Chapter 7

The Painter Who Draws Dungeons — Episode 7

At 9 a.m., he went to see the guildmaster.

“It’s dangerous.”

“What is dangerous?”

“That portrait is dangerous.”

He reported with a calm face.

“It has nothing to do with the goodwill that the portrait itself holds toward us humans.

It’s true that, rarely, there are monsters that bear goodwill toward humans, but it’s also true that their goodwill became a great poison to humans.”

“You’re saying Gio’s portrait is the same as the goodwill of those monsters?”

“No, it’s more dangerous than that.”

Yoo Seongun reported what he had confirmed.

“That portrait knows exactly what it is doing, how it appears, and what influence what it does has.

It’s completely different from the monsters up to now, who indiscriminately poured out goodwill and suffocated people.”

More than anything.

“He recognizes himself as a person.”

So, one way or another, he would try to interact with humans.

He didn’t seem like the type that felt aversion to conversing.

“But at the same time, he doesn’t see us as humans.”

“Then?”

“Gio judged us as paintings.

He is appreciating us that way, too.”

Yoo Seongun felt ‘Gio’s’ overwhelming soul.

That was something any living being capable of thinking could naturally feel, even without great analytical equipment or skills.

It wasn’t power that came simply from disciplined footsteps, a weighty atmosphere, or a lofty appearance.

Yoo Seongun still couldn’t forget the faintness he had felt when he met ‘Gio’s’ black eyes.

The 모습 of something so enormous it could not be comprehended, pretending to be nothing more than a human.

“And yet he says that he himself is human.

Whether he truly thinks so, or is trying to be so, I don’t know, but it looked like unmistakable sincerity.

It wasn’t a lie.”

In cases like this, even if it was safe in ordinary times, once something happened, it could only grow beyond imagination.

Because he properly recognizes what he himself is doing.

“Moreover, he is sensitive to good and evil.

And yet we can’t know where that standard came from.

From our standpoint, even if we judge someone to be ordinary, if ‘Gio’ concludes that person is evil... I can’t even imagine what the result would be.”

“Truly you can’t imagine it?”

“Yes, this time... no matter what.”

Yoo Seongun sighed.

“There’s no group to compare it to, and there’s no 자료 we can refer to.

A talking portrait was my first time as well.”

Weapons with selves are treated as rare and receive the love of countless hunters.

But a portrait with a self, a 존재 whose identity can’t even be distinguished as a ghost, a monster, or a person.

No matter how many unique experiences he had, this case was difficult.

“Have you thought about sending it to the Hunter Association as research material...”

“Would I?”

“That’s true.

I know, I thought you would.”

Covering his mouth as if to stop his sigh, Yoo Seongun soon managed his expression and continued.

“Then I’ll report regularly.

It’s difficult to grasp its exact identity after only a day or two.”

“Please do.

I’m thinking of going to try talking to it again soon, but it would be troublesome if I’m ignored again, so please find out what Gio likes.”

“It’s a very personal request, but understood for now.

It’s my work, so there’s no need to ask.

Isn’t it what I’m supposed to do originally?”

“How is it that every one of our employees is so chic?”

“Perhaps it’s because you gathered only people like this.”

That was the reason Yoo Seongun began coming to work every dawn at 4:30.

* * *

“Aren’t you lonely?”

At Yoo Seongun’s question, the portrait blinked twice.

“I am not lonely.”

Still a blunt answer.

Yoo Seongun smiled slightly.

“If it was an impertinent question, I apologize.

But this is a place where no one comes and goes except employees who come to manage works, after all.”

“...”

“I guessed that sometimes coming out of the portrait to look around might also be part of such feelings...”

“I like places without people.

So it is fine.”

“Do you perhaps feel discomfort about conversing?”

“That is not it.

However...”

The portrait continued.

“I have already spoken too much, so I have always imagined a future where I do not have to speak.”

“...”

“A quiet place where I do not have to speak too much, do not have to be entangled too much, and do not have to care too much... I have always wanted such a place.

This place is suited to that wish of mine.”

At that, Yoo Seongun asked.

“...In the past, were you a person?”

“I am still a person.”

“Ah, right.

So what I mean is... I was asking whether you were an ordinary human not inside a painting.

Because ordinary people aren’t contained in a frame.”

“Yes, I was.”

“I see.”

Humanoid monsters are divided into two.

A type that was a monster from birth but later evolved to take on a human form, or a type that was human at first but at some point came to belong to the ‘Origin’ and became a monster.

‘In this case, is it the latter?’

Usually, monsters that have memories from when they were human are especially swept up by negative emotions.

‘This one, rather... he seems calm.’

But it wasn’t a calmness that felt pleasant.

“...”

Like a funeral.

‘Gio’s portrait’ looked exactly like someone’s death.

“Mm, then... aren’t you bored?”

“Sometimes I am bored.”

“How do you soothe that boredom?

Do you have your own method?”

“Usually, I eat.”

“...”

Ah, this was a bit surprising.

“...Eat?”

“Yes.”

The portrait answered in its characteristic blunt voice.

