Behind his shoulders is the overthrow of a regime in Africa, the arrests of major government officials, and the purchase of foreign passports from pickpockets. A former special forces intelligence soldier, Volkov - Wolf - Raspisnoy is carrying out a particularly important task of political significance. He has to go through all the circles of prison hell, the language, laws and customs of which he knows well. Physical strength, experience as a boxer, icy composure, and ingenuity help him withstand monstrous tests. And also... tattooed pictures on the skin, which, contrary to the laws of nature, behave like living beings...