The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 181

180

“W-What the hell are you talking about?!”

Korea, Karma Corporation headquarters.

Team Leader Lee Ah-young, who was checking the breaking news, muttered in disbelief.

“Are you saying… they’re going to control subjugation except for those affiliated with the International Association?”

Team Leader Ha Seong-il also looked dumbfounded.

Lee Ah-young gnashed her teeth and said,

“They’re trying to control all the dungeons and Hunters around the world in earnest. They’re going to control the number of dungeons with Dimension Stones, and manage Hunters with Ability Stones and Anti-Ability Stones…”

“Then the remaining independent associations…”

“They’ll all try to join the International Association. To survive.”

Lee Ah-young clenched her fist tightly.

In the end, it has come to this.

From this moment on, the whole world, including independent associations, subjugation companies, and Hunters, will be on the side of the International Association.

Of course, they know they’re putting a leash on themselves.

But dungeons are their livelihood, and as long as the International Association holds that livelihood and threatens them, they have no choice.

They have to survive anyway.

And that means.

“Then… what about us?”

Karma Corporation will be the same.

At Ha Seong-il’s question, Lee Ah-young lowered her head.

The grace period for joining the International Association is only one month.

If they don’t join the International Association within that time, they won’t be able to carry out their own subjugations, just like when they were designated as a cartel last time.

If they think rationally, Karma should also join the International Association within that time.

To survive.

But.

“We can’t do that.”

Lee Ah-young said.

“Karma Corporation is an organization that CEO Kim Jun-woo created to stand against the International Association. There’s no way such an organization can go under the International Association.”

“But if the International Association manages the subjugation rights, we won’t be able to subjugate anymore.”

“…….”

I know.

But Kim Jun-woo has never hesitated to risk his life for us, and I can’t allow us to abandon him now just to survive.

“More than anything, continuing to oppose the International Association means we have to fight against the whole world. Is that really possible?”

Lee Ah-young raised one corner of her mouth.

“What, are you scared?”

“…….”

Ha Seong-il was momentarily taken aback.

“Even if we join the International Association now, we’ll end up being played by them anyway. If we get on their bad side even a little, they’ll threaten us with subjugation rights again. The international community will have no choice but to be mindful of the headquarters… and before we know it, we’ll be leashed.”

“…….”

“In that case, it’s better to just bite them all and become penniless.”

As Lee Ah-young hardened her resolve, Ha Seong-il smiled.

“Ha, haha! You’re right. Okay, let’s hold on!”

“Even if we do, the problem is the employees. If subjugation is blocked, we won’t even have money to pay their salaries. We may have to restructure…”

“Hey, the employees have worked so hard for the company, we can’t abandon them because of our greed.”

“Do you have a good idea?”

“You have me, don’t you?”

“……?”

Ha Seong-il pointed to himself with his thumb and said,

“Believe it or not, I’m a *chaebol* [a wealthy family-owned conglomerate].”

“…….”

*What about it? What are you going to do?* That was the expression on her face.

While Ha Seong-il was scratching his head awkwardly, the office phone rang.

「It’s me.」

It was none other than CEO Kim Jun-woo.

“Did you see the news?”

「I did. We have to maintain the company, so it’s better to join the International Association right now…」

“No.”

She cut off Kim Jun-woo’s words with a firm voice.

“We’re going to hold on. Team Leader Ha agreed too.”

「What are you talking about? Then what are you going to do with the company? If subjugation is blocked, we won’t be able to pay the employees’ salaries right away…」

“You have me, CEO.”

At that moment, Team Leader Ha Seong-il interjected.

“Don’t worry about the company. I’ll figure something out.”

「…….」

“It’s the company you created, but it’s the company we raised. Who are you to hand it over to the International Association?”

「Is this the time to be prideful?」

“It’s not because of pride.”

Lee Ah-young continued in a low voice.

“It’s because of you.”

「…….」

“You said you wanted to create a second International Association.”

「…Geez, okay. Do as you please.」

“So, how did the acquisition of the US branch go?”

「It fell through.」

“Again?!”

「But they said they’ll cooperate. We’re going to subjugate all the dungeons in the US for the next month. We need a lot of people, so I think we should send some task force teams from our side.」

“How many?”

「As many as possible.」

“……Okay.”

Lee Ah-young hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth again.

“But what if we can’t find Eden within a month?”

「If a month passes, we won’t be able to subjugate, so we’ll never find it.」

Lee Ah-young’s expression hardened.

But only for a moment.

“Well, you’ll figure it out. I’ll contact you again when the number of dispatchable personnel is tallied.”

「Okay.」

“Take care.”

With that, she hung up the phone.

Immediately after, Lee Ah-young and Ha Seong-il took out their cell phones at the same time.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Yes, Grandpa.”

They each called Director Lee Doo-shik and Chairman Ha Deok-soo.

“I think we need to leave the minimum number of people who can subjugate domestically and dispatch all the branches and guilds to the US… is that possible?”

“Yes, yes, we’ve decided to hold on. However, we’ll need financial support from now on. Can you help us?”

