The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 277

276

It had been a week since Chloe joined WDSO.

As per her recruitment conditions, she was still working on the cleaning team. Unlike her shaky first day, she seemed to be slowly getting used to the work.

Of course, she still wasn’t pulling her weight, but she had improved a lot compared to when she started.

Anyway, I sought out Director Lee Doo-shik to discuss her report and future plans.

“How is it going? Does she seem to be coping?” Director Lee Doo-shik asked, tilting his teacup.

“It’s only been a week. If she were coping already, it would be a miracle. She’s about to collapse from exhaustion.”

“Hahaha! That’s a good sign.”

“At first, she ran away in the middle of her shift, turned off her phone, disappeared, and didn’t even come to work… but now she at least shows up on time.”

“Not a pretty sight for someone from PB Corporation. Is she keeping up with the work?”

“Don’t even mention it. After almost chopping off her finger during dismantling work, I’ve only been having her mop.”

I guess she only did research before, so her stamina is terrible.

“But still… she seems to be showing some enthusiasm little by little.”

“Looks like the venom is slowly draining away.”

“Yes.”

We both nodded, not explicitly stating who we were talking about.

Frankly, if someone else saw this arrangement, they would wonder what the point of having her work on the cleaning team was.

That’s actually a fair point.

Working on the cleaning team for a few days isn’t going to magically change a person.

The cleaning team doesn’t have any special rehabilitation program. The only special thing about it is that the work is physically demanding.

If people could be reformed by suffering a little, there wouldn’t be any bad people in the world.

Even so, the reason I put Chloe on the cleaning team wasn’t to rehabilitate her, but because I judged that she would definitely experience something significant there herself.

The cleaning team is the very last stage of the subjugation system [a system of control and management within the organization].

That also means that it is a team that can see all the problems of the previous stages.

The stage where all the problems of the previous stages converge.

Being in such a team, you start to see things you haven’t seen before.

That the operation team’s subjugation progress is too fast.

That the dungeon internal mapping is too simplified.

The moment you see things you never thought of, you will have many thoughts.

The discrepancy between what I knew and what I thought was always right.

The feeling that everything I thought was right is being challenged.

In the process, you will feel self-doubt and regret for past choices.

Especially for someone who has worked in upper management for a long time.

Change starts from then on.

I guarantee that once you feel that way, your perspective on this industry will be completely different.

I was like that too.

“Well, Chloe aside…”

As I was organizing my thoughts, Director Lee Doo-shik spoke again.

“So… is it Germany? The place the International Association will attack.”

“It’s not certain, but it’s highly likely.”

“Where is anything certain? Saying that actually makes me more suspicious.”

I nodded slightly at his words.

Director Lee Doo-shik had a troubled expression on his face.

“Tsk, why Germany of all places…”

“Is there a problem?”

“Haven’t you heard? After the International Association staged a coup and took over the French government, Germany suspended exchanges with all countries.”

“…Yes?”

My eyebrows twitched at his words.

Soon, Director Lee Doo-shik continued with a light sigh.

“Well, seeing France, which used to have some power in Europe, collapse like that must have created a sense of crisis. Because of that, they are trying to solve everything on their own.”

“In that case…”

“Even if we try to help, the probability of them refusing is high. No, as of now, there is no way to even contact the German Association.”

“That’s… certainly difficult.”

I muttered, stroking my chin.

If the International Association succeeds in attacking Germany, there will be enormous repercussions not only in Germany but also worldwide.

We have to prevent it somehow, but if we can’t even contact them, let alone support them…

“So, what do you think about watching for now?”

Director Lee Doo-shik said cautiously.

“What do you mean?”

“Even though they’re acting this way, they’re a real power in Europe. No matter how strong the International Association is, it won’t be easy to bring them down, right? And who knows? Germany might even win…”

“That’s not going to happen.”

I shook my head firmly.

“The International Association has been gathering ability users [individuals with special powers or skills] and building up its forces in preparation for an all-out war. Even Germany won’t be able to withstand them.”

“…Germany might have gathered ability user forces too, right?”

“Well, I don’t think they would go so far as to violate international law. They have a history, and they are strict about that kind of thing.”

“…”

Director Lee Doo-shik also sighed deeply, as if agreeing with my words.

“Then what do we do?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

With those words, we fell into silence for a while.

I was deeply troubled by the frustrating situation when.

“I’ve been looking for you; you were here.”

Head of Division Lee Ah-young came to the director’s office.

“You said you took a half-day off for afternoon work, and you weren’t in the cleaning team’s office either. I thought I was going to die from the heat in this scorching sun. You should at least tell me where you’re going.”

“…You could have called.”

“Don’t you think I did?”

When I checked my phone, there were dozens of missed calls from her.

Well… you might not be able to answer if you’re talking.

“…So, why did you look for me?”

When I asked, she put a pile of documents down instead of answering.

“What is it…?”

“I heard you’re doing well on the cleaning team.”

“Yes?”

“I’m talking about Chloe.”

…I don’t think she’s doing well.

“It’s the Eclipse handover ledger [records related to the transfer of responsibilities or assets to the Eclipse team]. Tell her to study it while working.”

I burst out laughing at her unexpected words.

“What is it? Are you going to accept her?”

“Hmph, what’s going to change if I don’t accept her? They’ve already decided everything among themselves…”

She avoided my gaze and grumbled.

“Anyway, tell her to follow me around for a few days even after entering Eclipse. How can I trust her? There are bank items inside [valuable or sensitive items stored in a secure location].”

“I understand. Thank you.”

