The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 75

074

Silence descended upon the conference room.

The directors wore expressions that suggested they didn’t understand what I was saying, and the Chairman was no different.

“Going overseas means…”

The Chairman finally spoke, his voice heavy.

“You’re suggesting we acquire other independent associations and establish them as branches?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

A sigh of disbelief echoed through the room.

In reality, there aren’t many options right now.

Either launch a preemptive strike against the International Association.

Or create as many allies as possible to solidify our defenses.

Or do nothing and get attacked like today, just standing there dumbly.

Realistically, a preemptive strike is out of the question, and I won’t tolerate being beaten up senselessly.

Then there’s only one thing left, isn’t there?

Prepare by creating as many allies as possible.

I’m simply expanding that from domestic to overseas.

If we acquire other independent associations and establish overseas branches, we’ll have a means to check the International Association.

It’s like sending a warning that if they mess with us, other associations won’t stand idly by.

Well, of course.

“Wait a minute! For an independent association like ours to establish overseas branches is clearly a provocation against the International Association!”

It’s only natural to have such a reaction.

“This isn’t just checking the International Association, it’s turning them into enemies! I absolutely cannot agree to this!”

Director Kim Woo-bae protested in a firm voice.

“If we start acquiring other independent associations, the International Association won’t stand still.”

“We might face even greater attacks than we do now! Wouldn’t it be better to just stay put?”

“No matter how I think about it, this isn’t right, Chairman!”

Following him, other directors also chimed in with their opinions.

Meanwhile, the Chairman remained silent.

Perhaps feeling frustrated, Director Kim Woo-bae spoke again.

“In the first place, do you really believe the International Association attacked us? We only have suspicions without any evidence!”

“…….”

“Chairman! This isn’t something to hesitate about! This matter has gone too far. Overseas expansion is absolutely out of the question! Listening to the nonsense of a janitor who knows nothing…”

“What?”

Instantly, the Chairman’s fierce gaze pierced through Director Kim Woo-bae.

It was an intimidating presence that even made me, who was watching from the sidelines, flinch.

“Have you forgotten that it was that janitor who put you in your position?”

“Th, that’s…”

Director Kim Woo-bae trailed off.

Then, he seemed to be gauging my reaction.

“Ah, even so, openly provoking the International Association is too dangerous…”

“Chief Kim Jun-woo.”

The Chairman cut him off, as if not wanting to hear any more, and called me.

“Yes.”

“The directors are right. It’s too risky to turn the International Association into an enemy based solely on your suspicions. Moreover, overseas expansion is even more so. We could face a backlash and be completely dismantled.”

The gaze fixed on me was quite sharp.

As if I didn’t know that.

I also didn’t want to provoke the International Association if I could help it.

What benefit is there in provoking the most powerful organization in the world?

Above all, since my goal is to become the Secretary-General of the International Association, damaging my relationship with them is not a good choice for me either.

Honestly, I had no intention of going this far.

If they hadn’t openly tried to mess with me.

“For you, who knows that, to talk like this… it must mean there’s a reason why we have to do it, despite everything, right?”

“Yes.”

I answered firmly.

“Good.”

The Chairman’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Whether the association collapses or not, I’ll take responsibility, so go ahead and do as you please.”

“Ch, Chairman!”

“This isn’t a matter to decide so emotionally…!”

“I didn’t like those bastards from the start. That’s why I established the Korean Association as independent. But damn it, now my subordinates are almost killed because of those guys…”

His gaze turned to the directors.

“International Association or whatever, aren’t we idiots if we just stand still?”

“…….”

“…….”

The directors avoided the Chairman’s gaze and refrained from answering.

“Do whatever you can, whether it’s overseas branches or anything else. Show them clearly what happens when they mess with us.”

“Understood.”

I bowed my head and answered.

Then, I carefully opened my mouth again.

