The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 158

157

International Hunter Association, Tokyo Branch, Japan.

“The international community’s view of the headquarters is steadily worsening. Of course, there weren’t any major issues found in the previous investigation, so it shouldn’t hinder our activities, but…”

Hina, the aide, trailed off while reporting to the branch manager.

Branch Manager Shoichi wasn’t listening at all.

Indeed, it was content that everyone already knew, even without a report.

Whatever happened with Korea, the fact that the entire nation was classified as a cartel meant the matter was extremely serious.

It was a regulation that wouldn’t be made lightly or due to a minor misunderstanding.

However, claiming there was a ‘misunderstanding between the parties,’ the cartel designation was withdrawn in just a week.

It’s only natural that the perception of the international association would worsen.

‘What on earth happened…’

Branch Manager Shoichi rubbed his forehead.

The decline in the international association’s reputation wasn’t just due to this reversal.

Just a few days ago, they were embroiled in controversy over the African branch integration incident, leading to a full investigation.

Ultimately, the investigation was closed due to a lack of evidence, but considering the international association’s position, it’s not good for these issues to keep occurring.

‘No, actually, it doesn’t matter to us how the international community views the headquarters…’

Anyway, as the saying goes, even a rotten dried croaker is still a croaker [meaning even something diminished still retains some value].

If the problem was just a drop in reputation, it wouldn’t have grown this big.

Even if it did become a problem, it wouldn’t affect each branch.

The important thing isn’t the international community’s view, but… the domestic view of each country.

No, to be more precise, for the Japanese association, it’s the view of the Haramura family.

The Haramura family.

In the past, they were just a blacksmith family running a small workshop, but a rumor spread, and they slowly began to gain fame.

The rumor was that the swords they made possessed special power against monsters.

Well, rumors of cursed swords and famous swords have always existed in this country, but this time, there were actual cases.

Several years ago, there was an accident where an extermination party was annihilated in a Red-ranked dungeon.

At that time, a C-rank hunter with a Haramura workshop-made sword defeated the boss alone.

This incident spread throughout Japan in an instant, and the Haramura family leaped into fame.

Afterward, all swordsmen in Japan began to seek out swords from the Haramura workshop.

There was even an unusual phenomenon where hunters who weren’t swordsman classes started using swords.

Their reputation eventually spread to the international association, and the headquarters proposed a merger first.

In other words, the Haramura family played a crucial role in the Japanese association’s joining the international association.

More than anything, immediately after becoming affiliated with the international association, that bastard, the head of the five great workshops, began to produce weapons other than swords.

Spears, blunt weapons, bows, transform weapons… even firearms.

Hunters in the international association also began to seek out Haramura-made weapons.

There were even stories of Haramura-made swords being sold for tens of billions of won [Korean currency, roughly millions of US dollars] on the black market.

With the demand for Haramura-made weapons being so enormous worldwide, their influence reached a level where they could shake not only the country but even the international association.

That family had recently been viewing the international association’s actions unfavorably.

No, perhaps it’s just a whim.

Since these various issues have surfaced, they’ve been refusing weapon orders for no reason…

‘I should have established discipline earlier…’

There were definitely times to correct it before, but now there was no way to do so.

The influence of the Haramura family is not something a branch can handle.

Hunters affiliated with the international association worldwide are still looking for their weapons, but if they suddenly turn their backs like this…

The branch will collapse.

In the worst case, they might cut ties with the international association.

“Did you visit the workshop?”

“We requested a meeting, but they won’t meet with us.”

“What do they want? At least tell us the reason. If they just disappear without a word, what are we supposed to do!”

Branch Manager Shoichi finally couldn’t hold back and raised his voice.

Being caught between the Haramura family and the international association headquarters, the current situation was very difficult.

“There’s no direct word, but judging by their attitude, I wonder if they want us to withdraw from the international association… That family has always valued trust, hasn’t it? It could mean they no longer trust us…”

Aide Hina carefully added.

Branch Manager Shoichi had the same thought.

Being such a conservative family, there’s really no other way to think about it.

“If we withdraw from the international association, do you think they’ll stick with us?”

“I don’t know about that, but if we don’t withdraw, they might turn their backs on us forever.”

“Damn it…”

Branch Manager Shoichi loosened his tie.

It’s already been several years since they’ve been backed by the Haramura family and the international association.

Thanks to their strong support, they’ve grown to be the fifth-largest association in the world in terms of size.

Based on this, they’ve been relentlessly criticizing the Korean association, which still maintains an independent association…

They’re in a situation where they have to abandon one of their strong supporters and choose one.

Knowing them, they have to be prepared for retaliation from the other side in some way.

“…Wait.”

At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through Branch Manager Shoichi’s mind.

“Come to think of it… isn’t it the method they have that’s special, not the Haramura family themselves?”

“Yes, yes…?”

“If we have the method, it doesn’t matter who makes it, right?”

“…”

Aide Hina couldn’t answer.

She realized what he was thinking.

