Chapter 52

The Painter Who Draws Dungeons — Episode 52

After hearing the whole story, Yoo Sungwoon’s insides became complicated.

“...”

No, his stomach just ached.

‘...I didn’t expect an existence of the Origin to allow a human.

Has there ever been a case like this before?’

No matter how gentlemanly Gio was, he was a being born from the Origin.

If he had to find something similar, it would be a situation suspected to be something like a ‘child of the Origin,’ but well, at this point that didn’t matter.

The problem was probably what Cha Ara had seen...

“...You’re saying it was a cabin in the forest?”

Because it was suspected to be a kind of ‘garden’—a kind of Origin.

If you had to find the closest thing, it was probably that.

‘...That isn’t a place just anyone can visit. If someone without qualifications goes in, they’ll die.

In the first place, you can’t even call it a typical dungeon.’

At Yoo Sungwoon’s question, Hunter Cha Ara fidgeted with her fingers.

Then, in a rather defensive posture, she nodded.

From Yoo Sungwoon’s assessment, she seemed to have quite a sensitive and prickly personality, but more than that, she was so shrunken that he could guess what kind of treatment she usually lived under.

“Yes, I’ve never gone outside the house, but... I think it was like that.”

“I see.”

Yoo Sungwoon rubbed the back of his neck.

‘What a headache.’

He heard that the air changed to match Gio’s mood.

Hunter Cha Ara didn’t seem to have thought that far, but even among humanoid monsters, there weren’t many boss monsters that were so assimilated with a dungeon to that extent.

‘At that level, you’d have to treat the monster and the dungeon as one body.’

In other words, Hunter Cha Ara had gone into Gio’s belly and come back out.

‘And it’s not even an ordinary dungeon, but a garden... is this even a story that makes sense?’

To Yoo Sungwoon, who knew how horrific a situation could occur if someone without qualifications entered a ‘garden,’ it felt impossible, like a vile lie.

Even if Gio had granted permission, it wasn’t a space merciful enough that an F-rank, fragile hunter could survive and come out just from that.

‘Even if Gio were a gardener of an unusual type, he wouldn’t have been able to protect Cha Ara.

A mere gardener doesn’t have that kind of authority.’

It was like kimbap that went into a human mouth not being digested, but walking out on its own and boring a hole through the solar plexus.

It was impossible, and because of that, Yoo Sungwoon also found it hard to define the current situation.

“...”

Then Gio, really...

“...Thank you for answering sincerely even though you must have been flustered by the sudden situation.”

Fortunately, Bisabeol, rather than only grinning, did not butt in, so Yoo Sungwoon could keep hold of the flow.

Yoo Sungwoon continued, intending to wrap up this 자리 first and let the other party rest.

“It feels like we were the only ones asking questions. If there’s anything you’re curious about, you may ask as well.”

“...I can ask?”

“...”

As expected, there was something sharp about her; she was quite wary.

She seemed to be gauging where she could lie down and stretch her legs, but even so, she couldn’t hide this young hunter’s sensitivity.

He didn’t know what kind of survival tactics she used in daily life, but it didn’t seem like her personality itself was the rounded type.

‘And you melted someone like that down sweetly and even fed them...’

So many people said he was scary that he hadn’t even considered it, but Gio might have the ability to break down even people’s wariness.

Stuffing that conjecture into one corner of his mind, Yoo Sungwoon slowly nodded so the other party could feel as reassured as possible.

Since she was a historically valuable witness for Earth, it was right to be as considerate as possible.

“Of course you may.”

Seeing as it would be better to explain first from this side, Yoo Sungwoon continued immediately.

“What Hunter Cha Ara met was a work named ‘Gio’s Portrait.’”

“...A work?

Not a monster...?”

“We ask your understanding, as we also have not yet identified its precise nature.

However, to help with understanding, it would be better for you to think of it as a humanoid monster.”

“It makes even less sense...”

“You can understand it as a monster with a lower hatred toward Earth than other monsters.”

