9. 소환수 뱁새
9. Summoned Creature: Wren
Inside the Guild building, where they’d taken refuge from the scorching sun, it was cool.
[“Phew. I finally feel like I’m going to survive.”]
“You’re right. It was pretty hot out there today.”
[“Exactly. I really thought I was going to die back there, you know?”]
“But you seem fine now, don’t you?”
[“Compared to earlier, this is absolute heaven.”]
Willis Carrier—in this sweltering heat, there was no greater savior than the man who rescued a poor little sparrow.
The man who invented the air conditioner is a god.
In this brutal summer heat, this is true salvation.
I silently praised his name, which always comes to mind whenever summer rolls around.
Of course, when winter comes around again, he’s often labeled a major culprit of environmental destruction…
Hmm… I don’t really know about that, though?
Covering that much was beyond my capabilities.
Even a grand wizard can’t do everything.
So, let’s not think too deeply about it.
[“Yeah, yeah, that’s right.”]
“What exactly is right?”
[“Never mind, it’s just something. Don’t worry about it.”]
“……….”
Ga-eun looked at me once more with the same eyes she’d had when she saw me that morning.
I guess you could call it a cold, distant gaze.
My gut told me she was definitely looking at something really strange.
“Should we grab something cold on our way home?”
[“Hey, I haven’t gotten heatstroke yet, you know?”]
“Huh? Wasn’t that the case?”
[“No, it isn’t?!”]
“Oh, okay. I see.”
You little bastard, you don’t believe a word I say.
[“Can’t you just believe me when I tell you something?”]
“Oh, of course. But aren’t you a magpie, Master?”
[“Ouch, do you really have to nitpick like that?”]
“No, I was just wondering.”
This feeling that my respect for my master is fading day by day.
I felt that someday, I would definitely have to crack down on discipline.
Just you wait, disciple. You’ll definitely regret this.
I’ll remember this grudge.
It was while I was bickering with Ga-eun like that, waiting in the lobby, that it happened.
“Are you Han Ga-eun, the Hunter?”
“Ah, yes. That’s me. May I ask what brings you here?”
“I’m Cha Ji-won, an investigator with the Association.”
The investigator, who introduced herself as Cha Ji-won, held out her investigator’s badge as she spoke.
She was a woman in a business suit with a sharp, stern demeanor.
At first glance, she exuded an air of professionalism and a clear separation between her personal and professional lives.
She was the type of “scary older sister” everyone talks about.
Come to think of it, maybe that’s exactly why she’s an investigator for the Association.
She looked like the kind of person who could make you spill the location of a secret base—even if only out of fear.
“I’ve been assigned to conduct an investigation with Hunter Han Ga-eun today. Could you please cooperate for a moment?”
“Yes, of course. But how long will this investigation take?”
“It shouldn’t take long.”
“I see. Then let’s get it over with quickly.”
The investigator led us to a certain part of the building.
We followed the investigator into the elevator and headed upstairs.
After walking a little further, the investigator stopped in front of a room.
“This is the place.”
The room was very ordinary.
I’d imagined something a bit more like an interrogation room you see in movies.
It was a room with a very warm, cozy atmosphere and comfortable decor.
Judging by the dolls placed by the window, it felt more like a counseling room.
“Oh, I see. This room is really….”
“Doesn’t it feel cozy?”
“Yeah, well, I guess so. But what’s this room used for?”
“It’s a multipurpose room.”
Hmm…….
“Psychological counseling for Hunters and staff, testimonies from the general public about Gate-related damage, and a break area for staff. It’s used for various other purposes as well.”
In simple terms, it was just a hodgepodge.
Wait, but your building is huge, isn’t it?
So what do you use all that space for, then?
“The Hunters’ Association oversees everything related to Awakened individuals and the Gates. Since our scope of work is so broad, we have many departments, and we’re currently short on space inside the building.”
“Oh, I see. But I didn’t actually ask that…?”
“I mentioned it because many people who’ve visited here have been curious.”
Oh, so I wasn’t the only one wondering.
I glanced up briefly to check Ga-eun’s expression.
Hmm…….
“Cheep cheep. (I don’t know.)”
Since Ga-eun’s default expression is neutral, I have no idea what she’s thinking.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Oh, did I just let that slip?
The sound of the bird I made ended up drawing attention.
But then again, birds singing is just instinct.
It wasn’t something I could consciously control.
“I seem to recall that Hunter Han Ga-eun’s ability was that of a summoner—is that correct?”
