Chapter 88

"Boss, the dismantling of the wooden boards is all done."

Boss... Duras?

No, outdated information won't help me survive in this prison. The boss I'm talking about is me, Kururi Heran. Just like a monkey mountain, I knocked the old boss Duras flying and left him unable to get back up. After that, the lackeys changed their attitudes for the better, following my orders well. They're all in here for doing bad things, so I plan to use them to the fullest.

"All done? Move everything to Room 136."

"Got it!"

"Boss!"

This time from another lackey.

"What is it?"

"Should we move the bed, bookshelf, and books as well?"

"Yeah, everything to Room 136. And the sofa too."

There were books too. This will make prison life a lot more comfortable.

And a bed! Depending on how soft it is, this place might not even feel like a prison anymore.

"What should we do with Duras?"

"Heal his injuries. After that, it depends on his attitude."

He tried to harm me with a bribe. Of course, I can't just let him off, but he knows a lot, so it's best to use him effectively. Especially his connection to the guards who have been bought off by the Datarne family is important.

After moving everything to Room 136, we started building the walls. There was a former carpenter, so I basically left the work to him. He looks rough, but he's skilled.

Meanwhile, I planned the room layout. The bed by the window, the sofa in the middle, and the bookshelf in the back. Yeah, it's good. I just need some flowers by the window.

"Boss, it's time for lunch. Please have some, Boss."

"From now on, I'm the boss. I'm changing the rules. Distribute the food equally to everyone. Also, let's share the work inside the prison."

"Is that okay? You can eat as much as you want, Boss?"

"Just do it. From now on, we'll try to be as equal as possible. Those who break the rules will face a fist of iron."

"Got it. I'll let everyone know!"

I didn't plan to monopolize the food, so I made the rule casually, but it turned out to be a major reform in the prison. I was thanked by every prisoner I passed. Even though they all bowed, they avoided eye contact, which felt strange. I realized that the boss is feared abnormally in this prison. I seem to have gained a significant title in here. I just wanted a sofa and some wall panels...

From then on, life was comfortable. I had a sofa and a bed.

I read books during the day and did my share of the prison work at night. The food was simple and scarce, but I don't eat much, so I felt a pleasant sense of fulfillment.

To be honest, I was quite happy. I got food, had plenty of books to read, and the sunset was beautiful.

Wait, this is actually quite comfortable!?

"What do the others usually do?"

"We used to bully new inmates, but since Kururi became the boss, we don't have those orders anymore, so everyone is idle."

"What about the other prisoners?"

"They used to be forced to do dirty jobs, but now everyone does them together, so they're all idle."

Hmm, that must be boring and meaningless.

It would be nice if there was something to give them a sense of purpose...

"Alright, let's start something new tomorrow. I'm getting tired of just reading books."

"Hey, what are we going to do?"

"I found some shovels and picks. What are they used for?"

"Back when there were still guards, they used them to dig the walls and expand this hall. Now they're mainly used as weapons."

"Alright, let's restart that. To avoid overexertion, we'll do it for a few hours a day."

"Huh, but Boss, why are you doing this? I don't get it."

"To be honest, I have to say it clearly! You guys are rotten! Not just as prisoners, but really rotten! Humans work, eat, and sleep! Only when this cycle works well can you lead a fulfilling life. Your faces are lifeless, not just because of your bad looks! It's terrible! I'll make you live a proper life!"

"Uh, yeah..."

The next day, all the prisoners gathered.

Counting them, there were 369 in total. Excluding those who couldn't work, the rest were assigned to dig the walls.

"This is dry and barren land. It might seem pointless to develop, but we won't know until we try. Let's start digging the walls. It will expand our living space, and we might find something. Most importantly, your faces are dead. Work and feel the sense of fulfillment!"

One of the prisoners raised his hand.

"Go ahead!"

"Boss, we appreciate the equal distribution of food, but with physical labor, it's not enough."

"Don't worry. I'll talk to the guards!"

Cheers erupted. They were excited, thinking the new boss could negotiate with the guards.

So, the hall development project began.

Lively voices echoed around. Yeah, it feels like I've finally met living people.

"Boss, Duras is here!"

"Alright, let him in."

It seems Duras has decided to pledge loyalty to the new boss. I'll use him to the fullest.

"Boss, please forgive my previous disrespect. I was young and foolish."

"That's fine. More importantly, is there a way to communicate with the outside? I heard there are people who can bring supplies."

"Yes, once a week, the guard who has been bought off comes down at night to deliver food. That's where we get supplies and communicate with the outside."

"When is that?"

"Today. Yes."

Good timing. I'll use the corrupt guard for now, and deal with him later.

When the exhausted prisoners were asleep, a man descended from the elevator. The corrupt guard. As usual, he headed to Duras' room.

He noticed that the only decent room was now a shack.

"What happened here?"

