The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 90

089

The headquarters was already buzzing with rumors of my departure, creating a rather chaotic atmosphere.

Kim Min-joo, Lee Ah-young, Han Yu-bin, and others who were in the know remained relatively calm, but the rest were making a huge fuss.

Among them were Guild Leader Cha Seok-hyun and reporter Gu Sang-chan.

I couldn’t quite understand why they were making such a big deal about a janitor leaving after only working together for a few months…

Anyway, I had to finish my work while juggling numerous phone calls.

Thanks to that, I spent the last few days incredibly busy.

In any case, time passed steadily, and my last day of work arrived.

“Thank you for your hard work all this time.”

“You’ve done a great job.”

Team Leader Lee Ah-young and Team Leader Pyeon bowed their heads.

“I knew it was coming, but… it only feels real now that you’re actually leaving.”

“But why aren’t we having a farewell dinner? Still a cheapskate to the end.”

Not only them but also Kim Min-joo and Team Leader Han Yu-bin visited my office.

Kim Min-joo and Team Leader Pyeon handed me bouquets, and Han Yu-bin gifted me a two-dollar bill in a frame.

Apparently, it’s a symbol of good luck in the United States.

And Team Leader Lee Ah-young… came empty-handed.

“Don’t you have anything for me?”

“Seriously, why are you forcing an adult to give you a gift?”

She crossed her arms and retorted sharply.

She’s a woman who makes me want to punch her until the very end.

“Are you perhaps sulking because I’m leaving?”

“You’re so full of yourself. Why would I be sad? We’re all just going our separate ways.”

She turned her head with an expression that suggested it was no big deal.

It was a completely different reaction from when she was openly showing her disappointment the other day.

I had no idea why her mood was changing so drastically, like Hong Gil-dong [a Korean folk hero known for his unpredictable behavior].

‘She’s definitely not right in the head.’

I’m glad I’m getting out of here before I get any more involved.

“Now the good days are over. I wonder if things will run properly without you, Chief.”

“There’s no point in sucking up to me now that I’m leaving. You guys did just fine without me.”

“When Seo Min-cheol was here? You don’t really think things were going well back then, do you?”

Team Leader Pyeon immediately made a strange face and imitated Seo Min-cheol, causing laughter to erupt from all around.

Thanks to that, the atmosphere became much lighter.

“I heard you’re preparing… a cleaning team dispatch business?”

“Yes. Well, I’m just thinking about it, and nothing has been done yet.”

“Why don’t you try scouting some of the cleaning team members?”

“That would require some kind of foundation. Who would want to join me when I have to start from scratch?”

“Well~. I think there’s definitely at least one person who would.”

Team Leader Pyeon’s gaze turned to Lee Ah-young.

She seemed to feel a pang of guilt and quickly avoided eye contact.

It was like a cat that had made a mistake and was now looking around nervously.

“That’s a good idea. I wish I had known earlier so I could have done it first.”

“Why don’t we partner up? I’ll create a position for you.”

“Really? You have to keep your promise!”

“I’m just kidding. How could I bring in someone who’s a control team leader?”

Team Leader Pyeon made an openly disappointed face.

Well… if he knew it was a disguised business to destroy the International Association, he wouldn’t have reacted like that.

“If you ever need anything, please contact me. I want to help you in any way I can.”

“I will.”

After that, we continued with small talk about what had happened.

After about an hour, everyone returned to their seats, and I spent time alone in the office.

Before I knew it, it was time to leave work.

I packed my bag and left the office.

I didn’t feel any particular emotions as I walked down the stairs.

Even though it was a resignation, it wasn’t really my job anyway.

I was just stopping by to return to my original state, so there was nothing to be particularly sad about.

The people I met here were also irrelevant to me, and above all, wouldn’t everything be over once I left?

…That’s what I thought.

Until I met them in the headquarters lobby.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Stay healthy even after you leave.”

“Thanks to you, Chief, the last few months have been really enjoyable. Thank you.”

“Please show your face once in a while, even if it’s just occasionally. Haha!”

Quite a few team members, including the cleaning team, gathered to see me off.

Mun So-yeon and Han Sang-hyuk were also among them.

“…Aren’t you guys working? If you have time for this, you should go and work on one more dungeon.”

“Hahaha! The chief is such a workaholic!”

“You have no romance, no romance!”

I said it sincerely, but the reaction was strange.

I’m being scolded for worrying about them.

“…Can I contact you from time to time?”

“Do as you please.”

“…Hehe.”

Mun So-yeon smiled brightly when I answered.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know me outside!”

Following her, Han Sang-hyuk approached this time.

“I’ll see how you do.”

“Tsk!”

Han Sang-hyuk let out a burst of laughter.

With that, I left the headquarters building, leaving behind the farewells of those who remained.

‘Well, it wasn’t completely irrelevant.’

With that, I officially bid farewell to the Association, where I had spent half my life since my previous life, in a completely different way than in my previous life.

***

「(Breaking News) Kim Jun-woo, Head of Operations at the Ability Dimension Management Association, Resigns.」

「Resigns After Only Two Months in Office, ‘But Why?’」

「Was the Burden Too Heavy… Netizens ‘Shocked’ by Kim’s Sudden Resignation」

「Association President Park In-beom ‘Respects His Decision’, Resignation Unknown Even to the Board of Directors」

「Ares Guild, CEO Cha Seok-hyun Conveys ‘Embarrassing Decision’, ‘Still Cheering Him On’」

「From Cleaning Team Intern to Head of Operations. What Made Kim’s Rapid Promotion Possible?」

「’Please Come to Our Guild’ Unprecedented ‘Scout War’ from Guilds Across the Country to Recruit Kim」

「Youngest, Most Achievements, Shortest Period. ‘All-Time’ Former Head of Operations Kim, What’s Next?」

“You must be disappointed.”

