Episode 7 [Preparation]
The screen that changed after registering the name was similar to the mobile phone screen of 10 years ago.
The blue background was similar and the menu list at the bottom was the same.
”Of course you can’t make a phone call, right?”.
Kyung-hoon pressed the menu button. The screen changed and a list of options appeared.
1. Help
2. Awakened Guide
3. User Information
4. Monster Encyclopedia
5. Phone Settings
6. Awakening Self-support program download
7. General program download
8. Most of the games
It was a list with nothing special, but as expected, it included ‘Awakened’ information.
[This manual was created to support early Awakened people.]
[1. Definition of Awakened person : Refers to a human who has changed due to an increase in mana, whose physical abilities are strengthened and who can use mana.]
Kyung-hoon looked at his body. He knew that his body had been strengthened, but he did not seem to have felt mana. He looked
up . Gyeonghoon, squinting, continued reading the text.
[2. Registration of awakened people: Those who have awakened can visit the awakened center and get tested. If you do not register, you may be subject to legal sanctions. Visit the nearest awakened center. The location and phone number are left on the Internet and in this phone list.]
[…]
[For other detailed information, please call or visit the Awakened Center on our website and we will provide you with more information. Thank you.] Unfortunately, important
information is not included . “If you talk about anything, it’s all on the Internet.”
Kyung-hoon sighed. It was a world where Internet connection was a given as well. That’s why all the important information was missing. You couldn’t make a phone call,
and
the address of the awakened center was in the cell phone number field. It remains, but…
‘Can I find it?’
If the city I had seen before was the same as the Awakened Center, it would be difficult to leave it alone.
‘But, there is no other place I know the address of.’
I could search for a library with records, but there was no guarantee that there would be a library in the same location as here. I
looked up the [Yongsan 2-gun Yongsan Middle School] that I saw in the other world on the Internet, but all I found was a US military base that was being relocated, not even the building where the monster rat was. .
Kyung-hoon was disappointed by the unexpectedly small amount of information.
There was [Download Awakened Support Program] in column 6, but as soon as he pressed it, the message [Unable to connect] appeared. There was no way he could connect to the Internet when he couldn’t make a phone call. He had a disappointed look on his face
. I pressed user information number 3.
[1. Name: Kang Kyung-hoon]
[2. Mana grade: F]
[3. Characteristic: Dimension shifter]
[4. Affiliation: None]
[5. Unregistered status: Please register at the Awakened Center. I hope.]
It wasn’t that different from what I saw before, but fortunately now I was able to look more closely at each phrase. This time, I
pressed mana grade 2.
[ Mana grade: F ]
[You can increase your grade by absorbing mana. Currently grade F. Due to continuous mana absorption, it is not long until grade E.]
‘When did you absorb mana?’
Two memories flashed through Kyung-hoon’s mind as he looked at the screen.
The strange energy that permeated him when he killed the monster rats. And, the energy he felt when he killed the monster cat today. It
was all the same feeling. The satisfaction of being filled with something that was lacking. His own. A feeling of exaltation, as if my level was rising.
Various sensations were mixed, but then something entered my body.
Was it mana?
I wasn’t sure yet. Kyung-hoon moved on to the next thing.
[Characteristic: Dimension Shifter]
［Currently, only one person has registered a rare ability. . You can move to a specific dimension at certain times.］
［The higher the mana concentration, the shorter the time as the mana level increases.］
“It’s probably like a parallel world, right?”
What I guessed based on the characteristic of [Dimension Shifter] was correct. A world similar but not the same. I had seen it in a science fiction movie or something.
The place he went to was a parallel world. It was Seoul on another level.
In addition, I was able to understand why the time to move between dimensions is different from the phrase below.
Differences in mana concentration. The mana concentration of this world and that world is different.
‘Could it be that because of that mana, mutations occurred and I also became an awakened person?’
Kyunghoon shook his head. There was still so little I knew. More information was needed.
[20 hours left until the next trait is activated.]
After checking the last sentence, Kyung-hoon looked at his phone some more and went to bed.
It seemed like tomorrow would be busy. There was a lot to prepare.
next day. Kyung-hoon took a taxi and headed to Jongno.
Jongno Jewelry Mall. The largest jewelry store in Seoul was his destination.
“Are you going to see the wedding gift?”
After hearing the destination, the driver pretended to be friendly and asked, but Kyung-hoon did not answer. It was because I was going there for a completely different reason.
His inner pockets were filled with various precious metals. They were all precious metals brought from the other world.
Originally I wasn’t planning on using it, but since I decided to take the risk, there was no reason not to use it.
When he arrived in Jongno, he went around to a jewelry store and sold gold items.
Among them, items that seemed too expensive were excluded. Although it was not an item of ownership, there was no need to raise any suspicion.
Because I only went to places far away, I spent the whole morning and was able to earn 6 million won for my efforts.
It was quite a lot of money, but it was all money I was going to spend anyway.
He had a light lunch nearby and headed to Dongmyo Flea Market. Now that I had money, it was time to spend it.
