The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 213

212

A modern bar with quiet music playing.

I was waiting with Choi Jong-hyuk for Director Park Jang-mok.

We each ordered something to drink so we wouldn’t be sitting empty-handed, but neither of us touched our drinks.

Well, who would be leisurely sipping cocktails in this situation?

‘Hmm….’

I took out my phone to check the time.

It was almost 3 a.m., the appointed time, but Director Park Jang-mok had yet to appear.

“Is this the right place?”

“Yes, yes. This is definitely where we discussed this.”

“But why isn’t he coming….”

As soon as I said that.

“Representative.”

The employee I had waiting outside rushed up to me.

“He’s arrived.”

“…I understand.”

I immediately turned my gaze to Choi Jong-hyuk.

“Just do as I told you. Make sure to turn on the phone recorder.”

“If I really do everything you say, will you consider my situation?”

“Well… that depends on you.”

I answered firmly and moved to a spot far away.

Out of sight, but close enough to hear if I concentrated.

As I watched the entrance, he finally appeared.

“Director, over here.”

“Yeah. Couldn’t get a taxi, so I’m a bit late.”

Director Park Jang-mok.

During the Ability Dimension Association days, he was one of Director Song Cheol-sik’s men who tried to seize power within the association after ousting Chairman Park In-beom.

Of course, most of them were cut off during the headquarters reform, but he, who had only been keeping his seat, was lucky enough to survive.

He barely managed to stay afloat, but after the merger with Karma Corporation, his influence began to rise rapidly.

Of course, it wasn’t because he had carried out a huge project or landed a contract that would reverse his position in one fell swoop.

It was just that there were no stronger guys left than him.

‘So that’s why people keep saying to hold on, hold on…….’

I can only describe him as a lucky bastard.

A very dirty, lucky bastard.

Anyway, as his position rose, it was only natural that he became a member of this evaluation committee.

Of course, if I had known in advance that he was in cahoots with the International Association, I would have done whatever it took to get rid of him before then.

“You came alone?”

“Yes, yes.”

“How’s the headquarters situation? What about the police investigation?”

“They haven’t started a full-scale investigation yet… but they’ll probably begin no later than tomorrow.”

I fixed my gaze forward and strained my ears as much as possible.

So far, he was continuing the conversation as I had instructed.

“By the way… how do you plan to find the Branch Manager?”

“Got any ideas? We have to release people.”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit dangerous? The police will be searching soon too. If we rashly release people, we might attract unnecessary attention……”

“…….”

Director Park Jang-mok was silent.

Taking advantage of the pause, Choi Jong-hyuk asked another question.

“Even if we find her first… what do you plan to do next? We can’t confess now. And there’s no justification for persuading her to return.”

That question was one of the things I had instructed Choi Jong-hyuk to ask.

A knife to his throat.

In trying to resolve that unexpected crisis, he would inevitably reveal the hidden card he had been hiding.

The scandal they spread.

Kim Min-ju was caught up in it.

Until now, it was just an unfounded rumor, but everything went wrong when Kim Min-ju went missing.

Now that it has become an event that everyone is watching, they can no longer hide behind anonymity.

Furthermore, if the police get involved, they will definitely be caught.

To avoid that, they must quell the situation before it gets any bigger.

And what that method is, is important.

If Director Park Jang-mok really comes up with a way to resolve the situation, that will be the card he has been hiding.

The link to the International Association.

“……I have a way.”

Soon, Director Park Jang-mok slowly opened his mouth.

I held my breath and focused on his words.

“Come in.”

At that moment, Director Park Jang-mok turned his head towards the entrance of the bar and gestured to someone.

Soon, several men in scruffy clothes approached Director Park Jang-mok.

“Greetings!”

The men, who looked like local thugs, bowed to Choi Jong-hyuk.

“W, who are these people…?”

“Former Hunters. They’ve been stripped of their qualifications and are now managing local clubs.”

