19. Territory
Monday, December 14th.
Mondays are always busy since they’re weekdays. Of course, sotis weekends turn out to be busier depending on what cos up, but for , work tends to pile up more during the week.
It was just past lunchti when I finally arrived at the mansion on the artificial island and settled in for a brief rest.
“Master, as of today, Lee Na-eun has been appointed as Chief Prosecutor of the Special Investigations Division.”
“Oh, right. Today was the day. Which district prosecution office is it?”
“Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office.”
“Ha. Everyone’s gathering in Namdong District, huh? Is it a coincidence?”
“I don’t think it’s… a coincidence.”
“I was planning to get rid of the current Prosecutor General, but… they’re sharper than I expected.”
At first, when they tried to obstruct Lee Na-eun’s special investigations or resist my intentions, I thought about removing them altogether. But after so ti, they started to soften up, leaning slightly toward my side.
“Still, that’s not enough. There needs to be impact. Sothing impactful.”
It wasn’t just about the Prosecutor General being uncooperative.
I was planning to nominate a new candidate, have them installed as the Prosecutor General, and once the Permanent Special Investigation Office was established, transition them into leading that office.
Considering such a grand sche, this wasn’t sothing I could just let slide lightly.
“Have the new candidates been shortlisted?”
“Yes. The strategy team has recomnded four individuals.”
“Let see.”
Soo-ah handed the docunts, and I began reading through them.
“Hmm… Only one of them is a woman?”
As expected in a society where anti-aging treatnts for won in high positions were commonplace, the profile of a woman who looked like a college student in her twenties stood out among middle-aged n with gray hair. Of course, she was more than twice my age.
But honestly, this person seed less like a prosecutor and more like so street gang leader.
‘Why are there so many thugs, seriously.’
People say not to judge a book by its cover, but what can you do? First impressions are all about appearances.
‘Still, a woman would probably be better.’
Having roughly decided, I handed the docunts back to Soo-ah.
“Work on appointing this woman.”
“Yes.”
“And replace the Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office head with a woman loyal to .”
“Understood.”
Since Lee Na-eun was officially taking her post at Namdong District today, I should pay attention. Namdong District was gradually becoming my territory. With my grip already extending into the police and politics, securing influence over the prosecution would be the cherry on top.
Assemblywoman Kim Eun-ji in Namdong District, Police Chief Do Yoon-jung, and now Lee Na-eun as the Chief Prosecutor of the Special Investigations Division—my power base in this region was already substantial. If I could place my loyal person as the head of the Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office, I would essentially be invincible in this area.
‘Might as well drop by while I’m at it.’
Today was Lee Na-eun’s first day as Chief Prosecutor.
It wouldn’t hurt to boost morale with a direct visit. I could also check out the Namdong Industrial Complex while I’m there.
“Soo-ah, prepare the AV.”
“Where will you be going?”
“The Namdong District Prosecutor’s Office. We’ll leave in 30 minutes.”
“Yes, Master.”
After giving the instructions, I stepped out of the mansion and headed toward the garden. Judging by the ti, Dan-tto was probably waddling around sowhere nearby.
Bzzzt.
A phone call ca in. It was Seo Ah-ram.
“Huh?”
I froze for a mont.
No way…
‘Today’s December 14th… The timing matches. Has her training ended?’
I quickly answered the call.
“This is Seo Ah-ram, Master.”
“Ah, it’s been a while.”
“I apologize for not contacting you sooner.”
“Forget that. Since you’re calling, I assu the test is over. Did you pass?”
She hesitated for about a second before replying.
“…Yes. I passed.”
Of course.
As expected of a stat monster female lead.
To pass the notoriously difficult Prestige exam in such a short ti… incredible.
If she had actually focused on studying during her school years, she probably would’ve aced the bar exam and everything else with ease.
“As expected. I had faith in you. There’s no way you wouldn’t pass.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“My judgnt is always spot on.”
Even over the phone, I could feel her joy.
“So, are you coming now?”
“There’s still the training process and so personal matters to handle. I’ll be formally assigned in January, after the new year.”
How tedious.
Does it really take this long to go through official procedures?
‘Even so, she managed it in four months flat.’
Even though that’s ridiculously fast, it still feels slow.
So it’ll happen in ’77 after all.
‘January of ’77 is the starting point of the main scenario… Could it really be synced with that?’
But I killed the male lead, brought the female lead into my little house of chaos… What’s going to happen to the main storyline? With China already making moves, the butterfly effect seems to be spiraling out of control. I’m starting to feel a bit uneasy.
