The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 94

093

Seoul Headquarters, Director’s Office.

From the moment the restructuring was implemented, Director Choi Ho-sung wore a rather satisfied expression.

“You’re amazing. To persuade that stubborn Association President.”

Yu Young-soo, his executive secretary, seized the moment to flatter him with an excited tone.

“Enough. It’s nothing big.”

Director Choi Ho-sung waved his hand dismissively, but he wasn’t entirely displeased inside.

No, it wasn’t just that he wasn’t displeased; he was in the best mood he’d been in lately.

Of course, securing a considerable budget through restructuring was part of it, but more than anything, he had succeeded in visibly dismantling Kim Jun-woo’s seemingly impregnable faction.

Moreover, he had subjugated not only the board of directors but also the Association President.

This held great significance for him, who had just become the director following Kim Jun-woo.

It was as good as proving his abilities.

“At this rate, you might even surpass Kim Jun-woo’s influence.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. He’s done so much that we’re still far off. More than anything, that woman from Operations Team 1 and the Control Team Leader are also part of Kim Jun-woo’s faction.”

“Are you talking about Team Leader Kim Min-joo and Team Leader Pyeon Chang-hyeon? Come on, the Association isn’t a place for playing friends. How long will they side with someone who’s left? If they have any sense, they’ll attach themselves to you, Director.”

“That’s true, too.”

A hidden smile spread across Choi Ho-sung’s face.

With even the Association President on his side, there was no way a few underlings’ actions could hinder him.

Far from hindering him, they would be scrambling to cling to him.

Gaining control of the headquarters would be a piece of cake.

Choi Ho-sung genuinely believed so.

Of course, he never dreamed that he was being used as a pawn in the two men’s schemes.

“By the way, with half the Cleaning Team gone, it seems difficult to plan projects like Kim Jun-woo used to… What are you planning to do about that?”

“What else can we do? We’ll just do it like we did at the branch.”

“Are you talking about focusing on subjugation with the Operations Team?”

“Yes. From the start, the idea that having a large Cleaning Team makes subjugation more efficient is unfounded. Subjugation should focus solely on the Operations Team.”

Yu Young-soo looked a bit uneasy but couldn’t show it. He simply nodded.

“Anyway, since the start is good, let’s keep pushing forward like this.”

“Yes.”

***

Jeolla Province, Suncheon Branch.

This place was chosen as the first target for the Cleaning Team dispatch contract.

There was no special reason.

Since Choi Ho-sung went to Seoul Headquarters on my recommendation, I was just trying to sign a contract while the branch director position was still vacant.

“…It’s much smaller than I thought.”

That was my first impression as soon as I arrived at the branch with Lee Ah-young.

Judging by her expression, Lee Ah-young seemed to agree.

Unlike Seoul, where both the Administrative Headquarters and the Operations Headquarters had high-rise buildings, this was about the size of a district office.

As we entered the entrance and headed to the second floor, the Head of General Affairs greeted us right on schedule.

“Welcome. I’m Department Head Kang Hyung-won.”

Since there was no branch director, he seemed to be in charge of all the branch’s affairs.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Jun-woo, the representative you contacted.”

“I’m Director Lee Ah-young.”

We exchanged business cards with the greetings.

Department Head Kang Hyung-won raised his eyebrows upon hearing my name and receiving the card.

Then, he examined my face for a moment.

“Are you perhaps the former Operations Headquarters Director Kim Jun-woo from Seoul…?”

“Ah… Yes, that’s me.”

A look of surprise.

“I, I’m sorry for not recognizing you. If I had known the Director would come in person, I would have treated you better…”

“Please, calm down. It’s already been almost a month since I resigned. Now, I’m just the president of a small company, so please treat me comfortably.”

“Still, how can I…”

“I’m asking you.”

As I bowed politely, Department Head Kang Hyung-won answered that he understood, even though he didn’t know what to do.

“Th, then this way…”

He guided us to the reception room with a still flustered voice.

He immediately handed over the prepared documents, and he received them politely with both hands.

“From what we’ve gathered, Suncheon Branch’s subjugation rate has been steadily declining over the past few years.”

