Public opinion concluded that the recent “Dream Amusement Park” incident was nothing more than a divine prank, and the world, as it always did, returned to its everyday rhythm. The event merely became a trivial topic of gossip.

“Some are saying that it was actually good for Korea, as it reminded people of the danger posed by divinity. Though, of course, those opinions are getting flamed a bit—since harm is still harm...”

“Sure, people were in a panic when it happened, but anyone with a brain should realize. If the divine being hadn’t gone easy on us, there’s no way this would’ve ended with so little damage.”

“Well, our guildmaster went out for fun that day, and that... was just...”

“...Right...”

And the Curator forced himself to ignore all of it.

“......”

“......”

Pretending to know meant extra work.

“...Anyone else got something to say?”

“...What were we just talking about again?”

“You’re good at social survival.”

“Thank you.”

They weren’t oblivious to the fact that the Dream Amusement Park incident was related to the black portrait. Even without formal guidance, they had intuition.

Even so, the Curator’s employees succeeded in completely wiping the truth from their minds.

I’m already too busy.

Getting involved would be a one-way ticket to hell.

The Curator’s employees were inherently resilient. Not just to diseases or curses, but even in mental fortitude. Things blew up dozens of times a day—if they were shocked by every one of them, they wouldn’t get anything done.

“Oh, lunch break’s over.”

“See you later.”

Not that they weren’t surprised at all.

...Even considering previous incidents, this one was on a different scale.

Fuck this cursed world. Guildmaster, we believe in you...

We do, really. I trust that you have some kind of plan.

All they were doing was relying on the guildmaster, Bisa Beul.

He’s not the kind of person who’d risk damage to his own collection.

He wouldn’t just sit back and watch a disaster unfold. That much, I trust.

The Curator’s guild members understood the collector’s irrational obsession. They placed their faith in that. And as if to reward their trust, they had returned to normal life. Their “pretending not to know” was built on that belief.

But pretending not to notice Sergio Hunter was another matter.

“......”

“Hello, Binari.”

“...Yes, hello.”

“It’s been a while.”

“It has... been a while, I guess...”

Now a full-time staff member of the Curator and an A-rank Hunter, Binari quietly held back a sigh. It was a sigh on the verge of escaping from extreme tension, but she barely swallowed it down. She couldn’t afford to provoke this one.

Her gaze landed on the blond man in a black cloak.

...I don’t know how to even begin this conversation.

There was only so much you could do to brainwash yourself into believing he must be a good person. At least before, he was still monster-level—now he was publicly acknowledged as divine. Of course her demeanor had shrunk.

For things to escalate that far, and for them to still leave this being roaming free—yeah, that’s just like the Curator. Not that there’s any way to restrict the actions of a divine being in the first place...

It was inevitable she became more cautious.

What if I blurt out some nonsense without realizing and trigger a catastrophe?

That was a worry Yuseongun once had, too. These mystical beings could unleash disaster just by deviating from a single, incomprehensible standard.

After a moment of hesitation, Binari finally spoke.

“...I heard you haven’t been feeling well recently.”

Guildmaster, I believe in you.

“Have you recovered now?”

“Thank you for your concern. I’m fine.”

“I asked because I haven’t seen you around the company lately.”

“You were looking for me? I was doing some self-reflection.”

“Oh, self-reflection... I see...”

Thankfully, the world didn’t end just because they exchanged a few words.

...Yeah, if there was going to be an issue with interacting with him, they’d have posted a notice about it in advance. Right now, the only internal guideline regarding this being is that joke of a memo. This much should be okay.

There was no way to stop a divine being. But humans could be restricted. The fact that they hadn’t done so must mean it was still permissible to engage as before.

“Did it become a meaningful moment of self-reflection for you...?”

“It was a truly profound time for me.”

The blond man smiled and gestured.

“Would you like to talk with me?”

“......”

His attempt at mimicking human behavior seemed even clumsier than before.

