Prison Break
As I mentioned before Prison Break, I have a bucket list. This massive list, spanning an entire notebook, contains all sorts of goals—so varied that even I sometimes wonder what kind of life this bastard wants to live.
There are ordinary ones like diving off a 300-meter waterfall or eating the spiciest food in the world. But then there are others that leave you dazed after reading them: shaving the Sword Sovereign's beard, brewing a ten-herb tonic for old man Hajes, dressing the Saintess in a bunny girl outfit, and so on.
Among this eclectic collection, one particular item stands out.
[Try escaping from prison.]
Truly, the gods must be watching over me. Otherwise, why would they so kindly provide this opportunity?
"Straighten your back. If you keep slouching like that, there will be no meal."
Outside the iron bars, Yeon Hayul, clad in a black leather jacket, fiddled with the three-section staff at her waist and issued a stern warning. Her gaze fell upon the cramped space beyond the thick bars. The shabby wooden chair groaned under my weight, threatening to split in two at any moment.
Where on earth was the background for this absurd situation that practically demanded its own dramatic soundtrack? This was the police station in the Imperial Concession, an extraterritorial zone smack in the middle of Moonchild, a city teeming with crime and desire. And among its cells, this was the dankest, mustiest one of all.
Well, getting locked up was a success. Now all that remained was the escape.
Ah, fuck yeah. This is exciting.
That goddamn god. If I ever meet him, I'm killing him for sure.
When you live in the back alleys, you inevitably face unreasonable situations. Getting robbed of a whole day's earnings or beaten for no reason at all. Reason and logic hold little meaning in the back alleys, where savagery and violence reign. Yet enduring these miserable circumstances taught me many things. For instance, the courage to remain calm no matter how shitty the situation.
"I was just an innocent citizen passing by."
I had already been dragged to the police station without any questions asked.
"Did I inflict any harm on that woman? Or perhaps assist them? I simply cannot understand why I am being detained here."
Yet I boldly proclaimed my innocence, as if I had nothing to hide. Unfortunately, my opponent was no pushover.
"You must think me a fool."
Yeon Hayul, Investigator of the Imperial Security Department, narrowed her light pink eyes.
"Wearing a robe and a mask in broad daylight. Not fleeing from the crime scene, nor stopping it."
Yeon Hayul tilted her head slightly upward, her gaze sweeping me from head to toe.
"We generally call such people accomplices or accessories. Would you not agree?"
"……"
She wasn't exactly wrong. But damn it, she wasn't right either. As always, this world's judicial system is truly magnificent. They toss the presumption of innocence out the window and arrest people on a whim. It's simply fantastic.
"Look at this. I'm not even from Moonchild. I'm an Imperial citizen! I just came here on business and got caught up in this mess!"
As a last resort, I pulled out the forged ID I'd received as a retirement gift. On the crisp paper treated with special solution, the name Arthur Redford was neatly printed, along with residence, age, date of birth, and most importantly, the Imperial notary seal. It was an impeccable forgery.
But…
"It's fake, isn't it?"
No. How the hell did she figure that out?
"Other investigators might be fooled, but my eyes cannot be deceived. Moreover, since this is an Imperial ID… we'll be adding charges of identity theft and forgery of official documents."
By opening my mouth, I'd only added more crimes to my record. Building a career one line at a time on a resume is this easy, folks.
Shit. What now?
I stroked the mask, organizing my thoughts. Of course, I wasn't referring to the mask I'd originally been wearing—that had long since been confiscated along with my phone and travel bag by the investigator over there. What I was touching now was another mask, one covering the skin right beneath it.
At least she hasn't noticed this one.
This mask was an Inpimengu. Exactly what you'd find in wuxia novels. The dedicated Inpimengu I'd received along with my new identity was perfectly altering my face. Without it, I might already be locked in a life-or-death struggle with the entire police station, including the investigator standing there.
In fact, that future might not be far off.
Why the hell am I stuck here? Should I just smash everything and leave?
Honestly, the iron bars blocking the cell and the mana distortion device installed in the corner meant nothing to me. The bars were no different from straw, and I wasn't even using mana.
