TRPM 192

chapter 192

“…I don’t know.”

Yeon Mirae and I were guided by the warden as we toured most of the accessible areas of the prison: the spaces where inmates rest, the areas for the guards’ breaks, the machinery room supplying electricity and water to the entire facility…

But there was no place that gave us any clue about how Albatross PMC might infiltrate.

“Albatross PMC will come through a place where no one is present.”

When they had previously infiltrated the World Awakened Association, they not only wore stealth equipment but also entered through machinery rooms that were empty of people. They even sent someone to the main gate to make sure the machinery room was unoccupied before the rest of their team entered.

From that, it was clear that Albatross PMC would infiltrate this prison island using stealth gear through a location where no one was present.

However, unlike the World Awakened Association, the prison island had personnel stationed in nearly every area.

“There’s always someone in the machinery room as well. The prison island uses desalinized seawater, and if a monster were to enter via the pumps drawing in seawater, it would be a disaster… so technicians and guards are always stationed there to handle any issues.”

Because of this, it seemed unlikely that Albatross PMC would enter through any of the locations we had examined so far.

“…It’s difficult.”

In other facilities, machinery rooms might occasionally be visited for maintenance, but here, every room—even the machinery rooms—had staff. That made it difficult to predict where Albatross PMC might infiltrate. There were rooms with fewer people, but only in terms of probability.

As I wandered through the prison, a possibility occurred to me, and I asked the warden.

“…Could you explain the security on the lowest floor?”

“The lowest floor? That is…”

“If it’s difficult, you don’t have to answer.”

“No, it’s fine. Aside from most inmates wearing multiple restraints, there’s not much difference from the other inmates.”

The warden began to explain the prison’s surveillance system.

“Ordinary inmates enter their cells with only light restraints. During free time, they can move around the lounge and cells freely, but during sleeping hours, they must stay in their cells. During work hours, we check if they’re bringing in any suspicious items or attempting to dig holes. Of course, free time, work time, and sleeping time vary for each inmate.”

Even if someone tried to dig, it would be impossible to penetrate the magic-reinforced concrete over 20 meters thick while wearing restraints.

“…Yes, that’s true.”

Among the inmates on the prison island, there might be those capable of breaching over 20 meters of magic concrete, but restrained, even they couldn’t.

“…According to the warden, escaping from inside is impossible.”

But breaking in from outside? That was possible.

[Before I could finish thinking that, a pipe twisted.]
[A hole appeared, and people in what seemed like diving suits began emerging one by one.]
[The water didn’t leak from the hole… so there must be telekinetics among them.]

Albatross PMC definitely had someone capable of penetrating magic concrete, and also telekinetics to stop water from leaking.

“…They might quietly drill in while an inmate is alone in their cell.”

If Albatross PMC had obtained the schedule of the prison island after learning the identities of their target inmates, they would easily know when an inmate was asleep. That would allow them to predict roughly how they’d extract the prisoners.

“Albatross PMC won’t want unnecessary noise.”

They wouldn’t want evidence of their infiltration left behind. They’d drill only into the cells of their target inmates, persuade them, quietly take them out, and then seal the hole.

“…Maybe they’ve already done it.”

“Warden.”

“Yes?”

“How many inmates are currently held on this prison island? Actually, including staff who handle chores like cleaning and guards who oversee the inmates… how many people should be on this island in total?”

“Um… just a moment.”

The warden quickly took out his smartphone to contact someone and instructed an aide, presumably another guard, to fetch the relevant data.

‘So smartphones work even on this prison island.’

There must be a base station somewhere. While thinking that, I extended my perception and counted the number of people currently on the island. When my sense reached the lowest floor of the prison, I realized that the worst-case scenario hadn’t occurred.

‘There’s a superhuman here, clearly at a different level than the others. Since Albatross PMC wanted them… the fact that this superhuman is still on the island means their operation hasn’t started yet.’

While I was thinking that, a guard brought the list of inmates, staff, and guards. The warden quickly checked the data and said to me:

“There are 536 inmates, 157 guards, and 34 others. Seventeen guards are currently on leave or off duty. So, right now…”

“710, then.”

Before the warden finished calculating, Yeon Mirae spoke.

“Hmph… Accurate. If my perception is correct, including us, there are 712 people on the island right now.”

If there had been visitors, the number would be higher, but the visitation area didn’t show signs of anyone. So all the people on that list were present—none missing. At least, for now.

“…Inspection done for today. Let’s go back.”

“Ah, yes.”

Yeon Mirae nodded in acknowledgment. Then the warden asked:

“…What should I do?”

He seemed to think that a problem could occur on the island because of what I had said. I informed him of the possible infiltration point.

“Keep a close watch on the cells, especially the lowest floor.”

“…So there might be an external intrusion. Understood.”

That night.

“(We’ve approached as far as we can. Going further could trigger mines.)”
“(Are we ready?)”
“(We’re ready, but… is this okay? There were sightings of an Artist and Swordfire in Jeju Island.)”

Albatross PMC staff donned their equipment while discussing. Sightings in Jeju meant that the two had appeared there and that the prison island in Ieodo was likely the destination.

“(It should be fine. I guided them here.)”

The PMC boss, Morris Reynolds, told them:

“(The Artist visited the prison island personally to confirm if my information was true—whether the claims of false accusations were accurate.)”

The Artist likely met with them directly.

“(With the Artist’s insight, they would have easily realized the truth.)”

This, however, was just Morris’ assumption. Unlike Morris’ belief, the Artist—Han Gun-woo—wasn’t concerned with the alleged false charges. Morris mistakenly thought the Artist came to verify the prisoners’ innocence.

“(Prepare. You know the operation plan, right?)”
“(Yes!)”

Morris put on his diving helmet, confirmed the others did the same, and then knocked on one wall of their location.

Thump! Thump!
Vrrrr…

The wall opened, revealing the underwater outside. The Albatross PMC operatives had been inside a submarine. Morris checked that no water entered and gave hand signals.

‘(Stay ready.)’

He signaled the telekinetic inside the submarine, then entered the water with the infiltration team.

‘(Direction?)’
‘(At 2 o’clock from the current heading.)’
‘(Understood.)’

They quietly approached the prison island, exchanging signals.

‘(Wait.)’

It wasn’t easy. The prison island existed because of countless underwater dungeons and the monsters therein. Approaching it increased the chance of encountering monsters. But that could also be used to their advantage…

Splash…!

Using monsters as cover reduced the chance of detection.

‘(Copy. Stay behind me.)’

Morris killed a monster, attached a pre-prepared device to make it appear alive, and Albatross PMC hid in the shadow as they slowly approached the island.

‘(4 o’clock, one monster approaching.)’
‘(Kill if in range. Use blood to mask our scent from other monsters.)’
‘(Copy.)’
‘(Mine detected ahead. Collision likely. Adjust course slightly.)’
‘(Understood.)’

Other monsters approached, likely sensing Albatross PMC or the blood of the dead monster, but this was expected. Naval mines around the island were annoying, but the submarine’s route was manageable for the lightly equipped PMC staff.

‘(Good. We’ve arrived.)’

Morris removed the monster’s body and clung to the magic-reinforced concrete forming the prison island’s underground, checking his subordinates.

‘(Display the target cell locations on goggles.)’
‘(Done. Where do we start?)’

Morris checked the information on his goggles and began swimming downward.

‘(Deepest point first. Secure the most important target.)’
‘(Understood.)’

Following Morris’ instructions, all Albatross PMC staff followed him simultaneously.