There Are No Humans in the Monster Company — Chapter 40: Gangsol Prison (1)

Chapter 40: Gangsol Prison (1)

Several⁠‍ more days passed‍ after that.

Working‌⁠ together with Supervisor⁠ Hong Na-gyeom turned‍ out to be⁠⁠ smoother than I had expected.

Or‌‌‍ rather, my body⁠ was being forced‍ to adapt to⁠ her mechanical precision.‌‌

At‌‍ times, I felt‍⁠ a weight around⁠‍ my collarbone whenever‌‍ I sensed that‌⁠ red killing intent⁠‍ flashing behind her,⁠ but they say‍ humans are animals‌ capable of adaptation.‌

Now‍‌ I was gradually‌⁠⁠ getting used to⁠ the curt instructions⁠ she gave me, her grimly sarcastic‌ remarks, and her⁠ cold attitude toward‍ dimensional entities.

I had even become comfortable enough to‍‌‌ exchange a slight⁠ nod whenever we‍ passed each other⁠ in the hallways—though I never received⁠⁠ a response.

At‍ least here, within‌ Zone D of the Extraction Room,⁠⁠ the survival rules‌ I had learned were still working.‍‍

‘It’s‍‍⁠ almost time to‌⁠ get off work.’⁠

A cup of iced coffee that Assistant⁠‌ Manager Son had‍‌ probably left for‍ me sat on⁠⁠ my desk.

It‍ had already become‍ lukewarm.

“Gasp…⁠ haa… pant…”

I felt a strange‌⁠ presence beneath my⁠‌ legs.

When‌ I looked down,⁠ I saw that⁠ familiar creature staring‌ at me while⁠ devouring cookies at‍ incredible speed.

“…You⁠ were hiding again?”

The⁠ White and Chubby‍ Furball.

The‌⁠ dimensional entity that was always hidden⁠ somewhere and, before I knew it,⁠⁠ would appear and‌‍‌ settle beside me‌‌ as if breathing were his natural‍⁠⁠ right.

Without thinking much about‌‍ it, I reached‍‍ out and stroked⁠ that damp, round⁠⁠ head.

“It’s‍ time to go home. You should⁠ be in your‍‍ place too. You’re⁠ still a dimensional‌‌ entity, aren’t you?”‌

While chewing on cookies,‍⁠ the furball rubbed‍⁠‍ his head against⁠‌ my hand and‌‍ started licking the‌‌ back of it.⁠

‘Damn⁠‍ it, I’ve grown‌ way too attached‍ to him.’

At⁠ that moment, a current of air‍ stirred behind me.‌

A moist breath, like‌‌ the brushing of⁠⁠‌ plant leaves.

“Employee‍ Jeong Haeil.”

When‌ I slowly turned⁠ around, Director Mok was standing there‌ like a shadow.⁠

Green‌‍‍ leaves sprouted luxuriantly‍‌ around his immaculate‌ suit.

And⁠‍‍ at the center,⁠ hidden among the‍ knots of wood,⁠ dozens of green‌ eyes emerged like‍ frog eggs, staring⁠ directly at me.‍‍

“I‍ have good news.”

Was‍‌⁠ it just me,‌ or did the‍‍ word good sound absolutely terrible?

I carefully raised my⁠‍ head.

“Yes,⁠‍‍ Director Mok.”

As‌‍⁠ if he were‍⁠ reciting someone’s final‌⁠ will and testament,‍‌‌ he spoke slowly‍ and calmly.

“It‌ seems that starting⁠‌⁠ tomorrow, we will‌‍ officially resume extraction‌‌ operations in distorted‌ zones. It will‌ be a field⁠ assignment.”

Clack.‍⁠‌

The⁠ pen I was⁠ holding fell to‍⁠ the floor.

‘That‍‍ is not good‍ news.’

Extraction⁠ operations in distorted‍⁠ zones.

Strange‌ places outside this strange company.

