The Dungeon Cleaning Life of a Once Genius Hunter

It was well past 10 PM.

As usual, I was on the bus heading home from work.

“Maybe I should’ve done it…”

After some time had passed and my excitement had died down, regret started to creep in.

‘No matter how I think about it, it feels like such a waste.’

Thinking back, I shouldn’t have taken it emotionally.

No matter how much he was my enemy in my past life… he hadn’t done anything to me now, and he was really just a stranger who had nothing to do with me.

I’d been too prideful when I should have been focusing on unlocking more skills.

Yeah, who cares about some enemy now? All I had to do was close my eyes and forget about it.

‘If I go back now and ask to join again…’

…They wouldn’t let me.

I wouldn’t let myself in either.

Why would I let a janitor back in after they arrogantly refused?

‘I don’t know. It’s already past, no point thinking about it more…’

[Unlock Condition Achieved] [Joint Project with Another Department Established] [Acquired Skill: Over-Immersion – Unlocked.]

…?

“What, what’s this?”

The voice that suddenly rang in my head startled me.

I quickly checked the system window, unsure if I was hearing things…

[Acquired Skill: Over-Immersion]
I hadn’t misheard it.

It was clearly unlocked.

‘W-Why suddenly…?’

I had no idea what was happening when my phone buzzed loudly.

It was a call from Kim Min-ju.

I had already heard she had refused to participate in the operation, but honestly, I couldn’t understand it. I thought she must have personal reasons, but…

“Se, Sensei… I’m sorry.”

Her voice sounded dejected.

She immediately apologized, so something must have happened.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

I asked calmly, pretending not to know anything.

“The headquarters has issued a mandatory participation list for Cleaning Team 3.”

“A mandatory participation list?”

“Yes, and I’m on it too. It seems like… you’ll have to participate in this operation.”

“Ah, I see…”

I sighed softly.

Now I understood what was going on.

The mandatory participation list.

When certain people are absolutely necessary for a hunt, a forced operation order is issued by the director through their authority.

So that’s why a joint project had been enforced.

“I’m really sorry. I turned it down for the sake of the team, but with this new order, there’s nothing I can do…”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

This worked out well for me.

I had been regretting it anyway.

But what did she mean, turning it down for the team?

“Anyway, what’s the date?”

“Huh?”

“The hunt date.”

“Y-You’re really going to participate?”

“You said the mandatory participation list came down. It’s an order from above. What else can I do?”

There was a delay in Kim Min-ju’s response.

Her breathing, faintly audible through the phone, seemed shaky, clearly feeling guilty.

“…It’s Saturday, five days from now.”

“That’s a bit tight… Alright, I got it. Let me know immediately if anything else comes up.”

“Okay, I will.”

I ended the call and leaned back in my seat.

At the same time, I couldn’t help but smile.

I silently thanked the timing and stared out the bus window.

Then, I thought to myself.

‘By the way…’

Suddenly, a question passed through my mind.

‘Have they ever issued a mandatory participation list for the Cleaning Team?’

And why specifically Cleaning Team 3?

There wouldn’t be any need to include us in the operation like this. If it was a cleaning team, any team would have sufficed.

I rubbed my chin and fell into thought for a moment, wearing a serious expression.

‘…Hah.’

With a yawn, I brushed the thought away.

I don’t know. What does it matter?

***

Five days passed in a blur, as we were incredibly busy preparing for the operation.

The day of the hunt. Somewhere in Yeongdeungpo.

“What… Why are there so many people?”

As soon as we arrived in front of the dungeon, Moon So-yeon’s eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn’t surprising, though. The area in front of the dungeon was packed with reporters and curious citizens who had come to watch the large-scale hunt.

“When the scale of the hunt is this big, all kinds of media take an interest. The association wants it too. It’s a form of marketing. When public interest rises, that means more sponsorships and funding will come in from everywhere.”

“Does that mean we’ll be doing interviews? Getting our photos taken and having articles written about us?”

“Man, if I had known this would happen, I would have put on some makeup.”

“…I should have washed my hair.”

The team, including Moon So-yeon, was clearly uncomfortable with the attention.

The flashing lights from the cameras, microphones being shoved in their faces, and the general public’s interest seemed to make them a little anxious.

Kim Min-ju was no different.

“The leader, of all people, is looking pale… What, are you nervous?”

“…Of course I am. This is my first time doing something like this.”

“Then just act bold. If a hunter is nervous, the public will feel uneasy.”

I said this without thinking much, but for some reason, I felt Kim Min-ju’s gaze on me, uncomfortable.

“You seem to be used to this.”

“Yeah, you could say that. But today’s a bit much.”

I glanced around as I answered.

It seemed like the headquarters had been making quite a noise about it.

Large-scale hunts weren’t an everyday occurrence.

And if it was a joint project with the Cleaning Team, it was bound to attract attention, probably for the purpose of gathering some funding.

“Straighten your shoulders. If you’re this nervous just from a few people gathering, how are you going to handle the hunt?”

“It’s fine. I’m the type who’s strong in the field.”

