The Next Morning
At Kangyoung High School, a parent-teacher meeting was held.
Every parent in attendance was well-known in their respective fields.
However, among them, the person with the strongest influence was Jo Young-hee, the wife of a Deputy Chief Prosecutor and the esteemed daughter of a mid-sized conglomerate's chairman—Chu Young-taek's mother.
"Is this really a school? Why is my son coming home injured?! He's supposed to be focusing on his studies for next year's college entrance exams, but now his wrist is hurt!"
"W-We sincerely apologize. We are still investigating the incident, but from what we understand, it happened after school, not on school grounds."
The vice principal, clearly flustered, tried to explain.
But his words only fueled the fire.
Jo Young-hee's voice grew sharper as she pressed harder.
"So just because it happened after school, the school has no responsibility? Why do we even donate to the school's development fund? Isn't it to ensure our children can study safely and return home without incident? That means the school should also be responsible for their safety on their way home!"
"You're absolutely right. That's why we are implementing a plan to have teachers patrol the school routes."
"So you're just fixing the problem after it's already happened? More importantly, the student who attacked my child had the audacity to show up at school today as if nothing happened! Are you really going to keep the perpetrator and the victim in the same class? Or is there some special reason why you're protecting this student?"
As Jo Young-hee raised her voice, several other influential parents, who followed her like attendants, chimed in:
"I heard that student already has a bad reputation."
"Why is the school defending a student who doesn't contribute a single penny to the development fund?"
"One bad apple is ruining the whole school's reputation! For the sake of Kangyoung High School's image, strong action is necessary."
"Do we really need to push for this ourselves? Shouldn't the school be handling it?"
This wasn't just ordinary parental complaints.
Every single person in that room belonged to the top 1% of society.
If their husbands or families decided to escalate things further, the school wouldn't stand a chance.
"We will take the appropriate measures through proper procedures. But first, we need time to hear both sides of the story."
"Are you suggesting my son is lying?! Why do you even need to hear the other side? The evidence is right here—his medical report!"
Jo Young-hee slammed a medical report onto the table.
It stated a two-week recovery period, something she had secured using her powerful connections.
"Please wait just a moment. The guardian of Chun Min-woo is on their way to the school."
"Ugh, how exhausting. Let me guess—they'll be on their knees begging. Seriously, do these poor people have a fetish for kneeling?"
"It's their way of playing the sympathy card. So pathetic!"
"They always make us look like the villains!"
"Since when did kneeling automatically mean they deserve forgiveness?"
The parents crossed their arms and smirked, waiting.
It was obvious—they planned to crush Chun Min-woo's guardian the moment they walked in.
It was like animals fluffing up their fur to assert dominance.
At that moment, the door opened.
The guardian of Chun Min-woo stepped inside.
"Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae!?"
"Huh?! Why is he at our school?!"
How long had it been since I last set foot in a high school?
In my previous life, I had graduated from high school.
But in this life, I skipped the entire high school curriculum by passing the GED exam, so visiting a high school again felt… oddly nostalgic.
Yet, this visit was far from pleasant—because the reason I was here wasn't exactly a happy one.
The door creaked open as I entered the room where the parent meeting was being held.
All eyes turned toward me.
Everyone recognized me—no surprise there.
If people abroad recognized me, then here in Korea, it was practically guaranteed.
"Good morning. I'm Kim Min-jae, attending as the guardian of Chun Min-woo."
I gave a slight bow out of courtesy.
But the reaction I got?
Every single parent in the room crossed their arms—like they were part of some synchronized performance.
Was this school offering extra credit for bad manners or something?
No wonder their kids were miniature tyrants—look at the parents.
"Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae… You're here as Chun Min-woo's guardian?"
"Strictly speaking, his sister is the guardian. But since she's handling an important project for Tae-woo Group, I'm filling in on her behalf."
The teachers and parents froze in place, clearly rattled.
What conglomerate vice chairman shows up to defend a regular employee's sibling?
It was unheard of—and I intended to exploit that confusion.
"Which one of you is Chu Young-taek's guardian?"
"That would be me… I mean, I am."
Chu Young-taek's mother bolted to her feet, still clutching her arms defensively—like I might snatch away her imaginary throne.
"Now that both guardians are present, shouldn't we discuss what measures the school should take?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"If you're trying to use Tae-woo Group's power to protect the perpetrator, I won't stand idly by! I'll leverage all my connections to mobilize the prosecution and the press!"
I smiled faintly.
"Why would I defend the perpetrator? I'm here to protect the victim—and to prevent any secondary abuse from occurring."
Her face twisted in confusion.
"So… you're transferring Chun Min-woo to another school? If you're trying to compromise, I'll settle for a transfer instead of expulsion—out of respect for your name."
Wait.
Did I mishear her?
Or had the dictionary suddenly flipped the definitions of perpetrator and victim overnight?
"I believe there's been a misunderstanding. The perpetrator is Chu Young-taek—while the victim is Chun Min-woo."
"Are you trying to manipulate the truth?! My husband is a deputy prosecutor! The evidence is right here!"
She dramatically waved the medical report in the air like it was some holy scripture.
A single scrap of paper—that's all she brought to this fight?
If you're going to flex your influence, at least come prepared.
I calmly placed a thick folder on the table.
"Here's the proof—videos, photos, audio recordings, and witness statements from fellow students. Let's start with the video footage."
Her face went pale.
"W-What... What is this?"
I spread the photographs across the table.
They were taken secretly over several months by Captain Kang's team.
As the parents and teachers focused on the photos, I pulled out a tablet and played the school bullying footage.
"Now, does everyone see who the real perpetrator is?"
I let my words sink in.
