LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 13
Chapter 13: Security Department Dynamics
The dinner gathering was modest.
While the structure of correctional facilities varies slightly, the Daehan Correctional Facility grouped two floors and four wards into one unit.
So, including the ward officers and assistant duty officers, there were only nine of us, plus the unit chief.
A single table sufficed.
“Let’s keep it low-key tonight.”
Jung Yong-jin, the chief from the neighboring ward, winked at Si-hyun.
It’s not entirely false to say that drinks aren’t offered at the Daehan Correctional Facility gatherings, but the atmosphere wasn’t overly persuasive either.
Still, considering how much the unit chief loved his drinks, it was a hint to ease up just this once.
“Ah, I’ll hurry up and drink then.”
Si-hyun mixed soju and beer with a grin.
The unit chief opened his mouth, wearing a pleased expression.
“Shall we toast in order, starting with the hottest among us lately?”
“Oh come on, what can a 9th-grade junior like me be hot for?”
“Haha, not true. I’ve heard people say I have a good eye for talent, and seeing you nowadays, you look like someone who could at least make it to 5th grade.”
“Are you saying I used to look like I’d barely make it past 6th grade?”
Park Young-hwan asked.
“Yeah, before, you looked like someone who’d peak at 6th grade, but now it seems different.”
“That’s quite the flattery.”
Si-hyun accepted the compliment with a smile and stood up.
“Then let me start the toast. Chief, thank you for all your hard work. I wish you continued health and happiness.”
Following that, the drinks circulated a few rounds.
As they shared uplifting words while toasting with the unit chief, it was finally Si-hyun’s turn.
As Si-hyun sat beside him, the unit chief smiled warmly and shook his hand.
“You remind me of something I’ve been thinking about lately.”
“What about…?”
“You know how many correctional officers say that rehabilitation is nonsense?”
“Ah.”
Si-hyun had indeed heard this from seniors while working.
“They’re kids that their parents have given up on.”
“Yes…”
“But how can rehabilitation work? If their parents couldn’t do it, how can we? We need to scrap this nonsense system that’s like some exchange and just punish them properly.”
Most people, correctional officers or not, likely shared this sentiment.
It was an undeniable fact.
Even the USA, which prided itself on being a leader in rehabilitation theory, had thrown up its hands at the persistently high recidivism rate.
“I’ll be clear: if a correctional officer manages to rehabilitate even one person properly by the time they retire, that’s a remarkable officer. Just one, it sounds like a joke, right? But after a few years in this job, you’ll feel it deeply.”
As Si-hyun reminisced about his past, the unit chief’s voice rang out.
“I was somewhat inclined to agree with that sentiment. Embarrassingly, after 36 years of service, I can say I’ve truly rehabilitated only about five or six inmates.”
“That’s more than enough in my opinion.”
“But you know, seeing you lately made me reconsider a bit.”
“Huh?”
“I thought at first that you were just being strict, and that’s why the inmates followed your orders well. But then, no matter how strict you are, some will inevitably voice complaints.”
“Ah, yes.”
“However, over the past few months, there hasn’t been a single inmate who applied for a meeting with the unit chief from your ward. And when I see the inmates’ faces, they don’t seem to have any particular discontent.”
The unit chief gulped down his drink and continued.
“So I started to wonder if you might actually have the potential for genuine rehabilitation.”
“Oh, that’s a bit much to handle.”
“If I can add one more thing, I think you should stick with the Security Department.”
According to the rotation, it was almost time for Si-hyun to move to either the Civil Consultation or Dispatch Department. Most considered those jobs easier than the Security Department, so everyone would usually shift when their turn came.
Si-hyun paused, seemingly unsure how to respond.
At that moment, the unit chief asserted with certainty.
“You truly have the innate essence of the Security Department.”
◈ ◈ ◈
“Ugh.”
It seems I drank way too much yesterday.
I felt like I’d be suffering from a hangover while working today.
‘Come to think of it…’
Si-hyun checked the calendar.
Today was the day of his sister Lee Ha-young’s first signing event.
