Hunters with high recognition almost always had a manager.
Yu Seong-un said.
"Well, you can think of it as a kind of secretary."
"Would someone like me, who doesn't even go outside much, need such a secretary?"
"Of course, secretaries do organize busy schedules, but…."
There were other duties as well.
"The most important job is to manage a specific person's inside and outside, isn't it?"
In particular, Korean Hunters, who had a strong image of being celebrities, often hired managers.
"Korea has a very strong aspiration for Hunters, and because of that, the image consumption of Hunters is very active. How that hunter is perceived by the public is one of the important parts."
"Isn't being a Hunter simply a job of catching monsters or criminals?"
"You can think of it as somewhere between a soldier and a celebrity. Even so, most Hunters are not government-affiliated, but if you only consider the characteristics of the two occupations, they are somewhat similar."
Yu Seong-un, who had moved to the parking lot, offered Jio a ride.
"Take any seat you're comfortable in, I'll drive."
"Then may I sit in the passenger seat?"
"Of course. It'll be easier to talk."
After getting in the car, Yu Seong-un continued the topic.
"So the reason I'm suggesting you get a manager is…."
Vroom.
The engine started with the sound of a bead rolling.
"You don't really know how the world works right now, do you?"
"You are correct."
"If you're going to make use of the identity 'Hunter Seo Jio,' it would be better to have a helper by your side."
"A helper."
"Like a guide who tells you how to act as a Hunter."
In fact, many Hunters hired managers in that context.
"A Hunter's work is very diverse depending on their specialty, but a fundamental part to be careful about is what kind of image you will present to the public."
"I would like to hear your situation as an example, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"I'm the type who decided not to engage in image consumption in the first place. I have a stronger sense of self as a Gardener than a Hunter, and above all, I've worked as a research team leader at the Association… so it's ambiguous for me to step forward as a public figure."
"Is it because of the risk of important information leaking?"
"There's that, and I also don't have the spare capacity to manage my image. If I have time to stand before the public and give them hope and smiles, isn't it more rational to secure even a little more time to sleep…."
Yu Seong-un was a competent Hunter, a veteran Gardener, once a research team leader at the Association, and now both a collection item of Bisabeol and a curator at The Collectors.
To take care of his image on top of all that, even five bodies would not be enough.
Yu Seong-un's eyes, as he drove the car smoothly, looked fine, but for some reason, they looked gaunt.
"I need rest too, you know."
"Oh dear, if you need a sweet snack, please tell me anytime."
"Rather than a snack… invite me one more time next time."
"My friend, Mr. Yu Seong-un, you are welcome to visit anytime."
"Thank you, I feel like I could get a really good sleep there."
There was the minor drawback of facing a slight threat of race change, but didn't the examples of Cha Ara and Ju-hyeon make it perfectly clear?
Jio's cabin was optimized for humans to rest and recover.
'Although that's probably limited to humans that Jio likes.'
Yu Seong-un soon laughed it off casually.
"Anyway, I'm the type who doesn't want to manage an image because I'm so busy. Besides me, there are plenty of underground-type unofficial hunters who don't want to appear before the public for various reasons. There are especially many of them at The Collectors, which takes the form of a business company."
"Can't I also remain as such an unofficial hunter?"
"I'm also an A-Class Hunter like you and have various activity records, but I worked with a confidentiality clause from the beginning. But it'll be difficult for you since you already have some recognition. For some reason, there are many people who remember you."
"I'm not confident I can maintain the job of a celebrity well. I'll hit rock bottom with a personality controversy."
"That… I understand what you mean. If it's too burdensome, it's fine to avoid showing your face as much as possible. People might think it's a mystery strategy, but if you stay hidden like this, you'll be forgotten someday."
Awakeners continued to appear, and among them, even more people became Hunters.
In a situation where the number of Hunters who wanted public recognition was increasing exponentially, if he just stayed quiet, he would be forgotten someday.
"But if you're going to continue your activities as Hunter Seo Jio, it will be difficult to completely avoid people's eyes."
"Isn't it not a problem as long as I don't make an official appearance?"
"People have a bad instinct to dig deeper the more their curiosity is stimulated."
"Am I a being that stimulates the public's curiosity?"
"You seem to have plenty of star quality, but you don't appear in the media or make any appearances."
How should I put it?
"A kind of… hidden picture puzzle? It becomes something like that."
He used the metaphor of a 'hidden picture puzzle' because Jio was a portrait, but it wasn't particularly wrong.
"And that's also similar to the known characteristics of 'The Black Cape'."
"You mean there's a possibility that people will realize I and The Black Cape are the same person."
"So before people who would bother to investigate your identity appear, it's a good method to show the image you want to reveal."
A handsome A-Class Hunter with strong star quality who never shows his face to the public.
It hadn't become a commotion yet because the number of people who remembered him was small, but the few who did were still searching for the whereabouts of 'Hunter Seo Jio'.
"It'll be quite troublesome if more people like that appear. Paparazzi will start following you too."
"Even if I'm not officially active?"
"If something like the 'Temple of the Deep Sea' incident happens again, are you just going to stay hidden?"
"Hmm, I will help people quietly from behind the scenes."
"If you act like that, people can't help but keep remembering you."
Hunters who quietly performed good deeds and bestowed mercy without revealing themselves to the public were especially popular.
"To be honest, 'Hunter Seo Jio' has too many elements that people would like."
It was hard to be easily forgotten.
"So what I'm saying is that it would be good to strike first before idiots who want to find out the unnecessary truth appear. If you first reveal 'Hunter Seo Jio's' personal information and image, people whose curiosity has been satisfied won't bother to investigate your identity. It would be best to completely separate the images of 'Hunter Seo Jio' and 'The Black Cape' that way."
"Will there be people who investigate me even after their questions have been answered?"
"There are guys like that everywhere, even I have them. In my case, since I have a history of being with the Association, information control is very good, but still. So you, who are not managed by the government and the Association, will seem to have much more room to be dug into."
Yu Seong-un smiled with his easygoing smile.
"Well, this is all just a story for when you want to continue using the identity 'Hunter Seo Jio'…."
"I haven't fully understood my role yet, but I am satisfied with my current identity."
"In that case, it would be good to do some image management. Even monsters living in the mountains come down to private houses when there's nothing to eat."
"A monster?"
"Yes, if they're hungry and there's nothing to fill them up, it's natural to bother innocent people. I was telling you to throw them some bait."
"In that case, I will make an effort for minimal image management."
The blond Jio asked with a gentle smile.
"Will I be hiring a manager too?"
"We'll work hard on that part… and think about it."
Yu Seong-un smiled awkwardly.
"You can also recommend a person you like first."
He said various things, but in the end, the most important thing was that the 'Jio's Portrait' was not displeased.
Yu Seong-un hoped that this gentlemanly Source would not come to hate humans, not even in the slightest.
"It's not an urgent matter, so you can think about it slowly."
"I see."
"And to explain further…."
"I am listening attentively."
"What a manager does isn't just image management."
"As you mentioned earlier, they act as a guide."
"Right, a guide. And a helper."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"Unless they learned from their Hunter parents, most Hunters are also flustered at first. They want to become famous, they want to appear in the media, but they don't know how."
"I understand."
"What kind of work they should do as a Hunter. Where and what activities to do to increase their recognition. Where are the places to build friendships with other Hunters, and so on… they also help with a Hunter's social life."
"That certainly seems necessary for me."
Jio made a face as if he were greatly impressed.
"I'm worried about how to live not just as a Hunter, but as a citizen of the Republic of Korea."
"Well, there's a limit to what I can keep telling you from the side…."
