. Even the director of the Korea University Legal Center hasn't grasped this yet."
"The director doesn't share every detail about persons of interest with me."
"Persons of interest? That's absurd. He's just a budding sprout, and you're already thinking of crushing him."
"Enough."
Song Ha-dong cut in, stopping Nam Shin-hwa and Seok Ji-hoon.
"Seok Ji-hoon, show some restraint. Shin-hwa, that's enough from you too."
At his words, both men bowed their heads lightly in acknowledgment.
Only then did Song Ha-dong speak, looking satisfied.
"Alright, shall we take a look at our rising star? If you're curious, join us here. Someone with this level of skill appearing is cause for celebration for everyone, not something to hide."
"Pardon? Director."
"Seok Ji-hoon, what do you say? Why not at least see his face before you go."
Though he couldn't fathom Song Ha-dong's intentions, Seok Ji-hoon's curiosity got the better of him, and he nodded in agreement.
"...Understood."
"Then I'll have him come in right away."
Knock knock.
Just then, a clear knock echoed from outside the door, as if someone had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Seok Ji-hoon straightened his posture toward the door, while Song Ha-dong and Nam Shin-hwa smiled with expectant eyes.
Creak.
The door swung open wide, bright light flooding into the dim room, creating a halo effect around the one who opened it.
All eyes on him. And silence.
The first in KSIL history—a candidate for workshop level upgrade amid an international event.
"Hello."
The protagonist brushed aside everyone's complicated thoughts with a bright expression.
"Kang Hyun...."
"Wait, isn't that Professor Kim Jong-hwan's disciple?"
While Seok Ji-hoon trailed off, Song Ha-dong burst into laughter and stood abruptly, offering Kang Hyun a handshake.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Song Ha-dong."
Flushed slightly by Song Ha-dong's enthusiastic welcome, Kang Hyun bowed politely.
"Hello, Director Song Ha-dong! I'm Kang Hyun, a first-year in the Law Department at Korea University."
"I know, of course I do! Did Jong-hwan mention me?"
"Yes, he brought up how you were close friends during your time as a professor here several times."
As if the dynamics had flipped 180 degrees, Kang Hyun conversed fluidly with Song Ha-dong, pushing Seok Ji-hoon to the sidelines.
But Seok Ji-hoon didn't show anger or bruised pride at being sidelined.
He skillfully read the room and waited silently for Kang Hyun to look his way.
A brief eye contact followed.
"Hello."
He greeted Kang Hyun leisurely.
The greeting was short and concise, but his eyes were different—intense energy that Kang Hyun met head-on with a polite bow.
"Nice to meet you, senior. I'm Kang Hyun."
"I'm Seok Ji-hoon. Who would've thought we'd meet like this. I saw you before—at the entrance ceremony. You did great with the oath."
"Thank you."
Kang Hyun recognized Seok Ji-hoon immediately.
Considering why he was at this International Law Society event, there was no way he wouldn't know him.
"Meeting here makes it even nicer."
His voice was light, but everyone in the room could tell.
The bright smile Seok Ji-hoon wore held no positive intent.
"Take care of me. Let's see each other often."
Kang Hyun took the offered hand without hesitation.
"Yes. Looking forward to it. I'll visit often."
Nam Shin-hwa took a deep breath, then let out a quiet sigh he couldn't voice.
Two rising stars, Seok Ji-hoon and Kang Hyun.
Witnessing the moment they met as fated rivals right here sent shivers down his spine.
Surprisingly, Kang Hyun and Song Ha-dong's conversation continued nonstop for three or four hours.
To carry on a heated discussion for hours without a break, without tiring—that was no easy feat.
Especially against an expert of Song Ha-dong's caliber; it elevated the challenge entirely.
Something ordinary people couldn't even dream of.
But Kang Hyun swam like a fish in water before Song Ha-dong, achieving two things in the process.
First, he gained key information.
Just as renowned star instructors outshine average college tutors in math or English, Song Ha-dong surpassed professors and specialist lecturers in this field by a wide margin.
He detailed trends in mock trial cases for the upcoming Korea University event and Bismuth,
mindset for competitions, potential pitfalls and overreaches.
This went far beyond junior-level breakdowns of judicial trends by topic—it was direct consulting. Through it, Kang Hyun reviewed even aspects he hadn't considered.
