Now that he had come to his senses, Ju-hyeon wasn't afraid of The Black Cape.
"Since you've woken up after a long time, I prepared porridge for your first meal."
"You know how to make porridge too?"
"I may look like this, but I know how to make most dishes."
"It smells wonderful, thank you."
Ju-hyeon, who had recovered his energy while sleeping, smiled affably and expressed his gratitude.
'A monster is making porridge??'
Of course, that was separate from his inner thoughts.
Ju-hyeon was breaking out in a cold sweat inwardly amidst deep bewilderment and a feeling of utter absurdity.
An evil god who cooked himself, served it to a human, and expressed pride in his own actions.
The reason he wasn't scared of him right now was largely due to this absurdity.
'No, even if he's an evil god, this is… rather, it's even weirder to call him an evil god.'
The Association reported The Black Cape as a monster, but Ju-hyeon, who had accumulated some experience, knew the reality.
The Association often hid the truth for various purposes in the name of the greater good.
It seemed similar this time.
But he still didn't understand.
It was very rare for a god to serve a meal for a mere human.
But no matter what, they wouldn't cook it themselves.
'Besides, if I think of this world as a kind of dungeon, it becomes even more difficult to explain. Only those who meet the qualifications among monsters can create their own dungeons. But a god… a god shouldn't have something that could be called a dungeon to reside in, right?'
Ju-hyeon stopped his thoughts at that point.
"…It's delicious?"
It was because the porridge was delicious.
"It's the most delicious porridge I've ever had in my life."
"I'm so happy that you're eating it with pleasure."
"Why is the porridge so delicious? Is this even allowed?"
It wasn't some trivial flattery, but a shock and astonishment that truly came from the heart.
Ju-hyeon didn't particularly like porridge.
Porridge was usually for making a small amount of rice go a long way, or a food to eat when one was sick.
But the porridge The Black Cape served was so delicious it made his brain tingle.
"Porridge can be this delicious."
"That was the best compliment a cook could ever hear."
"You're amazing, this taste and texture… I wouldn't get tired of eating it every day."
For the first time in a long time, it was pure admiration, not social skill, that came out.
"It's really delicious."
He found himself uncharacteristically repeating the same thing like a fool.
The rice grains in the porridge were almost melted, and its softness was similar to that of thin rice gruel.
However, the fluffy traces of the rice still remained, giving it a texture that crumbled softly like the warmly simmered rice grains of well-made Korean sweet rice drink in a restorative dish.
And just as much, the unique savory and sweet taste of rice gently spread in his mouth.
The vegetables embedded in between were also chewed with a gentle warmth, and especially the generous amount of meat added to the heartiness.
'It feels quite filling….'
Sagol?
"…Is there sagol broth in this?"
"You guessed right, you have a talent for gourmet food."
"A ta, talent is a bit of an overstatement…."
"Thank you for savoring it so deeply."
A bright smile blooming on his pale face.
For some reason, The Black Cape looked genuinely happy.
"I gave you a small portion since it's the beginning, would you like some more?"
"Ah…."
When he came to his senses, he saw an empty bowl.
"…If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate it."
He was very embarrassed to be troubling none other than an evil god, but he shamelessly received another bowl.
"Do you need more side dishes too?"
"Yes, by all means…."
"It's good to see you eat well."
Even though it was porridge, it was a very filling dish, but apart from that, The Black Cape, perhaps genuinely pleased to see him eating well, brought a larger bowl full of porridge.
"I think the first one I gave you was too small, so I increased the amount."
"Th, thank you."
"I made it to be as digestible as possible, but it would be best not to overeat."
"Yes… I will."
The porridge The Black Cape served melted in his mouth like cotton candy.
He could feel the shape of the rice grains intact, yet with a texture that seemed to melt on his tongue, he could tell how much care had been taken in rolling the rice.
'And it feels like some kind of restorative dish.'
It seemed to have a slight scent of medicinal herbs….
"..."
Medicinal herbs?
"…Excuse me, The Black Cape… sir?"
"Mr. Ju-hyeon, you can call me by the name Jio."
"Yes, Mr. Jio. Are there any medicines in here?"
"…? I didn't add any separate medicines."
"I see."
"Except for the rice, I used ingredients from this place."
"Aha, thank you for the explanation."
Ju-hyeon's insides, who expressed his gratitude with a good-natured face, were not as calm.
'Ingredients from this place?'
It was information that couldn't help but make him break out in a cold sweat.
The strength in his smiling lips tightened.
Ju-hyeon recalled the fairy-tale-like scenery he had taken in as soon as he woke up.
That dreamlike sight that shook a person just by looking at it.
'What are the chances that an ingredient from the mysterious domain of a divine being is an ordinary ingredient?'
An era overflowing with all sorts of oddities and mysteries.
Among them, Ju-hyeon had studied a lot in order to be a help to the world.
He especially knew the influence the act of 'eating' had within the mystery.
'Am I not… right now… being too bold in gulping down a mystery in the form of porridge?'
But the porridge was delicious.
"..."
Nom.
The food was not at fault.
'…It's a lost cause anyway.'
Ju-hyeon was someone who had even thought of becoming a sacrifice to Sankalut, surrendering his body to impulse.
Even if he were to become something other than human in the embrace of an unknown mystery now, well, it probably wouldn't be a huge blow.
After finishing the meal with a strangely bittersweet feeling, The Black Cape asked.
"For dessert tea, would you prefer something light or a sweet tea?"
"…Light tea?"
"Perhaps you don't enjoy sweet things."
"That's not it, but I prefer my tea to be savory…."
"Savory tea, you say."
The Black Cape, who made a show of thinking about something, was seen blinking twice.
"Teas brewed from grains mostly have a strong savory taste."
"That is true."
"I will keep that in mind for the next meal."
"…Thank you?"
Ju-hyeon suddenly felt afraid, as he seemed to show a willingness to improve in serving his guests.
Even now, he was having thoughts like 'did I just ingest something in a realm humans shouldn't eat'.
Soon after, The Black Cape brought out a cup of tea with a warm, bluish hue.
"This tea is excellent for restoring immunity."
"Ah, I see. Thank you for your consideration."
For a moment, he had a suspicion of 'is it really just at the level of immunity restoration', but half out of the despair of a lost cause, and half enchanted by this captivating aroma, Ju-hyeon took a sip of the tea.
The aroma was sweet like cream, but the taste itself was light.
"…It's nice."
"It's a tea brewed from dried flowers from this forest."
"I saw the forest you mentioned from the terrace of the room you gave me."
"Isn't it peaceful and beautiful?"
"Yes, my heart felt at ease just looking at it."
The moment the tea warmed his body, Ju-hyeon felt his reason becoming clearer and clearer.
"...?"
Is it just my imagination?
'To call this my imagination seems a bit shameless.'
What am I drinking right now?
'Something feels off. If I were an Appraisal Skill Awakener, would I have been able to check?'
Ju-hyeon, not being an Awakener, didn't know, but for an ordinary human body, Baibamunil Flower Tea would restructure the cells, making one constantly immune to minor illnesses.
A mere human's brain couldn't possibly be sluggish while consuming the Source's elixir.
It wasn't for nothing that the previous visitor, Yu Seong-un, had been afraid, saying 'at this rate, I'll die before my time in a different sense.'
However, Ju-hyeon, unaware of this reality, simply sipped the delicious tea.
"Hmm…."
As his head cleared, he finally felt like he could breathe.
"Am I perhaps drinking too much tea?"
"What is there to be precious about food? In the end, it goes into a person's mouth."
"That's true, too."
He was reminded of the human society where people risked their lives for a single elixir and potion, but Ju-hyeon didn't bother to refute The Black Cape's words by bringing up the greed and desperation of such humans.
Ju-hyeon was a possessor of excellent social skills.
Only then did Ju-hyeon gradually gain the motivation to grasp and organize the situation.
"I was very rude when we first met. I was in such a confusing situation that I seem to have committed such rudeness. Thanks to your consideration, I think I was able to recover a lot."
