Chapter 30

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 30

Chapter Title: Lawyer

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"Hoo..."

Hold it in. Just hold it in.

No matter how pissed off I was, I couldn't afford to lose my temper in the company cafeteria.

I let out a few deep sighs, cooling the boiling heat inside me.

They say sighing helps when you're feeling stuffy for no reason.

Doing it a bit actually calmed my mind somewhat.

'No, the more I think about it, the more irritating it gets. Treating me like a criminal without a shred of evidence.'

I hated the idea of even setting foot in a police station.

They wanted me to come in for questioning as a suspect?

Why the hell should I?

Our AI app hadn't left even the tiniest trace.

I'd logged into the hacked account through mirroring on his own computer from the start.

'In that scenario, the only record left would be like some psycho hacking his own account.'

Just like always...

The only thing that would show up was me handing out game money to various characters for free, right?

The game company might even demand an explanation compared to previous records.

And then I'd get banned for violating terms with cash trades.

'How the hell did that rice-eating scammer sniff me out...'

Hmm...

At this point, was the problem on the police side?

I fiddled with the phone in my hand and launched the AI app.

I immediately answered the AI's question.

The theme was already set in my mind.

"The theme is [How to Sue an Innocent Person Without Evidence]."

"In police investigations, it's not evidence that matters—it's the complainant's firm resolve and momentum."

What if you go to the station, throw a tantrum, and make a huge scene?

Even without evidence, the police accept the complaint and force the suspect to come in for questioning.

Sure, it ends in no charges due to insufficient evidence.

But the suspect still has to deal with the hassle of going to the station, right?

How infuriating is that?

"By the way, it's not bullshit—make it a satirical video mocking reality."

"Hmm... I need two new characters."

The first is a corrupt, incompetent cop.

Make him look super greedy, rank of inspector, and rude as hell.

"The second is a rice-eating scammer character who rips off buyers with cash."

Sleazy, underhanded appearance—a guy whose daily life is scamming others.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I gave pretty detailed specs.

"What? You're asking a lot today."

"Hmm. Fair enough."

This time, I'd lay out the full demands to make it easier.

"Start with the corrupt cop accepting the rice-eating scammer's baseless complaint at the station. He does it not out of justice, but just to get rid of the guy quickly because he's annoying."

Predictable story, but obvious.

In this world, priority goes to the loudmouths who throw fits, not those who wait patiently.

"Then, have him call my mascot character, the Professor, and summon him to the station."

Yell at him to come right now.

Threaten with stuff like circumstantial evidence, or how not confessing means bigger charges for obstruction.

'Damn... the more I think, the madder I get.'

I hadn't even faced that level of threats.

So why did it feel like I had?

"Finally, cuff the Professor and throw him in the holding cell. Key point is his super wronged expression as he's dragged away."

Details... what would be fun?

"Insert scenes between of the corrupt cop taking bribes from the rice-eating scammer. But not cash."

Cash is boring.

My channel's roots are in comedy, so something to make people laugh.

"He takes bribes in game money to leave no evidence. And add a short cookie video at the end ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠where the cop pulls a rice-eating scam with that bribe."

A loading bar spun on the screen.

I crossed my arms and waited for the result.

The finished video was mind-blowing.

It felt like a full black comedy anime episode.

Somehow, it reminded me of that Japanese incident.

Similar vibe to the manga [Neurosurgeon Takeda-kun] about suing a doctor for a medical error.

Viewers would definitely think of that too.

I uploaded the finished video as a Short.

"Let's see. Comments should pour in soon."

I pulled up the Nutube app and kept refreshing.

Reactions were instant, as expected.

As expected, the comments were exploding.

I told it to piss people off—views would skyrocket.

"Min-jae! What are you doing? Hurry up!"

Then, a colleague's voice called from afar.

I'd lingered too long in the empty cafeteria.

"Coming!"

I finished reading the comments and turned off my phone.

Until quitting time, I'd focus on work and tune it out.

*

After work.

I dragged my exhausted body into my van.

Once I started the engine and turned on the AC, I finally powered on the phone buried in my pocket.

Vrrr—

Vrrr—

Vrrr—!

Vibrations erupted the moment it turned on.

Missed calls, texts, and KakaoTalk notifications filled the screen.

"Oh crap."

All from Lee Soo-yeon and Eun Ha-min.

Both had sent piles of messages asking if everything was okay.

Worried ones and death threats.

Both dripped with concern in the texts.

I started typing replies when...

The screen switched—an incoming call from Lee Soo-yeon.

"Ahem."

I cleared my throat and answered.

"Hello?"

—Haa... Min-jae.

A deep sigh came through the receiver.

Her usual calm voice, but laced with a sharp, cold edge.

—Why pick up now? Had me worried sick.

"Sorry. Phone was off during work. Battery was low anyway."

—Working?

Lee Soo-yeon paused, then sighed again.

Best excuse ever—too busy working to answer.

—Fine. But what happened? Why upload that video? Blackmailed or something?

"Ah, well..."

I tapped the steering wheel casually.

