Manager App - Chapter 2
"What the hell is this?"
I surveyed my surroundings as calmly as I could. Whips, vibes and rotors—the so-called kings of adult toys... even a wooden horse. I cautiously reached out and touched one, and to my surprise, a vivid texture transmitted through my fingertips. This was the real deal.
What the hell is going on here?
I calmly reviewed the situation.
1. This is virtual reality.
2. I've been summoned to another space.
3. Someone knocked me out, and I was moved here during that time.
Three hypotheses floated in my mind. One of them had to be right.
I started with the first one, staying calm.
If this is VR...
I must have accessed it through the Manager App I just launched. Honestly, impossible with current Korean tech. But just in case.
"Log out."
The most obvious choice, but no response. I didn't stop there.
"...Game end. Exit. Menu. Call admin. Esc."
I rattled off whatever came to mind, but nothing happened. That ruled out VR. A smartphone app leading to full VR? That'd be alien technology.
Then... was I summoned to another space?
Ridiculous. As absurd as the first idea.
...So someone knocked me out and dragged me here.
The most plausible, and realistic. Extremely difficult to pull off, but doable with determination and effort.
"But the timing's too perfect..."
Right at the moment I launched the app? No impact from a blow, either. I felt perfectly fine. Especially since it happened in the blink of an eye...
Aaah, whatever. I let out a light sigh and grabbed my smartphone to call for help.
"Out of service area?"
This was insane. But then, on a hunch, I tried closing the Manager App.
Cannot exit until training is complete.
Raise at least 1 stage.
"...What the hell does that mean?"
It was getting more ridiculous by the second. But then, a thought flashed in my mind. When it first asked if I wanted to start training, it had said I couldn't exit until it was done. Meaning... I had to finish the training here.
"Training?"
Something felt off. I'd launched the Manager App—why "training"? Was it a play on words?
"...No way Eunha's involved too. That can't be."
I shook my head to dismiss it and raised my smartphone. As if waiting, a notification popped up on the screen.
Welcome to the Training Room, dear user.
Your level is '1', so available facilities are limited to this area.
From now on, use these facilities and tools to train your target.
To complete training, raise at least 1 stage.
Your training target is currently in Room 1.
"...".
I looked around as instructed, and sure enough, rooms numbered 1 through 10 came into view. If this notification was real, Eunha was in Room 1.
Really?
Isn't this a crime?
My hands started shaking. But I shook my head—no way. It's just a game. Can't be real. Calming myself, I approached Room 1. My heart pounded harder than ever, like when I was a kid sneaking computer games past my parents.
"...".
Gripping the doorknob, I hesitated. What if Eunha really was inside? What would I say? I have to train you to get out? I thought this was just an idol manager game? No way she'd go along with that, or let me train her. The whole thing was absurd.
Something to hide my face...
Glancing around, I spotted masks hanging on the wall. Even a balaclava. Perfect for not being recognized. I grabbed one and slipped it on. It adhered perfectly to my face, easy to wear, and wouldn't come off unless I shook violently.
Wearing this makes me feel like a criminal.
My heart felt like it would burst. But I steadied myself and approached Room 1. I turned the knob and opened the door. There, in the center of the room, sat Lee Eunha on a chair, staring at me with terrified eyes.
It was really her.
Fuck...
I nearly slammed the door and bolted.
"P-please, save me! Mister, save me! Get me out of here!"
Eunha's voice rang out. She shouted desperately for help. Checking her state, her arms and legs were tightly bound to the chair.
"...Mister, can you hear me? Please, untie me!"
Her voice trembled on the verge of tears as she begged. For a moment, I doubted her. Was this really the Eunha I knew? The one who was bold, more like a tomboy guy than a delicate girl?
But right now, she was the picture of a frightened, fragile young woman.
A fake?
The thought eased my mind.
Yeah, no way they'd kidnap the real Eunha.
I chuckled lightly and approached the woman I thought was Eunha. I placed a hand on her shoulder. She flinched with a sharp 'Eek!'.
Feels real.
Amazed, I gripped her shoulder firmly.
"Hic, ugh! P-please... I'll do anything... so please, I beg you. Sob sob."
Tears streamed down her face as she bowed her head.
"...".
Her voice sounded utterly sincere, like she'd do anything. I pondered. What now? More importantly, how do I train her? Hoping for guidance, I checked my smartphone. Sure enough, the training menu appeared.
I'd have to pick one and start training.