Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 13
“Hahaha! All high and mighty before, and now at the bottom, what a sight!”
A villainous, mocking laughter echoed.
They couldn’t even speak to me before, but look how they’ve changed their tune now.
Now that there’s nothing to gain from me, their attitude shifts.
When life hits rock bottom, so do relationships.
I sighed, a fresh reminder of reality sinking in.
Yet, unfazed by the mockery, my lips curled into a relaxed smile.
A day in the same room with Johann makes any sort of insult feel trivial.
“I heard you two are just lackeys doing errands for the higher-ranked prisoners.”
At my words, Number 21 exploded in anger, eyes widening.
“Who said that!?”
“Number 7 did. Don’t get mad at me, go and confront her.”
They glanced over at Clara, who was eating, then glared back at me.
Number 20 sneered.
“Number 7 could say that, but you’re hardly in a position to.”
“It seems there’s no difference between us. You’re tyrants to the weak. And now you’re venting your frustrations.”
The two, at a loss for words, flushed red.
A victory for me, but this is a brutal prison. They are mid-tier prisoners, after all.
Unlike the vulnerable lower ranks, a contagion attack wouldn’t work on them.
Here, unlike the social circles where wit and connections prevail, violence is a quick fix.
With the ominous “Survival Training” not far off, making more enemies is the last thing I need.
Besides, having the mid-tiers on my side could be beneficial in many ways.
“I admit I’m a parasite, unable to awaken any abilities and clinging to others to survive. It’s just what you have to do to stay alive.”
When faced with physical aggression, self-critique is a means to deflect.
Prisoner number 20, loosening her clenched fist, raised her chin and elevated her voice.
“That’s right, the parasite dares to speak to Prince Enrique? Know your place. Lower-ranked prisoners aren’t supposed to initiate conversations with those above them.”
“But it was the Prince who spoke to me first. Shouldn’t the order be for you to tell the Prince not to speak to me first?”
I retorted naturally.
“Don’t talk back! I’m above you now, understand?”
Prisoner number 20 flared up again, raising their voice.
Prisoner number 21, stepping forward, pressed hard against my forehead with a finger.
“What’s your relationship with Johann? What were you two doing alone in the men’s shower?”
“All he did was wait for me to wash up?”
“Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re getting special treatment, you’re just bottom-tier trash.”
I stared at them, utterly baffled.
“Guys, remember what I used to say all the time? Does it ring a bell?”
“Why would we care about what you say?”
“There are billions of men in the world, so don’t waste emotions on relationship troubles. Surely, you’re not jealous? You’re just picking a fight for the sake of it, right? I can’t believe my once brave social circle comrades are resorting to such petty, third-rate villain lines.”
Prisoner number 20 clenched her fists tightly, scowling.
“…Comrades? That’s a joke! Did you ever consider us friends? You never invited us to your parties, nor did you ever accept our invitations!”
It seemed I had touched a nerve.
Their one-sided following and attempts at conversation hardly constituted friendship.
It appears they’re now expressing the bitterness and resentment they harbored from back then.
Then, narrowing her eyes, Prisoner number 21 asked.
“Do you know our names?”
I don’t.
I tend not to remember names unless the person is significant to me.
I gave her a sympathetic look and slowly opened my mouth.
“Ah, I find it hard to trust people. I didn’t fully understand your feelings. To think you liked me enough to be jealous of me being with other prisoners…”
“No! Stop pretending to empathize, you psycho!”
Both exclaimed in unison.
Then, Prisoner number 21 cleared her throat emphatically.
“It’s infuriating that you, of all people, share a cell with Prisoners number 1 and 2. You always get everything so easily without any effort.”
What! Me, getting things without effort?
I adore that misconception.
I’ve always strived for the image of succeeding effortlessly while enjoying life.
But… had I really had such connections, I wouldn’t be trapped in this place.
