The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 138

137

“Haa……”

A deep sigh echoed through the office.

The results of running around on foot and suffering were bleak, making my heart heavy.

“I can’t believe they all refused……”

“I know. Well, I guess they can’t ignore GT Dungeon, but I didn’t expect everyone to refuse.”

Director Lee Ah-young also seemed taken aback.

We tried contacting almost all by-product processing facilities nationwide, but… the result was unanimous rejection.

Most of them stated that they couldn’t accept our orders under the current circumstances.

‘Tch, what’s so great about GT Dungeon…….’

Of course, I understand them.

In a relationship between a large corporation and a subcontractor, it’s difficult for the latter to make independent decisions easily.

I’ve been through that myself as a cleaner in the Association.

But on the other hand, it makes me wonder why they choose to maintain the status quo.

If something is clearly unfair and there’s another option, wouldn’t it be better to change it now?

I couldn’t help but feel displeased.

Moreover, if you compare GT Dungeon and Karma Corporation, we receive much more positive evaluations in all aspects except for market capitalization.

We’ve also formed an alliance with Hanbyul Group and maintain a friendly relationship with the Association, so I naturally thought they would choose us…….

I was naive.

They’re more wary of GT Dungeon than I thought.

“From the start, the facilities have a basic distrust of primary contractors, so I think they see us and GT Dungeon as no different,”

Director Lee Ah-young added.

“Well, I understand. They can’t just gamble based on what they see in the media. Unless both contracts are possible, they’ll inevitably choose the more stable option if they have to pick one.”

“……Even knowing all that, you didn’t think they would refuse?”

“Yes.”

No matter how much they value stability… there’s already information out there.

The acquisition of a large-scale branch in Central Africa.

Contracts for supplying top-quality by-products, including Fractal [a rare and valuable monster byproduct].

The alliance between Hanbyul Group, the Korean Association, and Karma Corporation.

“I thought that even if they’re subcontractors, anyone in business would be able to make a bold decision about who to side with at this point.”

“…….”

“But I guess I overestimated them.”

Director Lee Ah-young’s expression became serious, as if she thought my words were harsh.

“They don’t have the luxury to do that.”

“Huh?”

“You know the situation of the facilities. They’re too busy meeting the delivery deadlines to even think about that.”

“…….”

She hit the nail on the head, leaving me speechless.

“……I was careless.”

“You could say that. Well, let’s worry about what to do next rather than that.”

Director Lee Ah-young shrugged.

Of course, we already have contracts with a few facilities.

As a private subjugation company, we naturally need a route to dispose of corpses.

However, considering the scale of the research institute that will be built in the future, those few places won’t be able to meet the supply.

So, we have to win contracts no matter what, but…….

It’s not easy since everyone thinks GT Dungeon is the safer bet.

‘I can’t exactly go around explaining the future trends of the subjugation market to each of them…….’

This is troublesome.

“By the way, when is the groundbreaking ceremony for the research institute?”

“Hanbyul Construction has already finished the preparations. They said construction will start as early as this month.”

“We need to secure contracts by then at least.”

“Is that possible?”

“Well…….”

I shrugged.

“I’ll have to start thinking about that now.”

“…….”

“Don’t worry too much. Things will work out somehow.”

Look at that face.

She’s openly doubting me now.

Well, I said that, but I’m also uneasy inside.

There aren’t many ways to solve this situation in the first place.

It’s not like perceptions will change overnight…….

Unless GT Dungeon screws up, there’s no way to win contracts…….

Ring―.

“Hmm?”

The phone rang at the perfect time.

It was a call from President Ha Sung-il.

“Yes, President Ha. What’s the matter?”

「President! GT Dungeon is drastically advancing the by-product delivery schedules for the facilities.」

……?

What is he suddenly talking about?

“……So?”

「It seems they’ve noticed our plan and are trying to monopolize domestic by-products before the research institute is built.」

Did they make a move first?

「This is a big problem. The domestic subjugation market is already more favorable to GT Dungeon, so the amount of dungeons being subjugated is also significant. If this happens, GT Dungeon will probably take 80% of the domestic by-products by the end of this month.」

“……They’re trying to keep us in check somehow before the research institute is completed.”

「That’s right. Or they might be planning to resell the monopolized by-products at several times the price later on.」

Neither option is good news.

“But did the facilities accept that without complaint? Considering their situation, they wouldn’t be able to handle the amount if they recklessly advance the schedule. Were there no objections?”

「Well… they wouldn’t have a choice. They’ve used their heads quite well.」

“……I don’t know.”

I’ll give them credit for making a bold move first, but…….

“It looks like they’re adding fuel to the fire.”

「……Yes?」

“Let’s wait and see.”

A smile spread across my face as I pictured the situation in my head.

“It seems like the heavens are helping us.”

After hanging up the phone, I took a moment to organize my thoughts.

Right now, GT Dungeon is so focused on keeping us in check that they’re completely overlooking something important.

The subjugation cycle doesn’t become more efficient by squeezing one area. On the contrary, it only backfires.

Even if it’s a seemingly insignificant non-core team, if one part starts to creak, the whole thing will inevitably collapse.

‘I never even considered that before my regression.’

In that short time from starting as a cleaner to climbing up to where I am now, haven’t I experienced that countless times?

This is an opportunity for us.

“Do you have a plan?”

Director Lee Ah-young asked abruptly, as if she had read my expression.

“I think so.”

“Then what should we do now?”

“First… let’s use some of this quarter’s budget to buy up domestic dungeons.”

“How much?”

“As much as possible.”

She nodded once, as if she understood.

