Chapter 106

“I like the honey pot I saw last time.”

“The honey pot? You mean the one that blooms with ball-shaped flowers full of honey… that one?”

“Yes, that’s right. I heard it’s difficult to sprout, so only seedlings are sold.”

“Is there anything else you want?”

“I use salt often, so if possible, I would like a rock salt tree.”

“A rock salt tree, huh. That was in the last catalog. Anything else?”

“That is sufficient, thank you for your help.”

“If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”

After all, this was a trade that guaranteed his life in such an abnormal dungeon.

‘This is an excessively profitable business.’

Yu Seong-un was a typical hunter of this era who cherished his health and life.

To be swept away by capitalist society and die during a mission was a truly unacceptable ending.

‘To think I can conclude a deal like this….’

He observed the portrait’s mood.

“…….”

“Is there a problem?”

“…No, there isn’t.”

It was a phrase a Gardener should always ruminate on, but human standards were meaningless to a being of the Source.

If you borrowed 3 and promised to repay 4, but repaid with 5, a being of the Source would get angry.

Yu Seong-un knew well that even if it was incomprehensible to a human, catering to their tastes was the shortcut to a long life.

“Then let’s conclude the transaction here.”

A deal with a being of the Source had to have a clear beginning and end.

Having brought it to a definitive close, Yu Seong-un asked.

“I don’t know if it would be rude to ask this, but how did you know I was here?”

“'The City of the Void' informed me that you, Mr. Yu Seong-un, visited this place.”

“I knew it.”

It would be stranger if Jio, the owner of a dungeon of this scale, didn't know the state of its interior.

‘But the more that’s true, the more disadvantageous my position becomes for trying to get Hunter Park Eun-gyeom out.’

Doesn't this make it all the more certain that Jio brought humans here with intent?

It was a difficult situation for Yu Seong-un, who had to see his job through.

‘Will it get angry.’

He came to take out a human that this very portrait had dragged away, showing direct hostility.

For a being of the Source that never changed its choices, it would be a considerably unpleasant matter.

“…….”

“Mr. Yu Seong-un, why did you come here?”

“…I came to work.”

Rather, that's why it was better to confess now.

‘Deceiving Jio might also fall into the category of an evil act.’

Besides, hadn't Jio ‘promised’ to let Yu Seong-un live?

“As far as I know, today is Christmas.”

“Huh? No, it’s the 26th in Korea now, so it’s not Christmas. It’s a period when most companies guarantee a holiday, so many people are off until today.”

“So everyone else is resting, but you, Mr. Yu Seong-un, are working.”

“When have Hunters ever rested just because it’s a holiday? It’s a common thing.”

"Are people with the job of a Hunter unable to rest even on public holidays?"

“Not necessarily, but, um… I guess you could see it that way.”

No matter how angry it got, a being of the Source did not break its own words. The atmosphere wasn’t too bad either, so trusting in that fact, Yu Seong-un carefully opened his mouth.

“…The reason I came was to get a certain person out of here.”

“Is getting a person out of this place your job?”

“That’s right, a Hunter named Park Eun-gyeom… I’m not sure if you’d even know the name.”

“Park Eun-gyeom.”

The portrait repeated the three-syllable name.

“…….”

“…….”

And silence fell.

For Yu Seong-un, who had something to hide, it was a chilling silence.

‘…Is it displeased, after all.’

The child of the Source, who simply mimicked stories without the ability to think, and ‘Jio’s Portrait’ were completely different beings. Jio had clear emotions, and because of that, it sometimes even looked like a monster or a human.

‘So I’ve essentially declared that I’ll do something that goes against the will of such a being.’

Moreover, since it said ‘I will let Yu Seong-un live,’ it couldn’t kill him.

‘Of course, there are plenty of ways to punish without killing, but that’s something I have to bear. Anyway, there’s no way that Jio's mood could be entirely good.’

Yu Seong-un braced himself to withstand an attack from Jio.

It was something he had been prepared for ever since he had unwillingly encountered the master of this place in this gray city.

“…….”

The portrait, which had been maintaining its silence, beckoned to the black suit.

