Chapter 67

For the air of an entire dungeon to change was no easy feat.

‘That’s only possible when there’s a change in the state of the dungeon’s owner, and an owner who can synchronize with the dungeon as if it were a part of themselves would most likely be a monster stronger than average….’

Thinking this, Kang Seo-dam looked at the ‘Seo Jio’ before him.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course. What are you curious about?”

“…Are you currently in the situation of being a Hunter?”

It was a question asking if cooperation was possible, now that he was imitating a human.

‘…I hope that didn't sound too arrogant.’

Kang Seo-dam still couldn't meet Jio's eyes, and was only looking at his lips.

The lips, forming a perfectly gentle curve, parted calmly, holding a kindness that was almost alien.

“Come to think of it, my introduction was late. I am Seo Jio, a Hunter from the Collectors Guild.”

“…Is that so?”

Come to think of it, he remembered that the white-haired Hunter who had been stuck to his side throughout the initiation ceremony was definitely from the Collectors.

It was rare for a Hunter to be from the underground rather than a public figure, so he had left a deep impression.

‘In that case, is this person currently receiving help from the Collectors Guild? It’s rare for a god to go to such lengths to blend in among humans.’

Even for a being who became a god from a human, gaining divinity meant abandoning humanity.

In many ways, receiving help from a capable group like this to adapt to humans and their society was one type of a god's amusement.

‘Above all, if it’s the Collectors… is it the guild with the gallery of the collector Bisabeol? As a group that pours affection, not control, over mystery and strangeness, it can be said to be perfect for aiding a god’s amusement.’

He was inwardly relieved.

‘Then the conversation becomes easier. If he’s gone so far as to have a proper identity created with the help of a human group, he won’t cast humans aside easily. It would mean he has that much of an open mind towards humans….’

Kang Seo-dam asked, still without meeting his gaze.

“Are you perhaps a priest?”

“Yes, I am… hmm.”

The Black Cape, who seemed about to affirm, paused his answer for a moment.

Then, with a slight smile, he continued.

“If you are asking about my profession as a Hunter, I am a Tamer, not a priest.”

“How should I understand your holy power?”

“It is merely a power gratefully received as a child of the Sun, it’s nothing grand.”

“So you are a follower, not a priest. Thank you for helping me understand.”

Seo Jio, a Hunter from the Collectors Guild.

Platinum blond hair and blue eyes. Profession, Tamer.

Judging by the fact that the pressure he felt wasn't so alien, he must have adjusted his grade to be between A and B, and the reason he could handle holy power was that he was a devout follower of the Sun….

“……”

He committed it to memory.

‘…Judging by the level of presence I feel, it seems closer to having been cut off rather than hidden. Your way of enjoying your amusement is quite extreme. There’s also the possibility that you are in a cursed state.’

Of course, there was no need for a mere human like Kang Seo-dam to analyze and ponder a god's story.

He simply asked cautiously to do his part.

“Could you perhaps help in finding other survivors?”

“I came here precisely for that purpose.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Was he truly a god favorable to humans?

Since a death-like aura could be felt, the possibility of him being an evil god was non-existent, but he couldn't not seek the help of a god who was being so polite.

‘I don’t know exactly what kind of god you are, but you care a lot about humans. Since you are using a Korean-style name, Seo Jio is probably not your true name… I’ll have to offer a prayer to your divine statue later.’

For now, he decided to ask about that later.

From a god's perspective it might just feel interesting, but the situation for the humans was very urgent.

“Did you see any other survivors on your way here?”

“There were quite a few people where I was. My contracted beast, whom I consider a son, is guarding the place, so you don’t have to worry about that side. I was trying to check if there were survivors in places other than the cavern I was in.”

“My situation is similar. I was dropped alone in a cavern full of monsters, and there were no other survivors there besides myself. In the cavern I just came from, there were more people, but….”

“Was there harm done?”

“……”

“I see.”

That was, surprisingly, a tone filled with sorrow.

Kang Seo-dam quietly hid his own agitation.

‘Is there a god who grieves over the death of a mere human? A very rare case.’

In the first place, that's what gods were.

Beings who became part of nature and fate.

Even if such gods felt emotions at a human's death, they would only feel a level of interest akin to a toy breaking.

But the ‘Seo Jio’ before him truly seemed to be mourning a person’s death.

On an equal footing, as if dealing with the death of a friend.

“……”

“Have you bestowed a blessing?”

“…I have tried to handle it, albeit inadequately.”

“Would it be rude if I took another look?”

“If so, the dead souls would be able to return to the Sun’s side with a lighter heart.”

For a god to personally bless the dead.

It might sound a bit strange for those pitifully killed by monsters, but it could only be described as a truly miraculous stroke of luck.