Each listened to the answer for a moment.

“Okay, thanks.”

“Thank you!”

Both got what they wanted and ended the call.

***

“First, we’ll divide the entire United States into four major areas.”

US branch, operations planning room.

Branch Manager Michael, Control Team Leader Glenn, and Operations Team Leader Sean.

Noah, Han Yu-bin, and Kim Min-joo were all present.

“The East will be taken care of by the US branch. And the West will be taken care of by the Noah Guild, and the North will be taken care of by us.”

“Then what about the South?”

“The South will be helped by others.”

“Others…?”

“Well, I don’t just have Korea to ask for help. By the way, it’s about time they arrived…”

Saying that, he turned his gaze, and they arrived right on time.

“Kim! Long time no see.”

“How have you been?”

“It’s been a month since we last met.”

Vietnam Branch Manager Viet.

Congo Branch Manager Bruce.

And even Japan Branch Manager Haramura.

I contacted them just in case, and they all gladly rushed over.

They said they would help because they had received something before.

“The South will be taken care of by this alliance.”

“…….”

“…….”

When he introduced them to Branch Manager Michael and Noah, both of them showed quite bewildered eyes.

In the meantime, Noah asked in a suspicious voice.

“Do they know what the situation is and are helping? They could get on the International Association’s bad side…”

“If they were afraid of that, they wouldn’t have joined hands with Kim in the first place.”

Branch Manager Viet replied firmly.

Looking at the expressions of the others, they seemed to be thinking the same thing.

It didn’t seem like that before, but now it seems like everyone has a screw loose.

Looking at the map spread out on the table, he continued.

“As you all know, when a dungeon appears, subjugation must proceed immediately within an hour. If it’s delayed any longer, the International Association will sense Eden’s Ability Wave and move.”

“An hour… that’s quite tight.”

“We have to continue that for a month. I’ll adjust the routine, so just move according to my instructions.”

Everyone nodded.

“Information about Eden’s appearance will be sent to each team. Report to me as soon as you find it. However, never take it out of the dungeon.”

If it comes out of the dungeon, the International Association will immediately sense the Ability Wave.

“A tremendous amount of dungeons will be subjugated in a month. Of course, we’ll need a lot of cleaning teams to take care of the aftermath.”

“We’ve already posted a notice on our side.”

“Good. Now go to each area and wait. We’ll start the operation as soon as the personnel are ready.”

With those words, everyone dispersed.

Then, looking at Kim Min-joo and Han Yu-bin, he said.

“Let’s get ready too.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

The total number of countries participating in the operation is 5.

The number of subjugation participants is about 30,000.

Including non-subjugation personnel, a total of 50,000 personnel were *投入* [thrown into] in an unprecedented operation.

If we don’t find Eden within a month, we can’t guarantee the safety of those 50,000 people who helped me.

So we have to find it first, no matter what.

If we fail, we’ll have to live as Wesley’s dog for the rest of our lives, let alone a second International Association.

***

Currently, a week after the press conference.

International Hunter Association, headquarters.

“Currently, a total of 19 associations, including China and Russia, have joined. A total of 86% of Hunter registrations have been completed.”

The executive secretary reported the current status to Secretary-General Wesley.

“How’s Korea doing?”

“…They haven’t joined. Not only Korea, but also the overseas branches they acquired.”

“Well, there are still 3 weeks left, so they’ll think about it slowly.”

“What if they don’t join until the end?”

“Companies will be blocked from subjugation, and Hunters will lose their jobs, so what’s the point of worrying about that? They’ll be weeded out on their own.”

The executive secretary nodded.

Now the whole world is in the hands of the International Association.

No one can rebel against him anymore.

From now on, everything will be decided and moved by the International Association.

At that moment, a smile appeared.

“Wesley!”

Director Emma burst into the office.

“What is it?”

“The amount of subjugation in the US has increased exponentially in the past week.”

“I don’t know what to say. It’s good to subjugate hard, so what’s wrong with that?”

“Even though it’s up 1,500% compared to last week?”

“…What?”

Secretary-General Wesley’s eyebrows twitched.

No matter what, that’s a number that’s out of common sense.

In the first place, it’s impossible to subjugate that much in a week with the current personnel of the US branch.

Unless a huge number of people are subjugating indiscriminately.

‘*…Wait a minute.*’

A huge number of people are subjugating indiscriminately?

Even in the US?

‘*Could it be, these bastards…*’

Are they looking for Eden….

“Contact Team Leader Noah right now and tell him to take care of Branch Manager Michael.”

“That’s… I can’t get in touch.”

“What?”

“There was a battle a few days ago, and I haven’t been able to contact him since…”

“Damn it!!”

Secretary-General Wesley slammed the desk.

“Emma.”

“…….”

“I’ve had a really hard time getting here.”

Soon he said in a voice that suppressed his anger.

“Eden is not allowed. If those guys find Eden, it’s all over. So…”

His gaze soon penetrated Emma.

“Stop it at all costs.”