The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 232

231

– Due to the rank assessments conducted by Karma Corporation, numerous hunters worldwide are being disqualified.

– To date, over 150,000 hunters have had their ranks revoked, marking the first time in subjugation history that so many hunters have lost their jobs at once.

– This has led to a sudden shortage of subjugation personnel in associations across various countries, with weaker associations lamenting their inability to carry out subjugations.

– Criticism against Karma Corporation is growing due to this situation. The international community believes that this is the result of abruptly conducting unreasonable assessments.

– Meanwhile, the International Hunter Association has also issued a statement saying that Karma Corporation, which has the authority to manage hunters worldwide, should take responsibility and resolve this issue…….

CEO’s office.

I was watching the news with a serious expression when it happened.

“What is going on?!”

Director Lee Ah-young and all the executives of Karma Corporation burst into the room.

“What on earth is happening?! Over 150,000 people disqualified!”

“The board of directors is in an uproar right now. Associations from various countries are demanding that we take responsibility, and the stock price is, well, you can imagine.”

“Do you have a solution, Teacher?!”

Han Yu-bin and Kim Min-ju also chimed in, their voices laced with concern.

I crossed my arms, hesitating to answer as I tried to gather my thoughts.

“So, what are you planning to do! We have the authority to manage hunters, so we have to solve this!”

Director Han Yu-bin, perhaps frustrated by my silence, couldn’t wait any longer and raised her voice.

“First… we need to replenish the personnel somehow.”

As I calmly spoke, Director Lee Ah-young shook her head.

“It’s impossible to fill 150,000 positions in a short period. Moreover, this is happening simultaneously in associations worldwide. It would take at least a year to fill all those spots.”

“More than that, given the current situation, more people will be disqualified in the future. Our estimates suggest that at least 200,000 to 300,000 more will leave…”

Director Ha Sung-il added his assessment.

I let out a long sigh at their words. I knew they were right.

I knew that if 150,000 hunters worldwide were suddenly out of work, it would cripple subjugation efforts. That it was impossible to replace them quickly. And that we, Karma Corporation, were ultimately responsible.

“There’s something we need to address first.”

“Yes?”

“This situation…”

I spoke slowly, choosing my words carefully.

“No matter how I look at it, it seems like the International Association is behind this.”

“…Yes?”

“W-What did you say?!”

“There’s no way 150,000 people could be disqualified in just a few days. Moreover, considering that people are continuing to be disqualified… someone must be deliberately interfering with the assessments.”

“But why would the International Association do that…? If there are more disqualified people and subjugations are hindered, wouldn’t that harm them too?”

Director Lee Ah-young asked, clearly puzzled.

“We have the authority to manage hunters, right? But once the disqualified hunters are deregistered, they are no longer subject to our management.”

“Then…?”

“The International Association needs forces that they can move as they please, without our knowledge or control.”

Silence descended upon the room as my words sank in. Everyone seemed to need a moment to process the implications.

“W-Wait a minute…!”

Director Han Yu-bin spoke, as if a realization had struck her.

“Don’t tell me those guys…”

“Yes.”

I nodded, confirming her unspoken thought. “The International Association is preparing for war.”

“……!”

“……!”

Shock rippled through the room.

“W-What does that mean…!”

“You’re saying they’re trying to build up a private army without our knowledge?!”

“A subjugation organization preparing for war! Are they trying to destroy the world!”

“Shouldn’t we tell the President immediately?!”

“N-No, rather than that, we should contact the UN first…!”

“Everyone, calm down.”

The room had erupted into chaos. I raised my hand to restore order.

“Unfortunately… whether the International Association is preparing for war or not, we can’t directly stop them right now.”

“You mean we don’t have concrete evidence?”

“We don’t have the time to gather it.”

I answered Director Lee Ah-young’s question directly.

“As everyone has said, if people continue to be disqualified at this rate, subjugations worldwide will be severely impacted. In fact, it seems like that’s already happening.”

I gestured to the news broadcast I had been watching.

“If this situation causes widespread damage and casualties, we will be held responsible. In the worst-case scenario, we may lose the subjugation rights and hunter management rights recognized by the International Association.”

At that, everyone’s faces paled. They understood the gravity of the situation without further explanation.

Losing those rights meant losing our influence over the global subjugation market. It meant being completely consumed by the International Association.

“We need to ensure that subjugations in various countries proceed smoothly. Whether that means sending our own teams or providing support. However, the problem is…”

I paused, my voice turning serious.

“The International Association won’t simply stand by while we do that.”

“…….”

“…….”

Seeing their silence, I knew they understood the unspoken threat.

“While we’re scrambling to solve the personnel problem, we won’t be able to focus on other things. And the International Association will try to restrain us internally and externally, in any way they can. Just like Councilor Jeong-hoon did.”

“…This is a dire situation.”

“How did this happen…”

Director Lee Ah-young and Kim Min-ju trailed off, their voices filled with despair.

It was indeed a difficult situation. But there was no time for discouragement. Any delay could make the situation spiral out of control.

