The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 17

016

Three days have passed since the unexpected storm hit Team 1.

The dismissal of two active Hunters on the same day was quite shocking news to me.

‘And it was Lee Soo-yong of all people…’

Of course, Team Leader Lee Soo-yong probably didn’t directly order the dismissal.

He doesn’t have the authority to make personnel decisions.

He probably reported the tampering with the dungeon after the raid to the head of the main office.

Anyway, for a few days, I was worried that the fallout might affect us…

Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

Moon So-yeon returned with a much-improved complexion, and we went to work and continued our tasks as usual.

Everything was the same, as if nothing had happened.

However, one thing has changed from before…

“You’re doing a great job!”

“Take care.”

“Good work!”

“Please finish up well!”

Team 1 started greeting us.

“Oh, yes… Good work to the operations team as well.”

“Thank you! Then we’ll be on our way!”

A young Hunter replied in a loud voice.

At the same time, I smiled awkwardly.

Their uncharacteristic behavior was repeated after every raid, not just once in a while.

If the raid ended earlier than expected, they would even wait for us to greet us before leaving.

It’s not just greetings.

After the raid, they would even gather the monsters in one place or clean up the boss room, at least roughly.

“Somehow… I can’t get used to it.”

Moon So-yeon said, watching the operations team walk away. Team Leader Park nodded.

“I know, right? I never thought the mighty operations team would be so wary of us. I’ve never seen anything like this in my 10 years of cleaning.”

“Are we going to take over the operations team like this? Looking at the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem impossible.”

“Don’t be cocky, you little punk. And what do you mean ‘we’? What have we done? It’s all thanks to Jun-woo’s hard work!”

“I’m just saying, aren’t I? Of course, I’m grateful. You’re always so protective.”

Han Sang-hyuk jokingly complained.

However, Moon So-yeon seemed anxious about their jokes.

“I’m really grateful that Jun-woo is on our side, but… that’s why I’m even more worried.”

…? I never took their side.

“I’m worried that Jun-woo might get caught in the crossfire for helping us…”

“Me?”

“Yes. The rumors have already spread throughout the headquarters. There’s a cleaner who can cut off the heads of two Hunters with just one word.”

“…Well, I think I’ve heard something like that.”

The problem is that they cut off all the context.

In fact, the operations team’s sudden change in attitude is probably due to that rumor.

More than anything, it’s true that Team Leader Lee Soo-yong took the cleaning team’s side.

They must be thinking that if they get on the cleaning team’s bad side, their own heads will be on the line.

“They may be wary of us now, but you never know. There might be a Hunter with bad intentions waiting for a chance…”

“Well, even if there is someone waiting, they won’t directly touch us. Unless they’re completely out of their minds.”

“I guess so? Well, it’s not Jun-woo’s fault anyway.”

Moon So-yeon smiled slightly, as if she was relieved.

“By the way, I can’t understand it at all.”

Then, Han Sang-hyuk, who had been listening to our conversation, turned to me.

“You argue with the head of the main office to increase the budget, you cut off Hunters with just one word, and now you’re making Team 1 wary of the cleaning team… Isn’t it time you told us?”

“Told you what?”

“What the hell are you doing?”

“…”

I was speechless at Han Sang-hyuk’s sharp question. It’s not a question I can answer in the first place.

I don’t know either.

Why the situation is flowing like that.

“You’re not… something like that, are you?”

As I remained silent because I had nothing to say, Han Sang-hyuk opened his mouth again, as if frustrated.

“Something like what again.”

“Like, you have connections to big shots that even the higher-ups can’t touch…”

“…Seriously.”

A hollow laugh burst out automatically.

What kind of nonsense is that again?

***

Association Seoul Headquarters.

Operations Team 1 Office.

It was after everyone had left work, but Team Leader Lee Soo-yong was still in the office.

In the dim light, only sighs were heard intermittently.

He was already tearing his hair out because of various problems when it happened.

“Wow, you’re working hard~ How have you been?”

An unwelcome guest arrived.

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong’s expression became even more fierce.

“…What is it?”

“Hey, is that how you react to a senior you haven’t seen in a while?”

“Wouldn’t I be surprised if someone who never showed his face suddenly came to visit?”

“Still, who else would come to see you like this, thinking of you?”

“Yeah, right…”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong muttered quietly.

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin of Operations Team 2.

He was one class ahead of Team Leader Lee Soo-yong, but he was the type of guy who would only come around when there was a problem and give advice as a way of picking a fight.

The fact that he came now means…

“Hey, but your team… I heard you’ve been wary of the cleaning team lately?”

“Haa…”

Sure enough.

It seems that it has reached his ears as well.

“Soo-yong has fallen a lot~ The leader of Operations Team 1 is wary of the cleaners. The organization is going backwards. Right?”

“Seriously… If you don’t know, just stay quiet. Do you even know who’s in the cleaning team right now?”

“How could I not know? A big shot, right? The rumors have already spread.”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin sat on Team Leader Lee Soo-yong’s desk and said.

“That’s why parachutes don’t work. Look at me, I came up fair and square. If you didn’t create a situation where you had to be wary of big shots in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“…I’m already in a bad mood, so if you’re going to pick a fight, please go back?”

“You little punk, with your temper. Well… that’s not the point.”

