NOVEL NEXT Chapter 137
Chapter 137: The Unexpected Turn of Events
“Why are you so hell-bent on visiting him?”
Kang Sik snapped at his wife.
“Come on, he’s our son! How can you be so heartless?”
“What son? That brat isn’t my son. I’ve never had such a son.”
Kang Sik’s voice was icy.
His son had been a headache since childhood.
He frequently lashed out in school and had been caught stealing multiple times.
Eventually, he ended up in a juvenile center for motorcycle theft and habitual assault.
Of course, he wasn’t the type to straighten up after visiting such a place.
He even dropped out of school to hang around with delinquents.
His wife tried to persuade him with tears, but he wouldn’t listen at all.
Then, it was said that he became an Awakened Being.
And a B-rank one, at that.
His wife insisted that since their son could now secure a respectable job in society, things would change for the better.
But his true nature wasn’t going anywhere.
He ended up driving a sports car under the influence of drugs and killed two people in a wild crash.
For that, he was currently locked up in a Special Detention Center.
Kang Sik had long since given up any hope for his son.
He didn’t want to care, let alone see his face.
If he could completely cut off contact and live as if the boy never existed, that would be best.
The psychological stress and pain he’d endured due to his son were beyond words.
But his wife was different.
She was still holding on to their son.
She genuinely believed that he wasn’t originally like that and that bad friends had led him astray.
Sighing, he thought that even a hedgehog would protect its young, so maybe maternal instinct was unavoidable.
This time, she had sneakily applied for a visitation and insisted they go together, leaving him no choice but to follow along.
“Just think about it. Everyone makes mistakes and can mess up. He just has to serve his time, get his act together, and live life again.”
“….”
Kang Sik purposely kept his mouth shut, knowing that conversing would only lead to a verbal slugfest.
He didn’t want a public argument, especially in front of others.
“Why don’t you go in with me?”
His wife reiterated the statement she’d been nagging him about since leaving home.
Initially, he adamantly shook his head, but due to her relentless prodding, he finally acquiesced.
Might as well see his face once for the last time and then never look back.
“Dear, let’s go.”
His wife tugged at his clothing.
◈ ◈ ◈
Once inside the Visitation Room, his wife fidgeted even before their son arrived.
Given her constant worries about how he was holding up in a detention center, it was understandable.
She must have been concerned about what kind of shape he would be in and if anything serious had happened.
But why did she care so much about a son who only caused headaches?
Kang Sik shook his head in disbelief.
-Please enter next.
An announcement crackled over the speaker.
Moments later, the door opened beyond the glass wall, and their son entered the Visitation Room handcuffed and restrained with ropes.
The correctional officer managing complaints had informed them earlier that inmates in this facility were treated differently; handcuffs and ropes were mandatory during visits, so they should understand the protocol.
His wife looked at their son with pity.
“Kyung-ho!”
She reached out to press her hand against the glass wall, calling out to him.
She looked regretful that she couldn’t hold his hand immediately.
“Hmph.”
In stark contrast, Kang Sik scoffed coldly and turned his back on his son.
He had no intention of exchanging even a single word.
Talking to him would only elevate his stress levels.
His son was beyond undisciplined; he was downright uncontrollable and completely obnoxious.
Then something completely asinine happened.
His son, who would have never expected it, suddenly knelt down on the floor instead of sitting in the chair.
“Father, Mother… I was wrong. I was really wrong. Sob sob….”
He wailed those words.
Kang Sik’s eyes widened.
His son was not the type to admit he was wrong.
No matter what he did wrong, he always had excuses ready at hand.
And crying while kneeling?
This was a kid who would glare defiantly at anyone who dared scold him.
For him to act like this?
It was absurd; he couldn’t even find words to express his shock.
At the same time, strong suspicion welled within him.
“You little brat, what’s your game here?”
Kang Sik yelled in anger.
“Dear, why are you acting like this? Look, our Kyung-ho is apologizing!”
His wife seemed to have genuinely fallen for their son’s insincere performance.
Given that she would blindly believe anything he said, that made sense.
And he figured this was exactly the kind of behavior their son was planning on.
Kang Sik’s frustration rose.
“What do you need? Money?”
Given that he was a B-rank hunter, the contract with the Guild must have brought in quite a hefty sum.
But he squandered it all on various indulgences, and after paying off a settlement, it seemed like he was just about broke.
What a pathetic excuse for a son.
He might just be pulling this stunt because he lacked funds for legal fees.
But he wouldn’t even consider giving him a single penny.
This time, no matter what his wife said, he wouldn’t change his mind.
“Why do you keep acting like this?”
His wife shot him a resentful glare.
Yet, Kang Sik remained steadfast, his demeanor as cold as ever.
“… I don’t need anything. I just want to take this opportunity to apologize to you, Father and Mother… sob….”
His son couldn’t finish his thoughts as he choked back tears.
What outstanding acting! From the outside, it seemed believable enough to be genuine.
However, recalling all the times he’d been wronged made this act laughable.
“Shut up, you little brat, quit your nonsense and get lost.”
Kang Sik said icily.
“Dear!”
“I’m serious… I’m truly remorseful. I just want to apologize. I’m sorry… sob.”
“Okay, okay, my son. Thank you for finally saying that, I’m grateful.”
With an expression of pride, his wife caressed their son’s cheek through the glass wall.
“Ugh.”
Kang Sik sighed incredulously.
“Yes… yes… Mother, from now on, I will live each day with deep reflection, serving my time faithfully. And also… I’ve decided to forgo my appeal.”
“What?”
