NOVEL NEXT Chapter 195
Chapter 195: Emergency Situation
“Is everything alright?”
Rachel asked as she met Si-hyun after a week.
The tone of her question felt almost like, “Do you believe in a higher power?” which made Si-hyun chuckle inwardly.
“Yes, nothing special going on.”
Both his work and the guild were calm and stable.
It was his first time holding the position of a department head, but he was well-versed in the Security Department’s affairs.
There probably wasn’t another correctional officer in the country who had dedicated their career solely to the Security Department like he did, without ever rotating to other divisions.
Having risen through the ranks, he also understood the struggles of lower-ranked staff firsthand.
His extensive field experience gave him insight into the inmates as well.
So, doing well was only natural.
Since that time when the Yangji Guild put the Sun Guild back in its place, things had been sailing smoothly for the Yangji Guild.
With an improved image, the number of guild members had naturally increased.
It was no exaggeration to say they were nearing the status of a major guild.
That was a good thing.
While Si-hyun had strong ties to the guild, his primary job was still at the detention center.
However, this place was the workplace for ex-convicts.
In a sense, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say their lives were at stake here.
Si-hyun understood that the ex-convicts had a strong sense of belonging to the guild.
He was also fully aware of the societal stigma and difficulties in employment faced by ex-convicts as a correctional officer.
If it weren’t for the Yangji Guild, the guild members would have likely experienced the same issues.
The Yangji Guild served as a precious haven for ex-convicts.
So it was only natural for Si-hyun to wish for the thriving of such a haven for the guild members.
“Is that so? You certainly look happy,” Rachel remarked.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of that lately,” Si-hyun smiled.
He continued, “But why such a sudden question? Is there something on your mind?”
“Nothing particular. I just wanted to know if perhaps you were related to the great purpose that Lady Ilia has for keeping her inadequate daughter here.”
“I see. While I can’t say if it has anything to do with me, I hope you find that great purpose.”
Si-hyun responded politely.
In truth, Rachel’s demeanor was incredibly courteous to everyone, possessing an aura that naturally compelled others to reciprocate that respect.
Even the rough ex-convicts, who had lived hard lives, turned into meek lambs when conversing with her.
“Thank you for that. If you need even a little help while you are here, please feel free to ask,” Rachel said, joining her hands.
It was rare for the First Sword of Ilia to offer such assistance upfront.
Her position required her to handle significant tasks for the church as a top priority.
Thus, promising help wasn’t something she could do lightly.
Yet, to have her offer so readily, it meant that Si-hyun’s heroic acts against the Emperor’s faction and saving many lives had left a deep impression on her.
“I’m grateful for your words,” Si-hyun replied, also joining his hands in greeting.
◈ ◈ ◈
“When are we going?” Renchik asked Jin.
He had spoken as if they were leaving at any moment, yet kept delaying and not moving.
Jin took a sip of the wine beside him with an annoyed expression.
“What’s the rush? Just wait a bit. I’ll go when I’m ready.”
“It might be nothing to you, but it’s a very important matter to me.”
“Is begging someone for revenge really that important?”
“….”
At Jin’s mocking words, Renchik sneered and clenched his fists tightly.
“Relax. You’re not that strong to be pretending like you are.”
“….”
Jin’s continued remarks only twisted Renchik’s expression more.
Being someone with high self-esteem, it was unavoidable that such words would infuriate him.
But he managed to endure it.
More important was revenge.
“If this keeps up, I’ll have to tell Igni.”
Renchik said.
At that, Jin scoffed.
Then he threw the wine glass he was holding with force.
Crash!
The wine glass just narrowly grazed Renchik’s face before smashing against the wall into pieces.
“Don’t make me angry. Don’t think I have any respect just because of our kinship.”
A heavy presence instantly froze the air around them.
Renchik felt a strong aura emanating from Jin.
His body instinctively shrank back and began to tremble.
But he held firm out of stubbornness.
“…I just meant I’m desperate.”
Renchik said through clenched teeth.
Seeing this, Jin scoffed once more.
“Hmph. Well, I guess I have to start moving soon if I want to avoid your annoying face.”
Jin slowly rose from the awkwardly positioned chair.
“Thanks.”
“Shut up and just open the gate.”
“…Understood.”
◈ ◈ ◈
‘The construction is nearly done.’
Si-hyun thought as he looked at the construction site.
The most urgent task at the Special Detention Center had been to restore the chaos caused by the conflict with the Emperor’s faction.
Especially since Hyris and Hurein had wreaked such havoc, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it looked like a war-torn area.
Fortunately, the incidents occurred at a location somewhat distanced from the most crucial building, the ward.
Thanks to that, they could carry out restoration work without disrupting the operations of the ward.
And now the construction was nearing completion.
One major issue would be getting resolved.
With a relieved look, Si-hyun turned his steps towards the Security Department building.
Even though the construction was a bit away, the noise had been quite bothersome for the staff.
‘Today…’
As he walked, Si-hyun mentally reviewed his schedule for the day.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Alright, let’s talk while we drink.”
Si-hyun said.
Before him sat three newly recruited correctional officers who had just completed their first month.
They looked extremely tense.
It was only natural considering they were in front of the esteemed Security Department Head.
“Ah, yes… thank you.”
With somewhat quivering voices, the new correctional officers lifted their cups of green tea for a sip.
It wouldn’t be polite to not drink when the department head told them to.
Waiting for them to set their cups down, Si-hyun continued.
“Since you’ve been working, have you encountered any special difficulties?”
“No, none at all!”
Their reply came out in perfect unison.
Si-hyun chuckled inwardly.
Despite this being a gathering of the Security Department head and new correctional officers, it wasn’t easy for them to speak about difficulties.
