The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 236

235

In the heart of Paris.

Standing in front of the International Association headquarters, Han Yubin looked at me with an uncharacteristically serious expression.

“…What exactly are you curious about?”

I asked, and she opened her mouth, her expression suggesting she already knew.

“That you came from the future, that you’ll return once you achieve your goal… and that your goal is to destroy the International Association. Everything.”

“…Why are you curious about that?”

“Because that’s how I can continue to help you.”

At her resolute answer, I let out a soft sigh.

It was my mistake.

I brought it up while trying to provoke the Secretary-General, without considering that someone was next to me.

Of course, my identity isn’t a secret that absolutely must not be revealed.

From the start, there wasn’t a condition in my skill that said it couldn’t be revealed to others.

Even so, the reason I hadn’t said anything until now was simply because I didn’t think anyone would believe me, so I didn’t bother bringing it up.

But now it’s different.

The fact that I regressed from the future, about my hidden skill.

In this situation, she would believe any absurd story I told.

The problem is whether telling her this in the current situation would be helpful.

‘There are already plenty of other problems, and it wouldn’t be good to cause unnecessary confusion….’

More than anything, now that I’ve unintentionally become the head of a large organization, the fact that I’ll return once I achieve my goal won’t be seen favorably.

She might think I’m irresponsibly running away and stop following me.

Even if that’s not the case, it’s obvious that it would have a negative impact.

‘If that’s the case, then there’s no need to tell her….’

I gauged her reaction.

I want to gloss over it, but judging by her demeanor, it doesn’t seem like she’ll back down easily.

I was wondering what to do when, at just the right moment,

my phone rang.

It was a call from Kim Minju.

I put her on hold and answered the phone.

「Teacher, we’ve almost completed the dispatch. We went straight into subjugation support as soon as we arrived, and it’s progressing steadily.」

“…Okay.”

「We’ve taken a load off our minds here, so you just need to focus on replenishing personnel.」

I nodded instead of answering.

Of course, Kim Minju couldn’t see that.

「Oh, right, how did it go with the Secretary-General? You didn’t end up fighting, did you?」

“I was going to, but there was no need.”

「……Pardon?」

“Don’t worry. We talked it out.”

The process is a bit unsettling, though.

「Is the International Association really preparing for war?」

“…Yes.”

I continued in a firm voice.

“If they weren’t preparing something, they would have definitely retaliated when I provoked them. The fact that they didn’t means they have something to hide.”

The reason I provoked the Secretary-General there was because I was genuinely thinking of fighting, but also to confirm something.

But the Secretary-General took a step back despite being in an overwhelmingly advantageous position.

This made it certain.

“Those bastards are going to draw their swords soon.”

「……I see.」

They are preparing something that shouldn’t be revealed yet.

「What are you going to do now?」

“I’ll have to think about that from now on. Just pass this information on to the other headquarters heads and Director Lee Doo-shik.”

「…Understood.」

She answered in a heavy voice.

「Are you coming back home right away?」

“I don’t know. I’m going to watch a little longer for now.”

「Okay. Please contact me immediately if any problems arise.」

I answered briefly and then hung up the phone.

“Subjugation support is proceeding without any issues.”

“…….”

I told Han Yubin about the call, but she didn’t even respond, as if she wasn’t interested in such things.

She’s still looking at me with the same expression.

‘Ugh, that stubborn mule….’

She still has the face of someone who won’t move until she gets an answer.

I scratched my head and eventually opened my mouth with a sigh.

“It’s a lie.”

“…….”

“There’s no such thing as a time machine, how can someone come from the future? Well, it seems the Secretary-General was just imagining things… you shouldn’t actually believe that.”

I forced a smile as I answered.

Han Yubin looked somewhat unconvinced, making a dubious expression for a moment.

“…Okay. If that’s what you say.”

Soon, she let out a burst of laughter and shrugged her shoulders.

“Let’s go. We still have a lot to do.”

Then she walked past me and started moving first.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment before slowly following behind her.

***

Karma Corporation, headquarters.

Director Lee Doo-shik’s office.

“So, we’ve received reports that the dispatch has proceeded without any issues so far, and the subjugation has also begun immediately. Fortunately, there haven’t been any countries with casualties yet.”

“That’s a relief.”

Director Lee Doo-shik nodded with his arms crossed as Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il reported on the current situation.

“The number of dropouts has also stabilized at around 100 per day.”

“How many people have left so far?”

“It has been confirmed that approximately 200,000 people have left.”

“What’s the plan for replenishing personnel?”

“We’ve currently posted recruitment notices worldwide. We’ve received over 100,000 applicants in just one day. Of course, there’s also the screening process, registration, and training, so it will take some time….”

Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il continued, flipping through documents.

“We expect to fill all the positions within six months at the latest.”

“Hmm.”

Director Lee Doo-shik groaned softly and nodded.

“The dispatch and subjugation allowances, as well as other expenses incurred during that month, are estimated to be around 100 billion won [approximately $75 million USD]. Fortunately, we can proceed without major losses thanks to the investment we received from Grandfather… no, Chairman Ha Deok-soo of the Hanbyul Group.”

“Okay.”

“Well, it’s a relief that it ended with just this much.”

“It seems that Kim Junwoo’s attack on the headquarters had an effect.”

“You can say that again.”

The two men let out sighs of relief and smiled.

