The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 330

329. Side Story – Episode 7

It was just past noon.

While the Committee’s investigation was underway, I was temporarily suspended from operations. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

It was almost my first break since the Regressor Dungeon incident, though half-forced. I was trying to enjoy the rare leisure time, but only for a moment.

‘No matter how I think about it…’

I started to retrace the situation once again.

Yeah, no matter how I think about it, there’s only one guy who would try to bring me down like this.

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong.

Ever since the Regressor Dungeon incident six months ago, he’s been nitpicking at my every move.

He’s never failed to find fault with the proposal’s font, the estimated subjugation time, the personnel arrangement, and even the lunch menu.

Well… I know the reason why.

It’s probably because of his inferiority complex… or a sense of inadequacy that I, not him, resolved everything during the Regressor Dungeon incident.

‘Seriously, a guy with no ability has so much pride…’

I understand the desire to keep a capable subordinate in check.

From the start, the difference in skill is obvious… performance, on-site command, none of it comes close to me, so he must feel threatened.

He’s probably trapped in the delusion that his position is in danger if things continue like this.

Well, even if the justification is sufficient… he’s not bold enough to pull something like this off on his own.

He’s not the type to be brazen enough to manipulate the Control Team’s files.

More than anything, the Committee couldn’t possibly be unaware that the files were manipulated, so the fact that they’re acting like this means they’ve been won over as well.

‘Of course, Lee Soo-yong’s capabilities would never be enough for that.’

Then what, isn’t it obvious?

Chief Seo Min-cheol.

That man is backing Team Leader Lee Soo-yong.

‘Tsk…’

I have a sense of how the situation is unfolding.

The problem is, even knowing the situation, there’s nothing I can do.

The two key figures in the Operations Headquarters have joined forces to bury me.

And they’ve even won over that great Committee.

If the matter has already been decided at the top, proving that the Control Team’s files were manipulated is next to impossible.

From the start, there won’t be any more clues left.

-Facts that cannot be proven are simply lies.

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol’s words suddenly popped into my head.

Only now did the meaning of those words directly hit my skin.

Unless I can prove that the files were manipulated, I’m either a crazy bastard who went ahead knowing it… or a moron who accidentally forgot important information.

I have no choice but to choose one of the two.

At first glance, both choices seem similar, but there’s a big difference in the consequences.

Of course, they’re probably thinking that I’ll choose the latter.

But the moment I admit it was a mistake, all my achievements up until now will be for nothing, and my reputation will be irreparably damaged.

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong and Chief Seo Min-cheol are probably aiming for that as well.

To prevent me from threatening their positions, they’re trying to put shackles on me in any way they can.

‘It sucks to be scammed with my eyes open, but…’

What can I do?

I can’t end my hunter life with just this one incident.

However, there’s one thing they don’t know.

The reason I was so focused on performance for the past six months… wasn’t exactly for a promotion.

From the start, I don’t really have any desire for a position that anyone can get.

I’m just….

‘…Tsk, never mind.’

What does that matter now?

Anyway, the important thing is that even if they try to drag down my reputation, it won’t have much of an impact on me.

Of course, it feels extremely dirty to be played by those guys, but… I can close my eyes and bow down this time with a generous heart.

‘There’s no other way from the start…’

I let out a big sigh at the bitter aftertaste when.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Is it a package?

No, I didn’t order anything.

Then, besides a package, who would come to my house?

‘…’

With a puzzled expression, I stared at the door without moving.

Ding-dong, ding-dong.

As if telling me to come out quickly, the bell rang again, and I finally got up.

As soon as I opened the door.

“A-Are you Hunter Kim Jun-woo?”

There stood a woman I had never seen before.

A neatly tied hair and an awkward suit.

More than anything, a face full of tension and a stiff attitude.

No matter how I look at it, she’s not affiliated with the Operations Headquarters.

“…Who are you?”

“I’m Ha Eun-hye from the Operations Truth Investigation Committee.”

The Committee…?

The Committee suddenly came to my house?

More than that… was there someone like this in the Committee?

‘Is she a newbie?’

As I was thinking that.

“In connection with this dungeon intervention incident, I will be monitoring… ah, no, assisting Hunter Kim Jun-woo for a week.”

“…….”

