Chapter 167
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 167
“Can a Saint really be made that way?”
At the man’s blunt question, Yoo Seong-un, who was leaning against the gallery wall, let out a chuckle.
“I’m not entirely sure.”
“But as you said, Seong-un, he is following the exact steps to becoming a Saint.”
“For starters, in this particular case, the divinity is the one being considerate of the human. It’s a situation similar to that of the God of Death.”
Saints were people who could bear the divinity they served as if it were a friend or family member, even without any special consideration from the deity. Ju-hyeon, who was maintaining a perfectly normal human life only thanks to Gio’s utmost care, couldn’t be considered the same as them.
“I was just saying there’s a possibility.”
After all, there were plenty of examples of ordinary humans who eventually became Saints through the sheer capacity of their own vessels.
“In the first place, for an ordinary human to view such a massive mystery as just a single young man is absurd. The fact that he can do that is proof enough of Ju-hyeon’s qualifications.”
“If he keeps proving his qualifications one by one, he might indeed become a Saint. That is precisely how the Moon Cult has been able to artificially produce Saints until now.”
“Even so, there’s no telling what kind of Saint Ju-hyeon would become. Besides, it’s far more likely he won’t become one, either because Gio doesn’t want it or because Ju-hyeon himself lacks the inherent talent.”
So, to put it simply…
“Ju-hyeon has merely taken a single step up a long staircase.”
If there were stairs leading from an ordinary person to a Saint, Ju-hyeon had only climbed the first step. And until he reached the final destination, no matter how many more steps he climbed, he would remain nothing more than an ordinary human.
“So I don’t think you need to worry so much, senior. It’s still strictly in the realm of imagination.”
“It’s not my place to worry. But did you explain that part clearly to the person in question?”
“I laid it all out for him. I had a feeling he’d grab me by the collar if I didn’t. He has such a gentle face, but he’s got quite a temper. He’s surprisingly scary—very strong-willed.”
“An ordinary human does not pity a massive mystery. Unless, of course, they are merely a ‘human who only appears ordinary.’”
The man clicked his tongue.
“You’d better tell him to be careful.”
“I did, but…”
“Then again, if problems could be solved just by talking, there would be no tragedies in this world.”
“He’s trying to restrain himself, but who knows.”
Many Saints throughout history became family and friends to gods precisely because they could treat a noble divinity as an equal without a second thought. That wasn’t something a person could control just by trying.
“He certainly has the talent for it.”
Yoo Seong-un stroked his neck.
“Still, the current situation doesn’t look all that bad.”
“Is that bad habit of yours acting up again, Seong-un?”
“Ah, well, there is a bit of that, of course.”
As a Curator for Bisabeol and a Gardener of the Snowfield, how could he possibly resist such curiosity? Although the Origin was an existence that could become anything and embrace anything, it was still an open question whether even such an existence could embrace a child of God.
However, his judgment wasn’t based solely on his own curiosity.
“In the first place, Gio dislikes manipulating the humans he cares about according to his whims.”
Yoo Seong-un shrugged.
“So as long as Ju-hyeon doesn’t wish for it, he will remain an ordinary human.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I have the results of observing and analyzing Gio all this time.”
“When it comes to rules, an existence of the Origin is more trustworthy than a human.”
“So for now, I told him to just act as his heart leads.”
“If there’s nothing else to be done, that might indeed be for the best.”
The man nodded.
“Since ‘Gio’s Portrait’ embraced that human named Ju-hyeon partly because it liked that foolish nature of his, it would be presumptuous for people like us to butt in and try to steer things.”
“……”
“If ‘Gio’s Portrait’ is pleased with that side of Ju-hyeon, it’s best to leave it be. You should also refrain from doing anything foolish just because it looks entertaining.”
“…Of course.”
Yoo Seong-un made a weary face, as if he had heard this lecture one too many times.
“Senior, I think you… well, you love the works of the Origin a bit too much.”
“If one doesn’t love the works, do they even deserve to be a Curator of the Collector?”
“There’s a limit to everything. If you give too much of your heart to a dangerous mystery, an accident is bound to happen someday.”
“I’m capable of at least that much judgment.”
The man glared at Yoo Seong-un, who was squatting in the hallway and chewing on a lollipop.
“Is that what you Gardeners do with such feelings? Presumptuously pity an entire race?”
“I’m sorry if that sounded offensive. But yes, I suppose that’s true. Just think of it as a minor occupational hazard.”
Yoo Seong-un smiled casually.
“After all, you’ve dedicated your life to the works, Manager, just like the Guild Master.”
