Time Stop and Clock Farming (2)
After acquiring the new power, I mulled over how best to put it to use, threw on some casual clothes, and headed to OO Station.
Since the buyer had seemed so desperate, I figured they'd show up early. This was my way of extending a little courtesy.
I'd arrived, but then it hit me—we hadn't nailed down an exact meeting spot at the station.
"Damn, that's right. No detailed location set."
Not leaving specifics behind was nagging at me, so once I was near the station, I pulled out my phone.
Checking the time, it was around 4:40. Looks like my hunch about them coming early was spot on.
I picked up the pace and reached near Exit 2 when an all-too-familiar voice rang out.
"Ah, you fucking bastard. You snatch my stuff and just bail?"
"Gotta admit, I'm curious how the hell you pulled it off."
"Whatever. The second I catch you, you're dead."
Sure enough, those punks from before were plopped right in front of the exit, blocking it while shooting the shit.
"Heh, looks like fat stacks of cash are rolling right to us?"
They'd tossed in an extra 500,000 won on top of the deal for the direct trade. Should've clocked it from the jump.
If something had gone down before I caught on, that would've sucked—but hey, better late than never.
Truth be told, stripping these idiots of everything they've got is a double win for me anyway.
99% sure it was them, but to confirm, I fired off a message.
"Huh? Yo, this asshole says he's running late?"
"Fucking punk grabs the goods and now he's all 'hurry up'?"
I could see them grumbling and fiddling with their phones.
Playing the pitiful card, acting all sorry. Their faces twisted in pure irritation. Adorable, really.
"Time Manipulation."
Time Manipulation has been activated.
Everyone hustling along froze in place. People glued to their phones, mid-stride—total standstill.
The punks, mid-rant, locked solid.
"Buncha worthless shits who can't do anything but swarm together, huh?"
I dragged them off to the side near the subway entrance, out of the way, and started rifling through their stuff one by one.
"Hmm, nice wallet. You even scraped together 300,000 won in cash? Thinking of big bro like that... I'm touched, kid."
I gave his shoulder a pat, then neatly pocketed his ID and cards from the wallet.
"These are useless to me anyway. Figured I'd return 'em since you went outta your way for me."
No real need for the ID or cards, but I could've snapped them and chucked 'em down a sewer to really screw him over. Or made him reissue everything from scratch.
But this punk went and recovered 300k for me. How could I hit him with that kinda hell?
I'm only human. You do for me, I do back.
"Heh..."
Patted his shoulder again and moved to the next guy's pockets.
"Damn, this one's got jack shit."
Wallet's empty, and it's not even a fancy one. Clothes and shoes look cheap too. Phone? Once reported stolen, it's trash. Pass.
"Well, can't be helped. I'll make you famous."
I stripped him down to his skivvies—hell, everything—and shoved his dick in his own hand. Looked for all the world like he was jerking off.
This oughta land him on the news tomorrow as the "street wanker."
Next up: today's main course. That watch from earlier had been a huge help, and now here he was decked out in pricey threads, right on cue.
"You really thought of big bro, didn'tcha?"
Designer duds, barely worn. Sharp lines all around—definitely expensive.
Plus the clutch bag from that celeb-famous luxury brand. Shoes? Polished to a mirror shine, screaming high-end.
"Wallet's stacked too. No watch is a bummer, but you pass."
I stripped him bare, took the 200k cash from his wallet.
What the hell are these clowns doing carrying this much cash? Isn't it all cards these days?
"Eh, whatever. Dark money from shady routes or whatever—works for me."
They didn't look old enough for real underworld shit. Judging books by covers ain't perfect, but they didn't scream mob ties.
Even if they were, I couldn't take 'em out anyway.
"Thanks anyway. Tribute accepted~ Hit me up next time you're short."
No clue if they live around here, but it'd be nice if they popped up again. I bundled up the haul and headed home.