The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 28

027

After a moment of being stunned by the sudden story.

“Why the sudden interview with the Cleaning Team…?”

I cautiously opened my mouth first.

Then, Reporter Gu Sang-chan looked surprised.

“Huh? Don’t you know? The Cleaning Team has been a huge sensation online lately because of the statement they made the day before yesterday!”

“I know that… but does an issue usually lead to an interview like this?”

“Well, it means that much attention is focused on them. Especially Moon So-yeon from the Cleaning Team…”

“…Ahem.”

I urgently gave him a look, and Gu Sang-chan quickly covered his mouth.

It wasn’t a bad story, but it wasn’t something to say in front of her.

Fortunately, he seemed to be aware of it himself.

“Ah, well… there are a lot of rumors, like the Cleaning Team is powerful, they’re treated well by the Association, but there’s not much accurate information. Not many people really know about the Cleaning Team.”

Gu Sang-chan slowly continued his explanation.

“Since it’s become an issue, I thought it would be good to run a special article on the Cleaning Team. To let people know what kind of team they are, what kind of work they do. But, well… I guess it wasn’t discussed…”

A sigh so deep it seemed to make the ground sink.

His expression quickly turned grim.

The Association is a place where a lot of information comes and goes.

So, no matter how much permission is granted from above, an interview is impossible if the parties involved don’t agree.

In other words, if we refuse here, Reporter Gu Sang-chan would have to return empty-handed despite having obtained interview permission.

We exchanged glances.

“Well, I think it’s okay. It would be nice for us if people knew about our work. Who knows? If the article turns out well, we might even get new recruits.”

Moon So-yeon spoke first.

On the other hand, Team Leader Park had a negative reaction.

“Well… I’m a little worried. It’s not something people would particularly like. I’m afraid it might make the perception even worse.”

“Ah! You don’t have to worry about that. Even if it’s a bit tough, I’m planning to put out a positive spin by mixing in things like the team atmosphere is good, they’re treated well by the Association, and so on.”

Gu Sang-chan, the reporter from Jungsim Ilbo [a fictional newspaper], said, not wanting to miss the opportunity.

A reporter openly saying he’s going to lie.

“What about you, Jun-woo?”

In a situation where opinions were divided.

Moon So-yeon asked for my opinion last.

“Well, I agree with Team Leader Park, but…”

“Really? If that’s what Jun-woo thinks, well… I’m sorry, but the interview might be a little difficult…”

“Wait. Just a moment.”

I urgently interrupted Moon So-yeon.

“Um, I was wondering. If an article about a certain job comes out, do the number of applicants really increase?”

“Well… not 100%, but in the case of jobs that seem easy or don’t require specific expertise, there are cases where people flock to them temporarily.”

“I see.”

I smiled without realizing it.

But Gu Sang-chan’s expression wasn’t very pleased.

“But… frankly, it’s not a very good phenomenon. It’s like people underestimate it, thinking, ‘I can do that too.’ Of course, I’ll do my best to prevent that from happening…”

“No.”

“…Pardon?”

I continued in a serious voice.

“Show it as easy as possible. Make it seem like anyone can do it. Is that possible?”

“As I said, it’s not that good of an idea…”

“If possible, you can do the interview.”

“How hard can cleaning be, anyway?”

Before the words were even finished, a handshake was offered.

And so, the interview was confirmed.

[Excessive Bleeding – Unlocking Condition: Dungeon Cleaning Team, 1 New Recruit]

At the same time, an unlocking opportunity opened up.

***

A heavy atmosphere in the Head of Department’s office.

“Why did you allow the interview?”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong cautiously opened his mouth towards Head of Department Seo Min-cheol, who was constantly clutching his head.

“…What?”

Then, a sharp gaze flew at him.

“Since when have you been questioning what I do? Why? Are you unhappy about it?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that…”

Head of Department Seo Min-cheol was unusually edgy.

Lee Soo-yong quickly lowered his head and backed down.

“Ha… Why is nothing working out?”

Soon, Seo Min-cheol’s deep sigh echoed in the Head of Department’s office.

Indeed, he had been racking his brains over quite a few things lately.

The biggest headache was, of course, the Cleaning Team.

He had hoped that their momentum would be broken by this incident.

Whether Kim Jun-woo took the blame alone, or the Cleaning Team received collective disciplinary action, either way was fine. He just wanted them to quietly shrink away.

But he never expected Kim Min-joo to get involved…

‘How did she find the culprit there… even though the CCTV was completely destroyed?’

In the end, the chaotic statement only benefited others.

Seeing them being called powerful and whatnot online made him feel like he was having stomach cramps.

And then there’s Task Force 2.

That team was created with the intention of being dissolved from the start.

Giving Kim Min-joo the position of team leader was only meant to save face…

A team with only 17 members, all limbs cut off [referring to the team being understaffed and lacking resources], and an inexperienced team leader.

Naturally, their performance would hit rock bottom, and eventually, he expected them to dissolve on their own if he just left them alone for a while.

Of course, that expectation was beautifully off the mark.

‘Whose head did this plan come out of…’

Head of Department Seo Min-cheol stared intently at Task Force 2’s operation plan on his desk.

According to this plan, a team of only 17 members could really carry out an operation equivalent to a team of 50.

No, not just equivalent…

They would surpass Task Force 1.

