NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66
Chapter 66: The Transfer
“It’s August already.”
Finally, the announcement for the recruitment of a Level 7 Correctional Service Awakened Being has been made.
The date is August 16th.
Since it’s June now, there were about two months left. I had already renewed my Hunter License to D rank, so I was eligible. During this remaining period, I just needed to study correctional science and criminal procedure law, and I’d be good to go for the exam. Naturally, since this was a special recruitment for Awakened Beings, there was no physical test.
Si-hyun, being a current correctional officer, had passed the interview almost effortlessly. As long as he passed the written test, he might as well have been accepted. Once that happened, he would immediately start working at the Special Detention Center on Ganghwa Island, commonly referred to by officers as the Special Ward, after a 14-week training period.
I was curious about what the Special Ward would be like. At the same time, I felt a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving the place I had grown fond of.
Daehan Correctional Facility.
That was where I started my social life. And I had truly experienced a lot there.
So many diverse inmates. My fellow staff members I had worked with. There were many people and many memories that came to mind.
“What’s bringing you here?”
At that moment, someone’s voice interrupted Si-hyun’s thoughts. It was Jun-cheol, a familiar voice.
Si-hyun closed his internet browser and turned around.
“I was just looking at something. Hyung, have you washed up yet?”
Si-hyun and Jun-cheol had a personal break before finishing their shifts after working the night duty on the same day. Si-hyun had a 24-hour shift every now and then, and Jun-cheol had been assigned a night duty as part of his usual schedule.
They were currently in the continuous study room. This was a space created for employees to complete mandatory cyber-training hours via the internet each year.
However, very few employees used it for that purpose; instead, it felt more like an internet café where they could chill during breaks. Si-hyun rarely used the continuous study room, which is why Jun-cheol asked about it.
“Yeah. Aren’t you going to clean up, Si-hyun?”
After working the night shift, you couldn’t just leave right away.
You weren’t allowed to clock out until 9 AM. So to pass the time, you could either shower, take a nap in the break room, or have breakfast in the cafeteria.
“I’m not too keen on that. More importantly, hyung.”
Si-hyun brought up what he had been pondering.
“Oh, why?”
“Would you like to have breakfast together later?”
“Inside? Or outside?”
“Outside. I have something to talk about.”
“Something to talk about? Then I guess I’ll have to cancel my plans with my wife.”
“Oh come on, what would that make me? Just have a good time with my sister-in-law.”
“Haha, I was just joking. I don’t have anything special planned in the morning. Let’s go, let’s go.”
◈ ◈ ◈
Si-hyun and Jun-cheol were at a gamjatang restaurant a little distance from the facility.
“So, what’s up?”
“Um… don’t be surprised.”
As Si-hyun took his time, Jun-cheol made a joke.
“Don’t scare me, man. Shouldn’t we order some soju for this?”
“Go ahead, hyung.”
“Come on, stop with the build-up and just tell me already. What is it?”
Jun-cheol pressed him further.
“Actually, I…”
“Yeah?”
“I Awakend not long ago.”
“….”
Jun-cheol looked like he misunderstood something. He tilted his head and asked again.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I awakened.”
“…What?”
Jun-cheol’s eyes widened in surprise. He put down the spoon he was using to eat.
“You awakened? Like, seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Wow….”
Even if the number of Awakened Beings wasn’t that high, in today’s world, it was easy to come across news about Hunters through the media or social networks.
However, it felt completely different when someone you knew became Awakened. It was a surreal feeling.
After being briefly stunned, Jun-cheol collected his thoughts and spoke again.
“This is worth celebrating, right? Congratulations.”
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but thanks anyway, hyung.”
“So what rank are you?”
“It’s a D rank.”
“D?”
Jun-cheol didn’t know too much about Hunter’s earnings.
But he did know that D rank should pay considerably more than a civil servant.
“So you’re quitting as a correctional officer to become a full-time Hunter then?”
“No, I’m going to continue being a correctional officer.”
Si-hyun’s unexpected answer made Jun-cheol raise a questioning eyebrow.
“Oh really? But civil servants aren’t allowed to hold concurrent jobs. What are you planning to do? Are you going to keep it a secret?”
“Have you heard about the special recruitment for Awakened Correctional Officers? I’m preparing for that.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of it. So that’s what you’re up to.”
Jun-cheol nodded and continued speaking.
“That means you’ll be getting a Level 7 position, right? That’s something to celebrate. But it’s also a bit of a shame. I wanted to work alongside you for a long time.”
Seeing Jun-cheol’s expression, Si-hyun felt a bit sad too.
“I feel that way too, hyung. I’d prefer to stay at Daehan Correctional Facility. I’ve gotten so used to it, it feels like home. But since the new workplace is on Ganghwa Island, I have no choice.”
“Ahh, yeah. If my brother is doing well, then I should send him off with a smile. Even if I’m busy, keep in touch and visit whenever you can. I’ll gladly treat you to a meal. I’ll reach out too, so don’t act like you don’t know me just because I changed jobs.”
“Oh man, here you go with the weird talk again. Feel free to contact me anytime, and come to Ganghwa Island for a breath of fresh air. I’ll treat you to eel.”
◈ ◈ ◈
I felt like it was a good choice to tell Jun-cheol in advance. If I had told him right before my transfer, he would have felt really hurt. No matter how close we were, it wouldn’t have been polite to do that to a good friend.
I decided not to inform the other staff members until my acceptance was confirmed. It would be obviously tiring to have everyone fussing over me as an Awakened Being at work.
‘This is exhausting.’
After a 24-hour shift, it was perfectly normal to feel tired. That’s why I usually went home and fell straight asleep after such a shift.
