There Are No Humans in the Monster Company — Chapter 41: Gangsol Prison (2)

Chapter 41: Gangsol Prison (2)

Beside⁠ me, Supervisor Shik‍ growled while regulating‍ his breathing.

His‍‍‍ bristling black fur⁠⁠ stirred in the wind, and the‍ chains wrapped around‍ his entire body‌ creaked as they‍‍ rattled.

“Grrr…‍‍‌ huff… grrrk…”

Freely‍ translated, it could‌‍ mean, “It’s a nice day.”

Or⁠ perhaps, “Prepare to‍‍ die today.”

I responded by appropriately‍⁠ combining both possibilities.⁠

“Yes.⁠‌ I’m counting on‌‍ you today as‌‌ well.”

As‍ if there were anything else I could do besides‍ answer enthusiastically.

Supervisor⁠ Shik stepped forward‌⁠ and spread both‍‍ arms.

His enormous, beast-like body‍‌ cast a shadow⁠‌ as he stopped⁠ in front of‌‌ the main entrance.⁠‍

The‍⁠ prison’s main gate‍ was not merely⁠ rusted.

It was a door‌ covered in layer⁠ upon layer of blood and flesh from something.

When‌⁠⁠ it opened with‍ a chilling metallic‌‍ screech, I felt‌‌ as though the⁠ prison was watching‍‌ us from within.‍‍

I pressed my lips‍ together.

Held‍‌ my breath.

Held‍⁠ my heart.

Everything‍‌ tightened like a noose around my⁠‍ neck.

And then I took‌ exactly one step‍ forward.

Director‌ Mok spoke in⁠ a low voice.‍⁠‌

“Remember‌ this, Employee Jeong‌ Haeil.”

“……”

“This‍‌‍ place was designed‍‌ so that no⁠‌ one can deny‍‍‍ their sins.”

I pulled the face‍‌ mask tighter over‌ my face.

The⁠⁠ main gate finished‍ opening.

The‌‍‌ heavy mass of‌ metal, flesh, and‍ rust silently parted.⁠⁠‍

We‍ entered the prison.

In‌ silence.

Like⁠‍ new prisoners the‌ prison had just⁠⁠ accepted.

Before our eyes were⁠‍ only ruined concrete⁠ structures and twisted⁠ bars beneath a red sky.

But⁠ the true horror‍ lay beyond the⁠ entrance.

I took my first‌‍⁠ cautious step.

“……”‌⁠‍

A place where time‌ had died.

A place where light⁠⁠ had broken.

A place where something⁠‌ had boiled long ago and then⁠‍ solidified forever.

Beyond⁠ the main gate‍ stretched a vast‌ central courtyard.

It‌ had probably once⁠‌ been a place‌ where prisoners gathered.‍‍

But‍ now it was⁠ different.

The⁠‌ dead were the⁠‌‌ ones gathered there.

“Ha…”‌

I held my breath⁠ for a moment.⁠

Then⁠‌ forced myself to⁠ breathe again.

The‍‍⁠ smell of rotten blood, dust, and⁠ corpses entered my mouth.

Corpses.‍

Or‌‌ more accurately, things‍‍ that had once‌‌ been human corpses.‌‍⁠

Bodies‍ bent backward.

Intestines⁠‍ dragged out of‌‍⁠ abdomens.

Melted⁠‍‍ noses.

Eyes‍⁠ blooming in clusters⁠ of ten.

Three additional arms growing‍ from shoulders.

Deaths⁠ shaped in impossible⁠‌⁠ forms.

And I walked among‌ them as the⁠⁠‍ only living person.⁠

Director‍ Mok continued forward⁠⁠ without showing any‌ reaction.

His⁠⁠ leaves and vines‍‍ brushed along the⁠ ground as though‍⁠ they were taking‍ root.

“Trying‍⁠ to memorize the⁠‌‌ building’s structure is⁠ pointless. Once someone‍‌ enters, the layout⁠ continues changing constantly.”‌⁠‌

“……”‍

Supervisor⁠‍ Shik spent the‌‍ entire walk sniffing⁠‍‍ the air.

Dry,‍ groaning breaths escaped‌ from his mouth.‌

The⁠ horn-like bristling fur‌‌‌ on his body‍⁠ vibrated strangely.

