Chapter 1

I will translate the provided text into English:

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I will tell the story of how I became a slave manager.

Reading the room and pushing the responsibility onto others. The results of the work are secondary. What is most important is to be compliant with the unwritten rules of society and to navigate interpersonal relationships. The rules of seating arrangements, the formalities of addressing people, and the brain-dead business emails. Forced to come to work before the start of business hours without any compensation, not allowing even a second of tardiness, and extending working hours indefinitely is considered a virtue. After being exhausted by all the unnecessary things, one might be reprimanded for breaking the ridiculous bowing etiquette, and ultimately be ostracized from society.

After being baptized by such a society, one would be terrified of ever returning to such a frightening place. Thus, they cling to their parents, while holding a job.

That job is, in fact, a home security guard.

Those who cannot fully embody the quintessential Japanese work ethic and are branded as social misfits.

Not all of them are incapable and incompetent. On the contrary, they are unable to engage in meaningless tasks and are deprived of the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

They are not just brilliant, but not quite prodigies. Nevertheless, many geniuses are hidden away in society.

What would happen if these geniuses were allowed to focus solely on their work, ignoring the unwritten rules and etiquette of society? How much could they achieve if given the right environment?

The IT industry is currently in dire need of people. However, it's not just about having a large number of people; it's about having the right talent.

Recognizing this, a scoundrel decided to combine these two elements.

The more unscrupulous a person is, the sharper their nose for opportunity. They use their network to track down these individuals.

These people often feel guilty towards their parents and would like to return to society if they could.

The scoundrel whispers to them, "We don't ask for anything unnecessary. If you can't communicate verbally, you can do so in writing. Just use your abilities to the fullest."

Enticed by this tempting offer, they decide to return to society, and their parents are overjoyed. "Please take care of our child," they bow their heads.

Thus, my job is to manage the slaves who have been brought back into the fold.

At first, I work with them remotely, building trust and motivation. I flatter them, rely on them, and praise their abilities. "You're amazing. We're so lucky to have someone like you. You're a genius, and we should be grateful to those who let you go."

In reality, they are genuine geniuses, completing in a few days what would take me a month to finish.

This industry is filled with investors willing to pour money into projects that can be completed quickly. Gami secures these projects, evaluates whether I can handle them, and then assigns them to the slaves. I take credit for the results, and Gami profits handsomely.

It's a very legitimate business, adhering to all the rules of society.

If asked about the morality of it, it's undoubtedly questionable.

After all, we're using geniuses for the salary of a new employee. They don't realize they're being exploited. Instead, they are happy to receive what they are given, produce results, and gain a sense of self-worth. I manage and support them to ensure this.

To facilitate this, Gami has set up a base in Southeast Asia, where the rules are more relaxed. Being from a place where Gami has built a fortune, many things are more flexible.

Originally home security guards, they clearly separate the outside world from their inner world, minimizing contact with outsiders. This tendency is even more pronounced in a foreign country, limiting the number of people they can confide in.

This closed-off world. If they leave this paradise, they will face a society that is far worse. They are made to depend on and be brainwashed by the idea that this is the only place where they are truly understood.

Our company uses these slaves to produce high-quality work, embodying the essence of exploitation. We are the alchemists of society.

The key to success is to prevent the slaves from realizing they are slaves. They must believe this life is happiness.

It's a very easy business, for Gami.

However, managing slaves is challenging. Consulting with them outside of working hours is the norm. Not only that, but to assign them tasks, I must understand the content myself. I don't need to possess the skills to create the work, but I must have the ability to judge it.

Technology is constantly evolving.

To stay informed about what is needed, I must study daily. This, combined with managing the slaves, means there is no clear distinction between work and personal life.

My annual income has nearly tripled compared to when I was in Japan. However, considering the lack of balance, the hourly wage is not much.

After all this, I'm only earning slightly more than a typical young adult. Working and earning money in a conventional way is a poor investment. That's why one must cling to the sense of purpose.

I, too, am a slave being exploited by Gami.

Recently, as the number of slaves I manage has increased, I've been thinking a lot.

Society is well-structured.

As the number of slaves increases, the gray areas that were once tolerated must be clearly defined.

What I thought was for the best turned out to be a mistake. To rectify one person's failure, others were involved. At the time, there were few people, so no one was blamed. We laughed it off, saying, "We're all in this together."

