NOVEL NEXT Chapter 104
Chapter 104: Unbelievable Changes
It’s only been a week.
Just a week since the ward head started the interviews.
But the atmosphere in the ward changed in a way that’s almost laughable.
Seriously laughable.
You could really feel it during exercise time.
In the past, they would hold their heads high, glaring at the correctional officers with a sneer on their faces, ready to provoke.
That was their familiar attitude.
But it’s changed completely.
Now, they don’t even meet anyone’s gaze and keep their heads low.
Their eyes looked like they had seen something terrifying.
Their mouths were tightly shut, as if glued shut.
They only answered when a correctional officer spoke to them.
And their voices were strange.
They answered in a voice filled with military spirit like during boot camp.
The first correctional officer to talk was actually surprised, thinking they were mocking him.
The inspection line was different too.
They sat perfectly straight in the center of the cell’s living area, ready for inspection.
The tidiness of the living area was no joke.
The bedding was so neatly folded that it seemed like it would cut you if you touched it, and all other items were organized flawlessly.
This was unimaginable in the past.
The cause of all this bizarre behavior was clear.
The interviews by the ward head.
There was obviously a huge difference in the attitudes of inmates who had and hadn’t undergone the interviews.
“Chief.”
The Assistant Duty Officer of Unit 1 on the 6th Floor spoke in a serious tone.
“What is it?”
The Duty Chief looked at the Assistant.
“Isn’t this something we should report?”
“Report? What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“Didn’t you hit the inmates? Otherwise….”
The Assistant’s expression was serious.
The Duty Chief shot him a look of disbelief.
“Well, even so, you should talk sense.”
“Huh? What’s not making sense? There’s no other explanation for their behavior….”
“You think that’s possible in this day and age? A correctional officer hitting inmates? That’d be a disaster! And consider their ranks! We’re on the 6th floor. They’re all B-Class or above. How could the chief be hitting them?”
“I know, but isn’t there some method we could use?”
“A method? What are you even talking about?”
The Duty Chief shook his head and continued speaking.
“Honestly, if they had the ability to beat them up, why would they be correctional officers? They could make a fortune as Hunters instead.”
“That’s true, but….”
The Assistant bit his lip.
After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
“But, that’s not all. What doesn’t make sense is that—who are they to talk back? That alone is strange.”
“Yeah, it is strange.”
“Huh?”
“I said it’s strange. I’m dying to know the answer myself.”
The Duty Chief clicked his tongue.
“Did you hear anything from the Chief?”
“I did.”
“Huh? You heard something? What is it?”
“What else? He said he explained things slowly so the inmates would understand.”
The Assistant’s face showed disbelief.
◈ ◈ ◈
The cafeteria was bustling during lunchtime.
Not just men, but female correctional officers in charge were also seated together, eating.
Although the food was generally considered horrible, unlike other public servants, the correctional officers had no choice but to get used to the cafeteria food since they couldn’t eat out.
Despite the crowded cafeteria, there was one area that was quiet.
A table near the TV, untouched by correctional officers.
It wasn’t a place for regular officers; it was reserved for officers of Section Chief rank and above.
The table was already set with utensils and cups of water.
Bzzz.
The automatic doors of the cafeteria opened.
A correctional officer on duty quickly saluted.
Then he hung up the cap of the Security Department Head on a rack.
Following the Security Department Head, section chiefs from the Security Department entered.
Si-hyun was among them.
“Please walk this way.”
The cafeteria officer spoke politely as he guided them.
He indicated the most accessible hat rack.
Other places were filled with correctional officers’ caps, but this one was empty.
Other staff knew it was reserved for section chiefs and above.
As the section chiefs hung their caps and walked to the trays, the cafeteria officer said,
“Enjoy your lunch.”
One of the differences since becoming a section chief was the lunch environment.
Si-hyun honestly preferred the old days.
Simply enjoying lunch while chatting with staff he could talk to was the best.
But now, having to eat with a group that felt like they were from a different generation made starting a conversation difficult.
It was the perfect description of a boring meal.
As soon as the Security Department Head sat down with food on his plate, the section chiefs followed suit.
Si-hyun took a seat at the end of the table.
“Enjoy your meal, Chief.”
“Right, everyone eat well.”
After the section chiefs exchanged pleasantries with the Security Department Head, the meal began.
Si-hyun kept his ears slightly open while focusing on eating.
He didn’t have much to talk about.
“This Chief.”
“…Yes? Oh, yes.”
But this time, the Security Department Head initiated the conversation.
At first, he thought it was another Chief, but upon meeting the Chief’s gaze, it was clear he was looking directly at him.
Si-hyun placed his utensils down and awaited the Security Department Head’s next words.
“How’s your experience working the 6th floor?”
“Quite adequate.”
“Oh, really?”
The Chief’s eyes sparkled at his unwavering answer.
“Any problems?”
“None whatsoever.”
“None at all?”