Places‌ where reality wrinkles,⁠‍ space twists, and‍⁠ time stops flowing.‌⁠⁠

The‍⁠ unpleasant memories of‌ that endless corridor⁠‌ resurfaced in my‍⁠ mind.

“…I⁠ heard that extraction⁠‌ operations in distorted⁠ zones are the‌ responsibility of Extraction‌ Team 3. Has‌ something changed?”

I asked as cautiously⁠‌ as possible.

Slightly⁠‍ inclining those massive shoulders that resembled‍‌ tree branches, he‍ replied.

“Currently, all of Extraction‌‍‍ Team 3 has‍⁠ been assigned to⁠ Project Wonderland.”

His⁠ voice spread around⁠⁠ me like roots.⁠

My‍ head began to‌ spin.

“Are‌ we all going together?”

Was⁠ there no chance‌‌ at all that‍‍‍ I could stay behind?

I asked with dry⁠ lips, but Director‌⁠ Mok merely smiled⁠ silently.

Even‌⁠ on that featureless⁠‍ face made of bark, the smile‌‍ resembled a gentle‍ breeze moving through‌‍ trees.

“Three‍⁠‍ people will be‍ going. Me, Employee‌‌ Jeong Haeil, and‍ Supervisor Shik.”

I felt my heart‌⁠ sink heavily.

Without⁠ realizing it, I pressed a hand‍‍ against my forehead.‌⁠

‘If‍ Supervisor Shik is⁠⁠ the attacker and Director Mok is⁠‍‍ the support specialist…’‍‍

Then⁠ am I the‌ one who has‍‌ to use my⁠ body as a shield?

Even‍‍ White and Chubby⁠ Furball tilted his⁠ head and spat‌⁠‌ out the cookie⁠‌⁠ he was eating.‍‍

I immediately raised my‍ head and put‍⁠ on the best‌ professional smile I could manage.

“Yes,‍⁠ understood, Director.”

A smile is the‌‍⁠ first mask for survival.

I had no guarantee⁠⁠ that I would‍ still be alive‍‍‌ tomorrow.

But⁠ right now, I had to smile.‍‌

“I‍ will handle all⁠ the preparations. Employee⁠⁠ Jeong only needs‌‍ to come tomorrow‌ without worry.”

After saying that, Director‍ Mok returned to‍⁠ his workstation with⁠ an unsettling sound⁠ of bark scraping‍ against bark.

Come‌⁠ without worry?

That was practically the‍⁠ same as telling⁠‍ a condemned prisoner‍⁠ to walk cheerfully‌‌⁠ toward the gallows.⁠

My⁠ mind was already⁠ replaying the unpleasant⁠‍ sensations of the⁠‌ distorted zone.

That‌‌ endless gray corridor.‌

That‌ horrible place that⁠‌‍ devoured both sanity‌ and physical endurance.

‘At‍ least I’ll be‍‌ going with my‌ superiors.’

On one hand, I would have bosses‍ capable of protecting‌‍ me.

On‍ the other hand,⁠‌ that meant venturing‌ into a distorted‌⁠ reality alongside monsters.⁠⁠⁠

Just‌‌ imagining myself walking‌‌‌ through that endless corridor with them⁠ made my bone⁠ pen begin to‌‍ pulse, the rosary⁠ grow warm, and‍⁠ the collar become‍‍ heavier.

“Pant! Pant… pant!”

When I regained a bit of composure,⁠ I felt a dull impact against‌⁠ my legs.

White‌‍ and Chubby Furball‍ was bumping his‌‌‍ front paws against‍‌ my knees.

With⁠ cookie crumbs stuck⁠ around his mouth,⁠ he looked up⁠‌ at me with‍‍ shining eyes, demanding⁠⁠‍ more.

I could have handed‌⁠‌ him the entire⁠ bag while thinking,‍⁠ Maybe I’ll die‌ tomorrow, so eat as much as you want.

