Chapter 148

Yu Seong-un knew very well what Bisabeol’s tastes were.

‘He likes dry and selfish people.’

Extremely individualistic, and fundamentally sincere and competent talents.

People who, even if someone died right in front of them, could think, ‘Ah, it’s pitiful, but I’m glad it’s not me.’

And yet, people who tried to maintain a minimum of goodness and conscience.

That was Bisabeol’s standard for collecting people.

‘In that sense, a person like Ju-hyeon is far from Bisabeol’s taste.’

In truth, Yu Seong-un only knew about ‘the kind of person the Guild Leader likes,’ but he didn’t really know what type of person he disliked or how he would react.

It was natural, since he wouldn’t collect them in the first place if they didn’t suit his taste.

And now.

“…….”

“…….”

In a silence that rose from hell, Yu Seong-un tightened his clasped hands.

‘Someone, please say something.’

Yu Seong-un was withering away, stuck between Bisabeol and Ju-hyeon.

‘I thought he wouldn’t be his type since he (Bisabeol) is always so sarcastic, but….’

Bisabeol looked like he genuinely hated Ju-hyeon.

He was smiling, but his lips were twisted; unlike his usual sly, eel-like self who never lost a smile, his eyes were cold; and his gaze towards the other person was arrogant and extremely uncooperative.

Yu Seong-un had never seen Bisabeol like that before.

‘And this one too….’

It wasn’t like Ju-hyeon’s side was perfectly fine either.

This gentleman didn’t even smile at all.

He had a strong impression of being very affable and sincere, but for some reason, in front of Bisabeol, he didn’t even pretend to engage in social niceties.

His narrowly opened eyes were clearly filled with contempt for Bisabeol.

‘Why on earth?’

You two just met for the first time.

‘And you haven’t exchanged a single word.’

He couldn't have even imagined such an atmosphere up until he took over Ju-hyeon from Jio.

This was because the Ju-hyeon he had spoken with on the way to the interview room was a very gentle and amiable person.

“…….”

“…….”

“…I’m sorry.”

And Yu Seong-un finally couldn't take it anymore.

“Could someone please say something.”

And stop making an innocent person like me uncomfortable.

Perhaps they sensed Yu Seong-un’s feelings, or perhaps they too were planning to wrap things up around this point.

The two instantly changed their expressions and returned to their usual selves.

“Ah, my. My apologies. The impression of Mr. Ju-hyeon, whom I had only heard about, was so wonderful that I unknowingly lost my gaze. Would you please forgive my rudeness?”

“Forgiveness? What are you talking about, Guild Leader Bisabeol. I think I was the one who was rude, being so nervous to meet the famous Collector. I’m truly sorry.”

During the conversation between the two sly eels, Yu Seong-un inwardly smacked his lips.

‘I want to go home.’

Of course, it was too early to leave work.

“Guild Leader.”

“Yes, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Shall I take my leave now?”

“Don’t do that, please have a seat.”

Bisabeol offered a seat with his characteristic sly smile.

“We’re going to talk about ‘Mr. Seo Jio,’ so shouldn’t Curator Yu Seong-un, who is in charge of him, be present as well?”

“If that is the Guild Leader’s will, then I understand. Thank you for your consideration.”

If there were no outsiders, he would have said, ‘Please, stop bothering me,’ but for the sake of the guild’s image, Yu Seong-un was in a position where he had to yield a step.

He obediently sat in the spot designated by Bisabeol.

Finally, a proper conversation began.

“Let me introduce myself formally, Mr. Ju-hyeon. I am Bisabeol, the Guild Leader of the Collectors.”

Bisabeol smiled lightly with a fairly composed face.

“I have heard about your situation, Mr. Ju-hyeon. It was a very rude thing to do, but I learned of it through Mr. Yu Seong-un. I believe you have heard the basic details from our curator….”

“That’s right, thanks to that, I also heard about ‘Jio’s Portrait.’ I was truly surprised to hear that the identity of the famous Black Cape was a collection of Guild Leader Bisabeol.”

