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Stay-at-Home Summoner Chapter 19

Stay-at-Home Pro Gamer (2)

The delivery has arrived.

Someone was pressing the doorbell, leaving a package on the ground in front of the door.

 

For modern people, such behavior from a delivery person might immediately raise “suspicion”.

 

—Why would a delivery person press the doorbell after leaving the package instead of just leaving?

 

It’s possible.
There are cases where the recipient specifically requests the delivery person to ring the bell.

Especially in places that aren’t high-security apartments, or even in apartments where recipients want to quickly retrieve their delivery, they may ask for the bell to be rung.

 

This way, they can secure the package as soon as the delivery person leaves.

 

You often hear on social media that package theft is rampant in places like the United States, but South Korea hasn’t reached that point.

 

However…

 

[Delivery for you.]

 

It’s unusual for a delivery person to deliberately wait like that.

 

Unless it’s something like “registered mail” sent through the post office, which requires the recipient’s signature, or if the package contains something like department store gift cards that must be personally handed over.

 

“Elaine, can you check?”
“Yes.”

 

There’s another scenario, though.

 

Taptap. Click click.

 

Unless the delivery person is actually an “agent” in disguise, exchanging predefined signals as part of a mission.

 

“No issues. It’s the person we were expecting.”
“Okay.”

 

I opened the inner door and headed toward the front entrance.
In the full-length mirror by the front door, I saw myself dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans.

 

To an outsider, I looked like someone dressed for a quick errand, but underneath, I was wearing a protective anti-stab vest made of special fiber cables.

 

Elaine was hiding just out of sight around the corner by the entrance, ready to respond instantly if the situation turned threatening.

 

Squeak.

I opened the door.
The security chain, rarely used on officetel doors, slid back, and I observed the person through the gap.

 

The delivery person’s eyes met mine and nervously darted around, scanning the surroundings more anxiously than I was.

 

Wearing a black cap, sunglasses, and a neck warmer that covered most of their face.

 

The only thing visible was the blue irises under the sunglasses that had slipped down slightly—a detail only someone who recognized them would notice.

 

“You’ll need a ‘driver’s license’ to receive this delivery. Do you have one?”

 

Not an ID, but a driver’s license.
With that, the delivery person pointed to the large box next to their feet.

 

A significantly large box, almost like it could contain furniture.

 

“One moment. Will this do?”
“Yes… Verification complete.”

 

The delivery person fiddled with their device as if entering data, then casually pulled out a white envelope from their jacket.

 

“Starting now, you can use this freely. This is a gift voucher from our side. As for the main package…”
“You can leave it; I’ll take care of it.”
“Understood. Please make sure to handle it promptly.”

 

With a slight bow, the delivery person immediately departed.

I waited an appropriate amount of time before unlocking the chain and retrieving the package.

 

“…Phew.”

 

Once I brought the package inside the front door, I locked it and gestured for Elaine to follow. She approached the door quietly and pressed her ear to the metal surface.

 

A moment of silence.

Elaine shook her head and picked up the package, then closed the inner door behind her, pulling out her smartphone.

 

[Outside. Surveillance agent detected.]
“…Hah.”

 

What a hassle.

 

“If I had known this would happen, I shouldn’t have quit my job.”

 

Even if the sound didn’t carry outside, the realization that my resignation was now causing trouble was unavoidable.

 

“I’m suffering because of those who quit their jobs right after Awakening.”
“…You had gone to such lengths to make it look like you quit because of those terrible bosses.”
“Exactly. That’s something only people at the company know, not the government or the Awakened Management Committee.”

 

Currently.
After the phenomenon of a million Awakening events, over 10,000 people in South Korea alone quit their jobs immediately afterward.

 

Among them, 7,000 officially registered as Hunters with the government after Awakening.

 

I happened to get caught up in that resignation wave, and now even the regular resignations are being scrutinized with suspicion.

 

—Are these people just resigning, or are they hiding the fact that they’re Awakened and planning to flee the country?

 

“This is such a headache. But… at least I have this.”