“……?”

It was a hard-to-understand action, but Yu Seong-un silently watched the situation unfold.

The black suit, which had been increasing in number at the master's gesture, came closer to him.

Then, like an attendant serving the master they revere, it bowed its waist slightly and showed an attitude of listening intently.

‘What is this?’

Regardless, Jio asked for the black suit.

“Do you know the location of the human named Park Eun-gyeom?”

“Yes, I do.”

Yu Seong-un was a little surprised.

It wasn't simply because the transparent something with no hands or mouth had mimicked a human voice.

Nor was it because the being, who had only been using awkward sign language until just a moment ago, suddenly spoke.

What Yu Seong-un focused on was the voice itself that the black suit produced.

‘…That voice….’

It was a voice that brought to mind a man in his 30s.

‘But it’s not a voice that suits that monster.’

The voice of a human who had spent long years with a single ego would normally carry a tone that represented that ego.

The voice that the black suit uttered, unlike its polite and refined gestures, had a somewhat flippant and neurotic quality.

Jio, who had the identity of a painter, would not have carelessly chosen even the voice for his creation, the black suit.

Yet, for the voice to be so unfitting, then this must be….

‘…Could it be?’

Is that Hunter Park Eun-gyeom's voice?

Regardless of Yu Seong-un's suspicions, their conversation continued.

“Why did he come to this place?”

“Yes, he tormented and neglected a weak human.”

“Then he is an evil human.”

“Yes, he is an evil human.”

It was a strange conversation.

“Is there a problem with taking that human out?”

“No, there is no problem at all.”

“Then I will do as I wish.”

“Yes, that is also our wish.”

“I understand.”

As if the conversation was over, the portrait looked at Yu Seong-un.

“Since you wish for it, Mr. Yu Seong-un, I will let you take him out.”

“…Really?”

He tried not to show it, but he was extremely surprised.

‘To react so nonchalantly?’

That fact was, on the contrary, eerie.

‘I confirmed that Jio is a being capable of feeling emotions…?’

If it had emotions, it couldn't not be angry at someone who went against its rules.

If even humans were like that among themselves, how would a being of the Source be?

‘And yet, it agrees so readily?’

The indelible question brought out the Gardener's bad habit.

“…….”

It was interesting.

“…Are you not displeased?”

In the end, Yu Seong-un couldn't hold back the question.

“I don't know the exact situation, but your subordinates brought him here directly, didn't they? On top of that, Park Eun-gyeom is a human who already belongs here.”

“That may be so.”

“But I wonder if it's right for me to just take him like this. If you don't want it, I won't take him out either. I don't want to treat a guy who throws away his colleagues without knowing their value as a fellow Hunter either.”

This was sincere.

The guy named Park Eun-gyeom was not a human worth Yu Seong-un risking his life like this to save or recover his body.

‘Besides, the request from the Association wasn’t to save Hunter Park.’

What they wanted was information on the process, cause, and result of ‘The Black Cape’s’ attack on the human.

In other words, there was no reason for Yu Seong-un to have to save Hunter Park Eun-gyeom.

To that, Jio asked.

“But didn't you say it was a job you had to do, Mr. Yu Seong-un?”

“I did say that, but….”

“In that case, I too can do as you wish, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Are you sure there’s no problem…? Your feelings aren’t hurt?”

“It doesn't matter, as he was a subject I paid no mind to from the beginning.”

I truly knew nothing.

The Void had never spoken of such a person.

I almost felt sorry for a moment that a person was wandering in the house I made, but upon hearing he was a human abuser and neglector, I went into ‘Do I care?’ mode.

‘Even Mr. Yu Seong-un says he’s a human not worth saving.’

Then it was even less of my business.

But just as I had given gifts to many passersby, if the other person wanted it and I had the capacity, there was no reason not to grant their wish.

‘Above all, this is Mr. Yu Seong-un’s work, so even if the situation is difficult, I should help.’

If a working professional goes on a business trip and fails to achieve their goal, how much flak will they get back at the company?

As someone who was once a proper member of society, I really wanted to grant what Yu Seong-un wanted.

