Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 132: The Nuclear Bomb Dropped on Seoul (7)

Before coming to Seoul, Kim Hyun-seong meticulously planned and assessed all the tools at his disposal.

Go Chang-beom from Myungjin Construction.

Congressman Kim Pan-ho.

Choi Seung-pil, Chairman of the School Violence Prevention Committee.

And Lee Mi-so from the Mom Café, among others.

Lost in thought, Kim Hyun-seong underlined Lee Mi-so’s name several times.

*Lee Mi-so wasn’t part of my original plan. While her rapid growth of the Mom Café has opened up more options, her real strength lies in her husband’s position. If I can somehow leverage Gang Dong-chul, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, then my plan can become even more flawless.*

His relationship with Lee Mi-so was strictly a one-sided power dynamic.

If used correctly, and given that Gang Dong-chul would be concerned about his child’s future, he judged that there was room for negotiation.

However, things did not go as he had hoped.

After assigning a messenger to gather information on Gang Dong-chul, he learned that this man was more formidable than he had anticipated.

“Do you know what they call Deputy Chief Prosecutor Gang Dong-chul in the prosecution circles? They call him ‘the Butcher’s Knife.’ Whenever a high-profile figure needs to be brought down, if it’s for a just cause and social justice, he’s the type who would risk his own career to wield the blade. That’s why no one in the prosecution dares to touch him. He’s incredibly competent, has an impressive background, and has no blemish on his record. Who would dare cross him? After spending several sleepless nights investigating, it’s clear—he’s not someone who would agree to any ‘personal vendettas.’”

This was unexpected.

Seeing Lee Mi-so, who would spend a fortune on her child’s education, he had assumed that her husband, Gang Dong-chul, might also have some materialistic tendencies. But in reality, he was a man who left no room for compromise. What would happen if someone like Gang Dong-chul, known for his uncompromising stance, was approached with a proposal involving his child or a deal through his wife?

It would end in disaster.

In fact, the blade might turn back towards him.

*“Gang Dong-chul is off the table.”*

Kim Hyun-seong crossed out his name.

Surprisingly, he didn’t feel disappointed.

Knowing that Gang Dong-chul was a man of justice gave him a reason to keep an eye on him.

*“There will definitely be legal elements in my future plans. Originally, I was thinking of hiring a lawyer through Go Chang-beom, but if I can find a legal professional associated with Gang Dong-chul, someone who is principled regardless of their personal ability, that would be ideal. And Lee Mi-so could serve as a useful connection to such people.”*

As soon as he finished thinking, he contacted Lee Mi-so.

He had two specific requests:

1. A highly competent lawyer.
2. A lawyer who does not succumb to corruption.

As expected, her cheerful voice came through the phone.

“Oh, I know just the person. I’ll introduce you to Lawyer Park Jong-su. He’s a former prosecutor, just like my husband, but he left the office after clashing with higher-ups. His skills are top-notch, and if he were someone who could be swayed by corruption, he wouldn’t be practicing law. I’m not sure why you need a lawyer, but I’ll call him and explain the situation.”

A few days later, Kim Hyun-seong received a call from Park Jong-su.

* * *

Is this what it feels like if a tiger were born as a human?

His muscular build was nearly bursting out of his suit, not quite fitting the image of a lawyer.

More like a detective in the violent crimes division.

Even the lead police officer flinched at the sight of Park Jong-su, who was striding towards them.

“Here’s my card.”

Park Jong-su handed out his business card to each person.

After thoroughly establishing that he was indeed a lawyer, he stood next to Kim Hyun-seong to demonstrate whose side he was on.

“I’ve been briefed on the situation. These students tried to extort my client by faking an assault, the homeroom teacher sided with them without thoroughly assessing the facts, and the police officers and vice-principal here attempted to downplay a serious issue as if it were nothing. Hyun-seong, did I get that right? The text message was a bit brief, so I couldn’t quite grasp the nonsensical situation.”

“There’s been a misunderstanding. We were just considering Hyun-seong’s perspective—”

“Did I ask for your input?”

Jang Won-gi clammed up.

Confronted by Park Jong-su’s intimidating stare, he couldn’t muster a rebuttal.

Back when he was a prosecutor, people called Park Jong-su a “mad dog.”

If Gang Dong-chul was a “butcher’s knife,” then Park Jong-su was someone who would latch on and never let go until his opponent was dead.

Park Jong-su looked back at Kim Hyun-seong.

“Did I get that right?”

“Correct.”

“Hah, in that case…”

He slowly turned his gaze.

From Jang Won-gi to the police officer and then to Jin Kyung-hee.

He locked eyes with each of them, his gaze fierce.

“There’s a lot of legal grounds for a dispute here. Sometimes, those who work in schools mistakenly believe that what happens inside is governed by a different set of laws than the outside world. For example, they might think that a teacher’s reprimand can settle an instance of bullying among minors—such a huge misconception. I’m sorry, but this is a case that must be formally prosecuted. This isn’t something that can be resolved with just a few words. If these students’ false accusations had been accepted, my client, the national top scorer, would have suffered immeasurable damage. Therefore, we demand proper punishment. If the school takes appropriate action, we’ll confine the issue to these students. However, if the response is lukewarm, we will hold the school accountable as well.”

“…I think this is a bit excessive. Do we really need to push these young students to such an extreme?”

It was Jin Kyung-hee who spoke.

Park Jong-su smiled slyly.

“That’s not for me to decide. The court will determine if it’s excessive or not.”

Everyone instinctively understood.

There was no reasoning with Park Jong-su.

And there was no reasoning with Kim Hyun-seong, his client, either.

