The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 152

151

With only 15 minutes left until the dungeon disappeared.

Orders were finally issued to the troops waiting in front of the seven interactive dungeons scattered across the country.

“…They said proceed with the subjugation.”

Kim Chan-young, the deputy team leader of ‘Black Wolf,’ who was in charge of subjugating the interactive dungeon in Cheonan, said to her team members after a short radio transmission.

“Is the deal done?”

“No.”

She shook her head with a sullen expression.

“It seems the International Association is up to something. The representative told us to retreat.”

“Yes, yes?! Then who ordered the subjugation…?”

“Team Leader Kim Min-ju.”

“Ah…….”

All the team members showed a reaction of understanding.

However, they couldn’t help but hesitate to proceed with the subjugation.

“Even if it’s Team Leader’s order, the representative……”

“Are, are you sure it’s okay to proceed?”

“If we subjugate arbitrarily before the deal is done, everything we’ve prepared will go down the drain…….”

As expected, the team members continued to raise objections in anxious voices.

“Then what, are we really going to let the representative die?”

“That, that’s not it, but…….”

Deputy Team Leader Kim Chan-young sighed softly and swept back her hair.

She was just as anxious.

It wasn’t for nothing that the representative risked his life for this deal.

She knew that not moving until the end was the least she could do, but…….

‘That’s not for me to decide.’

Every second counts.

She knew very well that she had neither the time nor the qualification to make reckless decisions.

“It was a gamble anyway. It’s fortunate if it works out, but if it doesn’t, there’s nothing we can do. It wasn’t even worth risking our lives for in the first place. There will be another opportunity next time.”

“…….”

“We just have to follow the instructions.”

“…Understood.”

The team members seemed to have composed themselves at the deputy team leader’s words.

“Everyone has memorized the information file the representative gave us, right?”

“Yes!”

“If we follow it, we can subjugate it in 10 minutes. Everyone, prepare for battle.”

Soon, all the members of the Black Wolf team drew their weapons.

“Start the operation.”

All personnel entered the dungeon at once.

It wasn’t just the Black Wolf team that started the subjugation.

All seven interactive dungeons across the country were being subjugated in the same way.

Of course, the International Association headquarters had no way of knowing that they were proceeding with the subjugation arbitrarily.

***

“S, Secretary-General!”

The executive secretary rushed to Secretary-General Wesley, who was observing the situation in the control team.

“I just checked the on-site monitor… Representative Kim Jun-woo has issued an order to retreat the standby personnel.”

“What did you say?”

“It seems the dummy video didn’t work.”

Secretary-General Wesley’s face darkened in an instant.

His plan was to send a dummy video to Chloe to pretend that he had accepted Kim Jun-woo’s demands.

Of course, it was a trick that would be quickly exposed if they checked with the guys waiting outside, but checking also takes time.

Since every second was precious, they would have made a decision as soon as they saw the video.

But he ordered a retreat without hesitation?

What kind of judgment is that!

“How many minutes are left until the dungeon disappears?”

“15 minutes left.”

“Ha…!”

A hollow laugh escaped without him realizing it.

Of course, the International Association doesn’t lose anything by accepting Kim Jun-woo’s demands.

In any case, the top priority was to recover the Bank Item, so in fact, everything else was a personal desire. It’s just a shame that he can’t get everything from the Korean Association along with the Bank Item.

But what Secretary-General Wesley is truly angry about now is not because of that regret.

Regardless of profit and loss… the fact that he couldn’t beat Kim Jun-woo again was an unbearable humiliation.

“…….”

What should I do?

How can I beat that guy even once?

No… can I even win in the first place?

“Haha… hahahaha!!”

Bang, bang―!!

With a chilling laugh, his fist repeatedly went to the concrete wall.

The wall cracked and completely collapsed to the point where the opposite space was clearly visible.

All the employees froze without even making a sound.

Soon, his voice lowered.

“Call the reporters…….”

The executive secretary nodded without even answering.

Yes, you won.

But there won’t be a second time.

Once the Bank Item recovery is complete, I’ll cut off your head first.

***

Still dark inside the dungeon.

With less than 5 minutes left until the dungeon disappeared, we were just staring at each other in silence.

Information on specific dungeons had already been delivered to each team a few days ago. In addition, personnel placement and composition were perfectly planned according to the characteristics of each dungeon.

If they proceed with the subjugation as is, the minimum possible subjugation time is… approximately 15 minutes.

But that time has already passed.

‘Hoo…….’

I tried to appear relaxed, but I was actually very anxious.

Of course, it’s not that I’m worried about being trapped in the dungeon.

On the contrary… I was worried that it would be subjugated.

Wasn’t I the one who gave the order to retreat to Kim Min-ju and unilaterally hung up the phone?

‘Knowing her personality, she would have contacted me again to get a confirmation…….’

But in a situation where every second is urgent, there’s no response?

I’m sure of it.

These guys… are 100% proceeding with the subjugation.

Of course, they have no way of knowing that, so I’m pretending not to know for now…….

If the dungeon is activated before they take any action…… everything will be for nothing.

‘Please, please…….’

Please move first before it gets subjugated.

“Where did your composure go? Weren’t you ready to die?”

Chloe opened her mouth slightly, as if she had read my expression.

“Well, it’s scary to actually die.”

“Don’t put on an act that doesn’t suit you. I know you’re being subjugated.”

“Is that so? I also know that the International Association is hastily preparing a press conference.”

