The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 4

003

City Bus.

It’s been ages since I last rode one, probably not since middle school.

Right after hanging up with Team Leader Park, I was surprised that I didn’t have any decent clothes at home, and then doubly surprised when I went outside to find my BenX [presumably his vehicle] gone.

I had no choice but to grab a taxi, but I was devastated to find not a single penny in my wallet.

In the end, I ransacked my pigsty of a room, found some coins, and barely managed to catch the bus, which brings us to the present situation.

Kim Jun-woo, the man of the hour, on a city bus.

It’s quite a shock, but… what can you do?

Right now, I’m neither the world’s first SSS-rank Hunter nor the leader of an elite operations team…

“Ugh, thinking about it just pisses me off again.”

Sighing deeply, I leaned my head back.

Anyway, I’m living a completely different life now than before.

That also means that my relationships with those around me have completely changed.

In other words, the fact that I used violence against Park Geun-tae is something that would never happen no matter how much time passes.

So that man has no need to apologize, and he’s someone who has absolutely nothing to do with me now.

Even so, the reason I said I would come to work is because I have a hunch that he might be the one who killed me.

My death was definitely strange.

The way they disguised it as an accident to get my attention, and the way they tied me down with firearms to prevent me from using my skills…

And the final shot fired at me was no ordinary attack.

A weapon for monsters.

The subjugation-use ability operation rifle, Titan.

They shoved the highest-ranked item for the ‘sniper class’ right into my head at point-blank range.

Someone planned this out deliberately.

The most likely reason to consider is revenge.

And the most likely suspect is Team Leader Park… or if not him, Team Leader Park’s son.

Harboring resentment for being assaulted by me, they planned revenge. If they hired professional help for this, then everything roughly adds up.

…Seriously.

Just because I pushed him a little, it’s ‘assault?’

He was the one who rushed in and grabbed my collar in the first place.

‘Damn it, not knowing his place… If he had just listened when I told him nicely from the start, none of this would have happened.’

On the constantly rattling bus, I clicked my tongue and shifted my gaze to the scenery outside the window.

Useless memories float up from the depths of my mind.

***

“Please withdraw it.”

The Ability Dimension Management Association headquarters.

After finishing a meeting about the subjugation scheduled for a few days later and returning to my office, a middle-aged man I’d never seen before blocked my path.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Park Geun-tae, the team leader of the dungeon cleaning team.”

“……”

I’ve never heard that name before.

“Do you have some business with me?”

“I heard that you suggested reducing the number of personnel on the cleaning team to the higher-ups. We’re already having a really hard time because we don’t have enough people. If it’s reduced further…”

Ah, I groaned briefly.

At the same time, my brow furrowed.

“Why are you telling me that? I just made a suggestion, and I don’t have any authority. The control team is the one that actually makes the decisions, so go talk to them.”

“No one in this industry doesn’t know the Hunter’s influence. Aren’t you the world’s number one ranked Hunter, no matter what anyone says? In a situation where the Hunter’s words sway the association, cutting off a few of our team’s heads is nothing.”

It was a tone that seemed subtly sarcastic while being outwardly polite.

“So please, I beg you. The reduction is not possible. Please reconsider.”

The man bowed his head deeply.

Contrary to his pleading posture, there was a strong glint in the man’s eyes.

I scratched my head.

I had guessed that my suggestion to reduce personnel would reach their ears.

But I never thought he would come directly.

More than anything, judging from the man’s eyes, it was obvious that the story would become quite troublesome.

“Do you know this?”

That’s why I opened my mouth calmly.

“It’s said that a lizard cutting off its tail is actually a very inefficient means of defense. But when danger strikes, it cuts off its tail without hesitation. What do you think is the reason for that?”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s because it has to survive.”

The man’s eyes wavered for a moment.

He seemed to vaguely understand what I meant.

“No matter how inefficient it is, no matter how great the loss, it has to do it to save its life. The last resort is like that.”

“But we are…”

“You’re not the tail, that’s what you want to say, right? Of course, I understand. Everyone thinks they are indispensable. But… do you really think so?”

I smiled at the man.

Conversely, the other person’s face began to darken more and more.

“The association is currently suffering from a serious financial crisis. It’s only natural, since it’s not getting much in return compared to the money it’s spending. Anyway, for that reason, they’re going to adjust the salaries of the top Hunters.”

“W-wait a minute! Don’t tell me you’re doing this to us because of your own salaries…”

“The association’s top priority is to protect citizens from dungeons and monsters, and it’s the operations team, Hunters like me, who carry that out. But what if those Hunters don’t get paid properly and have to work? How can they go out on subjugation and have any strength? So what should we do?”

Taking advantage of the momentum, I took a step toward the man and presented him with the cold reality.

“We have to use the last resort.”

“That’s ridiculous! There’s a limit to everything!”

“Cleaning teams, honestly, you don’t do anything.”

“Do you know what we do?”

“Cleaning is cleaning, what else do I need to know?”

The man seemed speechless, staring at me with wide eyes.

