The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 149

148

To put it bluntly, Karma Corporation is practically bankrupt, only pending the administrative procedures.

The main domestic subjugation [monster hunting] business is blocked.

Overseas branches, also tied to the Korean Association and labeled as a cartel [a group of businesses that collude to control prices], couldn’t receive help.

Domestic companies and investors who suffered losses because of us have already turned their backs. Furthermore, they will demand compensation for this incident.

In the worst-case scenario, a huge amount of damages might be awarded.

Of course, we weren’t just standing idly by.

Trying to make a deal with the International Association is also to somehow resolve this situation.

But no one can guarantee that it will go well. We were in conflict from the start.

In other words, there’s no expected benefit from sticking with me. Even the situation’s resolution is hard to guarantee at this point.

Rather, you’d be worried about getting caught up and suffering great damage.

But…….

“Ah, I thought the company was going bankrupt, so I was packing my bags. You’re still trying to do something in this situation.”

“Needing employees means there’s still work, right?”

“Since we can’t even clean anymore, we’ll help you.”

What the hell are these morons?

Han Yu-bin, Han Sang-hyuk, and Moon So-yeon.

Karma Corporation’s cleaning team barged into the office without warning, along with these three hopeless cases.

As if they had been waiting to be called.

But they weren’t the only ones.

“Ugh, we just signed a contract, and now we’re going to go broke because we trusted our boss.”

“Seriously.”

“Subjugation is blocked, so no supplies are coming in… We’re completely screwed too.”

“Now that it’s come to this, you’re responsible for all of us, right?”

The employees of the national byproduct processing facilities were also there.

Roughly close to dozens of people gathered in the cramped office.

No matter how I think about it, it’s not a coincidence.

Even if we tried to gather everyone usually, we couldn’t fit everyone in this small space.

What are they thinking?

Judging by what they’re saying, it’s not like they don’t know the situation…….

“What else could it be? We became unemployed overnight, so we came to find jobs.”

“There are jobs, but we’re not in a position to pay salaries…….”

“Come on, boss. It’s not like we don’t know the situation. Do you really think we came here to make money?”

“Then…….”

CEO Kwak Cheol-soo smiled and said.

“We received something once, didn’t we? Let’s just consider it repaying that.”

“Haa…….”

It sounds touching if you only listen to it.

The problem is…….

“Does everyone have a brain, or not?”

This story doesn’t work for me.

“I appreciate the help, but did you even think before coming here? This isn’t something to be emotional about. This isn’t a joke.”

“…….”

“…….”

They seem a little taken aback, as if it wasn’t the reaction they expected.

“There’s no guarantee that things will go well, and even if they do, the situation might not improve. Even if things don’t go well, you might have to leave this industry forever just for helping me.”

If it were an easy problem to solve, it wouldn’t have come to this.

They’re probably thinking too lightly.

“Do you still want to help even in these circumstances?”

“…….”

“…….”

Everyone was silent.

I knew it.

They really came without thinking. Not even thinking about what will happen next.

Of course, I’m not saying this because I’m worried about them.

I don’t have the *余裕* [yoyuu – Japanese for ‘leeway’ or ‘margin’] to worry about anyone, and frankly, I don’t care what happens to them in the future.

However, their foolish goodwill might lead to unexpected situations.

If they run away after the work has started, then it’s really irreversible.

So, just because someone helps doesn’t mean it’s helpful. That’s a childish idea.

Sometimes, it’s better not to help at all.

In other words, just don’t get in the way.

That’s what I meant when I said it in a way that might sound offensive, but the atmosphere was strange.

‘Why are their reactions…….’

It seems like they’re barely listening.

“Your persuasion isn’t working, teacher.”

Kim Min-joo, who appeared late, spoke on behalf of everyone showing strange reactions.

“What good will it do to say that to people who have seen everything you’ve done for us?”

“Exactly! That guy is sometimes selfish. He risks his life for us all the time, but why can’t we do it for him?”

“You have to take responsibility for bringing us this far, Joon-woo.”

“……?”

Did they all take drugs together?

Did I bring you?

You guys followed me on your own.

I admit I’m selfish, but this is an unfair accusation, okay?

“Is there anyone else who can solve this problem besides you, teacher?”

Kim Min-joo said with a confident voice.

“……There’s no way.”

“Then do what you think is best. We’ll help you with the rest.”

Everyone doesn’t seem to have any intention of backing down.

Can’t they understand even if I say this?

I looked at Director Lee Ah-young, hoping she would do something, but she shrugged her shoulders.

“Why are you looking at me? You’re the one who made them like that.”

“…….”

“It’s all your karma.”

I don’t even know what my karma is anymore.

***

It’s already been five days since the International Association designated the Korean subjugation organizations as a cartel.

During that time, most subjugation companies closed their businesses, and 90% of private guilds were disbanded.

As expected, they all filed huge damage claims against Karma Corporation.

Furthermore, among corporate figures, the government, the media, and citizens, voices calling for Kim Joon-woo’s permanent expulsion from this industry were gradually emerging.

Meanwhile, only the Association was holding onto a glimmer of hope in Kim Joon-woo, whom the entire Korea had turned against.

“The government is requesting help from overseas independent associations to somehow continue the subjugation, but it seems like it won’t last long because of the cost,” Team Leader Pyeon reported the situation to Association President Lee Doo-shik at the Seoul headquarters.

“……Has there been any word from Kim Joon-woo?”

“Well, he said he’s working hard to prepare…… but there were no details.”

Director Lee Doo-shik let out a deep sigh.

“I don’t know if it will work out. Ah-young asked me if we could lend him some money last time, but frankly, we refused because of our situation. I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but he won’t have manpower or funds…….”

