The Mad Prosecutor Picked Up AI - Chapter 72
Only Noblemtl
Episode 72: Amazing robbery
“Really. What kind of trouble is this over a single sword?”
Kim Kyung-soo just hung his head in shame at the nagging of Chief Kim Jong-hyeok. Prosecutor Jeong Min-gu, who was three years his senior and sitting next to him, also sighed.
In fact, Kyungsoo Kim felt wronged. He just did what he had always done, what he had learned from watching his seniors do it.
I just did what everyone else did, so I didn’t think it was wrong. I just felt wronged that I got caught this time.
He ground his teeth.
Do Hyun-kwang.
The only thing that was different from before was that guy’s presence. If only he hadn’t been there, I could’ve just let it go this time too. But that damn bastard got installed.
Everything was going according to plan. Kang Jin-gyu, who was feeling sluggish, was well-cooked and if he had gone to the inspection, he would have definitely given Kwon Jin-goo some convenience.
But suddenly, the person leaving the inspection changed from Kang Jin-gyu to Do-geom.
Because of that, not only was Kwon Jin-gu, who was pretending to be sick, caught, but the prison guard who helped him pretend to be sick and the doctor who was involved were all caught up in the investigation.
‘That wasn’t the end.’
I don’t know what kind of magic he used, but the sword found the secret overseas account that Jin-gu Kwon had kept hidden. Jin-gu Kwon was left in a situation where he had to pay the fine with tears in his eyes.
Anyway, whether he pays the additional tax or the fine, it’s none of his business, so it doesn’t matter. The problem is that when that account was discovered, the bribes he had been spreading everywhere were also investigated.
Most bribes were carried in cash, making them difficult to track. Even if there were indications that money had been taken out, it would have been difficult to determine to whom it had gone.
Vice President Kim Jong-hyeok, Jeong Min-gu, and Kim Gyeong-su all received a lot of money from Samgu Construction. Fortunately, no one found out about it.
As he continued his thoughts, Manager Kim Jong-hyuk coughed in vain and began to speak.
“That. It was revealed that he received a bribe from Samgu Construction this time.”
“Huh? Really?”
Kim Kyung-soo, who had thought that nothing had been discovered, asked in surprise. He had been caught taking a bribe. Who on earth? What kind of bribe?
Questions kept coming up one after another. But the strange thing was that I was the only one who was asking questions with such a surprised look on my face.
Jeong Min-gu didn’t react at all. That means he knew it in advance.
No way. Did Jeong Min-gu get caught?
Still, I can tolerate someone like Jeong Min-gu.
“The inspection department found evidence. It says that you received 2.3 million won worth of entertainment from Samgu Construction’s Executive Director Kwon Jin-gu. Pro Kim? Golf entertainment.”
“Yes? Me?”
Kim Kyung-soo tilted his head after hearing Manager Kim Jong-hyeok’s words. He had absolutely never received any golf entertainment.
I had such a hard time following my manager around every weekend, playing golf and flattering him. I really get goosebumps when it comes to golf. I don’t know about anything else, but he says he never accepts entertainment with golf.
Of course, he did receive other favors and bribes, but he went to great lengths to avoid leaving behind any evidence of them.
“Sir, I think there’s something wrong. It’s not me.”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
“yes?”
“You’re right. Kwon Jin-gu also kissed me, so I know that.”
“No, what is this… … ?”
This time, Jeong Min-gu explained on behalf of Director Kim Jong-hyeok, who kept his mouth shut.
“Actually, this time the inspection department happened to find evidence about the director.”
“Are you the manager?”
“I couldn’t just cover it up. There were too many eyes watching, and the evidence itself was too much to handle. Also, the sword was set on fire.”
“So?”
“That’s why. People are so clueless. The manager has been so kind to you all this time. In times like this, I’ll gladly accept it, and you should step forward first.”
Kyungsoo Kim clenched his fist. So, the one who leaked evidence was Chief Jonghyuk Kim, but isn’t Kyungsoo Kim supposed to be the one to handle the aftermath?
“Are you telling me to turn everything upside down for you?”
“Oh, Pro Kim. Turning your head inside out? What kind of nonsense are you talking about in front of the manager?”
He was angry at Chief Kim Jong-hyeok, but instead, Jeong Min-gu got even angrier. Everything became clear. The one who was being discarded here was none other than himself, Kim Kyung-soo.
“If you say you’re turning it over, haven’t you received quite a bit from them?”
It’s been quite a while. Instead, I handled it cleanly without any evidence!
Although he wanted to scream, Kyungsoo Kim kept his mouth shut with all his might.