My eyebrows twitched at those words.

An organized crime group made up of former Hunters?

‘Not the International Association…?’

I gritted my teeth.

This was a completely different development than I had expected.

I was sure he would ask for help from the International Association…….

‘Why the hell are those guys popping up here…?’

As I was muttering inwardly, that’s when it happened.

“W, wait a minute…!”

Choi Jong-hyuk opened his mouth urgently.

“Even so, how can we trust these people…….”

“Hey, Choi Jong-hyuk.”

At that moment, Director Park Jang-mok’s eyes flashed.

“Do you know who introduced these people to me?”

“……Excuse me?”

“A member of the Future Democratic Party.”

“What does that mean…?”

My ears perked up at the mention of a third party.

A member of the National Assembly this time?

“I said I made a deal with the International Association. But the truth is, they didn’t contact me directly. They first contacted that person to ask if there was anyone useful in the headquarters, and they connected me.”

“So, that person is also involved in this….”

“No, that person doesn’t know about this. The International Association gave the order to take down Kim Min-ju.”

Director Park Jang-mok gulped down the cocktail in front of him, as if he was thirsty.

I see.

That’s how it was.

‘Now I can see the connection a little bit…….’

I tried to hide my smile and continued to listen to their conversation.

“When I contacted them after returning to Korea, they introduced me to these guys. They have no affiliation or ties, so they can’t be caught, and there’s no risk of being traced. They’re perfect for this kind of thing. Above all, they get the job done.”

“…….”

Discomfort was written all over Choi Jong-hyuk’s face.

A reaction that he hadn’t expected things to escalate this far.

Well, I felt the same way.

I never imagined there would be another tail hidden.

“If we find her first, we can anonymously report it to the police. Anyway, the search for the missing person will be the priority. Once we find the Branch Manager, the investigation into the instigator will fade away. We just have to hold out until then.”

“There’s no way that’s possible…….”

“Do you know what I’ve learned most painfully while getting to this position?”

Director Park Jang-mok glared at Choi Jong-hyuk and asked.

“That you win if you just hold out. Anyway, once they find Kim Min-ju, the police’s job is done. Of course, they’ll keep trying to find the instigator internally… but how long will that last?”

“…….”

“Anyway, these kinds of gossips fade away quickly. That’s especially true for people in our country. So, we just have to hold our breath and pretend to be dead. Got it?”

“……I understand.”

“Ugh, damn it, what is this bullshit? You should have just done it in moderation. This is what happens when you push things recklessly.”

“…….”

“If you understand, then go now. I’m going back to Japan on a flight tomorrow morning.”

“You’re going back?”

“If a guy who went on a business trip abroad during the evaluation period returns as soon as something happens, he’ll be suspected.”

Choi Jong-hyuk nodded.

Director Park Jang-mok, who got up from his seat first, was about to leave the bar.

“By the way, Director.”

Choi Jong-hyuk called out to him again.

“That, the member of the Future Democratic Party. Who exactly is that person…….”

As Choi Jong-hyuk asked cautiously, Park Jang-mok smirked.

“Why do you need to know that?”

“No, it’s just that as someone on the same boat, I should know…….”

“Hey, Choi Jong-hyuk.”

At that moment, his voice changed.

“Know your place. You just have to do as I tell you. Don’t try to reach for things that are beyond you. Huh?”

“…I understand.”

“Well, if this goes well, I’ll do whatever I can to get you scouted by the International Association, so don’t worry.”

Director Park Jang-mok turned his back again after saying that.

And at that moment.

Beep, beep―.

Just in time, his phone rang.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Uh-huh.”

“……What?”

“Are you sure about that?”

“……Okay. Hang up for now.”

After a short call, he turned to Choi Jong-hyuk.

“Choi Jong-hyuk.”

“Yes, yes?”

“About Branch Manager Kim Min-ju.”

