Chapter 20
I’m a Pro, You Know? (2)
“I acknowledge that. Counselor for the plaintiff… just refer to them as the plaintiff.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The lawyer was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected counter. In courtroom battles, choosing precise words can be a psychological weapon—something only seasoned lawyers truly understand—but Hyeong-jin blocked it instantly.
What… is this guy?
He wasn’t even a law student, nor did he attend a legal academy. It was strange that he knew so much, but now that it had started, there was no turning back.
“I have repeatedly stated that the plaintiff’s children were merely playing a prank. They only intended to scare and bring him along. On the contrary, the defendant, Hyeong-jin, was prepared with spray and a collapsible baton. This shows that he knew what could happen and had taken precautions. Yet he didn’t prevent the crime—he used it to defend himself and caused harm.”
Ho?
Hyeong-jin eyed the opposing lawyer sharply. Between the choice of words earlier and this attack, he was clearly a sharp and capable professional.
Nam Sang-joo… Nam Sang-joo? The Namwoo Law Firm? No wonder…
In the future, Nam Sang-joo would establish a law firm with Woo-jung Sang and become a dominant figure in Korea within just five years. He was that skilled.
So that’s why he can be so confident.
An ordinary person wouldn’t know that Hyeong-jin had planned everything, but Nam had figured it out.
Good thing I discarded all survival gear before coming here.
The candy bars were eaten, the protective foil buried underground, and the shovel hidden under rocks. There was no evidence left of Hyeong-jin’s preparation, yet the lawyer had deduced it.
This is going to be fun.
Hyeong-jin smirked, anticipating the challenge.
“First, I’d like to call the initial discoverer, Woo Gwang-hyun, as a witness.”
“Granted.”
A man stepped forward. He was the rental car employee who first found Hyeong-jin.
“Witness, please swear in.”
“I swear.”
After the oath, questioning began. Nam Sang-joo started with sharp questions.
“I heard that when you found the defendant, he seemed extremely calm. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true. He requested help very calmly.”
“Is it usual for a kidnapping victim to remain that composed?”
“Well… I guess not.”
“Yes or no, please.”
“Generally, it would be difficult.”
“Then, do you think a typical sixteen-year-old could survive in such conditions for three days?”
“Probably… it would be tough. Winter is coming, and nights are cold.”
“Right? Yet the discovered Hyeong-jin, apart from looking tired, appeared normal?”
“Yes.”
Ah… clever.
Nam Sang-joo was attacking in an unexpected way, subtly implying that Hyeong-jin might have anticipated the incident.
“Then, this could mean the defendant was aware of the incident in advance?”
“Well… I suppose it’s possible.”
“Yes or no only.”
“Yes, based on his composed phrasing, it’s possible he knew.”
“And…”
The questioning continued, skillfully steering toward the idea that Hyeong-jin had anticipated the events.
“Therefore, he was prepared in advance. The evidence is his defensive gear. Yet instead of avoiding the conflict, he deliberately allowed it to escalate…”
This guy isn’t messing around.
Hyeong-jin realized he had underestimated the precision of Nam Sang-joo’s questioning.
Have I lost my touch?
Still, he wasn’t out of options.
“I, the defendant, will handle my defense personally, without a lawyer.”
Hyeong-jin stood and faced the witnesses.
“Witness, do you have parents?”
“Huh?”
“Your Honor, this is unrelated to the case.”
Nam Sang-joo tried to block it, but Hyeong-jin objected.
“It’s a necessary question.”
After a brief pause, the judge allowed it.
“Proceed, but if inappropriate, I will stop it immediately.”
“Yes. Do you have parents?”
“My father passed away; my mother is alive.”
“Then you held a funeral for your father?”
“Yes.”
“Was it a significant shock when he passed?”
“Very much so. It was sudden, due to an accident.”
“Likely a three-day funeral?”
“Yes.”
“Afterward, did your mother retire from work or receive counseling?”
“No.”
