Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Let's Live Carefully
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In front of the Gangnam Police Station.
A mysterious figure appeared, decked out head to toe in a black kimbap long padded hoodie with the hood flipped up, complete with a mask and sunglasses.
It wasn't all that unusual for this place—a spot frequented by folks who didn't want their identities revealed.
'Shorty.'
The figure was pretty darn tiny.
Didn't quite fit the vibe of a place like this.
Like, it'd be kinda awkward if a middle schooler showed up at the station, right?
"What brings you here?"
"Th-the cyber investigation team... where's that?"
"Head to the main building on the fourth floor—you can see it over there."
"Th-thanks."
'Bet it's a criminal.'
In dramas and movies, crooks always get hauled in cuffed up in blaring squad cars, but in real life? More often than not, they stroll in on their own two feet.
It's not like they're facing arrest warrants or anything heavy—usually just showing up after a summons for questioning.
Judging by her getup and demeanor, she screamed perp. Naturally, it was Seol-ah.
Following the cop's directions, Seol-ah headed to the main building.
True to its fortress-like rep, the entrance to the station's main building was sealed behind bulletproof glass doors.
A guard booth sat beside it, where an officer controlled access.
These days, with the police reservists phased out, it was mostly retired cops or soldiers rehired as civil servants handling the gig.
In other words, a grandpa was manning the post.
"To enter the main building, you'll need to fill out a visitor form and show your ID."
"Okay..."
Name, phone number, department visiting, purpose.
And on top of that, handing over her ID? The pressure was real.
Not here for anything good, Seol-ah felt her stomach churning.
She scribbled her name, phone number, department, purpose.
'Shoulda just bailed.'
Suspects can get arrested if they ignore a summons, but witnesses? No such thing.
Though if a witness turns co-conspirator during the investigation, skipping out could be seen as obstruction and hurt their sentencing.
'So what the hell is this about anyway?'
Seol-ah had heard witnesses faced no real penalties for no-shows, but that bit about becoming a suspect freaked her out too much.
She'd decided to show up after all.
Couldn't counter something if she didn't even know what it was.
"Here you go."
The guard grandpa's narrowed eyes went wide as saucers when she handed over the form and ID.
"Take off the sunglasses and mask. Gotta confirm it's you."
"......"
No way they'd let someone this shady inside looking like that.
Seol-ah removed her sunglasses and pulled down her mask for ID verification.
"Hood too. My eyes aren't what they used to be."
'Why the hood? Isn't my face plenty visible?'
Pure ulterior motive, of course.
Just wanted a good look at that pretty face.
Something felt off, but she didn't want a standoff at the station entrance, so Seol-ah lowered her hood.
"Oho, you a celebrity or something?"
"No, just a regular person. Anything else you need?"
Having to show her face for something embarrassing had Seol-ah's ears burning red.
Let's live right. Yeah. And stay out of places like this.
"Once your badge is stamped, the door unlocks. Make sure to return it here when you leave."
Seol-ah finally snagged her visitor badge.
She pulled her mask back up, donned her sunglasses, flipped her hood, and stepped into the station's main building.
"Prettiest dame I've seen in sixty years. 'Live long and prosper' sure hits different now. Eye candy, pure eye candy."
The guard muttered to himself, watching her climb the stairs through the bulletproof glass.
Fourth floor, cyber investigation team's office.
Police station offices weren't much different from any other cubicle farm.
Computers, fax machines, stacks of paperwork.
A knock echoed from within.
"Come in."
All eyes turned to the mysterious figure slipping through the door.
"Who’s Investigator Kim?"
Seol-ah, who self-diagnosed as socially awkward and a total shut-in, could still manage basic chit-chat.
She just had one little issue.
Show her face, and everyone around her fell under her spell, confessing left and right till they dropped.
"Over here."
Investigator Kim was a sharp-dressed guy in his forties.
Cyber teams rarely did field stakeouts or takedowns, so unlike the sneakers-and-jeans violent crimes unit, they dressed closer to business casual.
"What can I do for you?"
"I'm here for witness questioning."
"Seol-ah?"
"Yes."
"Right on time."
