The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 183

182

“…What is this?”

Michael, the branch manager, who had suddenly visited my office, handed me a document with a calm expression.

It was a document torn to shreds, so much so that I couldn’t even make out what was written on it.

“It’s an official dispatch from headquarters to me. The headquarters audit team came a little while ago and ordered the suspension of the operation. They said they’d arrange a position for me at headquarters.”

“I see they caught on.”

Michael nodded.

“But the state of this document means…”

“I refused.”

“The guys at headquarters wouldn’t have quietly left after you refused.”

“Yes. The American branch will probably be forcibly expelled from the International Association soon.”

“……?”

My eyebrows twitched.

“There was another document besides this one. It said they would force us to withdraw if we didn’t stop the operation… The official document will arrive as early as tomorrow.”

“That’s… a bit of a problem. Being kicked out of the International Association ultimately means losing the right to subjugate…”

“There are still three weeks left until the grace period expires, aren’t there? We just need to find it within that time.”

“Haa…”

What kind of reckless talk is that?

No matter how I think about it, wouldn’t it be right to accept the suspension of the operation first and then come up with a plan?

Once we’re expelled, we won’t be able to reverse it, and if we can’t even find Eden, everything will be for naught, right?

‘Well, I passed on the choice, so I can’t help the result…’

It’s not like I didn’t expect it at all.

However, I heard that Michael is never one to take risks. Why would he make such a dangerous choice?

As I was pondering this, he chuckled.

“I know. It’s not like me. This is the first time I’ve made a decision so recklessly.”

“But why… ?”

“I just had a strange conviction that you would somehow be able to handle it.”

“…….”

What the hell is he talking about?

What does he know about me to entrust such an important matter to such flimsy feelings?

“Therefore, I will accept your previous offer.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m talking about the merger offer with Karma Corporation.”

He finally brought up that story.

The American branch is the largest branch in the International Association and consistently tops the subjugation sales every year.

Absorbing it would naturally be great for us, but we can’t just be happy about it.

Because once the grace period expires, only those affiliated with the International Association will be able to carry out subjugations.

Therefore, it can only be heard as a statement that he has no other choice but to accept it now that things have come to this point.

“Well, let’s talk about the details later…”

I continued with a serious expression.

“Even if headquarters forcibly withdraws the American branch from the International Association, they won’t just sit back and watch us continue the operation for three weeks.”

“That’s right.”

“They might forcibly occupy the branch and seize the control system, or they might deploy headquarters personnel to the operation site and obstruct the subjugation with force… or maybe they’ll do both at the same time.”

Michael’s expression darkened as well.

That’s why it would have been better to accept the suspension of the operation first.

Currently, we don’t have the manpower or time to prepare for an armed conflict.

Rather than openly declaring that we will continue the operation, it would have been better to pretend to suspend the operation and proceed secretly, which would have bought us a few more days.

But well… there’s nothing we can do about regretting what’s already happened.

“It won’t be easy, but we need to prepare.”

I said, getting up from my seat.

I knew that this day would come someday since I was trying to destroy the International Association, but it came a step earlier than I thought.

Of course, I have no intention of backing down.

If I back down here, nothing will be accomplished.

Now is the time to confront the International Association head-on.

***

“Branch Manager Michael has refused the operation suspension order.”

International Hunter Association Headquarters.

As Representative Emma opened her mouth, Secretary-General Wesley’s brow furrowed.

“Is that what you’re reporting now? I told you to stop him at all costs.”

“Don’t look at me like that. I told you from the beginning that Michael wasn’t the right person for the branch manager position, didn’t I? That guy is too rigid.”

Even at Secretary-General Wesley’s sharp tone, Representative Emma said with a nonchalant attitude.

Well, even if Michael is rigid, he’s not a brave guy. He’s even less likely to take risks.

There’s no way that guy would refuse the suspension order without a plan.

Unless Kim Jun-woo put in a good word from the side.

‘If not, there’s no way he would openly defy us like this, given his personality.’

Representative Emma muttered inwardly and nodded.

However, Secretary-General Wesley was still unable to accept it.

“So what? He refused the operation suspension order, so there’s nothing we can do now? Even if he’s withdrawn from headquarters, he’ll continue the subjugation during the grace period, right?”

“What do you take me for?”

Representative Emma replied calmly.

“Actually, it didn’t really matter what Michael chose. I just needed a justification.”

“What…?”

“It would have been better if he had quietly suspended the operation, but it doesn’t really matter if he refuses. If the American branch leaves our affiliation, we can move more freely.”

“…….”

Only then did Secretary-General Wesley seem to vaguely understand what she was trying to say.

Currently, the American branch is out of the hands of the International Association.

At first glance, it seems that the headquarters can no longer interfere because it is out of the International Association’s control… but that’s not true.

As Wesley had notified the world before, all organizations not affiliated with the International Association, including independent associations, are no longer recognized for their subjugation rights.

The American branch has also become a non-affiliated organization, so strictly speaking, there is no official subjugation organization in the United States.

Rather, it has created a perfect condition for the headquarters to intervene.

Of course, there are still three weeks left in the grace period.

In any case, as long as the leadership of the subjugation is with the headquarters, they can’t say anything about what we do there.

