Chapter 16

“Well, I’ll be.”

An exclamation that slipped out, with laughter suppressed as if to feign composure.

Bisabeol asked.

“He said he wasn’t coming out because he thought people would be afraid?”

“He didn’t say it exactly like that, but if you were to summarize it, it wouldn’t be wrong.”

Yu Seong-un nodded.

“It seemed he understood that a problem would arise if a being with a high level of soul like himself encountered a defenseless person. Though I still wonder what kind of harmony it is for him to insist he is an ordinary human despite that….”

At that, Bisabeol’s eyes curved thinly like a snake’s as he spoke.

“While we cannot truly rule out the possibility that he is a human-type monster in the form of a portrait, it is also clear that he cannot be seen as a simple monster. He does not hate humans at all.”

“…….”

“If he is a being that even Curator Yu Seong-un cannot be certain about, he is likely someone related to the Source and seeing as you haven’t officially submitted a report yet, he must be a type of being you’ve never seen before.”

“Yes, for now.”

It was rare for there to be a being of the Source that Yu Seong-un, a Gardener, did not know.

‘The monsters in the dungeon are also beings born from the vein of the Source, but in their trickiness, they are on a different level from the Children of the Source. If Jio is a type of Child of the Source I’ve never seen before, the story becomes much more complicated.’

The so-called ‘Children of the Source’ could be found identically in all dungeons.

They could not be resolved by simple subjugation like common monsters.

Therefore, vast knowledge and the ability to deal with them were necessary, and Yu Seong-un was a veteran who had worked as a Gardener since he was 11 years old.

‘Jio’s Portrait’, being unknown to such a Yu Seong-un, was a clear object of caution.

“In any case, even if we assume he is a ‘Child of the Source’, he is certainly an exceptional being.”

If there was one commonality between monsters and the Children of the Source, it was that they did not know how fragile Earthlings were.

Even if they did know, monsters hated humans and the Children of the Source were indifferent to them.

Either way, it was bound to be harmful to humans.

“A case this friendly towards humans is rare.”

“I see the Association would indeed covet him.”

“I asked this last time, but are you going to hand him over?”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

Bisabeol’s possessiveness was considerable, so he never left his things in the hands of others, even if it was just for a brief inspection.

Unless it was a clean transaction, he would not handle things in such a half-hearted manner.

“It seems Curator Yu Seong-un is managing him well, so is there any reason to hand him over to the Association’s research lab?”

“If Jio is a Child of the Source, he could harm people without any sense of guilt. He himself might claim he was just acting according to his own rules… but you don’t know what a great disaster that could be for humans.”

An investigation was necessary.

“At the current level, all I can grasp is what the portrait tells me. I have no way of knowing what exact skills he uses, how great the level of his soul is, or what role he plays in the Source.”

“I am not a person who wishes for such things.”

“…….”

“Do you remember the tasks I requested when I hired you, Mr. Yu Seong-un?”

Yu Seong-un answered like a sigh.

“Analysis, maintenance, and management of the gallery’s works.”

“Correct.”

“But I am no longer the research team leader of the Association. There is no place that can analyze ‘Jio’s Portrait’ as well.”

“What a disappointing thing to say. As you know, Curator Yu Seong-un, I do not wish to possess a weapon.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I want a work of art.”

Bisabeol’s eyes curved into a thin smile.

The natural arrogance of one accustomed to looking down on others from birth seeped out.

“That’s why I established this guild, this company. I have not a shred of pride as a Hunter, though perhaps as an artist.”

“…….”

“No collector expects Van Gogh’s self-portrait to ward off some evil spirit or grant them good dreams. No one is interested in its function. They are simply curious about the story contained in this painting, and I just want to protect that story completely with my own hands.”

“It could become truly dangerous. He is the only being that has escaped the Guild Master’s Appraisal Skill and even if he is considerate and respectful of humans, his level is too high. Even if I don’t feel a divinity, he is probably on the level of a god served by a priest. Just because the portrait is careful doesn’t mean humans can be at ease.”

“Have you seen those eyes?”

“…….”

It was out of the blue.

“…Excuse me?”

“Have you seen those eyes, Mr. Yu Seong-un?”

“…Are you talking about the portrait’s eyes?”

“Oh my, it seems you haven’t.”

“No, it’s not that I haven’t.”

“Then tell me.”

Bisabeol waved his hand elegantly.

Even the gesture urging him to spill his answer was tinged with the refinement of a high-ranking person.

“How were they?”

“…….”

Yu Seong-un’s deliberation was not long.

“…Overwhelming.”

Fear.

Awe and revulsion, anger and sorrow, joy and ecstasy, despair, loneliness and dizziness.