“You’re still just a prosecutor anyway. A punk that no one cares about. I’m the manager. If I get caught, things will get worse, you know that?”
“yes.”
“Thank goodness, there was no case directly involving Kwon Jin-gu and you, so it was determined that there was no job-related connection. Where is that?”
“… … .”
“And I have my own confession. I did it.”
“What are you talking about?”
Manager Kim Jong-hyuk spoke with a kind expression, as if doing a favor.
“I mean, that 2.3 million won. I didn’t receive it from one person. I received 900,000 won from my son Kwon Jin-gu, 900,000 won from my father, CEO Kwon Dong-sun, and 500,000 won from Kwon Jin-gu’s wife, Ra Mi-jin. I said let’s count it as that.”
“Ah. Oh… … Thank you.”
According to the Kim Young-ran Act, an anti-bribery law, receiving more than 1 million won in money or valuables at a time from the same person is subject to criminal punishment.
In other words, if you received 2.3 million won from Kwon Jin-gu, you are breaking the law, but if you received 900,000 won and 500,000 won from three people, you are not breaking the law.
The person who actually received it was left to fend for himself, but he wondered if this was something to be thankful for. Feeling powerless, he could only lower his head.
“But I did receive the hospitality. This can’t go on like this. You know that? There will be disciplinary action.”
Chief Kim Jong-hyeok said so naturally that Kim Kyung-soo would be disciplined in return for the hospitality he received. Without a shred of shame.
“yes.”
Kim Kyung-soo sighed and answered. Normally, this kind of thing would be swept under the rug. But since the Inspectorate has found evidence and Do-geom is keeping a close eye on it, it will be difficult to avoid disciplinary action in any way.
They’d probably just give him a reprimand. A six-month ban on promotion or raises. Since he wasn’t about to be promoted to deputy chief prosecutor, this level of punishment was pretty much nonsense.
There was no major damage, that was the story.
But somehow, the atmosphere in the office was not normal. Manager Kim Jong-hyeok was avoiding her eyes and fiddling with the front of his jacket.
“This time, Pro Kim, you have to work a little harder.”
“Hardship? Isn’t it just being reprimanded?”
“So. That’s, ahem.”
Manager Kim Jong-hyeok stopped talking and coughed. I was wondering what he was going to say, and then he finally opened his mouth.
“Pro Kim, just work hard for a month.”
“What if it’s a month?”
“A month of honesty.”
“Honesty?”
The voice came out louder than I expected. I thought that at best, I would be reprimanded, but I was surprised to hear the word suspension.
Even if I just got a pay cut, I would be dizzy, so how can I get suspended? If I get suspended, I won’t be able to participate in any work, and of course, I won’t get paid.
“What are you doing with that? I worked so hard to stop it to this extent.”
“… … .”
“Did you know that if you were originally suspended for accepting bribes, you would be suspended for an additional three months as a personnel disciplinary action? I almost got suspended for four months, but I reduced it to just one month.”
Sigh. Do I have to say thank you again here?
Because he couldn’t bring himself to do that, Kyungsoo Kim kept his mouth shut. Judging from Kyungsoo Kim’s expression, Manager Jonghyuk Kim opened his mouth in a soft voice.
“I guess you have a lot of complaints.”
“Oh, no.”
“No. Why should I be the only one who has to suffer like this while you’re the only one left? Are you bubbling inside right now? I can tell just by looking at you.”
“no.”
“Pro Kim still has a long way to go. You can see it all on his face.”
Manager Kim Jong-hyuk, who had snorted once, spoke again.
“Think about it. If I had stepped forward and been suspended and had my pay reduced, I might have received a more severe punishment, given my position. After being suspended, I might have been exiled to the provinces, or even fired.”
“hmm.”
“If that happens, what will happen to the future of Pro Jeong and Pro Kim? It’s like a kite with a broken string.”
“… … .”
“If I can hold my ground, I can pave the way for Pro Kim when he returns. In other words, if I disappear and Pro Kim, who has been disciplined, goes to another department, how can I survive on my own?”
“No, of course not.”
Director Kim Jong-hyuk continued speaking in a quiet tone, as if he was soothing a child.
“It may be unfair now, but if you think about it carefully, this is the best. Your father is a lawyer, so he should know better. No matter how much he racks his brain, he knows that this is the best. Go and rest for a month. After that, I will take good care of you.”
“Okay, sir.”
He bowed his head and greeted her, but Kim Kyung-soo gritted his teeth internally. He promised himself that he would definitely pay back what he did today someday.
* * *
A few days later.
The door to the 5th courtroom opened, and a man in his late thirties with thick eyebrows came in with a big smile.