“I enjoy eating.”

“...”

He prayed the ingredients weren’t human.

‘...He doesn’t look like a face that would particularly like meals.’

If he tried to think of the other as an ordinary human, well, it didn’t give an impression of obsessing over food.

‘...Rather, it gives an impression of not being moved by anything.

It shows an indifference close to cold-bloodedness.’

He is a gorgeous handsome man.

His build is not thin, but it also isn’t thick.

The pale skin, the hollowed dark eye sockets, the face that doesn’t move like a marble sculpture.

He didn’t look like someone who would find joy in eating.

But there was something even more surprising.

“It may be an impertinent thing to say, but...”

“I can eat.”

“Yes, sorry.

I asked something obvious.”

A painting eating a meal.

“May I ask what way you eat?”

At Yoo Seongun’s question, ‘Gio’ answered as if it were nothing special.

“I cook.

I think of the food I want to eat, bring ingredients that suit it and prepare them, put a pan over the fire or put it into an oven... and I finish cooking like that.”

“...”

“I am an ordinary human, after all.”

Though the part where he explains it feels rather less human.

When Yoo Seongun didn’t answer, the portrait explained another case.

“There is also a way I can enjoy because I am inside a portrait.”

“Ah, then how...?”

“It requires a little help, but Mr. Yoo Seongun can also give me joy.”

“...What kind of joy do you mean?”

To say he could give joy.

For a moment, the outrages of monsters from history came to mind and made him uneasy, but the portrait did not demand a living sacrifice or warm blood or such things.

Like black paint spread on paper, he looked at Yoo Seongun with emotionless eyes.

“Can you draw well?”

“...If it’s to the extent of depicting an object, I can draw.

Sometimes there are times I have to draw an unfamiliar object or plant into a report...”

“Then please draw an apple.”

“...”

“It’s not difficult, right?”

Yoo Seongun asked back, with a slightly surprised face.

“...O-on the portrait... you mean?”

“That’s right.”

“...Understood.”

‘Gio’s portrait’ is an existence with clear rules.

Yoo Seongun was not foolish enough to ignore what such an unknown existence demanded.

From the hard case he always carried, he took out paint and brushes.

Seeing that, the portrait asked.

“Do you always carry art supplies with you?”

“I try to carry as many different objects as possible.

In this gallery, you never know what might happen, so being prepared in many ways is good for my own well-being.”

“I see.”

“...”

The portrait’s reaction was still calm, but Yoo Seongun was inwardly chilled.

‘What would have happened if I hadn’t had drawing tools...’

The ‘Gio’ he had spoken with so far was an existence with its own flexibility, but well, alien existences always showed capricious sides.

Yoo Seongun quietly took a deep breath and set the brush onto the portrait.

It felt like a sinful guilt, as if he were soiling a noble work.

“I’m not that good at drawing.”

“It does not matter.”

“Mm...”

Not long after, he drew one bright-red apple.

“...It isn’t such a pretty apple.”

Yoo Seongun laughed awkwardly.

“Here, I drew the apple you wanted.”

“I see.”

“Can you eat it?”

“...”

As ‘Gio’ said that, he reached his hand toward the apple drawn in one corner of the portrait.

“Thank you.”

It moved.

A pale, thick hand, and then it picked up Yoo Seongun’s apple.

“...”

And then,

Crunch.

“...”

“...”

You can see the yellow flesh inside the red apple.

The portrait, having taken a bite of the apple that looked like a model, said,

“It is delicious.”

“...Ah...”

“It is well-ripened, and the fragrance is good.

The size is a little small, but it is suitable as a snack.”

“Th-that...”

This is my first time seeing something like this.

“...”

“Is it fascinating?”

Yes, it was fascinating.

To the point his heart fluttered a little.

“...It’s incredible.”

Yoo Seongun was a person who observed and managed alien existences.

He had been doing such work since his previous workplace, the Hunter Association.

Since dungeons appeared and monsters ran rampant, Yoo Seongun always took on the role of exploring and researching the strange phenomena that arose noticeably, and the central existences of them.

There was certainly pride and satisfaction in that as well.

Because he loved it, he could be here.

“Honestly, yes, I was surprised...

This is my first time seeing something like this.”

“I understand.”

“So right now, you ate an apple inside a painting?”

‘Gio’ nodded.

“I am an ordinary human, but I am inside a portrait.

Therefore, I can also be said to be a painting.

In the same context, inside a painting I can accomplish very many things.”

“...”

“On days I do not want to cook, I draw completed dishes like this.

It is convenient.”

“...I see.”

“Therefore, I can repay your goodwill.”

The portrait blinked twice.

“Then I will see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I am not ready right now.”

“...Understood.”

“Thank you.”

Day 4, complete.

* * *

When the portrait closed and opened its eyes, before he knew it, there was a brush in his hand.

‘Gio’ began to draw.

“...”

“...”

It was a very red color, like the apple Yoo Seongun had drawn at dawn the day before.

The form was a triangular shape with rounded lines.

A structure that was clearly three-dimensional, and transparent light that made it even clearer.

