Time-Stop Ability Acquired (1/367)
Kim Jisoo. 24 years old, a strapping young man at a decent university.
I have one ability that others don't. Not something like being better at something than everyone else—I'm talking about a real ability. The power to stop time, that's what.
Who would believe me if I told them? Anyway, it's been a week since I got this power. How I obtained it? That happened one night.
After finishing my freshman year, I was mulling over military enlistment when the draft notice arrived. Off to the army I went. After discharge, I took a year of leave, and now I'm finally back as a sophomore.
All my close friends are either seniors or already graduated. No matter where I go, I'm the low-year student, but I have no intention of putting up with overbearing seniors. I just came out to this drinking party to scout for a group I could hang with.
"You're that Kim Jisoo, right, sunbae?"
"That Kim Jisoo...?"
"Hah, as expected, the perpetrator doesn't remember~ While the victim is still suffering~"
Strange words flew back and forth, things I couldn't make sense of. As if I were some perp who'd caused an incident and fled.
"What are you talking about?"
"Back in your freshman year, you confessed to a female sunbae and sexually harassed her, right?"
"Don't you remember?"
"It's not amnesia or anything. He's just playing dumb, that asshole."
I had no idea who was supposed to have done this sexual harassment. Fine. Sure, I had confessed. To the one female classmate who'd been nice to me since starting college. She turned me down flat, saying her ideal type was a kind person and she'd only been nice because I was a freshman. It was a pathetic confession, but sexual harassment? What bullshit was this?
"What are you saying? That never happened...!"
"Ah, fuck! Hey, I don't know why you're here pretending to be a sophomore looking for respect. Good advice—get the hell out."
"No, just hear me out...!"
Thwack! A unfamiliar impact sound rang out, and I felt my head snap to the side. My mind went hazy, followed by the delayed surge of pain. For the first time in my life. I'd been punched in the face by some punk younger than me, and as I looked at the sneering faces of the guys laughing from behind, I hurriedly grabbed my bag and bolted from the bar.
"I didn't... what the..."
No point protesting my innocence to those drunks in the bar—they wouldn't hear it. Just me yelling into the void, with passersby staring at me like I was crazy.
Heading home in a daze like that.
Descendant of the God of Time, Chronos, has been confirmed.
You have inherited Chronos' Authority.
Time Manipulation, authority of Chronos, has been bestowed upon Kim Jisoo.
Your body is not yet suitable for fully utilizing the god's authority.
Only a portion of the authority can be used.
As proficiency increases, unrestricted use becomes possible.
"Wha...?"
Holographic windows cluttering up my vision. What the hell is this? My brain couldn't keep up with the content.
Then another new holographic window popped up in front of me.
Would you like to use Time Manipulation?
"......Use."
The word slipped out of my mouth unbidden. What followed was a nonstop barrage of shock and astonishment.
The world around me literally stopped—like time itself had frozen. Everyone passing by had come to a complete halt.
Time Manipulation has been activated.
Time Manipulation is restricted.
10 minutes of activation possible.
Time Manipulation effect will automatically deactivate after 10 minutes.
"Huh...? What, everything's stopped?"
I pulled out my smartphone to check, but time wasn't flowing. The only thing ticking down was the 10-minute countdown floating in front of my eyes.
"So, anything I do while time's stopped won't have happened?"
No matter how many times I checked my phone, the time hadn't budged. Only the 10-minute countdown kept going.
With about 5 minutes left, I swallowed hard, turned around, and approached the woman who'd been staring at me weirdly from the side. I gently pressed her cheek. Soft, squishy texture. She felt it, but no reaction whatsoever.
"Huh, so... I can touch her breasts too?"
I'm not some creep who goes around groping women. I'd just been falsely accused earlier and was going insane from the injustice. But sure, I'd fantasized about it. Honestly, doesn't every guy imagine it at least once? Like wanting to bang a hot girl walking by on the street. That's all it is.
I think dirty thoughts more than most, but that's just how it is.
"About 3 minutes left..."
I swallowed hard again, my throat bobbing. After staring at the ticking timer for a moment, I finally squeezed my eyes shut and grabbed the woman's perky breast.
"F-Fuck... so soft...!"
Way softer and squishier than her cheek. The rough fabric of her clothes was a bit annoying since I hadn't stripped her, but still, the first woman's breast I'd ever touched was nothing short of fantastical.