In truth, he was viewing it as ‘something’ with a far higher rank than that, but he couldn’t tell those parts to a hunter he had just met.

Even if her mouth didn’t look loose, all kinds of variables existed in the world.

“The work titled ‘Gio’s Portrait’ possesses a self defined as ‘Gio.’

As Hunter Cha Ara said she saw at dawn on the snowy day, it can move through frames, and it can even come out beyond the painting and act.”

“...That’s... so...”

“In addition to taking a rather friendly attitude toward humans, and since there is no way to stop it from drawing beyond the frame and moving, from the collector guild’s side we are leaving it be, as a matter of persuasion.”

“What, no, yes?”

Cha Ara shuddered.

“How can you just leave someone that dangerous alone...!

If you said it’s a work, that means it’s stored in the collector’s gallery, right?

Th-then why can’t you lock it up...?”

“...”

Yoo Sungwoon felt a doubt.

‘...Did she just say “person”?’

Even after feeling the pressure of that black portrait, it wasn’t a word that would come easily, so it was strange.

‘Even if she’s saying “work” and asking to lock it up, it means she’s practically feeling Gio as a person.

This is definitely unusual.

If Hunter Cha Ara herself isn’t special, then is it Gio’s ability?’

Thinking that, Yoo Sungwoon put on his usual placid smile and said,

“In Korea, there are exactly two places that store dangerous objects like ‘Gio’s Portrait.’”

“...Ah, there was another place besides the collector’s gallery...?”

“It’s not well known, but the Association’s laboratory is.

It’s a place with far tighter security than the collector’s gallery.”

“Then why not send it there...”

“The guildmaster had a strong opinion. Ownership of ‘Gio’s Portrait’ belongs to Guildmaster Bisabeol, the winning bidder at the auction.”

Rather than people dying because of a dangerous work, the guildmaster’s opinion that his ownership and time to appreciate it were more important.

Cha Ara seemed to be at a loss for words at that brazen answer.

Perhaps she understood the harsh world and her own situation, where she couldn’t easily protest even despite the work’s danger.

Watching her grow a little quieter, Yoo Sungwoon continued.

“Because of that, our guild will provide compensation for the inconvenience Hunter Cha Ara experienced.”

“...So you’re paying me to shut up?”

“I would appreciate it if you do.

Is there compensation you want?”

“...”

“If nothing comes to mind yet, you may use the remaining time to ask other questions.

Hunter Cha Ara must also have been greatly flustered by this situation.”

Hunter Cha Ara, who had been hesitant and watching the room, soon opened her mouth.

“Th-th, th... person...?

Anyway, that thing, it isn’t human, right?”

“As I said earlier, it would be best to think of it as a humanoid monster that can communicate.

That doesn’t mean it truly is a monster, but I can at least state firmly that it is not human.”

Bisabeol added,

“You can think of it as a god who enjoys amusement.

Even if we don’t know its exact identity, its rank likely isn’t lower than the gods the priests serve.”

“Guildmaster, I think spreading uncertain information to a hunter you’ve just met could become a major anxiety factor.”

“But isn’t that easier to understand?

A humanoid monster that can communicate isn’t exactly a word that feels very tangible to a hunter.

Whereas an eccentric god who enjoys amusement isn’t unheard of.”

At Bisabeol’s words, Cha Ara muttered with an uneasy expression.

“But it cooks, too...?”

“...”

“A cooking god... exists...?”

At that uncertain mutter, Bisabeol burst out silently laughing, and Yoo Sungwoon forced himself to swallow a sigh.

So, Gio, are you someone’s grandmother or what.

‘Even if he likes fat humans, why does he get so worked up about feeding people whenever he sees them.’

It wasn’t information so sensitive he couldn’t answer, so he nodded obediently.

“...Yes, that is one of the traits ‘Gio’s Portrait’ displays.

Even in our guild, there are many people who have received gifts from Gio.

They were things like cookies, chocolates, and candies...”

When Yoo Sungwoon glanced at Bisabeol, the man, still with laughter in his face, nodded.

