Jio's cabin was set up in an environment where any human would feel comfortable.
"The air is very mild."
"I think it's because the weather is always like spring."
"That could be it, but…."
There was a sense of stability, as if being held in a parent's embrace.
"…I think I'd sleep well if I slept here."
"That is indeed the case."
Jio, who had nodded his head, soon asked.
"Is there a meal you would like?"
"…Ah, are you going to treat me to a meal?"
"That is why I invited you, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"So that was the purpose."
For Yu Seong-un, who had accepted the invitation to analyze Jio's identity, it was a slightly embarrassing situation.
'Well, there's no way this grandmotherly fellow would be careless in treating a guest.'
Whatever the purpose, Jio had received Yu Seong-un here as a guest.
There was no way Jio, who went around handing out gifts to everyone he met, would not treat Yu Seong-un to anything.
"Anything is fine, but you'd dislike it if I said that."
"There is no food in the world called 'anything'."
"But I'm really not a picky eater. I don't have any preferences either."
"In that case, I will prepare it as I wish. Is there any food you cannot eat?"
"No, I don't have allergies or anything, so it's fine."
"Understood."
As Jio nodded his head, something approached from the kitchen, making a pong pong pong sound.
What is that?
Yu Seong-un's eyes were captivated by the white cotton ball.
"Thank you for helping to welcome the guest, Father."
"Kku."
A teddy bear holding a teacup…?
"...."
Wait, a teddy bear?
'…A teddy bear brought a welcome drink?'
Yu Seong-un fell into confusion.
Yu Seong-un, who frequently encountered beings of the Source, was particularly sensitive to the aura of non-human things.
He was usually able to grasp what kind of being his opponent was, but as he saw it, the teddy bear before him held an aura close to divinity.
'…Wait a minute, if this is a divine power that resembles the sun….'
Having finished his assessment, Yu Seong-un looked back at Jio.
"…Your father?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Then is he the predecessor Sun God?"
"That is correct."
"Thanks to you, I understand."
There was no divinity itself, but an aura comparable to it and the unique, tingling warmth of the sun that he had felt from Jio several times.
This teddy bear seemed to be the Sun God, holding the remaining power after passing on his divinity to Jio.
"Still, does one normally enter a teddy bear…?"
"He said he is accustomed to this body, so I could not change it."
"I don't quite understand that either. Is there any reason a god would be accustomed to a doll's body?"
"He got into the habit of eating meals in this body…."
"So you're the cause, in the end."
"That is correct."
"...."
With an awkward gesture, Yu Seong-un received the teacup offered by the Sun God.
"…Thank you."
"Kkukku."
Did it just laugh?
'To think I'd live to see a god laugh.'
Of course, the fact that the Sun God was inside a worn-out teddy bear was a surprising thing in itself.
"It's strange, usually the predecessor god and the successor god are on bad terms."
"Is there a reason to be on bad terms with my father? We are family."
"Hmm…."
There are many reasons, but.
"…I speculate that it's because the difference in their way of thinking is large. A god who has to govern the life, death, and dimensions of living beings will have a different scope of thought, even if they inherited the same divinity."
Since a very long time passes before one divine era ends, it was a similar logic to how it would be difficult for a primitive man and a modern person to get along.
"It's even more so in the case of a human who became a god."
"...."
Jio asked.
"Then am I a god?"
"…Oh… that… hmm…."
"So there are gods who do nothing like this. Gods are not such a big deal, I see."
"…I think you can just think as you wish."
"I think I am still a human. Since nothing has changed much."
"Then I guess that's what it is."
It seemed Jio thought of himself as a 'human who inherited a license called divinity.'
He wondered what else that could be if not a god, but since the person himself said so, Yu Seong-un kept his mouth shut.
'It is true that the ego named Jio has not been consumed by divinity.'
To become a god meant to hold the qualification as nature and fate and to give up thinking as a living creature.
Nevertheless, Jio still enjoyed meals, was good at cooking and found fulfillment in sharing with others, so there were certainly many problems with calling him a god.
No matter what happened, the being called 'Jio' would not change.
"...."
Because he is the Source?
'…How can such a being exist?'
Yu Seong-un watched Jio enter the kitchen, saying he would prepare a meal.
'I don't think he's not the Source. As a Gardener, there's no way I would mistake that. This portrait is a Source in a form that humans can perceive, and in a form close to a personage.'
But he couldn't understand the process.
'That thing isn't simply living on top of the Source. If that were the case, this space and Jio should have been separate entities. But they aren't, and are attached like bone and flesh, which means….'
As Yu Seong-un was contemplating, the teddy bear approached with soft, pong pong footsteps.
"Hm?"
"Kku?"
"…I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're saying."
"Kkuu, kkukkukku. Kku."
"...."
Yu Seong-un felt troubled at the sight of the teddy bear waving its cotton paws around in front of him.
'Is it blasphemy to feel that a god is cute? Religion isn't my specialty.'
Even though it was in a state without divinity, which could be called the heart of a god, it was still true that it was a being close to a god.
Yu Seong-un carefully observed the well-stuffed teddy bear, worried he might make a mistake.
"…Ah."
Soon, Yu Seong-un picked up the teacup.
"You want me to drink?"
"Kku."
"Thank you."
Yu Seong-un was momentarily surprised by the teacup that fit perfectly in his hand.
"…Oh…."
This feels nice.
'It's smooth yet soft.'
Should I say it feels like touching a silk-like fur hide?
It was clearly a solid teacup, but it was so soft it felt like powder would come off on his hand, and it was quite light for its stable thickness, making it comfortable to hold.
'The grip is good too.'
Even though it wasn't tailored to Yu Seong-un's own hand, it was shaped in a way that was easy to hold.
"Somehow, it feels fluffy…."
It was like a teacup made of clouds or fresh cream.
"As expected, Jio doesn't even use a teacup carelessly."
"Kkuukku."
"I'm sorry, but I really don't know. What did you say?"
The white teddy bear, which had a toasty color like lightly grilled rice, soon pointed at something.
"…Ah."
It was Honey.
"Kururu?"
"…We saw each other earlier, right? I was invited? I'm a guest?"
"Kkung-uk."
"It feels like it's letting me off the hook."
He had wondered why the teddy bear pointed at Honey, but it seemed it wanted to let him know that this teacup was also drawn and created by Jio.
Yu Seong-un understood without realizing it.
"No wonder the texture was extraordinary."
The light pink tea water held inside it also had a nice scent.
"…This is…."
A fresh sweetness similar to vanilla bean, yet completely different.
It had a somewhat tangy part, a nutty aspect like milk with honey, and the unique lightness of a plant was added, making it a scent that wasn't overwhelming.
Yu Seong-un narrowed his eyes.
'Is this tea really okay for a person to drink?'
He used his Appraisal Skill without realizing it.
[Tears Blooming Silk]
[Grade: - ]
A flower tea made by aging the Weeping Garok that grows naturally in the Water Vein of Fate.
The unique tangy scent of the unbrewed Weeping Garok remains faintly, giving a variation to the sweetness.
Processed by the master of the forest, Jio, so that the human body can also accept it.
The moment you drink it, heat gathers in the eyes, then the optic nerve is restored.
It is effective in nullifying mental-type skills.
"...."
What the hell.
'It says it's edible.'
Yu Seong-un downed the small amount of tea in one go.
"…Sweet."
Usually for tea, the sweet scent would be all there is, but this tea, which didn't seem to have any sugar in it, was sweet enough to make his mind go hazy for a moment.
It felt as if the limit of pleasant sweetness had been pressed down and filled to the brim.
'It also has a tangy scent like pepper.'
Sweetness and pepper sounded strange, but after drinking it himself, he could feel that the two scents didn't clash and were well-harmonized.
He felt his head fill up with the clear sweetness and the tingling scent that pricked his brain.
There was a pleasure that was hard to take your time with, like a course meal that kept coming out without a break.
'It would be hard to enjoy this with a relaxed mind….'
Around that time, Yu Seong-un frowned.
"Ugh."
He could feel his eyes stinging, like a tongue that had eaten something spicy.
It was a strange sensation that was hard to call pain, but it was similar to the feeling of putting mint-scented eye wash in.