But⁠ I wasn’t in⁠‍ the mood for‍ that right now.⁠⁠

“No.‍‌ If you keep‌ this up, I’m going to tell‍⁠ Supervisor Hong Na-gyeom.”‌‍

The‍ moment I spoke that name, the⁠ creature’s front paws⁠‌‌ froze in midair.⁠

Poor⁠‌ guy, but it⁠ worked surprisingly well.‌‌

He⁠ seemed to remember⁠‌ the time he ended up rolling‌‍ around completely tied‍‌ up.

His‍‌ fluffy body instantly‌‌‍ shrank back, and⁠‌ he began whimpering‌ sadly while lowering‌‌ his tail.

“That’s‌ right. Go get‌ some sleep. I also have things‌‍ to organize if‌‌‌ I want to‌⁠‌ survive tomorrow.”

Faced‍‌ with my firm‍ attitude, the furball⁠ shot me one‍ last resentful look⁠‍‌ before shuffling away‌‌⁠ with his back‍ drooping, heading toward‍ his containment chamber⁠‍⁠ almost as if⁠⁠ he were rolling‍ rather than walking.‌‍⁠

I finished the now-lukewarm⁠‍‍ iced coffee in‍‌‌ one gulp.

The ice had completely‌⁠ melted.

That‍ watered-down taste resembled⁠‍ my fate a little too much.⁠‍

I toyed with the bone pen and‍⁠ the collar in my pocket.

‘Project‍ Wonderland, distorted zones…’⁠‌

Why‌‍ was there no‍ one left in⁠ the extraction teams⁠‌ except Team 1?‍‍

Outside the office windows,‌ with the workday⁠ nearly over, there⁠⁠‍ was nothing but‍‍⁠ a blanket of‌ absolute darkness stretching⁠ into the distance.‍

I let out a long sigh as‍ I gathered my⁠⁠ belongings.

***‍

The⁠⁠ morning arrived as‌‍ always.

I woke up groggy⁠‍ and turned on⁠ my phone screen.‍‍

06:45.‌⁠‍

Though⁠ it wasn’t actually⁠ important.

My⁠ physical condition was‍ good.

I washed my face,‌ fixed my hair,‌‍ and put on‍‌ a suit over⁠ a white shirt.

As‍ I adjusted my‍‍ tie and shoes,‍ I said to‍⁠ myself:

“Survive‌‌ one more day.”‌⁠‍

After‌‌ completing the most⁠⁠⁠ important preparation for going to work,⁠ I opened the‍⁠ front door.

As‍ always, the start‍ of the day‌‌‍ began in a completely abnormal way.⁠⁠

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Employee⁠ Jeong Haeil.”

Director‌ Mok raised his‍⁠ head as his green leaves swayed⁠ gently.

“Gruuu…‌ grrr… grooo…”

Supervisor⁠‍ Shik also seemed⁠ happy to see‌ me.

He⁠‍ shook his black fur as he approached.

In⁠‍ one of his‌ hands, he was holding a pair⁠ of giant handcuffs‌‌ whose purpose I preferred not to‌ ask about.

I had to suppress‍ with all my‍‌⁠ strength the urge‍ to go back⁠⁠ inside my apartment.⁠⁠

Then‌ I smiled cheerfully‍‌ and bowed my head to both superiors.

“Good‍ morning. I’ve arrived‌ at work.”

“Good‌‌‍ morning.”

Deputy Director Mok opened⁠‍ the folder he‍ was holding.

I cautiously stepped closer‍‌‌ to check the‍‍ name of the‌‍ place we would‌ be heading to‌ today.

[Distorted⁠⁠ Zone Code B-13]‌

Name:‌‌⁠ Gangsol Prison

Classification: Grade B

Special‌ Notes: Level 1 Control Zone of‌⁠ the Anomalous Disaster‌⁠ Management Department

My‌ eyebrows instinctively furrowed.

‘A⁠‌ prison?’

“Today we will be⁠ heading to Gangsol Prison.”

Without‌⁠ realizing it, I narrowed my eyes.⁠‍

‘The⁠‍ name alone already‌‌‌ bothers me.’

