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The next day, once work hours began, I contacted Taegwang Law Firm. They sounded thrilled and asked if we could meet right away that day. I said I could spare a moment during lunch, and they set the meeting at a hotel near Seocho-dong.
I'd dangled the bait like I was seriously considering a contract, but they were chugging not just a bowl of kimchi soup—they were downing the whole damn pot.
"Room 1005 is this way via the elevator."
Probably to avoid prying eyes, they'd set up the meeting in a hotel room. The rice cake giver wasn't even in sight, yet they seemed ready to whip out a contract.
"Cha Pro! Long time no see."
Two people were already waiting in the room: Taegwang's founder, Yoon Won-hyung, and his paralegal secretary, Ji Hye-won. I'd crossed paths with both a few times at the Seoul National University Law School alumni gatherings.
"Hello."
"Have a seat."
"Hello, Prosecutor Cha Juhan."
"I didn't expect the representative himself to show up."
"When Cha Pro's signing on the dotted line, of course I'd come."
Kimchi soup overload, indeed. I didn't respond and just sipped the coffee placed in front of me. Expensive stuff—tasted pretty good.
"Mind if I ask what changed your mind?"
"Changed my mind?"
"You turned us down without even hearing the terms, Mr. Prosecutor. Now suddenly you're reconsidering? Can't blame a guy for being curious."
I'd never squared off against Yoon Won-hyung in court. He was a veteran, and Taegwang had plenty of sharp lawyers to handle things in his stead. Still, that didn't mean we'd never clashed.
▶ MEMORY PLAYBACK
[Appeal Hearing Eve]
"Cha Juhan, Deputy Chief. Quit while you're ahead. No point dragging this out—it's a fight we're both gonna lose anyway. Right?"
DATA INTEGRITY: 100% | RECONSTRUCTION: COMPLETE
He'd shown up before my appeal hearing to warn me off. Even now, the memory pissed me off.
"Looks like Cha Pro's finally getting wise to how the world works. Watching those junior prosecutors chase pipe dreams about justice must've been painful. I figured you were one of them."
When I ignored Ji Hye-won, Yoon Won-hyung chimed in, laying out the script for how I should respond. Absurd.
Sure, on the outside I was a fifth-year prosecutor, but inside lurked a fifteenth-year deputy chief with a decade of scars.
"What a pickle."
"Pardon?"
"Didn't expect the rep himself to show up in full force. Truth is, I came here to ask you not to bother me anymore."
Confusion flashed across their faces. They'd come expecting to hand over rice cakes, but with the boss present, it was a golden disaster.
"Cha Pro. What the hell...?"
"Figured if I didn't shut this down now, you'd be calling again in two years. I've got zero interest in joining Taegwang."
The rep cleared his throat, face sour. Ji Hye-won just glanced between us, lost.
"Prosecutor Cha. You're making a mistake."
"A mistake? What mistake would that be?"
"You've already eaten our food."
Quick on the uptake.
"Must be your imagination."
"Haha. Not thinking about the future at all. You'll join a firm someday. Won't you regret treating us like this?"
"I'm leaving soon, so not that far off."
"Pardon?"
"And honestly? No regrets so far."
"...You're resigning soon? Got something lined up?"
Fishing for intel amid the irritation? Classic Ji Hye-won.
"You think we're close enough for me to share my career plans?"
She flushed, quietly setting aside the binder that likely held the contract. Yoon Won-hyung stayed silent, his eyes screaming profanities.
"Rep."
"More to say?"
"Unfortunately. Don't be too disappointed."
"What's that mean?"
"I'm still the type chasing those justice pipe dreams. We'll be clashing in court plenty."
"Hah!"
Yoon Won-hyung let out a hollow laugh, incredulous.
"If any of your lawyers face me in court, tell them to go easy."
Modesty's a virtue in Korean society.
"I'll head out then. Stay healthy."
Sincere wish. I hoped he'd live long enough to watch me dismantle Wooshin with his own eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Five days back in 2008. No more fumbling addresses, no weird flashes of strangers' pasts. Even the soul-crushing Prosecutors' Office felt tolerable.
But no more wasting time. Time to move.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT
RESIGNATION LETTER
I wrote the words on a white envelope and folded the prepared resignation inside. Processing would take time. I could ghost starting tomorrow, but with my meager severance, better to wrap it clean.
