The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 50

049

Yeouido, Ability Dimension Management Association Administrative Headquarters.

“So…”

I spoke first as I walked down the hallway of the building with Lee Ah-young.

“What business does the Director have with me?”

“I don’t know either. He said it’s a conversation between men, so he wouldn’t tell me. Seriously, he’s so old-fashioned…”

Lee Ah-young clicked her tongue, clearly displeased.

Of course, I wasn’t really asking because I was curious.

I had a vague idea of what he wanted to talk about.

Then, Lee Ah-young slowed her pace and spoke.

“By the way, this incident was a bit unexpected. You aren’t usually one to resort to force like that.”

“It was necessary. The situation demanded it.”

“What if you had been in danger?”

“I’m alive, aren’t I? Isn’t that enough?”

“Ha…”

She let out a hollow laugh, as if she was dumbfounded.

I glanced at her and asked.

“Are you unhappy about it? That I used force.”

“I didn’t say that. I said it was unexpected. Honestly, what crazy person would try to confront an international association branch like that? Anyone else would avoid it for fear of the repercussions.”

“If I had, one or two people would have died.”

“I know. That’s why I said it.”

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what she meant, and Lee Ah-young stopped walking and continued.

“Still, isn’t it fortunate to have someone who will step up without hesitation?”

She smiled faintly.

“Anyway, you two have a good talk. Tell me about it later. I’m curious.”

We had arrived in front of the office.

She knocked on the door for me and opened it.

Click—.

As I entered, Director Lee Doo-shik, who was sitting at his desk, stood up.

“Welcome. Make yourself comfortable.”

He gestured towards the reception sofa.

The size of the office and the size of the sofa were indeed fitting for his position.

“I told you to come to the office a while ago, but I ended up having to call you first.”

“I apologize. I’ve been very busy.”

I bowed politely.

My true feelings were that I would have preferred not to come at all, but there was no need to reveal that.

“Hahaha! You must have been very busy. Would you like a drink? I don’t have much…”

“Ah, no, thank you.”

“Is that so? Then…”

Lee Doo-shik sat down opposite me and let out a soft sigh.

At the same time, the atmosphere became heavy, and a shadow fell over his face.

“The matter was bigger than I thought.”

He was smiling, but his voice carried weight.

“Has there been pressure from the international association?”

“Not yet.”

“If it’s not yet…”

“It means they might in the future. The board of directors is saying that they need to get rid of you somehow before they clash with the international association… Well, I managed to stop it for now.”

“Thank you.”

“The thanks are premature. The topic will definitely come up again. Well, to be honest, from an external perspective, they’re right.”

Lee Doo-shik loosened his tie, looking frustrated.

“Actually, there’s an agenda item that the board of directors has been pushing for a month… and it’s related to the international association. The entire board is working on a deal with the international association, and you went and touched a nerve.”

“I must have made a bad impression.”

“Is that all? They’re ready to grind you to dust.”

Of course, I knew that.

This incident was clearly the fault of the American branch, and I was just responding to it… but that’s the legal situation. The relationship between organizations isn’t so simple.

“My situation is similar to yours. I’ve been covering for you in this matter, and I’ve completely fallen out of favor with the board of directors. I was already against the agenda they were pushing, and they were all looking at me negatively because of the reform and everything else. I guess they thought it was a good opportunity. Ah, have I ever mentioned this?”

“You haven’t mentioned it, but I had a vague idea.”

“I see.”

He crossed his arms and exhaled deeply through his nose.

“Anyway, that’s the situation. My position has become difficult, and you’re going to have a headache in the future. Have you heard about the audit schedule for the next quarter?”

“Yes, I have. Well, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“An audit is a problem even if there are no problems.”

I nodded slightly. It was definitely an expression of agreement.

Even before my regression [return to a previous state], there were tons of guys who created problems during audits. Would it be any different now?

The only difference is that back then, I was the one sending them, but now I’m the one being sent.

“We’ve been focusing on growing our organization, but that’s not enough anymore. Both you and I. Now we have to think about how to survive.”

Lee Doo-shik finally got to the point.

“So… can you help me?”

I chuckled inwardly.

‘Is this the story I’ve been waiting for? I wish he would have kept it a secret a little longer.’

Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Director Lee Doo-shik continued.

“If you cooperate, I’ll guarantee your life in the association. Are you interested in the position of headquarters manager?”

“Haha. I’m already overqualified as a team leader.”

Lee Doo-shik’s expression became serious.

“You shouldn’t take it lightly. As I said, you have many enemies right now. And there’s no guarantee that those enemies will only be within the headquarters. You won’t be able to handle it alone.”

“I’m just a cleaner. I don’t think those great superiors would waste their energy on just one person.”

“Hahaha! What are you talking about?”

He smiled and continued.

“How much effort would it take to get rid of one cleaner?”

My eyebrows twitched.

“…Is that a threat?”

“Of course not. I’m just saying it because I’m genuinely worried. To be honest, it’s difficult for me to move any further. If I keep protecting you without a good reason, I could lose my head at any time.”

He sighed.

“So, it’s best to lie low until the final resolution of the agenda item I mentioned earlier. Everyone is targeting you, a mere cleaner.”

“…”

I was grateful for the help he had given me, knowingly or unknowingly.

Perhaps I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without his help.

He helped me even at a loss to himself, so it’s not strange for him to ask for a favor now.

Even though it seems like a threat, it’s still a gentlemanly approach. There’s no limit to how ugly people can become when they’re in a superior position.