“Ah, um, and as of 12 PM today, the temporary operation ban has been lifted… so… um… you can go on operations.”

“…With you too?”

“Yes!”

A confident answer.

I looked at her with a dumbfounded expression.

What is this?

***

Seoul Headquarters, Investigation Team Office of the Operations Truth Investigation Committee.

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol sat in his seat, clicking his tongue as if the taste was bitter.

He also didn’t like the way things were going right now.

‘Should I have pretended not to hear…’

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol repeatedly muttered that with an uneasy expression.

It wasn’t that, as the investigation team leader of the Truth Investigation Committee, he had to turn a blind eye to the manipulation of the case.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of skepticism about the time he had been working with his own beliefs.

Of course, he couldn’t ignore the instructions from above.

It was none other than Chairman Woo Seok-ho who came to him directly to ask for a favor.

‘What weakness did he get caught on…’

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol recalled Chairman Woo Seok-ho’s expression at the time.

It was long after quitting time.

Chairman Woo Seok-ho, who came to him with a face full of fear as if he was being chased by a ghost, asked him to conceal this incident without hesitation.

Of course, he didn’t bring up such an absurd story empty-handed.

In exchange for keeping it a secret, he promised him his position as chairman.

It was a well-known secret that he was preparing to enter politics.

Because of that, there was great interest among the departments as to who would become the next chairman.

But when he suddenly offered to hand over the position to him, Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol couldn’t help but be tempted.

More than anything, the job wasn’t difficult either.

From what he heard, the case had already been decided, and he just had to close his eyes and follow it.

So, without thinking, he quickly took the bait on the spot.

But after a while, no matter how he thought about it, he felt uncomfortable.

‘Damn it, I don’t know…’

But that was only for a moment, Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol threw his throbbing head back and stopped thinking.

Yeah, the chairman’s position is at stake.

What’s so difficult about closing your eyes once?

No one’s dying.

As he was comforting himself, then.

“Team Leader, the surveillance agent we sent has just arrived at Kim Jun-woo’s house.”

One of the investigation team’s employees approached him and told him that.

At the same time, Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol’s eyebrows twitched greatly.

“Surveillance agent? What are you talking about?”

“Yes, yes? Didn’t the chairman tell you too, Team Leader? I was told to attach surveillance to Kim Jun-woo during the investigation period so that he wouldn’t do anything reckless….”

“…I haven’t heard anything.”

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol frowned.

“I, I thought it was a special instruction from the chairman, so I thought it had been delivered to you, Team Leader….”

Then the employee slurred the end of his words in a subdued voice, as if he had become a sinner.

‘Special instructions…’

Is there a reason to go that far?

From the start, the result has been decided, so why attach surveillance just to prevent him from doing anything reckless??

Anyway, even without surveillance, there’s no way Kim Jun-woo can find a clue that the files were manipulated.

‘…’

As he stroked his chin and organized his thoughts for a moment.

“Wait, could it be…!”

Before he knew it, those words popped out of his mouth.

At the same time, the employee in front of him was startled and looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Ahem….”

He, including all the members of the investigation team, doesn’t know that this case was manipulated from above.

So, Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol coughed and waved his hand as if nothing was wrong.

But he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

The fact that they’re attaching surveillance now means, in other words….

‘Is there still evidence left…?’

If they’re attaching surveillance because there’s something they haven’t dealt with, it makes sense.

But the important thing is not that.

If Kim Jun-woo really finds a clue to the manipulation… the Committee itself will be completely dismantled.

‘Woo Seok-ho…’

For the chairman of the Truth Investigation Committee to accept such an absurd request.

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol gritted his teeth.

He doesn’t know what happened to him, but thanks to him, he’s also standing on thin ice.

More than anything, he can’t immediately conclude the case and issue a disposition just because he’s uneasy.

According to internal regulations, the disposition had to be put on hold for at least a week.

It’s a minimum device to prevent unfair things from happening, and it means to investigate properly.

It’s truly absurd that such an organization is turning a blind eye to file manipulation and trying to bury a hunter, but….

What can he do about what’s already happened?

No matter what happens, the fact that he has to endure for a week remains unchanged.

‘I needed a surveillance agent…’

He thought for a moment.

“So, who did you send?”

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol asked the employee.

“It’s employee Ha Eun-hye.”

