The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 192

191

“She cried?”

I asked, and Branch Manager Lee Ah-young nodded.

“Yes, she did. I was surprised too.”

“Seriously…”

Apparently, when we responded to the Hong Kong branch regarding the acquisition, their branch manager practically burst into tears.

Well, I can understand the sentiment, given their desperate situation…

‘Still, crying is a bit much…’

I think I have a rough idea of what she’s like.

“Well, since they’re in such a bind, I think the negotiation itself will be over quickly.”

“I suppose so.”

“So, when are you leaving the country?”

“Excuse me? Am I going?”

“…? Then who’s going?”

“No, isn’t there someone in charge? I thought Branch Manager Ha Sung-il was going.”

I asked, bewildered, and Branch Manager Lee Ah-young narrowed her eyes.

“What, have you been going on business trips yourself all this time because there was no one in charge? Why are you acting like this is something new now…”

“No, the situation was a bit special all this time. This time, it’s something that will be over quickly, as you said, so there’s no need for me to go.”

“Well, if you can proceed before the Chinese Association [likely a powerful local organization or guild] gets wind of it, it doesn’t matter if Branch Manager Ha goes… but you never know what might happen.”

She shrugged.

That’s not entirely wrong.

If they find out that headquarters is proceeding with the acquisition before the negotiation, it will become quite troublesome.

They’ll try to interfere by any means possible.

“If something happens later, you’ll have to step in anyway. Wouldn’t it be better for you to go from the start?”

“…That makes sense.”

Except for the fact that it’s a hassle for me.

If that’s the case, why did we hire employees?

“Anyway, please set the departure date as soon as possible. I need to adjust my schedule too.”

“Are you going too?”

“…Why? Do you not want me to?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t want you to… it just seems like you’re making thorough preparations for something that’s supposed to be over quickly.”

“Well…”

Lee Ah-young quickly hid her expression and said.

“I just have a bad feeling.”

“You always do this. You’re just being sensitive.”

“Well, I hope that’s all it is.”

She forced a smile.

Just as she was about to leave the office, seemingly finished with her business, she turned her head back as if something had come to mind.

“Oh, has Min-joo been up to anything lately?”

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

“It’s just that… her subjugation schedule has suddenly increased drastically since she came back from the US branch. She’s participating in almost every operation possible, except for sleeping.”

“…?”

Suddenly?

I’m hearing this for the first time too.

“She’s the operations director, but I was wondering why she’s pushing herself so hard when she’s not even a required participant. Is something going on?”

“I don’t know. I can’t think of anything in particular.”

There are usually two reasons why Hunters are enthusiastic about operations.

The first is to raise their rank quickly.

The second is to become stronger purely through practical experience.

Well, the former is something that any Hunter with even a little ambition would have tried at least once.

They accumulate as many achievements as possible to gain extra points in the rank assessment, while also honing their abilities to the limit to aim for a higher rank.

But the latter… I’ve never actually seen it.

This isn’t the Murim world [a genre of Korean fantasy focused on martial arts and cultivation].

Who would risk their life to become stronger these days?

However…

‘If it’s her, it’s definitely possible…’

Because she has an unnecessarily martial arts-oriented personality for her age.

But why all of a sudden now?

She knows she’s strong enough now, so why is she being so greedy?

“Certainly. It is strange.”

“Why don’t you meet her and ask her directly? Ask her if something’s wrong.”

“Hmm…”

After organizing my thoughts for a moment, I waved my hand.

“No, there’s no need to pry into her personal affairs. It’s a good thing for the company if our ace is participating in a lot of operations.”

“…If you say so.”

Lee Ah-young answered awkwardly and left the office.

As soon as she left, I fell into thought.

‘Hmm…’

I said that, but I’m still concerned.

Now that the second International Association project is gradually taking shape.

In that situation, suddenly being enthusiastic about achievements is strange no matter how you look at it.

Unless she’s aiming for something.

‘Then what can we think about…’

I stroked my chin and started listing them one by one.

If we become the new International Association, we have to decide on one important thing.

That is, the question of who will be the Secretary-General of the new International Association.

Of course, it should be me, and situationally, it can only be me.

But now she’s suddenly focusing on improving her abilities?

The birth of a new International Association.

The decision of the Secretary-General.

And that girl who’s suddenly greedy for something.

Could it be that…

‘Is she aiming for the position of Secretary-General…?’

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I unconsciously clenched my fist.

It’s not entirely impossible.

Even if she’s not interested in rank or salary, she’s still ambitious.

No, no matter what, how dare she betray me and aim for my position?

‘Ha, I’ll never let that happen.’

Go ahead and try.

I took out my phone.

***

“Hoo…”

In front of a dungeon located in Ilsan [a city in South Korea].

Kim Min-joo, who had just finished subjugation, sighed as she exited the dungeon.

“Aren’t you overdoing it these days?”

Han Yu-bin, who happened to be there for cleaning, approached her and asked.

“Did you suddenly become greedy for rank or something?”

“Ahaha, it’s not like that.”

Kim Min-joo awkwardly smiled and waved her hand.

“Then why…?”

“You said it before, Yu-bin. Let’s put Mr. Kim in the position of Secretary-General.”

“So?”

“If we want to do that, we’ll have to clash with the International Association a few more times in the future… Mr. Kim can’t always step up, can he?”

Kim Min-joo avoided eye contact, feeling embarrassed by the cheesy story, and continued.

“When I fought the Rankers last time, I realized I was still lacking.”

Han Yu-bin chuckled at those words.

Lacking?

She almost single-handedly fought against the 11th and 12th ranked in the world?

