The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 238

237

“So…”

Karma Corporation Headquarters.

As soon as I returned to Korea, I summoned all the department heads to relay the information I knew.

Then, Head of Department Lee Ah-young asked back with an incredulous expression.

“You’re saying… these ability users who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, not in the data… it’s because of drugs?”

“Octavoid Amphetamine.”

I spat out a single word.

“It’s a new type of drug commonly called Void.”

“Drug?”

“Well, it’s a drug that was accidentally created while refining monster byproducts. Like any other drug, it has strong hallucinogenic, stimulant, and addictive properties. But, in fact, putting those aside, the real main effect of this drug is…”

I carefully continued, looking back and forth between the heads of departments.

“It’s known to amplify abilities instantaneously.”

“…….”

“…….”

Everyone tilted their heads at the words, ‘it is known’.

That’s because Void wasn’t revealed to the world until much later.

It was only natural that it was their first time hearing about it.

At that moment, Head of Department Lee Ah-young asked another question.

“Wait a minute. If it amplifies abilities, what happens to ordinary people who don’t have abilities?”

“Of course, it has no effect at all.”

“Then the fact that new ability users have suddenly appeared means…”

“Yes. They must be people who are neither ordinary people nor Hunters among those who took Void.”

Those who have abilities but are not registered in the existing ranking system.

Unranked.

It’s clear that the drug is spreading among them.

“It’s reasonable to assume that unranked individuals around the world are taking Void and applying to the task force.”

“Ha, I’ve never heard of making drugs from monster byproducts…”

“Well, even if you’ve never heard of the drug itself, you probably know the raw materials.”

“Yes?”

“Void is a drug made by refining Fractal.”

“……!”

Head of Department Lee Ah-young’s eyebrows twitched greatly.

Fractal.

A high-grade byproduct essential for making A-rank or higher weapons.

It’s a globally rare byproduct, but thanks to the exclusive supply contract with Central Africa, the largest excavation site, a few months ago, it’s relatively common in Korea.

In the past, the Japanese branch was conducting research to extract even more powerful effects using Fractal, and a new substance was born.

The new drug created in this way started in Japan before my regression and spread mainly in South America and Mexico.

Unlike ordinary drugs, it only worked on those with abilities, and it had a tremendous effect of amplifying abilities in a short period of time, but…

As with any other drug, strong addiction and serious side effects followed.

The most serious side effect was a runaway state due to excessive stimulation of abilities.

If someone caused casualties due to an ability runaway caused by taking the drug, they would not only have their rank revoked but also spend the rest of their lives in prison.

In other words, it was a drug that Hunters, who valued their reputation more than their lives, had no reason to try.

Fortunately, this new drug did not spread widely. Above all, the price was enormous.

In the end, it was only briefly popular among a very small number of Hunters, and the Mexican cartel, which was the main manufacturer, abandoned the business and discarded all the drugs because it was not profitable.

It was only discovered later. However, since the manufacturers, distributors, and consumers had all withdrawn from the drug, no major problems occurred.

In other words, it can be said that it was an unprecedented drug that appeared and disappeared completely unnoticed before my regression.

But the problem is…

‘The situation is different now.’

Currently, there is a massive recruitment going on around the world to make up for the shortage of personnel.

This would be a golden opportunity for those who were not even qualified to apply.

Worldwide Hunter recruitment announcements.

A drug that amplifies abilities.

The two worst conditions coincided perfectly.

It’s an opportunity for some and the best business for others.

If Void is distributed in this situation, the aftermath will be incomparable to what it was before my regression.

They say that vague talent is more painful than no talent at all.

For those who have abilities but can’t do anything with them, and yet haven’t given up hope of becoming a Hunter, there’s no better way.

From the cartel’s point of view, the unranked are truly the perfect target.

‘Looking at the fact that there are over 1 million applicants, it seems to have spread quite a bit already…’

I muttered to myself when.

“Still, it’s fortunate in a way.”

Head of Department Lee Ah-young carefully said those words.

“We have an exclusive supply contract with Central Africa, the largest Fractal excavation site. We handle 70% of the world’s Fractal, so… mass production won’t be easy.”

“That’s right.”

I nodded.

Even if they’ve used up all the raw materials they had so far, they need a large amount of Fractal to continue expanding and distributing the business.

But since we already have it in our hands, it’ll be like plucking stars from the sky to get Fractal.

Of course, that doesn’t mean we can rest assured.

Above all…

“The real problem is that it can’t be detected in the body, regardless of addiction or side effects. We can’t tell if someone has a really strong ability or if they’ve taken Void.”

“Then… does that mean that if we choose the wrong person, there could be problems with the subjugation again?”

“It will definitely happen. If they stop taking the drug, they’ll return to being unranked, and even if they continue to take it, they won’t be normal because of the side effects.”

Everyone remained silent for a while, refraining from answering to the rather serious story.

“Let’s put the recruitment screening on hold for now.”

“…That would be good.”

“Even if it’s hard for the drug to spread further, we can’t just sit back and do nothing. The principle is to root out anything that could be a problem.”

I looked at Head of Department Lee Ah-young and Kim Min-joo and continued.

“First, let’s crack down on the cartels that are manufacturing and distributing Void.”

“Okay.”

“Yes.”

Everyone nodded, but just one person… that girl didn’t.

“But, you know…”

Head of Planning Department, Han Yu-bin.

She, who had been listening quietly all along, brought up another story instead of answering.

“How do you know about that?”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s not been reported in the news, it’s a drug that hasn’t been made public, and even Lee Ah-young, the head of Eclipse, didn’t know about it… how do you know about it?”

“…….”