“None at all.”
Naturally, discussing any difficulties in front of the Chief was tough.
Most staff members would answer they were doing fine, regardless of how hard it was when the Chief asked directly.
However, it was the first time someone responded with “none at all.”
It was such a definitive phrase.
A word that wasn’t thrown around easily.
That he emphasized it further showed confidence.
Well, wasn’t he the one who confidently asked to be sent to the 6th floor during the interview?
Having just over two weeks of experience, it made sense to showcase confidence without complaining.
Whether he was truly handling his duties well or just putting on a show would be revealed in about a month.
If he couldn’t maintain order in the ward during that time, it wouldn’t change anything, whether he worked for two months or three.
“Okay, I understand. Keep up the good work.”
“Absolutely, I’ll work diligently.”
Si-hyun replied with a smile.
He was genuinely thankful to this ordinary-looking Security Department Head.
He couldn’t help but be grateful.
He had granted his request for placement right away.
Now everything was progressing as planned.
◈ ◈ ◈
The interviews in Unit 1 went smoothly.
Even those inmates who said they didn’t want an interview numbered only eight.
Unit 8 would be handled later.
‘I finished Unit 9 yesterday… Now it’s Unit 10.’
Si-hyun checked the time.
The clock showed 1:45.
There were about 15 minutes left until the 2:00 interview time.
Unit 10 had that guy.
A-Class Awakened Being Kim Cheol-hyung.
A young man with a handsome appearance and the only inmate who had shown politeness among the rest.
From what he heard from the Duty Officer, his behavior had been commendable.
He had been flagged with notoriety.
But surprisingly, he had been incarcerated for assault, not murder.
His behavior was reported as being without issues.
How could this be?
This was completely different from his prior experiences.
In Si-hyun’s experience, inmates flagged with notoriety were always troublesome in attitude.
But why was he different?
Such thoughts couldn’t help but arise.
Thinking about his identity, revealed through the insight of a seasoned guard, only made it less understandable.
Lost in thought about Kim Cheol-hyung, he heard a knock at the ward office door.
“Come in.”
The Assistant Duty Officer, now familiar with the scene, entered.
Beside him was Kim Cheol-hyung.
Upon seeing him, Si-hyun’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“As you mentioned, I brought the interviewee today too.”
“Good job.”
“Not at all, then I’ll head out.”
The Assistant bowed and left the ward office.
As soon as the Assistant left, Kim Cheol-hyung smiled and greeted.
“Hello, Chief.”
“Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
Cheol-hyung sat opposite Si-hyun.
Once he was seated, Si-hyun spoke.
“Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t come, Kim Cheol-hyung.”
“Is there any particular reason I shouldn’t?”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, considering you’re the new head of the ward, wouldn’t it be better to have a chance to meet and chat? Moreover, life in confinement repeats the same everyday routine, so if I can offer even a slight change to that, I would welcome it.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Si-hyun nodded and took out the handcuff key.
It was the key for the handcuffs.
He approached Kim Cheol-hyung, just like with Baek Dong-il, intending to unbind him to gauge his reaction.
As he released the restraints and unlocked the handcuffs, Kim Cheol-hyung’s hands gained freedom.
Si-hyun returned to his seat, watching Cheol-hyung’s expression.
‘Impressive.’
Kim Cheol-hyung simply smiled gently.
“I appreciate it… I was feeling a bit constricted, thank you, Chief.”
“It wouldn’t be comfortable to wear those during an interview.”
“Thank you for your consideration. But I’m sorry, may I ask for one more favor?”
“What is it?”
“Could you also remove the leg shackles? If you could do that as a consideration to make our interview more comfortable, I would be really grateful.”
With an expression of embarrassment, Kim Cheol-hyung spoke.
‘Leg shackles…’
Si-hyun contemplated for a moment.
With absolute confidence and assurance regarding his ability to control the inmates, there was no reason not to remove them.
Yet, he still felt a bit hesitant.
After all, the other party was an A-Class Awakened Being.
If he were to attempt an escape, losing him would be the end of his correctional officer career.
“Hold on.”
Ending his contemplation, Si-hyun tossed the key for the handcuffs.
The handcuffs and leg shackles used the same key.
Directly unlocking them was not advisable.
Bending down to unlock the shackles meant becoming defenseless against the now-free inmate.
“Thank you, Chief.”
Kim Cheol-hyung gracefully took the key and began to unlock his shackles.
After a moment, he set aside the released shackles and courteously handed the key back to Si-hyun with both hands, rather than tossing it.
Si-hyun accepted it with a mildly contemplative look.
“Now I feel much more comfortable.”
Kim Cheol-hyung smiled and sat back down.
“Whenever you’re ready, let’s begin the interview, Chief. I’m ready.”
“Sure.”
Si-hyun fixed his eyes on Kim Cheol-hyung and continued speaking.
“I noticed that your background is quite unique, Kim Cheol-hyung.”