The Devil Judge [Bl Version] - Chapter 6: Diverse Souls

When Yo Han extended the invitation to have dinner together, Jin-Joo\’s excitement was palpable, her eyes lighting up with surprise. \”Oh, that sounds great! I\’d love to!\”

On the other hand, Yo Han\’s gaze shifted to Ga-On, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He watched Ga-On\’s reaction closely, as if anticipating his response to the situation.

Ga-On\’s reluctance was evident in his expression as he hesitated before finally conceding. \”Uh, yeah, sure. Dinner sounds good.\”

At the elegant restaurant, Yo Han lived up to his heir status by treating them to a fancy dinner. The ambiance was refined, a stark contrast to the tension that often surrounded their interactions.

Jin-Joo\’s curiosity got the best of her as she leaned in, her eyes wide with intrigue. \”So, Yo Han, what do you do in your free time?\”

Yo Han\’s demeanor shifted subtly, his gaze locked onto Ga-On, his eyes intense and unwavering, as if he was sharing more than just words. \”I like to hunt. There\’s a thrill in shooting a charging beast between the eyes, in that split second when you face danger head-on.\”

As the evening progressed and more expensive and exotic dishes graced the table, Jin-Joo\’s excitement only grew. Her eyes lit up with each new delicacy, and she savored each bite with genuine pleasure.

On the other hand, Ga-On\’s demeanor remained unchanged. He showed no interest in the lavish spread before them, his focus seemingly fixed on Yo Han. Behind his stoic expression, there was a silent judgment that he couldn\’t quite suppress.

Jin-Joo\’s appreciation for the taste of the food was evident in her delighted exclamations. \”Oh, this is amazing! The flavors are so rich and complex!\”

Yo Han\’s response was measured, his tone carrying a touch of detachment. \”I have a poor palate, I\’m afraid.\” His gaze flickered toward Ga-On briefly before returning to his meal. \”For me, food is just… And, because I can\’t taste food well, I find a certain satisfaction in tearing and crushing it with my \’fangs,\’ so to speak.\”

Ga-On\’s irritation simmered just below the surface, his patience wearing thin as Yo Han\’s words continued to play on the edges of his patience. Unable to hold back any longer, he interjected with a hint of exasperation. \”You know, it\’s called teeth, not \’fangs\’.\”

Jin-Joo glanced between the two of them, sensing the underlying tension. She tried to diffuse the situation with a nervous laugh. \”Come on, guys, let\’s not get caught up in semantics.\”

Yo Han\’s gaze shifted back to Ga-On, a subtle challenge in his eyes. \”Semantics can reveal quite a lot, don\’t you think?\”

Jin-Joo\’s voice cut through the charged atmosphere, a break in the torrent of emotions that had been exchanged. Her tone was curious, seeking a new angle to the conversation. \”And what about your family, Kang Yo Han? What were they like?\”

Yo Han\’s admission cut through. \”I grew up wealthy,\” he acknowledged, his tone carrying an air of both candor and detachment. He continued, his voice holding a trace of bitterness, \”But my father was a vicious loan shark.\”

Ga-On\’s curiosity got the better of him as he posed a pointed question. \”So, was your father a heartless jerk?\”

A sardonic smile played at Yo Han\’s lips as he seemed to taunt Ga-On in response. \”Well, you might know, considering your family\’s deep debt.\”

The words struck a nerve, a sudden and sharp reminder of Ga-On\’s own painful history. A flashback engulfed him, taking him back to a time of sorrow and loss. He saw himself as a young boy, standing by his parents\’ graves, tears streaming down his face.

\”Oh, my bad. I shouldn\’t have said that,\” Yo Han\’s voice held a note of apology, the faintest trace of guilt evident in his expression.

Struggling to hold his ground, Ga-On\’s response was laced with a combination of anger and control. \”Pretending to care while being heartless, that\’s the signature move of moneylenders.\”

Unable to endure the mounting tension any longer, Ga-On found himself on the brink of breaking. With a strained smile, he forced himself to excuse his departure. \”Excuse me, I have to go.\”

\”But Ga-On, we\’re here together,\” Jin-Joo\’s voice was laced with concern, her eyes flickering between Ga-On and Yo Han.

Ga-On\’s response was resolute, his frustration evident in his tone. \”I can\’t stay here and watch him eat so calmly, as if nothing matters.\”

Jin-Joo\’s brows furrowed in confusion, torn between her loyalty to her friend and the intrigue of the situation. \”But… what\’s bothering you so much?\”

Ga-On\’s gaze remained fixed on Yo Han, his features a mix of frustration and something more complex. \”It\’s not just about the food, Jin-Joo. It\’s about everything he represents, everything he says without a care.\”

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Ga-On walked through the bustling subway with a heavy heart, the remnants of his frustration and confusion weighing on him like a leaden cloak. Curses for Yo Han swirled in his mind, a release for the pent-up emotions that had been stirred during the evening. As he navigated the crowded sidewalks, his steps carried him forward with a sense of determination mixed with an air of melancholy.