Towards a being so immense that it was impossible to fully perceive in a single moment….

“…I don’t quite know how to explain it. I have an appraisal Skill myself, but even without using it, the level of his soul was so vivid that I couldn’t grasp it objectively.”

It was so overwhelming that it couldn’t be expressed with a cliché word like the cosmos.

It felt as if I was directly touching a place that was visible yet unseen.

“It seemed to be black, but it also looked white. It was so dark that it felt bright, and while the pupil and iris seemed indistinguishable, if you looked inside… you could see a dense path.”

There was rainwater in it.

There were streams of water, a brook and an aquifer.

It was dense like that of a tree and also delicate like human blood vessels.

It was also so vast and diverse that it was too immense for a human to comprehend.

It was enough to make one feel as if they had peeked at something a human should not have.

Such a colossal thing was inside those narrow pupils.

“It reminded me of the saying that the eyes are the windows to the soul.”

“A decent impression. Not bad.”

“The way you say that makes it seem like you are unsatisfied with my impression.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Bisabeol smiled as if appreciating the mistake of a very immature child.

Yu Seong-un was suddenly reminded of his actual age.

He was old enough to teach Yu Seong-un.

“I told you to look at the eyes, but didn’t you just come back after appreciating a work of art? Before our respective professions and tastes, we are humans capable of conversation.”

“…….”

“If Jio has a consciousness, it means that he too has eyes that can communicate with people.”

He asked again.

“Have you ever seen his eyes?”

“…In the sense that you just described, no.”

“Have you ever thought about what emotions the person named Jio is feeling and with what kind of gaze he is looking at you, Mr. Yu Seong-un, instead of the level of his soul and the torrent within his pupils?”

“No, I have not.”

Who could think of such a thing in front of that immense being?

How dare, something as small and insignificant as I.

“…That kind of thing… no one but perhaps Guild Master Bisabeol could do it.”

“A Gardener shouldn’t be so narrow-minded. Think big, big.”

“Aren’t you expecting too much from a mere Gardener?”

“Jio is a kind person.”

“…….”

“Very affectionate.”

Bisabeol continued as if teaching a child.

“He dislikes troublesome things, yet he does not hate them. If one does not resent what makes them uncomfortable, how affectionate a person must they be? He is also full of mercy, enough to be polite and respect the other person without forcing it upon them.”

“That’s a generous assessment.”

“Furthermore, he is afraid of hurting someone.”

“…….”

It was an unexpected story.

“…Jio? It would be at the level of a human stepping on an ant, at best.”

“That’s right.”

“Is he not feeling disgust for the bug that exploded in front of him, but fear of the act of harming itself?”

“Did I not say he was affectionate?”

“You’ve barely had a conversation and at best, made eye contact once….”

“You have to have this level of ability to be a guild master. You have to figure this much out just by making eye contact once.”

“…That’s true.”

Bisabeol was a person who had created one of South Korea’s top three guilds with only his Appraisal Skill, without any particular combat prowess.

Considering his physical abilities were at the level of an average male, one could tell how incredible his eyes and mouth were.

‘A person like that would see things differently from me. The very way he sees the world is probably different.’

Yu Seong-un swallowed a sigh and said.

“…I understand. You mean I can proceed as is without any other measures, right?”

“I am glad you seem to understand well. Jio will probably do his best not to harm humans, so please just make sure he doesn’t get angry. Gentle people are always scarier when they get angry.”

“That’s what I’m trying to prevent….”

“Not only is there no way to prevent an individual from getting angry, but even if there were, the course of action would obviously be to seal or eliminate the portrait, wouldn’t it? No matter how harsh the world has become, you can’t treat someone who is trying to get along just fine like that.”

“…….”

Yu Seong-un asked with a subtle look on his face.

“…Are you seeing him as a… person? ‘Jio’s Portrait’?”

“Then who is the person Curator Yu Seong-un has been conversing with until now?”

“His level is different.”

“But he is a being with the will to converse, who considers himself a person.”

“That’s….”

“How is that any different from a human?”

Bisabeol said as if singing.

“There are plenty of dangerous humans even without Jio’s Portrait. Right now in South Korea alone, there are 5 Hunters with high-risk abilities and those people are all living their own lives just fine. Some people treat them like dangerous dogs and pick fights over every little thing, but that’s something that happened even 100 years ago before there were dungeons.”

“If you are that complacent, something regrettable might happen. Jio is capable enough of that.”

“Even those dangerous Hunters are enjoying their daily lives, so who are we to oppress a portrait?”

“It’s not oppression, it’s an investigation….”

“What if Jio gets angry in the process?”

“…….”

“He’s a friend who is said to value etiquette; it would be a greater disaster if we incurred his wrath by prying into his thoughts without permission. Just be a good conversation partner for Jio.”

