Chapter 30
The atmosphere here, which had settled into solemn silence just by Yu Hyeonjeong’s presence, was so cold that it was difficult for Kim Muung to even move his lips.
“Does that mean you cannot show clear physical evidence.”
“Ah, no, I just happened to not have my smartwatch at that time.”
“Happened to… you say. There is another discrepancy in your testimony, Cadet Kim Muung. A contradiction in the time and place where the assault occurred.”
“……Yes? A contradiction?”
“It is that Cadet Ji Seokhyeon had little time to commit the assault.”
Yu Hyeonjeong’s persistent and sharp questioning.
Kim Muung’s throat, standing alone in the center of the meeting room, bobbed loudly.
“Not only that, but from the location you claimed, it is difficult to visually judge the scene of the assault.”
“Ah, no! I saw it clearly with my own two eyes!”
“The time of the incident was 00:15 AM, and that day, a thick night fog had descended. When fog descends on a Seoul night where not even a sliver of moonlight can escape, it is classified as a weather deterioration severe enough to halt tram operations. And yet, you witnessed an assault from that distance…….”
“Th-there were streetlights…! And more importantly, there is not a single lie in my testimony.”
“There wouldn’t have been any lights, though. Furthermore, even the drones at that time failed to capture the scene.”
She spat out her words so quickly and sharply that Do Minyeong’s fingers, who was recording the deliberation content next to her, moved without a moment's rest.
As expected, Yu Hyeonjeong’s work ability was certain.
Of course, her prickly personality was a flaw.
Yu Hyeonjeong sent Kim Muung back to his seat after a few questions, and then called me to the center.
At that, Lee Eunho, who was guarding the entrance at the back door, suddenly bit his lower lip firmly.
He was worried about me.
He had been contacting me every day since the temporary suspension was issued.
Of course, I had responded with missed calls.
“Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, what was your reason for heading to the scene of the incident that day?”
“I had an appointment with Training Instructor An Hwigom.”
“An appointment?”
“He was overseeing my personal training. Every day, without a single day off.”
“We will verify that statement later. Now for the next question. Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, did you witness Cadet Kim Muung and Choi Jaejin on the day of the incident?”
“No, not at all.”
“That means you are denying Cadet Choi Jaejin’s testimony as the victim.”
I nodded my head as if it was not even worth answering.
“Indeed, it is difficult to conclude anything with only the victim’s statement in a situation lacking physical evidence. But how about this?”
As Yu Hyeonjeong finished speaking, she picked up a file.
At that, a student council member next to her took it and handed it to me.
The content written in the document was…….
“These are the signatures of cadets who have witnessed discord between Cadet Ji Seokhyeon and Choi Jaejin within the Investigation Division. A total of 14 people. It is not a majority, but it implies a meaningful result.”
As she said, the names of the 1st-year Investigation cadets were signed.
Most of them were guys I had never even exchanged words with.
Unsurprisingly, Kim Muung’s friends were also signed.
Anyway, is this all they prepared?
I knew Kim Muung did not have the brains to come up with much, but I did not expect it to be this crude.
I barely suppressed the smirk that was creeping out and looked over all the names written on the document.
So these are the guys who hate me…….
“Although the witness is one and the testimony is flimsy without even evidence, if he was fostering a volatile atmosphere within the division, the statement cannot be completely ignored. ……Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, what do you think of this opinion?”
“……It’s interesting.”
“Yes? What did you just……?”
I placed the file on Yu Hyeonjeong’s desk.
“I mean it’s interesting that an assault case that not even the drones flying over the school 365 days a year could record is being treated based on testimony alone.”
“Does that sound like you have some suitable evidence?”
“Yes, rather than evidence, there is a clue that makes one doubt the credibility of Cadet Choi Jaejin and Kim Muung’s testimonies.”
As I finished speaking, I put my hand in my coat pocket.
And naturally, I took out a memory card from my inventory.
The place I headed with the memory card was in front of Do Minyeong, who was typing on her laptop.
She blinked her big eyes as if to ask what was suddenly going on, but she soon took the memory card I handed her and inserted it into her laptop.
“This is a video that must be reviewed before the testimony that I assaulted Cadet Choi Jaejin. I recorded it myself, and if necessary, I can describe the situation at that time in detail, every single bit.”
As my words ended, the multi-faceted hologram monitor in the center of the meeting room lit up.
What that light materialized was, of course…….
─Are you resisting? This bastard wants to die!
It was a video of Kim Muung’s group collectively beating up Choi Jaejin.
“Hah…….”
“Pr-president, this is!”
“……Hmm.”
The student council was in an uproar.
Naturally, Choi Jaejin turned pale, and Kim Muung bolted to the center like a racehorse.
“Th-this is a lie……. No! This is fabricated! It’s ridiculous!”
In this chaotic scene, like something out of a farce, only two people showed a slightly different reaction.
Yun Jeongseop, who was lazy with his emotions to begin with, and Yu Hyeonjeong, who openly pressed her temple and let out a sigh.
