The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 114

113

France, PB Corporation Headquarters.

Every team was busy preparing for the relocation.

Among them, the Balance Adjustment Team was the most frantic.

In the chaotic atmosphere, Team Leader Marc raised his voice.

“Don’t leave even 1kb of internal data behind! Delete everything, whether it’s expense reports or diet plans!”

“What about the balance roster?”

“Balance operations are on hold for the time being. There’s no point in staying; we’ll only get caught!”

“Ah, understood.”

Following his instructions, the employees destroyed all the data.

The matter was urgent and critical, as they were destroying the most important data: the Hunter Balancing Roster.

While they were deleting all sorts of data, a man entered the office with a leisurely expression.

“Still not done? Looks like you have a lot to handle.”

It was Cain, the leader of the Token Recovery Team.

Seeing him, Team Leader Marc immediately frowned.

“Get out if you’re not going to help.”

“How dare you speak to me like that? The entire company is in chaos because of your team, and you’re showing your temper.”

“……”

Unable to refute, Team Leader Marc’s face turned even more unpleasant.

“The CEO is furious. I told you from the start to ignore that Kim Junwoo guy. I had a bad feeling.”

“When did you ever say that……?”

“Forget it if you don’t remember.”

“……”

Team Leader Marc was dumbfounded.

When he was giving him the stink eye to hurry up and deal with it because it would obviously hinder the token recovery operation, now he’s saying that?

“You better consider this fortunate. Your entire team could have been replaced. Well, a few will be cut as an example.”

“What does the CEO say?”

“What else would he say? He’s just got the audit team on standby.”

Team Leader Marc swallowed hard.

The audit team of PB Corporation.

Having them on standby, responsible for rooting out internal spies and restructuring, was not something to laugh off.

“I never imagined they’d dismantle the Korean part right away. Didn’t they put a lot of effort into training those guys?”

“What can you do? That’s how field workers end up. They were meant to be disposable from the start. There are plenty of replacements.”

“Oh my. How scary.”

Team Leader Cain made an exaggerated fuss, openly sneering.

“Then why did you spare the part leader? Mr. Hwang, I mean.”

“We need to keep at least one guy who knows Kim Junwoo well.”

“Are you still hung up on him?”

“It’s not about emotions. It’s just business.”

Of course, his true feelings were different.

How could he not have lingering feelings? Because of that bastard, he had to deal with his precious subordinates with his own hands.

But he made an effort to hide his true feelings and asked,

“Has it been decided where we’re relocating to?”

“Not yet. We’re looking around, but…… there’s no suitable place.”

“I heard you’re merging the independent associations in Africa and proceeding with the acquisition all at once. That side seems 괜찮은 [gwaenchanheun – decent/okay] too.”

“You’re very interested in our team’s work? Well, that’s not bad either. Anyway, the CEO will make the final decision, so don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Team Leader Cain continued.

“Anyway, contact the CEO as soon as you’re ready. It’ll be hard to report in person since he’ll be away for a few days.”

“Away? Is he going on a business trip in this situation?”

“I don’t know the details. I heard…….”

Team Leader Cain paused, then replied with a subtle smile.

“He said he has some personal business in Korea.”

“Korea?”

Team Leader Marc’s eyebrows twitched.

Going to Korea in this situation?

Why……?

‘Could it be that he’s going to deal with Kim Junwoo directly?’

No, that can’t be.

Why would he bother doing field work himself?

‘Personal business, what could it be?’

Team Leader Marc’s face, muttering inwardly, was filled with unease.

Something didn’t feel right.

It felt like a knife was hanging right in front of his chin.

***

Afternoon, just past lunchtime.

In the quiet office, with most of the employees not yet back, I was lost in thought.

Several days had passed since the precarious Regen Dungeon operation ended safely.

Despite the successful large-scale operation without significant damage, the aftermath didn’t feel good.

Aside from the operation, the bombing of the administrative headquarters and the attack on the operations commander were absurd.

The association, as well as the citizens and the media, were more confused than ever.

> It finally happened, it finally happened?

> Seriously;; It’s a relief there were no casualties, but if the operations headquarters had been destroyed, Korea would have been 망했음 [manghaesseum – ruined/screwed];;;

└ So, was the culprit caught?