The man’s name was Garasani. He was the 5th Floor Manager of the Collector’s Gallery, known to the world by another name: the “Chief Butler.” As the person in charge of the most dangerous floor in the gallery—which Bisabeol cherished more than his own life—his love for the works was immense.
He was also one of the few members of the Collector who knew that Yoo Seong-un was a Gardener. Garasani looked down at Yoo Seong-un with a pitying expression.
“It’s a bit rich to hear you talk about dedicating your life, considering you had to sign a physical waiver just to get in here.”
“Hey, it wasn’t a physical waiver, it was just a standard contract. Why make it sound so grim?”
“I don’t see the difference. In any case, it’s only natural for a Curator to love the works.”
“Of course, everything you say is right, senior. It has to be, coming from the esteemed 5th Floor Manager.”
“I know you’re saying this out of concern for me, Seong-un.”
Garasani raised an eyebrow.
“But it’s just amusing that you, who have completely dedicated your body to the Garden, are worrying about my attitude toward life just because I cherish a few works. Don’t you think?”
“Well, when you put it that way, I have nothing to say.”
“I’m well aware that the Guild Master and I show excessive favoritism toward the works. But we only do so because they deserve it.”
“You two really are terribly biased. Not that I’m one to talk, but…”
When the safety of humans and the works were on the line at the same time, they would unconditionally prioritize the works. That was Collector Bisabeol, a man obsessed with his collection, and his loyal right-hand man, the 5th Floor Manager.
“Anyway, Ju-hyeon’s matter will wrap up nicely.”
“Didn’t you just drop a bomb on him?”
“If it’s a bomb, it’s one Ju-hyeon was handed from the very beginning.”
“That’s not entirely wrong.”
“He’ll agonize over it for a bit, but he’ll figure it out and follow his heart.”
Such minor details were none of Yoo Seong-un’s concern. No matter which way things went, as long as Gio was standing firm, there would be no issues.
Yoo Seong-un’s focus returned to the present. What he needed to concentrate on now was Gio’s first raid.
“I heard you’re also joining the Collector’s dispatch team this time, senior.”
“I can’t possibly sit out when it comes to smuggling a mystery of that scale outside the gallery.”
“Oh, what splendid confidence.”
“So, did you come today to ask me to look after ‘Gio’s Portrait’?”
“I just came to see you and ask you to take good care of him.”
Bisabeol had chosen Garasani, the 5th Floor Manager, as the Curator to attend to ‘Hunter Seo Gio’ this time. He was an excellent Curator who knew how to serve a work like a master and, at the same time, an A-Rank Hunter with outstanding escort skills.
Although two trainee team members and two field staff would also be included in the dispatch team, as a fellow Curator, Yoo Seong-un could at least show this much sincerity.
“Please take good care of my work.”
“With me there, there’s no way the work will be damaged.”
Garasani nodded with understanding.
“You can be a bit excessive sometimes, Seong-un.”
“Pardon? All of a sudden?”
“Yes.”
He looked down at Yoo Seong-un and said, “So, do something about that look in your eyes.”
“What’s wrong with my eyes?”
“I’ll serve your work with the utmost care, so get those eyes off me, Yoo Seong-un.”
“Oh, my…”
Yoo Seong-un grinned.
“You caught me.”
How could he not be concerned when his work was going to be handled by another Curator?
“I have too much to do and couldn’t find the time, and the Guild Master was also curious to see if Gio could be satisfied with a Curator other than his designated one.”
“I suppose you’re unhappy about that?”
“It’s not that I’m unhappy. I just wanted to ask you to take good care of our kid. It’s his first time being dropped among strangers, so I feel as anxious as a parent watching their child play near water.”
While it was true that he couldn’t free up enough time for the raid no matter how he tried, Bisabeol also wanted to see how Gio would interact with complete strangers.
“He’s getting along perfectly fine with Ju-hyeon, whom he met through a wicked divinity, so I wonder if I’m worrying too much…”
“Interacting with a single human chosen by a divinity is entirely different from a divinity pretending to be human and mingling among strangers.”
Garasani continued.
“The fact that the person in question was that Ju-hyeon must have also contributed to the Guild Master’s distrust.”
“…Um, about that.”
Yoo Seong-un asked, his face clearly showing that he’d rather not know, yet he forced himself to ask anyway.
“I’ve been wondering for a while now, but why on earth does he dislike Ju-hyeon so much?”
Bisabeol’s behavior was somewhat excessive. It was unlike the man, who always maintained a gentlemanly attitude unless it involved his collecting habit.