“I feel sorry that this old collector seems to have startled a good young man. So, the fact that you came through the Collectors, does that mean you are willing to care for Mr. Seo Jio?”

Bisabeol added in a natural and smooth tone.

“Ah, of course, if you feel burdened, you are welcome to refuse.”

“I do think it’s a role beyond my station, but I have no intention of refusing.”

The sentences Ju-hyeon uttered were also extremely smooth.

“I have also received a great deal of help from ‘Mr. Seo Jio’ until now. You’ve given me a chance to repay that, so for me, it is a great honor.”

At that moment, Yu Seong-un heard Bisabeol’s voice, sneering in a whisper, “So you do know.” Since his lips didn’t move, it was ventriloquism, and it was a kind of indicator to let Yu Seong-un know that ‘I’m in a bad mood.’

It was at a level that Ju-hyeon, a civilian, would not be able to hear. But….

‘So what am I supposed to do about it?’

To be honest, Yu Seong-un wanted to side with Ju-hyeon rather than Bisabeol.

Of course, he didn't feel good about Ju-hyeon openly glaring at his superior, but it was Bisabeol who had started the fight with his expression first.

‘I wish you would act your age.’

Regardless of Yu Seong-un’s thoughts, the conversation continued.

“‘Jio’s Portrait,’ known to the world as the ‘Black Cape,’ is currently registered as an A-Class Hunter belonging to the Collectors. That is the identity he uses when he moves about in the human world.”

“The role I will be taking on will be that of ‘Hunter Seo Jio’s’ manager.”

“Since Mr. Seo Jio is officially part of the Collectors, it’s fine to see it as a secretary role. You will be helping ‘Jio’s Portrait’ adapt to human society without a sense of disharmony and live as a Hunter.”

Bisabeol showed the smile for public display that people of the world would be familiar with.

It was a smile that gave a sense of trust and stability, while also faintly exuding the characteristic arrogance of an S-Class Hunter, who was said to be closer to a monster than a human.

“As I understand it, Mr. Seo Jio introduced himself to you as an evil god. Is that correct?”

“That’s right, by the name of Argio….”

Having said that, Ju-hyeon gave a gentle smile.

“For someone like that, I was surprised at how very affectionate and merciful he was.”

“That is precisely the charm that ‘Jio’s Portrait’ shows. He is very colorful and has tens of thousands of faces, but he is fundamentally friendly towards humans and very gentlemanly.”

The smile on Bisabeol’s face as he described Jio became sincere for a moment.

He loved works of art, and he loved his collection even more.

He truly wished for the convenience and happiness of ‘Jio’s Portrait.’

“I understand that you were wary of him, having first met him as an evil god. But if you show goodwill, Mr. Ju-hyeon, ‘Jio’s Portrait’ will also show goodwill in return.”

“…There was a rumor that the Black Cape gives gifts to good people.”

“It’s true. He genuinely likes good and polite humans. And he despises evil and impolite humans. To the point of isolating them from other humans.”

Bisabeol’s eyes curved into a sly crescent.

“Is that not a quality that you find agreeable, Mr. Ju-hyeon?”

“…Haha….”

Ju-hyeon returned that smile exactly as it was given.

“I wouldn’t dare to judge whether it pleases me or not.”

“Ah, what a humble thing to say. Unlike the boldness you harbor.”

“I was born with nothing, so I am insignificant and a cowardly person.”

“Such excessive humility doesn’t suit you, Mr. Ju-hyeon.”

Bisabeol’s smile twisted.

“What suits you is voracious greed, isn't that right?”

“…….”

Ju-hyeon smiled even more deeply.

“…I never thought I’d hear I was greedy from the Collector.”

“We are in different fields, but we are quite greedy people.”

Soon after, Bisabeol returned to his usual face for public display.

“Though I’m sure you won’t admit it, Mr. Ju-hyeon. Mr. Yu Seong-un will inform you of the exact duties.”

