Cleaner Association — Part 2
On the drive back, Manager Choi turned to me and asked.
“Are you sure about this?”
“I’m sure. Don’t worry.”
“Of course, I trust you, Superhuman, but the Cleaner Association is on a completely different level from the Dagger Gang.”
“Obviously.”
It would be an insult to even compare the two.
Just looking at the Cleaner Association’s Chairman says it all.
He’s a Level 4 superhuman.
In this world, people start recognizing you as a real superhuman from Level 3, and if you reach Level 5, you get treated like a National Assembly member in my original world. So, he’s no pushover.
And the other executives? They’re no weaklings either.
The Vice Chairman and the three Directors are all Level 3 superhumans.
The Association has dozens of Level 1 and 2 superhumans.
Going against them head-on would be like smashing an egg against a rock.
“But avoiding it isn’t an option either.”
“Superhuman…”
“As long as I win, it’ll be fine. The stronger side doesn’t always win.”
“I mean, I’d much rather you continue working with me than enter public service, but honestly, I’m worried.”
“I have a plan.”
I pulled out my smartphone and opened the map app.
It displayed the area around Gimpo.
I swiped east on the map.
“You know the Cleaner Association is based in Gangseo District, right?”
“Yes, I do. But, Superhuman, you can’t just barge into their headquarters! That would be suicide!”
“I’m not that reckless. You think I’d go in there alone and get torn apart by machine gun fire? The basics of any fight are to choose the right time and the right place.”
So, where would be advantageous?
I stared at the map, trying to recall everything.
Most of the Cleaner Association-linked quests in Arcane Seoul started at Landfill Site 1.
After that, different branches of the quest would open up, each with varying difficulty.
‘You could just wait them out, or you could assassinate their executives one by one. There was also an option to storm their headquarters or attack their businesses one by one.’
The worst outcome was doing nothing.
In the game, no warning pops up, but after a certain amount of time, a forced quest triggers. The Cleaner Association Chairman and his executives, along with dozens of superhumans, storm the player’s base.
If you’ve trained a solid party by then, you might survive, but if not, the game becomes nearly impossible.
That’s when you start considering pay-to-win options.
“Do you know Geonwoobong?”
“Geonwoobong? Of course. It’s that forbidden zone south of Sillim-dong, right?”
“And do you know what’s inside?”
“Uh…”
Manager Choi made a grim face.
Anyone from Sillim-dong knows.
There’s a massive drug farm there.
And it’s common knowledge that many other illegal activities are conducted there as well.
The group occupying Geonwoobong—well, technically the Geonwoobong Forbidden Zone—is so fearsome that no one dares speak openly about them.
“I know enough.”
“Then you probably also know that the Cleaner Association owns it, right?”
“What? The Cleaner Association? Why would they be making drugs?”
“It’s a side business. Their real moneymakers are body modification and human trafficking.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard right. The politician who backed the Cleaner Association—you mentioned he recently lost his seat?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Do you think someone as powerful as a National Assembly member would move just for a little bribe money?”
“Of course not.”
“From what I know, that politician regularly received ‘tribute’ from the Cleaner Association. Modified child sex slaves.”
Manager Choi grimaced.
“I heard on the news that a bunch of sex slaves were found in his mansion… Were they kids?”
“Yes.”
“I’m no saint, but that bastard deserves to die. Messing with kids? And going so far as to modify their bodies? I bet he’s still living large after getting off with just a suspended sentence, huh? Ugh, what a sick world.”
Manager Choi rolled down the window and spat out the phlegm in his throat.
After a brief pause, I continued.
“And he’s probably not the only one.”
“Huh? Oh, you’re right. They wouldn’t set up a whole body modification lab just to supply one politician. Looks like this is going to be a bigger mess than I thought.”
“Exactly. If we take Geonwoobong, that’s how it’ll turn out. The Cleaner Association will do everything in their power to prevent it from escalating.”
“But, Superhuman, it’s not just the Association. All the other people who were getting kickbacks…”
“We can’t afford to turn them into enemies. We’ll have to break off the deals but promise to keep their secrets. That’s where a magical oath comes in handy.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll handle that.”
“No, you’ve got another job to do.”
Manager Choi gave me a questioning look.
His expression seemed to say, ‘Isn’t it my job as the middleman to handle those dirty, disgusting negotiations?’
