Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Activity (1)
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"Yes? You're saying I don't have to come in for a while... Okay, okay... Ah, yes, I understand..."
I was left with a dazed expression after the call telling me I didn't need to show up for my part-time job.
Apparently, the logistics center hadn't fully recovered from the incident the other day, so they'd be closed for a while.
Not just the logistics center—the cafe needed repairs for the damaged parts too, so the boss said I didn't need to come in for a few days. He even asked if I was okay.
I said I was fine and hung up.
"Phew... So today's completely free?"
I turned off my phone and lay back on the bed, lost in thought for a moment.
Sure, I had nothing to do, so I could just kill time...
But sitting around feels kinda stuffy.
I'd always been active, so lounging around didn't sit right.
Compared to before, things outside had stabilized quite a bit, so maybe it was safe to head out?
It'd be a good chance to test the extent of my power anyway.
"Where should I go to check my strength..."
The mountains were the only thing that came to mind.
I couldn't go to the Superpower Training Center.
As a certified Powerless, I wasn't even allowed entry.
You could visit to see off family, but for safety reasons, entering the training grounds was legally prohibited for Powerless folks.
Our physical specs just couldn't compare to those with Superpowers.
So I needed somewhere with hardly any people...
"Mountains are really the only option."
It was a weekday, so there wouldn't be many hikers. Sounded decent.
"Alright... Shall we?"
With my plans for the day set, I grabbed my gear and headed to a mountain known for being a bit challenging.
Just in case something happens, I should bring stuff to hide my identity.
Right now, all I had was a big hoodie, a mask, and some tacky alien sunglasses I'd grabbed on a whim.
"Hope this works."
The sunglasses were kinda embarrassing, but whatever—as long as my face was covered.
And so, on a sudden whim, I started climbing.
I handled logistics work without breaking a sweat, so stamina-wise, no big deal. But climbing a mountain was another story.
Or so I'd thought.
Not even tiring?
Normally, I'd feel some strain by now, but thanks to the Stat Cheat, my body felt ridiculously light—no fatigue at all.
I should've been out of breath from moving like this, but I was breathing easily, totally relaxed.
Even when I picked up the pace to a near-run, not a hint of shortness of breath. It really hit home.
Before, it hadn't felt real despite what I'd done. But now? I could truly sense I'd become superhuman...
Especially in everyday stuff like this, the changes stood out.
Punching a wall from afar without real effort, flicking a monster into a wall with a finger snap.
Knives barely scratched me.
Though I did have to toss the ripped clothes.
"Whoa... what the..."
"Kids these days have insane stamina..."
"That's gotta be Superpower-related, right?"
"A Superpower?"
"How strong does it have to be to climb like that..."
There weren't many people around, but the other hikers were staring in shock.
I summited a mountain that usually took over three hours—in just ten minutes.
"Hmm..."
No heavy breathing, even after sprinting nonstop to the top.
Definitely beyond normal human limits.
"Whew..."
I stood at the peak, gazing down at central Seoul in a daze.
The whole city sprawled out below, intoxicating—until...
Huh?
Something felt off.
I could see people milling about in the streets, even spot incidents unfolding in real time, crystal clear.
What the hell is that?
A Villain fleeing—heading to a remote, undeveloped area.
What...
From this distance, I could make out exactly what was happening. My eyesight was insane.
No, beyond good...
Like...
I've got a telescope or something?
Stat Cheat again? I was still processing when—
"Not many young folks climb mountains on a weekday."
A voice came from behind.
I whipped around to see an old man in hiking gear.
The old man waved cheerfully and approached.
"Saw you sprinting up earlier. Impressive stamina. Young people these days won't touch a mountain with a ten-foot pole."
"Ah, haha..."
No sweat on me—hope that doesn't look weird.
"Up close, you don't even look winded. Superpowered, maybe? Nah, doesn't seem like it... Just naturally fit, huh."
"Yeah, something like that..."
Good, he bought it.
"Heh heh... Here, have one. Gotta fuel up after a climb."
