I Became a Leader in a Wretched Prison - Chapter 4
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 4
“But as you can see, things have gotten complicated, so these two will take on this role in my place and do well.”
When I glanced at the two who were still arguing, Ramona and Deril naturally closed their mouths.
Deril’s eyes were full of dissatisfaction, but she didn’t say anything.
To think they’d accept such a bothersome request with no benefit – to guide a new prisoner.
Really, everyone here is too kind for this place.
“Unfortunately, there aren’t many good people who would accept such a request.”
So follow them well, is what I’m saying.
I hope you survive well in this harsh place from now on.
“These two are people with outstanding abilities in this place, so learn a lot within a week.”
“…”
I can sense it. The new prisoner Haira will receive quite a good rating.
Those fearless eyes cause trouble. Whether in a good way or bad way.
‘She’s someone who will survive well. That’s fortunate.’
Not every prisoner who comes here has a strong will.
Some suffer from depression, or anxiety and delusional disorders. Others are tormented by obsessions.
The ‘Tower’ exists to prevent crimes from happening here.
But even so, what will happen still happens.
It’s a hopeless space, so it can’t be helped.
If prison were comfortable, that would be ridiculous too.
“It was nice meeting you, even if briefly.”
I dusted off my bottom and stood up without any lingering attachment.
Having greeted my roommates, it was now time to disappear.
I thought of a few other people I should greet besides them. But I could do that on the way.
Or maybe it doesn’t matter if I don’t?
‘They’re all strong people. They’ll do well.’
Boss. I was called by such a nickname, but I know. It was just an empty title.
“Boss, when will you come back?”
“Oh my, this girl. Would someone being executed come back? If they came back, it would be a resurrection. A resurrection. Is it the second coming of Lumen? Kyahaha.”
“Ah, this unnie, really. Be quiet. Be serious!”
I had no intention of controlling, managing, or getting involved with them. And they don’t want interference either.
“Take care. You two are good people and above all, you’re not lifers like me. Even if you get out someday, you’ll live well wherever you go.”
At my words, Ramona and Deril became quiet.
I waved sincerely to the people looking at me strangely and turned around without any regrets.
“That, that crazy…! Unnie, did you see? What kind of person going to execution is that! And good people? Crazy bitch, I’ve heard myself called vicious a hundred times in my life, but good? How many times am I hearing this nonsense!”
“Hmm, it must be hanging after all.”
“Aagh, really!”
I walked leisurely, letting the commotion go in one ear and out the other.
Who could this distinguished guest coming here be?
* * *
Deril was anxious.
Her grade was ‘High/1st Class’. Her crime was city arson and destruction of national property.
She had burned down the entire Human Experimentation Laboratory she came from—a place that lured children under the pretext of researching ‘Kia’ and experimented on them.
Though Deril had come to Niflheim, called Hell, for not repenting her sins, she had never once regretted it.
Yet at this moment, that same Deril was tormented by anxiety and restlessness.
Mint.
An appearance that looked at most early twenties. An age that had reached the mid-twenties.
Nevertheless, this young woman was the king of all prisoners.
Warden ‘Ralph’ being the king of this place? That wasn’t even funny.
Mint was the true leader they all acknowledged.
For such a person to leave her post, anxiety was bound to set in.
Though she was quite polite, speaking formally to everyone despite being the boss.
In reality, it was closer to acting decent on the surface because she had forgotten all common sense.
‘Is the boss going to tell the kids in the next cell before leaving?’
She thought of the twins who suffered from separation anxiety.
Knowing Mint’s personality, she would definitely not bother to tell them and just leave.
What kind of trouble was that lunatic planning to cause now?
Would it be something manageable?
‘No, it should be manageable, right? It won’t be an incident like a few years ago, right?’
Deril’s mind raced quickly, though she had appointed herself as the right hand but had never once received Mint’s acknowledgment.
* * *
In this world, there exists a power that can do anything.
More precisely, it’s like a mass of energy? This power that usually scattered through the air was called ‘Kia’.
