Chapter 116

There were usually two routes by which new employees came into Collector.

“I saw some new faces today.”

“Really? Did the Guild Master sweet-talk someone again?”

First, Bi Sabeol, the Guild Master, picked someone up off the street.

“No, there were several of them.”

“Then I guess he raided somewhere again.”

“No wonder he looked so happy...”

“It’s the Guild Master’s time-honored hobby.”

Second, he raided an illegal guild and picked up talent.

“I didn’t see it on the news.”

“I guess it wasn’t that big of a guild.”

Collector usually replenished its staff through the Collector’s skill at picking up people.

Since the guild itself was practically Bi Sabeol’s display case for his collection, it was only natural, in a way.

When there was only one new face, there was a high chance Bi Sabeol had sweet-talked someone off the street, but if several appeared at the same time, the latter was more likely.

This time, it was openly a case of having raided some guild.

“They’re still interns, right? I hope they join our team.”

“They looked sturdy, so I think they’ll go to the gallery side.”

“No, is that something you can do just by being sturdy?”

“I think they’ll probably have them try Curator work as a kind of sampler first.”

“The company’s gotten bigger lately, so it’s been kind of rough...”

“The gallery is practically the core of our company, so what can we do?”

Collector’s first line of work was managing the gallery, its second was fund management, and its third was dungeon exploration.

Though Collector had a strong image as a company that handled numbers and moved money around, its biggest business was undoubtedly the gallery.

A separate world filled with beautiful and bizarre works.

Those who knew its essence were bewitched by rare power, and those drunk on romance praised the gallery’s splendor to the skies.

Bi Sabeol’s gallery was the face of Collector.

“They look like they have a high chance of becoming full-time employees too.”

“But if that happens...”

The existing employees whispered among themselves at the appearance of the new faces.

“Do the rookies get that official notice too?”

By “that official notice,” they meant the “Black Cloak Safety Rules.”

“...”

“...”

“... No, no matter what, this is a bit...”

“... If the rookies don’t become full-time employees, it might spread outside.”

“Honestly, it’s blatantly about Black Cloak, so are we really telling them this?”

“But if they’re assigned to the gallery, I do feel like we should tell them out of basic decency.”

“I still don’t think this is right. If this goes wrong, it won’t end with just one or two people dying.”

“A few rookies dying is cheaper than South Korea being thrown into chaos because of a monster.”

“No, I’m saying ‘Mr. Seo Jio’ could get provoked by the rookies and harm us too.”

Only ignorant people felt friendly toward “Black Cloak”; anyone who thought about it even a little still viewed him with the wariness that “in the end, he’s a monster.”

In this era, a humanoid monster was an undeniable object of fear.

The employees of Collector, who knew a little more about Black Cloak than ordinary citizens, were especially that way.

Only Curators would fuss over those insane works and call them “my babies”; ordinary employees still feared and guarded against Black Cloak.

“I hear his class is quite high.”

“They say evil gods are also treated as a type of monster, so maybe...?”

“He does seem to be on the fairly docile side, but we can’t feel reassured.”

“Anyway, monsters are hard to read.”

“Is there even anything to read? They probably just hate humans.”

“There hasn’t been any major damage yet, but there’s no harm in being cautious.”

The more that was the case, the more important it became to add more Curators.

“I think the rookies they brought in this time are all because of Black Cloak too.”

“Well, I’m sure it’s hard for one person to handle such an enormous existence. Mr. Yu Seongun looked ready to die.”

“Our Curators do make money by putting their lifespans on the line.”

In Collector’s gallery, incidents and accidents occurred every month: people died several times, someone got hurt, someone suffered a permanent disability, and so on.

Since it was a job that managed beings ordinary humans found difficult to handle, it was said to consume a great deal of mental strength as well.

“I hear the Association’s research lab is a bit more tightly controlled. Can’t we go in that direction too?”

“Collector’s gallery has its image, you know. Starting with the Guild Master himself, he’s practically set up house with the works. Do you think he’d just stand for that?”

“I can clearly see the future where he raises hell about how we could be so heartless. Actually, I think this atmosphere isn’t bad either.”

“Well, our gallery’s flavor is extremely stimulating. We benefit a lot from that too... It’s well known.”

“There’ll be a parade in spring, and that’s definitely not something a dull place like a research lab can do. It’s only possible because our Curators handle it.”

