Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 182: The Long-Awaited Moment (2)

South Korea was thrown into turmoil.

Kim Hyunsung’s statement, broadcast live by Jeongan Ilbo, rapidly spread across the entire nation.

– What on earth did I just see?

– Is this even possible? It sounds too outrageous.

– It’s hard to believe. I mean, why would the heir to Taeyang Group create an organization like the Golden Circle? If Kim Hyunsung’s claims are true, then Yoon Hyeon-min supposedly orchestrated alliances with powerful people to take requests, but wouldn’t that be riskier than the rewards it could offer?

At first, people dismissed it.

Logic.

In a world governed by common sense, the idea that Yoon Hyeon-min created the Golden Circle seemed implausible.

But it wasn’t something they could just brush aside.

Kim Hyunsung’s actions, his statements—they sparked a hypothesis in people’s minds.

– But if we accept that the Golden Circle exists, then all the incidents involving Kim Hyunsung start to make sense. He was attacked by dozens of students at Daeseong Mirae High School, and he went through the officetel incident too. At the time, people brushed it off as Choi Myung-hoon leading the attacks, but really, how could a single student orchestrate such a large-scale operation?

– I agree with that comment. To understand this, we have to accept the absurdity of the situation. Kim Hyunsung was a national-level genius since his first year of high school. Despite his guaranteed success, he dropped out right before the college entrance exam, and even though he clearly risked legal consequences, he took the exam using the name of someone presumed to be a Golden Circle victim. We can’t dismiss this as a lie outright. There’s some truth here we’re not seeing.

Doubters.

Believers.

People argued back and forth, voicing their stances.

In the midst of the chaos, a neutral party spoke up.

– So, what’s the truth here? If Kim Hyunsung’s claims are true, then this isn’t just any problem. It would mean that Yoon Hyeon-min, the heir of Taeyang Group, is the de facto leader of a massive cartel entangled with South Korea’s power structures.

In the end.

There was only one person who could clarify this situation.

The one accused of being behind it all—Yoon Hyeon-min.

All eyes turned to Taeyang Group.

* * *

At Taeyang Group’s headquarters.

While the entire country was caught up in this whirlwind, Yoon Hyeon-min, the man at the center of the storm, remained calm.

Bzzz, bzzz—

His phone rang continuously.

Golden Circle affiliates, group executives, the media—they all wanted to hear his response.

“So this was it. Kim Hyunsung, this is why you disappeared from school for half a year.”

Impressive.

Yoon Hyeon-min had not been careless.

He hadn’t underestimated Kim Hyunsung just because he was a high school student or because he had dropped out.

He had mobilized people.

He even used public resources to search for Kim Hyunsung, but no one could locate him. Now, in retrospect, it was chilling. Kim Hyunsung had anticipated Yoon Hyeon-min’s moves and abandoned anything under his name that could reveal his “living presence.” And when he took the college entrance exam in November, he did so under someone else’s name to prevent any traceable response.

“There were two purposes, I assume. First, using someone else’s identity to prevent me from controlling the media. Second, with his established record and the context of a vegetative victim, to create an explosion of media interest.”

Creak.

He leaned back.

“I admit it. You’re no ordinary high school student.”

How could he think of this?

It was hard to believe a mere high school student had dared to thrust a knife to his throat.

Kim Hyunsung’s plan was deadly.

No matter how well the situation was handled, the Golden Circle would remain etched in people’s memories. From now on, if school violence occurred, conspiracy theories would inevitably mention the Golden Circle and even Yoon Hyeon-min’s name.

It left a bitter taste.

The conspiracy theory could no longer be stopped.

Kim Hyunsung had spoken, and Jeongan Ilbo had spread it to the world.

The only thing left for Yoon Hyeon-min to do now was to ensure the theory remained a theory and never became truth.

Beep.

He called his secretary.

As soon as the secretary entered, he spoke.

“Tell the media outlets that have taken our money to start portraying Kim Hyunsung not as a righteous whistleblower, but as a cruel perpetrator of school violence. Gather all the comment manipulation firms, too, and have the journalists start pushing celebrity scandals to divert attention from this. We’ll supply them with an endless stream of sources. Also, mobilize the prosecution to silence him. The charges he already faces should be enough grounds to detain him.”

“Yes, sir.”

The secretary left.

Yoon Hyeon-min remained unhurried.

Kim Hyunsung was under a misunderstanding.

If this exposure had happened years earlier, Yoon Hyeon-min, lacking a solid foundation, might have been at risk.

Now, things were different.

Golden Circle affiliates recognized and accepted his authority. Like a cancer, they had spread, becoming the very lifeblood of South Korea’s power. If Yoon Hyeon-min was ever brought to the prosecution, it would mean everyone’s downfall. Even without his orders, they would scramble to protect him.

He acknowledged Kim Hyunsung’s skill.

But that was all.

For a high school student to do more than this was impossible—it was a one-sided battle.

“Go ahead, struggle all you want. No matter what you’ve prepared, ironically, you’re only making me untouchable.”

* * *

Immediately after the exposé.

Kim Hyunsung was promptly detained by the prosecution.

It was to be expected.

Even without Yoon Hyeon-min in the equation, Kim Hyunsung had committed a crime by taking the college entrance exam under someone else’s name.

Furthermore, he had publicly accused Yoon Hyeon-min, essentially slandering him, which caused Taeyang Group’s stock to plummet and sparked widespread conspiracy theories about Yoon’s involvement with the Golden Circle. If his words had been backed by evidence, people would have supported him as a righteous whistleblower. Unfortunately, there was no proof to substantiate his claims.

