Chapter 49: The Weight of Decisions

"Is it a difficult task, Chief Prosecutor?"

Despite the smile on his face, my voice was icy.

If he had truly forgotten the significance of my actions in saving him, then perhaps it wouldn't hurt to remind him once in a while…

A gentle reminder might not be such a bad thing.

As my tone shifted, Chief Prosecutor Yoon waved his hands dismissively.

"No, it's just that the atmosphere at the Prosecutor's Office has been tense lately. I was wondering if my relationship with the President has soured. It seems he doesn't think highly of me anymore."

I nodded.

It wasn't an unreasonable concern.

The former Prosecutor General, aligned with the previous regime, had stepped down, and the acting role was filled by the current appointee. However, the President called Chief Prosecutor Yoon more often than him.

Moreover, since Yoon was from the last examination class and the new Prosecutor General was from the second, they couldn't possibly be on good terms.

But that wasn't my concern.

"I understand, but please don't forget where everything you enjoy now originated from, Chief Prosecutor Yoon."

His expression hardened at my words.

I continued without averting my gaze.

"Did you choose to ally with my grandfather, or did you see a future with me? Why do you hesitate when I mention my personal matters?"

Chief Prosecutor Yoon forced a stiff smile, chuckling awkwardly.

"Is your personality so impatient that you'd risk a major decision over such a trivial matter? I wasn't contemplating whether to grant your request; I was simply curious why you played that card. Don't take it personally."

I kept quiet, just observing him. His eyes darted around restlessly.

"If I offended you, I apologize. I wasn't considering whether to help but rather how I could forget who put me in this position in the first place!"

"Please don't let me down, Chief Prosecutor. I hope to maintain our connection, whether you become Prosecutor General or retire afterward."

"Do you really think I don't know that? Now tell me, why are you making such a request?"

For now, I decided to leave it at that.

I withdrew my gaze and took another sip of the sujeonggwa.

"The reason I'm asking you about Geukseong Construction is…"

Chief Prosecutor Yoon nodded as he listened to my words.

When I finished explaining, he rubbed his chin, looking troubled.

"To tackle this properly, it seems we need to involve the Supreme Prosecutors' Office. If we get the Kim Se-young involved, it's no longer just our district's affair. Regardless of the President's faction, they are a three-term ruling party, after all."

"That won't do. You must control this. The moment it goes to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, I can't handle this case. With my grandfather's help, it might be possible, but I want to settle this myself. That's why I brought up the request, isn't it?"

Chief Prosecutor Yoon nodded gravely.

"Hmm… I see. We should start with the Violent Crimes Department and focus on investigating the gangsters, then?"

I handed him the envelope I had set aside.

"This contains the basic corruption documents. If you work off that, you should be able to dig in easily."

As he glanced over the documents inside, Chief Prosecutor Yoon looked surprised.

"Does this include information on Kim Se-young?"

"That's the key, after all."

I added, noting the wry smile on the Chief Prosecutor's face.

"If this turns into a large-scale scandal involving politicians and civil servants, it won't reflect badly on you. Just make sure it doesn't slip away to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office; the Prosecutor General might try to snatch it from you."

"I won't let that happen. I'll contact you before any warrants are issued. I'll have him in cuffs in a few weeks."

"Thank you. Also, before the arrest warrant for Jo Hyun-gu is issued, could you discreetly leak information to Kim Se-young's side?"

Chief Prosecutor Yoon looked at me with a puzzled expression.

He really thought this would only end with Jo Hyun-gu being arrested? How naive.

"That's the plan; Jo Hyun-gu will likely try to escape. After transferring the stocks, it'll be easy to arrest him. If he buys his way out, he'll live like a king in jail, won't he?"

Seeing the smirk on my face, Chief Prosecutor Yoon looked horrified.

"Hah… You're truly terrifying. Whether it was with your uncle or this time, I wouldn't want to make you an enemy."

"But to my allies, I'm quite the good person, right?"

