The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 29

028

“Ah, hahaha! Still, clearing about one dungeon a day isn’t too bad. Even if the workload is intense, it’s only about two hours of hard work, right?”

“We do an average of three to four a day.”

“Ah…….”

Gu Sang-chan’s eyes darted around quickly.

“B-But still, you guys are working so hard, the Association must treat you well, right?”

“I heard they couldn’t even use the cafeteria until a few days ago because it was dirty.”

“Ah……….”

A deep sigh.

Nevertheless, Gu Sang-chan asked one more question.

“…Still, once you get used to it, this could be a pretty worthwhile job, right?”

“…….”

“…….”

There’s no point in trying to sugarcoat it anymore.

In fact, after seeing this much, Gu Sang-chan himself probably already knows.

No matter how much you try to dress it up, cleaning is still just cleaning.

At this rate, it’ll be difficult to get the article I want.

Who would see this and think, ‘I could do that too’?

‘I was short-sighted…….’

From the start, focusing on the job itself was hopeless.

So, I need to find something appealing outside of the work.

‘Should I call Kim Min-joo’s team and have them give a group greeting?’

……I have my pride; I’m not going to embarrass myself like that.

“Ah, come to think of it, Jun-woo. Did you check?”

Just when I was desperately racking my brain.

Team Leader Park clapped his hands and said something out of the blue.

“……Check what?”

“What else! It’s payday today.”

“Ah, is it already that time?”

“Oh really? Look at this guy. It’s your first paycheck, and you’re not even excited?”

“Well…….”

A nonchalant answer.

What’s so important about a paycheck in this situation…? That’s what I thought, but then.

An idea flashed through my mind.

At the same time, I quickly checked my phone, thinking this was it.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything.

Beyond expectations, I hadn’t even thought about it in the first place.

For the first few days after the initial regression, I couldn’t get used to the impoverished life of not even having money for a taxi… but that was only temporary.

Once I started focusing on unlocking skills, everything else took a backseat. City bus? Three convenience store meals a day?

I thought I didn’t care about any of that…….

But now that it’s been brought up, I feel differently.

Right, if there’s nothing appealing about the job, then it’s all about the money.

If the salary is high, people will be interested no matter how awful the job is.

There are plenty of people who would jump at the chance to do anything if you pay them enough.

With that last hope, I checked the amount.

“……Wow, crazy.”

My pupils lost their direction and trembled.

Total days worked: 25.

Total hours worked: 300.

Average of 12 hours worked per day.

+Performance bonus for participating in the joint project.

Actual salary.

[3,563,240 won.]

How is this even calculated…….

3. 5 million won for working 12 hours a day for 25 days?

No, is this the total amount including the performance bonus?

‘No. This can’t be…….’

There must be some mistake. Maybe the money hasn’t been fully deposited yet…….

Yes, that must be it. There’s no way this amount makes sense.

With that firm belief, I held up my phone screen towards Team Leader Park.

“Um… th-this amount is wro…….”

“Wow, it looks like we got a lot this month!”

“……?”

Team Leader Park, who was looking at the phone screen, clapped his hands, and Moon So-yeon also nodded.

“I know, right? It’s quite generous with the performance bonus.”

“……??”

This is the correct amount?

Not missing a zero?

Of course, I can’t compare it to when I was a Hunter… but even so, it’s about 100 times less.

‘Or do Hunters get paid exceptionally well……? Is this the average normally?’

With that thought, I subtly showed it to Gu Sang-chan as well.

Unsurprisingly, his expression hardened.

It’s clear from his face that he would never do this kind of work for this amount of money.

‘This is bad…….’

Dirty and dangerous work with an intense workload.

And yet, the salary is meager.

Even though this is considered a lot for them.

This is over.

If an article comes out like this, even a long-term unemployed person wouldn’t even consider it.

Desperate to salvage the situation, I racked my brain.

“Hahaha… only half of it has been deposited yet.”

“……Yes?”

“……What?”

I took a gamble.

“Well, our team’s salary is usually paid in installments. Haha.”

“Ah! Is that so? I thought…….”

“Come on, there’s no way you’d get paid this little for doing this kind of work.”

I laughed exaggeratedly.

Gu Sang-chan finally relaxed his expression and smiled slightly.

“So, since only half has been deposited, does that mean you get around 7 million won [~5,300 USD] on average?”

“……That’s right.”

“Huh?”

“What’s he saying now?”

Two pairs of eyes were on me.

But I ignored them and drove the wedge in.

“That’s about the average.”

“Wow, that’s pretty good! You get paid more than most large companies!”

“Haha…….”

“Hey, hey…!”

As I was smiling awkwardly, Team Leader Park pulled me in.

“Hey, you! What are you saying……!”

“What are you going to do?! What are you going to do!”

“There’s a limit to exaggeration…! Even I, as the team leader, don’t get paid that much!”

“Q-Quickly say it’s a joke!”

“Yeah! If this gets out in an article and it turns out to be a lie, we won’t be able to get any new recruits for 10 years!”

They lowered their voices and urged me on, but…….

I was so caught up in the thought that I had to do something that I couldn’t hear anything.

Instead, I opened my mouth with a firm face.

“It’s not a lie.”

“……What?”

[Time Over – Unlocking Condition: Dungeon Cleaning Team Wage Increase]

“I said it’s not a lie.”

