Laborer Mr. Kim Reaps Sweet Rewards with Auto-Hunting - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 71

North Korea, Pyongyang.
The chairman’s office in Labor Party Building No. 1.

“We’re still at a standoff with the Rebel Group, and the commission we sent to South Korea has been rejected, sir.”
“What? Rejected?”
“My apologies.”
“Sigh….”

The master of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Chairman Kim Il-jung listened to his secretary’s report, exhaling deeply.

“What a disaster, isn’t it.”

Kim Yong-pil should have been eliminated long ago.

“The foolish bastard gets greedy beyond his station. Why did he have to touch the Revolutionary Talent group?”

If he was going to move against them, he should have done it properly.
Why did he have to poke carelessly and make them all scatter like this?
If I’d known this would happen….

“What’s Kim Yong-pil’s situation now?”
“It appears he tried to contact China, but was rejected. We’ve detected signs of him attempting to siphon off his assets bit by bit.”
“Is that so? Then deal with him quickly.”
“Chairman, but Kim Yong-pil has….”
“Can’t you see what’s happening right now? Kim Yong-pil’s been abandoned by China. Why would I care if he dies?”

That’s right.
It should have been done this way from the start.
China’s backing had me hesitating….
And now it’s all fallen apart.
And the Chinese themselves?
Turns out they’re useless when you actually need them.
There’s nothing to be done about what’s already passed.
But now—we need to set things right.
First, dispose of the troublesome Kim Yong-pil.
As for the Revolutionary Talent group….

“Sigh… I’d like to just wipe them all out cleanly.”
“Chairman, if we eliminate all of the Revolutionary Talent operatives, there will be chaos over the Dungeons and Towers….”
“That’s the problem too, isn’t it.”

That’s what makes this so damn awkward.
Kim Il-jung knows it well.
The Revolutionary Talent operatives?
They’re important, obviously.
Just as the secretary says—they’re the only ones who can clear those Towers and Dungeons.
And besides—.

“They’ve established a base near Pyongyang, haven’t they?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Near Pyongyang, you say….”

Kim Yong-pil, the idiot.
He should have at least set them up somewhere far away.
Why right near Pyongyang?
What is this.
I won’t get proper sleep anyway.
I need to settle this as soon as possible.
And, there’s another reason.

“If I leave the Rebel Group alone, what will the people think?”
“That’s….”

If I let someone who threatens the current regime live?
The backlash will come sooner or later.
The same applies to those Revolutionary Talent bastards who’ve joined the Rebel Group now.

“Sigh.”

This is troublesome.
What am I to do.
Sweep out the Rebel Group?
Honestly, it’s not even difficult.
Their location’s unclear?
What difference does it make.
If we level the entire area, would that solve it?
Missiles, cannons, biochemical weapons and so forth….
There are plenty of methods.
The problem is.

“But, the Tower—that’s the issue….”

Right.
I preferred the world when there was no Tower or anything like it….
When Kim Il-jung was young.
That is, when his father was in power.
The Chairman’s word was surely gospel then….
But now?
This Tower, or whatever it is.
Because of these damned things, my power keeps slipping away, and I can’t stop it.
These Rebel Group dogs alone prove it.
Normally?
I would have disposed of them all long ago.
And dealt with Kim Yong-pil while I was at it.
Of course, I did try, subtly.
Once I handle the Tower, that’s it.
So I reached out to China and Russia asking them to help resolve the Tower.
The result?

[As the Chairman knows, our homeland is also struggling to overcome the aftermath of the S-rank Dungeon and has no capacity to spare. We hope for your understanding.]
[Aleksei, ranked first, has suffered serious injuries attempting higher floors after the difficulty increased, so unfortunately we cannot offer assistance.]

That’s the only answer I got back.
They wrapped it in pretty words—
but the conclusion is clear.
They’re busy with their own survival.
So I waited.
The Rebel Group bastards?
If they don’t want to die, they’ll have to clear the Tower themselves.
Was it Park Mu-pal.
That bastard who was the Operations Director.
From what I hear, he’s desperate to reach the 61st floor.
Yes. Go ahead and try.
Once you climb one floor, I’ll have two years of breathing room.
And then I’ll dispose of you.