What’s more, even if Ju-hyeon decided to use Gio, Bisabeol himself had admitted that Ju-hyeon was not someone who could ultimately harm Gio. He had acknowledged that all his ill will was merely futile grumbling.
Then why?
“I know there have been plenty of people the Guild Master disliked in the past, but I don’t think he’s ever shown his ill will so openly. Usually, he’d smile politely to their face and pull strings behind their back…”
“Do you really want to know the Guild Master’s personal business? You ask quite boldly, despite making that face.”
“Personal business or not, I’d avoid it if I could, but the Guild Master is trying to bind Ju-hyeon, Gio, and me into the same space. We’re on the verge of being treated as a package deal, so I can’t just ignore it.”
Quickly fixing his expression, Yoo Seong-un looked up at Garasani and asked, “I figured you would know, Manager.”
He was one of the Collector’s earliest executives and the very first collectible Bisabeol had acquired. Curator Garasani would likely know the full story.
“If my question was rude, you can pretend I never asked. But I doubt the Guild Master didn’t expect me to have such questions.”
“……”
At that, Garasani spoke.
“He was once thoroughly burned by heroes like Ju-hyeon.”
“I expected as much, and that in itself is surprising… but just how badly was he burned to harbor such ill will toward a complete stranger?”
“Well, he’s completely sick of that type of person now. He finds them dreadful.”
He added, “The Guild Master was patient quite a few times, but the results were always bad.”
Garasani clicked his tongue softly.
“It’s unfortunate for you, getting caught up in this. But no matter how much ill will the Guild Master harbors, he won’t cause any harm. In fact, contrary to his own feelings, he will make an effort to protect him, so you don’t have to worry.”
“I didn’t think the Guild Master would treat an innocent person like that, but this is unexpected. Since he disliked him so much, I thought he might cause him harm, but it’s the opposite. A Collector’s effort to protect must be quite a grand affair…”
“If I had to define it, I’d say it’s closer to a love-hate relationship. He might hate him with all his heart and soul, but regardless of that, he won’t just stand by and watch Ju-hyeon get hurt. I’ll say it again: what you’re worried about won’t happen.”
The ill will Bisabeol showed was a kind of conditioned reflex. It was no different from the anger and shame a person feels after a sudden, insulting personal attack, or the horrifying revulsion of finding a cockroach landing right between one’s eyebrows.
“Especially his eyes and…”
“……”
“…Well, yes.”
Garasani, who was about to say more, trailed off when he saw Yoo Seong-un staring intently at him.
“Let’s stop here.”
Carelessly speaking of his superior’s personal matters was not desirable. Garasani felt he had already said too much.
“I only told you because it seems you’ll soon be heavily involved in these circumstances, but I have no intention of telling you any more. Beyond this, it’s too private a past for me to speak of.”
“…Even just knowing that much is a big help. I just couldn’t understand why the Guild Master would harbor such ill will toward someone so much younger than him, and a non-Awakened at that.”
“I don’t think the Guild Master’s behavior is right either. I’ve simply accepted it. My loyalty lies with him, and from my perspective, it’s a perfectly understandable situation…”
Garasani comforted his junior.
“If the Guild Master badmouths Ju-hyeon, just let it go in one ear and out the other. He probably knows himself that it’s just childish, petty grumbling. He wouldn’t want you to seriously worry or agonize over such worthless nonsense.”
“He sure grumbles a lot for someone who knows that, but I understand. I only asked because Ju-hyeon will have to go along when Gio is dispatched this time, and I was wondering if it would be alright.”
“Do you really think the Guild Master would send an assassination squad or something? Of course, if he felt nothing but hatred and contempt, he might have gone that far, but as I said, this time is different. In fact, he will send personnel specifically to ensure Ju-hyeon doesn’t get hurt.”
Garasani added, “I’m more worried about Gio, actually. And the identity of that Anti-Cat named Dana.”
“Ah… I don’t know the details either. I don’t even know exactly what Gio did through Dana that day.”
“I understand it’s an ability related to souls, but according to what you said, the gift ‘Gio’s Portrait’ promised to give was definitely…”
Yoo Seong-un finished his sentence, understanding his point.
“It wasn’t a simple funeral, but a ‘grave.’ But so far, Gio has never made such a grave.”
“It’s also a mystery where the souls from the orphanage that the Anti-Cat named Dana led away have gone. Their whereabouts are completely unknown.”
“We’ll be able to see more clearly once we see how Dana performs in this raid. Well, if all else fails, we can just ask directly.”
