The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 191

190

“Still, strictly speaking…….”

Karma Corporation Headquarters, CEO’s office.

Director Lee Ah-young cautiously opened her mouth in front of Director Ha Sung-il and me.

“Isn’t the Hong Kong branch also under the Chinese Association anyway?”

“If we’re talking about affiliation, yes. But… it’s a bit complicated. Well, most of it is a diplomatic issue….”

Director Ha Sung-il answered first.

He hesitated, seemingly struggling to organize how to explain it.

In the end, I took over the explanation.

“There were a lot of complaints from the beginning when we established the branch. There was bound to be resistance to setting up a branch in a region that is politically and economically separate from the mainland… But, well, we weren’t in a position to strongly refuse at the time.”

It was shortly after dungeons started appearing.

At the time, Hong Kong, like other countries, had no subjugation infrastructure at all. So they couldn’t desperately prevent the Chinese Association’s branch from entering.

No matter how much they didn’t want the mainland to interfere, they still had to deal with the monsters.

“Looking back, China played its cards right. They extended an offer that couldn’t be refused at the right time. Thanks to that, they were able to exert influence in Hong Kong, which they hadn’t been able to touch easily before.”

“Then that makes the Hong Kong branch directly under the Chinese Association. I don’t understand what’s so complicated.”

“Didn’t the independence movement happen in Hong Kong a few years ago?”

“Ah…….”

Only then did Director Lee Ah-young seem to piece things together in her head.

Well, it’s understandable that she might have forgotten.

Even though it was a few years ago, it was still 20 years ago.

“Of course, it wasn’t a successful outcome, but there were still achievements. They pushed out all the mainland executives in the branch.”

“Oh, no… Isn’t that huge?! If you think about it, they made the branch independent from the mainland?”

“Well, considering the number of people who died in the process, it should be seen as the minimum result.”

I said, recalling the news from before the regression.

The urgent situations that were broadcasted on the airwaves flashed through my mind.

“So, China really backed down willingly?”

Then, Director Lee Ah-young asked.

“They had no choice. At the time, quite a few countries were supporting Hong Kong’s independence, so they would have been wary of making things worse.”

I shrugged my shoulders and said.

“Anyway, the Hong Kong branch is only affiliated with the Chinese Association, but Hong Kong has the actual operational rights. They conduct dungeon detection and operations on their own. But from China’s perspective…….”

“It would be annoying. An independent branch that is not influenced by the headquarters…….”

I nodded at her immediate reply.

“As you know, China is wary of Hong Kong having independent power. It’s even a subjugation organization. They’re probably still looking for a chance to take over the branch.”

Of course, there is a fortunate aspect from China’s perspective.

That the Hong Kong branch is still officially affiliated with the Chinese Association.

But if we take over the Hong Kong branch in this situation…….

“China won’t stand still…….”

“Yes. If the affiliation changes, they won’t even be able to dream of it anymore.”

Her expression hardened as she seemed to grasp the situation properly.

This acquisition offer is not just part of a simple business.

The moment we touch the Hong Kong branch, there is a high possibility that it will escalate into a diplomatic issue between Korea and China.

“So, the most troublesome place got caught.”

“Indeed… that’s true.”

Director Lee Ah-young acknowledged, folding her arms.

“Then are you just going to give up?”

“Well. First, we need to figure out if the Hong Kong branch is worth acquiring.”

Saying that, I looked at Director Ha Sung-il.

Overseas business was his responsibility.

As if he had been waiting, he handed over the prepared documents.

“Frankly speaking, from a business perspective, there’s nothing bad for us. The monthly subjugation volume, operation success rate, and hunter quality are all excellent. Above all, there don’t seem to be any major internal problems.”

“Hmm…….”

“If we acquire it, it will definitely be a great help in checking the International Association.”

“That would be good for us. But why would they offer a merger to us when there are no problems?”

“That’s…….”

When I asked, Director Ha Sung-il made a serious expression.

“This isn’t official information, but…….”

He glanced around unnecessarily and continued in a low voice.

“Have you heard the rumor that the Chinese Association is withdrawing from the International Association recently?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that.”

“From what I’ve heard, the International Association is desperately trying to stop it.”

“……?”

My eyebrows twitched.

Suddenly, now?

The Chinese Association isn’t that beneficial in subjugation, is it?

“I don’t know what their ulterior motive is… but it seems that the Chinese Association is essential for future events.”

“Does that have anything to do with this?”

“I guess so. There’s a story that they’re making a deal to prevent the Chinese Association from withdrawing. If they can stop the withdrawal, they’ll try to give the Chinese side everything they want.”

“Wait, if that’s what the Chinese Association wants…….”

“It’s the Hong Kong branch.”

Director Ha Sung-il nodded and replied.

“It seems that the Chinese Association is trying to move in earnest. With the International Association backing them up.”

“Did that news reach the Hong Kong branch’s ears…?”

“I’m seeing it that way.”

Then it makes sense that they offered us a merger first, even though there were no problems.

Currently, Hong Kong has a fairly solid system on its own, but the essence is still affiliated with the Chinese Association.

