Episode 378: The Hound of Nouvelle Vague (2)

The dream-like Christmas passed by in the blink of an eye.

And again, the same living hell of labor as usual began.

… earth! … Cough! … earth!

The sound of prisoners breaking rocks and digging up dirt everywhere. The sounds of sulfur gas, oil vapor, and lava spewing out are loud.

After a mysterious explosive was discovered in Level Nine's workshop, the work landscape changed slightly.

Previously, the guards had formed a panopticon-shaped formation to monitor the prisoners, but this time, the guards moved to the border area rather than the center.

This was due to an order from Colonel Dordium to place the guards as far away from explosives as possible.

There was also a strategic aspect in that it was intended to more easily subdue prisoners who were rioting in the temporarily chaotic atmosphere through concentrated fire.

However, it is inevitable that errors, large or small, will occur in the process of changing the original system.

The response of the guards, who were normally able to intervene immediately when laziness, quarrels, or disputes broke out among prisoners, was slowing down a bit as they adapted to changes in the system.

"… … ."

And Bikir, who noticed the change, was already keeping an eye on a person.

"… … Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn."

Clean. He had been in a strange state ever since we met him at the restaurant on Christmas Day yesterday.

His gaze, which was usually directed from top to bottom as if looking down on others, now looks from bottom to top.

Bloodshot eyes, foam at the corners of his mouth, swear words he recited like incantations, and obsession with 'him' made him look like a definite madman.

And before we knew it, lunch time had arrived.

While all the prisoners were taking a 10-minute break, Shikkeok went into the canyon between the red rock mountains without socializing with anyone and pulled out his hair.

"What happened. How did this happen? … ."

He was biting his fingers beyond his fingernails.

"Queen, boss, master, how did this happen? You said you would take it out. Why has there been no contact for two years? You definitely told me to go into the Nouvelle Vague and serve 'him'. He said he would definitely take it out. Of course, I failed to meet him because I wasn't good enough to enter Level 9, but that doesn't mean he's going to leave me like this. Why don't you come to save me? When can I get out of here? Please… from this hellish toil. … ."

Even though almost the first joint of his finger was torn off and covered in blood, his muttering did not stop.

Meanwhile, Vikir was overhearing such murmurs from a distance away.

'… … It tasted good.'

He was originally a bit of a strange guy, but not to that extent.

It looks like he infiltrated here with some kind of purpose like Vikir.

However, there was a crucial difference between Bikir and Sikkeok.

Bikir does not expect help from others in achieving his goals.

I just quietly handle everything on my own.

On the other hand, Sikkeot is in a situation where he must desperately wait for someone else's help to achieve his goal.

This caused a big difference between the two.

'This is the difference that separates the predator from the prey.'

Bikir leaned against the wall and quietly looked around.

Meanwhile, Shikkeok began to show signs of becoming more and more unstable.

"It's been a while and you haven't contacted me. That means you've abandoned me. My boss abandoned me. There is no news from outside at all. That's it. It's because I couldn't go to Level 9. "That's why the boss and the queen abandoned me."

Right then.

Tooooooo-

The sound of horns rang out, signaling the resumption of labor.

I could also hear the guards shouting.

"Now, labor begins!"

"Work quickly, you scum!"

"Do you want to be a loser!? "Move now!"

Those shouts further stimulated Sikyeok, who was already in an unstable state.

"… … ."

His lips were tightly pressed and his eyes were bloodshot.

A captain-level guard who was passing by said this.

"hey! What are you doing there! Work quickly!"

And those words decisively touched the detonator.

"Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Suddenly, Shikseok starts screaming and convulsing.

The guy rolled his bulging eyes as if they were about to burst, turned his head, and then bared his teeth at the terrified guard.

Wow- Fuhwaak!

Sikyot bit the tip of his tongue and immediately began spewing out a huge amount of blood from his mouth.

A foul odor that stings your nose. A thick red mist filled with the energy of plague was scattered.

"Huh!?"

The guard who first shouted at Shikkeot was shocked and took a step back, not knowing what was going on.

And when Bikir saw that, he finally turned his back on the rock wall.

