The secret alliance with President Morrison.
A union between the world’s strongest Awakener nation and humanity’s most powerful country to prepare for the end of the world.

I couldn’t help but smile at this unexpected accomplishment.

"Saintess, I'll be counting on you from now on...!"

A bit of gratitude toward the Saintess was in order.

By studying her, we might find a way to fight against those monsters.
She was truly a Saintess—a ray of hope for humanity facing impending doom.

So, I resolved to treat her well from now on, putting aside my fears…

"I’m back…."
"……."

*Step step step.* *Thud.*

[The higher skill '???' smiles warmly, saying you’ve done well.]

"Eek."

...And my fears returned. Still terrifying. PTSD kicked back in.

"Stay calm. She's a precious sample. A valuable research sample…."
"……."

*Ding.*

[The skill 'Complete Hypnosis' presses its squishy cheeks in shock!]
[It scolds you, asking what you're planning to do to its mother...]
[The higher skill '???' chuckles and tells it to let things be.]

"Kong and the others are just chatting like it’s nothing… they look like mother and son."
"Now that you mention it, her expression does look quite motherly."
"They’re complete opposites in appearance, though."

While Kong and my wives peacefully chatted, I couldn't enjoy the gathering at all. The "hypnosis breeder guy" barely made it out alive.

* * *

After the gathering, we decided to spend the night at a hotel before heading back to Korea. After all, we had just spent ten hours fighting in an S-rank Gate.

A long, relaxing bath and a good night's rest were in order.

"Where’s the hotel?"
"High Priest Ellington offered his hotel. Right?"
"Yes, we have reserved the Presidential Suite for you. I’ll personally escort you, so please rest comfortably without any worries, Sir Seongja."

The room prepared for us was top-notch.
A hotel suite fit for a president.

Of course, for S-ranks like me, my master, and Kong, this was the usual.
It was nothing for a chaebol heiress like Sia either…

"Presidential Suite? Why such a grand name?"

*Taptap, taptap.*

"...Is this a hotel? It looks more like a palace!"

But for Alice, who was innocent and modest, it would be a special experience.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of my wife hopping around in joy—it was utterly adorable and endearing.

"Alright, let’s go and get some rest…."

*Suddenly.*

"Sir Yoojin, Awakener Bozzi Kong, and Awakener Ninomiya Aika, I’m sorry, but it looks like you won’t be able to leave right away."
"What? Why?"
"There’s a crowd gathered in front of the White House that we can’t control. It’s unlikely any vehicle could move through."

...Smile gone.
Seriously? We save them, and they block the way?

Well, I had a sense of what was going on.
Probably a gathering of people with severe mental illnesses.
"Bring out Yoojin! We have the right to be treated, too!"
They must be shouting something like that.

Add to that the onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of me and the reporters wanting photos.
Outside was likely a complete sea of people, too overwhelming even for the police to disperse quickly.

"What would you like to do? If you wish, we can arrange a secret exit."
"No need. Disciple, leave it to me. I’ll make them scatter in three minutes."

There were three ways to deal with this.
First, politely accept the White House’s offer and take a detour around the crowd.
Second, use the strategic nuke, "Aika," and break through by force.

Finally…

"Master, you pushed yourself hard today. I’ll handle it. You should rest."
"Hmm? What are you planning?"
"I’ll go out front. Some of them must genuinely need my help; I can’t just ignore them and leave."

Somehow, I had to confront them head-on.

Sure, most of them probably weren’t in immediate danger…
But there were probably a few who were hanging by a thread.
People who’d die without my help.
I couldn’t just turn a blind eye and escape.

Besides, if I sent my master out front?
People would start yelling, "The Japanese are here to settle the score for Hiroshima and Nagasaki!"

And most importantly,

'This is the perfect opportunity. I’ll get some work done while I’m here.'

A packed crowd.
An ideal setting for a hypnosis showcase.
There was "work" to be done in these conditions.

I couldn’t let this chance slip by.

*Grin.*

"I’ll be done in an hour. Is that alright?"

So, just bear with it for an hour.
I’ll handle everything, and then we can head to the hotel.

And my wives’ reactions?

"My disciple is truly admirable. So noble."
"Honestly, you’re so kind it’s a problem."
"Yoojin, let me know if you need a translator!"

Master smiled warmly, proud of me.
Sia shrugged with an expression of reluctant acceptance.
Alice’s eyes sparkled, eager to help.

