Chapter 17

The Painter Who Draws Dungeons — Episode 17

Tea made by drying flowers that grew from the corpse of a forest butterfly dwelling in the veins of destiny.

It has a pale blue tint, and its soft cream fragrance is exquisite.

Processed directly by Gio, the owner of the forest, it can be accepted even by a human body.

The moment you drink it, blood vessels regenerate, making it outstanding for severe injuries, and cells are reconstructed, leaving you in a constant state of immunity against minor illnesses.

[Duration: 6 months]

“...”

Having finished his appraisal, Yoo Seongun pressed his lips tight and wiped his face upward.

“...This bastard Gio...”

What the hell did he give me.

“This isn’t tea you can trade for ten bungeoppang, damn it.”

* * *

He had always thought it, but ‘Gio’s portrait’ was a ridiculous existence.

‘I still don’t know what it is.’

Whether it was a monster, an item, or—as Bisabeol and Yoo Seongun suspected—a child of the Origin.

‘But it has a human form... and it knows humans and society fairly well, too.’

No matter what it was, the fact that it was personally bending to the rules of humans like that was close to a miracle.

Perhaps an existence like this would never appear again in the world.

At least, in this narrow dimension called Earth.

‘Guildmaster Bisabeol, famous for having a good eye, didn’t pour in that kind of money for nothing.’

And what that ‘Gio’s portrait’ asked for was...

“Will this do?”

Seeds.

Crop seeds.

“For now, I gathered what I could.”

Yoo Seongun smiled awkwardly and showed the seed packets in his arms.

After receiving the tea leaves, by the dawn of the very next day, he had gathered them with his best effort in just a few hours.

Tomato, corn, potato, sweet potato, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, peas, pumpkin, chili pepper, carrot, radish, watermelon, eggplant, and more besides...

“I wanted to get you more proper seeds, but there aren’t many shops around here that sell those kinds of stock.

I barely managed to clean out a shabby little shop tucked away in an alley, so I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

“Of course I like it.

Looking at how much you brought, I understand how hard you tried in such a short time.

And yet, compared to how much you brought, you have a face that looks almost apologetic.”

“It’s because after receiving tea that valuable, seed packets aren’t enough to balance it...”

As Yoo Seongun poured the seed packets over the frame in a rustling stream, he said,

“Even if these aren’t the cheapest seeds, the tea you gave me was just too much.”

“...”

While checking the seeds, Gio asked,

“Are seeds very cheap?”

“Huh?

Ah, well, yeah.

I mean, a single packet of seeds like the one you’re holding is about the same as the cost of a decent meal out... so on average, I don’t think it’s that cheap.”

“...”

“...Don’t tell me you asked because you thought seeds were cheap?”

“Yes.”

The portrait was still blunt and showed no emotion, but as he looked into those black eyes, Yoo Seongun could feel that Gio was sorry.

Just as Bisabeol had said, he really did have a gentle nature.

For whatever he was thinking—or if it was just a meaningless habit—Gio blinked twice and said,

“My apologies.

I did not think they would be that expensive.”

“I don’t even know what you’re apologizing for.

I’m telling you it can’t compare to the tea you gave me.”

He knew well that Gio’s placid, pure goodwill toward humans was quite destructive.

With an awkward smile, Yoo Seongun waved his hand.

“From the fact that you made it yourself, there’s no way to even measure the value of that sincerity, and with all those effects attached... honestly, it was so precious I even wondered whether I was allowed to drink it.”

Even at a first glance, the tea Gio gave was high in value.

Wasn’t it tea made directly by a possessed portrait.

‘Whether Gio is a humanoid monster or a child of the Origin, the fact that he’s rare doesn’t change.’

But with effects that seemed like they could even bring a dead person back to life...

“...I’m truly grateful for your goodwill.

But...”

After hesitating for a moment, Yoo Seongun continued.

“...I’m a little worried.

I plan to drink the tea you gave me while enjoying it, but don’t give other people gifts this precious.”

“...”

“Most humans don’t know how to accept goodwill as it is.

Their bowls aren’t as big as you think.”

First of all, the probability they would receive goodwill as fear was the highest.

Unless someone was extremely greedy or placid about everything, it would be hard to do nothing but feel thankful for such an excessive gift.

‘Someone will definitely take it as a threat and get angry, or else panic.

And even if a greedy person receives such a gift, that creates problems too.’

It felt wasteful, but in Yoo Seongun’s eyes, the reason Gio gave tea was less about treating a wound and more about letting him enjoy the act of drinking tea.

Accustomed to the Origin’s rules, Yoo Seongun had no intention of selling the tea or using it for some other purpose and risking Gio’s displeasure.

“If the tea leaves you gifted end up on some auction you don’t even know about, you’d feel bad, right?”

“An auction... I did not think they would attach such meaning to tea that is nothing special.”

He acted as if to say, ‘Humans do incomprehensible things, like assigning value to meaningless places.’

“Yeah, that’s what it looks like.”

Yoo Seongun laughed in embarrassment.

‘...You’re the one insisting you’re human, and yet you’re pretty blunt about not understanding.’

But for Gio, who didn’t know how to deeply 고민, it was an unavoidable judgment.

