Chapter 205
The core of the information Gleck passed on was three things.
First, the roster of Model Prisoners is already predetermined.
Regardless of the criteria and methods used for selection, not only the existing Model Prisoners but also the New Model Prisoners had already been decided internally a long time ago.
“It seems we need to check that roster. If we are already predetermined as New Model Prisoners, there would be no need to go out of our way to do anything… but the chances of that are likely small, right? We’ll need to take action.”
Second, a Restraint Release Device exists somewhere here in Glitch Hall. All Model Prisoners had their restraints removed using the device, and there is no other way. At least, that was the case as far as Gleck knew.
“We’ll also need to find out the location and usage method of the Restraint Release Device. It’s a shame Gleck didn’t know much about it since it’s treated as top secret.”
Third, Gleck mentioned a certain unidentified entity lurking here in Glitch Hall.
This unidentified entity was said to have been created to control the Model Prisoners who could use their abilities.
The social structure of Glitch Hall within the Simulation was relatively simple.
A small number of Model Prisoners, who lacked restraints and could utilize their Supernatural Abilities, surveilled the large number of ordinary Prisoners.
Then who surveils the Model Prisoners?
'Who watches the watchmen?' An entity was created to solve that very problem.
That was the Inquisitor Gleck had mentioned.
Supernatural Abilities do not work on the Inquisitor.
Furthermore, it can track and chase down any Supernatural Ability that occurs inside Glitch Hall.
That was the reason the Model Prisoners didn’t use their abilities recklessly despite having them: it could draw the Inquisitor’s attention.
The end of all past Model Prisoners in Glitch Hall who ran wild after becoming able to use their abilities was brought about by the Inquisitor.
“An Inquisitor: it’s information that looks important at a glance, isn’t it? So I wanted to dig as much as possible, but… Gleck instinctively avoided mentioning this particular topic. He seemed a little scared, too.”
Paradox stroked his chin as if lost in thought.
Osai frowned and spoke.
“As long as that Inquisitor bastard is watching, doesn’t taking off the restraints mean nothing? If we use a Supernatural Ability, we’ll immediately be chased by that guy. Wasn’t our goal escaping, not releasing the restraints?”
It was a sharp point. As expected, Osai hadn’t survived for a long time in Glitch Hall for nothing.
However, Paradox shook his head.
“No, we must certainly release the restraints, as a quest was generated. No matter how much it looks like reality, keep in mind that it ultimately follows the Rules of the Game. If you follow the quests, you are bound to get closer to the goal eventually. Releasing the restraints will definitely help with the escape in some way.”
At that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Cheonchilbaek’s mind.
He hadn’t planned on voicing it since there was no need to stand out, but Paradox noticed it instantly and pointed him out.
“Stealer, did something come to mind?”
“Ah, Paradox-nim. It’s nothing much. Just…”
“Call me Hurlock. We have to blend in here. More importantly, even if it’s trivial, speak up if you have something on your mind. I have expectations for your fresh perspective, you see.”
At Paradox’s strong urging, Cheonchilbaek hesitated before opening his mouth.
“This entity called the Inquisitor, isn’t it suspicious? According to your logic, in games, such a powerful enemy is usually called a Boss. The Inquisitor seems to be the Final Boss among them, but the problem is…”
“Games are usually designed so that you must unconditionally defeat the Final Boss to clear them. Is that what you wanted to say?”
Cheonchilbaek nodded. He had a bad feeling that they would definitely end up encountering this entity known as the Inquisitor.
“That makes sense. It would be better to look for a way to deal with the Inquisitor. Though I don’t know if we can find one.”
At the same time as Paradox’s words, a notification rang in their brains.
『New Quest:
'What Would the Witches Have Done?'
Generated!
->Find out the Inquisitor Countermeasure.』
Everyone’s eyes met. The fact that a quest had been generated was no different from confirmation that their guess was correct.
“From what Gleck said, it seemed the Inquisitor wasn’t human. At the very least, he didn’t seem to consider it 'the same kind of human'.”
“Perhaps it’s a robot or an android. If it’s a special mechanical device, it would explain why Supernatural Abilities don’t work on it.”
Everyone said a word about what came to mind.
However, there were no updates to the quest details or new text strings popping up from the GM.
Eventually, Paradox came to a conclusion.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to find out anything more just by chatting among ourselves like this. The foundational information is too scarce. Let’s solve things step by step. First, the Model Prisoner quest. Checking the roster is the top priority.”
He stared intently at Cheonchilbaek and said.
“Stealer, it’s time for you to shine.”
For Cheonchilbaek, it was a truly perplexing situation.
* * *
Paradox ordered Cheonchilbaek to find out more information regarding the roster.
He said Cheonchilbaek was the right person for the job, and not only Osai and Samsao, but Cheonchilbaek himself couldn’t deny it.