He pointed beyond the window that made up the entire wall.

“And occasionally take him outside.”

“…Are you serious?”

“I know what you are worried about, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

Bisabeol nodded.

“Of course, I know. The Children of the Source are very secretive and cautious beings, aren’t they? They are a part of the ecosystem with little interest in humans. They are nature itself and therefore, I know they can be a sufficient disaster. Because that’s what they are.”

“…….”

“And humans are also a part of nature.”

He said nonchalantly.

“Jio is no different.”

“…Yes.”

“Be good to him. If there are rules, accommodate them and if you build up childish conflicts with each other, resolve them by bickering.”

“Understood.”

“If he himself said he is 29, then that’s correct. He’s a young man who hasn’t even turned thirty; as a senior in life, shouldn’t you look out for him?”

“…There’s a high probability that it’s Jio’s delusion. It’s highly possible that he isn’t actually 29, but said so because his own memory is set to that of a 29-year-old man. In truth, he might be well over a thousand years old. If he’s a Child of the Source, that’s certainly possible.”

“What’s so important about that?”

“…….”

Yu Seong-un sighed and nodded.

“That’s true.”

He was a gardener.

He poured his heart and soul into his garden, showered it with affection, and felt pride in it.

This was Jio, a being related to the Source that was the foundation of the garden.

Although he said that countermeasures were needed, as long as the portrait didn't show a reaction first, he wanted to treat it in an equally gentlemanly manner.

“And here I was, talking to you as the curator of the Collectors.”

“I am always grateful for the thoughtfulness of our Curator Yu Seong-un.”

“That’s cringey, so let’s stop. Anyway, so….”

Yu Seong-un glanced at his watch and asked.

“So you’re saying I should be Jio’s guide?”

“If possible, please give him a tour of our guild, introduce him to the staff, take him out to see a good play if there is one, buy him food, and guide him to tourist spots.”

“So a real guide. No, but still, introducing him to the staff seems a bit much… In the first place, the staff will refuse first. Jio doesn’t like noisy things either.”

“You can decide that for yourself. If Jio likes quiet things, please help him see the company or the outside, even if it’s at dawn.”

“What on earth are you trusting….”

“Did I not say that I saw?”

A vivid smile.

“I saw.”

“…….”

Bisabeol sees things that humans cannot see.

Yu Seong-un decided to believe that.

“…Understood.”

“I look forward to your continued good work, Curator Yu Seong-un.”

“If any accident occurs, I know nothing about it.”

“I’ll take care of something like that.”

“Honestly, what is he thinking….”

Although he was grumbling, Yu Seong-un’s mood was quite good.

‘I can expand his range of activity.’

He had been concerned about Jio, who was always inside the portrait.

Although Jio himself said he was more comfortable and preferred it inside, it would probably put Jio’s mind more at ease if he was officially told that entry and exit were possible.

‘Maybe it’s because this is the first Child of the Source that communicates so well, but when I just watch him, I feel like I want to do all sorts of things for him….’

From the perspective of a Gardener and a curator, Yu Seong-un was feeling a sense of pride.

The story would be a bit different if he were to directly face that immense level, but for now, Jio was nothing more than a talking portrait.

Since Yu Seong-un was in the position of managing him, such a sentiment wasn’t too strange.

‘…Though it is a sentiment of someone with a lot of nerve. Let’s be careful not to freeze up and cause Jio discomfort when I eventually face that level properly.’

Something came into Yu Seong-un’s field of vision as he came out of the guild.

“…….”

A bungeoppang (Korean Fish-Shaped Pastry) shop.

“…This is rare.”

Yu Seong-un approached the bungeoppang cart with a happy heart.

“Are you open for business?”

“Ah, yes, I am.”

“How much for 10 bungeoppang?”

“That’ll be 5,000 won.”

“I’d like that, please.”

“Just a moment.”

The cart owner was a young man with a stoic impression.

“Here you go.”

“Looks delicious…. Do you come here often?”

“I’ll probably come until I get caught by the crackdown.”

“Hmm.”

His somewhat stoic tone reminded him a little of Jio.

“…….”

Ah, right.

“Please give me 10 more.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

“What are you thankful for?”

“It’s rare to find a place that sells bungeoppang these days, that’s why. It’s gotten even harder to find recently.”

“Ah….”

It seemed like it would take some time for the new bungeoppang to be ready, so Yu Seong-un continued the conversation.

The young man, perhaps bored as well, responded warmly despite his curt tone.

“It’s hard to do business. But if I try to sell bungeoppang outside the city, no one buys it, so I come in and sell like this from time to time.”

“Oh, so you come all the way from outside the city?”