Yu Seong-un gave a resigned smile.
"I'm sorry for being a busy person."
"No, I rather think it's admirable."
"That's really… a thankful thing to say."
It was also a burdensome thing to say.
'He says respect, but it's probably closer to expectation, and even that is burdensome.'
Yu Seong-un cleared his throat and continued.
"You often have difficulty using modern civilization, don't you?"
"You are correct, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"It would be good to find a manager who can help in that aspect as well."
Jio would suddenly try to make payments with goods in kind like jewels, appear in public places barefoot, and have many questions because he didn't understand human culture.
"Of course, there aren't any major problems right now, but wouldn't it be good for you to learn a few things?"
"That's right. I was contemplating whether I should enroll in a school and learn the knowledge necessary for daily life."
"School? Hmm, I see. But it would be conspicuous for you to enroll in school at your age…."
Jio probably had that thought from the perspective that 'school is a place where humans learn the wisdom related to daily and social life.'
Even so, there was no way he could enroll Jio in a school.
"Then it would be good for the person who will be your manager to be a quite multi-talented person."
"It would be even better if it's a person who isn't afraid of me even after knowing I am The Black Cape."
"…A person who isn't afraid of you, right, I'll try my best to find one."
Ah, Yu Seong-un let out a gasp and asked.
"Have you ever had contact with other gods before?"
"I interact with my father often."
"That… not the former god, but a completely separate god."
"I have not."
Jio laughed as if he had heard an amusing joke.
"How could an ordinary person like me interact with a god often."
"..."
Yu Seong-un smiled with his lips pressed together.
"I see."
"Please call me an ordinary person."
"Our Jio is very ordinary."
There was nothing he wouldn't do if the Source asked him to.
"Didn't you exchange gazes with the Light of Fairness at the Solar Cult last time?"
"If you mean the Light of Fairness, you must be referring to the goddess of the Solar Cult. I have not met her again since then."
"Then this is the first meeting as a god to a god."
"You are correct, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"Hmm…."
Yu Seong-un, who let out a small groan, asked.
"Do you think there will be an accident?"
"I think I'm past the age of being a prankster."
"As Argio?"
"I don't know for sure as I'm not fully synchronized, but rather, it's safe because of that."
"Because the initiative is not with that side?"
"That form is also me, so it's ambiguous to call it initiative."
"Is that so? Anyway, it's fine as long as you have no intention to fight."
Yu Seong-un also knew the mechanism of how 'Jio's Portrait' served as the eye of the Source.
Argio, who introduced himself as an evil god, was merely 'Jio' and not 'Jio's Portrait'.
'Since Jio said he won't cause trouble, he must be right.'
Still, just in case, Yu Seong-un opened his mouth.
"The God of Death you will be meeting is a traditional evil god."
"A traditional evil god?"
"A god that has a negative influence on humans despite being born within the providence."
He was a native god of Earth.
"He is also a twin god with the God of Birth, and perhaps because he has existed on Earth for a very long time, he is very gentle and speaks little. He is not a god who actively influences humans."
"He might not even react to my visit."
"That could happen, or he might give you a glance like the Sun Goddess last time. But since the God of Death is one of the few gods with an incarnation on Earth, there's a high chance of communication."
"What is an incarnation?"
"It's like a doll created for formless beings like divinities to visit the human world. It might be a slightly different case, but it would be similar to… the teddy bear your father is in."
"Aha."
Jio nodded with a smile.
"I understand."
"Then that's a relief."
It was quite a surprise for Yu Seong-un to be able to compare a teddy bear and an incarnation.
"The Temple of Death is just a short way past the tollgate."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"It's not that popular since it's the temple of an evil god, but…?"
Around that time they were talking in low voices like that.
Death opened its eyes.
***
"..."
Death looked at its daughter.
"My… daughter…."
"Oh, Death, for what reason have you opened your eyes?"
"…A cruel… divinity…."
"If you mean a cruel divinity, are you referring to an evil god?"
"…Wants… an… invitation…."
"There was one request for a visit permit."
The woman bowed her head deeply.
"What shall I do?"
"…Guide… them…."
Death whispered from within the veil.
"I will see."
Is it a sinner, providence, or a hero?
Or if not, what could it be….
-x-X-x-
Meanwhile, Ju-hyeon.
"...."
"Kkuu."
"…I'll get it."
He was being treated to snacks by the teddy bear.
"Is this fruit tea?"
"Kku."
"It has a nice scent, thank you for your consideration, it must have been a bother."
"Kkukukku…."
"And from next time, I'll get my own food. If that's alright."
He added.
"I have no intention of carelessly using the kitchen that the owner of this house seems to cherish. But couldn't I at least fetch the food that's already made like this?"
Being careful not to get on the nerves of the great mysteries here if possible, Ju-hyeon gave his characteristic friendly smile.
"It doesn't seem right to only receive help from an elder."
"Kku?"
"If there's anything else you need me to do, please don't hesitate to ask."
At that, the teddy bear tilted its head but nodded as if it understood.
'I thought it might get angry, thinking I was refusing its kindness, but fortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.'
Even if it looked like an ordinary teddy bear, he knew that what dwelled within it was not ordinary.
Wasn't it a being the Black Cape called father?
His heart was too uncomfortable to just be served by such a great elder.
'It's a relief that it's possible to interact to some extent with a being that resides in a place like this, but….'
Ju-hyeon fell silent for a moment, the brilliantly sparkling fruit tea before him.
"...."
He wasn't sure if he should consider even this a relief.
'Is it okay to drink this?'
He had been eating and drinking well so far, but it wasn't that he wasn't worried.
'No matter how I think about it, this place is too far removed from the human world.'
Among dimensions, there are dimensions where humans can inhabit, and dimensions where great beings like gods can reside.
'It's quite surprising that it takes the form of a forest cabin that an ordinary person like me, not even a Hunter, can perceive, but even so….'
In Ju-hyeon's opinion, this place was definitely closer to the latter.
A dimension where a mystery, not a human, resides.
'And the act of ingesting something has been treated as a ritual since ancient times.'
Legends of experiencing wondrous mysteries after eating the food of the divine realm were common.
That's how much the act of eating something meant dipping a foot into the dimension to which that food belonged.
"…I think I've eaten quite a lot…."
"Kkuu?"
"I'll be able to walk out as a human, right?"
This was what Ju-hyeon was worried about.
The favor of a god corrupts a human.
'I don't know what size and direction it will show, but such a thing can't be safe for a human.'
Just as most of the saints and saintesses on Earth live on because they cannot die, there was no telling how Ju-hyeon might be swept away by the goodwill shown by the Black Cape.
'Of course, it's better than earning its enmity, but….'
After hesitating for a long while, Ju-hyeon finally drank the fruit tea.
It wasn't simply a matter of manners, that he shouldn't carelessly refuse what was offered.
Ju-hyeon laughed emptily.
"…It's still delicious."
It was a taste so enchanting that he felt he could understand why the humans in all those countless legends were bewitched by food and couldn't make proper judgments.
Combined with the gentle spring breeze that seemed to have steeped flowers in it, the sweet fruit tea softly melted on Ju-hyeon's tongue.
'Yes, I'm still human.'
Here, there was an Anticat named 'Dana'.
Being particularly averse to humans, it was busy avoiding Ju-hyeon and hissing whenever it saw him.
That was an indicator that Ju-hyeon was still human.
'For some reason, as time passes, that rejection is gradually subsiding, but….'
He didn't want to think that it was a sign of something.