“Due to a lack of personnel, there’s a limit to the daily subjugation rate… We’re almost entirely dependent on private guilds for most subjugations. Thanks to that, the guilds also have influence…”

“Influence, too?”

“Ah, no. Haha.”

Department Head Kang Hyung-won glossed over it appropriately.

His attitude was so much like a scolded student that it was quite frustrating.

Was there some problem that couldn’t be revealed?

“Well… anyway, eight Operations Teams aren’t a small number. But the reason why operational efficiency isn’t coming out is probably because of the Cleaning Team.”

“…Is that so?”

“The Operations Team’s subjugation rate is closely related to the Cleaning Team’s workload. Currently, there are only three Cleaning Teams in the Suncheon Branch, right? And even those teams have only three members each.”

“Yes.”

“If you receive support from the Cleaning Team, the daily subjugation rate will increase noticeably. According to our estimates, the daily subjugation rate will increase by 50%, and the expected monthly profit will be over 200%. The related data is detailed on the back page.”

I pointed to the documents he was holding, but Department Head Kang Hyung-won put the documents down without even thinking of examining them further.

“If the Director says so, it must be accurate.”

“……”

Was this a contract negotiation or a work instruction?

‘This guy is so soft.’

Well, whatever the person in charge’s personality, as long as the contract goes smoothly, there’s nothing more to worry about.

I handed over the prepared contract.

Department Head Kang Hyung-won scribbled his signature without even checking the contract details.

“Then, starting next week, please contact the office whenever you need us. When you contact us, please also let us know the dungeon grade and monster information.”

“Yes, I will.”

“Ah, and… I’d like it if you could keep my involvement a secret from others.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind!”

Keep in mind, my foot……

You’d think the president or something had come.

We completed our first contract in less than 10 minutes.

“That was easier than I thought?”

Director Lee Ah-young stretched and opened her mouth.

“I don’t even know if he listened properly.”

Didn’t he just say yes, yes, and scribble his signature right away?

I wondered if he was always so easily swayed.

“Well, he’s the branch manager in charge, so he’ll take care of it.”

What a positive mindset.

I wondered if she knew who would suffer if something went wrong.

“Where are we going for the next contract? Do you have any place in mind?”

“I’ll have to look into it when we get back. Considering the Cleaning Team’s personnel and schedule, we can’t handle it even if we get too many contracts, so I’m planning to proceed with contracts with only five branches for now.”

We’ve only done one, so four more left.

While unfolding the documents and reconfirming the interview schedule with the branches to be contracted.

“What? Who are these faces?”

A man’s voice was heard from afar.

When I raised my head, a group of hunters was glaring at us and approaching from the front.

I lowered my voice and asked Director Lee Ah-young.

“…Do you know them?”

“No? Aren’t they the branch’s Operations Team?”

“Their outfits are a bit too casual for that.”

I said, scanning them up and down without being obvious.

And then.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you guys before. Are you new to the Operations Team?”

A man at the head of the group approached us and asked.

He was a skinny man wearing a hoodie.

I kept my distance and cautiously opened my mouth.

“…No. We’re employees of an external company. We’re on our way back from meeting with the Head of General Affairs regarding the Cleaning Team dispatch contract.”

“Cleaning Team dispatch…? Is there such a thing?”

The man looked at his colleagues with a puzzled expression.

“Didn’t that come out briefly in the news the other day?”

“Really? I’m hearing about it for the first time.”

Then they started talking among themselves.

No, everything’s fine, but why are they talking among themselves after calling us over?

At least say hello.

Unable to watch any longer, I spoke first.

“Excuse me, but who are you…?”

“Ah, I’m late with the introduction.”

The man held out his hand.

“I’m Shim Hyun-soo, the representative of the Baekje Guild, which oversees Suncheon.”

“…Ah, yes, nice to meet you.”

Surprisingly, it was a name I had heard before.

Of course, not the man’s name, but the guild’s name.

Baekje Guild.

The largest guild in Suncheon and the 16th largest guild in the country.

But why was the Baekje Guild loitering in front of the Suncheon Branch?

“Just in case, but you really are a Cleaning Team dispatch company, right?”

Shim Hyun-soo pushed up his glasses and asked.