At the time when he was swept away by destructive impulses, he was literally in a state of having given up on everything.
But Ju-hyeon, having regained a fairly clear sense of reason, began to calculate the situation he was in.
It wasn't for any particular reason; it was a habit of a master of social skills who had lived his whole life weighing everything.
The habit that had allowed him to endure everything even in a disadvantageous position.
"May I introduce myself properly?"
"By all means."
"I am Ju-hyeon. I have no last name, and I turn 36 this year."
"I am Jio. I have various names, but right now, I am 29 years old."
"To receive help from someone so young, my dignity is in tatters."
He said it as if bantering, but Ju-hyeon's insides were still a mess.
'29 years old…? Surely that can't be true, is it some kind of play? Or a role? Considering most evil gods enjoy some form of amusement, he might be immersed in the setting of a 29-year-old young man named Jio… Does having various names refer to how The Black Cape's color changed?'
He was busy acquiring and organizing as much information about The Black Cape as possible.
'If my memory is correct, he has black hair now, but there were times when he turned platinum blond or red. But even when his color didn't change, there were times he acted as if his personality had changed. In human terms, is he an actor? Or maybe the expression of changing clothes is correct after all.'
Ju-hyeon fiddled with the transparent glass teacup in which the blue tea water shimmered.
"You may already know, but I worked at the Association's research lab."
"The Association's research lab, I hear it's a place with a quite harsh working environment."
"Yes, although there were various incidents, and I'm currently suspended."
"You must have had many tiring things happen. You need some rest."
The Black Cape nodded and asked.
"Then what would you like for dessert?"
"..."
Is he even listening to me?
'…Since the opponent isn't human, I can't tell if this is some kind of consideration, or if he's really not interested. He introduced himself as an evil god, so I tried recounting my misfortune, but there's no reaction… Why?'
The reason an evil god, no, just a god, seeks out a human is because they want to use a toy they like for a purpose they like.
But The Black Cape seemed to have no interest whatsoever in Ju-hyeon's unfortunate circumstances.
Ju-hyeon, who had thrown a kind of bait, was inwardly flustered, but as expected, he didn't show it and answered with an affable smile.
"Hmm, let's see? What kind of desserts are there?"
"There are small cakes, fruit pudding, and ice cream."
"In that case, could I have the pudding?"
"Of course."
The pudding was soon brought by a fluffy teddy bear.
"..."
"Thank you for your help, Father."
The teddy bear is his father?
"Thanks to you, I am always receiving a lot of help."
"Kukuku…."
Did it just laugh with a 'kuku'?
'I think I had a similar thought before I fell asleep.'
Feeling a strange déjà vu, Ju-hyeon tried his best to smooth out his face that was about to distort subtly.
Not being an Awakener, he didn't know that the Sun God was inside the soft-looking teddy bear in front of him, but he knew anyway that it wasn't ordinary.
When Jio looked back, Ju-hyeon immediately put on a neat smile.
"Thank you for the pudding."
"Kuku."
The teddy bear nodded, then took its own share of pudding and went outside the house with the large cat.
Seeing Ju-hyeon looking at the cat's swaying jewel tail, The Black Cape added an explanation.
"There are chairs and a table outside the cabin. The sun is rising, so I think he intends to enjoy a snack with Dana while watching it."
"Ah… Dana?"
"That is the name of the long-haired cat you saw just now. I started raising her after bringing her from a dungeon called the 'Vein of Jewels,' and she's grown quite a lot. She's a child I'm raising like a daughter."
"I see, I can feel the affection."
As expected, Ju-hyeon's insides were noisy.
'A cat from the Vein of Jewels… Jewel fur… long-haired… is it really an Anticat? But I heard that Anticat is a monster as small as a kitten. They thought that was its complete form because it didn't grow from that state no matter how much time passed. But was there room for it to grow further?'
They were materials that would get his collar grabbed at an academic conference with people demanding 'where did you witness such precious information by yourself,' but Ju-hyeon soon swallowed a dry laugh.
He wondered what was the point of all this worrying when he had been suspended from the Association.
"The pudding is…."
"I added a fruit called Mangdung Fruit."
"So there's such a fruit. I've never heard of it."
"It's the most common fruit you can see in this forest, and it's very sweet."
"It has a nice aroma."
"I also added an aged fruit called Weeping Garok."
"It seems like a lot of care went into it."
He took a bite of the pudding while maintaining a good-natured smile out of habit.
"..."
"Is it delicious?"
"It's so delicious I don't know if I'm worthy of eating it."
"It's not to the point where you should give such an over-the-top compliment."
"No, really…."
The pudding, savory as if it contained milk and full of the sweet scent of fruit, literally melted in his mouth and disappeared as if it were seeping into his tongue.
It was a pudding with an excellent creamy flavor, even though a faint sour taste remained.
"..."
And he felt himself getting healthier.
"…It's too delicious."
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
Why has my eyesight improved?
-x-X-x-
"So."
Yu Seong-un smiled with a resigned face.
"You're turning that person into a pig?"
"I'm glad you are well aware."
"I have no choice but to know well, I almost became a pig myself…."
"I apologize if it felt like a rude attempt."
"No, the meal was really delicious."
He continued, maintaining his easygoing smile.
"Although I did feel a slight crisis."
The crisis that the human species itself might change.
'Or die from my stomach bursting.'
Perhaps because they had gone through the difficult period of the Great Catastrophe, the elders of that generation were particularly sensitive about fattening up children.
Jio also had a similar vibe.
'Mainly in the part where he constantly gives food….'
If he hadn't encountered the Mermaid Princess at that time, Yu Seong-un probably wouldn't have been able to escape the cycle of repeated meals and snacks.
Even though most Hunters have large stomachs, that's how it felt.
"…I'm sure you'll handle it well, but that person will probably eat less than me. Don't make him overeat."
"I don't intend to make him overeat either, but… I made a mistake. He got indigestion."
"It's surprising that one can get indigestion even after eating such heavenly food, but then again, nothing good comes from eating too much of anything."
"Heavenly taste is an undeserved compliment. But seeing him eat so deliciously was so pleasing that I think I pushed him too much."
"He probably ate deliciously without even realizing he was full. Even if he's an Association researcher, most of them are just civilians, so he probably couldn't control himself well."
He understood what the situation must have been like.
Jio, who likes to see humans plump, would have kept offering food, and that person, having lost his reason to the ecstatic taste, or feeling pressured by Jio, probably couldn't refuse.
'The food was too delicious to refuse, and it was a meal inside Jio's belly.'
Even if he was a civilian with no skills, he was an Association researcher.
There was no way that person named Ju-hyeon wouldn't have known that this portrait, where the flow of time and the weight of the air change according to Jio's mood, was literally on the tongue of the dungeon owner.
'Still, seeing as Jio isn't disappointed, he must have excellent social skills.'
He didn't know what a mess his inner thoughts must have been, but anyway, it was a bold attitude for a civilian.
How easy could it be to act affably in front of a being like Jio?
'If it were that easy, Jio would have succeeded in making a pen pal friend long ago….'
Well, it could have been that he was just in a state of giving up.
"..."
From the looks of it, things seemed a bit complicated.
"I looked into that person named Ju-hyeon separately."
"Thank you for always helping me."
"Don't mention it. But in this matter, his team leader… seems to have pulled some strings."
"Does that mean his superior meddled in Mr. An Ju-hyeon's situation?"
"An Ju-hyeon?"
From what Yu Seong-un found out, Ju-hyeon was from an orphanage affiliated with the Association.
Due to the nature of such orphanages, they discard their last names upon entry, so he hadn't bothered to check that part, but Jio seemed to know even Ju-hyeon's last name.
'Well, it wouldn't have been difficult for Jio to find out a mere human's last name one way or another.'
Whether he had a separate Appraisal Skill and used it, or wheedled it out with his unique social skills, it wouldn't be strange for Jio to know the last name of a researcher from an orphanage.
Yu Seong-un moved on casually.
"From what I can see, yes. Most people don't seem to know, but some…."
Yu Seong-un, who was contemplating how to phrase it, continued.