At that, Yu Seong-un, who had been quiet all along, nodded his head.

“I will explain to you separately later.”

“Ah, thank you. I was worried about what to do….”

“It won’t be difficult, so you don’t have to worry.”

At Yu Seong-un’s words, Bisabeol looked at Ju-hyeon once more.

“Do you wish to belong to the Collectors?”

Ju-hyeon gave a prim smile.

“No?”

“Haha! I thought as much.”

“I don’t think I am the kind of talent that suits the Collectors.”

“Regrettably, that is the truth.”

Only Bisabeol’s ‘collection pieces’ could occupy a position in the Collectors.

In other words, it was a mess of a company where one couldn’t even get hired if they didn’t become a work of art that Bisabeol liked.

In that sense, anyone could see that Bisabeol was shunning Ju-hyeon.

Even Yu Seong-un, who prided himself on being somewhat favored by Bisabeol, was seeing such a reaction from his superior for the first time, which said it all.

“Mr. Ju-hyeon will be a secretary personally hired by Hunter Seo Jio, so you don’t have to worry about taking my orders. Just think only about taking Mr. Seo Jio’s orders.”

“I will do that.”

“I know that things with the Association are not fully settled yet, so I will pull some strings in that regard. I will help you leave cleanly without any trouble, but do you have anything you left at your workplace? Any items you need to bring back.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then it seems only the relationship needs to be sorted out. Fortunately for our Collectors, that part is not difficult. We will help so that the matter can be settled without any friction.”

Soon, Bisabeol asked with a smile.

“Do you have any other questions?”

“It seems that you have something you want to say, Guild Leader, rather than me.”

“Oh, my. You’ve seen that quite accurately.”

The smile vanished from Bisabeol’s face.

“I don’t particularly like people like you, Mr. Ju-hyeon.”

He added, “I imagine you feel similarly.”

“Humans like you, Mr. Ju-hyeon, chase after illusions too seriously.”

“Chasing such illusions could be said to be the right of foolish humans.”

“Is there really a need to do something you know is foolish?”

“People who don’t have good eyes like you, Guild Leader, have to grope their way forward.”

“…I really don’t like people like you….”

He fiddled with the rings in his hand.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un, realizing that this was a habit that came out when Bisabeol perceived the other person as an enemy, quietly gazed at Ju-hyeon.

It wasn't a flow of events he could understand, but it was worth paying attention to.

In what aspect did his esteemed superior feel wary of and loathe this person?

‘Judging by the circumstances… Does he see him as a human who will harm his work of art?’

Since Bisabeol hadn’t given a separate signal, it didn’t seem to be a situation where even Yu Seong-un had to perceive him as an enemy, but he inwardly kept a sense of caution towards this civilian researcher.

He trusted Bisabeol’s eyes.

‘Certainly, a civilian whose spirit isn’t broken even in front of an S-Class Hunter and an A-Class Hunter….’

Just as he was thinking there was a suspicious part, it happened.

“-Hey.”

A long arm stretched out from behind Bisabeol.

“…….”

“The air is heavy.”

It made a jangling sound, showing off all sorts of accessories, and soon, fingers adorned with flashy jewels lightly wrapped around Bisabeol’s shoulder as if in play.

Yu Seong-un saw the owner of that arm.

Pale skin as if it had never seen the sun, a vivid smile, and dark red hair.

“You shouldn’t play pranks on a hero.”

“…….”

“Instead of treating a precious talent with respect….”

It was the portrait.

“Isn’t that right, Guild Leader Bisabeol?”

A portrait that appeared in mid-air, not on a wall.

“…….”

“…….”

“Those eyes.”

The two monsters’ gazes met.

“They belong to a dragon, don’t they?”

Bisabeol’s pupils split into long slits.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Jio’s Portrait.”

“I have gladly accepted your invitation.”

“That is quite….”

Filled with ecstasy and greed, Bisabeol smiled.

“…An honor.”

It was the first meeting between the Collector and the Portrait.

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