"Got a call from the cops at lunch. Said I was sued for violating the Information and Communications Network Act and hacking."

—What? Suddenly?

"They called me the hacker out of nowhere, so I teased back a bit, and looks like the guy sued me."

—What about evidence? They have any?

"Nope. No evidence, but cops still told me to come in."

Silence from Lee Soo-yeon after I finished.

Then her voice returned, tone higher.

—So, he sued you shamelessly... and the police accepted it? Without evidence?

"Yeah, pretty much."

—Haa... Unbelievable.

She seemed way angrier than me.

The rational doctor gone, replaced by a hot-blooded big sis vibe.

Wait, she was older than me.

—Got it. Stay put. I'll look into it.

"Huh? Soo-yeon, what are you gonna—"

—Hanging up.

Click.

Call ended.

I stared blankly at the phone.

Look into it? How?

And then.

Call from Eun Ha-min.

Timing was impeccable.

I answered immediately.

"Hey, Ha-min."

—Oppa, you trying to die for real!?

A scream hit my eardrum the second I picked up.

Unlike Lee Soo-yeon, Eun Ha-min was already furious.

—My puppy oppa got some guts? Posting cryptic crap like that and turning off your phone?

"No, I had it off for work..."

—Shut it! Who doesn't know that?

"Uh, um... Sorry."

She was the type who expected calls answered in three seconds.

Busy with corporate stuff, stressed, and no answer—totally understandable.

—So what? Who messed with you? Which lunatic dared touch my oppa?

Eun Ha-min rapid-fired without pause.

I repeated the explanation for Lee Soo-yeon: cop call, scammer's suit.

Surprisingly, she replied calmly after listening.

—That's it?

"Not a big deal, but..."

—Got it. Hanging up.

Click.

Unilateral again.

Even Lee Soo-yeon was mad, but Eun Ha-min hanging up meekly? Wild.

I tilted my head and set the phone down.

What was with everyone?

Eun Ha-min hung up.

Then hurled her latest smartphone at the wall.

Crack!

Screen shattered, shards flew, but she didn't flinch.

Total opposite of her calm call demeanor.

Voice steady, eyes already rolled back in rage.

"How dare..."

She ground her teeth.

"How dare they touch my puppy oppa?"

Eun Ha-min roughly swept back her hair.

The one guy she truly liked.

She could tease and bully him playfully, but malicious outsiders? No way.

"You're all done."

She muttered, grabbing the intercom on the desk.

Dialed 0 and 1, connecting somewhere.

"Director Park? Yeah, it's me. You said your old buddy's at Gangnam Station, right? Get in touch with him now."

Back home, showered, flopped on the bed.

Feeling refreshed, I grabbed my phone and checked Nutube comments again.

"Whoa, this is..."

Way bigger than at lunch.

Comments multiplied by nearly 30.

Public opinion mostly bashing the cops.

I nodded involuntarily.

Who bends to every tantrum with police power?

Tax waste like this?

Replacing sidewalk blocks at least made sense.

"But not even a day, and views are..."

Social critique riding the algorithm?

Views hit 12 million already.

22k recommendations.

Best ever—even across all my videos.

First time seeing 20k.

I scrolled down.

Unlike others, genuine concern comments too.

I rubbed my eyes and read again.

'Lawyer Yoo Yi-seol? Rings a bell.'

Clicked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the name—went to her channel.

Over 400k subs, popular YouTuber.

Already subscribed.

'Seems solid. Could paint a nice picture.'

I'd already publicized it as exposé.

400k lawyer YouTuber joins? How big could the fire get?

Symbiotic like with Lee Soo-yeon and Eun Ha-min?

No hesitation—left my email in a private reply and pinned the comment top.

Pinning it would spark reasonable suspicion from viewers.

And sure enough, the incident blew up.

Next day, public broadcasters and cable news used my satire as footage.

Other lawyer YouTubers cited mine, slamming Korea's complaint system.

My Short hit 40 million views.

In just three days.

Funny part: cops who said they'd call back? Silent as graves.

Definitely a psychological standoff.

'Fine, let's see who wins.'

Hm, coffee's gone.

Order another...

"Sorry, am I super late?"

Then, heels clicked to a stop in front of me.

I looked up slightly.

Lawyer Yoo Yi-seol from the comment three days ago.

Panting, she plopped in the opposite seat, pulling out laptop, papers, and stuff from her bag.

'Had court today too?'

Lawyers stay busy.

"No, I just got here. Have this."

"Hoo. Thanks."

She gulped the iced Americano through the straw, finally looking up.

Stared straight at my face.

"...?"

"What's up?"

Yoo Yi-seol's eyes widened.

Then tilted her head.

"Um... sorry, are you really The Truth of the World?"

"Yeah."

She coughed awkwardly, averting her gaze.

"Ahem! Sorry. Your face is so different from what I imagined..."

"Huh? What'd you think I looked like?"

"Well, TTS voice... and the unique content... figured you'd be more... um... eccentric."

"Eccentric?"

"Too young... and normal handsome..."

Insult?

Compliment?