The Devil Judge [Bl Version] - Chapter 3: Doubts in the Air

The air remained heavy with tension as Ga-On followed Yo-han into the office, anger still coursing through his veins. Without knocking, he confronted Yo-han with a hard stare, his voice unwavering. \”You didn\’t hesitate to shoot. Would you have… actually killed that man?\”

Yo-han\’s gaze remained unflinching as he met Ga-On\’s challenging stare head-on. \”If I had to, I would have. The trajectory of the bus would have remained unchanged if the driver was eliminated. Instead, I fired a shot to startle him.\”

Ga-On\’s brows furrowed, his anger mingling with disbelief. \”But that man could have died.\”

Yo-han\’s response was measured, his voice carrying a pragmatic edge. \”It\’s a matter of math, Ga-On. In this scenario, two lives were at stake – mine and the driver\’s. I chose the path that would save the greater number.\”

The intensity of Ga-On\’s anger was all too clear on his face now, his frustration etched into his features. He couldn\’t help but comment, his voice laced with bitter irony. \”So, according to your math, you\’re the larger number.\”

A flicker of something in Yo-han\’s eyes hinted at a deeper understanding of Ga-On\’s emotions. His retort, however, remained curt. \”Call it what you will and You know, it\’s considered polite to knock before entering someone\’s office. And I must admit, you haven\’t thanked me for saving you yet.\”

Ga-On\’s surprise gave way to a mix of bewilderment and frustration. He was taken aback by the intense scrutiny in Yo-han\’s eyes, the unspoken sentiments that seemed to linger just beneath the surface. \”This isn\’t a joke, Yo-han. People\’s lives were at stake.\”

Yo-han\’s serious demeanor didn\’t waver, his voice steady. \”I\’m well aware, Ga-On. And I took the actions I deemed necessary.\”

The air felt tense between them, with feelings they hadn\’t said out loud hanging in the room like a promise of more arguments and surprising connections to come. As Ga-On stood there, he could feel Yo-han looking at him, a quiet understanding that showed how serious their shared experience was.

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

Later, Ga-On found himself seated across from his professor, Min Jeong-ho. The older man\’s voice carried a mix of curiosity and concern, \”So, Ga-On, tell me about your first interaction with Kang Yo-han.\”

Ga-On nodded. \”Right, well, it was quite unexpected…\”

As Ga-On\’s voice trailed off, his eyes took on a distant glint, lost in the memory of Yo-han\’s stern explanation. The professor\’s words faded into the background as Ga-On recalled the intensity of that moment.

Yo-han\’s words echoed in Ga-On\’s mind, \”It\’s a matter of math, Ga-On. Two lives were at stake…\”

Min Jeong-ho\’s voice pulled Ga-On back to the present. \”Ga-On, are you listening?\”

Ga-On blinked, refocusing on his professor. \”Sorry, Professor. Yes, I was saying that the encounter was unexpected, and Yo-han\’s actions were… intriguing.\”

Min Jeong-ho\’s brows furrowed as he pondered aloud, \”I can\’t help but wonder, Ga-On, why did Yo Han choose Chairman Ju\’s case as his first live trial?\”

Ga-On leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping absentmindedly on the table. \”My guess is that it\’s the hottest case right now. The media attention and public interest are undeniable.\”

Min Jeong-ho\’s eyes bore into Ga-On, his expression pensive. \”You know, Chairman Ju is the single largest donor of the Social Responsibility Foundation. In fact, it\’s his backing that made the live trial concept a reality.\”

Ga-On\’s gaze sharpened, absorbing the significance of Min\’s words. \”So, Chairman Ju\’s support is what enabled this trial to happen?\”

Min\’s lips pressed into a thin line, his voice tinged with skepticism. \”Indeed. The live trial, with all its sensationalism, could be seen as a way to satisfy Chairman Ju\’s influence. But I can\’t shake the feeling that Yo Han has an ulterior motive.\”

Ga-On cleared his throat, a flicker of urgency in his eyes. \”Professor, I apologize, but I have another meeting to attend. Can we continue this conversation later?\”

Min Jeong-ho nodded understandingly, his gaze thoughtful. \”Of course, Ga-On. We\’ll catch up when you\’re available. Take care.\”

With a quick nod of gratitude, Ga-On rose from his seat and made his way out of the room. The weight of their discussion and the lingering doubts about Yo Han\’s motives followed him, a constant reminder of the tangled web of intrigue that he found himself entangled in.

Seated around a polished table, the judges, including Kang Yo Han, gathered for a crucial meeting with Chief Justice Ji. The atmosphere was serious, each face etched with a blend of responsibility and contemplation. At the heart of the discussion lay the fate of a bus driver, a decision that carried the weight of potential consequences.