...Even though they must’ve wanted to go to the hotel right away. They’re all so kind-hearted. I love them more than anything.

With that, my resolve strengthened.

*Step... shuffle shuffle.*

"Whoa, it’s Yoojin!"
"Please, Sir Yoojin, Saintess, bless my child!"
"Sir Yoojin! The chairman of Trumpet Corporation will pay you ten million dollars to cure his wife’s dementia…!"

The entrance of the White House was a chaotic scene of crowds.
But even in front of them, I didn’t falter.

I took a deep breath and…

"———EVERYBODY, CALM DOWN!!!!!"

*Ding.*

[The skill 'Complete Hypnosis' starts blowing a whistle, directing traffic!]

Mass hypnosis.
I poured my magical power into my voice, sending it directly into the minds of the crowd.

Did it work?

[A large number of targets are affected by 'ordinary' hypnosis.]

*Silence.*

'It’s working perfectly~.'

The clamoring crowd went silent.

Against people like Sibyl, sure, I’d struggle. But generally, my hypnosis is flawless.
With a snap, I can control people just like that.

Of course, this hypnosis wouldn’t last long.
Putting this many people under a perfect hypnotic state was a bit much with my current magical power.
Ten seconds at most, probably.

But that was all I needed.

"High Priest Ellington, if you please!"
"Yes… everyone, Assembly of the Lord!"

*Ding.*

"Your protest is over!!"
"From now on, this area is under the control of the Assembly of the Lord!"

The pre-arranged signal.
Members of the Assembly, who had mingled in the crowd, sprang into action.

Thanks to them, the chaotic scene quickly settled down.

"This… is…."
"Sir Yoojin, what about the patients pleading for treatment?"
"Gather those who are on the verge of death without treatment. Healing everyone is impossible."
"Understood. Please wait five minutes."

A few minutes later, a line of patients stood before me.
About one hundred of them.

"Those who aren’t in immediate danger, please step back. If you don’t die now, turn back."

[The skill 'Complete Hypnosis' waves goodbye, saying, "See you next time if there’s a chance."]

Thirty people remained, those in critical condition.

It would only take about ten minutes to heal them.

"Alice, what’s this person’s diagnosis?"
"Um, one moment… how do I say this in Korean…?"

*Ding.*

[The skill 'Complete Hypnosis' wipes its brow with pride, happy to finally be doing good after all the trouble it’s caused for its master.]

"Oh my, I can move…!"
"Honey, you’re back to your senses? Honey!!"

And thus, an impromptu hypnosis showcase was born.

Anorexia nervosa, catatonia, and more.
Nearly thirty patients with untreatable illnesses passed before me.

One who couldn’t eat a bite, now smacking his lips as if he were hungry.
Another, whose muscles had seized up, now taking deep breaths in relief.

One patient who believed himself dead, insisting he needed to be "dealt with"…

"Get a grip. You’re not a corpse yet."
"R-right. I’m not a corpse!"

With one line mixed with hypnosis, he snapped out of it.
…It was called Cotard’s syndrome or something. There are all sorts of strange illnesses.
The last patient took a bit out of me.

*Whispers and murmurs.*

"Did you see that? A madman became sane in an instant!"
"And that late-stage Huntington's patient is in tears? Someone who couldn’t even move…."
"It’s a miracle. A miracle…!!"

Of course, I only felt a little worn out.

But the crowd was buzzing, busy capturing the scene on their phones.
Some even applauded, calling it a miracle.

It was exactly the reaction I’d hoped for.

*Snap.*

"What’s that cute thing on his head?"
"Oh my god, did you see him making a V-sign at us?"
"So cute!"
"……."
'If only the Saintess hadn’t been sitting on my head, this would’ve been perfect.'

She took a bit of the impact away, sitting atop my head. But oh well.

Then, I cleared my throat slowly.
Time to accomplish what I’d planned by creating this entire spectacle.

"Ah, ahem

. I apologize for not being able to treat more of you due to the Gate raid."

And with everyone’s attention on me…

"I’ll treat the rest of you if I have the opportunity. I’ll come back to America again."

*Pause.*

"———As a gesture of respect toward President Morrison, who always strives for America and all of humanity."

I slipped in some praise for the President, placing a hand over my heart in respect.

…It was a bit sudden, but it was something I had to do.
Actually, the whole point of this show was for this.

President Morrison… as I recalled, he’d narrowly lost re-election in my first life.
But would I let a partner on the same boat get tossed out in just four years?