As‍ I followed him,‍‍ I looked once‍ more at the⁠‍ structures surrounding the⁠ courtyard.

On‍‍‍ the far left stood a building⁠ bearing the sign:‌‍

Work‌ Building.

Its‍⁠‌ door was twisted,‍‌ and the interior‍ overflowed with blood.‌

To⁠ the right was⁠⁠ the Detention Block.

Not⁠⁠ a single window‍‌‌ or door was‍ visible, and the⁠ gray walls were‍⁠‍ covered with blood‌‍ and rotting flesh.⁠⁠

And directly ahead.

A building that seemed‍ sealed behind black concrete walls.

Its⁠ metal door was‍ deformed.

The⁠‍ sign was shattered.

But‌ the name could‌⁠ still be read⁠⁠ clearly.

Punishment⁠ Block.

Three‍⁠ stories.

No⁠‌ windows.

And‍ hanging from the‌ top was the⁠⁠ dried corpse of‌ someone who appeared⁠‍‌ to have tried‍ climbing up there.‍

‘……’‍

I swallowed.

My‍‍ stomach churned.

Corpse‌ remains.

Rusty‍‌ iron.

Rotting‍‍ skin.

Dust.

Stagnant water.

Bloodstains.‍

Entrails.⁠

Eyeballs.⁠

And‌⁠‍ the sensation that⁠ something, somewhere in‌ this place, was⁠ watching me even⁠‍ now.

‘It’s⁠ fine. Director Mok‍‍ and Supervisor Shik‌⁠‍ are here…’

As‍‌ I forced my‌ expression back into‍ place, the bone⁠ pen responded by⁠ pulsing in the‌ same rhythm.

I raised my eyebrows⁠ slightly.

Relaxed‍‌ the corners of‍‌ my mouth.

And‍ adjusted my expression‌⁠ to suit the‍ job.

Only‍ then did I continue walking behind‍⁠ them.

Director‍‍ Mok had already reached the front‌⁠ of the Detention Block.

Supervisor‍⁠⁠ Shik stood by⁠⁠ the door adjusting‌ his chains.

I slowly positioned myself⁠‌‍ between them.

A brief silence.

‘What‍ the hell did‍ I do so⁠ wrong in life⁠‌ to end up coming to a place like this‍‍ for work?’

Of⁠‌‌ course, I knew⁠‌ questions like that‌‍ were useless here.‍

The⁠‌ three of us⁠ silently entered the‍ building.

The‍‌‌ first thing that‌‍ greeted us was‌ a corridor covered‌ in blood and⁠‌ flesh.

A long, narrow hallway‌ bathed in grayish‍‌‌ light.

Countless‌‌‌ cells stretched along⁠ both sides without any apparent order,⁠‌ all sealed by‍ rusted iron doors.⁠‍

Every‍ door was closed.‍

And‌‌ ragged breathing leaked‌‍ through the cracks.⁠

The⁠ smell of flesh.‍⁠‌

The smell of stale‌‍ blood.

And⁠ the breathing sounds⁠ of beings I could not even‌ be sure were⁠‌⁠ human.

I took one step.‌‌

Then‍‌ another.

Every‌‍ time I stepped‌ on something sticky‌‌⁠ beneath my feet,⁠⁠ I shuddered.

But⁠ when I tried‍ to lift my‌‌‌ foot, the floor‍ seemed to hold⁠ it in place.‍‍

A viscous, heavy sensation.‌

What I was crushing‍ beneath my feet‌‌‍ were the remains‍ of someone who‌‌ had dragged their‍‌ decapitated body across⁠ this very floor.

“……”‌

Even⁠‌ breathing felt like‍‍⁠ a sin.

Then‌⁠ I heard a faint voice.

“……Kill⁠ me…… please…… kill‌ me…… kill me……”

One⁠⁠‍ of the countless‍ cells on the‌ left side.

The‍‌ voice passed through the iron door like the breath‍ of a dead‍‍ person.

I stopped involuntarily.

A chill ran simultaneously⁠ through my spine and across my‌‌ skin.

My‍ entire body broke out in goosebumps.‍

“……Ha…‍⁠ damn it……”

When‍ I exhaled, the‌ cell on the⁠⁠‍ right reacted to‍ the sound.