However, as the number of people increases, so do their wills. With more people, more grievances will arise.

If everyone starts acting on their own, it becomes difficult to manage.

Therefore, we need to establish common understandings and rules.

I thought about starting with one rule. But once you start, you need more and more rules. This will lead to frustration and suffering.

However, this is inevitable when managing a large number of people. I realized that society is well-structured.

The rules and morals I once defied. The more I think about it, the more I understand their necessity, not just intellectually but viscerally.

At some point, I got tired of thinking. I decided to leave it to my future self to think about it again.

For Gami, this business is just a game. If it fails, it fails. If it succeeds, it's a bonus.

I have no intention of taking responsibility for the slaves' lives.

If I'm accused of being heartless, so be it. A company is just a company. When it fails, I have no intention of taking responsibility for the employees' futures. Ultimately, that's just the nature of a company, and I plan to run away when the time comes.

Even with slaves, I do develop some feelings. I listen to their personal problems and try to help them.

But my life is already full of other people's problems. I can't take on any more. It's already over capacity.

Once, a business partner asked me:

"Gambling, womanizing. What keeps you going if you don't do any of that?" He asked out of genuine curiosity, not mockery.

I answered:

"I live for when something happens."

I added, "But that something will never happen," which only made him more curious, tilting his head in confusion.

In any case, I manage the slaves and lead a busy life. Compared to the last year I spent in Japan, where I often took the last train home, this life feels like a warm bath.

This life, surprisingly, isn't bad. If something I don't believe will happen does occur, the foundation I've built will catch it. Even if I don't fall, I won't suffer too much. I'm satisfied with what I've built.

This life has continued for about two years.

The work is going smoothly and is on track.

As someone who initially thought it would fail, I can only marvel at Gami's business acumen.

And today, another slave, full of dreams and anxiety, is being delivered.

I went to the airport to pick them up.

I wonder what kind of slave will arrive this time. Usually, I build trust through remote work, and they decide to come on their own. This time, that's not the case.

Gami contacted me yesterday, telling me to pick up a new slave, without giving me much notice.

It's sudden, but not a big problem. The bigger issue is that after picking up the slave, I'm supposed to take a month off.

It's like a bolt from the blue.

The schedule is already set, and I've made arrangements to ensure things run smoothly even without me.

Without knowing the reason, I can only tilt my head in confusion. But mostly, I'm filled with anxiety.

So, I'm currently waiting at a designated meeting spot in the airport.

The plane has already landed, and some time has passed. Japanese people are starting to appear around me. If they've cleared immigration and collected their luggage, they should be showing up soon.

However, I don't know what the person looks like.

Gami only told me that the person would contact me once they arrived at the meeting spot.

I'm worried if this will work, given that the person is a former home security guard.

As I wait, another Japanese girl appears next to me.

She's wearing a pure white dress and a straw hat. A typical summer lady.

Her face is hidden by the straw hat, but her good figure suggests she's a beautiful girl.

I've been daydreaming about a pure and noble warrior maiden, trapped in a prison of my own making. My ideals were so high that I couldn't accept reality.

Now, I no longer have such dreams. I face reality.

I've accepted that my life will end without ever stepping onto the battlefield. My Gungnir will remain unsheathed throughout its life.

"Huh?"

As I'm lost in these thoughts, my smartphone rings.

One message.

'I have arrived at the meeting spot.'

The sender is 'I.R.' The slave delivered today, registered through a QR code sent by Gami.

'What are your distinguishing features?'

I considered describing myself, but my current outfit is a black shirt and chino pants. I look like any other adult male. I thought it would be faster to find them.

The reply came quickly:

'A big-breasted high school girl with a red carry-on suitcase.'

"Huh?"

I couldn't help but let out a sound.

No matter how much we claim to ignore social etiquette, sending such a message to a new superior is completely inappropriate. I was angry and thought I needed to give an opening lecture.

But that wasn't the case.

I was stunned by a message that was familiar, with just one letter changed.

At the edge of my vision, I saw a red color.

Following the color, I saw a red carry-on suitcase.

Looking up, I saw a white dress. The straw hat, which had been hiding something, was now looking at me.

A smug, triumphant smile.

The timid, small-animal face that used to look up at me nervously was gone. The traces of the past were still there, but she had grown and matured.

There was no mistaking who it was.

"...Rena?"

"Long time no see, Senpai."

The final chapter will be posted at 18:00.