Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Promotion Ceremony
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As Lee Jae-hyun stepped into the National Police Agency building, Park Dae-hyung raised his hand.
“Hey, kid! Over here.”
Park Dae-hyung, waving his hand, was dressed in his police uniform just like Lee Jae-hyun.
The gold badges on his black uniform gleamed under the light.
An eagle emblem adorned his sleeve, proving he was police, and he wore dress shoes instead of the boots used for patrols.
It was the kind of uniform that made anyone look sharp no matter who saw it.
But seeing it on Park Dae-hyung, who was built like a mountain, it felt like a scene straight out of a noir film.
“You look sharp.”
“Without this uniform, I’d just be a thug.”
Park Dae-hyung burst into laughter at Lee Jae-hyun’s compliment.
He knows it himself...
Lee Jae-hyun thought to himself but didn’t say it out loud.
“......”
“Judging by your silence, looks like you think the same, kid.”
“No, no way.”
Park Dae-hyung read his mind like a ghost, and Lee Jae-hyun quickly shook his head.
“Yeah, right. Anyway... let’s get going. Your parents are waiting.”
“Got it.”
The two headed together toward the auditorium inside the agency.
The hall, typically used for major events or press conferences, already had a few people gathered.
Just as Park Dae-hyung had said, Lee Jae-hyun’s parents were there.
So were the members of Hanseong Police Substation Team 4.
Min Ji-hye, Kim Jun-ho, and even Team Leader Oh Cheol-jin.
Since not everyone could step away, only those who could make it had come—all the team members who were able.
Lee Jae-hyun smiled awkwardly as he walked over.
“Damn, kid, up close like this, your looks are... seriously top-tier.”
“No, they’re not.”
“Come on. I always thought you were handsome, but today you look even better. Wow, dressed up like this, you really take after your mom—it shows.”
“......”
Kim Jun-ho was always smooth-talking and chatty with everyone.
With Lee Jae-hyun’s parents there, he was playing the role of atmosphere maker.
Even now, he was hyping up Lee Jae-hyun while naturally complimenting his mother, Song Mi-hyun.
“You’ve got to thank your mom, man. Inheriting looks like that—what a blessing. Look at Inspector Park over there...”
“Jun-ho.”
“Yes, sorry, sir.”
Kim Jun-ho glanced at Park Dae-hyung as he tried to continue.
But Inspector Park Dae-hyung spoke first, cutting him off.
Kim Jun-ho bowed neatly and apologized.
Lee Jae-hyun’s mother, Song Mi-hyun, let out a soft laugh.
“Thank you all so much. I can’t believe my son is getting all this...”
“Oh, ma’am, Jae-hyun’s number one in results on our team. Why else would he get a special promotion in less than half a year?”
Kim Jun-ho waved it off like it was nothing, cracking jokes as he spoke.
Lee Jae-hyun scratched his cheek watching him.
Honestly, he was grateful for the praise.
‘Special promotion...’
That’s right.
Today was the day Lee Jae-hyun finally shed his patrol officer badge and moved up a rank.
A one-grade special promotion.
In recognition of his achievements so far, they’d approved it.
The commissioning ceremony had been scheduled right away—today.
The timeline was unusually rushed.
The police chief personally handled special promotions, so it aligned with his schedule.
Plus, with this major case making headlines fast, they wanted to capitalize on it to boost the police image.
Whatever the reason, it was good for Lee Jae-hyun.
His parents were proud, and his colleagues were sincerely celebrating.
How much time passed like that?
Clunk.
The auditorium doors opened, and a group in police uniforms entered.
At the center was Gyeonggi Northern Police Chief Jeong Sun-bin, accompanied by Kim Ho-cheol, head of the Violent Crimes Unit at Ilsan West Police Station.
Jeong Sun-bin glanced at Lee Jae-hyun before heading straight to the podium.
Following him, Kim Ho-cheol took the mic at the front.
“Yes, we’ll now begin...”
The commissioning ceremony was, well...
Streamlined.
Not sloppy, though—they did everything by the book.
“We’re aware of Hanseong Substation’s strong recent performance. We’ve been keeping an eye on it, and Patrol Officer Lee Jae-hyun has once again made a major contribution to public safety...”
Police Chief Jeong Sun-bin gave a speech encouraging Lee Jae-hyun and the other team members.
“Yes, next is the presentation of the commission.”
They formally handed over the commission document and took photos.
Lee Jae-hyun stood from his seat, heart pounding inside, and approached the podium to stand before Police Chief Jeong Sun-bin.
From up here, he could see all the eyes on him.
His mother and the colleagues who’d solved cases with him.
They beamed with genuine joy and support.
‘Police Chief Jeong Sun-bin...’
