The first time I woke up in this cabin and saw the dawn sky as the sun was just beginning to rise.
"I felt a peace here that I had only ever imagined."
It was a beautiful sky.
Unlike the concrete forest where one couldn't see anything beyond, a vast field of vision.
A clear Milky Way that seemed as if it would sparkle endlessly even if enough light gathered.
The sweet smell of nature carried on the cool yet warm breeze.
An unknown nostalgia made my dry corneas ache, and my heart pounded heavily.
I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't even think.
"Unlike reality."
There was no noise of any kind here.
"Mr. Seo Jio."
"You're finally calling me that."
"You are a strong being, are you not?"
"Yes, I became one without realizing it."
"And at the same time, an evil god."
"I don't yet understand the role of an evil god well, but yes."
"…Do you not find me rude?"
At that, the Black Cape asked back as if puzzled.
"Do you wish for me to think of you as rude?"
"That's not it, but honestly, it's true that it's hard to understand."
"What part do you not understand?"
"How can you exist in such a form?"
It was something that made no sense.
"While you possess all sorts of strength."
In every aspect, 'Jio's Portrait' was the strong one.
"In every single aspect, you are an overwhelmingly powerful person."
"That is great praise."
"It may sound that way, but at least from what I've seen… yes."
It would be a foolish thing to discuss military force with a great mystery like an evil god, but when he was red, he seemed skilled in combat as well.
His overwhelming presence made me bow my body despite his excellent mimicry.
To Ju-hyeon he was a god, to the people of the world a terrifying humanoid monster, and his dungeons were working with all their heart for their master.
I felt that overwhelming strength in the mystery and divinity he held.
"Hmm, this may be rude, but your appearance is also like that."
"I often hear compliments that I'm handsome."
"I think so too, that's natural."
He was an ideal handsome man, and although it was hard to tell because it was hidden by the cape, his body was not noticeably thick or thin.
His height was close to 190 cm, and his demeanor resembled that of a noble with a long history or a virtuous priest.
The hands he always kept behind his back were large.
Ju-hyeon was confident in his observation skills.
The Black Cape's appearance alone could be a powerful weapon.
It was a matter of course, as there were humans weak to visuals everywhere.
"Mr. Seo Jio can never be the weak one."
In any situation and relationship, he holds the upper hand.
"That's why there are times I understand even less."
"I am listening, so please continue. What is it that you don't understand?"
"You act as if…."
Ju-hyeon, who had been hesitating, let out the words like a sigh.
"You understand the weak."
It's something that makes no sense.
The naturally strong do not understand the numerous weak.
They might memorize their actions and ways, just as a god looks at a human, but they cannot be considerate.
Because they are strong, they cannot comprehend weakness.
Just as a blind person cannot understand the color red.
"So, what I'm trying to say is…."
He felt like his words were getting tangled.
"Mr. Seo Jio, you are a very strong person, yet you understand the weak. And you are considerate of them. You respect them. How can a being strong enough to make one feel distant fear be like that?"
"It is because I am merely human. I am not the ideal strong person you think of."
"That's another thing. Mr. Seo Jio really does feel like a human. Sleeping, eating, cooking. Wanting friends, sometimes going out, playing pranks, laughing and crying…."
"I believe I have probably never cried."
"I saw you acting like a child to your father. I also saw you making crying sounds to your children. All of those appearances were natural. That's why you really seem like a human."
A question suddenly arises.
"Was even this flow of my thoughts intended by you?"
"I do not intend anything."
"Is it not a lie that you didn't even realize was a lie?"
"Of course not, I am a much more careless person than you can imagine."
"Even if that were true, humans would be greatly influenced."
That is what a human is.
They hang on every glance, every gesture of a god, and are swayed to the fullest.
Even a conversation initiated by a great destiny and nature becomes a great disaster, and they can go mad over a single drop of their small affection.
That is what a human is, and that is what a god is. Ju-hyeon knew that too.
"I know that too, but…."
He squeezed his eyes shut.
"...."
"...."
And again, he took in the sight of the Black Cape.
Two eyes. One nose, one pair of lips.
Two ears as well.
The skin was a little pale, and the hair was slightly wavy.
He waits for his words.
No matter how hard I try to look into his essence, only the human form comes into view.
"…I can't stop seeing you as a person."
