NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31
Chapter 31
The end of the year is a chaotic time for working people.
Correctional officers were no exception. Staff parties, team dinner parties, Security Department gatherings, correctional officer-teacher banquets, and get-togethers with colleagues…
I couldn’t even count how many work parties took place in December. For Si-hyun, who wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, it was a month he wished would just pass quickly.
In the past, when he hadn’t been particularly noticeable, sneaking out during the middle of a gathering was no big deal. But now, having become quite the celebrity within the prison, he felt the pressure and couldn’t slip away unnoticed.
Even if he didn’t drink, the high-ranking folks insisted he tag along for the after-parties. As a result, there had been quite a few nights where he stumbled home after 1 AM.
With hardly any sleep and a delightful fusion of hangover fatigue, Si-hyun’s exhaustion was at its peak. No matter how high his awakened stats were, being deprived of sleep and drowning in alcohol wore him out just like anyone else.
In that state, he received a call from the head of Grace Guild, Sang-hyuk.
“Huh? Year-end party?”
– Why does your voice sound like that? If you’re not up for it, you don’t have to come…
“No, no. It’s just my throat isn’t feeling great. I’ll be there.”
– Okay, see you then.
As the call ended, Si-hyun’s slightly trembling hand checked the calendar. Another gathering added.
“…Damn it, when does December end?”
When he had a girlfriend, there had at least been some fun in spending Christmas Eve together, but now?
Just as Si-hyun was pulling at his hair in frustration, his phone rang again. It was Sang-kyu.
“Hey, what’s up?”
– The year’s almost over, so we should grab a drink somewhere nice. When are you free?
“…”
– What’s wrong? Can’t hear me?
“No, I can hear you just fine. But I’m gonna pass on the drinks. Let’s just eat.”
– Come on, man. I wanted to have some sashimi together for the first time in forever!
“Sorry, let’s save the sashimi for another time.”
– Alright, I got it. Let’s just have a meal instead. I’ll pick the place.
“Do whatever. How about we meet after work next Friday?”
– Okay, sounds good.
Another appointment added to the calendar.
Si-hyun marked it down again.
‘…Is being so popular really exhausting?’
At that moment, his phone rang once more. It felt like something was going on today.
With an annoyed expression, Si-hyun answered the call without checking the number.
“Hello?”
– Hello, this is Lee Si-hyun Correctional Officer. It’s Han I-seol.
“Oh, hi. Hello, Director Han.”
Si-hyun adjusted his grip on the phone. The caller was Han I-seol, the producer he had met while shooting the prison documentary.
Totally unexpected. It had been the first time they were speaking since then.
– I hope I’m not being rude by calling you out of the blue?
“Not at all. I actually gave you my number to contact me.”
– Well, I intended to do just that, but you didn’t reach out, so I thought I’d call first.
“Haha, I’ve been busy with life lately…”
– Actually, I was a little disappointed. I thought you would call after watching the broadcast…
Ah.
Si-hyun made a face, realizing he should have called after watching. With all the buzz online, he had lost sight of that obligation.
“Oh, I completely forgot to call after the broadcast went viral. Sorry about that.”
Hearing that, I-seol chuckled softly.
– Hehe, okay? You’re not upset about the sudden fame online, are you?
“Not at all. I was a bit taken aback, but it’s been helpful in its own way.”
The “help” he referred to was in regard to his rising reputation. The documentary had good viewership ratings, but it had gained even more recognition online, allowing him to obtain a skill and an item.
– Then that’s a relief. Actually, I was the first one to edit your video and post it on the community.
“Pardon?”
Si-hyun felt as if he had been hit on the back of the head.
No wonder the video felt so professionally edited… He never would’ve guessed it was Han I-seol who posted it.
– The truth is, there aren’t many decent videos featuring correctional officers. But after seeing you work directly, I thought it was such a cool job that I wanted to share that with others.
“Really….”
“Besides, you looked so charismatic and cool in the video that I figured even if I just edited that part, it would make for a great montage. I bet your video has probably changed people’s perceptions of correctional officers a bit, right?
“Doubt it.”
– Hehe, think positively.
I-seol smiled as she continued speaking.
– It must be really busy for you end of the year, huh?
“Yeah, kinda… busy.”
– But you must have time to grab a meal, right?
“Excuse me?”
– I’d like to treat you to a meal.
“Treat? That sounds a bit much….”
– Is it? Then let’s go Dutch.
“Yeah, that sounds better.”
– How’s dinner this weekend? I’m available Saturday and Sunday.
Si-hyun glanced at his calendar.
“How about Saturday evening?”
– That’s fine. I know a great restaurant in Gangnam; shall we go there?
“Sure, sounds good.”
