Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 356

357. Yeon-son Prison

“He, he’s a murderer.”

“That’s right. But do you know how he killed them?”

“How did he kill them?”

“Well, they say he just butchered them with a knife. Rumor has it inside the prison that he made them so mangled you couldn’t even recognize their original form.”

“H, he did that to people?”

The new inmate stammered, swallowing hard.

“What else would he be doing, slicing up rags or sashimi? You’re stating the obvious.”

“Sorry.”

“And what’s even scarier is that before he got caught by the police, he went to work and did everything as usual, completely nonchalant. And when he was arrested, he said he didn’t think he did anything wrong. He was dragged away saying he regretted not tearing the bastard apart more painfully.”

There were so many rumors about inmate number 1137 that only he knew the truth, but one thing was certain: he was no ordinary man.

“He’s an incredible person.”

“So, don’t you dare disrespect him, disturb his reading, or touch him without permission. You saw it earlier, right?”

“Ah. Yes… Of course. But earlier, the big guy who grabbed my neck…”

“Ah! That guy is from a gang. He’s got quite the temper, so be careful.”

“But the gangsters and everyone else seem to treat 1137 with respect, calling him ‘Teacher.’ Why is that?”

“Did you even study when you were outside?”

“No. Of course not.”

“That’s something to be proud of. What about your education? Did you go to college?”

“I’m a high school graduate. I barely managed to graduate high school because I was such a troublemaker.”

“I’m a middle school dropout. Well, studying isn’t everything in life, but when you work in society, it’s still somewhat important.”

“It is important.”

“I didn’t graduate middle school and I’m not very smart, so I ended up doing this and that in the back alleys, and eventually I got into drugs and became a junkie…”

The drug offender, who hadn’t been asked, stopped talking for a moment, seemingly struck by reality, before continuing.

“Anyway, how many people in here do you think got in because they were good at studying? People who cause national political scandals are in good solitary confinement cells in Seoul, not in these remote prisons. But 1137 is from S University [a prestigious university in South Korea], so how smart do you think he is? Right?”

“He must be smart. When I was in society, I worked with a younger guy who went to S University, and he was incredibly sharp.”

“Exactly. If the inmates here need help with something that requires brains, that guy has helped them a lot. That’s why they all trust him and call him ‘Teacher.’ And that’s not all. He’s a model prisoner with good behavior, so the guards all like him too.”

“But he’s still a murderer.”

“Isn’t it funny to look for good guys and bad guys in here? Everyone here has committed a crime. What matters is that as time passes, they regret their sins, reflect, and become different people.”

“That’s true.”

“Well, my explanation got a bit long, but the conclusion is, be careful and live well in prison.”

“Yes, I will.”

The new inmate’s gaze turned to 1137, who was walking in the yard.

Knowing what he now knew, the aura he felt from 1137 was different from before, something extraordinary.

* * *

Prison Workshop-

Many inmates were busily moving around, doing their assigned tasks.

Some inmates were making desks in a space that looked like a woodworking shop, while others were making trays or dishes.

“It seems like someone who’s smart is also good with their hands.”

A guard, who was patrolling and observing the inmates, approached 1137, who was working at the very back.

“You made a cutting board very well. There’s nothing you can’t do.”

“You flatter me. I just kept at it, and somehow it turned out pretty this time.”

“How’s your body these days? Is your back okay?”

“Yes. It’s more or less okay.”

“Ah! That’s right. And thank you. My son benefited greatly from you this time regarding his taxes.”

“Did I do anything? I just gave him some advice, but I’m glad it helped.”

“Ha! I wonder why?”

The guard stroked his chin and asked.

“Yes?”

“I’ve been a guard for quite a while, so I can get a sense of the inmates just by looking at them. But no matter how I think about it, you don’t seem like someone who should be here. How did you end up here?”

“Is there anything special? I’m the same as the other inmates. I came here because I committed a crime.”

Even with the guard’s sly question, 1137 smiled and didn’t reveal his true feelings.

“Well, what’s the point of digging up old things? It must be more painful for you than for me. Here!”

The guard took out a newspaper and handed it to 1137, who was diligently making a cutting board.

“Are you, are you giving this to me?”

“Everyone repays you with newspapers, so I prepared one too.”

There was a kind of unspoken rule that had been going on among the guards and inmates for a long time.

That was that people who received help from 1137 would all repay him with newspapers.

Most other inmates prefer cigarettes, which are prohibited items and something they desperately crave. But 1137 always repeated that a newspaper was enough.

“I didn’t help much, but thank you for taking care of me.”

1137, who received the newspaper, looked delighted, as if he had received a great gift.

“Thank you so much.”

“No, is getting a newspaper really something to be so happy about?”

“Of course. You have no idea how happy it makes me.”

“But why do you only insist on newspapers and nothing else? There are cigarettes, cards, or Hwatu [Korean playing cards], or even men’s adult magazines.”

“Well. I don’t smoke, and I’m not very interested in other things. I’ve been in prison for a long time, so I’m very curious about what’s going on in the world. And my hobby here is solving quizzes.”

