Meanwhile, I was lost in a silly thought. It was a really silly thought.
"..."
Since coming to this world, I had never once painted a landscape.
'No, was it not even once?'
Come to think of it, there was the time I made a lake for Honey and his fellow water birds, but that was all.
To be precise, that was just adding one more component to this world and wasn't a proper landscape painting.
Then, a question arose.
"Fruits, buildings, animals…."
I could draw them all.
"Then what about a landscape?"
What happens to the world I paint?
"..."
With that question in mind, I began to paint.
For now, about three of them.
***
'Breathing Sea'
Searching….
....
….
....
Corresponding dimension exists
Entry possible
....
Apt confirmed
Synchronization possible
'Animal Kingdom'
Searching….
....
….
....
Corresponding dimension exists
Entry possible
....
Apt confirmed
Synchronization possible
'City of the Void'
....
….
....
The corresponding dimension does not exist.
Would you like to register?
***
You have 3 unread notifications.
"What is this?"
Check the new notification.
"..."
I felt it.
'A premonition of fun.'
It was new content that had appeared with ghost-like timing right after I finished farming.
Working through the night is a sacred act that is an artist's companion and a symbol of a free soul.
Having painted all night, I completed a total of 3 landscape paintings.
"Hmm."
Seeing that there were 3 notifications, I could roughly guess.
I felt as happy as if I had received a Christmas present that had arrived by mistake during Korean thanksgiving.
"A good adult is always rewarded someday."
"Kkoo-oong?"
"As if there's anyone in the world as good as Dad."
"Kkoo-reu-reu…."
"The trust in this father-son relationship is so absurd. It's lamentable."
With a solemn face, I skillfully spouted nonsense and checked the system's notifications.
"..."
And I asked.
"Where might the help section be?"
That's right.
I couldn't interpret it.
'I know it's related to the 3 paintings I completed yesterday.'
First, I painted a seascape, second, I painted a wilderness landscape and last, I painted a landscape of an empty city.
'Breathing Sea, Animal Kingdom, City of the Void… I never gave them such names.'
I guessed the system must have named them on its own.
"The system must have known about my naming skills and snatched away the opportunity to name my works…. But even so, what does 'Corresponding dimension exists' mean?"
If taken literally, it sounded like an actual dimension that matched the landscape I painted existed.
"The ability to discover a whole dimension, I wonder what that's like for a human."
Of course, it was something that could be possible for the new Jio who had newly evolved into a portrait.
When a human has evolved into a painting, the standards of being human could be temporarily left next to Andromeda.
"Tada."
Having finished my brilliant rationalization, I continued my Sherlock Holmes-level deduction.
"It said entry is possible… so it seems there are real dimensions among the pictures I drew, and I can enter them directly."
I hadn't expected such a large-scale update.
I didn't think a human life originally came with such a diligent management team, but this was a very encouraging change.
"Nice."
The fresh soul of Gangwon-do that doesn't follow the same path as others.
I had never even thought about it, but I affirmed and cheered on my own unique challenge that I was taking on my own.
"But there's still something I don't understand…."
I just couldn't understand the words 'Apt' and 'Synchronization'.
"..."
"..."
"What is apt and what am I synchronizing with?"
"Kkoong?"
Cute, but I mustn't be fooled. That didn't mean 'Right?', but 'How would I know?'.
"Right."
I nodded.
Seeing that impure gaze, it seemed he had hit puberty, but seeing him still respond to his dad's every word, I could tell what a sincere son Honey was.
There can be bad paints in the world, but there are no bad paintings.
Honey was like that.
'What a good boy.'
As I was checking the system window, I soon discovered a new list.
Apt List
Anyone could see it was the answer.
"Let's see."
Breathing Sea_Giovanni
Synchronization Rate 0%
Animal Kingdom_Argio
Synchronization Rate 0%
What the.
"..."
Description: Apt
"You do have a conscience."
Apt
A way to understand an unfamiliar dimension more conveniently.
Among the existing beings in the indicated dimension, the subject corresponding to 'Jio' has been named 'Apt'.
If you obtain the Apt's consent, you can borrow their soul and body to easily understand and travel the dimension.
"What are you going to do if I still don't get it? I'm quite curious as to how you'll react."
But I understood.
"So if an 'Apt' exists in a real dimension, I can wander around in that person's body…."
This place works well.
I didn't know what that person called the Apt thought, but from a user's perspective, it was a very considerate structure.
"I wouldn't know about the culture of that dimension, and above all, there might be germs that don't suit my current body. Even if I can breathe air on Earth, in other places, I might have to breathe a gas like nitrogen."
In that sense, receiving help from the 'Apt' would be a convenient choice.
"The criterion for finding that Apt must be the fact that the other party is 'Jio'…."
Looking at the names on the list, I got a rough idea.
Breathing Sea_Giovanni
Synchronization Rate 0%
Animal Kingdom_Argio
Synchronization Rate 0%
"These people were probably also called 'Jio'."
Anyway, is it enough as long as 'Jio' is in the name?
"…No, if that were the case, they wouldn't have bothered to use a word like Apt. There must be other conditions, which is why it's treated as important enough to create and manage a list."
I guessed it probably confirmed the sync rate or adaptability with myself.
"Interesting."
I liked it very much.
"I guess I won't be bored a day in my life."
The amount of updated data was so huge that I wondered if I could enjoy it all in my lifetime.
"A dimension-level update."
It was truly amazing.
"..."
But even after this long explanation and analysis was over, there was still one shot left.
"What is the City of the Void?"
'City of the Void'
The corresponding dimension does not exist.
Would you like to register?
"Does this mean I created a new dimension?"
That was some seriously crazy talk.
"I can hear the sound of my life getting spectacular from all the way over here."
It was very good.
I never thought deeply. This time was no different.
Of course, if it were a matter of world peace, friendship, and love, I would have pondered it deeply with the pure heart of an unspoiled mountain youth, but this didn't really stir my motivation.
I looked like I would only drink espresso every morning, but I had the palate of a grade-schooler who would spit out what's bitter and swallow what's sweet.
"Hmm."
My ultimate positive mindset didn't falter at just creating a dimension.
"Just because I created a new dimension doesn't mean a random nuclear power plant on Earth will explode in one second."
Then it's fine.
"Honey, do you agree?"
"Kkoo-roo-rook!"
"Then it's really fine."
Having gotten my family's consent, there was nothing more holding me back.
Although it was a scale I had never experienced in my lifetime, such trivial information could not stop the growth of the deep-rooted tree that was Jio.
I was a portrait with conviction.
"Life is amazing."
As you live, new content always comes into being.
"If I don't enjoy this content right now, I am not human."
"..."
"I don't know at what part you went silent, but Honey, believe in this dad."
I was confident.
I am very confident in my ability to enjoy myself.
"Life is a hurricane."
Letting my tongue move freely, I selected the Apt [Giovanni] from the list.
It was because it was a name often used in Italy on Earth, so it felt strangely familiar.
And then I….
―Poof.
"..."
'Poof?'
I was left alone in some kind of operating room.
"..."
Honey, who should have been on my shoulder, was also gone.
A wave of sadness washes over me.
'I'm lonely.'
How could this happen?
Dropped into an operating room that looked like it was from 18th-century Europe due to the system's trickery, I muttered to myself.