“I think it has pros and cons. Since it relies on socializing and trust instead of control, it’s unstable, but that also increases how much we can use them.”

The employees’ thoughts, which had once again reaffirmed the reason for Bi Sabeol’s gallery’s existence, turned back to the fresh new manpower that had come in this time.

“Looking at the state of the Curators lately, it really is about time to start cycling people out.”

“The new people have to come in so the ones already there can take vacations and all.”

“It’s something you can’t do unless you’re crazy about money or works, seriously. Poor people, always working overtime. They can’t even go home.”

“They’re probably even more high-maintenance than newborn babies, so where would they find time to rest?”

“Newborn babies don’t kill people just because you’re a little less attentive. Every time new blood comes in, someone comes out of the gallery injured. I guess that’ll happen again.”

“For the time being, we’d better keep a close eye on the gallery. People dying or getting hurt can’t be helped, but we can’t let it damage the entire company.”

“They’re rookies, so what, are they going to send them all the way to the fifth floor? Nothing much will happen. Man, I thought our team was getting people...”

“Let’s cut them some slack. The Curators need rest too. Any rookies who don’t fit the gallery will come to office work anyway.”

Just as the employees guessed, the rookies this time had indeed been selected to manage the gallery.

“...”

“...”

“...”

They were in the middle of feeling awkward.

“Oh, new faces. Are you Curators?”

“... Ah, yes, they said we’d be in charge of work on the gallery side...”

“You’re rookies, so you’ll probably mostly move around the first floor, but be careful.”

“Thank you.”

As existing employees casually greeted them while passing by, the rookies shifted uneasily.

‘This is Collector... The building is really nice.’

‘Am I allowed to be here?’

‘Curator? I’ve never done anything like that.’

‘I have to seize this chance somehow.’

‘I don’t want to go back to that guild...’

It was the sort of reaction often seen from rookies Bi Sabeol had brought in after raiding illegal guilds.

They had enough conscience and enough will to improve that they could work at a respectable guild, but they were bewildered by the sudden opportunity that had fallen into their laps.

One person approached those rookies.

“Good to meet you, interns.”

It was Yu Seongun, who would be giving the first Curator training at Bi Sabeol’s request.

“My name is Yu Seongun, and I’ll be giving you some simple information about Collector’s gallery.”

“Ah, hello.”

“Hello...”

“You must have received the basic training, so let’s move right away.”

The rookie Curators, led by Yu Seongun, took the elevator down.

The Curator-only elevator was just large enough for six people to barely fit, and since there were exactly six including Yu Seongun, it felt packed.

Unbothered by how cramped it was, Yu Seongun explained.

“Since today is your first day, we’ll all be moving together, so it will be a little cramped, but starting tomorrow, each of you will have a Curator in charge of you. You’ll be assigned at different times, so it won’t be as cramped as today. You don’t need to worry.”

At that, one rookie asked.

“Um, is there a reason it’s narrower than the elevator for ordinary employees? If we need to move items from the gallery and such, shouldn’t it be bigger?”

“Good question. If you are accompanying a dangerous work or suffer some disadvantage, such as being cursed by a work, we kept the maximum number of people low with the assumption that everyone inside the elevator may die.”

Yu Seongun answered readily.

“For the same reason, the Curator-only elevator is usually used by only two to four people. Works too large to be transported by elevator are moved using the freight elevator or movement skills, and more experienced Curators are in charge of that part, so you don’t need to worry about it yet.”

“... With the assumption that everyone may die, that’s why it’s this small...?”

“It’s not common, but it does happen from time to time. Most of those incidents and accidents happen because people act rashly instead of following the gallery’s instructions, so if you listen well to the Curator in charge of you, your chances of experiencing something like that are low. Above all, works you have properly built a rapport with tend to become safe.”

“Ah, yes, I’ll be careful. Thank you.”

“Because the gallery is located deep underground, it takes a long time to go down. The place we are heading to is the first basement floor, the place where the safest works in Collector’s gallery are gathered. Some works play tricks on the elevator, so it would be good to memorize your sense of the descent time for each floor.”

The elevator arrived, and Yu Seongun, who had stepped out onto the first basement floor, turned back to the rookies.

“Welcome to Collector’s gallery.”