“How have you been? Vice Chairman Park Jeong-se is back!”
“Oh my, Inspector Park!”
Director Kang Min-hee was the first to stand up and greet us.
“I heard about it, but you really came? It’s good to see you.”
“It seems like our director has lost some weight. Have you been on a diet?”
“As expected, the only person who would notice something like this is the inspector. Chief Moon doesn’t know even though he sees it every day.”
Chief Moon Seung-hwan also stepped forward.
“You wouldn’t know it since we see each other every day. It’s not like it’s been that long. It’s nice to see you, Inspector. Our department really had a hard time after you left like that.”
“Yes, that’s right. Thank you for your hard work, Manager.”
“The manager in particular had a harder time than me.”
Kang Jin-gyu, who was in the next room, also ran out at the loud noise.
“Mr. Vice President! You’re here.”
“Hey, Pro Kang. What do you mean by Vice President? You seem so unloving. Just call me Senior.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Our little one has grown a lot in the meantime, hasn’t he?”
“Oh, dear. It’s already my third year here. And the youngest in our department has just joined.”
“Youngest? Oh, by the way, where is the youngest?”
I was standing at the back, and only then did I step forward.
“Hello, my name is Do Hyeon-gwang. I came from Gunnae-myeon Branch Office three months ago, and I am a first-year prosecutor.”
Park Jeong-se smiled brightly and extended his hand to me.
“I finally got to see that famous sword. You say it was thanks to the sword that I came up to Seoul? Thank you.”
“No. It’s all thanks to me. It’s because you’ve been working hard all this time.”
At those words, Park Jeong-se smiled happily without saying anything.
[Oh. What’s wrong? You sometimes talk like a normal person?]
‘Hey, do you really have to wait until such a touching moment?’
At that moment, the right office door opened wide and Manager Shin Hyo-jin appeared. Park Jeong-se walked towards Manager Shin Hyo-jin and spoke cheerfully, like a son who had just returned from military service.
“Sir, I, Park Jeong-se, have been transferred to the 5th Trial Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office as of today.”
Chief Shin Hyo-jin smiled silently for a moment and patted Park Jeong-se’s arm. Then she spoke in a low voice.
“Welcome, Pro Park. … … What a situation. What a fool, what a wonderful man.”
“You call me foolish. Everything I do is something you taught me when you were a salesman. If you curse at me, you’re cursing at me.”
Manager Shin Hyo-jin, whose eyes were starting to get slightly moist, quickly controlled her emotions and smiled brightly.
“Yes, you have learned very well from me. Now that you have come to Pro Park, I feel very secure.”
Just then, someone opened the door and came inside. It was Chief Han Jae-sik of the 8th Criminal Division.
“Park Jeong-se is back? Oh, he really is. Hey, Pro Park. It’s been a while.”
“I just got here, but when did Manager Han hear the rumors and come here?”
“Chief Shin, aren’t you being too harsh on me? I came here to congratulate you too. Welcome back to Seoul, Pro Park.”
“Thank you, boss.”
“Are you happy to be in Seoul?”
“Yes. My wife and kids love it the most. Now I don’t have to be a weekend couple, and I can spend more time with my kids.”
“Yeah, yeah. That’s good. Hey, today is such a happy day. Are we going to have a company dinner later?”
Manager Shin Hyo-jin spoke sharply.
“That was the goal, right? Anyway, I never miss a department dinner.”
“It wasn’t my intention, but since I found out, I might as well join in.”
“Hoo.”
When I made a strange noise, everyone turned to look at me.
“What’s wrong, Sword?”
“I just remembered. If you just put the last names of the prosecutors in our department together, it becomes ‘Amazing Robber.’ Doesn’t that sound like the name of an Avengers?”
“A fantastic robber? Really?”
“From now on, let’s have our amazing robbers cause a storm at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Hahaha!”
Then Kang Jin-gyu struck the target.
“If you just look at his last name, he’s ‘Shinbak Gangdo.’ He’s not a ‘Shinbak Gangdo.’ He doesn’t have any ‘Han.’”
“Why isn’t there a han? It’s right there.”
Manager Shin Hyo-jin gestured to Manager Han Jae-sik, who was stuck between us.
“Does Manager Han want to come to our department too?”
“Are you crazy? I’m a life-or-death investigator. Why is this happening?”
Manager Han Jae-sik quickly left the office, worried that someone might catch him. Then he stuck his head out the open door and spoke.
“Please invite me when we have a company dinner later, Pro Park. Okay? Let’s do ‘Amazing Robbery’ at least when we have a company dinner!”