After waiting for about 3 seconds, the sensation that had been making his eyeballs hot vanished in an instant.
"…This might be why it's called 'Tears Blooming Silk'."
A few tears came out, perhaps because heat had risen in a sensitive organ.
'My vision definitely feels clearer.'
It would be hard to enjoy it with a comfortable mind, Yu Seong-un thought once again.
How could one drink with a comfortable mind a tea with a taste and scent so full it makes the inside of your mouth go numb, makes your eyes sting and even makes you cry after drinking it, and on top of that, has the effect of improving your eyesight.
"...."
So I get free eyesight from a cup of tea like this.
"I'm feeling restless…."
"Kururu?"
"…Have you tried this too?"
"Kkung."
"It was delicious."
Yu Seong-un smacked his lips.
'I feel like I've come to a place where I shouldn't be.'
The goodwill of the Source was too much.
Even on Earth, stories of 'a person who set foot in the world of the gods and had their identity as a human threatened' were common.
'A representative example in the East is the story of the Peach Blossom Spring.'
It was difficult to say that the situation was exactly the same as that, but he couldn't help but feel a similar sense of crisis.
'It's burdensome…'
He felt like if he stayed here for about 3 days, he would leave with immortality.
***
Meanwhile, the master of the house knew nothing of Yu Seong-un's feelings.
"Hmm."
Jio was planning the meal to serve to Yu Seong-un.
'Koreans run on the power of rice.'
That was right.
"What's needed is rice, side dishes, and soup."
As it happened, there was rice that had been freshly cooked at dawn, and since it was cooked with water boiled with various vegetables and medicinal herbs, its flavor was outstanding.
The rice grains, tinged with a faint light green, were particularly sweet and nutty.
'Next is the side dishes….'
For fish, there was one salmon caught from 'The Breathing Sea,' there was ham and sausage stored in the underground cellar, and in the vegetable garden behind the cabin, various vegetables were growing sturdily.
"Grill the fish, steam the meat, and stir-fry the vegetables."
As if he had heard his murmur imbued with a strange determination, Yu Seong-un called out from the living room.
"Jio, I can walk out of here as a human, right?"
"You will walk out healthy on two feet."
Though he would have to be prepared to become a pig.
'I will definitely send this scrawny office worker back with a full belly.'
Jio decided to bet on the honor of his grandmother, who had been the big hand of the village.
For the soup, he prepared the bone broth he had simmered before.
The soup, made by boiling the bones of a Tree-Horned Deer, had an incredible umami flavor, and simply slicing some green onions on top would be enough for it to serve its role as a soup.
'They are not dishes that take that long….'
Jio called for Dana, who was lying down in the kitchen.
"Daughter."
"Meow."
"Are you meowing half-heartedly because you're bothered."
"Mwaalk."
"You're back to normal."
Jio had Dana hold a basket in her mouth.
"Can you go to the garden and pick some eggplants and bok choy for me."
"Meeuuuung…."
Fortunately, Dana did not refuse the errand.
"Such a good girl."
Dana, who had recently grown to the size of an ordinary cat, stretched out like an arched bridge, and then ambled out the back door with the basket in her mouth.
Honey, who had confirmed this, followed his sister's errand.
'Since Honey went too, they'll do fine on their own.'
Jio, relieved, scooped the rice.
It was a heaping bowl of rice, filled with the generous heart of a countryside grandma.
The light and deep scent unique to vegetable broth stimulated the taste buds from a thousand li away.
And it would also stimulate Yu Seong-un's taste buds.
'Become a pig, abracadabra….'
Jio, who spent his childhood in the arms of his grandmothers, was taught to share a lot of food.
-x-X-x-
Yu Seong-un was terrified that he might be served a feast of the gods, with kraken legs stir-fried in phoenix blood and garnished with a haetchi's head, but contrary to his worries, the meal Jio prepared was humble.
'…No, it's ordinary.'
And it was bountiful.
A large grilled fish placed in the center of the table and a brown-sauced meat stew with steam wafting from it.
A vegetable stir-fry that seemed to contain tomatoes, onions, and bok choy.
A heaping bowl of rice piled high, and a bone broth soup with green onions and seafood.
'The combination seems a bit odd, like a table set with whatever could be made….'
For some reason, it was a meal made of creatures never before discovered on Earth.
"...."
Yu Seong-un didn't use his Appraisal Skill.
It couldn't be called a wise decision, but he felt that if he read the exact contents and effects, he wouldn't be able to eat in his right mind.
"…It looks delicious."
"It will be delicious."
"Yeah, I think so."
He resigned himself to it.
'Surely Jio won't lock me up in this cabin.'
It wasn't that he wasn't worried. Didn't the Hunter named Park Eun-gyeom have to pay a price to leave as a complete painting after staying in the "City of the Void" for just a few days?
Technically, this place was also a painting.
In Greek mythology, Persephone was tied to the underworld where Hades resided because of a few pomegranate seeds.
As this was a world where gods actually existed, Yu Seong-un couldn't help but feel even more uneasy.
'Still, Hunter Cha Ara didn't get stuck here just because she ate a meal.'
He had already heard the news that Jio had personally invited her and even fed her.
It didn't look much different from the current meal, so it seemed unlikely that a major problem would arise just because Yu Seong-un ate it.
"…You're a really good cook."
However, what Yu Seong-un was worried about was whether he could leave this painting in the same state he had entered.
Seeing as his already not-bad eyesight had become even clearer, it seemed it was already too late.
It looked like he would soon be able to observe the cells of living organisms with his naked eye.
"You're also generous with your portions."
"Is the fish a bit big?"
"Does only the fish look big to you?"
Of course, he was surprised by the fish sitting imposingly in the center of the table.
For one, it wasn't an aquatic creature he knew, and its size was almost that of a well-fattened, in-season winter yellowtail.
"Of course, the fish is a bit big, but."
Yu Seong-un looked at the meat stew.
"That friend is no slouch either."
"It's Dongpo pork."
"Are we thinking of two different kinds of Dongpo pork right now?"
"I made it thinking of the Dongpo pork one can often find in Korea."
"What kind of Korea have you been to?"
Even Chinese restaurants don't serve it like that.
"I'm not lying, it's the size of a wedding cake."
"3-tiered Dongpo pork…."
"That's a phrase I'm genuinely hearing for the first time in my life."
It was also a mystery how he had made Dongpo pork in such a short amount of time.
"Honestly, I don't know much about cooking, but doesn't Dongpo pork take a long time to make?"
Simply put, Dongpo pork was a Chinese dish made by braising pork for a long time.
It was usually cut into cubes and simmered in a soy sauce-based sauce, characterized by a texture so soft it could be chewed with just the gums.
"I requested it at a Chinese restaurant once, and they said I had to wait a day."
"They must not have made it in advance. It must have been fresh and warm Dongpo pork."
"If you want, let's go together next time. No, so this, what on earth…."
"The time was shortened thanks to Honey and Father's help."
"Ah, I see. I understood that perfectly. So I'm allowed to eat this?"
Somehow, I don't think this is something a human can eat?
'A 3-tiered Dongpo pork created through the combined efforts of the Child of the Source and the Sun God?'
I didn't know what it was, but it felt like if I ate it, I would have to stop being human.
"…By any chance, when Hunter Cha Ara visited."
"Yes, there was such a time."
"Did the… esteemed elder help you like this back then, too? With meal preparation?"
"I was in charge of it all back then."
"Then why me?"
"Pardon?"
"No, that came out wrong."
Why on earth are you doing this to me?
'I can't feel at ease like this.'
Just moments ago, he had been patting himself on the back, thinking, 'Well, Hunter Cha Ara was fine, so I'll be fine too.'
But hearing that the meal preparation process was different from back then, he couldn't help but worry.
'This is why gods have no consideration for humans.'
Yu Seong-un forced himself to swallow a sigh.
"…I'll eat well."
"I hope you enjoy it."
"I don't know why I see greed in your eyes."
So you were a guy who could show greed, huh.
"I'm learning a lot today."
Considering Jio's habits, it was likely closer to a very similar imitation of a human emotion that matched the situation in order to communicate, but anyway.
"What on earth is this greed for?"
"I know this might sound rude, but I really wish you would gain some weight…."