The prosecutor’s eyes gleamed with menace.

The prosecutor and the Golden Circle.

They were in this together.

The fall of Golden Circle and Yoon Hyeon-min was something the prosecutor could not allow.

“The higher-ups have issued a directive. No matter the cost or whatever trick you may try, they want you to be punished thoroughly. Kim Hyunsung, this time, you won’t get away. Accusing Yoon Hyeon-min and tarnishing Taeyang Group’s reputation, committing fraud by using someone else’s name for the exam—if we stack enough charges, we can keep you locked away for decades.”

It was malicious.

Kim Hyunsung understood.

From the moment he was dragged into the prosecution, he knew there was no easy escape.

Yet he remained calm.

Looking straight at the prosecutor, he spoke.

“Do you know what I’ve been through these past six months?”

The water was spilled.

This exposé.

It wasn’t something done with any retreat in mind.

Like a game of chicken where someone must die in the end.

Kim Hyunsung had crossed the forbidden line, prepared to see this through.

He smiled.

“Let’s see. What I’ve prepared—this is just the beginning.”

* * *

At that moment.

Taeyang Group held a press conference.

Standing in front of reporters, Yoon Hyeon-min’s representative addressed the crowd.

“…We cannot hide our sense of grief. Director Yoon Hyeon-min, the heir to Taeyang Group, has always generously supported various causes for those in need. And yet, to be slandered as the mastermind behind an organization like the Golden Circle is nothing but a malicious lie.”

“Are you saying Director Yoon has no involvement?”

“Yes, he is entirely uninvolved. In fact, I want to ask you, the reporters—where is the evidence to back the claims made by this student, Kim Hyunsung? South Korea is built on the presumption of innocence, yet Taeyang Group suffers enormous harm from the baseless words of a 19-year-old. No matter how well we handle this, this conspiracy theory will continue to linger. So who should we hold accountable? Can we solve this by sending a 19-year-old to prison? Impossible. What Kim Hyunsung did cannot be dismissed as a mere prank.”

Flash, flash, flash.

Cameras flashed all around.

It was a well-orchestrated performance.

The reporters were already on Taeyang Group’s payroll, and they were asking the prearranged questions.

“What are you planning to do about Kim Hyunsung?”

“He will be punished severely. This goes beyond a prank, and we intend to set a firm example to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

“Why do you think Kim Hyunsung made this revelation?”

“We have no idea. Whether it was a malicious attack by a rival group or a mistake by an individual suffering from mental illness, the important thing is that Director Yoon Hyeon-min and Taeyang Group have nothing to hide. Director Yoon himself said that if any evidence of wrongdoing exists, he would be the first to step forward for an investigation. He intends to reveal the truth clearly and prove he has nothing to be ashamed of under the sky.”

They deflected the issue.

Implying it could be a ploy by a competitor or the result of mental illness.

Distancing themselves from the truth.

This press conference would sow confusion, and soon, a wave of scandals in the entertainment world would grab public attention. Love affairs, drug incidents with top stars—nothing could distract like that.

It was going as planned.

Just as they were about to conclude the conference, a commotion erupted outside.

“Hey, you can’t be in here…!”

Bang!

The door burst open.

A group of people entered.

At the front was none other than Choi Seung-pil.

* * *

The scene before him.

Disgusted him.

Calling in journalists who took money from Taeyang Group, trading questions and answers exactly as they wanted.

Choi Seung-pil strode forward.

Security tried to stop him, but members of the School Violence Prevention Committee held them off.

On the stage.

“Hand it over.”

Thud.

He snatched the microphone.

Then he looked down at the reporters.

Among them were cameras broadcasting live.

Just like Kim Hyunsung had done, Taeyang Group was livestreaming the press conference to contain the situation.

Choi Seung-pil spoke.

“What is this gathering of rats all about? If Taeyang Group intended to address this issue sincerely, Jeongan Ilbo would have been here. They livestreamed the initial exposé and have the most information, yet they’re not here at Taeyang Group’s press conference. This is why they’re despicable. Kim Hyunsung staked his life to expose Yoon Hyeon-min as the mastermind, and instead of a sincere explanation, they put on a scripted performance with their chosen people. Reporters, are you really journalists? If you’re genuinely dedicated to reporting the truth, you should refuse to participate in this farce, which tries to cover the sky with a palm.”

“Stop him!”

“Block him!”

Chaos ensued.

People trying to restrain Choi Seung-pil.

Others holding them off.

The scene became a pandemonium.

Despite this, Choi Seung-pil continued speaking resolutely.

Jeongan Ilbo joined in.

They started a live broadcast, and with cameras rolling, stopping his words was nearly impossible.

“The spokesperson just asked if there’s any evidence, didn’t he? Yes. There is. And I will present it here.”

Kim Hyunsung’s exposé.

It was only the beginning.

Kim Hyunsung and all those who supported him—they planned to see this through to the end.

Choi Seung-pil raised his voice.

“Direct your cameras there. The people who came with me today—they’re all members of the School Violence Prevention Committee…”

Dozens of people.

They marched in with fervent determination.

They were ready to stake their lives on this cause.

“…victims of the Golden Circle or their parents. They are the living evidence Taeyang Group has demanded, and they are here to testify that the Golden Circle truly exists.”

The cameras shook.

Dozens of witnesses.

This was a scenario that Taeyang Group had not prepared for, one that the reporters could never have anticipated.

(TL Note : Ohhh my, it is getting more and more interesting! Fitting for the final arc)