Chapter 67

The Painter Who Draws Dungeons — Episode 67

It is not an easy thing for the atmosphere of an entire dungeon to change.

‘That is only possible when there is a change in the dungeon owner’s condition, and an owner capable of assimilating a dungeon as if it were part of themselves would, for the most part, be a monster stronger than average...’

Thinking that, Kang Seodam looked at the ‘Seo Gio’ before him.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course.

What are you curious about?”

“...Are you, at present, in the situation of being a hunter?”

It was a question of whether cooperation would be possible, since he was imitating a human now.

‘...I hope it doesn’t sound too insolent.’

Kang Seodam still could not meet Gio’s eyes, and was watching only his lips.

Lips that drew a perfectly gentle curve opened calmly, holding a kindness so tender it felt alien.

“Come to think of it, I’m late in introducing myself.

I am Seo Gio, a hunter of the collectors’ guild.”

“...Is that so?”

Thinking about it, he remembered that the white-haired hunter who had been stuck by his side throughout the initiation ceremony had clearly been from the collectors’ side.

He had left a deep impression as a rare hunter from the underground side rather than a public figure.

‘Then is this person currently in a situation of receiving help from the collectors’ guild.

It is rare for a god to put in this much effort to seep among humans.’

Even if an existence that was once human became a god, gaining divinity means relinquishing humanity.

In many ways, to adapt to humans and their society, receiving the help of a capable group as he was now was also one kind of god’s amusement.

‘Above all, if it is the collectors... the guild that has Collector Bisabeol’s gallery.

Since it is a group that pours not control but affection upon mystery and strangeness, it could be said to be perfectly suited to helping a god’s amusement.’

He felt reassured.

‘Then this becomes easier to talk about.

If he has received help from a human group and even properly created an identity to this degree, he will not easily cast humans away.

That means he holds an open heart toward humans, and...’

Kang Seodam, still without meeting his gaze, asked,

“Are you perhaps a priest?”

“Yes, I am... hmm.”

The black cloak, which had looked as if it were about to answer in the affirmative, paused briefly.

Then, soon smiling faintly, it continued.

“If you are asking my profession as a hunter, I am not a priest but a tamer.”

“Then how should I understand your holy power?”

“It is merely power I gratefully received as a child of the sun, nothing grand.”

“Then you are a believer, not a priest.

Thank you for helping my understanding.”

Seo Gio, a hunter of the collectors’ guild.

Platinum blond hair and blue eyes.

Profession: Tamer.

Judging by the fact that the pressure he gave off did not feel that alien, his rank would likely have been adjusted to somewhere between A and B, and the reason he could handle holy power was that he was a devout believer of the sun god...

“...”

He remembered.

‘...Judging by the rank I can sense, it seems closer to having been cut off than hidden—his way of enjoying amusement is extremely violent.

It is not impossible that he is under a curse, as well.’

Of course, there was no need for Kang Seodam, a mere human, to analyze and agonize over a god’s story.

He merely asked, cautiously, in order to do his own work.

“Could you perhaps help me find other survivors?”

“As it happens, that is why I came here.”

“Ah... thank you.”

Truly, is he not a god favorable toward humans.

Since a presence close to death can be felt, it is not impossible that he is an evil god, but even so, one cannot refuse a god’s help when he is being this polite.

‘I do not know exactly which god he is, but he treasures humans greatly.

Since he is using a Korean-style name, Seo Gio is likely not his true name... I should later offer prayers for his health, but...’

For now, he decided to ask that later.

From a god’s standpoint it might feel merely interesting, but the humans’ situation was very urgent, after all.

“On your way here, did you see other survivors?”

“There were quite a lot of people where I was.

A contracted beast I regard like a son is holding that position, so you need not worry about that side.

I came to confirm whether there are survivors elsewhere besides the pupil where I was.”

“Then our situations are similar.

I was dropped alone into a pupil full of monsters, and there were no survivors there besides myself.

In the pupil I came out from just now, there were more people, but...”

“Were there casualties?”

“...”

“I see.”

Surprisingly, it was a tone that held sorrow.

Kang Seodam quietly suppressed his own agitation.

‘There are gods who grieve over the deaths of mere humans?

That is an exceedingly rare case.’

Gods were, to begin with, such existences.

Those who had become part of nature and fate.

Even if such gods have emotions toward human death, at most they feel interest at the level of a toy breaking.

However, the ‘Seo Gio’ before his eyes looked as if he were truly mourning people’s deaths.

On equal footing, as if facing a friend’s death.

“...”

“Did you bestow blessings?”

“...I tried, however inadequately, to do what I could.”

“Would it be rude if I look once more as well?”

“Then the dead souls, too, can return to the sun’s side with lighter hearts.”

For a god to directly bless the dead.