His sharp gaze pierced Choi Jong-hyuk once.

“They say she hasn’t gone missing.”

“…….”

Choi Jong-hyuk tightly shut his mouth at that dagger-like stare.

‘Tsk, they found out faster than I thought…….’

Did he have someone on the inside investigate urgently?

“What is the meaning of this…….”

Soon, the moment he opened his mouth again, his pupils widened greatly.

After standing there blankly for a moment.

Thud―!

As if he had noticed something, he immediately burst out of the bar and started running away.

Of course, I was just watching him.

Trying to avoid the fox, he met the tiger.

The outside he ran out to was the tiger’s den.

***

“Damn it!”

I knew something was wrong.

Kim Min-ju, of all people, was missing.

It didn’t make sense from the start.

Then why did Choi Jong-hyuk lie?

Did someone else find out?

If they did, how much did they find out?

Did he tell them that he was involved? Maybe even about the International Association?

‘Or…….’

Was the conversation just bait to lure him out?

“Damn it, really!!”

All sorts of questions ran through Park Jang-mok’s head.

Even in the midst of that, he was running forward without knowing where he was going.

But that didn’t last long either.

Thud―!

He collided with someone who suddenly popped out, and he collapsed to the ground.

“Damn it…! Can’t you watch where you’re going?!”

“She was crying.”

Someone opened their mouth, tilting back the hood that had been pulled down deeply.

“The almighty Operations Branch Manager was crying in the bathroom, you know?”

“Y, you…!”

It was none other than Planning Director Han Yu-bin, who had been waiting for Park Jang-mok to come.

“How did you get here…!”

“I’ve met my fair share of bastards… but I really can’t forgive you.”

A cold voice with a cold gaze.

Park Jang-mok’s hands began to tremble without him realizing it, at the sight of her that made his whole body freeze.

As she strode towards him, he stretched out his hand and shouted.

“S, so what! What are you going to do! Do you think you’ll be safe if you touch me here?! If you don’t want to get kicked out too…!”

“I don’t care.”

“……What?”

“I don’t care. Whether I get kicked out or not.”

Han Yu-bin smirked.

[Unique Skill: High Panic Berserker]

She raised her fist towards him, and just as she was about to slam it into his face.

“Ahem.”

Kim Jun-woo stopped her again from afar.

“We made a promise. Not to kill him.”

“…I don’t intend to kill him.”

“If you hit him like that, he’ll die. He’s just a regular person.”

Han Yu-bin had no choice but to withdraw her fist.

At the same time, Park Jang-mok hurriedly approached Kim Jun-woo on his knees.

“R, Representative Kim! You came just in time! This bitch is trying to touch me…!”

Crack―.

At that moment, Park Jang-mok’s right arm was completely twisted outwards.

“Kkyaaaaaaak!!!”

A scream that seemed to tear the ears.

Even so, Kim Jun-woo didn’t give Park Jang-mok a single glance.

“Do you understand?”

He opened his mouth in a calm voice towards Han Yu-bin.

“You shouldn’t try to solve everything so violently. Look. How obedient he becomes just by breaking his arms and legs like this.”

“…….”

Han Yu-bin nodded expressionlessly.

Even in the midst of that, Park Jang-mok was still writhing in pain.

“Does it hurt?”

Kim Jun-woo finally made eye contact with Park Jang-mok, who was writhing in pain.

“Well, don’t be too upset.”

Kim Jun-woo tapped his broken right arm and continued.

“It’s because you touched my right arm first, Director.”

“Ugh…….”

“Anyway, congratulations on your retirement. Director Park Jang-mok.”

“R, Representative Kim… I’ll explain everything…….”

“And this is…….”

Before he could even say anything.

Crack―.

“Kkyaaaaaaak!!”

This time, his right leg was twisted.

“It’s a retirement gift.”

A scream mixed with pain and Kim Jun-woo’s calm voice echoed together.