Even though he really wanted to deny it.
It was because of the stats of Cheonchilbaek’s character, 'Stealer': [Thievery], [Stealth], [Deception]. Wasn’t it a Stat Build specialized for infiltration?
Of all things, he just had to make a petty thief.
He wanted to beat up his past self if he could for whatever he was thinking when he put together such a character, but what happened had happened.
Cheonchilbaek had no choice but to infiltrate the Model Prisoners' Rest Area.
As if showing the clearly divided hierarchy among the Prisoners, the facilities in the Model Prisoners' exclusive space were quite decent. There was even an electric massage bed that, while an old, aged, and smelly model, still worked perfectly fine.
At the edge of the White Room, a veteran who seemed to have a lot of seniority among the Model Prisoners was resting while lying on the massage bed, and the lower-grade Model Prisoners sat around on the floor, throwing bizarrely illustrated scraps of paper as they played Glitch Hall-style Variant Poker.
“Ah, this won’t do. I fold.”
“You were overflowing with confidence, but you seem pretty scared now?”
“Whatever. Just reveal your hand. Wow, this bastard got a straight again. Tell the truth. Didn’t you use your ability?”
“What are you talking about? The Inquisitor would have come if I did.”
“Didn’t you use it weakly so you wouldn’t get caught? It’s a bit suspicious that you’re like this every round.”
It was an ordinary gambling table conversation, but the information that could be gained was not small.
He seemed to have gained quite a few clues, especially regarding the Model Prisoner roster.
Crouched and hiding in the corner behind the massage bed while spying, Cheonchilbaek thought he should leave around now.
He was slowly getting a bad feeling. Staying any longer would only increase the risk of getting caught, let alone getting useful information.
Just as he was about to move, the rattling vibration and noise of the massage bed abruptly stopped. Naturally, Cheonchilbaek’s body also froze stiff.
He felt the veteran Model Prisoner on the bed waking up and raising his body.
“Hm?”
A sense of foreboding set off an alarm. In that moment, Cheonchilbaek instinctively knew it was a crisis. If he stayed still, he would be caught unconditionally.
Before he infiltrated, the advice Paradox had given him came to mind.
'When in danger, roll the dice.'
As his thoughts reached that point, a text string appeared.
『
GM
:
[Stealth]
If you wish to attempt a Resistance Check, please roll the dice.』
Holding his breath, Cheonchilbaek rolled the Transparent Dice that floated in the air.
Clatter.
The result was…
⚅⚂⚃⚃
Cheonchilbaek thought this was a decent result. Overall, they didn’t roll low.
『
GM
:
[Stealth]
Stat 3 plus modifier <1 0 0 0> makes a total of
4 (Excellent)
, so the result is…
Success
! The veteran Model Prisoner did not notice you.』
“Ace, did you not sleep well? Your expression looks like crap.”
A Model Prisoner who seemed to have quite a bit of seniority threw a joke at the veteran Model Prisoner.
It seemed his name was Ace. Or perhaps it was a nickname meaning he was the ace among the Model Prisoners.
“No, it’s not that… well, it must be my imagination.”
The man called Ace dismissed the presence he had felt for a moment as a dream and stood up from his seat. For Cheonchilbaek, it was an incredibly fortunate moment.
The problem was that he had only passed the immediate crisis, and now it was difficult to escape from this spot.
Ace seemed to have pretty good senses. If he moved carelessly, he could get caught.
He was in an awkward situation where he couldn’t do this or that. But staying still in his place like this carried a high risk of getting caught in its own way.
Fortunately, an opportunity to escape the crisis arrived.
Vrrrm - the Rest Area door opened. The sound of someone shouting could be heard.
“They say a pretty big fight broke out in Sector 3! I think we need to go.”
Annoyance flared up from all over.
“I thought it was quiet for a while, and now again?”
“Who’s in charge of Sector 3? Do we really have to step in for this?”
“They’re fighting as a gang, so it seems the Model Prisoners there can’t handle it alone. We have to help for now. Shouldn’t we end it on our end before the Inquisitor steps in? I hear the HR Officer is coming soon, too.”
As if convinced, they spat out thick curses, and the sound of them rustling could be heard as they stood up and left the room.
Unlike the others, Ace dawdled and didn’t move easily, making things difficult for him, but fortunately, that issue was also resolved.
“Ace, you come too. You’re the strongest among us. Might as well discipline the new guys while we’re at it, eh?”
“Hah, got it. I got it. Right, I just have to go.”
Eventually, even Ace emptied his seat along with the other Model Prisoners.
Cheonchilbaek also read the room and stealthily slipped out, taking advantage of the commotion.
Thinking it was a nerve-wracking experience he never wanted to do again, Cheonchilbaek kept his body low and crawled down the corridor, only for someone to grab his arm.
Grab!