The response came from the most intimidating lackey.

"The boss has changed. From today, I'm the boss. Hand over the promised items."

"Oh, I see. Here are the sweets, books, and some alcohol..."

He checked the contents to make sure everything was there.

"Even with a new boss, I'll continue the deal with the Datarne family. I hope we can continue to work together."

"Sure, that makes it easier for me. By the way, how's the new nobleman doing?"

"Of course, as planned. We're treating him worse than ever."

"Good, that's worth reporting. I'd like to see him too."

"Sure, but do you really want to see him? Huh?"

"…No, I'll pass. If you're doing it, that's fine."

The fake boss sighed dramatically.

"By the way, the reward is a bit light. I'm not satisfied."

"What? I've given you what I promised."

"We need more food from now on, and a lot more."

"That's a problem. I need to check with the Datarne family."

"Shut up!! Just bring more food! If you don't, we'll stop the nobleman's initiation!"

"That's not the deal! We agreed to make your life sweet. What do you need so much food for!?"

"To eat! Got it? From now on, bring a lot of food. You negotiate with the Datarne family. If you don't, the deal is off. Got it? Twice a week, bring a lot of food!"

"Alright, I'll talk to them. If you keep up your end, we can negotiate."

The corrupt guard left, thoroughly intimidated by the intimidating prisoner.

The fake boss did a good job.

He rushed to me, who was hiding nearby.

"Boss, was that okay?"

"Yeah, it was good. This should make the food supply a bit better. We can work more healthily from tomorrow."

The negotiation went well.

As long as the nobleman's situation is handled properly, the deal will continue. The nobleman's situation, of course, means beating me up. A simple report will do.

The new food was distributed equally, and the prison labor became even more efficient.

After about a week, most of the prisoners' faces showed signs of life.

It seems humans need a structured life.

As a result, I was even more appreciated. They started to make eye contact.

Many said they felt alive for the first time in their lives. Health is truly wonderful.

"Boss, an old man wants to see you."

"Who? An old man?"

"The oldest inmate here. He says he has something important to tell you."

"Alright, let him in."

The old man who entered looked like a withered stick. Was he malnourished? But his back was straight.

This is the oldest inmate... He has a presence.

"I want to thank you, Boss."

He said this suddenly in a withered voice.

"There's nothing to thank me for. I just made things more comfortable for myself."

"Still, I'm grateful. Most of the inmates here, including me, are hopeless scum, but you've given even the scum a sense of purpose and humanity."

"Thanks, I'll accept your gratitude. But you have something to ask, right?"

"Yes. I want to repay the new boss. It might not be useful, but there's a special kind of soil. The wall in my room, 002, is damp. I've kept it a secret, but the soil there feels different."

"Interesting. 002 is in the west. The opposite direction of where we're digging now."

"Yes, I suggest digging the west side under your guidance. You might find something interesting."

The old man, or rather, the elder, has given me a good tip. This is a valuable piece of information.

The next day, we started digging the west wall.

As the old man said, the more we dug, the wetter the soil became. This new discovery further increased everyone's enthusiasm for work. Even after the work hours, many wanted to keep digging.

I allowed those who wanted to continue, on the condition that they wouldn't be exhausted the next day.

The next day, a sudden change occurred.

I was digging the wall with a pickaxe when a scream-like voice came from nearby.

"Hot!!"

"What happened!?"

"I was digging a particularly damp area—aaaaah!"

Suddenly, the ground shook.

Then, a loud rumbling sound, and scalding hot water gushed out of the wall.

"Run!!"

"Got it!!"

The commotion settled by noon.

The guards were looking from above, and the prisoners were watching from a distance.

"It's a hot spring!"

What a strange coincidence. Digging revealed a hot spring. It seems I have incredible luck.

"Alright, we can't waste it. Let's start the construction tomorrow!"

Everyone's enthusiasm soared.

We dug a hole, laid stones, and filled it with the hot water, creating a hot spring in this hellish prison.

It was incredibly comfortable. Some hadn't had a bath in years, even decades. Everyone looked like they had come back to life. I started to think that coming here wasn't so bad. They all had radiant faces.

The hot spring wasn't very large, so we had to take turns. When it was my turn, I went in with the old man and others.

"Having you as the boss has been nothing but good."

"Really? I think the hot spring is your doing."

"No, it's yours. I've known about it for 30 years, but you brought this paradise in just one day. Ah, I feel like I've come back to life."

I feel like I've come back to life too.

At first, I didn't know what would happen, but now I don't even care.

"Why did you end up here? You don't seem like the type to be in prison."

"Long story. Oh, right. I almost forgot something important."

Why did I end up here? I was framed, but there are people here.

I told my lackeys to bring in the people who should be here: 'Money Grubber' Saisin Upstool and Hunter Gardmira.

I need to hear the truth from them...