[At that moment, in an office of the Awakened Management Committee – Division 2 of the New Awakened Management Headquarters.]
“Manager, please take a look at this.”
A young officer in his late 20s pointed at his monitor while seated at his desk.
“Come here and report directly. I’m busy.”
The team leader, seated in a position that allowed a clear view of the young officer’s desk, didn’t even glance at him and kept staring intently at his own monitor.
Though his back was to the wall and others couldn’t see, a reflective metal panel behind his seat revealed a glimpse of what the team leader was watching.
Videos of Hunters challenging the Towers.
At first glance, it appeared as if the leader was diligently analyzing the abilities of newly Awakened individuals under the committee’s jurisdiction.
But the young officer, along with the rest of the team, knew better.
The videos the manager was watching were exclusively of young female Hunters in their early 20s, clad in tight-fitting combat suits, climbing the Towers.
While he publicly claimed it was to protect these young female Hunters from society’s inappropriate gaze, the team couldn’t bring themselves to directly criticize him.
After all, they were civil servants, and he was the highest-ranking officer in their department.
“Manager, you really need to take a look.”
“Ugh, what is it now?”
“It’s about the maid cosplayer. We’ve received a tip.”
“What?!”
Maid cosplayer.
At those words, the manager shot up from his chair.
“You’ve reported it?”
“No, not yet. There’s been no voluntary confession so far.”
“Ah, damn it. Then what kind of tip? Is it just some useless gossip?”
The manager gestured toward the other team members.
“Is it more of that nonsense like some nerd posting a photo of Elaine on social media, claiming to know her? Or that she somehow performed a ‘resignation blast’ move even without awakening? Or worse, that she’s actually a man and we should investigate men too? If it’s that kind of trash, tell them to quit! Understood?!”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Someone suggested investigating the vehicles that traveled from Seoul to Mungyeong before the [Mungyeong Saejae Tower] was conquered. It’s a citizen tip, but it seems plausible.”
“What?”
The young officer’s proposal made the manager’s expression twist.
“Plausible?”
“Yes. The maid cosplayer wouldn’t have traveled alone, nor would they have driven non-stop from Seoul to Mungyeong.”
“What’s the basis for this? Did you actually see anything?”
“A citizen with ties to the traffic police submitted the tip. Right after the [Mungyeong Saejae Tower] was conquered, they spotted a car leaving Mungyeong with a beautiful woman dressed in a maid outfit.”
“Ah, for crying out loud! That’s just some outdoor roleplay nonsense… Ahem.”
Realizing his slip, the manager coughed awkwardly and waved his hand dismissively.
“Did you really drag people into this over such a flimsy tip? It’s ridiculous! If these couch detectives think they’re so clever, why don’t they come work here for free?!”
“But it’s a citizen tip…”
“If you’re going to rely on every little tip, why are you even getting paid?! Ugh, enough! It’s almost 6 PM. Just focus on processing the new Awakened registrations and make sure they’re properly uploaded to the database!”
The manager stormed back to his desk in a huff. The surrounding team members glanced sympathetically at the young officer, who briefly clenched his fists, his face flushed red.
Ding.
An alert popped up on the officer’s computer screen.
Out of habit, he checked the profile of the newly registered Awakened, approved it, and abruptly stood up.
Beep.
The profile picture of the Awakened, which appeared briefly before being buried among the countless files, looked like that of a typical Korean office worker, the kind you’d see with a company ID badge.
The young officer, in charge of handling dual nationals, multicultural families, or Koreans residing abroad, didn’t even question how ordinary the individual looked.
Instead, he simply headed to the restroom.
Somewhere, a roar of frustration erupted, but it didn’t reach the office.
* * *
[Graaah!!]
I was startled.
The president clenched his fists and let out a triumphant shout.
Throwing uppercuts and quick hooks into the air, he celebrated like a boxer.
[Congratulations, Mr. Kim. The registration is complete.]
“Really?”
[Yes. As of now, you are a dual citizen of Korea and the United States, and officially registered as an ‘American’ with the Korean Awakened Management Committee.]
“…”
I had left it up to the president, trusting he’d handle things well.
But who would have thought I’d suddenly become an American in an instant?
[Of course, Mr. Kim, you are still Korean. However, Korea cannot impose obligations on you anymore.]
“Why is that?”
[Mr. Kim, I’ll provide the full explanation later in writing, but let me give you the conclusion upfront—please listen calmly.]
President Luigi pointed alternately at me and Elaine, who stood behind me.
[New records of your existence have been created in the systems of both the United States and Korea, along with the International Hunter Association. Even agencies like the CIA or FBI would find no reason for suspicion. According to these records, two Korean-American Awakened were born to parents who traveled to the U.S. for childbirth.]
