Chapter 140

Most well-known Hunters had managers.

Yu Seongun said.

"Well, you could think of them as a kind of secretary."

"Would someone like me, who hardly goes outside, need a secretary like that?"

"Of course, secretaries do organize busy schedules, but..."

They had other duties as well.

"The most important job is managing the private and public sides of a particular person."

Especially in Korea, where Hunters had a strong celebrity image, Hunters often hired managers.

"South Korea has such a strong admiration for Hunters, and because of that, the public readily consumes Hunters' images. How that Hunter appears to the public is an important part of it."

"Isn't a Hunter simply a profession that catches monsters or criminals?"

"You can see it as somewhere between a soldier and a celebrity. Even so, most Hunters don't belong to the government, but if we're only talking about the characteristics of the two jobs, they're similar to a degree."

Yu Seongun, who had moved to the parking lot, invited Jio to get in.

"Sit wherever you're comfortable. I'll drive."

"Then may I sit in the seat next to you?"

"Of course. It'll be easier to talk."

Once they were in the car, Yu Seongun resumed the topic.

"So the reason I'm suggesting you might want to have a manager is..."

RATTLE.

With a sound like beads rolling, the engine started.

"You don't really know how the world works right now."

"You are right."

"If you're going to make active use of the identity 'Hunter Seo Jio,' I thought it would be better to have a helper by your side."

"A helper."

"Like a guide who tells you how you should handle things as a Hunter."

In fact, many Hunters hired managers in that context.

"Depending on what their specialty is, a Hunter's work can be extremely varied, but the basic point they need to be careful about is what image they're going to present to the public."

"I would like to hear your situation as an example, Mr. Yu Seongun."

"I decided from the start that I wouldn't have my image consumed. I'm more conscious of myself as a Gardener than as a Hunter, and above all, I once worked as a research team leader at the Association... so it's awkward for me to step forward as a public figure."

"Because there is a risk that important information might leak?"

"That too, and I don't have the capacity to spend on image management. If I have time to stand in front of the public and give them hope and smiles, it's more rational to secure even a little more time to sleep..."

Yu Seongun was a capable Hunter, a veteran Gardener, had once been a research team leader at the Association, and now he was even one of Bi Sabeol's collectibles and a Curator at Collector. If he tried to care for his image on top of that, even five bodies would not be enough.

The corners of Yu Seongun's eyes looked fine as he drove smoothly, but for some reason, he looked hollow-eyed.

"I need something called rest, too."

"Oh dear. If you ever need sweet snacks, please tell me."

"Rather than snacks... invite me over just once more next time."

"Mr. Yu Seongun, my friend, may visit as much as you like."

"Thanks. I feel like I'd really sleep well there."

There was the minor downside of being under a slight threat of racial alteration, but looking at the examples of Cha Ara and Juhyeon, was it not obvious? Jio's cabin was optimized for humans to rest and recover.

'Though that would only apply to humans Jio likes.'

Yu Seongun soon smiled it off mildly.

"In any case, I'm the type who doesn't want to manage my image because I'm so busy. Aside from me, there are plenty of underground-type unofficial Hunters who don't want to stand before the public for various reasons. There are especially many at Collector, which takes the form of a business corporation."

"Would it be impossible for me to remain as an unofficial Hunter like that?"

"Like you, I'm also an A-class Hunter with some activity history here and there, but from the beginning, I worked with confidentiality clauses attached. But you'll have a hard time because you're already fairly recognizable. For some reason, there are a lot of people who remember you."

"I am not confident I can maintain the profession of a celebrity well. I will be ruined by a controversy over my character."

"That... I understand how you feel. If it's too burdensome, it's fine to show yourself as little as possible. People seem to think it's some kind of mystique strategy, but if you keep hiding like this, they'll forget you someday."

Awakened continued to appear, and among them, even more people became Hunters. With the number of Hunters who wanted public recognition increasing exponentially, if he simply kept quiet, he would be forgotten someday.

"But if you continue acting as Hunter Seo Jio, it will be hard to avoid people's eyes completely."