'It feels like not even 30 minutes, let alone the day before yesterday, have passed since I was marveling at the system's divine management skills and vast content, but what on earth is this insensitive delivery service?'
I had my feelings hurt by the system's inconsiderate behavior.
It should have kindly informed me that the transfer would proceed after asking for my opinion once more.
As I was pondering which customer satisfaction center to file a complaint with in this case, I noticed someone was standing in front of me and stopped my moping.
"..."
"…Ah."
At the sudden presence, I felt shy for a moment. I didn't know who it was, but their stealth skills were on par with Agent 0○7.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"…Hello?"
In the moment I was lost in the silly thought of '101 Dal○atians giving an awesome self-introduction', the one who spoke first was a man in his early 30s who seemed to be the owner of the operating room.
"A pleasure to meet you, I am Giovanni of the Batlan family."
"…I am Jio."
"Yes, I know. You may call me Jio, sir."
The kind and trustworthy smile suited him very well and he looked surprisingly similar to me.
To the extent that if I were a Westerner and a little older, I would probably look just like that.
And I bravely did not hold back my question.
"You look very much like me."
"Probably, many parts will be similar."
"I cannot smile as kindly as you. I am inexperienced at smiling itself and have been misunderstood many times."
"That is a cute and honest worry, like those of the students I used to teach. It is alright, from now on, you will be able to smile like me."
'Giovanni', who had said something meaningful, soon smiled with embarrassment.
He seemed like a much more cheerful adult than me.
"Mr. Seo Jio, you seem to be a very direct and affectionate person."
"I think the same of you, Mr. Giovanni. Seeing the compliment you gave to me, a stranger, I can feel that your very way of thinking is good."
"Affirming the light that others possess is something I must naturally do as a priest of the sun. It is nothing to be called good or not."
"…Priest…."
Priest?
"…This place looks like a hospital, were you not a doctor?"
"I am also a doctor. Just because one is a priest of the sun doesn't mean everyone has to stay inside a temple and recite scriptures. There are many priests like me who work outside."
'Giovanni', who said so, soon let out a sigh.
"No… there were many."
"I see."
"My world was covered by the sea and has been destroyed."
Ah, so suddenly?
"The fact that Mr. Giovanni's hometown was destroyed, isn't that too deep a story for me, a stranger, to hear…."
"Please listen."
"Yes, I will listen attentively."
"All that remains in that world now are probably the mermaids hiding in the sea. Our planet has shrunk and been regularized like a game board."
"Like a game board?"
"Perhaps, I believe it has become something called… a dungeon."
"Do you know of dungeons?"
"It was a concept that originally did not exist in our world, so I did not know of it until before I died."
Saying this, it seemed 'Giovanni' was already a dead person.
"But Mr. Seo Jio, the moment you called me, I knew."
"..."
"We are the same 'Jio'."
He said, still wearing a benevolent smile.
"But we are by no means the same person."
"May I see you as a parallel world version of me?"
"No, that is not it either. We are just completely separate humans who miraculously share very many commonalities."
"..."
"Similar faces, similar voices, similar dexterity and such… however, our souls are by no means the same color."
After pondering for a moment, I asked.
"Do you like to paint? Since you've put it that way, I am truly curious if your tastes are similar to mine."
"It is one of my secret hobbies. I very much enjoyed painting the sea that resembles a mermaid."
"The sea that resembles a mermaid…."
Even our hobby of enjoying painting was the same.
With that alone, I acknowledged that we were the same 'Jio'.
"I would like to see it."
"You will see it soon."
A voice full of gentle conviction.
At that gentle voice that would not be easily broken, I felt a question arise.
"I understand that my soul and body are being taken by you. Are you not afraid or resentful of me? I am plundering everything of yours merely to appreciate a new dimension."
"This is not a plunder. In the first place, I am already dead, my soul has returned to the side of the sun, and my body has become soil and been buried in the ground… hmm, it didn't become soil nor was it buried in the ground. Now, even that land has surely been submerged by the sea."
"Is this some kind of black joke like when elderly people say there's no need to buy them expensive things because they'll die soon? You may be fine with it, but I am not. It seems you have forgotten that we are strangers."
"Hahaha…."
It wasn't funny at all, but 'Giovanni', who laughed as if he had told a really funny joke, soon continued.
"My soul will become one with yours, Mr. Jio. Shall we call it a kind of resurrection or reincarnation? I will seep into you, spend more time, build memories and thus live on within the Source."
"…The Source?"
"It must still be an unfamiliar concept to you."
He gave a gentle smile.
"But you are already living there."
"Are you saying the place I reside is the 'Source'? I have heard of it from an acquaintance I recently made."
"In fact, even that is probably a name given by the people of Earth. In reality, what name it has, or what rules and what form it possesses, we cannot know. As a humble soul, I can only respond to your call and cooperate with you."
Soon after, 'Giovanni' opened his mouth as if apologetic.
"If possible, please take care of the Sun God. To be more precise, I mean the Sun God of the world I was in."
"To think a request to take care of a god came from a mere humble soul is unbelievable. You are telling a very funny joke again. In fact, it's not very funny."
"I too thought so when I was alive, but if not for the Source, even a god is eventually forgotten without believers. The sun would not be extinguished by that, but as his son, I cannot help but be concerned."
"How can I take care of a god? I am also just an ordinary human."
"You can remember him, talk to him from time to time, or borrow his power. I swear on my honorable soul as a priest forged in sunlight, it will not be too much of a burden for you."
I nodded my head.
'He said a god, but to summarize, is it a feeling like visiting an elderly person who lives alone?'
As a former art teacher, I had often done volunteer work since my university days.
Among them were quite a few elderly people who were growing old alone with sad stories.
Thinking of it this way, I was an experienced professional.
I, who had shrunk at the word god, regained my confidence.
"I am good at that."
"Haha, that's a relief. I'm counting on you."
"Is there nothing else you wish for?"
"Is the request to take care of a god not burdensome enough for you?"
"It was burdensome until a moment ago, but not anymore."
In a village deep in the mountains of Gangwon-do, which was a super-super-aged society, I was the only child.
I was at least confident in entertaining the elderly.
Feeling that confidence, 'Giovanni' hesitated and opened his mouth.
"…Aria…."
"Aria?"
"It is my student's name."
"..."
"The story has gotten too long."
Still gentle, but a tone tinged with sadness somewhere.
"Give her an end."
At that moment.
"…Ah…."
I was back on the bed in my cabin.
"..."
"..."
"Kkoo-reu-reu…."
"…Right…."
Breathing Sea_'Giovanni'
"It's okay."
Giovanni's Quest
"Dad is okay."
Communication with the Sun God (0/1)
An Ending for the Mermaid Princess (0/1)
"Really…."
Synchronization Rate 1%
"I am okay."
"..."
"There's no problem at all."
It was a strange feeling.
With the cold that crept up my whole body and the pain that split my bones.
With a sadness greater than that, Giovanni cried without knowing why.
He couldn't remember anything.
"..."
"..."
He cried like that until the moon set and a new sunlight came in….
"…I don't regret it."
He smiled with his raw eyes.
I was happy.
-x-X-x-
『New Employee Notification』
There has recently been an unpleasant disturbance within the Guild related to a ghost story.