'We're probably just getting used to each other from seeing each other for a long time. I haven't found anything strange when I checked myself either, so I want to believe there won't be any major problems.'
Ju-hyeon blinked.
"...."
Although Ju-hyeon had been on the verge of giving up, now that things had come to this, he had no intention of giving up on being human.
"…I will leave as soon as I am ready. I have to."
"Kku."
"An ordinary human like me can't stay here forever."
Humans had to live among humans, like humans.
That was Ju-hyeon's thought.
"The truly funny part is that I probably won't be able to live like a human even if I leave this place…."
Ju-hyeon, who knew the time before the Great Catastrophe, was someone who remembered what it meant to 'live like a human'.
There was the right to live with people who loved and cherished me, and the opportunity to grow naturally while experiencing the good and bad luck that came to each of us.
Humans form the most ideal structure when the strong cooperate to protect the weak.
"…Hmm."
As if finding his own thoughts ridiculous, Ju-hyeon gave an awkward smile.
"I'm aware that the future I want is too idealistic."
"Kkuu?"
"Mr. Jio asked if I wanted to achieve world peace, and I think that's probably right."
"...."
"If I could bring even a part of that, I feel like the world would be much better than it is now…."
A dream is a dream.
Humans called it a 'dream' because they knew they couldn't achieve it perfectly, but believed they could at least imitate it.
The future Ju-hyeon wanted was no different.
To grasp even a part of something so mirage-like required a fitting mental strength.
Passion, conviction, hope. Fuel was needed to make humans burn their short lives.
"But right now, I don't feel motivated. That's probably why I'm lingering here, unable to leave readily. It's pathetic."
He had lost too much, and felt too much doubt.
"I don't know what I want to do."
He already knew well that effort wasn't always rewarded.
If it were a world where good children received respect and good fortune, Ju-hyeon would not have had to abandon his family name.
If those who bore fruit could receive a worthy reward, Ju-hyeon would have been at a rank higher than at least Assistant Manager.
But it was all okay.
The pace of progress was slow, and sometimes he went backward or stood still, but he thought he was still walking forward, bit by bit.
"…I feel so empty inside…."
And just like that, he lost everything.
"...."
"...."
"…That wasn't a very interesting story."
Ju-hyeon shrugged.
"I think I need time to think."
In truth, Ju-hyeon knew well.
To do that 'thinking', he first had to do something about this hollow feeling inside.
Having been miserable and having overcome it a few times already, Ju-hyeon knew the order to get back up again.
'But I still don't even have the energy to walk out of here on my own two feet….'
With his characteristic smile, Ju-hyeon asked the teddy bear.
"May I do that?"
"Kkuu."
The teddy bear, having climbed onto the table, patted Ju-hyeon's head and then got down.
"Kkukkuk, kku."
"…I can't quite understand."
"Kkuu."
It patted Ju-hyeon's thigh once more and then left the cabin with the Anticat.
Seeing the bag of snacks held in the cat's mouth, it seemed they were planning to spend time on the cabin bench again.
It felt so much like it was guaranteeing Ju-hyeon his time.
"...."
Suddenly again, he felt a sense of doubt.
'…Even a non-human being is showing me this much consideration.'
Why did I dream?
For whom, and for what.
***
Having arrived at the Temple of Death, Jio blinked twice.
"…It's more modest than I thought."
"It's not a very popular religious order."
"More than that…."
Jio tilted his head slightly.
"It has strong Korean characteristics."
When one thought of a temple, wouldn't one somehow imagine something in the Renaissance style?
Both the Seoul branch of the Solar Cult and Giovanni's Solar Cult came to mind as buildings made of white marble, so this was a bit novel.
"Isn't this a Hanok (Korean house)?"
"Like I said on the way, this God of Death is an endemic god of Earth. There's at least one Temple of Death in each country. Korea is no exception."
"So you emphasized regional characteristics? To show that it's an endemic god of Earth in the form of a Hanok (Korean house)?"
"Among the Temples of Death, the one in Korea is one that puts a lot of effort into its exterior. Maybe it's because it's the only temple with an incarnation of death. It probably wasn't a requirement from the God of Death's side, but…."
Locking the car door, Yu Seong-un continued.
"This place is the world's first case of officially recognizing an evil god as a religious order. As such, there was a lot of public backlash at first, and the protests from the residents around here were intense. It was basically an unwelcome facility."
"An unwelcome facility, I see."
"It's the God of Death, of all things, right? The people of that time, who had been so tormented by the gods, had no room to consider providence or anything."
"That's surprising."
Yu Seong-un's words sounded as if there was a time when the gods directly tormented humans. Jio, who was once a priest himself, asked.
"Tormented by the gods?"
"It hasn't been that long since we started distinguishing between traditional gods and evil gods. Before, there were many disasters, big and small, because the gods interfered so much in human lives."
"Disasters big and small."
"Like a god striking someone down for saying something they didn't like, or forcibly building their temple on Earth. Well, they were beings with no reason and no will to be considerate of humans, so those things were natural."
"Is it not like that now?"
"We succeeded in preventing excessive interference from the gods, centered around the Symbols of Eternity. It's like we artificially expedited what would have naturally been sorted out over time."
Yu Seong-un waved his hand.
"The story gets too long if I explain that, so to put it simply, it's like this. Now, even the gods have to make a big investment to intervene in the human world."
"Those who dislike the investment wouldn't dare to intervene. I understand what you're saying, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
Jio nodded.
"My father also couldn't easily interfere in the lives of humans and I wondered why, but I didn't know there was such a measure in place."
"It was a time when gods from dead-end dimensions were snooping around, so proper measures couldn't be taken. The Symbols of Eternity stepped in to solve the problem, but…."
Yu Seong-un shrugged.
"They stopped the excessive intervention of the gods, but it's not like those great mysteries disappeared. The mysteries among those who were very interested in Earth continued to show interest even after that."
"Is the God of Death one of them?"
"Being an endemic god of Earth, he probably wouldn't have wanted to look at other dimensions anyway. In any case, among those gods, there were many mysteries that were helpful to humans."
"It must not have been easy for humans to accept that."
"You seem to understand well. But it's not like the existing gods would disappear, and in the end, coexistence with mysteries is a destined future. So the government took some measures."
A prime example is the Temple of Death.
Yu Seong-un pointed to the not-so-large Hanok (Korean house) and said.
"They reduced the size of the building and added a Korean touch."
"Was it effective?"
"It certainly made it clear that this god is our Earth's endemic god. Not that the God of Death is an endemic god only of Korea, but…."
"Still, it must have felt special to Koreans. Like meeting a friend from your hometown in another region."
"You could say it's similar."
The unexpectedly shaped, moderately sized Hanok (Korean house) momentarily bewildered the people who had been vehemently protesting.
In the meantime, the government turned the atmosphere around by giving various benefits to the local residents.
"You could say it was a success in a kind of marketing. At that time, so many people were dying and the aftermath wasn't handled well, but the Temple of Death directly presided over those funerals."
People who had lost family or friends.
People who were on the verge of death, or in a similarly dangerous environment.
For them, having the funeral conducted directly at the temple where none other than the God of Death resided was a huge merit.
"When you yourself are desperate and your heart is torn, the officially recognized God of Death by the government and the Association is presiding over the funeral. They couldn't help but wish for mercy, evil god or not."
"They could have continued to dislike it, but it seems the government and the Association had a good reputation. The initial trust in the facility, which they declared safe, must have been high for such a business to succeed."
"You're right, the government and the Association have earned great trust from the people. It was difficult to not believe in the God of Death that such organizations were promoting in various ways."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"The God of Death's cooperation was also a big part of it. Perhaps because he is an endemic god of Earth, he fundamentally cares a lot for Earthlings. He's also not the type to meddle in human affairs…."