I smiled.

“Can I hear what you want me to do first?”

“It’s not difficult. Just go to the Association President and persuade him to return.”

“…?”

“As you know, he’s been missing for three years. No one on the board of directors knows his location. But you probably know, right? So, go meet him and persuade him.”

‘Why is he asking me to do that?’

My focus wavered in confusion.

I tried to control my expression and opened my mouth.

“W-Why me…?”

“Hmm? Then who else would I ask but the Association President’s exclusive [personal favorite]?”

“…?”

Ah.

I facepalmed.

‘I knew the rumors were circulating… but I didn’t think anyone would actually believe them.’

Ah, wait a minute.

‘So, is that why Lee Soo-yong and Seo Min-cheol were so compliant?’

‘They really think I’m on the Association President’s line?’

Seriously, why are they associating a cleaner with the Association President? Their imagination is so rich that they’re creating delusions.

I sighed deeply and opened my mouth heavily.

“I… I think you’re mistaken about something. I don’t know how those rumors started, but I have nothing to do with the Association President.”

“…What?!”

He jumped up from his seat.

“R-Really? You really have nothing to do with him…?”

Disappointment crossed Lee Doo-shik’s face.

“You seem disappointed.”

“…Ah, no. It’s not that. I’m just a little surprised. I see… Then I can’t ask you anymore.”

Then his expression changed to one of concern.

“Does anyone else know about what we just talked about besides me?”

“No. This is the first time I’ve mentioned it. Should I clarify?”

“No. Leave it alone.”

Lee Doo-shik ran his hand through his hair.

“It’ll be a headache if anyone else finds out.”

After that, Lee Doo-shik seemed to have something to think about and immediately sent me out.

***

Control Team, Operations Conference Room.

“So, I’m going to entrust the next operation to Team Leader Kim Jun-woo as well. Does anyone have any objections?”

No sooner had Team Leader Pyeon Chang-hyeon finished speaking than silence fell.

“No.”

The person who answered on behalf of everyone was the leader of Operations Team 5.

No one expressed dissatisfaction as they had before.

Far from being dissatisfied, everyone was relieved.

Internal strife during subjugation [suppression]. Corruption in the American branch. Conflict with the international association.

Moreover, although it wasn’t certain, rumors were circulating that this incident itself was planned to retaliate against Han Yu-bin.

If they had unknowingly participated in this operation, they would have been stuck taking all the blame, which made them feel a chill.

“Then we’ll end this week’s meeting here.”

Since no one raised any objections, the meeting ended quickly.

The team leaders began to leave the conference room, all looking like they were about to die.

Soon, the empty conference room was empty.

“Sigh…”

Team Leader Pyeon’s sigh echoed hollowly.

Deputy Hwang Dong-hui, who was organizing the meeting documents, asked.

“What’s wrong now? The work was finished well.”

“I’m worried about the future. The future.”

Deputy Hwang Dong-hui didn’t understand the reaction.

“Is something wrong?”

“I heard that the board of directors was turned upside down because of this incident. Thanks to that, Team Leader Kim Jun-woo seems to have made a bad impression on the board of directors.”

“Hey, I thought it was something… Isn’t it common to be at odds with someone while working? Team Leader Kim will take care of his own problems.”

“Hey, you thoughtless fool. If Kim Jun-woo is targeted, do you think we’ll be safe? No, it’s not just us. Operations Team 2, the support team, and if we’re unlucky, all those guys could be dragged in.”

Deputy Hwang Dong-hui finally wiped the smile off his face.

“Ah, hahaha… It’s Team Leader Kim, not just anyone. He’s holding the Association President’s string [has the Association President’s support], so surely nothing will happen.”

“Yeah… I hope so.”

Pyeon Chang-hyeon continued quietly.

“If he really is holding the string…”

“…?”

“Haa. Don’t ever talk about this anywhere.”

Pyeon Chang-hyeon looked around and continued, lowering his voice as much as possible.

“During this recruitment screening, I had a conversation with Director Go Eun-young and Director Song Cheol-shik… They said they had never heard of the name Kim Jun-woo.”

“…”

A moment of silence.

Deputy Hwang Dong-hui belatedly understood the words and made a surprised expression.

“Hey, I thought it was something. Maybe those two just don’t know.”

“It’s Go Eun-young and Song Cheol-shik, not just anyone. They’re the people with the most power in the association after Lee Doo-shik, so how could they not have heard the name? If Kim Jun-woo was in that position, it would have spread among the executives, right?”

“He’s a direct subordinate, right? If he has a direct relationship with the Association President, it’s not unreasonable.”

“To say that, there’s nothing in his personnel record that would indicate any contact with the Association President. There’s no record of him working as a hunter before joining the cleaning team either.”

In the end, Hwang Dong-hui covered his mouth with his hand.

Pyeon Chang-hyeon hesitated for a moment before carefully opening his mouth.

“So, this is just my thought. Kim Jun-woo, that person…”

At that moment, Team Leader Pyeon gasped and his breath caught in his throat.

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong was standing right in front of him, as if he had come in at some point.

But Lee Soo-yong seemed rather puzzled by his reaction.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Ah, ah, it’s nothing. Hahaha…”

Pyeon Chang-hyeon tried to laugh it off.

“W-Why…”

“I left the file behind.”

He picked up the file on the table as if nothing had happened and left the conference room without saying anything.

‘Shit, I hope he didn’t hear anything…’

Pyeon Chang-hyeon’s face was filled with anxiety.