“Hmm.”
Suah had mentioned something similar before. She had said that she felt something off about Prosecutor Na-eun.
People often say that this sort of intuition is rooted in science... But on the surface, Prosecutor Na-eun seems like the perfect embodiment of justice. And why wouldn’t she? She’s been charging at me, a force she could never hope to rival, head-on. That’s been her track record so far.
This isn’t something an ordinary person could pull off. Regardless of ability, just the fact that she dares to oppose me like this shows that she’s no ordinary human.
But what if it’s all an act?
‘Sometimes people do that. They play the role of justice, inflate their worth to the max, and then sell out when the price is right.’
Prosecutors don’t typically live off public approval, but it can certainly be helpful for their careers down the line. One common path is to go from being a “prosecutor of justice” to entering politics. People generally associate the legal profession with “justice,” so moving into politics can be a pretty smooth transition. If she were aiming for something like that, then Suah’s suspicion might be spot-on.
‘But that would make her even more impressive. It’d mean she’s been able to fool everyone around her completely, all for the sake of the bigger picture. Not to mention the self-discipline that would take.’
I can’t even imagine how many bribes, favors, and temptations Prosecutor Na-eun must have fought off. Humans can barely resist the sight of a 50,000-won bill in front of them. If she’s done all this not for her “sense of justice” but for some larger goal, she’s definitely not your average person.
“We’re heading to Rainbow Miracle, right?” “Yes.” “Let’s go there. With how much she’s been running around, it’s about time I make an appearance. Seems like hints and warnings aren’t getting through. Or, as you said, maybe she’s got her own plans.” “Uh… It could be dangerous, though? She’s likely on edge after the investigator died.” “Dangerous? I’ve got thirty cops on my payroll. Just stick by my side.” “That’s true, but…”
Of course, not everything is as it appears. Since I’m part of the owner’s family, I’ve always got people shadowing me, even without my knowledge. If things get dicey, they’ll step in.
Probably...
“I’m telling you, I don’t know anything about Detective Gong or whoever! How would I know what happened to some stranger and where? I’m not a damn shaman!”
Emilia pounded her chest, looking frustrated. She’d already been dealing with all kinds of baseless accusations lately, and now, with a prosecutor poking around, her stress levels were off the charts.
Bam!
“Don’t lie! Jincheol was here yesterday. He used his implant in the basement parking lot. The records are clear as day, so stop denying it!” “Hey! Who do you think you’re pointing fingers at? Do you even know who I am? How many complaints do you want me to file against you, huh? Should I go all out?”
Detective Song, sensitive from his colleague’s death, and Emilia, wound up with stress, didn’t back down from each other. It was truly a powder keg moment.
Swish.
“We’re missing five trainees from a week ago. Where are they?” Prosecutor Na-eun asked calmly in the midst of the heated exchange.
“Just a routine trade.” “No contracts, though.” “I didn’t give you any.” “…”
Detective Song flared up again.
“Let me explain something to you... Cooperation orders are akin to partial martial law. It’s a literal ‘order.’ This kind of non-cooperation is criminal!” “Listen, I’m only hiding things to protect you guys. If you saw what I have, it’d be bad news for you.” “For us?” “There are things better left unknown in this world. Why can’t you understand this? I’m keeping these secrets for your own good. So why don’t you stop poking around and go find Detective Gong, or whatever his name was? You said it happened in the basement parking lot. So why not check there instead of wasting my time?”
Detective Song let out a sigh of frustration, feeling as if he was speaking to a wall. Was she doing this on purpose? She had to be. But how could he deal with this infuriating woman?
“You know Kim Dong-ki, right?” “Of course. That moron... Damn it.” “He was your company’s general manager, but he’s missing now?” “Yeah, he disappeared.” “Missing? Seems like a lot of people have gone missing in this building lately.” “Must be the location. If you don’t like it, why don’t you bring in a feng shui expert? Maybe it’ll help.”
