Chapter 154: Chapter 154
Bisabeol wanted the three of them to become housemates.
"Three?"
"Yes, three."
"Me, Hunter Yu Seong-un, and, surely not...."
"That ’surely not’ is correct."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"Jio is included too."
"..."
At that, the lips of Ju-hyeon, who was organizing his luggage, could be seen tightening. Yu Seong-un was certain that the words he had swallowed were either ’Is he sane?’ or ’He must be crazy.’
But there was no way a powerless slave to capitalism could talk back to his boss.
Instead of promising to get him out of this crazy situation, Yu Seong-un offered words of apology that recommended resignation.
"I am ashamed to have gotten you entangled in our guild master’s greed."
"No, I’m sure there must be a greater meaning that I am unaware of."
Ju-hyeon, contrary to his inner thoughts, asked with a friendly smile.
"However, could I hear a little about the reason for making such a choice?"
"To put it simply, it is because he wishes for ’Jio’s Portrait’ to more quickly assimilate into the lives of humans."
"He wishes for Mr. Jio to assimilate into the lives of humans?"
Rustle.
The smile of Ju-hyeon, who was opening a cardboard box containing his moving belongings, became peculiar.
"...It’s not my place to dare to doubt, but is that possible?"
"Well, since Jio’s own will is strong, it is not entirely impossible."
"He is certainly a person who is very good at imitating a human, but...."
"He also continues to insist that he is a human."
"So he wasn’t just insisting that to me."
Ju-hyeon laughed in vain.
"He said he was a human with the characteristics of a portrait."
"That’s one of the claims Jio often makes."
Yu Seong-un also understood Ju-hyeon’s bewilderment.
"He says that with such a wide diversity among humans, why wouldn’t one portrait fit in."
He had no intention of refuting Jio’s claim in the first place, but even if he did, Jio wouldn’t listen.
"No matter how great its stature, how immense the power it holds, or how much its body and personality change, Jio considers it merely a single characteristic."
"That’s what it seemed like."
"I am glad that you seem to understand well. But because of that, Jio will try to mix in among humans even more, and we at The Collectors have judged that we will not be able to stop it."
Yu Seong-un gave his characteristic impassive smile.
"Does it seem like negligence?"
"...Honestly, a little."
Ju-hyeon’s eyes curved gently.
"When I was at the Association’s research institute, things were much more thorough."
"Considering the peace of the Earth and humanity, such thorough preparation is indeed necessary."
"But the motto of The Collectors is ’Love the work,’ isn’t it?"
"Yes, for that reason, we do not have the level of security system that Mr. Ju-hyeon expects."
"But I understand that you’re not just sitting on your hands either. Because that would be The Collectors’ way."
"As you’ve said, The Collectors are more focused on responding after an incident has occurred. It’s a different method from the Association, which nips the risk of an incident in the bud from the start."
Ju-hyeon nodded at Yu Seong-un’s words.
"I will do my best to get used to it."
Although he wasn’t employed as a staff member of The Collectors, since Jio was treated as a member, Ju-hyeon had to consider himself halfway involved with them as well.
He would have to adapt as quickly as possible.
"Is that why you thought of something like... a housemate? Because you won’t be able to stop ’Jio’s Portrait’ from living in human society anyway?"
"That is one of the Guild Master’s intentions. As I mentioned to Mr. Ju-hyeon before, Jio still doesn’t know much about human society, and he needs to adapt even more to be as active as ’Mr. Seo Jio.’"
"So you’re trying to have him live with other humans to let him more naturally refine his stature or learn the basic common sense of humans. Yes, I understand."
The smile of Ju-hyeon, who had been speaking in a gentle tone, became awkward for a moment.
"But you just said... it was one of the intentions?"
"The biggest purpose is to appreciate the sight of ’Jio’s Portrait’ living with humans."
"Guild Master Bisabeol, that is."
"Surprisingly, this is reality. This is a collector."
"I knew from early on that he was an extraordinary person, but he is truly bold."
"Thank you for putting it so nicely."
Yu Seong-un nodded with empathy and sympathy.
It was because he was moved by Ju-hyeon’s effort and sincerity in trying to maintain a social life even in this state of affairs.