“Ah, and it seems we need to appoint someone to take charge of this matter. I would naturally like to proceed with it myself, but… unfortunately, the date I promised the Chairman is approaching.”

I wore a genuinely regretful expression.

Of course, that wasn’t my true intention at all.

In any case, the promised month is almost over.

It would be difficult to proceed with the work in the few days remaining, so naturally, someone else should take over…

“Hey, the person who brought it up should be the one to do it.”

Director Lee Doo-shik suddenly spoke up.

“Yes? Ah, no, I…”

“What do the others think?”

“Of course, the Head of the Task Force should take charge. You’re not thinking of causing trouble and then running away, are you?”

“I agree.”

“Ah, no, I mean, my resignation date is…”

Director Lee Doo-shik waved his hand.

“Don’t worry about that. The Chairman will handle that with flexibility. Isn’t that right, Chairman?”

The Chairman stared at me intently.

Then, he smirked.

“Of course, if I don’t want to be called a *kkondae* [an older person who is condescending or uses their age to justify their actions], I have to handle things like this with flexibility.”

“…….”

“Therefore, do it for one more month.”

I had to clench my mouth shut to prevent curses from spilling out.

***

Seoul Headquarters, Task Force Chief’s Office.

“Damn bastards…”

I sighed heavily and threw myself into the chair.

At the same time, I irritably loosened my tie.

In the end, my resignation was postponed by another month.

‘Damn it, really…’

When I said I was leaving, they should have let me go gracefully. How long are they planning to hold onto me?

I clasped my hands together and placed them behind my head.

Of course, I was reluctant to bring it up and leave the work to someone else, but… in reality, I was in a position where I had to do that.

The organization that existed only in rumors had actually revealed itself.

In all likelihood, they were the ones who killed me in my past life.

The Secretary-General is the Secretary-General, but I have to take revenge on the International Association bastards who made me like this.

But the problem is that I don’t know what their purpose is, or exactly what they do.

Unless I know where and how they work, it will be almost impossible for me to find them first.

Unless they come looking for me.

The attack failed, and their identity was exposed. They will definitely come back for me someday.

That’s why I let Yang Min-ho go in the first place.

Maybe I’ll meet the bastard who implanted ‘Titan’ in my head in my past life again.

Well, I’d be very grateful if he came himself…

‘But that’s only if I’m alone.’

They’re the ones who tried to kill over 100 hunters for a hostile takeover.

There’s no guarantee that they’ll only target me.

They might target my subordinates to get to me.

That’s why I kept the fact that I was attacked a secret.

There’s no point in others knowing, and more than anything, it’s better for the others not to know about that organization.

My hunter registration was rejected without a second thought. It would only be giving information to the other side.

But that’s only a temporary measure. As long as I stay in the association, I will inevitably be exposed to danger.

That goes for not only the Task Force but also the other teams.

In the worst case, someone could really lose their life.

‘Sigh… Kim Jun-woo has changed a lot. I’m even worrying about guys who have nothing to do with me.’

Anyway, I’m planning to leave the association and move alone once this is over.

The Chairman seemed to have vaguely sensed that, and he said that I could resign if I handled this matter well.

He added that even if I leave, I should create a manual before I go.

Well, when he put it that way, I couldn’t refuse, so I had no choice but to accept the offer.

Anyway, he said he’d let me go once I did it once.

‘Tsk, even so, why do I have to go on an overseas business trip at the end of my career…’

I was grumbling with a sullen expression when suddenly.

Knock, knock—.

“Chief?”

Assistant Shin Soo-ji came into the office.

“Here are the analysis materials on the Vietnam Independent Association that you requested.”

“Ah, thank you.”

She handed me the documents and asked.

“When are you planning to depart?”

“I’ll do it within this week.”

“Understood. Then I’ll book a plane ticket for the day after tomorrow. Ah, is there anyone you’d like to accompany you?”

“I’ll think about it and let you know by today.”

