The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 345

344. After Story 1

“Here is today’s schedule.”

WDSO [World Dungeon Suppression Organization] Secretary-General’s office.

As soon as I got to work, Chief of Staff Shin Soo-ji handed me a thick stack of documents.

“You have a lunch meeting with the chairman of the National By-product Processing Facilities Association, a meeting with Chairman Ha Seong-il of Hanbyul Group at 2 PM, and the East Asia second-half subjugation settlement meeting at 4 PM. Here are the related documents, so please take a look.”

“Oh. For once, today seems pretty relaxed.”

“No. There’s a press conference regarding the reorganization of the global subjugation system at 6 PM, the Seoul Headquarters operations team’s monthly evaluation at 7 PM, and a meeting with the Seoul Headquarters cleaning team from 8 PM…”

“…….”

My expression stiffened involuntarily at the never-ending schedule.

Belatedly, Chief of Staff Shin Soo-ji subtly checked my reaction.

“Shall we postpone the operations team and cleaning team meetings until next week…?”

I was slightly tempted by the schedule adjustment proposal, but I shook my head.

“No. We have to do it anyway, so it’s better to do it quickly.”

“Understood. Then I’ll prepare according to the schedule.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Chief of Staff Shin Soo-ji then left the office with a light nod.

At the same time, I spun my pen around and let out a faint sigh.

It’s already been a year since Secretary-General Wesley’s International Hunter Association collapsed.

As international society gradually regained stability after the war, WDSO, which had been precarious from the start, has now established itself as a full-fledged international subjugation association.

Well, for the first few months, distrust of the central organization poured out, giving me a headache…….

We were able to quell the dissatisfaction to some extent by implementing various safety measures and reorganizing the existing system.

President Cho Hyun-min’s speech promising to prevent the recurrence of unfortunate events like before also played a big role.

Of course, the restoration of war damage and the delivery of relief supplies to each country also played a significant role.

In the process, Chairman Ha Seong-il, Director Lee Doo-sik, and many other figures helped in various ways.

Thanks to that, we are now performing our role as an international association without any major problems.

Of course, it’s a shame that my workload has increased that much.

‘Compared to when I was just going on subjugations from the moment I opened my eyes until I closed them…….’

I guess it’s a relief that my body is more comfortable.

I briefly put down the documents and leaned back in my chair.

It was because the thoughts I had been putting aside due to being busy had surfaced.

Ultimately, I chose to stay here.

The reasons were complex, and I can’t deny that emotions were involved to some extent.

But the biggest reason was… that I had achieved the reason and goal for which I had been so obsessed with power while living as a Hunter here.

Yes.

Although I’m not a Hunter, I’m currently in a higher position than anyone else.

There are also people I can trust and delegate to without having to go on subjugations myself, and all organizations, including the support team and control team, are working perfectly in sync.

As a result, the operational fatality rate in South Korea is currently recording 0.

Of course, there are still many Hunters losing their lives worldwide, but that’s just a matter of time.

‘…….’

As soon as I thought that, one person suddenly came to mind.

The guy whose face I can’t even remember well now.

That troublemaker who, despite being a new employee, wasn’t intimidated by Hunters and said everything he wanted to say.

The guy who was more foolish than anyone else, but more courageous than anyone else.

Everything I’ve done so far was, in fact, started by that guy.

I wish I could tell him how much has changed thanks to him.

‘Well…….’

I slightly raised the corners of my lips.

Yes.

It’s all useless sentiment now.

As I was organizing my thoughts, that’s when.

“How can you never answer even when I knock every time? Should I just install a doorbell?”

A familiar voice entered the office.

“It’s not like this is your bedroom. Isn’t it strange that you visit the Secretary-General’s office so often?”

“It’s because you’re hardly ever in your office for even an hour a day. If you keep leaving your seat, who do I report to?”

“Why do you need to report to me? You’re a full-fledged branch manager now.”

South Korean branch manager of WDSO.

It was Lee Ah-young.

“Well, I’m also here to see your face.”

“…….”

How absurd.

“Then, since you’re here, give me your report.”

“Um, there’s nothing particularly special.”

“…….”

What is this again…….

Is she kidding me?

“Anyway, you’ve probably already received a report from Soo-ji about the important stuff. Well, it’s not like there aren’t any problems at all… but most of them are things I can handle on my own.”

Her words reminded me of a previous report.

“Ah, by the way, what happened to that matter from before? You know… the people who have been coming to ask for permission to use Bank Items [Items with special abilities stored in the WDSO bank] for the past few days.”

“That? Well. I’ve been firmly rejecting them every time they come, so they don’t really stand out anymore.”

“I see. Anyway… what reason would civilians have to need Bank Items?”

“Why wouldn’t they? People looking for Lee Neung-ryuk [a famous hunter] to become Hunters, people who lost all their money in coins [cryptocurrency] and want to be sent back to the past… well, personal circumstances like that.”

“Tsk, I still don’t understand.”

“Well, everyone’s own cold is the most painful. Everyone’s own work is the hardest.”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young shrugged.

I smiled and said.

“Is there anything else to report separately?”