It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but not much has changed in Dongmyo. The street vendors I had seen in the past were still selling goods there.
From old antiques to used clothes and junk food. As expected from merchants who moved from the Cheonggyecheon shopping district in the past, everything was there except for what was missing.
Kyung-hoon walked to the back of the market. When I went inside, the atmosphere was different from before. The people touting customers were moving secretly, and the hanging objects had also turned into colorful national defense colors.
He pushed past the people holding him back and headed deep into the depths. Fortunately, the store was still there.
[Sergeant Han Kang]
This was a store I used to frequent when I was in the military.
The store had leftover canteens, military uniforms, and even blankets on display.
For some reason, the owner was nowhere to be seen. Kyung-hoon spoke to a pretty girl who seemed to be a part-time worker.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Isn’t the owner here?”
“I am the owner?”
Kyung-hoon was taken aback by the woman’s words. It was clearly the old store.
“Isn’t it Mr. Jeong’s store?”
At those words, the woman looked at him. Kyung-hoon also looked at her.
A woman in her early 20s with her hair tied back and wearing only basic makeup. It was a face I had definitely seen before somewhere.
“Huh, are you Kyung-hoon?”
“Eun-hye. ?”
The two recognized each other at the same time. They were both very happy.
“Is this the first time we’ve seen each other in 5 years? Wow, I don’t recognize you.”
“Mr. Kyung-hoon also has long hair, so he’s a different person.”
Instead of greeting each other, the two people talked about their appearance one by one. Kyung-hoon then asked a question.
“You mean you are the owner? What are you talking about? “Mr. Jeong, what are you doing?”
At Kyung-hoon’s question, Eun-hye’s face darkened for a moment.
“He’s not feeling well and is lying down.”
“ah.”
Even when I went here five years ago, Mr. Jeong was not feeling well. His daughter Eun-hye, who was a high school student at the time, would often help him. “
Well, thanks to you, I was able to take over the business so quickly.”
Ee-hye had a dark expression on her face . It was quickly released. Gyeonghoon had to hide his pity from her smile.
“But what did you come to save? Aren’t you discharged?”
When I was in the military, due to the nature of the unit, I had no choice but to obtain quite a few items from priests and civilians.
He became a regular at this store after being introduced by his unit sergeant, and that relationship continued until he was discharged from the military.
“Did you take over all of your father’s work?”
“Of course. Otherwise, how can you say you are the owner?”
She, who had been speaking confidently, narrowed her eyes and looked at Kyung-hoon.
“Are you sure you need that item?”
“this and that.”
Kyung-hoon took out a note and handed it to her. It contained the items he wanted to buy.
She accepted it without thinking and looked at the note with a serious face. The list included items that were more dangerous than expected.
Eun-hye looked surprised. I looked at Kyung-hoon.
“Where are you planning to go to war?”
Kyung-hoon shrugged his shoulders at her question.
“After being discharged from the military, he became a more dangerous person.”
“Don’t worry, it’s not something to use against people.”
Eunhye was curious, but did not ask any more questions.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter.”
She shrugged her shoulders and went into the store with a note in hand.
“It will take time to get some things, is that okay?”
“Why wait?”
“Then please take a look at the store.”
“okay.”
Kyung-hoon sat down on a chair inside the store and started looking at the store. The guests did not come. The store seemed to be doing less well than before.
A few hours later, grace returned, carrying the military backpack with great difficulty.
“Wow, luckily I was able to save everything.”
“great job.”
As Kyung-hoon easily took the bag with one hand, her eyes widened slightly.
“It’s powerful.”
“How much is it?”
“It’s hard to get things these days, so… um… please give me 4.5 million.”
Kyung-hoon handed me a bundle of bills as I made an excuse.
“Now 500.”
“Oh, 500,000 won is a lot.”
“For the rest, I’ll buy you some medicine. I didn’t have time to go visit the hospital.”
Anyway, this backpack contained items that were difficult to find in other stores.
Since it doesn’t seem like it will be a one-time experience, it would have been better to leave a full tip.
Eunhye’s face brightened.
“I heard that you can’t refuse a favor. I’ll take it well. Please always use us in the future.”
“Then, can you call me a car?’’
“Yes.”
After a while, Gyeongchan returned home in a call van. Unlike the taxi driver who was noisy on the way, the call van driver was very quiet.
It was worth several times more. As it was a call van that mainly picked up customers at Dongmyo Market, it was very tongue-in-cheek.
That night. Kyung-hoon conducted a chemistry experiment in his room for the first time in a long time.
***
The next morning.
After completing preparations for departure, Kyung-hoon did a final inspection.
He looked like an American soldier going into battle.
Wearing a US military uniform and a bulletproof vest on his chest. With a pistol and a long sword on his waist, he looked at his cell phone one last time.
[The trait has been activated.]
The phone said that his abilities had returned.
Kyung-hoon put his cell phone in his inner pocket and put on his backpack.
And then he spread his hands toward the floor.
Ugh.
A black hole began to open.
