Chapter 128
I stepped out onto the balcony to take the call. The conversation wasn't long. He said he'd like to see me sometime soon, and I simply replied that I got it.
He'd looked into me; during those few days with no contact, he'd clearly been digging into my background.
When I returned to the balcony and sat down, Office Manager Oh poured me a drink and broached the subject indirectly.
"I know you saved that junior reporter who was in mortal danger after tipping you off, and that you landed a solid hit on Iljungilbo."
"Yes."
"But somehow, it doesn't feel like that's the end of it. Are you planning something more with Reporter Choi?"
Even if I'd known a client for a long time through a case, I wasn't one to keep those ties going indefinitely. After all, I was the person who existed in their darkest moments. Continuing our connection meant they lost the chance to shake off those painful memories for good.
It had been the same back when I was a prosecutor. And the one who knew this side of me best was none other than Office Manager Oh.
He'd sensed something from watching me keep in touch with Choi Jonghyeon even after that case wrapped up.
"Yeah, probably. That's the plan."
"...Mind if I ask what exactly you're up to? Even from the outside, it doesn't look like small potatoes. Seems like it could impact your law practice long-term."
Oh approached the topic with extreme caution. I gave a small smile.
"It will."
"Reporter Choi—the guy chasing Wooshin Group and that Minwoo Party's Lee Jeongchan, right?"
"That's him."
"So, are you... trying to link up with him in that world too?"
I looked at Oh. The reason he'd become my colleague in my previous life was probably because he'd seen me lose my father to the side effects of Myeonghwa Pharma's Antrozol. I'd been in agony over it, enough to completely redirect my life.
But what about Oh now? I needed him, but he might not want to get tangled in this.
If he hadn't come to me first about joining the office, I would've discussed this thoroughly with him before deciding.
I brushed back a stray lock of hair and answered.
"Yes."
"You know it's dangerous, right? Especially since you watched the Iljungilbo mess unfold up close."
"Yes."
"If you're still set on it... well, maybe you should check with me and Attorney Kang first, since we're your current team members."
There was a hint of resentment in his voice—likely from the fact that I hadn't consulted him on something that could affect him too.
If this were my previous life, I definitely would've talked to him first. I had, in fact.
But the me now, dropped into 2008, had come with an unyielding will from the start. I didn't need to confide in anyone about how I should live my life going forward.
"I was planning to before diving in for real. The last thing I want is for you two to get hurt because of this."
I glanced at Kang Minjae, blissfully asleep on the sofa.
"Truth be told, I've had a hunch since you left the prosecutors' office."
Oh picked up some cooled meat with the tongs, trimmed off the charred bits with scissors, and dropped the comment casually.
"Back then, I figured you'd gotten fed up with living under the prosecutors' hegemony. That's why I said it—how envious I was that you could follow your conscience."
He placed the perfectly trimmed meat on my side plate—not a scorch mark in sight—while popping his own blackened pieces into his mouth without hesitation. I watched him.
"The cases you've taken since... not all of them, but they all felt like little jabs at society's entrenched powers. And in the end, that's exactly what happened."
He wasn't wrong. I hadn't openly declared war on them, but anyone who knew me well and paid attention would struggle to believe I was just handling cases that came my way with no ulterior motive.
I took on all sorts, but for the big, high-profile ones, I weighed things carefully.
"And when a guy like you met Reporter Choi? I thought, birds of a feather. It clicked—a lot. The way you kept turning down Taegwang... and all those offhand comments you've made to me over time."
Taegwang scouted talent before training programs even ended. For legal pros, landing there was a huge perk. Even court-bound types often preferred Taegwang Associates.
But I'd never once wanted in. Taegwang was one of the massive evils rotting Korea to its core. Setting aside my personal leanings, if I asked myself if it was truly just? No hesitation—hell no.
That's why I stayed away. That's why I'd always seen it as one of my enemies.
"I thought, this guy's got a ton he wants to do. And his dreams are huge. That's what watching you made me think, Attorney Cha."
Oh smiled awkwardly.
"Did you? Back in the day, I don't think I had those kinds of thoughts much."