It might sound a little strange for those pitiful people killed by monsters, but it could only be described as miraculous luck.

“Please guide me.”

“Then, this way...”

Leading ‘Seo Gio,’ Kang Seodam felt a little reassured.

Not every god can be trusted, but a god who is putting in enough sincerity to even imitate mourning is trustworthy.

‘The Goddess also cast her favorable gaze upon him, so it is not for me, her servant, to doubt.

Empty your thoughts and follow the god’s will.

That is what a priest should do.’

Kang Seodam decided to match the rhythm of the name ‘Seo Gio.’

This was the historic moment when the secret human identity of the ghost story ‘black cloak,’ ‘Seo Gio,’ was created.

* * *

“You know.”

Yoo Sungwoon stared blankly at the campfire.

“...”

“To think I’d get dragged into a virtual dungeon while in the temple of the sun of all places, and end up filming a desperate survival story with blood splattering and tears flowing.”

Hearing that, Kang Seodam nodded as if in agreement.

“Even right up until the moment I first fell into the pupil, I had a similar thought.”

“So you did too?”

“At the time, it looked like a cool dungeon where the sun’s light would have difficulty reaching, so I even steeled myself to perhaps die and prepared my heart to take responsibility for this situation.”

“Wow, that’s cool.

Not everyone awakened as a priest is going to be as cool as Priest Kang Seodam.”

“I am merely doing my best at what I must do.”

“Doing your best, huh...”

Yoo Sungwoon nodded.

“So is that why you’re cleaning fish right now?”

“...”

That was right—right now, Kang Seodam was cleaning fish.

“...Surely we cannot leave him to clean them himself.”

“Gio likes that kind of thing.”

“That is irreverent.”

“No, I’m serious...”

A campsite had been set up out of nowhere here.

Along with a simple tent and a campfire, even cleaned fish— the atmosphere of people gathered cozily together was quite peaceful.

‘Gio, please.’

He had expected that since Gio was quite gentlemanly toward humans, he might help in this virtual dungeon as well.

But he had not wished for comfort this full-blown.

‘To you, it might feel like a fun picnic or game, but to ordinary humans it isn’t... if you enjoy it this earnestly, what do we do.’

What was fortunate, at least, was the fact that almost no one found this situation strange, swept along by the peaceful, heartwarming atmosphere Gio gave out like honey.

Only Yoo Sungwoon was anxious that Gio might be exposed as not human.

‘The fact that most of them are civilians whose experience with dungeons or monsters is hazy probably also played a part in this situation.’

Yoo Sungwoon muttered.

“It’s a dungeon in name—can we really do this?”

“If you dislike it, couldn’t you go out and hunt monsters?”

“Eunha-gun, you’re pretty harsh.”

To begin with, you’re the dungeon owner.

“Are you okay with this?”

“...”

“...You do think, honestly, that things are turning out strange too, don’t you.”

Even though he was wearing a painted-on smile, the way he oddly avoided eye contact made it seem like there was something he felt pricked about.

Well, from a monster’s standpoint, how absurd must this be.

‘It looks like he’s floundering because he doesn’t want to be branded a bad kid by Gio, but even thinking about it again, this is an absurd situation.

Can things become peaceful this easily?’

Fortunately for him, the only ones who knew Eunha’s identity right now were Yoo Sungwoon and, probably, Kang Seodam, a priest of high rank.

The other survivors were treating Eunha as just one preliminary priest.

Gio came over.

“Are you almost done cleaning the fish?”

“Nearly finished.”

“If it is hard, then I should help as well...”

“You need not worry. I can clean fish, at least.”

“That’s not what I meant, but anyway, understood.”

He said brightly with Giovanni’s face.

“If you’re offering help, there’s no reason to refuse free labor!”

“...”

With that noble face that looks purifying just to behold, he sure says something as worldly as “free labor.”

‘Eunha-gun is watching with a face like he misses him, for some reason.’

Was Giovanni originally like that?

‘Even so, even if he says that, he still looks like a devout, noble priest, but somehow, somewhere... should I say he’s a bit shameless...? Or that he has an oddly bulldozing side...’

And yet it was amazing that his peculiar elegance did not disappear.

“Gio.”

“Yes, Mr. Yoo Sungwoon.”

“So can I just stay put like this?”

“I think confirming whether monsters are approaching is also absolutely necessary work.”

“That’s true, but...”

Again, this place had become a campsite.

With the dungeon owner himself clamping his mouth shut because he doesn’t want to become a bad kid, what monster would have the gall to come?

“Is it really true we don’t need to check whether there are other survivors left?”

“We all joined forces to look, and we didn’t see anyone else, did we?”

To Yoo Sungwoon’s question, Eunha answered naturally. You could practically hear him saying, ‘There are no other survivors besides the people gathered here, so stop digging.’