“Of course, when that time comes, Park Mu-pal will climb to the 61st floor….”

There was no help for it.
It was the best approach available.
So I waited with that thought in mind.
But what happened?
They haven’t even attempted to clear the Tower.
Are they waiting for Pyongyang to disappear?
The ambiguous stalemate that followed brought immediate consequences.
The effects rippled outward at once.

“Have you all heard the rumors? I hear the Rebel Group rose up not long ago, and the Chairman still hasn’t laid a finger on them.”
“Come on, what kind of man is the Chairman? Isn’t he the one who can wipe out a million-strong army with a mere wave of his hand?”
“That was all nonsense. If it were true, would he let the Rebel Group do as they please? He’d have dealt with them long ago.”
“True enough…. Now that I think about it, there’s also the talk that he can’t do anything about the Tower in Pyongyang….”
……
…

Damn these people.
Who’s the one feeding and sheltering them?
And they dare whisper such filth?
Sigh….
Even now, it’s at this level.
If more time passes?
Discontent will only swell.
There’s no future in this.
Time to make a decision.
Clear the Tower.
And find a way to sweep away those dogs as well….

[Crafting Commission Received – Personnel Management Office]

Revolutionary Talent from South Korea.
The Personnel Management Office Director posted a message.
My secretary told me.
With just a weapon crafted by that Revolutionary Talent bastard, we could climb more than ten floors higher than our current standing in the Tower.
When our homeland faces crisis, South Korea won’t sit idle for nothing.
I sent the request immediately.
Send us a weapon, I told them.
I thought they’d naturally comply, but what happened?

“These cursed capitalist pigs…. They rejected the homeland’s commission over one measly weapon.”

In times like this, there’s a method.

“Ki-rae, I’ve been quiet lately. That won’t do. Fire one into the East Sea.”
“Yes, understood!”

That secretary.
One word and she grasps it instantly.
This isn’t our first time doing this.

When those South Korean dogs won’t understand by word alone, there’s a method Father taught me long ago.
First, fire a missile.
And then?
Broadcast through Central Television a report denouncing our compatriots and South Korea.

This time, I’ll have to drag that Revolutionary Talent bastard into it as well.
Paint them as shameless dogs who line their pockets while their own people face crisis.
What if we gradually manufacture a war atmosphere?
Done.

Soon enough, just as they always do, they’ll back down.
A weapon or two?
What’s so hard about that?
So bring it here.
That’s what he thought.

“Comrade Chairman! The missile barrels from South Korea are beginning to turn in this direction!”

No.
What the hell have these madmen eaten?
Why are they suddenly like this?

“Is it a bluff?”
“We can’t be certain, but it doesn’t appear to be a bluff, sir.”
“Damn….”

Kim Il-jung. Master of North Korea.
Born as the Chairman’s son and raised as such.
Greedy and indolent, though he may be.
But one thing he knows for certain.
If he clashes with South Korea now?
In the end, if it goes all the way, he’s the one who loses.
But you don’t want to fight either, do you?
So hand it over.
That’s what military provocation was supposed to mean….
So what’s different this time?
He can’t make sense of it, but the situation has already erupted.

Will this turn into war?
Nah.
Surely those South Korean bastards wouldn’t….
But you never know.
Better reach out quickly.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Nations that might naturally help given the geopolitical situation….

“China, Russia….”

First, he requests aid.
If that doesn’t work?
There’s no other choice.
He’ll have to press that button.
Even if he dies, he won’t die alone.

* * *

[North Korea’s authorities declared through the Korean Central News Agency that the launch was a warning against South Korea and the South’s Hunter—the Personnel Management Office Manager—accusing him of “blinded by capitalist greed and betraying the bonds of kinship with our brothers.”]

“Huh…? I didn’t do anything?”

What is this….
News of North Korea’s missile launch came in the morning.
He hadn’t thought much of it then.
It wasn’t as if they provoked with missiles once or twice before.
Another plea for rice, probably?
But if the target of their accusations includes me?
That’s a different story.