I began jotting down a list of supplies I’d need for my plan on my smartphone.
[Claymore mines, anti-materiel sniper rifle, mounted machine guns, autocannon, rapid-fire grenade launchers, rocket launcher, anti-personnel mines, remote detonators, remote-triggered bombs, tripwires, high-explosive rounds, flashbangs, sealing grenades, smoke bombs, incendiary bombs, EMP bombs, CCTV, backup generators, wiretaps, infrared sensors, laser tripwires…]
Manager Choi glanced at the message I sent him and clicked his tongue.
“Are you planning to start a war?”
“Of course. I’m fighting the Cleaner Association.”
“Ah… You’re setting up traps, aren’t you?”
“It’s the only way.”
I’ll take control of terrain I know well and fill it with traps—ridiculously lethal ones.
If the Cleaner Association charges in recklessly, they’ll walk right into a death trap.
I handed Charon’s wrist guard, which I’d taken earlier, to Manager Choi.
“Sell this. It should fetch a decent amount. Oh, and I’ve got a magic staff I collected, too. I’ll give that to you. Please get everything with the money you make from those. I’ll cover any shortfall myself.”
“Ah, this is a mana control bracelet? Looks like it’s pretty high quality. And the magic staff?”
“It’s a golden staff enchanted with Level 3 pain magic. It’s also quite heavy.”
“Wow, then it’ll sell for a fortune. Alright, I’ll make sure to get everything you need, and then some. But where are you planning to set up all these traps? Even if the police don’t interfere outside their jurisdiction, if bombs start going off and machine guns are firing everywhere, they’ll have to step in. You’re not exactly swimming in cash to bribe higher-ups, are you?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
I said confidently.
“I’m planning to fight in the Geonwoobong Forbidden Zone.”
“Aha!”
Manager Choi let out a half-amazed, half-worried exclamation.
A forbidden zone.
A space where the landscape is warped, and the terrain is constantly shifting.
Naturally, it’s difficult to see inside from outside, and vice versa.
That’s how the Cleaner Association was able to secretly take over the Geonwoobong Forbidden Zone and run their illicit operations.
“Attacking Geonwoobong won’t be easy. The Dagger Gang tried it a while back and took heavy losses. Since then, they’ve been slowly losing ground to the Iron Fist Gang.”
“You shouldn’t compare me to the Dagger Gang.”
“Well, yes, but still…”
“And I’m not going to charge in like a fool by myself.”
To be honest, I could handle it alone.
Even if there are a bunch of Level 1 and Level 2 superhumans, I could easily wipe them out at this point.
I may only be a Level 2 superhuman, but my combat power is already beyond that of most Level 3s.
Taking down Charon alone had proven that.
The real problem is the Cleaner Association.
Communication doesn’t work inside the forbidden zone, so someone would have to physically run out and call for help. I’m not some clone-using Sun Wukong who can stop that by myself.
I need backup.
At the very least, I need people strong enough to keep the Geonwoobong Forbidden Zone’s staff from calling for outside help.
I made a phone call.
Kim Chulkwon
I’d gotten his number last time.
[Huh? Superhuman?]
Kim Chulkwon sounded a bit surprised to hear from me.
[It’s been a while. How have you been? I heard about what happened at Shinwon Market. Thanks again for helping my men out back there. I really appreciate it.]
“Don’t mention it. We’re all just helping each other out.”
[Haha, that’s true. But what brings you to me today…]
I took a moment to collect my thoughts.
The Iron Fist Gang was going to be a crucial piece in this plan.
They would help me surround Geonwoobong, prevent any communication from escaping, and clean up any mess I didn’t have time to deal with.
And they would get something in return.
“How’s business these days? Are the Poison Gang and Naked Gang giving you any trouble?”
[Sigh, it’s been hell. They keep picking fights with us. We’ve managed to hold them off from Sillim-dong, but honestly, I could use another body or two.]
“Are you still short on executives?”
[Yeah… My boys are doing their best, but it’s not enough with just Level 1s. They need to hit Level 2 somehow. But it’s hard to bring in anyone from the outside. You know how it is.]
One wrong recruit could destroy the whole organization.
For all they know, the new guy could be an undercover cop or a mercenary hired by a rival gang.
The best option is to promote from within, but that’s not exactly easy either.
I lowered my voice slightly.
“Boss, what would you say if I offered you a body modification lab?”