Yoo Seong-un said as he stood up.
“I hope everything goes well.”
Only if this raid ended successfully, or at least smoothly, would they have the justification to let Gio roam freely.
“If this raid goes well, I’m planning to take Gio and Ju-hyeon on a vacation together.”
“I must say, I’m envious that you can enjoy a vacation with a work.”
“Right? Do you have any idea how sweet our kid is? He even gives gifts. It’s incredible.”
“Stop it. You sound like a doting parent.”
“There’s no work in the world like Gio. You’re more than welcome to be envious.”
“Why, you…”
Garasani, who was about to snap, let out a sigh instead.
“…Fine. See you later.”
He knew that Yoo Seong-un asking about the Guild Master’s secret past—which was so unlike him—and acting this obnoxious was all because he was feeling anxious.
As a senior and an elder, Garasani chose to overlook his young junior’s unsightly behavior.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Sun Cult.
“A Curator from the Collector is coming too? A Curator from that gallery?”
An elder priest muttered in dismay.
“My word, how did they manage to secure such valuable personnel…?”
“I knew Guild Master Bisabeol favored Hunter Seo Gio, but this is unexpected.”
“At this rate, isn’t he truly treating him like a work of art? Good grief, treating a perfectly fine human being like that.”
“Didn’t everyone already know that the Collector is Guild Master Bisabeol’s personal jewelry box?”
“Even so, there must be a limit… This is a bit much.”
The Collector had added five more Hunters to the team, centered around Hunter Seo Gio. The reasoning was that they couldn’t send Seo Gio alone on his first raid, but even taking that into account, it felt excessive.
“And it’s not just any Curator; they say the ‘Chief Butler’ himself is coming. The 5th Floor Manager of the gallery.”
The manager who oversaw the deepest part of the gallery, which could be called the heart of the Collector. His inclusion alone showed just how much, and in what manner, Bisabeol cherished Hunter Seo Gio.
“No matter who was sent from their side, I thought Curator Yoo Seong-un, who raided the ‘Deep Sea Kingdom’ with him before, would be the one to step up…”
“Hunter Yoo Seong-un is famously busy, after all.”
“I don’t know the exact circumstances, but in any case, seeing as it’s an unprecedented combination, it means the Chief Butler wasn’t dispatched simply based on personal friendship, right?”
“Indeed. If a Curator were to be dispatched based on friendship, Curator Yoo Seong-un would have been on the list. No matter how busy he is, he would have made time for a first raid, wouldn’t he? But setting that aside, if a Curator is being attached…”
“Doesn’t it mean that, regardless of friendship, Hunter Seo Gio must be accompanied by a ‘Curator’?”
“That’s exactly my point.”
The Curators of the Collector were an incredibly special force. They felt completely different from the Collector’s field staff who usually operated outside the guild.
“Has the Collector ever tried to manage its guild members to this extent before?”
“Not that I recall…”
“I thought he treated humans like humans, in his own way.”
“But sending a Curator, and the Floor Manager at that, is truly treating him like a work of art.”
“Even if all members of the Collector are Bisabeol’s collectibles, this is a bit…”
The Curators of the Collector were highly renowned—or rather, notorious. Whenever a request for cooperation was made to utilize an item from the Collector’s gallery, the Curator in charge of that ‘work’ would always accompany it.
“And we all know how fanatical those Curators are.”
They truly loved those bizarre and horrifying ‘works’ as if they were family or friends.
There was even a famous story of a Curator who wept tears of blood because their assigned work got scratched during use, going so far as to file a formal lawsuit through Bisabeol. That anecdote had been a massive topic of conversation even within the Sun Cult.
“As far as I know, the 5th Floor Manager is a close confidant of Guild Master Bisabeol, isn’t he?”
“Yes, I also understand that the Chief Butler is one of the Collector’s earliest executives.”
“For Curator Garasani, the Collector’s loyal right-hand man, to step forward personally…”
A middle-aged priest tilted his head in confusion.
“Is he some hidden son or something?”
“Hush, refrain from such disrespectful remarks.”
“My apologies. It’s just that no matter how much I think about it, it makes no sense…”
“It is certainly an unusual case.”
With very few exceptions, the Curators of the Collector rarely left the galleries where they worked. They were only ever officially dispatched when a work under their care was involved in a given project.
“Guild Master Bisabeol couldn’t possibly be unaware of this perception.”
Yet, he had gone out of his way to include the 5th Floor Manager, making his intentions obvious.
“…He must be demonstrating the kind of treatment Hunter Seo Gio receives within the Collector, right?”
