The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 128

127

DR Congo, Integrated Branch.

There’s no news from either Korea or the Congolese government.

If there were variables, I would have had to adjust quickly, but since there’s no news, I’m proceeding with the subjugation support as planned.

But it didn’t last long.

“Director, this is Ha Seong-il.”

He contacted me.

“Ah, yes. Did you manage to sort things out well?”

“Yes, thanks to you. But, um…”

Team Leader Ha Seong-il hesitated for a moment before cautiously continuing.

“Have you heard the news? That my brother has taken over the management rights of Hanbyul Corporation…”

“Yes, I saw it in the news.”

“I see. So… there have been some changes. My brother says he’s going to stop supporting our equipment.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“I don’t know the details. He says he has a business he’s preparing with a foreign investor, and our items overlap…”

“Damn it…”

I gritted my teeth.

I don’t care what he does, but he’s messing with a project that’s already underway?

More than anything, we’ve only just entered a stable phase, and if he cuts off support here, it’ll all be for nothing.

“But Director, something doesn’t feel right about this.”

“What do you mean, it doesn’t feel right…?”

“The day before yesterday, I got a call from a Congolese senator friend. He asked if Hanbyul Corporation has been preparing any business recently.”

“…?”

How did they know over there?

“Hearing that it’s related to our work, it’s definitely not a good sign.”

“So, what did you do?”

“I told him to discuss it with you. That you’re a trustworthy person in this area. He’ll probably come to see you today.”

“…Haa.”

It seems like it’s getting more and more troublesome.

“I’ll try to find out more here. Who the foreign investor is, and what kind of business they’re trying to do.”

“Alright.”

I hung up the phone and pinched the bridge of my nose.

I needed time to understand what was going on.

But as if there was no time for that, someone knocked on the office door.

“Are you Kim?”

A black man appeared, leading his entourage.

“Yes, that’s me. Are you Senator Cedric…?”

“I see Seong-il contacted you.”

Senator Cedric sat down opposite me with a serious expression.

While I was hesitating about what to say, he spoke first.

“What I’m about to tell you is a top secret of the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you disclose it elsewhere, your safety cannot be guaranteed.”

“…I understand.”

Is it that important that he’s mentioning the term ‘top secret’?

Things are definitely not going well.

“An illegal arms trade has been detected by the Zambia Interim Association. Well, to be precise, it’s scheduled…”

“Yes?”

“They say a weapons deal is scheduled with a Korean company in a week.”

I was momentarily stunned by the shocking news.

But only for a moment, I quickly pieced things together in my head.

“Could it be… is Hanbyul Corporation involved in that illegal trade?”

“Circumstantially, yes. I confirmed with Seong-il that they’re secretly preparing a business.”

“Isn’t that too much of a leap? Why would a company like Hanbyul Corporation be involved in such a deal…?”

Then, one fact came to mind.

Ha Seong-tae.

Didn’t he take over the management rights?

‘If it’s that bastard, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do…’

More than anything, the foreign investor behind him is quite suspicious.

If you combine the two elements, it’s not an impossible story.

“It seems you also think it’s possible.”

“…”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts and opened my mouth.

“By the way, why are you telling me this…? It doesn’t seem like something you’d tell an outsider.”

“The International Association headquarters is still silent, and the higher-ups don’t seem to understand the situation or have any intention of moving.”

Senator Cedric’s gaze turned to me.

It was an unsettling look.

“So… could you possibly stop the deal?”

“…Haa.”

I knew it would come to this.

“I heard that you resolved disputes between overseas branches in Vietnam before.”

“Ah, no, that was unavoidable because of our business…”

“It’s the same in this case. The moment weapons flow into that area, we can’t predict the war situation. In severe cases, it could escalate into a full-scale war. They might even advance to Kinshasa. Of course, your business will also be ruined.”

“…”

So, that’s how it is.

Well, he’s right.

We’re somehow continuing the subjugation now, but it’s only a temporary measure.

Whether we sign a Fractal import contract or get acquired by the Korean Association, the branch needs to be stabilized.

Of course, the conflict must end before that’s possible.

It’s not good news for us if Congo’s neighboring countries gain power.

But… why should I step in to stop it?

Are we some kind of errand service?

This has nothing to do with subjugation in the first place.

‘Why do I only get into such troublesome situations whenever I go abroad…’

Asking a foreign businessman to stop an enemy country’s illegal arms trade is not a sane request.

I can’t accept it rashly.

For us to help Congo means turning Zambia into an enemy.

We could get caught up in a conflict. Our business might cross a point of no return.

‘…No.’

This isn’t right.

No matter how I look at it, there are more disadvantages than advantages.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s something a mere businessman can do.”

“Of course, I’m not asking for a favor without offering anything in return. If you help us, we can offer money, resources…”

“That’s not the issue. We don’t even know who’s moving for what purpose. It doesn’t seem like a matter for a third party to get involved in without information.”

There’s no reason to get involved in something that has nothing to do with us.