Of course, there was a TV in the prison that the inmates could watch.

However, the viewing time was limited, and the programs that could be watched were also limited, so it was more interesting to read the newspaper, which contained various stories from the outside world.

“I guess that could be true. Anyway, thanks for helping me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Then, take care.”

The guard left, and 1137 continued working, diligently making cutting boards until the end of work time, and then returned to his room.

After that, after eating dinner, the inmates lay down one by one as the sound signaling lights out rang.

“Sniff!”

But a little later, a small sound was heard from one side.

“Haa!”

The inmates, who thought it was just someone’s sleep-talking as usual, soon realized that the sound was sobbing.

“Sniffle!”

“Who’s crying at bedtime?”

“Yeah. Is it the newbie?”

Some inmates thought it was the new inmate who had come in a few days ago who was crying.

This was because some inmates who came to prison for the first time cried until they adapted.

“Huh? No, it’s not me. It’s been a while since I cried.”

“Well, that’s true. Then who is it?”

“Ah, damn it! Then who the hell is crying at night…!”

One inmate, who got up from his seat and took out a small lantern from the shelf above his head, was surprised and speechless before he could shine the light.

Surprisingly, it was 1137 who was crying. He was sobbing while looking at the newspaper.

“T, Teacher?”

“What, the Teacher is crying?”

“What’s wrong?”

The inmates approached him in small voices, but instead of answering, he continued to sob and cry silently.

“Ha! Sorry everyone for crying at bedtime. I’m okay.”

After sobbing for a while, 1137 wiped away his tears and only repeated that he was okay.

The inmates were full of curiosity at his first-ever appearance, but they couldn’t ask him anymore as he closed his eyes and lay down in his seat.

As the night passed, 1137 got up from his seat earlier than usual.

“Teacher?”

As he got up from his seat, an inmate who was sleeping next to him also got up and greeted him.

“Are you up?”

“Did you get up early because of me? There’s still time until wake-up time, so try to sleep more.”

“No. I had a visit a few days ago, and I haven’t been sleeping well lately. Strangely, I can’t sleep well after visiting my family.”

“That can happen.”

“Um, Teacher. Why were you like that yesterday?”

“Were you surprised at night because of me?”

“Yes. I was a little surprised.”

“What’s wrong?”

Another inmate woke up from sleep at the sound of the two people’s conversation and joined the conversation.

After that, the inmates who woke up one by one began to ask 1137 in earnest why he had been like that the day before.

“Do you have any concerns?”

“If there’s anything we can help with, please tell us.”

“That’s right. We may be idiots individually, but when we put our heads together, we can come up with some pretty good solutions.”

“Then, can I ask you all for a small favor?”

“Of course. Of course.”

“How many things have we been helped by the Teacher while living in prison?”

“That’s right. Tell us anything.”

At the inmates’ repeated words, 1137 began to say one strange request with a very serious expression.

“Then, I’ll be shameless and say it. You guys, to me…”

“…!”

“…! ?”

“Yes!?”

The inmates who heard 1137’s words widened their eyes and couldn’t speak for a while with blank expressions.

This was because his words were incomprehensible and absurd.

“No, Teacher. What are you talking about?”

“Did we hear wrong?”

“No. You all heard correctly. Please. Don’t ask why and help me. I’ll explain everything later.”

“No, even so, that method is a bit…”

“Teacher, is this really the only way?”

“We don’t really like it. Why don’t we think of another way?”

The inmates who heard 1137’s request tried to stop him one by one, but he seemed determined and unwavering.

“No. This is the only way.”

“I don’t understand at all…”

“Me neither.”

“I know it’s hard, but please help me. I beg you.”

“Okay, damn it! Let’s just help him.”

While everyone was tilting their heads, one inmate agreed to his request with a strong expression.

“Have you ever seen the Teacher say something like this when it’s not someone else? He must be doing this because he’s desperate.”

“That’s true.”

“Let’s just close our eyes and help him coolly.”

In the end, the inmates decided to grant 1137’s request.

* * *

That afternoon.

During the short free time, the inmates were spending time in their rooms, and the atmosphere in one room was unusual.

It was the room that 1137 belonged to.

“Hey! You old fart? Who do you think you are?”

The inmates in the room were shouting sharp curses, surrounding someone standing in the middle.

Surprisingly, the main character was 1137.

“Why are you all doing this to me?”

“Just because we call you Teacher doesn’t mean you’re a real teacher, right? You’re acting like a crazy bastard.”

The inmates who had been worried about 1137 until a few hours ago, saying they would grant his request, were nowhere to be found.

“Hey! Who do you think you are? Huh!”

“It’s all because of you.”

“E, everyone, there seems to be some misunderstanding, but that’s not it.”

“What do you mean it’s not! I’ve never liked this old fart.”

As the sharp voices continued to rise, the inmates exchanged silent signals.

“Hey guys! Let’s bury this bastard today.”

Starting with the words of the man who seemed to be the strongest, the inmates’ assault on 1137 began.