Chapter 183

‘What in the world is going on?’

That was unmistakably me. Beyond just the appearance, even the combat style and its patterns were completely identical to my own.

Moreover, what was truly astonishing was that the thing was using future Cursed Techniques just like I do.

‘Thread Control Art? That’s an Art Formula I’ve never used even once since coming here.’

As I was left speechless by that shocking sight, one of the Executors interrogating me snorted and opened his mouth.

“What’s the matter? Has such clear evidence been shoved in your face that you have nothing to say?”

“…I don’t understand the situation, but this is not me.”

“Nonsense. So you’re saying someone with the skill to maintain an appearance-changing Art Formula and kill multiple Exorcists using another person’s methods framed you?”

It certainly sounded absurd. Even I had to admit the man’s words were logical.

But it wasn’t me. I genuinely have no memory of such a thing.

“The investigation is already complete. And its conclusion is clear as well.”

“What was the date the footage was recorded?”

“You should know that better than anyone, shouldn’t you?”

However, as if it wasn’t something he couldn’t tell me, the man soon checked the records and relayed the information to me.

“The 17th… So, five days ago from now.”

Five days ago would be right after finishing matters at the shrine, when I was moving to participate in the Yoosakbi subjugation. However, Seomyeon, the crime scene, is in the completely opposite direction from my travel route.

“At that time, I was moving from the shrine to Hwasun, Jeollanam-do. Surely roadside CCTV or citizens I directly asked for directions could testify to my alibi.”

If a sufficient investigation was conducted, at least one piece of evidence proving I was there would surely emerge.

However, having thought that far, I frowned as I realized one strange point.

‘…Come to think of it, didn’t he say the investigation was already complete?’

If so, they should have been able to obtain my alibi sufficiently, yet there hasn’t been a single word about it until now.

The meaning of those words was simple.

BANG!

“I told you the investigation is already complete, didn’t I? I won’t tolerate any more time-wasting. Admit your guilt quietly and follow instructions.”

“……”

It meant someone’s influence had already reached these people, or their superiors.

‘Damn it, who?’

The factions that would be itching to touch me in this current situation—thinking about it, the candidates weren’t many.

Moreover, if it’s someone with enough authority to wield this level of power within the Headquarters’ Execution Department…

‘Is it Cheong Doyool?’

I wasn’t certain, but it seemed highly likely. However, questions still remained about the method.

No matter how Cheong Doyool might have planned this, how on earth did he create such a perfect double?

And it wasn’t just a simple imitation; it bordered on being like my actual doppelganger.

Somehow, that point kept feeling off.

At that moment, a single thought flashed through my mind.

‘…Could it be, the Seed of Solitude?’

Surely, during the previous Seed of Solitude incident involving Hectail and Yoo Hyeyeon, Sophia, who visited me in the hospital, had said something like this.

There was a shadow of an Academy student that even active-duty Exorcists struggled against.

Its base was male, but strangely, no one could be pinpointed as a suspect.

‘She definitely said it wasn’t Hwang Jihak, nor was it a student from the Graduating Class.’

And in the end, it seemed no one ever uncovered its identity.

‘What if that was my shadow?’

And what if it still remains, hasn’t disappeared, and is roaming this world?

Then, the scene on that screen now isn’t entirely incomprehensible.

‘It’s a bewildering assumption, but…’

My Phantom Body Trait is also a Trait rooted in shadows. Perhaps it might have triggered some kind of synergy with the Seed of Solitude.

Especially the fact that it uses future Cursed Techniques I’ve never employed supported that hypothesis.

‘Did Cheong Doyool see that and seize the opportunity to take action?’

It was a chance to eliminate a troublesome enemy without lifting a finger, so there would have been no reason to hesitate.

And the fate of an Exorcist who killed colleagues was all too clear.

“You are now going to Yangcheolkoong.”

The special prison, Yangcheolkoong.

The final destination for Sorcerers who have committed misdeeds beyond a certain standard.

It seemed I was going to be sent there.

‘What on earth should I do, and how?’

Thump.

Thump-thump-thump.

Inside the transport vehicle heading to Yangcheolkoong, I was lost in endless worry, sighing repeatedly.

Guarding me were two 1st-Rank Exorcists; in my current physical state, escape was naturally impossible.

‘But if I quietly enter Yangcheolkoong…’

From then on, the situation becomes even more serious. Yangcheolkoong isn’t called a special prison for nothing.

‘The Cheol Clan.’

The descendants of a special bloodline that has maintained its lineage in Korea for a long time, once sufficiently prepared, inherit the position from their predecessors and become the masters of Yangcheolkoong, managing the prisoners confined within.

And naturally, their abilities are formidable.

Transcending mere rank, they possess sufficient capability to control the vicious inmates inside the prison.

‘And at this point in time…’

It’s not certain, but a Special-Rank Exorcist, one counted among the top five in Korea, might be holding that position.

