The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 132

131

Kinshasa, in front of the Central Africa Integrated Branch.

The man who arrived with the African part of the subjugation rights recovery team spoke.

“……Is no one here?”

Kane, the leader of the subjugation rights recovery team, stared blankly at the Integrated Branch, which was as quiet as a mouse.

“They must have heard the news that the troops are advancing, so they’re probably trying to surrender,” Anton, the head of the African part of the subjugation rights recovery team, offered from the side.

Team Leader Kane hummed softly.

In fact, it didn’t really matter whether they surrendered or not.

In any case, their role was just to attack the branch as if they were Zambian forces.

“What time are the branch’s operation teams scheduled to return?”

“Since permission to use the transport plane hasn’t been granted, it’ll probably take another day.”

“I see. Well, if we don’t have to fight, that’s good for us.”

Since the recovery team was a non-combat division, they preferred to avoid combat as much as possible unless it was absolutely necessary.

Of course, the fact that they belonged to PB Corporation meant that they were an organization of people with above-average abilities, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t fight if they had to.

So much so that even the Bank Item Management Team, which was close to the research division, had a higher level of combat power than most operation teams.

‘Personal business, huh…… So this is what you were preparing.’

As a matter of fact, until Representative Emma contacted him a few days ago, he had no idea about this plan at all.

The same was true for Team Leader Marc.

Representative Emma laid all the groundwork and instructed them to prepare only for emergencies.

He personally thought he was the most trusted by Representative Emma, but the fact that she hadn’t said anything to him until things progressed this far was a bit unsettling…….

‘Well, Chloe and Marc messed up the plan twice, so it’s understandable that she doesn’t trust me.’

But there was no way to argue.

What could he do?

He had no choice but to do as he was told.

“Everyone, get ready for battle. Destroy everything you see inside the branch. If there are any remaining personnel…… eliminate them.”

“Understood.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Kane’s order was given, everyone put on masks at once.

Just as they were about to take out their weapons and advance into the branch, a woman of Asian descent walked out from inside the building.

“Stop right there.”

“Go back. It’s already too late.”

“……?”

Team Leader Kane’s eyebrows twitched at her confident voice.

“Even if you attack here, you won’t be able to create the justification you want. So don’t waste your energy and go back.”

“…….”

“…….”

It was as if she knew all of their plans.

‘What is this woman…….’

Does she really know everything?

No, that can’t be.

Even he only found out about this plan a few days ago.

There’s no way the information could have leaked to a complete stranger.

‘Don’t get nervous for no reason, let’s proceed with the plan for now.’

Team Leader Kane deliberately spoke in awkward English.

“As members of the Zambia Provisional Association, we are taking revenge on the International Association branch that made us like this…….”

“You’re not Zambian, are you?”

“……!”

Team Leader Kane and all the team members, their identities exposed at once, were startled.

“And…… this is no longer an International Association branch.”

“……What?”

She held out a document to Team Leader Kane.

“As of today, this is the Kinshasa Branch of the Korea Association for the Management of Otherworld Dimensions.”

Dozens of people widened their eyes at the same time.

The woman warned in a sharp voice.

“So if you try to attack this place, we will consider it an attack on the Korean Association and respond strongly.”

And as soon as she finished speaking.

[Unique Skill: Thousand-Armed Goddess of Mercy (千手觀音)]

Sreung―.

A chilling sound of drawing a sword was heard from behind the recovery team.

“We arrived just in time.”

“The teacher said there was someone to wait for, so I left first.”

The two women made eye contact and smiled at each other.

***

“What?”

In the Secretary-General’s office at the International Hunter Association headquarters, an unbelievable report came in.

“The Central Africa Integrated Branch just sent in documents to withdraw from the International Association.”

“What suddenly……?”

The documents handed out by the aide contained a statement of withdrawal from the International Association along with various reasons.

Of course, Branch Manager Bruce’s signature was clearly on the document.

Secretary-General Wesley had an expression of disbelief.

“……Reject it for now.”

