NOVEL NEXT Chapter 155
Chapter 155: The Showdown
“…Is that him?”
The young correctional officer muttered to himself.
His eyes were fixed on a group of Koreans entering the ward alongside Deputy Warden Dean.
Among them, he was staring intently at Lee Si-hyun.
It seemed that the face he had seen on TV was indeed right.
He had imagined a muscular, intimidating figure when he heard “heroic correctional officer,” but the reality was quite different.
At least outwardly, there was no intimidation that would command the inmates’ respect.
Watching with some anticipation, he felt a wave of disappointment wash over him.
“Jake.”
The middle-aged correctional officer called out to the young one, giving his shoulder a light pat.
Jake turned his head to look at the older officer.
The middle-aged officer lowered his voice and continued, “Be discreet.”
“Yes… I get it, Bell.”
Jake nodded in response.
Before the Korean group arrived, a peculiar directive had been given in the Red Ward.
An absurd instruction that the inmates were not to be intervened with, no matter what they did.
The intention was clear.
Just as Bell had expected, it was meant to instill fear in those who came from Korea.
Perhaps it could be more accurately described as a way to crush their spirits.
Jake couldn’t fathom the reasoning behind such extremes, but the other correctional officers seemed to enjoy the unexpected entertainment that had brightened their otherwise dull prison lives.
Like watching monkeys at a zoo, they planned to observe the reactions of the Easterners from afar.
Jake knew there were several racists among the officers.
They were the type to belittle other races over drinks, finding amusement in their scornful jabs.
They would undoubtedly relish this situation.
Of course, even if Jake found the directive excessive, he had no intention of stepping forward to intervene.
Above all, the warden’s orders here were absolute.
The warden was akin to a king in Alcatraz.
There was not a single correctional officer daring enough to defy his orders.
“Let’s go.”
Bell said.
The warden wielded not only charisma that commanded his staff but also knew how to use diplomacy.
Once again, he instructed Dean to only keep essential personnel for operations, leaving the rest to enjoy the spectacle.
It was a directive meant to boost the morale of the tense officers working in the Red Ward compared to their colleagues in other wards.
“Okay.”
As Jake answered, Bell moved first toward the group of Koreans.
Quickly, Jake followed behind him.
◈ ◈ ◈
Click.
One of the correctional officers accompanying Dean opened the ward door.
“This way.”
Dean told Si-hyun’s group, walking slightly ahead, guiding them along.
At the back of the group, Si-hyun stole a glance at the ward.
“Hmm.”
Si-hyun immediately noticed that the inmates were different from those he had seen before.
There was no strict discipline in sight.
It indicated that they were not afraid of the correctional officers.
Seeing such behavior made him realize that managing B-Class and above inmates was no small feat, even in the U.S.
Then again, before Si-hyun took charge in Korea, it was a mess as well.
The inmates were staring at Si-hyun’s group, their gazes openly scrutinizing.
Life in prison was just a routine dullness repeating itself.
Suddenly, an unknown group of Easterners rushed in, so it was no wonder they were looking that way.
But it didn’t stop there.
Instinctively, they had to assess whether the newcomers were weak or strong.
If judged weak enough to provoke, they would naturally get the impulse to toy with them.
“Hehe.”
The dull-eyed man wore a face that screamed of having found an amusing toy.
He was sitting in his cell, bored out of his mind, when the yellow monkeys entered, reeking of garlic.
Though he was filled with the urge to provoke, he decided to hold back—for now.
There was someone nearby he wanted to avoid.
Deputy Warden Dean.
Even the rebellious inmates of the Red Ward knew to be cautious around the warden and deputy warden.
They all knew they were not simple figures.
It was well-known among inmates that a B-Class inmate had died after aggressively confronting the warden.
The official announcement labeled it an accident, but inmates believed he was executed.
In such a closed environment, it was nothing for the warden to handle one B-Class inmate’s “accidental” death.
The warden was a man of incredible power and abilities.
Moreover, the deputy warden was his right-hand man.
So, witnessing Dean glance their way with a peculiar smile gave the dull-eyed man an understanding of the situation.
He interpreted it as a signal to feel free to taunt the newcomers.
Recognizing this opportunity, he smirked, planning to relish the situation.
“Hey, yellow monkeys.”
The dull-eyed man shouted at Si-hyun’s group.
It was a blatant provocation.
All gazes turned in unison toward the cell the dull-eyed man occupied.
“What are monkeys doing where there are people? Here to entertain us?”
The dull-eyed man continued to provoke them.
Though he spoke in English, it was obvious they understood his contempt, their expressions twisting in displeasure.
The dull-eyed man felt more exhilarated.
It wasn’t as fun to insult those who didn’t even get the meaning.
“That bastard….”
Kang Baek glared at the dull-eyed man, anger rising.
“What? You little punk? What?”
The dull-eyed man sneered in response, narrowing his eyes at Kang Baek.
Si-hyun raised his right hand, signaling for Kang Baek to calm down.
Immediately, Kang Baek, who was ready to shout further, shut his mouth.
It was not just anyone asking him to cool off—it was Si-hyun.
Si-hyun quickly glanced at Dean’s expression.
Dean wore a look of surprise as if he hadn’t seen this coming.
Of course, it was all for show.
Now Si-hyun’s gaze shifted to the other American correctional officers.
They stood idly by, merely watching as if the situation was a spectacle.
‘…Those guys.’
Si-hyun sensed their malicious intent.
It felt as if they wanted the disruptive inmate to cause some trouble.