As the internal confusion has not subsided, this notice is being posted.
All employees are to take note and not cause any further confusion.
....
"What should I write?"
Bisabeol sat in front of the monitor and contemplated for a long time.
"…Should I make it fun?"
He soon moved his hands.
The name of the man in the black cape is Jio.
Jio is an employee on the dawn shift.
Do not ask for his identity.
....
***
"Jio."
As always, Yu Seong-un called out to the Jio in the portrait.
"Are you awake?"
"Yes, I am awake."
"Then, I'd like to make a suggestion."
While maintaining a composed appearance, Yu Seong-un carefully observed the other party.
He was currently making a suggestion to a being of the Source.
He had to understand its weight.
'And I know very well.'
Originally, the beings that lived in the Source couldn't communicate with humans.
A single sneeze from far away could be a terrible insult to them, and laughing during a conversation could make them sad.
Beings of the Source had their own rules.
Their rules were very irrational and irregular from a human's perspective, so one must never treat them from a human standpoint.
"By any chance, do you not want to come outside? I'm only saying this under the premise that you want to…."
The only way to survive was to constantly observe and analyze.
"It seems you don't know much about the situation outside. That thing with the seeds last time, for instance."
"What you say is correct, Mr. Yu Seong-un. I do not know much."
"In that sense, I asked if you'd be interested in some sightseeing. I'll cover all the necessary items and costs, and of course, I'll be by your side to guide you."
"You will guide me."
"Yes, which means you literally just have to show up."
To sneak a being of the Source whose identity hadn't even been confirmed outside.
Although he was proceeding with Bisabeol's permission, even for Yu Seong-un, who took risks when he had to, this was a bold gamble.
'…Still, there's no need to worry needlessly. If things go wrong, I'll just make an excuse that he's a new Hunter from outside the city.'
As long as Jio maintained his gentlemanly demeanor, no major problems would arise.
Of course, since he didn't know Jio's true identity, it was possible he might interact with something in reality regardless of his intentions, but that didn't matter either. If it was going to happen anyway, it was wiser to know in advance.
'Even if it means some damage.'
As Yu Seong-un waited for an answer, the portrait with the gloomy and noble face soon opened its mouth.
"Sightseeing, you say."
He thought he had gotten quite used to it, but he still got goosebumps.
The portrait's tone was still bizarrely blunt.
"Very well."
"…Really?"
"When would be good?"
It was a rather quick answer.
'I thought he might attack me, saying I was trying to drag him outside.'
Jio was a portrait.
Trying to pull a painting into reality could have felt like an insult from his perspective.
But fortunately, Jio didn't seem to mind that part.
'Is it because he's come out on his own a few times before…. If so, it was a good thing I took measures in advance so Jio could move freely.'
Yu Seong-un stopped thinking and answered.
"Let's do it on Tuesday morning, two days from now."
"Could you call for me then? Time here and time outside seem to flow a little differently, so I need help."
"That's not difficult. I'll come to call you in two days, so you can get ready slowly and come out then…."
After thinking for a moment, Yu Seong-un took out a small timer.
"I'll put it here on the floor, so you can check it this way. I'll set it to ring three times at 8 AM in two days. This will be more convenient if you want to check the time as you wish, right?"
"Thank you."
"It's nothing."
Yu Seong-un inwardly sighed in relief.
'…He readily accepted the proposal itself. As expected, compared to other beings of the Source, Jio is capable of communication. Of course, since he's not human, there are times when things go awry… but it should be mostly safe.'
As if thinking their business was over, the portrait closed its eyes.
"...."
Yu Seong-un also didn't hold onto Jio any longer.
They would have to stick together all day in two days anyway, so it wouldn't do for them to drain each other's energy already.
Besides, Yu Seong-un also had a lot to prepare for the sightseeing schedule with Jio.
'I should make a reservation at one of the tamer-exclusive hotels. I don't intend to treat Jio like a contracted beast, but those kinds of hotels are better prepared for emergencies, just in case.'
Since this matter was quite dangerous, thorough preparations were needed, within a range that wouldn't displease Jio.
"…But then again, when has it ever not been like this?"
Bisabeol's stance was firm.
Even if there was some damage, as long as it wasn't a massacre of more than 50 people, he would cover it up, so he was told to check how 'Jio's Portrait' reacted among humans.
'A wise decision.'
Jio could come out of the portrait whenever he wanted, without any restrictions or conditions.
If an incident was bound to happen anyway, it was better for Yu Seong-un, the Curator and Gardener, to be by his side watching.
"...."
However, it's not that he wasn't tired of this world where human lives were treated like insects.
'…Even though they are people in the city, not outside it, Guild Master Bisabeol said he could handle it. Damage to 50 people or less is fine and even if it happens, as long as it's not leaked to the media, it's okay.'
Of course, it would be much better to finish the sightseeing without anyone dying.
"I'll just have to count on Jio's gentlemanly response for this part."
Yu Seong-un muttered quietly and left the Guild.
Even if Jio was a being with reactions remarkably similar to a human, he couldn't be at ease.
Even humans could act perfectly fine and then throw a fit at lunch the next day; there was no guarantee that a being of the Source wouldn't have such a dual nature.
'I'll definitely look into that type of hotel… As for the sightseeing route, it would be best to set it somewhere that can be managed in case of an emergency. Gyeongbokgung is in this direction, so it's not like there are no attractions.'
Since he was going so far as to use the name 'Seo Jio', it didn't seem like a bad idea to show him something Korean.
'The night market at Gyeongbokgung usually opens after 6 o'clock, I think. Since it's a tourist spot in the Jongno area, there will be many Hunters walking around. If an incident breaks out, it'll be good to request help using Guild Master Bisabeol's name.'
Perhaps because he had been working overtime continuously lately, or because he was worrying too much, his head felt a little dazed.
'I'll have to think a bit about how to introduce Jio then….'
If an incident broke out, it seemed better to report it voluntarily to the Association.
Since the Association President had been targeting it, they probably wouldn't be completely ignorant about 'Jio's Portrait'.
"…Hoo…."
Having come outside, Yu Seong-un let out a deep sigh.
"What a headache."
His breath did not fog up.
"...."
Yu Seong-un muttered nonsensically.
"…Man, this is why conglomerates are great."
Scratching the back of his head, he started walking again.
Overtime was confirmed, but he had enough stamina.
'I need to hurry up and prepare.'
He hoped things would go smoothly.
***
After finishing my conversation with Yu Seong-un, I returned to the bedroom.
"...."
Yes, it was I, Jio.
Fortunately, I had returned from the state of being 'Giovanni' and regained my original personality.
"Hmm…."
The state of being 'Giovanni' didn't even last that long.
I was just flustered by the change I was experiencing for the first time; once I got the hang of it, I could return to my usual personality.
"It's not difficult."
If I focused my mind, I could return to being a Jio again.
"Like blowing my nose."
And so, I came to understand this new rule.
"So I just have to meet the Apt, get their consent, and proceed with the quest while wandering around that world."
And another thing, 'Synchronization'.
This part wasn't that difficult either.
"Progress is much faster when I take on Giovanni's personality, but even without fully synchronizing with the personality, the synchronization rate itself is slowly rising."