“Yes. Ah, and…”

Assistant Shin Soo-ji continued cautiously.

“The external ward just called and said that Team Leader Kim Min-joo has regained consciousness.”

“Is that so.”

I answered without taking my eyes off the documents.

“Don’t you want to go see her?”

“It’s okay.”

“Still, she almost died, so at least once…”

“She didn’t die, did she? Then it’s fine.”

“…….”

I kept feeling a gaze on the top of my head.

I glanced up and saw that she had a very subtle expression on her face.

“Sigh… don’t look at me like that.”

I slammed the documents down and said.

“I already went.”

***

Hunter Support Team, Severe Injury Management Ward.

Kim Min-joo, who had just regained consciousness, had a rather bewildered expression.

It was because there was a fruit basket on her lap. There was even a roughly folded note inside the basket.

Kim Min-joo looked around first.

Only after confirming that no one was there did she carefully unfold the note.

[How much are you going to milk from worker’s compensation? If you get hurt one more time, you’re really fired.]

A chuckle escaped her lips.

There was no name written on it… but what did that matter?

She already seemed to know.

Knock, knock—.

At that moment, the door burst open with a knock.

“Wow, our Team Leader is doing well!”

“Sis! Are you okay?!”

“Let’s go in! Why are you blocking the door!”

It wasn’t just one or two people who came through the door.

Han Sang-hyuk and Moon So-yeon from the Cleaning Team. And Cha Seok-hyun and Guild Leader Yoo Ji-woo, who had participated in the subjugation together.

The hospital room instantly became noisy.

“Sis, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard these days? How many times is this already!”

“Take it easy, sis! You have to think about your retirement too. If you ruin your body when you’re young, you’ll suffer later!”

Moon So-yeon and Han Sang-hyuk said.

Kim Min-joo smiled instead of answering.

But her true feelings were far from smiling.

Because she hadn’t done anything properly this time either.

If someone hadn’t helped her at the end, she would have been in the morgue instead of the hospital room.

She still had a long way to go.

How long was she going to keep getting help?

Out of that frustration, she clenched her fist without realizing it.

“But… is Team Leader really an A-rank?”

Cha Seok-hyun asked cautiously.

“Yes, yes?”

“Well, during the subjugation. Team Leader’s combat power was almost close to S-rank. Isn’t there an error in the ranking system?”

“If she hadn’t been short of oxygen, Min-joo would have subjugated it.”

Guild Leader Yoo Ji-woo chimed in.

“That’s what I’m saying! The Chief intervened in the middle, but in reality, it’s the same as Team Leader subjugating it, right?”

“The Chief…?”

“Ah, yes, well.”

Cha Seok-hyun nodded.

“I heard that a dungeon opened while we were in the middle of the battle. The Chief heard about us being in the middle of the subjugation from the members at that time and rushed over.”

Kim Min-joo had a dumbfounded expression.

“After the subjugation, the Chief asked. Who ordered this? So I said that Team Leader Kim ordered it.”

“…What did he say?”

“He told me to tell you that you did a good job.”

Yoo Ji-woo smiled brightly as she answered.

At that moment, the hospital room door opened once again.

Kim Min-joo hurriedly turned her head and looked at the door.

“How are you feeling?”

It was Assistant Shin Soo-ji.

“Ah… yes, I’m fine.”

Because it wasn’t who she had been expecting, Kim Min-joo hurriedly managed her expression.

As she did, Assistant Shin Soo-ji handed her something.

It was a plane ticket.

“This is…”

“The Chief is going on an overseas business trip this time. The departure is the day after tomorrow. He told me to tell you to pack your bags in advance.”

Kim Min-joo had a very embarrassed expression at the sudden story.

But that was only for a moment, and soon she understood the meaning of those words and hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand.

It was to hide her flushed face.

“Ah, Team Leader Han Yoo-bin will be going with you too. Please keep that in mind.”

“…….”

Of course, the good feelings didn’t last long.