‘Is she being humble, or is she an idiot…’

After muttering to herself for a moment.

“You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. Well… good luck.”

Even if she couldn’t sympathize, she decided to understand her.

“Why don’t you join us, Yu-bin?”

“Well, I’m not the type to prepare for the future.”

“You never know. If a really dangerous moment comes, we have to protect Mr. Kim.”

“Well…”

Han Yu-bin shrugged and replied.

“If that day really comes, I’ll make up for it with my body.”

“…”

Leaving those words behind, Han Yu-bin led the cleaning team into the dungeon.

Kim Min-joo checked the time and immediately moved on to participate in the next operation.

And then, her phone rang.

“Ah, Mr. Kim?”

It was a call from Kim Jun-woo.

「Where are you right now?」

“I’m in Ilsan right now. I just finished an operation and was about to move to Seoul…”

「No, don’t go.」

“Yes, yes?”

「I said don’t go. How many days have you been participating in operations now?」

“About a week…”

「Are you crazy?」

A voice full of anger.

Kim Min-joo flinched for a moment at the firmness she had never heard before.

「Doesn’t the operations director know the basic rules? Who told you to participate continuously without permission?」

“…I, I’m sorry.”

Kim Min-joo answered in a barely audible voice.

That’s because it was strictly against the rules.

In principle, Hunters were not allowed to participate in operations for two consecutive days for the sake of their condition and safety.

「And if the operations director participates in operations without resting, what are the people below supposed to do? Don’t you know that they can’t rest because they’re afraid of being noticed?」

“…”

Her head drooped more and more.

「Haa, why is someone who knows everything doing this.」

“…”

「Anyway, I’m going to Hong Kong soon, so stop participating in operations until then.」

“Th, that’s…!”

「Don’t argue. That’s an order.」

“…”

「Hmph, what kind of operations director can’t even manage their own body…」

The call ended with that muttering.

It was the first time Kim Jun-woo had scolded her so much.

In some ways, she could have felt bad, but in reality, Kim Min-joo’s expression was the opposite.

She couldn’t help but smile.

Yes, that’s the kind of person he is.

A person who thinks about the condition of his subordinates before his own vision.

How could she disobey the orders of such a person?

‘It’s a shame, but…’

Kim Min-joo had no choice but to turn around.

***

Beijing, China.

The Chinese branch of the International Hunter Association.

Branch Manager Li Zijing was contemplating the contract in front of him.

“You’re being cautious.”

After several minutes had passed without him even touching the pen, the white woman sitting across from him opened her mouth slightly.

It was CEO Emma, the head of PB Corporation.

“Isn’t it simple? We’re just saying that the headquarters will actively support what the Chinese branch wants. Of course, only if you keep the condition that you won’t withdraw from the International Association.”

“Hmm…”

Branch Manager Li was still lost in thought.

In fact, he was quite pained by how the Chinese Association had become like this.

Just a few months ago, wasn’t it by far the best independent association?

But ever since the Korean Association started to rise, that was a thing of the past.

Above all, the situation was completely reversed when the Korean bastards started establishing branches overseas without paying attention to the International Association.

Then the International Association announced the control of subjugation rights.

He thought it was an opportunity and joined immediately… but it was a mistake as a result.

Because the Korean bastards were recognized as an independent organization in just a week.

What would the position of a great power be like if this happened?

To make matters worse, an investigation was launched due to the International Association’s attack, and the image was falling to the bottom.

In this situation, there was no reason to stay with the International Association any longer.

He was thinking of withdrawing first and demanding recognition as an independent organization like Korea.

If that didn’t work, he could just ignore everything and create a third force.

He was officially preparing to withdraw, but an unexpected variable occurred.

The headquarters of the International Association made a deal.

A pretty huge deal.

“First of all, we are considering transferring the right to self-management and subjugation only to the Chinese branch. You can think of it as an independent association, even though it belongs to the International Association. Do you understand what I mean?”

“…I understand.”

A place that belongs, but has the characteristics of an independent association.

Branch Manager Li already knew one such place.

That place was both a headache and a strategic point for the authorities.

It was the Hong Kong branch.

CEO Emma seemed to have noticed what Branch Manager Li was thinking and immediately continued.

“And as you requested, we will also support the recapture of the Hong Kong branch.”

“…”

“As you know, if we leave it as it is, the Hong Kong branch will become independent. It’s okay if Hong Kong breaks away, but if Hong Kong becomes independent, other autonomous regions won’t stay still.”

Branch Manager Li also knew better than anyone else.

If the autonomous regions that he was barely holding on to demanded independence and rose up, the authorities would not leave him alone.

They might hold him responsible and execute him.

Because this is such a place.

So he had to recapture the Hong Kong branch at all costs.

However, he had not been able to actively step forward until now because of the eyes of the international community.

But if the International Association helps, the story will be different.

Besides, they said they would transfer the operating rights.

Then there’s no reason to refuse.

“Instead, you just have to keep the condition that you will cooperate whenever the headquarters requests it.”

“For example?”

“That’s confidential.”

CEO Emma smiled.

“…I understand.”

In the end, Branch Manager Li picked up the pen again.

At that moment when he brought the pen to the contract.

“Branch Manager!”

An employee came into the office.

“I received a call from our employee who was planted in the Hong Kong branch…”

He struggled to continue.

“The Hong Kong branch is said to be proceeding with a merger with Karma Corporation this time.”

“…What?!”

Branch Manager Li’s pupils widened greatly at the shocking news.

His gaze lost its place and wandered around for a moment.

His gaze turned to CEO Emma.

“It seems… we need to move right away.”

“Yes. As you wish.”

CEO Emma nodded.