Si-hyun glanced at the warden and the head of security.
They wore stern faces, contemplating their next steps.
It seemed they were flustered at this sudden turn of events, unsure how to react.
Even with American correctional officers around, stepping in felt awkward, yet staying quiet was not an option either.
Meanwhile, the dull-eyed man continued his mockery.
“Hey, monkeys. Show us a performance. Dance for us.”
Other inmates in adjacent cells snickered at the spectacle.
Some were even whistling.
“Hey, dance for us, you monkey bastards.”
“Hahaha.”
It was total chaos.
‘There’s no need to bother Max with this, right?’
Dean thought internally, smirking at the ridiculousness.
The presence of B-Class inmates only foreshadowed more entertainment.
Yet here they were, looking like a bunch of fools, seemingly at a loss for what to do.
If an A-Class inmate released their terrifying aura, the correctional officers would probably wet their pants in fear.
It seemed they wouldn’t even make it to Max, as they’d likely be begging to leave with terrified eyes before that.
“Hmph, I told you. If you encounter real tough guys, you won’t know what hit you.”
Bell, who stood back, muttered.
Let alone these guys, they weren’t even close to being the genuine dangerous types.
“…So rumors truly are just rumors, huh?”
Jake said with a look of disappointment.
Having first felt let down by the appearance of the heroic officer and now completely crushed by the current situation.
Bell was right.
No matter how well-known one was in a small country, facing the real deal in a big pond merely exposed their shallowness.
The heroic officer stood with a furrowed brow, unable to make a move.
He looked nothing like a hero at this moment.
At that moment, an old man with white hair, presumably the leader of the Korean group, approached Dean with a stiff expression.
“Deputy Warden, it seems the inmates are far too agitated.”
“…Indeed. I didn’t expect this at all either.”
Dean replied, forcing a look of deep concern.
It seemed the warden was completely oblivious to the façade.
“I believe it would be best to leave now…”
“Ah… Yes. That seems wise. I’m truly sorry. I should have instructed the correctional officers to calm the inmates sooner, but I was too flustered to—”
Feigning genuine regret, Dean subtly glanced at the correctional officers.
It was a signal to at least act like they should calm down the inmates.
As the correctional officers began to approach the inmates, clubs in hand, Si-hyun moved first.
◈ ◈ ◈
‘Huh?’
What is he doing?
Jake looked at Si-hyun in confusion.
He had been silent until now, suddenly deciding to act right as the American correctional officers were about to move.
It seemed his pride had taken a hit, wanting to strut amongst the American officers.
That made the scene feel even more ridiculous.
It would have been better to just stay quiet.
Others shared a similar sentiment, watching him with smirks.
Ignoring their opinions, Si-hyun approached the dull-eyed man’s cell.
“What the hell, you monkey bastard!”
The dull-eyed man glowered, disbelief etched across his face.
Si-hyun met his glare with cold eyes, responding firmly.
“Lower your gaze.”
Si-hyun’s command was delivered fluently in English through translation magic to all the American correctional officers.
Understanding the meaning behind his words, the American officers could barely contain their laughter.
He had been cowering in fear until now, and suddenly he was challenging them—it was comical.
Yet, the dull-eyed man did not know how wrong he was.
He was a notorious gang member, known to be exceptionally vicious even among B-Class inmates.
He wasn’t someone to bow down to a mere Asian.
Instead, he was likely to explode with rage.
“…Hah. This punk. Unbelievable.”
The dull-eyed man reacted in disbelief.
“I told you to lower your gaze.”
“What? You crazy bastard!”
The dull-eyed man radiated an aura filled with menace.
It was an intimidating energy even seasoned correctional officers would find difficult to endure.
The future seemed evident, and the American officers were snickering at the unfolding drama.
Dean was also breaking into a subtle smirk.
However, contrary to expectations, Si-hyun didn’t so much as blink at the threat.
BAM!
Si-hyun slammed his fist against the cell door and shouted loudly.
“I said lower your gaze, you bastard!”
‘Yelling isn’t going to work.’
Jake shook his head in disbelief.
If only shouting could put these inmates in their place, the correctional officers would have it easy.
But then…
“EEK!”
The dull-eyed man suddenly screamed a grotesque cry.
Jake found himself genuinely doubting his ears.
He thought he must have misheard something.
So he opened his eyes wide, staring ahead.
“Uh-oh?”
A sound of incredulity escaped Jake’s lips.
There could be no doubt about it.
The dull-eyed man was looking terrified, his gaze cast down.
Amid the confusion, all eyes, including Jake’s, widened in astonishment.
Si-hyun shouted once more.
“Kneel, you bastard!”
“Y-Yes, Sir!”
The dull-eyed man quickly dropped to his knees.
Jake’s eyes went wide with disbelief.
Bell beside him wore a similarly shocked expression.
They all knew what kind of man the dull-eyed man was.
He would never kneel before anyone, even if it meant death.
…But he actually knelt?
It was an unimaginable sight.
They almost pondered if they were witnessing a scripted performance.
“What did you just say, you bastard?”
“…W-What?”
“What did you call us?”
“W-W-Wait, I’m s-sorry! I went crazy for a moment! P-Please forgive me! I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”
Thud, thud!
The dull-eyed man began hitting his head against the floor fiercely. The impact was so hard that blood dripped down from his forehead.
The eyes of the American correctional officers grew wide, jaws dropping in disbelief.
Jake and Bell were equally stunned.
Even Dean seemed genuinely surprised.