Prosecutor Na-eun stared at Emilia, who glared back without backing down.
Then...
Buzz.
Emilia’s phone rang.
“Let me take this.”
She checked the screen, clicked her tongue, and turned her head. After a few rings, she answered.
“Yes? What is it… Yes… What?”
The perpetually smug and relaxed look on her face changed to one of shock.
“You’re coming here? Now?” “?!”
Her eyes darted between Prosecutor Na-eun and Detective Song. And in that instant, Na-eun sensed who was on the other end of the call.
Before she knew it, she had acted on impulse and snatched Emilia’s phone.
“What?! What the hell are you doing?”
She put the phone to her ear.
“Hello, ‘sir.’ This is Prosecutor Lee Na-eun, from the Incheon District Prosecutors’ Office, Criminal Division Three.”
Finally, they were connected.
Investigator Yoo, along with his clerk, visited Incheon’s largest sexbot store, “Paradise.” Their mission was to confirm the purchase date of the sexbot found in Prosecutor Na-eun’s bedroom, obtain the CCTV footage, and trace the purchase to the owner.
Confirming the purchase date was easy. The model was so expensive that it was the only sale in the past two months.
“Wow… Full customization, total cost 520 million won... That’s more than my apartment’s purchase price…”
The clerk gawked, and the shop owner chuckled.
“Haha... Yeah, they’re pricey. But with cutting-edge technology, we offer sex that’s more real than the real thing.” “Something this expensive, for the prosecutor...” “…”
Something about that stuck with him.
A sex doll bought exclusively for Prosecutor Na-eun. It sounds odd, but the price tag was indeed 520 million won.
Moreover, the purchase date was August 31, just yesterday.
In other words, this “sir” spent 520 million won just to deliver this to Prosecutor Na-eun’s home.
If he softened the words a bit, he could describe him as “the man who spent 520 million won for Prosecutor Na-eun.” But that thought bugged him.
For someone like him, working his whole life wouldn’t even come close to affording that.
‘What am I thinking? Get a grip.’
He shook off the thought quickly. There was no time for distractions.
“Could I see the CCTV from that day? And the payment details, please?” “No problem.”
The shop owner was willing to cooperate, handing over the CCTV file and showing the payment records.
“Get the account details. Let’s find out who owns it.” “Yes, sir!”
Leaving the account tracing to his clerk, Investigator Yoo scanned the CCTV footage.
‘There. August 31, yesterday.’
A group appeared, led by a young man, flanked by two slender women who looked like bodyguards.
‘Static?’
The footage from where they stood was oddly distorted, as if some invisible wave was scrambling the electronics.
‘Useless...’
He could make out vague shapes like “man” and “women,” but there were no clear features to identify individuals.
‘Guess I’ll have to rely on the account name.’
He glanced over at his clerk, who was examining his phone with a puzzled expression.
“Got anything?” “Yes… Do you know of a ‘Koryeo Entertainment’ by any chance?” “Koryeo… Entertainment?” “Yeah… Nothing special in the financial records. Just a straightforward payment from Koryeo Entertainment.”
The clerk seemed uneasy.
“Ever heard of Koryeo Entertainment?”
Confirming his suspicion, he shook his head.
“No. First time.” “Right? Haha. No precautions taken at all. Guess it’s not the Koryeo we’re thinking of, huh? Hahaha.”
Investigator Yoo nodded hesitantly. Something felt off.
Buzz.
Then, a message arrived.
He was about to check when another message from the forensic team leader popped up.
A cryptic message.
He felt his heart sink, an icy chill spreading through his body.
‘No… no way…’
He opened the DNA report with trembling hands.
DNA Analysis Results
Go Mooyeol
Grandson of Go Young-man, Chairman of Go Group. Extreme caution advised.
He stared at the note, letting his phone slip from his grasp.
“Prosecutor…!!”