In‍⁠ a calm voice,‍ Director Mok continued.⁠‌⁠

“It‍‌‌ was originally a real correctional facility‍ located in Gangwon-do.‍‌⁠ However, eight years‍‍ ago, a sudden‍ anomalous phenomenon occurred,⁠ resulting in the‌ complete massacre of‍‌‌ everyone inside. It has since been‌ entirely contaminated and‍‌‍ transformed into an⁠‍ erosion-type distorted zone,‍ making it impossible‍‌ to analyze its⁠ structure through conventional‍ methods.”

Although‍ the words were‌‍ Korean, it felt like he was⁠⁠ speaking another language.‌

After⁠ reflecting for a few seconds on what I had‍‌⁠ just heard, I asked cautiously.

My probation period was‌ coming to an‌‍ end.

I needed to start‌ understanding these things.⁠

“If⁠‍ you say its⁠ structure is impossible‌ to analyze… does‌‍ that mean the‍‍ routes constantly change?”‌⁠

“Yes.⁠‍‍ Hallways do not lead back to‌ the same place,‌ and doors continuously‌‌‌ change. The very‌‍ concept of location‌‌ is unstable, and‍⁠ sectors appear or‍ disappear depending on perception and observation.⁠ Even if you‍ believe you have⁠‌ passed through a room, that room‍ may cease to⁠‍⁠ exist forever.”

Outwardly,‌⁠ I nodded attentively.⁠‍

Internally,‌ I thought:

‘We’re⁠ screwed.’

“This‌ mission is not‍ a conventional dimensional‍‌ entity extraction.”

Director⁠ Mok’s tone remained⁠ as polite as⁠ ever.

But‌‍ every word sent chills down my‌⁠‍ spine.

“Gangsol Prison houses numerous‌ unidentified dimensional entities,‌ but our objective‍‌ is not to⁠ extract energy from‌⁠‍ them.”

“…Then‍⁠‍ what are we‍ extracting?”

“The‌ primary objective is⁠‌ to absorb the‍⁠‌ erosion waves emitted⁠‍ by the distorted‌‌‍ zone itself.”

Turning⁠⁠ to the next⁠‌ page of the‌‍⁠ file, he pointed⁠‍‍ with one of‍⁠‍ his branch-like fingers‌‍⁠ toward a briefcase⁠ sitting in the‌ center of the⁠‌‌ office.

“This‌⁠ is the Erosion‍⁠ Extractor we will‌ be using today.‌ It is a portable device rather than a fixed⁠‍ installation. Operators must‍⁠‍ enter the distorted‍⁠‌ zone carrying the⁠ equipment and collect the structural erosion of the contaminated space.”

With‌ a low growl,⁠ Supervisor Shik opened‍‌‌ the briefcase.

Inside‍ were three metallic‍ devices barely larger⁠ than the palm‍ of a hand.‌⁠

They‌‍⁠ resembled flashlights.

And‍‌ a strange whitish⁠⁠‍ mist slowly drifted⁠⁠⁠ from their tips.‍

“This‌‍ equipment refines and⁠ extracts in real time the invisible⁠⁠‍ spectra emitted by‌ the space itself.‌ The problem is⁠‍ that, over time, the dimensional entities‍‍ within the distorted⁠‍ zone begin to‌‍‌ detect and pursue‍‍ those who are‍ damaging their territory.”⁠⁠

“…That‌⁠ means the longer we stay there, the greater our chances of dying.”⁠‍

“Exactly.”‌

Director‌⁠ Mok smiled kindly.‍‍

“Therefore,‌ today’s objective is‍ simple. Enter the‌ designated location, endure⁠ until the extractor is completely full,⁠ and escape.”

I remained silent.

At⁠ this point, the‍ phrase extraction work‌‍ was little more‌ than an endurance⁠⁠ competition.

The‍⁠ difference was that this competition had⁠ no prize and‍ no award ceremony—only death.

“We⁠⁠ will enter through‌⁠ the main gate.”

Deputy‍‌ Director Mok’s words‌‍‍ made my eyes widen instantly.

“…The‌‍⁠ main gate?”