His system clearly said it was at the level of a fatigue recovery aid, and Gio had no reason to doubt that.

If it was, at most, something like vitamins, then Yoo Seongun’s words would naturally sound like a fuss.

“...”

“...”

At Gio’s indifferent reaction, Yoo Seongun couldn’t help thinking, ‘As expected, there are parts that differ from human common sense.’

Just like how, to most monsters, a lump of gold is no different from a rock.

“Well, so...”

Yoo Seongun continued.

“You probably gave it as a gift only looking at its value as tea, but from the standpoint of ordinary humans, it isn’t like that.

It would be better to refrain from gifts that would make greedy bastards’ eyes roll back.”

Surely, as the owner, Gio wouldn’t not know what effects ‘forest butterfly flower tea’ had.

In the first place, he said, ‘The fragrance was good, so I made it into tea,’ so he likely truly had no interest in using it for anything other than tea.

That kind of indifference was certainly like other Origin existences.

‘Monsters and children of the Origin alike are often ignorant of human greed.

Even if Gio knows human physiology well, the fact that something inhuman still shows that kind of easygoing plainness... there’s really no room to excuse it.’

Even a pebble that is nothing to monsters becomes an excellent resource to humans.

Beings born from the Origin’s veins did not understand that well.

They often said humans were making a fuss.

“...Well, yeah, if you call it making a fuss, I can’t really argue...”

He just wanted to prevent an accident that might happen.

“A gift you give with goodwill and no intent could feel extremely huge to us.

Right?

How should I put it—because it’s a gift from a portrait.”

“...”

“Honestly, you look too solid to be hurt by human greed, but there are more persistent people than you’d expect.

Be careful so your goodwill isn’t exploited.”

Gio stared at Yoo Seongun.

‘...It’s scarier when you say nothing.

Even if the pressure is less because he’s inside the portrait, it’s still this much?

This is scary.’

In Gio’s face inside the portrait, there wasn’t a shred of emotion to be found.

That inorganic expression sent chills down Yoo Seongun’s spine.

Bisabeol said, ‘Break free of that pressure and see Gio’s essence itself,’ but how could that be easy.

Just as it’s hard for an ordinary person who suddenly falls from fifty kilometers up to admire the scenery of the sky, it wasn’t easy for him either.

That was how heavy the gaze of ‘Gio’s portrait’ was.

“...Was that overstepping?”

Since Gio had such a well-built ego and was an existence within the Origin, his own rules would surely be firm.

The babbling of a mere human he hadn’t even known for long might irritate him.

‘But I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know.

Eliminating as many chances of trouble as possible is our job.’

A gardener’s work is all like that.

Wandering here and there, taking measures so the Origin and Earth can coexist.

And ‘Gio’s portrait’ was an especially special case, so he had to say this.

Humans were beings who easily discarded their identity for greed.

“...”

“No.”

A little chilly, very heavy, but gentlemanly and calm.

Thankfully, the portrait still had the same face.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“...I’m grateful you took it as advice.”

“Honestly, I think the word ‘odd’ is appropriate, but outside the painting will be different from the world I know.”

In a voice so polite it felt oddly unnatural, Gio continued.

“Even though it may have been troublesome, thank you for considering me and telling me.”

“...Your speech is still so crisp...”

Does Gio know that parts like that make him seem even less human.

‘He seems to think he’s an ordinary human, but...

Is he aware of that contradiction and ignoring it, or is he truly doing this because he doesn’t know...’

Around then, Gio asked,

“Then why are seeds expensive?”

“...Huh?

Ah, seeds?”

Realizing the subject had returned to earlier, Yoo Seongun nodded and answered.

“Well... because they let you farm, right.

Whether it’s tomatoes or lettuce or anything, once you start farming, you can at least take responsibility for a day’s meals yourself.

And even if you don’t, if you take it to market and sell it to others, that becomes money, and you can buy meat or other daily necessities...”

“...”

“Most households that want to farm would prefer wild seeds they can find for free in places like mountains, rather than these refined seeds.

Anyway, seeds sold in stores seem expensive in many ways.”

“I see.”

“Mm, for someone like you who lives close to nature, it might be hard to understand.”

“No, I understand.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

Yoo Seongun continued.

“Anyway, making seeds or seedlings yourself is extremely troublesome, and the quality is worse.

That’s why specialty shops exist.

Unless it’s seeds you somehow managed to make in a home workshop, these seeds sold by professionals are quite pricey.”

He heard the portrait mutter softly.

“Farming...”

“You asked me because you’re interested too?”

“Yes.”

Gio nodded.

“I have done it a few times before.”

“Yeah?

Before, huh...”

“And since time overflows inside the portrait, I thought I didn’t want to keep my hands still.”

“Between drawing and everything else, you have a lot of hobbies.

You won’t get bored living, will you.”

“To live a pleasant life, there must not be time to be bored.”

“That’s true.”

He understood.

‘To spend that infinite time, you’d need a great many hobbies.’

Gio maintained his self cleanly enough to the point of mistaking himself for human.

There was no hostility or madness a monster might have, and it was also different from the excessive indifference children of the Origin showed.

