The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 46

045

Operation Day, Sillim-dong.

Basically, it’s a Yellow-ranked dimensional dungeon.

However, it’s classified as a Class 2 Special Operation Zone due to tricky conditions and dangers not found in regular dungeons. It’s both a loop dungeon and a dual-zone dungeon.

In front of it, both the US branch’s dispatched team and the headquarters team were gathered.

About 30 minutes before the operation began.

Kim Min-ju, selected as the leader of this operation, was explaining the operation’s overview to the dispatched team, while I was inspecting the cleaning equipment with Moon So-yeon and Han Sang-hyuk.

Of course, even amidst all that, my gaze was constantly directed towards the dispatched team.

There was no telling what tricks they might pull to steal the Time Stone from the get-go.

“It feels even more solemn than during a joint operation. The meeting’s been going on for an hour already.”

Just then, Moon So-yeon cautiously opened her mouth.

“Joint operations aren’t common. The subjugation rules and combat methods differ greatly between associations, so if we don’t coordinate from the start, problems will arise later. The meeting is crucial.”

Moon So-yeon nodded awkwardly.

She clearly didn’t understand, but she wore an expression that said she roughly got it.

“Above all, loop dungeons are difficult even for experienced Hunters, so everyone’s on edge. They have to be trapped in the dungeon indefinitely until the subjugation conditions are met.”

“Then… is it possible to never be able to subjugate it?”

“Well, the probability is slim… but I can’t guarantee there’s absolutely no chance.”

Moon So-yeon’s complexion instantly turned gray.

Then, Han Sang-hyuk immediately jumped in.

“Hey, if you scare her from the start, how can she work properly? Don’t worry, So-yeon. He’s just kidding.”

“……Really?”

“Of course! And the American branch guys are here, so what could possibly go wrong?”

Han Sang-hyuk seemed to be trying to brush it off nonchalantly.

Well, half of what he said was a joke, but half of it was true.

In my past life, there was actually a Hunter who repeated a certain loop dungeon 1,400 times and went insane.

It’s definitely a dangerous dungeon… but that’s only when you don’t have information.

This loop dungeon is one I participated in.

Of course, I also know the subjugation conditions. More than anything, this number of people is more than enough.

‘Well, that doesn’t mean we can subjugate it in one go.’

If I know conditions that even the American control team doesn’t know, it’ll only raise unnecessary suspicion.

More than anything, isn’t this Kim Min-ju’s first time leading a large-scale project since becoming team leader?

I should let her gain experience and help her out when necessary.

I glanced over at the dispatched team once more.

And there was one more guy besides me who was glancing at the dispatched team.

“……Is that why you didn’t tell me? Because it’s a joint operation with the American branch?”

It was Han Yu-bin.

Her sharp voice was as if she was openly saying, ‘Are you kidding me right now?’

I tried to avoid her gaze and answered.

“You wouldn’t have participated if I had told you.”

“Yes. That’s why I’m seriously considering hitting you right now.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Who else would it be?”

“…….”

Han Yu-bin’s gaze is directed precisely at me.

Why did I pick such a person?

Deep regret washed over me.

“Ahem… Anyway, now that it’s come to this, let’s proceed without causing any problems. I understand how you feel, but don’t go picking fights. It’ll only make things complicated.”

“It seems like they’re the ones who will start the fight, not me.”

“Then just bear with it. Don’t even think about retaliating. Surely the American branch wouldn’t cause problems during an official operation. No matter how much you hate them.”

“You still don’t know them well enough. That bastard is capable of anything.”

Han Yu-bin said sullenly, as if telling me to wait and see.

“……Both this side and that side, everyone’s atmosphere is no joke.”

“If you two are going to fight, tell me too. I’ll come watch.”

“We should call Min-ju unnie [older sister/female friend] and A-young unnie too, right?”

Han Sang-hyuk and Moon So-yeon threw out jokes, seemingly trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

“It’s okay. I think I’ll lose.”

“…….”

I didn’t want to ruin the start of the operation, so I responded with a joke as well.

Thanks to that, Han Yu-bin seemed to have calmed down a bit, but…….

Before I knew it, a new unexpected foe appeared before my eyes.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jason, the control team leader. You must be the cleaning team leader?”

“Support Team Leader Chloe.”

A man with a bulging belly and a woman with golden bobbed hair approached and abruptly offered a handshake.

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

A familiar face.

It was the same appearance as in my past life.

“I’ve heard you’re a capable person. And that you’re knowledgeable about dungeons.”

“You flatter me.”

“There’s no need to be modest. I’m just saying what I’ve heard.”

The corner of his lips quirked up.

At the same time, my brow furrowed.

His attitude is completely different from when we spoke on the phone.

Soon, Jason shifted his gaze behind me and opened his mouth.

“Long time no see. How have you been?”

“……Fine, I guess.”

The moment she faced her former colleague.

Han Yu-bin couldn’t hide her animosity as she answered.

“You seem to be doing well too. Unfortunately.”

“Haha…… I’m relieved that you’re participating. Ah, by any chance, you’re not unhappy about participating in this operation, are you?”

“I am unhappy… but what can I do? It’s work.”

“Yes, you have to separate public and private matters. Anyway, I’m sorry about what happened before.”

Jason turned his back after saying those words.

Han Yu-bin raised her middle finger towards his back.

“Ah, but by any chance…….”

At that moment, Jason turned his head again and opened his mouth.

