Chapter 126
As soon as I spoke, Won Tae-beom looked at me with the exact same expression Mo Hae-in always had.
It was the look one gives a complete lunatic.
Perhaps because they were both in Team 2, Won Tae-beom reminded me of Mo Hae-in in many ways whenever I saw him.
’Come to think of it, I asked Captain Mo for a favor back in Dezondeal, too.’
It felt strange to be making a similar request to Won Tae-beom.
I waited for his answer, wondering how Mo Hae-in was doing.
"No."
Naturally, I was rejected.
Since it was the expected outcome, I wasn’t surprised. I would have been more shocked if he had agreed right away.
"It is dangerous. Propose another alternative."
"There isn’t one."
When I answered firmly, Won Tae-beom fell silent for a moment.
It seemed he hadn’t expected me to react this way.
But in reality, there was no better method than this.
"I know it’s dangerous. But the brainwashing only lasts for two days, doesn’t it? I’ll return to normal."
I figured that since the brainwashing would wear off in just two days, it was relatively safe.
Besides, it wasn’t like we were all becoming Octopus Leg fanatics; I just had to go in and come back.
However, I felt that if I put it that way, my suggestion would be dismissed.
I lowered my gaze and phrased it more delicately.
"This anomaly happened because of me, so I can’t put others at risk. If only I am brainwashed.."
Won Tae-beom cut me off and asked.
"You mean, if one person sacrifices themselves, the majority can be saved? Is that what you’re saying?"
Sacrifice...I wouldn’t go that far.
I didn’t have such a grand heart.
My only goal was simply to make sure we all got out alive, one way or another.
But I couldn’t give a lighthearted answer.
It was because of the way Won Tae-beom was looking at me.
He was staring at me with an incredibly serious expression.
The weight in his eyes made it difficult for me to speak easily.
As I agonized over what answer would make him agree, he spoke first.
"Trainee Han."
But he didn’t finish his sentence.
Silence filled the gap for a moment before Won Tae-beom reached a heavy conclusion.
"No, we will follow your plan."
The approval came more easily than expected.
I didn’t know what had moved him, but for now, the fact that he agreed was all that mattered.
I replied with a slight curl of my lips.
"Thank you for trusting me. I will definitely clear this with the True Ending."
There was one thing I had been worried about from the moment I decided to get brainwashed.
Whether the brainwashing would actually work on me.
Just as Neo’s infection had been neutralized, the brainwashing might simply slip off.
However, unlike Neo, who required direct physical contact, the brainwashing of the Corrective Priest was a judgment rendered by the system.
So, I expected it to work on me, but..
The brainwashing didn’t work.
Flustered, I told Won Tae-beom that I didn’t think I had been brainwashed.
Won Tae-beom asked me a few questions, and after hearing my answers, he confirmed that I was indeed brainwashed.
I don’t feel like I am.
I didn’t feel any particular sense of awe toward the Great Octopus Leg.
However, after Won Tae-beom used the brainwashing ability on me, the medical officer’s weekly schedule returned to normal.
Won Tae-beom’s pastoral schedule also reverted from ’Brainwash Medical Officer’ to his original duties.
Furthermore, perhaps because he had used the ability on me, it was marked as if the mission had already been completed.
The brainwashing failed, but the objective was achieved.
I was satisfied that things were moving along well.
It was a shame I couldn’t perform the ’Octopus Leg Worship 4-Piece Set’ in the prayer room, though...
"I will share Trainee Han’s current status with Captain Kwak as well."
Since Je Hyeon-oh didn’t know my location, he was excluded, but Won Tae-beom intended to tell Kwak Han-mook that I was temporarily brainwashed.
Even if nothing had actually changed, sharing the situation was a good idea.
I had a brief conversation with Won Tae-beom and parted ways.
Then, I headed toward the Security Chief s office.
Strangely, my heart had been pounding for a while now. Despite trying to stay calm, I felt exhilarated.
I thought about the Great Octopus Leg.
Does the Great Octopus Leg reside in the deep sea? Why does he stay there?
I wanted to see him in person just once. I began to imagine his form.
I could imagine it vividly, as if I had seen it in a dream.
Tentacles made of squelching organic matter-they must be tissues that regenerate infinitely.
A perfect biological structure that defied crude standards; just imagining it was ecstatic.