"I heard there's an incarnation?"
"After the Great Catastrophe, a suitable environment for creating an incarnation was formed, and death was so frequent back then. I think he thought it was the right timing for an endemic god to reveal himself."
"The right timing."
"I don't know the exact facts either. Nor why he stays in Korea of all places. The stories of the gods aren't my specialty, and the God of Death is such a quiet one… he doesn't react much other than to observe the world through his incarnation."
Smiling nonchalantly, Yu Seong-un guided Jio.
"Shall we go in then?"
"Sounds good."
As they approached the temple entrance, the temple's gatekeeper, holding a spear, asked.
"Are you Hunter Yu Seong-un?"
"Yes, I reserved a private prayer room for today."
"I will escort you inside."
Soon after, a priest in pure white priestly robes came out from inside the temple.
His hair was tied into one, his two eyes were covered with a white cloth, and in his left hand, he held a white, round lantern.
The priestly robes, with their Korean feel, made it difficult to tell the gender of the person wearing them.
The priest spoke in an androgynous tone.
"I will guide you."
"Then, if you please."
The inside of the temple was very dark, and the floor was covered with shallow water.
It wasn't just lying there, but was flowing quietly here and there like a living creature.
The priest moved his feet as if communicating with the flow of the water.
"Please follow me."
It was so dark that ordinary people could hardly see an inch in front of them, which was why almost no one knew the internal structure of the Temple of Death properly.
Visitors could only move by looking at the guide priest's lantern and white clothes.
Perhaps because he had officially come out through the portrait frame, unlike at the 'Vein of Jewels' before.
Jio, in the middle of synchronizing, also could not secure his vision in the darkness.
"...."
However, the procession of priests moving through the darkness holding white lanterns looked like paper lanterns floating on a dark lakeside at night.
"This is the prayer room assigned to you today, Brother Yu Seong-un."
"Thank you for your guidance."
"And for a moment… would you permit me an indiscretion?"
"...."
Yu Seong-un glanced at Jio and then nodded.
"What is it?"
"The Bishop requests an audience."
The priest bowed his head deeply and continued.
"The Father has opened his eyes."
"…Do you mean an oracle has been delivered?"
"He wished to converse with the guest who arrives today."
"I don't think I'm the guest he wishes to converse with."
"That is correct."
"You're more proactive than I thought."
Yu Seong-un asked Jio.
"What do you want to do?"
"Well."
Then Jio asked.
"Does he wish to become my friend?"
"...."
After a moment of silence, the priest opened his mouth.
"…I am sorry, O nameless divinity. I was not told."
"You fear me."
"If my humble reception has displeased you, I deeply apologize."
"I wish you wouldn't be scared."
A vivid red smile graced Jio's lips.
"Making friends is a truly difficult thing, isn't it?"
The priest dared not answer.
***
"...."
"…I will guide you."
"Do so."
Everyone is scared of me.
'Isn't this also a type of nuisance?'
Jio became distraught.
-x-X-x-
Jio was not hurt by the fact that people were afraid of him.
'They have a right to be scared.'
Even before the Great Catastrophe, there were many people who were afraid of Seo Jio.
His facial muscles, as if devolved all by themselves, did not know how to smile, and because he did not particularly enjoy social activities, his range of activities was narrow.
On top of that, Jio, who was particularly fussy about etiquette, was in many ways a difficult person to build a casual friendship with.
Perhaps for that reason, people who were afraid of him would appear every now and then, just when he thought it had been a while.
'They said my atmosphere was scary….'
Always expressionless, tall as a beanpole, and the clothes he wore were always a black suit.
'Black is such a convenient color to wear.'
It was a choice that considered convenience in addition to personal taste, but more than a few people were intimidated by Jio's appearance.
He himself was aware that he did not have an approachable impression.
"...."
But seeing them this scared made even Jio feel distraught.
"Are we almost there?"
"I am sorry to have caused you discomfort."
"There's no need to be sorry."
Was there really any need to react with such fright to a simple question of 'How far have we come?'.
The priest guiding him hadn't made a fuss, but his stiff gait and slightly trembling pitch revealed his fear.
Giovanni thought to himself.
'This really seems to be a nuisance.'
He really hated it.
'The Collectors' staff were just openly startled, so I could at least laugh it off….'
Even if it was the same fear, the texture was different.
The people at the Collectors were resilient, and above all, they seemed to have adapted well to the existence of Jio.
It seemed to be because only indifferent and composed people had gathered there.
But the emotion the priest guiding him now was feeling was real, genuine fear.
'I didn't know he'd be this scared.'
And yet, seeing him do his best to treat him as a guest twisted the disposition of Jio, who could only be satisfied by returning a kindness received fivefold.
"...."
"It is just ahead."
"I see."
To the priest who had stopped in front of a huge gate, Jio expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you."
"…The honor was all mine."
The priest bowed his head deeply.
"Please do not hold it against us for following our Father's words."
"I have come as a priest who wishes to pray and as a single visitor, so you need not worry."
"Your words lighten the heart of this humble priest."
At that, Jio asked.
"If you don't mind, would you accept my humble gift?"
"…A gift, you say?"
"Do you enjoy sweets, Priest?"
"Sweets… Yes, I like them."
"What I am giving you is a small gift and a token of my gratitude."
Jio handed over Dried fruit snacks , beautifully wrapped in Hanji (traditional Korean paper).
"It is sun-dried fruit."
"Ah…."
"You may eat it, or you may not."
And then he added.
"Just do not fear me."
Because I feel too sorry.
"Will you do that for me?"
"…I will not forget the warm grace bestowed by the divinity."
"Please do not think of it so grandly."
Ah, please don't do that.
'Why is he being like that?'
To be honest, it felt like he might cry a little.
Every single word was truly burdensome.
If he were just treated like a ghost story or a monster, he could laugh it off as funny, but being treated so reverently while being feared was very baffling for Jio.
What on earth was bestowed, and what was this grace?
He didn't want to be treated as if his grace was immeasurable over a single piece of dried fruit.
He wanted the priest to understand the desperation contained in his bribe.
"I hope your expression is more comfortable than now when I come next time."
Thinking that clinging any more than this would be impolite, Jio backed off at this point.
It was a fact that he looked scary, and it was natural to be scared of something scary, so it was not polite to keep whining not to be scared of someone he had just met.
"...."
Thinking this way made him miss Mr. Ju-hyeon, who was probably resting at home.
'Let's become friends quickly.'
My prospective pen pal, who is kind and well-mannered, and isn't afraid of a haunted portrait.
He wasn't very sociable to begin with, but after becoming a ghost story, more people became afraid of him, which was a bit troublesome.
It had become too difficult to make friends.
"Should I open the door and go in?"
"If you stand in front, I will ring the bell for the gatekeeper."
"Understood."
Clang─.
The priest rang a white, shining bell.
"...."
The door opened smoothly without a single noise.
'…The intro to a horror movie?'
A door opening without a sound in a dark and huge temple was quite novel, like a haunted mansion.
'But if it's a horror concept, I, the haunted portrait, won't lose either.'
Jio thought that if he ever had to build a temple in the future, he would definitely have to implement this system after getting permission for the copyright.
It seemed his public image was leaning towards a ghost story, so there was much to learn.
'By the way, is it too rude to compare an elder I don't even know to a ghost on the same level?'
To Jio, the God of Death seemed to be on the same level as the Sun God, the teddy bear's father.