“Um… that’s difficult under international law. It’s been over a year since we stopped providing operational support…… so it meets the conditions for self-withdrawal.”

“Damn it…….”

Secretary-General Wesley grabbed his forehead.

This was strange, very strange.

No matter how much the conditions allowed for withdrawal, Branch Manager Bruce would not easily make the decision to withdraw.

Branch withdrawal meant that all personnel within the branch would also withdraw from the International Association.

But Branch Manager Bruce was just a low-level employee at the American branch until a year ago, wasn’t he?

There’s no way such a person would leave the International Association on his own, no matter how difficult the branch’s situation was.

‘In the first place, the situation wouldn’t improve just by withdrawing…….’

Unless someone offered to take over the branch under certain conditions…….

‘Wait, could it be……!’

Something flashed through Secretary-General Wesley’s mind.

He immediately took out his cell phone.

“President.”

A call was connected to Romana, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

「Ah, Secretary-General. What’s going on?」

“By any chance, has the Integrated Branch received any external support recently?”

「Yes? Yes… As far as I know, they received subjugation support from a foreign company.」

“Do you know the name of that company……?”

「Just a moment.」

Secretary-General Romana could be heard giving instructions to someone over the phone.

And not long after.

「It’s called Karma Corporation.」

“……Damn it.”

Secretary-General Wesley’s ominous premonition was correct.

“Why didn’t you tell me that story?”

「Yes, yes? Ah, no… I didn’t think it was that important……. More than anything, that company withdrew completely in less than a few days.」

“Didn’t the representative stay behind?”

「How would I know that…….」

“President!”

Secretary-General Wesley’s voice dropped sharply.

“I don’t think I can keep my promise about the position of head of the African Integrated Association branch…….”

「Yes, yes?! W-wait a minute! What are you talking about!」

Click―.

He hung up the phone unilaterally.

Kim Junwoo was moving.

If that’s the case…… there’s no other way.

Secretary-General Wesley picked up his cell phone again.

“Emma, it’s me.”

「I was just about to contact you. There’s been a problem with the deal that was scheduled with the Zambia Association. I’ve released our people, so there shouldn’t be any major problems with the plan.」

“No. The problem has already erupted.”

「……What are you talking about?」

Representative Emma’s voice hardened.

“Kim Junwoo took over the Integrated Branch.”

「……What?」

“It seems he acquired it as the Korean Association, judging from the circumstances.”

Representative Emma’s response was cut off.

It was difficult news for her to accept as well.

If this was the case, there was no point in attacking the Integrated Branch anymore.

Far from creating the justification that the International Association was attacked, they would be branded with the stigma of attacking a foreign branch.

More than anything, seeing that Kim Junwoo had made such a preemptive move…….

‘It must mean that all of our plans have already been exposed.’

She gritted her teeth.

“If we continue to proceed like this, we’ll be in danger. The whole world might find out that we were trying to stage a self-made drama.”

「Then what are you suggesting?」

“Isn’t it about time for a reshuffle anyway?”

「…….」

“As of this moment, disband all teams within PB Corporation.”

「W-wait a minute……!」

“Emma.”

Secretary-General Wesley’s eyes changed.

“This is an order.”

***

Zambia Provisional Association Camp.

“Just deal with the Zambian forces!”

At Team Leader Marc’s command, the entire Balance Team charged towards the Zambian forces once again.

‘Tch…!’

[Acquired Skill: Supreme Mirror]

Kagaagang―!!

Thanks to the increased speed, their attacks had not yet reached the Zambian soldiers.

‘Damn bastards…….’

They had been targeting only the Zambian personnel from the beginning.

They avoided or deflected my attacks and didn’t engage at all.

Until now, I had been protecting them with defensive skills…… but that was reaching its limit.

All of my defensive skills were on cooldown, so I had no more skills to use for protection.

In that case…….

[Unique Skill: Demon King – Tyrant]

[Skills can be created according to the caster’s thoughts.]

[Skill creation in progress]

[Skill creation complete.]

