A trial was in full swing within a bustling courtroom.
Perched upon the judge’s bench, the highest seat in the room, sat a young girl.
While the sight of a child occupying the judge’s seat might strike one as peculiar.
No one present in the courtroom dared to question it.
The girl’s name was Lee Ha-yeon.
As public sentiment, fueled by a string of unjust verdicts, escalated into outrage.
The South Korean judiciary had, through a unique system, selected a judge deemed capable of delivering the most impartial rulings.
Thus, the girl became a judge at the tender age of ten, prompting the National Assembly to pass a special law just for her.
This law granted her absolute, unchallengeable authority to impose any sentence she saw fit within the courtroom.
And it was this judge, wielding such immense power, who now sat at the highest point in the courtroom.
“Defendant, I will grant you one final opportunity to speak. Step forward and present your defense.”
The girl offered the defendant a bright smile.
Yet, despite the young girl’s radiant smile, one that could seemingly lift anyone’s spirits just by witnessing it, the defendant felt only terror.
This dread stemmed from his intimate knowledge of the severity of the sentences she had imposed on other defendants thus far.
“…I, I was wrong… Your Honor, please… I beg for leniency.”
The defendant pleaded desperately, even dropping to his knees.
However, Judge Lee Ha-yeon knew well that the defendant’s true thoughts were starkly different from his outward display.
[“Damn it… If I just beg enough, that little brat will surely reduce my sentence a bit.”]
[“Why do I have to grovel before some damn kid like her…!!”]
‘Oh, look at this bastard?’
As the presiding judge of this courtroom, Lee Ha-yeon possessed the ability to hear the true thoughts of the accused.
“You show no remorse whatsoever. I hereby deliver my judgment.”
Under the existing sentencing guidelines, ten years was the maximum sentence a judge could impose.
Yet, she was the judge wielding the most formidable authority in the Republic of Korea.
“Defendant Kim Won-sik, I sentence you to death.”
-CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
Only the crisp, clear sound of the gavel echoed through the courtroom.
“W-what…?”
Stunned by the wholly unexpected verdict, the convicted man raised his head, staring at the judge with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Looking down leisurely at the bewildered criminal, the girl spoke, making no attempt to conceal her sneering expression.
“If you don’t like it, then you should become a judge, mister.”
“Oh, and of course, try in your next life. Good luck!!”