I felt pity for those who did not know of his gracious corruption.
’I want to remodel the prisoners.’
How fragile humans and creatures are.
Sick minds, scarred bodies, failing organs - they were all so insignificant.
I wanted to break and recombine their imperfect bodies and minds so they could get even a little closer to Him.
I quickly recalled the psychotropic drugs in the infirmary.
Mental remodeling seemed feasible. I had done it in the game before.
With the right drug cocktail and some religious broadcasts, it would be an easy task.
The problem was physical remodeling.
What if I obtained some deep-sea creatures and attached them to the prisoners?
The Security Chief is one of His kin, so if I consulted him about this, he would likely give me good advice...
I came to a dead stop in the hallway.
The moment I realized the absurdity of my train of thought, a system window popped up.
◆ Main Quest!: Perform medical officer duties while maintaining sanity despite brainwashing.
[You have once again committed a reckless, crazy-crazy-insane-crazy act.]
[However, the brainwashing of ■■■ cannot perfectly tame the Young God.]
[Even if this place is a domain under his rule, the Young God seeks to overcome it.]
[You intend to maintain your reason within the brainwashing and act as a medical officer.]
[While this is a means to deceive the eyes of ■■■ and approach the True Ending, it is unknown if this was the best choice.]
[For as you approach the end, ■■■ will also grow closer to the Young God.]
(Remaining brainwashing days: 2)
The system window was absolutely roasting me.
Dominic, who could see the quest window, added a polite comment.
"It speaks the truth. You are reckless."
I pressed my hand to my forehead.
’I really was brainwashed.’
I was, but I wasn’t completely consumed like I had been during 3Clean.
I was at least aware that I was brainwashed.
I think I have to hold out like this until tomorrow. I’ll have to keep a tight grip on my mind so I don’t cause any accidents.
Taking a deep breath, I gave the system window a heads-up.
’If I get weird again, pop up the square window.’
Hearing the notification sound might be somewhat helpful.
The system window didn’t answer. But since it seemed to understand, I didn’t repeat myself.
I headed back toward the Security Chief’s office.
I had planned to visit him anyway. For the sake of his coup.
And a short while later.
I gathered the Warden, the Security Chief, and three high-ranking guards in the conference room and began my presentation.
The conference room had the most modern facilities in the prison.
Since there was a monitor like the one used in the new guard training center, the presentation went smoothly.
"The current method of creature management is obsolete."
I started with a provocative opening.
"The amount of Neo that can be extracted from creatures is limited, and that amount is steadily declining."
I displayed a graph of production over the last three years on the screen. The graph was trending downward with a significant drop.
It was inevitable, as the vitality of the imprisoned creatures was fading.
"Furthermore, managing creatures that cause problems at every turn is not easy. The unbelievers don’t even watch the religious broadcasts properly."
That really was a problem.
Even though the Great Octopus Leg had shown generous mercy by allowing even the unbelievers to remain in His territory.
"Therefore, I propose a new creature management method!"
A photo of Number 6 appeared on the monitor.
"Number 6 is the only one among the creatures capable of communication, making him easy to manage. Also, being humanoid, he is among the less repulsive. I propose that all creatures except Number 6 be executed."
The plan was to execute the creatures to extract a large amount of Neo and feed the corpses to Number 6 to restore his leg.
It was far more efficient to restore Number 6’s vitality to the maximum and obtain a large amount of Neo than to extract small amounts from twelve different creatures.
I showed data on the screen proving that this method resulted in higher production.
"Naturally, a question will arise. Even if we extract a large amount of Neo through executions now, what happens if Number 6’s production drops later?"
I smiled and changed the screen.
"We can use the dregs."
Feeding the dregs--the troublesome waste could restore a creature’s vitality.
It was a truly co-friendly method.
Even if the dregs ran out, it didn’t matter.
Human prisoners were easy to supply from the mainland, so we could just inject them with Neo to create new ones.
I also proposed the method for the executions.
"If we hold public executions in the exercise yard, the One in the deep sea will be pleased, and it will provide a small bit of entertainment for the guards. That is all."
As I finished, the room buzzed.
The three high-ranking guards looked at each other and exchanged glances.
They seemed to find my proposal extremely attractive.
However, the Warden remained silent.