Moreover, isn’t this a matter between countries?

If a shrimp clumsily intervenes, its back will be crushed in a whale fight [a saying meaning a small person will get hurt in a fight between powerful people].

“But if things continue like this, your business will also…”

“I’m a businessman, not a diplomat. The risk is too great to continue doing business even in this situation. If we can’t proceed further, it’s right to withdraw here.”

Senator Cedric looked helpless when I said it firmly.

“I understand what you mean. Well, it doesn’t make sense to ask a foreigner for such a favor.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“No, I was rude. Then, I’ll be going now…”

It was the moment Senator Cedric was about to get up from his seat.

Ding―.

Just in time, a text message arrived from Team Leader Ha Seong-il.

The moment I checked the contents.

“…”

My expression hardened.

At the same time, I opened my mouth towards Senator Cedric, who was about to leave the office.

“…I’ll stop it.”

“Yes?”

“I said I’ll stop the deal.”

National conflict.

Illegal arms trade.

Mysterious business.

No matter how I looked at it, there was no reason for me to get involved.

At least, not until this text message came.

Ah, damn it…

***

Seoul, Hanbyul Corporation Headquarters.

President Ha Seong-tae was working in his office.

“Did you go to the funeral?”

An anonymous foreign investor, CEO Emma, opened the door and entered the office.

President Ha Seong-tae smiled and replied.

“Yes, I went.”

“You must be very heartbroken.”

“…That’s a cruel joke.”

As President Ha Seong-tae’s expression subtly changed, CEO Emma raised the corner of her mouth.

“How’s the preparation going?”

She asked, running her hand over the desk in the office.

“30 units of Ability-Operating Swords, 20 units of Ability-Operating Guns, 10 units of Mana-Charging Staffs. 10 of each other class weapons. And 20 units of Ability-Operating Heavy Armor, potions, Ability-Operating Bombs, and repair tools are all prepared.”

“Good. I’ve already prepared the distribution route, so if you send it there… all that’s left is to meet the client.”

“I’ve already booked the tickets to Zambia. First class.”

“…It seems like you’re finally serious.”

President Ha Seong-tae shrugged.

“I was honestly skeptical at first… how can I not follow someone who helps me this much?”

“Well, good.”

“Um, but there’s one thing I’m curious about…”

Then, President Ha Seong-tae cautiously asked.

“Are you really going to give me 80% of the contract fee?”

“Is there a problem?”

“It’s not that, but… you brought the contract, you’re in charge of the distribution route and the cleanup, so it seems like you’re only taking 20%…”

“You’re providing the goods. And I’m more of a situation maker than a businessman. My role is done just by you having the weapons.”

Meaningful words.

Of course, President Ha Seong-tae didn’t understand what that meant, but he didn’t ask further. He thought it was better that way.

CEO Emma seemed pleased and continued with a smile.

“As you know, once this deal is done, you have to take care of the rest on your own. Use the money you receive as seed money for your business, or maintain continuous transactions.”

“I’ve already thought about it.”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to acquire Karma Corporation.”

“You’re more vindictive than I thought.”

President Ha Seong-tae just smiled at CEO Emma’s sarcasm.

That’s how the business talk went on.

Squeak―

“Oh, you’re here.”

An uninvited guest suddenly entered the office.

It was none other than the youngest brother, Team Leader Ha Seong-il.

President Ha Seong-tae and CEO Emma’s expressions instantly hardened.

“…What are you doing here?”

President Ha Seong-tae asked in an unpleasant tone, and Ha Seong-il joked.

“I just wanted to say hello after a long time. We didn’t get to talk properly at the funeral. I heard you’re going on a business trip abroad? Ah, is this the foreign investor I’ve been hearing about…?”

As Team Leader Ha Seong-il asked CEO Emma, her expression immediately turned cold.

Revealing her identity to a third party is dangerous.

She has no choice but to make excuses here.

CEO Emma forced a smile and offered a handshake first.

“Nice to meet you. I’m running a small dispatch company…”

“Introduce yourself properly. This is CEO Emma of PB Corporation.”

“…”

This is bad.

“PB Corporation? I’ve never heard of it.”

“What would you know? She’s someone who will be working with us often in the future, so be polite…”

“Ha Seong-tae.”

Then, CEO Emma’s cold gaze was fixed on President Ha Seong-tae.

“That’s enough.”

“…Yes, yes.”

President Ha Seong-tae was greatly taken aback by the expression he had never seen before.

But only for a moment.

CEO Emma smiled again and opened her mouth.

“Anyway, it was nice meeting you today. You two brothers talk, I’ll be going now…”

“Ce, CEO? CEO!”

CEO Emma left the office without answering, even when called.

Team Leader Ha Seong-il stared blankly at her.

Then, he hurriedly took out his phone and sent a text message to CEO Kim Jun-woo.

「Director, I accidentally met the foreign investor. She’s the CEO of PB Corporation, have you heard of it?」