“First, the most urgent thing is to somehow solve the personnel problem. Director Ha Sung-il?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Please compile a list of associations with a disqualification rate of 10% or higher, and also identify weaker associations that are likely to face immediate problems with subjugations.”

“Understood.”

“Kim Min-ju, based on that list, prioritize dispatches and assemble the necessary teams. Director Lee Ah-young, put Eclipse [Karma Corporation’s equipment division] into full operation starting today. We need to supply equipment to associations facing personnel shortages first.”

“Okay.”

“And… Team Leader Hong Doo-shik.”

“Yo.”

He, who had been silently observing with his arms crossed in the corner of the office, finally spoke.

“From the moment we intervene, the International Association will try to undermine us. I’ll be issuing directives to our contacts across the country. Find them all and report their activities to me.”

He nodded in acknowledgment.

“So, what should I do?”

Director Han Yu-bin, who hadn’t been assigned a task yet, raised her hand tentatively.

I looked at her and addressed a larger point first.

“It’s difficult to say this in front of everyone, but this is undoubtedly a losing battle for us.”

“…….”

“Even if we manage to resolve it, the losses will be enormous. And if we fail, we’ll collapse completely. But even if we’re going to fall, we can’t go down without a fight.”

Han Yu-bin nodded, understanding my meaning.

“So, you and I will go to the International Association.”

“……Yes, yes?!”

She was visibly taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise.

“…Okay.”

She quickly composed herself and nodded, setting aside her questions for later.

“Then…”

I addressed everyone present.

“Let’s get to work.”

The brief moment of peace was shattered, and everyone sprang into action with a renewed sense of purpose.

***

At the same time, the board of directors was in a state of emergency no less than the executive team.

“Can we really solve this crisis?!”

“Even if we do, it’s still a problem! We have to provide all dispatches and support for free, so how are we going to cover the losses?!”

An emergency board meeting was underway, and the room was filled with agitated voices and worried faces.

“No matter how I look at it, there’s no hope!”

“The company’s finances won’t last even a month at this rate!”

“Damn it! Why did we even implement those rank assessments…”

“Perhaps CEO Kim should take responsibility and resign at this point…!”

“Ha, damn it.”

A curse word cut through the noise. All eyes turned to its source: Director Lee Doo-shik.

“You’ve been sitting at the table CEO Kim built, enjoying the benefits without lifting a finger, and now you’re suggesting we kick him out? Even animals wouldn’t do that.”

“H-Hey, Director Lee! What are you saying?!”

“We need to be rational! We’re saying this for the good of the company!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure you are.”

Director Lee Doo-shik’s open sneer caused the other directors’ faces to flush with anger.

Finally, one of them couldn’t contain himself any longer and jumped to his feet.

“Damn it, who do you think you are calling us traitors! Do you honestly believe CEO Kim can solve this mess?!”

“Haha… Hahahaha!”

At that question, Director Lee Doo-shik burst into laughter.

After a moment, he replied, “When hasn’t he been able to?”

“…….”

“…….”

The conference room fell silent.

But the silence didn’t last.

“Ha, but… this time it’s truly impossible.”

“The dispatch costs alone are billions of won. We don’t know how much more it will cost in the future, and even if we somehow manage to pull through, we can’t possibly recoup that massive deficit…”

Even Director Lee Doo-shik, a staunch supporter of Kim Jun-woo, couldn’t argue with that assessment.

The numbers were staggering. Dispatch costs, support costs, Eclipse operating costs… the financial burden was astronomical.

And because Karma Corporation was taking full responsibility, they couldn’t bill the affected associations.

Furthermore, who would invest in a company facing a global crisis?

The directors present had impressive connections, but there was no justifiable reason to attract investment in the current climate.

‘Damn it…’

Even Director Lee Doo-shik was at a loss for a solution.

“Karma worrying about money? What a sight.”

An elderly man entered the conference room. His voice was filled with dignity and authority, and his presence evoked the image of a powerful tiger.

“C-Chairman…?!”

“If you needed money, you should have come to me. I’ll help you.”

It was Chairman Ha Deok-soo, the head of Hanbyul Group, the largest conglomerate in Korea, boasting a market capitalization of 500 trillion won [approximately $400 billion USD] for ten consecutive years.

“T-Thank you for your offer… but are you sure? Of course, we’ll do everything we can, but if something goes wrong and the company goes bankrupt…”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

Chairman Ha Deok-soo smirked.

“Once I start investing, you couldn’t go bankrupt even if you tried. Understand?”

“…….”

Director Lee Doo-shik bowed his head, unable to meet the Chairman’s overwhelming gaze.

Chairman Ha Deok-soo wasn’t the only one stepping up to support Karma. Hunters, entrepreneurs, politicians, byproduct processing facilities, and even Sehoon Chemical, with whom Karma had recently signed a supply contract, were all mobilizing.

All the influential figures in Korea, and those who had received help from Kim Jun-woo in the past, were now working tirelessly for a single purpose.