But suddenly, the urban backdrop was interrupted by the sudden roar of an engine. Ga-On\’s head snapped up just in time to catch sight of a sports car hurtling towards him with reckless speed. His heart raced as the car came perilously close, the rush of air and the sound of tires screeching filling his ears.

In a matter of seconds, the situation escalated further. The sports car, driven by Lee Young-Min, continued its path of audacious recklessness, narrowly missing Ga-On before a sudden swerve knocked him off balance. Ga-On stumbled and tumbled to the ground, his body crashing against the pavement. Ga-On\’s journey to the hospital and subsequent discharge were relatively quick, as his injuries were deemed minor. 

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The next day found him back in the office, his determination undeterred by the incident with Lee Young-Min. With a sense of purpose, Ga-On headed towards Yo Han\’s office under the pretense of returning a borrowed book.

As he entered the room, he couldn\’t help but notice the subtle shift in Yo Han\’s demeanor, a mixture of surprise and concern flickering across his features.

However, it was when Yo Han\’s gaze fell upon the injuries on Ga-On\’s head and hands that a more profound change took place. His stern expression wavered for a fleeting moment, replaced by a flash of pain that seemed to flicker in his eyes.

\”Who did this?\” Yo Han\’s voice was tinged with a controlled intensity, the question more than just an inquiry. It held an undertone of protectiveness that Ga-On couldn\’t quite decipher.

Ga-On hesitated briefly, his own emotions a turbulent mix as he responded, \”It was just someone reckless on the road.\”

Yo Han\’s features shifted again, his expression returning to its usual calm exterior, but the undercurrent of anger remained palpable. Despite his composed facade, the emotion simmered beneath the surface, a testament to his concern for Ga-On\’s well-being.

Once inside Yo Han\’s office, Ga-On couldn\’t help but feel a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. He took a deep breath, deciding to get to the point. \”There\’s something bothering me,\” he admitted, his gaze meeting Yo Han\’s.

Yo Han\’s response was laced with a hint of amusement as he gestured for Ga-On to take a seat. \”Well, I can\’t have anything bothering my precious sidekick,\” he quipped, a playful glint in his eyes.

Ga-On\’s expression remained serious as he broached the topic. \”Jang Ki-young, the witness… I\’ve never seen someone flip on the stand like that.\”

Yo Han\’s demeanor shifted to one of contemplation. \”He might have felt guilty,\” he offered as a possible explanation.

Ga-On\’s brows furrowed, skepticism evident in his voice. \”Or maybe he tried too hard to make Chairman Ju into a murderer.\”

As the conversation deepened, Yo Han\’s gaze turned steely, a sign that he was fully engaged in the discussion. Ga-On didn\’t shy away from expressing his thoughts. \”You seemed to go along with his narrative a little too eagerly,\” he pointed out.

A charged silence hung in the air as Ga-On accused Yo Han of aligning with the witness\’s account. Ga-On pressed further, explaining that while Chairman Ju wasn\’t charged with murder, the admission of professional negligence was due to Ki-young\’s testimony.

Yo Han\’s response was direct, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. \”Everything turned out well.\”

But Ga-On wasn\’t ready to back down. His tone grew more determined as he challenged Yo Han\’s perspective. \”Trials should be constitutional.\”

Yo Han\’s expression remained firm as he presented his own philosophy. \”The ends justify the means, Ga-On. Trials are nothing more than rigged games. The powerful use whatever means necessary to escape while the powerless victims mourn.\”

Yo Han\’s gaze held a certain intensity, as if he was revealing a deeper truth that he had come to accept over time. \”Justice, my dear Ga-On, is a lofty ideal. But in the real world, it\’s often twisted, manipulated, and obscured.\”

The clash of ideals hung heavy in the air, the tension between Ga-On\’s belief in justice and Yo Han\’s cynical view of the legal system palpable. Ga-On\’s silence spoke volumes, his struggle to reconcile his own principles with the reality Yo Han presented evident in his contemplative expression. 

\”I should probably go back to my work.\” Ga-On bowed and stood up.

\”Be careful out there,\” Yo Han\’s words held a note of caution, his voice soft yet tinged with an almost imperceptible hint of concern.

As Ga-On turned to leave the office, he couldn\’t help but feel the lingering intensity of Yo Han\’s stare on his back, a silent reminder that beneath the surface of their conversations, a connection was forming, one that transcended the barriers they had initially erected.

To be continued……