“Ah… yes, well…….”

For some reason, Branch Manager Lee Ah-young avoids my gaze and speaks vaguely.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression, but only for a moment.

“I understand. Well… international society is gradually stabilizing, so we should start scaling down soon.”

I spat out those words.

The ultimate goal of WDSO and the long-cherished desire of international society.

Nothing other than being completely liberated from this strange phenomenon.

All the tools for that are prepared.

We just have to prepare to go back.

To the time when there were no dungeons and no Hunters.

“Well, to be honest, there are still some difficult places, except for a few countries.”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young added, but I already knew that as well.

“We can do it slowly.”

“That’s right.”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young smiled at those words.

“Oh, right, the cleaning team said they’re having a company dinner next week and asked if you could attend.”

“Why would I go there when I’m not even on the cleaning team…….”

“Well, it’s not really a company dinner, it’s just a chance to see each other’s faces after a long time, isn’t it?”

…How annoying.

“Well, I’ll check my schedule and let you know.”

“Okay.”

After finishing the conversation, I looked back at the documents.

But even though she was done with her business, Lee Ah-young stood still and glanced at me.

“…Is there anything else you want to say?”

“Do you want to have dinner tonight?”

“…….”

I felt a moment of dizziness at those unexpected words.

A question that truly doesn’t distinguish between public and private.

As I hesitated to answer.

“Well, never mind if you have plans today.”

“…….”

I glanced at the schedule that Chief of Staff Shin Soo-ji had left behind.

“Let’s eat.”

I answered, putting the documents into the drawer.

***

“You two are dating?!”

Moon So-yeon, who was coming out after finishing cleaning work at a dungeon near Sadang Station, widened her eyes in response to the shockingly news.

“D, didn’t you know?”

“No… it’s almost been a year?”

Then Han Sang-hyuk and Department Head Park Geun-tae looked even more surprised.

“No, how would I know if you didn’t tell me!”

“It was obvious from the vibes.”

“I asked directly, kekeke [Korean onomatopoeia for chuckling].”

As the two chuckled, Moon So-yeon made a dumbfounded expression.

“Well, everyone, get ready in advance. I think they’ll be handing out wedding invitations soon.”

“Woah… I’m not ready to see the groom Kim Jun-woo yet…….”

“I’m already so shocked by everything that I can’t even speak.”

Han Sang-hyuk shook his head, and Moon So-yeon shook her head.

Even so, everyone was secretly looking forward to the two’s wedding, and as they continued their trivial chatter about other people’s love stories.

“Hey, aren’t you guys being too relaxed?”

That familiar voice was heard.

“W, what?”

“Jun-woo?! Ah, Ah-young unnie [term for older sister or female friend] too?”

“Wow~ I’m about to forget your faces, you guys!”

None other than Secretary-General Kim Jun-woo and Branch Manager Lee Ah-young had visited Cleaning Team 3 after a long time.

The team members ran to them in an instant.

First, Han Sang-hyuk poked him in the elbow and asked.

“What brings you here, Secretary-General, who is so busy juggling dating and work?”

“…….”

At those words, Kim Jun-woo and Lee Ah-young’s faces stiffened for a moment.

Then, after their cheeks flushed slightly, Kim Jun-woo quickly changed the subject and opened his mouth towards Department Head Park Geun-tae.

“Ahem… actually, I came to tell you that I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to the company dinner.”

“Is that so? I guess you’re busy. That’s too bad.”

Department Head Park Geun-tae laughed heartily.

Kim Jun-woo also smiled slightly at his unchanging appearance.

“If you have some time until the next job, would you like to have a cup of coffee?”

“We’d love to!”

“Okay.”

“Haha, when else would we get to drink coffee bought by the Secretary-General~.”

As Kim Jun-woo and all the members of Cleaning Team 3 left the alley and entered the main road.

Thud—!

“Kyaa!”

“Ack!!”

A child who ran out into the street collided with Manager Moon So-yeon.

Moon So-yeon fell backward, and the child also landed on their butt.

At the same time, the equipment was dropped, and some of the blood on it splattered on the child’s clothes.

“A, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Manager Moon So-yeon jumped up and checked the child’s condition first.

Fortunately, the blood was non-toxic.

The child also seemed to be uninjured.

But.

“What is this?!”

“What did you do to our child!”

The child’s parents, who belatedly ran over, seemed to think differently.

“Ugh, damn it. The smell!”

The young couple.

The husband, who looked quite decent, immediately covered his nose with a curse.

“Who are you people! What is it, why are you getting this dirty stuff on our child?!”

“How can you bring such filth outside!”

As expected, they immediately started arguing in agitated voices.

“I’m sorry, I was careless……,”

“How are you going to take responsibility! What if our child gets some kind of disease!”

“T, this is a non-toxic substance, and it’s a very small amount…….”

“Shut up! What do you know, you cleaner!”

At that moment, the expressions of the cleaning team members hardened.

But it wasn’t because they were hurt by the insulting words.

It was just that they were sincerely worried about the young couple who had uttered such words even though Kim Jun-woo was right next to them.

