Chapter 96
Chapter 96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The Illicit Message
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the taxi.
Kang Hyun tried to calm the excitement and anger rising through his body.
Dan Chorok was dead drunk, sprawled across the taxi seat and barely breathing. She finally came to her senses just as the taxi was nearly at her house.
"Senior, you okay?"
"Ugh...."
"Phew."
"Sorry...."
Even in her drunken haze, Dan Chorok spat out an apology to Kang Hyun.
Her stomach burned and ached; she rubbed her chest with her hand and struggled, but she seemed to have her wits about her now.
"It's fine. What did you do wrong, senior?"
"...."
Silence for a while.
As the taxi sped along, Dan Chorok stared out her window, while Kang Hyun fiddled with his phone.
When the car hit a red light at a four-way intersection, she finally spoke up again.
"Still, the thrill was unreal."
"Huh?"
"I heard everything. You shut up those General Alumni Association guys."
"You're impressive too, senior. Faking a faint like that in the middle of it all."
"But how'd they recognize those guys?"
"Just news junkies who keep up with the papers. They knew their faces."
"Recognized them...."
Dan Chorok said no more.
Vroom!
The car took off again, and before long, the taxi pulled up in front of her house.
Kang Hyun already knew she came from a famous family of lawyers.
Unlike his own life, her neighborhood looked serene, neat and warm—like it was ready to embrace her wounds at any moment.
Click.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good, I'm good."
She mustered her strength and climbed out of the car. Kang Hyun started to follow, but she pushed him right back into his seat.
"I owe you one today. I'll pay you back someday."
"Getting all formal now?"
"Today's... special."
She tossed out the cryptic line, then flashed a grin.
"You seem like the type who doesn't know resistance... or surrender."
"A compliment?"
"Depends on how you take it. Anyway, you look good to me."
"Thanks."
"...Brat. See you tomorrow."
"You sure you're really okay?"
She gave a sly smile.
"What if I'm not?"
"Take care. Don't trip."
She shot him a meaningful look at his words, then blurted out,
"If you look after everyone like this, your girlfriend's gonna get jealous."
"...."
"Later."
Thud.
She slammed the door shut in a hurry and waved.
Kang Hyun peered out the rear window from his awkward position.
Come to think of it, they'd gotten tangled up plenty of times, with more than a few chance connections.
He'd helped her out, and she'd gone out of her way to help him too.
A truly peculiar bond.
"...."
Kang Hyun resolved to nurture this precious connection—then turned his attention back to the climbing meter fare.
The moon shone brilliantly.
His heart beat warmly.
Whether it was thanks to Kang Hyun's exploits, or because the higher-ups had started looking at the Student Body President candidates differently...
Over the next week of campaigning, Gong Hyun-jeong never showed her face. Neither did any school staff or General Alumni Association members block his path—not even once.
With that obstacle gone, Kang Hyun's true talents began to shine even brighter.
He was already the object of envy among his peers, with top-tier name recognition.
Kang Hyun threw himself into actively engaging with people and demonstrating his leadership.
Day by day, interest in him heated up—until every move he made became the hottest topic, as if he were the sole candidate.
With his stature now solidified, it was time to start building his team. He needed to select his key allies.
His first pick was Lee Myung-hwan.
"Me? Vice Student Body President?"
"Yeah. I'm counting on you. I already cleared it with Senior Dan Chorok—told her I'm bringing you along."
"For real? But... can I even help?"
"You can. More than enough."
"If you say so, it's an honor. But can I really pull it off?"
"You've got it in spades. Your help would be a huge boost. Please."
"Thanks for saying that. Alright, let's do this. I'll give it everything I've got!"
Lee Myung-hwan seemed genuinely shocked by the offer, like he'd thought he was totally off Kang Hyun's radar.
But he was actually the top name on Kang Hyun's private shortlist—and the choice wasn't impulsive or just based on friendship.
Two reasons.
First, Lee Myung-hwan had assisted Dan Chorok in the university student council, gaining tons of experience and top-notch administrative skills.
He was a pro at reining in her occasional fiery temper and providing perfect support.
At times, he handled her like a seasoned on-site secretary—which meant he had the chops.
Second, he wasn't a public face, so he had no enemies. His mild personality and solid network were bonuses, but having zero enemies was his biggest asset.
In a situation where so many were gunning for Kang Hyun, blending into the current Emergency Measures Committee leadership meant minimizing any internal drama.
He was perfect for the job.
Amid the ongoing campaign, the big day for the public debate finally drew near.
It was the candidates' first official face-off—a chance to seize the momentum.
They'd lay out their visions for the school's development: perspectives, directions, policies.
To Kang Hyun, it was a crucial moment for revealing his true identity.
Korea University Grand Auditorium.
Kang Hyun arrived about an hour early on purpose, in the vast hall where the stage was being set up.
