The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 51

050

Seoul Headquarters, Head Office Director’s Office.

“……”

Seo Min-cheol, the Head Office Director, who had been away for a few days meeting with branch managers, was lost in thought as he looked at the pile of pending approval documents.

The agenda that came up at the board meeting a few days ago was enough to make his head explode.

On top of that, a business trip that felt like a nationwide tour for several days.

To add insult to injury, as soon as he returned, he had to hear an absurd report that the cleaning team had exposed corruption in the US branch.

To top it off, they even scheduled an external audit for the next quarter.

Just looking at the problems that needed to be solved immediately, Seo Min-cheol wouldn’t have any hair left on his head.

Nevertheless, Seo Min-cheol had a subtle smile on his face.

“So…”

He opened his mouth.

“Kim Jun-woo isn’t part of the Association President’s line?”

“Yes.”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong, who was standing in front of him, answered immediately.

He came to the Head Office Director’s office as soon as he heard that Seo Min-cheol had returned.

Seo Min-cheol wondered what kind of trouble he had caused this time, but the story he told was a very unexpected piece of news.

“Can you take responsibility for that statement?”

Seo Min-cheol’s voice was low.

As if he had been waiting for it, Lee Soo-yong placed the documents he had brought on the desk with a thud.

“What’s this?”

“Personnel record, resident registration, family relationship certificate, graduation certificate, and so on. I asked the guild information broker just in case.”

Seo Min-cheol looked up.

More than he thought, the data Lee Soo-yong presented was solid.

Above all, since it was data obtained through a guild information broker, it must have cost a considerable amount of money. Of course, it was a method close to illegal, but the content would be certain.

“As you can see, it’s too clean. Origin, education, family relations. There’s nothing special about it. There’s no way he could have any contact with the Association President.”

Lee Soo-yong continued with a confident voice.

“And this is just a hunch, but it’s definitely strange. I admit that Kim Jun-woo is a talented guy, but isn’t the Association President too quiet to say that he’s acting under the Association President’s orders?”

That was certainly the case.

Even if it was being done secretly, it couldn’t be this quiet. The opponent was none other than the Association President, who controlled the Association.

Seo Min-cheol, who was listening to the story, leaned back in his chair.

What kind of nonsense had he been doing all this time?

To be played around with this much by a mere cleaner because of a misunderstanding.

A sense of futility and self-reproach crept in.

But that was only for a moment, and Seo Min-cheol soon brought up a somewhat absurd story.

“Do you know what was said at the general meeting about a month ago?”

“Yes?”

“There was talk about selling the Korean Association to the International Association.”

“……”

Lee Soo-yong’s brain stopped for a moment.

Then, belatedly, his eyes widened.

“S-Sale?! Does that mean we’re merging with the International Association?”

“Well, we’re the biggest of the independent associations, and our hunters are good, so I thought it would be worth a try. Anyway, I was a bit busy because of that. I was busy meeting with executives across the country to get their consent.”

“This… wouldn’t this be a really huge deal if it actually happens?”

“That’s right. Most of the executives are about to retire anyway, so they can make a fortune and leave. Well, if they’re lucky, they might stay affiliated with the International Association.”

A merger with the International Association. This was a golden opportunity that would never come again in a hunter’s life. It was like becoming an international hunter without lifting a finger.

That would be the same for the executives, including Seo Min-cheol, as well as the hunters.

Nevertheless, Seo Min-cheol’s expression was troubled.

“The problem is that the Association President, that old fart, handed over all the power to Director Lee Doo-shik and went into hiding. In the end, Lee Doo-shik has to sign the final approval…”

“Tsk, there’s no way he’ll do it. That guy.”

It was obvious without even looking.

He’s the one who’s pushing for reforms in the headquarters, so there’s no way he’d want the Association to fall into someone else’s hands.

“So I was dealing with the International Association, leaving Lee Doo-shik out of it for now. If I had an agreement with the International Association, I could put pressure on Director Lee Doo-shik. Well, I heard it was going well until recently. Until Kim Jun-woo, that bastard, touched the US branch…”

Lee Soo-yong’s mouth was parched at the sharp voice.

“I heard that the International Association isn’t even answering calls properly since this happened. Thanks to that, the directors are really angry. How could this opportunity be ruined by one cleaner?”

