The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 101

A Navy-grade practice dungeon, fully supported by headquarters.

Under my supervision, Team Leader Moon So-yeon was training Im Dong-bin.

“When cleaning dungeons, we categorize monsters into three main types: armored, skinned, and skinless. Armored types have a hard outer shell, skinned types have soft skin like human-type monsters, and skinless types are…”

“Like skeletons or ghost-type monsters, right?”

“…That’s right.”

Moon So-yeon seemed surprised again.

She probably knew what kind of person Im Dong-bin was during his time as an operations team leader, so his diligent participation in the practice must have seemed quite unfamiliar.

Moon So-yeon tried to remain calm as she continued her explanation.

“Each category has a slightly different dismantling method, but since this is a human-type monster, you should start by dismantling the head. Try to cut it all at once…”

“Like this?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right.”

Im Dong-bin followed Moon So-yeon’s instructions well and skillfully dismantled the monster.

‘Still a master, even if washed up…’

Indeed, his understanding of dungeons and monsters is beyond the level of ordinary people.

If he gets used to the work mechanism, he might reach a similar level to Han Yu-bin.

“By the way, I didn’t know dungeon cleaning was such a systematic job.”

Im Dong-bin, who had finished dismantling alone, wiped his sweat and casually remarked.

“It wasn’t always like this. Our CEO established the company and directly analyzed and classified everything to create a manual.”

Moon So-yeon glanced back at me as she spoke.

That was true.

When establishing Karma Corporation, I created a manual to quickly deploy people to the field through faster and more effective training.

‘You guys helped too, though.’

Thanks to the efforts of Manager Lee Ah-young, the Han siblings, and Moon So-yeon, we were able to create a fairly complete manual.

“I see. Well, as expected…”

Im Dong-bin glanced at me.

When our eyes met, he immediately turned his head.

I watched him silently.

Yesterday afternoon, when he came to the office and said he would apply for the cleaning team, I sincerely thought he was joking.

After all, who would believe someone who tried to screw over the cleaning team a few months ago would now want to join the cleaning team?

Still, I couldn’t just send away someone who came for an interview, so I had a few words with him.

His recent situation was more difficult than I had imagined.

Since his rank was revoked, he could no longer work as a hunter, so he joined any guild and worked as an operations planner.

Of course, rumors spread that he was disciplined and resigned, so he couldn’t even dream of joining a large guild and only went to small guilds.

Well, I feel sorry for him… but isn’t it all his fault?

I didn’t want to sympathize with him.

But…

-I realized that there’s no point in dividing work into important and unimportant. In the end, it’s just doing what you can do.

I decided to hire Im Dong-bin because of that statement.

I was worried, but I was relieved to see him taking the training quite seriously.

“How is it? Is it manageable?”

I asked Im Dong-bin as he came out of the dungeon after finishing his first practice.

“What’s manageable about it? You just do it.”

He replied with an awkward smile.

“If you complete the training by this week, you will be deployed to the field immediately. The assignment… will probably be to Team 1 with Team Leader Moon So-yeon. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

He nodded.

“I know you’re not used to being a rookie, but we plan to increase the number of teams gradually, so if you work hard, I’m thinking of entrusting you with the next team. Please bear with it until then.”

“Hey, why are you talking about that already?”

“I’m trusting you.”

He’s a talkative guy, but he’s still an operations team leader at heart.

No one can dare to match his dungeon knowledge and judgment in unexpected situations.

If we exclude Han Yu-bin, there’s no one else as good as him for a team leader.

“Thank you for saying that. Then, I have the next training session, so I’ll be going…”

“Ah, yes. Then, please keep up the good work.”

Im Dong-bin left those words behind and headed to the next dungeon with Moon So-yeon.

As I waited for them to move away and turned around, my phone rang.

「Are you done? How is it?」

“Well, he seems to be trying hard.”

「That’s a relief. Still, he’s from the operations team, so he’ll be a big help. Nurture him well and make him a key force like Yu-bin.」

“Hahaha.”

I burst out laughing at Manager Lee Ah-young’s words.

“Stop joking. What would we use an insider for?”

There are jokes you can make and jokes you can’t make.

‘There’s no point in dividing work into important and unimportant; you just do what you can do…’

It was one of Chief Choi Ho-sung’s famous quotes from before the regression.

Of course, it wasn’t about not dividing jobs into important and unimportant, but about not hesitating to do even dirty work if it benefits you.

If Im Dong-bin hadn’t said that at the end, I would have been unsure, but that statement made it clear.

The fact that he appeared in front of me spouting Choi Ho-sung’s famous quote means that the two are definitely related.

“So, did you investigate?”

Unfortunately, I knew nothing about the relationship between Im Dong-bin and Choi Ho-sung.

They weren’t particularly noticeable in my past life either.

「After a quick search, it turns out they were senior and junior at the same university. They were in different departments, but they first met at an alumni association after Choi Ho-sung joined the control team.」

“Hmm.”

「After Im Dong-bin registered as a hunter and joined the operations team, he received some help here and there.」

So that’s how he was able to achieve such incredible results from the start.