"Would it not be a problem as long as I do not officially step forward?"

"People have a bad instinct to start digging the more their curiosity is stimulated."

"Am I a being that stimulates public curiosity?"

"You seem to have plenty of star quality, but you don't appear in the press, and you don't show up in the media."

How should he put it?

"Kind of... a hidden-picture puzzle? It gives that feeling."

Yu Seongun had compared it to a "hidden-picture puzzle" because Jio was a portrait, but it was not exactly wrong.

"And that's also similar to the traits of 'Black Cloak' as known to the world."

"You mean there is a chance people will realize that Black Cloak and I are the same person."

"So before anyone appears who will go out of their way to investigate your personal details, it's also a good method to show the image you want to reveal."

A handsome A-class Hunter with strong star quality who never appears before the public.

Not enough people remembered him yet to cause a stir, but the small number who did remember him were still searching for the whereabouts of "Hunter Seo Jio" even now.

"If more people like that appear, it will get pretty troublesome. Paparazzi will latch on too."

"Even though I do not officially act in public?"

"If something like the last 'Temple of the Deep Sea' happens, are you just going to keep hiding?"

"Hmm, I will quietly help people from behind."

"If you act like that, people have no choice but to keep remembering you."

Hunters who silently did good deeds and bestowed mercy without revealing themselves before the public were especially popular.

"To be honest, 'Hunter Seo Jio' has too many elements people like."

It would be difficult for him to be forgotten easily.

"So I'm saying it might be good to make the first move before idiots who try to uncover unnecessary truths appear. If you first reveal 'Hunter Seo Jio's' personal information and image, people whose curiosity has been satisfied won't go out of their way to investigate your identity. It would be best if you completely separate the images of 'Hunter Seo Jio' and 'Black Cloak' that way."

"Will there be people who investigate me despite their questions being resolved?"

"Those guys exist everywhere. Even I have them. In my case, because I have a history of belonging to the Association, information control is very thorough, and yet they're still there. So you, who are not managed by the government or the Association, will look like you have even more room to dig into."

Yu Seongun smiled mildly.

"Well, this is only if you want to keep using the identity of 'Hunter Seo Jio'..."

"I do not yet fully understand my role, but I am satisfied with my current identity."

"Then it would definitely be better to manage your image a bit. Even monsters living in the mountains come down to villages if they have nothing to eat."

"Monsters?"

"Yes. When they're hungry and there's nothing to fill them up, it's natural for them to go poking at innocent people. I meant that you should throw them some bait."

"Then I will make an effort at minimal image management."

Blond Jio asked with a faint smile.

"Will I also be hiring a manager?"

"We'll think... hard about that part."

Yu Seongun smiled awkwardly.

"You can recommend a human you like first, too."

Though he had said all sorts of things, in the end, the most important thing was that "Jio's Portrait" not be displeased. Yu Seongun hoped, if possible, that this gentlemanly Root would not come to hate humans even by one chance in ten thousand.

"It's not urgent, so you can think about it slowly."

"I see."

"And to explain further..."

"I am listening closely."

"Image management isn't the only thing a manager does."

"You said earlier that they serve as a guide."

"Yes, a guide. And a helper."

Yu Seongun nodded.

"Unless they learned by watching Hunter parents, most Hunters are confused at first too. They want to become famous and appear in mass media, but they don't know how."

"I understand."

"What work they should do as a Hunter. Where and what activities they should do to raise their recognition. Where they can build friendships with other Hunters, and so on... They also help with a Hunter's social life."

"That certainly seems necessary for me."

Jio made an expression as if he had been deeply impressed.

"I am worried about how I should live as a citizen of South Korea, let alone as a Hunter."

"True, there are limits to how much I can keep explaining at your side..."

Yu Seongun gave a hollow smile.

"Sorry I'm such a busy person."

"No. On the contrary, I think it is admirable."

"That is really... nice to hear."

It was also burdensome.

'He says admiration, but it's probably closer to expectation, and even that feels burdensome.'