"It felt like they were hushing it up."
"So they know but are hiding it."
"I don't know the reason why."
Yu Seong-un shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not one of them anymore."
In particular, the Association's research labs could be seen as a single nation composed under one team leader.
Apart from the minimum system, the team leader in charge of that research lab enjoyed absolute power over all other policies.
"Anyway, whatever the team leader had in mind, it seems he ruined that person Ju-hyeon's situation."
"Why does a team leader have that much authority, and not the lab director?"
"Perhaps because the director doesn't actually commute to that lab. Usually, an Association lab director manages multiple buildings."
Within a single building of the Association's research lab, one team leader is stationed.
But that doesn't mean the lab itself belongs to the team leader.
"The Association's research labs are divided into Seoul 1st Branch, Seoul 2nd Branch, 3rd Branch… and so on. And the one who manages all the research labs in Seoul is the Lab Director. The one who works within a single branch is the Research Team Leader."
"How many branches are there in Seoul?"
"Up until I was working there, there were up to the 184th branch, but now there are up to the 221st branch. Seoul isn't that large an area, but most of the research labs are built using space expansion magic. Quite a lot, isn't it?"
Since there are so many research labs to manage, the lab directors cannot practically participate in the work.
They are already busy checking the flood of experiment reports and permission requests.
Yu Seong-un smiled sheepishly.
"Of course, you probably don't understand why such an inefficient structure was formed."
"Frankly, yes. Is there a reason why you can't have one lab director and several research team leaders in one research lab?"
"There are various reasons, but the main one is… the problem is that there's no trustworthy personnel."
The Association's research labs were in such a position.
"That place is full of information that is still difficult for citizens to accept and dangerous information that can be misused in various ways. So they are moderately culling the information, but such research subjects overflow by the tens and hundreds each year…."
It is a space full of perilous information that wouldn't be strange for anyone's eyes to spin.
"Didn't you say Mr. Ju-hyeon had a similar feeling? According to you, that person created the mark of none other than Sankalut. A good person who had never done anything bad in his life committed such a bold act."
"I see."
"The Association's research labs are overflowing with information that has a lot of room for such misuse. Therefore, the lab director must, first of all, not feel greed for such information, secondly, have the ability to handle any incidents that occur in their jurisdiction, and thirdly, be far away from the field."
"What is the reason for being far away from the field?"
"No matter how selfless a person is, humans are creatures of adaptation. Just encountering it through documents or seeing it occasionally in the field, well, the weight of it becomes lighter, which might increase the probability of misuse… but as they say, out of sight, out of mind, so the possibility of being bewitched becomes lower."
The Association's research labs were a space beyond any ordinary den of demons.
It was a perilous place where even healthy people came out with broken minds and bodies, and no matter how carefully selected the talent was for a lab director, there was a high possibility that their conviction would break if they were exposed to such an environment for a long time.
"And it's not something that can be achieved just by having a strong will of one's own. Quite a few project subjects have their own will, and the field workers at the labs have to endure the temptations and condemnations of such bizarre mysteries every hour."
"What is the reason why so many people work in such a place?"
"There are people who were drawn in because the Association did a very good job of promoting it, and there are also kids supported by orphanages sponsored by the government or the Association. So at first, they are usually given miscellaneous jobs that don't put a mental strain on them."
Though even that doesn't last long before they are faced with reality.
"And most importantly…."
Yu Seong-un, who had been hesitating for a moment, finally continued.
"To become a lab director, you have to undergo a sort of, shall I say, procedure."
"A procedure?"
"To put it badly, should I call it brainwashing, or taming…."
"That is an unexpected method."
"Well, there are problems from an ethical standpoint."
Yu Seong-un laughed awkwardly.
"The first step is to find a Hunter with the ability to become a lab director at the Association. They excavate at least an A-Class Hunter close to S-Class, and among them, they select those whose environment is already affluent or who are born without greed, and among them, they also check their administrative processing ability and personnel management ability and well…."
"..."
"In addition to that, they select and select people who are competent in various fields. No matter how many A-Class hunters there are, it's hard to find a hunter close to S-Class, and on top of that, they have to be selfless, an all-around talent… There can't be many such talents."
Even if they are found, a problem remains.
"And as the final step, they undergo a kind of brainwashing process to castrate their greed and absolutely obey the Association President's orders, and no matter how unethical the stage is, it's not carried out forcibly."
"Isn't that turning a person into a document processing machine in the name of a lab director?"
"It's even more of a problem because they don't just process documents. Anyway, it's really hard to find someone who agrees to this process, so they can't assign a lab director to each and every research lab."
"Is the reason for insisting on such high-quality personnel for the security of the research materials?"
"You could say that. Of course, if they lowered their standards, they could assign more personnel to each lab, but that would only lead to the rebirth of a huge, uncontrollable den of demons."
In the first place, the Association's research labs could be seen as symbolizing human arrogance.
"Right now, numerous disasters are concentrated in Korea. Especially the Association's research labs are at the center of it, and if even one of them explodes, this planet called Earth will be ruined in an instant. So even if they go through such a difficult process, they can't lower the quality of the personnel."
Yu Seong-un, who was once a research team leader at the Association, said, trying hard to hide his sense of skepticism.
"The fortunate thing is that as long as those lab directors and… the Symbol of Eternity, the Association President, exist, those numerous dens of demons are perfectly controlled."
"..."
"In other words, it means they are taking too many risks trusting in the Association President alone, but well. That side is more focused on the development of humanity and the analysis of the Source."
Jio, who had been silent for a moment, asked.
"What is the Symbol of Eternity?"
"…Ah."
Yu Seong-un nodded and explained.
"It refers to the only three immortal and ageless beings in South Korea."
"Immortality and agelessness."
"Not only are they Awakeners of extremely strong abilities, but they also neither die nor age."
To that, Jio said.
"They must be lonely."
"..."
Yu Seong-un was at a loss for words for a moment.
"…I've never thought of the Symbol of Eternity in that way, so I don't know."
"It seems like a blessing in disguise that the three of them are together."
"There's a rumor that they were close friends since before the Great Catastrophe."
Yu Seong-un, who smiled slightly, continued.
"Anyway, as long as such a Symbol of Eternity exists, no matter what risk is taken, it will never go to the absolute worst. So the experiments become even bolder, the number of people being ground up increases, but since there are overflowing people compared to the acceptable population… people die, get broken, and become twisted, and in that process, the development of humanity is achieved."
He eventually let out a small sigh.
"That's also the reason why the current Korea was able to achieve particularly rapid development."
"Thanks to boldly grinding people up, trusting only in the Symbol of Eternity?"
"To summarize, it would probably be something like that. It's a case of high risk, high return."
But no matter how big the risk is, as long as the Symbol of Eternity exists, the damage does not extend beyond the research lab.
No matter what research is done, the maximum damage range is up to the said research lab building, so they conduct experiments even more boldly.
"I don't know if I should say this, but as they say, failure is the mother of success. That kind of data eventually becomes the cornerstone for not making another failure."
"I understand."
"If one research lab is annihilated, they think, ah, so that's how it reacts when you do that. Then what about this method? And… it's a structure that can develop further, I guess."
"It is a frightening world."
"It's a world where things like human rights are just a facade. Since it's a country with a strong culture like that, the instrumentalization of people happens by default. It's not a pretty sight."
But thanks to that, development itself could be fast.
"The Association is trying to research and uncover as much of the Source as possible to shorten the time people suffer as much as possible. At this rate, this planet will still be suffering from primitive pain even after 500 years… The intention is to shorten that time."
It was a thought and judgment that could only be made by the immortal Symbol of Eternity.
"I came out because I hated seeing that."
"I see."
"It's a valuable sacrifice, but I can't help but hate to see it."
"I agree."
"…Well, that's that."
Yu Seong-un cleared his throat.
"Anyway, since it's like this, it's difficult for me, who has already resigned, to find out the details of what's going on inside a still-functioning research lab. The people there are fundamentally tight-lipped."
"I can imagine."
