Devil Returns to School Days - Chapter 188: The Long-Awaited Moment (8)

The so-called “Golden Gate.”

What began as mere conspiracy theories erupted into a massive storm sweeping across South Korea.

– “Im Cheol-hyung, the representative of Mirae Investment Securities, has close ties to Taeyang Group. There’s no reason for him to jeopardize his own position by spreading baseless rumors. This must be definitive testimony that Yoon Hyeon-min is indeed the mastermind behind the Golden Circle.”

– “I thought it was nonsense, but it turned out to be true.”

– “But it’s still just testimony. Without concrete evidence, isn’t it too soon to condemn Yoon Hyeon-min?”

The nation was shocked.

Conspiracies were usually dismissed as fantasies. Those who never believed such theories found themselves stunned by Representative Im Cheol-hyung’s interview.

Some still maintained a neutral stance, arguing that no solid evidence had emerged yet. But the circumstantial details were already too compelling to ignore.

– “Forget evidence. Based on what Yoon Hyeon-min testified to the prosecution, he denied any connection to Mirae Investment Securities and Im Cheol-hyung. Yet Im Cheol-hyung’s testimony directly contradicts that. Even without direct evidence, the odds of Yoon Hyeon-min lying in his testimony are incredibly high. Think logically—if someone like Yoon Hyeon-min is behind it, then it’s no stretch that Im Cheol-hyung was complicit.”

– “When you piece together the names—Yoon Hyeon-min, Im Cheol-hyung, and Lee Kyung-chul—it all fits. They forged ties during the formative years of the Golden Circle, and the benefits they shared go far beyond mere business transactions.”

Public suspicion grew rapidly.

The mastermind had been identified.

It was clear that Yoon Hyeon-min was behind it all.

The chain of events sparked by Kim Hyunsung’s revelations no longer seemed like a fabricated attack. People began to ask:

– “What kind of life did Kim Hyunsung lead? He’s just a high school student, yet he managed to crack open the Golden Gate against some of the most influential figures. They say he’s ranked first nationwide—clearly not your average genius.”

Both Kim Hyunsung and Yoon Hyeon-min became the focus of everyone’s attention.

With the internet amplifying the buzz, the fire spread across South Korea with no sign of dying down.

—

**Crash!**

**Clatter!**

A vase shattered into pieces on the floor.

Yoon Hyeon-min had trashed his office in rage but was still far from calming down. His heavy breathing filled the room. (TL Note: Hell YEAH!!! I’ve been waiting for this moment! That smug face he had in the earlier chapters and now this. Ugh! It’s so fking satisfying!! )

“Huff, huff.”

His body trembled violently.

Im Cheol-hyung’s betrayal.

The timing couldn’t have been worse.

Although there was still no definitive evidence to incriminate him, the unfolding series of events, starting with Kim Hyunsung’s revelations, was enough to corner him. Kim Hyunsung’s exposé, which drew immense public attention even through identity forgery, and the testimonies of victims claiming to have suffered under the Golden Circle, had created a perfect storm. The defection of Congressman Kim Panho drew the attention of politically aware citizens, while Prosecutor Kang Dongchul lent the case credibility with his reputation.

The final blow?

Im Cheol-hyung’s testimony.

Regardless of the lack of evidence, a whistleblower’s testimony left Yoon Hyeon-min in an inescapable bind.

“How did it come to this?”

It was incomprehensible.

Kim Hyunsung.

A mere high school student.

Over the years, countless individuals had tried to bring down the Golden Circle, only to collapse under its overwhelming power. It was an entity beyond the reach of ordinary people. Yet here they were, brought to the brink by a teenager.

Myungjin Construction, Jeongan Ilbo, Choi Seung-pil, Kim Panho, Kang Dongchul, and Im Cheol-hyung.

All of them had risked everything, centered around one high school student.

In Yoon Hyeon-min’s world, governed by reason and logic, this result was an incomprehensible anomaly.

“This can’t be happening. I can’t let myself fall over something so trivial.”

For over a decade, Yoon Hyeon-min had built the Golden Circle as a means to amass even greater power, despite already being the heir to Taeyang Group. Initially, many questioned whether such relationships would create unnecessary risks. But as the Golden Circle’s influence grew, people began to seek him out, drawn by the power it offered. Yoon Hyeon-min wasn’t merely respected for being the chairman’s son; he was admired for his personal abilities.

It was a painstakingly built tower.

Constructed brick by brick, fortified to ensure it would never fall.

But now, confronted by a mere high schooler, even the impeccable Yoon Hyeon-min couldn’t suppress his emotions.

“Huff, huff.”

He took a deep breath.

Only after venting his rage for a long while did he manage to regain some composure.

“I have to accept that this is truly dangerous now. The opponent is that much of a threat.”

The Golden Gate.

The firestorm had turned into an inferno.

If the raging public anger escalated into riots, even without evidence, both Taeyang Group and he himself would suffer catastrophic damage. Public opinion mattered that much. There was a reason powerful entities spent fortunes manipulating narratives—they understood its critical importance.

Soon.

The public’s fury could sweep away Taeyang Group.

That couldn’t be allowed to happen.

If judgment was left to the people, even without evidence, he would face inevitable retribution.

He realized he was on the edge of a cliff.

Survival was now the priority.

‘First, I need to redirect the flames.’

He picked up the phone.

After a lengthy conversation, the person on the other end displayed visible emotional turmoil, but Yoon Hyeon-min’s cold eyes didn’t waver.

—

A few days later.

A shocking incident occurred.

**[Breaking News: Congressman Lee Kyung-chul has been found dead in his home. Authorities report no signs of foul play. A suicide note left by the congressman reveals truths about the “Golden Gate” scandal. Police have decided to release the note to the public in pursuit of justice.]**

Lee Kyung-chul.

