There were generally two ways new employees joined the Collectors.
“I saw some new faces today.”
“Really? Did the Guild Master sweet-talk someone again?”
First, Guild Master Bisabeol picked someone up off the street.
“No, there were several of them.”
“Then he must have raided another place.”
“No wonder he looked so happy….”
“It’s the Guild Master’s time-honored hobby.”
Second, he raided an illegal Guild and picked up talented people.
“I didn’t see anything on the news.”
“It must not have been a very large Guild.”
The Collectors usually gained new personnel through the Collector’s talent for picking people up. Since the Guild itself was little more than a display cabinet for Bisabeol’s collection, that was only natural in a way.
When there was one new face, Bisabeol had most likely sweet-talked someone he met on the street. When several appeared at once, the latter possibility was far more likely. This time, he had plainly raided another Guild.
“They’re still interns, right? I hope they join our team.”
“They looked sturdy, so I think they’ll go to the Gallery.”
“Being sturdy isn’t enough for that job, is it?”
“I imagine they’ll let them try Curator work as a taste of it first.”
“The company has grown lately, and things are getting rough….”
“The Gallery is practically the heart of our company. What else can they do?”
The Collectors’ primary duty was Gallery management, followed by financial operations, and then Dungeon exploration. Though the Collectors had a strong image as a corporation that handled figures and moved money, its largest enterprise was unquestionably the Gallery.
It was another world filled with beautiful and grotesque Works. Those who knew their true nature were bewitched by their rare powers, while those intoxicated by romance lavishly praised the Gallery’s splendor. Bisabeol’s Gallery was the face of the Collectors.
“They looked fairly likely to become permanent employees.”
“But if that happens….”
The existing employees whispered about the new arrivals.
“Will the newcomers…