diff --git a/scenes/player.gd b/scenes/player.gd
index 95bcd7a..30f9d14 100644
--- a/scenes/player.gd
+++ b/scenes/player.gd
@@ -828,6 +828,34 @@ func attempt_target_action(target_index: int):
 		st_manager.activate_effect(effect, target_player)
 		inventory_ui.deselect()
 
+func activate_powerup(effect_id: int):
+	var main = get_tree().get_root().get_node_or_null("Main")
+	if not main or not main.ui_manager:
+		return
+		
+	# Try to find the UI button directly if possible, or simulate the click
+	# The goal is to Select it (if it requires targeting) OR Activate it (if instant)
+	
+	# Since PowerUpInventoryUI manages selection state, we should route through it if possible
+	# or directly tell SpecialTilesManager to prepare?
+	
+	# Let's try to mimic the button press
+	var inventory_ui = main.ui_manager.get_node_or_null("PowerUpInventoryUI") # Or wherever it lives
+	if not inventory_ui:
+		# Fallback: Find it in scene
+		inventory_ui = main.get_node_or_null("PowerUpInventoryUI")
+		
+	if inventory_ui:
+		# Inventory UI handles: "activate_effect(effect_id)" on click
+		# Which then calls SpecialTilesManager.activate_effect
+		# This handles both "Instant" effects (Speed) and "Targeting" effects (Wall)
+		inventory_ui._on_btn_pressed(effect_id)
+	else:
+		# Fallback if UI not found
+		var st_manager = get_node_or_null("SpecialTilesManager")
+		if st_manager:
+			st_manager.activate_effect(effect_id)
+
 
 func _process(delta):
 	if is_multiplayer_authority():
diff --git a/scripts/managers/player_input_manager.gd b/scripts/managers/player_input_manager.gd
index 2673c29..03ce4c4 100644
--- a/scripts/managers/player_input_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/managers/player_input_manager.gd
@@ -46,50 +46,7 @@ func _process(delta):
 	if target_position != player.current_position:
 		movement_manager.simple_move_to(target_position)
 
-	# === KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS (User Request) ===
-	
-	# Numpad 1: Speed (Enum 0)
-	if Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_KP_1):
-		player.attempt_target_action(0) # FASTER_SPEED
-		
-	# Numpad 2: Wall (Enum 2)
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_KP_2):
-		player.attempt_target_action(2) # BLOCK_FLOOR
-		
-	# Numpad 3: Freeze (Enum 1)
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_KP_3):
-		player.attempt_target_action(1) # AREA_FREEZE
-		
-	# Numpad 4: Ghost (Enum 3)
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_KP_4):
-		player.attempt_target_action(3) # INVISIBLE_MODE
 
-	# C: Special Attack (Attack Mode) - Boost
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_C):
-		if player.powerup_manager:
-			player.powerup_manager.use_special_effect()
-			
-	# V: Spawn Boost Item
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_V):
-		if player.powerup_manager:
-			# Verify the method exists first (it was added recently/confirmed available)
-			if player.powerup_manager.has_method("spawn_boost_reward"):
-				player.powerup_manager.spawn_boost_reward()
-			else:
-				# Fallback if method missing
-				player.powerup_manager.use_special_effect()
-				
-	# Original 1-4 keys (Succession order 0-3) - Keeping as fallback?
-	# User didn't ask to remove them, but new Numpad bindings are specific.
-	# We can leave them for now unless they conflict.
-	if Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_1):
-		player.attempt_target_action(0)
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_2):
-		player.attempt_target_action(1)
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_3):
-		player.attempt_target_action(2)
-	elif Input.is_key_pressed(KEY_4):
-		player.attempt_target_action(3)
 		
 	# Targeting Mode Preview
 	var main = player.get_node_or_null("/root/Main")
@@ -130,7 +87,26 @@ func handle_unhandled_input(event):
 	if not player.is_multiplayer_authority() or (TurnManager.turn_based_mode and (not player.is_my_turn or movement_manager.is_moving)):
 		return
 
-	# --- Real-time Keyboard/Touch Input moved to _process ---
+	# --- Keyboard Shortcuts (Event-based) ---
+	if event is InputEventKey and event.pressed and not event.echo:
+		match event.keycode:
+			KEY_KP_1, KEY_1:
+				player.activate_powerup(0) # FASTER_SPEED
+			KEY_KP_2, KEY_2:
+				player.activate_powerup(2) # BLOCK_FLOOR
+			KEY_KP_3, KEY_3:
+				player.activate_powerup(1) # AREA_FREEZE
+			KEY_KP_4, KEY_4:
+				player.activate_powerup(3) # INVISIBLE_MODE
+			KEY_C:
+				if player.powerup_manager:
+					player.powerup_manager.use_special_effect()
+			KEY_V:
+				if player.powerup_manager:
+					if player.powerup_manager.has_method("spawn_boost_reward"):
+						player.powerup_manager.spawn_boost_reward()
+					else:
+						player.powerup_manager.use_special_effect()
 	
 	# Handle spawn point selection if not yet selected