"Hahaha."

Chief Prosecutor Yoon stood up first, taking the envelope with him.

"I'll head out first and contact you soon."

As he left, closing the door behind him, I took a sip of refreshing water, pondering my next steps.

What had just been a verbal agreement shouldn't be taken lightly; a warning must be conveyed clearly.

A moment later, Manager Ma entered as I was deep in thought.

"He's gone?"

"He just left."

"Did you hand over the money?"

"Yes, it's in the trunk before the Chief Prosecutor left."

"Good work."

I left the traditional meal restaurant with Manager Ma.

As I gazed out the window of the swaying car, I suddenly asked.

"What about Jo Chan-sung?"

"Not yet."

"I wonder when Park Dong-su will make his move…"

I leaned my head against the seat and closed my eyes.

Two days later, I got a call from Park Dong-su.

I took care of Jo Chan-sung.

"Really? Good job. Who executed it?"

I sent him down to Geoje Island for now. If he stays in Busan, he might get caught or Jo Hyun-gu might find out.

"Great work. You took care of the hidden funds, right?"

Of course.

"I've got my side ready too, so there won't be any investigations into President Park's side. Don't worry and just wait. Soon, Jo Hyun-gu will disappear somewhere, and then we'll take over everything, right?"

Isn't that my specialty? Don't worry about it.

"Sure."

I hung up and turned to Manager Ma.

"They took care of it; can you check which hospital they're at?"

Manager Ma, bowing his head, stepped outside.

Watching Manager Ma's car disappear into the distance, I murmured.

"This is just the beginning. Look forward to what's coming."

* * *

"What? What the hell are you talking about? Our Chan-sung was attacked?"

The furious voice of Jo Hyun-gu echoed from the office of Geukseong Construction.

"They said it's at Korea University Hospital? Got it, I'm on my way now!"

His face was flushed with anger.

After hanging up, he immediately called someone on the intercom.

"Hey! They say Chan-sung got attacked in the Achilles tendon. Who are we at war with right now? I mean, even in a war, there are rules—don't touch family!"

Huh? What do you mean Chan-sung was attacked?

"Damn! I don't even know what's happening. I have to head out now; get the kids ready, and what about Won-chun? Is he still unreachable?"

Yes, we've sent people out to look for him…

"What the hell is going on? Keep looking for Won-chun!"

Yes.

As Jo Hyun-gu rushed into the emergency room, he spotted Jo Chan-sung lying there, his leg suspended in mid-air.

"Chan-sung!"

Jo Chan-sung turned his head weakly to look at him.

"Ah, Dad…"

"What happened? What's going on? Who did this? Who was it!"

Jo Hyun-gu's roar filled the emergency room.

Patients and their guardians turned their startled faces toward him.

"Excuse me, sir, please lower your voice. You can't make noise in the emergency room."

A nearby doctor rushed in to calm Jo Hyun-gu, but he had already lost all reason.

"What? Are you talking to me like that? Does this punk know who I am!"

The doctor, taken aback by Jo Hyun-gu's raised voice, looked around helplessly.

Moments later, a security guard entered, but Jo Hyun-gu's subordinates blocked him.

In the end, the continuous ruckus attracted the police, but they left after a brief conversation.

After some time, Jo Hyun-gu, suppressing his anger, turned to Jo Chan-sung.

"Do you remember their faces?"

"I can't recall; they rushed at me out of nowhere. I think there were two men…"

Jo Hyun-gu gritted his teeth in thought.

'Won-chun disappeared suddenly, who the hell were those guys?'

As the ominous aura from Jo Hyun-gu's men filled the emergency room, a gaze was fixed on them from outside through the window.

A wicked smile crept upon Mu-hyeok's lips.

* * *

I calmly turned and made my way to Hyeon-seong's hospital room.

As I opened the door, Hyeon-seong and his mother welcomed me.

"You're here."

"Is Mu-hyeok here? Did he eat?"

"He has. Mom, Hyeon-seong will be discharged next week, right?"

