The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 18

017

The operation seminar room was packed with Hunters who had come to listen to the briefing for this subjugation.

And among them…

“Seriously, isn’t this a bit much?”

“I’m saying. What’s a cleaning team doing here for a subjugation? This is too much, really.”

“Tsk, we’re losing budget, losing jobs. Now it looks like we’re going to lose work too.”

“What can we do? It’s a sin not to get on the right line. If I knew this would happen, I would have joined the cleaning team. Sigh, lucky bastards.”

“Hey, hey. They’ll hear you. Speak quietly.”

The Dungeon Cleaning Team was awkwardly squeezed in.

Han Sang-hyuk, who was always so high and mighty, was now completely deflated.

Moon So-yeon was half out of it, and Team Leader Park was trying to act like nothing was wrong, but…

“Stop shaking your leg.”

“Ah… s-sorry.”

Everyone was in a state of extreme tension.

Well, they must feel like they’ve walked into a tiger’s den. No matter how much the cleaning team’s status has improved lately, the operation team is still the operation team.

Just a few days ago, they wouldn’t have even been able to exchange a word with these people as cleaners, so it’s only natural that they’re on edge.

‘Well, they’re just a bunch of C and B-rank guys anyway…’

While scanning the seminar room, I noticed something strange and turned to Kim Min-ju.

“By the way, aren’t these guys not from Operation Team 1? Shouldn’t a multi-zone dungeon be assigned to Team 1?”

I recalled my memories of participating in this subjugation 10 years ago.

Actually, it’s more like I was the leader of the subjugation team from the start.

Since I was in Operation Team 1 back then, I naturally assumed that Operation Team 1 would be in charge this time as well.

“That’s right. It was originally our team’s operation, but I heard that Team Leader Lee Soo-yong handed the entire project over to Team 2.”

“…Handed over the project? Why? They must have been preparing for at least two months.”

“I don’t know. It seems like there was some talk between the team leaders… but I don’t know the details.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this before… Tsk, I feel bad for the Team 1 guys.”

“There was quite a bit of backlash, but it was a decision made from above, so there’s nothing we can do. Luckily, I got to participate as a package deal.”

“Luck…?”

Seriously, what’s with the unnecessary modesty?

Being appointed as the leader of such a large-scale subjugation is not a matter of luck.

The subjugation team leader is someone who has the skills to command the entire subjugation team in the field, excluding the team leaders.

It’s proof that they are the most outstanding Hunter among the current team members.

‘Well… looks like she’s doing well.’

I smiled without realizing it.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get you involved with the operation team, but the team leader kept pushing me.”

“…It’s okay. I just came to hear what they’re planning to do with us.”

I pretended not to care, but I was actually cheering inside.

[Over-immersion – Unlocking Condition: Conclude a joint project with another department]

I didn’t expect the opportunity to come so quickly.

Hehehe.

“U-unni [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend]. So, what are we going to do? We’re not really participating in the subjugation, are we?”

“I don’t know either. The team leader just told me to bring you along. They’ll probably explain it during the briefing. Ah, here they come.”

Kim Min-ju’s gaze shifted to the platform in front of the seminar room.

Just then, a man in a black suit appeared with documents in hand.

“Ahem.”

With a mid-low voice, he tapped the microphone a couple of times with his finger.

“Hello. I’m Lim Dong-bin, the leader of Operation Team 2, who is in charge of the operation planning for this Yeongdeungpo multi-zone dungeon subjugation.”

As soon as I confirmed the man’s identity, my expression instantly twisted, and my eyes became bloodshot.

‘That, that bastard…’

My fist clenched tightly. My body was trembling.

“Junwoo-ssi…?”

“Teacher? What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

I tried to calm down, taking a deep breath, as I seemed to have caught the attention of my team members.

But the anger doesn’t go away easily.

I know him.

Beyond knowing him, I can’t forget him.

How can I forget the guy who stole several of my achievements when I was a rookie?

It’s not just me. I’ve seen him countless times putting his spoon in projects that other people have prepared [taking credit for others’ work].

‘Tsk, I roughly understand why the project was handed over to Team 2.’

The atmosphere in Team 1 must be turbulent these days, so he must have taken advantage of the gap.

“Kim Min-ju, do you happen to know that team leader?”

“No. I greet him when I run into him occasionally, but this is the first time I’ve had a conversation with him. I don’t have much interaction with other teams in the first place.”

“Don’t try to get close to him, even if you do. There’s no good that comes from getting involved with that guy.”

“…?”

Kim Min-ju asked back, not knowing what was going on, but I didn’t bother to explain the situation.

It’s enough to just avoid that bastard. Getting involved with him will only hinder your growth.

“The estimated subjugation time for this operation is 24 hours. As you all know, once you enter the dungeon, you cannot come out until all areas are subjugated, so please keep that in mind. If you do not wish to participate in the operation, please let me know by today.”

As Team Leader Lim Dong-bin’s briefing began, the Hunters’ eyes became quite serious.

“Since the subjugation time is 24 hours, the monsters that have already been subjugated will start to decay during that time. If gas starts to be released, it will interfere with the subjugation. The cleaning Team 3 members here will be in charge of that part.”

And the cleaning team’s mission was revealed.

Of course, they weren’t directly participating in the subjugation with the Hunters… but it was still an operation worth ridiculing.

Subjugation and cleaning at the same time?

This just means that the Hunters of Team 2 are incompetent and cannot complete the subjugation in a short amount of time.

‘I used to finish it in 6 hours back in my day.’

Of course, I never even considered a joint operation with the cleaning team, and there was no need to do so.

“What do you think? Cleaning team members, can you do it?”

“Ah, well…”

Team Leader Park looked at our faces before answering.

