The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 157

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156

The Blue House, Meeting on Measures for Managing Supernatural Abilities.

With President Cho Hyun-min and various other figures in attendance, opinions regarding policies related to the management of supernatural abilities and future subjugation strategies were continuously exchanged.

“…Then, we will reduce the youth Hunter training subsidy by 12% starting next quarter.”

President Cho Hyun-min concluded, summarizing the advice given so far.

“Any other opinions?”

“Um… what are your thoughts on Karma?”

At that moment, Representative Sung Hyun-sook of the Future Democratic Party asked as if she had been waiting for this.

President Cho Hyun-min didn’t understand the meaning of the question.

“What do you mean, what are my thoughts? It’s going well as we wanted. If it seems to be growing too much, we can impose sanctions from our side.”

“Of course, it’s easier for us to intervene than with the previous Association, but…”

She trailed off.

Only then did President Cho Hyun-min realize that what she was worried about wasn’t Karma Corporation as a whole.

“Are you worried about CEO Kim Jun-woo?”

“…Yes. I think the influence one individual holds is too great.”

“What kind of influence is important. Until now, it has been a positive influence, hasn’t it?”

“That’s right. As you said… until now.”

President Cho Hyun-min’s eyebrows twitched at Representative Sung Hyun-sook’s words.

“…What does that mean?”

“It’s undeniable that he’s an incredibly talented young man. But there’s no guarantee that he will continue to be so.”

“…”

When the President hesitated to answer, she continued immediately.

“Above all, I’m worried that he has gained too much power at too young an age. He may not now, but as the saying goes, power corrupts, and in 5 or 10 years, he will surely set his sights on other things.”

President Cho Hyun-min chuckled inwardly.

‘What does 5 or 10 years matter to me?’

‘It’s hard to guarantee even 1 or 2 years in this field.’

“Actually… I agree with Representative Sung Hyun-sook’s opinion.”

“Subjugation is a field directly related to the lives of the people, unlike other areas.”

“I think some kind of check is necessary. Even for the future.”

Soon, other figures who had been watching the situation began to voice their concerns.

After pondering for a moment, President Cho Hyun-min asked Representative Sung Hyun-sook.

“So, what do you want to do?”

“Kim Jun-woo currently has too much support from the public. No… it’s more accurate to say that there’s no critical perspective at all.”

“And?”

“How about… slightly lowering that perception?”

President Cho Hyun-min hurriedly covered his mouth to hide the laughter that was about to escape.

In fact, whether CEO Kim Jun-woo’s influence is great or not, it doesn’t matter much to them.

At best, he’s just the CEO of a mid-sized company… and although he monopolized one industry, that was the same with the previous Association.

More than anything, even though it’s been a month since the merger with the Association, unlike the past when incidents and accidents occurred every day, he’s doing well without any problems.

They can be anxious about the future, but there’s no need to keep him in check right now.

The reason they’re acting like this is obviously just one thing.

They’re trying to lower his public credibility even a little, in preparation for when Kim Jun-woo might enter politics.

President Cho Hyun-min opened his mouth with a smile.

“I don’t know…”

He had a slightly different idea.

If he enters politics, that’s a matter for then.

In the political world, today’s enemy becomes tomorrow’s friend; it’s nothing new.

‘He doesn’t seem interested in politics at all, though…’

He came to a conclusion.

“Is it really necessary to go that far?”

He clearly conveyed his opinion that it was unnecessary.

The figures attending the meeting had no choice but to refrain from saying more.

***

Immediately after the meeting, Representative Sung Hyun-sook sighed as soon as she got into her official vehicle.

“…It didn’t go well?”

“It didn’t work at all. It seems like he’s very fond of him.”

Representative Sung Hyun-sook clicked her tongue with a bitter expression.

Currently, Kim Jun-woo is almost deified among the people.

He is not a philanthropist. He is clearly the CEO of a company that aims for profit, and it is definitely not a good phenomenon for such a person to monopolize an industry.

Nevertheless, the public is expressing relief, not dissatisfaction, that he has monopolized the subjugation industry.

If Kim Jun-woo had a clear political leaning, we could join hands and use his reputation to our advantage, but…

We keep sending him love calls, but he ignores them all, so he’s like a ball that could bounce anywhere.

What’s as scary as a powerful enemy is an opponent whose thoughts you can’t grasp.

If that giant, who doesn’t know which side to take, tries to enter politics based on the public opinion so far… an immeasurable chaos will come.

In the worst case, he could join the Bareun Integration Party [a hypothetical political party] and run as a candidate in the Seoul district.

‘…It’s virtually an unwinnable fight.’

We might have to hand over the main districts of Seoul to those Bareun Integration Party guys with our eyes wide open.

We need to foster even a little bit of critical perspective on Kim Jun-woo among the public.

No, not just a logical perspective, but a group that will oppose whatever he does is needed.

Then, whatever Kim Jun-woo does, it will naturally be checked.

‘Should I try to create division…’

Representative Sung Hyun-sook, who was looking for a suitable method in her head, finally opened her mouth.

“Speaking of which… the Japanese branch has been strangely quiet lately, is anything going on?”

“Yes? Well, I don’t know. There’s no particular news.”

The aide seemed quite embarrassed by the sudden question.

“They used to put down our association in their media every day and publish strange books, but they’ve been quiet lately.”

