Chapter 154

Bi Sabeol wanted the three of them to become housemates.

"The three of us?"

"Yes, the three of you."

"Me, Hunter Yu Seongun, and surely not..."

"That surely not is correct."

Yu Seongun nodded.

"Jio is included too."

"..."

At that, he saw Ju-hyeon's lips press tightly together as he sorted his luggage.

Yu Seongun was certain the words he had swallowed were either "Is he sane?" or "He must be crazy."

That did not mean a powerless slave to capitalism could possibly defy his superior.

Rather than giving him a firm promise that he would get him out of this insanity, Yu Seongun offered an apology that encouraged resignation.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into our Guild Master's greed."

"No, I'm sure there must be some greater purpose I don't know about."

Contrary to his true feelings, Ju-hyeon asked with an affable smile.

"May I hear what reason led him to make that choice, though?"

"To put it simply, it is because he wants Jio's Portrait to become immersed in human life more quickly."

"He wants Mr. Jio to become immersed in human life?"

RUSTLE.

Ju-hyeon's smile grew subtle as he opened the cardboard box containing his moving belongings.

"... It is not my place to dare doubt him, but is that possible?"

"To start with, Jio himself has a strong will for it, so it is not entirely impossible."

"He certainly is someone whose imitation of a human is truly exceptional, but..."

"He also keeps insisting that he is human himself."

"So he wasn't only insisting that to me."

Ju-hyeon laughed hollowly.

"He said he was a human with the traits of a portrait."

"That is one of Jio's frequent claims."

Yu Seongun understood Ju-hyeon's bewilderment too.

"He says human diversity is this broad, so why would one portrait not fit within it?"

He had no intention of refuting Jio's claim in the first place, but even if he did, Jio would not listen.

"No matter how great his rank is, no matter how enormous the power he holds is, no matter how much his body and personality change, Jio regards it as nothing more than one trait."

"That did seem to be the case."

"I'm glad you seem to understand it well."

"But because of that, Jio will try all the more to mingle among humans, and we at Collector judged that we would not be able to stop him."

Yu Seongun gave his characteristic mild smile.

"Does that seem negligent?"

"... Honestly, a little."

Ju-hyeon curved his eyes gently.

"When I was at the Association's research lab, we were much more thorough."

"When considering the peace of Earth and humanity, such thorough defenses are necessary."

"But Collector's motto is 'Love the work,' isn't it?"

"Yes, and because of that, we do not have the level of security system you expect, Mr. Ju-hyeon."

"I understand, since I know that does not mean you have completely washed your hands of it."

"That must be Collector's way."

"As you said, Collector is more focused on responding after an incident occurs."

"It differs from the Association's way, which uproots the very buds of danger before an incident can happen in the first place."

Ju-hyeon nodded at Yu Seongun's words.

"I will try to get used to it."

Although he had not been hired as an employee of Collector, since Jio was treated as a member of Collector, Ju-hyeon had to be considered half-involved with them as well.

He would need to adapt as quickly as possible.

"Is that why he thought of something like... housemates?"

"Because Jio's Portrait living in human society cannot be stopped anyway?"

"That is one of the Guild Master's intentions."

"As I told you before, Jio still knows little about human society, and he needs to adapt further in order to act as 'Mr. Seo Jio.'"

"So he intends to have him live with other humans altogether and teach him ways to rein in his rank more naturally, or basic human common sense."

"Yes, I understand."

Ju-hyeon's smile, which had continued along with his calm words, became awkward for an instant.

"But you just said... one of his intentions?"

"The greatest purpose is to appreciate the sight of Jio's Portrait living among humans."

"Guild Master Bi Sabeol's purpose, you mean."

"Surprisingly, this is reality."

"This is what a Collector is."

"I knew long ago that he was an extraordinary person, but he truly is bold."

"Thank you for putting it kindly."

Yu Seongun nodded with sympathy and compassion.

It was because he was moved by Ju-hyeon's effort and sincerity in still trying to behave properly in society even after things had come to this.

"That said, he does not intend to attempt that immediately, which is why you ended up being assigned next door to me."

