The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 189

188

“You negotiated with Eden on the line…?”

American Branch, Central Control Room.

Immediately after handling the situation and returning, I told Branch Manager Lee Ah-young about what happened with Secretary-General Wesley.

“With Eden, the very people you couldn’t even find?”

She naturally reacted with disbelief.

“Well, thankfully it went well.”

“So, when you kept saying strange things on the phone before…”

“I was doing some acting.”

“Oh, no… what were you going to do if you got caught?!”

“Isn’t it fine since I didn’t get caught?”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young shook her head, her forehead in her hand.

“Ha, it’s beyond absurd!”

“Then what am I supposed to do? I’d rather die than go under that bastard, but I can’t negotiate without anything to offer.”

If it’s going to be the worst-case scenario anyway, I have to at least pretend to hold the knife.

“And I didn’t say a word about finding Eden. It’s their own assumption and misunderstanding, so they can’t say anything even if they find out.”

“I don’t think that excuse will work…”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young narrowed her eyes and said.

“Anyway, we avoided the worst. No, we should say this is the best for us.”

“……That’s true. Recognition of an independent organization, authority to manage Hunters, authority to oversee operations. Plus, we get to share Bank Items.”

“From now on, we can continue our own subjugation and branch activities. And we can keep the International Association’s dictatorship in check.”

“It would be perfect if you only look at it that way…”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young trailed off and sighed softly.

I could immediately understand what she wanted to say.

“The aftermath is the problem?”

“That’s right. The International Association’s goal is to monopolize all the dungeons and Hunters in the world anyway. They’ve stepped back now because they think we’re holding the knife…”

“They’ll bare their teeth again when the knife disappears.”

That’s obvious.

Did they really give us control because they liked us?

It’s just authority they’ve lent us temporarily, forced to do so against their will.

They’ll definitely try to take it back when the time comes.

And that method will probably be…

“They might bring out their last resort.”

“You mean…?”

“I mean they might start a war.”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young’s expression became very serious.

“That sounds like it could be the worst-case scenario.”

“Well, don’t worry too much. It was bound to happen someday as long as we’re opposing the International Association.”

“Do you have any countermeasures?”

“Not now.”

I answered firmly.

“But we can prepare from now on.”

“How…?”

“We have the authority the International Association lent us.”

We need to use that authority to the fullest before the deadline to return it comes.

“Karma Corporation has become an independent organization. Of course, the organizations we acquire are the same. Then we need to make as many allies as possible.”

“……”

“Of course, it’s easier said than done. The remaining independent organizations aren’t in very good shape.”

I continued in a serious voice.

“We have to help them until they can do their part, solve their chronic problems, and make sure the organizations trust us. Plus, we have to earn the trust of our employees…”

I trailed off.

After saying it, I even doubted if it was possible.

Well, Branch Manager Lee Ah-young is just looking at me without answering, so I guess she’s thinking the same thing…

“So, you’re saying you’re going to do what you’ve been doing?”

“…Huh?”

“……Yes?”

Why did it turn out that way?

Did she understand me correctly?

We were tilting our heads with question marks on our faces when.

“Director!”

Branch Manager Michael burst into the office with an excited face.

“The news all over the world is going crazy! There’s an outpouring of criticism against the International Association! It seems like this incident leaked out…!”

“Ah, the reaction is already coming.”

“……Yes?”

Branch Manager Michael’s eyebrows twitched.

He looked like he heard something he shouldn’t have.

“The headquarters made such a fuss about interfering with the operation, we couldn’t just sit still.”

“S, so you, Director…?”

“Yes. I reported it. Everything about this attack.”

Of course, if the attack had succeeded, we would have moved on as if nothing had happened. Because there wouldn’t have been anyone left to talk about this.

But since it failed so spectacularly, we can’t just condone it.

Of course, Branch Manager Michael seemed quite uneasy about openly attacking the International Association.

“I heard the negotiations went well, why bother doing this…”

“Negotiations are just negotiations. They have to take responsibility for trying to kill my team members without fear.”

More than anything, I didn’t inform them of this just to strike a blow against the International Association.

“Now that this has become known to the world, any associations with any sense will break away from the International Association. And we…”

This incident is a stepping stone for the preparations we will make in the future.

“I’m going to target those associations first.”

***

[Breaking News – International Hunter Association Attacks American Branch During Operation]

[Multiple Casualties in Operation Teams from Various Countries, Including the American Branch, Due to the Attack]

[‘Why?’ Shocking Truth of an Organization Meant for Citizen Safety!]

[From Unilateral Withdrawal Orders to Attacking Operation Teams. International Community Denounces ‘Clearly Crossing the Line of Aggression’]

[Chinese Association Expresses Regret, ‘Is This Why They Controlled Worldwide Subjugation Rights?’ Will They Withdraw from the International Association?]

[‘No Questions Asked’ Russia Withdraws from the International Association Just One Week After Joining. Other Countries Also Following Suit…….]

[International Hunter Association Statement, ‘An Unforeseen Accident Occurred During Operation Withdrawal Negotiations’]

[Secretary-General Wesley Says ‘I Deeply Apologize’ Followed by ‘I Will Recognize the Organization That Led This Operation as an Independent Organization’ Sparks Discussion]

[It Is Revealed That the Person in Charge of This Operation Is Karma Corporation CEO Kim Jun-woo…….]