Years ago, she had dropped out of a perfectly good university to become a webtoon artist. Since then, she had likely tried her hand at various indie projects and made several attempts to debut on major platforms.
Eventually, she succeeded in launching a romance series on a newly established site targeting the romance readership.
She had even published a physical book, and upon checking the site, the response seemed quite positive.
She maintained a position within the top ten consistently.
Her explanation made it sound like she was a popular author.
Si-hyun had read it, but since it was a romance geared toward women, it wasn’t to his taste.
Anyway, having steadily built her reputation, she was now participating in a signing event alongside popular authors from that site at a major bookstore in Seoul.
And that event was today.
As he contemplated whether to give her a call, the phone rang.
Ding ding!
Looking at the screen, it was perfectly timed; it was Ha-young.
“Hey, Ha-young.”
-Oppa, do you know what day it is today?
“I know.”
-I’m really nervous… what should I do?
“Most of the readers will probably be women. Just relax.”
-…Okay.
“Ha-young, you got this! I’m proud that my sister is a popular author.”
-Hehe, that’s true?
“Yeah, so put your all into the signing event.”
-Okay!
◈ ◈ ◈
‘What should I do…?’
It wasn’t so much that I was nervous; I was embarrassed.
I definitely felt like I was the one with the fewest visitors.
Sitting at the table set by the bookstore, Ha-young anxiously checked the time.
Only about 30 minutes remained until the signing event started.
Then, suddenly, a commotion could be heard.
“Hey, they say that person bought 1,000 copies.”
“Seriously…? Isn’t there that much in stock?”
“Even if there isn’t right now, maybe they just went ahead and paid anyway.”
“Wow… that’s insane.”
“….Crazy, right?”
Wait, someone bought 1,000 copies of a comic book at once?
Oh man… whoever that is, I’m so jealous of that author.
While Ha-young was unable to contain her envy, a woman approached her.
She was a beauty with a well-proportioned body and cat-like eyes.
Dressed in a short tight skirt and a white blouse, she carried a bag in her left hand.
‘Holy cow, an Hermes bag.’
Ha-young, who usually paid attention to bags, recognized it at a glance. It even looked like the diamond-studded crocodile leather kind.
“Author Lee Ha-young?”
Ha-young serialized using her real name instead of her pen name.
“Ah, yes.”
“I’m such a huge fan, it’s great to meet you! Could I possibly get your autograph?”
The woman placed Ha-young’s comic book ‘Love Like Ice’ in front of her. Then, she subtly revealed a receipt wedged between her fingers.
“I prepared a little gift to cheer you up, our author.”
“Uh? Oh, woah?!”
Upon looking at the receipt, it was shockingly the one for ‘Love Like Ice’ with 1,000 copies purchased.
Stunned, as she glanced around, Ha-young noticed everyone’s gaze was directed at her.
“Ah, ah… yes! Thank you so much!”
“What’s there to thank? Just a small gift to encourage you to create even more amazing works.”
The woman continued with a bright smile.
“Please sign for me, author.”
“Ah, yes. Of course! What’s your name?”
“Lin Xue.”
“Are you from China by any chance?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow… your Korean is really good.”
“Hehe, I tend to learn languages quickly.”
“Impressive. Um, I don’t know Chinese, so is it okay if I write your name in Korean?”
“Of course.”
With a happy motion, Ha-young beautifully wrote ‘린슈에’ and added her signature beside it on the front page of the comic.
“I’ll remember this forever, reader Lin Xue.”
“Let’s meet again if the opportunity arises, author.”
◈ ◈ ◈
As soon as Lin Xue stepped out the entrance, a man in a black suit with a shaved head approached her like a shadow.
He guided her toward the parked limousine.
“What was that about, Lin Xue?”
“What’s wrong with that? I just gifted something to my favorite author.”
“Isn’t that a bit too conspicuous?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“The National Intelligence Service might have caught wind of it.”
“Do you mean to say the Korean intelligence agency is that competent? Enough to know my identity? And even if they did, what’s it to them? I’m just here for fun.”
“That may be true…”
“I have no reason to worry. I should be worried about that crazy guy. Why is he following me and making it stressful?”
