Stay-at-Home Summoner

[At that moment, in an office of the Awakener Management Committee. New Awakener Management Headquarters Team 2.]

“Chief, please take a look at this.”

A young officer in his late twenties pointed at his monitor while seated.

“Come report it yourself. I’m busy.”

The team leader, seated in a position where the young officer’s workstation was clearly visible, was staring intently at his monitor without glancing at the officer.

While sitting with his back to the wall, it was not visible to others, but behind the chief’s seat, there was a reflective metal plate that allowed some degree of visibility into what the chief was observing.

Videos of hunters assaulting the tower.

At first glance, it appeared that the Awakener Management Committee was examining the abilities of newly awakened individuals.

However, the young officer and his team members in the department knew better. What the chief was watching was just combat footage of female awakeners in their early twenties climbing the tower wearing tight-fitting suits.

They maintained the pretense that it was to protect them from society’s sinister views towards young female hunters, but the team members couldn’t directly point that out. After all, they were civil servants, and the chief was the highest-ranking in the department.

“Chief, you really should take a look.”

“Ugh, what?”

“There’s been a report about a maid coser.”

“What?!”

Maid coser.

The mention of those words made the chief jump out of his seat.

“Did they report themselves voluntarily?”

“No. There hasn’t been any voluntary report yet.”

“Ugh, then what’s the report about? Is it just another pointless tip pouring in?”

The chief pointed at other team members.

“If there’s an otaku posting photos of a girl named Elaine on SNS, or if someone claims they’re showing off awakening moves without a million awakenings, or if it turns out the person is a man and that men should also be investigated, then they should quit right now! Do you understand!?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what?”

“How about we investigate the vehicles that moved from Seoul to Mungyeong before the [Mungyeong Saejae S-Rank Tower] was assaulted? While it’s technically a citizen report, it seems reasonable.”

“What?”

The chief’s expression twisted at the young officer’s suggestion.

“Reasonable?”

“Yes. The maid coser likely didn’t travel alone, and they certainly didn’t just drive straight from Seoul to Mungyeong.”

“What’s the basis? Did you see something?”

“A citizen who knows a traffic cop reported that shortly after the Mungyeong Saejae Tower was assaulted, there was a car leaving Mungyeong with a beautiful woman inside. Dressed in a maid outfit.”

“Ugh, that’s just a prank call… cough, cough.”

The chief waved his hand, shaking off what he had said unconsciously.

“Is that why you summoned people here? It’s ridiculous; they’re just amateur detectives! If that’s the case, they should come here and work for free!”

“So the citizen report…”

“If you’re going to trust each of those citizen reports, why are you getting paid! Ugh, that’s enough! There’s not much time left until 6 PM; if anyone claims they’re a real awakener, accept their report and check if it’s been properly registered in the system!”

The chief returned to his seat angrily.

Surrounding team members looked at the young officer with pity, while the young officer’s face flushed as he clenched his fists.

Ding!

An alarm popped up on the officer’s computer screen.

Having checked the new awakener’s registration application as a habit, the officer clicked approve and promptly stood up.

Beep!

The profile picture of the newly registered awakener looked like a neatly dressed company employee with an ID badge, but soon the popup disappeared, buried among a multitude of awakener data.

The young officer.

He was responsible for dual citizens, multicultural families, or Koreans residing abroad.

He did not harbor any doubts that the company employee’s face looked unmistakably like a native Korean, as he headed to the restroom.

Aaaah!!

A roar of frustration erupted from somewhere, but the sound did not reach the office.

* * *

[Aaaah!!]

Startled.

The president clenched his fists and shouted.

Swiftly throwing uppercuts and light hooks toward the air, he looked just like a boxer.

[Congratulations, Mr. Kim. Your registration is complete.]

“Really?”

[Yes. From now on, you are a dual citizen of Korea and the United States, formally registered as an ‘American’ with the Awakener Management Committee of Korea.]

“…….”

I figured the president would handle it well.

But who would have thought I’d suddenly become an American in an instant?

[Of course, Mr. Kim is still Korean. However, Korea cannot impose obligations on Mr. Kim.]

“Why not?”

[Mr. Kim. I will provide you with the details later in writing, but let me give you the conclusion calmly.]

President Louis pointed alternately at me and Elaine, who stood behind me.

