Chapter 15 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas StudiosEditor: Atlas Studios

“I’ll have a piece of toast and a glass of milk… What’s that? Braised lalafell? I’ll have one of that too.”

Ash sat down with the tray of food in his hands, observing the crowd of people entering the restaurant.

In addition to the prisoners wearing classic prison skin, there were also many prison guards eating here. This prison did not seem to have a hierarchical system. The prison guards and the prisoners appeared equal. Or rather, the prison guards did not care about the prisoners at all, and the prisoners would not deliberately provoke the prison guards. Together, both sides created a harmonious prison together.

Ash could understand if the prison guards did not care about the prisoners. After all, it was human nature to slack off. But why did the prisoners also stay away from the prison guards?

After all, they wouldn’t have broken the law if they were smart. Those who could wind up in prison were definitely idiots who didn’t know their place, like a certain cult leader who was arrested by a few policemen (hunters).

Similarly, those prisoners were definitely not too smart, but why wouldn’t they provoke and tease the prison guards?

“Because you’re locked.”

Sword Maiden sat beside him and poked the braised lalafell with her finger. She said casually, “The chips on the back of your necks are locked. You are not allowed to attack others, insult others, or hurt yourselves. This is why the Shattered Lake Prison gives you so much freedom—every bone and nerve in you is shackled.”

“Look, there’s a poster of ‘Creating a Civilized Prison’ on the wall over there. On the poster is a picture of a death row criminal and a student. It looks like the results of creating a civilized prison here are pretty good. There are even students coming here for spring and fall semester tours.”

Ash touched the back of his neck subconsciously and his eyes widened. “That’s—that’s no different from having a bomb installed in my neck—”

“Do you really want to speak so loudly?” Sword Maiden pointed at the prisoners, who looked over at the sound.

Ash immediately stuffed his mouth with a piece of toast. [Then, wouldn’t it be impossible for me to escape from prison at all as long as I wear this chip? The chip must have a GPS function!]

“More than that, if they want to, they can even make the chip send out strong electric currents and directly stop your heart.” Sword Maiden spread out her hands. “Therefore, you are right. In theory, it is impossible for you to escape from this prison. Never mind escape, even if you want to dig a tunnel with a spoon, the chip will stop you from destroying public property.”

[It’s impossible in theory, but what about in practice?] Ash took a sip of milk and found it surprisingly sweet.

“In practice… it’s impossible too.” Sword Maiden rolled her eyes. “I’m not from here. How would I know so much?”

[Then where did the information you mentioned just now come from?]

“There’s also a copy of the “Encyclopedia of Shattered Lake Prison” in your hologram files. I flipped through it when I was bored.”

Ash was stunned for a moment. It made sense, though. The Sword Maiden was just a character in a game. How could she possibly know about this world?

This is going to be tricky, though. She can somehow flip through the other files in my hologram. I was hoping to find out if there are any shady pornographic websites in this world…

“I can’t do anything about something like prison escape, but if you want to become stronger, I have a few ways.” Sword Maiden said, “In short, you should find someone else to fight first. There’s nothing easier to understand than fighting, don’t you agree, Observer?”

[Wait, according to what you said, the prisoners can’t even attack others? How am I supposed to provoke someone into a fight?] At this point, Ash finally realized that this prison had already eliminated the possibility of the prisoners fighting at its root.

“Why do I have to answer everything for you? Are you or am I the one escaping from prison?” Sword Maiden sneered. “Do you want to call me mommy when you’re hungry too?”

[Mom! Grandma!]

“You’re courting death!”

Ash touched his forehead and thought that it was really unfair. Sword Maiden was clearly an illusion, but why did it hurt so much when she flicked his forehead…

Ash looked around the room and saw that the bald man had just taken another glass of milk. He walked over and sat down across from him—after realizing that the others couldn’t hit him, Ash felt bolder all of a sudden.