“Huh? Yes, I’m a summoner.”
“Then is that sparrow a summoned creature?”
“Uh… y-yes. It’s my summoned creature.”
“I see. Your summoned creature is cute.”
Fortunately, it seemed like I’d managed to get through that smoothly.
But still, calling me cute just because they saw me…!
Can’t she sense my dignity and nobility?
Tsk, tsk. That investigator must still be a young lamb.
If she were a human capable of seeing my true form, she would never have thought I was cute.
“Will you continue to stay with your summoned creature?”
“Yes, I plan to, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Is there a problem with that?”
“No. It’s fine.”
The investigator nodded slightly in response to Ga-eun’s words.
“Then, please have a seat here.”
Ga-eun sat down in the chair as the investigator had instructed.
The investigator immediately sat down in the chair across from her, facing her.
====================
The investigation proceeded in a very relaxed atmosphere.
In fact, it was more like a debriefing inside the Gate, merely labeled as an “investigation.”
The questions asked weren’t particularly difficult either.
Just things like what happened, how many monsters were there and what kind, and whether there were any other people nearby.
The questions were pretty much all along those lines.
Thanks to Ga-eun’s full cooperation, the investigation proceeded smoothly toward its conclusion.
“Then, I’ll wrap things up with a few final questions.”
“Yes, what are they?”
“Hunter Han Ga-eun, is there anything you’d like to request from the Association to support your growth?”
“Huh…?”
“It’s a standard question asked of all hunters, so there’s no need to overthink it.”
“Oh, I see.”
Ga-eun looked as if she were pondering for a moment.
“Growth,” she thought.
If it had been the Ga-eun from back then—who had just awakened and knew nothing—it might have been different.
But the Ga-eun of today didn’t really feel the need for the Association to support her growth.
Well, of course…
“……….”
[“Hey, why are you suddenly staring at me?”]
“……….”
[“Hey, if you’re going to look at someone, at least say something.”]
It was thanks to the rather impressive-looking mentor standing next to Ga-eun.
Having made up her mind, Ga-eun looked at the investigator and spoke.
“No, I don’t have any particular requests regarding the Association.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I think things are fine as they are right now.”
“Understood.”
The investigator jotted down Ga-eun’s answer on a piece of paper with a pen.
“Next, Hunter Han Ga-eun, do you plan to join the Association or a guild?”
“I’m not sure about that. I’m still a beginner and only C-rank.”
“C-rank seems sufficient to me.”
“Still, I don’t plan to do that right now.”
“Understood.”
Having finished taking notes, the investigator closed the chart and stood up.
“That concludes the interview. Thank you for your time.”
“Thank you. It ended faster than I expected.”
“That’s thanks to your cooperation.”
It’s finally over…!
I’d been getting bored and had started to doze off little by little.
I felt like clapping—even if only with my hands, which had turned into wings.
-Flutter, flutter
It wasn’t exactly what you’d call a proper gesture, but I fluttered my wings just once.
Well, even if it looks a little silly, it’s the thought that counts, so I guess it’s okay, right?
“So, can we go now?”
“Yes. I’ll escort you to the entrance.”
The investigator led us straight to the lobby of the association building.
Outside the building, it was still midday, with the summer sun beating down.
However, the intensity of the sunlight had subsided somewhat compared to when we arrived earlier.
Earlier, it had been so intense that it actually stung my skin, but now it was just hot.
[“If it had been this hot on the way back, I would’ve died.”]
“You really do exaggerate, Mr. Babsae.”
[“I’m not! Seriously, you won’t listen no matter how I explain it.”]
“Yes, but isn’t it okay now?”
[“I guess you’re right about that.”]
And so, we were on our way home.
A certain shop suddenly caught my eye.
[“Don’t you want something cold to eat?”]
“Something cold? That’d be nice on a day like this.”
[“Look over there. Want to go there?”]
I spread my wings wide and pointed at a shop.
“Shaved ice?”
[“Yeah, it looks delicious. Let’s go.”]
“Really?”
[“Really. Do you think I’d say something like that for no reason?”]
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
[“Oh come on, I’ve got my ways.”]
Ga-eun couldn’t resist my persuasion and turned toward the shaved ice shop.
However, Ga-eun’s expression was still filled with lingering doubt.
[“Don’t you trust me?”]
“No. Of course I trust you.”
[“Hey, at least change your expression when you say that.”]
Ugh, why can’t she just trust what I say?