“Who among the city people would do this kind of business?”

The young man shrugged.

“Don’t most of them work office jobs or as Hunters?”

“Even so, the distance must be quite far. You must be tired, that’s amazing.”

“There are a few people who help me out, saying bungeoppang is nostalgic, so it’s still manageable. My younger sibling is also working as a Hunter around here….”

“Finding a house around here would probably be a bit too expensive.”

“It’s hard to afford the city rent. Getting citizenship isn’t something just anyone can do either.”

“Isn’t it easy to get a short-term permit? I heard the hurdle for that is low.”

“I do have a permit. Sometimes I can’t finish work by the time the terminal closes… so I just don’t get a place to stay. It takes time and money, so there’s no benefit in it.”

The young man who flipped the bungeoppang mold said.

“Besides, I have a 10-year-old sibling at home, so I have to go back.”

“Ah, that’s definitely… you have to go back. It would be a disaster if a monster appeared in the village while they were alone. It would be reassuring to have their older brother there.”

“My younger sister also works as a porter, so I only earn money here; I come back home once every three days and then leave the next week. Right now my sister is at our family home, so I came out to work.”

“That’s amazing.”

“It sells well around here, so it’s good.”

“Is that so….”

Yu Seong-un tilted his head and asked.

“Then until when will you be able to come out?”

“It’ll probably continue until early spring… since it’s still winter. When the weather gets warmer, I’ll look for another job then.”

“That’s still quite a long time. I’ll see you around.”

“Thank you.”

The young man took the bungeoppang out of the machine.

Steam was rising from the freshly made bungeoppang.

It had a savory scent.

“Eat it while it’s warm.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Yu Seong-un took the bungeoppang and headed back to the company.

To be precise, to the front of ‘Jio’s Portrait’, which would be in Bisabeol’s gallery.

“Jio, are you awake?”

“…….”

“Jio?”

Fortunately, Jio opened his eyes quickly.

“What is the matter?”

“They were selling bungeoppang in front of the station, so I bought some.”

“It does not seem like just one.”

“Ah, right. It’s not one. I thought you might like it, so I brought about 10.”

“…….”

The portrait, which had blinked once or twice, soon nodded its head.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, it has been a long time since I have received bungeoppang.”

“You know what bungeoppang is?”

“Though I did not know that bungeoppang would still exist.”

“…Really?”

As expected, Jio seemed to be a being with experience living in Korea.

‘Or he was a being from a similar dimension…. Even if he didn't live there, he could have just received the memories.’

When Yu Seong-un held out the bag containing the bungeoppang, it soon seeped into the painting.

“Oh… it literally became a painting.”

“Thank you for the gift.”

“It’s nothing. I hope you like it.”

“I like this kind of street food.”

“That’s a relief.”

He had been worried because of his cold impression that wouldn't let a needle pass.

‘His impression is a bit aristocratic.’

Jio seemed like a born aristocrat whose hands had never touched water and also like an AI civil servant created for the busily turning modern society.

He had been worried for a moment whether Jio, whose very expression exuded a sharp and heavy atmosphere, would actually like street food.

He had thought, what if he would scornfully say, ‘How dare you give me such a thing and call it food’….

“Next time, if there’s gyeranppang (Korean Egg Bread) or takoyaki (Grilled Octopus Dumplings) , should I buy those too?”

“…….”

“…Jio?”

Jio, who had been silent for a moment, soon took something out from his bosom.

It was a neatly tied white pouch.

“…What’s that?”

“They are tea leaves.”

“Tea?”

“There was a flower with a nice fragrance, so I tried drying it.”

“…….”

“It is a return gift.”

As he held out his hand.

From outside the painting, Jio’s hand popped out with the tea pouch.

“…This is something different.”

“Please take it.”

“Uh, um, thanks.”

Rustle.

A nice fragrance flowed from the paper pouch placed on his hand.

‘It’s like cream.’

It was a scent that would likely come from sweet custard or milk cream.

“…….”

He felt a little strange.

‘…If I tell him he doesn’t have to return the favor like this every time, would it sound rude from the perspective of a Source being with rules? I feel awkward because it seems like I’m being treated excessively compared to what I’m giving.’

Yu Seong-un put the pouch inside his coat and said.

“Thanks, I should have some tea for the first time in a while.”

“I hope it suits your taste.”

“The scent is very nice, at least. I’ll drink it gratefully.”

“And I have a request.”

“Huh? A request?”

Jio asked.

“May I ask for some seeds?”

“…What kind of seeds?”

“Anything that can be cultivated in a field would be fine.”

“…….”

What on earth was he doing there?

‘A field, he says.’

Suddenly, Yu Seong-un became curious about the scenery inside the portrait.

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