The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 194

193

“What is this…?”

Beijing, Chinese Association Headquarters.

News about the current situation in Hong Kong arrived swiftly.

Chairman Li Zeijing of the association couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the alarming news.

He was indeed anxious about the possibility of Hong Kong handing over its branch to Karma Corporation.

If they became completely independent from the Chinese Association, he didn’t know what kind of repercussions they would face from the authorities, so he had to prevent the acquisition at all costs.

So, he had tasked Representative Emma with reclaiming the Hong Kong branch as quickly as possible, but—.

To think they would create a dungeon in the middle of the city.

Moreover, filled with Red and Yellow rank monsters.

He didn’t know how that was even possible, but one thing was certain.

‘Even if their reputation is tarnished, the International Association is still the International Association, huh….’

If they have the power to arbitrarily create dungeons, then even if their credibility has plummeted due to the assault, it’s not that significant of an issue.

What does trust matter when faced with overwhelming power?

Controlling the rights to subjugate monsters worldwide wasn’t just an empty threat.

Well, if they possessed that much power, anyone would act similarly.

Furthermore, their actions are quite extreme.

The phenomenon currently occurring in Hong Kong was meticulously planned by the International Association.

Before proceeding with the acquisition, they plunged the city into chaos so that the branch would be forced to request help from the headquarters.

To that end, they relentlessly escalated the situation to the point where the Hong Kong branch’s resources alone couldn’t resolve it.

‘This isn’t the kind of plan that people who prioritize the safety of citizens would devise….’

An attitude that disregards the sacrifice of citizens for the sake of achieving their goals.

Chairman Li was genuinely disgusted by that ruthlessness.

The Chinese Association thought it had been adopting a fairly tough stance, but compared to them, it was merely child’s play.

‘I don’t know if this is really the right path.’

Chairman Li felt a strange unease creeping in.

Of course, there’s no concrete evidence linking the International Association to the arbitrary creation of a dungeon and the attack on the city center, so there’s no immediate cause for alarm about getting caught.

Even so…….

The problem was the airport bombing.

As soon as Representative Emma received confirmation that the representative of Karma Corporation was at the airport, she immediately ordered an attack.

The number of innocent people inside the airport was of no concern to them.

It was as if their sole focus was preventing the acquisition from proceeding.

‘Scary bastards….’

Chairman Li shook his head involuntarily.

Going against these guys was not something he could do in his right mind, no matter how he considered it.

What kind of courage does Karma Corporation possess to be in conflict with these individuals?

No…….

How did they even manage to share control with these people?

Whether it’s the individuals who disregard the means as long as it serves their goals, or the ones who took the initiative against them…….

Neither side is normal.

“Anyway. There are too many crazy bastards involved.”

Just as Chairman Li was clicking his tongue in disapproval, Secretary Jang Hongzhi entered the office.

“You called for me?”

As Secretary Jang greeted him politely, Chairman Li nodded.

“How is the situation over there now?”

“It’s as bad as expected. Due to the failure of the initial subjugation of the Red-rank dungeon, it has become difficult to organize additional operation personnel. There are also not enough operation teams to deploy to the Yellow-rank dungeons. It seems that they are prioritizing the evacuation of citizens for now……”

Secretary Jang paused for a moment before continuing.

“It seems that even that is proving difficult because the escaped monsters are running rampant.”

“Hmm…….”

“They sent a rescue team to the airport, but it seems difficult to start the rescue operation right away because the building has completely collapsed.”

“What about the representative of Karma Corporation? What’s the news about that person?”

“It seems that he is also trapped.”

A faint smile spread across Chairman Li’s face at that answer.

Good.

With this, all preparations are complete.

Whether Representative Kim is dead or alive, the acquisition cannot proceed as long as he is trapped.

Even if they rush into the rescue operation, the current situation of the Hong Kong branch doesn’t afford them the time to wait until then.

Of course, after the operation rights were separated, the Hong Kong branch has been steadily growing. Accordingly, the quality of the hunters and the subjugation system are also very high, but…….

That’s only the case when the command headquarters is functioning properly.

The Hong Kong branch was flustered by the unexpected situation and has already failed in its initial response.

They have to deal with the escaped monsters and evacuate the citizens, but for now, they will not be able to do either properly.

In that situation, there is only one thing they can do.

To ask someone for help.

It was at that moment that he finished organizing his thoughts.

“Chairman!”

An administrative staff member suddenly burst into the office.

“We have received a call from the Hong Kong branch!”

The news he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

***

“……Yes, then please do so. Thank you.”

Hong Kong branch.

Branch Manager Hwang finished the call with a trembling voice.

“What did they say?”

Team Leader Ryu, who had been keeping his seat next to him, asked with a sullen expression.

“They said they will send additional operation troops and command personnel now. As soon as they arrive here, they will take over the operational control. From then on, the headquarters will command the operation.”

“…….”

Team Leader Ryu hesitated for a moment.

But only for a moment.

“Branch Manager, is this really okay?”

He asked cautiously, as if he was genuinely worried about this situation.

“Requesting support from the headquarters. Moreover, even transferring control……. They may try to regain the operation rights by using this as an excuse.”

“No, they will definitely try to regain them.”

“Yes, yes?! Knowing that, why are you getting support…!”

“Can you solve this situation right now?”

“…….”

