The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 180

179

“To put it bluntly…”

After summoning Han Yu-bin back from Nevada and telling her everything, she opened her mouth with a serious expression.

“Acquiring the American branch is impossible.”

“…That’s a bit extreme.”

“Isn’t it obvious? The situation is different from when we acquired the Japanese branch. Back then, we had room to intervene, but we have no justification now.”

“……”

In fact, she was right if you think about it.

It’s not like I didn’t know that when I brought it up.

Han Yu-bin continued.

“More than anything, the newly appointed branch manager is quite strict, so there’s nothing to latch onto… Besides, the American branch has a good relationship with headquarters, so there’s no reason for them to leave the International Association.”

“And it’s not like they desperately need our help.”

“Exactly. The local subjugation issues are really just a nuisance; they’re not enough to make the branch falter.”

In short, no matter how much we clamor to acquire it, the American branch has no reason to accept it.

“Is there really no way…?”

Kim Min-ju asked with a worried voice.

Han Yu-bin shook her head decisively.

“Unless you offer an amount that’s out of the question…”

“We don’t have that kind of money.”

I answered instead.

To offer an amount that the American branch would be tempted by, we would have to sell our entire company.

‘Back to square one.’

I bit my lip.

We have to find Eden first, no matter what.

To do that, we need to search dungeons all over the United States… If we can’t acquire the branch, it’s all for nothing.

Is there no way? That’s when it hit me.

“You said the new branch manager is quite strict?”

I asked Han Yu-bin again.

“Yes, that’s what I heard… He’s a stickler for the rules and has no flexibility. To put it nicely, he has principles; to put it badly, he’s stubborn.”

“In that case, it might be possible.”

“…What might be?”

“A head-on breakthrough.”

I smiled and replied.

“Let’s go for a head-on breakthrough.”

If he’s really a stickler for the rules and has no flexibility… that might actually be better.

“What are you all doing? Let’s go to the branch right away.”

I got up from my seat first.

***

“What did you say…?”

Branch Manager Michael’s eyes widened as he asked again.

“Withdraw from the International Association and sell us the branch.”

“Ha, haha. What on earth are you suddenly talking about…?”

Branch Manager Michael let out a burst of laughter, as if he was dumbfounded.

Well, it’s a natural reaction.

What kind of crazy person would propose a merger and acquisition without any conditions?

Of course, there are no conditions, but it’s not like there’s no reason.

“The International Association is currently trying to control dungeons and Hunters around the world using Bank Items. If that happens, the whole world will be in the hands of the International Association.”

“…I don’t see what’s wrong with that. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to have one organization manage subjugation activities in an integrated manner?”

Branch Manager Michael asked, as if he couldn’t understand.

It sounded plausible, but he was overlooking one thing.

“Theoretically, that might be the case. If the International Association was really an organization that prioritized the safety of citizens.”

Not everyone in the association is like him.

“…What are you talking about?”

“The International Association’s real goal is not the safety of citizens, but to control international society. To this end, they have even created and are operating a secret organization. I myself have almost been killed by them several times.”

Actually, I was killed once.

“Of course, if they control dungeons around the world, it might become safer than before. But that’s just putting a leash on people under the guise of safety. You can’t really call that being safe.”

“……”

Branch Manager Michael ran his hand through his hair.

With an expression that seemed quite shocked, he opened his mouth.

“Honestly… it’s hard to believe.”

“It’s not a lie.”

“It’s not that I think you’re lying, it’s that I find it hard to believe that the International Association is such an organization.”

“If you need evidence, I can show you as much as you want.”

“Haa……”

He lowered his head and hesitated to answer for a moment.

“Anyway… why are you telling me this story?”

He spoke again.

“I am also a member of the International Association. Surely you don’t think I would betray the International Association just by listening to your story?”

“It’s not betrayal, but I believe you will rationally judge what is best for the citizens. If it’s you, Branch Manager.”

“……”

Before my regression, the type of person I hated the most was someone who was a stickler for the rules and had no flexibility.

Former Association President Park In-beom.

Director Lee Doo-shik, and so on.

All of them were sticklers for the rules.

The common point among them is that they prioritize the safety of citizens above all else.

That’s why they tried to change the subjugation system centered on the operation team, and they tried to reorganize the organization for safer subjugation.

Of course, I couldn’t see those things in a positive light before my regression… but it’s different now.

Currently, we cannot acquire the American branch in any way.

The American branch also has no reason to accept the acquisition, no matter what conditions we offer.

But if Branch Manager Michael is really the same type of person as them, if he really prioritizes the safety of citizens… he will definitely accept the offer.

“If things continue like this, we won’t be able to stop the International Association’s control. But… if we get Eden first, it might be possible.”

“E, Eden…?”