[The existence of both individuals has been newly registered in the systems of the U.S., Korea, and the International Hunter Association. The CIA or FBI would not raise any suspicions upon a background check, as they are two awakener infants born to Korean parents who gave birth in the U.S. and now hold dual citizenship.]

“…….”

[Fortunately, Korea still… does not impose obligatory service on so-called ‘black-haired foreigners.’ Discussions of legislation are underway, but for now, it has not been made into law.]

“That makes me a black-haired foreigner.”

[Yes. You are a dual citizen of Korea and the United States.]

Indeed.

In movies, one would pay a broker to obtain a resident registration card, or hire some Chinese hackers to manipulate computer records.

[Some might think, ‘This is strange?’ But most requests for Mr. Kim’s data will be overlooked as a mere ‘computer error.’ Those who dig deeper will… eventually discover the truth.]

President Louis pointed at his tie with the American flag pattern.

[The information has been manipulated, and it was none other than the White House that did it. The classified status is state secret designated directly by the president. Ah, this is not ordinary! We cannot help with this.]

“That’s nothing…”

If someone were planning to meddle with data from the U.S. White House, the likelihood of getting caught would be high no matter what I did.

It might be better to make them wonder, ‘Who is this person messing with the White House?’

[Also, I need to ask for your understanding on a few more points. Since Mr. Kim has decided to remain in Korea, please understand that we cannot assist you overtly and directly.]

“I understand. If it were up to me…”

[I would have wanted to put you both on Air Force One and fly you to the U.S. immediately. I will stay here for a while, drawing their attention away.]

Regarding our support, President Louis is quite sincere.

[I will open a U.S. bank account and deposit as much money as you wish into it. We can purchase land wherever you like and build a mansion for you to stay in. If there’s something you want to buy, you can do so through Amazon, and the government will directly hire people to set up your appliances and furniture. Mr. Kim… and Mrs. Elaine—]

“Wait a minute. The title ‘Mrs.’ is only used for married individuals, right?”

I quickly interjected, concerned that Elaine might feel discomfort over the title, but—

“I’m fine with it, as long as the subject is my Master.”

Fortunately, Elaine did not seem to have any reaction to the title.

Maybe she’s okay with ‘Mrs.’

Hmm.

“…If Elaine is okay with it, then fine.”

[My apologies. Anyway, I will arrange accommodation for both of you through a messenger, and once you’re in the U.S., you’ll have freedom to do anything. But…]

President Louis feigned silence.

[Since Mr. Kim has chosen to ‘hibernate’ here in Korea, I will spare no effort in providing support while being careful not to attract the attention of the Korean government or other foreign governments.]

Confidentiality.

[Whether it’s the White House or the intelligence agency. I will ensure that there is no leak of information from the U.S. that would inconvenience you. And when the day comes that you both feel somewhat ‘prepared’…]

“Can we just get on the plane?”

[Yes. Just say the word, and I’ll have a plane ready for you at any time.]

“Then…”

I took out my smartphone.

“Though I’ve confirmed some things here and will receive more in the future, now that you’ve given me a gift, I should reciprocate with a gift of my own, right?”

[Gift?]

“As a celebration of our deal.”

Whirring.

“Let’s take a commemorative photo.”

I formed a V sign with my hand towards Patrick, who stood behind Elaine.

“Kim—no.”

Pointing at my face.

“Cheese.”

* * *

Monday, 6 PM.

As the deadline for voluntary reports approached, people began to feel tense one by one.

“Has the maid coser appeared?!”

People began examining the ‘Awakener List’ that the Korean government operates transparently for the public’s right to know.

Many faces flickered past, including that of a black-haired foreigner.

[We have just received a report. On President Louis’s SNS…]

Around 5 PM Korean time, shortly after a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the American President, appearing displeased, boarded a private jet returning to the United States, and a photo was posted on his SNS.

[…a photo of the ‘coser maid’ with the president has been uploaded.]

In the photo taken by an aide, President Louis sat on a sofa, appearing to engage in ‘smooth negotiations’ with someone.

“Uh?”

And across from him.

“Why is this person standing behind the sofa?”

The coser maid stood behind the sofa facing the president as if serving someone.

Whether the photo was taken from right behind the maid or she turned her head to look expressionlessly at the camera was unclear.

There were two teacups.

“Is there someone sitting opposite the American president…?”

President Louis’s gaze was directed not at the coser maid, but at the sofa directly across from him.

“……Master?”

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