Chapter 7

After registering his name, the screen changed to resemble a phone screen from over ten years ago. The blue background was similar, and the menu list at the bottom was the same.

"Of course, the phone won't work."

Kyung-hoon pressed the menu button. The screen changed, and a list of options appeared.

1. Help

2. Awakened Guide

3. User Information

4. Monster Encyclopedia

5. Phone Settings

6. Download Awakened Support Program

7. Download General Programs

8. Games

Most of the options were not much different, but as expected, there was information about 'Awakened' individuals.

Kyung-hoon examined his body. He knew his body had been strengthened, but he hadn't felt anything like mana.

Shaking his head, Kyung-hoon continued reading.

Unfortunately, there was no important content.

"Is everything related to the internet?"

Kyung-hoon sighed. The other world also assumed internet connectivity, so all important information was missing.

The phone didn't work, and although the Awakened Center's address was left in the phone number field...

'Can I find it?'

The city he had seen before would likely not have an intact Awakened Center.

'But, there's no other place with the address.'

He could try to find a library with records, but there was no guarantee that a library would be in the same location.

He searched the internet for [Yongsan 2nd Building, Yongsan Bridge] from the other world, but found only a U.S. military base under construction, not the building with the monster rats.

Kyung-hoon was disappointed by the unexpectedly limited information.

There was [Download Awakened Support Program] in option 6, but when he pressed it, a message appeared: [Connection Failed]. The phone didn't work, so the internet couldn't connect.

With a disappointed look, he pressed option 3, User Information.

The content was not much different from what he had seen before, but fortunately, he could now examine each phrase more closely.

This time, he pressed option 2, Mana Level.

'When did I absorb mana?'

Two memories flashed through Kyung-hoon's mind as he looked at the screen.

The strange energy that seeped in when he killed the monster rats, and the energy he felt when he killed the monster cat today.

Both felt the same. A sense of satisfaction as something lacking was filled, and a feeling of elevation as his level rose.

Various sensations mixed, but something entered his body at those moments.

Was that mana?

He wasn't sure yet. Kyung-hoon moved on to the next item.

[Special Ability: Dimensional Traveler]

[Currently, the only registered rare ability. Can travel to a specific dimension at certain intervals.]

[The time interval decreases as the mana concentration and mana level increase.]

"Of course, it's a parallel world, right?"

The content of [Dimensional Traveler] matched his guess. A world similar but not the same. He had seen it in SF movies.

The place he went to was a parallel world, another dimension of Seoul.

Moreover, the text below explained why the time intervals for dimensional travel varied.

The difference in mana concentration. The mana concentration in the other world was different from this one.

'Could it be that the mutations and my awakening were caused by mana?'

Kyung-hoon shook his head. He still knew too little. He needed more information.

After checking the last text, Kyung-hoon examined the phone more and went to bed.

Tomorrow would be busy. He had a lot to prepare.

The next day, Kyung-hoon took a taxi to Jongno.

Jongno Jewelry Market. His destination was the largest jewelry market in Seoul.

"Are you going to look at wedding gifts?"

The driver, hearing his destination, asked casually, but Kyung-hoon didn't answer. He was going for a different reason.

His inner pocket was filled with various jewelry, all brought from the other world.

He originally didn't plan to use them, but since he was taking the risk, there was no reason not to.

Upon arriving in Jongno, he walked around the jewelry shops and sold the jewelry.

He set aside the items that looked too expensive. They weren't his property, and he didn't want to raise suspicion.

Because he only visited shops far apart, it took the whole morning, and he managed to get 6 million won.

It was a considerable amount, but he would use it all.

He had a light lunch nearby and headed to Dongmyo Flea Market. Now that he had money, it was time to spend it.

Although it had been a while since he visited, Dongmyo hadn't changed much. The street vendors he had seen in the past were still selling their goods in the same spots.

From old antiques to used clothes and substandard food, the market had everything except what wasn't there, as befitting the vendors who had moved from Cheonggyecheon.

Kyung-hoon moved to the back of the market. The atmosphere inside was different from before. The people soliciting customers moved more discreetly, and the items hanging were in various shades of military green.

He brushed off the people who tried to grab him and headed deeper. Fortunately, the shop was still there.

