Chapter 14

CEO Kang Myeong-cheol (1)

PJ Law Office.

The aroma of high-quality drip coffee wafting from a mug spread throughout the office.

[The fallout from the so-called 'Torture, Murder, and Video Distribution Case Involving the Bucheon Police Chief's Eldest Son' continues to spread uncontrollably. Police have classified the incident as an act of terrorism against public authority and launched a large-scale investigation with a special investigation headquarters. However, online public opinion is increasingly defending the unidentified perpetrator, calling him a 'dark hero'······.]

Dong-yeop clicked his tongue as he watched the news playing on the wall-mounted television.

“Dark hero, my ass. What a load of bullshit.”

Choi Yu-gyeong, the office manager who was having coffee with him, replied in a dry voice.

“Why? I looked into the case a little, and while I don't know whether the police chief's son really was a criminal, the investigation itself certainly seems to have been shoddy. The police and prosecutors doing a half-assed job and creating innocent victims. Isn't that what you hate most, Attorney Park?”

“Sure, it's satisfying to see those police bastards get burned for doing a sloppy job. But that doesn't mean methods like that are acceptable.”

Dong-yeop abruptly rose from his seat and approached the sofa where Choi Yu-gyeong was sitting.

“Manager Choi. Do you know why the judicial system exists? Because it's just? Or because it's perfect? No. If you look closely, the judicial system isn't particularly just, and it's a far cry from perfect. Calling it a patchwork mess would be much more accurate.”

Precise pronunciation and exaggerated gestures.

The greatest reason this man, who had never worked at a major law firm, had become a regular panelist on a television show was now being demonstrated before Choi Yu-gyeong.

Of course, having witnessed this almost every day, her expression didn't change in the slightest.

“You see, the judicial system is the bare minimum leash that prevents the beasts called human beings from returning to barbarism. How horrifying would a war of all against all be? That's precisely why the state must maintain a monopoly on violence. If individuals start taking up weapons and wielding them in the name of some cause, that's nothing more than a call to return to barbarism.”

“Yes, yes. I see.”

Choi Yu-gyeong's utterly lifeless response.

Well, since this was nothing unusual, Park Dong-yeop returned quietly to his seat without any embarrassment.

[The funeral of the late Im Seong-bin was held amid overwhelming grief······.]

Meanwhile, the news had switched to a neat identification photograph of the victim, Im Seong-bin. The caption at the bottom of the screen caught Dong-yeop's attention: 'Second-Year Yeonseo University Medical Student Meets Tragic End While Volunteering.'

“······.”

A face suddenly flashed through Dong-yeop's mind.

Jeong Bareum.

If that incident four years ago had never happened, the seventeen-year-old boy who had quietly studied in his classroom would probably have grown into an outstanding university student, no less impressive than the medical student on the screen.

Considering that the boy had attended a foreign language high school rather than a science high school, and remembering the extraordinary intelligence he had displayed in court, perhaps he might even have become one of Dong-yeop's juniors at his own university.

A bitter taste filled his mouth.

How suddenly misfortune could strike a person.

And when he considered that, had the boy been even slightly less extraordinary, his misfortune might not have ended merely with becoming a convicted criminal, that very brilliance seemed all the more tragic.

If there was one fortunate thing, it was that the animal-like sharpness Bareum had displayed when Dong-yeop defended him had softened considerably during his four years in prison.

Of course, he still occasionally showed that same piercing gaze, but it was Gimcheon Prison, after all. The fact that he had emerged physically unharmed from among those beast-like inmates was proof enough that he had endured his own kind of hell.

“Manager Choi. Do I happen to have anything scheduled for lunch? I think I should arrange a lunch appointment before my afternoon trial.”

“Your schedule is clear. But who are you suddenly planning to meet?”

“Our firm's benefactor.”

“Ah, the boy who went on that shooting spree in court?”

It was thanks to the nationally sensational Jeong Bareum case that Dong-yeop had been able to establish such a respectable office and become a celebrity attorney who regularly appeared on television. In that sense, calling Bareum his benefactor would hardly be an exaggeration.

“Yeah. Bareum. You remember that Korean beef restaurant we ate at back then, right? Make a reservation for two there. A private room.”

“Yes, understood.”

___________

Premium Korean beef sizzled richly over the charcoal fire.

“So, what have you been doing lately?”

“Oh, just this and that.”

“So you're saying you haven't been doing anything.”

“Did you invite me here just to lecture me?”

“Well, partly. The meat's ready. Let's eat while we talk.”

Dong-yeop used his tongs to place a piece of perfectly cooked beef onto Bareum's plate.

“Don't waste too much time. It's about time you started pulling yourself together. If you don't know what to do right away, at least prepare for the high school equivalency exam. With your brains, you'll pass in no time.”

“I already passed. While I was in prison.”

“Really?”

He felt proud of the boy.

It wasn't simply because Bareum had passed the equivalency exam. More than that, it was because the boy evidently hadn't given up on his life entirely.

“You little rascal. If you'd passed, you should've told me sooner. I've been worrying for nothing. So what about preparing for the college entrance exam?”

“The college entrance exam?”

“Why are you so surprised? More than eighty percent of people in South Korea go on to university. It's a country where you need a university degree even if you're going to spend your life shoveling shit somewhere. Besides, academic credentials might not seem like a big deal, but they're surprisingly important. If you can, you should graduate from the best university possible.”