"But the atmosphere is a bit subtle. From what I see, it seems they were trying to cause some kind of incident through that researcher named Ju-hyeon. The research team leader, that is."
Yu Seong-un lowered his hand and smiled at Jio.
"And you stopped it in advance."
"I'm glad the result is good."
"I'm always grateful, from my perspective."
It might be a simple coincidence, but Jio often showed a pattern of popping up before an incident got bigger and suddenly cut off the flow.
'Should I say he resolved a tense situation that was being tightened in an unexpected way? In the case of the mermaid siblings, too, it wasn't something that should have fizzled out so absurdly….'
Yu Seong-un was still investigating the whereabouts of the mermaid siblings, and their traces were recently discovered at Gyeongbokgung Palace.
It seemed they were planning to overthrow not only the Solar Cult but also Gyeongbokgung Palace if things went south.
'I don't know for sure since there aren't many comparison groups yet, but anyway, from a human's perspective, it's a very grateful course of action.'
He couldn't not know how grateful it was to have unbearable disasters thwarted in advance.
"..."
In that sense, Yu Seong-un thought that the researcher named Ju-hyeon was also on the verge of becoming the beginning of a disaster.
It was a great relief that he was discovered by Jio before things got bigger.
"…So how is Mr. Ju-hyeon?"
"He is eating well and sleeping well."
"And his mood?"
"He is still a bit tense, and seems a little confused."
"Yes, he would be."
Still, it was close to a miracle that he had stabilized to that extent already.
"Please take good care of him a little longer."
"I will send him out healthy."
"I hope he's moderately healthy."
It would be very troublesome if a new human species other than Hunters were to emerge.
-x-X-x-
At that moment.
The research institute that manages the evil god Sankalut, Seoul 21st Branch.
"Lord Sankalut?"
"…"
"G, God? Why are you such a withered color…."
"…"
"Lord Sankalut…!"
I was going to ask him to take me home if my wish came true.
Sankalut, who had been excited at the thought of going to his hometown, became sullen.
***
"Is that really all you need?"
Ju-hyeon, who had handed over the mark of Sankalut, asked with a dubious face.
"I have eaten and drunk a lot here."
"I served you out of personal desire, so this is a sufficient reward."
The black-haired Black Cape smiled gently.
"It's a wonderful jewel."
"…It's not a real jewel, though."
"You said it was the mark of the evil god Sankalut, right?"
"Yes, it's a medium that allows communication with him."
"There's a geometric pattern inside. Did you carve it yourself?"
"That's right, though it's my first time making one, so I'm quite clumsy."
"Clumsy?"
The Black Cape marveled as if it were something amazing.
"I can see that your talent is tremendous, Mr. Ju-hyeon."
"I'm embarrassed that you say so."
"It's a very small pattern, yet all the necessary language is engraved."
"Haha…."
He felt strange.
'I never thought I'd be praised for making the mark of an evil god.'
More than anything, The Black Cape didn't seem to be marveling at the fact that he 'made the mark of an evil god,' but rather just seemed to be marveling, saying, 'to have created such a wonderful jewel.'
He felt really strange.
'Is his status so high that the mark looks more like an ornament than a medium?'
It looked exactly like a rich man overflowing with money looking at a 500-won coin and saying it's beautiful.
He received a compliment, but he wasn't particularly happy.
Ju-hyeon wasn't so out of his mind to be happy about being praised by a huge, unidentified mystery for making the mark of an evil god.
"Doesn't the fact that it's the mark of an evil god bother you?"
"The only time I will call him is to invite him for a meal, so there is nothing to be bothered about."
"Ah, is that so? A meal for an evil god too… a meal… hmm."
Ju-hyeon fell silent for a moment.
"..."
And soon, a cold sweat ran down his back.
Does he really want to turn everything in all dimensions into pigs?
"Is there… a reason why you keep trying to feed something to others…?"
"There is no grand reason."
The smile had disappeared from The Black Cape's face, leaving only a calm, expressionless look.
Nevertheless, The Black Cape continued in a soft voice.
"It's just that I am happy when other people eat the food I make."
"I see, you're very considerate."
"More than anything, people these days are too skinny…."
"..."
"They don't look healthy."
"Gra—."
Grandma?
'Why is he making such a grandmotherly remark?'
The trend of the generation that experienced the Great Catastrophe being particularly serious about fattening up children existed everywhere in the world.
Especially the words 'people these days' made him seem like a very old man.
'With a face like that of a young man?'
Does he even have any intention of pretending to be a 29-year-old Earthling?
Ju-hyeon contemplated which rhythm he should dance to in order to please the great being in front of him.
Should he correct him, saying it was an un-29-year-old-like remark?
Or should he just agree with him, saying you're right?
"…I see!"
Ju-hyeon decided to just let it slide.
"But if you don't mind, may I ask a few questions?"
"Mr. Ju-hyeon, you can ask me anything you want."
"Thank you. Um, it is known to the public that The Black Cape is a monster…."
"Aha."
The Black Cape's hair flared red like light, and a deep smile formed on his pale face.
"I'm a monster?"
"…If I was rude, I apologize. I'm sorry."
"No, I'm not angry. You weren't rude either."
He blinked his eyes twice.
"Hmm…."
And then he returned to having black hair.
"I think I got a little excited because your words were amusing, Mr. Ju-hyeon. Forgive my rudeness."
"No, no. It's okay."
He didn't know what part was amusing, but as long as he wasn't angry at his question, anything was fine.
Ju-hyeon smiled affably and shook his head humbly.
"But if my question made you uncomfortable, then I am truly sorry."
"As I said before, I am not uncomfortable or angry. It's just, how should I put it…."
The Black Cape's lips curved gently with interest.
"After a beast and an evil god, now a monster."
"..."
"Isn't it quite amusing?"
"…Oh…."
It's not amusing at all.
"…I see!"
Ju-hyeon decided to just let it slide once more.
"I thought you were an evil god, Mr. Black Cape, but it doesn't seem like it as much as I thought."
"Are you saying I'm not like an evil god?"
"A little."
"I don't really like that."
The Black Cape, who feigned contemplation for a moment, continued.
"Let me say this in advance, I am an ordinary human."
"Ah, yes sir."
"I'm a human who can sometimes become an evil god, a priest, or an animal."
"That's amazing."
Ju-hyeon endured one more time.
"Then should I just think of you as an ordinary human…?"
"Of course."
The Black Cape nodded.
"The fact that I am rumored to be a monster outside was just a warning for my safety and the safety of others."
"A warning for your safety and the safety of others?"
"It was not intentional, but perhaps because I live in a painting, there are times when I inadvertently threaten others. It's a warning to be careful of each other in advance."
And though he didn't say it, there was another intention.
Although he had merged with the battle enthusiast Argio, perhaps because the synchronization was not yet complete, Jio still felt uncomfortable fighting with someone.
So it was closer to managing his image so that they could avoid fighting each other in advance.
It was the result of thinking that few people would want to fight the protagonist of a terrifying ghost story.
Jio wanted to avoid conflict if possible.
'Though I don't know what will happen once I fully regain Argio's memories….'
Anyway, that was that.
"…Actually, even if you are an evil god, I don't really understand."
Jio continued.
"What is a god, and what is an evil god? As a human, it is difficult for me to know."
"…That's certainly a difficult topic. I can't say for sure either."
"Right?"
He nodded his head.
"It's difficult to define my existence clearly."
So even if Ju-hyeon asked, there was only one thing he could say for sure.
"I can only say for sure that I am nothing more than a single person."
"A single person…."
"I might be a slightly unusual person. I do strange things sometimes. But that's all."
Jio had never once thought that he might not be human.
"Was that a sufficient explanation?"
"…Yes, thank you for helping me understand."
Ju-hyeon was just dumbfounded.
'Right, I'll just memorize it like that too.'
Then it will be so.
"But I feel like I'm staying in your house too much, Mr. Jio…."
"Have you fully recovered?"
"Thanks to your great consideration, I have recovered."
"And your heart?"
"..."