However, there were times when my body felt weary but sleep wouldn’t come. Now was one of those times. I found myself sitting in a park near my house. It was the same park where I had met Cheonbyeon.
‘Black Cross…’
Suddenly, I recalled an incident from a few months ago.
Face-avoidance Technician, Giant Monkey, Black Cross.
These three experiences after my Awakening would probably be unforgettable. Especially Black Cross. I had been kidnapped and nearly killed, and it was my first time committing murder, of course, I wouldn’t forget that.
Contrary to my slight fears, since meeting Cheonbyeon, Black Cross had been quiet. I wasn’t sure if it mistook me for the original wielder of Acureruts or if it was simply a rule to not touch targets for canceled requests. Regardless, I was thankful. It was for the best that we didn’t cross paths, at least for now, until I truly became an S-Class Awakened Being.
“What, there shouldn’t be any issues from now on.”
Si-hyun muttered. He didn’t even entertain the thought of ending up cursed like Jang Hak-ki.
◈ ◈ ◈
“That bastard is acting up again. Ah, damn.”
The Duty Chief said, visibly irritated. His gaze fell on an inmate with a red name tag, bashing his head against the wall. The red name tag identified him as a death row inmate.
Death row inmate Kang Tae-eun.
He was a serial killer who kidnapped and murdered eight women. And he was currently a headache for the Seoul Detention Center.
His strange behavior had begun several months ago. Suddenly, he started bashing his head against the wall and self-harming.
Before that, he hadn’t shown any signs of such behavior. He had lived rather comfortably as an inmate. Other than occasionally flashing a creepy smile at the correctional officers, it had been trouble-free. So everyone thought it was a sudden outburst of stress.
It wasn’t uncommon for self-harm events to occur in a facility. It hadn’t been taken seriously. But after Kang Tae-eun was released from the hospital, he self-harmed again. Only after the second incident did they start to take the matter seriously. They initiated psychological counseling and encouraged him in hopes that it wouldn’t happen again.
However, as soon as he was released from the hospital, Kang Tae-eun self-harmed again. No one had expected he’d do it for the third time in a row, and the facility was shocked. Such inmates were extremely rare.
It was at that point that Kang Tae-eun started making demands.
He wanted to be transferred to Gwangju Detention Center.
That was his request. Normally, if such an incident occurred, discussions would take place with Gwangju Detention Center for a transfer.
However, the new warden assigned to the Seoul Detention Center was known for his stubbornness. He seemed to believe that complying with such demands would show weakness to a death row inmate, and thus dismissed the request altogether.
From that point onward, the stress levels among the correctional officers increased.
Using protective measures like restraint beds and protective clothing could prevent self-harm, but the law prohibited using them beyond a designated time. They couldn’t be used continuously. A waiting period was required before they could be used again.
From that point, Kang Tae-eun used the time available to self-harm in any way he could. Even if correctional officers shadowed him to monitor his movements, they couldn’t stop him. No matter the method, he would resort to self-harm.
The correctional officers at Seoul Detention Center honestly hoped to get that ticking time bomb sent off to Gwangju as soon as possible. Many were cursing the warden for being stubborn without knowing the on-ground situation.
“Another self-harm incident?”
The section chief, who rushed in after receiving a TRS alert, looked troubled. Despite his head bleeding profusely, Kang Tae-eun didn’t blink an eye. He was unbelievably obstinate.
“Does management still have no change in their stance?”
The chief shook his head, displeased. The lower staff’s complaints had reached a boiling point.
“Seems like there’s some change. But they should have sent him off already. Do you think Gwangju Detention Center would easily accept him?”
Among inmates pressured to seek transfers through self-harm, there were two types. Those satisfied with their demands being met and staying quietly compliant, and those who would continue to self-harm regardless of their wishes even after being transferred.
The former was ideal. The latter meant receiving a burning bomb that could explode in Gwangju Detention Center. They were worried about turning into the latter in the new facility.
If it were just a few incidents of self-harm, it might not be a big deal. However, since Kang Tae-eun had self-harmed over ten times in a row, it was understandable for Gwangju Detention Center to develop a heightened sense of caution.
“Exactly. Still, we need to transfer him somehow. I think that’s the only way to calm this situation.”
“Seems they’re trying to persuade Gwangju Detention Center in any way possible. So hang in there and wait with hope.”
As the section chief and chief exchanged words, the CRPT and medical staff mobilized. With injuries like that, he had to be moved to the hospital. Kang Tae-eun followed the staff without any resistance, hands cuffed.
Watching this scene, the chief clicked his tongue.
“I really hope I never see that bastard again. A guy like that should just be executed, but thanks to human rights activists, who’s the one suffering here?”
If it was for the rights of the victims, that would be fine. But the victim’s rights didn’t improve, and it was just the rights of criminals that got better, which was frustrating.
“I agree.”
The section chief nodded in agreement.
◈ ◈ ◈
“So, he’s finally being transferred to Gwangju Detention Center. The time is set for 8 AM, a week from now.”
Baek-wol reported.
“Alright, finally.”
Cheonbyeon snapped her slender fingers.
It had taken longer than expected.
However, if she could secue Black Moon, such a delay was trivial. Black Moon was a special-grade assassin within Black Cross, a man worth that kind of time.
“You’ve mapped out all the routes, right?”
“Of course.”
“Good. I’m entrusting this matter to you to handle perfectly.”
Cheonbyeon had originally come to Korea to deal with the Black Moon issue. Ensuring the remaining members of Black Cross were recruited was her task. So under normal circumstances, this would have been a job she would take on personally.
However, the fact that Lee Si-hyun was disguising as a correctional officer worried her slightly. Therefore, she planned to monitor his movements just in case.
Baek-wol understood Cheonbyeon’s feelings well.
“Understood.”
He replied calmly.