A central figure of the ruling party.

Had taken his own life.

The nation was stunned.

The outcome was abrupt and unexpected. The suicide note revealed by the police contained shocking truths.

**[First, I sincerely apologize to the people. As the noose tightened around me, I realized I could no longer endure. The Golden Circle—the heinous organization mentioned by Representative Im Cheol-hyung—is something I created over a decade ago. At that time, I lacked political backing and deemed it necessary to gain power by leveraging the parents of students. I admit my wrongdoing. Kim Hyunsung’s exposé, coupled with recent pressures, left me cornered. If I remain, my sins will undoubtedly bring irreparable harm to my party and those around me. Therefore, while it is irresponsible, I have chosen to atone for my sins by taking my own life. To the victims who suffered because of me, I hope my decision brings you even a sliver of solace.]**

It was a confession.

Along with the note, evidence detailing how Lee Kyung-chul established the Golden Circle surfaced.

A confession and evidence.

There was no denying it.

Some speculated his suicide was a ploy to bury the scandal, but with Lee Kyung-chul shouldering all the blame, further debate was rendered pointless. Strong assertions that Yoon Hyeon-min was the true mastermind remained unsupported by evidence, reducing them to mere conjecture.

Controversy flared.

But that was all.

The death of a figure as prominent as Lee Kyung-chul was enough to bury the controversy in itself.

—

Lee Kyung-chul’s death.

Kang Dongchul was ordered to halt his investigation.

Lee Kyung-chul’s confession and accompanying evidence were sufficient to close the case.

No evidence directly implicated Yoon Hyeon-min as the mastermind, leaving no grounds to continue the investigation.

Taeyang Group’s response was swift and calculated.

They admitted to bribing Lee Kyung-chul during their sponsorship but claimed ignorance of the funds’ connection to the Golden Circle. Simultaneously, they disclosed their discord with Mirae Investment Securities, proposing that Im Cheol-hyung’s accusations were born out of personal revenge. This demonstrated why evidence was crucial. Testimony alone lost credibility the moment its messenger was attacked.

Of course.

Public doubt lingered.

Suspicion toward Yoon Hyeon-min persisted, but the uproar was sufficiently quelled.

After all, the culprit had emerged.

And it was none other than a heavyweight like Lee Kyung-chul.

As things quieted down, Kang Dongchul voiced his frustration.

“Damn bastards!”

**Crash!**

Back in his office, the prosecutor general’s expression seemed to confirm there was no longer anything they could do, stoking Kang Dongchul’s fury.

There was no evidence.

The key figure was dead.

There was no way forward.

Overwhelmed by pressure from all sides, the prosecutor general practically begged Kang Dongchul to let it go.

Seated at his desk, Kang Dongchul stared at a photo of himself with his father, taken when he first became a prosecutor.

“…Father, is it truly possible to live without shame under this sky? For me, just living righteously isn’t enough to make me proud of myself. Knowing the truth yet being powerless to act—this incompetence of mine—is unbearably shameful.”

He buried his face in his hands.

Grinding his teeth, he fought to contain his emotions.

Despite risking everything for this case, he was left with no options. The harsh reality of being powerless weighed heavily on him.

—

The “Golden Gate.”

Lee Kyung-chul’s death had a significant impact.

With the mastermind identified and having taken his own life, the Golden Circle seemed to disintegrate. Public interest waned.

Suspicion and criticism directed at Yoon Hyeon-min faded, becoming the concern of a select few. For most people, daily survival was more pressing. Just as public outrage had burned hot, it cooled just as quickly. In a society like South Korea, where total eradication of corruption seemed impossible, Lee Kyung-chul’s downfall felt like a satisfactory outcome.

During this time, Kim Hyunsung was released on probation.

Although he had committed multiple infractions, including identity forgery, the justification that his actions were driven by the Golden Circle’s oppression was accepted. The shift in narrative from Yoon Hyeon-min to Lee Kyung-chul as the mastermind further reinforced this perspective. Kim Hyunsung’s victimization by the Golden Circle was undeniable, and punishing him felt unjust to the public. Additionally, his inaction on his stellar test scores worked in his favor.

Still.

This resolution wouldn’t have been possible without Taeyang Group’s intervention.

In front of reporters, Yoon Hyeon-min expressed understanding for Kim Hyunsung’s actions, demonstrating magnanimity by defending him despite his misguided accusations. Moreover, Yoon Hyeon-min announced the establishment of a foundation to support victims of school violence, addressing the critical issue of school violence at a societal level.

Public opinion was fickle.

Those who had previously expressed outrage now applauded Yoon Hyeon-min’s measures. Although some continued to argue that Lee Kyung-chul’s death was orchestrated and part of a conspiracy, the absence of concrete evidence meant these claims lacked the power to unseat a figure like Yoon Hyeon-min. As time passed, divisions in public sentiment grew, allowing organized efforts to gradually dilute criticisms aimed at him.

Kim Hyunsung exited the prosecutor’s office.

Although further investigations were conducted, the prosecution appeared to lose interest in pursuing him.

The sky was clear.

With reporters no longer tailing him, Kim Hyunsung gazed silently at the sky, his face emotionless.

He began to walk.

As he prepared to leave, an unfamiliar figure approached him.

“Could I have a moment of your time?”

The individual was a stranger, but instinctively, Kim Hyunsung knew.

“Director Yoon Hyeon-min wishes to meet you.”

Yoon Hyeon-min.

The tangled web of their enmity had yet to be unraveled.

(TL Note: Damn it! I hope someone from the Kdrama world picks this up. This is a really good Kdrama material. )