The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 40

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Practical Task Day.

In front of the dungeon where the practical task would be conducted in real-time.

When I arrived, all the candidates were already gathered.

Breaking my expectations, Han Yoobin was also present.

“……You actually came.”

“Why? Did you not want me to come?”

“A little.”

“Seriously, then you shouldn’t have recommended me in the first place.”

Her tone was as sharp as ever.

In contrast, she looked utterly exhausted. With sunken eyes and dark circles, it seemed like she hadn’t slept properly for days.

However, the look in her eyes was quite different from what I had seen before.

If I had to make an analogy…….

‘Confidence…?’

Did she study all night for the practical task?

Well, it wouldn’t matter anyway.

“I came to receive an apology for ignoring you last time.”

Han Yoobin glared at me, her eyes filled with determination.

“I have no intention of apologizing.”

“I’m not asking you to do it now.”

“I won’t do it later either.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“It’s obvious without seeing……. But why do you keep using informal speech?”

An interviewee speaking informally to an examiner.

Is this some American style?

“Well, anyway, thanks to you, I had a hellish week. My colleagues were extremely enthusiastic.”

“……What are you talking about?”

“You don’t need to know. I also asked them to keep it a secret from you. Seriously, just because you’re a candidate, the entire headquarters force had to come barging in……. Just what kind of person are you…….”

Han Yoobin muttered, scanning me up and down.

A secret?

The entire headquarters force?

What on earth is she talking about?

“Alright, everyone, please gather around.”

Just then, Seo Mincheol’s voice echoed through the megaphone.

The HR staff and examiners selected from each department appeared behind Director Seo Mincheol.

“As notified in advance, the practical task will be conducted in an actual dungeon. The examiners and HR staff will enter the dungeon together, and from the moment you enter, several issues will be presented.”

Soon, Seo Mincheol briefly explained the task.

“The evaluation will be based on how you handle each issue, so please make wise decisions and act accordingly.”

“Question. Is it a subjugated dungeon?”

“Since subjugation is also part of the task, we chose an active dungeon. Well… everyone is a Hunter, so I don’t think there will be any particular problems.”

Even at the mention of an active dungeon, everyone’s faces were full of confidence.

Well, they’re not rookies, and they’re skilled Hunters who make a living out of subjugation, so subjugation would be a piece of cake.

“Then let’s begin. Please enter the dungeon.”

At Director Seo Mincheol’s signal, the candidates moved forward. The examiners and HR staff, including Lee Sooyong, followed behind.

The dungeon prepared for this task was a Yellow-grade cave-type dungeon.

It was quite challenging, but given the candidates’ level, it could be cleared without much difficulty unless unexpected situations arose. The candidates weren’t particularly nervous either.

Less than five minutes after everyone stepped into the dungeon.

“Issue 발생, Issue 발생 [Issue Occurred, Issue Occurred].”

The first task was presented.

“Request for support has come in from Task Force 4. Since there are no team members available to dispatch, the current team must provide support. What will you do?”

Lee Sooyong asked, looking at the candidates.

A typical task force support issue.

You have to choose whether to retreat immediately to provide support or to quickly complete the subjugation and then provide support.

Well, if they were rookie Hunters, they might have safely chosen the former, but those guys…….

“We will complete the subjugation within 20 minutes and then provide support. Does anyone object?”

As expected, Shin Taehwan replied immediately.

“No objections.”

“We will proceed immediately.”

Two other candidates followed suit.

Yeah. That would be the obvious choice.

Each of them is at the level of a current task force leader. Above all, they are full of confidence in subjugation and pride in their experience.

With four such guys gathered, retreat would be out of the question.

‘Well, thanks to that, they’ll all get deductions…….’

I smiled faintly.

Pride, confidence.

Because of those two things, they missed something important.

Of course, I welcome it.

The more they act as they please, not knowing what’s important, the more justification there is to eliminate them all…….

“I object.”

At that moment, someone raised their hand and spoke with a confident voice.

Thanks to that, everyone’s attention was focused on them.

“20 minutes is impossible. It would be better to retreat and then subjugate again.”

The one who raised the objection was none other than Han Yoobin.

“What is it?”

“If you’re not confident, you can leave first.”

“Seriously. If you can’t even complete it in 20 minutes, what kind of guts did you have to come here?”

The candidates immediately dismissed her opinion.

The HR staff’s expressions weren’t good either.

For an International Association Hunter to suggest retreating from the start, it’s understandable.

‘No way…….’

But I couldn’t help but be shocked.

It’s not that, it’s the correct answer.

That is exactly the right choice.

They are still making a big mistake.

The practical task now is not to evaluate subjugation. Of course, they are only interviewing for the cleaning team.

In other words, they must complete the cleaning after the subjugation.

But to finish in 20 minutes and go to support?

That’s out of the question.

Here, suggesting a retreat is definitely the right decision.

But there’s no way a Hunter who is steeped in arrogance and pride could think of that.

But… for Han Yoobin, of all people, to grasp that.

What happened during the week…….

“Since the majority has chosen to proceed, the subjugation will continue as is. Please continue.”

