They say that magic gets stronger the more you use it.
I guess it’s like a pitcher’s shoulder.
It’s uncertain if my constitution is directly related to magic, but from the manager’s perspective, who has lived as a magician, my condition could only be hypothesized in connection with magic.
Based on that premise, she came up with this theory: the more I use my anti-magic constitution, the more it will inevitably develop.
The distorted appearance of the wallet could be a byproduct of that process.
I understood it this way, but the manager herself seemed uncertain.
“Or maybe you’re just getting used to your constitution as you live in this world… Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve been a magician for a long time, but I’ve never seen anyone, human or other species, with the anti-magic abilities you’ve described…”
“Is it that unusual?”
“Yes. You’re research material. For decades.”
“Oh.”
One wrong move, and I might end up living off seolleongtang in the underground labs of the National Intelligence Service.
“It’s been about a week since you started working, right?”
“It’ll be exactly one week after I finish my shift.”
“Then, hmm… should we call it growth? Anyway, the pace is fast. It would be good to at least understand the cause, even if we can’t prepare a countermeasure…”
What reassured me was that the manager didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives.
She just looked at me with genuine concern.
She’s a really good person.
To reassure her, I shared my thoughts.
“From what you’ve said, I’m not the only anti-magic expert out there. As long as I don’t expose myself, it shouldn’t be a big deal, right?”
“Hmm…”
“I don’t want to become a research subject either. Right now, only you and Yoon-Ha Noona know about this. And you wouldn’t draw my blood for research, right… Manager?”
“…Will you let me if I want to?”
“No.”
“Oh…”
Seeing her head droop, it seemed she had at least thought about it a little.
Honestly, I really don’t know.
In my world, I was just one of the billions of people working part-time jobs and living ordinary lives.
I can’t even remember the last time someone called me special.
Wasn’t it back in middle school when I got a perfect score on a music performance test?
Since we’re on the subject, I should check this out as well.
It can’t be that I’m the only one among all those people who can travel between worlds.
“Manager, I have a suggestion.”
“Go ahead.”
“Could we maybe visit places like Yeongdeungpo or Hongdae later, by setting them as coordinates?”
“Yeongdeungpo? Hongdae? Are those names of magical artifacts or something?”
“They’re places. I’m not sure of the etymology, but lots of people are always there. I can’t believe I’m the only one who can travel between worlds. It’s worth checking out.”
There aren’t many people where my studio apartment is, but in those neighborhoods, thousands of people come and go every day.
It should make for a decent sample.
The manager thought for a moment and then responded.
“I’m curious about that too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Are there really that many people?”
“To put it simply, imagine all the different species in this world turned into humans.”
“Oh… can I visit sometime too?”
“Of course. There’s a lot of good food there. Though I’ve never had the chance to try any myself.”
Of course, there was one condition.
There are only the two of us working at this convenience store, so if we both go out to eat, who will look after the store?
This place is open 24 hours, after all.
Because of this, we decided to do the experiment when we get another part-timer, making it a combined lunch trip.
It wasn’t urgent anyway.
“But seriously, haven’t we received any applications for the part-time position?”
“None. I can’t figure out why. It’s not like the store is haunted…”
I have a guess as to why.
This location is just terrible in terms of feng shui.
Not only is it in the middle of a busy intersection in the city, but there’s also an alley nearby packed with fusion pubs.
Who in their right mind would want to work part-time here?
It’s not even like there’s a job crisis since COVID-19 hasn’t hit this world.
Considering the frequency of troublesome customers, there’s probably an underground water vein here too.
But hiring part-timers isn’t something I can control.
At best, I can avoid saying anything ominous, or worse jinxing the process.
“Well… someone will come eventually, right?”
“Yeah, I guess… Oh, Chan, it’s about time for you to clock out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
And making sure I don’t miss any shifts.
Just as I was about to leave, I remembered something I hadn’t mentioned to the manager yet.
“Manager, remember the succubus who came by before?”
“Yeah.”
“We had this conversation…”
She tried a dating app, which was a disaster.
After she turned it off, we talked about her preferences, and just before leaving, she seemed to remember something, and her expression got really peculiar.
“Then she asked if she could come by again, and I said sure, but Manager?”
“……”
“Manager??”
“Oh…”
The store manager, still holding her head, muttered softly.
“Hang in there.”
Hang in there?
What on earth does that mean?
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FROM NOW ON THIS NOVEL WILL BE UPDATED HERE.