“Save me, save me!‍‍ There’s nobody here!‌⁠‌ There’s nobody here…!”‍

“Open⁠‌ it, open it!‌‌ I don’t remember‌‌ what I said! I don’t remember⁠‍⁠ who I was!‍ Open it…!”

“It hurts get me⁠ out please it hurts I want⁠⁠ to go home‌ I miss mom⁠‌ and dad I miss everyone no‌ that’s not true⁠‍⁠ I was the‍ one who killed⁠‍ them I was‌‍ the one who‌‍‌ ate them they‍ were delicious”

Like⁠ an infection spreading‌ across waves, grotesque‍⁠‍ voices began leaking⁠ from every cell.‍⁠

Those voices struck the walls.

Licked⁠⁠‍ the gaps between‌⁠ the bars.

Scratched‌ at eardrums.

They⁠‌ did not seem⁠‌ to enter through‌ the ears.

It was as though‌‍ they mixed with‌‍‍ the air itself⁠ and passed directly⁠⁠ through the skin.‌‍

‘Disgusting.’‌‍‌

I muttered a curse under my breath‌ and turned my‍⁠ head.

At‍‍ that moment, I locked eyes with‍ something between the‌‍‍ bars of a door on the‍ right.

It‌‍ had three eyes.‌⁠

One‍‌ on its forehead.

Two‌ beside its nose.‌‍

Each⁠ looked in a different direction.

And⁠ yet all of⁠‌ them were staring‌⁠ at me simultaneously.⁠

The‌ eyeballs twitched slightly.‍

“You‍ too… you too… you too…”

I looked away without saying a word.‌‌

But⁠‍ my vision remained⁠‍ stained red.

Blood.‍

Rotting‌⁠‍ flesh.

And⁠⁠ a corridor full‌ of voices.

It‍ felt as though‍⁠‌ I were walking‍ across a game board built in‌ hell.

“Ignore⁠ them.”

Director‌⁠ Mok’s voice rang‌‍ out softly.

Like⁠ a current of air flowing behind⁠ my back.

Natural.

Orderly.‍⁠

Calm.⁠⁠

“…”‍‌‌

I looked at him.‌‍

Without⁠ stopping, he continued forward and added‍‌‌ one more sentence.‍

“Most‌⁠ of them have‌‌ already become beings‌ consumed by Gangsol⁠ Prison.”

He⁠‍ continued speaking without⁠ emotion, without judgment,‍ and without the‍‌‍ slightest trace of⁠⁠ compassion.

“And‌‌ the few who‌‌ have not also‌⁠ belong to the Anomalous Disaster Management Department, not to‌‌⁠ us.”

I stopped.

Those‌‍ words had been⁠‌ spoken so naturally that, by reflex,⁠ my breath caught⁠‍ in my throat.⁠‍

‘…No⁠ matter who is‌ imprisoned in there, it’s not our‍⁠⁠ concern.’

The⁠‌ suffering echoing inside‍⁠‌ the prison was‌‍ not considered suffering.‍

Those‍‍⁠ who could not leave the prison did not need‍‌ salvation.

Because⁠‌‌ they were not‍ merchandise.

Nor resources.

Nor⁠‍ personnel.

Nor customers.

“……”‍

For‌ a moment, my‍⁠ vision wavered.

What‍‌ if there was‌‍ even one normal‍‌ person among all those cells?

What‍‍ if someone had⁠ been dragged by‍ accident into this‌⁠ monstrous place and⁠ was waiting for‍ help?

But‌ I immediately understood‍‌ the cold truth.‌

‘…What‌ could I do⁠ here alone, without⁠ those two?’

The‍‍⁠ answer was obvious.‍⁠

Nothing.‌‍

If‍ I became separated⁠‍ from Director Mok‌‌⁠ or Supervisor Shik,‌‍ I would become‍⁠⁠ a target for⁠‌ punishment by the⁠ “prison guards” before‍ I even had‌‍ time to scream.‍

Just‍ as the rules⁠ of this prison‌⁠ dictated.

I closed my lips‌ and nodded.

“Understood.”‌

I said it while‍ trying to sound⁠ calm, but inside‌‍ I still felt‍‌ uneasy and bitter.