To the speechless Ju-hyeon, The Black Cape smiled gently as if soothing a child and said.
"Isn't this a peaceful place?"
"…You're right. It's so peaceful I don't want to leave."
"There will come a time when you want to leave someday."
Jio knew.
'Humans are creatures that don't have vain thoughts only when their mind and body are prosperous.'
So he did just that.
'As expected, when people are full, they become 10 times nicer.'
He had said he was going to summon an evil god, so he made him into a body that wouldn't have any vain thoughts.
He himself didn't know, but Jio's influence was also significant here.
The opponent who ate the food filled with the desire to enjoy his food together helplessly became a gourmet, and by synchronizing with Jio, the owner of a thoughtlessly clear brain, his mind and body became at ease.
'This is a good phenomenon.'
Jio hoped that Ju-hyeon would become his friend.
"Please tell me whenever you want to leave."
"…Yes."
"You do not need my permission to enjoy your life."
"That's…."
Ju-hyeon answered hesitantly.
"…Right."
He asked.
"Why did you introduce yourself as an evil god?"
"Because that's what people called me."
Strangely enough, there was no other reason.
***
"…Ah."
A new employee flinched.
"Mr. Seo Jio?"
A tall silhouette was standing in the company hallway.
Even as she called out to him, the woman felt an unknown sense of disharmony.
It was a weekday afternoon, so there were still a few employees who hadn't left work, yet none of them gave a glance to Seo Jio, who was standing in the hallway wearing a cape.
It was as if they were avoiding him as if he didn't exist.
By the time she realized that, the person looked at her.
"I've seen you before."
"That's right, you remember me."
"Your name was probably…."
He said.
"Ms. Park Ju-hui?"
"..."
For some reason, she felt strange.
"…Yes, I'm Park Ju-hui."
It was because for a moment, it felt like an unbelievable miracle that he was calling her name.
'That's a strange thought.'
She could quickly shake it off as a ridiculous thought, but an unknown feeling of unease remained and bothered her.
Park Ju-hui, who had approached him, asked.
"I thought you were on the dawn shift, but you're here at such a late hour?"
"It's a hobby. I was having a little Q&A session."
"A Q&A session as a hobby?"
"To be precise, should I call it a survey?"
The eyes that held the sea curved gently.
"Ms. Park Ju-hui."
"Uh… Yes, please go ahead."
"What kind of being do you think an evil god is?"
"…An evil god…."
Suddenly, a sense of silence washed over her.
Along with it, she felt a sense of detachment from reality.
Even at this moment, the employees passed them by without a word.
It was an understandable situation since the company was full of individualistic employees, so without any particular suspicion, the woman answered Seo Jio's question.
"Wouldn't it be a god that does bad things?"
"In that case, if an evil god doesn't do bad things, would they become an ordinary god?"
"That… if they have committed evil acts in the past, I think they would still be an evil god."
"That was a good reference."
He smiled a picture-perfect smile.
"It must have been a random question, but thank you for answering."
"No, on the contrary… I'm the one who should be grateful that you remember a humble C-Class Hunter."
"Regardless of such grades, you are a good person, Ms. Park Ju-hui."
Seo Jio's eyes curved deeply.
"You are kind to me, aren't you?"
"Uh… that's…."
A good person just because she was kind?
The woman was a little worried by the unexpected pushover-like remark.
The scope of a 'good person' this man was talking about was excessively wide.
'Is he perhaps being bullied?'
Park Ju-hui, momentarily flustered, looked around.
A lanky man standing in the middle of the hallway should have been noticeable, but no one was looking this way.
"…Excuse me…."
A strange suspicion arose, and she asked cautiously.
"Perhaps, um… your colleagues, are they not on good terms or…?"
Cough!!
A loud cough was heard from somewhere.
"...?"
"It seems someone choked on their saliva."
"Ah, I see. That's too bad."
Cough, cough….
Another cough was heard from somewhere.
"Too bad…."
Cough—!!
Another cough.
"..."
At this point, Park Ju-hui couldn't help but grasp the situation.
'…What is this? It's like someone is giving me a hint?'
At that moment, something caught her eye.
"Uh…."
Under the cape.
The tail of an unidentifiable beast popped out.
"…Excuse me, Mr. Seo Jio. This is…."
"Ah, forgive me."
He smiled slightly.
"Sometimes I can't control it."
"…Control?"
"I will be careful next time."
Without any other sound, the tail had disappeared.
"..."
As if to say you saw it wrong.
"It's not that the employees here are discriminating against or bullying me as you think, Ms. Park Ju-hui."
"…Ah, ah, yes. I'm sorry."
"It's just that the skill I have is a little special, so everyone is being careful."
"Being careful because it's special…?"
"It's nothing to worry about. It's getting late, so I hope you get home safely."
"..."
"Ah, right."
Seo Jio held something out.
"This is a reward for keeping me company."
"…It smells sweet."
"It's fruit jelly. It's not that sweet."
"…I see…."
"Then I hope to see you again with a smiling face next time."
He gave a light nod, then turned and walked away somewhere.
That black cape comes into view again.
That jet-black cloth….
"..."
For some reason, the gift in her hand felt heavy.
"…Huh?"
Even when she let out a gasp with a cold sweat.
Not a single employee turned around.
-x-X-x-
The Black Cape.
A humanoid monster first witnessed last winter in the S-Class Dungeon 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea' and listed on the Hunter Association's website.
It is famous for being a monster that harasses bad humans and gives gifts to good ones.
Its characteristics are that it is very tall, wears a black cape, is dressed in a suit, and is barefoot.
"..."
In her solitary dormitory room, the new curator, Park Ju-hui, clenched her teeth.
"…Come to think of it, it's all similar…."
She recalled the time when Curator Yu Seong-un first explained about the person named 'Seo Jio'.
'That he is often misunderstood because he has similar characteristics to The Black Cape.'
It wasn't that Park Ju-hui hadn't thought that Seo Jio and The Black Cape had similar aspects.
However, to think so, Seo Jio was too kind, too human, and had an incredibly gentle smile.
But thinking about it now, it was dizzying.
'He was overly ideal.'
She should have been suspicious.
'How could a person who smiles as if he were preserved in the best possible form be normal?'
Seo Jio smiled, talked, and was considerate like a normal person, but there were no fluctuations in his actions and expressions.
She was definitely aware of Seo Jio, who had an atmosphere as if he were a non-existent being.
"…Is this… is this, is this even okay?"
She was confused.
She hadn't thought he could be a monster because she felt he was too human, and she was suspicious whether she had been bewitched or deceived.
There was a high probability that the 'Seo Jio' shown by The Black Cape was a kind of mask.
'It's not like I feel betrayed or anything since I haven't known him for long.'
He was someone she had only met twice so far.
She would have let it slide even if an acquaintance she had known for over a year had deceived her, but there was no room to feel betrayed by someone she had only met twice.
'I'm not angry either. It's not like I'm disappointed or anything. There wasn't that much trust between Mr. Seo Jio and me. But it's true that I'm confused….'
What should I do about this?
"…I'm probably not in a position to take any action, am I?"
The Collectors' Gallery is a place where all sorts of dangerous artworks are gathered.
As such, there would be many response protocols for unusual phenomena, and safety measures and information control would also be in place.
"Besides, all the other employees seemed to know."
Only the newcomers were unaware that 'Seo Jio' was The Black Cape.
"But, it's not like they're hiding it that thoroughly either…."
It was because Park Ju-hui herself was being particularly dense, but if there were this many commonalities, there would have been other colleagues who had already noticed.
For some reason, The Collectors were simply tolerating the existence of The Black Cape.
"..."
After contemplating for a long time, she soon knocked on another dormitory door.
"…What is it?"
"Excuse me, I'm sorry. I have something I want to consult you about."
"With me, a fellow newcomer?"
"Mr. Binari, you've… met Mr. Seo Jio, right?"
"..."
Binari, one of Park Ju-hui's colleagues, nodded.
"Come in."
"…Excuse me."
Deep in the dawn, the conversation was getting long.
