The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 265

Two days had passed since the Hub was attacked by employees affiliated with headquarters.

Fortunately, the situation was quickly brought under control, so only Building A suffered damage, and normal operations continued in other buildings.

Stopping operations, even for a day, would have resulted in enormous losses, so I was quite worried. But, well, I can say I’m relieved.

Most importantly, the employees inside the building sustained only minor injuries, and there were no fatalities.

The same was true for the local task force that fought outside.

Despite the completely unprepared attack, it ended without major damage.

Well… it was quite ironic that Secretary-General Wesley was the biggest contributor.

‘It must have been a difficult situation for the International Association as well.’

If anyone had died, it would have been the worst-case scenario for us as well as the International Association.

If the fact that the Hub was attacked and civilians were harmed spread, the backlash against the International Association would only increase.

And if that backlash reached its peak, each country would have no choice but to make extreme choices.

Above all, the news that Vietnam had been completely liberated from the dungeon would soon spread around the world.

Of course, hearing that news wouldn’t immediately make other countries give up on subjugation, but at least it would be an option they could consider.

It would be better to accept the damage and cleanly give up the dungeon than to cooperate with the International Association, which even massacres civilians.

In fact, Vietnam didn’t suffer much damage even after being liberated from the dungeon.

Even if they hold the reins of control, it would be the worst situation for the International Association, which needs to expand the forces that will cooperate with them.

Secretary-General Wesley must have known that, so he took action, even making a personal visit.

“Even so… was it okay to just let them go?”

Chief Iayoung, now the head of the Subjugation Personnel Management Center (which has changed its name from the Vietnam branch), asked cautiously.

I leaned back against the backrest.

“He has fundamentally the same power as me. Unless he intends to fight, I can’t do anything either.”

“The same power? I’ve never heard of powers being offset even if they are the same skill…”

“That would be the case with normal skills. However, my skill isn’t limited to one ability like swordsmanship or magic.”

I paused for a moment and took a breath.

It was also the first time I had talked to anyone about my skills, so I needed time to organize my thoughts.

“My skill is the power of dimension itself that grants abilities to people. Instead of having one characteristic like others, I can transform abilities according to my will.”

“I’ve never heard of that before…”

“Well, it’s my first time too.”

That there is someone with the original ability besides me.

“Actually, fighting on the spot wouldn’t have been a good choice either. As Wesley said, civilians could have been caught up in it.”

“Still, shouldn’t we have taken charge of Branch Manager Sean and the employees at least?”

“Even if we had them, we would have had no choice but to hand them over to the police.”

“That’s what we should have done! If we leave it to the International Association, they won’t receive any punishment and will just get away with it. We should have made them pay for their sins at least…”

“Well, that won’t happen.”

“…Yes?”

Chief Iayoung raises her eyebrows as if asking what I meant.

“They will pay more dearly on their side than on ours.”

“……”

Chief Iayoung nodded slightly.

She had an expression that she seemed to vaguely know what that meant.

“Well, anyway, I’m glad it ended like this. Business has returned to normal, and the International Association said they would pay for the Hub restoration costs… I guess it’s really over now.”

Saying that, I asked Chief Iayoung.

“How are the partner companies doing?”

“Well, everyone is doing well except for Hermes. They are planning to start their business in earnest starting next week.”

“I see.”

I nodded with my arms crossed.

With this, Vietnam has completely escaped the influence of the International Association.

But this won’t be the end.

Currently, the International Association is trying to weaken our power by completely isolating us.

So, they won’t stop here just because they lost Vietnam.

It’s obvious that they will try to interfere with our branch again.

So, we also have to prepare, but….

‘Tsk, annoying….’

We were lucky this time, and it worked out well, but I can’t guarantee that we will be able to defend against the International Association’s plans next time.

The dungeon blockade bait won’t work, so they’ll use another method….

‘I wish we could liberate all other countries from the dungeon like Vietnam….’

The moment that thought flashed through my mind, I immediately shook my head.

It can’t be.

This time, this was the only way, so I couldn’t help it, but if all countries were liberated from the dungeon, wouldn’t the significance of WDSO [World Dungeon Suppression Organization] disappear?

If that happens, WDSO will naturally be dissolved, and of course, the Secretary-General’s position will also be out of the question.

As I was pondering what to do, my phone rang.

「How did it go?」

It was none other than Secretary-General Park In-beom.

“It’s roughly resolved.”

「Okay, good work.」

I hesitated to answer.

“Um, by any chance… now, little by little….”

「No.」

“……”

What, what is it?

Why are you rejecting me right away?

“No, how do you know what I’m going to say and say no….”

「It’s obvious, you idiot. You’re going to ask me to hand over the Secretary-General’s position little by little, right?」

“……”

You old man, you’re very perceptive….

「You said you wouldn’t officially work in front until you built up your power, right? Why? Do you regret doing a tough job once?」

“N, no, it’s not that….”

「Still, no. I can’t hand it over until the International Association is completely destroyed.」

“……”

Tsk.

If I hadn’t conceded, you wouldn’t have been able to sit in that position, but now you’re being stubborn.

「More than that… if your work there is finished, come back quickly now.」

“Come back quickly? Is there a problem?”

