episode_0014

“Stand up straight.”

With a stiff back, I leave the cell as if being chased out. My body, painfully squeezed, is still screaming, but I cannot disobey the guards’ orders.

There are many guards who treat us quite kindly, but there are also some who are incredibly rough.

“…Stand up straight.”

One of them, in a crisp uniform, is particularly harsh towards me. I can’t stand up straight because of the discomfort in my neck, which was choked by Creep, and my pelvis, which was slammed down. Still, the guard doesn’t even ask the reason and maintains a consistently cold attitude.

“Raise your hand if you’re not feeling well.”

“No one here~”

Creep stretches out her voice and giggles. The guard briefly looks around, confirms there are no patients, and proceeds with the next task.

“Have you all been accounted for?”

“Yes, no issues.”

Their main task is to confirm that all inmates are present. If the headcount is off, or if someone present yesterday is missing today, the prison goes into emergency mode. The guards scramble day and night to catch the escaped inmate, and in some cases, they might even deploy a special forces team.

…Or they could coordinate with other heroes.

“Clean your assigned areas, and maintain a pleasant living environment. You’ll have free time afterward.”

But honestly,

There’s one thing I find hard to understand.

If headcounts are so important, they should be conducted during the weekends as well.

Yet, the guards were hardly seen during the three days I was here.

“…”

The answer to this lies in

the CCTV cameras operating in various places.

There are CCTV cameras at the cell entrances, in common areas, and even at the shower room entrances.

With the CCTV system being so well-equipped that it can roll call,

the morning and evening roll calls are merely formalities.

It’s just a small event to remind the inmates of the guards’ presence and to pressure them….

But to put it another way,

the guards were aware of all the violence I endured and chose not to intervene.

Even when Creep violated me throughout the night,

the guards took no action.

After all, it seems foolish to trust anyone inside the prison.

However, it’s also unsettling to think that they’ve completely turned their backs on me,

considering that they did take action in the case of Acid and Black Owl immediately.

“…”

Perhaps,

it’s thanks to Skadi, standing silently in that room at the end of the hall.

If it had been just me, the incident might have been swept under the rug. From what I see now, they will never take action on my behalf within the prison.

This implies that Skadi’s power is unexpectedly high.

Her influence isn’t limited to just Block C; it extends to the point where she can negotiate with the prison authorities….

“Crow, you have an interview with the correction officer after your meal.”

“…Yes.”

“Wait right after cleaning.”

Before I can even process my thoughts about Skadi, the guard informs me of this new development.

Correction officer?

The term is unfamiliar, and it sounds awkward.

But there’s no need to be confused.

The term ‘guard’ is equally unfamiliar.

I don’t yet understand the entire system here, but it seems much simpler than the guard ranks I’ve seen in dramas.

Most of the people I see, the guards, are at the bottom of the hierarchy, with correction officers and the prison warden above them.

There might be rank differences among the guards themselves, but I haven’t figured out those details yet.

All I know is that [I have an upcoming interview with a correction officer, who outranks the guards].

“Hmm…”

Interview.

Normally, as soon as free time was given, Creep would have started her [punishment].

She would strangle my neck and violate me, and since she wasn’t satisfied, she had planned to call her gang.

But thanks to the interview, I’ve bought myself a few more hours.

“Have a good time~”

Creep shows her displeasure as her plans are disrupted. Her voice trembles eerily.

Knowing that even her mood swings will be directed at me,

I try to avoid eye contact.

Today doesn’t seem like it will be easy either.

—————————————

The correctional officer has her own office, where she stays and works. One thing is certain: her power is even greater than I had anticipated.

“You don’t need to be here. Everyone, return to your posts and keep the inmates from causing trouble.”

The prison guards bow to her with utmost respect. I can tell that it’s not just a show of deference to her rank.

An intense aura emanates from the correctional officer. It’s not just a confident posture, but a belief in her own strength.

“…Alright, Crow. I’ll tell you why I called you here.”

I know who she is.

We are not strangers.

