The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 255

254

Hanoi, Vietnam.

The first overseas branch of the Korea Ability Administration Association and the financial source of Karma Corporation.

This was my first time visiting this place since the acquisition.

“Whew, it’s so humid!”

“I know, right? It was freezing on the plane.”

“But with this weather, corpses will decompose much faster… I wonder how they handle it here.”

The original members of Cleaning Team 3.

Park Geun-tae, Moon So-yeon, and Han Sang-hyuk each commented as they exited the airport.

“Now that you mention it, that’s true. If the decomposition rate is faster, then the work speed must also be faster… Do they use good equipment?”

“Maybe they have a lot of people? Five is the most efficient for us, but in this environment, they’d need seven or eight.”

“Come on, Chief, your instincts are dull. Unless it’s a dimensional dungeon, that many people would just get in the way, you know? They probably use good equipment, like Deputy Director Park said…”

Good grief.

As expected of the cleaning team…….

‘They’re only talking about cleaning as soon as we arrive.’

I was watching them continue their lively discussion when.

“We didn’t contact them in advance, so we have to go to the branch ourselves. Well… even if we had told them, they probably wouldn’t have come to pick us up.”

Director Lee Ah-young, who accompanied us, said.

“And it’s obvious, but since they joined the International Association, they’ve completely cut off contact with us. I’d like to hear their reasons, but we can’t reach them, so we have no way of knowing.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“Tell me about it.”

Director Lee Ah-young shrugged.

Well, that’s what she said, but I think there must have been a good reason.

I only stayed for about a month and saw everything, but Branch Manager Huin is not the kind of person who would betray us and join the International Association for his own benefit.

In the past, he risked his life to continue subjugation under the Ghost Association without any support.

And that was solely for the safety of his country.

Of course, a position can change a person, and he might have become greedy for a higher position now…….

‘If that was his intention from the start, he would have turned his back a long time ago.’

It’s not like he hasn’t had the opportunity until now.

“But you know…….”

Then, Director Lee Ah-young glanced at the cleaning team members and continued in a low voice.

“Why did you bring the team here? If you’re just trying to find out what’s going on, shouldn’t only you and I come?”

“Are you saying, what can cleaners do, bringing them all the way here?”

“N, no! Who said that?! I’m just saying their role might not fit! Why are you saying things like that.”

She raised her voice in surprise.

I smiled at her reaction.

“Well, I was just saying.”

“…….”

She glared at me with a fierce look.

“So, what’s the real reason you brought the cleaning team?”

“I’m no longer a representative of the organization, nor am I a person in charge like you. How can a mere cleaner meet the branch manager and ask for responsibility?”

“……Does that even matter? In this world, your name is your rank.”

That’s not wrong.

Even if I’ve been demoted to the cleaning team leader, that’s just a formal title, and it doesn’t erase everything I’ve done so far.

The important thing is not the title, but that I am Kim Jun-woo.

Of course, just because I’m the cleaning team leader doesn’t mean I can’t meet him or ask for responsibility.

However…….

“If I act like I used to, it could undermine the organization’s hierarchy.”

“…….”

At that, Director Lee Ah-young seemed to understand immediately.

“If it were just our company, we wouldn’t have to worry about it, but now we’re officially an international organization. What’s more, we’ve been recognized as a subjugation organization.”

They have command of all subjugation [suppression of supernatural entities or events].

If the hierarchy is shaken, the command system is shaken.

And that will directly affect subjugation.

In other words, our hierarchy is directly related to people’s lives.

“To command the subjugation of each country and protect the citizens, and to build the power to stand against the International Association, the organization’s hierarchy must be maintained above all else.”

“……I see your point.”

“So, as the cleaning team leader, I’m just here to support the Vietnam branch with cleaning. I’m not here to find out what happened or to ask for responsibility.”

“Superficially, that’s what it is, right?”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

“……Your expression looks a bit uncomfortable.”

“It’s nothing, it’s just that you’re talking about hierarchy, so it feels a bit new.”

She smiled wryly and continued.

“The person who used to break the hierarchy is now trying to protect it.”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t exactly break the hierarchy back then either.”

“……Huh?”

She tilted her head.

From the beginning, I’m a person who values hierarchy very much.

The hierarchy here is essential.

Other organizations may not, but at least the Association should.

Only by being able to control subordinates without being scattered can they survive in dungeons where lives are at stake.

Of course, they must have the authority to judge and make decisions no matter what situation arises.

That’s why the operations team leader is called the powerhouse in the organization.

They, as the highest person in charge of the field, have most of the authority and decision-making power.

Of course, team members must not be able to revolt against that authority.

They could lose their heads.

But this hierarchy has one condition.

“I didn’t break the hierarchy… I just kicked out the morons who had no ability or skill.”

The person in charge with authority must be qualified.

If a person without qualifications only flaunts authority and does not take responsibility…….

That’s not a hierarchy.

It’s just an idiot who’s obsessed with the position.

“Well…… that’s true.”

Director Lee Ah-young said with a smirk.

“Anyway… we’re just here to do our job. As cleaners.”

With those words, I got into the taxi.

I looked at the scenery while driving down the road.

Neat buildings and people with relaxed expressions.

I was quite moved by the completely different appearance of the city from two years ago.

Before I knew it, I fell asleep.

“We’ve arrived.”

When I opened my eyes to the taxi driver’s voice, I saw the dark sky first.

I looked around with a puzzled expression.

“…….”

“…….”

Soon, everyone in the taxi was speechless.

That’s because it wasn’t the Vietnam branch, but a dark forest all around…….

