The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 109

108

Inside a building within the restricted zone.

The group that attacked Kim Junwoo was hiding here, regrouping after their failed operation.

“Why didn’t the anti-magic stone work?!” Seo Hyungmin, a field operative from the Korean branch, demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

The operation had begun to unravel from that very moment.

The plan was simple: neutralize Kim Junwoo’s abilities with the anti-magic stone, rendering him defenseless before taking him down. But inexplicably, the stone had no effect.

“What the hell is that bastard?! Even if he’s an Irregular [a hunter with unique, often unpredictable abilities], how can he still use skills after being hit with an anti-magic stone?!”

“How would I know?!” Ko Sungsoo, the team leader, snapped back, his own nerves frayed.

Seo Hyungmin, seemingly cowed by the outburst, tried a calmer approach. “…So, what do we do now?”

“From the start, that guy has been conducting subjugations [defeating monsters or clearing dungeons] alone for hours. And yet, we couldn’t even leave a scratch. Can we even kill him with our current strength?”

The team members voiced their concerns, but neither Ko Sungsoo nor anyone else had a viable solution.

Ko Sungsoo nervously ran a hand through his hair.

‘Why isn’t Yang Minho here…’

If Yang Minho, the number one ranked player in Korea, were present, he might have a chance. But as things stood, it seemed impossible.

Ko Sungsoo pulled out his communicator and called Section Chief Hwang Donghui.

“Section Chief. We have a problem. Kim Junwoo, that bastard… the anti-magic stone doesn’t work on him.”

“…”

“Section Chief, are you listening? The anti-magic stone…”

“So?”

Ko Sungsoo’s eyebrows twitched at the curt response.

“…Excuse me?”

“It doesn’t work, so what do you want me to do?”

“We need to change the operation…”

“Aren’t you guys field operatives? What’s this mission? It’s to deal with Kim Junwoo. So, no matter what the situation, you have to complete it. What’s with all the whining about the anti-magic stone not working?”

“……”

An absurd response, utterly unexpected.

Ko Sungsoo was speechless.

“Complete the mission no matter what. If you fail or retreat, don’t expect to keep your lives.”

Click.

The communication was abruptly cut off, plunging the team into silence.

“Um…”

“What is it?”

“Is that… really an anti-magic stone?”

Hunter Han Subin’s question seemed to strike a nerve, and the team members exchanged uneasy glances.

“It doesn’t make sense otherwise. This… it seems like they’re using us as bait to wear him down, and then Yang Minho will finish him off at the end.”

“Why would they do that?”

“He’s barely clinging to life after the last failure. He’s trying to make up for his mistake with this opportunity!” Han Subin’s voice grew increasingly agitated.

Fear flickered in everyone’s eyes.

‘They’re using us as bait…?’

If that were the case, there was no turning back.

They all knew the fate of bait: used and discarded.

They would die whether they succeeded or failed.

What should they do? Should they run?

Could they even escape?

As panic began to set in,

“PB Corporation, an unofficial organization under the International Hunter Association,” a voice cut through the tension.

“Korean branch field operatives of the Balance Adjustment Team… Damn, what a grand name. You’re just a group of criminals.”

“Wh-What…?!”

“How did you get here…?”

From the shadows, a figure emerged.

“Finally found you. You bastards.”

It was Kim Junwoo.

***

They had even prepared an anti-magic stone.

It was clear they were serious and wouldn’t back down easily.

It seemed like a well-prepared operation, and they would try to finish it one way or another today.

I quickly searched the surrounding buildings and soon located their hideout.

“All huddled together nicely. Having a tea party?”

The discovered group seemed hesitant, unsure whether to attack or not.

What were they even hesitating about at this point…

“So, what does PB Corporation actually do? It doesn’t seem like a cleaning team dispatch company like some other shady organizations.”

“……”

“……”

They were trying to appear calm, but their posture betrayed their unease.

It didn’t seem like they were going to answer, but… whatever.

I already had a general idea based on their actions.

I glanced up at the building’s windows, sensing the monsters in the area stirring, drawn by the commotion.

If I delayed any longer, things would get complicated.

Without further ado, I cut to the chase. “Judging by the fact that you even prepared an anti-magic stone, it seems like you came at me with quite the determination… Do any of you have a Titan?”

“Titan…?”

“You know, an ability-powered firearm. There are only five in the world.”

They looked blankly at me, clearly clueless.

“I guess not. Well… alright.”

At least they weren’t the ones who attacked me before my regression [reincarnation or time travel].

I thought I had found them, but I guess not.

Then let’s move on. “So, why do you keep coming after me? If you’re still after the Time Stone, go look somewhere else. I’m not part of the Association anymore.”

“Time Stone? I don’t know. That’s not our department’s job.”

Department?

So their organization was divided into departments.

“Then what’s the reason? Are you really trying to kill me because I’m hindering you? No… what do you want to do so badly that you’re going this far?”

“Why would I tell someone who’s about to die?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Such bullshit. It’s obvious you guys don’t even know.”

“……”

“The higher-ups never tell the underlings the details. It’ll make you think unnecessary thoughts.”

“…Don’t be ridiculous. What does a mere cleaner know?”

“Haha, hahaha! There are still idiots like you.”