Sitting in the highest seat with his arms crossed, he had been watching me throughout the presentation as if observing a specimen.
His inscrutable gaze continued.
I waited quietly, looking at the Warden.
The white mask stood out exceptionally among the gray and black metal masks.
Just as I was thinking how clean the white was, a mechanical voice spoke.
"When do you intend to hold the creature executions?"
"How about two days from now?"
The Warden, who had been staring at me blankly, finally gave his permission.
’Proceed."
"Thank you."
As soon as I got permission, I first looked for the Security Chief.
’Security Chief!’
I looked at him with proud eyes.
A faint smile played on the Security Chief slips.
- Suspicion -30
The suspicion level had dropped significantly.
I’m glad he likes it... wait, no.
’I think I’m getting weird again!’
Ding. A notification sounded. A very honest square window appeared.
[Square Window]
I almost lost it again. I quickly focused my mind to regain my sanity and praised the system window.
’Good job. Just try to do it a bit faster next time.’
I encouraged the system window, hoping for more agile notifications.
In two days, at the execution ceremony, the Security Chief would launch his coup.
I wanted to set the date further back for stability, but since the brainwashing expired tomorrow, that was impossible.
Once the brainwashing wore off, there was no telling what the Octopus Leg would do.
It might not end with just changing missions.
I couldn’t keep using brainwashing to hold out, so I had to settle this quickly.
Having finished the presentation, I headed to the infirmary to carry out my duties as a medical officer.
My steps were light, thanks to having overcome the first hurdle.
As I walked down the hallway, I stopped unconsciously.
Perhaps because it was an important area with facilities like the conference room, His symbol was hanging on the wall.
I was staring intently at the octopus legs entwined around the eyeball.
Someone grabbed my forearm. I felt the sensation of being held, but I couldn’t see the opponent.
Tense, I looked around, and the figure slowly revealed himself.
"Warden... no, CEO Cha?"
CEO Cha was looking down at me.
It seemed he had raised his cognitive degradation to 100% and then lowered it.
"What do you think you’re doing right now?"
To CEO Chas question, I gave a perfectly natural answer.
"I was contemplating His greatness."
I was about to speak of the Great Octopus Leg’s majesty when a great idea occurred to me.
"Warden. Could you possibly obtain some deep-sea creatures for me? If you do, I can help you get closer to Him."
With the Warden’s abilities, it wouldn’t be difficult to obtain deep-sea creatures suitable for remodeling.
My eyes sparkled as I stepped closer to him.
"The scope of the remodeling will depend on which creatures you get, but first, I really want to change both of your arms."
Having only two arms is far too inefficient. I could get at least three tentacles on each side.
[Square Window]
Ding. The notification brought me back to my senses.
CEO Cha was looking at me as if I were absurd.
Belatedly realizing what I had just said, I spoke awkwardly.
"..Ah. That. I am currently brainwashed."
I briefly explained the situation, saying that I had become a fanatic of the Octopus Leg for two days, but that I was about half-
The white mask looked down at me.
I met the eyes that weren’t fully perceptible.
"This is problematic, Han Goyo."
CEO Cha reminded me of the contract terms in a sharp tone.
"You’re supposed to enter 20 Trials."
"There is no problem with fulfilling the contract."
I knew him well. He was the type of person who would trample you if you acted weak.
That’s why I pushed back even harder on purpose.
"We’re in a situation where we all die if we don’t clear this; isn’t this level of risk acceptable? You’re the one who said you’d support me, CEO Cha.. what are you doing?!"
I gasped and grabbed him.
CEO Cha had snatched the symbol of the Great Octopus Leg hanging on the wall and violently slammed it onto the floor.
I hurriedly knelt down to gather the shattered pieces of wood, but then I froze.
Crunch.
CEO Cha stepped on the broken fragments.
I slowly raised my head and looked up at him.
Due to the backlight, a deep shadow fell across the white mask.
"Risk?"
He asked shortly, then spoke to me coldly.
"Do you still think this is a game?"
For a moment, I was speechless. It was then.
Static. The speaker crackled, and an announcement came through.
"Code Blue. Code Blue."
It was the broadcast announcing an emergency treatment event.
I froze, listening intently to the announcement.
"Sector X. Number 6. Code Blue."
Number 6...it was Orca.