The Devil Judge [Bl Version] - Chapter 1: Fateful First Encounter

In the heart of the city, two very different worlds existed side by side. On one side, there was a fancy event organized by the Social Responsibility Foundation. Rich-looking people gathered to raise money for the current economic crisis. Cameras flashed, capturing their glamorous outfits and smiles, as if they were solving the nation\’s problems.

But just next to this glittering scene, a different story unfolded. Poor people were struggling and fighting against the government and wealthy individuals. They were hit hard by the crisis and felt ignored.

At the event, a man stood up and talked loudly. He acted like he had all the answers to the crisis, saying he could make the country rich again. His speech was confident, and he seemed proud of his solution. He spoke about riots happening across South Korea, like the country was in big trouble.

Surprisingly, this man turned out to be the President of South Korea, Heo Jung Se. This news shocked everyone watching, as he was talking to the whole country, not just the fancy event attendees.

The cameras also showed some other powerful people who controlled politics in the background. They were like puppeteers pulling the strings.

President Heo continued his speech, saying he had a solution for the two-year crisis. He introduced a new show called \’People\’s Live Court\’. This show would let regular people be the jury in a live court. It was a big deal, something that had never been done before. The nation watched and listened, torn between the fancy event\’s show and the struggles of real life.

As President Heo unveiled Kang Yo Han as the chosen juror for the upcoming live show, a wave of anticipation swept through the event venue. All eyes turned towards the entrance, where a figure strode in with an aura of regal confidence. It was as if Kang Yo Han had stepped out of the pages of history, his presence commanding attention like that of a powerful monarch.

Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, Kang Yo Han\’s every step exuded an air of boldness and charisma. His posture was that of a king, shoulders squared and head held high, radiating an undeniable magnetism. The room seemed to pause as he walked, a palpable energy rippling through the air.

The attendees watched in awe, captivated by this figure who seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Whispers of his reputation circulated, tales of his brilliance and unwavering determination. It was as if destiny itself had ushered him into this moment, his arrival casting a shadow that stretched far beyond his physical presence.

As he took his place among the event\’s elite, Kang Yo Han\’s gaze remained steady, his expression a masterclass in enigmatic confidence. The president\’s announcement had drawn a connection between this man and the unfolding drama, a connection that intrigued and mystified all who bore witness.

In the eyes of those present, Kang Yo Han was no mere mortal. He was a force to be reckoned with, a symbol of power and influence. The event\’s grandeur seemed to pale in comparison to his aura, and as he settled into his role as a juror, the air grew charged with an electric anticipation. The stage was set, and Kang Yo Han had entered, a king amidst the crowd, ready to shape the destiny of the live show and the nation itself.

With the event\’s energy still palpable, Kang Yo Han stepped forward, a distinct presence amidst the gathered audience. His voice carried a measured authority as he introduced himself, his words clear and deliberate. \”Hello, I am Kang Yo Han.\”

A brief, respectful bow followed his introduction, a gesture that spoke of his acknowledgment of the audience\’s attention and his readiness to engage with them. The room, once abuzz with conversations and anticipation, hushed for a moment, all eyes now fixed on the enigmatic figure before them.

In those few words, he had managed to command the room\’s attention, an embodiment of the aura he exuded. And just as swiftly as he had appeared, he signaled the meeting\’s conclusion with that same bow, a succinct gesture that seemed to encapsulate his presence.

Amid the impressed whispers and intrigued glances, Jung Sun-A, exuding her own air of confidence, approached Kang Yo Han with a delicate flute of champagne in hand. She held it up, a playful smile on her lips as their glasses clinked together, producing a melodious chime.

\”To sexy power,\” she quipped, her words laced with flirtatious undertones.

Kang Yo Han\’s response, however, was notably subdued. He accepted the glass with a measured nod, his gaze fixed beyond the rim of the champagne, as if pondering something deeper. Taking a sip, his expression remained unchanged, showing only a hint of disinterest.

Jung Sun-A\’s attempt at light banter had met an unexpected reception. Undeterred, she continued, \”You don\’t seem too excited about \’sexy power\’?\”

Kang Yo Han\’s response was delivered with an air of detachment, \”Appearances can often be deceiving.\”

She chuckled softly, seemingly intrigued by his response. \”You\’re a mystery, aren\’t you?\”

He took another sip before replying, his voice carrying a touch of indifference, \”I find real power lies beneath the surface.\”

Jung Sun-A\’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, her curiosity evident. \”And what lies beneath your surface, Kang Yo Han?\”

His eyes met hers briefly before shifting, his attention drifting to the room. \”A game yet to unfold,\” he replied enigmatically.

