Chapter 101
It goes without saying that I didn’t like being hit.
However, when playing the role of the medical officer, the fastest and most effective strategy was to get beaten up by the prison guards from the very first day.
In The Cell X, there was a unique system granted only to the medical officer.
It was ’Suspicion’ and ’Affection’.
Unlike other games where you only need to manage affection levels, here I had to keep an eye on suspicion levels as well.
These values were managed separately for each NPC, ranging from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100.
Depending on these numbers, different events and endings would trigger.
If the guards’ suspicion levels were high, there was a greater chance of an event where I’d be dragged to a place without surveillance cameras and assaulted.
On the other hand, if the guards’ suspicion levels were too low, it became difficult to gain affection from the creatures, no matter how well I treated them.
They would suspect me of being in league with the guards.
To achieve the True Ending as the medical officer, I needed to maintain a moderate level of suspicion and affection with the guards, while achieving 0 suspicion and 100 affection with the creatures.
I had to be especially careful with the guards.
Not to mention the cases where suspicion was high; if both suspicion and affection were high, original affection was high, it all led to a Bad Ending.
In short, the guards were fickle beings.
You couldn’t be too nice to them, but you couldn’t be too incompetent either.
Starting off by getting beaten is a good choice for the future.
When I suffered injuries caused by the guards, the creatures’ affection levels would rise.
Since it was difficult to gain the ’creatures favor’ in the early stages, this method was the best in many ways.
"Roasted Chestnut, you are always so bold."
Dominic evaluated my method with a polite expression. It was certainly not a compliment.
But as long as I could escape this place quickly, getting beaten up was a small price to pay.
As I stepped outside the quarters, a dark corridor stretched before me.
Even with the flashlight on, only the area immediately in front of me brightened slightly; it didn’t feel like the space was actually becoming lit.
I walked quietly through the corridor, which was thick with an eerie atmosphere.
The prison was divided into the inmate wing and the guard wing, and the medical officer’s quarters were shoved into the furthest corner of the guard wing.
Where I was heading now was the guards’ lounge.
Except for those on duty, guards usually spent their late nights in the lounge playing cards or smoking.
I planned to go there and pick a fight.
Walking down the hallway with nothing but a lone flashlight, I sent a message to Kwak Han-mook.
[Captain Kwak, are you alright? I’m in the role of the medical officer: Please come find me tomonrow.]
Since I needed to get beaten today, it would be inconvenient, so I asked him to visit tomorrow.
’Come to think of it, Dominic is a guard too.’
I became curious about Dominic’s stats.
Of course, since he wasn’t an NPC, his suspicion and affection levels wouldn’t affect the ending.
Still, I figured I could see the numbers, so I took a stealthy peck at Dominic.
[Dominic (Guard)]
- Suspicion: 999
- Affection: 999
...Huh?
I froze for a moment at the sequence of numbers that was completely unexpected.
’The maximum value is 100. Why is the suspicion so high?’
Having checked the stats hoping for 0 suspicion and 100 affection, I couldn’t help but be bewildered.
"Roasted Chestnut."
As the saying goes, the thief’s feet betray him; my heart sank the moment Dominic called my name.
I answered cautiously to the guard with 999 suspicion.
"...Yes?"
"What are you so curious about?"
Could it be that checking stats was also a registered action?
Just as I wondered if I had been caught by a ’real-name system’ for the second time after character registration, Dominic spoke in a voice laced with amusement.
"I mentioned it because it seemed like you wanted to check on me, Roasted Chestnut."
"That’s.. actually, the medical officer can see things like stats."
When I honestly confessed the numerical error, Dominic let out a low laugh.
"It will be difficult to measure me with something like that."
Dominic was an existence that was an error in itself.
I had been arrogant to try and gauge him with such shallow measurements.
The slight disappointment I felt at the 999 suspicion vanished completely.
Dominic comforted me as I reflected on my boldness.
"If you’re curious, just ask. I’ll answer anything."
Then, Mr: Dominic, based on a scale of 0 to 100, where do your suspicion and affection for me stand?
...Since I couldn’t actually ask that, I simply replied that I was fine.
As I drew closer to the guards’ lounge, the corridor grew slightly brighter.
Putting the flashlight back into my inventory, I pondered as I walked.
In the game, the event started the moment I entered, but in this real-life trial, it likely wouldn’t be that simple.
While I was agonizing over what lines to deliver to ensure I got beaten properly, I arrived near the lounge.
I could hear the loud laughing of guards chatting.
While I was agonizing over what lines to deliver to ensure I got beaten properly, I arrived near the lounge.
I could hear loud laughter coming from behind the door. It was the sound of guards chatting while gaming.
Just as I was lingering in front of the lounge, unable to decide on my dialogue...
"What is the meaning of this?"
A cold voice dropped behind my back.
Startled, I spun around, and a grey metal mask was the first thing that caught my eye.
The Security Chief was looking down at me.
Ding. A sound signaled a change in stats.
Thinking that my suspicion must have gone up, I glanced at the system window.
[Suspicion +8]
[Affection +1]
I witnessed the strange sight of both suspicion and affection rising simultaneously.
As for suspicion, it was natural for it to rise since I was standing in front of the guards’ lounge on my first night in prison.
But it was bizarre that affection had increased.
’Is it a bug?"
Perhaps it rose because he was excited at the thought of hitting me.
Regardless, affection only went up by 1, and getting beaten was more important right now.
After much deliberation, I unleashed my provocation skill.
"I’ve come to lodge a formal complaint about what happened today..."
Contrary to the spirited line, my voice trembled slightly.
The lips visible beneath the mask immediately twisted.
"You’ve come to lodge a complaint?"
Mocking me by repeating my words, the Security Chief flung the lounge door open.