└ Nope, not yet

└ What kind of crazy bastard would even think of 테러ing [terror-ing – terrorizing] the association;;

> More than that, who’s going to be the next operations commander?

└ No one’s going to want to do it? Someone got attacked and died after only two months, who would want to do it

> Shit, will we even be able to properly 토벌 [tobeol – subjugate/exterminate monsters] from now on?

└ That’s what I’m saying; we’re only holding on because Kim Junwoo is helping us, if Kim Junwoo turns his back, we’re ㄹㅇ [real] 망할 듯 [manghal deut – will be ruined];;

└ Shouldn’t we just become a government agency now that things have come to this? Then at least we can keep 토벌ing [tobeol-ing – subjugating monsters]

└ I heard the Future Democratic Party is pushing for a bill to have the government manage 토벌 [tobeol – subjugation] rights ㅇㅇ [eung eung – yes yes]

Even the netizens, who always joked around no matter what, seemed to recognize the seriousness this time, showing anxious reactions.

Of course.

The association is now facing an unprecedented crisis. It’s not something to just laugh off. If we’re not careful, the entire Republic of Korea could fall into chaos due to monsters.

‘Even if you win today, you’ve lost.’

Yang Minho’s words kept swirling in my head.

Of course, a large-scale investigation was underway to find the bomber and the attacker of the headquarters commander.

Several people were already on the suspect list, but…… the culprit probably won’t be caught.

Deputy Director Hwang Donghui, the part leader, had already thrown everything away and ran. More than anything…….

「Amid the very chaotic series of incidents and accidents that have occurred in the association, mysterious accidents are 끊이질 않고 [kkeunhiji anhgo – not ceasing] among hunters across the country. Let’s meet Ham Jewon, a reporter from Busan.」

「Around 3 AM yesterday. An accident occurred in front of Mr. Go, who was passing over the Gwangan Bridge, where a tanker truck exploded. The victim died on the spot due to the accident, and the police have launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. This is the thirtieth time that such a sudden accident has occurred to hunters…….」

The reporter’s excited voice flowed from the TV.

Guilds, branches, freelancers.

Hunters from all over the country, regardless of affiliation, were starting to suffer mysterious accidents or go missing.

It could be passed off as an unfortunate accident, but when the number exceeded 30, I could be sure.

PB Corporation was purging the hidden personnel.

There’s no other explanation.

‘Did my threat work……?’

But to think they’d go to such extremes to cut off the tail.

Now that things have come to this, there’s no point in moving anymore. The substance has already disappeared.

Sigh.

A sigh escaped my lips at the frustrating situation.

Still, there was one good thing.

At least PB Corporation had withdrawn from Korea.

Of course, whether we should take this as a good thing is still up in the air.

At that moment, former Association President Park Inbeom, who was sitting across from me, groaned.

“What on earth is going on? Not only was the administrative headquarters 테러ed [terror-ed – terrorized], but the operations commander was attacked, and hunters are dying all over the country…….”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“I’m even starting to think it’s a good thing I was fired from the association.”

The association president muttered, saying that 별일 다 있다 [byeolil da itda – all sorts of things are happening].

The embezzlement charges against the association president ultimately resulted in a guilty verdict.

However, the fact that there was no collusion with specific individuals or pursuit of personal gain was taken into consideration, resulting in a fine.

“It seems like neither the headquarters nor the branches will be able to function properly for the time being.”

“It’s not just difficult, it’s a matter of time.”

“That’s what I’m saying. In this situation, that guy Lee Doosik won’t accept the position of association president…….”

“Really? It’s not a very good position in this situation.”

“Who says it is? It’s obvious that the association is about to collapse, so they need someone to take responsibility and 독박 [dokbak – take all the blame]. It seems like the board of directors is trying to pass it off while pretending to be generous…….”

“The director must know that.”

“Tsk, that’s right. He knows and still stepped up. He’s such an immature guy.”

“Well, can’t we trust Director Lee to handle it?”

“Trusting is different from doing well.”

The association president looked 불안한 [buranhan – uneasy] all the time.

“As you know. If the association is in danger, all sorts of things, whether it’s the government or corporations, will move in, thinking it’s their chance. We need to be 정신 바짝 차려야 [jeongsin bachat charyeoya – be mentally alert] at times like this. If we’re not careful, we could lose everything we have.”