He was too blunt, yet he maintained enough intellect to still look human.

‘That can’t be easy.’

In a way, it was also pitiful.

‘...Living the life of the Origin with a human mind would be quite burdensome...’

It would be easier if he abandoned his humanity.

“...”

But from a gardener’s standpoint, that could not happen.

‘And from humans’ standpoint too.’

That misunderstanding had to be maintained for as long as possible.

Yoo Seongun shrugged, casting off all his feelings.

As always, with a placid smile, he asked Gio.

“Then are you going to farm now?”

“That seems to be the case.”

“Seems there’s a place to farm inside the portrait?

That’s amazing.”

“It is an ordinary cabin.”

“Hm...”

A cabin, huh.

“It sounds very peaceful.”

“It truly is peaceful.

The weather is always mild, the ground is damp and crumbly with moisture, and a clear stream flows through a quiet, comfortable forest.”

“...That really...”

It sounded exactly like the Origin.

“...A place I want to visit.”

“I will invite you someday.”

“Right now would be hard, huh?”

“My house is dirty, so it would be hard right now.”

“Yeah, I figured.”

Given Gio’s personality, the words ‘my house is dirty’ were likely a lie, but anyway, you couldn’t go in without the homeowner’s permission.

Yoo Seongun naturally had that much decency.

“Then have a fun farming time.”

“May I see you again tomorrow?”

“Ah, that... because you want to repay me?”

“Since I received so much, I must repay you as well.”

“It’s nothing.”

“And also, Mr. Yoo Seongun gave me good advice.”

“...Did I?”

If he refused any more, he might provoke anger instead.

‘Origin existences have their own rules.’

Monsters in dungeons made under the Origin’s influence had consistent habits and actions, and there were separate methods for exchange or raids.

For a ‘child’ even closer to the Origin, the rules would be stronger, not weaker.

‘He’s already judged to be a child of the Origin.

He will have strong pride in his own rules, and even if it’s not pride, physiologically it would be hard for him to break them... so I can’t reject it on my side.’

The Origin is nature itself.

Just as a mere human cannot stop a disaster, to coexist with nature, humans must learn humility and adapt to the other side.

“Mm...”

With an awkward smile, Yoo Seongun said,

“Ask for something that isn’t a big deal.”

“The tea leaves were not a big deal either.”

“Of course you’d say that... right?”

As a child of the Origin, it would be hard for him to judge what objects were valuable to humans.

After hesitating for a moment, Yoo Seongun forced the words out.

“...Something tasty?”

“Are you asking me to cook?”

“Something like the snacks you said you gave the employees you met before is fine.

You said you gave things like chocolate, cookies, or jelly.”

“Yes, that is correct.

Since they were all kind people, I gave them gifts.”

“Yeah?”

Hearing him speak like this, it did seem that Gio gave gifts to ‘good people.’

Maybe he judged every act—being polite, making conversation easy, giving him gifts—as ‘good.’

“That level of snacks should be fine.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

“Ah, and also.”

Yoo Seongun passed along what he had heard from Guildmaster Bisabeol.

“He said it’s fine for you to come out.”

“...”

“You used to come out of the portrait sometimes.

Because the employees were scared, you mostly opened your eyes at dawn.

And up until now, I was basically your only conversation partner.”

“There was no particular need to go outside.”

“But you might feel stifled, so if you want, Bisabeol said it’s fine for you to come out and look around the company building.

Here, an access card.”

“I have never been employed by the Collector guild.

Other than Mr. Yoo Seongun, I have no acquaintances here—will it be all right to let an outsider wander around?”

“Important places are probably too much, but I set it up so you can go to areas regular employees use.

Later, if you come out and run into another employee, show them that card and you’ll be able to smooth it over to some extent.”

It would only be at the level of roughly glossing it over, but still.

‘Because his soul rank is so high.’

Even so, having it was better than not having it, for later cleanup.

The Collector’s guild members were quick on the uptake, so they would be careful on their own.

The portrait looked at the white necklace card Yoo Seongun handed over.

“Well, it seems like you have a way to move around even without something like this.

Still, being officially granted entry would make you feel more at ease too, right?”

“...”

“If possible, I’d like you to come out at times like now, when there aren’t people... but if you’re fine with it, you can come out even during the day.”

“That was a sufficient answer.”

“Uh... and don’t harm anyone or anything.”

“If I am attacked first, what should I do?”

“That can’t be helped.”

If a stupid human deliberately steps on a furious tiger’s tail and gets eaten, that is death by natural causes.

“I’m on no one’s side.”

Yoo Seongun helped the Origin and humans coexist as much as possible; he wasn’t unconditionally on humans’ side.

A gardener always had to remain neutral.

“Then you fight back too.”

“I do not have the stomach for that, so I will try fleeing instead.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

So, this was a sign of trust humans could show.

All Yoo Seongun could do was hope that ‘Gio’s portrait,’ with its 1:1 rules, would repay it properly, as it always had.

* * *

One month later.

A ghost story began to spread in the Collector.

“It was a black cloak.”

There were no deaths.

Bisabeol’s gamble succeeded.

Fantasy, modern,