"I don't know about rudeness, but am I really going to walk out of here as a pig?"
"...."
"Jio?"
Anyway, around the time the meal began.
"Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaak—."
"Oh my."
An incident occurred where the Anticat, Dana, hissed upon seeing the human, Yu Seong-un.
"I apologize, Mr. Yu Seong-un. My child is very shy and rude. I will make her reflect."
"No, it's only natural for a monster to dislike humans. Seeing a hiss from an Anticat, which usually just runs away at the sight of people, is a rare experience…."
Yu Seong-un was actually pleased. Through that jeweled cat's hiss, Yu Seong-un could prove that he was still human.
Anyway, the meal now truly began.
"…Oh."
It was delicious.
"This is a heavenly feast."
"You're too kind."
"That was a rather objective statement."
Although he was a little worried about the aftereffects of eating it, the meal Jio prepared was truly delicious.
Without a word of a lie, he could feel his tongue rejoicing from eating the rice alone.
"The color of the rice is unusual."
"I cooked it with vegetable broth."
"Ah, you cook rice that way too?"
"It's also delicious when cooked with bone broth or seafood broth."
"That's interesting."
He had thought rice was only cooked with water.
It was a strange thing to say to the Source, but Jio was indeed multitalented.
"...."
Even this strangely friendly demeanor was all likely a facade to get along with humans.
'…Well, there's no easier way to lower a creature's guard than a meal. Especially when one cooks it themselves, the level of intimacy is high.'
He wondered if this was the reason Jio enjoyed cooking and giving gifts.
Especially since Jio's appearance was so intimidating and flashy.
'It was certainly effective. A good number of the citizens searching for the Black Cape these days are wandering around to get a taste of the snacks this guy hands out.'
In that sense, these cooking skills could also be called bait to lure humans. Yu Seong-un inwardly nodded.
"It's very fluffy, not a single grain is mushy."
"It's rice I cooked with care. I'm pleased you complimented it."
"I just don't know how you cook rice like this."
The texture, similar to the firm rice cooked by a renowned sushi master, yet chewy to a point just before it became unpleasant, was honestly enjoyable in and of itself.
"The umami is great too."
It didn't seem to be seasoned, but the unique, subtle bitterness of the vegetables, the umami that seemed to flow from it and a deeply brewed aroma like drinking warm fish cake broth on a winter day were fantastic.
"What did you use to make the vegetable broth?"
"Various things went on."
"...."
It hadn't been long since he started enjoying the taste of the food, but Yu Seong-un quickly became uneasy.
He was reminded once again that it was impossible to enjoy a peaceful meal inside the Source's stomach.
"…Is it just my imagination? Why do I feel my body getting healthier right now?"
"I'm glad I put in the medicinal herbs."
"Medicinal herbs? What kind of herbs?"
No, wait a minute.
Herbs that grew in the Source?
"You used that to cook rice?"
"Isn't it delicious?"
"Do people normally use medicinal herbs to make things delicious?"
"There's no reason not to."
"That… is true."
Yu Seong-un was convinced.
"There is no reason…."
For Jio, the Source, that is.
'It feels like I'm eating bread baked with a 500-year-old elixir.'
There was certainly no reason why he couldn't, but that didn't make the thought that it was extravagant go away.
The pharmacists of Earth would shed tears of blood if they found out.
"…Should I think of it as eating medicine in a more delicious way?"
"I don't think medicine that's good for the body necessarily has to be bitter."
"Yeah, that way of thinking seems fine."
If he thought of it not as making delicious rice with medicine, but as making delicious medicine with rice.
'…Still, I feel like something is sitting heavy in my stomach. I just learned that even a meal can go beyond the human realm….'
He himself probably considered himself an ordinary human, but for Yu Seong-un, who was experiencing this meal firsthand, it was just burdensome.
But it was so damn delicious that he didn't want to put down his spoon.
"Ha…."
He knew full well that this was bait to entice humans and various other creatures, but he still thought Jio could be a little less skilled at cooking.
Humanity was in danger.
"This would be delicious if you made rice balls with it."
"It is, in fact, delicious. I'll pack some for you next time you have a business trip."
"No, I mean… right. Thank you."
Since it's delicious, I won't refuse.
'It doesn't feel like my body is changing dramatically from eating it.'
Compared to the tea he drank at the beginning that improved his eyesight, this rice, which made his body feel a bit refreshed, was ordinary.
It was at a level where the fatigue accumulated from working overtime for several days was washed away.
'Actually, that's amazing in itself, but I've been through so much that I can maintain my composure.'
Honestly, the rice alone was quite frightening, but since the Source who had prepared the meal was observing him intently, he couldn't just stay still. Yu Seong-un slowly turned his eyes to the fish.
"...."
"Should I debone it for you?"
"No, it's okay."
He was just surprised by its magnificent form once again.
"What kind of fish is this…?"
"It's a fish that inhabits the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'."
"I see, that's possible."
There were quite a few guilds that utilized a dungeon as a sort of fish farm or agricultural farm.
Considering that, it was understandable that Jio would procure ingredients from the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'.
"It's a species I've never seen before…."
"In Earth terms, it's a fish that's a mix of salmon and flounder."
"What on earth is that kind of fish?"
"It's a fish with the texture of a flounder and a strong salmon taste."
"The universe truly is vast."
Yu Seong-un took a piece of the crisply grilled fish.
"…It certainly has an orange tint and is oily."
But it didn't look as oily as salmon.
"Oh, it's moist."
"I changed the firewood in the stone oven, how is the aroma?"
"So this was cooked in a stone oven. It's amazing."
He had wondered how on earth this huge fish was cooked, and it seemed a stone oven was used.
As Jio said, a bitter, smoky aroma rose up, masking the unique fishy smell of seafood.
He didn't know what on earth they did to the fish, but the texture was also very soft.
The skin, which clearly showed it had been grilled in a stone oven, was crispy like a thin cracker, but the flesh inside crumbled softly, as if eating a thick piece of well-cooked hairtail.
"It's a little sour? And there's a spicy scent too. You didn't just grill it, did you?"
"I grilled the fish after marinating it in green tangerine, lemongrass, and chili juice."
"Are you a chef?"
I don't know how many people he plans to seduce with these cooking skills.
No, this seems manageable because the topic is a meal, but this was no joke, it was truly dangerous.
'Humans who don't even know of the Source's existence shouldn't feel close to this being.'
As if it didn't matter what Yu Seong-un was thinking, Jio continued to explain the dish.
"Lemon is good too, but I think this kind of oily fish needs a bitter taste…."
"...."
As he spoke, a hint of excitement graced the young man's calm face.
He looked quite happy.
It was clear that Jio himself was passionate about cooking.
He also knew it was pure goodwill, but the goodwill of such a massive Source could be poison to humans.
'This goodwill is hard for even me to handle right now….'
What on earth should he do about this?
"…I have a lot to say about your professionalism, but what's with the sauce bowl next to this fish?"
"It's a special sauce for fish made with a base of lemon, soy sauce, and chili peppers."
"How can it be this elaborate?"
Even now, as he was contemplating how to prepare for Jio's goodwill, he just let out a chuckle; it was so absurdly well-matched.
The Source's disguise was probably not for harming humans.
At the same time, describing it as a 'disguise' would be a contradiction, so it seemed impossible to condemn the Jio who enjoyed cooking and sharing gifts as a lie.
"My goodness…."
Yu Seong-un forced himself to hold back a sigh and spoke with his characteristic nonchalant smile.
"It was delicious even on its own, so I thought I was supposed to eat it as is."
"Is there a problem?"
"It feels like I lost out by not dipping it in the sauce."
"Thank you for the passionate compliment."
"Why don't you open a restaurant on Earth? I think it would be very popular."
"I don't think my constitution is well-suited for business."
"That's true, too."
The egos of Jio that had been revealed so far were mostly an artist, a priest, a doctor, and a teacher.
He seemed to be either a very free spirit or someone who preferred to be under a somewhat organized system, so he couldn't force him to run a business.
'A restaurant run by the Source would be quite magnificent. Every Gardener on Earth would gather. The catastrophe that would ensue from that would also be an interesting event….'
Yu Seong-un was slowly losing his reason.
'…Right, as long as it's delicious, it doesn't matter who made the food.'