With that permission, Yoo Sungwoon continued more comfortably.

“In my case, as someone in charge of managing ‘Gio’s Portrait,’ I have also received gifts such as fruit tea or sausages.

The tea you said Gio served you at the cabin was likely that.

We suspect that the type of food changes depending on the favorability Gio feels toward the other party, the relationship, or his personal judgment.”

“Ah... ahh...”

“However... a question occurred to me, briefly.”

Yoo Sungwoon asked Cha Ara,

“Before eating at the cabin, did you give Gio something?”

“...?

No...?

I-I’m poor, so... I don’t have anything like that...”

“It doesn’t have to be something special.

Did you give Gio anything at all, even a stone?

Or did it seem like Gio felt some strong emotion toward you, Hunter Cha Ara?”

“...”

Cha Ara, looking annoyed and flustered as if to say, ‘Why are you asking this,’ wavered between irritation and confusion, but perhaps judging that this wasn’t a meaningless question meant only to torment her, she soon fell into thought.

Even after some time, her answer was the same.

“...I don’t think so, no matter how I think about it... and even if it’s something like emotion, not at all...”

“Is that so?

Then he didn’t say anything about viewing you as a friend, either?”

“He said in ‘Jewel Ley Lines’ that he came to find a friend, but, uh, um, no.

He said that I’m too young and weak to become his friend.”

“Ah-ha.”

It was a peculiar standard.

‘...Thinking eighteen is young is definitely a unique standard, but anyway, did he think it would be hard for an eighteen-year-old and a twenty-nine-year-old to be friends.

I don’t know whether he was worried his rank would crush her, or whether it was a conclusion matched to humans’ general perspective...’

Yoo Sungwoon nodded.

“Then it seems it’s certain you didn’t receive anything.”

“Th-then is that... not allowed?”

“As far as we know, there have been no cases like that.”

One of Gio’s rules was a one-to-one transaction.

“‘Gio’s Portrait,’ when interacting with humans, if it received something, it returned something, and if it handed something over, it wanted to receive something.

This is true even if it isn’t strictly material.

Gio also always gave an apology gift to people it thought it had startled.”

“Ah, aaah...!”

“...?”

“An apology gift!!”

As if she knew something, Cha Ara rummaged around in her arms.

“Th-that...!

That thing...!

The gift I got on the snowy day, when I saw it then, a gift...!!”

“I would appreciate it if you calm down and speak slowly.”

“Gngh...”

Letting out a long breath, Cha Ara soon pulled a black jewel from her arms.

“I-I got something like this.

When I was startled and sat down, I found it.”

“...”

“And I forgot for a moment too, and I wasn’t even sure it was definitely given by Mr. Gio... so I couldn’t tell you...”

“...May I see it for a moment?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Hmm...”

Wearing gloves, Yoo Sungwoon lifted the jewel and examined it up close.

“...”

A crystalline structure that faintly sloshed like liquid.

But a hard mineral.

“...It was given by Gio.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. The only one who can produce jewels like this is Gio.”

As far as they had learned up to now.

“If it is alright, may our collector guild purchase this jewel from you?”

“Huh?

This?”

“Because its crystalline structure does not exist on Earth, even if you put it up for auction, countless rumors will spread.

In the worst case, Hunter Cha Ara, even your family could be harmed.”

“Uh...”

“I think it would be best for us, who manage ‘Gio’s Portrait,’ to keep it.”

Saying that, Yoo Sungwoon shrugged.

“I am not forcing you.”

“You’re totally forcing me... you’re threatening me by bringing up my family...”

“I merely stated the reality, and the choice is Hunter Cha Ara’s.”

“Ugh...”

“I am not saying we will purchase it immediately.

That is, if Hunter Cha Ara permits at least minimal protective measures.”

“Protective measures?

You mean surveillance?”

“Since it is an unidentified gift from none other than ‘Gio’s Portrait,’ we cannot simply leave it unattended.”

“No, but...”

“As I said earlier, I am not demanding it immediately.

