The Cop Is Too Strong [EN]: Chapter 216

< #216. Stewardess >

Inside the van.

Detective Woo was driving, with Team Leader Oh in the passenger seat, and the rookie in the back.

Shin Hae-soo had left separately on his motorcycle.

Team Leader Oh recited the details of the call from the passenger seat.

“Approximately twenty people, not gangsters, just civilians. A brawl broke out during an alumni meeting at a bar.”

“Then it won’t be too violent, I guess.”

“Well, we’ll have to see.”

Screech-!

“We’re here.”

“Let’s go! Rookie, keep your head in the game this time!”

“Yes, sir! Understood!”

As they got out of the car, they saw men fighting in the middle of the street.

For some reason, Shin Hae-soo hadn’t arrived yet.

Crash!

“You son of a bitch! Do you think I’m still that wimp from high school?!”

Thwack thwack thwack!!

“Die, die! Die, you bastard!”

They said twenty civilians were having an alumni meeting and a brawl broke out.

But the scene unfolding on the street was anything but civilian. Everyone had a weapon in their hand, and their demeanor and physique were mostly above average.

Someone was bleeding from a head wound, collapsed on the ground, another was rolling around in agony with crushed fingers. It looked no different from a gangster turf war.

Sirens blared-!

Two police cars arrived, and Oh Geng strode forward without waiting for Hae-soo.

“Everyone’s armed, so be careful. Rookie, stay safe. Let’s go!”

“Ugh, ahhh!!”

“Yes, sir!”

The special team entered the center of the scene without hesitation, where steel chairs, mops, and golf clubs were flying around.

The rookie suppressed his trembling heart and followed behind them.

Whoosh-!

A stray golf club flew towards the rookie’s shoulder. He reflexively twisted his body to avoid it and struck the jaw of the man wielding the golf club with his left palm.

Thwack!

The man, hit squarely in the jaw by the rookie’s palm, staggered back a few steps before collapsing.

The rookie flinched, looking at his hand in disbelief.

“W-what is this?”

Then, he saw a man trying to kick the head of the fallen man.

The rookie quickly jumped out, kicked the man’s shin to stop him, grabbed his collar, spun him around, and slammed him down.

Thud!

The series of actions flowed smoothly, like a well-choreographed script. Even the person doing it had his eyes wide with surprise as he moved, which was quite comical.

“Who the hell are you?!”

Whoosh-! Crack!

Next, a bear-like man swung a steel chair, but the rookie’s face was filled with only questions.

The scene seemed to be moving abnormally slow.

It was definitely threatening, but not at all scary. The devilish face even looked cute.

‘Why, why am I like this…? ‘

In an instant, the rookie saw that man’s face overlap with someone else’s and realized the answer.

‘Sergeant Hwang Jang-soo…’

Compared to Hwang Jang-soo, that hulk was just a cute baby bear.

Thwack!

‘Instructor Ha-ru…’

Bang! Snap-

His hands and feet moved on their own. Blood splattered and weapons flew, but there was no fear.

The rookie calmly subdued each person thoroughly.

‘What on earth did you do to me…? ‘

Hae-soo, who arrived late after getting gas, nodded with a proud look on his face as he watched the changed rookie.

* * *

The violent crimes unit office was bustling for the first time in a while.

“You son of a bitch, you’re the one who started it by bringing up my wife!”

“This is revenge, revenge! You hit on my girlfriend when I was a senior in high school!”

“That bitch came on to me first, you petty bastard.”

“What? Bitch? Let’s see if you or I survive today!”

Bang bang!

“Hey! This is a police station! Keep it down!”

The perpetrators of the mass brawl were from Haesung High School alumni. Haesung High School was notorious enough to be called a gangster training center, and 10 percent of its graduates went straight into the gangster life.

More than half of those arrested already had records of violent crimes.

With so many people, everyone was busy taking statements, but only the rookie had a happy expression.

‘Twenty-one arrests, and I subdued five of them…! ‘

The rookie was very satisfied with his performance today. He had felt overwhelmed by the special team members, who all seemed superhuman, but now he felt like he could do his part, which made him feel good.

Even when he looked at the team members, who were still far ahead of him, he didn’t feel burdened but saw a lot to learn. He felt so lucky to be assigned to the special team instead of another violent crimes unit.

“Rookie, what are you spacing out for? Go get a cup of coffee.”

“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry. No, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s an order. Get some fresh air. Hae-soo and I already went.”

At Oh Geng’s words, the rookie turned to look at Hae-soo, who walked over and sat down at his desk without a word.

“Yes, sir! I’ll be right back!”

