Chapter 92
Chapter 92
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Director Gong's Warning
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Chorok actually had deep connections with the Law Center. She also shared a personal friendship with Gong Hyun-jeong.
Gong Hyun-jeong was desperate to bring Dan Chorok and a few other disciples under her wing, so her support was unwavering and truly immense.
In any case, as a result, there was no reason for Dan Chorok—a student under Gong Hyun-jeong's close attention—not to pledge her loyalty.
But conversely, from an objective standpoint, Gong Hyun-jeong had absolutely no reason to view Kang Hyun favorably.
Not when he had already forged deep ties with pro-prosecutor figures and completely upended her plans during the mock trial competition.
Of course, it was still impossible to know exactly what she thought of him.
He was merely keeping his guard up against her; he had no intention of treating her as an outright enemy yet.
In any event, today...
She seemed to have come with something to say.
"May I sit for a moment? Do you have a seat inside?"
"Of course. Would you like a beverage?"
"No, just a cup of coffee. Kang Hyun, let's talk for a bit."
With that, the seating arrangement was made.
A few tables were shifted, creating a modest space.
The click of her high heels echoed as she sat across from Kang Hyun, striking an elegant pose utterly out of place in the casual setup.
Whether it was to offer encouragement, scout him out, or lay some trap—it was impossible to tell—but Kang Hyun welcomed her readily.
He was curious, after all.
Just what kind of person Gong Hyun-jeong really was.
"It would have been nicer to exchange greetings in a formal setting, but here we are, doing it like this."
"Not at all. This is a space created by students, so if anything, it feels more meaningful."
"I thought you seemed remarkably mature last time, and you live up to that impression."
"I'm not sure what makes you say that, but you're too generous. I'm still just a freshman and have much to learn."
She let out a low chuckle.
Then she slowly rolled her gaze over him, as if sizing him up.
"Hmm, perfect. Your mindset aligns exactly with what I have to say."
"...?"
Gong Hyun-jeong's eyes gleamed.
"Let's cut to the chase. Kang Hyun, drop your run for student body president. It's far too much for an inexperienced freshman to take on."
"...Pardon?"
"Pushing yourself to sprint ahead in school life will only wear you out. Besides, a freshman candidacy for student body president is unbecoming of your standing. Korea University has no such precedent in its history."
Gong Hyun-jeong was undeniably rude.
Whatever her backstory or insider connections, she was clearly pulling strings behind this affair, maneuvering to draw him into her camp. It even seemed like she'd already laid some groundwork.
She took a sip of her coffee and continued.
"By tradition, Korea University's Business Administration department has led the General Representatives Council and Student Body Council, producing countless notable figures. The dean himself is a Business Administration alum, and they've always resolved budget issues progressively."
"You're saying..."
"It's advice. It's not a bad thing for our department to field a student body president candidate, so I'm fully prepared to back you."
"Show my face and coast?"
"There, that's the Kang Hyun I know."
"And if I refuse?"
"The Law Department already views your candidacy unfavorably. I don't know what the student autonomous bodies think, but I intend to persuade them."
Her goal was to nullify his candidacy by forcing a fresh round of internal deliberations.
Convincing Dan Chorok, everyone involved—though it might be less "convincing" and more a fiat decree.
That was the extent of her influence.
Watching the silent Kang Hyun, Gong Hyun-jeong gave a faint smile at his sharp perceptiveness.
No one had ever defied her words up to now, so his quick grasp of the situation was, if anything, a plus.
But mere seconds later, his response flipped her expression 180 degrees.
"I believe this isn't a matter for the Center Director to meddle in."
"W-what?"
The flustered Gong Hyun-jeong glanced at Kang Hyun's face and felt a chill run down her spine.
Kang Hyun was glaring back with eyes aglow, mirroring the very gleam she'd shown earlier.
His gaze flashed like a predator's, ready to lunge at anyone who dared treat him rudely or cause him harm.
"The Law Center is a non-political entity, established under Korea University's institutional regulations since its founding and operated under the Ministry of Justice banner, to provide public interest legal counseling, legal aid, and public interest career guidance."
"You know your stuff."
"I'm explaining because it seems you don't. Director, you're talking like the university president—no, more like a National Assembly member."
"I'll say it once more: it's advice."
"Then I'll accept it as such. But as Law Center Director, wouldn't advice more suited to the Law Department have been ideal? Especially since you went to the trouble of coming all this way."
Their eyes locked.
A tense silence hung briefly before Gong Hyun-jeong spoke.
"I'll take that as an invitation to speak bluntly. One more piece of advice?"
In the background, Dan Chorok started to slip in but froze mid-step.
"Dean Kim Jong-hwan and Professor Cheon Woong-jae both shone brightly once, but their rigidness has blunted their edge. They're unlikely to rise higher. Had they chosen their people wisely, they never would have resorted to such folly in the first place."
"That's not advice."
"Every position has its anointed successor and unspoken rules. A law student as Korea University's student body president? Preposterous."
"That's precisely the mindset that's the problem. The student body president is elected by the students. Director, are you teaching freshmen to pick sides before anything else?"
