chapter 148

Chapter 148

Yoo Seong-woon knew Visabel’s tastes very well.

‘He likes dry, selfish people.’

Utterly individualistic, and basically diligent, capable talent. People who, even if someone dies right in front of them, can think, ‘Ah, it’s pitiful, but thank goodness it isn’t me.’ And yet still trying to keep at least a minimum of goodness and conscience—those kinds of people.

That was Visabel’s standard for collecting people.

‘In that sense, a person like Juhyeon is far from Visabel’s taste.’

In truth, Yoo Seong-woon only knew as much as, ‘So this is the kind of person the guildmaster likes,’ and didn’t really know what types he disliked or what reactions he showed. If someone didn’t fit his taste, he wouldn’t collect them in the first place, so it was only natural.

And now.

“...”

“...”

In the silence that rose up from hell, Yoo Seong-woon put strength into the hands he had clasped together.

‘Somebody say something.’

Yoo Seong-woon was drying out, stuck between Visabel and Juhyeon.

‘I figured he wouldn’t be his type since he’s always snide, but...’

Visabel truly, sincerely seemed to hate Juhyeon.

He was smiling, but his lips were twisted; unlike his usual sly, snake-like 모습 where he never lost his smile, his eyes were cold, and the gaze he turned on the other was arrogant yet profoundly uncooperative. Yoo Seong-woon was seeing Visabel like this for the first time.

‘And this side, too...’

It wasn’t like Juhyeon was doing any better, either.

This man wasn’t even smiling. He’d had a strong impression of being very affable and diligent, but for some reason, in front of Visabel, he didn’t even pretend to do social niceties. Those narrowly opened eyes were plainly contemptuous of Visabel.

‘Why?’

You two just met.

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

Even up until he took custody of Juhyeon from Gio, he never would have imagined an atmosphere like this. The Juhyeon who talked with him on the way to the interview room had been an extremely gentle, easygoing person.

“...”

“...”

“...Excuse me, but.”

And Yoo Seong-woon finally couldn’t stand it.

“Could one of you please say something.”

Don’t go making even me feel annoyed for no reason.

Perhaps they sensed Yoo Seong-woon’s 마음, or perhaps they, too, decided it was time to wrap it up. In an instant, both of them changed their faces and returned to their everyday 모습.

“Ah, my. How rude of me. Mr. Juhyeon’s reputation, which I’ve heard only by word, looked so good that I was unconsciously captivated. Would you please forgive my discourtesy?”

“Forgive you—whatever do you mean, Guildmaster Visabel. I believe I, too, was discourteous because I was so tense at meeting the famous collector. I’m truly sorry.”

Hearing those two sly foxes talk, Yoo Seong-woon smacked his lips inwardly.

‘I want to clock out.’

Of course, it was still too early to clock out.

“Guildmaster.”

“Yes, Yoo Seong-woon.”

“Shall I take my leave now?”

“Rather than that, take a seat.”

With his characteristic thin smile, Visabel offered him a seat.

“We’re going to talk about ‘Mr. Seo Gio,’ so shouldn’t Curator Yoo Seong-woon, who’s in charge of him, be here as well?”

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

If there were no outsiders, he would have said, ‘Please stop tormenting me,’ but for the guild’s image, Yoo Seong-woon had no choice but to bend a knee. He obediently sat where Visabel indicated.

At last, a proper conversation began.

“Allow me to introduce myself formally, Mr. Juhyeon. I am Visabel, the guildmaster of the Collector’s.”

With a fairly normal face, Visabel gave a light laugh.

“I also heard about Mr. Juhyeon’s circumstances. It is terribly rude, but I learned it through Yoo Seong-woon. I understand you have already heard an explanation of the basic points from our curator, but...”

“That’s right. Thanks to that, I also heard about ‘Gio’s Portrait.’ I was truly shocked to hear that the identity of the famous Black Cloak is the collectible of Guildmaster Visabel.”

“This old collector feels sorry for startling an innocent young man. So then, for you to have come through the Collector’s—does that mean you are willing to care for Mr. Seo Gio?”

In a natural, gentle tone, Visabel added,

“Ah, of course, if it is burdensome, you may refuse.”

“Even if I think it’s a role far beyond me, I have no intention of refusing.”

The sentences Juhyeon spoke were also extremely smooth.

“I’ve received a great deal of help from ‘Mr. Seo Gio,’ as well. Since you are giving me the chance to repay it, to me, it is a tremendous honor.”

At that moment, Yoo Seong-woon heard Visabel’s voice, whispering snidely as if muttering, “So you do know.”

His lips hadn’t moved, so it was ventriloquism—an indicator meant to tell Yoo Seong-woon, ‘I’m sulking.’

It was a level that an ordinary person like Juhyeon couldn’t hear. But...

‘So what do you want me to do about it.’

To be honest, Yoo Seong-woon wanted to take Juhyeon’s side more than Visabel’s. Of course, it didn’t feel very good that Juhyeon had openly glared at his superior, but the one who picked a fight first with expressions was Visabel.

‘Please act your age.’

Regardless of Yoo Seong-woon’s thoughts, the story continued.

“‘Gio’s Portrait,’ known to the world as the ‘Black Cloak,’ is currently recorded as an A-rank hunter affiliated with the Collector’s. In truth, that is the identity he uses when he wanders the human world.”

“And the role I will take is to be a manager for that ‘Hunter Seo Gio.’”

“Since Mr. Seo Gio is officially affiliated with the Collector’s, you may consider it a secretary as well. Please help ‘Gio’s Portrait’ adapt without incongruity among humans and live as a hunter.”