It was truly delicious.
"This vegetable stir-fry is…."
"It's stir-fried with tomatoes, bok choy, onions, garlic, and so on."
"So what I've been eating until now wasn't real vegetables."
Yu Seong-un nodded after tasting a crisp onion.
"It's sweet."
"It is sweet."
"And slightly sharp."
"Is it just right?"
"Yes, it's just right."
An onion that retained its characteristic sharpness, yet was stir-fried over high heat and full of sweet juices.
This thing was so juicy and crisp that it felt more like a fruit than a vegetable.
"At this rate, just stir-frying the onions would be delicious."
"How is the tomato?"
"…Why is this so sweet?"
If this tomato were exported, the vegetable-tomato faction and the fruit-tomato faction could be united as one.
This tomato that Jio stir-fried was definitely a fruit.
At this point, it felt like he was eating a warm fruit salad.
"This is the first time I've had a vegetable stir-fry that wasn't greasy."
"Is there any reason for a vegetable stir-fry to be greasy?"
"Because you use a lot of oil."
"Then it would be greasy."
"I definitely like this feeling better."
This vegetable stir-fry, made with a minimal amount of oil, was more crisp than mushy, and the smoky flavor was stronger than the oil.
The crisp vegetable stir-fry, with a bitter, smoky aroma as if the surface had been seared with a torch, boasted a completely different freshness from other vegetable stir-fries that became limp from the heat.
It wasn't heavily seasoned either.
It was a stir-fried side dish that brought out the natural flavors of the ingredients, with a hint of a high-quality, slightly burnt soy sauce aroma and a touch of salt and pepper.
"It's really almost at the level of a salad."
Yu Seong-un picked up the long-awaited Dongpo pork.
"...."
"Kkuu."
The teddy bear was watching Yu Seong-un with anticipation.
'…What part exactly is it anticipating? What reaction should I give, and how can I get out of here alive in the form of an average human.'
For some reason, it looked like an old man who had found his talent for cooking late in life, waiting for the reaction to his first-ever prepared meal.
Finding his own analogy absurd, Yu Seong-un steadily broke off a piece of the Dongpo pork and placed it in his rice bowl.
It was so soft he had to use a spoon instead of chopsticks.
'This is really close to pudding.'
And then he took a spoonful with the rice.
"...."
For a moment, Yu Seong-un contemplated whether he should spit it out.
'…I don't think this is food I can handle? What should I do?'
If misunderstood, it might sound like some pathetic fawning, but it wasn't. He was genuinely feeling a sense of crisis.
For the first time, Yu Seong-un realized that being too delicious could also be a problem.
Fortunately, the catastrophe of Yu Seong-un spitting out the food did not occur.
Not only would such an act be impolite to those who prepared the food, but it was also too delicious for that.
"…They say humans are beasts who can't help but be swayed by instinct…."
"Why on earth are you saying such things in the middle of a meal?"
"I just felt that I'm not much different."
So this is why the humans in all those legends and myths made such foolish choices.
'Because they couldn't abandon their human greed.'
It was a situation that made even a Gardener, who knew the dangers of mysterious stories, nod in understanding once again.
"Hmm…."
In any case, Yu Seong-un did not become immortal even after finishing the meal.
"You're a really good cook."
"You've been saying the same thing for a while now."
"Too good."
"Thank you?"
"It's okay to be moderately good."
"You're very good at giving compliments, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"...."
No, I just meant you should be less good.
'I don't know if you know this or not, but your cooking threatens human identity.'
Having been treated to a delicious meal, Yu Seong-un couldn't bring himself to say that much.
-x-X-x-
Well, whatever.
'Though I acted so playfully.'
In any case, Yu Seong-un's statement that he 'felt a threat to his identity as a human' was sincere.
'I suppose this is what it feels like to be in a realm that humans cannot handle.'
While managing the Garden, Yu Seong-un had familiarized himself with the sense of a 'realm beyond the limit' time and time again.
But even for him, this meal had a slightly chilling aspect.
'From just one meal….'
Wasn't it difficult to even think, 'I'm going to be eaten'?
'…The absurdity of this situation, where I can't call this a joke, is baffling.'
Jio had treated Yu Seong-un to a meal with truly pure intentions.
It didn't seem to have much meaning to him.
He was a being who already enjoyed giving gifts, so preparing a single meal was no great feat.
But when peace becomes too profound, it nears death, and when pleasure becomes excessive, it turns to pain.
From Jio's perspective, it was likely an intention to treat a guest, but from a human's perspective, it was an unbearable favor.
"...."
There was at least one silver lining.
"Hyaaaaaaaak—…."
"I guess I am still human."
Seeing the Anticat dislike him this much, Yu Seong-un was still indeed human.
'This is the first meal I've had that's so comfortable and satisfying, yet scary and unsettling.'
For some reason, it was bittersweet.
'This is why you shouldn't be invited to a feast of the gods.'
There was a saying that one should not covet the things of a god, no matter how trivial.
Jio was less a god and more a Source with god-like characteristics, but that, in fact, made him even more burdensome.
As I keep saying, it was ridiculous that Yu Seong-un himself had to react this way to a mere meaningless meal.
'I mean, it's not like I was invited to some grand palace….'
It was just a warm meal in a cabin like this.
"...."
Jio's cabin was still beautiful.
It was pastoral and resembled a scene from a worn-out fairy tale.
An eerie nostalgia was here.
"Was the meal to your satisfaction?"
"…It made me think that a person could die from being too happy."
"You give such undeserved compliments, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"That…."
Right, if that's what you think, then fine.
Yu Seong-un decided to just resign himself.
"…It was really good, yes."
"I'm glad."
Jio said so and sat down across from Yu Seong-un.
"I haven't prepared dessert in advance, so it's currently setting in the ice storage."
"Ice storage?"
"Yes, it serves as a refrigerator. Shall I serve you some tea first instead?"
"Ahhh… no, just give me a glass of water."
He requested the most ordinary thing, not knowing what other vicious blessing might befall him, but.
"Here you are."
[Spring Water of the Source]
Water supplied from the spring of the Source.
"...."
The least ordinary thing appeared.
"...?"
A status window of an appraisal popped up suddenly, even though I hadn't used a skill.
Before suspicion of 'Is my skill broken?' could form, Yu Seong-un felt gratitude towards the formless something that had shown him this description window.
'It's as if someone secretly helped me, screaming at me to please get out of here as a human.'
Yu Seong-un asked cautiously.
"…Is this water?"
"…Is it not?"
"It is water."
Damn it, no wonder everything I ate felt chilling.
'All the water used in the food I ate came from the Source.'
It was no wonder he had felt a sense of crisis instinctively.
Yu Seong-un silently pressed his lips firmly together.
'I'm lucky to still be human. What a miracle.'
One of the basic requirements for a Gardener was 'Do not consume the things of the Garden.'
They were merely the labor force and managers who tended to the Garden, not its owners.
The moment such a Gardener consumed anything from any Garden, they could never again go outside the Garden.
This was because they too would be treated as a part of the Garden.
"I… I can go home, right? I'm okay, right?"
"I don't know why you're acting like this, but I am not a scoundrel who detains his guests…."
"Are you flustered? You seem to be, so I guess that's it. I'm sorry for making you flustered, but I'm genuinely scared."
"Did I do something wrong? I apologize for scaring you."
"You did nothing wrong, but… but…."
"Mr. Yu Seong-un?"
"...."
What was I thinking coming in here?
'…Well, I didn't know this was the Source until I came in, so for me, who had to identify it, the situation was unavoidable, but….'
Even considering that, it was too bold a choice.
You could call it the fate of one who approached 'Jio's Portrait' thinking it was just another Gardener's garden.
Yu Seong-un admitted that it had been an overly hasty approach.
'I needed to prepare as much as I would when entering an unmeasurable dungeon.'
Although Yu Seong-un was so filled with fear and anxiety, it didn't matter as long as he could return to Earth as a human.
He decided to believe in Jio's words that he could return home anytime.
"...."
He desperately wanted a cigarette, which he had quit, but he decided to hold back for now, thinking Jio might give him 'something' in the form of a cigarette.
Yu Seong-un painstakingly regained his composure.