"You strike me as the most sensitive one here, Kang Hyun."
"Pardon? What do you..."
"Dan Chorok expressed deep disappointment. She said it's a shame—you're someone who could accomplish great things, yet it seems you won't."
"...Don't cherry-pick her words like that. Senior Dan Chorok is the one who suggested I run for student body president."
"Exactly."
"...?"
"That's the blunder. Our Chorok has made plenty of mistakes, but if you swallow your pride and come around, I'd be willing to accommodate you."
"What nonsense..."
"Think it over carefully. If you hit a wall, give me a call."
"...I doubt that'll be necessary."
No accord was reached, but with a triumphant look, she brushed off his retort, rose gracefully, and exited the booth.
All that remained was the stunned Dan Chorok standing there awkwardly and Kang Hyun sitting rigidly.
Having overheard most of it, Dan Chorok stared at Kang Hyun wordlessly for a time before finally speaking.
"...She's not a bad person."
"Maybe not to you, senior."
"Stop. I respect you."
"I respect you too, senior. When have I ever passed judgment on Center Director Gong Hyun-jeong?"
"I've never judged you or anyone else."
"Fine. Why did you push me to run for student body president?"
"Because I wanted you to succeed."
"You should've cleared it with the director first. Seems the top-down orders got garbled."
"..."
"I can't imagine how much she'd chew you out if you told Center Director Gong you suggested I run. I'm heading out."
"Saying it like that hurts my feelings."
Her expression was deadly serious—a face Kang Hyun had never seen on her. He faltered, then let out a sigh.
"I wanted you to do well. I thought you'd be able to change things from that position, so that's why I suggested it."
A face more suited to a courtroom. Seeing it here stirred disappointment and frustration.
"I'll call it a day."
Kang Hyun stormed off in a huff.
He doubted he could explain exactly why he was angry to anyone.
Where there are enemies, there are allies—and if they're in the wrong, you might be too.
Yet the fact that his one good senior he could open up to was intimately linked to his foe...
That stung.
The Dae-dong Festival's night buzzed with energy.
Groups of people mingled, joining events or strolling with beers and cocktails in hand.
Kang Hyun sat on a bench up on the school hill, lost in thought.
It rankled, sure—but Gong Hyun-jeong was no lightweight.
A fox of a woman, fearsome as an enemy, whom no one could handle lightly.
Continuing to irk her would breed headaches not just for school life, but for his path ahead.
Clap, clap, clap—woo!
Amid the cheers, a roar of applause erupted from the distant stage.
Suspecting a celebrity arrival, he realized it was a podium for the school's shining alumni.
"Huh?"
That's when he spotted a familiar face onstage.
Kang Hyun couldn't help but smirk.
–Now, please welcome Senior Kim Jeong-min!
–Wooo!
–Senior, you're so cool!
Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min.
He'd returned to Seoul after ages, answering the school's summons.
To Kang Hyun, he was like a close uncle now—but to others, one of the elite top prosecutors.
–...I'll call you my juniors. Among the juniors I've seen, there's one utter fool. Even on short paths, he takes detours; he stubbornly does the forbidden; he's rigid as they come...
Suited up impeccably, mic in hand, he regaled the crowd at leisure with his tale.
The tie pin he'd gifted caught the light, warming Kang Hyun's heart.
Rousing his heavy frame, Kang Hyun began weaving toward the stage's rear. Kim Jeong-min's voice swelled accordingly.
–...But one day, I realized everyone around that fool loved him. So what did that guy do?
Stripped of its courtroom edge, his steady voice held the crowd rapt, word by word.
Kim Jeong-min paused, scanning the audience. Affection dripped from his tone as he spoke of that someone.
–He believed in himself. Not the choice itself, but in his power to prevail even if it proved wrong.
Then, spotting someone in an instant, he broke into a hearty laugh.
–Haha! There he is—the one I was talking about.
How he'd picked him out from afar.
With an eye gesture pinpointing Kang Hyun's spot, the man at the very back waved.
Pure delight.
Partly from the reunion after so long, but mostly the hilarity of hearing his own story told.
Encountering such a warmly received senior here, as alumni, was joy enough.
Mentor, brother, uncle, father figure.
"Come on out! You ace this kind of thing."
Shaking the mic, he beckoned Kang Hyun front and center.
No hesitation needed.
It was entertaining for him—and just the tonic for his turbulent mood.
Kang Hyun shot to his feet; the crowd at the back parted like the Red Sea.
As he advanced slowly, thoughts raced through his mind.
Complications mounting, interests clashing, his talents shackled at times—yet trusting in himself.
That faith kept fatigue at bay, fueling his resolve to press on and grow.
He ascended the stage as if summoned.
Murmurs rippled.
–Whoa, the prosecutor knows Kang Hyun?
–Kang Hyun's just that famous.
Spotlights bathed not just Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min, but Kang Hyun too.
Beaming brightly, he took the mic from Kim Jeong-min for a moment.
Then, deliberately, calmly, he spoke.
His voice echoed his mentor's—not gravelly or booming, but forceful and resolute.
"Hello. I'm Kang Hyun from Korea University Law Department, running for student body president this time."