“This is a good thing. If we can somehow get our hands on the method, we can get rid of the Haramura family. We can’t keep catering to that family with no roots forever.”

“Then the withdrawal from the international association…”

Branch Manager Shoichi shook his head.

“Let’s just focus on stealing their method, no matter what it takes.”

***

“…Do I have time?”

“Yes.”

Planning Director Han Yu-bin, who was in the middle of work, glared at me with a fierce look.

“Why, are you going to tell me to go on a subjugation support mission again if I have time?”

“…”

Why is she so on edge?

Is she in a bad mood today?

“I’m going on a business trip to the Japanese branch this time, and I’m asking if you can come with me.”

“…?”

“So, do you have time or not?”

“Ah, really? You’re going with me…”

“Then would I joke about this? I don’t have time, so please check your schedule quickly and give me an answer.”

“J-just a moment!”

Director Han Yu-bin started checking the documents in a flustered manner.

Then, after a while, she nodded.

“…I think I can. There are no special operations until next month.”

“That’s good. Then please prepare, as we’re scheduled to leave the day after tomorrow.”

“But… why me of all people? What about Ms. Ah-young and Ms. Min-joo?”

“Those two are essential personnel, aren’t they?”

“…So I’m not?”

“Relatively speaking, that’s what I mean, comparatively. In the first place, you said you were in the Japanese branch for a few years before working at the American branch.”

“It’s a few months. I just went on a temporary assignment because of a branch cooperation project.”

“Anyway, you’ve worked there before, haven’t you?”

“I guess so.”

It’s annoying to keep picking at my words.

I’m scared to say anything.

“So, why are we going to Japan?”

“Well, the support project contract is the official reason, but…”

“What’s the real purpose besides the official reason?”

“There’s a rumor going around that the Japanese branch is going to withdraw from the international association. I’m going to confirm that.”

Director Han Yu-bin’s eyes became quite serious, and she stroked her chin once.

“If we just go there for the support contract, we’ll definitely be rejected. You know, those guys have a terribly strong pride.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway. We’re not really going to sign a contract, we’re just going to find out if they’re going to withdraw or not.”

“There’s no reason for them to tell someone who’s not signing a contract. They’re even less likely to show their cards to outsiders.”

“…”

Now that I hear it, that’s true.

“So, do you have any good ideas?”

“We shouldn’t attack the branch directly; we should approach it from the periphery.”

“For example?”

“Hmm…”

She paused for a moment to think.

“Let’s start with the Haramura workshop?”

She came up with a pretty plausible answer.

“It’s a famous workshop. If we approach them with a material export contract, we might be able to have a conversation. If we’re lucky, we might be able to find out about the branch’s situation.”

I didn’t show it, but… it’s a really good approach.

I’ve been so busy giving her odd jobs that I’d forgotten, but being a former operations team leader of the international association isn’t just for show.

“Good. Then let’s do that, and let’s start preparing for departure. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Okay.”

As I left the office after finishing the conversation, I smiled without realizing it.

Indeed, it seemed like things were going to work out better than I thought.

***

Near Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture.

In front of the Haramura workshop.

“…”

“…”

We stared at the firmly closed door of the workshop and fell silent for a moment.

The paper attached to the door read as follows:

[Branch officials prohibited from entering, all contract requests rejected]

“…What is this?”

“It seems like they’re… not doing business.”

“Do you think I asked because I didn’t know that?”

“…”

What?

Approaching the workshop, what was that all about?

‘It’s my fault for trusting this person…’

I sighed deeply and turned around.

Just then, there was a middle-aged woman passing by on the street, so I grabbed her and asked.

“Excuse me… May I ask you something?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“It’s nothing much, but when did this place close?”

“Ah, Mr. Haramura? It’s been a few days.”

The middle-aged woman raised her eyes as if recalling the situation at the time and continued to speak.

“About a week ago? They were fighting with some people in front of here. I thought they were being harassed, but when I looked, they seemed to be branch officials.”

“So there was friction with the branch?”

“I don’t know. I heard they were saying they would buy the method or something. Well, there’s no way Mr. Haramura would sell it.”

She shrugged her shoulders.

Branch people came to buy the method?

It seems like something’s going on.

“Then where is Mr. Haramura now? Do you happen to know his home address or…”

“Well, I don’t know that much…”

“I see. Thank you for your time.”

“Haha, no problem.”

The woman finished speaking and hurried on her way.

“…”

“…”

Silence came again.

I shook my head and opened my mouth.

“There’s no choice. Let’s go according to the original plan.”

“Are you going to ask the branch directly?”

“What else can we do?”

There’s no point in staying put, is there?

In this case, there’s no choice but to break through head-on.

‘More than anything… I’m curious about what happened between them.’

I was about to move my feet again when it happened.

“Excuse me…”

“…?”

A young man was pulling a bicycle and hesitantly approached us.

“A-are you perhaps Mr. Haramura’s guests…?”

Han Yu-bin and I briefly looked at each other.

“Yes.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

We answered at the same time as if we had decided from the beginning.