I sporadically become Giovanni without realizing it, but separate from that….
"It seems once synchronization starts, you can't turn it off."
Although I had never experienced it before, it felt like remembering a forgotten past life.
I had definitely said he was a different person, but I didn't feel like Giovanni and I were separate individuals.
And so, I had organized my thoughts in just a few days.
"In my entire life, I'll never have such a novel experience again."
"Kkureuk?"
"An experience that makes you feel like your left and right brain are working separately is rare."
I could now be 'Jio' and 'Giovanni' at the same time and it wasn't difficult to change my personality depending on the situation and my mood.
I felt Giovanni's emotions.
'Though the memories aren't complete.'
Perhaps because the synchronization rate was low, I couldn't recall all of Giovanni's memories.
It felt like following a Giovanni who had amnesia and had forgotten all his previous memories, but that alone was enough to know what kind of person he was.
Giovanni was very warm-hearted and affectionate, possessing a soft charisma that could soothe and captivate people.
He had ambitions for peace, but cherished his daily life with those around him more.
That was 'Batlan Giovanni'.
"...."
After blinking twice, I muttered in a small voice.
"Will it be okay like this?"
Yu Seong-un had proposed sightseeing.
"He seemed scared of me."
It's just that I hadn't thought about it, but I wasn't clueless.
'There's no way people are scared of me just because a man in black is scary.'
It seemed Yu Seong-un was deliberately explaining things indirectly, afraid I would be shocked, but I knew.
The current me was undoubtedly a bit too scary for ordinary people to look at.
'As expected, trying to wander the world in the body of a portrait must cause problems with resolution.'
Or perhaps this was the true power of a haunted portrait.
The power to make even the harmless seem harmful, to change the genre to horror-thriller just by existing.
"The people outside seemed to be scared of me."
"Kkung."
"It's baffling, but it's not a very unpleasant feeling, so don't worry."
I had no intention of it, but should I say it felt like being in a hidden camera horror prank?
I felt sorry, but to be blunt, it was more ridiculously funny than unpleasant.
But there has to be a limit.
"It'll be a problem if it disrupts the sightseeing."
It wasn't just sightseeing I was going on alone; it was a trip to be enjoyed together, relying solely on someone else's money and guidance.
Looking so hopelessly harmful like this would be a nuisance to Mr. Yu Seong-un who was accompanying me.
"It's sightseeing to be enjoyed with a reliable guide like Mr. Yu Seong-un. An experience like this on someone else's dime is rare."
"...."
"You think money grows on trees? I can guarantee you prices have gone up even more now. Daddy has no money."
Ah, geez. Would whimpering to my child about having no money have a bad influence on its development?
I belatedly added.
"Of course, this daddy can buy you anything you ask for, Honey."
"Kkung?"
"We shouldn't be wasteful, but if you buy it and enjoy it, then it's not a waste."
Besides, it seemed like money would come out even if I dug the ground here.
If painting a picture can make roasted sweet potatoes appear, why wouldn't digging the ground make money appear?
"Anyway, it's not like that outside the frame. Honey, listen carefully. When someone offers to buy you something delicious, you have to run over and accept it to be called a true pig."
Personally, I was hoping Honey would get that chubby.
"...."
"...."
If only it got chubby….
"…Kku-eung… Kkeureureuk… Keureuk…."
"There's no need to get angry, is there?"
"Krrrrrrrrr…."
It seemed to dislike the idea.
'A shame.'
A chubby bird is a symbol of cuteness, but this water bird, so diligent in its self-care, seemed to have no intention of becoming one.
'Somehow, the way it adorned itself with jewels was unusual. What a picky child.'
Anyway, the thing I was concerned about was that.
I had to have a more harmless impression.
"I want to become harmless enough to look like an ordinary passerby, but I don't know what more I can possibly do when I'm already as harmless as a talking potato. My harmlessness must have already reached its limit."
In my lifetime—well, I've never actually died, but anyway—back when I worked as a teacher, I often heard that I had a 'scary impression', but my aura wasn't one to make people wet themselves crying.
"That's because, aside from my talent for growing up healthy no matter where I am, I'm just a corpse."
But now, I was being treated like a ghost story, like the Red Mask.
I hadn't heard that evaluation outright, but seeing everyone I met freak out, I got the general idea.
"Seeing how everyone struggles just to perceive me, for now… it does seem like a resolution issue."
"Kkurereu."
"I think there might be various problems that arise from a painting becoming reality, but I'm not an engineer…."
And I had already received a solution for that from the System.
Tip.
Resolution Solution
Utilize 'Jio'
"This must be referring to the Apt."
Was 'Giovanni', who was currently undergoing synchronization, being treated as a human and not a portrait?
In fact, when I activated Giovanni's personality, I felt my body become slightly heavier.
Unlike before, I had to go to the bathroom, I felt hungry, and I required a certain amount of sleep.
"So, if I go outside in the state of being Giovanni, people won't be scared of me."
"...."
Feeling Honey's lukewarm gaze, I nodded.
"It's called multiple personalities."
First, I had to become harmless.
"...."
"...."
At Honey's stare, I admitted my excessiveness.
"…Okay, even I think the multiple personalities thing was a bit of a stretch."
"Kkureuk."
"To make an excuse, I really didn't sincerely plan to pass it off like that."
It was a sightseeing trip that Yu Seong-un had kindly suggested.
It was a trip I would enjoy with his help, and I would be openly walking around with him, so I didn't want to cause any unnecessary inconvenience.
"Even if I don't act as 'Giovanni', as long as the synchronization is in progress, there's room to utilize it. It means people might not be so scared even if I act like usual."
"Kkur?"
"Of course, I have to be mindful. If I'm not paying attention, it seems the resolution problem comes back even if I'm synchronizing. But this alone is a great discovery."
This was a fact I had confirmed with the help of the dawn patrol guards within the guild.
"I'm trying various things, so Mr. Yu Seong-un probably won't be put in such a difficult position."
For example, a situation where his companion suddenly develops multiple personalities.
"…Well, anyway…."
Sprawled out on the bed, I pushed myself up.
"…Then, it's time to get our elder his meal. Honey, let's go."
"Kkururururu!"
Honey agreed enthusiastically and nodded its head.
The small bird fluttered and landed on my shoulder.
I picked up the 77 colorful sandwiches I had made in advance in the kitchen and moved to the studio.
My steps stopped right in front of the 'Breathing Sea', that is, the landscape painting of the sea.
Now, I had to open this firmly shut door.
"Do you wanna build a snowm…."
"Kkuk."
"Right."
I suppose copyright is precious.
Recalling my spiritual hometown, the 'Win○er Kingdom', and reminiscing about my childhood innocence for a moment, I composed myself. It wasn't impossible that the Republic of Korea, which had already changed so much in the 31 years since I'd woken up, had become a nation of lawsuits.
After talking nonsense and clearing my throat with a hum, I prepared to have a meal with my family.
"...."
"...."
A brief moment of silence.
The jet-black hair began to lighten little by little.
After blinking the water-colored eyes twice.
"...."
Giovanni was there in my place.
"…May I come in?"
The door opened.
"Thank you."
" "
"Yes, this priest is very late."
" "
"Please understand."
A world submerged in the sea.
