LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Let’s Resolve It
“Wow, there are more cameras than I expected?”
Lee Si-hyun’s colleague, Jeong Jun-cheol, watched the documentary crew filming “72 Hours” from the window and commented.
“Our facility is quite large, right? We need this many cameras if we’re shooting in multiple locations at once.”
Si-hyun also looked outside while sipping on a can of coffee from the vending machine.
It was still early morning, but both the documentary team and the correctional facility staff were busily moving about.
They had already coordinated several details, but today was all about setting up the filming environment. The correctional facility was also recruiting staff dedicated to assisting the documentary team for guidance and explanations.
“They’re not going to interview me or anything, right? I’ve been so stressed lately; my skin is a disaster.”
Jun-cheol fussed, touching his pimple-covered skin.
“Come on, we have hundreds of staff here; how much screen time could you possibly get? Plus, the inmates will spread out the focus. No need to worry, brother.”
“Is that so? Haha. But you might actually end up on camera for real.”
Jun-cheol laughed while looking at Si-hyun.
Si-hyun was dressed in tactical gear, including a tactical hat and boots, instead of his usual work uniform.
The all-black outfit was what CRPT wore while on duty, which is why he had earned the nickname “Crow.”
“Of course, I’m going to be on camera. The Security Department Head called me to show how to properly handle the troublemakers. My position was even temporarily changed for this. They’ve probably already finalized the arrangements. That’s why I’m using this too.”
Si-hyun pulled a black mask out of his pocket.
It was a mask provided in the office for correctional officers to wear while working.
Wearing the mask and pulling the hat down deep made him look quite different from usual.
He was fine since he mostly participated in raids with the Grace Guild these days, but it seemed smart to cover his face just in case.
“Huh? Si-hyun, with your looks, you don’t need to cover up.”
“In this day and age, who wants their face out there? Even someone who appears on the news for a second can become a meme if they look silly.”
“Really? If you’re that worried, you should just ask for a mosaic. I saw a documentary on ’72 Hours,’ and they even used a mosaic for a soldier.”
“Mosaicing feels a bit off. I’m not an inmate; why would a correctional officer ask for a mosaic? The viewers would think it’s strange.”
As Si-hyun replied, he tossed the empty can into the trash.
“Then I’ll head down to the CRPT office. Take care, brother.”
◈ ◈ ◈
“Hey, did our correctional officer just arrive? The ace is here, the ace!”
Team Leader Kim from CRPT welcomed Si-hyun with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Team Leader Kim, a former judo athlete, was in his early fifties but still boasted an impressive physique and muscular arms.
He had shaved his head completely, and people said his sharp features became even sharper after doing so.
He was a well-known figure at Daehan Correctional Facility, known for managing inmates well.
“Well, there are others here too, so Team Leader, don’t single me out…”
Si-hyun waved his hands in embarrassment.
He had only been on the job for three years, but hearing praise in front of many seasoned colleagues was a bit awkward.
Outwardly he couldn’t show it, but it could be a somewhat off-putting remark internally.
“No, no. Everyone in CRPT recognizes you! You caught that madman who we couldn’t for months. CRPT’s call rate was zero! Those Wangdo gangsters or whatever have been completely quiet. We’re all really impressed. Now, everyone, give a round of applause!”
Clap, clap!
The CRPT staff clapped their hands with smiles on their faces.
Si-hyun accepted their applause with a polite smile.
Despite the excessive praise for a temporary employee, the atmosphere seemed to be just fine.
Once the applause died down, Team Leader Kim spoke again.
“Since it’s your first time, you might not know how things work. But for you, it should be easy. Just take this TRS and sit on the sofa over there. Respond to calls as they come. If anything goes wrong, we’ll send you first, so keep that in mind. The Security Department Head’s orders are in play, and we have one more staff member now; we should utilize that properly. Right? Hahaha.”
◈ ◈ ◈
“There are this many visitations in a day?”
The new PD from the documentary team, Han I-seol, said with a look of surprise while waiting in the visitation lounge. She seemed a bit nervous being inside a correctional facility for the first time, but her curiosity led her to closely observe the inmates.
The visitation waiting room was almost packed with inmates.
The guiding correctional officers also appeared to be overwhelmed.
Having both attorney visitations and general visitations waiting in the same place made the situation even more hectic.
“This place is large, and since there are plenty of pretrial detainees, it makes sense.”