***

It was a reckless move.

It didn’t take long to realize that.

‘Damn it, why did I say something like that…….’

I ran my hand through my hair with a deep sigh.

Even as I was saying it, I knew it wasn’t right… I blurted it out without thinking.

To bet on a wage increase just to get one new recruit.

It’s like the tail wagging the dog…….

But it was a condition I had to achieve someday anyway.

I might as well give it a try.

If it doesn’t work out, I can cleanly back down and wait for a better timing.

As for the coverage…….

‘I’ll call Kim Min-joo’s team and have them greet the cleaning team.’

I’ll push the angle that even though the work is awful, they’re treated relatively well.

I crossed my arms and tried to calm my chaotic mind as much as possible.

Anyway, since I’ve already said it, I’ll give it a try, but I don’t really expect much.

If it works out, it works out, and if it doesn’t, oh well.

With that forced lightheartedness, I went to the Head of Operations office.

Seo Min-cheol’s expression after hearing my story was truly a sight to behold.

“I decided not to touch him, and then this happens…….”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing.”

Head of Operations Seo Min-cheol quickly shook his head.

He seemed quite angry.

Well, it’s understandable. To him, it’s a story that’s not only sudden but also absurd.

A non-regular cleaning staff member who hasn’t even finished their contract and has only been here for a month is suddenly bringing up wage negotiations.

If I were him, I would have cursed him out and told him to get out immediately.

In that sense, Seo Min-cheol has a really good personality.

“Um… can I ask why you’re trying to negotiate your wages first? That kind of wage isn’t bad for a non-regular position.”

My eyes narrowed instantly.

Is he serious?

3. 5 million won.

If I saved every penny without spending any, it would take roughly 100 months to buy my BenX [presumably a car or valuable item] back.

A whopping 8 years, and he’s saying that’s not bad?

Of course, I can’t say that directly.

“Yes, well. The wage itself isn’t bad. But it doesn’t match the level of work.”

I opened my mouth, trying to control my expression as much as possible.

“I see……. I understand. How much of an increase would you like?”

“Double.”

“What the…….”

His expression was hard to tell whether he was crying or angry.

“Of course, this is just a suggestion. If you don’t think it’s worth that much, you can negotiate.”

“No, no. I’ll raise it. Yes. For someone like you, about double…….”

“No. Not just me, but double for our entire team.”

“……….”

Did I just hear the sound of teeth breaking?

Looking closely, the Head of Operations’ clenched fist is even trembling.

“Why… why are you doing this to me? Do you dislike me being the Head of Operations that much?”

“…? No. I never said anything like that.”

“Asking for double the salary for the entire team is an absurd proposal even in a regular company. Besides, it’s not like you’re a professional, you’re just…….”

Seo Min-cheol hurriedly closed his mouth.

“Why are you stopping?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Then he looked around and watched my reaction.

Well, I don’t know why, but it’s fortunate for me.

If he had asked how it made sense for a mere cleaning staff to ask for double, I would have had nothing to say and would have quietly backed down.

“Anyway, this is beyond my authority. This is something the board of directors will have to decide.”

“Hmm…….”

“I know you’re trying to find fault with me somehow. But I swear this is not something I can do. …I’m sorry.”

Seo Min-cheol lowered his head.

I crossed my arms and fell into thought.

It wasn’t anything else, but I couldn’t understand his attitude.

He could have just said it was beyond his authority, but why is he sincerely making excuses…….

And even apologizing?

Is there someone else in this room besides me?

“Well, I understand.”

I got up from my seat.

Then Seo Min-cheol’s gaze followed me.

“A-Are you just leaving?”

“You said it’s not possible. Then what’s the point of staying any longer?”

“……Y-Yeah.”

A somewhat dejected voice.

I tilted my head once more.

Anyway… it’s come to this in the end.

I didn’t expect much, but it’s still disappointing to be rejected outright.

Well, there’s nothing I can do.

Even I think it was too early.

First, I’ll focus on getting new recruits by publishing a good article, and then I’ll try to aim for a wage increase again later.

As I was organizing my thoughts and about to leave the Head of Operations office, suddenly—

Bang—

“Hey, Seo Min-cheol!”

The office door swung open with a loud noise.

A middle-aged man who suddenly called out the Head of Operations’ name and entered.

As soon as he found him, Seo Min-cheol jumped up.

“D-Director?!”

“This allocation of Team 1’s operations, isn’t this too blatantly biased! I’ve been watching, and this guy is really……!”

While the man was raising his voice as if he was very angry.

Suddenly, his gaze turned to me.

“Oh, there was a guest.”

“……I was just about to leave.”

I answered nonchalantly and left the office.

Soon after, as I entered the hallway and took a few steps.

“Hey, you! Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“……?”

Someone called me.

Looking back, the middle-aged man from earlier is gesturing at me.

“Are you perhaps… from the cleaning team?”

I tilted my head in confusion but nodded.

“Yes, I am.”

“Name?”

“Kim Jun-woo.”

At that moment, the man snapped his fingers.

“Finally, I meet you.”

“……Yes?”

Then he smiled.

A reaction I couldn’t understand at all.

Soon after, he reached out his hand and greeted me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Doo-shik. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to mee…….”

At the same time, my eyes widened.