When opinions were divided, the HR staff immediately resolved the situation.

“Then I’ll take the lead.”

At the same time, Shin Taehwan took out twin swords from both sides of his waist and stepped forward.

Han Yoobin looked visibly uncomfortable but followed him without saying a word.

After that, equipment support issues, subjugation permission issues, and planning-related issues followed.

Each time, Shin Taehwan stepped forward to make suggestions, and the candidates mostly agreed without complaint.

An unspoken leader was formed.

Unlike them, Han Yoobin wasn’t particularly noticeable. No, strictly speaking… she wasn’t doing anything.

As such, the candidates solved several issues and soon reached the boss room.

Everyone’s expression became quite serious.

[Unique Skill: Frenzy]

Shin Taehwan rushed towards the boss monster without looking back.

A berserker-class’s reckless and self-destructive attack.

Following that.

[Unique Skill: Quasar]

[Unique Skill: Summon – Oberon]

Each candidate also began to unleash their skills.

Movements as if competing to see who was stronger and faster.

The monster’s blood splattered everywhere from the frenzied attack, and the entire boss room was left with traces of the extravagant subjugation.

[Acquired Skill: Straight Punch]

In the midst of it, only Han Yoobin continued with a skill that was utterly bland.

The HR staff and examiners shook their heads at the sight.

But my reaction was a little different.

‘Could that be…….’

After observing Han Yoobin’s movements closely for a while, the subjugation was completed before I knew it.

The monster was practically toyed with, and the boss room was a mess.

Among the candidates who were taking a breather as if the task was over…….

“Issue 발생 [Issue Occurred].”

Finally, I opened my mouth.

***

The day before the practical task, in the headquarter director’s office.

Seo Mincheol summoned Shin Taehwan ahead of the exam.

“Is there a problem?”

“Rather than a problem… I was wondering if I could help you with the exam tomorrow.”

Seo Mincheol had a meaningful expression.

“I think I can do well enough on my own.”

“I know. But… Kim Junwoo, that guy is so unpredictable.”

“At best, he’s just a cleaner…….”

“Shin Taehwan.”

Seo Mincheol abruptly cut him off.

“Whatever the case, he is also an examiner. More than that, he is scheduled to be promoted to team leader once this recruitment is over. Refrain from making rash statements.”

“……Understood.”

Shin Taehwan couldn’t understand.

Isn’t he a cleaner before being an examiner?

He couldn’t understand why a cleaner was directly involved in the recruitment process, and it was strange that the director was saying such things.

“Anyway, from our perspective, we really want you to be hired.”

“I am confident.”

“Of course. You were the vice guild master of Ares. Honestly, in terms of subjugation, equipment, and planning, you can’t even compare to the other candidates. However…….”

Seo Mincheol lowered his voice.

“The problem is cleaning.”

At the same time, Shin Taehwan’s eyes twitched.

“Kim Junwoo created a cleaning team task. Imitating it at your level probably won’t be enough.”

“Isn’t that a different story? Clearly, last time, it was just called the cleaning team, but there was no need to actually clean…….”

“That’s right. But… that’s only after you’re hired. Right now, you’re taking the exam. I wanted to exclude the cleaning team task, but there was no justification. Anyway, you’re currently applying for the cleaning team exam.”

Shin Taehwan openly expressed his discomfort.

“Still, don’t worry too much. That’s why I called you.”

He handed Shin Taehwan a document.

The cover read ‘Cleaning Team Task Guidelines’.

“This is……?”

“It’s the cleaning team task that Kim Junwoo created. Well, you know without me having to say it, don’t tell the other guys. Take a look at it in advance. It might help you a little.”

Shin Taehwan took the document and turned the first page.

“As you can see, the cleaning team’s first issue is after the subjugation is over. But well, it’s not particularly difficult.”

Shin Taehwan nodded.

Due to the delay in the work of other cleaning teams, the current dungeon must be cleaned independently. However, there is not much time left until the time promised to support the task force. How will you proceed with the cleaning?

That was the cleaning team’s first issue.

‘Just like him.’

There are four candidates.

Even if they’ve never cleaned before, there are four Hunters, so it shouldn’t take long.

Shin Taehwan smiled.

***

“Cleaning team issue 발생 [Issue Occurred].”

I looked at the candidates and opened my mouth.

“Due to the delay in the work of other cleaning teams, the current dungeon must be cleaned independently. However, there is not much time left until the time promised to support the task force.”

For some reason, Shin Taehwan is smiling.

The same expression he had when he openly provoked me before.

I stared at him intently and continued to speak.

“Also, since everyone except one person died during the subjugation, you must proceed with the cleaning alone.”

“……?”

“Then, please come forward one by one and solve the issue.”

No way, you son of a bitch.

Did I really submit the task exactly as Seo Mincheol gave it to me?

It was obvious that Shin Taehwan, at least, would have received it in advance.

“You should move quickly. If you want to finish the work in 20 minutes.”

I said it again, but everyone is still unable to move easily.

What are you going to do if you’re already so dazed?

The real task starts now.