Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Actually...
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A week later, the moment I arrived at the prison, the first person to show up was the Prison Warden.
Of course, her expression wasn't great at all.
"I'm sorry..."
"Pardon?"
Her words caught me completely off guard—they were the exact opposite of what I'd expected.
"Why the sudden apology?"
She was acting so humbly.
Something had definitely happened.
"I think I've been taking prison management too lightly all this time."
"What happened?"
Her explanation went like this.
Until now, all the guards in the prison had considerable strength, making prisoner management straightforward.
Plus, the model prisoners had never caused any issues.
But there was one thing the warden had overlooked.
The model prisoners hadn't acted out simply because the guards were overwhelmingly powerful.
It wasn't because they were truly model citizens.
"I guess I thought too simply. I'm really sorry. We should've done a more thorough check on Kim Da-in's abilities too... I'm sorry about that."
She bowed deeply before me to express her regret.
"No, no. I'm really fine. Nothing major happened in the end."
"No, this is definitely my fault. So, if you want to quit the prison job, you can. No hard feelings."
"Pardon?"
"Of course, we'll give you full severance pay. I feel that bad..."
It looked like she'd gotten an earful from the government or some citizens' group.
"I'm really okay. In fact, I want to keep working as a guard."
"No, I feel too guilty..."
"Then let's call it even, considering I share some blame for not figuring out where the body was or how Kim Da-in died."
Truth be told, I did feel some guilt about the Kim Da-in incident.
I could've stopped Yoo Seol from killing her, but I didn't.
So, I was partly at fault too.
"You really won't change your mind, huh..."
"Yeah, I'm good..."
"Then at least take this."
She handed me a small ring.
"What's this...?"
A small red ruby was embedded in the center.
It was a beautifully crafted ring.
"Think of it as an emergency call ring."
"A call ring?"
"Yeah. This incident made me realize we weren't providing you enough protection."
"Who does it call?"
"Me."
"Eh... huh?"
"If you use the call ring, I'll teleport right to your side."
"You'll come personally, Warden?"
She bowed her head again.
"I should've given it to you sooner. Feels too late now. Take good care of yourself as a guard from here on out."
It looked expensive, so I hesitated to accept.
But seeing her expression, I figured I couldn't keep working here if I refused.
"Thank you. I'll make good use of it."
I gave a light bow and headed out.
I could understand the warden's feelings.
As the prison's CEO, so to speak, she probably had a lot on her mind.
Maybe weighing the risks of keeping me around against the funding boost my presence brought.
'Whatever the case, I'm just grateful she gave me a way to protect myself.'
I slipped the ring onto my finger and descended to the fourth underground level.
-Thud thud-
"Whoa, what... Dummy's back?"
Ian was the first to wave cheerfully in greeting.
"Have you been well?"
"Ugh, don't even ask. The replacement guard they sent was a total mute."
Her face radiated exasperation beyond words.
"...You okay?"
This time it was Seo-rin.
"How about you, Seo-rin? We didn't even get to talk properly last time I saw you."
"I said, are you okay...?"
"What do you mean?"
"I heard you got seriously injured."
Her expression was grave.
Her eyes were already fixed on my stomach.
"Aw... You healed me up so well, it got better quick."
"Glad you're okay."
She's so easy to read.
You can see exactly what she's thinking on her face.
"No way... Were you worried about me?"
Seeing that look sparked a bit of mischief in me.
"...A little."
"Huh?"
I never expected that answer from her.
"Ah... Thank you...?"
"Whatever, get lost."
Her face flushed as she pushed me away with her hand.
"Heh, check out that girl's face."
Ian clutched her stomach with one hand, laughing at Seo-rin.
"At least Dummy made it back somehow."
"Huh?"
"Seo-rin and I made a bet."
"A bet?"
"Yeah, on whether you'd come back as a guard or not."
"I bet you'd quit."
There was a hint of regret in her tone.
"What about Seo-rin?"
"...I bet you'd come back..."
"As expected... I knew you believed in me."
Knowing she'd trusted I'd return felt oddly nice.
"But I'm curious. Why keep being a guard, Dummy? You're a guy—no need to do this job."
Ian had a point.
By this world's standards, no man needed to work as a guard.
But.
"I have to be a guard."
"That's what we're curious about."
"Didn't you ask me once before? Still curious?"
"Hmm... Honestly, you feel different from other guys. Maybe that's why. Don't say if you don't want to."
I scratched my head, thinking it over.
My answer probably wouldn't fully satisfy their curiosity.
"It's nothing special... Actually..."
To ease their curiosity, I began sharing a bit of my past.
His name was Min-jun.
The one friend I'd admired since high school.
Min-jun always smiled.
Even while smiling, his eyes were sharp.
"Everyone gets locked up once in life. I'm the one guarding that door," he'd say.
When I first heard his dream of becoming a guard, those words stuck with me.
Not some ordinary guy like me—Min-jun could actually save people.
Seeing him made me feel small yet inspired. So I gave up college and followed him into police administration.
He became a guard a year ahead of me.
"Hey, you'll catch up soon. Be fun working together."
That was the last thing he said to me.
The last thing he could say.
It was pouring that day.
Min-jun was heading home after night shift.
A truck crossed the median. Brakes screeching, crash... and done.
At the funeral, I stood before his casket.
Fellow guards in black uniforms nodded solemnly.
They called him the "best colleague."
I couldn't speak. Throat tight, tears flowing... and envy.
Three months after Min-jun's death, I passed the guard exam.
In the motivation section, I wrote:
"I want to carry on the deceased's will."
The interviewer asked,
"Any special reason?"
I looked up and answered clearly.
"My friend died on the job. I want to finish what he started."
They passed me.
Probably because my eyes resembled his.
Luckily.
Or unluckily?
I applied to the prison where he'd worked—and got in.
'What is this...'
I can't forget my first day on duty.
His locker was still untouched.
A small nameplate engraved "Guard Kim Min-jun" was attached.
I traced it with my finger. It was cold.
Emotions surged anew.
Working at my friend's prison.
Wondering how he'd have done the job, time flew by.
Soon it was 11 p.m., lights out.
The prison fell silent.
I sat at the monitoring station, screens showing endless bars.
Min-jun.
I'll finish guarding this door you watched.
I'll save the people you couldn't.
I'll smile the smile you had.
As much as I admired you, now I'm you.
"Hmm... That's the gist of it. Could go on longer if I dive deeper, but I kept it short."
From how we became friends.
To the finer details inside.
Of course, there's tons left unsaid.
But.
'Not ready to tell these ladies everything yet... Why are they so quiet?'
I looked at them.
They just stared blankly, saying nothing.
"...That's not the whole story, is it?"
Ian spoke first.
"Huh...? How'd you know?"
"How? It just feels... suspiciously light on details."
"Details?"
"Whatever. No need to spill everything to us. That's enough."
Whether they were being considerate or just uninterested in the nitty-gritty, I couldn't tell.
We didn't exchange more words.
I entered the room and leaned back in the chair.
Staring at the ceiling.
Talking about my friend to them...
Made me think of him all day.