The power called Kia made anything possible.
That’s why in this prison, the ranking system wasn’t based on age or gender—there were old people, young people, men, and women. What mattered was power.
And I had incredible talent and potential in using Kia.
The moment I awakened it, I overwhelmed everyone and rose to the top.
Sure, as a side effect, I forgot a bit of common sense needed for society… but that’s not a big deal, right?
Anyway, it had been three days since I declared I’d try to live like a normal, reasonable person again.
‘But what does cleaning have to do with common sense?’
They told me to do it, so I did… but it turns out becoming a decent human isn’t so easy.
‘Not that it matters. I can’t even break out of this place, let alone be released.’
I tilted my head and asked,
“So, Warden, may I ask what you need from me?”
“You rude brat. It’s not polite to ask for the reason first in front of your elders.”
“I think you just call anything you don’t like ‘common sense’ now.”
“That’s your misunderstanding.”
“Yes, sir.”
We were joking around, but I knew Warden Ralph never called me without a reason.
He was too busy to waste time—unless something serious came up, like a big fight in the prison that needed to be handled, like years ago.
“Anyway, Mint. Cut it out.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you intentionally provoked those guys today.”
I relaxed from my stiff stance and stood casually.
“Guys who come in and try to be rapists the moment they arrive? They’re better off turning into compost.”
It was a cocky attitude, especially in front of the warden—but I could get away with it.
That’s the privilege of someone who’s ruled this place for a long time.
“You’re a funny one. You killed thirty-two people at age twelve, and you think you have the right to punish one rapist?”
“Then let’s just say if you’re weak, you die.”
“So easy?”
“I came here to live however I wanted.”
“…”
“Please understand. My dear Amy screamed.”
“Amy?”
“Here, look. My right side—”
“Enough. Shut up.”
I scratched my ear.
“You once told me, didn’t you? That this prison is still a place where people live, and there’s right and wrong—but whether I follow it is up to me.”
Sadly, since my common sense ran away years ago, I’ve had to learn it again, bit by bit.
‘It’s been 10 years now. Maybe it’s time I prepare to leave.’
When I see something I hate, I can’t just let it slide.
The tiny bit of “Mint” still left inside me shouts—and I have to listen.
The warden and the other guards probably hoped a violent, crazy person, or a bootlicker would rise to the top.
But the one who got there was me.
“At least when you tell me to bark, I bark like a loyal dog, right?”
“When did you ever bark…”
“Woof! Woof woof! WOOF!”
“…”
“Wooo―”
“Alright, shut up!”
The warden gave me that look again—‘How is this lunatic still alive?’
I may be the prison’s biggest headache, stuck in here forever…
But today’s talk felt different.
“Do you want to get out?”
I dropped the playful face and looked at the bald warden.
He was serious too. I tilted my head lazily.
“Why give a hopeless prisoner like me false hope?”
The warden leaned his chin on his hands.
“I’ll make it look like you died on paper. But in return, you have to do one job.”
“I… don’t quite follow.”
Sometimes, opportunities appear like lies.
I didn’t show it on my face, but I was very curious.
In this prison full of scams and bluffing, what mattered was clear deals—unbreakable promises.
“Help me, and I’ll let you go.”
“What would you like me to do, master?”
“…”
He looked suspicious again for a moment, but it faded quickly.
Then the “king” of this prison gave me an order.
“A VIP is coming here soon.”
Nobles aren’t completely banned from this prison. Look at me—I’m one too.
Though it’s rare, some do end up here.
A “VIP” means someone very important.
“The new prisoner coming soon… help them survive.”
“Just survive?”
The warden shook his head.
“Can you make them the top dog?”
“….”
This prison is basically lawless. That kind of promise isn’t something you make lightly.
Still, I held out my hand.
“Leave it to me.”
Green light flowed out of my hand like a thin thread.
The warden grimaced, but stretched out his wrinkled hand.
Golden light came out of his hand.
When our fingertips touched, the threads twisted together.
It was a Kia oath.
Break it, and your heart explodes.
“If you succeed, I’ll make sure you’re released. Your old identity will be erased, and you’ll get a brand-new life.”
I smiled brightly, like I had stars in my eyes.
Probably looked super shiny and weird.
After the oath, the warden looked annoyed and shook his hand.
“But… the place you’re going is the west male prison.”
…Huh? Did I hear that wrong?
“Unfortunately, my biological gender is female.”
Wasn’t the VIP supposed to be a noblewoman? Even if not, still…
And even if I don’t mind going to the west side, I am a woman.
“Then you’ll have to hide it.”
“…Sir, are the parts between your legs detachable or something?”
“…What did you just say?”
“How can I attach something that isn’t there?”
“Disguise! I meant disguise!”
The warden yelled.
Okay, so disguise.
But that’s not exactly easy…
“We’ll prepare everything. Just get ready to disappear.”
“Sure.”
The unnecessary “Mint” will disappear now.
I nodded without hesitation.
We talked a bit more about the details, but nothing was more important than that one reward.
Even just standing still, my hands were shaking a little.
I could finally get out.
All I had to do was one thing.
** * * * **
The warden started clearing my identity, which wasn’t that hard.
I began packing up my things in the prison.
Even though I lived here for 10 years, I didn’t feel too attached.
“I’m leaving that spot.”
At my words, a beautiful woman with pink hair blinked at me.
She had a burn scar covering about a third of her face, but she was still pretty, with brown eyes.
“Ah, so it’s finally your execution? Are you being executed, boss?”
Her name was Ramona. She specialized in poison.
She could make deadly poison using corrupted Kia.
“Tell us more, hmm?”
“Be quiet, Ramona! What’s there to explain? Damn it. I knew this day would come. It was weird enough she didn’t get punished after all that crap she pulled in front of the warden.”
“Oh, Daryl, don’t say it like that.”
The red-haired woman with a short bob was Daryl.
She was huge and muscular, with reinforced-body type Kia powers.
“What? The warden has replaced bosses many times for minor reasons. It’s finally her turn. She just managed to last this long.”
Ramona and Daryl were prisoners ranked as High-Class Level 1.
The numbers go from 3 to 1—like livestock rankings. The lower the number, the stronger you are.
So they were the strongest under me.
“That’s right.”
“What do you mean, ‘that’s right’? Tell us properly! Are you dying? For real? Or… are you getting released?”
Daryl asked like that couldn’t possibly be the case.
Why does everyone assume I can’t be released? Kind of hurts.
“Oh! Is it hanging? Whipping? Or the electric chair? Which one?”
“Hmm. Just think of it as a good thing.”
Ramona smiled with her eyes curved.
“So it’s a secret, huh?”
I didn’t answer. Daryl started stomping around. She got more worked up as Ramona teased her. Same old, same old.
I turned my head.
Over there, a girl was crouching nervously, glancing around.
“You heard that, right? That’s what’s going on.”
Brown hair. Neat face. Kind impression.
She was the new prisoner—Hira.
“Um… what do you mean by that…?”
“Normally, when new people arrive, I spend about a week showing them around the place.”
“…”
“This place is super dangerous, after all.”
She was pretending to be scared, but I could tell—she wasn’t afraid at all.
I noticed right away with my sharp instincts…
But I acted like I didn’t.