He glanced around again.

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin continued slyly.

“I’ll solve it for you.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“The cleaning team. I can’t just let them crawl all over you, relying on their connections. I’ll help you out. A senior should step in at times like this.”

At the word ‘help,’ Team Leader Lee Soo-yong let out a hollow laugh.

“How exactly are you going to help? I’m warning you, if you mess with them without knowing what you’re doing, you’ll end up like me.”

“Come on… what do you take me for?”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin shrugged.

A strange confidence was evident in his expression.

“Well, it’s nothing grand. I’m just going to stick to the rules. Even if they’re on the Association President’s line, there’s no reason to cover up their team’s mistakes, right?”

“What’s that supposed to mean… Has the cleaning team made a mistake?”

“No, not yet. But… they will.”

The corners of Team Leader Lim Dong-bin’s lips curled up.

‘That crazy bastard.’

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on Lim Dong-bin.

Seeing the hesitation in his junior’s eyes, Team Leader Lim Dong-bin didn’t miss the opportunity.

“You need to watch yourself. Are you going to spend your whole life being wary of the cleaning team? You’re the leader of Operations Team 1, supposedly an elite team, you know.”

“…Enough, just tell me your terms.”

“You’re quick on the uptake.”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong smiled bitterly.

Did that bastard really think he was offering help out of the goodness of his heart?

He had known all along that the guy’s intentions weren’t pure.

“It’s nothing difficult. Your team has a large-scale subjugation [dungeon raid] scheduled for next week, right? A multi-zone dungeon in Yeongdeungpo.”

“…So?”

Multi-zone dungeon.

A special dungeon where the next zone only opens after defeating the boss of the current zone.

It’s usually a ‘normal’ grade green dungeon, but because you can’t exit the dungeon midway, you have to operate non-stop for hours until you defeat all the zone bosses.

A month for preparation.

Another month for operation planning.

This subjugation, with a significant investment of personnel and time, was currently the most important project for Operations Team 1.

But…

“Hand it over to us.”

This was beyond unethical.

‘…What a lowlife.’

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong gritted his teeth.

“Well, give it up if you don’t like it. By the way, the Director has already approved it. He told us to work it out amongst ourselves.”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong nervously swept back his hair.

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin had subjugated over 100 dungeons so far. Most of them were achievements he had stolen in this manner.

‘That opportunistic bastard. If he wasn’t my senior…’

Naturally, he felt incredibly disgusted, but he couldn’t keep being wary of the cleaning team forever.

However, he couldn’t directly confront the Association President’s line either, so if someone else would take care of it for him, it was a welcome offer.

‘Alright, damn it… it’s not like this is the only large-scale subjugation we have.’

Finally, Team Leader Lee Soo-yong made up his mind.

“…I understand.”

“Hahaha! You’re a generous friend after all.”

“In return, handle it properly. Don’t let any of the fallout come back to me.”

“Of course.”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin turned to leave after saying those words.

Just as he was leaving the office.

“Ah, and I heard there’s a rising star on your team these days? Her name was… Kim Min-joo, right?”

“…Why her too?”

“Lend her to me for a bit.”

That son of a bitch. How did he hear about that too…

He’s taking everything he can get while he has the chance.

“Ugh… do whatever you want.”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong waved his hand dismissively, as if he had given up.

***

On the 퇴근 [Twae-geun, meaning ‘leaving work’] bus.

I was sitting in the back corner, looking over the unlock conditions.

‘Hmm, this is quite…

I chuckled after looking through a few of the lists.

The situation was a little different from back then when I didn’t even know where to start.

Of course, the main skills still had difficult conditions, but now it was starting to look like a few of them were possible.

[Low-Grade Summon – Unlock Condition: Dungeon Cleaning Team, 1 New Employee]

It seems easy, but it’s difficult. I heard there haven’t been any applicants for months… Well, the average person probably doesn’t even know what the cleaning team does, so rejected.

[Over-Immersion – Unlock Condition: Enter into a Joint Project with Another Department]

It would have been an impossible condition in the past… but looking at the atmosphere in the operations team these days, it doesn’t seem impossible.

I’ll put this on hold for now.

[Time Exceeded – Unlock Condition: Dungeon Cleaning Team Wage Increase]

This still seems difficult, so pass.

[Polymorph – Unlock Condition: Increase Public Interest in the Dungeon Cleaning Team]

One-counter skill, that is, an upgraded version of the condition to increase interest within the Association.

‘This is the most doable in the current situation…’

Just as I was nodding, my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a call from Kim Min-joo.

I wonder what’s up, she’s been so busy these days that she hasn’t contacted me much.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“S-Sir…”

A trembling voice as soon as I answered the phone.

I had a bad feeling.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“W-We’ve been assigned a large-scale subjugation this time. It’s a multi-zone dungeon that the entire team is participating in… and I’ve been selected as the leader of this subjugation team.”

“Multi-zone dungeon?”

Was it already that time of year?

I scratched my head, completely forgetting about it.

Anyway, to be selected as the leader for such a large-scale subjugation, her stock must be rising.

“But that’s not the important thing…”

A sound of taking a breath.

Then Kim Min-joo slowly continued.

“They want the cleaning team to participate in the subjugation too.”

“…What?”