“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that. President Ha Sung-il and the employees of the national byproduct processing facilities are helping him wholeheartedly. So are our company’s cleaning team and operations team.”

“……?”

There are still guys who are trying to help him in this situation?

‘What the hell did he do…….’

He questioned it, then shook his head with a smile.

Well, it’s Kim Joon-woo, after all.

If they’re guys who know what he’s been doing all this time, it would be hard to turn their backs on him easily.

“By the way…… can Director Kim really solve this? The situation is more serious than ever before.”

“I don’t know.”

“……Pardon?”

“I don’t know. Didn’t you ask because you didn’t know either?”

“W-Well, yes.”

If the deal goes well like a lie and they withdraw the cartel designation, then at least the worst-case scenario can be avoided.

Of course, the damage so far is already unprecedented, but if the deal is successful, he can maintain his position. Other problems can be thought of later.

For now, all we can do is hope that the deal is successful.

But if the deal falls through, or if the International Association betrays us…….

‘Then there’s really no answer.’

Association President Lee Doo-shik sincerely regretted his past decision.

Not absorbing Karma Corporation in advance.

But regretting it now is already done.

‘I have to listen to that guy no matter what…….’

Association President Lee Doo-shik acknowledged his mistake and made that resolution.

***

After completing all preparations for a week, we informed the International Association of the time and place.

I was worried they might try to find fault, but surprisingly, they accepted it willingly.

So, on the day of the deal, Incheon Port.

Director Lee Ah-young and I waited for the other party at Incheon Port long before the appointed time.

Behind us, Han Yu-bin and Kim Min-joo were on standby in case of an emergency.

“I’m kind of nervous, you know.”

“What’s there to be nervous about? Just think of it as a used goods direct transaction.”

“……Is this the same as that?”

“What’s different? If there’s an item and an opponent, it’s all the same.”

“…….”

Ignoring her dumbfounded gaze, I checked the large suitcase next to me.

“You’re already here.”

Finally, the other party arrived.

A group of men in black suits appeared in front of us, along with a woman.

“We’ve met before, right?”

“…….”

“…….”

The woman was someone I had met before.

Chloe, who participated in the subjugation as the support team leader during the joint operation with the US branch.

‘I didn’t know this…….’

An unexpected figure appeared, but I was careful not to show it on my face.

“I’m Chloe, the bank item management team leader of PB Corporation. Well, you probably know my name.”

“Wasn’t there a reshuffle? It’s surprising that you’re still alive.”

“It’s difficult to find professional personnel to handle bank items.”

“You’re lucky.”

“It’s skill.”

You must be happy to have a lot of skill.

I scanned the group of men in suits accompanying her with a smile.

“The Secretary-General didn’t come?”

“You’re arrogant. Do you think the Secretary-General would move himself for a deal of this level?”

“…….”

I briefly checked the surroundings.

And then my gaze stopped at Chloe’s bag. It was small, but something was visible on the bag’s handle.

Smiling, I brought my face closer to the bag’s handle.

“How is it, can you see it well?”

“……!”

Her expression immediately hardened.

It’s really shabby.

“Why are you surprised? It would be more strange if the Secretary-General didn’t attend a deal of this level.”

I tapped the small lens attached to the handle with my finger.

Well, they used high-end products to hide it.

“I thought you would come in person. I prepared a lot for the Secretary-General. It’s a shame I can’t show it to you directly, but I hope you’re watching well from there…….”

“That’s enough.”

At that moment, a huge black man who appeared behind Chloe stopped me.

“Act according to your place.”

“…….”

He looked like he was about to hit me right away.

‘He looks familiar…….’

I tilted my head and stared at him for a long time before exclaiming softly.

I’m sure, it’s him.

“Wow, I didn’t expect to see you here again. Don’t tell me you’ve joined the International Association too?”

“……? Do you know me?”

“Ah… well, you’re famous. Hahaha.”

I seemed to have reacted too strongly, so I quickly glossed over it.

Well, of course, I know him.

Noah Westernwood.

Before the regression, he was ranked 2nd in the world and was the second person to approach SSS rank after me.

‘Well, what’s more famous than that is something else, though.’

A revolutionary who tried to overthrow the International Association and put his guild ‘Noah’ in its place.

Of course, his revolution failed spectacularly.

The International Association asked me for help.

‘By the way, do the guys at the International Association know what this guy is thinking when they recruited him?’

If they brought him without knowing…….

While I was thinking about this and that, Team Leader Chloe opened her mouth.

“We don’t have much time, so let’s proceed quickly. First, the item…….”

“No.”

“The transaction location is not here.”

“……?”

“Please wait a little, it will appear soon.”

I checked the time.

It was time.

Ziiing―.

A dungeon appeared before my eyes.

“W-What, what’s this…?”

“A, a dungeon?!”

“You predicted that a dungeon would appear now?!”

Everyone was flustered.

Well, it’s natural.

No matter how advanced the ability wave detection system is, they can only know the dungeon’s grade and the approximate time of appearance, but they can’t predict it in minutes.

This is a dungeon that I carefully selected for this transaction.

I don’t know how much I suffered trying to dig up old memories.

“Are you saying we should trade inside the dungeon?”

“Don’t you like it? I don’t think there’s a place more secure than inside a dungeon.”

“……I guess so.”

“Ah, and would you please have the rest of you wait outside? We need to have insurance in case something happens.”

She immediately understood the meaning and gestured to her accompanying employees.

I also looked at Kim Min-joo and Han Yu-bin and nodded.

“Then… let’s go in.”

Director Lee Ah-young and I entered the dungeon first.

Following behind us, Chloe and Noah moved their steps.