Unlike her sharp voice, her eyes were indifferent.

This was an extension of the previous question, no matter who looked at it.

‘Is she still suspicious…’

Such thoughts were fleeting.

I smiled and opened my mouth towards the door.

“Come in.”

With those words, a man carefully opened the door and entered the office.

“Ah, hello! I’m Kang Jae-seok, the team leader in charge of the Gyeongnam area, belonging to the information team.”

It was a former Hunter I had personally selected, a member of the information team.

Soon, Kang Jae-seok immediately began to introduce himself.

“Actually, when I was in society, I was offered a Void distribution deal. Haha!”

“……?!”

“……!”

Everyone’s eyes widened at those words.

“There was a broker who was doing smuggling between South America and Europe, and he offered me a job, saying there was a new drug.”

“S, so? Did you accept it?!”

“Of course not. I didn’t think this was right, no matter what. And once you get your foot in the door, you can’t get out, right?”

Kang Jae-seok scratched his head awkwardly and answered.

And soon I continued.

“How would I know something that hasn’t even been reported in the news? I heard it from this person in detail.”

“…….”

Han Yu-bin stared with narrowed eyes for a moment.

“Well, I understand.”

After nodding once, she asked the man.

“So, can I meet the person who offered you the distribution deal?”

“Ah, yes! If you look into it a little, you’ll be able to contact him somehow.”

“Then we can take care of that person first.”

I nodded.

“Kang Jae-seok, please go and tell Team Leader Hong to summon all the members of the task force. It seems like we’ll need manpower to use overseas.”

“Yes, I understand!”

“I’ll go with Han Yu-bin again this time. Lee Ah-young, Kim Min-joo, and Head of Department Ha, please stay at headquarters and wait for contact.”

“Yes? I should go with you this time…!”

Kim Min-joo stepped forward, but I immediately shook my head.

“No, you can’t. We also need someone to direct the domestic subjugation. And the dispatch support isn’t over yet.”

“…….”

A blatant expression of disappointment.

Well, what can I do? In the first place, she’s not suitable for this job given her personality.

“People usually listen when you hold a club [a symbol of authority or force], but not drug addicts. So, it’s more suitable to have someone who can deal with beasts rather than people.”

“…It sounds a bit like that when I hear it?”

“…….”

For some reason, Han Yu-bin, who was offended by those words, glared at me.

“…Okay, okay, let’s get to work.”

I quickly avoided her gaze and changed the subject.

***

Tijuana, Mexico.

On the surface, it was an ordinary laundry factory, but in reality, it was the base of Uno Empire, the second-largest drug cartel in Mexico.

It was the world’s largest Octavoid Amphetamine manufacturing plant.

“Everyone, pay attention.”

At that time, Jose, who was in charge of the overall factory, raised his voice to the employees who were busy working.

“We have to deliver 300kg by this week. Let’s start working from today without any days off.”

“T, three hundred?”

“We have to row when the water comes in [seize the opportunity]. We’ve already made a contract with the organization in Texas.”

“…….”

“…….”

The manufacturers began to look at each other.

Jose frowned at the lukewarm response and opened his mouth.

“What, anyone who has a complaint, come out now.”

“N, no, it’s not that…”

“We’re short of raw materials. With the Fractal we have now, the maximum is only 20kg…”

“…What?”

“That’s… the largest Fractal production site is in Central Africa, but that’s where Karma Corporation is in charge, so it’s almost impossible to get raw materials.”

“Ah…….”

Jose frowned at the manufacturers’ words.

“Then there’s no other place to get it? It’s a shame to miss this opportunity. Unranked people all over the world are lining up now!”

“…….”

But there was no way they could have a good idea.

Wasn’t it a drug that was about to be discarded because of its limited effect compared to its price?

It was now close to impossible to get raw materials.

But they couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Isn’t this period when associations around the world are massively recruiting Hunters the best time to distribute goods?

Demand has already exploded as word of mouth spreads among the unranked.

Mafias from all over the world, who noticed this situation early on, are already clinging to us, begging us to sign a contract with them.

This is a golden opportunity.

If we ride the wave and expand the business, we might be able to overtake El Ojos, the largest cartel in Mexico, this time.

So this is a business we can never give up.

‘But I can’t create raw materials that don’t exist…’

Just when I thought there was no way.

“T, Team Leader! T, there’s an intruder outside now…!”

“…What?!”

The employee who rushed into the factory shouted.

“What! Are they Ojos bastards?!”

“N, no…….”

The employee continued with a terrified expression.

“…It’s an ability user.”

“……!”

“……!”

The moment all the preparers, including Jose, took out their guns.

Bang―!!

The tightly closed iron door was smashed and someone came in.

“Don’t move!!”

“Damn it, who are you!!”

Everyone shouted, pointing their guns at the person.

The person who appeared there was a middle-aged Caucasian woman.

Jose seemed quite embarrassed by the unexpected opponent, but the woman was just calmly looking around the place.

And soon.

“Calm down. I’m here to help you.”

She opened her mouth.

“…What?”

“I’m Emma, the representative of PB Corporation under the International Hunter Association.”

“What business does the International Association have with us?”

“Is this where you make Void?”

“……?”

“It’s smaller than I thought. The facilities are also poor… Can you supply it to the whole world like this?”

“What are you talking about……?”

“It seems like you’re also short of raw materials.”

Click―.

The woman’s words, which gave no clue as to what she was thinking.

Jose pointed the gun exactly at her head and asked again.

“Who the hell are you? What do you think this place is…!”

“We’ll supply that insufficient raw material.”

At that moment, CEO Emma cut off Jose’s words and made a sweet offer.