“…”
[Fortunately, Korea has yet to enforce mandatory Awakened service for what is colloquially called ‘Black-Haired Foreigners’. There are discussions about it, but it hasn’t been made into law yet.]
“So, I’ve basically become one of those Black-Haired Foreigners?”
[Yes. You are now a dual citizen of Korea and the United States.]
As expected.
In movies, people pay brokers to create fake IDs, or they hire Chinese hackers to manipulate database records.
[Some might find this situation ‘odd’. However, most people requesting data on you, Mr. Kim, will dismiss it as a ‘clerical error’. Those who dig deeper… well, they’ll find what they’re meant to find.]
President Luigi gestured to his tie, which was patterned with the American flag.
[Some records have been altered, and it wasn’t done by just anyone—it was orchestrated by the White House itself. This has been designated as classified at the discretion of the President. Ah, this is not something ordinary! We ask for your understanding that we cannot intervene in matters at this level.]
“That’s understandable…”
Anyone attempting to tamper with White House records is likely to discover me no matter what I do.
It’s better to make them wonder, ‘Who is this person that even the White House would take such measures?’
[Additionally, we’d like to request your understanding on another matter. Since you’ve decided to remain in Korea, there are certain ways in which we cannot overtly or directly assist you.]
“I understand. If it were up to me….”
[Honestly, I’d prefer to put both of you on Air Force One immediately and send you to the United States. I would stay behind for a while to draw their attention.]
President Luigi seemed genuinely committed to supporting us.
[We will open an American bank account for you and deposit as much money as you wish. If you want, we can purchase land and build a mansion where you both can stay. If there’s anything you need, you can order it through Ama*on, and we’ll arrange for government personnel to furnish it with appliances and furniture. Mr. Kim… and Mrs. Elaine—]
“Wait a second. Isn’t the title Mrs. only for married individuals?”
Concerned Elaine might feel uncomfortable with the title, I quickly intervened—
“I don’t mind. If it’s Master.”
Thankfully (?), Elaine didn’t seem to mind the title.
Perhaps she was okay with being called Mrs.
Hmm.
“If Elaine doesn’t mind, then fine.”
[My apologies. In any case, we will arrange living accommodations for you both via messenger, ensuring you can settle in comfortably when you come to the United States. However…]
President Luigi mimed zipping his lips shut.
[Since Mr. Kim has chosen to ‘remain secluded’ here in Korea, I will take care to avoid drawing the attention of the Korean or other foreign governments while continuing to support you discreetly.]
Classified information.
[Whether it’s the White House or intelligence agencies, we will ensure no leaks occur from the U.S. that might inconvenience you. And someday, when the time comes, and you feel adequately ‘prepared’…]
“Will it be as simple as getting on a plane?”
[Yes. Just say the word, and we’ll have a plane ready for you at any time.]
“Then…”
I pulled out my smartphone.
“Since I’ve already received gifts here and will receive more in the future, it’s only fair that I give you a gift in return.”
[A gift?]
“To celebrate our agreement.”
Bzzzt.
“Let’s take a commemorative photo.”
I gestured a V-sign toward Patrick, the aide standing behind Elaine.
“Say chee—no, wait.”
I covered my face.
“Cheese.”
* * *
Monday, 6 PM.
As the self-reporting deadline loomed, tension grew among the populace.
“Did Cosplayer Maid make the list?!”
People began checking the Korean Awakened Management Committee’s official ‘Awakened Registry’, which was maintained transparently for the public’s right to know.
As the faces of countless Awakened scrolled by, including some Black-Haired Foreigners—
[Breaking news just in! President Eisen A. Luigi’s social media account has been updated…]
Around 5 PM Korean time, following an apparently unpleasant meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. President boarded Air Force One and returned to the U.S. Soon after, a photo was posted on his social media.
[…It’s a photo of ‘Cosplayer Maid’ with the President.]
The photo, taken by the aide, showed President Luigi sitting on a sofa, engaged in what seemed to be a “mutually agreeable negotiation” with someone off-camera.
“Huh?”
And on the opposite side—
“Why is she standing behind the sofa?”
The ‘Cosplayer Maid’ was positioned behind the sofa as if attending to someone, standing with a neutral expression.
Judging by the angle, the photo was taken from just behind her, catching her turning her head toward the camera.
There were two teacups on the table.
“It seems like someone is sitting across from the U.S. President…”
But President Luigi’s gaze wasn’t directed at the ‘Maid’—it was focused on the sofa in front of him.
“…Master?”
