LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 30
Chapter 30: The Departure
There were two types of departures: the prosecution and the court. So we divided the personnel going to the prosecution and those going to the court and loaded them into the vehicles.
Lee Si-hyun was going to the court. The correctional officers said these days, the court was better than the prosecution.
Prosecution investigations don’t wrap up quickly. During the time the inmate was being interrogated, the officer in charge was bored out of his mind. Back in the day, it was possible to use cell phones, so that made it bearable. Sitting in the back during the prosecution investigation, watching movies or reading novels on my phone made the time fly. That’s why there were quite a few officers who preferred the prosecution over the court.
However, a few months ago, a directive banning officers from using cell phones during departures was issued, citing that it made them look unprofessional. I heard Si-hyun too had caught wind of officers cursing the higher-ups for not understanding the reality on the ground.
Now, they had no choice but to sit and zone out, or pretend not to sleep while dozing off, trying to pass the time. It was only natural to feel bored and restless.
In comparison, the court didn’t seem to stretch time like the prosecution could.
“Stop chatting and get in the car.”
Si-hyun urged the inmates. He was confident in managing the inmates, so he took the initiative. After all, as the ace of the Security Department, he wanted to show a proactive side.
Once all the inmates boarded the transport vehicle, the correctional officers followed.
The good thing about the departures was that you could rest while sitting in the car on the way to the prosecution or the court. Officers choosing the departure department over the civil affairs department usually preferred this perk. Those who disliked it felt stifled just by getting into the car every day.
Si-hyun himself didn’t particularly enjoy long rides. Still, one day wouldn’t make much difference to him.
“Please be quiet in the car.”
Si-hyun said in a low, deep voice and sat down in the right seat. The officers sitting on the left were already settling in to sleep, folding their arms and burying their heads.
“It seems the inmates are quieter than usual with this chief around. Truly the ace of the Security Department. Or should I now say a master of the Restraint Technique? Hahaha.”
The chief sitting next to Si-hyun chuckled and started a conversation.
“I just thought since I’m out on support, I should try my best.”
“Hey, aren’t you working a little too hard? Shouldn’t the other officers just sit back and watch?”
Due to the Restraint Technique quest of tying up 100 people, Si-hyun was tying the inmates up like crazy, worried he might lose even one. Thanks to that, he had already tied up more than 50, but it seemed he left quite an impression on the support officers.
“Understood. Next time, I’ll ease up a bit.”
Si-hyun replied with a smile.
Soon, the transport vehicle set off. After checking the personnel at the main gate, they passed through the external gate. The jurisdiction of the Daehan Correctional Facility was under the Seoul Northern District Court. It took a little over 30 minutes to get there.
Si-hyun closed his eyes for a moment.
◈ ◈ ◈
“That’s easier to untie than I thought.”
As Si-hyun untied the restraints he had tightly secured, the correctional officer remarked. He had worried that the way he had tied them would make it difficult to untie, but it came apart easily.
Pulling on the rope tied in a simple knot, it began to loosen right away.
“The chief is already inside the courtroom, right?”
“Understood.”
Si-hyun affirmed immediately. Being inside the courtroom was definitely much less boring than waiting in the inmate waiting room.
Si-hyun was tasked with guarding the inmates sitting behind, while the chief in the departure department sat at the door of the waiting room, bringing inmates into the courtroom when their names were called by the judge.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve been here.’
This was Si-hyun’s first time in court since his first year. Coming from the correctional facility to a place like this felt like stepping into a different world.
Judges, prosecutors, lawyers. It was a realm of socially successful individuals. New correctional officers often joked about wanting to quit after going to the court.
It wasn’t just because of the judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. It was due to the female court officials seated in the middle, assisting the judges during proceedings. Many of those women were oddly beautiful. After being surrounded by drab men in the correctional facility, seeing young women intensified that feeling.
In any case, a correctional officer of marriageable age couldn’t help but glance over. Some even made an effort to get their numbers, but the court officials hardly ever found the job of a correctional officer appealing. Officers rejecting their advances often joked about needing to change careers.
Though joking, it wasn’t exactly a light issue. Low social perception was among the top three reasons correctional officers decided to leave their jobs. And that included women’s perceptions.
Since it tied closely to self-esteem, Si-hyun had often witnessed his fellow officers struggling because of this. Media often depicted prosecutors, lawyers, doctors, and police officers in stylish portrayals. Movies, dramas, novels—none shied away from showcasing them.
But correctional officers? Nothing really came to mind. It was understandable, considering the negative public image surrounding correctional facilities.
‘I wonder if having even one famous correctional officer would make things slightly better.’
Like Po-ahim, a very well-known correctional officer…
…Actually, that probably wouldn’t help much.
“Kim Chi-ho.”
The judge’s voice broke Si-hyun from his thoughts. Si-hyun straightened up in his seat.
◈ ◈ ◈
After completing the morning departure, they returned to the correctional facility.
As expected, tying up the same people again didn’t count towards the total. It seemed like they’d have more work to do in the afternoon.
Before heading out again in the afternoon, as soon as he entered the cafeteria to grab a bite, Si-hyun felt all eyes on him.
‘What’s going on?’
The sudden attention was enough to make his face flush. He put on his work cap and walked toward the food trays when Jeong Yong-jin, who worked nearby, called out to him.