His voice was still calm, but none of the rookies could open their mouths.

“...”

“...”

Their breath caught in their throats.

They were people Bi Sabeol had brought in because he thought they had the qualities of Curators, and they had that much greater tolerance for fear or pain in the face of danger, but even so, they felt overwhelmed.

Confusion, heaviness, and vastness that made it hard to breathe hung over this gallery.

Yu Seongun spoke to the rookies as they looked around the entirely white space with pale faces.

“As I understand it, you are all C-class or higher.”

The rookies, coming back to their senses at that, answered in turn.

“I’m C-class.”

“Me too...”

“I’m B-class.”

“B-class.”

“... A-class.”

Yu Seongun nodded.

“There are exceptions, but usually, the higher your rank, the deeper underground the gallery you are assigned to. I don’t know about the B-class Hunters, but the Hunter who said you were A-class should keep that in mind.”

“... Yes, thank you for the advice. I’ll work hard.”

“The pay and benefits also increase the farther down you go. If you do not want it, you can consult with the HR team and adjust your placement chart, so you don’t need to worry about being forced into danger.”

Yu Seongun slowly moved forward with the rookies and explained the gallery.

“You do not need to remember every work in every gallery, but at minimum, it is best to memorize the locations and characteristics of the works on the first floor and the works on the floor to which you are assigned. If a problem occurs, you must be able to take basic measures.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Works that are actively mobile are often stored separately, and rookies usually do not manage them, but that may happen later. There are areas where identity verification is required, so please remember them... and you must also learn the rescue request devices placed throughout the gallery.”

In addition, Yu Seongun continued the most basic training.

The structure of the gallery, the places where dangerous works were placed, the tasks rookie Curators had to do, and so on...

Because the gallery was so vast, it took quite a while even though they only looked around one floor.

Yu Seongun returned to the front of the elevator and opened his mouth.

“You do not need to remember in detail works other than the ones I explained. Of course, if you do remember them, your survival and safety will be more assured, but the most important thing is how to respond to works that show activity.”

“Yes, Curator Yu Seongun.”

“The Curator in charge of you will tell you which works you must know and understand deeply, or with which you must form a rapport. If your abilities are recognized, you will be assigned one or more works, and please keep in mind that it may be difficult to exercise the right to refuse in this area.”

One rookie asked.

“We can make requests about floor placement, so why is it difficult to make requests about works?”

“Because the gallery lacks management personnel.”

“Ah... Is it because they all die off...?”

“That too.”

He could not exactly say no.

In exchange for not having the perfect control of the Association’s research lab, this gallery raised the usability and intimacy of the works to the limit, and it usually paid for that splendor with the Curators’ lifespans and health.

It was truly a gallery that ground humans into it, and it was a system that could be maintained because the value of the works was far higher than that of most personnel.

It was also a structure commonly seen in today’s world.

“Because the work of a Curator causes considerable mental and physical fatigue, periodic rest is necessary even after being assigned one work. There has to be frequent rotation, and when that is not possible, the number of works assigned increases as I just mentioned.”

Yu Seongun smiled calmly.

“However, we do not assign Curators work they absolutely cannot accomplish, or tasks that are openly life-threatening like human sacrifice.”

It was a world where they could never say that their lives were worth more than the works here, but that did not mean Bi Sabeol was careless with the Curators’ safety either.

It was simply that injury and death existed as numbers; Bi Sabeol cherished what was his.

If his employees had no choice but to die, he wanted their end to be noble and artistic.

“You must remember that this is the Collector’s country.”

“...”

“You came to this place because you showed the possibility of becoming one of the Guild Master’s collectibles. The Guild Master cherishes his own collection considerably, so if you are promoted to full-time employee, you will have no problems with personal safety.”

“Ah...”

“As long as you do not slack off or do anything stupid. Our Guild Master likes diligent and capable people. You may want to keep that in mind for your personal development.”

Having said that, Yu Seongun narrowed his eyes deeply.

“Always remember that what you will be dealing with from now on are the most dangerous and sensitive beings on Earth. In this gallery, you need the attitude to think things over dozens or hundreds of times and make careful choices, yet someday also make bold choices according to your instincts.”

It was contradictory advice, but that was reality.

Curators, who had to care for their works with affection and devotion, could not survive simply by following a manual.

Yu Seongun shrugged.