Hyeon-seong's mother nodded in response.

"Are you planning to stay in Seoul for a while?"

"Once I get to Myeong-su's place, I'll make sure to cook for you guys before heading back. I imagine it's a mess with only guys at home."

Hyeon-seong's mother shot a skeptical glance at Hyeon-seong.

"Hahaha… How's Ji-seong doing?"

"Ji-seong is different from others; he manages well on his own. This guy is like a bear, taking after his dad, and that's a problem."

Hyeon-seong subtly turned his head to avoid his mother's sharp gaze.

His mother clicked her tongue.

"You two keep talking. I've been stuck in this hospital room too long; I need to get some fresh air. I'll go for a walk outside."

"Sure, Mom."

With his mother gone, it was just the two of us.

"…I heard Jo Chan-sung was brought to the emergency room."

At my words, Hyeon-seong looked at me in surprise.

I felt good when I had thought about it earlier, but now, telling Hyeon-seong, it didn't feel as satisfying.

"They say his Achilles tendon was cut. That bastard ruined his career; serves him right."

Despite my continuous remarks, Hyeon-seong only stared at me silently.

"…"

"Why? Speak up."

Hyeon-seong, who had been staring for a long moment, finally blurted out.

"Was that really necessary?"

"What do you mean? Who's worried about whom?"

"Mu-hyeok, I hope you don't change too much. Don't overdo it for my sake."

"What's there to change?"

Is now really the time for you to worry about me?

Honestly, this foolish guy…

"Enough. I'm planning to take tenfold—no, a hundredfold—revenge if anyone around me gets hurt."

"Mu-hyeok…"

I turned away from Hyeon-seong's sympathetic gaze and stood up.

"Let's meet when I get discharged next week. It's been a while since we all had a meal together, cooked by Mom."

I left the hospital room without waiting for Hyeon-seong's reply.

Sitting in Manager Ma's car, I stared blankly out the window.

Had I really changed?

It wasn't hard to answer that self-deprecating question.

I returned from the brink of death; it was strange that I hadn't changed.

In fact, I thought it was a welcome and fortunate change. I saved Grandma, didn't forget my friends, and earned my grandfather's trust.

But then why…

"…Manager Ma?"

"Yes, Boss?"

"Am I thinking about this the wrong way?"

Manager Ma glanced at me before pulling over to the side of the road.

"What do you mean?"

"Everything I'm doing for revenge on behalf of my friend."

Manager Ma's steady gaze remained fixed on me.

"Hyeon-seong said he hopes I don't change. Maybe he thinks I'm doing this because of him. To be honest, I'm more angry about what happened to my friends; it feels more like a quest for satisfaction for myself."

"If it's weighing on your mind, you can always stop. Only you can make that decision, Boss."

The car fell into silence once again.

Eventually, a small sigh escaped into the air.

"Right, the responsibility of my decision lies with me. Let's get going; I'm tired."

Without a word, Manager Ma started driving again.

A few days later,

After finishing the discharge procedures, I took Hyeon-seong and his mother to Myeong-su's house.

I helped Hyeon-seong out of the car; he still needed a wheelchair since his left leg and arm weren't fully healed.

"Congrats on your discharge!"

"Thanks!"

As we entered, Myeong-su greeted us.

"Mom, is that you? Hyeon-seong, you jerk!"

"Hey! Don't do that!"

Hyeon-seong panicked at Myeong-su's eager approach.

"Everyone, just sit and relax. Mom will make something delicious for you all."

"Wow! It's been ages since I had food made by my mom. I can't wait!"

Hyeon-seong's mother laughed heartily at Myeong-su's antics before heading into the kitchen.

While the three of us chatted after so long, the phone rang.

"Hang on, I'll take this call."

Hyeon-seong went into his room to answer the phone.

"This is Kim Mu-hyeok speaking."

Is this Mu-hyeok? Can we talk?

It was a call from Chief Prosecutor Yoon.