As Lee Jaehyun entered the Police Station, Park Daehyung raised his hand.
“Maknae! Over here.”
Park Daehyung, who was waving his hand, was also wearing a Police Uniform, just like Lee Jaehyun.
The golden Badges attached to the black uniforms glimmered under the light.
On their sleeves, the Magpie Insignia was attached, proving they were police officers, and instead of Official Shoes for dispatch, they were wearing Formal Shoes.
It was a uniform that anyone would say looked impressive.
But seeing the burly Park Daehyung wearing it made it feel like a scene from some noir movie.
“You look great, Sergeant.”
“If not for this uniform, I’d be a gangster.”
Park Daehyung burst out laughing in response to Lee Jaehyun’s compliment.
He knows it himself.
Lee Jaehyun thought so inwardly but didn’t bother to say it aloud.
“What, you’re not saying anything. Seems like you thought the same, right, maknae?”
“No, not at all, Sergeant.”
Lee Jaehyun quickly shook his head in response to Park Daehyung’s uncanny ability to read his mind.
“Yeah, right. Anyway… let’s get going. Your parents are waiting.”
“Yes, Sergeant.”
The two of them walked together, heading toward the auditorium inside the Police Station.
The auditorium, usually used for big events or press conferences, already had a few people gathered inside.
As Park Daehyung had said, Lee Jaehyun’s parents were there as well.
The members of Team 4 from Han-seong Capital Region Police Station were also present.
Min Ji-hye, Kim Junho, and even Team Leader Oh Cheol-jin.
Of course, not everyone could leave their posts, so only the members who could make it were here.
Lee Jaehyun smiled awkwardly as he walked over.
“Wow, our maknae looks like a real visual… seriously impressive, huh?”
“No, not really.”
“No? Come on, every time I see you, I think you’re really good-looking… but today, you look even better. Man, when you’re dressed up like this, it’s obvious you take after your mother.”
Kim Junho was always smooth-talking and chatty with everyone.
So, as usual, he was acting as the mood maker, especially since Lee Jaehyun’s parents were present.
Even now, while praising Lee Jaehyun, he naturally shifted to complimenting Lee Jaehyun’s mother, Song Mihyun.
“You should be really thankful to your mother, you know. It’s a blessing to inherit such good looks. Just look at Sergeant Park over there…”
“Junho.”
“Yes, Sergeant. Sorry.”
Kim Junho glanced slyly at Park Daehyung as if to continue but was cut off by Park Daehyung’s voice.
Kim Junho immediately bowed his head and apologized.
Lee Jaehyun’s mother, Song Mihyun, let out a small laugh.
“Thank you all so much. I don’t know what my son did to deserve this…”
“Oh, ma’am, Jaehyun has the best performance among us. He got a Special Promotion in less than half a year, can you believe it?”
Kim Junho waved his hands dramatically, adding a touch of humor.
Lee Jaehyun blushed, watching Kim Junho carry on.
Honestly, he was truly grateful for how Kim Junho lightened the mood.
“A Special Promotion, huh…”
That’s right.
Today was the day Lee Jaehyun finally shed his Sergeant status and moved up a rank.
A one-level Special Promotion.
His achievements so far had been acknowledged, and he was given a Special Promotion.
And the Promotion Ceremony was scheduled for today.
The schedule had been unusually hurried.
Typically, since the Chief of the Police Station personally presides over the Special Promotion, it had to fit his calendar.
And since this case was a major one and rapidly making headlines, there was also an intent to improve the police’s image.
Whatever the reason, it was a good thing for Lee Jaehyun.
His parents were proud, and his colleagues genuinely congratulated him.
Time passed.
Click.
The auditorium doors opened, and several people entered, all dressed in Police Uniforms.
At the center was Sunbin Jung, the Chief of Gyeonggi Northern Police Station, accompanied by Kim Hocheol, the Chief of the Strong Crime Unit at Ilsan Western Police Station.
Sunbin Jung glanced briefly toward Lee Jaehyun before heading straight up to the podium.
Following him, Kim Hocheol took the microphone at the front of the stage.
“Well then, from now…”
The Promotion Ceremony, how should I put it?
It was conducted in a “simple” manner.
Of course, that didn’t mean it was done carelessly.
Everything necessary was done.
“I’ve heard that Han-seong Capital Region Police Station has been doing excellent work recently. I was already keeping an eye on you all, and once again, Sergeant Lee Jaehyun has made a huge contribution to public safety…”
Chief Sunbin Jung gave a speech encouraging Lee Jaehyun and his team members.
“Next, we will proceed with the appointment certificate presentation.”
He formally presented the Appointment Certificate and held a Photo Session.
With nervous anticipation, Lee Jaehyun stood up and walked onto the stage, standing before Chief Sunbin Jung.
From up here, he could see the countless eyes watching him.
His mother and the colleagues who had solved cases together.
Everyone was sending him heartfelt joy and support.
“Chief Sunbin Jung…”
For a moment, feeling grateful, Lee Jaehyun turned his gaze toward Chief Sunbin Jung.
When seen from afar, he hadn’t felt much, but up close, standing face-to-face…
‘A tiger.’
It felt like a tiger who had grown old—not one whose fangs had all fallen out, but one whose fur had faded, yet still hid powerful fangs and claws, not bothering to reveal them.