Oh Geng tilted his head as he watched the rookie leave the office with a vigorous reply.

“He’s really straightened up since coming back from sick leave. Did he go to Silmido [a remote island known for brutal military training] for his sick leave or something?”

“It’s a good thing.”

“Yeah, he seemed weak and scared, but he did pretty well today. I guess he’s adjusting now.”

Detective Woo, who was taking a statement, perked up his ears at Oh Geng and Hae-soo’s praise of the rookie.

‘Not bad, kid.’

Detective Woo was slightly jealous of Hae-soo’s rare praise, but he felt even more proud of his only junior for adapting.

* * *

Friday, the mass brawl case was neatly wrapped up, and the weekend was approaching without any major incidents other than minor drunk disturbance cases.

Chief Kwak walked over to the special team’s table with a strange expression.

“Oh Geng? What are you up to?”

“Why are you talking so creepily? What do you want?”

“Our rookie came back from sick leave without any problems, so how about a drink?”

Oh Geng frowned slightly at the unexpected invitation and looked at the rookie, who jumped up and replied.

“I’m in!”

“Oh, good response. What about Rock-dol, Muscle-mon?”

“I’m good too.”

“Oh, just a moment!”

Detective Woo hurriedly picked up his phone and went to the corner to make a call.

“…Yeah, honey, so how about meeting tomorrow? Ah, it’s an important thing, oh, thank you, love you~ Uh, yeah, sorry.”

Detective Woo hunched over until he hung up the phone, then straightened his shoulders and said with a bright smile.

“I’m free too!”

The special team members, who had seen Detective Woo’s girlfriend, shook their heads as they looked at him.

“Did he just cancel his date with his girlfriend?”

“I guess so. I don’t understand. Postponing a date with a stewardess girlfriend for a drink with a bunch of grizzled seniors…”

The rookie was so shocked by Detective Woo’s actions that he froze.

‘S-stewardess?! Detective Woo is really… amazing!’

In the world of men, stewardesses are generally fantasized to be superior in beauty and intelligence.

The rookie’s eyes welled up with emotion as he watched Detective Woo postpone his date with such a girlfriend without a moment’s hesitation and choose to have a drink with his team members.

‘That’s what it takes to become family in the special investigation team!’

The rookie clenched his fist, more determined than ever.

‘I, Kim Ha-min, will dedicate my life to this special team!’

Unlike other departments, the violent crimes division allows officers to stay as long as they want, since many try to avoid it.

Moreover, the violent crimes division in Gangjin Police Station is known for its extreme difficulty; they’re constantly seeking applicants 24/7, 365 days a year.

If the rookie’s resolve doesn’t waver, he can achieve his dream of continuing to work here.

* * *

Pork belly restaurant ‘Life Meat.’

Sizzle, sizzle.

The special team, including Chief Kwak, sat around, staring intently at the pork belly.

“Let’s eat!”

At Chief Kwak’s words, five pairs of chopsticks simultaneously and aggressively reached out to grab the meat.

‘The team dinner is my time!’

The rookie’s eyes shone with determination. His most confident skill was, in fact…

“Chief, this is my heart!”

…smooth social skills.

The rookie placed a small amount of meat, *ssamjang* [Korean spicy fermented soybean paste], scallion salad, and crushed garlic on a lettuce leaf and offered it to Chief Kwak first.

“Uhm, uhm, oh?”

Chief Kwak, who was already stuffing a large piece into his mouth, widened his eyes at the rookie’s gesture of offering him the first *ssam* [lettuce wrap] instead of eating it himself.

“Such a precious thing, ah!”

The rookie placed the *ssam* into Chief Kwak’s mouth, and Chief Kwak squeezed his eyes shut at the taste of the perfectly balanced meat wrap.

“Oh, what is this? A sensation I’ve never felt in my nearly 40 years of life?”

As Chief Kwak gave a thumbs up, Oh Gyeong’s eyes sparkled.

Knowing her feelings, the rookie quickly made a new *ssam* and offered it to Oh Gyeong.

“Ooooh!”

As the rookie made the third *ssam*, Hae-soo showed his palm.

“I’m okay, you eat.”

“Ah, wasn’t this for Section Chief Shin…? I’m sorry!”

Hae-soo was startled and closed his mouth, while the other team members chuckled. The rookie then smiled, stood up, and offered it to Hae-soo.

“Just kidding. I’m sorry! Please eat this and forgive me!”

Hae-soo couldn’t say anything after tasting it. He had to admit it. Following him, even Assistant Manager Woo received the rookie’s perfectly balanced *ssam*.

‘D-delicious…!’

