Chapter 59 – I Heard You’re Back, So Welcome

PD Do Jun-gi, who entered the conference room with Geum Nae-yeong, swept and gathered the documents scattered on the table with one hand.

It was very different from the conference rooms of programs Geum Nae-yeong usually saw. An chaotic atmosphere resembling a publishing company with a deadline just around the corner.

On the wall, a large board reading was hung.

In one corner, the names of fugitives were densely written on a whiteboard. Names written in bold marker for emphasis, and traces of writing and erasing multiple times were filled.

Next to it, dozens of maps with case-related photos and travel routes were pasted over.

“As for the panel, Professor Choi Yun-cheol, a criminal psychologist, will appear.”

PD Do Jun-gi continued his explanation.

“This episode is scheduled to focus on five violent crime fugitives who have not been arrested for over 5 years.

We will show the overview of each case and the process of tracking them down together.

Also, a few investigators who were in charge of the case at the time will appear and directly tell us about the investigation records and experiences of that time.”

“Yes, understood.”

As Geum Nae-yeong nodded, the PD pulled out an envelope from the file folder and handed it over.

“Here are the broadcast materials, montages, and fugitive flyers.”

What unfurled from inside the envelope were five photos.

In terms of appearance, they looked like ordinary men.

“There are five in total. Among them, these three are highly likely to have fled overseas…

And these two are completely missing. Well, we are receiving tips from here and there, but it is not easy.”

He paused for a moment and looked at Geum Nae-yeong.

“Looking at the last broadcast, you have an exceptional eye for detail, Lawyer Geum. So I prepared to show you the photos in advance.”

Two bundles of photos placed on the table.

“This side shows the last captured appearance just before they began their life on the run.

And next is the current facial appearance we estimated by analyzing it with experts.”

Geum Nae-yeong picked up the photos.

And he took them in, scanning them quickly.

“May I take the materials you gave and look at them once more?”

“Of course.”

At Geum Nae-yeong’s words, PD Do Jun-gi smiled and nodded.

After the meeting had progressed to some extent, Geum Nae-yeong stood up from his seat for a moment.

“I will go to the restroom for a moment.”

“Yes, if you go out, it’s at the end of the hallway on the right.”

***

*Swoosh, swoosh. Whoosh.*

As Geum Nae-yeong washed his hands and came out of the restroom, lights flashed in one corner of the station lobby as if some filming was taking place.

A young man was doing an interview, and the staff were moving busily.

“We are ON.P, a new fashion brand targeting the younger generation that combines American West Coast campus sensibility and hip-hop mood.”

“Yes, I hear there is significant word of mouth through Starstagram lately. Designer, please introduce the brand in a bit more detail.”

The voice of the brightly smiling interviewer and the confident young man intersected.

Geum Nae-yeong cast a brief glance and walked away indifferently.

“……Geum Nae-yeong?”

A voice that was familiar but heard after a long time.

At that single word, Geum Nae-yeong stopped his steps.

He slowly turned his head.

And, Park Ki-on was standing there.

Although ten years had passed,

he still wore that cowardly smile on his lips, just like back then.

“Wow, it’s been a long time. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Park Ki-on walked over slowly.

“You’ve been doing really well while I was in the US, huh? Appearing on the news, doing broadcasts… You’re practically a celebrity now, aren’t you?”

“……”

Geum Nae-yeong said nothing.

Seeing that sight, Park Ki-on snorted and raised his chin mockingly.

“You’re still keeping your mouth shut, pretending to be something, pretending to be great, just like always?”

With a sneer on his face, Park Ki-on pulled out a business card from his chest pocket.

*Slap, slip*.

He forced the business card into Geum Nae-yeong’s suit jacket pocket. And he tapped that spot.

“I’m running a fashion business. Well, a nerd like you wouldn’t understand what fashion is, but…”

Park Ki-on scanned Geum Nae-yeong from head to toe. He added with a sneer.

“If you need clothes, drop by. I’ll give them to you for free. Grade B ones. Hahahaha.”

“…….”

Geum Nae-yeong slowly looked at him.

It was a gaze in which neither expression nor emotion was revealed.

And his lips moved very slightly.

“Coward.”

At the sudden word, Park Ki-on raised his eyes.

“W-What…? What did you say?”

Geum Nae-yeong smiled very slightly.

“You still haven’t memorized it, I see. A middle school level word.”

“What? You bastard?!”

In an instant, Park Ki-on’s true colors were revealed. As his voice grew louder, the surrounding gazes focused on them.

He adjusted his voice again and suppressed his temper.

“Looking like a total loser, I thought you would die after getting brain surgery, but your memory is perfectly fine? I remember too, you know?”

Geum Nae-yeong looked straight at him.

“Of course. Even if I, Geum Nae-yeong, don’t remember you, Park Ki-on. You must remember me.”

Park Ki-on grinned and shot back mockingly.

“What are you talking about, you retard? So you’ve become a lawyer now in that status?

A lawyer? Do you think that’s a big deal? If I just have money, guys like you bow their heads in front of me one after another.”

Park Ki-on snorted.

Geum Nae-yeong silently looked at Park Ki-on.

His gaze was quiet. However, there was no warmth in it.

‘Huh…? What?’

They were not the eyes of the greenhorn who used to brag about studying well in the past.