Partly to scout the venue and gauge attendance, but also because the moment felt momentous.
*Student Body President.*
Claiming an official position.
Earning a title.
What words were sweeter... or more dangerous?
Kang Hyun had never even been class president back in school.
Even as rumors of his genius spread and his fame soared, he'd never led anything with a formal title.
Hell, captaining that mock trial team had been his first time.
Compared to Yoon Haneul, who ate class presidencies for breakfast, Yoon Chan-rim, or Woo Si-hyung with his international contest wins, his experience was worlds behind.
But now, he was always the leader among them. Meaning he had the skills and charisma to lead anywhere.
This election was his first real proving ground.
Pull it off, and it'd shock everyone—including himself.
And to himself, he could say:
*A new leap.*
He felt a slight tension building.
A tremor he hadn't felt in ages.
Different from his usual electric thrill—a genuine one.
Like the nerves before a childhood presentation, or fidgeting right before a scolding from the teacher.
The time to conquer it, shake it off, and claim victory was closing in.
"Um, you're Kang Hyun, right?"
"Ah. Yes."
A staffer from the Emergency Measures Committee—the event organizer—approached with a bow. She wore a blue name tag on a lanyard and extended her hand.
"I'm Emergency Measures Committee Planning Director Gu Min-jeong. Shall we head this way?"
"Sure."
"I'll test the mic, stage, and make sure your voice comes through clear. The Election Management Committee folks will arrive later."
"Got it. And..."
She might end up working with him, so Kang Hyun offered his hand.
"Gu Min-jeong, nice to meet you."
"Ah, yes. Likewise."
She shook it with a bright smile, but quickly went neutral.
A crowd of students and school staff was already filing into the auditorium.
"This way."
They methodically checked the stage lights, mic, presentation setup—everything needed for the speech.
Kang Hyun tested it all, tweaking the mic volume and such, gradually settling into a calm state.
Tense at first, but finding his footing bit by bit. Gu Min-jeong remarked, impressed,
"You're done already? Must be the experience—you handle it like a pro."
"Thanks."
"Not just being polite."
She guided him warmly, leading him down the hall to the lounge area.
As he followed her footsteps,
"Um..."
About halfway down a secluded stretch, she glanced around cautiously and whispered,
"...Be careful."
"Yes?"
Kang Hyun halted at her words, but she kept walking steadily and continued.
"Seems like Yang Hee-chan's camp is up to something."
And that was it.
Left behind, Kang Hyun sank into thought as he trailed her.
Yang Hee-chan: brother of Yang Bo-hyun, currently under investigation, and a business department standout.
Kang Hyun kept an eye on him, but had no intention of tearing him down or slandering him.
That's why he'd avoided direct clashes with the rival camp as much as possible.
Both sides had run their campaigns diligently, with no issues so far.
No matter their environment or backing, as long as it was a fair fight, Kang Hyun was prepared to accept the results.
But one offhand comment from an insider shattered all that.
Kang Hyun had figured this was the final summit: step onto the stage and shine.
It might not be.
*What kind of scheme?*
How low they'd stoop—vile, evil, petty, calculated, no holds barred—that was anyone's guess.
And right then,
As if to confirm his suspicions.
[Korea University Student Body Election Symbol No. 1: Kang Hyun. The General Delegates' Council, Emergency Measures Committee, and entire General Alumni Association will unite to elect student Kang Hyun. Focus on campaign activities to contribute to Kang Hyun's victory.]
"...!?"
The timing was spot-on. And deeply ominous.
The blatant illegal election promo—"Student Body Election Symbol No. 1 Kang Hyun"—was right there in the title.
"...What the hell?"
It was a trap.
Kang Hyun realized it in an instant. His heart started pounding.
He scanned the text hurriedly.
-*Korea University Student Body Election Symbol No. 1: Kang Hyun. The General Delegates' Council, Emergency Measures Committee, and entire General Alumni Association will unite to elect student Kang Hyun. Focus on campaign activities to contribute to Kang Hyun's victory.*
*Who sent this?*
An illegal promo text he had no knowledge of.
A fake one, made to look like an internal pep talk mis-sent to outsiders.
That's what had landed in his phone.
Gu Min-jeong, walking ahead, whipped around in shock.
"Kang Hyun-ssi...."
"Yes...?"
No way. No way.
As the saying goes, "no way" kills. She slowly raised her own phone and showed it to him.
-*Korea University Student Body Election Symbol No. 1: Kang Hyun. The General Delegates' Council, Emergency Measures Committee, and entire General Alumni Association will unite to elect student Kang Hyun. Focus on campaign activities to contribute to Kang Hyun's victory.*
The exact same message Kang Hyun had received.
In a trembling voice, Gu Min-jeong asked,
"What... is this?"