“You’ve worked hard. I hope you continue to show us what a true police officer looks like.”
“I will do my best to embody the spirit of a true police officer.”
“Haha, ‘the spirit of a true police officer’… I like that.”
Chief Sunbin Jung smiled at Lee Jaehyun’s words and nodded approvingly.
Holding the Appointment Certificate, Lee Jaehyun turned to face the audience.
Senior Police Officer Min Ji-hye, Sergeant Kim Junho, and Team Leader Oh Cheol-jin were applauding.
Park Daehyung gave him a thumbs up.
And his parents—
“Our son really is a natural.”
“You’re so cool, son.”
Holding back tears, they watched Lee Jaehyun with immensely proud expressions.
This was the moment he’d always wanted to show his parents, both in his past and present life.
Lee Jaehyun raised his hand and saluted them.
He didn’t know if what rose inside him was joy or some other emotion.
But whatever it was, it wasn’t a bad feeling.
And so—
Lee Jaehyun became a Senior Police Officer.
***
After the Promotion Ceremony had mostly concluded.
Chief Sunbin Jung briefly chatted with the other members of Team 4 from Han-seong Capital Region Police Station.
Meanwhile, Kim Hocheol, Chief of the Strong Crime Unit at Ilsan Western Police Station, who had served as MC for the ceremony, approached Lee Jaehyun.
“Team Leader Oh Min-seok has been singing your praises.”
“I’m just grateful he thinks well of me, sir.”
“Min-seok isn’t the type to compliment people lightly. If even that picky guy speaks well of you, you must really be good.”
Lee Jaehyun bowed his head slightly.
He couldn’t quite tell if this was meant as praise or if there was another intention.
Kim Hocheol’s expression became subtly intriguing as he continued.
“After this case was over, Team Leader Oh Min-seok practically begged me.”
“Team Leader Oh did, sir?”
“He pleaded, ‘Just let me have this one Sergeant on my team.’ He was that persistent…”
Kim Hocheol spoke in a gentle voice.
The meaning was clear.
Team Leader Oh Min-seok wanted him.
Come.
I’ll take you.
Kim Hocheol was saying as much.
As long as the requirements were met, you could usually apply to the division you wanted.
Of course, Lee Jaehyun had always aimed to join the Strong Crime Unit.
Naturally—he had been a detective in his previous life too… and working as a detective was what he was used to.
And, more than anything…
“There are a lot of cases.”
Having a lot of cases meant he’d have more chances to rack up achievements.
And at the same time, it meant he could take one step closer to his revenge.
That’s why Lee Jaehyun couldn’t help but hesitate.
No, honestly, hesitating didn’t make sense.
When he’d heard that Team Leader Oh Min-seok had personally requested him, didn’t he think it was a great opportunity?
But now, with the head of the Strong Crime Unit inviting him directly, why was he hesitating?
It made no sense…
Glance.
Lee Jaehyun looked over at Team 4 of Han-seong Capital Region Police Station, who were chatting with Chief Sunbin Jung.
Why do I keep thinking about those people?
Because we worked together on the last case?
Or maybe because of the warmth they’d shown him?
He didn’t know. But for some reason, his gaze kept drifting that way.
“Honestly, it’s unexpected.”
“Sir?”
“You’re hesitating, aren’t you? When Team Leader Oh Min-seok told me, I thought for sure you’d accept on the spot, since you seem born to be a detective.”
Kim Hocheol sipped his coffee and glanced at Lee Jaehyun.
Both Team Leader Oh Min-seok and Kim Hocheol, whenever they read reports or watched footage of Lee Jaehyun, always noticed the same thing.
This young man, Lee Jaehyun, was made to be a detective.
Cleverly pinpointing suspects, investigating, and relentlessly tracking them down.
If that was all, they wouldn’t have recommended him.
No matter how smart you are, if your body can’t keep up, it’s easy to end up dead or crippled while working a case.
But the way Lee Jaehyun moved when subduing suspects proved he wasn’t just smart.
If someone like this didn’t become a detective, what else could he possibly be?
That’s why Kim Hocheol assumed he’d accept the offer without hesitation.
“I’d like to think it over a bit more.”
“So you’re declining for now, but leaving room for later… A wise choice.”
Kim Hocheol smiled faintly as he spoke.
Being a detective was a job that looked cool, catching brutal criminals, but it was rough work.
Night shifts were the norm, and there were plenty of times you’d get called out in the middle of a meal.
And you were constantly confronting criminals.
Would criminals, whom you were trying to arrest, really surrender quietly and extend their hands?
At the very least, they’d threaten you with knives, and it was only natural that your life could be on the line.
Given that, Lee Jaehyun’s decision not to make a hasty choice was pretty smart.
“Do as you like. The choice is yours.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Lee Jaehyun bowed to Kim Hocheol.
Kim Hocheol smiled as if he found Lee Jaehyun’s attitude interesting and waved him off, as if to tell him to go on.
“Team 4, huh…”
Leaving Kim Hocheol’s office, Lee Jaehyun glanced over at Team 4.
They were all looking at him with big, bright smiles.
As if they truly believed he would choose their team.
“I’ll have to think about it.”
With that thought, Lee Jaehyun turned his gaze to the Appointment Certificate.
This was only the beginning.
He would rise even higher.
So, just a little longer—it was okay to firm up the foundation.
Laying a strong groundwork was always important.
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