“Right, I’m sure you are. But just in case, once we enter the dungeon, don’t think about anything else, just focus on the hunt. Don’t worry about us.”

Kim Min-ju nodded slightly at my request.

“But just in case, keep the radio on.”

“Why? You’re not planning to ask for help, are you?”

“…”

I made the comment as a joke, but she didn’t seem to laugh.

Her reaction was so different from the Kim Min-ju I remembered that I couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.

“If it gets to the point where you can’t do anything, where everyone’s going to die, then talk to us. But that probably won’t happen.”

“…Okay.”

It was just a casual remark.

There was no way the Cleaning Team would need to help during such a large-scale operation. It was absurd to even think about.

Of course, Kim Min-ju didn’t take my words seriously.

But perhaps the tension had eased a bit, as she managed a small smile.

Soon, all the participants gathered in front of the dungeon.

There were at least 60 people, all busy with final checks before the operation.

“Alright! Let’s do a quick check too. Do we have all the medications and equipment?”

Team Leader Park spoke, as if determined not to lose to the operation team.

“Hydrogen peroxide, diluted hydrochloric acid, saline solution. We have 10 liters of each.”

“Vacuum compressor, EVA film compression packs. Level C protective suits, three per person. Goggles, and we’ve checked the purification cartridges too.”

“We also have enough food and water!”

Han Sang-hyeok answered last.

“Good! It’s going to be tough, but if everyone does it like usual, we’ll have no problems. Let’s get pumped up and go!”

At Park Team Leader’s loud voice, the hunters’ eyes seemed to turn with distaste.

Some even intentionally laughed out loud.

Well… They probably think the Cleaning Team is being arrogant.

“Oh, you’re finally here. I’m counting on you today, Leader Kim Min-ju.”

“…I’m counting on you too.”

Just then, Team Leader Lim Dong-bin appeared among the hunting group.

Naturally, the smile faded from their faces.

Kim Min-ju, who had received the greeting, didn’t look too happy either.

“Is he participating too? I thought he wasn’t joining since Min-ju is the leader.”

Moon So-yeon whispered to me, clearly puzzled.

“Well, it’s not common. When a team leader participates in an operation, usually they take on the leader role as well. But that’s not always the case; if there’s a hunter with sufficient qualifications, they might appoint someone else as the leader.”

“That’s Min-ju, right?”

“…Looks like it.”

Although I admit that Kim Min-ju is qualified to lead, there’s a more decisive reason why Team Leader Lim Dong-bin didn’t take on the leader role himself.

The guy doesn’t know how to command on-site.

He only planned the operations, so he has no experience leading in the field. He’s always just been a passenger in hunts.

Well, once he became a team leader, he would usually be handed the leadership role just before the operation ended, and he’d steal the credit for the success.

Tsk, what a piece of trash.

“Don’t be too nervous on your first time as a leader. I’m here, you know! If anything goes wrong, just leave it to me. Got it?”

“…Yes, understood.”

Kim Min-ju’s response was reluctant.

It seemed that Team Leader Lim Dong-bin didn’t like her reaction, as his brows furrowed slightly.

He clicked his tongue and then turned toward us.

“Well… I’ll leave it to you, Cleaning Team.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll tell you in advance, but don’t let the cleaning delay. If the gas starts to leak, it’ll affect the operation…”

“We’ll handle it well.”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin’s expression finally turned cold.

I could feel a sharp gaze directed at me.

But perhaps because he was conscious of the surrounding looks, he quickly changed his expression.

“Alright, it looks like everyone is here, so let’s do a final check. Leader Kim Min-ju?”

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin, as if nothing had happened, nudged Kim Min-ju forward.

Kim Min-ju hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened her mouth.

“I’m sure you all know, but let me remind you once more.”

Her voice was strong, filled with energy.

“The operation will be divided into three teams: A, B, and C. Team A will handle the first area, then Team B will proceed with the next, followed by Team C. This cycle will continue until the hunt is complete.”

“Yes!”

I was a bit surprised.

I almost didn’t recognize her as the same person who had been so tense just a moment ago. She now spoke with such confidence.

“As you all know, this operation is a joint effort with the Cleaning Team. They’re all veterans, so there shouldn’t be anything we need to worry about. But if, and I mean if any unforeseen situations arise… please ask the Cleaning Team for help.”

“…?”

What did she just say?

A question mark seemed to appear above everyone’s head, including mine.

The atmosphere was filled with confusion.

Seeing this, Team Leader Lim Dong-bin quickly stepped in to clear things up.

“Haha! Looks like Leader Kim Min-ju is nervous. She meant to say to ask the operation team for help, right?”

“…What?”

But Kim Min-ju looked at him with a confused expression, as if wondering what he was talking about.

Team Leader Lim Dong-bin sighed in frustration and made a gesture as if to just proceed with the operation.

“Anyway, everyone, review the operation plan one last time…”

Kim Min-ju said this and slowly approached the entrance to the dungeon. She then pulled out a sharp black sword from her inventory.

The Black Wolf Blade, her trusty weapon from her past life.

“If you’re ready, we’ll begin the operation,” she declared, gripping the sword tightly.