Judging by the atmosphere, no one had any particular reason to refuse.

It was a good opportunity for the cleaning team to establish a relationship with the operation team.

In addition, working in real-time is more efficient than working all at once after the subjugation.

And it’s a golden opportunity for me to unlock [Over-immersion].

When else would I be able to do an operation in alliance with another team if not now? Especially as the cleaning team.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do it.”

But the words that came out of my mouth were not at all what I was thinking.

I’d rather not do it than shove achievements down that thug’s throat.

***

After the briefing.

Everyone had left, and the seminar room was empty.

Kim Junwoo had also left first, but the cleaning team was still there, expressing their disappointment.

“Why did he refuse? Such opportunities are rare…”

Moon So-yeon said in a small voice.

“I know, right! I was about to jump at the chance since they were giving out performance bonuses. Was he scared, maybe?”

“No way… Junwoo-ssi is afraid of dungeons?”

“No, no. I definitely saw that bastard trembling. What else could it be if he wasn’t scared?”

Han Sang-hyuk said with a confident voice.

Of course, no one paid attention to his words.

Meanwhile, Kim Min-ju, who had been lost in thought for a moment, turned to Team Leader Park.

“What do you think, Team Leader?”

“It seems like he’s worried about us.”

“I agree.”

Kim Min-ju and Team Leader Park nodded together.

“He only explained it briefly during the briefing, so you might not know… but it’s actually an incredibly dangerous operation. We’re joining a non-stop subjugation that lasts for 24 hours. I honestly wanted to stop you too.”

“That’s right. He must have known how dangerous this is. Junwoo wouldn’t pretend not to know that… It seems like he drew the line on his own because he was afraid that we would accept it without knowing any better.”

Team Leader Park chimed in with a serious face.

Moon So-yeon and Han Sang-hyuk felt embarrassed for no reason.

How good-natured can he be?

“…Seriously, he should have at least told us. He always makes people misunderstand him.”

“But that’s just like Junwoo-ssi.”

Moon So-yeon smiled brightly.

“Still… if there are people who really want to participate, I’ll talk to the team leader.”

“No, it’s okay. He went out of his way to take the blame for us, so we can’t just go out there recklessly.”

“Right? Well, it’s not like I really wanted to do it either.”

“Hahaha! Yeah, we know how Junwoo feels. It’s a shame, but there’s nothing we can do. Our team won’t be participating in this operation!”

Team Leader Park concluded.

Of course, no one had any objections.

“Unni, good luck anyway.”

Moon So-yeon clenched her fist and showed it to Kim Min-ju. But Kim Min-ju had a hesitant expression.

Then soon.

“I think I’ll drop out too.”

She expressed her intention to withdraw from the operation as well.

“What?! You can’t do that! You’re the leader of such a big operation!”

“T-that’s right! If it’s because we’re dropping out, then think again…”

“No. I’m not just being swayed. To be honest, I wasn’t too keen on it either. I’m not confident, and it doesn’t seem like the right time yet. Above all, the teacher said that there’s no good that comes from getting involved with that guy.”

It was definitely a bigger opportunity than she deserved.

Of course, it’s the position of the leader of such a large-scale subjugation team.

But it’s also true that she’s not confident, and above all, Kim Junwoo said that much.

From Kim Min-ju’s perspective, it was only natural to be cautious.

“Well, who else should I listen to if not the teacher at times like this.”

***

Operation Team 2 office. It was after everyone had left work.

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin was the only one left, guarding the office.

“Senior!”

An unwelcome guest had come at that moment.

It was none other than Team Leader Lee Soo-yong.

“I heard you’re screwed?”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong had a very excited expression.

Thanks to that, Team Leader Lim Dong-bin’s mood became even more unpleasant.

“…Get lost if you’re going to cause trouble.”

“What did I say? I told you not to mess with someone you can’t handle. What kind of person is that? They’ve already caught on.”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin’s sigh echoed loudly.

The reason for bringing the cleaning team into this major project was not for any other reason.

The condition he made to Team Leader Lee Soo-yong.

In order to show the cleaning team what’s what, they had to be involved in this subjugation.

But…

“They even offered performance bonuses, but now they’re backing out? Did they really catch on?”

“I even heard that Kim Min-ju dropped out. Then that says it all. Operation Team 2, can you do this operation without Kim Min-ju?”

“…What do you take us for?”

It was a project that he had taken away by pushing himself to the limit. If he failed, he would have to take full responsibility.

So he had to succeed no matter what.

But with the current level of Operation Team 2…

“…We can request cooperation from a private guild.”

“Do you have the money to scout them?”

“We have some budget left over from this quarter.”

“I don’t think that’ll be enough? I recently spent 200 million won [approx. $150,000 USD].”

“No, you son of a bitch…”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin jumped up from his seat.

He had already received a report that the operation team’s budget had been taken away by the cleaning team recently.

But he thought that it wouldn’t have much of an impact unless something special happened…

‘Could it be that he predicted this would happen…’

Team Leader Lim had an unbelievable expression.

How meticulous is that guy?

There must be a reason why they call him a big shot.

“At best, he’s just a rookie who doesn’t have any operation experience…”

Team Leader Lim clenched his fist.

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong tried to hold back the twitching of his lips and opened his mouth.

“It might be good luck instead.”

“What?”

“They say to rest when you fall, don’t force yourself to drag them in and get hurt badly. Find another way… Well, I’m sure you’ll do well on your own. Anyway, I don’t know anything about it anymore~.”

“Hey!”

Team Leader Lim called out to Team Leader Lee Soo-yong, who was about to leave the office.

“Why? You’re not going to take it back now, are you?”

“Lend me the head of the division’s line once too [introduce me to the division head].”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin’s eyes became even sharper.