“Why would they do this to me?”

Blinded by greed, abandoning solidarity with their own people?
What kind of nonsense is that?
I tilted my head, trying to make sense of it.

[Our Joseon will not tolerate the tyranny of the South Korean authorities and the Personnel Management Office director, and we issue a grave protest against—]

I don’t understand.

“What are they even saying?”

None of it makes sense.
I cleared an S-rank Dungeon for them.
They could at least say thank you.
What?
Tyranny?

“Boss, they’re all talk. Those North Korean bastards? We’ll show them what we’re made of!”
“Heh-heh, a fine notion indeed. As the saying goes, there’s no cure for ingratitude quite like the rod.”

You keep this up, and when our Workers step in, what then?
Their anger meters are already maxed out.
Arthur and Unjang are already on their feet.

“…I’m going too.”

Huh?
Robin nods.
What about Rani?

“Hey-!”

Thud, bang, thud, bang.
Right…
Rani’s busy.

“I’ll lend a hand as well!”
Even Yeo Hae, who’d only recently joined us, volunteered.
But here’s the thing.
I never even said I was doing anything.
Everyone’s getting way too worked up about this.
Usually Todd would step in to mediate at moments like this, but today he was quiet.

“Hmm…”

What is it?
That bear plush’s expression…

“Todd?”
“I agree! Those arrogant bastards!”

Wait?
Hold on?

“Komori. You’re angry?”

Yeah.
I’ve never seen him this furious before.

“Todd, calm down for a moment and tell me what’s wrong.”
“Ah… yes, Manager. I understand.”

Good.
Take a breath and speak.
Nobody’s trying to swindle you out of money, so why are you this upset?

“I just heard — North Korea submitted a Crafting Commission to the Management Bureau. No materials provided, no conditions whatsoever.”
“What?”
“So the Management Bureau rejected it, and that’s why he’s like this.”

Ah.
I understand now.
Someone was trying to cheat him, then.
No wonder Todd’s furious.
Komori — that’s Todd.
His defining trait?
He loves making money.
What he hates most?
Anyone who tries to cheat him or shortchange him.
Right.
Like North Korea.

“Still, the Management Bureau handled that well.”
“Exactly, Manager! No materials, no conditions — accepting that would have been treating us like fools!”

That’s true enough.
But then again.

“North Korea being North Korea, what can you expect?”

When have those people ever made sense?
They’re the type who fire Missiles when they don’t get their way….
But what can I do about it?
No matter how much they demand, I have no intention of making anything for them.
North Korea today, North Korea tomorrow.
It’s all predictable.
Those people?
Once I make this for them, they’ll ask for armor next.
Then they’ll want better Weapons.
If they’d had any conscience to begin with,
they would’ve shown gratitude when I cleared that S-rank Dungeon for them.

“True, the old saying never fails. Fish a man out of drowning and he asks for your purse….”

I cleared an S-rank Dungeon for them and now they want Weapons?
Does that make any sense?

“What’s the Management Bureau saying?”
“They said they won’t give in regardless, and they’ll handle it even if it gets rough — so we shouldn’t worry.”

Excellent.
That’s the way.
As it should be.
That answer sits well with me.

“Boss, the Warriors are ready!”
“The Mage is prepared as well.”

Sigh.
These people look ready to bolt any second.

“Everyone, please. Settle down and sit.”

Let’s take a breath first.
The Management Bureau will move first anyway.
Let’s see what they do.
If there’s still no answer after that….

“Then… well….”

Wait.
Is there even a way forward if there’s no answer?
With China, there was always an option.
We could just send people there.
But North Korea….
We’d never be able to set up an office there.
It’s complicated.
I was scratching my head over this when—
the bear doll raised its paw and started speaking.

“Actually, Manager, I’ve been meaning to bring something up since last time….”
“Is that so? What is it?”
“That Hunter from North Korea, Park Mu-pal, who submitted the Crafting Commission last time—what if we took him on as a Subcontract?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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