By Zephyria 
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Jin Mu-hae was a man accustomed to being alone. Whether he was eating, exercising, or trying to sleep, the mere fact that there was no one around was enough to calm his frayed nerves.
It was comfortable. There was nothing to be exhausted by. He had vaguely thought that living together in one house was closer to a nuisance than a comfort.
But then, what was this boredom? Mu-hae tapped the wall in a regular rhythm before stopping to massage the nape of his neck and turning around.
It was too quiet. It was excessively desolate, and both his side and his arms felt empty. He felt pathetic thinking back to his past self, who had cheered at the explanation that he might end up in a solitary cell.
“Damn it.”
The only things a prisoner in solitary could do were watch crude videos containing the prison’s code of conduct on repeat or sit blankly in meditation.
Two days ago, he had obtained a notebook and writing utensils through Joo-oh, but he didn’t even feel like scribbling words. In the first place, he was a man who lived without keeping records, other than his request reports.
He would have been less bored if he had been given work, such as cleaning the surrounding farmland or buildings. Unlike Joo-oh, who had been put into prisoner labor the day after unpacking, no such labor was forced upon Mu-hae.
As expected, it was only after hearing news from Joo-oh that he learned sponsors of the correctional facility would be visiting within a few days.
And that because of his records of uncontrolled violence and intermittent explosive disorder, the facility management had decided to leave the damn solitary prisoner neglected for a week.
…Come to think of it, it worked out well. He didn’t need to waste energy on tedious labor.
Since even his meals came through a small hole under the bars, there was no risk of encountering rough prisoners and causing friction.
But… he was bored. Yes, he was fucking bored.
Since he could barely touch his Link Watch for fear of surveillance, all Mu-hae could do with his surplus time was sit blankly ruminating on his plan or filling the notebook with irregular lines.
Screeech. Rattle—.
The day until the exercise hour, when he could leave solitary, felt agonizingly long and stretched out. He even considered writing a diary, but then wondered what the hell he was doing and stopped before writing a single letter.
Instead, Mu-hae endlessly scratched the notebook with the pen tip. It was then that he realized an absurd fact: he was actually quite good at drawing.
At first, he just drew long lines aimlessly. Then, he thoughtlessly tried to sketch the shitty toilet, and on a whim, he transferred the adjacent sink and the empty bowl he had eaten from onto the paper.
What started as drawing only what he could see turned, within half a day, into a sailboat and the cluttered entrance of Director Gil’s electronic store.
Naturally, he couldn’t replicate them perfectly, but they were doodles similar enough for anyone to recognize. Finally, after two days, a familiar face was clumsily drawn atop the cheap notebook.
Hair that was very fine and soft, yet always slightly messy whenever he woke up. Eyebrows that moved dramatically depending on his emotions, and eyes that slid shut when he smiled.
The tip of a nose that often crinkled. Lips that were neither too thick nor too thin. Ears of this size and shaped like this…
It was a face he knew so intimately that he could recall every detail just by closing his eyes. However, the impression of the drawing changed entirely based on the position of the features or a slight difference in size.
Driven by stubbornness, he rolled the pen until he was satisfied, since he had time to kill. After a dozen attempts, he completed a truly plausible drawing of Joo-oh, and Mu-hae felt a deep sense of self-loathing at his own idle behavior.
He hadn’t opened the notebook since he closed it then. He chewed on a non-existent anxiety, wondering if the guy, who often became clumsy among normal people, had made some mistake.
Meanwhile, Joo-oh appeared day after day bringing all sorts of things. He procured socks that were far more durable and warm than the issued ones, and even handed over canned food hidden in a blanket, seemingly smuggled from the kitchen.
One morning, he even brought a crossword puzzle crudely drawn on paper by a prison guard. Judging by the difficulty, it was a supplement from a daily newspaper that one might solve on days when there were no requests or enticing jobs.
‘I don’t usually grant these kinds of favors, but I’m letting it slide since it’s no big deal.’
Given the circumstances, Joo-oh was the only one who would send such useless kindness. Mu-hae found it absurd and curious as to what he was doing to keep increasing his supplies.
—Beep!
“Number 28067. Pack your things.”
Just as he was beginning to truly realize why solitary was used as a form of punishment, the long-awaited call finally came after six days.
The guard didn’t add any explanation, but he would certainly be moved to the Tamjeunggwan.
Fuck. It’s finally over. Mu-hae quickly pulled his hand away from the wall and gathered his notebook.
There wasn’t anything particularly important in it, but since he had inadvertently drawn a montage of Joo-oh, it was better to take it with him even if he had to go through a strict inspection.
