Chapter 149
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149
The meeting with the portrait, which Bisabeol had so eagerly anticipated, was unfortunately short-lived.
“Since the important business seems to be finished, I’ll be taking my friend with me.”
“It’s a pity you’re leaving so soon.”
“I’ll look forward to your next invitation.”
Not long after, ‘Gio’s Portrait’ took Ju-hyeon and vanished back into the painting.
“…”
Yoo Seong-un was a little surprised.
They’ve built a remarkably solid foundation of trust.
At a single gesture from Gio, Ju-hyeon had obediently stepped into the portrait’s embrace. Though Ju-hyeon always wore a pleasant smile, he didn’t seem the type to let his guard down easily. It was, in every sense, quite surprising.
It’s surprising that a human Gio cherishes this much has appeared, and even more so that someone like Ju-hyeon has accepted Gio.
Bisabeol seemed to have noticed the same thing.
“As expected, Mr. Seo Gio seems to have a knack for disarming people.”
“I’ve often thought so… Even though he doesn’t have the best social skills, he has a strange sort of charm.”
“It’s a talent he’s had for a long time, one he’s shown ever since the Deep Sea Temple incident.”
Without Gio’s direct presence, his portraits generally carried a stiff, overwhelmingly heavy atmosphere that made them difficult to handle. It might sound ridiculous to say about a being of the Origin, but Gio was not exactly a social butterfly.
He’s uncomfortable being outside the frame for long or interacting with large groups. It can’t be helped, since Gio has to lower his own status to accommodate them, but from a human perspective… Gio is hardly an approachable figure.
It was the same even when he took the form of Giovanni, who had the gentlest and softest demeanor. No matter how much kindness he showed, people always found him a bit difficult to approach, likely due to his strong, aristocratic aura. Regardless of how deeply considerate he was, his innate authority was impossible to hide. Yet, despite that intimidating atmosphere…
Yoo Seong-un rubbed his neck.
“Should we consider this one of Gio’s abilities, then?”
“I see no reason not to.”
“I don’t know whether to be glad or concerned.”
Strangely enough, Gio won trust and goodwill with remarkable ease. It had happened with Hunter Cha Ah-ra, who first met him believing he was a monster; it had happened with the dungeon refugees, who were on high alert with their lives on the line; and now, even Ju-hyeon, who first encountered Gio in the form of an Evil God, was reacting the same way.
“They probably haven’t known each other for just a day or two, especially since time in the portrait world flows faster, shifting according to Gio’s mood. But even taking that into account, it’s astonishing.”
Yoo Seong-un recalled the information he had gathered.
“Ju-hyeon isn’t the type to trust someone easily.”
“He seemed quite shrewd. For someone like him, time and trust likely have no correlation.”
“Exactly. He didn’t seem like the type to trust someone simply because he’s known them for a long time.”
“And on top of that, Mr. Seo Gio is an Evil God and a being of the Origin.”
“Entrusting yourself to such an entity requires a baseline of trust at the very least…”
“If he’s willing to enter the portrait voluntarily, that says it all.”
“I wonder if it’s a conscious choice or an unconscious trust.”
“I believe it’s both,” Bisabeol said with a soft chuckle. “First of all, the timing must have been perfect. He was desperate enough to try making a deal with Sankalut, so when he encountered another Evil God, he probably figured he had nothing left to lose.”
“So because Gio took care of him when he’d completely given up, it was hard for him to keep his guard up? Still, he seems like the type to repay a debt out of obligation, not genuine sentimentality.”
“Well… I suspect his underlying goodwill toward the Black Cloak played a part.” Bisabeol clicked his tongue, a rare gesture for him. “From what I can tell, he dreams of Utopia. It wouldn’t have been easy for him to reject a powerful being that champions good and rejects evil.”
He clearly did not care for Ju-hyeon.
“By nature, he’ll constantly try to doubt Gio’s true essence, but to someone like him, ‘Gio’s Portrait’ is a highly ideal existence. Mr. Seo Gio has already proven his character several times in the guise of the Black Cloak, and Ju-hyeon must have been drawn to that.”
“Won’t Ju-hyeon’s inclinations pose a threat to Gio?”
“What constitutes ‘harm’ is highly subjective. Personally, I find the mere thought of someone trying to measure and exploit my work to be an arrogant pest. But as you saw, Gio will absolutely love it. Our perspectives differ.”
Yoo Seong-un offered an awkward smile at Bisabeol’s words. “So that’s why you disliked him so much.”
“He is exactly the type of person I cannot stand,” he replied, wearing a thoroughly exasperated expression. “Heroes are insatiable. They can’t distinguish between courage and foolhardiness, and though they are greedy, they always make foolish choices. I can never tell if they are truly stupid or just acting stupid on purpose.”
“Ah…”
“Whether they know their place or not, people like Ju-hyeon frequently overstep their bounds. If he ever comes to fully trust Mr. Seo Gio’s true nature, he will try to use him. I find that utterly distasteful.”
“Right, of course.”
Honestly, the obsession he has with his works… Yoo Seong-un thought. I suppose they call him the Collector because he shows this level of obsessive love.
Bisabeol generally managed his collection with a mix of affection and hands-off freedom. He tried to grant his collection’s wishes whenever possible, but this time, he clearly disliked that Gio wanted a “friend” like Ju-hyeon.
Well, at least it means there’s nothing for me to worry about.
In the end, he was just throwing a tantrum because his precious collection was being looked after by a guy he already detested. Poor Ju-hyeon was the only victim here, caught in the crossfire of the collector’s pettiness.
“…Still, calling him a hero is high praise in its own way, isn’t it?”