"However, since he is not trying to make such an attempt right away, you have been assigned to the house next to mine. He probably also wishes for you to build a closer relationship with me, the curator in charge of ’Jio’s Portrait’."
"Thanks to that, I am only grateful to have received such an undeserved lodging."
"As I mentioned before, the lodging is in Mr. Ju-hyeon’s name, but all costs for the lodging will be handled by The Collectors. So please do not feel too burdened and for now, I would be grateful if you would aim to adapt to the current situation."
"I’m also worried about how to manage ’Mr. Seo Jio’...."
"You can receive manager training from our Collectors’ secretary’s office. You don’t have to worry about becoming a member of The Collectors. Since this will be your first time with these duties, they will teach you step-by-step from the basics."
Yu Seong-un, who had listed the necessary items, soon smiled lightly.
"Well, and since we’ve become neighbors, it would be even better if we gradually become more comfortable with each other."
"I will also try my best to adapt to that part...."
"I think we’ll naturally become close as we encounter each other here and there for issues related to Jio."
"I couldn’t ask for more."
"Ah, and to give you a little advice."
Yu Seong-un asked.
"You said you became Jio’s pen pal?"
"For now, that’s what happened, but...."
"Then there will be times when you will rarely receive a letter from Jio."
"So he really was a pen pal."
"It appears without a sound, so please don’t be too surprised."
He pointed to himself and said.
"I am pen pal number one, so I know that part well. A pitch-black letter that quietly appears in an empty house will send a chill down your spine. And even if you check the letter, there are no readable characters."
"Then is there a point in sending a letter?"
"I am currently seeing it as a kind of pager. I believe the characters are being altered in the process of the frame surrounding ’Jio’s Portrait’ acting as a sort of filter. It’s an unavoidable part of the delivery being adjusted to a human’s stature."
"True, if that were delivered raw, most humans would take a big hit."
"Perhaps because a trace of its stature remains, the letter itself is enough to make one’s heart drop. Jio is constantly thinking about the problem of not being able to read the content. I believe it is a problem that will be solved someday when his human imitation improves."
Having said that, Yu Seong-un looked at Ju-hyeon with a pitiful expression.
"I am especially worried because Mr. Ju-hyeon is a non-awakener."
"...Is it that scary of a letter? To the point where safety is determined by whether one is awakened or not?"
"Of course, since you were at the Association’s research institute, you will probably adapt quickly."
Yu Seong-un smiled his impassive smile again.
"Unrealistic tragedies happen frequently over there too."
"So you’re saying that Mr. Jio’s letter is an item that requires that much vigilance?"
"To put it simply, you can think of it as a kind of ghost story."
"Ah, a ghost story...."
"That is the identity of the ’Black Cape’ as well."
"I have heard similar stories often."
Should it be called a type of urban legend?
They said people regarded the Black Cape as a real-life ghost story that one could encounter if one was lucky, or unlucky.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
"You can learn the rest as you get along with Jio."
Yu Seong-un then asked.
"By the way, do you know about The Garden?"
"...Well, I don’t think you mean a garden with flowers or trees."
"There is knowledge that only a few at the Association know."
"Is it okay for me to know that?"
"On the contrary, you will have to know it even if you don’t want to, now."
"It seems that knowledge is greatly related to ’Jio’s Portrait’."
"I will inform you about that part later."
Yu Seong-un grinned.
"I will deliver the materials in advance, so I would be grateful if you would read them slowly."
"I am confident in theoretical studies. I will do my best to produce results as much as you expect."
"It’s a bit much to say this, but we are now in the same boat called Jio."
He said, as if giving a word of blessing.
"I hope you remain human."
"..."
Ju-hyeon’s eyes curved as he smiled.
"...Yes."
What a chilling thing to say, he thought.
***
Under the care of The Collectors, Ju-hyeon successfully finished moving.
"The house is too big."
Ju-hyeon muttered.
"Why is this a house?"
He wanted to use only a tenth of this space.
Ju-hyeon knew well what kind of place this apartment was.
It was one of the most prestigious apartments in Seoul, mainly inhabited by A-Class hunters or famous celebrities among the 1st-class citizens.
’Though it means I won’t have to worry about security....’