Especially in Yu Hyeonjeong’s annoyed expression, the denial of the reality that another incident that required a deliberation had occurred was clearly visible.
In other words, she was properly angry.
Do Minyeong, who was playing the video, paused it as the sadistic scene continued, and I opened my mouth as if I had been waiting.
“Although that location was a blind spot for the CCTV at that time, the location where I was filming will surely have been recorded. If you check my movements before and after that…….”
“This bastard! How dare you fabricate things in front of the deliberation committee!”
Before I could finish my words, Kim Muung grabbed me by the collar.
But that too was brief, as Lee Eunho’s precise and thin electric shock was released, restraining Kim Muung’s actions.
CRACKLE!
Kim Muung, pushed back by the electric shock, staggered back a couple of steps.
He glared at Lee Eunho.
“Crap……! You wanna go!”
“Stop the violence. It won’t end with this next time.”
“This bastard really…….”
Contrary to his harsh tone, Kim Muung soon gritted his teeth and returned to his seat.
Getting angry at Lee Eunho would only bring him shame.
As silence once again descended on the meeting room, Yu Hyeonjeong opened her mouth.
“Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, this video can indeed raise suspicions about Cadet Kim Muung’s testimony as you suggested, but……. We will address this part by holding a separate deliberation for Cadet Kim Muung later.”
As expected…….
“Apart from the credibility of the testimony, it is just a clue unrelated to Cadet Choi Jaejin’s testimony as a victim. In that sense, Cadet Choi Jaejin?”
As Yu Hyeonjeong called his name, Choi Jaejin shot up from his seat as if waking from a frozen state.
“Yes? Ah! Yes!”
“I will ask about the central point of the deliberation. Is it true that you were assaulted by Cadet Ji Seokhyeon at the time and place you stated?”
The fundamental issue of this deliberation.
And the reason I was having such a hard time.
“Yes, I was… assaulted by Cadet Ji Seokhyeon.”
“……We will continue the deliberation.”
If I could not overcome Choi Jaejin’s victim testimony, I would gain nothing.
Moreover, now that I was receiving attention in a bad way from that heartless Yu Hyeonjeong, it was even more so.
“Before we continue the deliberation, Cadet Ji Seokhyeon will have to submit a statement to the student council regarding this video, separate from this deliberation. Also, why he kept silent about the assault on campus.”
“Yes, gladly.”
“Good, then let’s continue with the questions. Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, why did you submit an inappropriate video as a clue?”
Inappropriate, she says…….
It seems to be mixed with a bit of a quarrelsome tone.
“It was to overturn Cadet Choi Jaejin’s victim testimony.”
“Through this video, you mean?”
“Yes, but before that, there’s something I want to ask Cadet Choi Jaejin.”
I looked directly at Choi Jaejin and asked.
“Why did you get hit?”
Choi Jaejin furrowed his brow as if it was an unexpected question.
“……What?”
“If you were assaulted in the same way, you should have taken issue with not only me but also Kim Muung.”
“Th-that is…….”
“Is the question difficult? Then let me ask differently. ……Why did you only take issue with me? Was Kim Muung’s fist as pathetic as a cotton ball? Well, that would be interesting in its own way.”
“What! This bastard, I’ve been letting him go, but!”
At my statement, Kim Muung got heated up again, but Choi Jaejin remained silent.
However, that silence was rather the answer I wanted.
“You don’t have to force an answer. I already know anyway.”
“……?”
I put my hand in my pocket again and took out the second memory card.
Unsurprisingly, silence fell upon the meeting room for a moment.
Is this what they call a learning effect.
“Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, what is that memory card?”
I did not answer Yu Hyeonjeong’s question and continued speaking to Choi Jaejin.
“It’s a simple calculation, and a dirty trick. You and Kim Muung made some kind of contract targeting me.”
“……I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Are you denying it? The evidence of you two putting your heads together to bury a powerless social care beneficiary cadet is all in here.”
Kim Muung slammed his desk and stood up.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting! Do you think I don't know you’re lying?”
I pointedly looked back at Yu Hyeonjeong.
“President, are you going to keep an academy delinquent with insufficient credibility in his testimony in the meeting room?”
“This bastard……!”
“Cadet Kim Muung, this is your final warning. If you do not maintain order, we will proceed with the deliberation on your case right now.”
“D-damn it!”
I took the memory card and approached Do Minyeong.
However, without handing it over, I turned back and spoke.
“Choi Jaejin, hereinafter referred to as Party A. Kim Myeongo, hereinafter referred to as Party B. Kim Muung, hereinafter referred to as Party C.”
“Wh-what is that bastard spouting again!”
“What am I spouting. It’s the content of the disgusting contract you and Choi Jaejin made.”
“……What?”
I recited the contents of the contract.
“Party A and Party C hereby enter into the following agreement. One, Party A shall faithfully fulfill the promise verbally agreed upon with Party C in advance. Two, as compensation for the fulfillment of the promise, Party B shall arrange a contract for Party A with a guild of B-rank or higher. Three, Party B's compensation shall continue until the recruitment with the arranged guild is confirmed…….”