It sent a chill down his spine.

‘Seeing how he’s threatening this subtly, it seems he is worried his story will get out.

Since dungeons are formed to match the owner’s past and mindscape... is he worried I’ll learn about him and Giovanni if I investigate the dungeon?’

And yet he looks like he is enjoying, 120%, the situation of Gio acting like Giovanni.

‘As expected, since he’s a humanoid monster, he’s emotional.

Lots of thoughts, too.’

Gio patted Eunha’s head.

“Eunha-student is truly bold.”

“Ah, um...”

“I was worried, but I’m glad you seem alright.”

“...”

Watching that, Yoo Sungwoon thought inwardly.

‘That’s a landmine.’

He didn’t know the exact circumstances, but the reaction was plain as day.

Gio was tap-dancing on Eunha’s landmine as if it were nothing, and yet Gio himself didn’t seem aware of what he was doing.

‘Well... for humans’ safety, it’s better to keep him distracted like this.’

Yoo Sungwoon looked around.

“...”

People were quite stable.

‘It’s not like we can say there were few deaths from the dungeon opening, but the fact that this many survived a dungeon set off in a temple on purpose is close to a miracle.

And the expressions of the people who survived don’t look that bad, either.’

Of course, there were people still uneasy, but once Gio went over and said a few words, they quickly calmed down.

In a chilly dungeon like this, the existence of Gio, who softens you just by looking at him, would be a great comfort.

“Even so...”

Yoo Sungwoon said to Gio, who was moving around nonstop.

“Aren’t you working too hard?

Aren’t you getting tired?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“You said earlier your head hurt—does it not trouble you now?”

He knew he wasn’t merely an easy mark to be chewed on, but even so, if he acts too kind, it only makes you more uneasy.

What if he exhausts himself and ends up disappointed in humans and causes something huge?

Fortunately, Gio’s expression wasn’t too bad.

Giovanni, smiling gently like a painting, answered.

“It feels like things are being organized little by little, so I am fine.”

“Oh... organized...”

That’s not good.

‘...If a personality as Giovanni ends up being established here, wouldn’t that be a little troublesome?

I don’t know exactly how close Eunha-gun and Giovanni were, but it doesn’t seem like it was ordinary.

Once he regains all his memories, he might take Eunha’s side...’

For now, it was a situation where he had no choice but to rely on Gio’s goodwill.

“Still, take it easy— I know you want to treat people well, but sometimes there are people who take kindness as a right.

No, not just sometimes—rather, it happens often.”

Unexpectedly, Gio nodded readily.

“I know as well.”

“Oh, you do?”

“But does not the sun shine upon all things?”

“Uh...”

“If the sun does so, then I should be the same.”

“...”

Just from hearing it, he sounds like a truly devout priest.

‘...Am I imagining it if it sounds like he’s saying, I do it because it’s my job?’

Yoo Sungwoon had worried that Gio might trust humans too much, or pour out affection, be betrayed, and then cause a major accident.

But looking at how he spoke now, it didn’t seem like there was much need to worry about that.

‘How should I put this.’

‘He’s like a service worker.’

He’d gotten the rough feeling.

‘Even in this situation, where Gio can’t really gain any capital advantage, for some reason it feels like watching a skilled employee at a public service center responding competently...’

He roughly got the feel of it.

‘So Giovanni wasn’t just a purely kind priest, after all.’

The way he seemed to have a very low expectation of humans made him oddly reassured.

If he wasn’t trusting humans that much and was still giving this kindness, then even if some oblivious idiots made a fuss, he wouldn’t get angry right away.

Though Yoo Sungwoon would have to block it first before anything like that happened.

“By the way, you managed to catch fish?

I don’t know well since it happened while I wasn’t looking, but where did you catch fish?

Was there a pond or something in a place this barren?”

“Near the edge of the third pupil we searched, there was a deep water pit.

The water quality was better than Earth’s, if anything, and the fish living there didn’t seem to harbor any poison, so...”

“So you immediately thought to eat them?”

“Aren’t you all hungry?”

“Being hungry aside, people usually can’t calmly think about grilling fish and eating in a dungeon like this.”

“That must be because you’re less hungry.”

“Wow, that’s really firm.

It’s not wrong, but still.”

He had worried a little, but it seemed the personality named Giovanni was quite a decent fellow.

‘According to Gio, he said it’s not a personality but a change in temperament.’

He was just so dumbfounded by how peaceful it was.

If Yoo Sungwoon felt like this, how much more dumbfounded must the dungeon owner be...

* * *

“...”

In the deep sea, red lips drew a hollow laugh.

“...Ha.”

So there really are people who do not change even if they die and live again.

And that person is you, Giovanni.

The Painter Who Draws Dungeons

Fantasy, modern,