“Isn’t that what you want to believe?”

“Well, either way, let’s go to the end.”

“…….”

“…….”

At that moment, as we continued to probe each other and engage in a life-or-death battle of wits.

Ting―.

A text message arrived on my phone.

I carefully checked it.

「1 minute before subjugation complete.」

As soon as I saw the text, my gaze involuntarily turned to Chloe and Noah.

“…….”

“…….”

After a few seconds of such cold silence.

It was the moment I belatedly realized and hurriedly turned my gaze away.

“…Headquarters, headquarters!!”

“Shit…!”

Chloe, who had sensed something, immediately took out a communicator.

“These guys are being subjugated!! Tell the Secretary-General not to hold a press conference…!”

At that moment.

[This is an urgent news flash.]

Chloe’s movements stopped abruptly at the voice coming from my phone, which I had turned on.

[A little while ago, Secretary-General Wesley of the International Hunter Association held a press conference and officially withdrew the designation of the Korean subjugation organization as a cartel. In addition, he added that there had been a misunderstanding between the two sides and hoped to maintain a good relationship in the future…….]

“Too late.”

“…….”

“…….”

The communicator in Chloe’s hand fell to the floor.

Kugugugung―

At the same time, the dungeon began to vibrate greatly.

The divided dungeon was activated.

Only a few seconds difference.

The deal with the International Association was successfully concluded.

***

Karma Corporation office.

“……It’s done.”

Those words leaked from Ha Seong-il’s mouth as he checked the real-time news.

[After talking with the person in charge of the Korean Association, we learned that there was a misunderstanding between the two sides. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to officially withdraw the position that the Korean subjugation organization was designated as a cartel…….]

“It’s done! It’s done!!”

The moment Secretary-General Wesley made that statement on the screen, Ha Seong-il shouted and jumped up from his seat.

Just as he was celebrating his victory, Ha Seong-il immediately took out his cell phone and called Chairman Ha Deok-soo.

“Grandfather, it’s done! The representative did it!”

「I saw it. I’m glad I held out until the end.」

As they say, the one who endures wins.

At this point when everyone had pulled out of the subjugation business, Karma Corporation finally turned the situation around.

「From now on, Karma will really dominate…….」

“What more can I say! Now that there are no guys to interfere, we will accelerate not only domestic but also overseas business!”

「Well, it’s good news for us too.」

Chairman Ha Deok-soo smiled faintly.

For them, who had uniquely spared no investment in Karma Corporation even in the worst situation, it was like winning the lottery.

「Anyway, from now on, what’s important is to leave the subjugation to Karma and let us monopolize the distribution. There’s a lot to prepare, so you should go back now.」

“…….”

「……Why aren’t you answering?」

Ha Seong-il hesitated for a moment before carefully opening his mouth.

“Can’t I… not go back?”

「What do you mean?」

“Actually, I never thought about succeeding my father or grandfather. I knew very well that I didn’t have the ability or qualifications to do so. But… being next to Representative Kim made me greedy.”

Ha Seong-il continued quietly.

“I want to succeed… grandfather’s position.”

「It’s still too early to aim for my position.」

“I know. But do you know what this place is like? The employees’ trust in the representative is enormous. So much so that when things get difficult, the employees voluntarily come forward to help.”

An organization where employees trust their leader, and that leader repays them with ability.

It was an organization that Chairman Ha Deok-soo had been aiming for all his life.

“I’ll learn. Can you wait until then?”

「You know? The reason I’ve been helping you is because you weren’t greedy. From the moment you covet my position, you’ll have to do it alone.」

“Of course. However… I won’t be alone.”

「…Ha, hahaha!」

Chairman Ha Deok-soo’s faint laughter was heard.

「You finally seem like my grandson.」

“Thank you.”

「Okay, what are you going to do there?」

“I’m going to sell all my shares and acquire all the subjugation-related companies nationwide under the name of Karma Corporation.”

「Hahaha! From now on, we’ll meet as enemies.」

“It’s just a plan. In fact, all that is secondary…….”

Ha Seong-il said with a smile.

“First of all, I have to get a job here.”

***

“C, Chairman! Representative Kim did it!!”

The same news was delivered to the Seoul Planning Headquarters.

As Team Leader Pyeon cheered in an excited voice, Association President Lee Doo-sik shook his head with a dumbfounded expression.

“……To think he would really do it.”

Soon, he let out a burst of laughter.

To think he would make the International Association reverse its official position.

Isn’t that something you can’t even imagine?

Team Leader Pyeon also seemed to not believe the fact.

“What on earth did he do to make the Secretary-General reverse his decision?! This is real…!”

“Is this the time to be admiring?! It’s an opportunity! Companies will try to target the subjugation market again at this time! We have to move first!”

“W, what are you going to do…?”

Association President Lee Doo-sik’s eyes flashed.

“Buy up all the national dungeon subjugation rights… and hand them over to Karma Corporation.”

“Yes?! Then we can’t subjugate…….”

“It doesn’t matter. We’re going to be absorbed anyway.”

“Ah, you said you were going to absorb Karma Corporation.”

“No. It’s the opposite.”

Association President Lee Doo-sik stood up from his seat with an expression of determination.

“We’re not going to absorb them… we’re going to be absorbed.”

Yes, it’s a reward for taking the lead in solving this problem.

Go ahead and do whatever you want.

Whether you destroy the International Association or climb to the top yourself.