The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 256

255

Somewhere deep in a forest near Hanoi.

The sun had completely set, and the surroundings were dim.

In response to Director Huin’s desperate request to be left alone, I opened with an apology.

“I’m sorry, but…”

I could see Director Huin’s expression rapidly hardening.
The same went for Director Nguyen and the other staff who had accompanied him.

“I understand your situation, but I don’t think we can turn a blind eye. Given the circumstances, it could affect other branches.”

“…….”

“…….”

Everyone fell silent at my firm answer.

However, Director Huin didn’t give up and tried to persuade me.

“Of course, we can pay the penalty. We can also provide additional compensation…”

“I don’t know if that will work. We entrusted the hub operation to the branch, but the actual ownership belongs to us, doesn’t it? We handed it over to the International Association, so it’s not worth ignoring for just a few penalty fees.”

“…….”

After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth heavily.

“Then… what are you going to do?”

“Well.”

I shrugged and continued with a small smile.

“That’s not for me to decide.”

“…Pardon?”

“As I said, I’m no longer the representative or the branch manager. I don’t have the authority to hold you accountable here. The Secretary-General will decide on this matter.”

Director Huin’s brow furrowed.

It was as if my position meant nothing to him.

“So, you’re saying… you won’t hold us accountable here?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why did you bother coming all the way here…”

He trailed off, and I smiled faintly.

“I came here for the cleaning support contract.”

“Yes…?”

His eyebrows twitched.

“Well, it’s a bit complicated to explain… I was assigned to the cleaning team this time and also took on international dungeon management duties. So, I’m here to provide cleaning support to our affiliated branches.”

“You came all the way here just for that? We’re no longer affiliated with Karma… I mean, WDSO [World Dungeon Suppression Organization].”

“Well, let’s just say it’s a first-time benefit.”

“But we don’t really need cleaning support either…”

“Director Huin.”

He didn’t seem to understand my point at all.

He really had no clue.

“I don’t have the authority to officially resolve the issues of the Vietnam branch.”

“Yes…? Well, well… you just said that. I understand that…”

“Let me say it again, I can’t do it ‘officially’.”

“…!”

At that moment, Director Huin’s eyes widened.

“But in this situation where we’ve just been recognized as an international organization, I, as the head of the cleaning team, can’t say that I’ll resolve something without authority. Of course, officially.”

“…….”

“So, you need to give me a clear answer here.”

I looked him straight in the eye and continued.

“What do you want to do, Director? Are you going to be swallowed by the International Association, or are you going to take back what’s yours?”

“…….”

Instead of answering, Director Huin looked over at Director Nguyen and the staff next to him, one by one.

“We’ve always been swayed by those with power.”

He opened his mouth quietly.

“But during these two years as a branch of Karma Corporation, we were able to operate with our own sovereignty. Thanks to that, everyone could be proud, and of course, there was no need to force anyone to sacrifice themselves.”

“…….”

“So… I don’t want to be swayed by someone again.”

“Does that mean?”

“Could we ask for cleaning support…?”

At the answer I had been waiting for, I grinned.

“As much as you want.”

I offered him a handshake.

***

“The Vietnam branch joined the International Association?”

International Dungeon Suppression Organization, WDSO Tokyo, Japan branch.

The news of the Vietnam branch spread quickly to other branches and was soon delivered to Director Haramura.

“Why? The Vietnam branch should have a pretty strong relationship of trust with Korea, right?”

“I don’t know the reason, but… seeing that the hub was handed over entirely, it seems like they turned their backs on purpose.”

As Assistant Hina from the support team answered, Director Haramura let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

‘What the hell is this…’

No matter how he thought about it, it was unbelievable news.

Not only him, but the Vietnam branch owed Kim Junwoo a debt they could never repay.

He not only revived an association that was beyond saving but also fed the entire country.

For such a branch to betray Kim Junwoo now.

No matter how he thought about it…

“There must have been a reason.”

Director Haramura said with a confident voice.

“Yes? A reason…”

“I met Director Huin a few times at previous meetings, and he wasn’t the type of person to abandon his morals for money or power.”

“Who is born bad from the start? Being in the position of branch manager, he must have become greedy for higher places.”

“I don’t know. If he was simply thinking of betraying Kim Junwoo, he would have had plenty of opportunities until now, right?”

“…….”

Assistant Hina hesitated to answer Director Haramura’s words for a moment.

It was because she couldn’t find anything to refute in his words.

“Logically speaking, the only way to think about it is that even that upright person had no choice but to betray Kim Junwoo.”

“Then, did the International Association do something?”

“Wouldn’t they? Other than anything else, the hub is tempting. If not…”

Director Haramura continued quietly.

“They might be trying to isolate the Korean headquarters on purpose.”

“…….”

Then, Assistant Hina’s expression hardened.

“Even if it’s the International Association… would they really go that far?”

“They’re the ones who carried out a coup against their own country. They’re more than capable of doing that much.”

“…Then, they might reach out to our branch someday.”

“It would be fortunate if it were just us.”

Director Haramura said with a stiff face.

“Contact the other branches. Tell them to get rid of anything that could be used against them by the International Association. And… let’s prepare ourselves too.”

“Preparation…?”

“What do they have that they can latch onto with us?”

As he asked, Assistant Hina thought for a moment before opening her mouth.

“Seeing that they took the entire hub of the Vietnam branch… wouldn’t they aim for the signboard of Haramura Workshop on our side?”

