The Dungeon Cleaning Life of a Once Genius Hunter

Operation Seminar Room.

The room was filled with hunters who had gathered to attend the briefing for the upcoming hunt.

And among them…

“Even so, isn’t this a bit much?”

“Exactly. What the hell is the cleaning team doing here for the hunt? This is too much, really.”

“Tsk, they took our budget, took our jobs. Now they’re about to take our work too.”

“What can you do? It’s their fault for not being in the right line. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve joined the cleaning team too. Ugh, lucky bastards.”

“Hey, hey. Quiet, will you? We’re listening.”

The cleaning team was awkwardly situated among the hunters.

Han Sang-hyuk, who had always been full of confidence, now looked thoroughly defeated.

Moon So-yeon seemed half absent-minded, and Team Leader Park was trying hard to act unaffected…

“Stop shaking your legs.”

“Ah… Sorry.”

Everyone was on edge.

After all, it probably felt like stepping into a tiger’s den. Even though the cleaning team’s reputation had grown recently, the operation team was still the operation team.

Just a few days ago, they couldn’t even exchange a single word with these people while in their cleaning team uniforms. So, it was natural for them to feel nervous now that they were in the same room.

‘Well, it’s still mostly C and B-grade hunters…’

As I scanned the seminar room, I noticed something unusual and turned to Kim Min-ju.

“By the way, none of these people are from Operation Team 1. If it’s a multi-zone dungeon, Team 1 should be assigned, right?”

I recalled my memories from ten years ago when I participated in such a hunt.

Well, it wasn’t so much participation as I was the leader of the hunt back then.

Since I was with Operation Team 1 at the time, I naturally assumed that they would take charge this time as well.

“That’s right. Originally, it was our team’s operation, but I heard that Team Leader Lee Soo-yong transferred the entire project to Team 2.”

“…Transferred the project? Why? They must’ve been preparing for at least two months.”

“I’m not sure. It seems like something was discussed between the team leaders, but I don’t really know the details.”

“Unbelievable… Tsk, feels bad for Team 1.”

“They were pretty upset, but it’s an upper-level decision, so there’s nothing they can do. Luckily, I got to join as a package deal.”

“Lucky…?”

Good grief, there’s no need for false modesty.

Being chosen as the leader for such a large-scale hunt wasn’t a matter of luck.

It meant they were skilled enough to command the entire hunting team, excluding the team leaders.

This was proof that they were the best hunter among the current team members.

‘Well… they must be doing well.’

I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get you involved with the operation team, but the team leader insisted.”

“…It’s fine. I’m just here to see what they want with us.”

Although I pretended not to care, deep down, I was secretly thrilled.

[Over-Immersion – Unlocking Condition: Joint Project with Another Department]
This opportunity came so suddenly.

Heh, heh, heh.

“Hey, unnie. So, what are we supposed to do? Are we really participating in the hunt?”

“I don’t know either. The team leader just told me to bring you. I guess they’ll explain it in the briefing. Oh, here they come.”

Kim Min-ju’s gaze shifted to the podium at the front of the seminar room.

At that moment, a man in a black suit appeared, holding a stack of papers.

“Ah.”

He tapped the microphone a couple of times, and then began speaking in a deep voice.

“Good afternoon. I’m Im Dong-bin, the team leader from Operation Team 2, responsible for planning the strategy for the Yeongdeungpo multi-zone dungeon hunt.”

When I recognized who he was, my expression instantly contorted and blood vessels popped in my eyes.

That bastard…

My fists clenched tight, my body trembling with anger.

“Junwoo…?”

“Sir? What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down my excitement, as I realized that my team members had noticed my reaction.

But the anger didn’t go away easily.

I knew him.

And not just that, I could never forget him.

How could I forget the bastard who stole so many of my accomplishments when I was a rookie?

And it wasn’t just me. I’d seen him countless times, inserting himself into projects others had already prepared, taking all the credit.

Tsk, I think I get why the project was handed to Team 2 now.

The atmosphere in Team 1 must’ve been unstable lately, so he must’ve seized the opportunity to snatch it.

“Kim Min-ju, do you happen to know that team leader?”

“No. We’ve exchanged greetings a few times, but this is the first time we’ve talked. We don’t really interact with other teams much.”

“Don’t try to get too close to him. There’s nothing good that will come from being involved with that guy.”

“…Huh?”

Kim Min-ju asked, confused, but I didn’t bother explaining.

It was enough to avoid that bastard. Getting involved with him would only hinder her growth.

“The estimated time for this operation is 24 hours. As you all know, once we enter the dungeon, we won’t be able to exit until all the zones are cleared, so keep that in mind. If anyone doesn’t want to participate in the operation, please let us know by the end of today.”

As Im Dong-bin’s briefing began, the hunters’ expressions became serious.

“Since the hunt will last for 24 hours, the monsters we’ve already hunted will start to decay. Once gas starts to be released, it will interfere with the hunt. This will be handled by the Cleaning Team 3 members here.”

And with that, the Cleaning Team’s mission was revealed.

Of course, they wouldn’t be directly participating in the hunt alongside the hunters, but… it was still a plan that could easily be ridiculed.

A simultaneous hunt and cleaning operation?

This essentially implied that the hunters from Team 2 were incompetent and couldn’t complete the hunt in a timely manner.

‘Back in my day, we could’ve finished in six hours.’

Of course, I never considered joint operations with the cleaning team, and there was no need to do so.

“How do you all feel? Cleaning Team, you’ll be able to handle it, right?”

“Well….”

Before anyone could respond, Team Leader Park checked our reactions.

Seeing the mood in the room, there was no real reason to refuse.