"The weather was so nice, it made my body sluggish."
The sun was barely breathing.
-x-X-x-
8 AM.
Looking at the Black Cape that had appeared in front of the frame, Yu Seong-un blinked his mint-colored eyes.
"...."
Huh.
'The feeling is a bit different.'
It wasn't just his imagination. The jet-black figure standing before the portrait didn't exude the same bizarre aura as before.
It was as if a monster had become a human.
"Jio."
"Have you arrived?"
"Did I come too late?"
"No, I was out early."
"Really?"
Yu Seong-un replied nonchalantly, thinking to himself.
'…His voice is different from usual, too.'
Unlike before, when he spoke in a tone so composed it felt bizarre, the current Jio, while seeming a bit 'overly polite', didn't feel strange.
He had an air about him that suggested a person of innocent character might be like this.
'It could be that his very class of existence changes depending on whether he's inside or outside the portrait….'
But that contradicted the witness testimonies he had received so far.
"...."
Yu Seong-un's eyes darted around for a moment before he smiled and asked.
"Are you perhaps in a good mood?"
"Yes, I am."
"Hmm… your mood seems lighter than usual."
"I have always been light."
"Then let's go with that."
He was definitely different from usual.
'I can't feel much of the intimidating pressure either.'
Although Yu Seong-un had only seen his back, he knew what a fearsome being the Jio outside the portrait usually was.
That feeling of being suffocated and dizzy, even without any hostility or killing intent, was not something one could easily experience.
'Even in a world like this, full of humans, monsters, and various kinds of freaks.'
He had heard that the sensation was even worse when facing Jio from the front, but this was truly strange.
The Jio before him now just felt like an ordinary human.
"...."
"...."
As if sensing his question, Jio spoke first.
"I have taken measures."
"Measures?"
"I tried adjusting the resolution so that others would not be startled by me. Seeing your reaction, Mr. Yu Seong-un, it seems my attempt was not too bad."
"Ah, so that's what it was. No wonder."
He seemed quite human.
While Yu Seong-un nodded as if it were nothing, his inner thoughts were not so calm.
'Does that mean… he can control the class of his own soul?'
In the past, Jio's class was so twisted it couldn't be expressed within the human system, but now, his class could probably be rated as an A-Class Hunter.
The ability to freely control the class of one's soul sounded like a really bad joke.
"…Is there no strain on your body?"
If he had forcibly lowered his class, the fatigue would be immense.
'It's the same as placing a curse on yourself.'
He had softened the question to 'is there no strain,' but controlling one's class like this would likely cause more pain than fatigue.
At Yu Seong-un's question, Jio looked down at his own hands, then shook his head.
"I am fine."
"That's a relief, but…."
How could he be so nonchalant after doing something so insane?
Yu Seong-un was quietly horrified.
'He's too calm for someone who has self-harmed. If you want to pretend to be normal, be more meticulous.'
Even a 10-year-old child would understand the gravity of the current situation.
In civilian terms, it was equivalent to cutting off all your limbs and gouging out both eyes.
'It's no different from putting a leash around the neck of a person crawling with only their torso and hanging a weight from it….'
Of course, Jio wasn't thinking about any of that.
'I'm hungry.'
In the first place, he was someone who, from his own perspective, had lived as a normal human until recently.
A body that didn't get thirsty, sleepy, hungry, or full was certainly convenient… but that didn't mean he felt a sense of rejection toward his current state.
What rejection? This was how he had always lived.
If anything, it was familiar.
"...."
"Where should we go now?"
"…Oh, right."
Yu Seong-un forced a calm expression and replied.
It would be rude to show only a worried face to a guy who came out to have fun.
With a being of the Source, one had to be careful with every single reaction.
"Since it's morning, I was thinking we'd have a meal."
"What kind of food will it be?"
"The place I recommend is a baekban restaurant."
Jio had referred to himself in the Korean style as 'Seo Jio'.
Though he didn't know if that was truly following the ways of the Republic of Korea, he chose a baekban restaurant for breakfast, as Jio seemed to know a lot about Korea in many respects.
Still, just in case, he added an explanation.
"It's a meal that comes as a set with side dishes, rice, and soup. You can also order fish or jeyuk."
"...."
"Overall, it won't be too stimulating, but since it's morning, I looked for a restaurant that would be easy on the stomach."
"That sounds good."
Jio was someone who ate anything well, but having been raised by his grandmother who always prepared baekban, he liked this kind of comforting food. It was easy on the body and mind.
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"That's a relief. Shall we get going, then?"
Jio followed behind him.
'…I can hear his footsteps.'
He thought he was barefoot before, but the current Jio was wearing dress shoes.
But apart from that, Yu Seong-un was a little surprised to hear the sound of footsteps that carried the weight of a person.
'Does that mean he really lowered his class to a human level? I still can't believe it.'
Starting with how it was even possible, he felt a strange mix of emotions wondering why on earth he would do such a terrible thing.
'He probably did this intentionally to be considerate of other humans….'
Yu Seong-un, who had been contemplating how to make excuses if any damage occurred, felt a bizarre sense of guilt even before he could feel embarrassed.
This unbelievable act of goodwill, akin to cutting off one's own limbs and soul, was hard to bear.
The fact that he offered such an out-of-this-world kindness so casually made him feel even less human.
"Um…."
Coming to his senses, Yu Seong-un led Jio to the elevator.
"Let's get in."
"I believe this is a first."
"What is? This elevator?"
"I usually traveled through paintings."
"So you did travel through paintings."
He had already guessed as much, but this explained the unidentified portraits that the night guards would often discover in the hallways.
Even so, the ghost story of the 'Black Cape' had already taken root in this guild.
"I gave you an access card, so why didn't you ever take the elevator?"
"I thought it would be troublesome if I encountered other people in this small space."
"…I see."
True, just encountering him in that wide hallway was enough to make the guards take a vacation; in a narrow space like this, they might have foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
However, that wasn't what Jio meant.
'How do I know what kind of people the employees here are? Why would I be in such a small space with them?'
Knowing when to be cautious, Jio was intimidated.
The 31 years, mixed with fantasy, were enough to make him feel an unknown fear even in his hometown.
'I don't know how much the culture has changed, so it's dangerous for a haunted portrait to act rashly. It's also faster to travel through paintings.'
So it was a choice made considering his convenience in various aspects, but….
"...."
It was bound to be interpreted a little differently by Yu Seong-un.
'…Isn't this guy overly nice? Was I worrying about the wrong thing?'
He was starting to get worried.
'He travels through paintings instead of the elevator because he's worried others will be crushed by his class, and he cuts off his own class because he's worried something unpleasant might happen during the trip….'
There was other suspicious evidence too.
'Come to think of it, his particular fondness for giving gifts is also an unsettling trait now that I think about it.'
This was a sightseeing trip prepared while worrying that the portrait would cause an accident, but if Jio were to be harmed by humans instead, that would be an accident in a different sense.
'I think I've targeted the wrong subject for caution. Instead of worrying about the gentlemanly Jio's sudden actions, should I have been worried about some human approaching who might provoke him….'
Yu Seong-un couldn't shake off his suspicion, even as he lamented whether this was the right direction for his worries.
"…Alright, let's get off."
"It takes quite a long time."
