Chapter 647

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 647: The Space Police Bureau (3)

Executor Ketu.

The person Yeongwoo had been told to read the letter to, as passed on by Chancellor Herisa.

But the fact that this Ketu was the warden of the detention wing of the Space Police Bureau practically meant that the true final destination of this request was a prison.

In other words—

‘So this really was a shady job, huh?’

What in the world could be written in a letter that had to be read aloud not to an ordinary police officer, but to a detention-wing administrator?

Only then did Yeongwoo truly feel the weight of the fifty billion, and he cautiously checked whether the Weapon Catalog was still functioning.

As if reading his mind, Officer Shero spoke first.

—You may still use the Weapon Catalog.

“…Huh?”

—Weren’t you just checking it?

Then Shero pointed somewhere toward the dim ceiling.

—You can think of this entire escort vessel as one giant detection sensor. It can't read your thoughts, but it can read all movements and functional signals.

And, Shero added, those signals were immediately relayed to himself, the one who held full authority over this escort ship.

“Uh… right. I appreciate you not blocking the Catalog, but… why? Isn’t that dangerous?”

At Yeongwoo’s question, Shero chuckled softly from inside the spacesuit.

—You are not someone wanted by the Space Police Bureau, are you? Then to me you are merely an ordinary civilian. In other words, someone under the Space Police Bureau’s protection.

In short, even if someone was technically a criminal, as long as they hadn’t caused problems large enough for the Space Police Bureau to monitor personally, they wouldn’t be treated as an enemy.

“That’s impressive. But is that the stance of the entire Space Police Bureau?”

As Yeongwoo asked, Shero moved toward the forward cockpit and continued.

—Each officer possesses full authority over their own jurisdiction. Since you are currently aboard my escort vessel, you are simply being treated according to my methods.

It was an answer that implied not all officers in the Space Police Bureau would be as friendly as Shero.

“Still, it’s a public institution. Shouldn’t there be some consistency?”

Then Shero spoke his first truly domineering line.

—Because we don’t need to be.

We.

In other words, the Space Police Bureau possessed enough power that it didn’t need to watch others’ reactions the way other institutions did.

Even this current hospitality was merely the leisure of the strong.

—Since you requested a tour of the detention wing, we will proceed immediately. Once we arrive, an additional guide from the detention side will be assigned alongside me.

“A guide from the detention side…?”

—Yes. Unlike me, the detention wing is extremely hostile toward those with criminal records, so you should prepare yourself mentally.

“Then do we follow the detention wing’s rules there?”

—Of course.

“So I should assume I can’t use the Catalog.”

Shero replied in an awkward tone.

—Technically, the Catalog isn’t supposed to be used in the first place. This is a disarmed zone.

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

Yeongwoo hid his true intention—the idea that, if necessary, he might beat up Executor Ketu and leave.

“So… when we get to the detention wing, who’ll be guiding me? The guy who approved our entry earlier?”

—No, the Executor’s rank is far above mine…

While saying this, Shero shifted his gaze to his pad—and fell silent.

The guide for this tour was listed not as a regular officer, but as the detention-wing chief, Executor Ketu.

—…Huh?

“What? What is it?”

—It says Executor Ketu himself will be conducting the tour. I suppose since you’re a Planetary Ship Overseer, the security level…

“Isn’t it a good thing if someone high-ranking comes out to greet us?”

For Yeongwoo, it was especially good news.

He had been wondering how he would locate Ketu once inside the detention wing anyway—if the man was coming out personally, that made things much easier.

But unaware of Yeongwoo’s hidden motives, Shero looked worried instead.

—As the detention-wing chief, the Executor holds significant hostility toward criminals. I doubt this will be an enjoyable tour.

“At least it’ll be a meaningful one. Otherwise the only way I’d ever see a Space Police Bureau prison would be if I got arrested.”

If someone dreamed of becoming a major criminal, this tour was a golden opportunity.

When else would he get to visit a high-security prison like the Space Police Bureau’s detention wing?

And since it was officially a tour, he might even get a grasp of the prison’s structure.

—Now then, the place you see ahead is today’s destination: the Grade-3 Detention Facility, Pahalufe.

“Grade 3? Why Grade 3? You won’t show me higher ones?”

Shero silently turned around, then let out a tiny sigh.

—Pahalufe is the highest-grade detention facility publicly accessible. It is a high-function installation capable of containing even Grade-3 entities.

“What—Grade-3 entities?”

Only then did Yeongwoo understand.

The name “Grade-3 Detention Facility” wasn’t because it was third-tier.

“So it’s called Grade-3 because the maximum contained level is Grade 3…?”

—Correct. Many heinous criminals are held there.

“Then… does a Grade-2 detention facility exist too? Inside that ‘Core Zone’?”

At that, Shero turned his head back forward.

—I cannot disclose any information related to the Core Zone.

