Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Pieces of the Puzzle #2

Illegal Surgery was a skill that could do any type of surgery, given that he had the tools . However, even if a wound was treated with Illegal Surgery, it wouldn’t be treated at all . At first glance, it seemed like a total useless ability . However, the true value of Illegal Surgery lied in the ‘Cancel’ ability that restored the area to its original state .

He was able to use it when he acquired the skill . Well, it was an ability that was automatically learned when he became a Noble, just like ‘Damage to Both Sides’ .

Tae-hyuk rolled up his shirt and looked at his belly . An incision was made, and a plastic pack used for surgery was inserted inside . He then used Cancel, and as if time had turned backwards, his belly returned to its original state .

‘I put a lot of medicines and things I need for the future inside the pack . If it was a bomb…’

It was a skill that could make a literal walking bomb . That wasn’t the only scary thing about Illegal Surgery . The results of all surgeries were cancelled . It was the same with amputation .

He cut off his toe and triggered Cancel . Then an amazing thing happened in front of him, just like watching a movie . The toe he placed on his desk returned to its original place . The only thing was that Cancel could only be used up to 60 minutes after a surgery was done .

‘Cutting my neck is impossible, but I can cut off my arms or legs . ’

It was a bizarre skill that allowed him to freely do things with the human body .

‘First, I have to take this out . ’

Due to having something foreign in his body, it felt like he had indigestion . He wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible . In order to perform an incision, he needed tools such as a scalpel, tweezers, and a clamp .

However, Tae-hyuk had the Illegal Surgery skill . It was possible to cut it with something like a kitchen knife or scissors .

‘But the problem is that this is a prison, not the outside world . There is no such thing available . ’

It was natural that prisoners would be restricted in handling anything that could be used as a weapon . It was the same with utensils like forks or chopsticks . Chopsticks sharpened using bricks could be used to hurt someone . For the same reason, pages from a notebook or shoelaces from shoes were removed .

But could he cut his belly with cutlery? It wasn’t an easy task .

Tae-hyuk had lived here for 10 years, so he knew more about the Blue Dragon’s environment than the guards .

‘First, I need a worker . ’

Worker referred to a person who took a job in prison . Usually they were model prisoners or people who gave bribes to the guards . Tae-hyuk knew very well how to get close to one .

As he checked the wall clock, he saw that it was almost time for dinner . It was the first time he would meet the prisoners here . It was also a testing place for every newbie .

Beep!

The signal sounded and the firmly closed door opened . A guard with a rod entered and said,

“Numbers 1047 and 747, it is time for your meal . Gather in the dining room . ”

“……”

Tae-hyuk nodded without saying anything .

“Hey Newbie . Huhu . Did you learn many things from this friend?”

“I think I learned very thoroughly . ”

“Kukuk! Don’t be too scared . This is a place where people live . ”

Tae-hyuk inwardly smiled . Unlike the warden, whom he provoked, he had to see the guards every day . Therefore, his answers would be as close to what they wanted as possible . He was able to look like a moderately frightened newbie .

The guard looked at Yoo Cheol-ho lying on the bed . He poked Yoo Cheol-ho with his rod and said,

“Hey, it is time to eat . Stand up . ”

“……”

Yoo Cheol-ho was lying quietly without any movements . He was stunned due to being hit by an iron pipe . It would be hard for him to get up . However, the guard didn’t know this and screamed .

“Get up!”

“……”

“This bastard is completely crazy!”

The guard tried to pull back the blanket covering Yoo Cheol-ho . Then Tae-hyuk said quietly,

“He told the other guard but I don’t think his body is that good . I think he received a doctor’s diagnosis to sleep for the rest of the day . ”

“Really? Say that sooner you brat . ”

The guard looked at Yoo Cheol-ho’s body with an annoyed expression before leaving the cell . Then he raised his hand .

“Follow me . ”

“Yes . ”

Most of the violent incidents in Blue Dragon Prison mainly took place in the dining room . It was one of the few times that criminals of all nationalities gathered in the same space . The rule of don’t touch other animals when eating didn’t apply here .

Tae-hyuk muttered in a small voice so that the guard walking in front of him couldn’t hear .

“Then let’s try the best way . ”

@

The eyes of the prisoners eating at the tables shone as they saw the newcomer .

“Hey, Newbie . Why is your face rotten?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen you on the 9 o’clock news . What did you get caught for?”

“Did the kid bring a little spoon? If not, he will have to eat by hand . Kilkil . ”

“Don’t tease . Don’t you remember how the newcomer last week was so frightened that he urinated himself?”

“Aish, that should happen with that face . ”

Tae-hyuk ignored the other prisoners teasing him and went to the rationing area . Sarcastic remarks like these were already tedious . If he reacted, then it would just become more severe .

As he walked forward with a plastic plate, a staff member wearing a hygiene mask gave him rice and various side dishes . Although it was the principle of quantitative food distribution, it was normally done at the discretion of the staff worker .

This was one of the reasons why prisoners wanted to become a worker . Tae-hyuk looked at the pancake and soup that he saw . He watched the other prisoners receive the best food for a minute .

Then the worker passed him a note under the tray . It was so natural that he had obviously done it a lot . However, he couldn’t deceive Tae-hyuk’s Gambling skill that was well-versed in many tricks .

‘It seems like this guy is in charge of trading . ’

Tae-hyuk spoke in a small voice so that only the worker could here .

“I want to buy it . ”

Tae-hyuk made a gesture like he was holding a cigarette and paused . The worker knew what it meant and smiled,

“Are you a newbie entering today? If you can’t suppress yourself now, what will happen in the future?”