"…Sorry, I think I was very flustered since this is my first time experiencing something like this."
"It's perfectly understandable if you're not adjusting well to an unfamiliar environment."
"Thank you for saying that…."
Yu Seong-un looked at the water in the glass with a strange expression.
[Spring Water of the Source]
Water supplied from the spring of the Source.
"...."
That is something in the form of water.
The description was strangely short, so I didn't know the detailed information, but I could at least tell that this was not water for humans to drink.
Yu Seong-un was lost in thought.
'…Come to think of it, all the gifts Jio has given me so far had the same sentence.'
It was the phrase, 'Directly processed by Jio, the owner of the forest, so that the human body can accept it.'
All the gifts, that is, the food Jio had given until now, had this same explanation.
'But there's no such explanation here.'
Yu Seong-un quietly put the glass down.
"…Sorry to go back on my word, but…."
A moment later, Yu Seong-un asked.
"Could I have some tea?"
"I don't have much tea prepared, are you okay with the flower tea I gave you before."
"It's light blue tea, right? That's good."
Yu Seong-un realized.
'I must not eat anything unless it has been directly processed by Jio.'
A chill ran down his spine.
'Recalling that the Gardens we manage are also part of the Source, it's a natural principle. I don't know the exact process through which it becomes safe, but I must not recklessly consume the raw things of this Garden.'
Yu Seong-un composed himself, thinking of the previous Gardeners who had turned into parts of the Garden and were living unable to die.
Moreover, this place was the Source itself. It might not end with just losing his human identity. Having organized his thoughts, Yu Seong-un emphasized again.
"Anything is fine, as long as you make it yourself."
He was being sincere.
"I feel bad just receiving things, shall I help a little?"
"It is my pleasure to serve a guest. Please remain seated."
"O-okay…."
Jio soon brought the 'Forest Butterfly's Flower Tea'.
"It is Baibamunil tea."
"…Baibamunil? Is that the name of this flower?"
"Yes, it's delicious if you blanch it in boiling water and eat it as is."
"A surprising method of consumption."
"It's a snack with a nice texture, like a seasoned vegetable."
"A seasoned vegetable, huh."
After drinking the tea, Yu Seong-un was put in a situation where his already healthy blood vessels had to regenerate, his cells had to be reconstructed and he had to remain immune to minor illnesses for six months.
"...."
I'm telling you, staying here for three days and two nights will make me immortal.
'I feel like my lifespan has increased.'
By about 50 years, that is.
'The Forest Butterfly's Flower Tea doesn't have that kind of efficacy, so it must be my imagination, but there's still an unsettling part. Is it because Jio brewed it himself? The efficacy shouldn't change depending on who brews it… it shouldn't.'
Yu Seong-un wanted to live as a human and die as a human.
That was the greatest desire that every Gardener dreamed of.
"…Who else besides me has received this kind of hospitality? Hunter Cha Ara?"
"Other than the two of you, I have never had a guest who lives on Earth."
"Oh, then could it be those mermaid siblings? You said they visit your home often."
"They stop by to eat once every two or three days."
"So that's what was happening."
Indeed, it meant that those monsters were of a considerable class.
'To be able to accept a meal like this so casually.'
Didn't that mean they possessed a status of at least an evil god?
"...."
"...."
"…W-wait a minute."
Yu Seong-un stopped Jio, who was about to pour more tea.
"I think I've had a lot."
"I thought the cup was small, did you feel that way?"
"I want to digest a bit. How about we take a break?"
"Weren't we resting?"
"Right, how about we take a walk to help with digestion."
It seemed that for Jio, eating something was synonymous with resting.
But for Yu Seong-un, who had eaten with the anxious thought of whether this would make him step out of the human realm, it wasn't like that at all.
"Can't you show me around the house?"
"A tour of the house, you say."
"Ah, sorry if that was rude. I was just…."
"No, not at all."
Jio nodded.
"After you've seen this house, let's go out into the forest and spend some time."
"…Is it okay for me to go into that forest?"
"I have no intention of treating this vast forest as private property."
"...."
That wasn't asked with the intention of getting permission, though.
'I was asking if I would die if I entered that forest.'
Anyway, Jio had already stood up.
"It will take a little more time for the dessert to set. May I introduce you to this house?"
"…If you're going to guide me yourself, then the honor is all mine."
Yu Seong-un, who had also gotten up from his seat, asked.
"But is it okay to leave our cat friend like this?"
The translucent cat monster with its jeweled fur puffed up.
The hissing had stopped, but Dana was still wary of Yu Seong-un.
"When our eyes meet, it opens its mouth wide without a sound."
"You will not be eaten."
"You never know, Jio. Monsters these days are very scary."
"Our Dana is a small eater, so you don't have to worry."
"You're not saying she won't eat me, are you?"
"Because she's a monster."
Jio continued with his characteristic calm expression.
"But she is a good child, and since I am here, she will not do so."
"I'm really counting on you."
Honey, who Jio had drawn himself, looked at Yu Seong-un with a gaze of neither hostility nor goodwill, much like its parent, but the monster was different.
It wasn't strange for Yu Seong-un to be anxious, as the Anticat was also a monster.
Above all.
"Anticats aren't originally that big."
"She gained some weight since I've been feeding her various things."
"Is it really just that she gained weight?"
Just imagining how a monster, showered with the Source's unconditional love, might have evolved made the back of his neck grow cold.
At the sight of the still-anxious Yu Seong-un, the teddy bear in which the Sun God dwelled stepped forward.
Dana, who had been huffing and puffing with irritation at Yu Seong-un for some reason, was soon held in the teddy bear's arms and petted.
"Oh…."
Dana let go of her visible irritation and calmed down.
"The two of them get along well."
"They tend to."
Next, Yu Seong-un was given a tour of the cabin.
First was the ice storage.
Yu Seong-un was flustered, not having expected the storage that served as a refrigerator, as Jio had said, to be in such a deep place, but he soon expressed interest upon seeing the spectacle of the ice storage, which wouldn't be strange to call a growing cave.
"So this was the Ice Pearl you gave me last time."
"That's right. It's not something that forms commonly even in this ice storage."
"It's unusual that there's pooled water when it's this cold."
Next was the workshop.
He was flustered for a reason at the sight of canvases, on which nothing was drawn, scattered about, but he soon regained his composure after recalling Jio's characteristics.
There was no reason for the canvases to be full, as the pictures he drew became real.
"Ah, the workshop has a connected storage too?"
"Yes, it's a place where I mainly store my completed landscape paintings."
"What's that black cloth covering the canvas?"
"If I don't cover it, an entrance opens without me knowing, so I'm being careful."
"Um… Um, huh? Oh, right. I see."
Next was the vegetable patch behind the cabin.
"Vegetable patch?"
"I would appreciate it if you would call it that."
"…This is the result of planting the seeds I gave you?"
"That's right."
"...."
Yu Seong-un swallowed a groan as he looked at the crops that had grown beyond magnificent to the point of having their own egos.
The shock and horror he was feeling now were due to being before such a massive force of nature.
'Well, these things must have grown up drinking the Spring Water of the Source too.'
Even humans with egos become part of the Garden if they consume its things, and these seeds were even growing in the Source itself.
Being from Earth wouldn't have allowed them to resist this overwhelming evolution.
What should he call this?
Feeling a strange sense of pity born from fear, Yu Seong-un muttered.
"I think I've already digested everything."
"Then would you like to look around the forest after eating dessert?"
"Oh, right… the forest, you say. Right, shall we do that."
Immediately after returning to the cabin.
"...."
"My, how surprising."
Yu Seong-un came face to face with a mermaid in a dress.
"Why is there a human here?"
Killing intent dripped from her words.
"...."
"...."
Yu Seong-un nodded his head.
"I'm going home."
Save me.
-x-X-x-
Yu Seong-un came out of the picture frame.
"To think I returned to this land alive."
"Did you have a good time?"
"Oh, it was so much fun I can't even put it into words."
When he had come face to face with the mermaid princess, he was at a loss for words.
"Please tell the princess that I'm sorry for making her uncomfortable…."
"It's not your fault, Mr. Yu Seong-un. That's just a tantrum Aria often throws. You don't have to worry about it."