“Ah, and please contact Team Leader Kim Min-joo and Team Leader Han Yu-bin.”

“Why them?”

“Because it looks like we’ll have a chance to work together again for the first time in a while.”

Several ideas were already flashing through my mind.

***

“This is too much!”

An unexpected outburst erupted from within Kangan Logistics.

“Throwing a week’s worth of work at us and telling us to finish it by the day after tomorrow! Someone’s going to die working like this!”

Chief Choi went straight to the president’s office to protest after confirming the notice from GT Dungeon.

However, President Kwak was just as troubled.

“I told them it wasn’t possible several times… but they kept pushing. What can I do? We have to do what the primary contractor says.”

“Still, this isn’t right! We’d be better off terminating the contract and siding with Karma Corporation!”

“Haa……”

President Kwak scratched his head irritably.

He wondered how much more he had to appease them.

This wasn’t why he promoted him to chief.

“Anyway, the notice about adjusting the schedule didn’t just come to us. All the facilities contracted with GT Dungeon are in the same situation.”

“……So?”

Chief Choi’s voice grew sharper.

In response, President Kwak’s patience was slowly reaching its limit.

“So what do you want me to do? What, are you saying we should just suck it up because everyone’s having a hard time?”

“I know you’re not happy, but watch your mouth. And is it really worth getting so worked up over? They’re giving us more money for advancing the schedule.”

“Oh, really? Do we get that money?”

“……What?”

President Kwak’s expression changed drastically at that moment.

“We’re just salaried employees anyway. We don’t get bonuses, and there aren’t any incentives. I don’t care how much they get in contract fees.”

“Hey! Are you done talking?”

“Yes, I’m done.”

Chief Choi threw his work clothes down on the spot.

“I’ve been trying to appease the guys while trying not to get on the bad side of Director Kang, that son of a bitch… but now I feel too sorry to even ask them to work.”

“You, you bastard…!”

“We handle monster corpses all day and get paid a measly 1.8 million won a month [approximately $1,350 USD]. But half of that goes to hospital bills. There’s no one who hasn’t gotten eye infections or skin diseases.”

“…….”

“If you had thought about our situation even a little, you would have rejected that request somehow.”

Chief Choi turned his back without even waiting for an answer.

President Kwak couldn’t bring himself to stop him.

This situation wasn’t unique to Kangan Logistics.

Pyunbaek By-product Processing Facility in Gyeongbuk, Gyeongju.

Victory in Mokpo, South Jeolla.

Hi-Tech in Wonju, Gangwon, and so on…….

In addition to these, a total of 171 employees from 42 facilities declared strikes or applied for resignation within a week after GT Dungeon unilaterally notified them of schedule adjustments.

***

“V, Vice President! We have a big problem!”

Director Kang urgently visited the GT Dungeon Vice President’s office.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“There aren’t enough people at the facilities, so they can’t meet the delivery schedules.”

“What?! Which facilities?”

“……All the facilities contracted with us are in the same situation.”

Vice President Go’s eyes widened at the shocking news.

“What are you talking about? Did something happen?! Why are there suddenly not enough people!”

“W, well… a large number of employees left in protest of the schedule adjustments……”

“What?! What are you talking about!”

Vice President Go Taek-soo’s eyebrows twitched wildly.

Isn’t it the role of the subcontractor to do what the primary contractor tells them to do?

But they couldn’t stand it and left?

And not just one or two places, but facilities all over the country?

‘What the hell is this…….’

His bewildered expression was fleeting, and unfortunately, the bad news didn’t end there.

“V, Vice President!”

Geum Hyuk-soo, the leader of Operation A Team belonging to GT Dungeon, also urgently sought him out.

“We may have to temporarily suspend subjugation.”

“What? Why subjugation again?”

“We can’t dispose of the monster corpses. We’re temporarily storing them in the warehouse, but the volume is too much, and the decay is too severe to handle.”

“……This is fucked up.”

The sound of grinding teeth echoed very loudly.

And then.

“S, Sir…….”

The Chief Secretary delivered the final blow.

“Karma Corporation has purchased…… 70% of the dungeons appearing domestically this month.”

“…….”

Are they planning to take advantage of the situation and rise up?

But the Vice President interpreted the situation a little differently.

“This is actually a good thing.”

“……Yes?”

“The by-product processing facilities across the country have stopped operating. Do you think they’ll be able to handle that much volume?”

“…….”

“It seems like they bought it without knowing what they were getting into, but since the facilities have stopped, they won’t be able to dispose of the corpses either.”

But that was a naive statement.

Until just a few days ago, they had to choose between GT Dungeon and Karma Corporation, but one option had disappeared.

From now on, it was obvious which side the facilities would be on.

***

“Yes, this is Kim Jun-woo, CEO of Karma Corporation.”

“Ah, yes, yes. How… have you thought about it?”

“Well, we’d be grateful. You don’t have to worry about the schedule. Just do it within this month.”

“Yes, yes, please work safely.”

“Yes, then…….”

Hanging up the phone, I asked Director Lee Ah-young.

“How many have joined us with this?”

“Pyunbaek, Victory, Goliath, Geumhwa… and Kangan, etc. We’ve signed provisional contracts with a total of 19 facilities.”

A smile spread across my face.

“Then let’s go subjugate to our heart’s content.”

“Min-joo and Yu-bin are also on standby. For now, let’s have those two teams take the lead…….”

“No. We need three teams.”

“……Yes?”

“Because I’m going to participate too.”

I stretched my shoulders and got up from my seat.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the field.

Let’s relive the old days.