The only reason I'd followed them here and quietly allowed myself to be imprisoned was the expectation that the false charges would soon be cleared. Causing a scene and drawing attention wouldn't do me any good.
But at this rate, too much time was being wasted. My remaining lifespan was ticking away in real time. For someone like me, every second was precious—truly a blood-curdling situation.
I didn't want to hurt the police. I'm sorry, everyone.
As I clenched my fist, an ominous sound rang out. My fist was crying. Whimper whimper— Should I just wipe them all out? I felt like I could slaughter them so thoroughly they wouldn't even have time to open their mouths.
I was just about to demolish the wall and make my escape when—
"Oh my. For a 1st Investigator to come all the way here, this is all I have to offer."
"It's quite sufficient, thank you."
A police officer approached and handed Yeon Hayul a steaming cup of tea. Naturally, the officer's body passed right in front of the cell bars. Beyond where he had passed, a peculiar scent slowly wafted in.
Sniff sniff. My nose twitched slightly, and my eyebrows furrowed along with it.
Well, well. What's this?
I immediately released the strength from my fist and let out a hollow laugh. In front of me, the friendly conversation continued. Once it ended and the officer returned to his post, I quietly called out to Yeon Hayul.
"Wait a moment, Investigator."
"What is it now?"
"Do you happen to know any of the officers here?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You seemed unusually close."
Yeon Hayul wore a puzzled expression for a moment before answering.
"This is my first visit to Moonchild. Naturally, today is also the first time I've met the officers here. The Security Department and the Police Department are separate institutions, after all."
Is that so? Then this should be fine.
"Investigator."
"…Are you perhaps very bored?"
"No, no. It's just that I have something to tell you."
I pressed myself closer to the bars and wiggled my fingers. After a moment of hesitation, Yeon Hayul turned her head slightly and leaned in. Suppressing the sweet scent that stung my nose, I whispered to her.
"Those guys aren't real police officers."
"...What?"
Yeon Hayul's brow furrowed deeply. Meanwhile, the corners of my mouth curved into a grin that nearly reached my ears.
"What kind of police officers in this world reek of blood like that?"
Could it be that God truly guided me here? At this rate, I might actually get to check one item off my bucket list.
***
Salvatore Family Headquarters. Maexter.
A man was walking down the corridor of Maexter. The high-quality spruce wooden floor, though dull in color, revealed its fine grain and let out a soft creak with each step the man took. Running a hand through his neatly combed-back hair, the man muttered quietly.
"Damn it all. I'm not a damn babysitter."
The man with black hair streaked with occasional white strands was Kroon Arslan. He held the position of Action Leader, one of Salvatore's seven Capos. In his other hand—quite unfitting for his position—he carried something on a silver tray covered by a cloche. Kroon clicked his tongue at the sight.
— I'm sorry, Arslan. Could you take this to Chloe?
— You know how it is. The other members can't approach her for safety reasons. The other Capos are… reliable, of course, but they're a bit clumsy with delicate matters like this.
— I'm counting on you. Arslan, you're the only one suited for the job.
Inside the cloche was a stew the head chef had poured his heart into making. It was the finest stew, prepared at the Underboss's command. Yet the stew's intended recipient hadn't even picked up the utensils, let alone touched it to her lips.
— Get that out of here right now.
— Can you hear me? I'm not eating, I said I'm not eating! Just let me starve to death!
Instead, he had to dodge the flying daggers and hidden weapons she hurled at him. The slightly severed hem of his stylish suit was proof of his efforts.
"Damn it. If you're going to whine like this, you should've done better from the start."
Kroon was about to toss the cloche out the window when he heard another set of footsteps approaching from across the corridor. Drawn by the sound, he turned his head, and his expression immediately twisted.
"Whoa. Look who it is. Our loyal Salvatore hunting dog. If it isn't Capo Arslan?"
Along with the sarcastic voice, a woman emerged from the deep shadows at the corner of the corridor. Silver hair contrasting with blue eyes. A monocle covering one of those blue eyes gleamed white in the sunlight.
"You look like you've got a lot on your mind. Want to talk about it?"
Elena, another Capo of Salvatore and Chief of Information, smiled and waved lightly at Kroon.