Having already experienced the Sun God once, the perception that 'god = elderly person living alone' was already embedded in his brain.
He confidently entered through the door where not a single speck of light came in.
It seemed that the elder of this house was also living a very lonely and desolate life, and Jio was confident in his ability to be charming to such a person.
"…Hmm."
A black and transparent waterway, colored by darkness, that was spread shallowly across the entire floor and flowed gently.
The huge door closed without a sound, and soon, a pure white lantern lit up not too far away.
"Are you the bishop of this place?"
"Please lower your speech, O nameless divinity."
The one who opened her mouth was a woman dressed in a Hanbok as voluminous as a peony.
"Thank you for tolerating our rudeness. May I understand your personal visit here as you accept the invitation of the Father of this place?"
"Of course."
"I am Eun-ryeong, the one in charge of managing this place, though I am lacking. If you need anything, please call me at any time, I shall remain within this room."
The bishop placed the lantern she was holding on the floor, and then quietly retreated and disappeared into the darkness.
Dressed in a jet-black Hanbok and with her face covered by a jet-black neoul (traditional Korean head covering), the bishop quickly blended into the darkness and vanished.
Only then did Jio realize who he had to talk to.
"Aha."
He lifted his head and looked into the darkness.
"I didn't think you would already be here."
Then, a moist sound was heard from within the darkness.
"I see the death of Earth."
"…You…."
Between the small but bright lanterns, 'Death' showed its face.
"You have been… good… to my children…."
It was a huge existence, as if one with the darkness.
Its face resembled an old tree that had maintained its steadfastness for a long time, and from the large and small cracks that had opened up, a pure white light, resembling the lantern, seeped out.
It had countless, very long and thin arms, and its lower body, visible in the lantern light, resembled a jet-black river and was stretched out very long.
A body spread out like a spider web and the black silk enveloping it. Jio realized that this entire room was created by the incarnation of Death.
"What a magnificent appearance."
He admired.
"You are a river and a tree."
"Is that… how I appeared…."
"What I am stepping on is your knee, and what I see is a mountain made of arms."
"…You… are very… favorable… to me…."
"Is there a reason not to be?"
Jio liked elders.
"I came here today to ask about the evil gods."
"…Is that so…."
"Will you tell me why you called me?"
"I… you…."
The voice of Death was as immense as the echo of a cave.
"Saw."
And it was silent.
"You are in sin, but you are not a sinner."
"You are similar to providence, but you are not that either."
"You cannot be called a hero for your wickedness, so…."
With a mouth hanging in mid-air, Death defined Argio.
"You who devoted your body, why are you in hell?"
He said.
"You are accused of being a sinner, but you are not a sinner, you refuse to enjoy peace within providence, and though you are a divinity that covets blood and riches, you were once a hero. I find you lovely. That soul is pitiful."
"...."
"You wish to be blamed, but it will not be easy. You wish to remain in pleasure with a clouded mind, but abundance and peace will stay by your side, and you wish to be remembered as a vain ghost, but you will remain as a master of history."
Death asked.
"Who are you?"
It was a pure question filled with inquiry.
"Have you already decided?"
"...."
And Jio.
"...?"
Was dumbfounded.
"I am human."
"I see, you have decided so."
"No, I was just human from the beginning."
"I understand…."
"Elder, please listen to me."
Jio felt a bit wronged.
"I admit that I am a slightly unusual case, but that doesn't mean I'm not human."
There's a person who flies around with crow wings the size of a house on their back, there's a person whose eyes are slit like a reptile's and sparkle, and there's a person who is so strong and immortal that they can sway the world with a single snort, and they are all human.
Why can't I be?
"This is discrimination."
"Discrimination…."
"The diversity of humanity can easily embrace even a peculiar person like me."
"It would… embrace you well, I'm sure…."
"I'm not saying it embraces me, I'm saying I was originally within it."
"I will hear it as such…."
It felt like it was sighing for some reason.
Jio felt even more wronged.
Humanity's diversity had become so vast, so why was a haunted portrait not treated as a human?
Whether uninterested in Jio's sense of injustice, or having no will to debate, the mouths hanging in the air from the God of Death, who seemed to have reached its own conclusion, muttered incessantly.
"How pitiful."
"That devotion and affection are lovely."
"Your broad bosom is higher than the mountains and deeper than the river."
"Breathing within your bosom."
"Sleeping within your bosom."
"Life and death are within it."
"And yet you say you are human."
"You will love without end."
"You will give without end."
"Will there be an end for you?"
"There is only a beginning."
"For you…."
Among the numerous voices that resembled fog, whispering as if in a secluded mountain valley, only one continued.
"There is no death."
"...."
Jio thought.
'…Gods of heaven and earth, am I now walking the path of the biographies of extraordinary people.'
To suddenly receive confirmation of his immortality.
'As expected, I'm amazing.'
It was a fact he had vaguely accepted since he acknowledged he had become a portrait, but it seemed that Jio could no longer be called ordinary.
Today, his self-esteem rose to another level.
It felt like it could stop rising soon, but the only human who could have pointed that out, Seo Jio's grandmother, had already passed away. It was a deplorable matter for Yu Seong-un and for all of mankind.
"...."
Jio soon came to a conclusion.
"…I must make a great many friends."
That would be enough.
"Then I will never be bored in my entire life."
"…Yes…."
"May I visit you from time to time? I will prepare a meal for you."
"A meal… you say…."
"If there is no death for me, can we not become friends without farewell?"
"…Friend…."
The jet-black room made of death echoed roundly.
"That sounds good."
Jio recognized it as laughter.
"Come often, young friend."
"Thank you."
"I await your gift."
And so, Jio's number of friends increased.
Ta-da.
***
"Oh, really?"
Yu Seong-un, who was waiting in the prayer room, asked.
"So, as long as they're not scared of you, they're all your friends?"
"I do have a wish that they would be kind and polite people, if possible."
"Right, all the kind and polite beings who aren't afraid of you."
"In that case, I see no reason not to befriend them."
"I see…."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"You called him an elder, so I didn't think you'd go as far as becoming friends."
"He didn't seem as old and lonely as I thought…."
"Is that 'old and lonely' person you're talking about based on your father?"
"He was quite lonely until I started visiting him."
"First of all, I'm not sure how you can define an intangible being like a god as being in a state of 'old' or 'lonely'."
"It's just… can't you just tell by looking? The God of Death didn't seem particularly lonely. He has a lot of family, too."
"...."
That part was slightly interesting.
Yu Seong-un's bad habit stealthily raised its head and expressed curiosity.
He asked.
"Then what state did the God of Death appear to be into your eyes?"
He was curious about the world Jio saw.
"You said he didn't seem lonely, for one."
"Hmm… in human terms, about middle-aged…."
"Middle-aged. And?"
"Very accepting…."
After pondering for a moment, Jio continued.
"A case of Laziness?"
"...."
"It felt like if you pushed for it, as long as it wasn't something foolish, he'd accept it."
"Uh…."
"Above all, he seemed to hate leaving his room."
"…Uh, that…."
"I think we'll get along well."
"…I see."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"If you say so, I guess it's so."
Hmm, right. I see.
It seems it's still a domain that's difficult for humans to understand.
-x-X-x-
After all the visitors had left, the bishop summoned the priest who had guided 'Seo Jio' today.
The priest, in his white priestly robes and holding a white lantern, entered the room where the incarnation of Death resided and paid his respects.
He extinguished the lantern's flame and, taking his place in the darkness before the bishop, waited for the words to fall.
"You have worked hard today."
Soon, the bishop opened her mouth.
"It must have been wearisome."
"It is my honor."