Si-hyun understood this well from his own experience as a newbie.
Amongst his peers, not a single one had voiced any issues.
They believed that nothing would change even if they spoke up, and they might end up giving the bad impression of struggling to adapt to the organization.
So, Si-hyun didn’t expect to receive honest answers on this matter.
“I know it’s a delicate subject, but both I and other correctional officers don’t want new recruits leaving prematurely. So, if you have any difficulties, please speak openly. Don’t suffocate yourself and slip away quietly.”
Despite Si-hyun’s words, the new correctional officers remained unchanged.
“Really, we have nothing!”
“Absolutely not!”
They insisted, putting on sincere expressions.
At their insistence, Si-hyun couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“Is that so? Well, in that case, I’m relieved.”
Just then, a bespectacled new correctional officer carefully raised his hand.
Si-hyun shot him an encouraging glance.
“Feel free to speak.”
“I… honestly, I’m not very assertive, so I worried a lot about handling inmates.”
“That’s understandable. There are plenty of correctional officers who feel that way.”
Si-hyun nodded in comprehension.
The bespectacled officer continued.
“However, surprisingly, the inmates are really good at following the officers’ directions. So I’ve managed to work without significant difficulties up to now.”
The other newcomers nodded in agreement, their expressions brightening.
“But…”
The bespectacled one said cautiously, glancing at Si-hyun.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve heard from the senior officers that the order among the inmates started to improve once the Security Department Head came here. Not just one person, but everyone says so. Since that time, I’ve developed a newfound sense of respect and gratitude towards the Security Department Head. I sincerely want to thank you once again.”
Saying such things with a serious expression left Si-hyun feeling quite embarrassed.
He chuckled awkwardly and replied, “Oh my, praising the superior so soon? What are you doing?”
“Huh? No, I mean… I genuinely mean it.”
The bespectacled officer hurriedly shook his hands.
“Just kidding. There’s definitely a big difference in the before and after. And if that makes it easier for the new correctional officers to work, then it feels rewarding.”
“Yes….”
“What do you think?”
“What?”
“In that case, we need to keep up these good practices, right? Please continue to work hard for inmate order. A single drop of oil can contaminate the entire cup of water. So always do your best in the ward you are assigned.”
“Yes, understood!”
The new correctional officers responded in unison.
“And today, we’ll have a special lunch out.”
Si-hyun continued with a smiling face.
At those words, the expressions of the new correctional officers brightened.
“Thank you!”
◈ ◈ ◈
“What do you like to eat?”
As they headed towards the external gate, Si-hyun asked.
Naturally, the newbies were in no position to choose menus.
“I eat anything.”
“Me too.”
“Same here.”
“Then I’ll pick the menu myself.”
Si-hyun said with a smirk.
The newcomers looked pleased.
They knew well that as correctional officers, there were hardly any opportunities for lunch outside.
Unless it was an external task like transfer, they generally had to eat detention center food.
And it seemed they weren’t particularly fond of the detention center meals either.
Si-hyun had to admit that honestly, they weren’t very tasty.
As they passed the external gate, and the guard saluted upon seeing Si-hyun, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
His gaze fixed on something as if he had spotted it.
“Sir?”
The newbies looked at him with puzzled expressions due to his sudden behavior.
“Get inside.”
Si-hyun said with a stern expression.
“Yes?”
“This is an emergency. Get inside immediately.”
“What do you mean all of a sudden….”
Without responding, Si-hyun snatched the TRS from the external gate guard.
Speaking into the central channel with a clear voice, he declared, “This is Security Department Head Lee Si-hyun. I confirmed a gate emergence near the external gate. This is an emergency. Employees outside the main gate must evacuate inside immediately. I repeat, this is an emergency. Employees outside should evacuate immediately.”
There was a weight in his declaration unlike before.
It was the authority coming from his position as head of the Security Department and as a heroic correctional officer who had saved the detention center from crises twice.
He was no longer just an average correctional officer struggling to evacuate employees during the Abnormal Gate incident.
“G-gate?!”
The newbies and external gate guards wore startled expressions.
Finally, they began to see a swirling gray circle forming in the air.
The moment they recognized it, their faces turned pale.
“Gah!”
“Is… is that really a gate?!”
“Everyone, hurry inside!”
Si-hyun shouted authoritatively.
“Y-yes!”
The newbies and external gate guard hurriedly ran inside.
After casting a quick glance at their retreating figures, Si-hyun shifted his focus back to where the gate was forming.
That’s the Abnormal Gate.
Having experienced and strategized against Abnormal Gates multiple times, Si-hyun could sense its presence.
The gray hue of an Abnormal Gate casts a darker and gloomier shade compared to other higher-grade gates.
Fortune had prevented the worst scenario.
Had Si-hyun not been the first to spot this Abnormal Gate, the people in the detention center would have suffered severe consequences while they were panicking.
It was sheer luck that he had had a lunch appointment with the new correctional officers today.
Si-hyun stood firmly, blocking the external gate.
First, he needed to buy time for the employees to escape through the main gate.
At that moment, monsters began to leap out of the gate as if waiting for the perfect moment.
Goblin, Orc, Ogre, Troll, Gargoyle, Lizardman…
All sorts of monsters poured out endlessly.
“Rraaargh!”
“Graah!”
“Gruuuh!”
The monstrous horde howled fiercely, instilling fear just by their presence.
Their bloodthirsty gazes immediately turned toward Si-hyun.
However, Si-hyun did not lose his composure.
He believed in Po-ahim’s true power.
“No one gets past here.”
Si-hyun declared as he pulled out his lord’s guard baton.