“It was more of an objective assessment than a compliment,” Bisabeol said with a faint, wry smile. It was the kind of smile he reserved only for his collection—a small gesture of consideration for Yoo Seong-un, who was trying to lighten the mood.
“I might be acting childishly, but I don’t actually hate Ju-hyeon. It’s just that there are people in this world who, despite neither party doing anything wrong, are simply so incompatible that you can’t help but dislike them.”
“Ah… I see…”
“I have no other grievances. It’s like when you find a house centipede in your home. You know it eats the other pests, but you still find it repulsive. It’s more or less like that.”
“Did you just compare a human being to a bug?”
“It was merely a metaphor. Ju-hyeon will make a decent guide and helper for Gio, and I’m grateful for that. We are simply incompatible.” Then, Bisabeol asked, “On that note, do you happen to need a roommate?”
“I must have misheard you.”
“It would be nice for you to have a friend, Seong-un.”
“I told you, I misheard!” Yoo Seong-un scowled deeply and shot back. “And who exactly is this roommate?”
“Ju-hyeon, of course. And…”
“Please, what did that poor man ever do to deserve this?”
“And maybe Mr. Seo Gio as well?”
He’s finally lost his mind, Yoo Seong-un thought, rubbing his face in exasperation.
* * *
“I’m sorry,” Ju-hyeon said, offering an apology first. “I feel like I made the atmosphere unnecessarily heavy…”
“There’s no need to apologize to me for that.”
“But I was rude to someone you introduced to help me.”
“If you truly feel sorry, would you mind telling me why you reacted that way?”
With a soft pop, Gio instantly transformed into a platinum-blonde priest. He wore a divine smile, looking for all the world like he was about to comfort a lost lamb.
“Now, brother. I am ready to listen.”
He truly looked the part. Although they were sitting at a wooden table surrounded by the fresh scent of pine, his long, cascading platinum hair and pure white robes strongly evoked the atmosphere of a temple’s private prayer room. He was the very picture of an ideal priest.
Ju-hyeon smiled as usual, though he looked slightly exasperated. “So this is how you prepare to listen…”
“I figured this form would make it easier for you to open up.”
“Well… I suppose you’re right.” He felt as though he were about to make a confession. “Hmm…”
Ju-hyeon hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I just felt that he and I wouldn’t get along.”
“What made you think that?”
“It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I’ve never been particularly fond of the Collector.”
“Is there a reason?”
“He… has absolutely no interest in the well-being of others.”
As the guild master of the Collector Guild, one of the top three guilds in South Korea, Bisabeol was an incredibly influential and wealthy man. Yet, every decision he made and every action he took was solely to satisfy his own curiosity.
“I don’t think living a life driven purely by interest is inherently bad. But in his actions, I felt that Guild Master Bisabeol didn’t care about other people in the slightest. That was what… bothered me.”
To Bisabeol, the world was merely his gallery, a playground where his works could run wild. Although he generally stayed within acceptable boundaries, his extreme individualism rubbed Ju-hyeon the wrong way.
“Despite his immense influence, he has always acted like someone who feels no sense of responsibility. Of course, without meeting him in person, I can’t truly know his circumstances. I suppose you could call it a prejudice of mine.”
“So that’s where your values clashed.”
“I’m truly ashamed. It’s not as if I’m some exceptionally good person myself, yet I made assumptions about him and even acted rudely. But that doesn’t mean I actually hate Guild Master Bisabeol,” Ju-hyeon added with a self-deprecating smile. “I am grateful to him. The Collector is one of the strong pillars keeping our precarious Earth stable. Regardless of my personal feelings, he is undoubtedly someone worthy of respect.”
“You are already well aware of your actions and their consequences, Ju-hyeon. Still, I don’t wish to see you blaming yourself, so I hope you’ll act in a way you won’t regret next time.”
“Thank you for your thoughtful advice. Honestly, it seemed like Guild Master Bisabeol didn’t hate me as a person, either. We were just… both acting a bit childish.” He rubbed his chin reflectively. “He probably dislikes the fact that I’m by your side, Gio.”
In an instant, Gio’s eyes flashed gold, and his hair turned a vibrant red.
“Is this the legendary ‘thief cat’ line I’ve only heard about…?”
“I have no idea what you find so thrilling about this, but I highly doubt it.” Ju-hyeon’s expression turned wry. “Wait, more importantly, how do you even know the term ‘thief cat’?”
“It is simply because I am wise.”
“Well, I suppose you could easily find out if you wanted to, but…” He felt a strange sensation. It wasn’t simply because the situation was amusing.
How should I put this…
Would it be too disrespectful to think that he feels so human?
The way he played these silly jokes and made a fuss made him seem just like an ordinary young man his age. In truth, Arjio’s face was youthful enough to pass for one.
Of course, it was hard to call an entity of such immense status—whose very personality and color shifted in the blink of an eye depending on his intent—an “ordinary young man.” Yet, for some reason…
“Ju-hyeon, what are you thinking about?”
“…I wonder.” He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “…From what I understand, the Black Cloak is fond of good people.”
“How many people in the world actually dislike good people?” Before he knew it, Gio’s hair had returned to its deep black color. It was a shade reminiscent of a weary shadow stripped of all color, yet the Black Cloak’s expression remained warm beneath its quiet, settled surface.
He added casually, “I think it’s a rather ordinary preference.”
“Giving gifts to those who are kind and polite?”
“I simply cannot ignore those who move my heart.”
“So those are the kinds of people who move you.” If that was true, it was truly remarkable. “That is truly…”
Ju-hyeon felt a sudden wave of realization.
“…I think that’s a wonderful thing.”
“What’s so wonderful about it?”
“That an entity like you is merciful.”
This existence was truly peaceful.
“You resemble the world inside this portrait.”
And for that reason, he admired him.