“What, what?!”

At the same time, his eyes widened greatly.

“No, how can you send a fresh newbie who hasn’t even been with the company for three months?!”

“T, that’s the only one with manpower left.”

“Even so…!”

“Don’t worry too much. She may be a bit clumsy… but she’s good at her job, isn’t she? She’s also passionate.”

“Haa….”

I know.

I don’t want to deny that she’s a rare newbie.

But….

“That kid… is secretly stubborn.”

“Ah, that’s true. She’s also secretly conservative. Just look at the time when we ordered lunch, and she went to the store to argue because the coupon wasn’t working.”

At the employee’s words, Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol smiled, as if he remembered that incident.

“But isn’t she a good fit for our team because she’s meticulous?”

“That’s true….”

I’m worried that her meticulousness will leak out to other places for no reason.

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol swallowed those words.

More than anything, she’s unnecessarily idealistic, not to mention meticulous.

A kid with a flower garden in her head who believes that everyone can be friends regardless of rank, command, or hierarchy.

Besides, she’s a troublesome kid who likes people and tries to do everything together.

Well, to put it nicely, you could say she’s sociable, but to put it badly….

‘She’s a kid who doesn’t know how scary the world is.’

Tsk, he clicked his tongue.

“For her first case to be in charge of Kim Jun-woo. She’s unlucky.”

“Yes…?”

“Their personalities are extremely incompatible.”

I heard that he tries to do everything alone, whether it’s operations or subjugation, and he never trusts others.

“I’m worried that she’ll be swayed by him while she’s monitoring him.”

Team Leader Ki Hoon-cheol sighed with his arms crossed.

***

“Hunter Kim Jun-woo! You have to report the dungeon entry time to the Control Team!”

“…….”

Near Seoul Station.

In front of the entrance to a Green-ranked dungeon.

Just as I was about to enter the dungeon after finishing a short briefing to the eight team members, a clear voice rang out from behind.

I let out a faint sigh and opened my mouth to her.

“The Control Team already knows that the operation is proceeding on time. Unnecessary information is rather….”

“But I can’t! It’s the rule!”

“…….”

I’m going crazy.

“Who’s that?”

“Hehe, she’s cute. Is she a newbie?”

“I heard she’s an aide sent by the Committee?”

“Does the vice team leader also have an aide attached to him?”

“Hey, the Committee sent her, so she’s not really an aide. She’s just a surveillance agent.”

As expected, I soon heard whispering from behind.

I closed my eyes tightly and sighed in annoyance once.

“We’re both working, so let’s get along. Let’s not make each other tired.”

“Isn’t this my job? To nitpick.”

“…….”

She’s not going to give up a word.

“Ms. Ha Eun-hye… how long have you been with the company?”

“Three months.”

“I don’t think you have a good grasp of it yet, but even if the head of the Operations Headquarters comes, he can’t tell me what to do….”

“I’m not affiliated with the Operations Team.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“I know. You’re Hunter Kim Jun-woo.”

“No, I mean….”

I opened my mouth again, feeling frustrated whether she was stupid or doing it on purpose.

“The youngest hunter in Korea, the 4th A-rank hunter in the country. Currently, he is the unrivaled ace of Operations Team 1 and the vice team leader. He is overwhelmingly skilled and has a great track record, but… his reputation is not good compared to his skills, and he is a target of fear within the team.”

“…….”

She recited my profile with a serious face.

“I know you’re a scary person too. Before I was assigned, I heard from my senior that I should be careful not to offend you as much as possible.”

“…….”

“But… isn’t it more funny to not say what I have to say just because I’m scared? I’m affiliated with the Committee’s investigation team.”

I nodded at her words.

‘She’s just… stubborn.’

It seems like she’s a kid who doesn’t know how scary the world is….

“What are you doing! It’s already been a minute since the operation started. You have to report the start time to the Control Team and enter the dungeon quickly!”

“Haa….”

In the end, I burst into laughter without realizing it.

I didn’t say anything more and picked up the radio.

“Operations Team 1, Kim Jun-woo, starts operations at 14:33.”

“Yes, yes? Ah… yes, I understand.」

I glared at Ha Eun-hye once.

I turned around without saying a word and walked towards the dungeon entrance.

‘Fucking hell….’

A troublesome kid has come.