I had no choice but to reduce their numbers, even if it was just a few.

[Created Skill: Medusa]

Black currents became hundreds of snakes and flew towards the Balance Team all at once.

[Unique Skill: First Sniper]

[Bullet: Pluto]

[Loading complete]

[The target hit by this bullet gains a top-tier shield for 7 seconds.]

Tang―!

Kang, Kagaang―!

But thanks to Team Leader Marc’s bullets, a proper attack was impossible.

As expected, ordinary attacks were useless.

It only delayed the attack for a moment.

‘I just want to blow them all away at once…….’

The answer was to end everything in one shot, but if I did that, the Zambian branch wouldn’t be safe either.

Besides, I couldn’t kill the enemy without leaving a trace.

As I said, to expose their true colors, I had to leave the guys who would take responsibility.

‘Tsk, there are too many handicaps.’

While a forced laugh escaped.

“Everyone, fall back.”

With Team Leader Marc’s command, his gun pointed towards me and the Zambian personnel.

[Unique Skill: First Sniper – Awakening]

[One Shot All Kill]

[Bullet: Jupiter]

[Loading complete]

Kugugugugu―!!

An enormous light began to pour out from Titan.

The moment I saw that light, I knew instinctively.

If I avoided that, everyone would die. I had to stop it.

Taang――!!!

Without giving me time to think, a huge mass of light was fired.

Ah, shit.

[Unique Skill: Demon King – Survival of the Strongest]

[While the unique skill is active, all attacks are nullified if the caster’s magic power is lower than the opponent’s.]

I stood in front of the bullet with my body.

Kwagwagwagwang―!!

“Keueok…!”

A tremendous amount of damage hit my body directly.

Ah, shit, this is like a suicide wish……!

The shock almost made me lose consciousness, and my legs momentarily gave way.

‘Shit, did his magic power momentarily exceed mine?’

Certainly, he was in a different class from the small fries I had seen so far.

“……No way.”

But for some reason, Team Leader Marc, who had launched the attack, seemed flustered.

He didn’t seem to have expected that I would still be alive after taking the attack head-on.

“A-are you okay…?”

Branch Manager Kennedy, who was behind me, asked worriedly.

Shit, are you asking that after seeing that?!

“I’m fine, so worry about yourselves.”

“W-why are you doing this…?”

“Who will run the place if you die after I just acquired it?”

I tried to suppress my emotions and stood up.

I said I was fine, but…… that’s not true.

I had only been hit once, but my legs wouldn’t move.

‘Was he planning to blow everything away, knowing that I would avoid it…….’

Well, who would be crazy enough to block such an attack with their body?

This is bad. It’ll take some time to recover.

“It seems like it was a finishing move… don’t tell me you thought you could do anything with just this much?”

“……Don’t bluff.”

“Then try attacking again.”

When I came on strong, Team Leader Marc also seemed hesitant.

But that was only for a moment.

“There are only two bullets like this in the company… it’s a waste, but I can’t help it.”

Click―.

[Unique Skill: First Sniper – Awakening]

[One Shot All Kill]

[Bullet: Jupiter]

[Loading complete]

“…….”

Shit.

This isn’t good.

Kugugugung―!!

That enormous light gathered on Titan again.

I wonder if it won’t hurt if I get hit softly?

쿵― [Sound of something collapsing]

At that moment, Team Leader Marc suddenly collapsed to the floor.

Eh? What suddenly……!

쿵, 쿵, 쿵― [Sound of multiple things collapsing]

And following him, all the members of the Balance Team began to fall to the floor all at once, like robots with their switches turned off.

“W-what……?!

I couldn’t understand what was happening.

Those who had fallen were foaming at the mouth.

The moment I saw that, I snapped to my senses.

“Shit…!”

I immediately ran to Team Leader Marc, forcibly opened his mouth, and pulled out his tongue [a first aid measure to prevent choking].

I took emergency measures, but his eyes were already rolled back.

I was sure.

This is now…….

The headquarters is cutting off the tail [abandoning their operatives to protect themselves].