The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 196

195

As Chief Hwang left after making that pointed remark, Lai, the control team leader, felt a chill run down his spine.

‘Did he suspect something…?’

From the beginning, Chief Hwang had always been wary of headquarters.

If he caught even a whiff of something amiss, he’d dig relentlessly.

*Well, at least he doesn’t know we orchestrated the dungeon creation.*

Even if that were exposed, there’s no hard evidence, so it’s a moot point.

However, the airport bombing is a different beast altogether.

If he uncovers headquarters’ authorization and the International Association’s [a global organization overseeing hunter activities] execution of the plan, things could get messy.

In the worst-case scenario, it could even leak to the public.

‘Tch….’

Control Team Leader Lai clicked his tongue, a troubled expression clouding his face.

Ignoring the international fallout, the authorities wouldn’t stand idly by. Some heads might roll as a warning.

*This is becoming a real headache.* With that thought, Control Team Leader Lai pulled out his cell phone.

“Chairman, this is Raiviu.”

「Yes. What is it?」

Team Leader Lai hesitated for a beat before speaking, his voice strained.

“About the airport incident… It seems Chief Hwang is onto something.”

「What…?」

“He likely found it suspicious after piecing together the dungeon appearance area and the monster escape situation. What should we do?”

「Tch, what do you mean, ‘what should we do?’ We need to neutralize him.」

“What’s the justification…?”

「I’ll fabricate some corruption charges.」

“Understood.”

Only then did Team Leader Lai visibly relax.

「So, what’s the current status? Have you assumed command?」

“Yes, the handover went smoothly, and the dispatched team is deploying for the operation. They should be arriving on-site as we speak.”

「Good. I’ve handpicked elites for this mission, so tell them to perform flawlessly. You need a clean finish to secure your command position. If this goes well, I’ll let you take over the Hong Kong branch as promised.」

“Thank you.”

A wide smile stretched across Control Team Leader Lai’s face at the long-awaited news.

With this, all the pieces are in place.

All that remains is to deal with the escaped monsters and the dungeon.

*Well, it’s just one Red-grade [highest threat level] and two Yellow-grades [moderate threat level].*

All five dispatched teams are composed of elites, so it should be a walk in the park….

Beep―.

It was at that precise moment.

“…What?”

A small blip materialized on the dungeon status monitor in the control room.

It signaled the emergence of a new dungeon.

Team Leader Lai stared at the monitor, a puzzled frown creasing his brow. This dungeon was definitely not part of the plan.

*Could this be a natural occurrence?*

The thought had barely formed in Team Leader Lai’s mind when…

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep―.

Suddenly, blips erupted across the monitor like a swarm of insects.

***

Paris, France.

PB Corporation, Bank Item Control Center under the Management Team.

“W-what did you just say?”

A sudden, jarring order had been barked at Chloe, the team leader.

“Did you not hear me? Maximize the dimensional stone etheric wave.”

Representative Emma repeated the command, her expression glacial.

Chloe struggled to comprehend the order, a stark deviation from the original plan.

“The dimensional stone suppressor is already teetering on the brink of instability! If we push it to the maximum, it could spiral out of control! Weren’t we supposed to create only three dungeons initially?”

“That was the intention. But… Secretary-General Wesley issued a special directive. He suggested we seize this opportunity to make an example of the Chinese Association.”

“What does that even mean….”

Representative Emma sighed softly.

Truth be told, she wasn’t thrilled about the sudden change of plans either.

But what choice did she have? The ultimate decision rested with him.

‘Well, I can’t say I don’t see the logic….’

If the Chinese Association successfully reclaims the Hong Kong branch as things stand, they might brandish their withdrawal from the International Association as leverage and continue absorbing other autonomous regions.

It’s already a source of constant anxiety, given their massive hunter population and extensive network of association branches.

Who knows what could happen if they continue to expand unchecked.

The dog we’ve nurtured so carefully might just turn around and bite the hand that feeds it.

Secretary-General Wesley’s stance was to grant them their desires, but not without a price.

Furthermore, he proposed creating additional dungeons to demonstrate that razing a city is a trivial matter.

In essence, this isn’t purely about aiding the Chinese Association.

It’s about etching a clear hierarchy into their minds.

“Regardless, follow my instructions. Spare me the unnecessary commentary.”

“It’s far too risky. If the dimensional stone spirals out of control, dungeons could spawn uncontrollably….”

“Team Leader Chloe!”

Representative Emma’s piercing gaze cut through her.

“Don’t forget why I’ve kept you around.”

“……”

Team Leader Chloe gritted her teeth, her jaw tight.

But only for a fleeting moment.

She turned to her staff and issued the command.

“Activate the dimensional stone etheric wave… to maximum output!”

Zzzzz―.

Almost immediately after the order was given, purple light erupted from the dimensional stone in a frenzied display.

***

「S-Sir?!」

Still trapped amidst the wreckage.

「Are you alright? Where are you? What about Ah-young?!」

The moment I connected with Kim Min-joo, a torrent of anxious words poured out.

“I’m buried in the airport debris, but everyone’s safe. There are other survivors as well.”

「I’m en route now, please hold on! Our dispatched team will be deployed for the operation immediately…!」

“No, it’s already too late.”

「Yes, yes?」

“The authorities have already mobilized.”

「……!」

I continued, my voice measured.

“They’ve likely seized command by now, and the headquarters dispatch team has initiated the subjugation. We lack the authority or justification to intervene at this point.”