– I’ll send you the address. See you then.
“Okay, see you then.”
After the call ended, Si-hyun sighed briefly.
…How many calls has this been in a row? And now his schedule was piling up. His head started to ache.
Hang in there, body.
◈ ◈ ◈
The place I-seol suggested was a traditional Korean restaurant near Gangnam Station’s Exit 5. A quick internet search revealed it was quite famous for its delicious food, with a slew of positive reviews.
But rumors indicated it was a bit pricey… Should I have just let her cover the bill?
While mulling over that, his phone rang again.
“Hello, Director Han.”
“Have you arrived?”
“Yeah, just now.”
“Oh, I see you.”
I-seol waved and approached with a smile.
“Shall we go in?”
Si-hyun followed I-seol inside.
The interior was traditional yet stylish, exceptionally clean. There seemed to be customers waiting due to the weekend, but thankfully, they had a reservation and were led to a small room.
“Can you reserve for two people?”
Si-hyun asked.
“Definitely. This is the smallest room meant for one or two people dining.”
I-seol hung her coat and took a seat.
They decided on a mid-range menu, which they could still call expensive.
“Do producers usually eat at places like this?”
“Not at all.”
I-seol laughed, shaking her head.
“I chose this place especially for you, Officer Lee Si-hyun.”
“Wow, you sure know how to make a person feel good. You must be quite the socialite.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
As they chatted for a bit, the food began to arrive.
The dishes were as delicious as the reviews claimed. Si-hyun, feeling that he couldn’t waste the expensive meal, polished off the first course in no time.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
I-seol remarked happily, relieved that her choice was a good one.
“Yeah, it’s delicious.”
Si-hyun smiled as he continued.
“Honestly, for someone who eats prison meals regularly, anything else tastes good. I feel bad for the ajummas at the restaurant, but the food in there is just awful. Some correctional officers even claim military meals taste better. You remember how it was when you visited, right?”
“Right, the taste was definitely….”
“And did you know? If you search for ‘military meals’ on the search site ‘Guguru,’ it automatically autocompletes to ‘prison meals.’ I laughed at that reality.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Of course, it doesn’t refer to the food correctional officers eat but that of the inmates. But sometimes they let me have a taste of the meals they eat, and honestly, I couldn’t pick a winner between military and prison meals. It’s no wonder the inmates chow down on ramen at any given time.”
“Wow, that’s some firsthand insight from experience! I’ll have to remember that and show off my knowledge next time I’m chatting with someone.”
The conversation with I-seol flowed smoothly.
When speaking alone with a woman he didn’t know well, there was often an awkwardness that led to a sudden drop in the mood, but that didn’t happen here. He felt comfortable with her, a trait he had noticed while filming the documentary.
“By the way, I hear you’re quite the sensation these days.”
“Really?”
With a puzzled expression, I-seol continued.
“I hear you’re amazing at the Restraint Technique.”
“Huh… What? How did that rumor even reach you, Director Han?”
“I planted a spy inside Daehan Correctional Facility.”
I-seol winked playfully.
“Yikes, that’s scary. So there was one more correctional officer I couldn’t trust in this group chat. You’re even more elaborate than I thought.”
“Hey, I just happened to overhear it. I had an upperclassman I knew from school. I sent a greeting text because the year was ending, and your name came up. You probably know him as well. Jeong Jun-cheol.”
“Jun-cheol? Oh, that guy was from Yonsei, huh? So you graduated from there too, Director Han.”
Jun-cheol was quite well-known, even among the trainees. It was rare to see someone from a prestigious university become a correctional officer, especially at level 9. Though one of Si-hyun’s peers was from Seoul National University.
“Yes, he was a senior from my department. He was a teaching assistant when I was in school. I hadn’t seen him since, but he’s at Daehan Correctional Facility now.”
“Oh, I didn’t picture Jun-cheol as that kind of person who gossips lightly.”
“He probably wanted to show off about someone he knew. Gotta keep the brotherly pride alive, huh?”
I-seol chuckled again as she continued.
“I thought you were genuinely born to be a correctional officer. It’s clear that this job suits you perfectly.”
“Now you’ve gone and boosted my ego. The way you’re complimenting me is really something.”
“Oh dear, I meant every word.”
During the rest of the meal, the good vibes continued, and then a surprising topic came up when dessert arrived.
“Are you interested in awakened beings at all?”
“Uh?”
Si-hyun suddenly felt a jolt of surprise.
Could it be that she had found out about his interests in awakened beings?
“…I guess I have a bit more interest than the average person.”
“I see. Honestly, that’s my own area of interest. Awakened beings and gates.”
“Oh, really?”
“And actually, I….”
“Yes?”
“I’m one of the awakened beings.”