However, Director Lee Doo-shik still had a somewhat dubious expression.

Even though the immediate fire was put out, there was still something lingering.

Namely, if this incident was really caused by the International Association intentionally creating dropouts… what was the reason?

Of course, it became certain thanks to the information Kim Junwoo conveyed, but he already roughly knew it.

The actions the International Association has shown so far.

And their purpose and the current position of Karma Corporation.

Considering all of this, there was no doubt why they caused so many dropouts.

They are gathering unofficial personnel.

And the purpose is obviously….

‘The last resort….’

Director Lee Doo-shik’s head spun.

Clearly, until a few years ago, the International Association was the world’s best subjugation organization.

They led the associations of each country at the forefront of this crisis, laying the foundation for citizens to live safely.

At the same time, they worked with associations from various countries to solve this terrible situation, and in the process, there were numerous crises and noble sacrifices.

At that time, our only wish amidst their sacrifices, which were worthy of being called heroic, was one thing.

That this crisis, the cause of which was unknown, would end as soon as possible.

The International Association was at the center of it.

Until now, not a single person doubted their skills or intentions.

We believed without a doubt that they would save citizens around the world.

But this crisis has lasted for a whopping 50 years, and there are still no signs of it ending.

No.

It has become a situation where we can end it, but we can’t.

In the end, the International Association, which was called the hero of the world, has degenerated into an organization for power and strength.

Director Lee Doo-shik has also confirmed their appearance several times.

‘It’s clearly an organization established for the safety of citizens….’

To think they are sharpening their swords against citizens in order to protect their position.

As expected, no matter the founding purpose, this is what happens when people seize power.

Director Lee Doo-shik shook his head.

But only for a moment.

“What do you think we should do, Headquarters Head Ha?”

Feeling quite frustrated, he asked Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il for his opinion.

“…Pardon?”

“What do you think we should do from now on?”

“…….”

Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il paused for a moment.

But he had already decided on an answer.

He was just reluctant to bring it up.

“I heard that Karma Corporation was established to check the International Association in the first place.”

“That’s right. Well, now we have to think about swallowing them whole, not just checking them.”

“Then isn’t the answer already decided?”

Soon, he managed to continue speaking.

“We have to fight back.”

“…You think so too?”

“Of course, avoiding it if possible would always be the right thing to do. However, you know very well that we can’t, Director.”

Director Lee Doo-shik nodded heavily at those words that stabbed like a dagger.

“Then we have no choice either.”

“If subjugation organizations wage war against each other… the aftermath will be unimaginable.”

“I know. We may return to the Stone Age after the war.”

“Do you still think we should fight back?”

“Director, we are the weak.”

Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il continued in a rather serious voice.

“The International Association has already revealed its ambition for power. If we don’t fight even after seeing that, we will live as the weak under the International Association’s feet for the rest of our lives.”

“…….”

“In that case, we should at least try to bite and tear them to death.”

Director Lee Doo-shik burst into laughter at that answer.

“You’re not even an ability user, but you speak so eloquently.”

“Hahaha!”

After letting out a hearty laugh.

“Of course… that’s just what I’m saying, it would be difficult in reality, though.”

“Hmm?”

“We don’t have a large enough organization to confront the International Association with force. Unless we make associations around the world our allies, the outcome is practically obvious with our current personnel.”

“Hmm…….”

Director Lee Doo-shik was lost in thought at those words.

That’s right.

War preparation or whatever, we don’t have personnel to use as military force in the first place.

And we can’t gather hundreds of thousands of unofficial personnel like the International Association….

As he was deeply lost in thought.

“Good.”

Soon, Director Lee Doo-shik took out his phone as if he had made up his mind.

“Hey, it’s me.”

He called the head of the support headquarters of Karma Corporation, his daughter.

「What’s the matter? You’re calling me directly.」

“How was the result of processing the Banestone [a type of magical artifact] last time?”

「……Why are you asking that all of a sudden?」

“Ah, stop talking nonsense! How was it?”

「Well, it was successful. It was my first time processing a Bank item [a high-value, rare artifact], but it wasn’t that difficult.」

“Okay… so that’s how it is…….”

The corners of Director Lee Doo-shik’s mouth curled up.

Soon, he got to the point.

“Then, could you possibly… process an Ability Stone too?”

「Pardon…?」

“An Ability Stone [a magical artifact]. A Bank item that grants abilities to objects.”

「Of course, I know that! What are you asking that for?」

“The International Association is preparing for war, but we’re not in a position to confront them at all. But I thought we should at least do what we can.”

「…….」

Headquarters Head Lee Ah-young’s answer was cut off for a moment.

She also seemed to have vaguely sensed what Director Lee Doo-shik was trying to say.

After hesitating with those words.

「Well, it’s not impossible.」

The answer he wanted came out.

「However, it’s something we can’t execute unilaterally. We need to get permission from the higher-ups…….」

“I’ll take care of that.”

Director Lee Doo-shik hung up the phone as if there was nothing more to hear.

Then he turned to Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il and gestured.

“You come too. There’s somewhere to go.”

“Yes, yes? Where are you talking about?”

As Headquarters Head Ha Sung-il was flustered by the sudden story, Director Lee Doo-shik smiled and answered.

“The Blue House [the executive office and official residence of the South Korean president].”

He immediately grabbed his coat and left the office.