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Stay-at-Home Summoner Chapter 30

Spoon Rejection (3)

At that moment, in the United States Congress.

 

As usual, President Eisen A. Luigi of the United States attended Congress. However, instead of watching the proceedings, his attention—and that of the congressmen—was focused on the large screen displaying live footage. A smile naturally spread across his face.

 

“As you can see, our friend has successfully cleared an S-rank Tower. I had full faith in him.”

“P-President?”

 

Presidential aide John Patrick was flustered by the sight of the president clapping with enthusiasm.

 

Everyone else in the room was either stunned or left with their mouths agape, unsure how to react, making it impossible to offer any advice.

 

This wasn’t one of those scenes often depicted in movies, where one person clapping inspires others to join in.

 

Instead, President Luigi stood alone, sincerely celebrating the successful conquest of the S-rank Tower.

 

“…Mr. President.”

 

An elderly gentleman with silver hair, the most senior politician in the U.S. Congress, called out to the president. Eisen Armstrong Luigi stopped clapping at his address.

 

“Yes, Senator Centariol?”

“I’m not sure if it’s my old age muddling my sense of time or if what I’m witnessing is truly happening. Has that S-rank Hunter really cleared Korea’s S-rank Tower?”

“As you can see.”

 

On the massive screen in the U.S. Congress, live coverage streamed directly from American journalists on-site.

 

“My friend declared his intent to conquer this Tower, and thus, sent his agent to achieve it. From the time they entered the Tower to the time they emerged victorious, it took less than ten minutes.”

 

Ten minutes.

To be precise, it might have taken even less than that.

 

“While experts will analyze the Tower conquest in detail, we must acknowledge the significant contributions of the Korean Hunters who cleared the way up to the boss room. Their efforts were crucial.”

 

Some congressmen nodded in agreement with the president’s words.

In most Towers, the path to the boss room is not a straightforward one-way journey.

 

Dividing credit for a Tower conquest is always tricky.

Should more recognition go to those who fought their way up to the boss room or to the individual who appeared at the final moment and defeated the boss?

 

Given that slaying the monsters on the lower floors does not cause the Tower itself to disappear, the latter’s contribution is usually considered far greater.

 

“Mr. President.”

 

This raised an essential question among the congressmen present in the United States Congress.

 

“Regarding the conquest of the Storm Dragon Shahabuth, did the Hunter in question receive any assistance from Korea’s S-rank Hunters?”

 

One key detail needed to be clarified.

 

“Are you saying that this S-rank Tower was cleared not through collaboration with Korean Hunters but solely by an ‘American’ Hunter? Independently?”

“That is correct.”

“!!”

 

Several congressmen shot up from their seats.

Some even pounded their chests as if a great burden had been lifted, visibly relieved.

 

“God has not forsaken us!”

“At last, a powerful Hunter of our own!”

 

Their excitement stemmed not only from the newfound strength of an individual but also from the symbolic significance of that strength belonging to an American.

 

Furthermore, the fact that someone who had already conquered two S-rank Towers might one day come to America and clear theirs fueled their elation.

 

“Mr. President, when will that person arrive in the United States?”

“Senator, as I mentioned previously, within the next three months at the latest…”

“If there’s any way to expedite it, let’s make it happen.”

 

Even those who usually opposed the president politically now displayed an unusual willingness to cooperate.

 

“This isn’t something we should take lightly. Yes, let’s establish a party-wide initiative to lead this effort…”

 

Some congressmen even appeared desperate.

 

“Calm down, Senator. Their visit to the United States requires some coordination and scheduling…”

“I speak from the perspective of an old man with little time left. Before I retire, I hope to see even one of these monstrous Towers eradicated from this land.”

“…”

 

While some found his urgency perplexing, the sincerity of his next words silenced all dissent.

 

“May God bless all citizens of this land.”

 

On the screen, the massive Tower crumbled with a thunderous roar, leaving no trace behind.

 

“Oh, by the way.”

 

In the solemn atmosphere, the senator addressed the president once again.

 

“Are you absolutely certain that this had nothing to do with the Korean Hunters?”

“Senator, what exactly are you suggesting?”

“Ah, please don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t intended as a political statement.”

 

Political discourse often leaned toward ambiguous and lofty rhetoric, requiring careful attention to the context in which the words were spoken.

 

“What I mean is, if the S-rank Tower was cleared without the help of Korean Hunters, the Korean government might react quite sharply to this situation.”

“…”

 

President Luigi adjusted his glasses slightly, causing the lenses to reflect the light and obscure his eyes momentarily. With a composed expression, he nodded deeply.

 

“That’s correct. They will likely take more proactive measures, even if it’s just to locate someone.”

“To locate someone?”

“What doesn’t change is that she is an American citizen holding a U.S. passport.”

 

Even if she happened to hold dual citizenship with Korea, someone nearly voiced this thought but managed to keep it to themselves.

 

“More importantly, how exactly did they disappear so suddenly? Do we know anything about that?”

“…”

 

The atmosphere in the U.S. Congress was one of cautious harmony. While suspicions and unspoken questions swirled around the president, no one dared to voice them openly.

 

“They disappeared because that’s simply how their abilities work.”

 

Really.

Somehow.

 

“Instead of dwelling on this, we should start by expressing our gratitude for the disappearance of a trial from this Earth by sending them a few gifts.”

“Oh, yes. To commemorate…!”