“...Uh...”

Better not point that out.

I don’t know how he plans to reintegrate into human society with such a poor imitation, but that’s not my problem. If this were truly dangerous, the seniors would’ve stepped in already.

Binari forced herself to swallow the intense sense of wrongness. She wanted to treat this precious artifact with courtesy.

“...Pardon me, but in exactly 30 minutes, at 4:00 AM, I’m scheduled to begin my duties for ‘Sweet Tea Party.’”

“Ah, the Sweet Porcelain Girls. You’re still taking care of them?”

“Yes, I’m still in charge of that task.”

Apparently, he recalled past events. For such a being to remember a lowly human like her was an absurd miracle. And he even remembered her name.

Even though we never made a contract.

Binari glanced at the black cloak.

“......”

He was still looking at her with a kindly smile. A taxidermied smile befitting a portrait—one that instilled an unshakable discomfort in any living person.

But kindness was kindness, and she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“...Then once I finish the work at 4, yes, I would be happy to speak with you. Would that be acceptable?”

“I worry I might be interfering with your duties.”

“To be honest, yes, it’s a bit of a disruption...”

She thought it was a crazy thing to say, but she couldn’t lie. Beings wrapped in this kind of mystery often despised lies. She had to summon the courage to be honest.

“...But I also have personal curiosity, and I feel positively toward you. It would be a lie to say I’m not afraid of you, Sergio, but if fear was the only thing, I wouldn’t have accepted this exchange. You’ve always been kind to us, and if we ask politely, you step back.”

So this was Binari’s own will.

“So please wait just a little longer for me. After I finish my duties, I’d like to talk. The first time we met, I was too overwhelmed... there were many things I couldn’t ask.”

“You’re very kind.”

“...You are too, Sergio.”

“I accept your proposal.”

“Thank you.”

“And I thank you, too.”

Sergio, standing in Hallway 1 on the 3rd floor, stepped aside and gestured.

“Would you like to walk with me?”

“...If you don’t mind.”

“Of course. It would bring me joy, Binari.”

“......”

Binari internally cursed herself.

If this ends up giving me extra work, I’ve got no one to blame but me.

But what could she do? She really was curious. The situation was different from when she’d just joined.

She had adapted to the Curator’s world. She was a proper curator now. It was only natural she would be curious about the being referred to as “the Godfather” in charge of Sweet Tea Party.

Binari held her breath and followed behind the hem of the black cloak.

“......”

There was no shadow. No sound of footsteps.

Only the faint crackle of dry grass echoed in the hallway.

***

“Oh, heavens.”

Garasani greeted Sergio and Binari with a bright smile.

“It’s an honor that you’ve come in person.”

“Hello, Mr. Garasani.”

“It’s been a while, Sergio Hunter. I was disappointed I didn’t get to see you at that spectacular dungeon last time. But I understand you must have been very busy.”

“I was suffering from a fever back then, so I couldn’t visit you. I hope you can forgive me.”

“There’s no need to say that... I’m truly glad we’ve met again.”

At that, Binari subtly stepped back a pace. It wasn’t just the unnerving smile of that cold-blooded floor manager.

Behind her neutral face, Binari thought:

This is not a conversation I want to be part of.

A perfect artifact mimicking a polite priest, and the floor manager who respected and cherished it. Their interaction evoked an instinctive repulsion in her—only wrongness radiated from it.

She checked her wristwatch.

Eleven minutes and four seconds until the hour...

Then Garasani turned to her and asked,

“Were you preparing for your duty?”

“...Yes, I’m in charge of ‘Sweet Tea Party.’”

“Ah, I know that one. The lovely porcelain ladies who must be served within a five-second margin of 4:00 AM sharp. Sixth-rank, if I recall. According to the report, today’s tea treats are macarons?”

“Yes. I’ve prepared their requested flavors: blueberry, citron, and pistachio.”

“Today’s dessert is a bit larger, so the tea time might run long.”