Assistant Manager Woo felt a sense of crisis at the rookie’s smooth behavior, which he lacked. Moreover, it was delicious, which made it worse.

The rookie’s unique character, which hadn’t existed in the special team before, quickly livened up the dinner atmosphere.

“By the way, rookie, where did you learn boxing? You’ve completely transformed in just three weeks!”

“Ah, it’s all thanks to Section Chief Shin! Section Chief! You’re truly my benefactor. Thank you!”

The rookie, feeling good and slightly drunk, answered and bowed deeply towards Shin Hae-soo before realizing what he said and covering his mouth.

“Gasp!”

Hae-soo silently picked up and ate the meat again, while the other team members asked.

“What, what? Hae-soo helped you?”

“As expected, it’s a charge forward!” [A Korean expression referring to someone who is very direct and proactive.]

“I, I’m sorry!”

“What are you sorry for? Did Charge Forward tell you not to say it?”

As the rookie felt embarrassed, Hae-soo quietly opened his mouth.

“I told Haru to teach him a bit. I just checked in on him occasionally.”

“Ah… Ms. Haru!”

“Oh, Haru’s name came up here. Ah, let’s just drink!”

The dinner ended with the topic glossed over, and Assistant Manager Woo waited for Hae-soo before approaching him to express his dissatisfaction timidly.

“Senior…”

Hae-soo, focused on his phone to call a taxi, replied.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I’m a little… disappointed.”

“About what?”

“You’re taking care of the rookie as soon as he arrives, but I…”

Hae-soo turned his head, made eye contact with him, and asked.

“Do you want to learn too?”

“…Excuse me?”

* * *

Inside Shin Hae-soo’s house.

In the exercise room, which was decorated like a gym, cool striking sounds echoed.

Bang! Bang! Thwack!

“Ugh!”

Woo Kang-cheol, who was mindlessly taking Haru’s runaway train-like attacks, eventually groaned and collapsed to the floor.

In contrast to him, Haru’s face was radiant. She excitedly looked at Hae-soo, who was standing at the entrance with his arms crossed, and said.

“He has better striking feel and endurance than No. 1!”

Woo Kang-cheol, who was lying down, barely opened his mouth.

“H, Haru… I was still your direct senior…”

“Hey, Trainee No. 2! Get up from your spot!”

“…Argh!”

Strangely, Haru seemed to enjoy it more as the number of trainees increased, but Hae-soo, who was watching this, nodded inwardly with satisfaction.

A colleague’s growth is always a joyful thing.

* * *

A few days later, at the violent crimes division office.

Assistant Manager Woo was staring blankly at the wall at the end of the office.

They left him alone, thinking he was tired, but he was still drooping even after lunch and a short break with a drink.

His gaze was basically directed at the floor.

Concerned about his condition, Shin Hae-soo followed him when he went out for a drink and said.

“Assistant Manager Woo, if you want to stop learning, you can.”

At Hae-soo’s words, Assistant Manager Woo waved his hands vigorously.

“Ah, no. Absolutely not. I really enjoy learning. It’s not because of that.”

“Then?”

“Ah… it’s nothing. Really, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m sorry.”

Hae-soo nodded slightly and patted Assistant Manager Woo’s shoulder.

“When you want to talk, open up.”

It was nothing special, just a word of reliance, but Assistant Manager Woo felt a lump in his throat, his eyes reddened, and he lowered his head.

“…Yes, thank… you.”

After entering the office, as it got closer to quitting time.

Squeak-

Someone came to the violent crimes division office.

Clack, clack, clack.

The sound of high heels hitting the floor resounded clearly, an unfamiliar sound in this place, and heads turned one by one.

A woman with a slender figure in a tight uniform walked through the center of the violent crimes division office.

It was a stewardess uniform that anyone could recognize.

As if by magic, the detectives’ gazes all gathered. It was an irresistible force.

The end of the direction the woman was heading was Assistant Manager Woo. Assistant Manager Woo’s eyes widened as he discovered the woman.

She looked down at Assistant Manager Woo with a haughty expression, then suddenly frowned and raised both hands to strike his back.

“You idiot! Bear, you blockhead! Why didn’t you say anything, say anything!”

She was Assistant Manager Woo’s girlfriend, Oh Ji-yeon.

Oh Gyeong and Hae-soo, who had met her a few times, calmed her down.

Even in this situation, Assistant Manager Woo lowered his head and remained silent.

“Sister-in-law, please calm down first…”

Only then did she slump into the prepared chair and cover her head with her hands. Her weak voice trembled.

“We… we got scammed out of our deposit. For our honeymoon home.”