“Did you take anything from the branch when you quit?”

“…….”

Han Yu-bin’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“Nothing.”

“……Okay. Let’s talk again later.”

After finishing the meaningful conversation, Jason returned to the dispatched team.

Han Yu-bin glared at me.

She looked like she was about to say, ‘What did I tell you?’

“Then, everyone, please gather around. We’ll have the final briefing.”

Soon, the operation time approached, and Kim Min-ju came forward and began the briefing.

All the members stopped what they were doing and focused on her.

“As notified in advance, today’s operation zone is a loop dungeon and a dual-zone dungeon, and there are a total of two bosses. Although there aren’t many people, I think there won’t be any strain on our forces if we sequentially subjugate them one by one.”

Kim Min-ju glanced over her team members and continued.

“Since it’s a loop dungeon, it’s uncertain how long it will take. Everyone, please conserve your stamina as much as possible. The only way to find out the subjugation conditions is to directly confront them. Of course, we’re not proceeding recklessly, and we plan to eliminate the conditions one by one according to the manual prepared by the American branch control team here.”

A loud chorus of replies poured out.

“Then, let’s begin the operation.”

***

3 hours into the operation.

The inside of the dungeon had an atmosphere like an ancient Greek temple.

“All the rooms on the first floor have been cleared!”

“Good. We’ll enter the second floor now. I’ll take the lead, so the headquarters team should follow slowly with the cleaning team. The dispatched team should stick right behind us.”

“Understood!”

“Yes!”

Following Kim Min-ju’s command, the headquarters team and the dispatched team moved in perfect order.

Since the dungeon had complex passages and a large number of rooms, the headquarters team and the dispatched team constantly exchanged opinions and thoroughly explored the inside of the dungeon.

Of course, we also had a lot to do in our own way.

More than anything, it wasn’t the usual cleaning work, so everyone was on edge.

“Han Sang-hyuk, how’s the marking going?”

“It’s going well.”

“Don’t just do it in the passages, but also at the forks and in the rooms that have been explored. Don’t forget to write down the time and number of times when marking. So-yeon, please check the number of people and their condition each time it loops.”

“Yes, yes!”

“If monster corpses occur, don’t try to decompose them, just incinerate them. It’ll be a big problem if you fall behind while trying to deal with them. And…… Han Yu-bin?”

I handed Han Yu-bin a tablet PC.

“Please map the inside of the dungeon. As a former operations team leader, you should be able to do this much, right?”

“Well, I can, but… isn’t this the team leader’s job?”

“……What does it matter whose job it is? The person who can do it does it.”

Han Yu-bin accepted the tablet with a reluctant expression.

‘She’s quick on the uptake, as always.’

I clicked my tongue.

As Han Yu-bin said, I was passing on all my roles to the team members.

Because I had more important things to do than these trivial tasks.

What else could it be but watching those gangster bastards.

That’s because Control Team Leader Jason had been acting strange since earlier.

He kept glancing at us and checking his watch.

He had a very anxious look on his face, as if he was waiting for something.

‘Anyone can tell he’s up to something…….’

Even though he’s acting strange, it’s still okay. And it will be in the future too.

Yeah, whatever. It doesn’t matter what he does, he’ll never be able to steal the Time Stone as long as I’m watching with my eyes wide open.

Two more hours passed like that.

Eventually, the subjugation team stopped in front of a large door.

“Have you checked all the other rooms besides this one?”

“Yes. We’ve checked all the rooms and passages. This is the only one left.”

“Then…… this is the boss room.”

Kim Min-ju turned her head towards the team members.

“We’ll enter immediately. Everyone, please focus.”

Creak―.

As they pushed open the large door with all their might, a huge statue and a wide space were revealed.

The moment all the team members took a step into that place, ready to attack, a bizarre sound came from the statue in front.

At the same time, blue light emanated from the statue’s entire body.

The first boss, armed with a solid carapace, ‘Pacific Golem’.

The huge monster finally began to move.

“The headquarters team will take as much of the attack as possible from the front! The dispatched team, please analyze the patterns!”

Kim Min-ju drew her sword.

[Unique Skill: Thousand-Armed Guanyin(千手觀音) – A Buddhist deity known for compassion and multiple arms]

At the same time, a chilling blade cut through the air.

Clang―!

The battle began.

***

‘Damn it, there’s no opening…….’

Jason muttered, biting his nails.

The battle with the first boss had begun, and the non-combat personnel hurriedly left the boss room and were waiting in the passage.

Jason, Chloe, and the cleaning team, including Han Yu-bin, were waiting for the battle to end, refraining from speaking to each other.

Jason glanced at them and clicked his tongue.

Jason couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Of course, he wasn’t interested in the subjugation itself.

He just needed to retrieve the file from that damn woman.

To do that, he needed time alone with Han Yu-bin no matter what. He wanted the dispatched team and the headquarters team to split up and proceed, but there was no justification.

There were too many eyes watching, so he couldn’t openly bring up the file…….

‘At this rate, won’t I be able to do anything until the end?’

Jason gritted his teeth.

There’s no chance outside.

He has to end it inside the dungeon somehow.

With that thought, he glared at Han Yu-bin again, but this time he made eye contact with the wrong guy.

‘That bastard…….’

It was none other than the cleaning team leader.

‘Why does that bastard keep glaring at me?’

Jason frowned.

Then the cleaning team leader gave a subtle smile.