It is the face of a young man.
"How old are you?"
"I am 29 years old."
"Where is your hometown?"
"It is Gangwon-do."
"What did you do?"
"At school."
A faint smile spreads across the pale face.
"I taught students."
"…You were a teacher."
"Yes, I worked at a high school."
"I see."
He feels a sense of futility.
"I see."
Look at that affectionate smile.
If this is not human, then what in the world is it?
"...."
"Do I finally look like a person to you?"
"…Perhaps…."
He feels that it could be possible.
Ju-hyeon smiled awkwardly.
"I keep asking similar things, but why do you give gifts to good people?"
"Because anyone would want to praise a person who is admirable."
"I heard you've been talking to people when you see them."
"It is enjoyable to have conversations. I apologize to those who are afraid of me."
"Why do you keep capturing the bad people?"
"It is something my children do for me, but it was not what I intended."
"There's really not a single grandiose reason for anything."
"Because I never think deeply."
"I understand."
If all of this were true, and even if it wasn't sincere, if he continued to maintain this direction.
Ju-hyeon would not even be able to think of denying this existence.
Would it be too rude a thought to say he felt greedy?
He just couldn't bring himself to hate him, who was made of ideal peace.
"...."
He introduced himself as an evil god, so I tried to be wary, and he is too great an existence to be at ease with, so I want to keep my distance, yet I find myself wanting to give him my heart.
"…You didn't use some kind of ability, did you…?"
"I would appreciate it if you could tell me specifically what ability you are referring to."
"To make a person… helplessly… feel at ease… and to toy with them…."
"…? I don't quite understand, is that a compliment by any chance?"
"It could be… or it could not be…."
"...."
"…Grr…."
Ju-hyeon blamed his own foolishness.
'What on earth was I hoping for, asking such a question.'
Wanting an equal exchange with him in a situation where the form before his eyes was highly likely not his true form was wrong from the start.
For a god, the standards of human truth and lies were different.
Whether he actually had such an ability or not, whether he knew of the ability's existence or not.
Until Ju-hyeon realized it for himself, the words of the divinity before him could be either truth or lies.
"I'm sorry, that was a strange thing to say."
"I don't quite understand, but…."
The man asked.
"Do you not want to be friends with me?"
"…Pardon?"
"So you complimented me."
"Pardon? Ah, no…."
"In the end, it seems you've taken a liking to me."
"That's… uh…."
"Do you still not know what you want to do? Are you wary of coming to trust me?"
"…I…."
"Mr. Ju-hyeon, you consider relying on someone other than yourself a sin. I affirm the value of the foolish belief you hold."
"...."
"Since that is your way of life."
As he hesitated to answer, he continued to speak.
"You don't have to think so complicatedly. I wanted to become friends with you, Mr. Ju-hyeon, and now it seems you do too. And you are not the type to settle down in one place."
"…Is that a compliment too?"
"You may see it as such. However, what I want to say is that there is no problem with us becoming friends. Are you also a person who cannot see the present because you regret the past and worry about the future?"
"I don't think so."
"Then there is even less of a problem. Mr. Ju-hyeon, you are a person who embraces the grand ambition of world peace, and I will be a rather fitting friend for that. So I hope you will become the second friend of this portrait."
His expression was still blunt and calm.
"Take your time. Mr. Ju-hyeon, you are a sincere and polite person, so sooner or later, you will find the right path that suits you."
"I might make an irreversible mistake."
"There is no such thing as an irreversible mistake in the world. Why can such a sentence exist? In the end, a person must live in the present and move forward, yet they think of a past they cannot get back."
"Because humans are such foolish beings."
"I admit that I have a particularly simple and light way of thinking. But reflecting on the past and developing is a privilege of living creatures. And that is the only choice."
"I know that too, but…."
"Mr. Ju-hyeon."
The man spoke as if he were the Buddha himself.
"Are you afraid of a new attempt because of a mistake that hasn't happened?"
"Who knows who else will be sacrificed because of my mistake. I committed a sin."
"Mr. Ju-hyeon, the people of the world are not lambs that you have to save."
"...."
"Trying to take responsibility for all of them is also a form of arrogance."
That might have been a bit of a shock.
"They are living their own lives, and the fact that they got caught up in your mistake is also a life that should be respected. Do not mistake the lives that those people chose and cultivated as solely yours."