When I greeted her politely, she hurriedly changed the subject as if she was embarrassed.

“So, it’s Germany?”

“Yes. But I have no idea how to approach them.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Why do you ask? We can’t do anything since they suspended exchanges, even if we try to support them…”

“They are still exchanging with companies from each country, right? They signed a bridge project with a Korean construction company just last week.”

“That’s a story for companies, and we are no longer private companies. Strictly speaking, it’s an international organization…”

The moment I started talking like that.

A spark flashed in my head.

“You said they signed a contract with a Korean construction company?”

“Yes.”

“What company is it…?”

As if she had finally noticed, Head of Division Lee Ah-young smiled and answered.

“It’s Hanbyul Construction.”

At the same time, my eyes flashed.

***

International Hunter Association headquarters.

A secretly convened executive meeting.

“Then…”

At that meeting where all the operation team leaders were gathered, Secretary-General Wesley spoke first.

“How is each team’s troop preparation going?”

“Team 2, all 10,000 members are ready for combat.”

“Team 3, 18,000 members, are ready.”

“Team 4 is also complete.”

Each team leader continued to answer in order.

At this point, each operation team was reorganized from a formation tailored to existing subjugation to a battalion-level force for combat.

Each team was led by team leaders directly appointed by Secretary-General Wesley.

In other words, they had perfectly finished preparing to wage war.

“30,000 hunters belonging to the headquarters, 27,000 hunters who have been stripped of their qualifications, and 10,000 additional recruited hunters… a total of 67,000 people are all on standby. We can advance immediately if you give the order.”

Finally, Secretary-General Wesley nodded at Team 1 Leader’s summary.

Soon, Secretary-General Wesley spoke again.

“The operation will begin as scheduled at 3 a.m. tomorrow. The target is Berlin, and we will attack until we receive unconditional surrender.”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

“And I’ll say it again…”

He glared and continued.

“This air raid is not a war, but an operation to instill fear. Attack soldiers, hunters, and civilians alike.”

“…”

“…”

The team leaders did not readily answer his instructions, but they nodded nonetheless.

And then.

“Secretary-General.”

Secretary Kate carefully approached him and conveyed the news that had just come in in a small voice.

“We have confirmed the whereabouts of Team Leader Chloe. She is currently working on the cleaning team under WDSO…”

“…Huh.”

Secretary-General Wesley let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded.

She ended up on the cleaning team.

“But… why are you telling me about that person now?”

“There’s no way WDSO would have accepted her willingly. They must have asked for information… then the information about the German air raid may have been passed on to WDSO.”

“…”

His eyes sharpened in an instant.

“If WDSO finds out, they will definitely try to support Germany. You should postpone the date or modify the area…”

“No.”

Secretary-General Wesley cut off her words and answered firmly.

“There’s no need to do that.”

“Yes…?”

“Germany has currently suspended exchanges with all countries. They must have felt a sense of crisis after watching France collapse to us right next door.”

“But that can be withdrawn at any time…”

“Those stubborn and principled people will never withdraw.”

Secretary-General Wesley smiled and continued.

“Germany will not accept it no matter how much WDSO tries to help.”

Of course, we can’t prevent the fact that the news of the air raid will reach Germany’s ears…

But that doesn’t matter much.

It’s already too late to prepare for the air raid now.

“So… let’s proceed as planned. It’s 3 a.m. tomorrow. Keep that in mind.”

Secretary-General Wesley’s voice echoed resolutely.

***

“So, what you’re saying, Team Leader…”

Cleaning team office.

Overseas Business Manager Ha Sung-il spoke cautiously after listening to my explanation.

“You’re going to approach Germany under the pretext of a business contract?”

“That’s right.”

I nodded and continued.

“I heard that Hanbyul Construction has been awarded the Berlin bridge construction project this time. Your second older sister is an executive director, right?”

“She was appointed as the president this time.”

“Oh, then it’s even better.”

I brightened up, but he still had a puzzled expression.

“But what does the bridge construction project have to do with this? What exactly are you going to do…?”

“As a member of WDSO, there is no way to contact Germany directly. Of course, it’s difficult to enter the country. But it’s different if you belong to a company.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to enter the country pretending to be a member of Hanbyul Construction?”

“Yes.”

I answered immediately.

“If I can do that, I can do the rest somehow.”

“Hmm…”

Director Ha Sung-il stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.

But that was only for a moment.

“I understand. I’ll ask my sister.”

“Thank you.”

“What for? It’s a request from the team leader. My sister will probably agree willingly.”

He smiled and answered.

“So, how is it?”

I asked Chloe, who had been silently watching our conversation next to me.

“Isn’t this an operation that even the International Association wouldn’t have expected?”

“…Why are you asking me that?”

She answered as if she had no interest at all.

“If you gave me the information, you guys should figure out the rest. Do I have to give you confirmation?”

“…You’re unusually prickly today.”

“I’m already busy because today is ‘Unlucky Day’, and you’re taking up my time with useless talk!”

“…”

Oh my?

“Anyway, if you’re done talking, I’ll go first. It’s not a particularly important story anyway…”

The moment she got up from her seat.

“Pack your bags.”

“…What did you say?”

I brought up the main purpose of calling her here.

“I said pack your bags. You’re going to Germany with me this time.”

“…Why?”

“Why do you ask? Wouldn’t it be more persuasive for you, who is from PB Corporation, to persuade the German Association than for me to persuade them?”

“…”

She made a meaningful expression at my words.

“Then who’s going to do the work?”

An unimaginable answer came back.