"It must surely have been a nerve-wracking day."
"This priest is still lacking…."
"Who could stand with their back straight before a divinity?"
"I thank you for your sea-like benevolence."
"Yes…."
The bishop gestured for him to sit and then asked.
"Tell me what you saw and heard."
"Yes, Bishop."
The priest bowed his head deeply and continued.
"He seemed very skilled at dealing with humans."
"It seemed so to me as well."
"He appeared to be merely a very strong human, but he also showed a side that seemed to change personality in an instant."
"Personality, you mean it looked as if his ego had changed?"
"That is not it, it seemed that his ego and memories all remained intact, and only his disposition changed."
"How ever-changing."
"What I heard was a heavy voice like our Father's, a warm voice like the sunlight, and a sharp voice filled with cruel interest."
"He is truly a being who has reached a state of myriad transformations."
The bishop nodded.
"I heard he bestowed a gift upon you."
"Yes, this…."
The priest placed the paper-wrapped item on a small, jet-black tray decorated with mother-of-pearl.
It then flowed along the water covering the floor and soon reached the front of the bishop.
The bishop lifted the item.
A very strong sweet smell wafted from it.
"I will not open this. What did he say?"
"He said it was dried fruit. He also said it would be sweet."
"Were there any other words besides that?"
"That he wished for me not to fear him…."
"And?"
"He said he hoped I would look more comfortable the next time we met."
"I see."
The bishop placed the gift back on the tray and gently pushed it back to the priest.
The priest bowed his head politely and then put the gift, which made a rustling sound, into his robes.
After confirming this, the bishop spoke from behind her black head covering.
"You have received his grace, so you must not harm your family but express your gratitude."
"Yes, Bishop."
"If he seeks our home, you are to attend to him."
"Yes, Bishop."
"I should give you advice regarding him as well, but it is not easy…."
The bishop, trailing off, finally opened her mouth after a long pause.
"Our Father called him a friend, so you too shall assume a posture befitting that."
"I will do my utmost to offer his friend the most devoted reception."
"He does not wish for a grand reception. Treat him as a single visitor… but remember that he is our Father's friend."
"Though I am an ignorant priest, I will do so."
"He is an evil god, but do not fear him. Before he was a wicked divinity, he was a providence and a hero."
"...."
"He considers himself a human."
How does he intend to walk that harsh path of benevolence?
"I too am my Father's ignorant child, so I do not have much advice to give you. He is simply one who flows like a river, so do not think of going against him, but simply entrust your body to the flow, and you will not incur his wrath."
"Yes, I will engrave it upon my heart."
"I have kept his true identity from the other children besides you. I trust you have done the same. He wishes for the treatment of a human, not a god, so that mystery must not be allowed to grow here."
"I will keep that in mind."
At the sight of the priest bowing his head deeply, the bishop spoke in her characteristically gentle voice.
"I think of you as my successor, so you must conduct yourself wisely."
"Yes, Bishop."
"As our Father has called him a friend, your role has become important."
The bishop, who had been silent for a moment, soon nodded.
"Since he is a close friend acknowledged by our Father, the gift he gave cannot be harmful. You may enjoy the gift, but should anything unusual occur, let me know, and I shall give you advice."
"I thank you for the grace you have bestowed."
"Go back and rest. This is our Father's room, the room where Death resides, so it will still be poison to you. I will call you back here when you can accept the silence and darkness more easily."
"Then I shall take my leave."
The priest bowed his head once more and then quietly exited the room of Death.
"...."
The only human left in Death, the bishop, placed the smoking-pipe in her hand on the water's surface.
The smoking-pipe, made of jet-black bamboo and gold, did not sink into the shallow water but merely cast a shadow.
From within her black head covering, the bishop called her father.
"Father."
"...."
"If you have another meaning, please call this daughter at any time."
"…My… daughter…."
"Yes, Father. Your child is here."
"Were you… afraid."
"You protect me, Father, so I was not afraid."
However.
"I was wary of his wicked divinity."
The bishop who serves the God of Death and his incarnation is not a saintess.
The Death here lowers itself to use an incarnation, so communication with the God of Death was possible with just effort, without any special qualifications.
However, there are things one naturally learns when serving a divinity at such a close distance.
The bishop noticed that the wicked divinity who visited today had certain aspects similar to her father's.
"Should I not be concerned?"
"He…."
"Yes, Father. This daughter is listening."
"…Flows…."
"Does he flow like your river, Father?"
"There is no reason to go against him, and you will not be able to… so you must cherish him greatly."
"…How could I dare to cherish a divinity?"
"He is not lonely, but he is worthy of being loved."
"...."
The bishop smiled faintly.
"You are rather talkative today."
"Is it good?"
"The silence is good, but I also like days like this."
"I like it too…."
Without a sound, the arms and hands of Death fumbled around its room.
The dragon-like river that composed him continued to flow, and the jet-black veil that wrapped Death swayed with the bells adorned on it.
With his whole body, Death silently laughed, expressing his mood.
"He is in sin but is not a sinner, he knows he is human but has reached providence, and despite being born under a wicked star, he was once a hero."
"I did not know such a mystery could exist."
"I too did not see him until he showed himself directly. But he exists as a human, and his story is also very valuable and rare, so I shall covet that young friend."
"Will you do so, Father."
The bishop lifted the smoking-pipe again.
"Shall I seek his temple?"
"He is human, so he has no temple."
"I wish to express our sincerity."
"Then become his friend, that is what he wants."
"A friend…."
Exhaling mist instead of smoke from the smoking-pipe, the bishop nodded.
"I will welcome him warmly when he visits again."
"That… will be enough."
"Will you sleep?"
"…Yes…."
"May you distance yourself from the noise and sleep deeply."
"...."
"I will watch over you."
When Death stopped making sounds, the bishop also only exhaled mist.
A familiar silence descended upon the jet-black room.
***
For reference.
"He said I'm immortal."
"…Reaally?"
"I think it's truly amazing."
The mere news of being immortal could not dampen Jio's spirits.
"I think I may be making my mark on the history of mankind."
"If you say you're ordinary after that, I might actually cry."
"I would be grateful if you would say I am ordinary, even if it's just empty words."
"I don't know what kind of stubbornness that is."
"It was meant as a plea not to discriminate against this extraordinary me."
"Oh… I see…."
Nodding, Yu Seong-un adjusted the car's direction and asked.
"But is that all?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ordinary people are usually more startled when they find out they're immortal."
"Is being immortal something to be surprised about when I am already a portrait?"
"I don't know, wouldn't it be something worth being surprised about?"
"My mental fortitude is not so weak."
"No, well, I was just saying that ordinary people would be like that."
Yu Seong-un muttered to himself.
'I meant you should do a better job of imitating a human if you want to.'
It seemed Jio's human imitation was getting sloppier by the day.
He thought it was probably because Yu Seong-un was a particularly easy person for him to deal with, but still, from the perspective of someone watching from the side, it was bound to be baffling.
'What rhythm should I match so that Jio's mood isn't soured?'
Feeling a little bitter, Yu Seong-un put on his characteristic nonchalant smile.
"By the way, if you're immortal…."
"Yes."
"The Symbols of Eternity are also immortal, and you were worried that those people would be lonely."
"I was."
"Are you not worried?"
"...."
Jio, who had been feigning contemplation for a moment, soon blinked.
"Not particularly."
"And why is that?"
"Because I am confident that I will eat well and live well."
"Hmm, you certainly do seem that way."
Yu Seong-un was convinced. It did seem like he wouldn't have a moment to be bored in life.