For the cleaning team, this was a great opportunity to establish relations with the operation team.

Moreover, working in real time would be more efficient than cleaning up after the hunt was over.

And for me, it was a perfect opportunity to unlock a key chance.

When else would there be an opportunity for a joint operation with another team? Especially with the cleaning team.

“Sorry, but I can’t do it.”

However, the words that came out of my mouth were anything but what I had expected.

I would rather not participate than give that scumbag credit for my performance.

***

After the briefing.

Once everyone left, the seminar room was empty.

Kim Jun-woo had also left first, but the cleaning team remained, looking somewhat disappointed.

“Why did they refuse? Opportunities like this don’t come around often…”

Moon So-yeon murmured softly.

“Exactly! They said they’d give performance bonuses, so I was ready to jump at it. Could it be that they chickened out?”

“Hey… Jun-woo isn’t afraid of dungeons, right?”

“No, no. I’m sure I saw him—his hands were shaking. If it wasn’t fear, what else could it be?”

Han Sang-hyeok said with certainty.

Of course, no one took his words too seriously.

Meanwhile, Kim Min-ju, who had been deep in thought, turned to Team Leader Park.

“What do you think, Team Leader?”

“I think they’re worried about us.”

“I agree,” Kim Min-ju and Team Leader Park nodded in agreement.

“During the briefing, it was only briefly explained, so they might not know the full details, but… this is an extremely dangerous operation. It’s a nonstop hunt for 24 hours. I honestly wanted to talk them out of it.”

“Right. Jun-woo must’ve known how dangerous it was. There’s no way he wouldn’t have. I think he drew the line because he was worried we’d accept it blindly.”

Team Leader Park added seriously.

Moon So-yeon and Han Sang-hyeok felt a little awkward.

How considerate can one person be?

“…I mean, if that’s the case, he should’ve just told us. He always makes things so hard to figure out.”

“Well, it’s just like Jun-woo, isn’t it?”

Moon So-yeon smiled faintly.

“Still… if anyone really wants to join, I can talk to the team leader about it.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. That guy went out of his way to take the lead for our sake. We can’t just go along without thinking.”

“That’s right. I wasn’t really that eager to join anyway.”

“Hahaha! Right, I know Jun-woo’s heart. It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Our team will skip this operation!”

Team Leader Park made the final decision.

No surprise, no one objected.

“Good luck, unnie.”

Moon So-yeon clenched her fist towards Kim Min-ju. But Kim Min-ju seemed to be thinking over her response.

Then, eventually…

“I think I’ll skip it too.”

Kim Min-ju expressed her intention to withdraw from the operation.

“What?! You can’t do that! You’re the leader of such a big operation!”

“Yeah, exactly! If we’re not going, should we reconsider…?”

“No. It’s not like I was pressured. Honestly, I wasn’t very thrilled about it. I’m not confident I can do well, and it doesn’t feel like the right time. Besides, you said there’s no good in getting involved with that guy.”

It was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.

After all, leading such a large-scale hunting operation wasn’t something that came around often.

But the truth was, she wasn’t confident, and most importantly, if Kim Jun-woo felt that strongly about it, she would have no choice but to be cautious.

“Well, when it’s like this, we should listen to you, not anyone else.”

***

Operation Team 2 office. It was after hours.

Im Dong-bin, the team leader, remained alone in the office.

“Senior!”

At that moment, an unwelcome visitor arrived.

It was none other than Team Leader Lee Soo-yong.

“Heard you’re in trouble?”

Team Leader Lee Soo-yong had a very pleased expression.

As a result, Im Dong-bin’s mood soured even further.

“…If you’re looking to start something, get lost.”

“What did I tell you? I said it was pointless to mess with someone like that. He’s already figured it out.”

Team Leader Im Dong-bin’s sigh echoed through the room.

The reason the Cleaning Team had been brought into such a major project wasn’t for nothing.

The condition Im Dong-bin had made to Lee Soo-yong was clear.

In order to show the Cleaning Team a lesson, they had to participate in this hunt.

But now…

“You even promised a performance bonus, and now they’re pulling out? Did they really catch on?”

“I heard Kim Min-ju’s backing out too. What does that mean? Can Operation Team 2 even carry out this mission without her?”

“…What do they think of us?”

This was a project he’d fought tooth and nail to take from someone else. If it failed, he alone would take the blame.

He had no choice but to make sure it succeeded.

But given the current state of Operation Team 2…

“…We can ask the private guilds for help.”

“Do we have the money to recruit them?”

“There’s some leftover in the budget for this quarter.”

“It’s not enough. I’ve already spent 200 million recently.”

“Damn it…”

Im Dong-bin leapt up from his chair.

He’d already been briefed that the Cleaning Team had siphoned off some of the operation team’s budget recently.

But he hadn’t thought it would cause a major issue unless something extraordinary happened…

‘Did he anticipate this?’

Im Dong-bin’s expression was one of disbelief.

Just how meticulous was this guy?

It seemed the rumors about him being connected to big players weren’t just rumors.

“Even so, it’s just a rookie with no field experience…”

Im Dong-bin clenched his fists in frustration.

Lee Soo-yong, trying his best to suppress a grin, spoke up.

“Maybe it’s just luck.”

“What?”

“Maybe it’s better this way. You tried too hard to pull them in, and now you’re in trouble. You should look for another way… Anyway, I’ll leave it to you, senior. It’s no longer my problem~.”

“Hey!”

Im Dong-bin called out to Lee Soo-yong as he was about to leave the office.

“What? You’re not asking me to take it back now, are you?”

“I want to borrow some of the director’s connections.”

Im Dong-bin’s gaze sharpened even further.