"That's because the gallery is deep underground."
Yu Seong-un explained with a small smile.
"The works in the Guild Master's gallery are gathered from all over the world. There are items the Guild Master bought himself, items that guild members identified and purchased for him, and items that were entrusted to us for safekeeping because they were too dangerous…."
In other words, it was a den of demons.
"The entry restriction to the gallery is partly to prevent theft, but it's also because a dozen people could easily die if things go wrong. The Collectors' gallery, where all sorts of works with bizarre properties run rampant, is a famous story. Thanks to that, if a ghost story pops up, the gallery is usually the source."
"I see."
"That's why the gallery is located in a place so deep it seems excessive. It's a design meant to make it easier to clean up if some unknown bomb were to go off down there, or… to reduce the damage even a little."
Having said that, Yu Seong-un turned to look at Jio.
"Hmm, right."
"…Is there a problem?"
"Keep the hood on."
Lowering his class might have made the intimidating pressure disappear, but he was by no means harmless, and above all, Jio's face was too assertive.
If he walked around with it exposed, he would get entangled in all sorts of troublesome matters.
'If he just covers his face, I can pass him off as an unofficial Hunter. The Collectors have a lot of unofficial Hunters, so other people won't be suspicious.'
The employee at the 1st-floor lobby entrance greeted Yu Seong-un.
"Are you heading home already?"
"No way, it's a business trip. I just got here, there's no way I'm leaving already."
"I was about to be jealous, what a relief. Let's suffer together."
The guard, who joked good-naturedly, looked at Jio standing behind Yu Seong-un.
"And this person is…."
"A guest of the Guild Master."
"Is he joining as a rookie soon?"
"Could be."
As if he had a friendly personality, the guard, despite seeing Jio for the first time, spoke to him familiarly as if they were old acquaintances.
"Then it would be fine to change the color of that cape. A new ghost story has popped up in our guild recently, and as you well know… we're the type of people who get easily swayed by such ghost stories."
At that, Yu Seong-un asked.
"Are there still people who are startled by the story of the Black Cape?"
"Well, with so many witnesses, what can you do? It seems to really exist, so everyone is maintaining a certain level of alertness."
"Man, this is troublesome."
Yu Seong-un, who muttered with a placid smile, gave a slight bow.
"Then I'll see you in a few days."
"Looks like a long business trip?"
"Well, I suppose I'll have to go and see…."
"Then, take care."
The guard, who had greeted them politely, quickly lost interest in Yu Seong-un and Jio.
The huge glass door of the lobby opened.
Stepping outside the Collectors' Guild, Yu Seong-un opened his mouth.
"As you can see, some rumors about you have spread. I've already spoken to the Guild Master about the inconvenience you're experiencing, but it seems it will take some time for it to be reflected…."
Yu Seong-un said, as if making an excuse.
"I'll tell people you're a guest of the Guild Master. How does that sound?"
"I understand."
"Any other questions?"
"I am curious why the guard was so certain that I would become a colleague."
"Ah, that."
Yu Seong-un nodded his head.
"It's a habit of the Guild Master's to pick people up from here and there."
"He picks them up? The Guild Master must be a man of rare conviction."
"He even tries to scout a contract employee who came to assassinate him."
"To recruit even someone who tried to kill him is quite daring. It seems he is very accepting."
"His tastes are so unique that if there's an unfamiliar person in the guild, there's a high chance they're the Guild Master's guest. It's not just once or twice that he's invited people to the guild to woo them."
"...."
There's a limit to sugarcoating things.
Jio, unaware that such sugarcoating made him seem even more inhuman, quietly resigned himself to the endlessly continuing tales of Bisabeol's eccentricities.
'His is a massive presence that I, with my limited stamina granted by the gods of heaven and earth, cannot handle.'
He didn't seem like a bad person, but in the sense that you couldn't predict where he'd jump next, he was the number one type of person he never wanted to talk to.
'If we were to get close, he would surely drag me, a shut-in, out of my corner, place me in the middle of a gathering of insiders, and offer me as a sacrifice for the party….'
It was horrifying.
"Now we have to take the overground train, will that be alright?"
"…Overground train?"
Not a subway?
Thanks to Jio's lowered class, Yu Seong-un was able to notice his question more clearly and soon explained.
"Um, it's a railway that runs above the ground. The routes are fixed like a bus, but it's a bit faster and operates at a fairly high altitude."
Saying so, Yu Seong-un raised his finger and pointed to the sky.
"See over there?"
A rail that penetrated through high-rise buildings or passed between them.
The entire rail wasn't visible, only parts of it.
It seemed that for the sake of the city view, special measures were taken to make parts of it transparent. That stimulated Jio's sci-fi sensibility.
"It is quite high."
"In terms of building floors, it operates at about the 60th floor."
Jio inwardly nodded his head.
'They say even mountains and rivers change in ten years; the world has certainly changed in thirty.'
It was probably more pronounced because this was the metropolitan area, but even considering that, the buildings and facilities had developed a lot.
Jio now truly felt that he had become an ancestor.
The buildings were basically over 30 stories high and the overground train passing between them looked just like a roller coaster.
'The rail route and speed probably aren't as intense as that, though….'
The futuristic design filled Jio with a sense of romance.
"Jio, this way."
"...."
People's fashion was also quite different from before.
There were people wearing armor or carrying huge greatswords on their backs, and even people with wings or tails.
They say trends come and go, but it was clear that an ecosystem-disrupting species had jumped in at some point.
Everyone was so full of individuality that Jio, wearing a cape, seemed plain.
He could even see people exchanging jewels or weapons here and there.
Jewels were one thing, but weapons with menacingly sharp blades….
"...."
Oof.
Jio could find himself shriveling up endlessly like thinly sliced pork belly on a hot grill.
'It's a sight that makes a mockery of myself for worrying whether I, a haunted portrait, would seem harmful.'
Contrary to his thoughts, some quick-witted people were glancing at Jio.
'His energy is heavy…. A Hunter? Judging by the discipline in his movements, he's a knight or… a priest?'
'Is he at least A-Class? I've never felt this kind of presence before, so there's a high chance he's an unofficial Hunter.'
'He's all in black. He might have a skill that values color, or that could all be a set item….'
Yu Seong-un was also aware of the gazes from some of these people.
'Please just don't talk to him.'
It was as he had expected, but thanks to Jio's help, they were drawing less attention than he'd thought.
He was earnestly praying that no one would strike up a conversation with Jio, who had just come out into human society, and cause a disaster.
"This is the entrance to the overground train."
Yu Seong-un drew Jio's attention so that his gaze wouldn't meet others'.
"See here? You can pay the fare by tapping a card here."
"Do you pay the fee in front of the elevator?"
With his hands clasped behind his back out of habit, Jio looked at the entrance to the overground train with interest.
It looked like an elevator one might find at a subway station or on some pedestrian overpasses.
Instead of being hidden inside a building, the elevator protruded out and stretched high up, connecting to the overground train's route.
'Is there no separate station?'
Looking at the bare rails without a building, it seemed there was no station, and at best, there were small spaces like bus stops here and there.
It seemed they were really using it like a bus.
"I'll give you my card. If there's anything you want to buy, you can use this, there's no limit."
"...."
Jio was intimidated.
