The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 148

Yoo Seong-Woon knew Bisa Beul’s tastes very well.

‘He likes dry and selfish people.’

Thorough individualists who were, at their core, diligent and competent. People who, even when someone dropped dead right before them, could think, ‘Ah, that’s unfortunate, but at least I’m not them.’ And yet, people who still tried to hold onto the minimum standards of good and conscience.

That was Bisa Beul’s standard for collecting people.

‘In that sense, this woman Joo-Hyun is completely outside his type.’

In truth, even Yoo Seong-Woon only had a vague understanding that “this is the kind of person the guildmaster likes.” He didn’t really know what kind of people Bisa Beul disliked or how he reacted to them. If someone wasn’t his type, he simply never bothered collecting them in the first place.

And now—

“......”

“......”

In the silence that seemed to have crawled up from hell itself, Yoo Seong-Woon clenched his interlaced fingers tighter.

‘Someone, please say something.’

Yoo Seong-Woon was slowly withering away between Bisa Beul and Joo-Hyun.

‘I figured she wouldn’t be his type since she’s pretty sarcastic, but...’

Bisa Beul genuinely looked like he hated Joo-Hyun.

He was smiling, but his lips were twisted. His snake-like grin never faltered, but his eyes were cold, and his gaze—when resting on her—was arrogant and completely uncooperative. Yoo Seong-Woon had never seen Bisa Beul like that before.

‘And on this side...’

Joo-Hyun wasn’t doing great either.

This woman didn’t even try to smile. She’d always seemed polite and earnest, but in front of Bisa Beul, she didn’t even pretend to play nice. Her slightly narrowed eyes were clearly filled with contempt.

‘Why?’

You two literally just met.

‘And you haven’t said a word to each other.’

Back when Gio handed Joo-Hyun over to him, there was no way he could have predicted this atmosphere. During their walk to the meeting room, Joo-Hyun had come off as warm and easygoing.

“......”

“......”

“...Excuse me.”

In the end, Yoo Seong-Woon couldn’t take it anymore.

“Can someone say something already?”

Stop dragging me into your petty standoff.

Maybe they sensed Yoo Seong-Woon’s discomfort, or maybe they just figured this had gone on long enough. Either way, the two of them suddenly switched expressions, returning to their everyday personas.

“Oh dear, pardon me. You see, I’d heard so much about you, Miss Joo-Hyun, and your presence was so striking that I couldn’t help but stare. Please forgive my rudeness?”

“Forgiveness? What do you mean, Guildmaster Bisa Beul. I must apologize instead—I was so nervous to meet the famous collector that I behaved quite poorly. I’m truly sorry.”

Watching those two snakes play their game, Yoo Seong-Woon clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘I want to go home.’

Of course, it was way too early to clock out.

“Guildmaster.”

“Yes, Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon?”

“Should I take my leave?”

“Please, have a seat.”

Bisa Beul gestured to a chair with his signature smirking smile.

“We’re going to talk about ‘Sergio,’ after all. As his handler, you, Curator Yoo Seong-Woon, should be present, shouldn’t you?”

“If that’s your wish, Guildmaster. Thank you for the consideration.”

If it weren’t for the outsider in the room, Yoo Seong-Woon would’ve said, “Please stop bullying me already.” But for the sake of the guild’s image, he had no choice but to bow his head. He obediently sat where Bisa Beul had indicated.

Finally, the real conversation began.

“Allow me to properly introduce myself, Miss Joo-Hyun. I am Bisa Beul, Guildmaster of the Collector’s Guild.”

With a reasonably decent expression, Bisa Beul offered a light smile.

“I’ve heard about your situation as well. Quite rude of me, I know, but I learned about it through Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon. I believe our curator explained the basics to you...?”

“Yes, thanks to him, I also learned about the ‘Portrait of Gio.’ I was honestly shocked to hear that the famous Black Cloak is one of your collection pieces, Guildmaster.”

“I feel bad that an old collector like myself surprised such a fine young lady. So... the fact that you’ve come through the Collector’s Guild must mean you’re willing to look after Mr. Sergio, yes?”

Bisa Beul’s tone was natural and smooth.

“Ah, of course, if you find it burdensome, you may decline.”

“While I do feel it’s a role too grand for me, I have no intention of declining.”

Joo-Hyun’s voice was just as fluid and composed.

“I’ve received so much help from ‘Mr. Sergio’... I consider this a great honor, to be given the chance to repay him.”

At that moment, Yoo Seong-Woon heard Bisa Beul mutter sarcastically under his breath, “So she does get it.” His lips hadn’t moved—ventriloquism. A clear ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ sign he was sulking.

Joo-Hyun, being an ordinary person, probably didn’t catch it. But still...

‘And what do you want me to do about it?’

To be honest, Yoo Seong-Woon was inclined to take Joo-Hyun’s side. Sure, her open glare toward her superior wasn’t ideal, but the one who threw the first look was Bisa Beul.

‘Please, act your age.’

Despite Yoo Seong-Woon’s thoughts, the conversation moved forward.

“The ‘Portrait of Gio,’ known in the public as ‘Black Cloak,’ is currently recorded as an A-rank hunter belonging to the Collector’s Guild. That’s the identity he uses when navigating human society.”

“And my role will be to manage this ‘Sergio Hunter,’ correct?”

“As Mr. Sergio is officially part of our guild, you could consider yourself his secretary. Your job will be to help the ‘Portrait of Gio’ live among humans and function as a hunter without causing discord.”

Bisa Beul wore the kind of PR smile that the public had come to recognize. There was a faint arrogance typical of S-rank hunters—closer to monsters than humans—but it still conveyed trust and stability.