Bareum smiled.

But Dong-yeop could tell that the emotion behind that smile was anything but positive.

“Why? You think academic credentials won't matter because you've got a criminal record?”

“······.”

“Come on, man. Go ask anyone in South Korea. A convicted criminal who graduated from Seoul National University and a convicted criminal who only finished middle school. Do you think people see them as the same kind of ex-convict? Besides, you're only twenty-two now. If you enter university next year, you'll be twenty-three. Just think of it as having taken the entrance exam three times. Actually, considering that other guys have to serve in the military, you might as well consider yourself someone who only took one extra year.”

Bareum silently picked up the tongs and turned the meat over on the charcoal grill.

“Your starting line just got a little twisted, that's all. You're still young, with your whole life ahead of you. Go to university, make ordinary friends, and try preparing for a job like everyone else. Sure, you might have trouble finding employment. But if I were the boss, I'd hire you without question. You know I absolutely hate vigilante justice, right? But you've already been punished. And for a juvenile, you served a sentence that was more than harsh enough. I believe you've earned every right to live an ordinary, normal life for the rest of your days.”

An ordinary life.

Although his words sounded rather old-fashioned and preachy, Dong-yeop was undoubtedly sincere. He genuinely wanted Bareum to escape the shackles of his past and live an 'ordinary life.'

But at the edge of Bareum's vision, something beyond Dong-yeop's imagination was quietly glowing.

[Current Status]

Strength: 50 (First Limit)

Durability: 50 (First Limit)

Stamina: 50 (First Limit)

Karma Held: 5,023

After speaking passionately for quite some time, Dong-yeop suddenly glanced at his wristwatch and clicked his tongue.

“Look at the time already. Good grief, there are so many things I still want to tell you. I know you're probably letting my words go in one ear and out the other because you think I'm nagging. But you're a smart kid, so I trust you'll understand everything. Think about it seriously. I've already paid for the meal, so take your time and finish eating before you leave. I'll tell the staff at the counter, so if there's anything else you want, order as much as you like.”

“Do you have something urgent to attend to?”

“What could a lawyer possibly be busy with besides defending other people?”

Dong-yeop took his jacket from the clothing care cabinet in the corner of the private room, put it on, and let out a small sigh.

“If only every client I handled were like you.”

“Is there something you're unhappy about?”

“Haah······. Well, emotionally speaking······ Ah, forget it. What am I even saying to you? You'll understand when you're an adult. You can't go through life doing only the things you like. So you too, kid. Stop trying to do only what you want. Listen to your big brother and go study. Don't settle for being an ex-convict who passed the equivalency exam. Become an ex-convict who graduated from Seoul National University. Got it?”

Dong-yeop buttoned his jacket and left the private room.

______________

The moment Attorney Park Dong-yeop closed the door behind him, I quietly set down my chopsticks.

The grill was still full of perfectly cooked Korean beef, but I didn't have much of an appetite. I was far more interested in the expression that had crossed his face just before he left.

'Emotionally speaking······.'

The fleeting disgust that had appeared on his face as his words trailed off.

He was, after all, a lawyer specializing in criminal defense. The very nature of his profession meant that he had to be willing to defend even murderers as long as they paid him, and with seven years of experience, he must have adapted well enough to that reality. Yet here was a client who made even him unconsciously reveal his disgust······.

Just how extraordinary a villain could this person be?

My interest was piqued.

I rose from my seat and quietly began following him.

The courthouse building could only be described as majestic.

I passed through the security checkpoint, which carried a peculiar sense of tension. For a moment, memories of my efforts to get through this checkpoint several years ago crossed my mind.

I could see Attorney Park Dong-yeop's back in the distance.

I headed toward the courtroom he had entered.

Case Number 2026 Gohap 1024

Case: Occupational Negligence Resulting in Death and Violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act

I quietly pushed open the tightly shut doors leading to the public gallery and stepped inside.

Despite the cold air from the courtroom's air conditioning, I could feel the heavy warmth of so many bodies gathered together. Unlike ordinary criminal trials, where the galleries were often nearly empty, this courtroom was so crowded that it was difficult to find an unoccupied seat.

Bereaved family members dressed in black mourning clothes sat with faces full of anger. Behind them were people wearing vests bearing the names of various organizations, and among the crowd were reporters with laptops resting on their knees.

It was clear evidence that this trial had attracted considerable public attention.

The very back row of the public gallery, beyond the reach of most people's gazes.

I quietly squeezed myself into a seat in the corner.

Beyond the low wooden barrier separating the public gallery from the trial area, a middle-aged man sat upright in the defendant's seat, dressed neatly in an expensive-looking tailored suit. Beside him, the familiar figure of Attorney Park Dong-yeop stood organizing documents with an impassive expression.

“All rise, please.”

At the court officer's dry announcement, the door on the right side of the courtroom opened, and the judges entered.

—Clench.

My jaw tightened involuntarily.

Of course, these were different people from those who had passed judgment on Hong Chang-sik and me.

But the position they occupied and the judicial robes they wore seemed to erase their individual identities, making them appear to me as nothing more than judges.

A light, deep breath.

“Please be seated. Case Number 2026 Gohap 1024. We will now begin the sentencing hearing for the defendant, Kang Myeong-cheol.”

The trial began.

© Myoyeop#12ipk

Author's Note

Thank you!!