[Han River Corporation]

It was a shop he frequented when he was in the military.

The shop displayed water bottles, uniforms, and boots.

For some reason, the owner wasn't there. Kyung-hoon spoke to a pretty young lady who looked like an employee.

"It's been a while. Is the owner not here?"

"I am the owner."

Kyung-hoon was taken aback by the woman's words. It was definitely the same shop.

"Isn't it Mr. Jung's shop?"

At his words, the woman stared at him. Kyung-hoon also looked at her.

A young woman in her early 20s with her hair tied back and basic makeup. Her face seemed familiar.

"Oh, Mr. Kyung-hoon?"

"Yeon-hye?"

They recognized each other simultaneously. Both were very happy to see each other.

"Is it five years? Wow, I couldn't recognize you."

"Mr. Kyung-hoon also looks different with longer hair."

Instead of greetings, they commented on each other's appearance. Then Kyung-hoon asked his question.

"You're the owner? What do you mean? What about Mr. Jung?"

Yeon-hye's face darkened for a moment at Kyung-hoon's question.

"He's bedridden due to poor health."

"Oh."

Five years ago, when he visited this place, Mr. Jung was already in poor health. His daughter Yeon-hye, a high school student at the time, often helped him.

"Well, thanks to that, I could take over the business quickly."

Yeon-hye quickly brightened up. Kyung-hoon had to hide his sympathy at her smile.

"Anyway, what are you looking for? Haven't you been discharged yet?"

When he was in the military, the nature of his unit required him to purchase many items from civilian sources.

He became a regular customer at this shop through an introduction from a sergeant, and the relationship continued until his discharge.

"Did you take over everything from your father?"

"Of course. Otherwise, how could I call myself the owner?"

She said confidently, then squinted at Kyung-hoon.

"Could you be looking for those items?"

"Various things."

Kyung-hoon took out a note and handed it to her. It listed the items he wanted to buy.

She took it without much thought but then looked at it seriously. The list included more dangerous items than expected.

Yeon-hye looked at Kyung-hoon with surprise.

"Could you be planning to go to war?"

At her question, Kyung-hoon shrugged.

"Wow, you've become even more dangerous since your discharge."

"Don't worry, it's not for use against people."

Yeon-hye was curious but didn't ask more.

"Well, it doesn't matter."

She shrugged and took the note into the shop.

"It will take some time to get a few items. Is that okay?"

"Sure, I'll wait."

"Then, could you watch the shop for me?"

"Sure."

Kyung-hoon sat on a chair inside the shop and started watching. No customers came. The shop seemed to be doing worse than before.

A few hours later, Yeon-hye returned, struggling with a military backpack.

"Huff, huff, luckily, I could get everything."

"Thanks."

When Kyung-hoon easily took the bag with one hand, her eyes widened slightly.

"You're strong."

"How much?"

"Getting items these days is difficult... um... 4.5 million, please."

As she explained, Kyung-hoon handed her a wad of bills.

"Here, 5 million."

"Oh, 500,000 extra."

"Use the rest to buy medicine for your father. I couldn't visit him due to lack of time."

The backpack contained items that were hard to find elsewhere.

Since this wouldn't be a one-time deal, it was better to give a generous tip.

Yeon-hye's face brightened.

"I heard it's not polite to refuse kindness. I'll take it. Please always come back."

"Could you call a taxi for me?"

"Sure."

A short while later, Kyung-hoon took a call van and returned home. Unlike the noisy taxi driver, the call van driver was very quiet.

It was worth several times the price. As a call van that mainly served the back customers of Dongmyo market, the driver was very discreet.

That night, Kyung-hoon performed a chemical experiment in his room for the first time in a long while.

***

The next morning.

After finishing his preparations, Kyung-hoon did a final check.

He looked like a U.S. soldier heading into battle.

Wearing a U.S. military uniform, with a bulletproof vest on his chest, a pistol, a sword, and a dagger on his waist, he took one last look at his phone.

The phone indicated that his ability had returned.

Kyung-hoon put the phone in his inner pocket and slung the backpack over his shoulder.

Then, he extended his hand toward the floor.

Whirr.

A black hole began to open.