 

The delivery box was large enough to hold a decent-sized suitcase.

 

This wasn’t some insurance policy freebie. From the box to the tape and even the shipping label, everything was meticulously curated.

Even the box itself couldn’t be casually recycled—it was classified as a national secret, and the shipping label wasn’t real.

 

Rip.

Carefully, I sliced the tape with a knife and opened the box. Inside was a single, massive metal container.

 

“…Never thought I’d own a PC worth over 10 million won in my lifetime.”

 

This wasn’t just a state-of-the-art computer.

It was an essential piece of equipment gifted by our old friend in West Virginia, Armstrong.

 

I used scissors to open the envelope I had received earlier. Inside was an explanatory leaflet from a credit card company.

 

And a single black card.

 

“…The kind of thing you only see in movies. Unreal.”

 

With this card, I could buy anything.

 

But only to the extent that I wouldn’t draw their attention.

 

“First, I should set up the computer. I’ll need to reinstall the games too.”

 

Thud.

 

“Shall I carry it for you?”
“…No.”

 

Even though I knew Elaine could easily lift this massive PC tower, roughly the size of a 32-inch monitor, with one hand.

 

“This is my responsibility.”

 

I had to handle this myself.

 

“This much, I can manage.”

 

* * *

 

[At a nearby café near the studio aparment.]

 

“Team Leader, at this point, don’t you think there aren’t any unregistered Awakened left?”
“No way. There’s definitely one here.”
“The 2nd team already checked sudden resignations and left. Shouldn’t we call it quits too? All we’ve seen is someone receiving a delivery at home.”
“They could be faking it, pretending to accept a delivery. You’ve seen those movies where they smuggle illegal goods disguised as chicken seasoning. They might be faking resignation and preparing for exile.”
“Can you tone down the movie references?”

 

The two men, sipping on 1,500-won iced Americanos, pointed toward a bustling fountain area.

 

“The culprit always returns to the scene of the crime.”
“It’s not a culprit, it’s a hero. An S-rank Hunter, at that.”
“Just wait. My hunch is never wrong.”

 

The haggard team leader, unshaven and visibly fatigued, gestured toward the crowd near the fountain.

 

“They definitely live around here. ‘Elaine’—at least that person is local.”
“Are you going to investigate everyone in the area? That’s illegal. Unless you can specifically identify someone—wait, Team Leader!”

 

Ignoring his subordinate’s protests, the team leader rushed off, coffee in hand. His team member trailed behind, exasperated.

 

“Hey, you there!”

 

The team leader sprinted toward a black-haired maid standing by the fountain.

 

“Excuse me, I need to confirm your identity.”
“W-What is this about?”
“I’m Park Geon-woo, Team Leader of Registration Support Team 3, Awakened Management Committee.”

 

Park Geon-woo pulled out an ID badge from his pocket.

It was no ordinary badge—it was crafted from mana stones obtained by Hunters in the Towers, issued exclusively to this new government department created after the Towers emerged.

 

“Are you ‘Elaine’ by any chance?”
“N-No, it’s c-cosplay!”

 

The black-haired maid nervously reached for her eyes. A moment later, she removed colored lenses, revealing hazel eyes. Park Geon-woo immediately bowed at a 90-degree angle.

 

“My apologies. I thought you were the real one…”
“It’s fine. I understand. Haha.”

 

The woman cosplaying Elaine smiled softly as she held up her smartphone.

 

“Did you guys see that? Haha, I told you I look just like her!”
“…”
“What? Obstruction of justice? I’m just taking themed photos while cosplaying here! Would the real S-rank Hunter take pictures like this? She’s probably in the U.S.!”

 

Still in character, the maid addressed the camera while Park Geon-woo awkwardly distanced himself, retreating to his team member.

 

“Ah, crap. This is driving me crazy. Now it’s going to end up as a viral stream clip. Damn it.”
“Guess you’ll be trending as the ‘hardworking public servant’ on Shorts. See, you should’ve been more composed.”
“Ugh…”

 

Team Leader Park Geon-woo buried his face in his hands, shaking his head.