「T-Then, instead of direct intervention, how about supporting the branch troops…?」

“That would be difficult as well. From the authorities’ perspective, this operation must be executed solely under the command and with the forces of headquarters. If the branch troops interfere, it could trigger a major incident.”

「Then… what are you planning to do? If China takes over like this, we’ll never regain command.」

“Do you know the size of the force they sent from the mainland?”

「Just a moment.」

About a minute later, she spoke again.

「It’s not confirmed, but… we estimate that 10 command troops, including the headquarters control team leader, and over 50 operation troops have been dispatched. It may seem small, but they’re all elite teams, so it should suffice.」

“Really? That’s a relief.”

「A relief…?」

“That number of people can’t possibly handle this situation.”

I said with a faint smile.

「W-What do you mean?」

“A new dungeon spawned in the very spot where I was trapped. Judging by the color of the entrance, it’s another Yellow-grade.”

「Y-Yes?!」

“As you know, the dungeons appearing in Hong Kong are likely being artificially created by the International Association using dimensional stones. They’re offering assistance with the recapture in exchange for remaining within the International Association.”

Given the circumstances, this dungeon was also a product of the International Association.

But something felt off.

The Hong Kong branch had already lost command due to the initial three dungeons.

If the goal is to aid in the branch’s recapture, there’s no logical reason to create additional dungeons.

It only complicates the authorities’ efforts.

Yet, they created more dungeons?

‘There’s only one explanation.’

They’re aiming to completely devastate the area and suppress the Chinese Association this time.

The moment that realization struck me.

Kugugugung―!

The ground trembled violently once more.

Barely managing to keep my footing, I continued the call.

“These bastards are relentlessly spawning dungeons. It seems they’re trying to suppress the Chinese Association… No matter how elite they are, they can’t possibly subjugate this many.”

「Then…….」

“They’ll inevitably request reinforcements from the mainland.”

「In the end, isn’t it the same outcome? Are you planning to withdraw them using the hunter management authority? We can’t exercise our authority during the grace period, either.」

“I’m not withdrawing them. I’m preventing additional troops from arriving.”

Regardless of how many troops they request from the mainland, it’s irrelevant if they can’t even set foot in Hong Kong.

The current personnel can’t contain the constant emergence of dungeons, so they’ll be forced to find a way to survive, whether they like it or not.

Even if it means seeking assistance from a third party.

“Destroy all roads and heliports leading to Hong Kong.”

「…….」

“The rest is simply waiting for these so-called elites to flee.”

「Okay.」

“So, first of all…….”

Glancing around cautiously, I lowered my voice.

“Get me out of here first.”

I need to escape this wreckage before I can do anything.

***

“N-No way…….”

Tsim Sha Tsui District, Hong Kong.

The headquarters dispatch team, having just arrived near the airport, were stunned by the scene before them.

“It looks like it’s been bombed.”

“It’s utter chaos.”

“When we left, they said the damage wasn’t that extensive yet…….”

The members of Dispatch Team 1 muttered in disbelief, surveying the tragic landscape.

However, their leader, Team Leader Jang, silently assessed the surroundings.

According to the plan, there were supposed to be a total of three artificially created dungeons.

Even if monsters had escaped from one, it would take them over a day to reach the city center.

Yet, in just a few hours, the city center had been reduced to rubble.

Something felt deeply wrong.

‘Even if the Hong Kong branch lacks experience, it shouldn’t have deteriorated to this extent…….’

Just as Team Leader Jang voiced his concern.

Kugugugung―.

Suddenly, the space before them began to warp and distort.

Another dungeon materialized moments later.

An additional Yellow-grade dungeon.

“W-What!”

“Another dungeon appeared…?”

“Is this part of the plan?”

The team members descended into panic at the unexpected appearance of the dungeon.

Team Leader Jang felt the same surge of alarm.

According to the briefing, the artificially created dungeons were one Red and two Yellow.

There had been no mention of additional dungeons.

‘But why…….’

Why are dungeons continuing to spawn?

This can’t continue.

If more dungeons appear, we won’t be able to contain them with our current forces.

Team Leader Jang immediately grabbed his radio.

“Team Leader Lai, this is Jang Si-hyun!”

「Ah, perfect timing! Did a dungeon just appear on your end?!」

“Y-Yes, that’s correct!”

「Shibal…! [Korean profanity, equivalent to “damn it!”]」

Team Leader Lai’s enraged voice echoed through the radio.

“W-What’s happening? Why are dungeons continuing to appear……? Is this also part of the plan?”

「Shibal, there’s no way that’s the case. I don’t know what’s going on either. I’ve already notified headquarters… but that’s not the priority right now.」

“Then…?”

There was a brief pause before the response.

「There are over 10 Yellow-grades that have spawned in Tsim Sha Tsui District alone.」

“……!”

「Do you think you can subjugate all of them with just your team…?」

Team Leader Jang swallowed hard at the question.

Subjugate 10 Yellow-grades?

That’s impossible.

‘What in the world is going on…….’

At that moment, as he stood frozen in bewilderment, the radio slipping from his grasp.

“Move quickly!”

“Be careful entering the crane! The floor might collapse!”

“Kim’s location has been confirmed, begin the rescue operation from there! Search teams, identify the locations of other survivors!”

“Yes!”

In the distance, dozens of people could be seen rushing towards a specific point, hauling heavy equipment.