"…But…."
"Reflecting is good, but if you become afraid, the only paths you will see are running away and hiding. And I know that you are not that kind of person, Mr. Ju-hyeon. You will eventually find your own path, and I am merely shortening that hesitation."
"...."
"An individual cannot become something so great. Even if they have a huge influence, in the end, they are just one of the passing streams. Even if that person looks like a giant, it is merely one of their characteristics. No existence can be a perfect standard."
With a still expressionless face, he continued.
"I see you, Mr. Ju-hyeon, as a good and polite person with heroic aspects. That is your characteristic, not you as a person yourself. There is no need to be buried in it."
"…Ah…."
"Do not let the goal you wish to achieve because you want it devour you. You simply wanted the world to become peaceful, and so you are trying to do it. That should not ruin you."
"That is…."
"Mr. Ju-hyeon's prudence and caution are great strengths and virtues. But if you have to believe only after contemplating everything, there won't be much left by your side. So for now…."
"...."
"Shall we be friends?"
He grinned.
"I have a romance for pen pal friends."
"…That's a nice romance."
Will that smile make me dull? Will it make me settle down?
Nevertheless, I found myself captivated by that sense of security.
I wondered which 'Jio's' smile that was, but I soon came to the conclusion that it was meaningless.
If his words were to be believed, then in the end, even distinguishing between the 'Jios' was practically worthless.
At this point, even hesitating felt embarrassing.
"…Let's do it, friends."
"Oh."
"This is awkward."
Ju-hyeon gave a subtle smile.
"There might be problems."
"Let's think about that as we go."
"I was about to say that too."
"Opportunities always appear."
"We can make them ourselves too."
"You understand well."
"…So…."
After hesitating several times, he forced out the words.
"Please take good care of me."
At that, Seo Jio smiled.
It looked quite human.
-x-X-x-
Even though Jio had made a new pen pal and Ju-hyeon had befriended the Black Cape, the daily life of this peaceful cabin did not change.
The Black Cape still cooked for him.
"Please, let me do some work too."
"A guest does not work."
"You said we're friends."
"A guest who is a friend."
It was a bit uncomfortable, but it was true that everything was peaceful.
"Then could you perhaps watch Dana for me? The child seems bored."
"If I get close, will it not burn me? I wonder. I heard the fire of an Anticat is that hot."
"It doesn't seem to dislike you as much as before, so why not be brave?"
"Just this morning, it passed by me baring its teeth…."
"Compared to before, when it tried to turn you to ash, it has certainly mellowed."
Delicious meals were served three times a day, the room was comfortable and private, and the view beyond the veranda was as beautiful as a scene from a fairy tale.
He was enjoying undeserved benefits without having done a thing.
But that didn't mean the situation had changed at all.
"..."
Ju-hyeon fell into contemplation about his new friend's identity.
The attic, which he had followed out of interest in the process of making paints and brushes.
Invited there, Ju-hyeon began with a composed tone.
"This is very cautious of me, but I have been thinking."
"I am listening."
"I think as friends, I can ask this much."
"Please ask."
He called out to Jio.
"Mr.Jio."
"Yes."
"…Mr. Seo Jio?"
"Yes."
"Argio?"
"Yes."
"How should I address you?"
"Aha."
Jio admitted his mistake.
"My introduction was lacking."
That was right; Ju-hyeon knew almost nothing about Jio.
'He never explained it separately either.'
Such a bizarre level of indifference was also a typical attitude of a great mystery dealing with humans.
"I shouldn't do anything that might displease you, you see."
"I doubt there is much that would displease me, but…."
"I don't think I would do that sort of thing either, but still."
"It is indeed impolite not to even introduce oneself properly."
Glass tools were set down with a clatter and inside them, liquids of peculiar colors and vividly colored paints scattered without any pattern.
Dana and Honey were nestled deep in a box placed next to the workbench.
In the attic where all sorts of mysterious things had gathered, Jio had an unexpected self-introduction session.
"I am Seo Jio."
"Ah, yes, I've heard. The members of The Collectors guild also seem to know you as that."
"And I am Batlan Giovanni."
"…Batlan Giovanni?"
"I am also scheduled to become Argio soon."
"..."