Task Force 1’s performance is directly tied to Head of Department Seo Min-cheol’s own evaluation.

At the very least, everyone in the department knows that Lee Soo-yong is “his guy.” Seo Min-cheol managed to get Lee Soo-yong a spot despite the other teams’ disapproval, so if Lee Soo-yong’s performance tanks, what would become of Seo Min-cheol’s own reputation?

“Something… feels like it went wrong from the start.”

“Then we need to suppress them with a more decisive method! We can’t let him act up just because he has Kim Jun-woo backing him…”

“I don’t know, damn it. I’m done with those guys.”

“Yes…?”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong, who had been raising his voice, suddenly sounded deflated.

“Kim Jun-woo, that guy… aside from being on the Chairman’s line, he’s just crazy. I don’t have the confidence to mess with him anymore.”

“Well, I do think so too… but even so, there’s a hierarchy in the organization. There’s no need for the Head of Department to bow down…”

Seo Min-cheol shook his head.

“Usually, you can see a person’s purpose by their actions, and you can see their justification by what they say… but that bastard, you can’t see either.”

“Isn’t the purpose obvious? He’s been working for the Cleaning Team all along.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Why is that crazy bastard going to such lengths for a Cleaning Team that has nothing going for it?”

“That’s…”

Lee Soo-yong couldn’t possibly answer that question.

“Anyway, it’s best not to mess with crazy people. If we don’t bother him, he’ll leave us alone too. When you think about it, we only got to this point because we bothered them first.”

“…If you want to be strict, that’s true.”

“It doesn’t seem like they’re trying to overturn the headquarters like Lee Ah-young either. Let’s just leave them alone to do their own thing.”

Seo Min-cheol leaned his head back.

He wouldn’t touch them with a ten-foot pole, regardless of hierarchy or anything else. He just sincerely hoped they would stay quiet.

“So, then…”

“What again?”

“Why did you approve the interview…? The Cleaning Team is getting quite a bit of buzz online these days, and if a good article comes out of this, won’t they become even more high-spirited?”

“Ah, I thought it was something else. Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”

Lee Soo-yong blinked at Seo Min-cheol’s immediate response.

“Think about it. Going into gas-filled dungeons, cutting up monster corpses, wiping up blood that no one knows who it belongs to… How can an article about such a job come out positively?”

“Ah…”

He finally understood.

As Seo Min-cheol said, no matter how much you try to sugarcoat it, a cleaner is just a cleaner.

If the reporter has any sense, an article that caters to people’s interests will never come out.

“I only approved the interview hoping they’d realize their place with this opportunity. There’s no big meaning behind it.”

“…I understand.”

“If you understand, then you should also stop paying attention to the Cleaning Team and focus on your own performance. It’s almost settlement season [performance review period]. I’ll talk to the control team and give you as much information as possible, so prepare your plans properly.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Lee Soo-yong bowed his head in greeting, and then.

“Ah.”

“…What’s wrong?”

Seo Min-cheol’s eyes narrowed.

“Did I even tell the Cleaning Team that they were going to be interviewed…?”

***

In the end, Reporter Gu Sang-chan decided to stay with us for the time being.

It was quite sudden, but the story ended well anyway.

Before entering the dungeon, Team Leader Park told Gu Sang-chan a few precautions.

At the same time, he packed his equipment and even told him not to go off alone.

Also, to avoid interfering with the work as much as possible.

Reporter Gu Sang-chan swore to be as quiet as a mouse so that would never happen.

Well, he said to treat him like he wasn’t there and just work as usual, but…

“Uwaaaah! Mo, Monster!!”

“Ah, is it dead? Wow, I was so surprised… but you all seem used to it? You’re not scared at all. I wouldn’t be able to touch it if I were you.”

“Wow, what’s this?! Is this an artifact…?”

“…Ugh! Uwek!”

He’s making such a fuss.

“But, hyung-nim! Ah, can I call you hyung-nim [older brother/respected older male figure]? How long have you been working in the Cleaning Team, hyung-nim?”

“Wow, really? I couldn’t have imagined you were a newbie! Then what about Moon So-yeon?”

“2 years?! She’s the most senior here?”

So noisy, really.

I don’t know if he’s sociable or just shameless…

I unconsciously put more and more force into the hand that was wiping the floor.

I thought I should gag that guy’s mouth with this rag if necessary, but…

Fortunately or unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

“…Ah, do we have to go further?”

“Ah, no. It’s okay.”

“…Yes.”

“…”

Because as the work progressed, Gu Sang-chan’s words decreased exponentially.

It wasn’t just the number of words that decreased; his expression was also hardening.

The meaning was so clear.

I opened my mouth in an exaggerated voice.

“Ha, haha. Today’s work is so easy and fun. Don’t you all think so?”

“Th, that’s right. I want to work every day. Haha…”

“Wow~ this is really rewarding work?”

Awkward acting.

Team Leader Park seems to be a little sincere.

Anyway, I looked at Gu Sang-chan again.

“…………Haha.”

Damn it, it’s not working at all.

He looks like he’s in trouble.

The job content was much more serious than I thought.

Well, no matter how much we pretend to enjoy it, the job itself is not something that people would like.

Besides, it’s even busier and harder because there are only three of us.

‘Should I have waited for Han Sang-hyuk to come back…?’.

Damn it, Team Leader Park was right after all.

It looks like we’re going to ruin the image we had left.