If You Mess Around, You're Dead
"Master, about that Jeon Seong-hyeon you mentioned."
"Yeah."
"It's a bit complicated, so you need to listen carefully."
Do I really need to pay close attention to some lowly branch family member's story? Still, I listen.
"First off, among the women you could call Grandfather's ladies, there's one with the surname Min. Her fourth daughter—the third son of that daughter's husband's older sister."
"Huh?"
Something feels off.
"The third son of Min lady's fourth daughter's husband's older sister."
"...Wait, what? That means no blood relation at all, right?"
Up to Min lady's fourth daughter, there's Grandfather's blood, but this isn't even her child—it's her husband's older sister's third son. Isn't that completely unrelated? It seems like they're only connected through marriage.
Did I mess up the math?
"Strictly speaking, yes. But in our country, when we talk about marriage, we usually think of it as family-to-family unions, right? Prestige seems to acknowledge them as collateral branches in a broad sense. Like 'collateral branch treatment' or something."
"What the hell... If they include every random connection like that, the collateral branches would number around 3,000."
"The total number registered as 'collateral branches' at Prestige is 4,516. Out of them, only about 70 have actual shared blood."
"Holy shit."
Is that why the discrimination was so severe? They accept collateral branches so loosely that the average blood purity(?) is super low, so they don't treat them like family at all... Something like that?
Maybe the lineage precedence got flipped on purpose. They might expand the collateral branches to water down the privileges.
The fewer the elite, the stronger the perks. Too many, and the benefits naturally dilute. That's true for any group.
This must piss off the real blood-related collaterals big time. They're actual kin, but lumped in with randos and devalued together. How frustrating.
"Anyway, he's confirmed as a collateral branch?"
"Yes."
A guy with no blood ties acting like a collateral branch and daring to interfere in my business. Double the insolence charge.
"Then I need to send a warning. What should I say?"
"Do you really need to?"
"Huh?"
"You directly ordered the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, so the special investigation keeps going. You even posted articles about it. Unless someone's a total idiot, wouldn't they get your intent?"
"You think? Yeah, that makes sense."
I didn't tell Jeon Seong-hyeon directly, so maybe he doesn't know... but if he doesn't, he dies. What can you do?
"Let's wait and see, then. The special investigation's proceeding anyway. Keep a close eye if he interferes again."
"Yes, Master."
The next day.
From the morning, Inaeun's special investigation team was in a completely different position.
Suddenly, massive support from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office was allocated. Full implant procedures for support staff, plus travel expenses, personnel, medical AVs, and more. Support on a level incomparable to before.
Just yesterday morning, it seemed like it would be disbanded, but now not only was it continuing, it got full backing overnight??
Anyone with a brain would think something's up.
"...What the hell happened...? It wasn't like this yesterday."
"..."
At her colleague's fussing, Yun Ha-young the reporter gave a faint smile.
"Must've gotten a sponsor. Our special prosecutor did."
"...W-what? Don't say that about the prosecutor!!"
"Joking."
"What kind of joke is that! You've been weird lately, reporter. Aren't you pushing too hard?"
"Pushing? I'm just doing work for justice."
Her eyes, scanning the piled-up support documents and supplies, were almost lifeless.
"Inaeun special prosecutor—doesn't she have some insane backing?"
"Yeah, she boasted yesterday. Said the special investigation would never disband."
"But this special investigation disbandment... wasn't it pressure from the top brass? That's the vibe. To overturn that..."
"Doesn't feel like just a sponsor."
"Was it a sponsor at all? Doesn't seem her style. After working with her, don't you know?"
"How do you read a person's heart after a few days? You know that."
"So sweet of you."
It was huge gossip among the prosecutors too.
The special investigation's overnight shift and the new eyes on Inaeun.
Things are getting fun lately.
Inaeun smirked slyly.
Just recently, they'd treated her like air and pushed her out of the ranks, but now they eyed her with fresh surprise. A petty thrill surged up.
This was new.
Emotions surging day by day like this.