"Oh... You don't have to..."
"Take it. I can't eat 'em all myself."
"Ah... Thanks."
He handed over some chocolate from his pack. Looked pricey.
Neat guy.
I unwrapped and nibbled mine, glancing around before asking cautiously,
"You come up here often?"
"Yeah... Now and then, to clear my head."
He sat and started chatting.
"Back in the day, I was always charging ahead. World looked down on me for having no powers."
He launched into his story solo.
Didn't wanna be rude, so I sat and listened.
"No matter what I did, no one acknowledged me. Made me wanna prove myself—show I could do anything without Superpowers."
"Powerless, huh?"
"World changes fast. Superpowers used to be rare... Just decades later, everything's flipped."
"Yeah..."
"Kept at it, and here I am now."
He paused with a sigh, a bitter air settling in.
"But what was the point? Looking back, feels pointless. Kids just give me grief. World's a mess—no wins. Few days ago, weird stuff popped up everywhere. When it gets too much, I come here to unwind."
"I see..."
He glanced at me.
"What brings you all the way up?"
Nothing to do, testing my Stat Cheat.
Can't say that.
Scrambling for an answer, I blurted,
"Just... happened to climb up."
He eyed me curiously, then chuckled.
Weird response? But his laugh had this odd calm.
"Heh heh... Yeah... Coincidence... Coincidence..."
Conversation lulled. I glanced back at the city—
Hm?
Through the trees below, someone darting frantically.
Stranded hiker?
Didn't look right.
Not on a managed trail—straight through wild mountain. Couldn't ignore someone running like that.
Should I check it out?
Torn.
Instinct screamed to chase.
Remembered the Seoul incident—couldn't sit this out.
Let him go, and he'd slip away.
His pursuers were too far back.
What if I intervene and get spotted?
Chasing meant risk of exposure.
Here to test limits, sure—but still risky.
Ugh.
Looked around.
No one paying attention, just the old man chatting with me.
If he's normal, no issue.
He probably thinks I'm a strong Superpowered type.
Unlikely to snitch.
Hiding now's pointless anyway.
Thought the same before.
Acted without thinking then.
Deep down, I knew.
This power? Most couldn't touch me.
Fleeing with unknown limits? Stupid.
Especially now, low risk.
Let's do it.
Time to start some activity.
Hide my face, build some fame.
Get famous enough, country won't touch me—might even recognize me as a Hero.
Decision made, I turned to the old man.
"Hold on... Uh, sir?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"Looks like someone's running down there."
"Huh? Where...?"
He hadn't spotted it at first, but when I pointed, he saw something moving.
"No way... You can see that?"
"Yeah..."
"Wouldn't have noticed without you pointing... Sharp eyes for a young guy."
"So... I'm gonna go check."
"Wha...? You said check?"
Hundreds of meters drop. Normal reaction.
From summit, it'd take hours for anyone normal.
"Keep it secret."
I pulled my hood low, masked up.
"What the—"
Wasn't going public anyway. He didn't know me, no one to tell. Showing power? Fine.
Hood, mask, embarrassing alien shades—face covered. Good.
I jumped without waiting.
"Wh-what are you—?!"
Heard him yell, but I called back "It's fine!" and dropped.
Stat Cheat.
Instinct said this height? Zero damage.
And—
BOOM!!
Landed right in front of the guy fleeing along the ridge.
"Wh-what the fuck?!"
He recoiled in shock at my sudden appearance.
But I already knew what he was.
His getup gave it away.
Saw him earlier.
"Wondered where you were running off to."
Villain.
The one from Seoul view—caused trouble, now fleeing.
Couldn't let him go.
Felt like he'd escape otherwise.
Just leave him here.
Mountain, no managed trails—wrong ridge entirely.
No CCTV.
Face hidden, no ID risk from him.
Perfect for testing power control.
"What kinda psycho... Where'd you drop from, shithead?!"
"The sky."
Let's give it a shot.
Without killing him.