Yu Seongun cleared his throat and continued.

"You sometimes have trouble using modern civilization, too."

"You are right, Mr. Yu Seongun."

"It would be good to find a manager who can help in that direction too."

Jio would suddenly try to pay with jewels or other goods in kind, appear barefoot in public places, and have all sorts of questions because he could not understand human culture.

"Of course, there isn't anything that will become a major problem right now, but wouldn't it be good for you to learn this and that too?"

"Yes. I was considering whether I should enroll in school and learn the knowledge necessary for everyday life."

"School? Hmm, I see. But at your age, enrolling in school would stand out..."

Perhaps Jio had thought that because "school is a place where humans learn wisdom related to everyday and social life." Still, there was no way they could enroll Jio in school no matter what.

"Then the person who becomes your manager should be a fairly versatile talent."

"It would be even better if it were someone who does not fear me even knowing that I am Black Cloak."

"... Someone who doesn't fear you. Right. I'll search hard."

"Ah," Yu Seongun exclaimed, then asked.

"Have you ever had contact with other gods in ordinary times?"

"I interact with Father often."

"Not... the previous god, but a completely separate god."

"I have not."

Jio smiled as if he had heard a funny joke.

"How could an ordinary person like me have frequent interaction with gods?"

"..."

Yu Seongun smiled with his lips pressed tight.

"I see."

"Please say I am an ordinary person."

"Our Jio is very ordinary."

If the Root asked him to do it, there was no reason he could not.

"Didn't you exchange gazes with the Light of Fairness at the Sun Cult last time?"

"If by the Light of Fairness, you mean the goddess of the Sun Cult. I have not met her again since then."

"Then this will be your first meeting as god to god."

"You are correct, Mr. Yu Seongun."

"Hmm..."

Yu Seongun let out a small groan and asked.

"Do you think there might be an incident?"

"I think I have passed the age for mischief."

"As Arjio?"

"I do not know because I have not completely assimilated, but that is why it is safe instead."

"Because that side doesn't have control?"

"That form is also me, so calling it control feels ambiguous."

"Really? In any case, as long as you don't intend to fight, that's fine."

Yu Seongun also knew the mechanism by which "Jio's Portrait" served as the Root's eyes. Arjio, who had introduced himself as an evil god, was merely "Jio" and not "Jio's Portrait."

'Jio said he won't cause trouble, so that must be right.'

Still, preparing for any possible situation, Yu Seongun spoke.

"The god of death you'll meet is a traditional evil god."

"A traditional evil god?"

"A god who, though born within providence, has a bad influence on humans."

He was a native god of Earth.

"He is also the twin god of the god of birth, and perhaps because he has existed on Earth since very long ago, he is extremely genteel and says little. He isn't a god who actively influences humans either."

"He may not respond just because I visit."

"That could happen, or he could give you a glance like the goddess of the Sun last time. But the god of death is one of the few gods with a manifested body on Earth, so communication is highly possible."

"What is a manifested body?"

"It's like a doll that divinities, which are close to formless beings, created in order to visit the world of humans. It might be a slightly different case, but it will be similar to the teddy bear... your father entered."

"Ah."

Jio nodded with a smile.

"I understand."

"Then that's a relief."

The fact that he could compare a teddy bear and a manifested body was quite astonishing even for Yu Seongun.

"Not long after we pass the tollgate, there is the Temple of Death."

"I look forward to it."

"It isn't that popular, since it's the temple of an evil god...?"

Around the time they were chatting like that.

Death opened his eyes.

"..."

Death looked at his daughter.

"My... daughter..."

"O Death, what has made you open your eyes?"

"... A cruel... divinity..."

"If you say a cruel divinity, do you mean an evil god?"

"It... wants... an invitation..."

"There has been one request for permission to visit."

The woman bowed her head deeply.

"What should I do?"

"... Guide... them..."

Death within the veil whispered.

"I will see."

Would it be a sinner, providence, or a hero?

If not even that, then what could it be...?