Yeouido Administrative Headquarters, President’s Office.

Director Lee Doo-sik, who was checking the articles, spoke first.

“Disappointed? It’s not like we don’t have enough to do to worry about someone who left.”

That’s what he said, but his drooping voice made it clear that he was dying of disappointment.

Director Lee Doo-sik tried to hold back his laughter and said.

“Of course. Then we should figure out what to do about the next head of operations first. Do you have anyone in mind as a successor?”

“I don’t know. That’s the problem.”

“Well, no matter who sits there, they won’t be able to do as well as him.”

“I don’t expect that.”

The president waved his hand.

Director Lee Doo-sik stroked his chin for a moment and then asked cautiously.

“How about Team Leader Kim Min-joo?”

“Don’t you think I would have asked?”

“Was it a rejection?”

“She cut me off immediately. Seriously, just like someone else.”

“It can’t be helped. Well, after seeing what he’s done, how many guys would want to follow in his footsteps?”

“That’s what I’m saying. I still can’t believe it.”

The president chuckled.

A young cleaning intern raised the status of the cleaning team, which even the Association employees ignored, like crazy.

He blew away Lee Soo-yong and Seo Min-cheol, who were the powers that be in the Association…

It would take all day to list them one by one.

“Haa…”

The president let out a long breath.

“It’s going to be quiet.”

“That’s what I’m saying. The overseas branch project has also been effectively paused. Anyway, those International Association bastards…”

“Don’t be too harsh. You avoid shit not because you’re afraid of it, but because it’s dirty.”

Of course, I have no intention of avoiding it.

The president muttered to himself.

Of course, Director Lee Doo-sik didn’t know the details.

Kim Jun-woo left the Association to take on the danger alone without involving them anymore.

It seemed that he thought that he was the reason why he had become a target of the International Association and why the people around him were in danger.

So he’s trying to take responsibility himself.

From a cold-hearted perspective, he wasn’t wrong.

But weren’t the things he did ultimately for us?

As the president of the Association, I couldn’t feel comfortable with him trying to shoulder that responsibility alone.

“I hope it goes well.”

He muttered to himself.

But Director Lee Doo-sik replied, perhaps because his voice was a little loud.

“I sent a gift, so it’ll be fine.”

“What gift?”

“It’s a secret.”

“You’re so secretive.”

“Didn’t you and the president have secret conversations without me too?”

He let out a burst of laughter instead of answering.

“I hope he likes the gift.”

Director Lee Doo-sik muttered.

***

A small studio apartment.

The unfamiliar space had now become too familiar.

A rare moment of leisure.

I was lying on the bed, quietly planning for the future in my head.

Ding-dong—.

At that moment, the doorbell rang out of nowhere.

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

I went out to see who it was and found someone I didn’t expect.

“Oh, you were home?”

“…?”

It was Team Leader Lee Ah-young.

What is this…?

Why is this person here?

I was stunned for a moment by her unexpected appearance, and Team Leader Lee Ah-young waved her hand in front of my eyes.

“Why do you look like that? Did I come to a place I shouldn’t have?”

“…What is it? Did something happen at headquarters?”

“No, it’s not that.”

She hesitated for a moment and then continued.

“I quit.”

“…What?”

“Well, strictly speaking, I was fired.”

She blurted out something shocking.

“Fi, fired? Who would fire you?”

“Who else could it be?”

“…You’re not going to tell me it was Director Lee Doo-sik, are you?”

“Yes, it was. When I said I wanted to leave, he immediately fired me.”

I rubbed my forehead.

Even if she wanted to leave, would they really fire the top person in charge of the support team in one go?

What kind of father and daughter are they?

No, more than that… if she quit, why did she come here?

“Don’t tell me you want me to take responsibility because you were fired…”

“Ha, what are you talking about? Are you full of yourself?”

“Then why did you come to my house?”

When I asked, she cleared her throat.

“How’s the business preparation going?”

“So-so. Why?”

“Can’t you include me too?”

“…?”

What the hell is she saying?

“You said you’d take responsibility if I became unemployed.”

“When did I ever…? No, more than that, didn’t you just say you weren’t asking me to take responsibility?”

“…”

She turned her eyes away.

Is she kidding me?

“That’s enough, go back. I don’t think you’ll be of much help…”

“Wa, wait a minute! You’re not going to refuse me, are you? There’s going to be a big difference between having me and not having me, you know?”

“Seriously, that’s…”

You’re the one who’s full of yourself, not me.

“Oh, right! I, I brought a gift too!”

“A gift…?”

“You were sulking because I didn’t give you one back then, right? I’ll give it to you now, so cheer up.”

She rummaged through her bag and took out a document envelope and handed it to me.

It was a thick stack of documents at a glance.

“…What is this?”

“It’s the current status of the cleaning teams in the domestic branches. The number of people per team, budget, workload, working hours, etc. How is it? It seems like essential information for your business.”

“…”

I paused for a moment… but domestic information isn’t that great.

Above all, I’m not going all-in on the cleaning team dispatch business.

Well, unless it’s information about overseas associations.

“I’m not very interested…”

“And this too.”

As soon as I said that, she took out another document.

“This is information about independent associations in various countries overseas. The number of people in each team and their operational status. How about this?”

“…”

“Hehe, you seem a little more interested in this.”

“…No, before that, is it okay to just bring this kind of thing?”

“Of course not.”

She says it’s not okay, but I don’t know why her expression is so confident.

“So, can I go in now?”

Lee Ah-young pointed to the house and said.

I sighed once.

In the end, I opened the door.