From the moment those who could use this power appeared, humanity developed this power in various directions.
The power called ‘Kia’ was truly an infinite force.
So it wasn’t difficult to contain power with special characteristics in objects either.
‘Is this it?’
I examined the green bracelet wrapped snugly around my wrist from various angles.
The material was rubber band.
It was an object with Kia-infused spells densely carved on the inside.
The ability it possessed was ‘Transformation’.
‘Certainly, if it’s made of rubber band, it wouldn’t be strange to wear it around the Prison Cell.’
I slowly turned my head to look at the person standing in the mirror.
The teal hair that was so unique you’d wonder if there was another like it in the world was nowhere to be seen.
Brown hair and green eyes. A man with an ordinary and overly kind impression stood there.
It was my transformed appearance.
‘Wow, my impression is completely opposite.’
While I had sharp, upturned eyes, the man in the mirror had gentle, innocent eyes like a puppy sitting there.
His height was average. Neither tall nor short.
From his impression to his physique, it seemed thoroughly crafted around the theme of ‘unremarkable appearance.’
‘But still. Who would have thought I’d be going in as a guard instead of a prisoner?’
The man in the mirror was wearing a perfect guard’s uniform.
A uniform made for mobility, but also neat and tidy to show authority.
‘I never thought I’d have a day when I’d wear this.’
I felt like I experienced the emotion of “I opened my eyes and became a prisoner” ten years ago.
Now I could say “I opened my eyes and became a guard.”
‘Well now. What a dramatic change.’
The name given to me was ‘Garret.’
As a rookie guard, I was scheduled to be assigned to the Male Prison Block.
First, I would meet the ‘distinguished guest’ the warden mentioned, then pretend to be a veteran guard and stick close to assist them until they climbed to the upper floors of the Tower and became the new leader.
‘It’s been 10 days since I disappeared.’
Niflheim selected a new leader when the current one died or if there was a vacancy for 7 days.
Since there was a role in Niflheim’s Tower that only the prisoners’ leader and those of the highest grade could fulfill, it couldn’t be left vacant for long.
While I was holed up memorizing manuals to become the perfect guard.
They would have already selected a new leader for the grade that only one person could hold.
‘Someone worthy would have been chosen.’
In my case, I simply learned Kia because I didn’t want to get beaten.
It just happened to develop and eventually brought me to that position.
I had no regrets.
I had already received the Warden’s Note that stated who became the leader.
But I had been too lazy to open the note until now, and only opened it just now.
The previous grade of the person who became the new leader was Upper/1st Grade.
It was the highest grade but directly below me. This person wasn’t ranked 2nd in the hierarchy.
But I had known from before that this person was hiding their strength.
I thought it was strange why they didn’t reveal it and were satisfied with that level of ranking.
Well, they must have had their reasons.
It wasn’t my concern.
“Sir Garret. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
A servant who only stayed in the Guard Quarters bowed his head.
I followed the servant. To meet the ‘distinguished guest.’
“Where are we going?”
The servant looked strangely at the rookie guard who was speaking formally to him.
“There were orders from Sergeant Steven. You’ll be going to see the criminal coming in today. I’m only scheduled to guide you to the building entrance.”
However, befitting a servant of this prison, he soon lost interest.
With a face that said some strange fellow had entered.
I quietly looked up at the sky.
‘The original story will begin soon.’
Ten years have passed, so the male protagonist will appear soon.
And so, while I thought I could now know my future, unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
‘How could I know anything from a story that only briefly appeared centered around the male protagonist.’
The female protagonist would have started her activities somewhere far away.
This prison was a bonus space until the female protagonist appeared.
It was just a secondary story that only told us the male protagonist was here.
So there was only one thing I could trust.
Perfectly carrying out the warden’s orders.
Then it would be escape.
* * *
And a moment later, my belief was shattered to pieces.
“Prisoner ‘Helios’?”
Before my eyes was a new prisoner.
No, the male protagonist was standing there with a defiant face.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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