***
Curator Binari, the only one among this batch of The Collectors' newcomers to be in charge of a 3rd-floor artwork.
"I knew."
"As I thought… so you did. Was I the only one who didn't know?"
"That's not it."
He was one of the people who had noticed early on that 'Seo Jio' was The Black Cape.
"In my case, I had a hunch from the moment Curator Yu Seong-un first gave a warning about the person named Seo Jio. Other than that, Ms. Jeong Eun-byeol, who was introduced as a B-Class Hunter, was suspicious."
"Ah…."
"Curator Yu Seong-un also seemed to have a rough idea that we had noticed something was off. But he never gave us a separate hint. It seems that the fact that the person named 'Seo Jio' is The Black Cape is public knowledge within The Collectors."
Binari added.
"In the first place, there is no such thing as a dawn shift team at The Collectors."
"…It's true that there was no such introduction on the website, but I thought it was hidden because it was important personnel."
"When I inquired around with the seniors, Mr. Seo Jio was the only one belonging to the dawn shift team."
"But it could have been a measure for the sake of justification, couldn't it?"
"That's right, one could think of it as a special privilege to be considerate of very special personnel."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Just as the other colleagues are thinking right now."
"…That's true. Though I still think they're hiding it too carelessly…."
"Just as you just found out today, Ms. Park Ju-hui, I think they judged that it could be hidden from the newcomers to some extent."
"What do you think will happen to people like us who found out Mr. Seo Jio's true identity?"
"I believe that at the very least, we won't receive any disadvantages. It could be that they are watching to see how we adapt."
"In the first place, why… why is this…."
Park Ju-hui, who had been stammering, let out a short breath and opened her mouth again.
"There are more than one or two things that are strange. Why didn't they tell the newcomers about The Black Cape? Even though it's a humanoid monster of all things."
"Certainly, there was no information about 'Mr. Seo Jio' in the basic training we received. I think it's probably because we're in the position of interns who could be let go from the company at any time."
"Interns… so, they didn't tell us for the sake of a kind of confidentiality, right? Because they can't tell important circumstances to interns who can be let go at any time."
Park Ju-hui contemplated.
"But isn't it a bigger problem if we cause an accident because we didn't receive safety training? The seniors at the gallery always emphasize it, don't they? That if someone has to die, it should only be the curator."
She heard that when dangerous artworks cause accidents, they often get out of hand.
"Whether it's the artworks here or the monsters, the important thing should be the rules. Isn't it a bigger deal if we, who know nothing, don't know 'Mr. Seo Jio's'… conditions, and end up angering him?"
"Both I and Ms. Jeong Eun-byeol, whom you just mentioned, had similar thoughts for a moment. And we came to a conclusion. It seems that there is no problem if we perceive and treat Mr. Seo Jio as a regular employee."
Binari let out a sigh.
"The Collectors must have thought of everything. So, The Black Cape doesn't cause any problems when treated as a regular employee, and even if an unusual phenomenon occurs, it is not a being that causes a major accident."
"…Is it a problem to the extent that only we would die and that's it?"
"We were guessing it would be to that extent. So we thought of it as a kind of test. Whether we are qualified to become The Collector's collection, whether we are qualified to become an employee of The Collectors, whether we are qualified to be The Black Cape's work colleague…."
"First of all, the fact that we are in this place means we are qualified for the collection, I think."
"The Collectors doesn't really matter. If we think of the opponent as an ordinary dawn shift team member until the end, that too would not violate the conditions, and if we have found out The Black Cape's existence, they can check how well we adapt."
He gave an awkward smile.
"So we were thinking that the faster we figure out Mr. Seo Jio's identity… the faster our promotion to a full-time employee will be. It's just a guess, though."
"…Ah, that makes sense. If all the other employees already know The Black Cape's identity, then, how should I put it? The essential condition for a full-time employee… hmm, would like to know The Black Cape's identity."
They also knew how devoted Bisabeol was to his collection.
Once promoted to a full-time employee, one can no longer leave Bisabeol's collection, and is not expelled from The Collectors.
"But if we show that we can adapt well even after already knowing The Black Cape's identity during the internship process…."
Wouldn't they be able to embrace them with peace of mind in many ways?
"Not just us, but it also means that The Black Cape doesn't dislike this batch of newcomers. Right?"
"That's right. So this lax security probably seems like a device to confirm the intentions of both the Guild Master and Mr. Seo Jio."
"Even so, it would be nice if we could get accurate information… like the monster's tolerance conditions."
"Our position isn't important. And isn't it that we can only become full-time employees if Mr. Seo Jio tolerates us, not something we can achieve through our own efforts."
"..."
Park Ju-hui's expression is distorted subtly.
"…So… why is that?"
"…Certainly, The Collectors seem to view The Black Cape as a fundamental component."
"To say it's a fundamental component must be because it absolutely cannot be excluded…."
"..."
"…Ah."
She lifted her head.
"No way?"
"Well."
"In the gallery?"
"…Well."
"It was an artwork?"
"…Phew…."
Binari let out a sigh and opened his mouth.
"In the first place, the fact that The Black Cape is a portrait is something even ordinary citizens know. A certain niche of enthusiasts who covet the portrait series drawn by the portrait has even emerged."
"Did the Guild Master bring it in thinking of it as an artwork? I think Curator Yu Seong-un might have mentioned that he was also one of the collection items when he was explaining 'Mr. Seo Jio'."
"In The Collectors' gallery, there are a significant number of monsters in the form of artworks. Raising monsters is definitely illegal, but if it's after they've entered the gallery, they are treated as objects, so…."
"The Black Cape, too, was treated as the Guild Master's collection item like that? Really? Does that even make sense?"
"In my opinion, I believe so. It's possible that the Guild Master brought in Mr. Seo Jio, who was lingering around not wanting to leave The Collectors, or, hmm, there are many possibilities."
However, these were not matters a newcomer would know.
"Anyway, the important thing is that The Collectors is no different from Guild Master Bisabeol's gallery. No matter what damage occurs, no matter what changes are endured, I heard that the collector is quite greedy… so there's no way he would want to throw away a peculiar collection item like The Black Cape that periodically creates artworks."
Binari made a strange expression.
"Even if he were to throw it away, it's a question of where he should throw it."
"Ah, that's true…."
"What's certain is that The Collectors has already adapted to Mr. Seo Jio's existence."
"…Should I think of him as a kind of executive, or a flowerpot…."
"A flowerpot?"
"Like a flowerpot placed in the hallway…."
"Wouldn't it be better to think of him as an artwork hanging in the hallway?"
"That would be more fitting, since he is an artwork."
Park Ju-hui managed to organize her thoughts.
"So an artwork that should be in the gallery is walking around the company."
"We might not know, but there might be many other artworks besides Mr. Seo Jio."
"It would be more comforting to think of this as a manual within the company building rather than a gallery."
The Collectors' gallery had different activities for each floor, so there was a separate internal manual.
For example, to knock 3 times before opening the 39th door on the 2nd floor, or to drink water before passing through the 1st corridor on the 4th floor….
"Well, I've got a rough idea of how to please the artworks."
All those manuals were rules to avoid angering the numerous artworks in the gallery.
If she thought of Mr. Seo Jio, who was hiding the fact that he was The Black Cape, as something similar to this, it wasn't that difficult.
"Thank you for helping me understand."
"We're colleagues from the same batch, we should help each other out."
"I did hear that colleagues are important."
"Since there will be many times when we need help…."
Still, she was anxious.
"..."
"..."
"…No matter how I think about it, isn't this too complacent?"
"…I think that's The Collectors' motto…."
"Love the artwork?"
"Yes, that."
"Oh dear…."
A humanoid monster of all things was walking around, yet The Collectors were managing it with the mindset of 'if an accident happens, it can't be helped.'
There was no safety training, no coercive confidentiality.
"…We might not know it, but surveillance and evaluation are probably being conducted at all times. The moment we leave the company, there will also be measures for confidentiality."
"That's probably true. There would be some countermeasures and everything, but I'm not sure if there are means to protect interns like us within that."