'I don't know how many times I've been intimidated today alone.'
The world outside the blanket was dangerous.
'Why are you giving me a no-limit card.'
Since you're scary, I'll just call you hyung-nim for now.
Of course, Jio, a selective introvert, would never call Yu Seong-un, whom he'd known for less than a few months, hyung.
Jio still maintained his polite demeanor as he used the card to get on the overground train's elevator.
"...."
"What's wrong?"
"I have a question."
Jio asked.
"I do not understand why there is only one elevator when its speed is not very fast. In the case of a large crowd, would the operation not be delayed?"
"Ah…."
Yu Seong-un laughed awkwardly.
"Not many people ride it anyway, so it seems they only installed one."
"It seems like a useful means of transportation, so why are there not many people who ride it?"
How could anyone just leave such an interesting piece of new civilization alone?
"It's not for any great reason."
Yu Seong-un told him the reality.
"Because it's expensive."
"...."
Aha.
'I see.'
If it was a capitalist society, Jio knew it very well.
'But is that guy still alive?'
He's living a long life, huh?
-x-X-x-
The overground train stop they arrived at was at a considerable height.
"...."
"What, is something wrong?"
"It's been a while since I've been somewhere this high."
"I suppose so."
Yu Seong-un nodded his head.
'I guess a portrait wouldn't have a reason to come up this high.'
But seeing as he said it had been a 'while,' it seemed he had come out of the portrait and climbed up on his own before.
'Or perhaps he has a memory as a human of climbing a mountain or a cliff.'
Since he was a being that could move on its own, there were probably many possibilities.
He might have even moved around while still in the portrait.
Unaware of Yu Seong-un's thoughts, Jio was looking around the overground train's stop.
'…I didn't realize when I saw it from below, but it's covered by a transparent barrier. It seems to be to prevent falling accidents or to block the strong winds at this height, but what exactly is the material? It looks much more transparent and harder than glass or plastic.'
Jio felt a great interest in raising and creating things.
A new material like this, something out of an SF movie, he couldn't hold back his question.
"What is this wall made of?"
"Huh? The wall?"
"Yes, it's blocked by a wall so transparent you wouldn't know it's there unless you touched it."
"It's not like I'm an expert in this field, but… it's probably a Formless Crystal."
"A Formless Crystal?"
"I know it as a component extracted from one of the frequently appearing monsters."
Yu Seong-un didn't know the name of the monster.
Unless it was a particularly threatening or unusual monster, it wasn't worth remembering.
"I heard that most of the transparent windows installed in the city use this."
"I see."
"...."
"...."
"...."
Yu Seong-un's expression turned serious.
"You can't take it. It's public property."
"I am aware."
"That's not the reaction of someone who is aware right now."
"Yes, it is."
"…If you want it, I'll get some for you later, so be patient."
The Formless Crystal was a material used in various industries, but it wasn't expensive for its versatility.
This was because the monster from which the crystal could be extracted was not very rare, and the amount of crystal that could be extracted per entity was large.
"What on earth are you going to use this for?"
"It is an interesting object, so I wanted to observe and utilize it."
"Your spirit of inquiry is truly remarkable…."
Yu Seong-un smiled with a strange feeling.
Showing interest in the rules or objects created by humans was a typical characteristic of beings from the Source.
As they were chatting, the overground train soon arrived.
"There's no one else in this car."
As Yu Seong-un said, the car marked 'No. 6' had only the two of them.
Jio thought quietly.
'So people really don't ride this.'
It felt like a bit of a waste.
'To think they can't ride this wonderful new piece of civilization because it's expensive.'
Even when he tapped the card in front of the 1st-floor elevator, only a green light indicating entry was possible lit up; there was no information about how much was charged.
So he didn't know the exact price of the overground train, but he felt strangely bitter.
'Has the gap between the rich and the poor gotten worse in 31 years, or is it just my imagination.'
Jio asked.
"Is it normally this empty?"
"Ah, no it's not."
Yu Seong-un shook his head.
"Usually, more people ride it than this. There used to be at least 10 people per car, but today there's unusually no one in sight. I'm not sure if it's because we're riding during peak work hours… it's been a while for me to ride at this time, too."
"...."
Wait a minute.
Something was strange.
"Is it peak work hours?"
"Well, it's 8:38 right now."
Yu Seong-un checked his wristwatch and continued.
"It varies a little from company to company, but the average time to start work is 7 AM."
"...."
"Jio?"
"Work starts at 7 AM?"
"Mostly, yes?"
Do people normally not have human rights?
'As far as I remember, the typical start time for office workers was definitely 9 AM.'
Jio's confidence in his ability to live in this harsh reality instantly vanished.
Seeing even the local patriotism he never had disappear, it seemed being a portrait suited his disposition.
"...."
How on earth had the country come to this?
He soon deduced a plausible reason.
It was a reason he could come up with due to the 31-year gap in his life.
"Is it set this way because most people wake up at dawn due to genetic or cultural reasons?"
"Uh… that's not it. If we don't set a specific time, a lot of people would probably sleep until lunchtime. This is just a rule people have agreed upon amongst themselves."
"I see."
It was a neat answer, but it left a bad taste. Jio looked intently at Yu Seong-un.
'Doesn't this person sometimes not see me as a human?'
He was like a butler explaining human society to a talking cat.
"...."
"Hm? Why?"
"I am an ordinary human."
"Uh… right."
No matter how hard he looked, like a high school senior analyzing an exam passage, his reaction was not one of belief.
'…Well, if I were in Mr. Yu Seong-un's shoes, I probably wouldn't feel like a haunted portrait was the same as a person either. I should just be glad I'm not being openly treated as a monster in a world like this.'
And thanks to being treated like a monster, there were several benefits.
It seemed that being penniless and lacking common sense was overlooked with a 'well, he's not human, so it's understandable'.
There was an undeniable feeling of his pride as a human being slightly crushed, but the thought that living as a portrait would be better for his mind and body than returning as a faithful slave to a capitalist society remained unchanged.
Jio asked slyly.
"Do I not seem like an uncultured and ill-mannered person to you?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"I do not wish to cause you any inconvenience, so I will be careful."
"…I don't know what to say, but, yeah, thanks…."
"Thank you."
As expected, Yu Seong-un was a dependable and considerate person.
Jio sat down next to Yu Seong-un and looked at the still-open door of the overground train.
"It has been open for quite a long time."
"Subways or buses close much faster than this."
Yu Seong-un, lightly sharing some basic common sense, continued the story about the overground train.
"The overground train has the time it takes to come up the elevator, and the platforms themselves aren't that numerous, so they keep it open for a long time for people who are a little late."
"Even in winter."
"Well, it's a relief that the cold is blocked on its own."
That's right, it was the middle of winter.
"Ah, come to think of it… if we're lucky, we might find some street food while we're out."
At Yu Seong-un's words, Jio's heart pounded. He was faithful to his instincts.
"By street food, do you mean things like Bungeoppang?"
"Yeah, or Takoyaki… Gyeranppang… or Odeng, things like that."
"I want to eat them."
"I'll try my best to find some, but don't get your hopes up. There aren't many places that sell that kind of thing."
"Why is that? Warm street food on a cold day should be quite popular."
