High-Speed Movement in Reality
“Should I at least check out a service center?”
The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I quickly shook my head. If I went to one and ended up in the same situation as before, it’d be a total hassle in every way.
I let out a light sigh and decided to let it go for now. As long as I just left it alone, nothing else would happen.
‘Man, I’m hungry.’
Once I resigned myself to it, a wave of hunger hit me. Come to think of it, it was already 5 p.m…
“Huh?”
I let out a surprised voice without realizing it. That made sense, though—I’d spent quite a bit of time training that woman who looked just like Eunha.
But the time on my smartphone right now was 5:19 p.m. If my sense of time was right, it should’ve been at least 6 by now!
“…No way I got possessed or something, right?”
This was driving me insane. It felt like I might’ve just dreamed the whole thing. But the sensation of touching that woman’s body was still vivid in my hands. Especially the faint wetness lingering on my fingertips… It was proof that it had really happened.
“This is nuts.”
I swept my hand across my face like I was washing it, then set my smartphone down. No point brooding over it—nothing would get solved that way.
‘Let’s eat first.’
With that decided, I got up from my seat. After heading out to grab some food, I strolled along aimlessly.
“Hey, wait up!”
“Hurry!”
Just then, I spotted a group of neighborhood kids running by. Dressed in taekwondo uniforms, they must’ve been heading home after class at the dojo. Man, if they tripped running like that, it’d be bad…
“Ah!”
Sure enough, a girl let out a short yelp and tumbled forward.
‘Oh crap!’
I bolted toward her. But she was too far away—I’d probably only reach her after she hit the ground.
‘…Nothing I can do.’
I was about to stop when—whoosh!—my body suddenly appeared right in front of her.
“Whoa!”
She slammed into my chest, flailing to keep from falling. I quickly grabbed her firmly and stood her upright.
“Whoa, did you see that? Bro’s a beast!”
“Like Iron Man! He came super fast!”
As I helped her up, the other kids around us shouted excitedly.
‘What the hell…’
From what I overheard, I’d somehow dashed to her in an instant.
‘…What? What just happened?’
My head spun.
“Oppa, how’d you do that?”
“So cool! Bro, you got superpowers or what?”
Overwhelmed by the kids’ innocent barrage of questions, I backed away.
‘I don’t know either, you brats!’
I wanted to yell that, but the situation wasn’t great. People walking by were starting to stare. Drawing all this attention made my face burn.
‘Shit!’
I cursed inwardly and just bolted in a random direction. The kids gasped, but I ignored them and kept running until my lungs burned. Finally, I stopped, panting, and replayed what happened.
“I just… whooshed there…”
Racking my brain, I suddenly remembered the skill.
‘Right, it was definitely High-Speed Movement.’
If that was real… No, it couldn’t be. It was a skill from the game in the first place. It should apply to the game me, not real-life me.
“What the hell is going on.”
I shook my head, struggling to adapt to this unreal situation. Deep down, though, I wondered if the Manager App was affecting reality. Meaning everything in the app was real.
‘Then I really did… to Eunha…’
No way. That couldn’t happen. But my guesses were turning into convictions. I really had trained Eunha.
“Damn it.”
I muttered a curse without thinking. How do you even deal with this madness?
‘Should I apologize to Eunha?’
No, but she wouldn’t even know what I did. I hadn’t made her say a word during the training. Still, if she somehow noticed…
Worries piled up like mountains.
‘No, it’s not confirmed yet.’
Unable to handle it, I turned away from reality. I knew it was a bad habit, but what could a broke nobody like me do?
Clutching my head in endless worry, I finally let it go.
“I’ll figure it out slowly.”
With that, I ducked into a nearby restaurant. Not the one I’d planned, but right now, anywhere would do. I wasn’t in the mood to savor food anyway—just needed to fill my stomach.
“Welcome!”
The ajumma greeted me as I entered. I nodded and took a window seat. I ordered kimchi stew for 7,000 won and slowly reviewed everything.
‘Why the hell is this app on my phone?’
Did someone install it while I was drunk? Or did a demon sneak in and do it? If so, that’d be ridiculous. A modern demon using gadgets? Way more advanced than a lamp genie.
‘A genie or a magic club would be better. At least I could see them.’
Tsking, I glared at the Manager App icon on my home screen. Then, from the next table, an irritated woman’s voice cut in.
“Ajumma! What are you gonna do about this?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I’ll clean it right up…”
From the corner of my eye, the ajumma had apparently spilled soup on a customer. The woman in office attire scowled and unleashed a tirade.
“Fuck, do you know how expensive this is? I’m all gross now… Ajumma, fix this!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll pay for dry cleaning.”
“Dry cleaning? This kimchi broth ruined it completely!”
I got that she was pissed, but hurling abuse and banmal at someone old enough to be her mom was over the line. I glanced around to call the owner, but he just stood there blankly, not stepping in.
‘This place runs great, huh…’
“Ajumma, just pay for the clothes. Stop apologizing.”
Then the woman’s friend across from her chimed in. She was milder, but her face screamed she was enjoying the show.
‘No one gonna step up?’
I watched quietly, scanning the room. No one budged—just eating or fiddling with phones, spectating.
‘…I’m pathetic too.’
Truth be told, I wanted to help the ajumma, but as a poor student, I couldn’t cover those clothes. If I were rich… Nah, I wouldn’t even be here.
“Ajumma! Quit saying sorry and pay up!”
The office lady’s voice rose again.
‘Should I intervene?’
Tired of her attitude, I started to stand—then my smartphone caught my eye.
‘…Ah.’
It hit me: perfect chance to test if the Manager App affects reality.