“Hmm, that’s definitely a high probability.”

“But if that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do. If the International Association threatens us with Haramura Workshop as an excuse…”

“Hmm…”

Director Haramura groaned softly.

If he had to choose between Haramura Workshop and the Japanese branch, it was definitely a problem he would have to consider.

He may be the branch manager now, but it’s only temporary.

He has to be ready to hand over the position whenever someone more suitable appears.

But Haramura Workshop is different.

Haramura himself is still the representative of the workshop, and as a family business that has been passed down for generations, it is a legacy that he must take responsibility for and continue in the future.

A branch that he will have to step down from someday and a workshop that he will have to take responsibility for his whole life.

If he had to choose one, it was logical to side with the latter.

But.

“What does that signboard mean now? If they want it, just give it to them.”

Director Haramura seemed to have already made up his mind.

“Really? Even so, handing over the workshop…”

“It’s just a workshop in name only. Of course, I used to talk about the honor of the family business and craftsmanship, but I’m not stupid enough to take care of that even in this situation.”

Director Haramura then continued with a determined expression.

“We will never be played by those guys.”

“…I understand.”

Assistant Hina nodded slightly, as if accepting his intentions.

With that, she left the office.

Immediately after, Director Haramura leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh.

“By the way…”

Then he muttered to himself.

“I wonder how the Korean headquarters will react.”

The headquarters is not yet in a position to take it back from the International Association, and the situation is too unusual to leave it alone.

Of course, given Kim Junwoo’s personality, he won’t stand still.

He will definitely do something.

But he had no idea what choice he would make or what method he would use.

***

The next day, Hanoi branch.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sean from the Planning and Finance Department of the International Dungeon and Hunter Management Association.”

While Huin was working, a man came to the branch manager’s office.

The man, who abruptly introduced himself as Sean, immediately offered a handshake to Director Huin.

Huin calmly accepted his greeting.

“I received your message that you were coming. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“It’s only natural since the Vietnam branch is joining us.”

Huin internally scoffed at the conversation full of pretense.

Sean brought up the main point first.

“As you know from the message, as of today, the Vietnam Association is officially affiliated with the International Association.”

“…Yes.”

“Staff from the International Association will be assigned to all departments, including the operations team, support, control, finance, and business departments. Of course… including the position of Chief Operating Officer.”

“Then, am I being fired now?”

“Hahaha, what are you saying? I’m just borrowing the position of branch manager for a while. You’ve been leading the branch for almost two years, so there’s no way we’d kick you out like that.”

Sean continued, taking credit.

“Director Huin can stay. Of course, the rank and position will be a little different.”

“…Thank you. Then… I look forward to working with you.”

He wasn’t sure if it was right to express gratitude, but there was nothing else to say in the current situation.

“Hmm? Isn’t there still something left to do?”

At that time, Sean said with a playful expression, rubbing his fingers together.

“I’m talking about the hub operating rights.”

“Ah.”

Huin nodded as if he had forgotten.

He immediately took out a contract from his desk drawer.

It was none other than a contract for the transfer of hub operating rights.

Sean scribbled his signature on the contract with his fountain pen with a smile, and immediately switched positions with Huin.

Sean standing in the position of branch manager and Huin standing in front of the office door.

Huin smiled bitterly at the finally reversed position.

“Then, I’ll be on my way…”

But that was only for a moment, Huin opened the office door with a calm expression.

“Ah, by the way.”

At that time, as if he had forgotten something, he turned his head again and asked Sean.

“Is there also a personnel change in the cleaning team?”

“Cleaning team…?”

Sean had a puzzled expression.

But that was only for a moment, then he shook his head and answered.

“No. There are no plans for the cleaning team. It doesn’t really matter who we use. Why are you asking?”

“It’s nothing else… I actually received a cleaning support contract before you came.”

“…Cleaning support?”

“Since you said there are no plans for personnel changes, it seems like you can continue to use them.”

He left the office with meaningful words.

Before Sean could even think about the hidden meaning of those words, a young woman immediately entered the office.

“Are you the new branch manager?”

Sean narrowed his eyes at the face he had never seen before and asked.

“Who…?”

“I’m Lee Ah-young, the head of cleaning team 3, who was dispatched to the Vietnam branch for cleaning support this time. I’m not affiliated with the branch, but I thought I should say hello. I look forward to working with you.”

She smiled brightly as she held out her hand.

Sean wondered what the hell was going on, but that was only for a moment.

“Yes, well… I look forward to working with you. Anyway, I won’t have to worry about the cleaning team’s work.”

“I know. Ah, but can I get this document approved right away? I need permission for this and that before starting work.”

“Hmm…?”

Sean had a puzzled expression, but Director Lee Ah-young handed over the documents she had brought without paying attention.

Then, she started reporting in a rather businesslike tone.

“There will be changes in the cleaning team’s schedule and work method. There will also be minor reorganizations of equipment and personnel, so please read it carefully…”

“That’s enough.”

Sean wasn’t even interested.

He scribbled his signature without even reading the documents, and then opened his mouth in a rather annoying tone.

“Take care of the cleaning work yourself. And… don’t come all the way here for cleaning matters, and consult with Mr. Huin.”

“…Yes, I understand. I’ll be careful in the future.”

She nodded once.

“Then, I’ll be on my way. Director Sean.”

Director Lee Ah-young left the office.

At the same time, she smiled a sincere smile that she had been holding back.