Chapter 3: Prologue
Um, may I use the phone?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Thank you."
Cha Eui-jae headed straight to the counter inside the store as soon as he finished speaking. He grabbed the old receiver and dialed the direct line to the Awakened Management Bureau Director, a number only he knew. His hand trembled constantly as he dialed. However,
—The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and dial again…
He tried calling again just in case, but the result was the same. Cha Eui-jae slowly put down the receiver. His heart, which had been quiet as if doused in ice water, started to beat faster, and before he knew it, he was breaking out in a cold sweat.
Did I really fall eight years into the future? Or, more importantly… am I really dead?
However, he couldn't be sure of anything. Maybe the director just changed their number. Cha Eui-jae didn't want to see the situation in a purely negative light. As he hurriedly turned to leave the store, he remembered an important fact.
He had no money. Before entering the rift, he had only packed consumables like potions. He had even used up all the potions, leaving nothing. He was completely broke. He didn't even have money to pay for the meal.
Sneaking a glance at the old woman, Cha Eui-jae cautiously spoke up.
"Um, Grandma."
"Mm?"