“So three days is sufficient time to recover from a major event?”
“Yes, that would be enough.”
Only now did Nam Sang-joo understand the purpose. Three days—a typical adjustment period.
“I was discovered four days after the kidnapping, counting the day of the incident. A normal person wouldn’t fully recover from trauma yet, but enough time to adapt and make rational decisions. Humans are resilient, and even losing a parent doesn’t prevent functioning in daily life after three days. According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, I should have been panicking, but generally, a person can process the situation and respond rationally after such a period.”
Click.
Nam Sang-joo was momentarily speechless. It was a valid point. Hyeong-jin had used his parents’ example to explain a general human reaction, making his argument more credible.
“That’s all.”
Hyeong-jin finished his defense, and Nam Sang-joo’s face fell.
“Next, I call the witness…”
He assumed he lost this battle and quickly called the next witness.
“Survival expert, Jeong Yoon-sang.”
“Granted.”
Jeong Yoon-sang was a popular survival expert recently featured on TV, appearing in court for a hefty fee.
“The defendant survived four days in the wilderness without help. What do you think?”
“It would be difficult. A middle school student with limited knowledge and undeveloped physical skills would struggle to survive four days.”
“What if they were prepared in advance?”
“Then survival is possible.”
“What should they prepare?”
“Survival foil, candy bars, and a small shovel. These items are compact and can be carried on the body discreetly.”
Damn!
Hyeong-jin had thought he cleared all evidence, yet Nam Sang-joo had anticipated bringing in a survival expert.
I have to admit, his skills are impressive.
In the lawyer’s world, morality doesn’t matter; only ability counts. Nam Sang-joo’s ability was undeniable.
“What is the temperature in the wilderness at night this season?”
“Down to -15°C.”
“And humans?”
“They’d risk hypothermia and death.”
The questioning focused on the difficulty for a sixteen-year-old to survive four days.
“That’s all.”
Hyeong-jin observed the judges and audience. Doubt lingered in their eyes.
Damn, experts have a lot of pull.
An expert’s opinion carries weight; people rarely question it. Hyeong-jin called this “pseudo-expertise,” forcing general perspectives without real context.
“Does the defense have anything to say?”
“Yes.”
Hyeong-jin stood. He wasn’t backing down.
“You said he is Jeong Yoon-sang?”
“Yes.”
“A survival expert. Where did you train?”
“Seven years in the military, three in special forces. Now I run a survival school.”
“So you’re knowledgeable about survival?”
“Yes.”
People now regarded him as an expert. Hyeong-jin saw his opening.
“Mr. Jeong, you’re famous, right?”
“Yes.”
“Author of Enjoying 21st-Century Survival?”
“Yes.”
“From that book’s perspective, what can it teach?”
“It explains practical survival skills—how to survive in real-life scenarios, not just theory.”
“Exactly. The book provides practical survival knowledge accessible to ordinary people.”
Jeong Yoon-sang looked pleased—but that became his trap.
“If the defendant read this book, it would have helped him survive, correct?”
“Huh?”
Jeong Yoon-sang froze.
“Yes or no—did it help him survive?”
If he said yes, it supported Hyeong-jin. If no, it discredited his own book.
“The chapters: 1) finding shelter, 2) safe water, 3) procuring food…”
By reciting the table of contents, Hyeong-jin made it obvious he had read the book.
“That’s the book you wrote?”
“Yes.”
“So the defendant read it?”
“Yes.”
“Then could the content have helped him survive?”
“Yes, fully possible.”
Nam Sang-joo’s expression dropped, while Hyeong-jin silently cheered.
“But starting a fire is not easy,” Jeong added, subtly signaling his awareness of Nam’s influence.
“Rubbing stones or wood is hard, right?”
“Yes.”
“Using a lighter?”
“Uh… a middle schooler having a lighter… that implies preparation.”
“Do you know the smoking rate among middle schoolers?”
“….”
“Can you be sure the defendant didn’t smoke?”
“Well…”