“I know.”

“Yes. So, about that…….”

The association president looked at me with a 의미심장한 [uimisimjjanghan – meaningful] look.

I immediately understood his meaning and shook my head.

“It’s no use looking at me like that. I have no intention of returning.”

“……Geez.”

There’s no reason to crawl back into a position where there are more losses than gains in this chaotic situation.

Anyway, now that those guys have all withdrawn from Korea, I’ve achieved my desired goal to some extent.

The association has become 위태로운 [witaeroun – precarious] in a different form than before 회귀 [hoegwi – regression/reversion], but still, the possibility of international associations interfering has disappeared, so it was a satisfactory result.

Of course, I didn’t like the process very much.

“The problem will be the operation this week. The lack of personnel is a problem, but there’s no one to 指挥 [zhihui – command] it. Do you have any thoughts on helping with just 토벌 [tobeol – subjugation]?”

It seems the association president hasn’t given up on putting me back in the association.

He’s 참 포기를 모르는 양반이네 [cham pogireul moreuneun yangbanine – a person who really doesn’t know how to give up].

“Director Lee Doosik contacted me once. Asking me to help out a little, even temporarily.”

“Then…….”

“I’m sorry, but what can I do when 제 코가 석 자인 걸 [je koga seok jain geol – I’m up to my nose in trouble]. More than anything, I have other things to do.”

“The overseas branch business?”

“Yes. PB Corporation has withdrawn from Korea, and I’ve caught the tail, so there’s no reason to delay it any longer. However, there’s one problem.”

“What is it?”

“……I have no capital.”

“…….”

I don’t know why he’s looking at me with such 도끼눈 [dokkinun – dagger eyes/glaring eyes].

There’s no way there wouldn’t be an impact when the association, which was the money source until now, is 개차반 [gaechanban – a mess/dog’s breakfast].

‘But I didn’t think it would get this difficult…….’

Not only is there no support, but the bigger problem is the company’s operations.

As the headquarters becomes difficult, the branches that are the subject of the contract are bound to become difficult as well. Accordingly, it has become difficult to terminate or extend the dispatch contract.

As a result, sales were minus 150% compared to the previous month.

Actually, I could have endured up to this point.

The real reason it became difficult was that after the Regen Dungeon incident, our company was in charge of disposing of the monster carcasses scattered throughout the city.

Originally, I should have received a contract fee, but…… there’s no way there’s money to pay when the association has 내려앉은 [naeryeoanjeun – collapsed].

‘But it’s obvious that it’s difficult, so I can’t really sue…….’

Plummeting sales, and even the contract fee, which was the last resort, is unpaid.

In this situation, even the employees’ salaries for this month were about to be delayed.

“The operation has been good so far. Don’t you have any spare capital saved up?”

“What small company would have that? I spent what I earned on personnel and equipment. After deducting equipment maintenance and repair costs, overtime pay, night shift allowance, special allowance, performance bonus, dispatch travel expenses, fuel costs, etc., there’s nothing left.”

“…….”

“More than anything, the association’s funding has been cut off… the situation is a bit difficult.”

Only then did the association president seem to accept that the situation was serious.

“Why don’t you get some corporate investment? With your 네임밸류 [neimbaellyu – name value/reputation], wouldn’t anything stick?”

“Who invests based on name alone these days? Especially when it’s not even anything else, but a cleaning team dispatch company. Well, for now, I’ll have to save on labor costs.”

“You know, right? That it’s more 반발 [banbal – resistance] to take away something you’ve given than not giving it from the start.”

“I used to squeeze water from 마른오징어 [mareunojingeo – dried squid] in my 왕년 [wangnyeon – glory days]. I’m 도가 튼 [dogateun – skilled/experienced] in squeezing money out of the lower guys.”

I’ll get some 욕 [yok – curses/swearing], but…… I can’t help it.

If the company is in trouble, everyone suffers together.

Even I’ve been working until now without any special allowance.

Anyway, everyone needs to be 단단히 각오 [dandanhi gago – firmly prepared] from now on.

It’s time to return to the 악독하고 무지막지했던 [akdokhago mujimakh했던 – vicious and brutal] ‘Kim Junwoo’ of 왕년 [wangnyeon – glory days].