“Please lead the way.”

“This way, then….”

Leading ‘Seo Jio’, Kang Seo-dam felt a little relieved.

Not all gods could be trusted, but a god who put in the effort to even feign mourning was trustworthy.

‘The Goddess also sent a favorable gaze, so it is not for me, her servant, to doubt. I will empty my thoughts and follow God's will. That is the demeanor a priest should rightly show.’

Kang Seo-dam decided to play along with the name ‘Seo Jio’.

This was the historical moment when the secret human identity, ‘Seo Jio’, of the ghost story ‘The Black Cape’ was created.

***

“You know,”

Yu Seong-un stared blankly at the bonfire.

“……”

“I thought, of all places to be dragged into a virtual dungeon while in the Temple of the Sun, I was about to film a desperate survival story full of blood splatters and flowing tears.”

Listening to him, Kang Seo-dam nodded his head as if in agreement.

“Even when I first fell into the cavern, I had similar thoughts.”

“Is that so?”

“It looked like a cool dungeon where the light of the Sun could hardly reach, so I was even prepared to die and take responsibility for this situation.”

“Wow, that’s cool. Not all who awakened as priests would be as cool as you, Priest Kang Seo-dam.”

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

“Doing your best, you say….”

Yu Seong-un nodded his head.

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

“……”

That's right, Kang Seo-dam was currently cleaning a fish.

“…I cannot let that person clean it himself, can I.”

“Jio likes that kind of thing.”

“That is irreverent.”

“No, really….”

A campsite was being set up here out of the blue. With makeshift tents and a bonfire, plus the cleaned fish, the atmosphere of the people gathered around was truly peaceful.

‘Jio, for god’s sake.’

He did have an expectation that Jio, being quite gentlemanly towards humans, might help out in this virtual dungeon.

But he hadn't wished for this level of full-scale comfort.

‘To you, this situation might feel like a fun picnic or a game, but it’s not like that for normal humans… what am I supposed to do if you start enjoying it seriously.’

The only fortunate thing was that almost no one found this situation strange, swept up in the peaceful and heartwarming atmosphere that Jio was giving off like sweet water.

Only Yu Seong-un was on pins and needles, worried that the fact that Jio wasn't human would be revealed.

‘The fact that most of them are civilians with hazy experiences of dungeons or monsters must have also played a part in this situation.’

Yu Seong-un muttered.

“For a dungeon, is it really okay to be like this?”

“If you don't like it, why don't you go out and hunt some monsters?”

“Eun-ha, you’re quite harsh.”

You're the owner of this dungeon in the first place.

“Are you okay with this?”

“……”

“…You yourself think this is going a bit strangely, don’t you.”

Despite having a picturesque smile, the way he subtly avoided eye contact made it seem like he had something to be guilty about.

Well, from a monster's perspective, how absurd must this situation be.

‘It seems like he’s fidgeting like that because he doesn’t want to be branded as a bad kid by Jio, but thinking about it again, this situation is absurd. Is it really okay for things to become peaceful in such a haphazard way?’

Fortunately for the kid, the only ones who knew Eun-ha's identity right now were Yu Seong-un and, probably, Kang Seo-dam, who was a high-ranking priest.

The other survivors were treating Eun-ha as just another prospective priest.

Jio approached.

“Is the fish cleaning done?”

“It’s almost finished.”

“If it’s difficult for you, perhaps I should join you….”

“You don’t have to worry, I can handle cleaning a fish just fine.”

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

He spoke refreshingly with the face of ‘Giovanni’.

“There’s no reason to refuse free labor when you offer to help!”

“……”

To say something as worldly as ‘free labor’ with that noble face that purifies just by looking at it.

‘And for some reason, Eun-ha is looking on with a nostalgic face.’

Was the person named Giovanni originally like that?

‘Even if he says that, he still looks like a devout and noble priest, but something, somewhere is a little… should I say shameless… or does he have an oddly headstrong side….’

Yet, it was truly strange that his unique dignity didn't disappear.

“Jio.”

“Yes, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Should I just stay put like this?”

“I believe checking to see if any monsters are approaching is also a necessary task.”

“That’s true, but….”

To say it again, this place had become a campsite.

With the dungeon owner himself keeping his mouth shut because he doesn't want to be a bad kid, what kind of audacious monster would come looking for them?

“Are you sure we don’t need to check if there are any other survivors left?”

“We all searched together, but we didn’t see any others, did we?”

Eun-ha answered Yu Seong-un's question naturally.

He could practically hear him saying, ‘There are no other survivors besides the people gathered here, so stop digging,’ which sent a chill down his spine.

