The Inspector Is Getting Promoted! [EN]: Chapter 63

My Man (2)

Not just a quick reply, but a direct call.

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat unnecessarily before answering.

“Yes, this is Choi Seo-jun.”

-How could you be so indifferent after sending a reply a month late?

A slightly sharp voice.

It’s been so long since I’ve contacted a woman privately outside of work-related matters that I’m not used to it.

“I was really busy. I’m sorry.”

-Hmph, I saw you all over the news, so I figured you were busy…….

She trailed off and then spoke again.

-Are you less busy now?

“Ah…….”

-Tell me quickly. I’m calling you briefly right before going into a shoot.

“Yes, yes. The case I was working on has been closed…… Well, not exactly closed, but it’s being transferred elsewhere, so anyway, the busy period is over.”

-Then let’s have coffee next week.

“Next week?”

-Yes. Next Wednesday is my only free day next week, so make sure you clear your schedule then too.

“……Excuse me?”

Just then, the voice of a man, presumably her manager, came from beyond the receiver.

-Jiyu, we need to start the shoot right now. Come quickly.

-Okay, I’m coming.

She said urgently.

-Next Wednesday. Whether you use your vacation or run away, make sure you clear your schedule. If you don’t come, I’m storming the prosecutor’s office.

“No, what are you…….”

Click.

The call ended before I could even reply.

I feel like I’ve been completely wrapped around Han Jiyu’s finger.

But her personality seems to have changed quite a bit from before.

I’ve heard that actors sometimes get so immersed in their roles that their personalities change. Is that it?

Or maybe it’s because she’s free from Chief Kang Hyun-soo’s clutches.

But all of this wasn’t exactly unpleasant.

My face flushed for no reason, even though no one was watching.

A strange emotion bloomed for no reason.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt so restless.

Come on, what am I thinking?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts about her and returned to the office.

As soon as I sat down at my desk, my gaze involuntarily went to the calendar.

Next Wednesday.

I don’t have anything urgent, so I might be able to see her after work.

“Prosecutor.”

I was startled by the voice I heard while thinking about my appointment with Han Jiyu and answered.

“Yes?”

Yoon Seol-ha chuckled briefly and approached me with a stack of documents.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“It’s nothing. What are those documents?”

“It’s about transferring the Punisher case to the Public Prosecution Department. You need to approve it.”

“Ah, that. I understand. Put them there.”

“Yes.”

She put the documents down on one side of the table and leaned in to say softly.

“If you have any questions about dating, feel free to ask. I’m a step ahead of you in that area.”

I was so surprised that I pulled my neck back and widened my eyes.

What is this woman?

Yoon Seol-ha winked and whispered.

“It’s written all over your face, ‘I’m excited.'”

Damn it.

Is Yoon Seol-ha really a ghost?

Buzz.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

-From: Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung

-Please let me know the time and place for today’s report regarding the Special Investigations Department matters, and I will adjust accordingly.

I sent a reply telling him to come to my officetel [a Korean term for a multi-purpose building, often used as a residence] by 8 PM and closed my phone.

Let’s focus.

***

-Punisher Case Imminent Transfer to Prosecution. The End of a Serial Psychopath

-The nine serial murder and attempted serial murder cases known as the Punisher case are nearing completion. Once the investigation headquarters is disbanded tomorrow, the case will be transferred to the prosecution. ……(Omitted)…… In this regard, Prosecutor Choi Seo-jun’s contribution seems to have been significant.

-Fact Punch Reporter Park Hae-yoon

In the end, Fact Punch succumbed to public opinion.

Since the public considers me the biggest contributor to solving the Punisher case, the media can’t go against that opinion.

“Serves them right.”

“I agree. They were so busy tearing you down, but now they’re praising you. Haha.”

“Thanks to you, Prosecutor, both Soo-hyung and I have made a good impression.”

Reporter Park Soo-hyung also joked in response to PD [Production Director] Song Jae-hoon’s words.

“It feels strange to say it, but thank you.”

“Hahaha, I caught the Punisher thanks to both of you. There’s no need to thank me. And…….”

I smiled and said.

“Instead of ‘Prosecutor,’ call me Seo-jun. Being called ‘Prosecutor’ makes it sound like I’m trying to be serious, doesn’t it? Haha.”

“Should we? Then let’s all call each other by our names.”

“Sounds good.”

“Then right away…….”

After laughing and drinking a few beers, it was already well past 7 PM.

“I should probably get going now.”

I buttoned my suit jacket and stood up.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes. I have an appointment.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.”

“Let’s have another drink next time.”

“Sure.”

As I picked up the bill, PD Song Jae-hoon stopped me.

“No, Prosecutor…… I mean, Seo-jun. Today…….”

I shook my head.

“Kim Young-ran Act [anti-graft law in South Korea].”

I winked and headed to the counter with the bill.

These are people I don’t mind paying for.

We met because of work, but as time goes on, I feel like we’re becoming comfortable and good friends.

I’m realizing more and more that what future me said about them being friends I’ll have for life is true.

I think these two are truly my people.

***

“……So, Chief Kang Hyun-soo was kept in check, but it was through the media, and there were no other direct challenges.”

“The chief prosecutor was the same?”

“Yes. Chief Prosecutor Kim Jae-wook only moved through Chief Kang Hyun-soo and didn’t act separately.”

“That’s good enough.”

The person sitting in front of me is Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung from the Special Investigations Department.