“If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Sergio introduced himself to you as an evil god. Is that true?”

“Yes, under the name Argio...”

Joo-Hyun smiled gently as she spoke.

“And for someone like that, he was incredibly kind and merciful—it surprised me.”

“That’s exactly the charm of the ‘Portrait of Gio.’ Though he contains multitudes and countless forms, he is fundamentally friendly toward humans. Very gentlemanly.”

Bisa Beul’s smile briefly became sincere as he described Gio. He loved art, and even more so, his collection. He genuinely wished for the ‘Portrait of Gio’ to be happy and at ease.

“It’s understandable that you’d be wary after meeting him as an evil god. But if you show kindness, the ‘Portrait of Gio’ will reciprocate.”

“...There was a rumor that Black Cloak gives gifts to good people.” ƒгeewebnovёl.com

“It’s true. He genuinely likes virtuous and polite humans. And he despises the wicked and discourteous ones—to the point of isolating them from others.”

Bisa Beul’s eyes curved with a sly smile.

“Doesn’t that suit your temperament, Miss Joo-Hyun?”

“...Haha...”

Joo-Hyun returned the smile as-is.

“I wouldn’t dare claim what does or doesn’t suit my temperament.”

“Oh, how wonderfully modest. Unlike the scale of your heart.”

“I’m someone without much to offer—plain and timid.”

“Excessive modesty doesn’t suit you, Miss Joo-Hyun.”

Bisa Beul’s smile twisted.

“What suits you better is gluttonous greed, don’t you think?”

“......”

Joo-Hyun’s smile deepened.

“...I never imagined I’d be called greedy by the collector himself.”

“We’re both greedy in our own fields.”

Then, Bisa Beul returned to his usual, public-friendly demeanor.

“You may not admit it, Miss Joo-Hyun, but Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon will explain the exact details of your tasks.”

At that, the long-silent Yoo Seong-Woon nodded.

“I’ll explain everything later.”

“Ah, thank you. I was worried about what to do...”

“It won’t be difficult. Don’t worry.”

As he said that, Bisa Beul looked back at Joo-Hyun.

“Do you wish to become a member of the Collector’s Guild?”

Joo-Hyun gave a clean smile.

“No.”

“Haha! I thought so.”

“I don’t think I’m a good fit for the guild.”

“Unfortunately, that’s the truth.”

Only those deemed ‘collection-worthy’ by Bisa Beul could join the guild. If he didn’t like the way you looked as a piece, you wouldn’t even make it past the front door. A ridiculous company, in a way.

In that sense, it was obvious Bisa Beul had taken a disliking to Joo-Hyun. Even Yoo Seong-Woon—who prided himself on being one of the favored—had never seen such a reaction from his superior.

“You’ll be Mr. Sergio’s personal secretary, not mine. So you don’t need to follow my orders. Just listen to Mr. Sergio.”

“I will.”

“I hear things with the association aren’t quite settled yet, but I’ll take care of that. I’ll make sure you leave cleanly, without a fuss. Do you have anything at your workplace you need to retrieve? Belongings or supplies?”

“No, nothing.”

“Then all that’s left is to tidy up your status. Fortunately, that won’t be difficult for our guild. We’ll help you transition smoothly without any friction.”

With a smile, Bisa Beul asked,

“Any other questions?”

“Rather than me, it seems you have something you want to say, Guildmaster.”

“Oh my. You’re quite perceptive.”

The smile vanished from Bisa Beul’s face.

“I don’t particularly like people like you, Miss Joo-Hyun.”

He added, “I imagine you feel the same.”

“People like you chase after illusions far too seriously.”

“Chasing illusions is, I’d say, a foolish human right.”

“But is it really necessary to do something you know is foolish?”

“For people with poor vision like you, Guildmaster, fumbling forward is the only way.”

“...Yes. I truly dislike people like you...”

He began fiddling with the rings on his fingers.

“......”

Yoo Seong-Woon realized this was Bisa Beul’s habit when he considered someone an enemy, and he quietly stared at Joo-Hyun.

The flow didn’t quite make sense, but it was worth noting. At what point did his admired superior start viewing this civilian researcher with suspicion and hatred?

‘Going by context... did he think she might harm the artwork?’

Since Bisa Beul hadn’t given any signal, Yoo Seong-Woon figured he wasn’t considered an enemy yet. Still, he decided to keep a wary eye on the civilian. He trusted Bisa Beul’s judgment.

‘For a civilian to stand tall against both an S-rank and an A-rank hunter...’

There had to be something off. That was when—

“—Hey.”

A long arm stretched out from behind Bisa Beul.

“......”

“The air’s heavy in here.”

It jingled with a clatter of ornaments, and soon a hand adorned with elaborate jewels gently clasped Bisa Beul’s shoulder, almost teasingly. Yoo Seong-Woon turned to see whose arm it was.

Pale skin untouched by sunlight, a vivid smile, crimson-black hair.

“You shouldn’t tease a hero.”

“......”

“To treat a precious talent so coldly...”

It was the portrait.

“Don’t you agree, Guildmaster Bisa Beul?”

A portrait appearing not from a wall—but from thin air.

“......”

“......”

“Those eyes.”

The gaze of two monsters met.

“Of the dragon, aren’t they?”

Bisa Beul’s pupils slit vertically.

“Pleased to meet you, Portrait of Gio.”

“I gladly accepted your invitation.”

“My, my...”

With ecstasy and greed, Bisa Beul grinned.

“...It’s an honor.”

It was the first meeting of the collector and the portrait.