'It has begun.'

It was time to take the first step in the Nouvelle Vague prison break.

* * *

Level 8, the fact that the prisoners on the 8th basement level started a riot was a serious enough incident.

Since it would be difficult to respond even to officers of the rank of lieutenant, it goes without saying that the guards of the second lieutenant or middle rank would have to respond.

However, the guards were not in a good position at the moment.

Due to Colonel Dordium's instructions, the surveillance ranks of the Panopticon structure were reversed, and as a result, the guards have not yet fully adapted to the new system.

Therefore, most of the guards stationed around Sikkeok were low-level guards.

At most, there is one captain, twelve to four lieutenants, and the rest are all second lieutenants.

"It's a level 8 look! "He started a riot!"

"Our strength is not enough!"

"Damn it, at least Colonel Bastille should come!?"

The power of Shikkeot was powerless, but the plague blood fountain it spewed out was truly a threat itself.

Moreover, the beast-like roar of the beast glowing like crazy in the red fog was perfect for creating an atmosphere of fear.

"Uh, what should I do?"

One of the guards wearing the captain rank insignia said tremblingly.

But there is no guard here with a higher rank than him.

For the first time, he had to realize that being high in rank was not always a good thing.

Right then.

"We need to buy time."

Someone bravely stepped forward.

Kirko. Lieutenant Kirko Grimm.

She, who had been promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant due to her outstanding performance, was staring straight at her seniors who were higher in rank than her.

"While someone stays to deal with that prisoner, let's all disperse and call the warrant-level guards. "That's the only way."

"B-but who's going to stay here to fight that monster? "I feel like I'm going crazy right now."

No matter how neatly he is wearing BDSM handcuffs and shackles, the plague energy he emits is still threatening.

There was no way anyone would rush to fight when they might be infected with some kind of plague.

at that time.

"I will stay."

Kirko said firmly.

She said, pulling a long sword from her belt and draping it over her shoulder.

"I will try to buy as much time as possible, so seniors, please bring in someone who has the ability to resolve this situation as soon as possible."

At Kirko's words, the other guards began to look at each other.

"Yeah, yeah. If it's Kirko… … ."

"That guy is a lieutenant, but his skills are better than most captains."

"that's right. "If you look at his skills alone, he can be considered a high-ranking executive."

"good! Cirko, you stay. "We'll go quickly and bring reinforcements!"

"I will not forget your brave sacrifice! "It will definitely be reflected in the personnel evaluation at the end of the month!"

Soon, everyone runs out without even thinking about who goes first.

Only Kirko, who had no juniors or subordinates, just stood there quietly looking at his seniors and classmates leaving.

And soon.

Huh-huh-

I could hear the sound of heavy breathing from behind, trembling with anxiety.

Kirko swallowed his dry saliva and slowly turned his head.

There is probably a maddened plague monster standing behind it.

And Kirko, it is impossible to completely subdue him with her skills.

'But I have no choice but to do it.'

It is better for one person to take a risk than for everyone to die.

I would rather perish violently here than engage in collusion among those who care about each other's interests.

After making his decision, Kirko immediately looked back with harsh eyes.

Soon, beyond the red fog, a blurry shadow was seen gradually approaching.

And at the same time, Kirko's eyes widened.

"… … "Part?"

Yes.

Trembling legs, breathing heavy with anxiety.

The person who remained behind Kirko was none other than Second Lieutenant Garm Nord, aka 'Foolish Garm.'

"Why didn't you go?"

"How can I give up my motivation and go on…" … ."

The comment itself wasn't bad, but perhaps because his voice was shaking as much as his legs, it didn't feel very cool.

The moment Kirko let out a heavy sigh.

"Stick ... … ."

A twisted roar was heard from somewhere.

Where Kirko and Garm hurriedly turned their heads, there was a man standing there with bloody tears streaming from his eyes.

The eyes were so wide that they were torn apart. Mouth torn all the way down to both ears. Even the dirty saliva flowing down.

"okay. Just kill them all and get out of here. Squeak-"

Anyone who saw him looked like he had gone completely crazy.