"So the reason you were worried about the Symbols of Eternity is because those people are not you?"
"It may sound arrogant and haughty, but in summary, you could see it that way."
Jio nodded.
"I am such a free spirit that I can live peacefully within a portrait, but don't those people have the heavy responsibility of swaying the fate of this country and the Earth?"
"You're right."
"In that case, it seems it would be difficult to eat well and live well. The future of countless lives hangs on their every step, and all the people of the world will be focused on them and fear them."
"Does that look bad to you?"
"It means they intend to work their whole lives, being revered or cursed by others, in a life that is too short even for only joyful things. It doesn't look very good."
"Right…."
Yu Seong-un thought quietly.
'It seems like he himself lived a life that wasn't too different.'
He recalled Giovanni's story.
That he had saved countless people, hoping for the conflict between mermaids and humans to be alleviated, and on the other hand, hoping that more people would not be in pain.
And yet he had died in the most gruesome and miserable way.
'And even after dying like that, he was preserved in the form of this portrait.'
In the first place, he wasn't too worried about 'Jio's Portrait' because its foundation was the Source, but it was also true that from a human perspective, it felt pitiful.
Living the life of the Source as a human would be a heavier burden than even for the Symbols of Eternity.
After contemplating for a moment, Yu Seong-un continued to ask.
"Are you really okay?"
"I am very satisfied with my life."
"If you're immortal, I don't think you can be called ordinary…."
"I don't think it's a big problem."
"You will have to watch many of your connections die."
Jio was confident.
"Why is that a problem?"
"...."
Oh, I see.
Yu Seong-un was at a loss for words.
"…So you don't really have any intention of pretending to be ordinary, do you?"
"Mr. Yu Seong-un is a trustworthy friend, so I am trying to converse honestly."
"Ah, that's something I'm truly grateful for."
"Of course, it will be a sad thing to have to watch my friends die."
Jio continued.
"But the joy and pleasure of being together while they were alive will be greater than the sorrow after death."
"…That is…."
"I am busy finding friends even now, so I don't think I need to mourn their deaths already."
"...."
"Death is a state, not something to be avoided and feared. I do not think deeply about it."
He asked.
"This is strange. When you make friends, Mr. Yu Seong-un, do you worry about them dying first?"
"…Not really."
"Then why must I fear the death of a friend that hasn't even come?"
Well, because an ordinary human would be afraid of being left alone?
'…Then again, Jio would probably make another friend in an instant. I forgot for a moment that he is an existence who will never be left alone.'
Apart from that, it did seem like he 'really had no intention of pretending to be an ordinary human'.
This too was likely a comfortable side he only showed in front of Yu Seong-un, so maybe it wasn't something to be too concerned about.
In the end, Yu Seong-un, who had been about to say something, gave up. He smiled nonchalantly.
"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine on your own."
Even if he looked like this, wasn't he a guy who was pretty good at imitating a human when mixed in a crowd?
'Still, if it's this guy's rule to be this honest in front of an existence he has defined as a friend… I should try to find someone to be Jio's secretary as soon as possible.'
With that thought, Yu Seong-un asked.
"So, after talking with the God of Death, were your questions answered?"
"Yes, I realized what I have to do."
Argio confidently declared.
"I will become the Demon King."
"...."
Screech-
Stopping at a red light, Yu Seong-un laughed like a sigh.
"…Could you elaborate?"
Conversations with the Source always consumed a great deal of mental energy.
-x-X-x-
Argio was, by nature, a cruel person.
"Basically, I desire blood and riches."
"Is it okay to describe yourself like that?"
"What can I do when it's the truth?"
The two continued their conversation in the Collectors' lounge.
Perhaps because he was still outside, Jio's hair was platinum blond, but his expression was as stoic and calm as that of the portrait.
'…It's very different from the face of the Priest I know, is this what he looks like because Giovanni has become a complete portrait?'
As Yu Seong-un was having such thoughts, Jio continued to speak in his characteristic low voice.
"Argio is talented in many areas, so he learns well whatever he sets his mind to, and is not afraid of new attempts. However, as his very nature is close to that of a beast, he prefers stimulating things. I don't think he's the impatient type, but…."
"Stimulating things, you mean the blood and riches you mentioned earlier?"
"In addition to that, he also enjoys alcohol and combat. Among them, he likes to compete with all his might against a worthy opponent. In fact, rather than competing, I think he wants the thrill he feels in the process of killing each other."
"So he enjoys the thrill. My, my…."
Yu Seong-un laughed awkwardly.
"There are quite a few people like that among Hunters."
"Is that so?"
"They are people who find the meaning of life in a life-or-death bloody battle."
"I didn't know there were others with such a preference."
"There are various preferences in the world, so, hmm… I can understand Argio's story."
"Thank you for understanding a preference that doesn't quite fit the social convention."
After offering a light thanks, Jio continued.
"That's not to say he acts recklessly without any discretion. If he wants alcohol, he desires a master's high-quality liquor, if he desires riches, he covets treasures with a story, and if he fights, he prefers an opponent worthy of competing against with all his might."
Meaning, he has extremely particular tastes.
"He also has the personality to invest and wait as much as needed to satisfy those tastes."
"Is the reason you're giving a self-introduction like this related to the… Demon King statement from just before?"
"Of course, now that I've explained this far, it will be easier for you to understand, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
The platinum-blond Jio started stoically.
"I desire a battle with a hero."
"…Oh…?"
"In the past, there were many heroes who sought me out."
"…Heroes?"
"Because I am an evil god who threatens the peace of the world."
There was a time when he was treated as the root of all evil for all the big and small troubles in the world.
"Back then, even if I didn't go out of my way, many quality opponents would come to me. They poured everything they had for the peace of mankind, to protect their precious people, and for the advancement of the world."
"...."
"I remember the battles with them being very enjoyable. The other divinities, excluding the Argio personality, seemed to have many stray thoughts like betrayal and what not, but at least that's how it was for me."
Giovanni made a very disappointed expression.
It was a rather natural complaint, as it wasn't 'Seo Jio'.
"Thinking back, I think that was the most cost-effective time."
"Cost-effective…."
"I was so famous that many talented people sought me out without any separate promotion."
"Promotion, so that's the feeling."
Yu Seong-un let out a subtle laugh.
"The talk about becoming a Demon King was because of that promotion."
"It's a kind of talent recruitment notice."
Giovanni's blue eyes sparkled with melancholy.
"As Argio, I am reflecting. It became even clearer after conversing with the God of Death. The many battles I had enjoyed as the evil god Argio were an extremely unfair gain."
"Unfair gain?"
"I made no effort whatsoever to have a worthy battle, yet people sent me good talents. I thought it was my natural right, but in fact, it wasn't."
"Isn't the flow of logic strange?"
"The God of Death said that my infamy was not actually mine. It was a fame I was lucky to have for a short while, so now is the time to strive to reclaim it."
"Oh, I see. That's amazing."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"Aren't you resentful of the people who slandered and framed you as an evil god?"
"It's not that I'm not angry, but I've gained something more valuable than that, so it's okay."
"This can't be emotional at all."
If you just look at the objective situation, there's no story more unjust than this.
'A seed of a hero who showed sufficient consideration despite being born with the instincts of killing and pillaging, amidst all sorts of false accusations and slander… ended up becoming an evil god.'
If there was a dungeon with such a story, and the boss of that dungeon was Argio, what a huge bomb it would have been for humanity. Just the vague imagination of it made a baffled laugh escape.
Yu Seong-un, rubbing his neck, asked.
"What was the end for you as Argio?"
"It was a seal."