The‍ iron doors continued‌‍ lining the corridor‌ ahead of me.‍‍

Even‌‍ without opening, I felt that the things trapped inside‌ them were more‍‍ desperate to live‌ than I was.‍‍‍

“Kill‌‌ me… kill me…‌ kill me…”

“I⁠⁠ want to live…‌ a person… a person…”

“No,‌‍ I didn’t kill⁠‍‍ them, I’m not⁠⁠⁠ guilty, the blood‌‍ of the innocent‍ lamb was blue,‌ I crossed the⁠ crosswalk, it was‍⁠ terribly cold.”

“……”‌‌

I said nothing.

I simply closed my eyes and opened‍ them again.

Even‌ after passing through‌ my eyelids, those‍⁠ voices continued rotting‌‍ inside my ears.‌⁠

Blood.

Rotting⁠‍ flesh.

Broken⁠ teeth.

The‍ traces of misplaced⁠‍ footsteps.

And‌ the corridor continued‌‌ stretching forward.

I took each step⁠ in silence, as‌ though serving a sentence.

Following‍ behind Director Mok⁠ and Supervisor Shik.‌

The‌⁠ remnants of those‌‍ who had survived‍‌ inside the cells‍ continued refusing to⁠⁠ die.

And‌⁠ I passed by‍‌ them like a dead man, showing‌ no emotion at⁠⁠ all.

‘This⁠⁠ place was designed‌‌‌ so that no one can deny‌ their sins.’

Repeating‍ that thought over‌⁠ and over, I followed my two⁠‌⁠ superiors.

And‌ then, at the⁠ same moment, the‌ prisoners’ voices abruptly⁠⁠‌ stopped.

“……?”‍⁠

At‍ that instant, a strange pulse exploded‌‌ inside my shirt.‌‌

The⁠ area around my⁠ collarbone where the⁠ pendant rested burned‌ as though someone‍⁠ had pressed a red-hot iron against⁠ it, and the⁠‍ far end of‍⁠ the corridor, which‍ had been gray‌ until now, was‌⁠ dyed a blazing,⁠ intense red.

A blood-colored killing intent‌⁠ so vivid that⁠ it seemed capable‍ of piercing the‍ eyes.

The‍ necklace was screaming.‍

“Something‌‍ is coming.”

“Grrrk.”‍

Thunk.‌⁠‍

Thunk.⁠

Footsteps.‍

Heavy footsteps.

The‌ vibrations climbed up from the soles‌ of my feet‌ as though someone‌ were deliberately pounding⁠ on my heart‍⁠‍ inside my chest.‌‌‍

Director‍‌‍ Mok, who was‌ leading the way,⁠‍⁠ slowly raised a hand.

The‍‍ movement was calm.‍

But‍‌‌ for some reason,‌‍‌ I felt all the air around⁠‌⁠ us come to‌ a halt.

Supervisor⁠ Shik also exhaled‍‍ briefly and let⁠ out a low‌ growl.

That‌‌‍ alone was enough‍ to change the⁠ atmosphere.

Something⁠‍ appeared at the‌ end of the⁠ corridor.

It⁠‍‍ had a human‌ shape.

But‍ it was not‌‍ human.

Its⁠‌ body seemed to‌ be wearing a prison guard’s uniform, yet it was⁠ wrapped in veins,⁠ metal, and unknown⁠ fluids.

The‌‌‌ flesh was swollen.⁠

Its‌⁠ shoulders had hardened‍ like iron.

And‍‍ its head was‌‌ not a face.‌‍

Where‌ the eyes and‌ mouth should have been, there was‍ only stitched skin.⁠‍

Instead,‌⁠ a small iron‍ cell was embedded⁠⁠ into the top⁠ of its head.‌

Inside it, a dark⁠ red light flickered.‍‌

Its arms were long‌ and deformed.

And‍‌ in one hand, it held a punishment device shaped‍⁠ like a trident.‍

“……It’s‌ a prison guard.”‍‌‍

That⁠‍ was not a person.

It⁠ was part of‍ this place.

The⁠‍ living discipline of⁠‍ Gangsol Prison itself.‌⁠

The‍ space, having detected the presence of‌ prisoners, had sent‌‌ a piece of‍‍ itself to act.‌‌

The‌ monster stopped and⁠ looked at the‌ three of us.⁠

If‍ beings that were‍ supposed to remain⁠⁠⁠ behind bars appeared‍⁠‍ walking through the‍ corridor, the rules‍ considered it an⁠⁠ escape.