「I received a call from the Japanese branch.」

My eyebrows twitched.

“From the Japanese branch?”

「Yes.」

“What’s going on? Did the International Association threaten you again….”

「No. It’s not that. However…….」

Secretary-General Park In-beom lowered his voice and continued.

「There’s news that Void seems to be circulating in Japan.」

“……Really?”

「It’s not certain. There are no signs of distribution, and the branch hasn’t given a definite answer yet, but…….」

“What does that mean? Then how did you know that Void was being distributed?”

「An addict has occurred within the branch.」

“……!”

Instantly, my brow furrowed.

「The distribution route and sales channels have not been identified. However, as you know, the Void manufacturing method went to the International Association after the original production organization, Uno Empire, was dismantled.」

“I don’t know how it came over, but it’s obvious where it came from.”

「Yes.」

I paused for a moment and organized my thoughts.

Something is strange.

I knew they would move again, but isn’t this too fast?

Considering the manufacturing time and the need to prepare distribution channels… are they moving this quickly as soon as the Vietnam case is over?

‘Could it be that they were preparing in advance….’

This is troublesome.

We haven’t set up any countermeasures yet.

「Anyway, come back right now. I’ll talk about the rest in person.」

“I understand.”

With that, I sighed deeply as I hung up the phone.

Then, Chief Iayoung glared at me and smiled.

“Is it work again right away?”

“I think so.”

“You don’t have time to rest.”

At her words, I forced a smile.

“That’s what I’m saying….”

With that, I sighed and shifted my gaze to the ceiling.

***

“You don’t even give me time to rest.”

South Korea, Seoul.

The former Karma Corporation, now the WDSO headquarters.

Director Lee Doo-shik, who was sitting across from Secretary-General Park In-beom, said as soon as he finished the call.

“Where is there time to rest in this situation?”

“Haha, you’re still strict. You used to get angry when I said I was going to use my annual leave.”

“Is that the same as this? Well… he’s not the kind of guy who would listen even if I told him to rest in the first place.”

“That’s true.”

The two men chuckled.

Soon, Secretary-General Park In-beom raised his head and looked at the ceiling.

“Completely liberated from the dungeon, huh….”

Even as he spoke, it didn’t quite hit him.

It’s been over 50 years since this world became like this.

Most people don’t know anything about the previous world, and most of the old people don’t even remember the days when there were no dungeons.

So, even if we could go back to the way it was before, it was natural that I couldn’t imagine what it would look like.

At that time, Director Lee Doo-shik cautiously opened his mouth.

“Still, it seems like there was a time when the whole world was united after the dungeon appeared.”

“There was.”

“Did you know it would turn out like this back then?”

“……How would I have known? That we would use the dungeon as a weapon and fight each other.”

The two men refrained from speaking as if they were lost in old thoughts.

But that was only for a moment.

“Tsk, what’s the point of thinking about it? It’s already a mess. Let’s worry about the future.”

Secretary-General Park In-beom shook his head and said.

“So… what will happen in the future?”

It was a fundamental question, but it was also a question that no one could answer.

Secretary-General Park In-beom also sighed deeply as if he wanted to know.

“Well, they will continue to try to keep each country under their influence like this time.”

“Don’t they already have control over the dungeon? They should be able to go out recklessly like they have been doing, so why are they targeting our branch….”

“They have a plan.”

“…Yes?”

Director Lee Doo-shik asked back as if asking what he meant.

“Historically, the end of a dictator who tried to shake everything was never good. Control is effective to some extent, but if you start to cross a certain line, it will rather cause resistance.”

“……”

“To be exact, it’s just ‘to some extent’ now. The International Association has control, but they are not actually wielding it. Well, it’s already made the whole world watch, so you can say the effect is good.”

Secretary-General Park In-beom sipped his tea as if he was thirsty and continued.

“But will the International Association guys be satisfied with this?”

“…Of course not.”

“If the purpose was just to make them watch, they wouldn’t have started in the first place. Those guys want literal control. Well… if I had to express it, it would be like ‘one government’.”

Director Lee Doo-shik’s expression hardened at that expression.

Secretary-General Park In-beom continued to speak without paying attention.

“But if you go beyond this ‘to some extent’ and start wielding a sword recklessly, the situation will be reversed. The solidarity of humans cornered always exceeds common sense. Our country used to be like that, right?”

“You mean they will try to fight even if it means sacrifice.”

“That’s right.”

Secretary-General Park In-beom nodded.

“They are trying to bring even one more of our branches to their side. The most effective way to suppress resistance to power is to make them fight each other.”

“Divide and conquer.”

“It’s a traditional method.”

With those words, the two men fell silent again.

It was because so many similar things that they had experienced in their years came to mind.

But soon, Director Lee Doo-shik broke the silence and asked again.

“What should we do now?”

“What should we do? It’s already decided, isn’t it?”

“Yes…?”

“The whole world… is liberated from the dungeon. What else is there?”

“But giving up the subjugation industry is still…….”

“Tsk, what’s so important about that?”

Secretary-General Park In-beom interrupted Director Lee Doo-shik and stretched out a long breath.

“I’m just… tired of dungeons and everything else now.”

With those words, Secretary-General Park In-beom fell into deep thought.