Team Leader Ryu seemed speechless at the sudden question.

“……If I have time, I will try to do something.”

“Where do you have time! Monsters are roaming in the middle of the city right now! If the control team has no way, what can we do to stop this!”

“Ah, even so, receiving support from the headquarters is…….”

“Then what the hell are we supposed to do! Are you telling me to stand still while the citizens are dying?!”

Branch Manager Hwang raised his voice as if he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Of course, he knew what Team Leader Ryu was worried about.

But there was no choice.

In the first place, the Hong Kong branch lacks experience in the worst-case scenario.

In the meantime, the initial response has failed, so the control team is in a state of panic.

A collapsed command system.

They are barely stopping the monsters and evacuating the citizens, but they won’t be able to hold out for long.

In the worst case, Hong Kong could collapse.

“I know, damn it. They were trying to regain it, but since we reached out first, they will try to regain it with all their might. But what can we do…….”

Branch Manager Hwang calmed down and continued.

“We have to save people even if we lose it, right?”

“…….”

Team Leader Ryu didn’t answer.

Instead of thinking about persuading the branch manager, he recalled an old event from more than 20 years ago.

20 years ago, during the independence movement.

Branch Manager Hwang always led the citizens on the front lines.

In the process, he lost his brothers and his family.

He knows how much sacrifice this branch has made and how important it is to Hong Kong.

No… he knows better than anyone else.

He would rather give up his life than give up the branch, but he finally asked the headquarters for help.

Knowing that he didn’t give up the branch, but just chose something more important, the control team leader couldn’t say anything more.

“Let’s just think about what we can do for now.”

Branch Manager Hwang muttered and asked Team Leader Ryu.

“Did you check the monster escape dungeon?”

“Yes. As expected, it was confirmed to be a Red-rank dungeon that failed to be subjugated in the initial stage.”

“What is the current trend of monsters?”

“Only 19 individuals have been identified, and the area within a 10km radius of the escape dungeon has been occupied. Fortunately, it is not a densely populated area, but if they continue to advance, it is only a matter of time before the central area is breached.”

“The evacuation of citizens is the top priority. Build a defense line every 1km in the direction of the monster’s progress and deploy only the minimum number of people. Let’s try to buy time until everyone evacuates.”

“…I understand.”

“Oh, what happened to the airport?”

“The rescue operation is currently underway. It seems that it will take some time.”

“……Okay. From now on, continue monitoring in the control room. Report immediately if there is any progress.”

“Yes.”

Team Leader Ryu bowed lightly and turned around.

It was then that he was about to leave the office.

“……Wait, wait a minute!”

Branch Manager Hwang urgently called him as if something had come to mind.

“Did you just say that the area occupied by the monsters is within a 10km radius of the dungeon?”

“Yes? Yes, that’s right…….”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Why?”

“No…….”

Branch Manager Hwang had a rather confused expression.

That’s because it doesn’t make sense.

“Then… that means it’s at least 50km away from the airport.”

“……Yes?”

At that moment, Team Leader Ryu also had an expression as if he had been struck by an epiphany.

Branch Manager Hwang widened his eyes and continued.

“Then… who attacked the airport?”

***

“Sniffle, sniffle…….”

In the darkness where no light penetrates.

Only the sound of a few children crying could be heard, and no one else made a sound.

It seemed that they didn’t even have the strength to open their mouths.

It had been several hours since they were trapped in the rubble, but the rescue team had not yet arrived.

Everyone was holding their cell phones and trying to contact someone without a break, but it was impossible to connect because the signal was cut off.

“At this rate, we won’t be able to request support from the headquarters.”

At that time, Director Lee Ah-young also said while looking at the screen of her cell phone that had stopped working.

“Even if we request support, it will take a long time to get here since the airport has collapsed.”

“That’s true.”

“Well, they must have heard the news, so they must be looking for a way.”

“Sigh…….”

She looked at the blocked ceiling and sighed deeply.

“It’s been almost 5 hours, I wonder what the situation is like outside…….”

“It won’t be good. The Hong Kong branch is okay with everything else, but it has almost no experience in this kind of situation.”

Well, that’s the most fatal problem.

“They probably won’t be able to stop the monsters, let alone evacuate the citizens. Of course, that won’t last long either.”

“Then…….”

“I think they probably requested support from the mainland by now.”

“……That’s the worst.”

Director Lee Ah-young replied in a deep voice.

Well, that’s for sure.

The authorities must have taken over the command.

If the Chinese headquarters resolves the situation as it is, the aftermath is obvious.

They will seize the operation rights of the branch before we can do anything.

So we have to move somehow before that…….

‘Tsk, why do I have to be stuck at a time like this.’

I clicked my tongue repeatedly at the frustration of not being able to do anything despite the urgent situation.

Kugugugung―!

Suddenly, the collapsed rubble began to shake violently again.

“What, what is it…?”

“Could it be… the rescue team?!”

“The rescue team is here!”

The people who had been in a panic stood up and started cheering.

But I couldn’t.

I have seen this phenomenon hundreds, thousands of times in my life.

“Ju, Junwoo… could this be…….”

“……Yes.”

Director Lee Ah-young also asked with a frightened face as if she had noticed something.

Yes, this is not the rescue team coming, but…….

A dungeon is opening here.

‘Damn it, why at a time like this…….’

It’s always so annoying.