What if my father hadn't died in my previous life? I probably wouldn't have harbored this ambition to take down Wooshin myself. I'd have stayed at the prosecutors' office, quietly hoping that den of corruption would one day be exposed.
"Who knows. I can't pinpoint when I started thinking that way. But one thing's clear: when you submitted your resignation, it hit hard. So... I've rambled on."
Oh scratched his cheek.
"I came knowing. I know the rough picture you're sketching. It's the same one I dreamed up back in my student activist days—before reality crushed it and I let it go."
"......"
"Kids are grown, retirement's sorted. Time to live doing what I want. That's why I came to you. So... I'm good. I'll stick with whatever you're doing, Attorney Cha."
I let out a breathy laugh. In my previous life, I'd seen him like a father. He'd always called me "Prosecutor" with utmost respect, but even if I'd suddenly gone "Juhan-ah," it wouldn't have felt off.
Hearing this from him was a huge comfort. And at the same time, it piled on the pressure to be flawless. My goal this life was to crush Wooshin without losing a single ally.
"Thank you, office manager."
"Thanks? Haha, come on. With the salary you're paying?"
Oh waved it off with a hearty laugh. Then his gaze lingered on Kang Minjae, dozing on the sofa.
"Attorney Cha."
"Yes."
"But you gotta ask Attorney Kang. He probably has no clue."
Kang shifted uncomfortably in his sleep, smacking his lips as he freed his arm wedged against the sofa back.
I watched him quietly.
"When I first took him on, I worried that if he knew what I was planning, he'd bolt on his own."
We were still in the prep phase anyway—lots of groundwork needed. Kang was useful enough, kept wanting to learn from me, so I'd figured I'd keep him around until it was time to cut him loose.
But now, knowing him better, I doubted he'd run. He'd probably charge in, insisting on joining.
"Not anymore, huh?"
"No. Feels like if I told him, he'd say 'got it' without a second thought."
"Law exam folks start out like that, y'know? Vowing to build a just society, punish the wicked. Then time passes, survival in the prosecutors' office kills that fire. But not Attorney Kang. He just lives doing what he wants... Kinda enviable, really. Haha."
Oh had nailed Kang perfectly—even the parts I struggled to articulate. I agreed completely.
"Spot on. That's why I'm not sure about dragging him into this."
He'd only stuck it out at the prosecutors' briefly before Taegwang, working under Kim Yunhui. Smooth sailing, no signs of deep soul-searching about his path.
Sure, I knew he had scars—like the racist school bullying during his U.S. study abroad. But none of that was his fault.
Once we started this, every punishment would rain down on me, the fool challenging giants with an egg. Sticking to that resolve amid self-destruction? Not easy.
He had no motive strong enough to commit.
"And honestly, personal worry too. I trust Attorney Kang, but not his stamina. People burn out eventually. If he quits midway after we start... it'd hurt me too."
Building comrades is tough. It requires faith they'll never betray and will run the full marathon.
Kang didn't fully meet that. Without motive, I'd always fear he'd bail someday. Better not to start.
Especially for his safety. Like how Choi nearly lost an unrelated junior chasing Wooshin and Lee Jeongchan—I dreaded the same for Kang.
"If you decide he can't join, cut ties early."
Oh said it with worried eyes.
"You're right. No need to put him in danger."
We still had time. Needed more foundation before moving; hunker down till then. Figure out what to do with Kang by then.
"......"
I glanced at him again. Was this mindset of mine building walls for him? Hard to say. I just didn't want to see him dive in recklessly, get hurt, and bail.
"Attorney Cha."
"Yes?"
"You're thinking about Attorney Kang a lot these days."
Oh chuckled, stroking his chin.
"Am I?"
"He hasn't even said anything yet, and you're over here worrying solo. Mostly about his well-being."
I let out a hollow laugh.
"Attorney Kang should know how much you care. You're lost in your own dream world."
Thud!
Something heavy dropped behind me. I turned.
"Urgh... ngh..."
Kang had rolled off the sofa in his sleep. Oh burst out laughing, and I just shook my head.