"Not many people want to do it because of complaints that it's not aesthetically pleasing. Once a complaint is filed, it creates problems for re-entering the city or doing business again."
Having said that, Yu Seong-un shrugged.
"And in the first place, city people don't really want to run street food businesses. And it's inconvenient for people from the provinces living far away to come all the way here to sell food, isn't it?"
"...."
Huh.
Jio was flustered.
"It seems you are making a strict distinction between city people and provincial people."
"Huh? Hmm, uh… I guess so?"
"Why would that be?"
"…Uhh…."
Yu Seong-un let out a deep sigh.
"I don't know how to explain this, but that's just the way people are. I think it's a shameful story, but we assign grades to each other to distinguish ourselves."
"What kind of grades?"
"For example, someone like me who lives in the city and works as both a Hunter and a Curator is Grade 1. As far as I know, Hunters B-Class and above are almost all Grade 1 citizens, unless they are Red Hunters who have committed crimes."
Yu Seong-un took out his ID card and showed the words 'Grade 1' next to his name, then pointed beyond the wide-open window of the overground train and said.
"People who live within the city but have unremarkable income and jobs are Grade 2."
"...."
"The provincial people I just mentioned are usually classified as Grade 3. And some of the poor who live between the provinces and the city, those who don't even receive an ID card, are tacitly classified as Grade 4."
"…Is there a Grade 5?"
"From there on, they're criminals. Unlike the Grade 4 citizens who aren't even registered by name, they are recorded in the administration, but they're literally just a record and aren't really treated as human. Measures are in place so that they can be killed at any time if encountered."
How can life be this undesirable?
Jio, being the sensitive type, felt like tears would well up at the unbelievable development of his hometown.
'…I did think that as long as the Earth's lifespan is longer than a human's, a class system would be revived someday, but I never thought I'd experience it in my lifetime.'
Looking at the still-open door, Jio asked again.
"Is there a reason to distinguish people to such an extent?"
"For one, it might be because of the large difference in infrastructure between the city and the provinces."
Yu Seong-un, as if determined to be faithful to his role as a guide, answered kindly.
"I'm talking about the various facilities within the region and the benefits one can receive, and well, the cultural and administrative gap between the city and the provinces is huge. People in the provinces farm to make a living for the day, while city citizens tend to purchase the food ingredients delivered from there…."
"...."
"Should I say the difference is almost at the level of a century? If you go to the provinces, it'll probably be hard to see not only overground trains like this but even two-story buildings. It's rare for people to own cars, too. There's at least one village railway running, but… then again, maybe that's why they don't buy cars either."
Since there's a means of transport anyway, there's no need to spend money on a private car.
Yu Seong-un muttered quietly and continued.
"Well… among all that, the biggest difference is, of course, the defense line."
"What does the defense line mean?"
"On the outskirts of the city, there's a large wall that can be used for defense, like a fortress wall, as a first line. Secondly, there are dedicated public officials who specialize in managing safety within the city, and above all, there are already many Hunters in the city… so even if an incident breaks out downtown, it gets resolved quickly."
Yu Seong-un rubbed the back of his neck.
"In short, it's the benefit of survival. Most Grade 4 citizens would rather live in poverty than outside the city, and in the same vein, many people want to enter the city… but not all citizens can live inside. Resources and land area are limited, right?"
"Is that why the grades were created?"
"Because only Grade 2 citizens and above can reside in the city. Grade 3 citizens can visit the city or find a job as much as they want, but those who start to reside here without permission are treated a bit harshly."
"In what way does it get harsh…."
"How should I put it. Um, for starters, their ID card is terminated, so they can't get a job… and while it's not as bad as Grade 5, should I say they're treated as less than human. People who squat in the city because they don't want to be bitten to death by monsters in the provinces become those Grade 4 citizens, the poor."
So, to sum it up, it's a dystopia.
'Hearing a story that sounds like it's straight out of a movie makes it feel less real at this point.'
For Jio, who loved friendship, love, and peace, it was a hard world to accept. Until 31 years ago, he felt he could still feel a reasonable amount of human affection, but now it felt like something had gone very wrong.
Jio began to get monumentally intimidated, using his blunt poker face as a weapon, but Yu Seong-un, who wanted him to know human society accurately, continued his explanation.
"In the first place, you never know where a dungeon will burst open, and even if they're not from a dungeon, there are many monsters that have already settled on Earth. In the city, those endemic monsters are managed, but the provinces lack manpower and equipment, so if you're not careful, you often end up dead."
"That sounds scary."
"That's why if you live in a provincial village, they tell you not to go outside after 5 PM. Or, in many cases, the villages are run centered around Hunters of C-Class or lower. No matter how weak they are, Awakeners are much more reliable than ordinary people."
Around then, the door of the overground train finally closed.
"...."
"It's starting to move."
"No one else got on."
"Well, it's not lunchtime…."
"It is breakfast time."
"What kind of office worker eats breakfast?"
His tone was as if eating breakfast was not a given. It seemed that in the current world, the phrase 'three meals a day' had long since disappeared.
'Even though we are on our way to eat three meals.'
Letting the horrific reality of modern society in one ear and out the other, Jio slowly admired the overground train, which had a structure similar to the subways he knew.
The most impressive parts were the transparent walls and ceiling.
"Are these walls and ceiling also made using Formless Crystals?"
"Probably, right? Their durability and transparency are on a level incomparable to Earth's traditional materials, so they can defend to some extent even if a monster attacks."
"I see."
"In the old days, they said they made windows like this with glass or plastic… It makes me wonder how they ever used such weak materials."
"...."
And just like that, Jio was instantly relegated to the status of an ancestor.
From the young blood of the education world to an ancestor.
The exponential drop made his head spin.
"Are glass and plastic not used?"
"They're used, but glass… is usually used for decorations, right? You can shape it much more easily than Formless Crystals, and you can mix colors in. It's a type of gem, so it's a bit expensive even though it can be made artificially."
"What about plastic?"
"Plastic? It's barely used, I think? It's not recyclable and doesn't decompose well."
To think they were concerned about the Earth's health, it seemed Earthlings had developed in the past 31 years.
I thought they were busy evolving into a dystopia, but this is quite something.
'The Earth's lifespan must have increased a bit.'
Jio turned his gaze and looked at the overground train again.
The back of the seats was covered with a soft cloth and leather like a sofa, but the windows above the shoulder line and the ceiling were as clear as if there was nothing there.
The gleaming walls of the buildings and the clear sky seen beyond gave a strange thrill.
'A gentleman's roller coaster….'
There was no sense of speed or rattling, but the unbelievable height of this rail stimulated Jio's sense of romance.
It was like a scene from an SF movie.
"Ah, Jio. We're getting off soon."
"Is that so?"
"The baekban restaurant and hotel I reserved are near this stop."
"I am looking forward to it."
"You can look forward to it, I've booked all the good places."
While listening to Yu Seong-un's words with interest, Jio had a faint premonition.
'The Earth has become a place where a crystal of harmlessness like me can no longer live.'
The weakling Jio, who didn't even have a taekwondo white belt that everyone else had, lacked the strength to overcome this terrifying world.
He would have to be cooped up in his portrait for the rest of his life to ensure his own safety.
It was a thought that would have made Yu Seong-un shudder with absurdity had he heard it.