“Sigh… I see your head has grown in the meantime. Even so, you’re just a measly lawyer, aren’t you? How much do you earn?

Well, you’re working at some no-name law firm?”

Geum Nae-yeong looked coldly at Park Ki-on.

“…You looked me up?”

Park Ki-on’s face stiffened.

“Look you up? What an illusion, thinking you’re some grand celebrity…”

Speechless at Geum Nae-yeong’s words, Park Ki-on turned around in annoyance.

At that moment, Geum Nae-yeong’s calm voice was heard from behind his back.

“I didn’t become a lawyer to make money.”

Park Ki-on’s steps stopped.

He turned back and frowned.

“…What?”

“If I wanted to make money, there are many other occupations. But there is a reason I chose to be a lawyer as my profession.”

“…What? So what, what about it? Do I have to listen to the reason you became a lawyer?”

“No. But knowing it might be helpful to you.”

“Help? What does you earning a living have to do with me?”

Park Ki-on laughed mockingly and looked coldly at him.

“But you still have a knack for making people feel dirty. That hasn’t changed.”

Geum Nae-yeong spoke very slowly.

“The reason I became a lawyer… to punish your family. Legally.”

“What?”

Park Ki-on doubted his ears.

He looked at Geum Nae-yeong again, but his expression was impossible to even read.

Rather, Geum Nae-yeong’s face was peaceful and calm.

Even in a way, it seemed as if a slight expectation hung on it.

Like that of a predator standing in front of its prey.

“Lawyers… make even the illegal legal.

And they also legally turn someone’s life into a living hell.”

As the words continued, Park Ki-on’s sarcastic expression stiffened hard.

Geum Nae-yeong added one last word.

“Since you’re back, welcome.”

Geum Nae-yeong said that and left the place nonchalantly.

Park Ki-on even forgot the fact that he was in the middle of a clothing brand launch interview.

He felt a strange emotion mixed with unpleasantness and fear in Geum Nae-yeong’s face, which he had never seen before.

Park Ki-on shook his head as if shaking off the thoughts and spat out words.

“What kind of bullshit is that… Punish? Our family?

Retarded bastard. Does he think I’ll be intimidated if he says some weird stuff…”

***

Riiiiing.

“Hello? Right now… please come quickly! My friend… collapsed!”

In the early morning of a certain day in 20**, an urgent report was received at the 119 situation room.

Over the phone, the urgent voice of a man was mixed with crying and fear.

A moment later, the scene where the rescue squad arrived.

It was horrific.

Blood was spread heavily on the floor, and the victim had already passed away due to excessive bleeding.

However, the person who first reported the incident was nowhere to be seen.

The missing friend, Mr. A.

The two were high school classmates. They usually drank alcohol and traveled together, and they were reportedly best friends to anyone’s eyes.

A studio where only a few dim lights were turned on.

The host Kim Jung-ha’s low yet serious narration flowed.

“Today’s case is the reporter and missing person, Mr. A.

Did he kill his friend, or… was there someone else with them?”

The screen switched, and Professor Choi Yun-cheol, a criminal psychologist, offered his opinion while looking at the monitor.

“Looking at the crime scene and travel route, the suspect is highly likely to be in the country.

Preparation and motivation are lacking to consider that he fled overseas. He doesn’t have sufficient income or property to flee either.

Yet for his whereabouts to be so mysterious… it is indeed a strange case.”

“Now, based on the CCTV and vehicle movement records we secured, we reconstructed the suspect’s movement route in a video.”

Ding. Ding. Ding.

On the screen, a red line was drawn and moved across the map.

The road the suspect is estimated to have passed.

The subtitles followed.

[Witness Interview / Local Resident]

“That day… it was around 3 AM. I opened the door to go out for early morning work, and a black car was standing there.

It seemed like someone was inside the car… and then it disappeared quickly.”

[Near Anseo City / Merchant]

“So… the person who arrived new about 9 years ago? That is too long ago…?

Sigh… This is a place where outsiders come and go a lot, so you can’t find them by saying it like that.”

An interview with Ms. A, the female owner of a nearby entertainment establishment, flowed out.

The PD asked.

“They say the suspect operated a small pub at the time. By any chance, would it be difficult for him to work in a related business again?”

“Ha, here? We know everyone just one house over, so it is almost impossible. Unless he’s a straw owner. But even if he’s a straw owner, we know all the faces.”

At that moment, the interviewing owner spoke to another woman passing by.

“Ji-yoon, if it’s 9 years ago… do you happen to know this?”

The owner showed the photo handed over by the PD to the woman called Ji-yoon.

“…What is this? Ah, I don’t do this kind of thing.”

The woman waved her hand irritably and walked away.

“Silly girl… That temper. Anyway, people in the alcohol-selling business around here all know each other’s faces.

If you work even just as a waiter here, rumors spread quickly. Yet they don’t know? Well… I don’t think you can find him.”

The PD nodded and let out a sigh.

“I see…”

A moment later, the woman being interviewed added.

“Oh, don’t do that, try going toward the reservoir fishing site. There are many people who came from other places there,

and there are also people who just came and settled down.”

“The fishing site?”

“Yes, try going there. Just in case. It’s not far from here. It’s about a 10-minute go.”