Chapter 18

As I drifted in and out of consciousness, the sound of frantic pounding on the door next to mine pierced through the air, shattering the tranquility of the morning.

The incessant banging was accompanied by a string of expletives and a voice that seemed to grow more agitated by the second.

“Dong Min! Open the door, you bastard!!” the voice bellowed, echoing through the walls of my room.

Despite the commotion, a smile spread across my face as I lay in bed, my eyes still heavy with sleep. The cacophony of noise was almost soothing, a peculiar serenade that seemed to lull me deeper into relaxation.

The disturbance to my slumber was minor, and I felt a twisted sense of amusement at the absurdity of the situation.

The voice continued to shout, its tone growing more menacing. “Open the door! I’m going to call the police!” it threatened, but I remained unfazed, my eyelids fluttering lazily as I listened to the exchange.

Suddenly, the door next to mine creaked open, and the man who had been sleeping inside shouted back in irritation. “Ah, shit ... What the hell is it?!!” he bellowed, his voice a mixture of anger and frustration.

A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I closed my eyes, a thought drifting through my mind like a whispered promise.

‘Finally, the beginning of the end.’ I felt a sense of detachment, as if I was observing the chaos unfold from a distance, and it brought me a twisted sense of comfort.

With a contented sigh, I let myself drift back into the realm of sleep, the sounds of the altercation fading into the background as I succumbed to the allure of a sweet, undisturbed slumber.

Today, I would sleep soundly, untroubled by the turmoil that seemed to be brewing outside my door.

As the clock struck 6 pm, I slowly opened my eyes, letting the warmth of the fading light seep into my consciousness.

The stiffness that once plagued my mornings was now a distant memory, replaced by a refreshing vitality that seemed to permeate every cell of my body.

It was as if my body had undergone a complete recovery, rejuvenating me from the inside out.

I rose from my seat, feeling invigorated, and made my way to the bathroom to wash the remnants of sleep from my face.

The cool water was a welcome respite, and I felt my senses come alive as I splashed it against my skin.

With my face refreshed, I headed to the kitchen to prepare a simple meal.

My eyes landed on a packet of fried rice, which I had purchased online at a discount, and I retrieved it from the refrigerator.

I placed the packet in the microwave, the soft clunk of the door closing behind it a familiar sound.

As I turned to face the counter, my fingers instinctively snapped together, a sudden burst of energy released from the motion.

The sound of my snapping fingers was followed by a digital voice, its tone detached and mechanical.

“Quantum Breach successful,” it announced, the words echoing through the kitchen.

A secondary message flashed before my eyes, its text a reminder of the temporary control I had gained. “You can hack the microwave for 1 hour.”