Manager App - Chapter 64: Idol Project

…….

Now that I'd actually sent her off, an unexpected emptiness settled in. I hadn't felt this way even when I first started dating my girlfriend…… It was truly bizarre.

I rubbed my empty side for a moment before turning on my heel and heading back into the hospital.

"Kim Yuhyun."

As I waited for the elevator to return to my room, a familiar voice called out from right behind me. I turned to look, and there was the head nurse, glaring at me with a face full of barely contained fury.

"……What have you been doing all this time that you're only showing up now?"

She wasn't letting this slide easily this time—she clutched her chart tightly as she questioned me, clearly ready to note it down if needed.

I hesitated for a second before opening my mouth.

"Something came up."

"What kind of 'something'?"

"Well……."

Her persistent grilling made me scratch the back of my head awkwardly before I answered.

"……I met up with someone I know for dinner, and ended up crashing there."

"I specifically told you to be back by 8."

"It was too late by then……."

"No matter how late it was, you should've come back! You didn't even answer your phone…… This isn't okay."

"I'm sorry."

"If you pull this again, we might have to discharge you by force."

"Yes, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Go on."

I bowed repeatedly in apology, and she looked a bit fed up as she jotted something down on the chart. It looked like I'd gotten a warning. Still, it could've been worse, so I felt relieved.

I sighed in relief and rode the elevator back to my room.

I almost ended up with an ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠uninsured discharge.

Patting my racing heart, I entered the room, drew the curtain around my bed, and changed into my patient gown. Then I sat on the bed and pulled out my smartphone.

"She really did call."

Sure enough, there were five missed calls from what I assumed was the hospital. I stuck out my tongue and saved the number as "Hospital."

I checked KakaoTalk as usual, but nothing new.

Business as usual.

I chuckled softly and launched the Manager App.

"Random Reinforcement Coupon?"

This time it wasn't an item or skill—it was a reinforcement coupon.

"……Usually these are just +1, right?"

Still, no one knew until I claimed it. Clutching a sliver of hope, I claimed the Random Reinforcement Coupon.

"Whoa!"

It was completely beyond my expectations.

"……For real?"

I blinked and double-checked. No matter how I looked at it, the number in parentheses was clearly 3!

"Never thought I'd see the day."

I stuck out my tongue and immediately used the reinforcement coupon on the Black Staff.

"……Hmm, no. Hold on."

I paused at the confirmation prompt.

With my luck right now, I could probably pull something even better.

I swallowed hard and hit No.

"Yeah, now's the time. I can do this."

I psyched myself up and firmly tapped the shop button with my thumb.

I had 275 Vital Energy. Same as right after Elena took hers, so it seemed sex in the real world didn't generate any. If it did, last night with Seoyeon would've been a nonstop ding-ding fest. And if she'd heard that……

I'd be done for.

A chill ran down my spine. Looking back coldly now, it had been a life-or-death situation. I'd been too lost in her seduction to think straight at the time.

I patted my chest and eyed the Random Equipment Box.

"Alright."

My luck was at its peak. This was my golden hour.

"……First one."

Click click.

The first was Normal.

Normal?! This feels ominous……

It was like sprinting perfectly only to trip at the finish line. But shaking it off, I pulled the second one right away.

"Hmm……."

Thankfully, the second was Rare, same as the Black Staff. But it felt a bit awkward for me to use.

A whip, of all things……

Tsking, I exited the shop and pulled up my user info.

"Should've gone for skills……."

Regret hit late, but it was too late now.

"……Damn impulse buy demon."

As I rubbed my face like washing it, I realized I'd fallen for the shop's tricks.

I got played!

Who knew the reinforcement coupon would awaken my inner impulse buyer! People really need to stay rational.

I beat myself up for wasting 200 Vital Energy, then calmed down.

No, I had to pull equipment boxes eventually anyway. And with the coupon, I'm still ahead, right?

Convincing myself, I used the reinforcement coupon.

No reason to hesitate now—especially with only an hour validity. Wasting it would be disastrous.

"Gasp……."

I let out a shrill yelp at the enhanced effects.

24 skeletons……

An undead army, plain and simple. Add my personal goblins, and I'd command 30 summons total.

……Kinda villainous.

And I even had a succubus slave. The perfect evil dark mage specimen.

Ding!

As I imagined leading my undead legion, KakaoTalk chimed. I closed the app and checked.

A faint smile tugged at my lips as I replied to Seoyeon's message.

She replied in under 10 seconds.

Seoyeon went quiet for a while after that.

What’s up?

Wondering if I'd said something wrong, I scrolled up, scratched my head, and sent another.

I chuckled wryly and replied quickly.

Seoyeon agreeing so cutely made me smile involuntarily.

Ding!

Hm?

As we chatted, a new message came in. I stepped out briefly to check.

Sure enough, the group included me, Eunha, and Seoyeon noona.

Everyone was curious about Ye-eun's words. I was too, but didn't type— the read counts showed they were all waiting.

"……."

Ye-eun's detailed explanation left me speechless.

I'd kinda forgotten about Ye-eun.

She wasn't suspecting or grilling me like Seoyeon had…… but just knowing someone was looking for me was stressful enough. And if she somehow figured out it was me…… Slim chance, but possible—I might've slipped somewhere. Seoyeon had nailed it, after all.

……Stay calm. No need to shoot myself in the foot again.

I checked the chat.

I went with the flow, typing casually.

Eunha and Ye-eun freaked and asked if it was true. After a moment's thought, I replied calmly.

Seoyeon's apologetic tone made me chuckle softly.