"He must also want you to become better acquainted with me, the Curator in charge of Jio's Portrait."

"Thanks to that, I am simply grateful to have received lodging far beyond what I deserve."

"As I told you before, the lodging will be under your name, Mr. Ju-hyeon, but Collector will handle all the costs that go into it."

"So please do not feel too burdened, and for now, I would appreciate it if you set adapting to your current situation as your goal."

"I already have to think about how to manage 'Mr. Seo Jio'..."

"You can receive manager training from Collector's secretarial office."

"That does not mean you will belong to Collector, so you need not worry."

"Since this work is new to you, they will teach you the basics step by step."

After listing off the necessary details, Yu Seongun soon smiled lightly.

"Well, and since we have become neighbors now, it would be even better if we gradually became more comfortable with each other."

"I will try to adapt to that part as well..."

"I feel like we will naturally grow closer as we run into each other here and there over problems related to Jio."

"Then I could ask for nothing more."

"Ah, and to give you a bit of advice."

Yu Seongun asked.

"You said you became Jio's pen pal, correct?"

"For now, that is what happened, but..."

"Then there will be rare occasions when you receive a letter from Jio."

"So we really are pen pals."

"They appear without a sound or rumor, so please do not be too startled."

He pointed to himself.

"I am pen pal number one, so I know that part well."

"A pitch-black letter appearing silently inside an empty house will send a chill down your spine."

"Even when you check the letter, there are no characters you can read."

"Then is there any meaning in sending the letter?"

"I currently see it as something like a pager."

"We believe that the characters are altered in the process of going through a kind of filtering by the frame surrounding Jio's Portrait."

"Since it is delivered adjusted to a human level, I suppose it is unavoidable."

"True, if that were delivered raw, most humans would suffer a serious blow."

"Perhaps because traces of that rank remain, the letter itself often makes my heart drop."

"Jio is continuing to think about the issue of not being able to read the contents."

"I think it is a problem that will be solved someday if that guy's imitation of a human improves further."

Having said that, Yu Seongun looked at Ju-hyeon as if he pitied him.

"I am especially worried because you are unawakened, Mr. Ju-hyeon."

"... Is it that frightening a letter?"

"So much so that safety depends on whether or not one is Awakened?"

"Of course, since you were in the Association's research lab, you will probably adapt quickly."

Yu Seongun gave his mild smile again.

"Unreal tragedies happen often over there too."

"So Mr. Jio's letter is an object I should be that alert about?"

"To put it simply, I think you can consider it something like a ghost story."

"Ah, a ghost story..."

"That is also the identity of Black Cloak."

"I have heard similar stories from time to time."

Should he call it a kind of urban legend?

People apparently regarded Black Cloak as a real ghost story one might encounter if lucky, or perhaps unlucky.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"You can learn the rest as you deal with Jio."

Yu Seongun continued by asking.

"By any chance, do you know about the Garden?"

"... Well, I assume you are not talking about a garden with flowers or trees."

"There is knowledge that only some within the Association know."

"Is it all right for me to know that?"

"Rather, you will have to know it now, whether you like it or not."

"It seems that knowledge has a great deal to do with Jio's Portrait."

"I will tell you about that part later."

Yu Seongun grinned.

"I will send you the materials in advance, so I would appreciate it if you read them at your leisure."

"Theoretical study is something I am confident in."

"I will do my best to achieve the results you expect."

"It is a bit odd to say it this way, but we are now all in the same boat named Jio."

He said it as though offering a blessing.

"Let us hope we remain human."

"..."

Ju-hyeon curved his eyes and smiled.

"... Yes."

What a truly spine-chilling thing to say, he thought.

Under Collector's care, Ju-hyeon successfully finished moving.

"The place is too big."

Ju-hyeon muttered.

"Why is this a home?"

He wanted to use only one-tenth of it.

Ju-hyeon knew very well what kind of apartment this was.

It was one of the famous apartments in Seoul, mainly inhabited by A-class Hunters among Grade 1 citizens or famous celebrities.

'That means there should be no need to worry about security, but...'

As an unimpressive Grade 2 citizen, he could not help but feel extremely uncomfortable.