"I don't think I did anything wrong either, but I don't want to build ill will with the mermaids. There's no need to earn the resentment of a humanoid monster, is there?"
"Thank you for understanding her unseemly childishness. You are an adult. I wish my disciples would learn from that aspect of yours."
"A monster that learns from a human, that in itself sounds scary?"
With a small laugh, Yu Seong-un checked the gallery's clock.
"Is it… 4:41 AM now?"
Then he also checked his cellphone.
"...."
"Did I take up a lot of your time?"
"No, not really."
Only about 20 minutes had passed.
"The time inside the picture frame and the time on Earth certainly flow differently."
"The time inside the painting can go faster or slower depending on my mood."
"Oh… When is it fast and when is it slow?"
"It goes fast when I'm happy, and slow when I'm resting."
"Hmm."
Then perhaps this time could be interpreted as him being in a good mood.
It was an honor for him as both a Gardener and a Curator.
"What about when you're in a bad mood?"
"I've never been, so I wouldn't know."
"It's great to see such a positive attitude, keep living just like that."
Though he wasn't even sure if he could feel displeasure, being the Source.
'…Jio certainly has an ego close to that of a person, so no matter if he is the Source, a day might come when he gets angry. It's best not to be careless when dealing with the Source.'
Yu Seong-un lifted the small, white box containing the dessert.
"Is it okay for me to take this as is?"
"It wouldn't have been a problem if you ate it before you left, but…."
"Bungeoppang tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
"It's still a shame I couldn't look around the forest."
He had been flustered inside, but now that he was out, a deep sense of regret remained.
It was a gardener's greed.
"I wanted to visit that spring you told me about, too."
Yu Seong-un recalled that the water Jio had scooped for him was defined as [Spring Water of the Source].
"It sounds like a pretty cool place from what I hear."
"I will welcome you if you come to visit next time."
"Then I'll stop by when I have time."
That would be after he had made more preparations.
'I went in with far too little preparation.'
Into the Source, of all places.
'To be precise, rather than the Source itself, it felt more like… a form that is easy for humans to perceive… that is, like a part of the Source or a dish cooked to be easily eaten….'
In the first place, humans cannot perceive the existence that is the Source.
A mere human cannot contain and analyze its size, which the word 'immense' is insufficient to describe.
In that sense, Jio felt like a part of the Source.
'Is that why I thought it was similar to a Garden?'
If so.
"...."
"Is there a problem?"
"…Not really."
Perhaps Jio was in charge of the 'eyes'.
"I was just thinking it's a bit of a waste that your eyes are covered with paint."
There was a lot to talk about regarding Jio, but if he had to pick his most distinctive feature, it would be his 'eyes'.
Those eyes that seemed to contain everything that existed and did not exist in the world.
"Even though I was the one who asked for it?"
"Do you wish for it to return to its original state?"
"No, for convenience's sake, it's still better to have them covered."
"I see."
"It was just a curator's grumbling."
It was a gardener's grumbling, too.
'If Jio can truly be called the eyes of the Source, the reason he takes a human form is….'
For a moment, he was filled with complex emotions, and his breath caught in his throat.
"...."
He had no intention of doing so before, but now Yu Seong-un could not avoid or despise Jio.
All that was left for the person named Yu Seong-un was an unfathomably deep reverence and distance, and the sense of relief that stemmed from it.
"Right…."
Because as a Gardener, he knew how fair a being the Source was, how close to nature it was.
"Thank you for the kind hospitality."
"It was my pleasure."
"True, you were always a gentleman."
This might be a mishap, but it would never become a disaster.
"I guess we have no choice but to be more careful."
"Who are you referring to?"
"No, it's just… I was thinking about what I have to do from now on."
"People with jobs are certainly busy."
"They say those who don't work shouldn't eat."
Letting out a sigh-like laugh in resignation, Yu Seong-un asked.
"Can I ask you just one thing?"
"As you wish."
"That…."
There were many questions he wanted to ask, but Yu Seong-un held them back.
'It's too early to ask about the Source.'
Jio knew himself to be an ordinary human, or he was pretending to be close to the truth even while knowing, so the day he could ask about this was still far away.
Instead, he brought up the most efficient topic he could at the moment.
"About Hunter Park Eun-gyeom."
He had been curious since he heard the news that he had come out.
"What price did he pay, exactly?"
"The price, you say?"
"We can't figure out what's changed."
Yu Seong-un had received a request from the Association to investigate the attack methods and results of the 'Black Cape'.
He reported everything that had happened in the 'City of the Void', and based on that report, the Association analyzed Hunter Park Eun-gyeom, who had come out of the picture frame.
But other than being a lot more frightened, he was no different from before.
"By any chance, is that fear the price? Something like his peace was taken away?"
"I left Park Eun-gyeom's disposal to my children."
"To your children… I see."
Now, even the word 'children' sounded meaningful.
'It reminds me of the children of the Source.'
No, was that not actually incorrect?
'…Cannot be completely dealt with by a Hunter's skills, appears anywhere regardless of dimension… resembles a monster but is not a monster… a living story….'
It was all the same description as the children Jio had drawn with his paints.
Of course, there were some slight differences.
There was Honey, the jeweled water bird he kept by his side and called his son, and there were the 'Black Suits' that grew wild in the 'City of the Void'.
They had the ability to think.
"…Well…."
There's so much to think about, the topic keeps getting sidetracked.
"Sorry, my mind wandered for a moment."
"You seem very tired, are you alright?"
"I'm always alright."
Yu Seong-un returned to the original topic.
"So I can ask your children what kind of price it was?"
"If you wish, please do so."
"…Do you happen to already know the price?"
"Of course, I do."
"Can I ask you?"
"There is no problem at all."
Jio answered from beyond the black paint.
"Park Eun-gyeom was deprived of his 'wickedness' as the price."
"...."
"My children wanted that."
"…That's amazing."
How on earth did they take away 'wickedness' from a human?
"Humans are creatures that can be wicked at any time."
"Paying the price is Park Eun-gyeom's burden, so even I do not know the result."
"I understand for now."
It was an abstract price, enough to sound bizarre, but there had been several beings of the Source until now who had taken away such abstract things.
Memories, love, happiness, friendship, sorrow, recollections….
'This isn't much different.'
The correct answer was not something he could get by questioning Jio.
'And I shouldn't.'
Do not rely on gods.
Jio couldn't be called a complete god, but 'god' was also a term for beings of a higher class that were difficult for humans to perceive.
Humans were beings who analyzed nature and fate, not beings who could demand something from them.
'It's also not proper etiquette when dealing with them.'
Having heard this much of a hint, finding the rest of the answer was up to Yu Seong-un and other humans.
That was the manner that was for everyone in an era where humans, gods, and nature lived intermingled like now.
"Then I'll buy you Korean fish pastry tomorrow for the price of this dessert."
"Please give my regards to Mr. Cha Eun-hyeok."
"Don't worry, we talk from time to time."
Before leaving the gallery, Yu Seong-un looked back at Jio again.
"…You're not going to fight with the mermaid princess because of me, are you?"
"As I said before, it was a simple tantrum."
The black portrait was firm.
"She cannot get angry at me."
It was an answer like that of a prophet speaking of destiny.
***
"Teacher."
When he returned to the cabin, Aria called out to Jio.
"Did you see him off well?"
"I confirmed that he left safely."
"How very kind of you."
"You're angry."
But Jio knew.
"The target is not me."
Aria could not get angry at Giovanni.
"Because we were apart for too long for that."
"…Even if that weren't the case, I would never have gotten angry at you."
"Life won't be enjoyable if you have so much anger."
"Is there a reason my life has to be enjoyable?"
The mermaid smiled softly.
It was a smile clearly different from her younger days when she couldn't hide her sensitive and sharp nature.
"I hate humans."
"I understand."
"I know how much you protect those humans."
"I'm not protecting them, I'm giving them the treatment they deserve."
"It's an undeserved treatment, for those who live such short lives…."
Jio sat down next to Aria, who was leaning against the sofa as if lying down.
"Aria."
"Yes, Teacher."
"Were you scared?"
"...."
"That's why you were angry, right?"
"…Teacher, you…."
Aria murmured at the hand caressing her cheek.
"…can be a bit much sometimes."