Soon, all the team members instinctively looked at Kim Jun-woo’s reaction.

Kim Jun-woo also seemed to have noticed that.

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh…….”

“Oh…….”

He bowed his head more calmly than expected.

Of course.

“No, is it over just because you said you’re sorry?!”

“How can you make such a mistake in your work!”

Those who had already lost their reason were unlikely to calm down with just one apology.

Kim Jun-woo kept apologizing with his back bent, but their words became more and more intense.

Eventually.

“Excuse me.”

Branch Manager Lee Ah-young stepped forward in front of them.

“I think you’re being a little too harsh…….”

And at that moment.

Whether it was because excitement had taken over his brain, the man who had momentarily lost his reason suddenly exploded.

“Y, you son of a bitch! Who are you to talk back to me…!”

He raised his hand towards Branch Manager Lee Ah-young.

Of course, there was no way Kim Jun-woo would just stand by and watch.

[Acquired Skill: Hellfire]

Kim Jun-woo cast the skill, intending to blow away his wrist altogether.

At the same time.

Thud—.

Someone grabbed the man’s wrist tightly.

“……?”

“……?”

Lee Ah-young and the members of Cleaning Team 3 were bewildered by the situation that had unfolded in an instant.

And that was the same for Kim Jun-woo as well.

The one who had stopped the young man was none other than Kim Jun-woo……. but a middle-aged man they had never seen before.

“Hey, what’s a grown adult doing in front of a child.”

The middle-aged man stared at the young man.

A fairly large build.

A menacing impression and tattoos running from his arms to his neck.

“A scary person.”

It was an appearance that was enough to prove that those words were not a joke.

Thanks to that, the young man seemed to have succeeded in controlling his anger in an instant.

“If you don’t want to show your child any more embarrassing behavior, stop and leave.”

“…….”

At those words, the young man reluctantly looked around and turned his back.

The couple disappeared slowly, taking the child with them.

Kim Jun-woo stared at them for a moment.

“…Thank you.”

He then approached him and thanked him for stepping in.

If he had stepped in directly, things would have definitely escalated.

It was fortunate for both him and Lee Ah-young that it ended here.

“Haha! What are you thanking me for? I’ve been watching all along, and I couldn’t just stand by because she’s like my daughter.”

“Daughter…?”

“My daughter is just about her age. She’s good-looking and capable, but I’m worried because she can’t get married.”

The man laughed heartily and began to boast about his children without being asked.

Kim Jun-woo and Lee Ah-young quickly regained their smiles at the pleasant affability, and then the man casually asked them.

“Are you two married?”

“Y, yes?! That’s, not yet…….”

“No.”

As Kim Jun-woo answered calmly, the man tapped him on the shoulder.

“Enjoy it while you can! Well, you’ll know once you get married. You’ll know even more once you have kids. Originally, your own children are the most precious. It’s just that the way they express it is different. Those guys are acting like that because they’re parents, so don’t worry too much about it.”

“Well, I understand. To some extent.”

“Hahaha! Your eyes don’t look like it at all?”

As Kim Jun-woo replaced his answer with a smile, the man shook his hand and said.

“My name is Choi Jang-seok.”

“I’m Kim Jun-woo.”

“Kim Jun-woo?”

At that moment, the man’s expression changed to one of surprise upon hearing his name.

“Could it be… WDSO Secretary-General Kim Jun-woo…?”

“Ah, yes… that’s right.”

“……Finally.”

“Yes…?”

That voice, barely audible.

As Kim Jun-woo asked again, the man quickly waved his hand.

“Ah, ahaha! No, no. It’s not that, it’s just… my daughter will be joining the association later. I thought I should make a good impression.”

“Is your daughter an ability user?”

“Of course. She has a very great ability.”

Kim Jun-woo smiled involuntarily at the man’s proud expression.

“I hope to see you at the interview later. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“…….”

Although Kim Jun-woo said a word, for some reason, the man stared at him silently with a stiff face.

And then.

“Actually…….”

The moment he opened his mouth with a heavy voice.

“This is the Seoul Southern Police Station’s ability crime task force. We received a report about an ability assault, are you the parties involved?”

“……?”

“……?”

Suddenly, the police appeared in front of them.

A woman wearing plain clothes and a hat pulled down low.

Kim Jun-woo and Lee Ah-young waved their hands in great embarrassment.

“W, what assault. We didn’t…….”

As he said that, he looked at where Choi Jang-seok had been.

“……What?”

The man had disappeared somewhere.

Kim Jun-woo and Lee Ah-young looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

“Please come with us for a moment. We have to investigate since a report has been filed…….”

“N, no. What is this…!”

“We will forcibly escort you if you refuse.”

The woman’s voice was firm.

As Kim Jun-woo was about to protest, his eyes met hers, which were hidden by her hat.

“……You, you?”

“What?”

The two’s expressions hardened at the same time.

“You, are you Min Yoo-jin?”

“Kim Jun-woo?!”

The identity of the police officer was none other than Min Yoo-jin, the team leader of the ability crime task force at the Seoul Southern Police Station.

Kim Jun-woo’s ex-girlfriend.