While I was in the Joint Investigation Headquarters, I left my position in the Special Investigations Department and entrusted him with monitoring the affairs of the Special Investigations Department and Chief Kang Hyun-soo, who needed to be kept in check the most.

Frankly speaking, this was a kind of test.

A test to see if he was a trustworthy guy or if he would become an opportunist and side with Chief Kang Hyun-soo because of this.

Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung passed the test very well.

It’s safe to say that he’s somewhat on my side.

Of course, it would be too hasty to trust him 100% yet.

The only reason I chose Lee Doo-hyung from among the many prosecutors in the Special Investigations Department is that he is the only one who didn’t graduate from a SKY university [the top three universities in South Korea: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University] but from a local university. Moreover, his family is unremarkable, and he hasn’t gotten on the right lines, so there’s no possibility of him rising any further.

Thinking about this in reverse, the fact that he entered the Special Investigations Department without any connections means that his abilities are outstanding.

He’s a typical case of someone who has the ability but can’t succeed because he doesn’t have any backing.

When I first saw Lee Doo-hyung, I thought, ‘He’s like me.’

A person in the same situation as me when I was stuck in Gwangju.

Of course, I didn’t choose Lee Doo-hyung out of sympathy.

In this world, such emotions are a luxury.

The more someone like this has no connections, the more they will have no choice but to grab my hand when I reach out to them.

Because it will be the only ray of light in a desperate reality where they can’t be promoted.

Since I’m the only one they can trust, they’ll be completely loyal to me, and naturally, they’ll become ‘my man.’

He’ll be a loyal person who will work for me.

The higher you go, the more you need to create loyal subordinates to secure your back.

Above all, I’m a promising prosecutor with a bright future who can pull others up, and as I continue to succeed, I can pull my people up, so naturally, people will flock to me.

I chose Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung as the first step in selecting people who will become my people.

He continued with a serious look.

“I think Chief Prosecutor Kim Jae-wook put you in the Joint Investigation Headquarters to mess with you in the first place.”

He has some sense, and he’s quite decent the more I look at him.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“Ah, I see…….”

His eyes were trustworthy enough.

There was no lie, and there were no signs of betrayal.

However, in order for him to become my right-hand man, I needed a sure thing.

A sure thing that would make me trust him absolutely.

I put my hands together on my knees. My upper body naturally leaned closer to him.

“Prosecutor Lee.”

“Yes, sir.”

“No, Doo-hyung.”

His expression changed when I called him by his name.

I couldn’t help but feel like I was seeing my own reflection when I was called by Chief Prosecutor Kim Seok-won.

He replied with a determined expression.

“Yes.”

“Shall we work together properly?”

Lee Doo-hyung’s eyes began to shine.

“Does that mean…….”

“We have to go up together.”

I twisted the corners of my lips slightly.

“Upwards.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed greatly, as if he had swallowed hard.

“I’ll become a senior prosecutor, and you’ll become a deputy senior prosecutor. How about it?”

“I will be loyal to you, sir!”

He looked at me earnestly, clenching his fists tightly.

“It’s not easy to join hands with me. You know what I’ve done so far. Taking down seniors, holding press conferences about it…… It’s not a normal thing.”

“I can do it. Becoming a villain to defeat great evil is nothing. I’m fully prepared to get covered in filth to get rid of the dirty bastards. Just give me a chance.”

Trembling.

I could feel the trembling in his voice.

That’s how desperate and urgent the lifeline I gave him must be.

“Are you really sure you can do it?”

“Yes. Just tell me what to do.”

I deliberately paused for a moment.

Just as his desperation reached its peak, I looked him straight in the eye and opened my mouth.

“Chief Prosecutor.”

His pupils shook.

“Bring me something that can take down the chief prosecutor.”

“Chief Prosecutor……?”

“Yes, Kim Jae-wook, the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. I mean, bring me data that can bring that man down.”

The final gateway.

Of course, it’s not a matter of accepting, but he has to bring it himself and prove his ability to truly become my man.

It wouldn’t be strange if he turned around now, saying it would be too much.

Because it’s Kim Jae-wook, the chief prosecutor.

I’m also thinking about the possibility of Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung betraying me and siding with Chief Prosecutor Kim Jae-wook.

Of course, I can make this offer because I know that even if this fact leaks out, it won’t be a problem for me since I’m in such an antagonistic relationship with him.

Lee Doo-hyung closed his eyes.

His brain must be working faster than ever.

I didn’t urge him.

Urging is the behavior of someone in a weaker position.

The true superior is the one who waits leisurely, that’s all.

As time goes on, he will become more impatient.

He’ll worry that his inability to make a decision easily will make him look unsure.

Knowing that, I stood up and said.

“Think about it slowly. I’ll make you a cup of coffee.”

“No. I don’t need to think about it anymore.”

He opened his eyes wide and stood up, following me.

“I’ll do it.”

Prosecutor Lee Doo-hyung said with a more determined face than I had ever seen him wear.

“I will somehow find data that can take down Chief Prosecutor Kim Jae-wook.”

“Are you sure you can do it?”

“If I don’t have it, I’ll create it. I’ll go all-in on you, sir.”

That’s it.

I can tell for sure by looking at his eyes.

Lee Doo-hyung is 99% my man.

The last 1% will be filled by the evidence that can take down Chief Prosecutor Kim Jae-wook.

I twisted the corners of my lips as much as possible and reached out my hand to him.

“Let’s do well.”

“I won’t let you down, sir!”

He bowed his head and took my hand.

The full moon, shining brightly outside the window, was heading vigorously towards the south.