Then the opaque curtain covering the cockpit window retracted, revealing a cylindrical structure floating in the pitch-black expanse of space.

“Oh… that’s it.”

—Yes. That is Pahalufe.

Pahalufe.

There was a reason Shero had called it a “high-function installation.”

Because Pahalufe was a gigantic machine.

“It looks like some kind of lock.”

—It performs a similar function, in fact.

As Shero slowed the escort vessel and approached the underside of Pahalufe, the nearby outer plating split left and right, creating a massive entrance.

—Since Officer Ketu has been assigned as the guide, he is likely waiting to greet us.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

“You said he’s hostile toward criminals… but if he’s coming out personally, isn’t he actually kind?”

—Rather than kind…

Shero trailed off, as if to say he would understand once they arrived.

Then, in a completely different tone than before, he added:

—Whatever happens outside the escort vessel, remember that this is fundamentally part of a tour. You are not actually being detained… unless you commit additional crimes here.

“What? Is that really something you need to warn me about?”

As Yeongwoo blinked in confusion with his mouth hanging open, a booming voice suddenly thundered from outside the vessel, as if blasted through a loudspeaker.

「2142! Get outside immediately! Pahalufe is waiting for you!」

“What the hell, who’s that bastard.”

Shero shook his head.

—Please refrain from criminal-like speech while in Pahalufe.

“When did I ever act like a criminal?”

The moment Yeongwoo protested indignantly, the inner panel on the right side of the escort ship folded outward—and an enormous blast of wind surged in.

KWAHHHHHH—!

It felt as if they had entered a storm.

—Please step outside first! The Pahalufe tour will now begin!

The wind was so violent that even with Shero shouting right beside him, his voice sounded shredded apart.

“Shit, what the hell is going on?”

Yeongwoo covered his face with one arm, braced himself against the wall with the other, and barely managed to step outside the ship.

KWIIIAAAAAAAK!

A razorlike gale lashed at him violently.

This wasn’t ordinary wind at all—so strong that even Yeongwoo struggled to keep his footing.

Shero immediately pointed that out.

—As expected of a Planetary Ship Overseer. Most people cannot even stand upright here. That’s why if we line prisoners up, we can instantly tell who needs to be watched more closely.

Around that moment, the same rough voice from earlier rang out again.

「2142, disarm yourself!」

“What? I’m already—”

As Yeongwoo looked down at himself, a violet hologram flashed before his eyes.

‘An ambush…!’

He instinctively realized the attack was coming from directly behind him—but also knew it was already too late to stop it.

This absurd gale had concealed the assailant’s presence.

Piiit!

A sharp sting hit his lower back.

Turning around, Yeongwoo saw Shero holding a syringe.

“…What is this?”

—A paralytic injection. You will need to be fitted with restraints shortly. For both our safety, I’m sorry, but we had no choice but to use medication.

“But you said… you don’t treat me like a criminal.”

—…We are no longer on my escort ship. The drug should begin taking effect now.

“Paralysis… what exactly happens? I won’t be able to move at all?”

—For about two minutes. You won’t be able to move your limbs. It’s purely a measure to apply restraints, so don’t worry.

“Ah.”

Yeongwoo collapsed on the spot with a sigh.

He had to pretend his legs were giving out.

Because in reality—

‘…The drug isn’t working?’

The paralytic syringe Shero had prepared had absolutely no effect on him.

Well, naturally—one of Yeongwoo’s molars granted him immunity to toxins.

「Venomfang」 – Legendary Tooth

【Sturdy Jaw】

【Venom Affinity】

.

【Sturdy Jaw】

| The durability of the lower portion of the body part classified as Head increases by 30%.

【Venom Affinity】

| Grants immunity to most toxic substances; inhaling poison increases bodily regeneration.

Thanks to Venom Affinity, instead of becoming paralyzed, Yeongwoo felt vitality surging through his entire body.

Of course, unaware of this, Shero repeatedly apologized while fastening restraints onto him—and Yeongwoo didn’t bother to stop him.

Even if he revealed that he wasn’t paralyzed, refusing the restraints probably wouldn’t have worked anyway.

‘No reason to reveal my toxin immunity… better for the future.’

The restraints Shero attached were bracelet-like cuffs, one on each wrist—and the moment they touched his skin, the presence of the Catalogs vanished completely from his consciousness.

Clank!

Just as the restraints fully locked around both arms, a massive presence stirred beyond the storm.

KUUUUNG!

“What’s that?”

—Executor Ketu, who will personally oversee your Pahalufe tour, is arriving.

And then, a huge hand burst through the cutting gale and crushed down onto Yeongwoo’s head pinned to the floor.

Crack.

Executor Ketu had appeared right beside him.

■ 2142. I do not know what scheme brought you to Pahalufe, but from today onward, you will learn to fear us.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]