The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 88

087

A mountain reduced to ashes.

No, with the trees and everything gone, can you even call it a mountain anymore?

Immediately after the chaos subsided, we removed the barricade blocking the entrance and deployed the cleanup crew.

Time was of the essence, but the gas concentration was dangerously high, causing the cleanup team members to cough violently and vomit as soon as they emerged.

The standby medical team immediately began treatment.

Fortunately, everyone recovered quickly.

Just then, a radio message came in from Kim Min-ju and Han Yu-bin’s team, reporting a successful rescue from their designated site.

After confirming everyone was safe, we immediately began the final cleanup.

“Affiliation.”

“…….”

Slap―.

“Affiliation.”

“I-I’m Ngor, a C-rank hunter from Operation Team 2 of the Laos branch.”

Why can’t they understand when I ask politely?

I wrote down the kneeling hunter’s details and turned my head to the side.

“You.”

“Philippine branch, Operation Team 7, Coco!”

“Seriously, they’re all mixed up.”

I muttered, scribbling with my pen.

Writing down the identities of over 50 people was a real pain, but if I didn’t do this, they’d probably deny everything when they got back, so I had no choice.

“Two, four, six, eight… one left.”

The last one.

It was none other than their leader.

“Where are you from?”

“Th-Thailand branch…….”

He made eye contact with me while speaking, then quickly lowered his gaze.

Why are you so surprised? I haven’t even touched you yet.

“Thailand branch, Operation Team 1 leader, Ka-Kanarot…”

“Operation Team Leader?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Did you plan this operation? The tactics and personnel arrangement?”

“N-no. I just prepared as I was told.”

“Who told you to?”

“I don’t know the details… only that the orders came from headquarters…….”

So the International Association was directly involved.

Well, I can guess why they did this.

‘They must be really annoyed that we created the Hub [a centralized platform for hunters].’

I scratched my head with the pen.

But even so, I didn’t expect them to go this far.

Does that mean they don’t care if a few cleaners die if it bothers them?

‘……Well, they even tried to kill over 100 hunters in Korea.’

They’re not hesitating; they’re becoming bolder.

It’s like they’re saying they won’t let us off if we stand out any more.

‘……Tsk.’

I started this to keep the International Association in check, but now I’m being checked instead.

Isn’t this a complete failure?

I was organizing my thoughts, wondering what to do next, when.

“I’m done on my end. Would you like me to help if you’re not finished yet?”

Hoo-in approached, flipping through his notebook.

“No, I’m just finished too. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Then, what should we do with these guys now?”

“Well… we have to send them back.”

“…Pardon?”

Hoo-in asked in a bewildered voice.

I shrugged.

“You know, the International Association headquarters is involved. We only suppressed them to rescue our employees. If we go any further, it’s war.”

“B-but just letting them go like this…….”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they take responsibility for this.”

I deliberately looked at Kanarot as I spoke.

Sure enough, his face darkened instantly.

“Why, do you have something to say?”

When I asked, he raised his voice, trying to hide his anxiety.

“……Y-you’re just a slightly bigger independent association! You think you can hold the International Association branch accountable? Do you think our headquarters will stand still?!”

“Sigh…….”

Looking at him, I didn’t feel angry… just pathetic.

“You don’t actually think your headquarters will step in to protect you, do you?”

“……What?”

“If you really think that, you have a problem.”

In the end, these guys were the ones who outwardly started this.

If I just manage the Thai branch manager who gave the direct orders, I can cut off the tails of the guys below.

No, they definitely will.

If I were the International Association, I would.

Clearly illegal acts: occupying a dungeon, attacking another association, using abilities outside the dungeon, and so on.

Even the International Association would have a hard time glossing over it if it came to light.

The hunter lives of these guys who were used are over.

“……Shit.”

Team Leader Kanarot seemed to realize the reality as well.

“If you understand, go back and sharpen your neck and wait. You’ll be contacted soon…….”

Thwack―!

He suddenly jumped up, pushed me away, and ran at Hoo-in behind me.

Then he pulled a dagger from his waist and held it to Hoo-in’s neck, shouting.

“D-don’t move!”

“Ha… seriously, what a mess.”

Why can’t things ever end well?

“H-how do you think I got here! You think I’ll just let this end like this?!”

“Hey, don’t make things worse now that it’s over, just…….”

“D-don’t move! Don’t move!”

Kanarot’s eyes were devoid of reason.

Stab―.

And Hoo-in’s blood splattered everywhere.

***

International Association, Thailand Branch.

Branch Manager’s office.

Branch Manager Prasert was tearing at his hair while holding the phone.

“……The Korean Association guys were there, they say.”

「Isn’t that obvious? The Korean Association took it over.」

Branch Manager Prasert was even more frustrated by Team Leader Mark’s calm response.

“You didn’t say they were that strong……!”

「Ha, hahaha! Do you think anything would have changed if you knew? Well, it was unexpected for me too.」

“…….”

「I didn’t think that hunters belonging to the International Association would be crushed by just three people.」

Branch Manager Prasert was furious at the absurd answer.

But he couldn’t argue.

In any case, they lost in terms of skill, and he hadn’t expected that at all.

He gritted his teeth and tried to hold back his anger as he opened his mouth.

“……The Korean Association contacted us.”

「That’s to be expected. What did they say?」

“They said there would be no leniency. They also demanded compensation for the equipment and personnel dispatched to the Southeast Asian branches… and that there would be no further support in the future.”

Branch Manager Prasert spoke with a heavy heart.