 

“The gifts have already been sent.”

 

Luigi spread his arms wide with a grin.

 

“A very special gift, just for them.”

 

* * *

 

Party Disbanded. Party Reorganized.

 

Using terminology from other systems, it was akin to performing a “Reverse Summoning” followed by a “Summoning” procedure.

 

There were no grand magical rituals—just a few taps on the Summoner’s management app interface.

 

With a flash of light, two figures appeared before me.

 

“We’re back, Master.”

 

Elaine.

 

“Hmm… so this is how it works. This feeling is… certainly not pleasant.”

 

Kiharu.

 

“Welcome back. You both worked hard.”

 

I sincerely thanked them for their safe return.

 

While I had full faith in their skills, the possibility of unexpected complications had kept me on edge.

 

Outwardly, I’d confidently declared, “Nothing will go wrong”, but inwardly, I couldn’t help but worry about worst-case scenarios.

 

What if the Tower conquest failed?
What if they sustained serious injuries?

 

“Both of you seem eager to share your thoughts on this conquest, but let’s talk over something delicious to celebrate.”

 

Fortunately, none of those fears materialized, and the conquest was a resounding success.

 

So successful, in fact, that some might find it… uncomfortable.

 

– Successfully clearing Korea’s S-rank Tower without the help of Korean Hunters.

– What were the S-rank Hunters doing with all that taxpayer-funded salary?

– Someone managed to clear an S-rank Tower solo, and they’re just sitting around. Right?

 

… From a foreign perspective, it might seem understandable, but for Koreans, the perception could be more complicated.

 

“There will be all sorts of remarks aimed at the existing S-rank Hunters, and comparisons between them and you are inevitable. People may have been skeptical after the [Mungyeong Saejae Tower] conquest, but this recent feat solidifies it.”

 

I gave them a thumbs-up.

 

“Elaine, Kiharu, you two are now officially the strongest Hunter party in this country.”

 

Ranked #1 in S-rank Tower conquests.

The government might argue, “They didn’t register with the Korean government, so it doesn’t count!” but the achievement was far too remarkable to dismiss.

 

“No, Master. This is a three-person party with you included. While we were the combatants on the field, it was thanks to your excellent command that we could win so easily.”

“All I did was press a button at the right time.”

“It’s because you watched over us, Master, that we could execute such a clean hunt. Both Kiharu and I agree that if we had tried to face the Storm Dragon alone, even flying up to it would’ve been an impossible challenge.”

“That’s a valid point, partner. I, too, felt it deeply this time. The miracle by which you overwrite the laws of this world with those of the ‘world of 0s and 1s’.”

“No need to make it sound so grand.”

 

 

At the critical moment when the field was about to collapse, I transformed the world into a game-like reality, ensuring the ground beneath us remained intact.

 

“Well, at least we cleared it quickly.”
“If our timing had been even slightly off, we’d probably still be in the middle of the conquest. And if that had happened, Korea’s S-rank Hunters might have entered the Tower and started attacking the boss themselves.”

 

Elaine traced imaginary numbers in the air with her finger.

 

“If that had happened, even if our party contributed 100% to the boss fight, but one of those S-rank Hunters took a single cheap shot from the back, our dungeon conquest contribution would drop to 99.9%. That would be a serious issue, wouldn’t it?”
“Yeah, no doubt.”

 

Does the achievement feed you? No, it doesn’t.

Does the achievement unlock hidden stats or something? No, it doesn’t.

 

But honor?

The symbolism of overcoming this trial solo?

That’s significant.

It also preemptively blocked any S-rank Hunters from trying to piggyback on the accomplishment by simply placing their metaphorical spoon on the table.

 

“They would’ve definitely spun it as ‘we conquered it together’ and then proposed some kind of celebratory afterparty. Elaine, Kiharu, you both need to be careful. Especially when dealing with higher-ranking Hunters. These situations happen far too often.”

 

Afterparties.
Young female Hunters. Beautiful women.

 

I’d heard plenty of stories about so-called “higher-ups” using the guise of national pride to invite Hunters to drink with them. It wasn’t uncommon.

 

“There’s even a rumor about a Hunter who got dragged into one of those afterparties, forced to pour drinks here and there, and ended up fleeing overseas to avoid the whole ordeal.”
“Is that true?”
“Just a rumor. But you know how rumors usually have a kernel of truth.”

 

The reality behind such stories is ugly—disgustingly so.

 

“It’s not something to discuss in public, honestly. Things can get… messy. Really messy.”

 

Even as an ordinary person, I’d heard enough whispers to know how prevalent this was.

 

“That’s why, as much as possible, we’ll keep things between us. The celebration for this conquest, and any future Tower conquests too.”

 

They’ll dig into everything.

 

Elaine’s true identity.
Kiharu, whose existence hasn’t yet been revealed.
And the Summoner—me—who brought them into this world.

 

“We need to watch how the S-rank Hunters move before deciding on our next steps.”

 

It’s like clearing the main story of a mobile game on day one and then waiting six weeks for the next update.

 

“With that in mind…”

 

Clink.

 

“This is just for us. To celebrate the S-rank Tower conquest. And…”

 

I showed Elaine a breaking news update that had popped up earlier.

 

“Your patch.”
“…What?”
“The game devs have announced a new system update. A skill enhancement event. And guess who’s the first target?”

 

Elaine in the game.

 

Set to receive a buff.

 

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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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