“W, what is this? Where are we?”

“Did we come to the right place?”

“We were supposed to go to the branch, right? Why are we in a place like this…….”

“W, wait… there’s someone over there?”

And at that moment.

Unidentified masked men jumped out of the forest.

And they immediately surrounded the taxi we were in.

“W, what is this……?”

“What’s going on……?”

Everyone was greatly embarrassed, but I had a different reaction.

That’s because.

‘This feels like…….’

The situation is similar to when I first came?

***

International Hunter Association, Vietnam Branch.

“Branch Manager.”

Operations Director Nguyen entered the branch manager’s office.

“The personnel reorganization notice has been completed for all employees. Including a total of 11 operations teams, support teams, and control teams. And everyone will be reorganized into International Association…… no, headquarters personnel from tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“And they say they will also dispatch a professional manager.”

“…….”

That meant that the person in charge of the branch would also be replaced by an International Association personnel, but Huin still didn’t react.

Huin, who had been looking out the window with his back to Director Nguyen, turned to him.

But his gaze was directed at the floor, not Nguyen.

It was because he couldn’t bear to look him in the face with his eyes wide open.

“……Are you okay?”

“What’s not okay? There are no colleagues in this world anyway. Everyone moves according to their interests and circumstances. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s true, but…….”

Director Nguyen stared at him for a moment.

“I’m asking if you’re okay, Branch Manager.”

“…….”

Huin couldn’t answer.

Nguyen knows Huin well.

From the days of the Independent Association until now, haven’t they been together since the days when they were throwing away their lives every day?

He is a more upright man than anyone else.

There was no way he would be okay with this situation where he turned his back on the person who had shown him grace.

But Huin sighed deeply and opened his mouth.

“What if I’m not okay? There’s no choice. Honestly, I think it would have been the same even if I went back.”

“……Yes.”

Director Nguyen replied weakly.

With that, the two men continued their silence without saying anything.

As the heavy silence continued in the office, then.

Knock, knock—.

Someone knocked on the office and carefully opened the door.

“Um, Branch Manager. I just received a call from the airport immigration office…….”

An employee from the support team delivered the news with a frightened expression.

“Kim Jun-woo has entered the country.”

“……!”

“……!”

At the same time, the expressions of the two men hardened.

If it were before, he would have run out barefoot to greet him, but now he was no different from a grim reaper.

The fact that he visited Vietnam now was definitely not a good sign.

“W, what do we do? He will definitely ask for responsibility…… He won’t let us go for the sake of example.”

“…….”

“Should we contact headquarters and request troop dispatch……?”

“That’s… just asking for a fight.”

“But there’s no other way.”

Director Nguyen’s voice became increasingly agitated.

But Huin was still silent.

He turned his back on him even after receiving his grace, and now he has to draw a knife against him?

Is that really right?

“…….”

Huin pondered for a long time with his mouth shut.

“Are there still our employees left in the operations team?”

Soon he slowly opened his mouth.

“Yes? Yes, well… the personnel reorganization is tomorrow, so…….”

“Pick out a few guys who have been working together since the Ghost Association and have them stand by.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s go out to meet him ourselves.”

Huin left the office first.

***

“Representative Kim.”

A dark forest where you can’t see an inch ahead.

What appeared with the masked men who surrounded us was none other than Branch Manager Huin.

“……It’s been a while. Branch Manager Huin.”

I found him and got out of the taxi, greeting him.

“Yes, how have you been?”

“Well, except for being demoted to the cleaning team as an international organization, I’m doing okay.”

“…….”

His expression hardened.

“Your hospitality is still the same as ever.”

“Haha, I’m sorry.”

“So…….”

I glared at him and continued.

“What’s the reason for bringing us here again? Are you trying to get rid of us before we ask for responsibility?”

“…Of course not.”

He smiled slightly and shook his head.

“I have received a grace from you that I can never repay in my life. I am very grateful for that.”

“I’m glad you know. I thought you had completely forgotten.”

I openly mocked him, but Huin didn’t react.

He just bowed his head without saying anything.

“So, what the hell happened?”

In the end, I asked directly out of frustration.

Then Huin smiled bitterly once.

“A few days ago… Secretary-General Wesley visited the branch in person.”

He started the story.

“He told me to join the International Association. Of course, I refused at first…… But then he said he would stop the appearance of dungeons in all areas of Vietnam.”

“……!”

“Not only that, but he said he would put pressure on neighboring countries to prevent them from using the hub [portal for inter-dimensional travel and resource acquisition].”

I see.

“As you know, our Vietnam still relies heavily on the subjugation industry. Most of the existing industries and companies collapsed during the Ghost Association.”

“…I know.”

“Of course, we are gradually starting other industries and supporting various companies, but if subjugation is blocked right now, they will all go bankrupt.”

He dropped his head and continued.

“So… I’m really sorry, but I accepted Wesley’s offer. It may sound like an excuse, but we had no choice.”

“…….”

I took a deep breath.

Well, I expected this to happen.

But I didn’t think they would threaten the entire country’s subjugation industry.

‘I can feel that those guys have taken control…….’

I muttered like that, then.

“So, I know it’s really shameless and I’m sorry, but…….”

Soon, Branch Manager Huin stared at me and continued in a very subdued voice.

“Can’t you just leave us alone?”

A shameless sound of betraying and asking to pretend not to see.

At the same time, the cry of someone who was forced to choose while being driven to the edge of a cliff.

After hesitating for a while between that dilemma.

“I’m sorry, but…….”

I slowly opened my mouth.