‘If I assu I’m being treated as the protagonist… a completely new route might have opened up.’
It’s like a Go Muyeol route is erging.
‘But honestly, I’m not worried. Is it because I’m a chaebol?’
Not just any chaebol, but the heir of a ga-corporation that controls all of Asia.
With the family line sustained through intermarriage, and being the only man left, it’s practically a given that both my aunt and my sister are targeting .
As long as I don’t do sothing stupid, it feels like I’ll naturally rise to the center of the Koryo Group.
‘And Grandpa is completely absorbed in Go.’
This…
If things go well, I might really end up leading the Koryo Group.
‘So, the Go Muyeol story is about him becoming the Chairman of the Koryo Group.’
How epic.
Whether or not soone like could lead such a massive organization is one thing,
but just the fact that this possibility is opening up is thrilling.
Chairman of the Koryo Group, Go Muyeol.
“Perfect.”
“Yes. I’ll formally report to you soon.”
She sounded almost like a gangster.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Call ended.
“Soo-ah, Aram passed the exam. She’ll be formally assigned next month.”
“The vacant Protocol Team Leader position is finally being filled, then.”
“That’s right. Prepare a small welco ceremony or sothing for her.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t try to intimidate her or act territorial for no reason.”
“N-no, I wouldn’t, Master….”
I chuckled and pulled Soo-ah into a light embrace, giving her shoulder a squeeze.
It was soft and pleasant to the touch.
As expected, Dan-tto was playing in the garden.
She was sprawled out lazily on a beach-style lounge chair under the sunlight, holding a lon ice cream bar in her mouth.
“Hey, how is it that every ti I see you, you’re eating sothing?”
“Eh?!”
Startled, Dan-tto bolted upright.
I snatched the lon bar from her hand.
“Aah…! Give it back!”
“How much more do you plan to fatten yourself up? Look, all this is just calories, calories.”
“It’s zero calories!!”
“…Oh, really?”
She dared to glare at with defiant eyes.
Dan-tto, of all people.
I stared at her fiery, glaring eyes for a mont before sticking the lon bar back into her mouth.
The furious V-shaped eyebrows she had drawn disappeared instantly.
“Mm.”
“…You’re eating this in winter?”
“Mm!”
“What’s with that? Use words.”
Dan-tto took the lon bar out of her mouth.
“Ice cream is ant to be eaten in winter!”
“Says who? You were just at Namdong Industrial Complex a little while ago. And now you’re eating ice cream?”
“T-the complex had ice cream too!”
“Oh, really? I was picturing it being more like old North Korea.”
“Why do you think I’m so kind of caveman?!”
“Well, it’s not that different. You’re Dan-tto, after all.”
“Ugh…!”
“Enough. We have sowhere to go, so get ready.”
“Huh? Where?”
“A place where they lock up bad people. The Prosecutor’s Office.”
“Wha, what?!”
Dan-tto froze in shock, her face turning pale.
“A-are you… are you selling o-off—?”
“Wow, you’re so dramatic. Sell you off, my ass.”
I grabbed her cheek and gave it a playful tug.
“Eek…!”
“Never mind. You’re Dan-tto, so you don’t need to prepare anything. Just co as you are.”
Conveniently, Dan-tto was already wearing so strange purple puffer jacket she must have gotten from sowhere.
It was perfectly suitable for going out.
“Get in the AV, Dan-tto.”
*****
“Congratulations, Chief Prosecutor!!!”
The prosecutors assigned to the Special Investigations Division bowed in unison.
Thanks to the rigid, hierarchical culture unique to the prosecution, the scene vaguely resembled a gathering of gangsters.
“Thank you.”
Lee Na-eun fiddled with her naplate, a lazy smile on her face.
“Our role in the Special Investigations Division is singular: to prepare for investigations without sanctuary.”
At her gesture, the prosecutors straightened their backs.
They were all won whom Lee Na-eun had personally selected.
Among them were individuals who had been in the service longer than Lee Na-eun, as well as her peers from law school.
Most had been bystanders from different departnts when Lee Na-eun was ostracized in the past, though a few had actively participated in the bullying.
Nevertheless, Lee Na-eun had brought even those individuals into the Special Investigations Division.
The first reason was that her primary criterion for selection was appearance.
The second was that, as their superior, it didn’t matter anymore.
Now that they were her subordinates, whether they had bullied her or not was irrelevant.
In fact, those who had tornted her were even better—it gave her a chance to exact revenge in the most legal and sophisticated way possible.
She smacked her lips inwardly, savoring the thought.
“In short, this is a preparatory organization for the Permanent Special Investigation Office.”
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