His demeanor was subtly sharp.

“…Yes?”

“It’s just that sometimes other regional guilds or freelance hunters trespass. It wouldn’t be good for either of us to create any uncomfortable situations.”

“Not at all. We’re a formally licensed company. Here’s my business card…”

“Ah, then it’s fine.”

As I was about to take out my business card, Representative Shim Hyun-soo waved his hand and refused.

I had only faced him for about 15 seconds, but it was certain.

This bastard has no manners.

Guild Leader Shim Hyun-soo spoke again.

“Anyway, if you’re an external company, you probably don’t know the situation here very well.”

“Is there anything special I need to know?”

“It’s not that… Most subjugations here revolve around guilds rather than the Operations Team. The branch is also heavily dependent on guilds.”

“I know that.”

“We’re very grateful, but it’s also difficult. There are many subjugations to do, but the number of personnel is limited, and above all, unlike the branch, we don’t receive regular subsidies from the headquarters.”

He glanced at me.

I didn’t know what he wanted to say, so I was holding back my answer when.

“Have you ever heard of a guild development fund?”

“…Ha.”

I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

I knew he was beating around the bush, but was this what he was trying to bring up?

“I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of it.”

“Hahaha! You might not know since you’re not familiar with it. It’s a fund that people in this industry voluntarily contribute to. Even a small amount is fine, so if you’re interested…”

“I’ll decline. We’re an external company, so it doesn’t seem to concern us.”

“……”

His face suddenly hardened.

Who does he think he’s fooling?

The act of extorting money from guilds under the guise of a development fund had already caused many problems in the metropolitan area.

But it had been officially banned for several years due to too many problems.

I couldn’t believe there were still guys doing this.

Was the trend still lingering because it was a rural area?

“Hmm, even if you’re an external company, maintaining a good relationship with the guild wouldn’t be bad for you. As I said, the guild has more influence here than the branch. The Cleaning Team will also encounter us more often than the Operations Team…”

“Are you threatening me now?”

I was starting to feel bad, so I asked quite seriously.

Guild Leader Shim Hyun-soo smiled instead.

“That’s not what I meant. Isn’t it better to keep things friendly? It’s a bit much for me to say this myself, but… I’m also well acquainted with former Branch Director Choi Ho-sung. You know? The person who was appointed as the Seoul Operations Headquarters Director this time. If I ask him for a favor, he’ll give you convenience in many ways.”

“I appreciate the thought, but even if I think about it again, it doesn’t seem to concern us.”

“…Well, I understand. I can’t force you to contribute to the fund. I understand fully.”

He suddenly relaxed his expression and answered in a friendly voice. But his demeanor was quite unsettling.

“Let’s get along well in the future.”

“Yes. I don’t know if that will happen.”

He held out his hand again, but I took Lee Ah-young and crossed past them.

I ignored the stinging gaze that followed the back of my head.

“What kind of guys are those? A guild demanding money? From ordinary citizens?!”

A rather angry voice.

Director Lee Ah-young seemed to have a hard time accepting the situation.

Well, who wouldn’t.

“It just means the guild has a lot of influence. Didn’t he say it too? The more rural the branch, the more severe the localism. Well, isn’t it just one of those things.”

To come out so brazenly, he must have something to rely on.

In reality, they wouldn’t be able to handle all the subjugation volume without the guild’s help.

He must know that and be taking advantage of it.

I can’t blame him, but… it’s a bit annoying.

“By the way, there won’t be any disadvantages for being on bad terms with the guild, right?”

“We’re not participating in subjugation, so what disadvantages would there be? At most, they’ll just give us the side-eye.”

It seems like he has some influence in the branch too.

Anyway, it’s annoying when a mediocre guy has power.

“Let’s wait and see for now. It’s not good to create problems first.”

“…Okay.”

I was about to take my steps back to the parking lot.

“But… are we going back to Seoul right away?”

Director Lee Ah-young stood there and asked.

“Then what else is there to do?”

“There’s a great soy-marinated crab restaurant nearby. Shall we eat and go?”

“……”

When did she even find that out?

Well…

It wouldn’t be good to end this trip on a gloomy note.

“…Let’s do that.”

I turned my steps.