K. feels a profound sense of liberation as he perceives that those around him have severed all ties with him. In this moment, he believes he has achieved a unique form of freedom, allowing him to remain in a place that was once restricted. The absence of external pressures makes him feel untouchable and unassailable, suggesting a newfound autonomy that he has long sought.

However, this sense of freedom quickly turns to despair as K. realizes the futility of his situation. Despite the feeling of invulnerability, he recognizes that this state is ultimately meaningless and devoid of purpose. His thoughts reveal a conflict between the joy of independence and the bitterness of its hopelessness, leading him to conclude that his waiting and isolation yield no tangible benefit.