Chapter 26
“Do you think you can just freeload off your uncle like that?”
“Then what do you call what you’re doing right now?”
Oh Yeji snapped back, and Oh Yunbok was dumbfounded.
When she was a child, she used to run into his arms calling him uncle. But after she grew up, she had turned 180 degrees.
“How dare you talk down to an elder! Did your mother teach you that way?”
“Only old fogies bring up family upbringing. They never remember what they were taught.”
“You brat!”
“What, are you going to hit me again?!”
“Damn right! If you weren’t taught, then you’ll be beaten!”
When Oh Yunbok raised his hand, Oh Yeji squeezed her eyes shut.
I immediately rushed over and yanked the hood of Oh Yunbok’s coat backward.
“Excuse me.”
“Ughk!”
He stumbled as if standing on a round ball.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“And who are you to meddle in someone else’s family business!”
“Violence isn’t family business. It’s a crime.”
At that moment, police and the mall security guards burst in. We handed Oh Yunbok over to the officers who had come after receiving a report.
“This man assaulted someone?”
“Yes, that student over there wearing sunglasses.”
“I see. Could you explain in detail?”
I explained the situation point by point, making sure the victim and the perpetrator were kept apart.
“Wait, aren’t you the Good Samaritan from Express Bus Terminal Station? You look exactly like him.”
“…What?”
“My colleague was dispatched to that random stabbing incident at the terminal. He said he talked to you then.”
‘So he’s the one who asked me if I had a gun permit.’
“He said you were completely by-the-book then too. Looks like nothing’s changed. You make things feel very secure.”
“……”
The officer nodded and closed his incident log.
Case closed.
“Let me go! I’ll sue you!”
“I’ll release you outside.”
“I said I’ll walk on my own! Let go!”
The police dragged the shouting Oh Yunbok away.
Ms. Lee Kkotsun, tears streaming down her face, stroked her daughter’s cheek.
“Yeji, why did you get involved?”
“Was I supposed to sit still while you were being assaulted, Mom?”
“Still, a child shouldn’t tangle with a drunk like that.”
“……”
“Is your head okay?”
“It feels a little swollen, but I’ll be fine.”
‘Since they’re having a moment, I’ll give them some time and check back later.’
I turned and went into Blooming Flower Shop.
The frail shop owner flinched when she saw me, as if caught guilty.
“Ms. Blooming, you recorded video earlier, didn’t you?”
“If something happens, the videos I take can be used as evidence. It’ll be good for Yeji’s family.”
‘Videos?’
“You mean you record every time something like this happens? And each time, did you give those to Yeji’s mother?”
“……!”
Of course not.
‘She probably filmed just to gossip, like with that Express Bus Terminal stabbing video that went viral.’
Considering Blooming YouTube’s subscriber count, it was far from something good for Yeji’s family.
“…So, what do you want from me?”
“What do you think?”
I fixed her with a persistent stare until she huffed and opened her phone, grumbling as if she were the one wronged.
“Fine, I’ll just delete them! You lawyers always flaunting yourselves.”
“It’s not about flaunting.”
I took hold of her phone.
“Before deleting, please send all the videos—to Yeji’s mother, and to me as well.”
“I get sending them to her, but why to you? …What are you planning? You know I’m close with Yeji’s family. Try anything funny and you’ll regret it!”
I just smiled at her barrage.
“You say you’re close, yet you didn’t know? I’m Ms. Lee Kkotsun’s lawyer.”
“What?”
The Blooming owner looked stunned, realizing there were things she hadn’t known. I had the videos sent off.
‘Time to check on Ms. Lee, though she’s still talking with her daughter.’
Ms. Lee’s second daughter, Oh Yeji.
Better known as Jia of the idol group Twits, who debuted through an idol survival show.
Born much later than her siblings, she would turn 21 next January.
Her mother had told me yesterday:
“She said she’d become an idol since she was ten. Then she suddenly got into an agency, then suddenly appeared on TV.”
“Do you know the show Idol Survival? She got 2nd place there. Amazing, right?”
I’d been surprised to hear it then. Back when I was her age, I was too busy hanging out with friends.
“She always said she didn’t want to burden me, so she managed on her own since childhood. It made me feel guilty.”
And today, when her mother was in trouble, she stepped up without hesitation to protect her.
‘She must have been scared, but that was brave.’
I picked up the flower basket that had fallen and placed it back on the stall.
“Ma’am, are you all right?”
“Don’t worry about me. But my daughter looks hurt.”
“I can watch the store for you. Please take her to the hospital.”
“…You’d really do that?”
“Of course. Head injuries are dangerous. And things are chaotic here.”
Yeji poked her mother’s side.
“Mom, let’s go to the hospital. The manager might scold me later if we don’t.”
“Shall we go right away?”
“Yeah. But tell the company, okay? Say I only got hurt because some drunk attacked us at your shop.”
“…All right.”
“Grab your wallet and let’s go together.”
“Just a second.”
When Ms. Lee went inside, Yeji turned to me.
“What you really want is the medical report, right? To file a lawsuit?”
Sharp.
“Only if your mother wants to.”
“And if we get that report, things will change? In civil court?”
“There’s also the video of you being hit.”
“I don’t understand the law, but honestly, I probably deserved it, huh?”
“It’s better not to think that way. You never know what could happen.”
Even a stumble over a pebble could end in death. How much worse to be physically assaulted.
“…‘You never know,’ huh.”
Yeji folded her arms, suppressing her anger.
“Phew. I never thought something like this would happen again.”