“Hey, I heard the news. They say it was impressive?”
“Really?”
“The master of the Restraint Technique, right?”
Word about the incident from the morning must have spread quickly. Si-hyun chuckled.
“I can do a little restraint. I realized my lack of skill on my first outing and stayed up practicing at home.”
“Dude, if you’re the only one doing well, what about the other officers, just twiddling their thumbs?”
“Chief Jeong, just be glad there’s only one of me. If there were two, both the Security and Departure departments would have aces.”
“You’re being called a master, shouldn’t you try out for the master program? Is that true?”
“Go ahead and apply quickly! At this rate, we might actually have a star popping out of our department!”
The other correctional officers chimed in as if they were at a market, each with their own comment. It must have been quite shocking news.
“…I’m just going to eat something now.”
Si-hyun blocked his ears and turned away.
◈ ◈ ◈
The afternoon departure passed without incident.
After going to another waiting room and showcasing his skills in restraining, he completed the quest of tying up 100 inmates.
<Stats> Strength 111 (D) Agility 111 (D) Wisdom 170 (D) Stamina 111 (D) Mental Strength 330 (C) Magic Power 99 (E)
‘Raising abilities is quite fun, huh?’
Sitting in the break room for the Departure department, Si-hyun chuckled while checking his stats. It felt just like when he used to play those princess-raising games—it was incredibly satisfying to see growth.
“You really worked hard today.”
Hearing that voice, Si-hyun quickly stood up. The head of the departure department had personally come to thank him. It indicated just how well he had performed today.
With the speed of a 3-second cut to the Restraint Technique, considering the time inmates took to come and go, he could easily restrain ten or more in a minute. It was only natural that such a reaction followed when he was doing the work of several employees by himself.
“No worries, Chief. You worked hard too.”
“I have something I’d like to say…”
“Please go ahead.”
“Have you considered coming to the Departure department? A lot of employees feel it’s better than the Civil Affairs department…”
“Oh, I think I’ll just stay in the Security department.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Si-hyun replied. He had mentioned he liked the Security department during his alumni meeting, but after understanding the true worth of being an Iron-Blooded Guard, he was more determined to bury himself there.
“Ah, I see? Wanting to stay in the Security department is a rare thing. Well, it makes sense since you’re recognized there.”
The chief from the Departure department said with a hint of disappointment. It was a shame to have found an employee worth pulling in, only for it not to work out.
“I’ll try to come back for departure support next time if I get the chance. It was a big help today.”
Si-hyun replied, mixing politeness and honesty.
◈ ◈ ◈
The workstation in the ward could access a place called the ‘Borami System.’ It was a system for efficient correctional administration and also a place to view personal information on inmates.
Initially, one could view information on inmates from all over the country, but as security concerns increased, and the potential for misuse was recognized, they restricted access to only inmates within one’s own station. Of course, those with higher authority or staff from relevant departments still had access to everything.
Si-hyun often took the time to check the Borami system. He was looking to find inmates with connections.
“Is there a hidden big shot?”
Si-hyun muttered.
‘Big shot’ referred to inmates with money or powerful connections, the opposite of ‘dog fur’ as in those without connections.
After several days of searching, he hadn’t found anyone notable. If they were truly big shots, Si-hyun would have heard at least a rumor or two about them. The big shots he knew were all hearsay from conversations with officers from other wards.
“I guess I have to choose from people I already know.”
Si-hyun took out a small notebook and made a list. He was planning to apply for the ward he targeted when he received his official appointment in January.
It wasn’t supposed to happen, but he was determined to make it work somehow. To achieve that, he was working harder now.
For now, the list was still fluid. There’s always a chance a big-time inmate could arrive before he submitted his application. But there were indeed certain inmates that caught his interest.
Jang Hak-ki.
A heavyweight politician, a five-term assemblyman from the ruling party Korean Party, and a son-in-law of a former president. He was imprisoned at Daehan Correctional Facility for charges of receiving illegal political funding. He had been acquitted in his first trial but received a real sentence in the second, and he was currently in the appeals process.
He seemed firmly convinced he could win a not guilty verdict from the Supreme Court. Rumor had it, he had multiple talented lawyers from a big law firm defending him. And the word was, it was likely to lean toward innocence, just as he believed. Regardless, he had some time left before the Supreme Court verdict, making him a suitable target.
Whereas, Jang Hak-ki was known among correctional officers for another reason. They weren’t even allowed to call him by his name, and they couldn’t address him by number either. Just doing so would make him furious.
His prestige was truly overwhelming, even within the correctional facility. If the Warden was at a loss, how foolish would a mere correctional officer seem?
Thus, when correctional officers had to address Jang Hak-ki, it often led to absurd situations where they had to approach and say things like, “Would you like to exercise?” to avoid using names. Because of this, making jokes about him at officer drinking parties became quite a treat.
Si-hyun didn’t have particularly good feelings about Jang Hak-ki either. No matter how influential he was outside, he needed to abide by the rules as an inmate. His attitude, treating correctional officers like subordinates, was quite enough to furrow eyebrows.
“Politicians are the worst, indeed.”
Muttering this, Si-hyun circled Jang Hak-ki’s name with a blue pen.