"Prosecutor, r-resignation? You serious?"
Lost in thought, chin on hand, I hadn't noticed Chief Oh Yanghun approach.
"You think I'd joke with this?"
In his past life, he'd stuck with me to the bitter end against Wooshin.
"What's this all of a sudden...? You mentioned Taegwang's offer before—are you going there?"
"No."
"You said you'd stay prosecutor till you became Prosecutor General!"
That was then. His ten-year-old fire was endearing. Sure, I avoided the local grunt life in criminal and trial divisions. But Prosecutor General? I died as a deputy chief.
"Things changed."
Wanted to ask if he'd join me, but too soon. He was one of the few I fully trusted back then—a rock-solid ally. Couldn't ask him to ditch his iron rice bowl before I'd even built mine. I'd seen him for fifteen years; to him, I was just five.
No way he'd jump ship now. Later, once funded and ready, I'd ask.
I headed to the senior prosecutor's office, resignation in hand.
"What the hell is this."
Hwang Youngchan eyed me sideways.
"My resignation."
"Why bring it here?"
"To quit."
"You think I don't get that?"
"What do you mean?"
"What the hell happened?"
He looked rattled. Probably combing his memory for any slip-ups that might've set me off. Figured I was betraying him.
"Nothing happened. Just changed my mind."
"Changed your mind? Joining Taegwang?"
"No."
"Then Jangyoung?"
"Nope."
No straight answers, so he slammed his desk.
"Answer me."
"An order?"
"Might be, if needed. You're still under me."
"Worried?"
"What?"
"Afraid I'll badmouth you?"
Subordinates keep quiet for career's sake. But I was leaving his fold—no leverage left.
Not my real reason, but watching him squirm was fun.
"What're you on about?"
"You telling me you don't know?"
"Cha Pro. What's the problem? You know how much I favored you."
"Oh, did you?"
"Oh, did you?"
He parroted me like a mynah, chuckling hollowly.
"Let's talk straight. What's eating you?"
Push further, and it'd get ugly. Time to dial back.
"No worries on that front. Just process the resignation."
"Cha Pro, you think I'm messing around? I'm looking out for you. You're hot shit inside the office, but out there? Just a five-year greenhorn. Bad timing."
Quick pivot—almost comical. Concerned? Really?
[Truth]
That instant, a holographic word floated above Hwang Youngchan's head.
What the...? Hallucinating?
I rubbed my eyes, but it lingered about five seconds before vanishing.
"You okay?"
"...Felt like something in my eye."
"Anyway, you know I'm busting my ass to promote you. Quitting now puts me in a bind, right?"
Always wondered. He talked a big game about helping me, but how much had I actually gained? How sincere was he?
[Truth]
Again, the word appeared above him.
What the hell is that?
"Cha Pro. Pay attention?"
"Senior Pro, I've said my piece. Process it. I'm out."
I bolted like a coward. Couldn't shake those floating words.
Deep in thought. Why did they appear? Common thread in those two moments?
I was questioning if Hwang Youngchan was sincere.
Then...
"Prosecutor, what'd the boss say? Can't focus wondering."
[Truth]
"Keeps blocking me, whatever. What can he do if I wanna go?"
"True. Losing talent like you? National loss."
[Truth]
"Cha Pro? Don't tell me you just submitted resignation?"
Prosecutor Lee Ye-jin rushed in, having overheard Oh Yanghun and me.
"Yeah."
"You're nuts. Fifth year already quitting? Not even poached by the boss."
"Circumstances."
She sighed, patting my shoulder.
"Sigh. Fine. You'll kill it anywhere."
[Truth]
"Thanks."
"Bummer. Part of why I dragged myself in was seeing your handsome face."
[Truth]
"If you're firm-bound, hook me up later. Might quit this prosecutor crap myself."
[Lie]
Lee Ye-jin and Chief Oh Yanghun returned to their desks, leaving me alone.
Detecting truth or lies in what people say.
Lee Ye-jin genuinely thought I'd succeed anywhere, enjoyed my looks at work. But quitting? Lie. Oh Yanghun's words: all true. Hwang Youngchan's concern and efforts? False.
"...What kind of nonsense is this."
An insane power had awakened in me.