In that situation, if the mainland tries to take it back in earnest with the International Association backing them up…… the branch has no way to stop it.

The achievements that were barely obtained thanks to numerous sacrifices in the past will be taken away entirely.

From the Hong Kong branch’s point of view, they have to stop it at all costs.

To do that, the easiest way is…….

Just hand over the branch to another place.

‘Damn it. National issues are openly intertwined…….’

This isn’t just a high probability.

It’s 100%.

The moment we touch the Hong Kong branch, this will escalate into a diplomatic issue.

“So what are you going to do now?”

“Tsk, it’s definitely a tempting place…….”

What do we get by acquiring the Hong Kong branch?

Geographically and economically, it’s undoubtedly beneficial.

But the attached risks have exceeded the level we can handle.

“It seems that this is not a problem that we can decide on our own.”

I guess I need another means.

“Lee Ah-young, do you still have the Blue House [South Korean presidential residence] Chief of Staff’s business card that you received last time?”

“…Yes, yes.”

“Please make a meeting appointment right away. As soon as possible.”

I grabbed my coat.

“I need to talk to the President.”

***

A few days later, the Blue House reception room.

“From the Hong Kong branch?”

I told President Jo Hyun-min, who had managed to make time for me, everything.

As expected, he made a troubled expression as if he understood the whole context in a few words.

“Hmm, if we accept it rashly, our relationship with China could be strained.”

“That’s why I thought I needed the President’s judgment, so I came to see you like this.”

“Haha, thank you for your consideration.”

President Jo Hyun-min bowed his head.

And after a moment of contemplation, he opened his mouth.

“Honestly… the government doesn’t have much to gain from acquiring the Hong Kong branch. It seems that it has a lot of business elements.”

“I know.”

“The risks we have to bear are too great compared to that. As you know, honestly, it’s not good for our country to be at odds with China.”

President Jo Hyun-min said with a rather regrettable expression.

Well, I understand.

No matter how each country is evaluated, diplomacy is not a matter of acting emotionally.

If we could freely establish and sever national relations, we wouldn’t have these concerns in the first place.

Well, it’s a pity, but there’s nothing we can do.

As long as the President says that, the Hong Kong branch issue is…….

“But, the situation has changed a lot in the past few days.”

Then, President Jo Hyun-min immediately spoke.

“The day the International Association notified us that they would monopolize the subjugation rights, honestly, I thought there was no hope. Since we’re at odds, they wouldn’t accept our membership in the International Association, so I thought we wouldn’t be able to subjugate on our own anymore.”

“…….”

“But what do you know, some good person risked his life to stop it. And it was a businessman, not the military or the government.”

……Are you talking about me?

I think it’s been glorified too much.

“Thanks to that good person, Korea made a comeback. In that situation, it would be ridiculous to push only the government’s position. We didn’t do anything.”

“No. That’s because the President is here…….”

“Don’t do that. I’ll be more ashamed.”

When I tried to say something flattering, President Jo Hyun-min firmly stopped me.

He looked at me with a serious expression and asked.

“Can I ask you just one thing?”

“……Please speak.”

“If we acquire the Hong Kong branch, will it help check the International Association?”

“I can guarantee it.”

When I answered immediately, President Jo Hyun-min smiled as if he had been waiting.

“Then that’s it. Proceed.”

“……Are you really okay with this?”

“A true leader speaks with his footprints, not his mouth.”

He got up from his seat first and continued.

“I believe in the footprints that CEO Kim has left behind.”

“…….”

What are you talking about?

“From now on, CEO Kim, don’t worry about anything and just focus on the acquisition. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“……I understand.”

Well, it’s a thorny path no matter who looks at it…….

Still, I got permission, so I should do it properly since I’m doing it anyway.

I slightly raised one corner of my mouth.

***

The Chinese Association Hong Kong Branch, located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

“The headquarters sent an official document saying that they will be reorganizing the department this time.”

In the midst of a serious atmosphere for several days, the executive secretary urgently delivered a report to Branch Manager Hwang Ga-hui.

“I think… they’re really trying to move in earnest now.”

“Has there been any contact from Karma Corporation yet?”

“Yes, not yet. I guess they can’t easily get their hands on it either…….”

“Damn it!”

Branch Manager Hwang slammed the desk.

Yes, I know.

Didn’t they say that the representative there is a very smart guy?

He probably knows what will happen if he takes our hand.

There’s no reason to acquire us, considering such a big risk.

I understand that they can’t actively come forward.

I understand, but…….

‘Then what are we supposed to do now…….’

It’s the operating rights that were barely obtained with the sacrifice of numerous citizens.

If we lose this, Hong Kong will go back to the way it was before.

Above all, it is clear that only subjugation by and for the mainland will proceed.

For the sake of those who sacrificed their lives for Hong Kong, we must defend the branch.

But…….

‘There’s no way anymore…….’

Branch Manager Hwang dropped his head in deep despair.

But then.

“B, Branch Manager!”

Suddenly, an administrative staff member rushed into the office.

And delivered one word.

“We have received a call from Karma Corporation!”

“……!”

A light of hope began to appear belatedly.