This Yoojin will fully back you.
When the next election comes around, I’ll swing by the U.S. again with another treatment showcase. Let’s aim for a second term.
Keep up the good work until your hair turns gray.

This action was my way of boosting his approval rating, even a little.

The crowd was thrilled…

*Rustle rustle.*

"What did he just say?"
"He seemed to express support for President Morrison…?"
"He just said he supports him."
"Call the political desk immediately! Now!"
"……?"

The crowd was delighted.
But the reporters’ eyes changed completely.

They had the look of hyenas spotting prey.

"Huh? What’s happening all of a sudden…."
"You idiot! What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"Kong?"
"Let me clarify—this is simply his personal respect for President Morrison, without any political intent. And now we’ll be returning to Korea!"

*Grabbed and dragged.*

Kong hauled me off.

He only let go after tossing me into the car where the others were waiting.

"Haa, were you just trying to bait the press while I can’t use foresight? Hungry for attention, aren’t you?"
"Isn’t it fine? He’s not even our country’s president. I just said I respect the U.S. President…."
"This is America, you fool."
"...Oh."

Only then did I realize.

To me, it was just a comment about someone like a historical figure, since he wasn’t my country’s leader…
But we were in America.
The media interest in my words would be unmatched.

…I could kiss any hopes of a peaceful hotel stay goodbye.

"Everyone, we’ll head straight to Korea instead of the hotel, before the media shows up."
"Our Assembly can hold them back…."
"If we wait even one night, it’ll be too late. We need to get out before his blunder hits the news."

As expected, Kong immediately decided to head to the airport.
Better to deal with the media storm from afar than while still in the U.S.

I hung my head.
I felt terrible for my wives.

"...Well, uh. Sorry."
"I don’t mind, disciple. American food doesn’t suit me anyway, so heading back to Korea is fine."
"I’m alright, too. I’d rather get back and study for my midterms."

Thankfully, my master and Sia seemed genuinely fine.
Neither seemed particularly eager to stay in the U.S. any longer.

The problem was…

*Slump.*

"...Alice. I’m especially sorry. You must have been looking forward to it."

Alice, the only one who’d been excited about the hotel.

I couldn’t even look her in the eye.
I felt so guilty for disappointing my eager wife that my heart…

"I actually prefer it this way."
"...What?"
"You know that suite they prepared? It felt a bit overwhelming. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep in a place like that."

Just as my heart started aching with guilt,
a cheerful voice swept over me like a breeze.

I actually prefer it.

Slowly, I lifted my head.
I met Alice’s gaze.

*Smile.*

"I’d much rather snuggle up with Yoojin on the plane!"
"A-Aliceee…!"

What is this? My wife, she’s too sweet.
Can a person be this kind?
No. Impossible. She’s an angel.

*Hug.*

"Next time, I’ll take you somewhere a hundred times better…."

I made a promise.
To give my adorable, innocent princess an experience far better than any hotel.

"……!!!? A hotel, yo...!!?"
"Disciple? What did you just say?"
"Yoojin, why only her?"
"Oh."

...Right. They’re all princesses.

In the end, I only managed to escape after promising each of my wives something equally as luxurious as a hotel.

"What about me, huh?"
"Necromancer."
"...This punk, hitting me with a cheap shot."

I ignored Kong, as always.
Why are you trying to butt into a conversation with my wives?
No guys allowed here, man.

* * *

After the commotion settled,
we hurried to board the plane and left the U.S.

The moment they took their seats, my wives’ eyes started to close.
The fatigue from the Gate raid was finally catching up.

"Now that I’m relaxed, I’m so tired…."
"Let’s sleep… It’s a ten-hour flight to Korea…."

*Drift.*

Yoojin also nodded off.
He didn’t even know when or how he fell asleep.

*Scoot, snug.*

[The higher skill '???' flares up, saying the real work starts now.]
[The skill 'Complete Hypnosis' waves its comfy goalkeeper gloves, saying, "Just leave it to me."]

'The Saintess is climbing onto my head again… But whatever, I’ll just sleep.'

The only thing he remembered was the Saintess crawling over his head.

"Huhu, hehe…."

*Snooze… ding!!*

[The skill 'Complete Hypnosis' tosses its 100th yellow card at the one shamelessly breaking the rules!!!]
[The higher skill '???' is shocked, wondering if this is how far they’d go.]

Yoojin had no idea about the little war happening throughout the flight.