'Could you say my name quieter?'
Seol-ah's tiny wish: as few people knowing her as possible.
No chance the cop in front of her would pick up on that.
"But I have no clue what this case is about."
"You'll hear while we do the statement. Have a seat. ID, please."
Seol-ah sat and handed over her ID.
"Uncover your face."
The investigator's stern tone ratcheted up her nerves.
Why treat her like a criminal?
Though she did have a slight guilty conscience.
Seol-ah lowered her mask and removed her sunglasses.
No hood removal this time.
The investigator cross-checked her face with the ID.
His expression shifted from "Is calling someone pretty sexual harassment these days?" to "Why would someone this gorgeous... tsk tsk."
Both looks were kinda scary, honestly.
Soon he tapped away at his keyboard, entering something into the computer.
Seol-ah could only see the monitor's back.
A moment later, he spoke up.
"What's your relationship to Lee Yuri?"
"Who?"
"Lee Yuri here."
"No idea who that is."
"You've used the ID Legend2000 on SNS, right?"
"......Yes."
"And posted her photo?"
"That's Lee Yuri?"
"You didn't know?"
"No."
"Really had no idea?"
"Nope!"
First time at a police station, and the investigator's gruff tone was stressing her out big time.
"No paid promotions or endorsements?"
"Promotions?"
"Thousands flooded that site after your stream. You knew nothing?"
"That's not it!"
"Hmph."
"I seriously have no clue what's going on! Tell me what happened first!?"
The investigator hesitated, glanced at Seol-ah's face, then explained.
"Lee Yuri filmed a sex tape with her current boyfriend, uploaded it to an overseas site, and sent the link to her ex. The ex reported her, and we're investigating under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection for obscene material distribution."
"What?????"
Why film a video? And send it to the ex?
With that face, how'd she even have two boyfriends—no, that's not the point?
Her head was spinning.
"Tons of Koreans hit that overseas site, traced back to mass shares in the Teamfight Arena gallery. 'Jeon Jeonseol's red pill,' they said. That's why you're here as a witness. Got it?"
"Uh? I mean, yeah, I get it, but... yeah?"
This case made zero sense?
Beyond comprehension?
"Cash or crypto, investigations uncover it all. No paid promo?"
"I told you no! I didn't even know who she was."
"Then why post her photo on SNS?"
"I—"
Her words caught in her throat.
Why am I the one tongue-tied here?
"Too many pervs harassing me online! Yeah! I'm a victim too!"
"How's that related to the photo?"
Come on, connect the dots!
Ugly people get less harassment!
"Thought hiding my looks might cut down on the creeps."
In front of the investigator, Seol-ah automatically dialed back to humble and meek.
Softening her real thoughts as much as possible.
"So you used a stranger's pic as a shield?"
"Found it on a Chinese site! Figured a Chinese person wouldn't overlap with Korean internet! But why's she Korean!? This is so unfair!"
She was genuinely wronged.
Seol-ah pleaded with her expression.
Her angelic eyes brimmed with injustice, blinking big.
"......Don't you think you messed up, even a little?"
"Me!?"
"No law against it, but morals exist too. Try minding yours."
"Sorry."
"If your statement checks out, we won't bother you again on this."
"But... will Lee Yuri find out about me?"
Didn't want ties to someone that unhinged.
Seol-ah, who wasn't exactly innocent herself, thought.
"We'll anonymize the witness statement."
Phew, relief.
"Thank you!"
"No more impersonating others. I'll be watching."
"Ugh, okay..."
Now there were more than zero people in the world who knew her true self.
Seol-ah felt exhausted just from that.
Shoulda skipped.
She'd come worried about some major crime entanglement, not this weird crap.
But you know how it is?
Doctors and cops—you gotta listen to them.
Plain ol' citizen Seol-ah was weak to authority like that.
Heading out of the station, Seol-ah realized something odd.
Investigator Kim's parting words.
That "I'll be watching" bit.
'Wait, watching me?'
Did that cop uncle plan to drop by her streams sometimes?
The thought sent chills crawling up her back, her head reeling.
Is this the criminal life? Pure agony!
Let's live carefully.