Yes, she couldn't deny it.
"You're right, I was very scared."
"Why was that?"
"I don't think that humans could harm us."
The individual named Yu Seong-un was not a creature capable of that.
"Perhaps because he's deeply connected to the Source, he's thoughtful and cautious. He takes gambles at times, but he mostly finds a way for everyone to coexist. He's strong for a human, but if we fought, I would win."
"Mr. Yu Seong-un didn't look that weak."
"That's why I said he's strong for a human. If we fought, I would win, but I would take heavy damage. There must be a power that the existence known as a Gardener holds… it would be hard to interfere with, too."
But she wasn't afraid of Yu Seong-un.
"I, Teacher."
Aria rested her head on Jio's hand.
"was scared by the fact that a human was here."
"...."
"…Because I don't know when that vile race will set this place on fire."
Humans were fickle.
"I'm scared that day will be repeated."
For a mermaid who lived her entire life with a single memory and emotion, whose ego rarely changed, there was a lightness to them that was hard to understand.
Humans were as benevolent as traditional gods who valued peace, and at other times, they acted like miserable beggars who wished for the world's ruin.
So, the beliefs and personality of a single individual right now were not important.
"...."
"Humans cannot be trusted."
Apart from the hatred the mermaid harbored, to the mermaid, that was an unchanging fact.
"We live for such a long time, so it can't be helped. Compared to us who are congenitally unchanging, humans live short lives, and in that time, they change dozens, hundreds of times…."
"That is called growth."
"Yes, growth. Humans growing is a congenital habit, just as much as us not changing. I know that. I know that too. And so I curse it."
It was this difficult for mermaids and humans to understand and reconcile with each other.
"How could you let the human named Yu Seong-un in here, knowing how he would 'grow'?"
Humans are easily corrupted.
"The standards of good and evil are different for each dimension. Even in this narrow dimension, it's like that with just the invisible border of a country. It also changes depending on the environment humans live in. So, Teacher, our peace could become a disaster to them."
Humans who encounter a disaster will resist.
"…And so will the mermaids."
Who wouldn't have defied their fate while they were alive?
"If the breath you take becomes a disaster to them, the human named Yu Seong-un will take his own species' side. Because he too is human, and because he is not evil, he will do so out of his own beliefs."
"...."
"They are constantly changing."
Humans do not make promises.
"...."
"...."
Aria hugged her teacher.
"…I know you haven't forgiven us. And so I know you will never accept us. You, who are so merciful, will not become my god."
"I see."
"I also know that you are always ready to accept your fate. And that you won't listen even if we, who have not received your forgiveness, try to stop you."
Do you know that too?
Jio did not defy his fate.
He was a person who could enjoy everything, and affirm everything.
It was because he was a being with such a large vessel that Aria could embrace him like this now.
"Thanks to that great tolerance, you took us in as your disciples, but on the other hand, there are times I become anxious. It's the anxiety that this peaceful and tranquil cabin might disappear at any time."
The mermaid felt fear for the first time in thousands of years.
"When I get too scared, I get angry."
"That is the very proof that we are all the same humans."
"Teacher, you're always trying to teach something."
"You all worry so much."
"That's true."
She had thought there was nothing more foolish than fearing a future that had not yet come.
"We worry too much…."
Humans say it's called fate because you can't avoid it.
The fact that she was no different in the end made Aria miserable.
Because it feels like I'm a human too.
"...."
"...."
That's why she was afraid she would repeat the same actions, and bring about the same tragedy.
Regardless of my defiance, once more….
-x-X-x-
What would happen if a man whose evil deeds were a habit was fried in the fires of hell and came back alive?
"…Shit…."
The answer was, not much changes.
"Fucking… really, why the hell am I…."
Park Eun-gyeom's daily life changed overnight.
A 1st-class citizen and a B-Class Hunter.
His looks were decent enough, and since his body was his asset, his physique was good too.
It felt like just yesterday that he was looking down on the fools who clung to him without knowing their place, while still enjoying the sweet taste of it.
'But ever since I fell into that dungeon….'
The atmosphere had reversed.
"That person is…."
"I heard he's a habitual offender."
"It's the end of days, I tell you."
People whispered as they looked at him.
"Hunter Park, I heard you were dragged into the Black Cape's dungeon and came back."
"…Yes, well, that's right."
"The aftereffects must be severe, why are you out instead of getting some rest."
The Hunters he knew were the same.
"Rumor has it you must be tired because of the Association's requests for cooperation these days."
The B-Class Hunter who said that scanned the surroundings with a strange mix of anxiety and irritation.
Though he didn't know the exact reason, his face showed that he at least knew that he had been dragged to the Association and investigated several times.
'He's probably suspecting that I'm still being watched.'
But it wasn't an entirely misplaced suspicion.
'Damn it, why am I being treated like this…!'
He was, in fact, under the Association's surveillance.
He just couldn't understand it.
If a precious 1st-class citizen, a competent B-Class Hunter, came back alive from an unidentified dungeon, shouldn't they be praised and encouraged, and then given compensation for damages?
He didn't know why the gazes of those around him were so harsh.
"A, a Hunter… has to work. If I don't work, who will protect the citizens."
"…Really? Well then, do your best on your own."
The other person clicked their tongue and walked away.
"...."
It was a reaction filled with clear contempt and pity.
'…What kind of reaction was that just now? Isn't this a bit much, even for a B-Class Hunter? I knew that guy was territorial, but to act so blatantly….'
He gritted his teeth.
'To think he was a 3rd-class just until recently. He's so vulgar I can't even associate with him.'
The sight of a country bumpkin who used to live chewing on monster meat showing off just because he had a good awakening was absolutely disgusting.
He tried his best to ignore the whispering and went looking for a job.
There were many people looking for B-Class Hunters. He wasn't one to crumble like this.
But.
"I'm sorry."
"…Look, I don't know what kind of rumors have been spreading lately, but…."
"I'm sorry, Hunter Park Eun-gyeom. Our brokerage cannot arrange a job for you."
"You believe that fucking rumor and you're giving me this attitude now? Hey! Do you know how much money I've brought to this place!!"
"I'm sorry, please visit another brokerage."
It had come to the point where he was being ignored by a mere regular employee, not even a Hunter.
"Ha, this is absurd. Seeing Hunters work their asses off in this dirty little brokerage makes you think you're something special…? You little shit who would die with a poke, who do you think you are looking down on a Hunter, you motherfucker!!"
"…P-please calm down…."
"You think I'm gonna let you off? Do you think so? Don't fuck with me, you worthless piece of shit… I'm telling you I came here to work in person. Huh? What class are you, what class are you to act so fucking high and mighty!!"
The satisfaction and pleasure he felt from the employee's frightened expression were short-lived.
"Hunter Park Eun-gyeom, please leave."
"Excuse me? No, you're telling me to leave? Are you crazy?"
"Leave, right now."
The brokerage guards stepped forward and kicked him out of the building.
As it was a brokerage that even Hunters from the 1st-class citizen bracket frequented, the guards were mostly C-Class Hunters.
Even if he was a higher class, it was natural to back down when being pressured by a group.
"No, you, you, you crazy bastards…!! Are you insane?! Don't you know me?! Do you not know who I am!!"
"Ah, I know you well. I just called you Hunter Park Eun-gyeom a moment ago."
One of the guards clicked his tongue and said.
"Aren't you the Hunter who doesn't value his porters and throws them as monster bait, huh?"
"Th-that's…!!"
What the hell was wrong with that?
"…I-it's not just me. Huh? Was I the only one? No. Besides me, no. No? Hey, let's be honest. Do you guys see those F-Classes, those porters, as people? Do they look like fucking people to you!!"
Right, that damn rumor had spread.
Leaving a porter behind in a dungeon when the situation was not favorable was something everyone did secretly.
It was already annoying enough that all they did was carry luggage, but you had to feed them too.
It was only natural to want to abandon such a freeloader.
I was in a difficult situation too.
Wasn't it unavoidable that I didn't have the luxury to take care of a porter in an already dangerous situation?
"Of course I know it's a bad thing. But, huh? Think about it, does everyone cross at the crosswalk while obeying the signals? No, they don't. No, I know it's bad, so I, in my own way… in my own way…!"