Light that struck somewhere soft, warm sunlight shattered into pieces and spread across the entire structure.

That coloration resembled a pomegranate.

Transparent and red.

But redder than that.

A stark red color, like holding freshly spilled blood, was so raw that if you stared too long your eyes would hurt.

It soon gained life.

“...”

Its edge sharpened as if it were a blade.

“...”

And holding darkness as well, it ultimately placed even the scattering shadow beneath it.

“...”

“Here.”

The portrait spoke.

“It is in return.”

When he pushed the red gem with his finger as if he were pushing out a heart,

Thud, and.

“...”

It fell onto Yoo Seongun’s hand.

“...”

“It is yours.”

“...This is...”

He asked.

“What kind of jewel is it?”

“I do not know.”

“...”

“But it must have been deep underground, hot enough to burn.”

‘Gio’ continued the gem’s story.

“It may have held heat, resembling my friend, after being in a place as hot as to stay with the heart of the planet.

Then, after a very long time passed and it was discovered by a human hand at last... it must have taken on a beautiful shape.”

Whose story was this.

“...It’s an interesting story.”

“I am glad it sounded that way.”

“Haha...”

Without realizing it, Yoo Seongun let out a hollow laugh.

“What did you draw this gem with?

Your brush clearly didn’t have any paint on it...”

“...”

“This gem looks real.”

The portrait did not answer.

Instead, Yoo Seongun asked.

“May I take this?”

“You gave me a gift.”

He means that crude apple drawing.

“This gem is in return.”

The portrait’s words sounded like a devil’s.

There was no reason for it at all, and yet, in that alienness and haziness and ecstasy, that thought arose.

And Yoo Seongun, at an unbearable sense of unreality, spat out an honest impression.

“You’re right.”

“I see.”

“And that is exactly like an answer given by a devil.”

He couldn’t bear the question.

A researcher was such an existence.

“Why do you always answer in such simple language?

Gio, you... well.

You speak in a very simple and precise way that can satisfy another person’s wishes.”

“...”

“I know this is an impertinent question.

But I can’t help asking.

Is it because you have no human emotions?

Or did you choose to become that way?”

The portrait did not answer and looked at Yoo Seongun.

After a long time passed, only after he blinked twice did ‘Gio’ answer.

“I do not understand what you mean, Mr. Yoo Seongun.

I do not use excessively simple grammar, nor do I give answers to fulfill a person’s desires or wishes.”

“...”

“I have always been like this.”

His voice was still blunt and low, but it was twisted somehow.

It was not calm.

Like dragging someone dead and buried in a coffin into the world of the living—still quiet, yet somehow strange...

“I have human emotions to a degree where I cannot understand why I must even explain it.”

“...”

“It is not that I have no emotions, and likewise, whatever it is, it is not my choice.

I was originally this kind of person.”

The portrait seemed angry, and it also seemed as if he were making excuses after being poked in a sore spot.

Or it also seemed as if he truly couldn’t understand what the other was saying and was frustrated.

Perhaps all of this is only my misunderstanding, and he may feel nothing at all.

‘I don’t know what he’s thinking.’

Yoo Seongun said carefully.

“That’s right, I know.

I know you are an ordinary human.”

“...”

“You seem to feel loneliness, joy, and other... many emotions.

But you have a tone that doesn’t show emotion or personal desire.

As if you have nothing at all...”

As if it were simply a kind of service.

‘...I shouldn’t say this far.’

Yoo Seongun felt curiosity.

At the same time, he also felt admiration.

Though he was employed by Bisabeol as a curator, his essence lay, to the end, in ‘inquiry.’

“...”

“...”

The portrait opened its mouth again.

“I am an ordinary human.”

And he continued.

“Because I wanted to eat an apple, I asked Mr. Yoo Seongun to draw it for me.”

“That’s right.”

“That was my personal wish.

Because Mr. Yoo Seongun drew an apple for me, I gave you something in return.

We exchanged gifts, and that is the natural courtesy between people.”

“I see.”

“I only kept courtesy.”

“...”

“So I do not understand what you mean, very well.”

Whether those words were lies or truth, he couldn’t know.

With a voice of constant pitch, it was difficult to read the mental image.

“Do you know your eyes are very black?”

“Quite a lot of people’s eyes are black.”

“That’s true.”

“Black eyes are common.

There is nothing special about them.”

“...”

“Don’t think of me as too special.

It would be better not to.”

It was like an enormous whale explaining to a human that it is small.

Does he deny it while knowing those words are contradictory.

‘Or does he truly not know.’

‘Gio’s’ blunt face concealed all truth within.

“...I will be careful.”

Day 5, complete.

After that, the portrait did not open its eyes for a while.

“...”

Ah, really.

“I should fix this habit somehow...”

Did I make him run away.

* * *

“...”

It’s hard, trying to live a social life again after so long.

“...Should I rest.”

Ultimate positive mindset activated.

‘Let’s rest.’

And so he returned to rural-life living.

“Ta-da.”

That was the reason Gio stayed holed up inside the portrait for ten days.

Fantasy, modern,