We also feel burdened about forcibly taking away a gift from ‘Gio’s Portrait.’”

It was not the collector guild’s method to purchase as if snatching it away from a young hunter who hadn’t even grasped the situation yet.

And he had no intention of pulling a swindler’s trick against a young hunter who looked inexperienced even with transactions and auctions.

“If you become certain, then contact me then.”

“...You aren’t taking it?”

“Its crystalline structure is unique, but unless it is research material, the jewel itself has no value.”

While it wasn’t as much as the Association’s laboratory, the collector guild also had a separate team that could research new works or fragments of works.

Gio’s jewels were already in a state where safety had been secured through multiple experiments after receiving Gio’s own assurance that “they have no special function.”

‘Even so, we can’t be completely at ease, but it also isn’t an item so dangerous or precious that we need to seize it from a frightened young hunter by doing something harsh.’

Besides, Bisabeol’s opinion was that if you die from a work’s favor, it counts as death by natural causes.

As Yoo Sungwoon, the employee and gardener beneath him, there was no reason not to follow that direction.

Yoo Sungwoon continued explaining.

“Most jewels have high value simply because they are beautiful, and the collector guild also often purchases jewels that are merely beautiful, but that doesn’t mean it is a problem.”

“What the hell is...?”

“I meant that merely possessing the jewel will likely cause no problems.

If you hide it well and keep it so other hunters can’t notice, unless they look at it closely, they won’t know it’s something special.

If you intend to use it ordinarily for ornamentation, I even suggest not selling it.”

Of course, it could be stolen and lead to an accident, or there could be a risk factor the collector guild itself hadn’t identified that could injure her badly, but on that point, there would be protective measures at the guild level.

‘We also need to block in advance a situation where the world becomes overly noisy because of Gio’s existence.’

Yoo Sungwoon took out a red jewel.

“I, too, have once received a jewel as a return gift from ‘Gio’s Portrait.’”

It was the jewel he’d received after drawing an apology for Gio once.

Even without separate measures, it remained transparent and beautiful.

“We have inspected it as precisely as possible at the collector guild level, and it is harmless, no different from an ordinary Earth jewel, and it does not easily break or get scratched.

Aside from being excessively hard, there’s nothing problematic.”

“Ah...”

“Personally, I also recommend leaving it as an ornament, but we have not yet conducted detailed research on ‘Gio’s Portrait.’

We cannot know when or what harm the jewel may cause, so if you want to trade it, please contact us then.”

At that, Bisabeol suddenly became sulky.

It was a truly repulsive reaction.

“So you won’t sell it now...?”

“Please keep some dignity, Guildmaster.

This isn’t an auction house.”

“I... I have none...

No Gio jewels, and... I’ve never talked to him...”

“That’s why I told you to fix that personality.”

If even kind Gio was reluctant to speak with him, just how burdensome must it be.

‘It isn’t like Gio—who already likes quiet—to match with Bisabeol.

He isn’t a bad person, but you can’t call him a good person either...

Harmless to works, but as a fellow human, he’s quite harmful.’

Because there was an outsider present, he barely held back a sigh.

No matter how free an atmosphere the collector guild chose as its image, it would do no good to show an employee tearing down the guildmaster.

“Also, whether we can sell a jewel received as a gift to our guild—we would need to ask Gio for his opinion on that as well.

Monsters are strict about rules.”

“...Th-that’s... true...”

“Separately from that, it likely won’t be a problem for the time being, so it would be better to keep it as an ornament.

If it makes you uncomfortable, you may sell it now.”

He didn’t want to see Bisabeol jumping for joy, and he didn’t want it to pass into others’ hands and stir up academia.

As long as no sudden situation occurred, it wasn’t necessarily bad for an individual to keep possession.

‘It is safest for the collector guild to store it unofficially, but.’

Cha Ara was a rare hunter who had come out after receiving abundant favor from ‘Gio’s Portrait.’

She was the only person who had eaten not a simple gift like cookies or fruit syrup, but a full table Gio himself had prepared.