I took a step towards them and continued. “What, you think you’re something because you have a fancy name and move in secret? No way. You’re disposable tools.”

If you give them a meaningless title, they think they’re important and become loyal like dogs.

In the end, they completely forget that they’re still slaves.

Honestly, I don’t want to say anything about taking out those who are in the way.

I was like that too.

However, making me an enemy was a big mistake.

“Stop showing off your chains and come at me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, they all rushed at me as if they had been waiting for it.

In fact, my stamina isn’t great, and my physical condition isn’t very good either. If I drag this out in my current state, I’ll be at a disadvantage.

“Stick to him!!” The leader commanded, and everyone charged.

[Initiating the safety release sequence for the S-rank skill.]

I gathered all my remaining stamina and took a breath.

[Checking activation conditions]

[Confirming caster identity]

[Checking caster’s rank]

[Required class: Necromancer]

[Checking combat status]

[Activation conditions have been confirmed.]

[The safety device for the skill has been released.]

[Use the skill with caution.]

[Acquired skill: Otherworld Summoning]

[Summons a minion from another dimension for 10 minutes]

Drrrrrr.

As the skill activated, the building began to shake violently.

[Analyzing caster’s stats.]

[Analysis complete]

[A minion proportional to the corresponding stats will be summoned.]

Zhiiiiing.

A purple light flashed.

[Summon complete]

“A top-tier summoning skill?!”

“He still has that kind of power left…?”

Everyone stared in disbelief.

[Grand Marshal – Paimon]

A noble demon riding a camel materialized.

Paimon.

The worst monster, rarely seen even in Red-grade dungeons [the highest difficulty dungeons].

Facing such an existence in this cramped room meant… they had to give up on going back alive.

“Well, honestly, I don’t know what you guys gain from killing me… but don’t bother me every time.”

I adjusted my posture and declared, “I’ll come find you soon.”

The ear-splitting cry of the demon echoed, threatening to swallow everything.

***

Bang, Kwakwang—!!

Kwajik—!

Impacts that shook the surrounding ground erupted one after another.

Yang Minho was watching the scene from a nearby alley.

Kugugugung—!

The building Kim Junwoo entered began to collapse, unable to withstand the force.

He could tell without seeing it directly: this was no longer a battle, but a one-sided massacre.

A cleaner toying with field operatives, who were supposed to be veterans.

Why did the International Association make such a person an enemy?

‘Coming here makes me a little nervous…’

He said that, but he couldn’t hide his smile. At the same time, his body trembled slightly.

His body still remembered the extreme fear he had felt before.

But the reason he was trembling wasn’t fear… it was joy.

At that moment, his phone rang. It was a call from Hwang Donghui.

“How’s the situation?”

“The lead team’s battle will end soon. The level difference is too obvious.”

“Tsk, I suspected it, but I didn’t think they would really be so outmatched,” Hwang Donghui said, displeased.

“But it seems like the lead team has worn him down quite a bit. They succeeded in attacking him a few times… Well, I don’t understand why the anti-magic stone didn’t work, but they can still inflict damage, so if you do well from now on, you might have a chance of winning.”

“Yes.”

“How’s the insurance you were instructed to prepare?”

“It’s ready,” Yang Minho answered, fiddling with the wireless remote control in his pocket.

“Remember. If you fail this time too… the Korean branch might be reorganized.”

“…I understand.”

“Then good luck, and tell your team members as well.” Section Chief Hwang Donghui hung up.

Just then, the impacts in the restricted area ceased. It seemed the situation had concluded.

“Then… everyone, get ready,” Yang Minho said.

Dozens of field operatives began to move.

***

“Haa, haa…” By the time I emerged from the room, gasping for breath, half of the building had been destroyed.

It seemed like the hastily applied first aid had failed. I could barely move.

It was my fault for overusing summoning skills, but…

‘It’s still too much of a burden.’

I had exhausted all my remaining stamina to maintain the summoning. It was a miracle I could even stand.

‘Well, it was worth the effort.’

PB Corporation, a secret organization under the International Association.

Their main tasks are assassination, processing, and weaponizing Bank items [powerful artifacts stored in a secure location].

Judging by the fact that they’re divided into departments, each has a different person in charge.

I haven’t found out their ultimate goal yet, but this alone is a significant gain.

Now that I’ve finally confirmed the faces of the guys hidden behind the curtain called a monster, all that’s left is to uncover their secrets, little by little.

As I opened the door to leave the building,

Bang—!

My body lurched to the left, and I collapsed to the floor.

‘What the hell…’ My vision blurred.

When I tried to regain my senses, I saw a bullet lodged in my left leg.

I immediately looked up and saw Yang Minho smiling. Dozens of people aiming their guns at me appeared, as if they had been waiting.

Tsk, it never rains but it pours.

“Damn it, if you were going to come, you should have come all at once…”

“It’s a boss raid, so we have to prepare this much.”

“…Ha, hahaha!” I couldn’t help but laugh.

Ignoring my bleeding leg, I struggled to stand.

My stamina was at rock bottom, my condition terrible. It was impossible to face them in this state.

“Then you’ve chosen the wrong boss to raid.”

[Acquired skill: Omnipotence]

But I had no intention of backing down. I had no intention of dying twice at the hands of the same guys.