The board of directors’ anger naturally turned to Seo Min-cheol.

Not managing the employees of the headquarters was ultimately Seo Min-cheol’s responsibility.

If this matter fell through, Seo Min-cheol’s future would be one of two things.

Remaining as a Head Office Director in name only, becoming the headquarters’ bullet shield.

Or being sent to the Ulleungdo branch [a remote island in South Korea, often seen as a place of exile for disgraced officials].

-If you can’t handle that cleaner bastard, that’s really what might happen.

Last night, Director Song Cheol-shik told him this while explaining the current situation.

As Seo Min-cheol was lost in thought, Lee Soo-yong spoke again.

“But does the Association President know about this story?”

“If he knew, would we be doing this?”

“That… I don’t know much about it, but is it possible to sell the Association without the Association President knowing?”

“It’s possible. If Lee Doo-shik, who has full authority, just signs the final resolution. Well, it would be even better if he was kicked out before that.”

“Then, even if it’s not Director Lee Doo-shik, can’t it be overturned at any time if the Association President returns?”

“Come on, do you know where that guy is right now?”

Lee Soo-yong’s answer stopped short at Seo Min-cheol’s question.

Then he quietly shook his head.

“Right. Not only me, but the executives don’t know either. I asked around a bit when I went on a business trip this time, but there wasn’t a single guy who knew. Why would a guy who cut off all ties with the world for three years come back now?”

“Hey, there’s no way they wouldn’t know. They must have secretly planted a confidant.”

“Yeah, I thought so at first too. That’s why I was even more convinced that Kim Jun-woo was part of the Association President’s line. The timing was right, and the circumstances matched in many ways.”

Seo Min-cheol put his arms on the desk and continued.

“But… now I know that’s not the case.”

A smile spread across his face.

The knife came in from an unexpected place.

Now, how should I use this knife?

Seo Min-cheol closed his eyes for a moment and organized his thoughts.

If he wielded it carelessly, he would be cut instead.

A sure way to cut off that bastard’s lifeline.

“……Soo-yong.”

Seo Min-cheol opened his eyes and spoke as he finished thinking.

“Yes?”

“Isn’t there anything we can use to get him?”

“Kim Jun-woo? Well, he’s such a thorough guy. Above all, his recent performance has been so good that there’s nothing to touch…”

“No, not that bastard.”

Seo Min-cheol’s eyes turned to Lee Soo-yong.

“I’m talking about his surroundings.”

“Well……”

Lee Soo-yong scratched his head once.

“Wouldn’t there be?”

He grinned.

Seo Min-cheol immediately took out his cell phone and called Director Song Cheol-shik.

A short ringing tone.

「What is it.」

Soon, an irritable voice was heard from the other side of the phone.

“Director. Could you possibly move up the audit that’s scheduled for the next quarter?”

「Why suddenly.」

“I think I have a way.”

Silence followed.

After a moment, Director Song Cheol-shik asked in a much softer voice.

「Are you sure?」

“Yes. However, even if we take care of this side, Director Lee Doo-shik is the problem. I’m getting uneasy because he keeps siding with Kim Jun-woo these days.”

「Ah, don’t worry about that. That guy’s a goner anyway, so he can’t do anything until the merger resolution. Well, I don’t know if he’ll be safe after that. We’re preparing something on our own.」

A chuckling sound was heard over the phone.

But Seo Min-cheol couldn’t laugh.

Right now, Song Cheol-shik was practically predicting the expulsion of Director Lee Doo-shik, who held the Association President’s full authority.

‘Damn it, things are getting too big.’

Seo Min-cheol swallowed hard.

「Min-cheol. Not only me, but the entire board of directors is counting on you. You know that, right?」

“……Of course.”

「Okay. I’ll give you everything I can, so give it a try. If this goes well, I’ll leave a seat on the board of directors empty for you.」

Seo Min-cheol hung up the phone, pushing aside his uneasy feelings.

***

A week had passed since the cleaning team, after a sweet vacation, had been put back into work.

Green grade, building-type dungeon.

Cleaning Team 3, including me, was carrying out cleaning duties as usual.

“Ah, this is going to be a bit late?”

Han Sang-hyuk, who was disassembling [monster corpses], straightened his back and said.

Moon So-yeon, who was spraying chemicals in the boss room, immediately chimed in.