Second, he made a strong impression.
Both the Korea University Mock Court Competition and Bismuth International Mock Court shared ICC involvement as organizer.
Song Ha-dong was the ICC's head.
Leaving a mark on him would play a crucial role in mock court events.
His domestic standing didn't matter; his influence on competitions did.
Kim Jong-hwan hadn't sent him just to gather info—Kang Hyun had risen fully to the occasion.
Seok Ji-hoon's appearance likely served the same purpose.
Yet, to Kang Hyun's eyes, things hadn't gone well on that front.
All the better.
Clunk.
"Whew."
After the long tension released, Kang Hyun closed the heavy door and exhaled deeply.
Midnight.
Only at midnight did the long conversation with Song Ha-dong wrap up.
The event had already closed, and the hotel venue, bustling with activity before, had quieted down.
People had ebbed away like the tide, leaving mostly staff tidying up here and there.
Even so, when Kang Hyun appeared in the middle of the lobby, occasional glances came his way, as if aware of him. To them, Kang Hyun had become an extraordinary figure beyond common sense.
Entering the workshop empty-handed, engaging experts in fervent debate, earning instant recognition and a level upgrade.
A feat rare in the society's history.
Even amid those envious looks, Kang Hyun scanned around unabashedly, tension easing and hunger hitting.
'I'm starving.'
Too late for the banquet halls inside the venue; he'd grabbed some finger foods from corner catering and left.
But his ride back was long gone.
Step step.
Emptiness left him at a loss.
"What to do...."
No car, no transport, no place to stay.
Song Ha-dong had delayed his flight to finish the talk, and Kang Hyun had matched without looking back—satisfying, but it stranded him in a bleak reality.
Then, glancing around,
His eyes caught a souvenir shop deeper in the hotel.
Open 24 hours, likely for the many international guests.
'Souvenirs, maybe?'
Yoon Haneul crossed his mind, turning his steps.
The shop was quiet late at night. He browsed slowly, thinking of her.
But...
"Gasp, thirty-seven thousand won...."
Even small keychains or phone cases were beyond imagination for Kang Hyun.
"Stay calm... Check the account."
Muttering to himself, he was already quite rattled.
Oblivious to the clerk watching, he stood blankly, checking his bank app.
Total assets: 170,000 won.
Kang Hyun sighed deeply.
Souvenirs aside, even transport was a squeeze. Plus, no place for the night meant a motel, heightening his hesitation.
His hardworking mother's face came to mind, then Woo Si-hyung and Yoon Chan-rim sharing the struggle.
"...If I crash at a motel tonight, how much? But under Juvenile Protection Act Article 29 Paragraph 2 Item 5, can I even enter? Full age-wise, no. Wait, my birthday was in January...."
Muttering with wide eyes against harsh reality, Kang Hyun wavered on buying gifts or not. The clerk watched curiously.
"Right, pull an all-nighter to save money, buy the gift."
In the end, he chose others' happiness over his own sacrifice, fumbling for his phone to find a nearby 24-hour convenience store.
But then,
"Kang Hyun? What are you doing?"
A man's voice called suddenly. Kang Hyun turned.
It was Nam Shin-hwa.
Even past midnight, he appeared impeccably dressed.
"Ah, Administrative Officer."
Kang Hyun bowed. Nam Shin-hwa returned it, seemingly with business, then grinned and asked.
"What are you up to?"
"Ah.... Just browsing."
"Pretty late, huh?"
"Haha, yes.... The talk ran long."
"Hold on."
He rummaged in his inner pocket, pulled something out, and offered it to Kang Hyun.
"Grayton City Hotel room keycard. Pre-checked in, so head up, rest, and leave in the morning."
"Pardon?"
"It's too late now. Society covers it—don't refuse, get some good sleep."
"No, I couldn't!"
As he refused with a bow, Nam Shin-hwa grinned the same and said.
"No need to hold back. Today was fun thanks to you."
"Pardon? Fun how?"
"Your conversation. First student I've seen so into international law."
"Ah. Just got that way prepping for the event."
"That's even more impressive. No years of prep for a competition. They call you a genius—guess transcendent geniuses really exist."
With that, he pulled out the keycard again, placing it directly in Kang Hyun's hand.