Kang Sik’s face indicated he misheard something.
He knew his son all too well.
Whether rich or poor, he’d never be the type to drop an appeal.
If it meant lowering his sentence even a little, he would go to any lengths.
But what?
He’s dropping the appeal?
“…I’ve decided to forgo my appeal. This matter is undoubtedly my fault, and I believe the punishment set by the court is actually lenient. However, appealing would only serve to hurt the victims more. So….”
His son swallowed hard, trying to hold back tears.
“Huh….”
This time, Kang Sik appeared genuinely bewildered.
He’d thought it was all a despicable act, but if he really dropped the appeal, then what was going on?
No, something felt off.
Kang Sik turned to the correctional officer beside him and asked, “Is this brat really dropping his appeal?”
“Yes. Inmate Lee Kyung-ho submitted a waiver for his appeal to the court last week.”
“Is that… so?”
Kang Sik’s expression showed he couldn’t comprehend.
This was not someone who would behave like that.
At that moment, the correctional officer spoke up.
“As a third party, I’d hesitate to say this, but inmate Lee Kyung-ho has been living quite exemplary in detention. I thought you should know.”
“Is that really true?”
Kang Sik looked as if he found it impossible to believe.
This was the same kid who caused problems everywhere back in the juvenile center.
But now, he claims to be living commendably in a detention center?
It was tough to believe.
But the officer wouldn’t just lie about that.
“See, our Kyung-ho has come to his senses. He really has changed. Sob….”
With a tearful face, his wife exclaimed.
It seemed her tears were flowing uncontrollably as she wiped them with the back of her hand.
“I will live properly from now on. I really will! I won’t do anything wrong again.”
His son said, kneeling and bowing his head deeply.
– One minute remaining in the visitation time.
An announcement informed them that their visit was nearing its end.
His wife rushed to speak to their son, expressing a desperate desire to converse just a bit longer.
The boy raised his head, looking directly at her as they spoke.
His eyes, unlike the usual defiant wolf-like glare, were now as gentle as a lamb.
As Kang Sik observed this complicated scene, he turned to the correctional officer, asking, “Officer.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Is it really true… my son has come to his senses?”
“I’m hesitant to make any definitive statements, but at least the officers responsible for him believe so.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Also, I believe the head of the 6th floor’s unit is quite renowned for rehabilitation, which might be influencing this change.”
“Really?”
“Actually… this isn’t the first time in such circumstances. Family members are often surprised by the improvements they witness in inmates from the 6th floor during visits.”
The officer offered an honest remark, smiling as he left.
Kang Sik looked perplexed at the officer’s words.
Not the first time?
If that were true, could his son really be…?
– Visitation time has ended.
As Kang Sik pondered, the announcement signaling the end of visitation rang out.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Isn’t that interesting?”
The officer manning the complaints desk muttered to himself.
“What do you mean?”
A voice from behind brought the officer to turn his head.
The section chief of the complaints department was standing there.
“Oh, Section Chief.”
Startled, the officer quickly stood up.
“What do you mean by that?”
The section chief inquired again.
“Well, ever since the visits started, the families of 6th floor inmates seem to exit wearing a similar expression, as if they’ve just witnessed something shocking.”
“Ah.”
The section chief nodded, as if he understood.
“Isn’t that well-known about the 6th floor?”
“Yes, I’ve heard many rumors. But experiencing it firsthand made it even more fascinating.”
The officer scratched his head with a laugh.
“Officer Lee Si-hyun.”
The section chief smiled and mentioned Si-hyun’s name.
“Yes?”
“When you go into the Security Department, make sure you catch the favor of Officer Lee Si-hyun. I’ve heard that higher-ups in headquarters are already eyeing him as the future head of the Security Department of the Special Detention Center.”
“Oh, is that so?”
At his young age, he had already accomplished two significant commendable acts, and rumors spread that he fulfilled his duties nearly perfectly.
In short, he was a top-notch talent with no discernible flaws.
Considering everything, it made sense for him to be recognized as such.
“It looks like they’re already looking after his career management. Before turning 40, he might reach level 5. I joined at level 7 and barely made it to level 6 by 50, so it’s quite impressive.”
The section chief laughed wryly.
“Anyway, keep up the good work. And remember to maintain good relations with me while you’re in the complaints department.”
The section chief playfully patted the officer’s shoulder.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Lee Kyung-ho.”
“Yes!”
“Did you have a good visit?”
“Yes, it went well!”
Kyung-ho replied loudly with a straightened posture to Si-hyun’s question.
“Good. Then continue to do well in your detention life.”
“Yes!”
Si-hyun nodded and moved on to the next block.
Typically, the job of a correctional officer revolved around supervision.
Rehabilitation was undoubtedly important, but it couldn’t be enforced just any way you wished.
Is it easy to rehabilitate a human being?
Thus, they focused primarily on supervision.
But rehabilitation was crucially tied to recidivism rates.
So, Si-hyun was especially attentive to that aspect.
When recidivism occurs, the victims can’t be avoided. Preventing it thus contributes immensely to society.
Si-hyun dedicated his abilities generously towards rehabilitation.
A bit of forcefulness was necessary, but what could he do?
People wouldn’t end up here if they were the type to listen to reason in the first place.
He occasionally received letters from the families of inmates.
Thankful notes expressing gratitude for training their children properly.
In those moments, he felt a sense of satisfaction deep in his heart.
He was helping mend broken families, even if just a little.
Each step brought him closer to truly being a correctional officer.
“Let’s work hard, let’s really work hard.”
With a smile, Si-hyun silently vowed to himself.