"A seal, that doesn't sound very pleasant."
"But I was glad because I was able to stop the meaningless killing."
"And if it had been a meaningful killing, you would have liked that too?"
"Hmm… no."
Surprisingly, Jio denied it.
"At that time, I was a divinity created by being clumped together with so many different victims, so there were many times I had to explode in an anger I didn't want. I didn't have the initiative, so to speak."
He says that unless it's his own anger, it's worthless.
"Getting angry, placing value on an opponent, all of it had to be solely under my authority. But at that time, I couldn't, so…."
"Was it unpleasant?"
"It was truly unpleasant beyond comparison. Even though I was called a beast my whole life and lived like a beast, I knew how to act cleverly, but it felt like all of my precious reasons had fallen into a mud pit."
Giovanni gave a faint smile.
"So how admirable and grateful are they? The heroes polished their noble souls and gave me rest. It is a meaningful gift accomplished by dedicating their entire lives."
"For a Demon King, you like heroes too much."
"I respect brave warriors. They possessed upright and good souls, had excellent insight and judgment, and knew how to be prudent in all matters and sometimes act boldly."
"Your love for good and polite talents was the same back then, too."
"You are right, Mr. Yu Seong-un. I have always loved those who dream and strive for it. No matter how the result turns out, the process of their efforts at that time is so valuable in itself."
Yu Seong-un understood Jio's words.
'What a long-standing preference.'
Seo Jio, Giovanni, and Argio. Though the expressions were slightly different, in the end, the image of a human that 'Jio' loved and cherished was similar.
Whether short or long, strong or weak, regardless of the degree and direction, in the end, he loves those who have walked the path of a hero.
'In that respect, I can certainly say he is god-like.'
Great mysteries generally like heroes.
"...."
Yu Seong-un laughed like a sigh.
"So you want to become a Demon King to compete with such heroes again?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Why does it have to be a Demon King? You could just suggest a sparring match."
"Because what I want is not a duel, but a fight to the death."
"So you mean everything, including life, has to be on the line."
"A fight when you carry everything, or when you've thrown everything away, is the most interesting."
"You were like that too?"
"I faced every battle with death."
Jio's hair was momentarily dyed red.
"It is a delicacy that is hard to taste."
"...."
"…Ah."
He returned to his platinum blond hair. Giovanni laughed awkwardly. It was the smile of a good-natured, handsome man.
"I'm sorry, I often lose control as I am not fully synchronized."
"…As long as you don't go on a killing spree because you can't control it, it's fine."
"No matter how out of control I am, such a thing will not happen."
"Because Argio doesn't enjoy such meaningless massacres in the first place?"
"You are right, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"Hmm…."
He thought for a moment.
"…But, you know."
"Yes, I am listening attentively."
"How do you plan to act like a Demon King?"
"...."
"You are, how should I put it?"
Hesitating, Yu Seong-un finally continued.
"You don't have a personality that suits evil deeds."
"Th-that is…."
"You're not good at doing bad things, are you?"
He never thought he'd end up saying something like this to an evil god in his life, but it was an unavoidable fact. Jio was not an existence whose nature was well-suited to committing evil acts.
"You even said you didn't do meaningless massacres when you lived as Argio."
"I did enjoy frequent bloody battles, though."
"So did you pick fights first? Did you bully innocent people?"
"That's… not it."
"Have you ever done any other bad things besides that?"
"...."
After hesitating for a long while, Jio opened his mouth with difficulty.
"…Theft?"
"Whose things did you steal?"
"Of the detestable pigs…."
"Alright, at least you didn't bully innocent people."
"But bullying people who have no connection to it, isn't that too cowardly."
"Isn't the fact that you say that a disqualification from being a Demon King?"
"Isn't there a Demon King somewhere in the world who likes a fair and square match?"
"A subjugation party doesn't get formed for a fair and square Demon King in the first place, Jio. Heroes don't gather either."
"…You are right about that, Mr. Yu Seong-un…."
Jio looked quite troubled. Since analyzing Jio's recently quite varied expressions was a rather enjoyable task as a curator, Yu Seong-un admired his face while drinking the cheap instant coffee mix placed on the table.
'It really is a harmonious face that's a pleasure to look at.'
How long has Yu Seong-un's art appreciation lasted?
Only after a considerable amount of time had passed did Jio continue.
"…When Argio's infamy was high, my reputation rose on its own without me having to worry about such things, it's truly a shame. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone, and that's my situation."
"I feel like that's a bit of an exaggeration, though."
"Could I not expect a similar situation this time? Like people framing me on their own even if I don't do anything particularly cowardly, or considering me the incarnation of evil… something like that."
"I'm really sorry, but it doesn't seem particularly easy."
Yu Seong-un said with an awkward laugh.
"Let's think about that part gradually. For now, there's the matter of Mr. Ju-hyeon who is resting at your house, and you said your self-awareness as an evil god isn't perfect yet."
"You are certainly right about that, Mr. Yu Seong-un. The situation is not favorable to become famous as a Demon King right now. Thank you for your appropriate advice."
"A Demon King… hmm, well. I'll also give some thought to that Demon King project. If possible, I'd like to think of a way with less damage, is that okay?"
"I would like to ask that of you. My heart is full of the desire to compete with excellent talents, but I am also reluctant to have people fear me so much that I cannot make friends."
"Thinking about it from that perspective, it might be better to split your identity further. Black Cape, Hunter Seo Jio, and the evil god Argio… hmm…."
Having said that, Yu Seong-un hesitated slightly.
"…I also have a wish that other people wouldn't be afraid of you."
"Thank you for understanding, Mr. Yu Seong-un."
"For one, it seems like it would be a big problem in terms of thinking about the peace of mankind."
The existence of the Source can shrink and expand its body based on the 'story' that surrounds it.
He had barely managed to separate 'Jio's Portrait' into 'Seo Jio' and 'Black Cape' to create a safe zone, and now a Demon King?
A cold sweat ran down Yu Seong-un's back.
There was an additional problem that not as a Gardener, but just as the human Yu Seong-un, he could feel.
"In addition, hmm…."
"What is it?"
"…A subtle sense of guilt…?"
"I don't think there was anything to feel guilty about."
"No, it's like… that is…."
Aren't I plotting to turn a perfectly fine person into a global piece of trash?
'And if he wants to recreate the situation from his time as Argio… it means making Jio, who has committed no crime, the root of all evil and piling on baseless accusations and insults.'
Even if he himself is satisfied, is this right?
'Of course, the perspective of the Source is far from the human sense of guilt, but still… Jio also has a human ego… so it's a bit of an ambiguous situation to say he's not completely human….'
It felt really strange.
"…I'll think about it hard, so let's not put anything into practice for the time being."
"I was at a loss as to what to do, so it is truly a grateful thing that you will think about it with me."
"Well, there's no need to be thankful for something like this…."
A way to make Jio a harmless Demon King.
'Never mind whether it makes sense, this isn't something I should be meddling with on my own authority.'
Yu Seong-un barely suppressed a sigh.
It seemed he would have to see Bisabeol as soon as he got back.
***
And so, Jio returned home.
"...."
A similar worry to Yu Seong-un's, Ju-hyeon also came to have.
"…Ah, a Demon King."
"In summary, yes. What do you think?"
"Please give me a moment to think."
What on earth is this?
"So…."
It sounds like he wants me to make him a global scapegoat for insults.
The upstanding young man, far removed from wicked schemes, was thrown into confusion.
"…That is… a bit…."
"Hm?"
"Isn't that too unconscionable…?"
Doesn't that defeat the purpose of being a Demon King in the first place?