“Yes. Gangsol Prison recognizes‍⁠ everyone who enters‌‍ as prisoners. That‍‍‌ is precisely why we must enter through the main‍‍ gate. If we‌⁠ do not, the ‘prison guards’ inside will recognize us not as prisoners,‍ but as intruders.”‌

‘Are‍ either of those options actually good?’‍‍

The⁠ question lingered in‍ my mind, but⁠⁠ never left my‍ mouth.

“Even‌ to avoid suspicion,‍⁠⁠ it is more‍‌‌ favorable for survival‌ to accept, as‍‍‌ much as possible,‍⁠ the role of‌‍ a prisoner.”

Supervisor‍⁠ Shik interjected while‍ remaining hunched over.‍

“Grrr…‍ grrrk… gruaaah… geurk…⁠⁠ grooo…”

I nodded unconsciously.

The truth was, it didn’t seem important what Supervisor Shik‍‌‍ had said.

Going⁠‍ to work in‌‍ a prison?

And‍‍ on top of‌‍ that, a prison‌ contaminated by anomalous‍‌‌ phenomena.

As‍‍ I mentally recited‍ a litany composed‌⁠ entirely of insults,⁠‍ Director Mok spoke‍‌ as if he⁠ had heard my‍ thoughts.

“Guilt and responsibility. Punishment‌ and purification. This‌ place still repeats‌⁠ those concepts.”

“I‌ see.”

“We‍‍ are nothing more⁠ than parasites feeding‌‍‍ on that repetition.”⁠⁠

He⁠ added the sentence‌⁠ in a calm,‍ damp tone.

“There‍ should be no‌‌‌ problems returning alive.”‌

I smiled.

Quite‌ cheerfully.

And‍ replied firmly,

“Yes.⁠⁠‍ I’ll do my⁠‌⁠ best.”

***‍‍

There‌‌ was no time⁠‌‍ to prepare mentally.‌‍

As always.

I followed Director Mok⁠⁠ and Supervisor Shik‍‍ out of the⁠ office and down⁠‍⁠ the hallway.

Beneath‌ the corridor lights,‌ the sound of⁠ our footsteps stretched out stickily, as though it were‍‌ made of melted‌‌‍ plastic.

By‍‌ the time we⁠‍ reached the elevator,‌ I already had⁠ the face mask‌ in my hands.⁠⁠

The‌⁠ doors opened, and the three of‍ us entered together.⁠⁠

This⁠‍⁠ time, there were⁠‌ no buttons either.⁠

No⁠ floors.

No‍⁠ direction.

I didn’t know whether⁠ we were descending,⁠ ascending, or remaining⁠⁠‌ still.

I didn’t even know⁠ where we were‍⁠ going.

There⁠ was only the‍‍‍ sensation of movement.‍

Time‍⁠ sliding silently by‌‌ without a single‌‌ mechanical sound.

After⁠ a long while,‌ the doors opened.‌‍

The‍‍‌ moment I looked⁠‍⁠ up, the landscape‌ before me was⁠‍ not real.

Or⁠ rather, it was‌ a reality that‌ had abandoned memory.⁠

The⁠⁠‌ sky was red.⁠

A deep, sticky red.‌

There⁠ was no sun⁠ and no clouds,⁠ yet a crimson‌⁠ light spread everywhere,‌⁠⁠ as if someone⁠ had spilled blood⁠ across the heavens.⁠‌

Collapsed‍ metal fences.

Twisted⁠‌ steel structures.

And‍ at the center of it all.‍‍

[Gangsol‍‍ Prison]

A scar driven into‌ the middle of⁠‌ the wasteland.

As‍‌ if testifying to‍‍ forgotten crimes, a gray concrete ruin‌ rose unevenly into‌ the air.

Every‍ window was shattered.‍

The‌ outer walls were‌ blackened, as though‌ marked by some‍ ancient punishment.

A collapsed sign hung⁠ above a deformed⁠ metal gate.

And‍‌‌ in faded red‍ letters, it still‌‍⁠ read:

[NO‌⁠ TRESPASSING]

I read those words‌‌⁠ several times.