As an insignificant 2nd-class citizen, he couldn’t help but feel very uncomfortable.
He had never wished for such lodging that didn’t suit his station.
One cozy room, one kitchen, and one bathroom would have been enough.
’Is this also something I have to get used to.’
It was perplexing.
"...Hmm...."
Ju-hyeon looked around.
Perhaps due to the various considerations from The Collectors, beyond the essential items, even decorations like picture frames and pottery were stylishly hung, but it still just felt like he was in someone else’s house.
’I was more comfortable in Mr. Jio’s cabin, if anything.’
The moment he thought that, Ju-hyeon felt a sudden chill.
"..."
Am I going crazy?
’I must be careful not to think strange thoughts.’
Friend or not, there was an unwritten rule when dealing with a god.
Just because a god bestows mercy and grace, one should not take it as a given benefit, or expect to receive it again.
’Have I been using too much mental energy lately worrying about my family’s graves?’
Ju-hyeon’s thoughts turned to a more realistic topic.
"...For now, I should look for some belongings...."
He was planning to make graves for the family and friends who had died because of him.
’There should still be some things left at the orphanage.’
Even though it was within Seoul, his orphanage was located in a rather remote place.
Thanks to it being a damp place with no other use, only the bodies that posed a risk of creating monsters were cleared, but the building itself remained intact.
’I was too out of my mind to think of looking around until now, but the government wouldn’t have cleaned it that meticulously, so there should be enough things to serve as keepsakes. Should I start by gathering those?’
But it was bitter.
"..."
The grave I will make won’t even have a body.
"...Haaa...."
If only I had come a little sooner, I could have brought the bodies before they were disposed of.
’I was too late.’
He didn’t want to waste his emotions on useless self-blame, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt that it was his fault.
A tombstone without even an owner was that much of a heart-wrenching thought for Ju-hyeon.
It was while he was sitting on the bed with his head bowed for a long time.
"Meow."
"..."
"Meow."
"...?"
The sound of a cat crying.
"Meow."
It is, but.
"Meow."
"..."
Do cats usually cry like that?
’...Such a stereotypical cry....’
His stomach churned.
Ju-hyeon, rubbing his slightly chilled neck, got up from his seat.
His lodging was on the 46th floor.
This place, where the ceiling height of a single household was higher than a typical apartment, had a structure that a stray cat could never enter.
The security was also excellent, to the point where not a single monster could get in.
"..."
Nevertheless, Ju-hyeon moved his body without hesitation.
"Meow."
"...Ah...."
"Meow."
"As I thought."
Ju-hyeon said, looking beyond the veranda window.
"It was you."
The jewel cat holding a black letter in its mouth, hiding in the darkness, had changed to the color of the night sky, unlike the one he had seen in the cabin.
Was it a kind of protective coloration, or was there another reason?
Before such trivial thoughts could even pass, he saw the letter held in its mouth.
"Did you bring a letter?"
"Meow."
"We did happen to talk about that today."
Jio’s Anticat, Dana, with its body that occasionally shone faintly like a cluster of stars, approached the window.
"...Want to come in?"
When Ju-hyeon opened the window, Dana trotted into the room.
Dana, as large as a Maine Coon, soon sat in front of Ju-hyeon and offered the letter in its mouth as if telling him to take it.
When he took the letter, Dana blinked. This child resembled a night sky that held the Milky Way.
"..."
"..."
In the dark shadow that seemed to have absorbed even the surrounding light, the jewel cat, for some reason, circled around Ju-hyeon once and then went back out to the veranda and then it soon disappeared into the darkness.
Ju-hyeon, who had been staring blankly at the wide-open veranda window, soon opened the letter.
"...As expected, I can’t tell what it says."
But its weight, as light as if it were not there, the rustling sound of dry grass, and the scent of the forest. It seemed to be telling him who the owner of this letter was.
Ju-hyeon, who had been staring blankly at the distorted characters, let out a weak exclamation.
"Ah."
Come to think of it.
"How did it make a crying sound with a letter in its mouth?"
It was a fact that hadn’t occurred to him when he was in front of Dana.
Ju-hyeon suddenly thought that it was like a piece of a ghost story.
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