‘So there have been other incidents, besides the land compensation agreement.’
Since it was our first meeting, I didn’t pry further. If I ever took on their case, having her as a witness would help.
“If you ever have questions, please reach out.”
I handed her my business card. She looked it over.
“Oh, you went to Korea National University Law? And you do both criminal and corporate law at Continet? Then why are you working out of the underground mall at Express Bus Terminal?”
There was suspicion in her voice. The mission might have nudged me here, but it was my choice. A lawyer’s worth doesn’t vanish without a fancy firm label.
Rather than answering with “because of foot traffic and proximity to district court,” I went for impact.
“Location matters less than skill. And skill—I’ve got up here.”
I tapped my head.
“Oooh, that’s badass!”
She started chanting in the middle of the mall corridor, making passersby stare.
“You shouldn’t be shaking your head if it’s injured!”
“I’m fine!”
“You’re a celebrity. What if someone films this?”
“Everyone knows I’m a beagle type anyway. Even when I bled during a reality shoot, I just kept running around.”
She was overwhelming.
‘…When will her mother be back?’
Her stall had a sign saying “Away” and a Post-it: Inquiries → Cha Do-hyuk Law Office across the street.
When Ms. Lee returned, she brought price tags and a large envelope.
“I left a sign, so customers probably won’t come. But if they do, sell at these prices—except for the damaged flowers. And here, this is the agreement you saw yesterday, plus the real estate deed.”
Just then, an exclamation mark appeared above her head.
[Mission Assigned]
< Mission >
Before March 15, 2024, persuade the victim to resolve the case.
Success: Evidence acquired.
Failure: System termination.
※ Investigation and litigation will proceed faster than in real life.
“Yeji’s father isn’t planning to sue right now, but do you think we can still move forward? This isn’t the first time, and I’m starting to think it’s serious.”
Now I understood why the mission said to persuade the victim.
Because the victim, Oh Yunsik, had no intent to sue his brother.
From Ms. Lee’s perspective, the future looked bleak, but from a lawyer’s standpoint, it wasn’t an insurmountable problem.
‘And since the system speeds things up, this actually works in my favor.’
“Go to the hospital first. Then I’ll explain in detail.”
Back at my office, I opened the envelope she had given me.
I already knew the contents, but what I really wanted to know was the circumstances when Oh Yunsik signed.
“Let’s use my psychometry ability on the agreement she gave me.”
Gasp—
Screeeech.
Late at night, in what looked like a large restaurant.
‘So they drafted the agreement in a restaurant.’
I glanced at the wall menu.
‘The name says Golmokgil. Even the napkins say Golmokgil. Must be the place.’
There were at least six visible CCTV cameras on the ceiling.
“……”
“……”
Five people sat at a cherry-colored table, fiddling with their soju glasses while stealing glances at Oh Yunsik.
He popped a grilled pork neck slice and scallions into his mouth, then gave a thumbs-up.
“This is amazing. Big sis, should we have our next gathering here too?”
“I’d love that. But since we’re family, shouldn’t we settle the Bubal-eup land compensation first before planning more?”
“Ah, you’re right. Booze makes me forget everything.”
Clink!
The eldest sister set her glass down untouched. Meanwhile, Yunsik downed his shot in one gulp.
“Ahh, that’s it for me. If I drink more, I won’t make it home.”
No sooner had he flipped his glass upside down than Oh Yunja flipped it back upright.
“You think we’ll just trust whatever agreement the youngest brings? Even if a legal scrivener drafted it, we need to check it.”
“Big sis, who else would I trust if not family? It’s not like you don’t know I can’t read.”
“Fine. But after you sign, we’re all taking another shot together.”
Snip.
That was all I needed to see.
‘The rest must’ve been him signing the scrivener’s agreement and then heading home.’
Knowing him, he probably paid the bill for everyone too.
“First thing’s first—check out this barbecue place. It wasn’t a private room, so the restaurant CCTV should have it.”
The issue was, without police or prosecutors, most restaurants wouldn’t hand over CCTV footage.
“Better confirm with Ms. Lee first if this was really the restaurant where he signed.”
Her reply came quickly.
It was a pork BBQ place called Golmokgil near Bongeunsa.
I mapped the route. From Express Bus Terminal to Bongeunsa Station was only twelve minutes on Line 9. If I acted quickly, I could pull some strings.
I immediately messaged Min Hojun.
‘Hojun, you had a classmate who passed the bar and became a cop, right?’
The “1” disappeared right away.
Yeah, why?
‘Need to ask him something.’
…You? To him?
‘Yeah.’
Tsk. I can give you his number, but maybe ask someone else instead.
Never mind, I’ll check for you myself.
That was classic Hojun—too softhearted to share a friend’s contact.
‘Then just one favor. I need restaurant CCTV for a case. Could you get a cop to either call them or come with me?’
Going with you might be hard, but I can make a call. When are you going?
‘Today, obviously.’
Knew it. LOL. Give me the restaurant’s number.
I quickly sent him the full number, area code and all.
‘Thanks!’
That’s what friends are for. You’ll owe me one too.
‘Sure, I’ll do you a favor a billion times.’
LOL, deal.
Truthfully, I’d never once asked him for a favor since high school.
Still—
‘Hojun, did I not get along with that guy?’
I’d always been a loner, but I never had bad blood with classmates. Law school was another story, but still.
He replied with a baffled emoji.
You really don’t remember?
It was Choi Seok-hyun. The guy who kept hitting on Ryeowon noona.
“Oh.”
Now I remembered.
The guy was the ultimate try-hard in our department.