[A body modification lab? Are you talking about bio-mods or cybernetics?]
“Both.”
[Whoa, really? Of course, I’d love that. But why are you coming to me with this? It could be useful for you too, couldn’t it?]
“It’s too illegal for me to use.”
[Hmm…]
I laid out the situation for him, explaining everything.
From the Cleaner Association’s involvement to my plan to attack Geonwoobong and use it to lure the Cleaner Association into a fight.
Kim Chulkwon responded in a cautious tone.
[So, you want me to help you fight the Cleaner Association?]
“Yes. But all you have to do is surround Geonwoobong. After that, feel free to strip the place down and use the equipment however you like. I’ll take care of the Association myself.”
[Is that even possible?]
“If it weren’t, I wouldn’t be suggesting it.”
[But, Superhuman, the Cleaner Association… You know their Chairman is a Level 4, right?]
“I know.”
[Haha, this is crazy.]
“You don’t have to tell anyone the real plan. You can just say you’re raiding a gang, taking their drugs and equipment. The Cleaner Association’s grip has been slipping for a while now—they won’t have the resources to retaliate.”
[True, with the Facility Management Bureau’s lawsuit, they’ll be too busy to deal with us anyway… Hmm.]
He was tempted but still hesitating.
“Think about it, Boss. This is a modification lab that can handle both biological mutations and cybernetic implants. While it might be tough to make Level 3 or 4 soldiers, you could definitely create Level 2 enhanced fighters.”
[That’s right.]
“If you get a few more Level 2 executives, and maybe even manage to become a Level 3 yourself, can you imagine what that would mean?”
[Hmm…]
“You’d no longer be stuck fighting over scraps in Sillim-dong. You could expand east into Gwanak District, west into Geumcheon District. The Poison Gang? The Naked Gang? They’d be nothing to you. Once you’re a Level 3, right?”
[That’s for sure.]
“And once you start expanding into Guro District, you’ll need to start thinking about your public image, too. I know you don’t mind drugs and prostitution, but you’ve always stayed away from human trafficking and underground fighting rings for a reason.”
[Because in the long run, they’re more trouble than they’re worth.]
“Exactly. Geonwoobong has the answer you’re looking for. The place doesn’t just produce drugs and body modifications—they kidnap kids, modify them, and sell them as sex slaves.”
[What… what did you say? Sex slaves?]
“Let’s clean up this trash together. We get rid of the scum, you take care of the kids who have nowhere else to go, and you strengthen your organization in the process. Build some orphanages, open a few schools, get involved in charity. Not only would it be the right thing to do, but it would also boost your public image. What do you think?”
There was a long pause.
I could understand why.
This was hitting a nerve for Kim Chulkwon, triggering his own trauma.
If it weren’t for his younger brother, he might’ve already taken his own life.
He didn’t know I was aware of his past, so he wouldn’t show it, but inside, he was probably a whirlwind of emotion.
[…Alright.]
His voice was thick with suppressed anger.
[Just the thought of those bastards breathing the same air as me disgusts me. I’ll help.]
“You won’t need to do much. Just surround the area and make sure no one escapes to send an SOS.”
[Heh. That’s as easy as pie. And the internal facilities are all mine, right? Like you said, we get to help people, and it boosts our image while securing our future. I’d be an idiot to turn that down. But let’s be clear—taking down the Cleaner Association is your responsibility. We’re not getting involved in that.]
“Of course.”
Even with his trauma, he’s still a gang boss.
No one in their right mind would risk getting involved unless there was something in it for them.
This could easily escalate into an all-out war with the Cleaner Association.
[When do we start?]
I glanced over at Manager Choi.
Even if we cut off communication, we wouldn’t be able to drag this out for too long.
The Association probably gets regular status reports from Geonwoobong.
At most, we’d have a day.
If we were going to be ready by then, Manager Choi would need to pull some strings.
He held up two fingers.
Then mouthed the word [two days].
“We’ll start at midnight, two days from now.”
[Midnight, two days from now… Sounds good. I’ll meet you at the Geonwoobong Forbidden Zone.]
On a pitch-black night, we launched a surprise attack on the Geonwoobong Forbidden Zone.
There were dozens of armed guards, and several superhumans too, but it didn’t matter.
In just two hours, I completely subdued them.
Alone.
Without any help.
–TL Notes–
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