“Anyway, anyone can do cleaning. It doesn’t require high specs like the control team or the support team, and it doesn’t look at talent like the Hunters. The shortage of personnel can be filled at any time, so please just let it go for the sake of the association right now.”

“We also have our own pride…”

“Yeah, yeah, how could you not? Actually, it’s something that should have been done a few years ago, but I held back because of camaraderie. Well… I believe you understand, so I’ll be on my way.”

With those words, I passed the man and moved on.

“The association’s top priority is to protect citizens?”

After taking a few steps away, the man opened his mouth again from behind.

I didn’t want to waste any more time, so I tried to ignore him.

“Aren’t we citizens?”

“……”

Before I knew it, my head turned.

At the same time, the man’s knees fell to the floor with a thud.

“Please, reconsider.”

“…Tsk, annoying.”

Is he planning to be openly brazen now?

I thought I had spoken clearly, but it seems that wasn’t enough.

“Honestly, you guys should be grateful to us.”

“…Excuse me?”

“That’s right. We’re the ones risking our lives to fight, and you guys are just comfortably cleaning up in the back and making money. You should be grateful that we’ve been helping you make a living all this time, what more do you want?”

Like parasites.

It was a small voice, almost inaudible, but the man must have heard it clearly.

Because I spoke directly into his ear.

“W-what did you say!”

The man jumped up and grabbed my collar.

A truly honest reaction.

Holding back the laughter that almost escaped, I simply pushed the man’s chest at that moment.

Thud—

“Ugh!”

“…What.”

Perhaps I put more force into it than I thought, the man flew away and hit his head against the wall.

Whether he fainted or was just standing still, the man didn’t move.

And soon, blood began to flow from his head.

“Ha, damn it. This is really going too far.”

Frowning at the unexpected troublesome situation, I swept my hair back.

Only for a moment, I hurriedly took out my phone.

I immediately opened the recent list and pressed Director Lee’s number, spitting out curses.

***

Near Sillim Station.

After getting off the bus, I checked the map that Team Leader Park sent me on my phone and slowly moved my feet.

After walking for about 10 minutes, I arrived at my workplace, where several lines of control lines and safety personnel were stationed.

Through them, the orange dungeon entrance vaguely came into view.

Among the dungeon grades named after the color of the dimension gate, it was a ‘Yellow Level’ dungeon, which corresponds to the danger grade.

‘Wait, if it’s this time and this place…’

Suddenly, I turned on my phone to check the date. Then, after rummaging through my memories, I nodded my head.

That’s for sure.

That’s the dungeon with the ‘Foxtrot Centipede,’ a centipede-type monster, as its boss.

It’s the dungeon that I, at 28 years old, participated in subjugating.

‘I guess it’s true that I’ve returned to 10 years ago.’

Judging from the fact that the color of the dimension gate has faded a lot, the subjugation has already been completed.

Even I had a bit of a hard time with that dungeon back then, but they managed to succeed without me.

“Oh, you’re here. Jun-woo! Over here!”

Just in time, a familiar voice came from inside the control line.

It was Team Leader Park.

In his 50s. Balding crown. Dressed in cheap hiking clothes.

It’s an image that roughly matches my memory.

The only difference is the look in his eyes, which is different from when he came to find me in my previous life.

‘Hmm, he doesn’t look like the kind of person who would kill someone…’

Of course, I can’t jump to conclusions yet. You can’t know a person just by looking at their appearance.

Tsk, I can’t help it. I have no choice but to watch a little more.

“What are you doing, standing there blankly! Come in quickly. Did you eat breakfast?”

“……”

While I was lost in thought for a moment, Team Leader Park grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the control line.

“Everyone, look. I told you he’d come, right? I thought he looked sincere from the very first day I saw him.”

There were other people there besides Team Leader Park. Judging from their appearance, they seemed to be the remaining members of the cleaning team.

“Seriously, he just looks like he was trying to skip out and got caught.”

“Sincerity my ass. He said he couldn’t do it last time and didn’t do anything.”

“Four people are enough… Why do you always try to fill the quota?”

Two men and one woman took turns openly complaining.

“Anyway, everyone’s here, so let’s start working right away. It’s dangerous if we delay any longer. Sang-hyuk, set the timer.”

“I already did.”

“Okay, how much time is left?”

“45 minutes.”

“Huh?! That’s all that’s left?”

“It’s because that bastard was an hour late, what else.”

Ugh, Team Leader Park groaned.

“I can’t help it. Let’s hurry before the higher-ups say anything else. Everyone, put on your protective suits! It’s already been an hour, so gas is already being released. Never take off your gas masks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Jun-woo, take this too. The size should be about right.”

“…Ah, yes.”

What Team Leader Park handed me was a white protective suit and a gas mask, both covered in grime.

I stared at them blankly before raising my head.

The team members were moving busily, but I just stood there silently.

“Hmm? What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

“Well, it’s not really a problem, but…”

I opened my mouth expressionlessly.

“So what exactly does a dungeon cleaner do?”