An‍ empty horizon.

Dust-laden‍⁠ wind crawling across‍‍ the ground.

And silence before the⁠‍ entrance.

As if nothing were‍‍‍ unusual, Director Mok⁠ was already taking‌ out the extraction‍⁠ equipment.

Not‍ with his hands.‌‍

Stems‌‌ covered in green⁠ leaves emerged from‍ his body and‍⁠ adjusted the valves⁠‍ of the cylindrical⁠‌‍ device.

It‌ was a scene‌‍ as strange as⁠ it was absurd.⁠

“The‍ equipment is in⁠ optimal condition.”

I pulled a small⁠‌ white pill from⁠ my pocket and⁠ showed it to‍⁠ him.

It⁠ was the pill⁠⁠ created by the Universal Employee Benefits⁠⁠ Machine using Supervisor‌‍ Hong Na-gyeom’s money‍ and my blood.⁠

Since‍‍ I only had⁠ one, I couldn’t⁠ simply swallow it⁠‍ to test its‌ effects, so I had kept it until now.

Suddenly,‌‍ I thought that‍ perhaps Director Mok‌ might know something‍ about it.

“Director,⁠‍ may I ask⁠‍ a question before‍‌ we go in?‌ I received this‍‍ from the Universal⁠ Employee Benefits Machine,⁠ but… I don’t⁠⁠ know what it’s for.”

In⁠‍ the case of⁠ the collar, its‍ purpose had been‌‍ obvious because it‍ displayed colors intuitively, making it extremely⁠ useful when dealing‌ with dimensional entities.‍

But⁠ the pill was⁠ different.

I couldn’t simply take it to find‌ out what it‍⁠ did.

Director‍‍ Mok slowly turned‌ his head.

The‍‌ dozens of moist‌ green eyes hidden‌ among the knots‌‌ in the wood⁠‍ swept across the‍ pill resting in⁠ my palm.

“Oh…⁠‍ I see they‌ granted you a Mental Contamination Purifier.”‍

“A‌ Mental… Contamination Purifier?”⁠‍‌

When‌ I repeated the‌ phrase, Deputy Director Mok’s leaves rustled⁠‌ softly.

“In‌ distorted zones such‌‌ as this one,⁠‌‍ the boundaries of‍‌ the self tend‌ to become blurred.‍ Of course, we are carrying several‌ company prototypes, so‌ it should not⁠‍⁠ become a serious‍⁠ problem. However, if your cognitive system‌‍ becomes distorted, if‍‍‌ you begin seeing⁠ things that do⁠ not exist, or‍ if you fall⁠ into a state‍ of contamination where‌⁠ you lose your‌⁠ own identity, then⁠ swallow it. It will forcibly reset‌‍⁠ your mind.”

I tilted my head‍⁠ slightly while staring‌ at the pill in my hand.⁠

Mental‍ contamination.

I more or less⁠ understood the concept.‌‍

‘I’ve⁠⁠ already experienced it⁠ with Nameless and‍ with The Portrait‌ of a Dismantled God.’

But‌‍ at least for⁠‌ now, it didn’t‌ seem like something I needed.

The‍‌ Universal Employee Benefits‍‍⁠ Machine granted whatever⁠‌ the user needed‍ most.

Had‌⁠ it predicted that‌‍ my mind would‌⁠‌ gradually become contaminated‍ while dealing with‍‍ dimensional entities?

Or‍‌ perhaps it had⁠ anticipated that I would eventually be‍ assigned to a mission inside a distorted zone?

‘It‌ feels more like something it gave‍ me for a future emergency.’

Without⁠‌ thinking too much⁠ about it, I tucked the pill‌⁠ into the bottom‌⁠ of my shirt‌‍ pocket.

“…Understood.‍⁠ I’ll use it‌ if it becomes⁠ necessary.”

At‌‍ my response, Director⁠ Mok’s numerous pupils‌ watched me for‍ a few moments‌‍ with unusual intensity.‌