In her always bland routine, she'd chase any stimulus short of total self-destruction, but barely feel it.
Now, every day brought fresh tingles. Not super intense, but worlds apart from numbness.
Aah... I pledge my loyalty to you, my Master?
Impure motives(?) aside, she reaffirmed her loyalty to Gomuyeol.
By his side, every day would buzz with stimulation.
*Ding.*
Right then.
"...?"
Inaeun got a summons from Incheon Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
Five minutes before Inaeun the special prosecutor got summoned.
*Tok.*
"Hmm~. Not bad. As expected from our Chief Prosecutor—top-shelf beans."
"..."
A young man lounged in the Incheon Supreme Prosecutors' Chief's office—prime seat, legs crossed. He sniffed the coffee the chief's secretary brewed, then slurped it leisurely.
The chief, bumped to the side seat, hid his discomfort.
"Young master, why the sudden visit—"
"You know why. Asking 'cause you pretend not to?"
"Ahem."
He averted his eyes with a fake cough.
"Continuing the special investigation is the will of Incheon citizens—no, the Korean people. Our prosecution must uphold that and realize justice."
"Oh yeah? Since when did the people's will sneak into our prosecution? Democracy in judiciary kills it, no? That's what I thought."
He leaned forward with a groan, set the coffee down, and sprawled back on the sofa.
A young punk sprawling naturally in the chief-only prime seat. Infuriating for the near-60 chief, but no choice.
To survive in Korea, you couldn't piss off any Goryeo Group faction.
"We both know, so cut the bullshit. You're keeping the special investigation going 'cause you're worried about Goryeo Entertainment, right, Chief?"
"That's—"
"Nah, whatever. Do the special investigation. If the bosses say go, prosecution jumps. I'm not that rigid."
"..."
"But bring that Inaeun special prosecutor. Just wanna see her face."
"Inaeun... special prosecutor?"
"Must be tough. Give encouragement, chat a bit. Yeah?"
"..."
The chief easily read his intent.
"Young master, don't touch owned goods carelessly. Especially if it's an insider's."
"What?"
"Just friendly advice."
"What bullshit!! Why bring owned goods into this!"
His patience snapped, temper flaring.
The chief stayed calm despite the kid's informal speech.
"As you said, the special investigation continues because of Goryeo Entertainment. You know why they want Inaeun kept on?"
"Why? They're just spooked by one article, that's their perception. Goryeo Entertainment has no real thoughts. Just PR saying they're clean."
"Pardon?"
What? Something's off.
"A-anyway, do the special investigation. Whatever. If you're worried about eyes, fine. Just call Inaeun special prosecutor? I'll handle the rest!"
"..."
The chief sensed weirdness but saw no need to correct.
This arrogant punk. Let him get rekt.
Pretending reluctance, he nodded.
"...Understood. I'll summon Inaeun special prosecutor."
And so, Inaeun was called to Incheon Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
"Incheon Central District Prosecutors' Office, Criminal Division 3, Inaeun."
"Uh, y-yeah. Inaeun special prosecutor. Come in. This gentleman is—"
"Jeon Seong-hyeon from Goryeo Group. Knowing too much hurts. Just think super high-up guy."
"..."
It was supposed to be a chief meeting, but a sleazy lounger occupied the seat. And the name: Jeon Seong-hyeon. Same as her investigation target.
Fresh coincidence? Or familiar~.
She sized him up.
Jeon Seong-hyeon was notorious for whoring out agency girls. Probably lusted after her looks. Desire-blind fools charge blindly, like moths to flame.
"Wow... Way hotter in person~. First time seeing your face up close, right? Sit. We got time, take it slo—"
"Gotta hit the bathroom."
"—w-what?"
"Huh? Prosecutor, what are you—"
She stormed out, brushing past the puzzled secretary rising from her desk.
Soon, Jeon Seong-hyeon chased yelling, but she ignored, hit the stairs down one floor, straight to the bathroom.
She called Gomuyeol.
The line went dead.
Felt like he'd bolt over right now.
"Aah. Master, you're too much."