“Actually, aside from the compensation… all the branches, including ours, have been held responsible for this incident. Some of our people have already been brought to trial.”

「I see. Well, if you’re unlucky, it could even escalate into a national dispute.」

A truly insincere answer.

It was as if it were someone else’s problem.

「Well, what can you do if they failed because they weren’t capable? We can’t intervene in national issues, so please resolve it yourselves.」

“Wh-what do you mean……!”

「Ah, but don’t worry too much. I’m going to protect the branch manager. After all, you’re the only branch in Southeast Asia that can directly contact PB Corporation [a powerful, influential company].」

“It’s not like it’ll be resolved if I’m the only one who survives! How many branches did I drag in just by listening to you…! He, hello? Hello! …You son of a bitch!!”

Smash―!

Branch Manager Prasert couldn’t hold back his anger and threw the phone down.

The other Southeast Asian branches don’t know about PB Corporation’s existence or that this was an order from the International Association headquarters.

That’s why he was the one who dragged the other branches in, giving all sorts of reasons.

But if all the branches except for him, the person involved, are harmed by this incident… they will all turn into enemies.

No.

The entire Southeast Asian branch will be completely divided.

‘Those bastards…….’

Branch Manager Prasert’s teeth were grinding.

If he had known they were these kinds of guys, he wouldn’t have even looked at them from the start.

His eyes were filled with anger at the International Association.

And on the other hand, another emotion was slowly rising.

‘You must be happy, you bastard. You met a good white knight and are succeeding…….’

It was envy towards the Vietnam Association, or rather, the Korean Association’s Vietnam branch.

***

At the same time, France. International Hunter Association Headquarters.

“Um, Secretary-General…….”

“Yes, speak.”

The executive secretary, facing Secretary-General Wesley, carefully opened her mouth.

“May I ask how the operation went?”

“Well, nearly 100 people were all crushed, I hear. By just three people.”

“Th-then…….”

“Of course, the negotiations fell through, and the identities of the hunters involved were all revealed. PB Corporation cut off their tails early, so only the branches are in trouble.”

“The operation… failed.”

“Hmm? No?”

The Secretary-General shrugged as if to say, “What are you talking about?”

Then the executive secretary gave a puzzled look.

“We already expected those guys to lose. It’s not like we didn’t know this would happen.”

“Ye, yes…? Then why bother…….”

“We failed to get them to sell the Hub, but the message was definitely delivered, wasn’t it?”

The Secretary-General’s eyes flashed.

“Now he knows. As long as he continues to antagonize us, everyone around him will continue to be in danger.”

“…….”

“No matter how great he is, he won’t be able to run wild anymore. As a result, we’ve achieved our goal, so we can’t call it a failure.”

The executive secretary was silent.

She also realized that the ‘he’ he was talking about meant Kim Jun-woo.

But to think that he would use the entire Southeast Asian branch just for that.

She couldn’t even imagine it.

“……What are you planning to do next?”

“We’ve set an example… now we need to deal with them one by one. We’ll clean up the useless places, nurture the good ones, and eliminate the ones that are an eyesore.”

The Secretary-General continued in a low voice.

“We’ll start pushing for the global integration of subjugation rights [the right to control and manage dungeons].”

***

Noi Bai Airport.

A few hours before departure.

Even though we had been waiting for our return home, the atmosphere was gloomy.

Well, that’s to be expected.

Because something quite unfortunate happened.

“Haa…….”

“We came to do well, but in the end, this happened.”

“…….”

Han Yu-bin had been silent since earlier.

“It can’t be helped. Things in the world don’t always go our way.”

“But he was a pretty good person…….”

The atmosphere became somber again.

And then.

“Um… I appreciate the sentiment, but do you really need to talk about me like I’m dead?”

Hoo-in, who was behind us, said.

“…….”

‘…….“

We stared blankly at him as he came out to see us off in a wheelchair.

“But it’s true that you came back from the dead. It was a very unfortunate incident.”

“Anyway, I’m still alive. Just be honest and say you want to tease me.”

Kim Min-ju and Han Yu-bin couldn’t hold back their laughter.

“I told you not to come and just rest at the hospital. Why bother seeing us off when you’re not even well?”

“Shouldn’t you be thanking me instead?”

I smiled instead of answering.

At the same time, the Vietnam branch employees who came to see us off also burst into laughter.

That day, after a fight with the surrounding association hunters.

His condition was very serious after being stabbed in the abdomen by the leader’s knife.

The knife had gone in too deep, causing severe bleeding, and he had already lost consciousness.

I quickly gave him first aid using some of the private skills I had and took him to the hospital, and fortunately, we were able to treat him in time.

“Come visit often.”

Hoo-in said with a smile.

“Where would I have time to play?”

“Hahaha. Then come to work. Also, to monitor whether I’m doing well.”

“That would be even more meaningless than coming to play.”

Hoo-in laughs loudly.

“Anyway, thank you for your hard work for the past month.”

“You’re the one who worked hard, not me.”

He continued in a calm voice.

“If you ever need our help, please contact us anytime.”

“I’ll do that without you telling me.”

I took the handshake he offered.

“Then goodbye. Director Kim Jun-woo.”

“Please take good care of the Vietnam branch. Branch Manager.”

After a brief handshake, we entered the departure hall.

The long, long business trip was finally over.

But even though it was a day I had been waiting for, my expression was still serious.

[A variable has occurred in your goal achievement status.]

[The International Hunter Association’s hostility towards you has exceeded the standard.]

[We will update your current goal achievement status according to the variable.]

[…….]

Because that unexpected voice was heard in my head.