"We may not be full-time employees yet, but we have set foot in Guild Master Bisabeol's collection. They say the treatment of the collection items is good, so let's look forward to it."
Binari continued to ask.
"But you're not as flustered as I thought?"
"Uh… about finding out Mr. Seo Jio's identity?"
"It's not like you've never met him, and you've spoken with him twice, you said."
"It's hard to react because my sense of reality is just lacking, and…."
Park Ju-hui, who had been hesitating, continued.
"…From the first time I saw him, I didn't think he seemed particularly human."
And their conversation also reached the Safety Management Department within The Collectors.
***
The Safety Management Department, the only department that works 24 hours a day.
The employees who had finished the eavesdropping murmured.
"They're figuring it out faster than I thought."
"It's because Mr. Seo Jio has been walking around the company a lot lately."
"He used to only come out late at dawn…."
"Yes, recently he's often seen even during work hours, right?"
"Was there some kind of change of heart?"
Slurp.
An employee who had drunk some coffee asked.
"Three of them have already figured it out, why don't we just promote them to full-time employees?"
"That's not for us to decide."
"Hasn't the Guild Master confirmed it yet?"
"We also have to confirm The Black Cape's intentions."
"Well, he seemed to like this batch of personnel, though."
"First of all, the fact that they weren't dragged into a portrait right away is a pass."
"I guess this batch of newcomers are all well-mannered and nice people."
"In the end, it'll be up to Mr. Seo Jio's standards, though."
"That much alone is a human pass…."
The employee, who was sipping coffee the color of poison given as a death sentence and had his eyes fixed on the CCTV, opened his mouth.
"But Mr. Seo Jio's activities have certainly increased a lot lately."
"He comes out often even when there are a lot of people."
"Did Curator Yu Seong-un not say anything in particular?"
"No separate report or request form was submitted, he just told us to keep a close watch."
"I heard that too. Hmm, he said no separate documents were submitted…."
"But I do know the topic Mr. Seo Jio has been interested in recently."
"As if I wouldn't know?"
The head of the Safety Management Department let out a sigh.
"He's been going around asking about the evil god."
"Why the evil god all of a sudden?"
"To be precise, he was asking about the definition and qualifications of an evil god."
"Could it be about Mr. Seo Jio himself?"
"The possibility is not zero."
"Well, it's an artwork we haven't even been able to inspect yet, so we can't be sure…."
The employee who was about to say something flinched.
"Uh oh."
"Hey, Mr. Gyeong-u. That guy is looking at the CCTV."
"Temporarily suspending screen 14th floor, number 53."
Just before The Black Cape, who was strolling down the hallway, turned to look at the CCTV, the employees cut off the screen transmission.
As a black screen was cast, the other employees who were staring at other screens also let out sighs of relief.
At that, the department head opened his mouth.
"You know that employee who had an intense eye kiss with Mr. Seo Jio on the screen last time and fainted."
"It wasn't quite fainting… more like passing out? Right?"
"Isn't that the same thing? Anyway, right, Mr. Ha Ryu-seo. When is he coming back to work?"
"He's still making the rounds at the counseling office, they say."
"Hasn't it been a while? Jeez, we're short on manpower…."
"They said they can't send him back yet because he's on the verge of creating a cult."
"Oh my, is it that bad? This is a big problem. We won't be able to use our annual leave."
"What's new… we'll have to take it as cash."
"I want to take a vacation, not receive cash."
"Me too."
The employee turned the screen back on, and in the place where The Black Cape had disappeared, only a single portrait remained.
Looking at the portrait that was the only thing in the empty hallway, the department head said.
"Wow, the atmosphere is killer."
The screen was distorted.
Inside the portrait, behind the black paint, Mr. Seo Jio was making 'eye' contact.
-x-X-x-
At that time.
The research institute that manages the evil god Sankalut, Seoul 21st Branch.
"Lord Sankalut?"
" "
"G, God? Why are you such a withered color…."
" "
"Lord Sankalut…!"
I was going to ask him to take me home if my wish came true.
Sankalut, who had been excited at the thought of going to his hometown, became sullen.
***
"Did we perhaps do anything to upset you?"
Yu Seong-un rushed over.
"Jio-ya."
"Yes, please speak."
"Did we perhaps do anything to upset you?"
"I'm not sure why you're asking such a question, but no."
"That's a relief."
Yu Seong-un, who laughed resignedly, asked.
"It's just that you seem to be talking with the other employees often these days."
"Was it a disturbance to their work?"
"Just a little? Well, I'm not saying you were very rude…."
It was a bit ambiguous to consider creating a sense of fear as being in the realm of a nuisance.
Especially for Yu Seong-un, who knew that Jio's identity was not a monster or a god, but a part of the Source.
However, he was curious.
"I heard a story. You're going around asking about the evil god?"
"Your words are correct."
"Ugh."
Yu Seong-un was startled when Jio from inside the portrait suddenly stuck his upper body out.
"So you could come out like that too."
"I'm just halfway perched on it."
Under the undulating black cape like a head covering, low-saturation red hair caught his eye.
Judging by the characteristically stimulating and sharp tone, it seemed he had become Argio, who introduced himself as an evil god.
He leaned his body against the picture frame.
The casually tapping nails, which had grown long like a beast's, came into view. Argio continued.
"Recently, a question about the evil god has arisen."
"A question? What kind of question?"
"What is an evil god? What must one do to be called an evil god?"
"That… is really difficult to distinguish."
Yu Seong-un cleared his throat.
"Humans call gods who do them harm evil gods."
"In that case, is crashing a festival to drink or joining a hunting ground an evil act?"
"I think the feeling would be different depending on the local customs of that region, but it doesn't particularly feel like an evil act."
"What about hanging the necks of those who attacked me and decorating the forest with them?"
"That certainly could be called an evil act…?"
There is a saying in the world called self-defense, but humans were not such fair creatures as to return only as much as they received.
In regions with a high awareness of natural human rights, such blatant retaliation would not be welcomed.
"Well no, I personally don't think of it as an evil act. I don't necessarily let those who attack me live either. Though I don't decorate with them…."
"Do you think I decorated them because they looked beautiful? The problem is the fools who come looking for a fight if I don't do at least that. Anyway, you don't feel it's particularly evil?"
"If one intends to kill another, it's right that they should be prepared to die in return. I'm probably not the only one who thinks this way, right? But why are you asking this question?"
"..."
Argio, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth again.
"I thought I was an evil god, but it seems I fall short of that standard more than I thought."
"A standard. On our Earth, there is a clear standard that defines an evil god."
Yu Seong-un asked.
"Have you ever killed innocent people?"
"What kind of person does innocent mean?"
"People who have not harmed you or have shown you kindness."
"Would I have killed such people?"
"And you've never returned kindness with enmity?"
"I might ignore them, but I've never done such a thing."
"Then why on earth are you an evil god?"
He didn't quite understand.
"You said people called you an evil god."
"They did."
"Why did they call you that? The name Argio is even a derogatory term."
"Because I'm a pain in the ass?"
Argio continued, tapping his long nails.
"A beautiful beast that doesn't even seem human is worthy of people's hatred. There were several other reasons, but they called me the evil god of greed and wrath."
"Greed and wrath…."
"I like treasures. Gold, silver, and treasures and fine liquor are my closest friends, and since I grew up as a beast, I had no need for patience. Returning my anger to those who displease me is a joyful thing."
"But that's a bit much to be called an evil god for."
"…Ummhmm…."
Argio rested his chin on his hand.
"I suppose so."
"Is there something you don't like?"
"I had a certain pride in it…."
"You had pride in being an evil god?"
"That too is one of my honors, so of course."
"Honor…."
"It is mine that has come into my embrace."
"..."
"But looking back now, my infamy was nothing special."
It wasn't clearly visible because it was hidden by the cape, but Jio looked quite bored.
"How can it be this futile?"
"…Umm, uh… is that so…."
Yu Seong-un understood the situation, at least roughly.
'The size of a mystery changes in volume due to the stories surrounding it.'