‘Seeing him make threats so furtively like this, it seems he’s concerned about his story getting out. Dungeons are originally constructed based on the owner’s past and psyche… Is he worried that I might find out about him and Giovanni while investigating the dungeon?’

And yet, he seemed to be savoring the situation where Jio was acting like ‘Giovanni’ to the fullest 120%.

‘As expected of a humanoid monster, he’s full of emotions and thoughts.’

Jio stroked Eun-ha's head.

“Student Eun-ha, you are very bold.”

“Ah, that….”

“I was worried, but I’m glad you seem to be okay.”

“……”

Watching that scene, Yu Seong-un thought to himself.

‘It’s a landmine.’

He didn't know the exact circumstances, but the reaction was obvious. Jio was tap-dancing on Eun-ha's landmine without a care in the world, yet Jio himself seemed to have no awareness of what he was doing.

‘Well… considering the safety of the humans, it’s better for his attention to be diverted this way.’

Yu Seong-un looked around.

“……”

The people were quite stable.

‘I can’t say that few people died from the aftermath of the dungeon opening, but the fact that this many survived a dungeon that was deliberately set off in a temple is close to a miracle. Besides, the expressions of the survivors don’t look so bad either.’

There were, of course, people who were still anxious, but after Jio approached and said a few words, they quickly calmed down.

In a chilly dungeon like this, Jio's presence, which was calming just to look at, would be a great comfort.

“Still, even so….”

Yu Seong-un said to Jio, who was moving around without a single break.

“Aren't you working too hard? Aren't you getting tired?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“You said your head hurt earlier, is that not a problem anymore?”

He knew Jio wasn't a pushover who would just be busy getting bitten, but no matter how formidable he felt, if he acted too benevolently, it actually made him more anxious.

If he exhausted himself and became disappointed in humans, what kind of situation would unfold?

Fortunately, Jio's expression wasn't too bad.

Giovanni, with a smile as gentle as a painting, replied.

“It feels like things are slowly getting sorted out, so I’m fine.”

“Oh… sorted out….”

That shouldn't be happening.

‘…If Giovanni’s personality really gets established here, wouldn’t that be a bit troublesome? I don’t know exactly how close Eun-ha and Giovanni’s relationship was, but it seems they weren’t on ordinary terms. If he regains all his memories, he might take Eun-ha’s side….’

For now, he had no choice but to rely on Jio's goodwill.

“Still, take it easy. I know you want to be good to people, but sometimes there are people who take kindness for granted. No, actually, it happens quite often, not just sometimes.”

To that, Jio surprisingly nodded his head readily.

“I know that too.”

“Ah, you do?”

“But the sun shines on everything, does it not?”

“Uh, huh….”

“If the sun does so, then I must do the same.”

“……”

Just hearing his words, he sounded like a truly devout priest.

‘…Is it just my imagination, or do I hear him saying, ‘I’m just doing it because it’s my job’?’

Yu Seong-un had been worried that Jio might trust or pour too much affection into humans, and then cause a major incident after being betrayed.

But looking at the way he was talking now, it seemed he didn't have to worry about that.

‘What should I call this.’

Ah.

‘He’s like a service industry employee.’

He was the model of a capitalist smile.

‘It’s not like Jio can gain any capitalistic profit in this situation, but for some reason, it feels like watching a skilled employee, like a civil servant at the Center, who is adept at responding….’

He roughly got the feeling.

‘So the person named Giovanni wasn’t just a benevolent priest after all.’

The fact that his expectations for humans seemed quite low was strangely reassuring.

If he was showing such kindness despite not trusting humans that much, he probably wouldn't get angry right away even if some clueless idiots acted up.

Though Yu Seong-un would have to block it before that happened.

“But how did you manage to catch a fish? It happened while I wasn’t looking so I’m not sure, but where on earth did you catch a fish? Was there a pond in a desolate place like this?”

“There was a deep pit of water near the edge of the third cavern we found. The water quality was actually better than Earth’s, and the fish living there didn't seem to be poisonous….”

“So you decided to catch and eat them?”

“Isn't everyone hungry?”

“Aside from being hungry, people don't normally think of casually grilling and eating fish in a dungeon like this.”

“I think it's because you're not hungry enough.”

“You’re so blunt. Not that you're wrong, though.”

He had been a little worried, but the personality called Giovanni seemed to be a pretty decent guy.

‘Though Jio said it’s not a personality, but a change in character.’

It's just so peaceful that it's absurd.

If Yu Seong-un felt this way, how absurd must the owner of this dungeon feel….

***

“……”

Inside the deep sea, crimson lips drew a hollow smile.

“…Ha.”

So there are people who don't change even after dying and coming back to life.

That person is you, Giovanni.

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