Moreover, what about the location?

Built somewhere off the West Coast, external intrusion is difficult, and escape is even more distant.

Even before considering all that, breaking through the powerful Great Barrier deployed inside the prison is nearly impossible.

In short, once you go in, it’s over. Perhaps the day to see the light of the outside world again may never come.

‘Of all times…’

I defeated Yoosakbi, but soon Jinmyeong Daesa’s sinister reach will cast its shadow over Korea.

The moment I was most concerned about and preparing for has arrived, yet I find myself in danger of being trapped in Yangcheolkoong, unable to come out.

It truly was the worst possible situation.

‘And besides, who knows.’

I didn’t think of it earlier, but perhaps it’s not Cheong Doyool who wants to put me here.

‘Jinmyeong Daesa is also vaguely aware of my existence.’

He previously showed interest in Cheong Joohwa, and since I’ve used Cheong Soha, who is essentially his limb, in various ways, he naturally couldn’t be unaware.

And what if Jinmyeong Daesa has already made contact with Cheong Soha and established a position within the Cheong Family?

Then it would be plausible for him to scheme to remove me, a troublesome obstacle.

‘Whatever it is, it’s not good.’

I’ve faced life-threatening dangers many times before, but a situation with no apparent solution like this is a first.

Meanwhile, the transport vehicle continued speeding along the road and was eventually loaded onto a designated ship, advancing towards Yangcheolkoong located at sea.

And finally, the moment I least wanted to face arrived.

“Get out. We’re moving.”

Clunk.

Thump-thump-thump-thump.

The massive sea prison unfolding before me.

Frankly, it was too majestic and even beautiful to be called a prison.

But I could see it. The vicious Great Barrier enveloping its surroundings, and the remnants—the souls of countless prisoners who had died within the prison over time.

Swallowing hard from tension, I slowly moved my feet inside, guided by the Executor.

The prison of death from which you can never escape once you enter.

I, too, had finally become one of its inhabitants.

“…Han Kangyoon, here you are. Second floor, room 7.”

“From now on, follow me.”

The Executors who completed their mission left after the handover, and eventually, I alone followed the guard.

The surroundings I confirmed during that process truly lived up to the name ‘Iron Wall.’

‘It certainly deserves to be called an inescapable prison.’

Nowhere is there even a gap to slip through, let alone the possibility of escape.

This is a space completely isolated from the world. A place where one simply waits for their own death, whenever it may come.

“The warden will convey the details. If you cause any unnecessary disturbance, you alone will bear the full consequences.”

The guard conveyed only what truly needed to be said, then without hesitation shoved me into the cell and left.

His indifferent expression was somehow chilling.

‘……’

Entering the cell, I saw several gazes looking at me, each carrying various meanings.

Indifference, slight curiosity, or even crude eyes filled with expectation as if they’d found fresh prey.

However, after checking the information on all of them, I let out a deep sigh and spoke first, before anyone else.

“I am in a very bad mood right now.”

“What? You crazy…?”

“So if you bother me, you should be prepared to have at least one limb broken.”

At those words, a burly man covered in tattoos smirked and stood up.

Here, the use of Cursed Techniques is heavily restricted; naturally, unless one possesses a fairly high level of skill, one’s own physical body is the only asset.

Snap.

Snap-snap.

“A brat whose head isn’t even dry yet doesn’t know how scary the world is.”

Everyone here are Sorcerers who have committed serious crimes outside.

Each one is dangerous and vicious to that extent.

However, that also meant it was okay not to engage in unnecessary conflict.

Crack-crack-crack-crack!

“G-guh, ugh!”

“Didn’t I say it would break?”

Snapping the man’s arm like a twig without mercy, I ignored the instantly cowed man and issued a warning to everyone in the cell.

“From now on, I hope no one, whoever it may be, does anything to bother me.”

No one voiced an objection to that.

My current appearance was clearly that of someone using a body-enhancement type Art Formula.

And being able to employ that level of Cursed Technique in this prison meant…

“A, a High-Ranking Exorcist.”

“What the fuck? At that age…?”

In an instant, the hierarchy within the cell had flipped.

Afterwards, as expected, I was thrown into solitary confinement for the crime of using Cursed Techniques without permission.

But it didn’t matter. This was much better for organizing my thoughts for the time being, anyway.

‘How ironic.’

Just like when clearing one of the Eternal Labyrinths last time, this too was originally something given to the protagonist of a much later generation.

But there’s no helping it. I am living in this world right now, and I have no leisure to worry about a person in the distant future.

‘Escape from Yangcheolkoong—it was definitely concluded to be impossible.’

However, there is someone who shattered that common sense. Namely, the protagonist of the 5th installment of the Exorcism Academy Series.

‘Sorry about this…’

The moment has come to borrow a bit of his experience and knowledge.

From now on, I will become the first successful escapee from this impregnable fortress.