‘It would be a waste to earn her hostility.

She is the type who basically takes a stance of wariness toward others... so let’s not make her uncomfortable.’

From the standpoint of a gardener, he was also curious what effect Gio’s jewel would have on an F-rank hunter.

Yoo Sungwoon continued.

“Our collector guild also still does not know much about ‘Gio’s Portrait.’

However, since you have received Gio’s favor, Hunter Cha Ara, you may one day encounter ‘Gio’s Portrait’ again.”

“...”

“So I will tell you what you should share.”

It would be troublesome if Hunter Cha Ara unnecessarily incurred the portrait’s wrath.

“As I said earlier, Gio prefers one-to-one transactions.

From what I heard from your story, it seems likely this rule applies only when there is a frame between you.

Because you said that when you ate inside the painting, there was no problem even though you gave nothing to Gio.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.

I didn’t really give anything...”

“If you encounter ‘Gio’s Portrait’ again, conversation itself is not a problem.

However, if you give something to Gio, or if you receive something, you should mentally prepare for a corresponding price.”

“Uh, uh, how?

What kind of price do I have to pay?”

“We have confirmed that even ten bungeoppang can be an acceptable price.”

“...”

So modest.

Cha Ara made a strange expression, like she’d seen a talking panda.

She seemed to think that compared to Gio’s rank, what he received was remarkably ordinary, and Yoo Sungwoon agreed with her a hundred times over.

“We have also confirmed that telling Gio personal information such as your name is not a problem.

Among our collector guild staff as well, several exchanged names with the portrait, but no one-sided contract proceeded.”

“...That’s a relief.”

“And...”

As fatigue suddenly surged, Yoo Sungwoon forced himself to swallow a sigh.

“...”

Whether good or bad, an existence of the Origin being friendly to humans was still something that consumed mental strength.

He probably wouldn’t meet such a being again while alive.

* * *

“...”

1.

The man wearing a black cloak is named Gio.

2.

Gio is a dawn-shift employee.

Do not ask about his identity.

3.

If Gio wants to exchange names, tell him your name.

There is no problem at all.

4.

No matter what conversation Gio initiates, respond kindly and politely.

If the conversation is successful, you will receive a gift from Gio.

5. Rule 4 is exaggerated, so you do not have to follow it 반드시.

6. Ignore Rule 5.

Let’s become employees who are always polite to customers and colleagues.

7.

You may give a gift to Gio.

In this case, be sure to receive a return gift from Gio.

8.

If there is a frame hanging inside the building that you have not seen before, ignore it.

It will be removed before daybreak as an experimental installation by the dawn shift.

Do not touch the work or scratch it.

9.

Bad people cannot go before the portrait on Basement Level 5.

Especially, be careful not to visit the portrait at dawn.

“What is... this?”

“These are rules our guildmaster personally organized.”

“Is it really okay for me to look at this?”

“Actually, maybe it isn’t...”

Yoo Sungwoon was suffering from extreme fatigue.

“But since the guildmaster himself told me to show you, it doesn’t matter.”

“How can it not matter...

This is just giving up...

Can a big corporation run this sloppily?

Work management too, something feels off...”

“Since these rules were made to distribute to our employees, I think you should read them while appropriately allowing for parts like the terminology.”

“Uh, yes...”

After looking through the rules, Cha Ara tilted her head and asked,

“Um, but what are Rules 4 and 5?

It feels like rules written by two different people.

It’s not even a ghost story.”

“Ah, those are parts Gio himself added after seeing the rules the guildmaster organized...”

“Is it okay to let a monster change the rules itself?

No, in the first place, why did you even leave it as-is?”

“The guildmaster said it was fun and told us to leave it as-is.”

“...”

“If you have familiarized yourself with it, may I escort you home now?”

Seeing the face of the exhausted office worker, Cha Ara nodded cautiously.

“P-please do...”

So big corporations aren’t all good.

It was a moment of enlightenment.

Fantasy, modern,