「But Choi Ho-sung didn’t move when Team Leader Im Dong-bin was kicked out, right?」

“I told you, Choi Ho-sung is the type to cut off his tail without hesitation if it seems like it will harm him. It’s only natural.”

「Then, isn’t it possible that he came because he really wanted to, not because Chief Choi Ho-sung planted him?」

“Do you really think Team Leader Im Dong-bin is someone who would want to work as a cleaner?”

「…….」

She couldn’t even bring herself to say yes as a formality.

“Well, wouldn’t there have been some kind of deal? For example, he was told to dig up something from us in exchange for a chance to return.”

「…Do we have anything like that?」

“He came because we do.”

Well, honestly, I’m not entirely innocent.

Aside from everything else, even if it’s discovered that we’re using the association’s funds, the repercussions will be enormous.

Not just enormous, but catastrophic.

No matter how close they are to me, there’s no way they can understand this.

That’s why I didn’t tell Manager Lee Ah-young either.

Yes, I definitely didn’t say anything.

「Are you receiving financial support from the association’s budget?」

“…!”

But how does she know?

「I’m in charge of everything from personnel management to accounting. You didn’t think I wouldn’t know, did you?」

“….”

Come to think of it, that’s right….

I hadn’t paid attention at all, probably because of the habit of entrusting her with minor tasks before the regression.

This is a bit regrettable.

‘…No, come to think of it, is this something I should feel sorry about?’

If she came to me wanting to work together, she should be prepared to handle that much.

「Don’t worry. Honestly, I know you’re not the type to fill your own pockets. And even if you were, the association president wouldn’t provide funds just because you’re friends. There must be a reason you can’t tell me.」

Fortunately, she was a woman of few words, just as I knew.

Of course, the basis for her belief was a bit incomprehensible, but if it’s not a problem, there’s no need to worry about it.

“…Sometimes, you’re a bit scary.”

「I’ll take that as a compliment. Anyway, Chief Choi Ho-sung suspects that too, right?」

“That’s likely the case, given the circumstances.”

Choi Ho-sung is likely to have planted Im Dong-bin to get clear evidence.

If he gets the evidence, he can either spread it to the media or threaten us, gaining a favorable position.

「Then, you could have just not accepted him. Why take the risk when you know he’s an insider?」

“Yes. There’s a need to do so.”

「Huh?」

“Well… I’ll tell you the details later.”

I can explain later.

I hung up the phone at this point.

There are only three weeks left until the Regen Dungeon appears.

If it’s impossible to gather the operations team to respond, I should rather think about minimizing the damage.

‘It’ll be a bit of a hassle later, but it’s better than being completely ruined…’

If we face the Regen Dungeon with our current forces, most of the headquarters will be damaged. And what’s left will fall into the hands of the International Association.

We need to shift our thinking here.

If the headquarters is the one taking damage from the appearance of the Regen Dungeon, it might be better to dismantle the headquarters.

That way, even if there’s damage, not everyone will be affected.

To do that, we need a suitable incident.

A major incident that shakes the association but doesn’t completely collapse it.

But as they say, there’s always a way out, even when the sky falls.

Im Dong-bin appeared at the perfect time. As Choi Ho-sung’s insider.

This is a golden opportunity.

If he brings evidence of embezzlement to Choi Ho-sung and it’s revealed to the world, it will be a major incident that shakes the headquarters.

‘There’s no other way.’

This is the only way I can think of within the limited time.

I have to make it happen no matter what.

Even if I have to bring down the headquarters I raised with my own hands.

***

Former Operations Team Leader Im Dong-bin was returning home late at night after finishing a full day of practice.

‘Damn, this cleaning job is so tough…’

His body was aching so much that he couldn’t even straighten his back properly.

Even though it was just training, he didn’t even want to think about how it would be when he went out to do actual work.

Even though it was for his return, it was uncertain whether he could endure it until he found the evidence.

Of course, it was definitely an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

Just endure a little longer.

As he made that resolution, his phone rang.

“Yes, Senior.”

「Is the training over?」

“Yes. I just finished and I’m heading home [퇴근하고 있습니다 – *toegeunhago isseumnida*, meaning ‘leaving work’].”

Chief Choi Ho-sung.

He was the one who asked him to do this.

「So, how is it? You haven’t been caught, have you?」

“How could that be? They don’t suspect anything.”

「Good. It’ll be tough, but please put in some effort. If you get your hands on the external funding statement, I’ll immediately prepare a position for you at headquarters.」

“I understand.”

「Until then, try to build as much trust as possible so you don’t get suspected. Work hard even when you go out to the field.」

“Of course.”

Just before the call was about to end.

“Um… but, Senior.”

「Hmm?」

Im Dong-bin carefully opened his mouth.

“What if, just what if… the association president isn’t embezzling the budget?”

「Hey, you idiot! There’s no way that’s…」

“I mean, what if that’s the case, even if it’s just a possibility?”

Im Dong-bin’s voice was quite heavy.

He needed confirmation.