 

“Honestly, the police should be here managing this. Just look. Hunters, their followers, and who knows who else are flocking here like it’s some pilgrimage site.”

 

In front of the fountain.

A now-narrow space where a Tower once stood, people were gathering and conducting their own rituals.

 

“Why don’t they just head over to Mungyeong Saejae and pray there instead?”
“That area’s still under military control, isn’t it?”
“Control should’ve been lifted today. God, seriously…”

 

Park Geon-woo scratched his head and looked up at the tall officetel looming above.

 

“Still, you know, my instincts aren’t wrong. Among those who quit their jobs—whether part-timers or full-time employees—there are people not finding new jobs on purpose. They’re not just reclusive shut-ins; they’re aiming for Hunter migration benefits.”
“Or, they just quit because their workplace sucked?”

 

The team member nonchalantly responded, pulling out his smartphone.

 

“On the Blah forum, I read a story about an ace employee who quit because their manager won second place in the lottery and vanished.”
“What does the manager winning the lottery have to do with the ace quitting?”
“Apparently, the ace was drinking with the manager and bought everyone lottery tickets as a joke. The manager’s ticket won second place, and then they ghosted everyone.”
“…Wait, that’s it!”

 

Park Geon-woo snapped his fingers.

 

“Let’s dig into that person’s info. That guy’s definitely Awakened.”
“Who, the ace that quit?”
“No!”

 

Smack!

 

“The lunatic who quit after winning second place! No sane person would quit their job over second place in the lottery!”
“…Good point.”
“Go back to the source of that post and try to contact them. Man, I feel bad for the ace. What awful luck.”
“What do you think the ace is doing now?”
“How should I know? Probably figuring out how to make a living. These days, people quit and start doing vlogs or YouTube.”

 

Park Geon-woo gazed up at the sky.

 

“Ah, I wish I could quit and become a UTuber too.”
“What would you do?”
“Variety game streamer. …Actually, scratch that.”

 

He pointed at the cosplayers swarming around the fountain.

 

“I’d just start a channel on mobile games those people love.”

 

* * *

 

“Holy crap, is that a 9090?”

 

Setting up the computer on the desk, I opened the case to check the components, and my jaw practically hit the floor.

 

“Is it something good? It’s a gift from the U.S. President, so it must be…”
“This is top-tier stuff. The best currently available.”

 

Rustle.

While peeling off some protective film, I noticed an envelope.

Inside was a handwritten letter, slightly crooked but clearly written with care.

 

– I managed to secure components, including the next-gen X090 under development, but as it’s not officially on sale yet, I couldn’t include anything that might expose game data. I hope you’ll understand that this is built with currently available parts.
To my dear friend far away: may this help you in your new ‘disguise’ for your profession.

– Your friend, Armstrong.

 

“Man, it really pays to have good friends.”

 

Sending that DM after conquering the Tower was the right move.

 

“To think he’d send me a computer to support my new career as a full-time gamer.”
“Then, does this mean it’s time to use this for ‘that’?”
“Yeah.”

 

I sat down at the desk.

 

“Now begins my life as a full-time gamer.”

 

For my next Summon.

 

“Elaine.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Come sit here and help me look. We’re finding our new companion.”

 

A Summon that could heal, deal damage, and tank.

 

“There are countless mobile games out there worldwide, so surely, there’s one character that fits what we need.”

 

We just needed to find them.

 

“Let’s figure out who to fully limit break and refine. Money’s not an issue.”

 

Elaine hovered the mouse cursor, her expression subtly stiffening each time.

 

“Master, this one seems promising—”
“No male characters.”

 

Not someone with XY chromosomes.

 

“There can be strong male characters in my game party, but in this house, no other men besides me are allowed.”

 

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Stay-at-Home Summoner

Stay-at-Home Summoner

집구석 소환사
Score 7.6
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Korean
The Age of Hunters, where humans climb the Towers. The characters I summoned from a gacha game ascend the tower.

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