“It isn’t what you think . Please sell it to me . ”

“Of course, if you have money then I will sell it at any time . However, it is a bit expensive because this is an island . ”

Tae-hyuk remembered that the price of cigarettes was around 20,000 won . If he thought about how it could be purchased for 5,000 won at a convenience store, it was an exorbitant price .

“How much?”

“100,000 won for one pack . ”

“That sounds a bit expensive . ”

“Don’t buy it if you don’t want to . ”

If he bargained here, then he could cut the price in half . However, Tae-hyuk needed to get what he wanted .

“Then I will buy 20 packs . ”

“Wow, that is a lot . ”

The worker gave a small whistle . Most of the prisoners here were criminals who committed terrible crimes . Unlike other prisons, there were few scammers or people who committed economic crimes . But buying 20 packs of cigarettes for 100,000 won? It was probably the first financier in a long time .

The stiff face of the worker relaxed and he gave a friendly smile .

“You are a newcomer so I’ll let you know how we handle trades . ”

“There is no need as I’ll pay in advance . ”

Tae-hyuk pulled an envelope from his sleeve and extended it under the tray . Criminals in prison were allowed a certain amount of money . It was up to two million won . After that, they could receive one million at a time through mail or money transfer . With that money, it was possible to buy things like snacks from the prison kiosk .

“The amount should be right . Please check it so I can receive the goods as soon as possible . ”

“Huhu, understood . It will be ready soon . ”

Even a prison on a remote island wasn’t completely disconnected from the outside . Many vendors brought in foodstuffs and there were goods sold at kiosks . It was probably the best thing for the workers here .

The workers would bribe the contractors in order to bring some things into the prison . It was mainly cigarettes, but sometimes there were psychotropic medicines and cutlery being smuggled in . Of course, the higher the risk, the more expensive it was . A newbie would be able to buy cigarettes, but it would take longer for anything else .

‘Of course, they aren’t necessary . I’ll obtain everything with just cigarettes . ’

Tae-hyuk smiled and bowed slightly .

There were many people here who couldn’t buy cigarettes because they had no money . If he gave them one pack then they would kill for him . The rumour that there was a person who bought a huge amount of cigarettes spread quickly .

Tae-hyuk looked at his plate . The menu of the day was miso soup, stir fried anchovies, radish kimchi, and soy sauce beef . It wasn’t bad because there was meat .

Was it because Tae-hyuk bought 20 packs of cigarettes? There were two big lumps of meat on his plate .

He took it and sat in a vacant seat . A hulking person who looked like he did martial arts sat across Tae-hyuk .

“Hey Newbie . Do you know that you are famous?”

“Is that right?”

“……”

The hulking person had nothing to say as Tae-hyuk smiled and picked up his spoon .

“I guess you are still used to homemade food . You should be glad that you were given decent food . ”

Tae-hyuk said nothing before grabbing the oversize fist . Then the opponent’s face distorted .

“K-Kuong . W-Why is this bastard so strong?”

“Next time, it will be your crotch instead of your hand . ”

“…Kuong, let go . ”

He drew the attention of the other prisoners around . Then someone deliberately poured a plate containing hot soup towards Tae-hyuk, which would literally burn the face .

‘They aren’t kids . If you want to harass me then you should do it right . ’

Tae-hyuk laughed and grabbed the collar of the big guy sitting near him . Then the big guy sat in Tae-hyuk’s spot . It was a superhuman move that was only possible due to his agility .

“A-Ack! Hot, hotttt!”

Instead of Tae-hyuk, the big person was the one hit by the miso soup .

“What are you doing?”

The guards watching from the entrance of the dining room cried out . The other prisoner explained,

“I’m sorry . My leg caught on the chair and I accidentally poured my soup as I slipped . ”

“Take him to the infirmary right now! Don’t cause any more problems for me today . Che!”

The big guy walked out with a face covered in a cold towel . However, he didn’t forget to curse Tae-hyuk .

“It looks like you have a bit of strength . I’ll let you know who is in charge here . Just wait . ”

This wasn’t the end of the newcomer’s welcome .

“Eat some rice and soybeans . ”

“What did you do?”

10 prisoners surrounded Tae-hyuk like he was a novelty toy . It would be difficult to expect the help of the guards if anything happened . Once Tae-hyuk saw the people gathered, he realized it was time for him to lay down his cards .

“You don’t have any money?”

“What? What is this dog?”

“Do you want some cigarettes?”

The criminals gulped since they knew that Tae-hyuk had bought 20 packs of cigarettes . However, they couldn’t bend to a newcomer .

Tae-hyuk smiled as he noticed everyone watching him . There was no big person among here . At most, they were ‘Commoners’, those with a sentence that was shorter than three years . It was easy to take care of those types of people .

“If you do me a favor then I’ll give you a cigarette . ”

“…What?”

“It is simple . I’m too bored in here . You can get a cigarette if you tell me one of the funny stories that happens here . Isn’t it a good deal?”

He could hear gulps from around him . However, there were prisoners who still had their pride even with no money .

“Hey Newbie . Are you crazy? Do you think we are beggars? If you keep talking like that then I’ll make you eat glass powder . ”

Tae-hyuk inwardly smiled .

Glass powder . When finely grounded and put into food, the stomach would become a mess, and the person would bleed out and die . However, it wasn’t easy to find glass in this place . It was even more so for those who didn’t even have the money to buy cigarettes .

‘In my 10 years of staying here, I’ve only seen three people die from powdered glass . ’

“Really? Then how about one story per pack? You don’t have to if you don’t want it .

“……!”

The eyes of the complaining prisoner changed . Tae-hyuk felt like he would be the first one to come and see Tae-hyuk .

First of all, the cigarettes . They were the beginning of his plan .