Perhaps sensing a foreboding feeling, Go Dong-soo and his friends hurriedly fell to their knees, shouting.

“We’re sorry!”

“We were really wrong!”

“We won’t ever do it again! We were blinded by the moment and made a mistake, knowing it was wrong. If you just forgive us this once, we promise not to cause any trouble until we graduate. Please.”

They were desperate.

Park Jong-su’s gaze shifted to them.

Back in his prosecutor days, he met many people.

And he knew better than anyone that the weight of guilt isn’t determined by age.

“Kids, a mistake, you see, is when there’s no malicious intent involved. It’s not a dirty scheme stained with malice like yours. A mistake is tripping and accidentally pushing the person in front of you. But calling a deliberate action a mistake, just because you had something to gain, is considered a crime by the court. Vice Principal, what do you intend to do?”

There was no other choice.

The Golden Circle would always be ready to discard their pawns whenever necessary, despite providing them with enough compensation.

Jin Kyung-hee, looking regretful, spoke up.

“…Understood. We’ll handle it as you and Hyun-seong want, Lawyer Park.”

* * *

The situation was settled for now.

Outside, Park Jong-su turned to Kim Hyun-seong and asked.

“What kind of kid are you, anyway?”

Earlier this year.

Park Jong-su had been contacted by Lee Mi-so.

She needed a lawyer who met two specific conditions, and Kim Hyun-seong’s proposal was shockingly appealing.

For the next year, he wanted Park Jong-su to be his dedicated lawyer and offered 10 million won for each call. Not for taking on cases and handling trials—just for a few hours of managing confusing situations. If things went to trial, there would be additional compensation.

If that were all there was to it…

Park Jong-su wouldn’t have taken it.

If he were the type to take on work solely for money, he would still be thriving as a prosecutor.

But Park Jong-su contacted Kim Hyun-seong to confirm one final condition.

“Yes, it’s exactly as I told Mrs. Min-woo. All cases involving me will only apply when I’m an ‘unilateral victim.’ There might be situations where I retaliate after being attacked first, but at least if you take on a case involving me, you won’t have to betray your sense of justice. And if that happens—if during the process of arguing, you feel that I am in the wrong—you’re free to drop the case at any time. I won’t claim any penalty fees for it.”

It was an absurd proposal.

There’s a truth he learned from being a lawyer.

The world is never just—that’s an immutable fact.

He had quit being a prosecutor to pursue justice, but as a lawyer, he had witnessed countless dirty situations.

Even those who were clearly in the wrong would deny it.

And when the truth was eventually revealed, they would invoke the lawyer’s duty.

To ensure confidentiality.

To defend them.

That’s why he was intrigued.

The notion that he wouldn’t have to betray his

sense of justice.

That’s why Park Jong-su accepted the case.

But this seemed strange.

He had been told to wait in a nearby café on the first day of school, and now, just like that, a situation where Hyun-seong was clearly the victim unfolded.

To Park Jong-su’s question.

Kim Hyun-seong smiled bitterly.

“Well, the only thing I can tell you for sure is…”

He turned his head.

The grand building of Daesung Future High School, representing Gangnam, caught his eye.

“Here, I’m like a thorn in their side. That’s all I can explain to you.”

* * *

In the vice principal’s office.

Jin Kyung-hee was looking out the window.

Seeing Kim Hyun-seong and Park Jong-su deep in conversation, she let out a frustrated sigh.

“Mr. Jang Won-gi. I’m sure I told you to handle this matter with extra caution since it was a special request.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Just behind her.

Jang Won-gi sat on the sofa.

Without even glancing back at him, Jin Kyung-hee continued.

“I won’t hold you excessively accountable for this. After all, who would have guessed that Kim Hyun-seong would anticipate the false accusation and bring a recorder? What’s important is what happens next.”

“Thank you! I’ll make sure to live up to your expectations!”

“Good.”

Jin Kyung-hee bit her nails.

This incident.

The appearance of a lawyer following the revelation of the recorder clearly showed one thing.

Kim Hyun-seong had transferred here fully prepared.

He knew his intentions would be exposed, that this was the stronghold of the Golden Circle.

Unlike Daesan, he was fully aware that he would be blatantly exposed to malice here, and yet he still set foot in this place.

It irritated her.

Knowing the scale of the Golden Circle.

The very idea that someone could believe they could challenge this massive organization was infuriatingly naive.

“From now on, we need to act cautiously. If he’s recording everything in advance, trying to provoke him with false accusations could backfire. Our role isn’t to take the lead in degrading and bringing down the target. Instead, we should appear to merely react belatedly to the events that happen in this school. Just as we’ve always done, just as we’ve always succeeded.”

Last night.

She had received a separate call from Park Hyung-joon.

Jin Kyung-hee was someone who received special treatment within the Golden Circle. Over the years, she had handled numerous requests, but this was the first time she had seen Park Hyung-joon react so sensitively. She knew what was going on. Not just roughly like Jang Won-gi, but she was aware that Kim Hyun-seong had not only overcome the request but had also sought revenge.

So.

She intervened from the beginning.

She intended to bury Kim Hyun-seong from the start, but after failing this time, a more definitive approach was necessary.

“It’s rare for the higher-ups to set such a tight deadline. If we miss this deadline and he ends up taking the midterms, the aftermath of the nuclear bomb that has dropped in the heart of Seoul will, unfortunately, fall on all of us. At that point, everything we’ve received so far will become a deadly poison, tightening around our throats. So.”

She turned around.

Her eyes, filled with malice, focused on Jang Won-gi.

“Let’s go classic, shall we? Old school.”

One month ahead.

A month would be enough.

Kim Hyun-seong would soon realize just how isolated the world of school could be.