“I know, right? I thought it would be small because it’s a building-type dungeon, but the area is wider than I thought……”

“Where’s our next job?”

“It’s a navy cave-type dungeon in Samseong-dong.”

“Huh? If we go to Samseong-dong now, we’ll be late, right? Team Leader Kim! What are you going to do! At this rate, the work will be delayed!”

“……Wait.”

I answered indifferently, tidying up the disassembled monster pieces.

Seriously, the way they talk.

I took out my cell phone, but hesitated for a moment.

After what happened, I was a little worried that I was pushing him too hard.

Of course, that worry was only temporary.

「Yes, Team Leader.」

“Mr. Han Yu-bin. Our work is being delayed, so I was wondering if you could come to Samseong-dong……”

「Work?」

“Yes. Would that be possible?”

「Okay. I’ll finish up roughly and go there soon.」

“……”

What is it?

「Is there anything else you want me to do?」

“……No.”

「Then I’ll hang up first. Please come and support me when I’m done later.」

“…Yes, I understand.”

Hanging up the phone, I checked my cell phone again.

“The number is right……”

Why is he being so docile?

Did he get a hole in his head after going to America?

As I was looking at the turned-off cell phone in a daze, Han Sang-hyuk opened his mouth.

“Don’t worry about it. He’s been a bit weird since he came back from vacation. He only talks about you, you know? I’m going crazy, seriously.”

“……Why is he talking about me.”

“I don’t know! Yesterday, he was just grumbling about whether he should call or text to say he had a good vacation! And he bought so many gifts. None for me, though.”

As a result, I didn’t get a gift, a call, or a text.

“……I think I need to sort out the hierarchy with Yu-bin.”

Why is she suddenly announcing a fight?

Does she think she can win if we fight?

‘I should quit my job…….’

The work must be hard, because the guys who were fine are gradually going crazy.

I shook my head once and was about to ignore it and get back to work when a text message came from Lee Ah-young.

「Breaking news! Did you know that the board of directors was preparing to merge with the International Association recently? I just heard it in passing, but it seems that the board of directors is putting pressure on Head Office Director Seo Min-cheol to resolve the issue because this has caused a setback. Be careful just in case!」

‘Merger?’

It felt like sparks were flying in my head.

Yes, it’s about this time.

Because it wasn’t a for-profit company, the board of directors, which was short on money, was trying to hand over the Association while the Association President was in hiding.

-There was an agenda that came up at the board of directors, and it’s related to the International Association.

‘The agenda they’re pushing for was this.’

I smiled bitterly.

Before the regression, Director Lee Doo-shik, who had full authority at the time, did not agree until the end, and the acquisition eventually fell through.

At that time, I was also in favor of the merger.

They said I could become an international hunter without lifting a finger, so who would refuse? So it’s also true that I didn’t like Lee Doo-shik, who blocked it unilaterally.

In the end, Lee Doo-shik, who was completely out of favor, was kicked out of the board of directors in the headquarters reorganization that was pushed forward a few years later, after being framed for dungeon sales corruption.

And Seo Min-cheol took his place.

It’s going the same way.

Except that Director Lee Doo-shik’s lifespan has worn out much faster than it did then.

‘That’s why they asked the Association President to come back.’

At this rate, he won’t be able to stop the sale on his own, so he wants the Association President to step in.

Well, it’s not entirely wrong to say that Lee Doo-shik can no longer side with me.

If I move rashly, I’ll be torn to shreds before I even get to see the merger resolution.

Of course, there’s nothing I can do to help at this stage. Unlike before, I’m just a cleaner.

Therefore, it has nothing to do with me.

It’s best to let the higher-ups take care of their own business.

After finishing the work and leaving the dungeon, it was then.

“Are you Team Leader Kim Jun-woo of Cleaning Team 3?”

As if he had been waiting, a man approached me.

Neat suit, expressionless face. An impression that I seemed to remember.

“Yes… that’s right, but who are you.”

“I’m Choi Jun-hyuk, the audit team leader.”

His brow furrowed.

Audit?

I’m sure it was next quarter?

“The schedule has been moved up a bit.”

“So suddenly?”

“That’s how it is.”

An answer that didn’t give any answer at all.

Listening to that voice that didn’t seem to make sense, I finally remembered who this guy was.

“Anyway, can we talk for a moment?”

“……”

Ominous, damn it.