She tilted her head, an intrigued smile playing on her lips. \”Well, I do love a good game.\”

As the evening\’s extravagance continued to unfold around them, the contrast between Kang Yo Han\’s reserved demeanor and the glitzy ambiance grew more pronounced. While the event bubbled with superficiality, he remained the calm eye of the storm, his thoughts seemingly anchored to a different realm. The exchange of champagne had been a mere blip in his intricate mental landscape, a fragment of time lost amidst the deeper currents of his mind.

*****************

The following day, KIM GA-ON (Jinyoung) heads to his new job as a judge on the controversial new trial show. He shows his ID badge to get past the police line into the courthouse where he reports to JUSTICE MIN (Ahn Nae-sang) who appointed his former student Ga-on to be a foil for Yo-han and fight for true justice.

Justice Min gives him the tour of the performance-ready courtroom for the broadcast trials. He\’s no fan of Yo-han, disparaging the ludicrous bills he\’s passed.

\”This looks like some kind of temple.\” Ga-On gasps.

\”It is the temple of justice.\” Justice Min replies. \”The trials will be broadcast live.\”

Ga-On looks at him with surprise, \”Why does Judge Kang Yo Han want to raise the stakes like this?\”  

\”Judge\”? He\’s no ordinary judge. He is a revolutionist who will eradicate court corruption, the devastated nation\’s only hope.  He sure seems extremely popular. A monster emerges in turbulent times. All those absurd bills he\’s passed so far… He doesn\’t think like a jurist. He thinks like a politician.\”

Ga-On could sense a feeling that Justice Min is no fan of Yo-Han, \”You seem to despise him, but you still want me on the bench?\”

Justice Min turns towards him with a face of hope, \”Someone has to be there. Someone who can keep his eyes wide open in this crazy wind. No one else here wants to go against the wind.\”

\”You want me to be Judas?\”

\”Do you remember what I used to say in every lecture?\”

Ga-On looks at his professor and nods his head in agreement. 

*****************

\”In the human world, there\’s no such thing as easy justice,\”  Ga-on recalls his professor\’s word as he stands in front of Kang Yo-Han\’s office door.

In that pivotal moment, Yo-han\’s eyes lock onto him, a steady and unyielding gaze that dissects every inch of his being. The air becomes charged with tension, like an invisible thread connecting them, unraveling the layers of his soul.

Kim Ga-On clears his throat, mustering the courage to break the silence. \”It\’s nice to meet you,\” he offers, his voice betraying a mixture of respect and unease.

Yo Han\’s eyes settled on Ga-on\’s face, studying his features. But then his gaze drifted, fixating on Ga-on\’s delicate neck and lips.

There was a moment of intensity, a charged pause as Yo Han\’s focus seemed to shift to these small details. It was as if he was drawn to them, finding something intriguing and magnetic in their simplicity.

In that heartbeat, the air between them seemed to hold a certain tension, a silent connection. Yo Han\’s gaze hinted at a deeper perception, a fleeting glimpse into something beyond the surface.

But just as quickly, the moment passed. Yo Han\’s attention shifted, the enigmatic aura returning, leaving a sense of curiosity and wonder lingering in the air.

Kim Ga-On swallows nervously, the weight of Yo-han\’s scrutiny bearing down on him. \”What\’s wrong?\”

Yo-han\’s lips curve into a fraction of a smile, a glimmer of intrigue dancing in his eyes. \”It\’s nothing, sorry. You said you were Judge Kim Ga On, correct?\”, his voice like smooth velvet with an undercurrent of curiosity. 

\”Yes, please take care of me-\”

\”Welcome, for coming to the warzone.\” Kang Yo-Han cuts him off.

Ga-On walks away, heart racing and thoughts swirling. He can\’t quite pinpoint what just transpired, but one thing is certain – in that encounter, beneath the surface of formality, a silent understanding passed between them, a prelude to a story that\’s about to unfold.

Once Ga-on leaves, Yo-han opens a file containing an article about a couple who killed themselves after being scammed and Ga-on\’s resume. 

\”He looks more like him than I expected,\” Yo-han mutters.

To be continued…