Feeling grateful toward them for a moment, Lee Jae-hyun turned his gaze to the chief.
Jeong Sun-bin hadn’t stood out from afar, but face-to-face like this...
‘A tiger.’
Like an aged tiger.
Not one with missing teeth, but faded fur and aged features, yet still concealing sharp fangs and claws.
“You’ve worked hard. I expect great things ahead.”
“I’ll do my best to embody what a true police officer should be.”
“Hah, ‘true police officer’... I like that.”
Jeong Sun-bin chuckled briefly at Lee Jae-hyun’s words and nodded.
Holding the commission document, Lee Jae-hyun turned to face the front.
Inspector Min Ji-hye, Sergeant Kim Jun-ho, and Team Leader Oh Cheol-jin were clapping.
Park Dae-hyung gave a thumbs-up.
And his parents...
“Our son was born for this.”
“So handsome, son.”
They wiped tears, gazing at him with overflowing pride.
It was the sight he’d wanted to show them—and see—in his previous life.
Lee Jae-hyun raised his hand to salute them.
A bubbling emotion rose inside—joy or something else, he couldn’t tell.
But it didn’t feel bad.
And so...
Lee Jae-hyun became a sergeant.
* * *
Once the ceremony wrapped up.
Police Chief Jeong Sun-bin briefly spoke with the other members of Hanseong Substation Team 4.
During this, Kim Ho-cheol, who had emceed from Ilsan West, approached Lee Jae-hyun.
“Oh Min-seok’s team leader was singing your praises nonstop.”
“...I’m just grateful for the kind words.”
“Min-seok doesn’t praise lightly. If that picky guy likes you, you must really be something.”
Lee Jae-hyun bowed his head slightly.
He couldn’t tell if this was praise or something else.
Kim Ho-cheol wore a subtle expression before continuing.
“After wrapping that case, Oh Min-seok threw a fit.”
“Team Leader Oh did?”
“He begged to poach just one patrol officer for his team...”
Kim Ho-cheol spoke in a low, insinuating tone.
The meaning was clear.
Oh Min-seok wants you.
Come on over.
I’ll take you.
In the police, you could usually transfer to your preferred unit if conditions were met.
Violent Crimes Unit detective work was Lee Jae-hyun’s goal, too.
In his past life, he’d had no choice—he’d been a detective, and it was familiar.
And above all...
‘Lots of cases.’
More cases meant more chances to rack up results.
And to get one step closer to his revenge.
So, Lee Jae-hyun had to think it over.
No, it didn’t even make sense to hesitate.
When he’d heard Oh Min-seok specifically requested him, he’d seen it as a good opportunity.
But now the head of Violent Crimes was personally inviting him, and he was hesitating?
It didn’t add up...
Glance.
Lee Jae-hyun looked toward Team 4, chatting with Police Chief Jeong Sun-bin.
Why did they weigh on his mind?
From working cases together?
Or fond memories of their camaraderie?
He didn’t know. But his eyes kept drifting there.
“Honestly, unexpected.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re hesitating. Oh Min-seok said you were detective material through and through—thought you’d jump at it.”
Kim Ho-cheol sipped his coffee, glancing at Lee Jae-hyun.
Both Oh Min-seok and Kim Ho-cheol had felt it from reports and footage.
This young man before them was detective material.
Smartly pinpointing suspects, investigating, relentlessly tracking them down.
That alone wouldn’t have earned a recommendation.
Brains alone wouldn’t cut it—you’d die or end up crippled mid-case if you were weak.
But Lee Jae-hyun’s moves subduing suspects showed he wasn’t just smart—he was capable.
What else could a guy like this do but detective work?
That’s why Kim Ho-cheol expected instant acceptance.
“...I’d like a bit more time to think.”
“Not rejecting outright, but leaving the door open... Smart choice.”
Kim Ho-cheol’s lip curled slightly.
Detective work looked cool—busting brutal criminals.
But it was grueling.
Overtime was standard; you’d bolt mid-meal on dispatch orders.
And facing off with suspects?
They wouldn’t surrender meekly to arrest.
At best, knives; at worst, life-or-death stakes.
In that light, Lee Jae-hyun’s caution was sharp.
“Do what you want. It’s your call.”
“Thank you.”
Lee Jae-hyun bowed to Kim Ho-cheol.
Amused, Kim Ho-cheol smiled at him.
Then waved him off like, go on.
‘Team 4.’
Leaving Kim Ho-cheol’s room, Lee Jae-hyun glanced toward his team.
They grinned back at him.
Believing he’d choose them.
‘I need to think it over.’
With that, Lee Jae-hyun looked at his commission document.
This was just the start.
He’d climb higher.
So, laying a bit more foundation wouldn’t hurt.
Basics matter.