"In your own way? What, you hid it well in your own way?"
"...."
"Wow, this guy is a real piece of work."
The guard chuckled and laughed with his other colleagues.
"Isn't he a murderer who doesn't even know he's a murderer."
"You said it. Guys like this are the real deal. Ugh, I'm sick of it."
"Even a 5th-class citizen would have better self-awareness than this."
He flared up.
"Who are you comparing to a 5th-class citizen…!!"
But no one listened.
"The Association must be watching him for a reason, right?"
"There's no habitual offender like this one. It's funny that he's out looking for work when the rumor has spread all over."
"This is a real comedy. Do 1st-class citizens also suffer from financial hardship, I wonder?"
"Hey, hey, the precious 1st-class citizen is pissed off. Let's go back too."
"Ooh, scary, if he gets angry, he'll probably do a roundhouse kick on us too, right? Like this, shwaak!!"
"Ah, you crazy bastard. Stop being so fucking funny. It's work hours, cut it out."
He was speechless at the way they were treating him like a pastime snack.
"…What, what…."
He really wanted to cry.
In the end, he was left alone in front of the whispering crowd.
"...."
He didn't know how many times this had happened already.
A Hunter tries to do some Hunter work, but the brokerage employees, as if they've eaten something wrong, just say they can't.
This was all because the Association had openly summoned him.
"…I-I'm… I'm being protected, not watched…."
The Association employee had definitely said that it was a protective measure, not surveillance.
They were just observing his progress since they didn't know when the Black Cape might appear again and try to harm him.
They had begged him so earnestly not to be offended.
Even though he was in a foul mood from being toyed with by that monster bastard, he graciously accepted their protection.
It was laughable that a mere public official dared to talk about protecting a B-Class Hunter, but he had let it all slide.
"…The Black Cape is such a fucking dangerous monster, that, that…."
To personally inform the world of the danger of the Black Cape, which was known to the public as just some trivial event.
"I went through so much to get out…."
That's why he did it.
"...."
"...."
"…Is that the guy?"
Rookie hunters loitering around the brokerages murmured.
"You know, the one who beat up a porter and got dragged away by the Black Cape…."
"I heard he didn't just beat him, he was trying to leave him in the dungeon."
"What a crazy bastard."
Someone muttered.
"Seems like he deserved to be dragged away by the Black Cape."
At that, he flared up once more and shouted.
"What do you mean deserved, you sons of bitches!!"
"Ah, no, we were just…."
"Do you even know how dangerous a monster that Black Cape bastard is? Huh? Do you!"
"That…."
"It takes a perfectly fine person and turns them into a wreck…!!"
The hunter who looked like a kid grimaced.
"What do you mean, a perfectly fine person… Excuse me, the rumor has already spread everywhere, you know?"
Despite being scared, he spoke in a ridiculously funny way.
"I heard the Black Cape only catches bad people."
"That's right, and it doesn't even catch them unless it's something as bad as murder or abuse."
"It's not a monster that catches you for jaywalking, what nonsense is he spouting?"
When a bunch of idiots gathered, communication was impossible.
"Of course it would be a scary monster to him, since he's a bad guy himself. Would it be scary to people like us?"
"Well… it's a monster, so it must be dangerous, but I heard it doesn't harm you unless you do something really bad…."
"Did you hear that it gives you a gift if you meet it? Man, hearing that made me want to see it too."
"Don't be silly, it's still a dangerous monster acknowledged by the Association. Anyway, we just need to be careful."
"Aw, you're being too cautious. I hear the gifts that monsters give are that delicious."
"That's right, and they say the effects are good too. It's almost like medicine, they say?"
They affirmed this strange urban legend spreading through the city, not the well-known asshole.
"I heard you can't get the Black Cape's gift if you're unlucky."
"Still, I'm a bit scared, what if I get dragged away for a crime I don't even know I committed…."
"It's a monster, so we should be wary, but don't worry."
"That's right, unless you're as much of a personality-failure as that guy, you probably won't get dragged away."
"I want to go see the Black Cape's works, I heard they're that amazing."
The Black Cape, who gave gifts to good people and punishment to bad people, was popular among the citizens.
A polite humanoid monster that rarely harmed people filled the romance of the city dwellers to the maximum.
There were people who feared him, but no one who hated him.
"But why is that bastard yelling at us?"
"I don't know, maybe he thinks we're easy targets… This is why classists…."
"He's tarnishing the reputation of all 1st-class citizens by himself, tsk tsk."
In contrast, there were many people who would hate a criminal recognized by the Association for no reason.
"I heard his Hunter license wasn't revoked?"
"He's the one who's bringing shame to all Hunters, what's with his confidence…."
So in the end.
"...."
The person named Park Eun-gyeom was isolated.
"…Y-y-you…."
The unfairness of no one understanding his pain.
The anger at being treated like this for the first time in his life and the fear hidden behind it.
The bewilderment from being humiliated in front of so many people.
Having held back because he didn't want to be dragged back to the 'City of the Void', he raised his mace.
"You trashy bastards!!!"
"Kyaak!!"
"Stop him!"
"Don't fuck with me, you bastards, you, you sons of…!!"
And that sight.
"...."
The gray city was watching.
***
Identification Number
0S-328-D-01
Response Level
B(Evasion)
Entity Type
Humanoid(-)
Entity Name
The Black Suit(-)
Authority
Theft(-)
A humanoid entity with the first discoverer being B-Class Hunter Park Eun-gyeom of the Korean Hunter Association. Created by Identification Number 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』, and resides in the 'City of the Void', which is identified as the said entity's presiding dungeon.
It is a black suit with a sense of volume, as if worn by a person.
The form of the suit has minor differences between individuals.
There was some dissonance in the entity naming process.
A motion was raised to name the entity 'Invisible Man', but was discarded as it was revealed that the body is not transparent but non-existent.
Named a humanoid entity for convenience, but may be subject to future revision.
It seems necessary to adjust the entity name after acquiring additional information in the future.
According to the testimony of A-Class Hunter(Yu Seong-un) of The Collectors, it is said to have intelligence capable of communication, but there is a possibility that this is a characteristic of a specific individual only. Height is estimated to be around 185~9cm.
As can be seen from the identification number, it shows characteristics similar to 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』. Its height and behavior are similar to the Black Cape.
Perceives wicked humans as harmful entities that negatively affect their species. Upon encounter, forcibly teleports the said entity to the dungeon 'City of the Void' for isolation and disposal. Escape is possible with permission from the dungeon's owner, 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』, but it seems that staying for a long period of time will result in becoming a part of the 'work'.
A 'price' is required to escape if one becomes a work of 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』.
In the case of the first witness, B-Class Hunter Park Eun-gyeom, 'wickedness' was paid as the price.
However, immediately after showing the 'wickedness' that was taken as a price, it was judged as a breach of contract, and his external physical characteristics were stolen by 『0S-328-D-01(The Black Suit)』 and his main body became paint.
The methods of 『0S-328-D-01(The Black Suit)』 are deliberate and cunning.
Only when the target breaches the contract does it steal in the order of voice, eyes, muscles, and skin.
After completing the transaction, 『0S-328-D-01(The Black Suit)』 showed itself committing suicide in the form of Park Eun-gyeom.
Those around him testified that they did not notice a sense of incongruity.
Considering that Park Eun-gyeom complained of hysterical pain and fear during the 7-day period of theft, it seems that the subject of the transaction can observe the process of theft.
『0S-328-D-01(The Black Suit)』 disappeared as soon as it was proven not to be Park Eun-gyeom.
Park Eun-gyeom's body has turned into black paint and is being stored in the Association's research facility. Some researchers have analyzed it to be living paint that is performing life activities.
Consideration on Countermeasures
Refrain from evil acts within the visible range of 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』's dungeon, the 'City of the Void'.
Escape is possible by directly talking to 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』 and paying or not paying a price.
Regardless of the type of attack, 『0S-328-D(The Black Cape)』 and 『0S-328-D-01(The Black Suit)』 cannot be damaged.
Evasion is set as the basic response method for the two entities above and the dungeon 'City of the Void'.
We are accepting related requests and additional information.
***
Today's Status_'City of the Void'
"The void is working hard for Daddy (?˙∇˙)?"