He had never wanted lodging so unsuited to his station.

One comfortable room, one kitchen, and one bathroom would have been enough.

'Is this also something I have to adapt to?'

He was at a loss.

"... Mm..."

Ju-hyeon looked around.

Perhaps Collector had provided various considerations, because beyond essential supplies, decorations such as picture frames and porcelain pieces had been stylishly hung up, but it still only felt like he had come to someone else's house.

'Jio's cabin was more comfortable instead.'

The moment Ju-hyeon thought that, a chill ran through him.

"..."

'Have I lost my mind?'

'I need to be careful not to think strange thoughts.'

Friend or not, there were unwritten rules when dealing with a god.

Just because a god bestowed mercy and grace, one must not regard it as a natural benefit, or expect to receive it again.

'Have I spent too much mental energy worrying about my family's graves lately?'

Ju-hyeon's thoughts turned to a realistic subject.

"... First, I should look for some keepsakes..."

He intended to make graves for the family and friends who had died because of him.

'There should still be at least a few things left at the orphanage.'

Even though it was in Seoul, his orphanage had been located in a fairly remote corner.

Because it was a gloomy place with no other use, only the corpses that were at risk of creating monsters had been cleared away, while the building itself remained as it was.

'Until now, I was too out of it to think of looking around, but the government probably didn't clean it that thoroughly, so there should be enough things that could serve as keepsakes.'

'Should I start by gathering those?'

Still, it was bitter.

"..."

'The graves I make will not even have bodies.'

"... Haaah..."

If he had come a little sooner, he might have been able to retrieve the bodies before they were disposed of.

'I was too late.'

He did not want to waste his emotions on useless self-reproach, but he could not help feeling guilt that it was his fault.

The thought of gravestones without even owners made Ju-hyeon's insides ache that much more.

He had been sitting on the bed with his head bowed for a long while when it happened.

"Meow."

"..."

"Meow."

"...?"

A cat's cry.

"Meow."

It was, yes.

"Meow."

"..."

Did ordinary cats cry like that?

'... That meow is too textbook...'

His stomach churned.

Ju-hyeon stroked his neck, which had grown a little cold, and stood up.

His lodging was on the forty-sixth floor.

This place, where each floor was higher than that of an ordinary apartment, had a structure that would never allow a stray cat to get in.

Its security was also excellent enough that not even a single monster could enter.

"..."

Even so, Ju-hyeon moved without hesitation.

"Meow."

"... Ah..."

"Meow."

"I knew it."

Ju-hyeon said as he looked beyond the balcony window.

"It was you."

The jewel cat hidden in the darkness with a black letter in her mouth had changed into a color like the night sky, unlike when he had seen her at the cabin.

Was it a kind of protective coloration, or was there another reason?

Before such trivial thoughts could fully pass through his mind, he saw the letter held in her mouth.

"Did you bring me a letter?"

"Meow."

"We did happen to talk about that today."

Jio's anti-cat, Dana, approached the window, bringing along her body that glowed faintly like a cluster of stars.

"... Do you want to come in?"

When Ju-hyeon opened the window, Dana trotted into the room.

Dana, who was as large as a Maine Coon, soon sat in front of Ju-hyeon and held out the letter in her mouth as though telling him to take it.

When he accepted the letter, Dana blinked.

This child resembled a night sky that held the Milky Way.

"..."

"..."

In the dark shadow that seemed to absorb even the surrounding light, the jewel cat circled Ju-hyeon for some reason, then went back out to the balcony.

Then she soon disappeared into the darkness.

Ju-hyeon stared only at the wide-open balcony window for a moment before opening the letter.

"... I still can't tell what it says."

But its weight, so light it barely seemed there, the rustling sound of dry grass, and the scent of the forest seemed to tell him who the owner of this letter was.

Ju-hyeon stared blankly at the distorted letters, then let out a weak exclamation.

"Ah."

Come to think of it.

"How did she make meowing sounds while holding a letter in her mouth?"

It was something he had not thought of when Dana was in front of him.

Ju-hyeon suddenly thought that it was like a fragment of a ghost story.