“Stop…….”
“Four, as part of the agreement, Party C shall cease violence and aggressive language towards Party A…….”
“S-stop it!”
Choi Jaejin’s voice echoed throughout the meeting room.
In that fleeting moment of silence, I sneered at him.
“Why, you should have stopped when Kim Muung instigated you.”
At that moment, Choi Jaejin shot up from his seat and rushed to the center.
At the same time, Lee Eunho stepped forward to restrain him, but his electric shock was not released.
That was because a translucent protective barrier was created first, blocking the space between me and Choi Jaejin.
“Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, please continue your statement.”
It was Yu Hyeonjeong’s ability.
Inside the flawless, complete protective barrier, just like her, I continued speaking.
“Five, the content agreed upon by Party A and Party B is attached hereto as follows. Ji Seokhyeon, hereinafter referred to as Jeong. ……Addendum one, Party A and Party C shall temporarily cooperate to have Jeong expelled from the Hero Preparatory School.”
“I told you to stop!”
“Fine, then let’s see it on video instead. Everything about your ugliness is in this memory card.”
“……!”
Then, Yun Jeongseop broke the silence.
“Yu Hyeonjeong.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
“I don’t think there is any reason to continue the deliberation any further.”
Yu Hyeonjeong nodded and stared at Choi Jaejin.
“Cadet Choi Jaejin, do you admit to the contract with Cadet Kim Muung as per Cadet Ji Seokhyeon’s statement?”
There was no answer.
He just silently lowered his head.
“Then Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, please submit the memory card for verification of the statement as per the procedure.”
I handed the memory card to Do Minyeong without hesitation.
In that brief moment, Do Minyeong glared at me sharply.
Should I have shared Kim Muung’s assault video first…….
Soon, the memory card was connected to the laptop, and light came on the monitor in the center again.
But no video played on the monitor.
Do Minyeong spoke as if she was in a difficult situation.
“……Excuse me, President, there is nothing in the memory card.”
“Yes? Cadet Ji Seokhyeon, did you not submit the wrong card?”
At Yu Hyeonjeong’s question, I showed an awkward expression.
There was no way I could reveal that I had stolen the contract from Kim Myeongo’s office in the first place.
Moreover, it was impossible to prove such a top-secret contract to Yu Hyeonjeong, who sought to verify everything.
Therefore, the method I chose was…….
“Ah, actually…… it was a bluff. As you can see, it’s a blank card. I didn’t think you would check, but I got caught.”
A false statement.
“R-right now, a false statement in a deliberation……! No, more than that, what was the contract content just now!”
Yu Hyeonjeong’s voice, which sounded quite flustered.
I answered shamelessly.
“It was a deduction that such a contract might exist.”
“What did you say?”
“I was lucky, although I have no excuse. ……Still, it means that no cadet was unfairly kicked out during your term as president.”
“……C-cadet Ji Seokhyeon!”
While everyone was drawing flustered expressions, I observed the reactions of Kim Muung and Choi Jaejin.
Unsurprisingly, the two of them showed expressions as if their souls had left their bodies.
“This bastard……! That was a lie?”
“N-no way……. The contract content was almost identical…….”
Choi Jaejin slumped down, leaning his back against the desk.
Despair.
I looked down at his gaze and curled the corners of my mouth.
“Why the long face? Weren’t we competing to see who was better at lying?”
“…….”
How long did I watch him, showing no energy to even rebut?
In the meantime, Kim Muung, as if he had gone mad, stepped on the desk and rushed at me, but was immediately restrained by Lee Eunho.
“You bastard, you did steal the contract! Otherwise, how could you know the content……!”
“Ah, it was a gamble, a let’s-see-what-happens kind of thing. The content of contracts is all the same.”
“Fucking crap! I’ll kill you…….”
With those words, Kim Muung lost consciousness.
His body trembled as if he had been electrocuted by something.
I turned my gaze and observed Yu Hyeonjeong’s reaction.
Although the innocent victim was me, she was looking at me with a look of contempt.
Well, it was a natural result since I had made an absurd gamble in the deliberation.
However, it was also a calculated result.
In the first place, I had never considered getting friendly with Yu Hyeonjeong from the beginning.
Soon, Yu Hyeonjeong’s voice flowed out.
A recommendation for everyone to be seated to announce the results of the deliberation.
As if he could not hear the student council president’s recommendation, Choi Jaejin continued to sit there blankly.
I turned my back on him and returned to my seat, and Yu Hyeonjeong, without minding Choi Jaejin, proceeded with the deliberation.
“Then I will announce the results of the deliberation. This result will be reported to the supervising instructors…….”
Along with her voice, a system message appeared before my eyes.
[You have completed the episode.]
[The influence of the sub-character, ‘Ji Seokhyeon,’ increases.]
[The intervention rate for future episodes increases by 1.440%.]
The aftertaste was not refreshing at all.
Just like that carbonated coffee.