NOVGO.NET Chapter 202.1
An underground location of unknown whereabouts.
A dark, iron-walled area, like an emergency shelter within a tunnel.
“……”
“Ah, Agent. This way, please.”
The agent from Black-Tortoise Team 1 followed the guide.
There were no guards working in the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau’s Glass Prison.
An unknown, supernatural power with neither sound nor shape acted as the warden, and one human staff member in shifts would monitor the ‘warden’s’ status.
The human custodian asked carefully.
“…Are you here for the interrogation of Agent Gra— Rather, 37-999?”
“……”“I see. This way.”
The agent followed the custodian’s cautious guidance, avoided the ‘warden’, opened the iron door, and entered inside. And that place…
It was a crystal cave.
“…!”
Countless quartz crystals scattered light in every direction, creating flickering shadows and shapes throughout the cave.
Yet strangely, there was no visible light source to explain the reflected light.
A spectacle of light and shadow with no origin.
Click.
“The cell is here.”
The custodian willingly opened a rusty door located in a corner.
But there was no human figure inside.
Instead…
All along the walls, countless glass marbles were stacked, forming a structure that refracted and scattered light.
“……”
The agent looked at it with dark eyes.
Layer upon layer of glass orbs packed the space, forming a conical shape. It almost looked ornamental.
But within each individual orb, something could be seen moving.
Ahhh…
Letmeoutletmeoutletmeoutplease
You betrayed me.
Am I going to die here?
Isolated inmates.
Standing in front of them, one could feel like a giant, able to observe each and every being trapped inside a glass orb. A bizarre structure, reminiscent of a panopticon.
This was the true nature of the Glass Prison.
A solitary cell made of a single marble.
This crystal cave’s exact location and method of existence were unknown to anyone except authorized personnel, and a person cannot leave unless the warden personally removes their glass sphere from within.
Even if someone managed to break their own orb and escape, it wasn’t true freedom.
It only meant getting imprisoned in yet another orb.
A circular structure. An endless succession of interconnected glass rooms.
“This is the one at the very top. I heard it was specially requested for a bit more comfort, supposedly, since he’s a former agent.”
The agent’s eyes stopped.
Exactly… The 37th floor. The very top of the pile of glass marbles.
A single marble.
With its tag.
37-999
“……”
Inside the glass marble, a black shadow could be seen, the figure lying as if on the floor, not moving.
“I’m rambling. I apologize. Here is the previous interrogation record for 37-999.”
The agent barely took the file the custodian handed over, and began reading.
Inmate Number : 37-999
Inmate : Kim ■■ (Agent Codename : Grapes)
Affiliation : Black-Tortoise Team 1, Dispatch & Rescue Unit (Suspended)
Originally, the transfer was conducted for the purpose of a routine physical and mental evaluation, which typically requires 24 hours. However, due to unusual circumstances revealed during the initial interview, the subject’s return has been delayed.
Formal detention is currently under consideration.
At the last line, the agent’s hand clenched tightly, but soon turned the page.
Rustle.
Day 1
The inmate was transferred to the Glass Prison as part of standard procedure for screening agents previously subjected to special restrictive bindings.
It was confirmed that the binding had already been lifted (executed by : Great Tiger General of Daecheongbong). A routine interview and physical examination were conducted.
※ Anomalies were detected during the interview process.
The inmate voluntarily refused to answer any questions regarding the identity, timing, or nature of the supernatural entity responsible for the binding.
Screening procedures halted. Process switched to interrogation.
Of course, even then, the interrogation wasn’t very harsh at first.
Why are you refusing to testify? Are you hurt anywhere? Is there any rough estimate of when the binding was placed? What kind of binding was it?
Believing the agent was displaying trauma responses after a shocking incident, the interrogators attempted a gradual approach.
But there was only one reaction to every question.
The inmate categorically refused to answer any and all questions.
That was when the people in charge began to realize the gravity of the situation.
Suspected of intentionally evading testimony with prior knowledge of the interrogation effects of the Glass Prison.
Thus, starting from the evening of the second day, the true interrogation of the Glass Prison began.
Interrogation Intensity : 3
Professional interrogator assigned.
Persistent and detailed questions, trap questions, suggestive implications hidden within everyday conversation, even silence becoming an answer…
The intensity gradually increased.
After three days, the Glass Prison’s relentless tactics forced even this steadfastly evasive subject to break under the pressure.
Interrogation Intensity : 7
Inmate’s body restrained. Head and eyes fixed to make it impossible for him to avert his gaze. Silence defined as affirmation.
To prevent attempts to evade questions by responding with meaningless exclamations or similar utterances, a gag is applied during questioning.
As a result, it became possible to determine clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers from the inmate.
Fortunately, interrogation methods involving environmental manipulation or pressure within the cell weren’t used.
This decision was out of consideration for the inmate’s health, though it proved not particularly effective.
Day 5
Inmate Status : Poor.
The inmate consistently and politely refused recommendations for sleep and food intake.
The inmate requested the release of his assigned dokkaebi flame from the cell, citing how he ‘felt sorry’ for its condition.
Due to concerns about escape attempts or unexpected incidents, this was denied.
However, for emotional stability, a few items favored by the dokkaebi were allowed into the cell.
The inmate expressed gratitude for these accommodations.
Addendum : Interrogator’s personal opinion
– At this point, it appears that another binding may be in effect. It is recommended that the subject be transferred to a specialized examination facility for further ritual or exorcism.
However, when asked directly if another binding was present, the inmate surprisingly replied, ‘No’.
And the Glass Prison recognized this as the truth.
– It is possible that the inmate is under a suggestion causing him to believe no binding is in effect.
Despite this personal assessment, the transfer was put on hold for now.
The page turns.
The date changes again, and the inmate’s condition reveals further deterioration.