And‌‌ the rules reacted.‍‍

The⁠ prison guard roared.⁠

And‌‍ charged.

──RAAAAAAAAHHHH!!⁠

My‌ entire body trembled.⁠‌

It‌⁠ was not a sound produced by‍‍‌ an abnormal throat.⁠‍⁠

It⁠ was the prison itself screaming.

Instinctively,‌⁠ I stepped backward.⁠‌

My breath caught in‍‍‌ my throat.

My⁠ vision turned red.⁠‍‍

Then‌‍ Director Mok spoke‌ calmly.

“Supervisor‍ Shik, I leave⁠ it to you.”⁠

The‍ sentence had not⁠‍‌ even finished before⁠‍ he disappeared.

Because⁠‌ Supervisor Shik had⁠‌ already launched himself‌⁠‌ forward.

“GROOOOOOAAAAAAAR────!!”‌

His‌⁠ black fur billowed‍‌ amid blasts of⁠ torn-apart wind.

Supervisor⁠‍ Shik’s silhouette shot‌⁠ through the corridor‍ and vanished.

Despite‍⁠ his enormous size,⁠‍ he moved at‌‌ an impossible speed.‍

And the prison guard⁠ was sent flying‌ before it could‍‍ even react.

Crunch!⁠

Blood.‌⁠

No.‍‌

Something resembling blood.

A substance like rotten⁠ juices splattered in‍ every direction.

Supervisor⁠‌ Shik’s claws tore‌ through the guard’s⁠ abdomen and continued‍ until they ripped⁠‌ its side completely‌⁠ open.

Immediately⁠ afterward, his fangs‍ sank into its⁠ neck.

Riiip!⁠

The‍‍ flesh tore apart‍‍ like paper.

There‍⁠ were no screams.‌

Before‌‍‍ it could utter‍ a single cry,‌ both of the‌‌⁠ guard’s arms were‍‍ torn off, and‌ its legs were⁠‌ severed above the⁠ knees.

Supervisor‌ Shik showed not‍‌ the slightest hesitation.⁠

He‍‍⁠ grabbed the arm the monster tried⁠⁠⁠ to use to⁠⁠ seize him and‌‌ snapped it.

Then‌ he slammed that bar-pierced head into‌ the ground.

BOOM—!!⁠⁠

The⁠‍ wall cracked.

And‌ blood began dripping‌ from the fractures.

In⁠ just a few⁠⁠⁠ seconds, the prison‌ guard had become‍ a mass of⁠‌ mangled flesh.

It‍ twitched for a few moments, completely‌⁠ shredded.

And‌‌ then it stopped⁠⁠‍ moving.

I said nothing.

Only‌‌ one emotion remained‍ clear inside me.‌‌⁠

‘This…‍ I can’t do‍ this.’

The‌‍ smell of blood‍ was too intense.‌‍

The mixture of blood and entrails felt⁠‍‍ as though it was clogging my airways.

Pretending⁠ nothing had happened,‍‌ I looked away.⁠‍

Supervisor⁠‍‌ Shik slowly returned,‍‍ covered in blood.‌

He‌‌‌ shrugged slightly.

His expression seemed to⁠‌‌ say,

‘Alright,‍ the warm-up is‌⁠‌ over.’

Trying⁠‍⁠ to appear as‌⁠ calm as possible,‍ I nodded and‍‌ smiled.

“…Thank‍ you, Supervisor Shik.”‍

And‍‌ to a certain‌ extent, I genuinely‌‍⁠ meant it.

Even‌‍ though inside I kept repeating something else over and‌ over again.

‘…No⁠‌ matter what happens, I have to‌‌ stay behind those⁠‌ two.’

Never‍ get separated.

Never.

The⁠ corners of my‍ lips trembled.

It‍‍ was the ultimate‌ truth my survival‌‍ instincts had managed‌ to discover.

***‍

And‌ exactly twenty minutes⁠‌ later.

I found myself completely‍‍ alone in a dark corridor, staring‍ blankly into the‍‍ void.

“Fuck…”‌⁠

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Chapter 41: Gangsol Prison (2)

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