An evil god is, in the end, a god.
Its size changes with the goodwill or hostility of the creatures that believe in its existence, and it seemed that Argio had actively accepted even the infamy for things he had not done as his own.
'Then it's possible to have a divine nature that is excessively evil compared to the evil acts he actually committed.'
Isn't the Sankalut cult the same?
What was an ordinary jewel that could neither kill nor even speak became a full-fledged evil god through nation-level faith and sacrifices.
It was a case similar to Argio's.
'Especially this one, who could speak and act, actively accepted the misunderstandings about himself….'
It was a very rare case.
"Then is it as if you yourself have done nothing at all?"
"I did visit the mansions of some unpleasant fellows without permission and took their liquor and goods."
"What kind of people were those unpleasant fellows?"
"Those who ruined the taste of my liquor. They caused a disturbance in front of me."
"Did they talk loudly or something?"
"They boasted that they had annihilated the village that had prepared a meal for me."
"Ah, that's definitely self-defense. Then it would be difficult to call what you did evil."
"That is very unfortunate news."
"Hmm…."
Yu Seong-un smiled as if in a bind.
"Is it because you feel your reputation was just a facade?"
"Because evil is more enjoyable than good."
"..."
For a moment, Yu Seong-un was at a loss for words.
"…Should I look into a battlefield for you?"
"No."
Jio's voice instantly took on a blunt tone.
"I am not yet as complete as Argio."
"Are you saying you don't particularly like fighting right now?"
"I have always disliked conflict."
"That's a little different from what you said earlier."
"It seems to change depending on the situation."
"Hmm, is that so?"
Yu Seong-un, who had been contemplating for a moment, asked.
"Mr. Ju-hyeon is still at home, right?"
"Yes, he is sleeping."
"It seems like he's sleeping every time I ask."
"He seemed tired, so I put him to bed early."
"It's nothing else, I was just wondering if you could spare some time."
"Is there something you would like to recommend?"
"You said you were curious about the evil god."
Practice makes perfect, after all.
"Korea has an evil god that is officially recognized as a general religion."
"It must be an evil god that does not harm humans."
"It's more that they thought of it as a kind of natural order, though it is harmful."
Mysteries related to gods were not Yu Seong-un's specialty, but he remembered the basic flow.
"The most representative example of that is the God of Death."
"Death is certainly the natural order."
"Yes, you're right. But people don't like it."
"To most people, death is something harmful."
"The God of Death was recognized as a general religion in the last 14 years."
"Was it not before that?"
"It was a sensitive period, and in many ways…."
Yu Seong-un smiled with his easygoing smile.
"Should I say it was a world where evil gods were rampant, so there was no capacity to distinguish."
"So they were rampant."
"Thanks to the Symbol of Eternity, it feels like a system has been established now."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Would you like to meet him? If you want, I can ask for their understanding in advance."
"In that case, I would like to meet him."
And so, The Black Cape was dispatched to the world once again.
To be precise, as the A-Class Hunter 'Seo Jio'.
***
"..."
"..."
"No, hey."
Bisabeol looked at Yu Seong-un, who had come to ask for permission, as if it were absurd.
"You were the one who told me not to sneak Mr. Seo Jio outside."
"Wasn't that because you, Guild Master, are a person who threatens world peace?"
"Do you have any idea how much I'm contributing to world peace right now to be saying such things?"
"At least I don't stand on the sidelines and clap, telling Jio to make a mess."
"That's true, it's true, but I feel so wronged. How can I live with this kind of treatment?"
For someone saying that, Yu Seong-un knew, and Bisabeol knew, that he had lived too well.
"Our employees really don't know how to rub their palms together."
"They are people who will rub them as much as you want if you add it to their job description."
"But you don't do it otherwise. I love that about you all."
"We know that too, which is why we're being so impertinent…."
Yu Seong-un, who had muttered, soon smiled brightly and asked.
"The Temple of Death is in Gyeonggi-do, so I came to get permission in advance. Unlike before, he will be going quite far, and since it's a meeting between an evil god and an evil god, I don't know what kind of chemical reaction will occur."
"..."
Bisabeol, who had been tapping the table as if calculating something, soon nodded.
"I am curious, what will happen when the evil god Jio and the quiet evil god meet."
"I knew you would say that."
"Isn't it a much more fun and interesting topic than protecting the peace of mankind?"
"Interesting… saying it like that, you sound a bit like Argio."
Argio had said that the reason he preferred evil over good was because it was more stimulating and interesting.
While not having much interest in the peace of mankind, advocating for good in order to enjoy more things was certainly a similarity between Bisabeol and Argio.
At that, Bisabeol smiled wryly.
"Did you say Argio's colors are similar to mine as well?"
"He has a calmer color palette than you, Guild Master."
"If worse comes to worst, I'll just say he's my nephew."
"Didn't you say you were the only son for four generations?"
"Hmm."
At Yu Seong-un's intense gaze, Bisabeol added.
"A hidden son, perhaps?"
"Aren't you over eighty?"
"I look firm, don't I."
"You have the body of a 50-year-old rather than being firm."
"Then let's just say I'm hale and hearty."
Yu Seong-un didn't say anything to that.
"…Jio already has the divinity of the sun. I don't know if the evil god's malevolent divinity has been overlaid on top of it, or if they are coexisting, or if he can switch between them…."
Yu Seong-un continued.
"The Seoul branch of the Solar Cult was favorable to Jio. Especially since the evil god of the Gyeonggi-do branch does not enjoy conflicts between divinities, I came to get permission judging that there would be no major problems."
"But you did think it was dangerous?"
"Since Jio introduced himself as an evil god, we should be careful about what we need to be careful about. He especially likes stimulating things, and above all, he does not fear conflict. I thought we should be prepared."
"I can help you with that part."
Bisabeol's Collectors took on a form close to a business company, but that didn't mean his guild members were not skilled in combat.
There was also an entourage that followed only his orders.
"I'll ask my friends for a favor."
"I feel reassured that you'll be watching our back."
Yu Seong-un, with his characteristic easygoing smile, expressed his gratitude.
"It seems I am always receiving your help."
"I feel the same way. However…."
"However?"
"He will go out as 'Mr. Seo Jio,' right?"
"…Wouldn't he have to?"
"Hmm."
Bisabeol stroked his chin.
"It would be fine to get a secretary for Mr. Seo Jio soon."
"Are you thinking of making Jio an official Hunter?"
"It's been blocked so far, but the attention is already focused on him."
No matter how quietly things were handled, quite a few people knew that the sea had calmed down after other hunters, including Seo Jio, visited the S-Class Dungeon 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'.
The A-Class Hunter who appeared without a sound and the calm sea of Korea after his visit. Since there was no particular evidence, it was not at the level of suspicion, but they were curious.
"And Mr. Seo Jio also saved people at the 'Temple of the Deep Sea' before."
"Does that influence still remain? For a Hunter who doesn't even do official activities?"
"A handsome and capable Hunter is popular with everyone."
"…That's true."
Jio, in particular, had a strong aura that made him hard to forget from people's memories.
More than anything, it wasn't so strange that there were still people who remembered 'Hunter Seo Jio', who had gathered and comforted people during that difficult and scary time, even after a year had passed.
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"The fact that he's a promising rookie A-Class Hunter whose movements cannot be tracked would have drawn more attention. Was it read as a kind of mystery strategy…."
"If you knew that well, you should have let our Mr. Jio out sooner."
"Do you think I don't know that that's a recommendation filled with your personal interest, Guild Master? Anyway, then we'll have to find a manager among the employees."
Hunters with frequent official activities or high recognition usually had one or two managers to handle their schedules.
Jio was not scheduled for frequent official activities, but if there were many people interested in him, a secretary was needed in a different sense.
"It would be easier to manage his schedule and image if they knew the existence of 'Mr. Seo Jio'…."
"We'll look for someone for that part gradually."
Bisabeol's long, slit pupils slowly dilated.
"Because I think I'll be able to find someone soon."
Was his name Ju-hyeon?
He didn't like him, but he seemed quite useful.