An older PD next to her answered.
His gaze was fixed on a pretty lawyer in a short skirt.
While it was instinctive, he was also reminded of a story about a lawyer who appeared on a news report months ago.
Due to the oversupply of lawyers these days, they say the position of “butler lawyer” emerged for income purposes, providing companionship to clients during their waiting time instead of legal advice. Some female lawyers even had to wear heavy makeup or short skirts at the client’s request.
The senior PD shook his head.
“Come on, we’re not a sensational news program; don’t think about unnecessary things.”
Just then, a commotion broke out as he redirected his attention back to the inmates.
“Hey, damn it! I was being quiet, wasn’t I?! Why the hell are you causing a fuss!”
An inmate in his mid-thirties yelled profanities loudly.
“Were you being quiet? You said you were quiet?”
The young correctional officer, who had been running around the visitation waiting room to maintain order, snapped back.
“Yeah, damn it! Are you deaf? I was being quiet!”
“Don’t speak informally!”
The clash between the correctional officer and the inmate caught the attention of the cameras, which swiveled towards the commotion.
The tense atmosphere left the staff, seeing a correctional facility for the first time, looking utterly anxious.
“Hey! Both of you, cut it out! Are you not able to keep it down?!”
The overweight veteran officer in charge of the waiting room shouted loudly.
The loud voice startled some staff members.
They were aware that without raising their voices to this degree, the rowdy inmate wouldn’t simmer down.
“Ah, damn it! I said I was being quiet! Why are you telling me to be quiet again? This is so annoying, seriously!”
While the correctional officer reluctantly held back under orders, the inmate continued to glare and shout.
“Not going to quiet down? If you don’t, I’ll call CRPT!”
“Go ahead! If those bastards come, I’ll give them a beating, so what!”
“Hey, call CRPT right now!”
The veteran officer shouted at his subordinate with a grim face.
◈ ◈ ◈
‘There’s nothing to do at all.’
Though quite a bit of the morning had passed, strangely, there had been no calls.
Sitting idly on the sofa, he felt a bit awkward.
At that moment, a TRS notification came through the security department’s common network.
-This is the visitation waiting room. One inmate is causing a ruckus. CRPT, please respond.
He didn’t know he would be so thrilled to receive such a call.
Si-hyun immediately stood up, eager.
-Received. CRPT with two personnel will respond immediately.
Team Leader Kim replied back.
Then he pointed directly at Si-hyun and said, “You and the correctional officer, go handle it.”
◈ ◈ ◈
“Hey! Don’t bother with that guy, just get to work!”
The veteran officer had to temper his words in front of the camera, refraining from cursing at the inmate.
Things were already tense with the visitation processing, and now this incident had thrown a wrench into the works.
They had to continue the visitations while leaving the inmate’s disturbance to CRPT.
“Hey! You damn bastards! Are you ignoring me? Huh?!”
The inmate slammed his fists against the wall in frustration.
It wasn’t just anger—he was expressing it through actions, and if things continued like this, it could escalate further.
Fortunately, CRPT arrived just then.
Si-hyun clicked his tongue at the chaotic scene unfolding in front of him.
While it was a familiar sight from his days as a correctional officer, the presence of the cameras made him a bit uneasy.
All eyes, including those of the documentary crew, naturally turned toward Si-hyun.
They understood he was there to resolve the disturbance.
‘He looks smaller than I thought… Can he really handle this?’
I-seol pondered.
The muscled CRPT member stood back, watching, while the relatively average-sized member stepped forward, creating an odd dynamic.
Si-hyun strode over to the disruptive inmate.
“Excuse me. Please be quiet.”
At first, he spoke calmly.
“Damn it, who are you? Ah, CRPT? So what? Who cares?”
The gigantic inmate leaned in closer, glaring at him.
‘As expected, this will probably not work…’
I-seol wore a disappointed expression, but then Si-hyun revealed a peculiar smile.
‘Huh? Is he smiling?’
“Please be quiet! Are you not going to be quiet?”
This time he raised his voice significantly.
Simultaneously, he projected the authority of the Iron-Blooded Guard properly.
“Gah…?! Ughhh!”
The inmate’s face suddenly twisted into one of shock.
“I told you to be quiet; why are you still yelling?”
“I-I’ll be quiet! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
The inmate bowed deeply, repeatedly apologizing.
It was a sudden change that left everyone around them staring in disbelief.