Then, I continued.
"We also have video evidence of what happened yesterday between Chu Young-taek and the bodyguard."
The bodyguard had been wearing a body cam.
The footage clearly showed Chu Young-taek attempting to strike Chun Min-woo's head, and in response, the bodyguard grabbing Chu Young-taek's wrist to prevent him.
Nothing more, nothing less.
"Shall I formally request a School Violence Committee hearing? With this amount of evidence, a minimum suspension is guaranteed—possibly even expulsion. But if you agree to transfer him voluntarily, I'll withdraw my request for a committee hearing."
Chu Young-taek's mother's face twisted in shock.
"Are you seriously suggesting my son should transfer? The college entrance exam is only a year away! We can't transfer now! And this so-called 'evidence'—wasn't it illegally obtained?"
I let out a short sigh.
"So, you intend to take this to court?"
Her voice rose in frustration.
"My husband is a Deputy Prosecutor!
And while my father's company may not be as big as Tae-woo Group, it's not small either!"
Ah…
She still didn't get it.
Had she been spoiled her entire life to the point where she couldn't recognize when she was losing?
She was so used to being in power that she kicked away her only chance to retreat gracefully.
"Very well. I will proceed with the official School Violence Committee request."
I leaned in slightly.
"You will abide by the committee's decision, correct?"
"…Yes. I promise."
Even with solid evidence in front of her, she acted fearless.
Why?
Because she thought the School Violence Committee was in her pocket.
After all, the committee was made up of teachers, legal professionals, and external experts—all chosen by the school itself.
Connections dictated the composition of the committee, which meant her family's influence played a role in it.
But connections were just business transactions.
And I had the power to tear those connections apart in an instant.
Besides, I had no intention of simply waiting for the committee's verdict.
People like her?
You had to crush them completely—otherwise, they'd only come back worse.
*
Meanwhile...
Back in the classroom, Chu Young-taek approached Chun Min-woo again.
"So… looks like your little bodyguard can't follow you inside school, huh?"
He sneered, crossing his arms.
"Must be tough, huh?
You probably scraped together every last cent to hire him—what a shame! How will you survive without him now?""
Chun Min-woo sighed, already exhausted.
"…I told you, I didn't hire him."
"Who the hell do you think you're raising your voice at?!"
Fuming, Chu Young-taek raised his fist, ready to strike.
But before he could swing, a few quick-thinking classmates jumped in and held him back.
"What the hell?! Let go of me!"
One of the students whispered sharply.
"Dude, you seriously haven't heard? If you touch him, you're screwed."
Chu Young-taek scoffed.
"Screwed? Over a damn nobody?"
The student grimaced, shaking his head.
"His guardian is Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae."
Chu Young-taek froze.
"…What? What Vice Chairman?"
"Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae! The Crown Prince of Tae-woo Group!"
That wasn't something a typical high school student would say.
But Chu Young-taek and his friends ranked people based on money and power, and their families raised them with the same mindset.
So, naturally, those words came out.
"Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae came here as that guy's guardian? Why?"
One of the students shrugged.
"How would I know?"
"Maybe it's just someone who looks like him?"
Chu Young-taek refused to believe it.
How could the heir to Korea's biggest conglomerate be Chun Min-woo's guardian?
It was unbelievable.
But something impossible to believe had already happened.
"Huh? It's Kim Min-jae, for real!"
The door slid open, and Kim Min-jae walked in.
The classroom fell silent.
He strode over to Chun Min-woo's desk, then wrapped him in a warm hug.
"Min-woo! I've heard so much about you from your sister. Study hard, and if anything like this ever happens again, just let me know. Tae-woo Group will take care of it."
The classroom exploded in whispers.
"Why is the Vice Chairman…?"
Kim Min-jae leaned in, lowering his voice just enough for Chun Min-woo to hear.
"Shh. We need to look close. If people think we're close, they won't dare mess with you.
Just smile and play along."
And so, Kim Min-jae held Chun Min-woo in a tight embrace for a long moment.
Only when the bell rang did he pat Min-woo's shoulder and walk out.
The classroom remained frozen in shock.
Then, someone blurted out:
"Wait… You seriously know Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae?"
Chun Min-woo blinked, unsure how to answer.
"Uh… yeah?"
Chu Young-taek gritted his teeth.
"You guys are wagging your tails at this bastard now? What the hell is so special about him?!"
His fist clenched.
But his punch never landed.
Because after seeing Kim Min-jae up close, he couldn't bring himself to touch Chun Min-woo anymore.
*
After the school visit...
I headed straight to Captain Kang's office.
As soon as I walked in, I briefed him on what happened during the parent meeting.
"I'll start digging into the School Violence Committee members immediately."
I nodded.
"The Group's Strategic Planning Office will also move in. Cooperate closely with them.
Ah, and what about the other task I assigned you?"
Captain Kang smirked.
"For that, we decided to enlist help from Myeong-dong. Apparently, quite a few delinquents from Kang-young High School ended up there."
I chuckled.
Students didn't fear adults.
Especially the troublemakers.
But there was one thing they did fear.
Elementary schoolers feared middle schoolers.
Middle schoolers feared high schoolers.
And high school sophomores?
They feared seniors and recent graduates.
"Make their lives miserable. So much so that they'll beg to transfer schools."
Captain Kang grinned.
"Give me a week. It'll be done."
I leaned back in my chair, satisfied.
"And Chu Young-taek's father—he's a Deputy Prosecutor, right? Put pressure on his superiors. Make it clear we're watching."
"Understood. Consider it done."
This was just the beginning.
Not just Chu Young-taek—
I would make his entire family beg Chun Min-woo for mercy.