“…….”
“…….”
“What’s with that look?”
“Jae-min did it for me.”
Inside the transport vehicle, with his hands and feet bound once again. The hair of Joo-oh, sitting opposite him, was tied in a cute little bunch.
He was even humming a tune, smelling sweet as if he had eaten something.
It was a childish nursery rhyme that only children in Goryeo City would sing. Mu-hae had heard the melody once before, but it was the first time he had heard Joo-oh humming it.
“Who is Jae-min?”
“Number 126. When I go to grow the wheat, he wipes the floors and walls.”
Despite his lack of social skills, he was rambling about someone else’s business—which Mu-hae wasn’t even curious about—as if he had made a friend in a short time.
Moreover, that bright face. He looked as if he had come to visit a theme park.
“I didn’t bring you here to play. You’ll be busy once we reach the destination, so stay sharp.”
Mu-hae hardened his expression for no reason and responded in a stiff tone.
Because the people who went in there were all nothing but stupid trash. Species without the order to follow rules, the patience to avoid crime, or even the brains and physicality to hide their deeds or escape properly.
Even for the sake of contingencies, it was natural to feel unpleasant that he had formed unnecessary friendships. Mu-hae calmed his frustrated chest while looking at Joo-oh, whose eyes were drooping.
“Still, I’m glad I got to see Jin Mu-hae starting this morning.”
Whether it was because of the pleasing answer or because he was leaving the tedious prison, the lingering discomfort in his heart vanished completely, almost ridiculously.
“Since it’s the same research, you’ll be imprisoned in a similar location. You might even share a room.”
At the addition, Joo-oh’s expression brightened again. He really was a fellow whose emotions were volatile.
Rattle— Shiiiing—!
The compartment the prisoners rode in had no windows. Despite being unable to look outside, Mu-hae guessed that the transport vehicle had passed the entrance of Goryeo City.
The few prisons in this city were all built outside the Comfort zone. Right next to the outdoor facilities that produced basic food ingredients and simple goods.
Estimating the operating speed of such a vehicle and the time that had passed, it was clear they had entered the city.
“It’ll take about two hours after passing the checkpoint.”
At the information he muttered, Joo-oh subtly straightened his posture.
“Disembark.”
“Is it two people?”
“Yes. I will hand over the custody after additional verification.”
Whoosh, as the door opened, a dazzlingly bright space greeted the two of them.
A basement where various testing facilities were lined up. A passage with exactly two lanes and boxes piled high up ahead.
No doubt, it was the gateway for bringing in research materials. Armed men greeted the experimental materials, who had not yet been able to take off their prison uniforms, with cold faces.
“This institution is a research facility contributing to the development of Goryeo City, its citizens, and humanity. We confirm that you have received sufficient explanation regarding appropriate compensation and disadvantages in accordance with the five clauses of the Research Ethics Act and have agreed to them.”
“Yes.”
Click. Simultaneously with the answer, the green light of the monitoring device facing the prisoner flickered. The shackles on their ankles were released.
Following the emotionless guidance, Mu-hae had his whole body scanned and stepped into an elevator that smelled of disinfectant.
A hallway that was frighteningly silent… Only after passing through a few more security facilities were the two assigned to a secluded room.
Four bunk beds were placed there, but the only people who stepped foot in it were Jin Mu-hae and Joo-oh.
Clang. A moment later, the restraints on their wrists were also released. A sound of Joo-oh exhaling a long breath of relief followed.
“We’ve arrived. Right?”
The transport process was such that he couldn’t tell which path they had taken. However, considering the information he had received from Gu-reum in advance, they had entered the Tamjeunggwan, the central research facility of the central.
“I didn’t hear an explanation of what kind of experiment it is.”
The guy, who had just followed Mu-hae with vague answers when they got off the car, belatedly grumbled as he sat on the bed.
Mu-hae silently calculated the direction and stride they had walked in, then slightly arched one eyebrow.
…Indeed. He had heard a lot and made plans before arriving here, but not a single word had been mentioned about the content of the research they were temporarily participating in.
If it were a dangerous experiment, Gu-reum would have warned him in advance, so no unfortunate accidents would occur.
However, the position of an experiment subject without prior knowledge didn’t feel particularly good.
“Oh. Jin Mu-hae. This.”
The notebook he had submitted during the checkpoint was in Joo-oh’s hand.
Damn it. He must have entered without taking it because he was paying attention to other things.
Fearing that he might peek at the contents, Mu-hae hurriedly took the notebook. Joo-oh glanced at it with curious eyes, but Mu-hae pretended not to make eye contact.
207 – Became a Monster in a Dead Game