Then, he gave me a sharp shove inside.
Since they dealt with creatures, their strength was immense.
I immediately flipped over, staggering and taking several clumsy steps before I could finally regain my balance.
Then, I awkwardly lifted my head.
Every guard in the lounge was staring at me.
Even though half their faces were covered by metal masks, I could feel their piercing gazes.
"Huh? Isn’t that the doctor?"
One guard threw his playing cards onto the table, recognizing me.
The Security Chief, closing the door behind me, answered on his behalf.
"He says he wants to complain about today’s events."
At the Security Chief’s words, the guards burst into laughter all at once, snickering as they stood up one by one.
Beings with intimidating physiques looked down at me.
At this point, a sliver of regret crept in.
Unlike in the game, the thought that I actually had to be the one getting hit made me feel the pain already.
’Will it be the restroom or the shower room?’
Since the lounge had surveillance cameras, I figured I’d be dragged to one of those two places to be beaten, and I was wondering which one it would be.
"Whoa, hold on, hyungs. Just a second."
A guard suddenly stood up from a dimly lit comer.
’There was another guard?’
The guard, who hurriedly stubbed out a cigarette in the ashtray, approached with long, confident strides.
He, too, had half his face covered by a black metal mask.
However, red hair peeked out from under his cap.
Thump.
’The red-haired guard threw an arm around my shoulder, nearly colliding with me.
"This fresh-faced young doctor here as a rookie guard, I’ll give him a proper education today. You hyungs just get some rest."
He spoke with a slouchy, thug-like manner, then locked me in a headlock and gave me a sharp smack on the head.
It hurt enough to bring tears to my eyes, and as I let out a small groan, the guards jeered.
One guard tapped my stomach with the back of his hand and said,
"Doctor. Get educated well. Let’s get along starting tomorrow, yeah?"
Amidst the snickering laughter, I was dragged out, my arm gripped by the red-haired guard.
He remained silent even after we left the lounge.
Only after we had traveled a considerable distance and entered a dark corridor did I speak first.
"Captain Kwak...?"
Only then did Kwak Han-mook whip around to face me.
He took off his mask. His grey eyes were hard and stiff.
"Goyo."
"Yes?"
*What the hell were you trying to do just now?"
"..Ah, well."
I hadn’t expected Kwak Han-mook to be a guard.
In The Cell X, roles were never assigned redundantly.
Since Dominic had been assigned as a guard, I naturally assumed Kwak Han-mook would have a different role.
’Is it because he wasn’t active?’
After the event scene, Dominic had done nothing but wear his hat.
He had even used spatial movement to leave the guard’s designated position, which seemed sufficient for the system to trigger an error.
Regardless, it became much easier in many ways thanks to Kwak Han-mook being a guard.
I explained my plan to him.
"..So, I think it would be best if you could inflict some moderate injuries on me, Captain Kwak."
Upon hearing my words, Kwak Fan-mook pressed his hand to his forehead and muttered.
"Goyo, you really are... a crazy nut, a total nut."
Then, he gave me a loud, snapping flick to the forehead with a prayer bead.
"This nut needs more flicks."
Having been hit by both a hand and a prayer bead, I felt slightly wronged, but I obediently accepted the flick.
And, a bit late, I told him I was glad he was safe.
"My sanity isn’t safe because of this nut. A member of the TRA Agency thinks about getting beaten? You should be thinking about how to beat the shit out of them."
"I’m sorry."
When I bowed in apology, Kwak Han-mook’s gaze finally softened a bit.
"You promised Captain Mo that you wouldn’t do anything dangerous."
"That wasn’t exactly risking my life..."
"You want another flick?"
"No..."
While reading his mood, I briefed him on the current situation.
I informed him of the entry of Je Hyun-oh, Won Tae-bum, and CEO Cha, shared news from the outside, and briefly shared information about The Cell X.
Hearing this, Kwak Han-mook narrowed his eyes.
"This trial is definitely five stars. If things go south, it might even hit six."
While he was seriously troubled, I hesitated intensely.
I had wanted to ask for a while, but it felt like a tactless question given the serious atmosphere.
"Sweet chestnut, what is it?"
It seemed my hesitation was obvious, as Kwak Han-mook asked. I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
"Captain Kwak, were you a smoker?"
"No?"
"Then what was that earlier?"
"I’m an intermittent non-smoker."
I didn’t know how that differed from being a smoker, but my curiosity was satisfied.
I wondered why he was staring at the ashtray on the rooftop, and it seemed that was the reason.
It was trivial information, but since it was about Kwak Han-mook, I committed it to memory.
"And this little guy is wearing a hat now."
At Kwak Han-mook’s observation, I glanced at the Pudding Slime.
The faintly shimmering guard slime was incredibly cute.
"Depending on the trial, decorations are sometimes added like this."
"Really...?"
After spending some time observing the slime, Kwak Han-mook headed back to the medical officer’s quarters with me.
He pushed me into the room and spoke almost like he was barking orders.
"Don’t do anything stupid and just sleep quietly today. I’ll pull as much information on the guards as I can for you."
It’s not that the information is the important part, it’s the suspicion and affection levels...
But even if I said that. Kwak Han-mook wouldn’t have been lenient.
After seeing him off, I had no choice but to lie down on the bed.
The Pudding Slime naturally climbed onto my chest.
Since the straw bed in S2P, it had kept sleeping on my chest, and it seemed to have become a habit, as it made its bed on top of me every time.
The slime’s weight was negligible and its texture was pleasant, so I had no particular complaints.
I fell asleep with the Pudding Slime resting on my chest.
That was how Sunday, the first day in prison, came to an end.
And the next day, Monday.
Beginning my weekly schedule as the medical officer, I met Je Hyun-oh.
As Creature Prisoner No. 13 of sector X.