“Isn’t one of the reasons Japan joined the International Association to be conscious of us? In fact, the anti-Korean sentiment has become quite severe since joining the International Association. But recently, there have been so many issues related to the headquarters…”

“They were strutting around when they were doing well, but now that the atmosphere is unusual, they’re keeping their mouths shut.”

“Well… their relationship with the International Association headquarters isn’t that good in the first place.”

“Hmm…”

Representative Sung Hyun-sook groaned, stroking her chin.

After a moment, she asked the aide as if a good idea had come to her mind.

“Chief Park, do you know any reporters in the political department?”

“Yes, I know a few.”

“Then, should we leak some gossip through them?”

Representative Sung Hyun-sook said with a smile.

That’s right.

There’s nothing like a ‘Korea-Japan match’ to create division.

***

Karma Corporation Seoul Headquarters, CEO’s office.

I kept yawning in the building that the former Association used, with only the name changed.

“Somehow, there’s less to do than I thought…”

No, it’s not that there’s nothing to do, but I don’t know what to do.

Because everything is running smoothly on its own, without me having to step in.

Since I entrusted each department to experts, there was virtually nothing to do but plan operations… but even that is being handled by Kim Min-joo, who has become the head of the operations headquarters.

In fact, I was a little worried because that guy has a rather passive personality, unlike his skills… well, he seems to be doing well so far.

Seeing that everyone has become scared of him since he became the head of the operations headquarters.

‘It’s originally a position that should be like that.’

There’s also a story that Kim Min-joo’s planning and command style is the same as mine… well, that’s natural.

Because he learned command and planning from me since he first became the head of the operations team.

Anyway, the operations headquarters led by Kim Min-joo is running quite well.

In addition, there’s also Lee Ah-young, the head of the support headquarters, Han Yu-bin, the head of the planning headquarters, etc. Everyone is doing their job well.

In particular, I’m most satisfied with Ha Sung-il, the head of the overseas business headquarters.

He traveled around independent associations around the world on my behalf and took charge of branch projects.

His sales know-how from that time is shining, and he’s achieving excellent results.

Well, he’s the former president of Hanbyul Trading Company, no matter what anyone says.

I expected him to do more than the basics, even if I didn’t know.

‘Above all, the International Association guys are quiet, so it couldn’t be better…’

Even though we’re moving so openly, there’s no particular movement from the International Association side yet.

They’re the type who would never stay still, so it’s a strange thing.

Well, they’re either waiting for the right time, or they’re distracted by something else.

Anyway, the situation is good in many ways.

If things continue like this, we might be able to catch up with the number of International Association branches within a year…

“CEO.”

While I was turning on the positive circuit, Ha Sung-il, the head of the overseas business headquarters, came into the office.

“Ah, Head Ha. Weren’t you on a business trip to the Middle East?”

“I just returned yesterday.”

“How did the contract go?”

“It’s still in progress… but the reaction is good so far. We’ll be able to acquire the independent associations in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan soon.”

“I’m glad I trusted you.”

“Hahaha! How did you know that I’m weak to compliments?”

Head Ha scratches his head with an awkward expression.

But soon, he continued with a serious expression.

“Actually, that’s not why I came…”

“Yes?”

He lowers his voice.

‘What is it? What did he bring that his expression is so serious?’

“There’s a rumor circulating that the Japanese branch will soon withdraw from the International Association.”

“…Yes?!”

My brow furrowed at the unexpected news.

What’s suddenly happening in a place that’s been quiet all this time?

“Where’s the source?”

“A reporter from the political department tipped me off.”

“Political department…?”

My eyes narrowed at the unexpected source.

It feels like they’re spreading it on purpose.

As expected, Head Ha opened his mouth as if he had the same thought.

“Moving on a rumor is too much of a gamble, and above all, I smell something fishy… but I think we should think about the Japanese branch.”

“Hmm…”

I took a moment to organize my thoughts.

It’s not that the Japanese branch is definitely an attractive place.

They have many strengths, but the best strength among them is not capital or manpower.

‘The Haramura family…’

It’s a family belonging to the Japanese branch, but it’s a group famous enough to exert influence on the International Association.

If we can exert influence on that family along with the Japanese branch, we may be able to have a means to control the International Association.

“How about we prepare in advance?”

Head Ha asked cautiously, as if he had that in mind as well.

If the rumor that they will withdraw from the International Association is true, we must prepare from now on.

We must aim for the time when they are confused immediately after the withdrawal; if they establish themselves as an independent association, it will be too late.

If we give them support from now on, the probability will be quite high, but…

‘If that’s just a baseless rumor…’

We’ll just be giving everything to Japan.

If we do it wrong, we may face a backlash and provide an excuse for nothing.

“First, we need to find out if the information is accurate.”

“How?”

“Well, what can we do? We have to go directly.”

If you want to catch a tiger, you have to go into the tiger’s den [idiom: to face danger directly].

“Sigh, we haven’t had any exchanges with the Japanese branch so far, so going without any reason might seem a bit obvious, right?”

“We can just create a reason.”

When I answered with a smile, he also smiled and nodded.

“I understand. I want to go with you, but… I haven’t finished my work in the Middle East yet…”

“It’s okay. That work comes first.”

“Are you going with Head Lee Ah-young?”

“No. That person is too busy these days, so I feel sorry to bother her with this kind of thing.”

After thinking for a moment, I made a decision.

“I happen to have the right person.”