[Karma Corporation, Inheriting the Legacy of the Korea Other Dimension Management Association, Recognized as the Only Independent Subjugation Organization in the World.]

[Karma Corporation, the Possibility of a Second International Association Emerges]

“W, what is this……”

Director Lee Doo-shik, who was checking the news, opened his mouth with a dumbfounded expression.

He knew that a large-scale operation was underway in the American branch, but he couldn’t believe they were attacked by the International Association.

Director Lee Doo-shik was worried first.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have sent Lee Ah-young.

‘Well, if there’s no news, it means she’s safe…….’

Just for a moment, Director Lee Doo-shik’s gaze turned back to the headlines.

‘Karma Corporation, recognized as an independent subjugation organization.’

Below it was a detailed description of the authority Karma Corporation had obtained from the International Association.

After confirming this, Director Lee Doo-shik let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

‘What the hell did they do there…?’

He couldn’t believe it.

This wasn’t just a blow to the International Association.

The reason why there was no talk when the International Association announced that it would control subjugation rights a few days ago was, of course, because of trust in the International Association.

Until now, the International Association had been more enthusiastic about subjugation than anyone else, with the slogan ‘Citizen Safety First.’

For citizens around the world, the International Association was a reliable presence and hero that protected their lives.

Thanks to that thick trust, the International Association was able to maintain its reputation despite several controversies.

But with this incident, that trust finally collapsed.

Whether this was planned or just an accident, they not only unilaterally withdrew from the American branch, but also attacked those who were in operation…….

Thanks to this, criticism is pouring in from all over the world towards the International Association, and at the same time, the view of controlling subjugation rights is also turning negative.

For the International Association, this incident is a fatal blow.

‘But Karma Corporation is the opposite…….’

Rather, Karma Corporation has risen to the surface due to this incident.

The only independent subjugation organization in the world.

Authority to manage Hunters and authority to manage and supervise the International Association’s operations.

This has become the only group that can stand against the International Association.

The overseas branch business, the second International Association, and the things Kim Jun-woo had been talking about are really starting to materialize little by little.

“This… might really be possible.”

Soon, Director Lee Doo-shik said to former Association President Park In-beom, who was sitting across from him, in a trembling voice.

But former Association President Park In-beom had a sullen expression on his face.

“Well, I’m a little worried.”

“You don’t think the International Association will stand still?”

“Not just the same, they will never stand still.”

He said with a serious face.

“Look at their actions so far. Those bastards are the kind of guys who would start a war to get what they want.”

“……Surely they’re not really going to start a war in this day and age.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

Former Association President Park In-beom sighed softly.

Only then did Director Lee Doo-shik feel uneasy.

“Should I tell Kim Jun-woo about it?”

“No, there’s no way that bastard doesn’t know. He must have a plan.”

He said that, but he still couldn’t shake off his anxiety.

Even though they’ve stepped back, the International Association still has Bank Items.

As long as they have Bank Items, this situation can be reversed at any time…….

“D, Director…….”

At that moment, an employee carefully called out to Director Lee Doo-shik.

“What is it?”

“A special cargo sent by the International Association just arrived. When we checked it, it seems to be Ability Stones and Anti-Ability Stones.”

“……What?”

Director Lee Doo-shik and former Association President Park In-beom’s eyes widened at the same time.

***

Northern United States, Korean Temporary Operations Headquarters.

The devastated site was gradually returning to its original state as repairs progressed.

But Kim Min-joo’s expression was somehow still dark.

-Isn’t that why you came to the past? To stop the International Association’s monopoly and bring me down.

That word Wesley said to Kim Jun-woo kept lingering in her head.

“I’m the one who almost died, why do you look like you’re eating shit?”

Eventually, Han Yu-bin, who couldn’t stand it anymore, approached her and spoke.

“What’s wrong?”

“…….”

Kim Min-joo gave a bitter smile instead of answering.

Just for a moment.

“What do you think it would be like if Mr. Kim disappeared?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Someone told me. Mr. Kim sacrificed himself to create a better world. And he might disappear when he achieves his goal.”

“……?”

“But whatever a good world is, what does it mean if Mr. Kim isn’t there?”

Han Yu-bin tilted her head.

She couldn’t understand Kim Min-joo’s words at all.

She wondered if she was joking, but Kim Min-joo’s expression was more serious than ever, so it didn’t seem like it.

Han Yu-bin thought for a long time before opening her mouth.

“Well, I definitely don’t like that. Honestly, Min-joo and I aren’t doing this because we like this job, but because we like working with that person.”

“That’s right…….”

“But what can we do? If that’s his goal, we can’t stop him. But…… I don’t think he needs to risk his life.”

Han Yu-bin looked at Kim Min-joo.

“Then can’t we just be greedy? A world where that person doesn’t have to sacrifice himself.”

“What do you mean…?”

Han Yu-bin pointed to the sky with her index finger.

“Let’s put that person in the highest place.”

“……!”

“Then that person doesn’t have to sacrifice himself. I don’t think there’s a better world than that?”

Kim Min-joo had an expression as if she had been hit on the head.

“Well, we’ll just have to suffer a little more. That person is more suited for a high place than sacrifice.”

“If it’s a high place…….”

“What else could it be.”

Han Yu-bin smiled.

“There’s only the Secretary-General of the International Association.”