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chapter 193
Maurice and the Albatross PMC operatives had dived fairly deep.
After descending tens of meters from their original position, they clung to the walls of the prison island once again.
“(Distance from here to the target?)”
“(Given the thickness of the mana-reinforced concrete… roughly 70 meters.)”
“(We can pierce it, right?)”
“(Yes. It seems like they used rather expensive mana concrete, but it’s still easier to penetrate than what the World Awakened Association would use.)”
One of the operatives placed his hand against the prison wall and activated his ability.
Thrum…
The wall vibrated, and a hole began to form, large enough for two or three people to pass through comfortably.
“(Isn’t that too wide?)”
“(If it’s just for us, maybe. But if we plan to take the targets with us when we leave, this width is necessary.)”
Once sufficient width was achieved, the hole began to deepen. The operative creating the hole moved inside, continuing to use his ability, and the others followed one by one.
“(…The angle is slightly off. About ten degrees downward. Yes, right there.)”
They proceeded carefully, taking their time. Maurice observed the hole and tried to estimate how long the operation would take.
“(It’ll probably take about three hours just to pierce the walls of all the target cells.)”
And that was only the time to make the holes. Afterward, they would have to convince the targets to leave without alerting the guards. The prison island’s schedule also posed a problem: six-hour shifts in five rotations. Some targets might still be in the combat room when the work is finished, meaning they wouldn’t be back in their cells yet…
“(Actual operation time… maybe ten hours… or more.)”
Sunrise wouldn’t necessarily be an issue, but Maurice wanted to finish as much as possible under darkness. Just then:
“(First passage complete.)”
The first passage to the cell of the primary target was ready. The cell itself wasn’t breached yet, but as soon as the Albatross PMC operative signaled, a hole would form and they could enter.
“(Target status?)”
“(As expected. Confirmed restrained with 24 shackles.)”
Other prisoners wore only two or three restraints, but the one behind the thin wall had 24. That indicated incredible strength and confirmed this was their true target.
“(Good. You stay here. You continue drilling the holes. The rest, follow us.)”
Other Albatross PMC operatives scattered according to Maurice’s signals. The hole wasn’t excessively wide, even with their dispersal. Meanwhile…
“……”
The prisoner, sensing a faint vibration beyond the thin wall, opened his eyes slightly. He concentrated on the concrete, but with his restraints, it was difficult to discern what was happening. He considered pressing his ear to the wall but chose not to.
“…Ten guards outside my cell… more than usual.”
If he acted, the guards would immediately sense something beyond the concrete. Seeing so many guards in front of his cell suggested that the prison was likely aware of intruders, but better safe than sorry.
“…Not too hopeful, but…”
Still, who knew? Perhaps someone beyond the concrete could create an opportunity for escape.
“…Even loosening a few restraints could let me escape on my own…”
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. Restraints were made to never be removed, and if damaged, they’d use any means necessary to kill the prisoner. He would have to remove them before they could react—a nearly impossible task.
“…Might as well sleep.”
Thinking this, the prisoner closed his eyes, losing interest in the intruders.
“…Vibrations… I can feel them in the concrete.”
In an empty cell, a guard’s words made the warden frown.
“Could it be caused by the waves outside?”
“To generate vibrations that reach inside, the waves would need to be at least ten meters high.”
“……”
Ten-meter waves would require extremely strong winds. While the nearby sea had some wind, it wasn’t enough.
“So something inside the concrete is causing the vibrations.”
“Other possibilities?”
“None. A powerful awakened inside could cause this, but all awakened in the prison are restrained…”
The warden sighed and spoke into his radio:
“Haa… Notify all awake guards. Intruders on the prison island. Repeat: Intruders detected. Likely inside the walls. In the combat room, adjust devices to direct nearby monsters to the combat room. While they’re gone, elite personnel will search with diving suits. Request naval support. This is not a drill.”
Having anticipated some disturbance based on the arrival of Artist Han Geon-woo earlier, the warden was ready.
Since the prison’s creation, there had been previous attacks, though none involved such stealthily drilled passages. Many were still intent on rescuing prisoners.
“Many wanted to save captured comrades.”
Intruders usually entered through the combat room, disguised as visitors, or scaled the walls. The warden, experienced with intruders, directed his guards expertly.
Though this was the first time facing intruders drilling through the exterior…
“There’s a manual for situations like this.”
No one expected it to actually happen, but there was guidance. The warden donned a diving suit and headed to the vibration site, finding the guard stationed there.
“Equipment charge status?”
“Thanks to your orders earlier, all guards’ equipment is over 90% charged.”
“Good. Everyone ready?”
The guards nodded. Monsters that should have been nearby were all drawn to the combat room.
“Dive!”
The guards leapt into the sea. The warden followed, descending into the depths.
‘…!’
Soon, they spotted a hole likely made by intruders.
“Prepare weapons and enter.”
The warden signaled the guards, who activated their weapons.
Hum…
Some resembled firearms, others batons. All were powered not by electricity but by the psychic energy of the prison’s lowest-level awakened.
“Their power is less than the awakened themselves, but… sufficient unless the intruders include an Aura Master, Archmage, or similar level.”
The warden watched the guards enter the hole and deploy devices to prevent the intruders from sealing it. Their retreat was secured.
“You there, you there. Guard the entrance. You, check for other holes.”
He signaled the remaining guards and entered. Slowly moving along the tunnel…
“Intruder spotted.”
The lead guard signaled behind him. The next guard moved forward and subdued the intruder quietly.
Bang…!
‘(…?!)’
The lead guard was a detection specialist; the second, a stealth specialist. Using their skills, they approached and subdued the intruder without being noticed.
“Subdual complete.”
“We’ll escort them out.”
“But why was only one waiting here?”
A guard signaled his doubt. The others agreed; the tunnel’s sudden bend made the location slightly odd.
“…Beyond here. This is the cell with the lowest-level awakened. That’s why it was secured.”
The detection specialist resolved their doubts.
“…One of their objectives was the strongest awakened on the island.”
“Likely.”
The warden recalled Artist’s earlier warning:
[Keep an eye on the cells. Especially the lowest-level cell.]
Indeed, Artist anticipated intruders. The warden commanded:
“Hold this position. Expand if needed for combat.”
“Are you sure? We don’t know the tunnel’s length or how many intruders are inside.”
“…It’s fine.”
If Artist had specifically said to watch it, it was critical. The warden, almost reverent of Artist, deemed this the most important location.
“The intruders will return here. Their target is the lowest-level prisoner.”