“So, Mr. Yu Seong-un, you don't have to worry about anything.”

“Those are certainly grateful words.”

And eerie words.

‘…I didn't know that such an indifferent attitude could feel more frightening than anger.’

It was a being that showed affection to the young and weak and knew how to admire the brilliant and wonderful.

The fact that such a ‘Jio’s Portrait’ responded to this situation not with anger, but with indifference, was a bit chilling for a human like Yu Seong-un.

‘If it was going to allow it this easily, why did it drag Hunter Park away in the first place?’

From the conversation between The Black Cape and the black suit just now, one could have thought, ‘Jio didn’t even know Park Eun-gyeom was here!’

But because the atmosphere of the conversation was so bizarre, Yu Seong-un thought it was a kind of performance for show.

Just as quite a few children of the Source do.

“…….”

Therefore, Yu Seong-un had no choice but to reach a bizarre conclusion.

‘…A kind of quarantine, perhaps….’

Jio is favorable to humans.

That could be interpreted as ‘Jio’s Portrait’ liking the human race, but this portrait also disliked rude and evil humans.

So, Yu Seong-un thought.

‘From Jio’s perspective, I don’t know if this is consideration for humans or simple self-satisfaction… but this act of attacking evil humans might be to filter out impure seeds like Park Eun-gyeom so that the average value of the human species can be polite and good.’

Just as humans slaughter livestock that attack their own kind.

‘Thinking of it that way, I can see Jio’s perspective.’

It was a bit creepy, but at least knowing made him feel at ease.

“…Hmm….”

You can't do the Gardener's job if you get scared by every little thing like this.

“Then when can I take Hunter Park Eun-gyeom?”

“A price is required to take him outside the City of the Void.”

“A price?”

Yu Seong-un flinched.

“It doesn't matter to me, but is such a price required when I leave too…?”

“It is fine for you to leave as you are, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Then what about Hunter Park Eun-gyeom?”

“A price is required to take him out.”

“…….”

“So it says.”

I was speaking the pure, unadulterated truth.

‘I don’t know either, but anyway, the system said so.’

And interpreting it was Yu Seong-un's job.

“…Aha….”

He was reminded of when Hunter Cha Ara visited ‘Jio’s Portrait’ in the past.

‘At that time, Hunter Cha said she offered no price.’

And this time too, Jio said that Yu Seong-un did not need a price.

‘It seems that people who enter the frame by Jio’s invitation don’t need a price. Assuming it’s confirmed that they will one day go back outside the frame, the 1:1 rule of once in this world and once in that world is also upheld.’

However, in the case of being forcibly dragged into the frame.

‘It seems to be treated as a single painting.’

Jio received a price from Yu Seong-un whenever he drew something for him as a painting.

To take that out into reality and give it to Yu Seong-un, Jio also had to receive something.

The current situation didn't seem much different from that.

“Then what price should I give this time?”

“You do not have to give me a price, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Oh, it’s okay?”

“Yes, this time’s price will be received from the human named Park Eun-gyeom.”

“Oh….”

Curiosity arose.

‘What on earth is the price it intends to receive?’

Whether he knew Yu Seong-un's feelings or not, I still asked him in a low voice.

“Is it time for you to leave work?”

“Huh? No, hunters like me don't really have a set time to leave work….”

“Do you want to leave work?”

“Of course I want to. It’s just that I can’t go home because my work isn’t finished.”

“Then I shall let you out.”

Before he knew it, a picture frame was in my hand.

“…Huh?”

It was the living room of Yu Seong-un's home.

“Wait, here is….”

“Have a good night.”

And when he came to his senses.

“…….”

He could breathe freely.

The mild air from the good heating could be felt on his skin, and the furniture was covered in dust from not having been visited for a while.

A dark house with not a single light on, showing no one had been there.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un was standing in the living room of his own house.

“…Oh my….”

He was grateful, but it was truly eerie.

‘How am I supposed to react to this.’

To think there could be such an eerie consideration in the world.

Yu Seong-un wore an awkward smile for a while.

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