Visabel wore the sort of outward smile people in the world would recognize at a glance. You could faintly feel the arrogance unique to S-rank hunters, who are closer to monsters than to humans, and yet it was a smile that gave trust and stability.

“As I understand it, Mr. Seo Gio introduced himself to Mr. Juhyeon as a wicked god. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct—by the name Argio...”

As he said that, Juhyeon smiled gently.

“For something like that, he was so kind and merciful that I was quite startled.”

“That is precisely the charm ‘Gio’s Portrait’ shows. He is very diverse and has tens of thousands of forms, but at base, he is favorable toward humans and very gentlemanly.”

As Visabel described Gio, his smile became sincere for a moment. He loved art works, and he loved his collectibles all the more. He truly wished for the convenience and happiness of ‘Gio’s Portrait.’

“I understand that you were wary after meeting him first as a wicked god. But if Mr. Juhyeon shows him goodwill, ‘Gio’s Portrait’ will also show goodwill.”

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

“It is true. He truly likes good, well-mannered humans. And he loathes evil, ill-mannered humans. To the point of isolating them from other humans.”

Visabel’s eyes bent thinly.

“Isn’t that a nature to your liking, Mr. Juhyeon?”

“...Haha...”

Juhyeon returned that smile 그대로.

“I wouldn’t dare judge whether it suits my liking or not.”

“Ah, what a truly humble thing to say. Unlike the breadth of your bosom.”

“Because I am a person with nothing to boast of, shabby and timid.”

“Such excessive humility does not suit you, Mr. Juhyeon.”

Visabel’s smile twisted.

“What suits you is ravenous greed, isn’t it?”

“...”

Juhyeon smiled even more deeply.

“...I never thought I’d hear that I’m greedy from a collector.”

“We’re greedy people too—our fields are simply different.”

Soon after, Visabel returned to his usual public-facing expression again.

“Even if Mr. Juhyeon does not acknowledge it. Yoo Seong-woon will tell you the exact duties.”

At that, Yoo Seong-woon, who had remained quiet, nodded.

“I will explain separately later.”

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

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

At Yoo Seong-woon’s words, Visabel looked at Juhyeon again.

“Do you wish to become affiliated with the Collector’s?”

Juhyeon smiled neatly.

“No?”

“Ha-ha! I thought so.”

“I don’t think I am talent suited to the Collector’s.”

“Regrettably, that’s true.”

In the Collector’s, only Visabel’s “collectibles” could take that seat. In other words, if you can’t become a work that Visabel likes, you can’t even be hired—an absolute mess of a company.

In that sense, Visabel was clearly reluctant toward Juhyeon. Even Yoo Seong-woon, who prided himself on receiving Visabel’s favor, had never seen such a reaction from his superior, so that was saying everything that needed to be said.

“Since Mr. Juhyeon will become the secretary personally hired by Hunter Seo Gio, you needn’t worry about taking orders from me. Think only about taking orders from Mr. Seo Gio.”

“I will do so.”

“I hear you have not yet fully settled things with the Association, so I will put my hand to that a little. I will help you come out cleanly without any noise, but do you have belongings left at your workplace? Items you need to retrieve, or supplies.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then we only need to settle the relationships. Fortunately, for our Collector’s, that part is not difficult. I will help things be wrapped up with no friction.”

Then Visabel asked with a smile.

“Do you have anything else you are curious about?”

“I think rather than me, the guildmaster has something he wants to say.”

“Oh, my. You saw that very accurately.”

The smile vanished from Visabel’s face.

“I don’t particularly like people like Mr. Juhyeon.”

He added, “And I’m sure you have similar impressions.”

“Humans like you pursue illusions far too seriously.”

“To pursue such illusions could be called the right of foolish humans.”

“Is there any need to do it, even while knowing it is a foolish act?”

“People like you, whose eyes are not good, have to grope their way forward.”

“...As I thought, I truly don’t like people like you...”

He fiddled with the rings on his hands.

“...”

Realizing that was a habit Visabel showed when he recognized someone as an enemy, Yoo Seong-woon quietly fixed his gaze on Juhyeon.

It wasn’t a flow he understood, but it was worth being cautious about. What part of this man made his beloved superior wary and loathe him?

‘If I judge by the circumstances... did he look like a human who would harm the work?’

Since Visabel hadn’t given any separate signal, it didn’t seem like a situation where Yoo Seong-woon also needed to regard him as an enemy, but inwardly, he held a wary 마음 toward this civilian researcher. He trusted Visabel’s eyes.

‘A civilian who doesn’t lose momentum even with an S-rank hunter and an A-rank hunter in front of him...’

Just as he was thinking there was something dubious, it happened.

“-Hey.”

A long arm stretched out from behind Visabel’s back.

“...”

“The air is heavy.”

It let out a clinking sound as it flaunted all kinds of ornaments, and then fingers adorned with splendid jewels lightly wrapped around Visabel’s shoulder as if in a prank. Yoo Seong-woon looked at the owner of that arm.

Pale skin as if it had never seen sunlight, a vivid smile, and a dark-red head of hair.

“Don’t play pranks on a hero.”

“...”

“You can’t even treat precious talent well...”

It was a portrait.

“Isn’t that right, Guildmaster Visabel?”

A portrait that appeared not on a wall, but in midair.

“...”

“...”

“That eyes.”

The gazes of the two monsters met.

“They belong to a dragon?”

Visabel’s pupils slit long.

“Nice to meet you, Gio’s Portrait.”

“I gladly accept your invitation.”

“That’s quite...”

Filled with ecstasy and greed, Visabel smiled.

“...An honor.”

It was the first meeting between the collector and the portrait.

(To be continued in the next episode)