Branch Manager Michael’s eyes widened.

As expected, he doesn’t know what happened three years ago.

“The dungeon where Eden exists will reappear soon. And to find Eden before the International Association notices… as I said, you have to withdraw from the International Association.”

“Hmm……”

His pupils began to shake greatly.

He was almost convinced, or so I thought.

“B, Branch Manager!”

A man who appeared to be his executive secretary suddenly burst into the office.

“What is it? Can’t you see I have guests…?”

“H, headquarters held a press conference. But the content is… Ah, anyway, you should watch it right now!”

The executive secretary handed us a tablet PC.

The screen showed Secretary-General Wesley standing in front of a podium.

「I am Wesley David, Secretary-General of the International Hunter Association.」

He opened his mouth with a very serious expression and voice.

「As you all know, our International Association has been working solely for the safety of citizens since its establishment. However, some national independent associations and private subjugation companies are using subjugation merely as a means of making money, causing international chaos.」

Everyone in the office focused on the screen.

「Of course, we have tried to refrain from intervening as much as possible, considering the circumstances of each association, but the extent of this is getting worse day by day. Therefore, judging that the safety of citizens will also be threatened if we leave it as it is, our International Hunter Association is going to take two special measures from this moment on.」

Then, Secretary-General Wesley raised his index finger.

「First, from this moment on, all ability users around the world can only work under the International Association. Therefore, all Hunters are asked to apply for membership in the International Association as soon as possible. If you do not apply for membership during the grace period, your Hunter qualification will be revoked and your abilities will be restricted at the same time.」

“W, what…?”

“Ah, shit……”

Branch Manager Michael and I reacted at the same time.

They’re going to swallow up all the Hunters in the world.

If you don’t side with the International Association, they’ll just erase your abilities with Anti-Magic Stone, is that it?

‘How greedy can they get.’

I gritted my teeth, but it didn’t end there.

「Second, from this moment on, we will manage all subjugation rights around the world in a lump. Therefore, independent associations and private subjugation companies that are not affiliated with the International Association will not be able to carry out their own subjugation activities in the future. If you violate this and continue to carry out your own subjugation activities… we will restrict the appearance of dungeons in the country.」

“……”

“……”

So, they’re revealing their true colors.

‘Damn it…….’

In this case, all independent associations, companies, and Hunters around the world will try to join the International Association.

Otherwise, Hunters will lose their jobs forever. Organizations will not be able to carry out subjugation activities forever.

No organization will welcome the restriction of dungeons in the current situation.

Especially considering the profits that dungeons bring.

And that means.

“In this situation, it seems difficult to withdraw from the International Association.”

The same goes for the American branch.

“I understand what you’re saying, Representative, but we have no choice. I’m sorry, but we will reject the merger and acquisition proposal.”

“……”

There’s no way to persuade him.

If they withdraw from the International Association here, they won’t be able to carry out subjugation activities at all in the future, so it’s natural to refuse.

There’s no choice.

I have no choice but to give up here and look for another way.

“I understand…….”

“I can’t withdraw from the International Association, but I will cooperate with you, Representative.”

“……Yes?”

What does that mean?

“Anyway, if we find Eden, we can keep the International Association in check, right? I’ll try to find it without being noticed by the International Association.”

“R, really?”

“Yes. But one problem is… as you know, there are not enough people compared to the dungeons that appear. We need a lot of people to support the subjugation….”

“Ah, don’t worry about that.”

I glanced at Kim Min-ju and Han Yu-bin behind me and said.

“We have quite a few people on our side.”

“Hmm, but I think it will still be lacking.”

Branch Manager Michael stroked his chin.

“I think we need a more reliable guild….”

“I’ll help.”

It was then.

A familiar man’s voice came from behind.

When I turned my head, Noah Westernwood was standing there.

“W, Westernwood? How did you?!”

Branch Manager Michael jumped up.

Noah didn’t care about his reaction and turned his gaze to me.

“Have you decided to listen to me?”

“Forget it. I don’t care about keeping the International Association in check or anything like that. Of course, I don’t care whether you find Eden or not.”

“Then why are you trying to help?”

“……”

He hesitated to answer for a moment.

“If I find Eden, I can find Sophia too.”

He said in a calm voice.

“Well, I understand. Whatever the reason, I appreciate your help.”

“Before that, who’s going to lead this?”

Noah suddenly snapped.

“It’s a continental-scale operation. There will be tens of thousands of people to command. If it’s not someone capable, they’ll be driven to their deaths.”

“I happen to have the perfect person. Her name is Kim Min-ju….”

The moment I said that, everyone’s eyes turned to me.

‘……Shit.’

It’s not like we’re picking a team leader for a group project, what is this?

“……I understand.”

I let out a faint sigh and continued.

“I will lead this operation.”