“That guy is…”
“Where did he go now? I’ll have to find him myself.”
Lin Xue frowned, showing her irritation.
◈ ◈ ◈
Before anyone knew it, Saturday had arrived.
Yesterday, Si-hyun had his ear hammered by his sister Ha-young’s fan who bought 1,000 copies, she proudly bragged about it.
He was dying to know who it could be.
Given she was Chinese, he thought this person might be a rich daughter from China.
Si-hyun set off for the gate at a leisurely pace to avoid being late.
He mulled over the new skill he had developed during the week, but nothing had really clicked.
It seemed like he could only figure something out once the skill was activated.
“Si-hyun oppa.”
Upon arriving at the gate, Eun-hye waved at him with a smile.
“Has the guild arrived yet?”
“We might have come too early. They’ll be here right on time.”
As they chatted near the gate, a van pulled up.
The door labeled ‘Black Tiger Guild’ opened, and men that looked like hunters stepped out. Unlike this side, there were no women in sight.
“Where is that guy? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t answered any calls.”
“That’s so… stupid, a rookie screwing things up.”
“Still, we have some time left, so let’s wait a bit longer.”
The man who seemed to be the guild leader chatted with a well-built man.
Then, the presumed guild leader approached them.
From the look on his face, it seemed they were familiar with each other.
“Eun-hye, I’m sorry, but one of our guild members hasn’t arrived yet. Is it okay if we wait a bit longer?”
“That’s fine, Guild Leader. We haven’t reached the time yet.”
After speaking, the Black Tiger Guild leader seemed to issue instructions for the guild member to make another call.
But by his expression, it didn’t look like it was going well.
After a short wait, it was time to set out for the raid.
“Well, I can’t believe I’m dealing with a rookie like this for the first time.”
The Black Tiger Guild leader looked aghast.
His voice raised in frustration, he continued.
“We should’ve informed you earlier so that we could have found some backup. Damn it, now we’ll be one short.”
The raid was officially permitted for ten participants, but now they were down to nine. With an E-rank gate, they rarely checked counts, but from D-rank onwards, the Association Staff would be thorough with this.
Currently, there was an Association staff standing by the gate, checking the numbers.
The staff member, looking their way, spoke up.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no, it’s not a major issue. Just one person hasn’t shown up. I’ll be calling some friends in a moment. We intend to proceed with the raid today.”
The Black Tiger Guild Leader raised his phone, apparently calling some familiar hunters.
But it seemed to be going poorly.
He scratched the back of his head in frustration repeatedly.
Thirty minutes passed with no apparent results.
Then, a panicked voice rang out.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry for being late!”
A pale-skinned guy with a friendly facade rushed over.
“Hey, you punk!”
The guild leader, furious, immediately unleashed a stream of curses.
Si-hyun fully empathized with that feeling.
“What the hell were you thinking, man!? Showing up late for your first raid? Damn it, you didn’t even contact us! What were you doing, you clueless idiot?!”
“I’m so sorry!”
The pale guy repeatedly bowed his head, apologizing, while he also kept apologizing to the other guild members and Si-hyun and Eun-hye.
“Ugh… let’s just go in for now. Eun-hye, I’m really sorry for this. I won’t forget this and will make it up to you next time. And I’m truly sorry to you too.”
Seeming to realize they couldn’t delay any further, the Black Tiger Guild leader said that and headed forward into the gate.
The other guild members and the pale guy followed behind.
“We should go in as well.”
Eun-hye said.
Si-hyun nodded.
◈ ◈ ◈
Upon entering the gate, a musty old building smell hit them.
An old tower of about ten stories was visible.
That tower seemed to be the target for this raid.
In front of the tower’s entrance waited the Black Tiger Guild members who had gone ahead.
Si-hyun and Eun-hye, upon arriving, planned to join them for entry.
“The tower is straightforward; we just need to climb up, so that’s convenient,” the guild leader remarked, seemingly satisfied with the gate.
“Then let’s go in.”
Just as he said that,
[Warning: A figure with considerable notoriety has been detected nearby.]
“Huh?”
Suddenly, ‘Experienced Guard’s Insight’ activated.