“If both you and the company judge that Curator work does not suit your aptitude, you will be assigned other duties. Because the gallery lacks personnel, everyone is receiving this training first for now, but it is not mandatory.”

“Ah, then what other duties are there?”

“Handling company documents, or exploring to find works to be placed in auction houses or galleries. If you want a stable life, office work would be good, and if you want to work according to your abilities and receive compensation for it, field work would be good.”

Curators also received compensation according to ability and results, but they were excluded from that discussion in that they were far more dangerous than ordinary field workers.

If one valued one’s life, it was better to take on ordinary company work.

“That concludes the essential training I have to give you today. If you are strongly willing to work as Curators or still have questions about this place, you may look around a little more.”

“...”

“Mm, no one. Then I will make a note in the log that all of you are leaving the gallery with me. The Curator in charge of you will tell you this, but let’s make it a habit to fill out the gallery entry and exit log whenever you take the elevator.”

Yu Seongun nodded and asked.

“I’ll take questions now.”

“... Does anything change if we become full-time employees?”

“Whether you work as a Curator or do some other work, your benefits will increase.”

Was he sorting out what information he could tell interns?

Yu Seongun thought about something for a moment, then continued.

“In addition, you will receive your own identity on a portal that only full-time employees can check.”

The “your own identity” he referred to here meant that their citizen grade would rise.

If they were officially hired, they would be issued Grade 2 citizen IDs instead of their current Grade 4 or 5 status.

If they were lucky, and if they worked harder, even a Grade 1 citizen ID would become not a dream but reality.

The rookies’ eyes filled with anxiety and desperation.

“What is this portal only full-time employees can check?”

“You can think of it as similar to a portal for ordinary companies. It contains information and a community that only employees of that company can see.”

“Could interns suffer disadvantages because of that difference in information...?”

“To be honest, I cannot say there are none. However, it is not the great disadvantage you are imagining, and I can say that there is certainly a difference in treatment.”

Having said that much, Yu Seongun paused for a moment.

“...”

“... Curator?”

“And if I may give you one piece of advice.”

He continued, wearing the same calm smile as before.

“At our company, there is one person named Seo Jio who belongs to the early-morning shift.”

“... Early-morning shift? What is that? Is it like part-time work?”

“It’s a similar concept, a kind of special asset. He is also an unofficial Hunter who has never appeared in the media. He shows his face at the company from time to time, so perhaps you may run into him.”

“What kind of person is this Seo Jio...? Since you’re telling us separately like this, is there anything we need to watch out for?”

“He is a good and courteous person. As long as you do not do anything rude first, he will not get angry, so if you do meet him, I hope you won’t be too startled.”

“... Does he look a little scary...?”

“Mm, roughly speaking, yes.”

Yu Seongun nodded.

“He wears a black cloak.”

“... Black Cloak?”

“He is troubled because his image overlaps with the famous Black Cloak these days. He originally enjoys wearing a black cloak, but unfortunately, people say he resembles a dangerous monster...”

“Ah, I see. A similar image...”

“...”

After a brief silence, Yu Seongun soon opened his mouth.

“... He is Collector’s unofficial special asset. He goes around checking the overall atmosphere of this company, so you may run into him in the hallways or the gallery. I am telling you in advance so you do not mistake him for an intruder.”

At Yu Seongun’s words, the expressions of two rookies stiffened.

They seemed to have guessed something, but Yu Seongun did not tell them anything more and ended his explanation there.

“It was a pleasure to meet you.”

“Yes, Curator Yu Seongun.”

“I hope to see you again as part of one family without any trouble.”

He laughed softly.

Collector’s gallery was, above all, meant for management, sale, and exhibition.

In this place, created solely to cherish Bi Sabeol’s collection, what was needed was not control over the works, but socializing.

Would these rookies be able to feel irrational affection for those insane works?

“I hope you adapt safely.”

The rookies’ first training came to an end.

“...”

“Hello.”

And so the day darkened.

“Are you all right?”

“... Ah...?”

“I’m glad you don’t seem to be hurt.”

One rookie ran into a blond man.

He said,

“My name is Seo Jio.”

“...”

“What is your name?”

“...”

“I am curious about your name.”

Eyes holding the sea smiled.

“Would you like to speak with me?”

It happened at 5:13 a.m.