“…But what are we supposed to make of this? This is beyond the treatment of a simple guild member…”
Bisabeol hadn’t just included the Floor Manager.
“I recognize some of their personnel. These two names on the list are trainee team members from the gallery.”
“I’m not very familiar with how the Collector operates. What exactly is a trainee team member?”
“Literally, they’re the personnel who clean up after incidents in the gallery. You can think of them as being somewhere between a Curator and a regular guild member.”
“In that case, it really does seem like they’re treating him more like a work of art than a person…”
“Bisabeol is famous for his hands-off approach with his guild members, so this is highly unusual.”
The objective, as revealed by this roster, was clear.
“This is a force meant to escort the Hunter named Seo Gio.”
Honestly, at this point, even calling it an ‘escort’ felt like a stretch.
“Doesn’t it seem more like surveillance? I mean, a Curator, a trainee team…”
“I was under the impression that Hunter Seo Gio had no major character flaws.”
“If he had character flaws, he never would have become one of Guild Master Bisabeol’s acquisitions in the first place.”
“True. Hmm, then why go to such lengths?”
None of Bisabeol’s acquisitions had character flaws. They were all diligent, capable individuals who possessed the fundamental sense of responsibility to see their duties through.
Granted, Hunter Seo Gio’s personality was far from the type Bisabeol usually preferred, but the Guild Master was known to collect such exceptions on occasion. Thus, it was highly unlikely to be an issue with Seo Gio’s character.
“I knew he was extraordinary during the recent Anti-Cat incident, but I never expected Guild Master Bisabeol to go this far. Why on earth? What could be the reason?”
“There must be some unique factor for him to care this much. Is there really no chance they’re related by blood? In this day and age, children don’t always resemble their parents.”
“That is precisely why I told you to refrain from such disrespectful speculation about another guild’s member. Do you want to cause friction with the Collector Guild before the raid even begins? Everyone, let’s show some restraint.”
Around that time, one of the elder priests chuckled softly and spoke up.
“I do not know his reasons, but I know the man, Bisabeol. He may be greedy, but he is not one to sabotage others for his own gain.”
If Bisabeol had intended to cause trouble, he would have shown his hand from the very beginning.
“Submitting official documents, sending detailed personal profiles, and even offering support for this raid… at the very least, it proves the Collector’s intention to help us is genuine.”
“That is true, but…”
“We have no reason to know everything about the young hunter. We have neither the right nor the standing to pry. If the Collector Guild has offered to help us with our task, we should simply be grateful.”
“Forgive us, we were out of line.”
“Pride is a sin abhorred by the Sun itself. And the young man named Seo Gio is also a believer who has received the Sun’s light. Dragging him into this raid was born of our own greed, so if unexpected variables arise…”
He looked around at the gathered priests.
“We must be the ones to bear the consequences. Is that not so, brothers?”
“We will reflect on our actions. Thank you for your wisdom.”
“Remember, our sole duty is to complete the task at hand.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Befriending Hunter Seo Gio would be a wonderful outcome, but that is merely a secondary benefit.”
“It seems we were too hasty.”
The priests bowed their heads in shame.
“Indeed. It’s not as if we’re going to run a background check on him, so there’s no need for this gossip.”
“A background check? Good heavens, watch your tongue! We are not the Moon Cult.”
“Ahem, everyone was simply flustered by this unprecedented situation. We will, of course, reflect on our behavior, but…”
“Still, with so many exceptional talents gathered, our hopes for this raid are high. It may be premature, but I can’t help but feel excited.”
“They say it’s a dungeon rich with vegetation and heat. Since it’s a dimension with a false sun, clearing it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to our Sun Cult.”
Once the atmosphere had settled, an elder priest who had remained silent turned to Kang Seo-dam.
“Brother Kang Seo-dam.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“We place our trust in you.”
“I’ll do my best.”
At that, Kang Seo-dam thought to himself.
‘The team dispatched by the Collector Guild is less about favoritism and more about handling potential issues and attending to his needs.’
Indeed. They would never send a massive mystery like ‘Gio’s Portrait’ out on its own. Kang Seo-dam decided to be grateful that, at the very least, the Collector wasn’t completely thoughtless. That truly was a saving grace.
It was then.
“……”
Kang Seo-dam felt the Goddess’s gaze upon him.
‘Is she showing interest?’
She must be really desperate to get close to Mr. Seo Gio.
Unable to comprehend why he was caught in the middle of all these gods, Kang Seo-dam felt a sudden, strong urge to lock himself in his office.