Ji Yoon Sik leaned in, his tone hushed and urgent. \”Yo Han, I think you should indict the bus driver without detention for now and put him on trial later. How does that sound?\”

Yo Han\’s gaze remained steady, his expression inscrutable. \”Indict the driver? And why would I want to do that?\”

Ji Yoon Sik\’s eyes flickered with a hint of frustration. \”The first live court show is around the corner so we can\’t afford a scandal that\’ll draw public attention, especially after what happened yesterday. We need to control the narrative.\”

A faint smile touched the corner of Yo Han\’s lips. \”Are you saying I should I be nice to a terrorist?\”

Ji Yoon Sik\’s laughed. \”No, but you should consider what people would think.\”

Yo Han\’s brows lifted, his voice cool and composed. \”I don\’t think I looked so bad. Haven\’t you hear of noise marketing? Incarcerating the driver would send a clear message.\”

In the midst of the conversation, Ga-On\’s voice cut through the tension. \”Hold on a second. The bus driver\’s 3-year-old daughter was among the deceased in the JU Chemicals case. Her grandmother also committed suicide following that.\”

A momentary silence hung in the air as Yo Han\’s gaze shifted to Ga-On, his expression unchanged. \”And?\”

Ga-On\’s frustration flared, his voice taking on a sharper tone. \”But you rejected the arrest warrant against Chairman Ju, the man responsible for the JU Chemicals disaster. And now you\’re considering incarcerating an innocent man?\”

Yo Han\’s gaze remained unwavering, his demeanor unyielding. \”Chairman Ju is a different matter altogether. As for this driver, his personal tragedy doesn\’t change the situation.\”

Ga-On\’s frustration surged, his voice a mix of anger and desperation. \”Isn\’t justice about protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty? How can you be so selective in your approach?\”

Yo Han\’s lips curved into a measured smile, his voice laced with conviction. \”Ga-On, in the trial, Joo II Do would merely be a defendant. But the bus driver was caught on the scene. Victims don\’t have the right to hurt others, even if they\’re hurt themselves.\”

Ga-On\’s objection was swift, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions. \”But the driver is hurt too–.\”

Yo Han\’s stern expression cut him off, \”And there are doctors at the detention center too. His emotional state won\’t deter justice from being served.\”

As the meeting drew to a close, Ga-On cast a lingering glance at Kang Yo-Han, his gaze carrying a mix of pity and frustration. In response to Ga-On\’s pity-laden gaze, Kang Yo-Han\’s own eyes bore into him, a silent exchange of unspoken thoughts and emotions that spoke volumes. The intensity of their eye contact seemed to bridge the gap between their differing viewpoints, even as it left the lingering question of whether their perspectives would ever find common ground.

Later in the evening,

Ga-On\’s frustration reached a boiling point as he read through Yo Han\’s proposal, his disbelief turning into a confrontation. \”Yo Han, are you serious? A voting app to determine verdicts? Is this your idea of justice?\”

Yo Han\’s gaze remained steady, unflinching in the face of Ga-On\’s anger. \”Ga-On, this is democracy in action. Let the people decide.\”

Ga-On\’s eyes narrowed, his voice edged with exasperation. \”And what\’s the point of associate judges if it\’s going to be a democratic trial? Your logic doesn\’t add up.\”

A barely detectable smile tugged at the corner of Yo Han\’s lips. He stepped closer, his gaze intent on Ga-On\’s eyes and lips. \”Oh, come on, Ga-On. It\’s just a TV show, after all. Besides, wouldn\’t it be nice to have two good-looking individuals on either side of me?\”

Ga-On was taken aback by the unexpected reply, his shock clear on his face. His irritation grew, fueled by the surreal nature of the conversation. As Yo Han smoothly walked away and got into his car, driving away with a casual demeanor, Ga-On\’s frustration deepened. 

The next day, Ga-On met with his professor, Min, for lunch. As they settled into their seats, Ga-On broached the subject that had been occupying his thoughts. \”Professor, have you ever heard of Minister Cha?\”

Min looked thoughtful, taking a moment before responding. \”Ah, yes. About 20 years ago, she was a prominent prosecutor.\”

Ga-On\’s voice carried a tinge of intrigue as he continued. \”I found out that she helped Chairman Ju on three occasions when he faced legal issues while expanding his business.\”

Recognition dawned in Min\’s eyes. \”So, she was his legal savior back then.\”

Ga-On nodded. \”Exactly. And now Yo Han wants to put Chairman Ju on trial. The pieces seem to be connecting.\”

A knowing expression settled on Min\’s face. \”Ah, I see where you\’re going with this. Minister Cha was Chairman Ju\’s sponsor.\”

Ga-On\’s eyes gleamed with a mix of realization and skepticism. \”And now, she\’s silently observing as Yo Han proceeds with the trial.\”

Min\’s voice held a note of agreement. \”It seems like the past favors are being repaid, but in a rather unexpected way.\”

Ga-On\’s brow furrowed as he voiced his doubts. \”Is this trial about exposing Chairman Ju\’s crimes, or is it a way to hide them under the guise of justice?\”

Min leaned back, his expression contemplative. \”It\’s a delicate balance, Ga-On. The trial could be a platform for unveiling the truth or orchestrating an intricate cover-up.\”

To be continued….