Garasani stroked his chin and asked,

“Where did you encounter Mr. Sergio?”

“In Hallway 1, third floor.”

“And you agreed to speak with him?”

“Yes, after I finish my duties...”

“Ah, I see.”

Nodding, Garasani turned to Sergio with a smile.

“I hope this young one hasn’t caused you any trouble?”

“No. She was kind to me.”

“That’s a relief. But since there’s still time until 4:00 sharp, if it’s alright with you, Sergio Hunter, may I propose we speak together in the meantime?”

Garasani’s voice was gentle, like that of an affectionate elder.

“He is brave and competent, but he’s still inexperienced when it comes to both his assigned work and attending to someone as important as you.”

Only then did Binari realize the fifth floor manager was trying to help her.

He wants me to focus on my task without feeling pressure.

It was indeed nerve-wracking to do her job while the black cloak was watching. Binari glanced toward Sergio, who returned her gaze with a gentle smile.

“Then I’ll see you after four.”

“...Yes, I’ll see you then.”

As Binari bowed, Garasani escorted Sergio away. Once the two disappeared beyond a wall, Binari lifted her head—and let out the faintest sigh.

It had been a companion of her own choosing, but it wasn’t any less stressful.

“......”

But strangely, the feeling wasn’t bad. There was something fulfilling in briefly containing something that immense.

...So this is why people chase thrills, huh...

At precisely 4:00, Binari placed a purple, yellow, and green macaron in front of each porcelain doll. They were larger than usual, so it took a bit longer.

“A nice crunch.”

“A nice moistness.”

“A nice time.”

Hearing the dolls’ usual fortune statements, Binari tensed.

This could signal another anomaly. I have to be ready to record it in full...

As expected, additional statements followed.

“A nice fragrance.”

“A nice tea.”

“A nice decision.”

“A nice lighting.”

“A nice consideration.”

A total of five positive statements—

And just one negative one.

“It will be a bad day.”

“Godfather.”

“The Godfather is here.”

“Let’s ask him for a hug.”

And as usual, the dolls closed their eyes.

“......”

Binari let out a long breath.

...I think I know what that final negative fortune meant.

She had spent a lot of time with these porcelain dolls. A single negative statement didn’t mean death. If anything, paired with all the good ones, it probably meant a minor misfortune.

If it’s just a broken leg or arm, that’s manageable. I wonder...

And just then, as she turned her head—

“......”

“Finished your task?”

“...Yes, fifth floor manager.”

“Then «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» good work.”

He momentarily doubted his own eyes.

It wasn’t the silent approach that shocked him. No, the problem—or maybe it wasn’t a problem—was that Garasani was holding something.

A paper bundle soaked in fresh, bright red blood. Something thick wrapped inside it—

No matter how you looked at it, it was freshly slaughtered meat.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“I look forward to seeing you again.”

“Ah, please do call on me...”

The fifth floor manager bowed respectfully to Sergio and stepped away, holding two full hands of meat.

“......”

“Did your task go well?”

“...Ah, yes.”

Suddenly, Binari couldn’t help but wonder—

Was that “bad fortune” just beginning now?

***

And later, a fellow curator working the dawn shift on the third floor—

Caught sight of Binari walking through the gallery, clutching a meat-wrapped paper bundle, blood dripping everywhere.

“Ugh, what the hell, are you insane?”

“Did you already scream?”

“I thought you were one of the exhibits!”

“You basically became one...”

“Ah, a sculpture, right.”

Afterward, the Curator’s internal homepage displayed a staff-only alert announcing that “Mr. Sergio” had resumed activity. Binari, having faced him directly, was praised for her courage.

And then she was summoned by Bisa Beul.

“You said you received meat. Was it lamb? Beef? Chicken? Pork?”

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Or something... else?”

“I want to go home.”

“I became guildmaster specifically so you couldn’t.”

“I really want to go home...”

The porcelain girls’ fortune-telling was spot on.