To begin with, my first impression of our reunion is that she gives off a similar vibe to Skadi, but even more extreme and intense.

Perhaps I feel this way because,

While Skadi helped me,

She glares at me as if she could kill me at any moment.

“I despise criminals, especially those with abilities that others don’t have, who end up causing harm to society.”

The atmosphere is tense.

I wonder if the guards’ prickly attitude is related to her.

“You’re one of them. Other men without abilities become targets of crime. Physical advantages aren’t much of a merit after the manifestation of abilities, so they become victims of some extreme criminals.”

What’s certain is that her negative attitude is related to me.

The brief relationship we had only made things worse between us.

“If you knew that, you should have fought for the other victims. Instead, you caused more chaos and ended up here.”

I can sense her trying to suppress her anger, but despite her efforts, her voice betrays her growing agitation.

It’s a sense of betrayal.

Betrayal, disappointment, and shattered expectations towards me…

“So, there will be no special treatment or consideration for you. You’re the only man here, and while the other inmates may target you, even that is a punishment for you.”

However,

I did nothing wrong.

I didn’t kill the Director,

Nor am I the mastermind behind the REP plan.

“I hope you understand what I’m saying, and that you won’t do something stupid like reporting to the guards. From now on, I won’t assign my staff to manage you. I sent Acid and Black Owl to Block A because of the warden’s orders, but I know it was your doing. If something like this happens again, I’ll send you to solitary confinement or the special management block.”

That’s why,

I shout amidst her harsh words.

“…Orca, I’m innocent.”

Even if everyone wants to kill me,

I can’t bend my claim of innocence.

“…What?”

“I’m innocent.”

As soon as I speak, a ridiculous smirk appears on the correctional officer’s face,

“Get out. I have nothing more to say. And don’t ever call me that way again, villain.”

A cold response falls.

It’s not surprising.

I am a criminal who had turned my back on everyone, and she is a correctional officer who upheld her own sense of justice.

“I’m truly innocent.”

“…I’m appalled.”

Despite this, I continued to assert my innocence because,

In this hellish place, at least I believed in and cheered for myself.

“Innocent?”

I don’t care about the newspapers and photos stuffed in the trash can or the numerous documents about me on the table.

Whatever the correctional officer says doesn’t matter. I’ve been beaten here until I’m sick of it, and there’s nowhere lower to go.

“Among the inmates here, not a single one is innocent. You all committed crimes in society and are given excessive freedom and human rights here.”

The air turns cold and frosty. With each word, a chill runs through my sensitive skin.

“And yet you have the audacity to claim innocence…”

It’s an ability, and a powerful one at that.

A physical change that leaks out despite attempts to suppress it.

“Crow, you’re a criminal. One of the worst kind. You deceived everyone and even tried to kill innocent heroes.”

“…I never did such a thing. I was framed.”

I assert my innocence to her as simply and clearly as possible.

Perhaps I had a glimmer of hope that she might understand. It felt like if I spoke sincerely, my sincerity would somehow reach her.

She is on the side of justice.

She is responsible for capturing villains and maintaining order for the citizens.

“How can I trust that?”

“Even if you don’t believe me, this is the truth. I’m innocent, and one day I will leave this place.”

She is also strong.

Code name: Orca,

One of the most powerful ability users.

Her ability is nature-based.

She can freeze things, create ice at will, and manipulate it as she pleases.

“…Okay, get out now.”

“Is that your idea of justice? Being punished based on the emotions of the prison staff rather than the weight of your crimes?”

It had been a long time since I’d seen an ability user,

And currently, I was as good as powerless,

But I had to speak up.

I had to resist not only the villains but also the guards’ attitude and their harsh gazes.

“…”

And to be honest,

I secretly hoped she would send me to solitary confinement.

Because from the moment I returned, I became a plaything for Creep.

However, the correctional officer slowly walked over and locked the door.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this angry.”

Then,

She picked up a frost-covered baton.

“It’s not Orca, it’s Correctional Officer.”