“Are you going to start a war in American territory?”

“If necessary.”

Representative Emma shrugged.

“Can you handle it? It could turn into a major war.”

“You have to handle that, not me. You told me to stop him at all costs, didn’t you?”

Secretary-General Wesley chuckled.

“By the way, does PB Corporation have the manpower for that? Noah is also out of contact. With just the current team members, there’s no way you can do anything, right?”

“Why worry about manpower? 80% of the world’s subjugation organizations are affiliated with us.”

Emma handed over a document.

It was none other than a list of hunters ranked 2nd to 50th in the world.

“We need to use the rankers at times like these.”

She replied triumphantly.

***

“Reporting.”

American North, the Korean subjugation squad’s temporary operation headquarters in Minnesota.

Cha Seok-hyun, the representative of the Ares Guild, who is in charge of the northern district, reported to team leader Kim Min-joo in a formal posture.

“Today’s total number of dungeons appearing in the northern district is 510, the total number of subjugated dungeons on the same day is 510, and the number of unsubjugated dungeons is 0. There were injuries in the Yellow-grade dungeon, but they were not seriously injured, so we can continue the subjugation tomorrow.”

“How did the dispatched team that went to support the east do?”

“They finished well. They will be returning tomorrow or the day after.”

“I see. Thank you for your hard work, Representative Cha.”

“Hahaha! Team leader, you’re the one who worked hard.”

As the formal report ended, Guild Leader Cha Seok-hyun burst into a hearty laugh.

Ares is not the only guild participating in this operation.

When Headquarters Manager Lee Ah-young was urgently recruiting dispatched personnel, guilds from all over the country gathered at the information that it was a large-scale operation directed by Kim Jun-woo.

In that way, a total of 1,500 people from 22 guilds across the country voluntarily participated in this operation just because it was ‘Kim Jun-woo’s operation.’

The Karma Corporation’s operation team had to continue domestic subjugation even during the grace period, so there was a limit to the teams that could be dispatched.

In the meantime, it was fortunate that many civilian guilds voluntarily came forward.

Of course, it must be because of the virtue that Teacher has built up over the years.

Kim Min-joo sincerely thought so.

“Anyway, Representative Kim is still amazing. To think that he’s in charge of the simultaneous subjugation operation across the entire United States!”

“I know. I thought I was catching up a bit… but every time, he goes far ahead.”

Kim Min-joo said in a tone of resentment, but a smile was on her lips.

And then.

“Ah… I’m so tired.”

At that moment, Han Yu-bin, who was in charge of cleaning and processing by-products, entered the operation headquarters.

She threw her body onto the sofa on one side.

“Is everything done?”

“I barely managed to do it. Ah… the thought of doing this for a few more days makes me shiver.”

Han Yu-bin frowned and grumbled.

But that was only for a moment.

“By the way, the American branch was withdrawn from the International Association, right?”

“That’s what they say. It seems that Branch Manager Michael refused the operation suspension order. Thanks to that, he reluctantly agreed to the merger.”

“Does that make sense… After all, the subjugation path will be blocked in just three weeks.”

“There’s still a grace period, so if we find Eden during that time, there won’t be a big problem.”

Han Yu-bin reacted indifferently, but Kim Min-joo still comforted her.

“Didn’t you hear anything from Representative Kim?”

“I did. Something important.”

“What is it?”

As soon as Han Yu-bin asked, several people entered the operation headquarters.

“Did you call us?”

“A summons at this hour.”

“What’s going on?”

It was none other than the team leaders of each operation team, including Representative Yoo Ji-woo of the Artemis Guild, who were all summoned.

Han Yu-bin had a rather bewildered expression at the sudden situation.

The team leaders who gathered there seemed to be the same.

“There is something that I urgently received from the command headquarters.”

After confirming that everyone had gathered, Kim Min-joo opened her mouth with a serious expression that was different from before.

“From this moment on, you will enter an emergency defense system…”

And at that moment when Kim Min-joo was about to get to the point.

Kwaaang-!!!

The operation headquarters exploded as it was from a bombing that flew in from somewhere.

The building was instantly engulfed in huge flames and black smoke.

Everything disappeared in an instant.

At that time, two silhouettes appeared in front of the collapsed debris.

“Is this enough?”

“Maybe?”

The calm voices of the two men and women quietly echoed in the devastated scene.

David Evans and Salt Evans.

Twin hunters ranked 11th and 12th in the world.

They were the ones leading the world-renowned guild, Lost Guild.

“It’s not as difficult as I thought.”

“I know.”

After confirming the completion of the mission while looking at the building that had become ashes, they were about to turn around with a deflated expression.

“Enter the emergency defense system and deal with all those who attack…”

Someone’s voice was heard from the rubble.

“That’s what you conveyed.”

“……Hoo.”

“Hehe, we’re already busy with subjugation, do we have to do this too?”

“Of course, we’ll get extra pay, right?”

[Unique Skill: Thousand Hands Guanyin]

[Unique Skill: High Panic Berserker]

[Unique Skill: Steam Punk]

[Unique Skill: Artemis]

Those who walk out of the collapsed debris without any problems.

The eyes of the team leaders covered in black dust flashed.