Ju-hyeon thought that this habit of the mysteries, 'cutting out all the supplementary explanations and only saying the main point meaningfully,' should be made illegal.
'…Just like the oracles, which are said to be the most representative form of communication with a mystery, beings of great stature are always so vague when giving information.'
It was just bewildering for the human listening. Ju-hyeon smiled awkwardly.
Ju-hyeon knew well that there was a good reason for it all.
In the case of oracles, the language of the gods had a high chance of harming the followers, so they were minimized as much as possible, resulting in sentences that were difficult to interpret.
'It's not my area of expertise, so I don't know for sure.'
Anyway, for that reason, Ju-hyeon was able to quickly hide his bewilderment at Jio's clipped sentences.
After stroking his chin in thought for a moment, he soon found a pattern without much difficulty.
"The name 'Jio' is in all of them. Is that why it's 'Jio's Portrait'?"
"I believe so."
"It seems Mr.Jio's ever-changing appearance was a change according to the name."
He asked in his characteristic gentle tone.
"What does Mr. Seo Jio look like?"
"It is my appearance when I have black hair."
"Hmm… and Argio was when you had red hair."
"Thank you for remembering."
"Batlan Giovanni must be your appearance when you have blond hair."
"You understand well."
Was it because he was impressed that a mere human understood the words of a great mystery?
He didn't know what part of it had stirred the portrait's interest and sentiment, but soon, a golden light spread over him like paint.
Giovanni smiled his characteristic bright smile.
"This is the first time I have given a proper introduction like this since Yu Seong-un."
"..."
It seemed he mainly changed into 'Giovanni' when he wanted to effectively express joy or give comfort to a human.
In that sense, 'Seo Jio' and 'Argio' must have their own uses as well.
Having organized his thoughts, Ju-hyeon gave an awkward smile.
"…Ah, is it the first time? I think I roughly understand the situation, though."
"Most people get nervous just by looking at me, so I never had the chance to have such idle conversations. I was even worried about when I would ever make a friend, so I am very glad to have met you, Ju-hyeon."
"The honor is all mine."
While wearing his characteristic friendly smile, Ju-hyeon thought to himself.
'Of course, how could anyone not be scared unless they were as out of their mind as I am.'
At a glance, he was at least a humanoid monster; no matter how deeply one thought, he had the form of an evil god.
It was true that the ghost stories about the 'Black Cape' had taken on a rather friendly form, but there were few people who could act openly friendly towards him.
"..."
Having become one of those 'few people,' Ju-hyeon felt a pang of bitterness.
He prided himself on having lived a sane and proper life, but now he had become friends with an evil god.
'I must be careful not to harbor any vain thoughts. Even if what he wants from me is friendship and I respond to it, I must be careful about the parts I need to be careful about.'
Things like thinking the evil god's favor was his own power, or relying on him too much.
Getting drunk on a power that wasn't his, being ungrateful, and becoming overly greedy….
The contractors of evil gods who ruined the world in history all messed up because they didn't know their place.
He didn't want to be recorded in history that way, even if he were to disappear as a cog in society.
"…Then may I hear your story, Mr.Jio?"
Seeing as he had told him his names, it seemed he was willing to explain.
"Of course, if you're uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me."
"No, they are not such special stories."
The black-haired Jio was seen crossing his arms, contemplating something. He soon opened his mouth.
"Argio possessed a congenital ability to transform into a beast. Because of that ability, he was kicked out of his family, lived like a beast in the forest, and was branded the source of all evil, becoming an evil god."
Ju-hyeon said reflexively.
"That's already special."
"Is that so?"
"No, rather than special, it's a bit more negative…."
"I lived and died happily."
"That is quite the black joke."
Nodding, Ju-hyeon continued.
"What kind of person was Giovanni of the Batlan family?"
"As a priest of the sun and a doctor, he was beaten to death by a mob while caring for mermaid students."
"What… how should I react to a story like this?"
"You can laugh. I lived and died happily this time too."
"I think I'd become something less than human if I laughed."
Laughter was out of the question; it was a story that made it hard to hide his shock.
"I feel like I've heard a similar story somewhere before…?"
"Then it seems you have read the report on the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'."
"I am truly surprised that it wasn't just my imagination."
As it was a rare case of a humanoid monster officially appearing from the Association, Ju-hyeon had also read the report on the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea' carefully.
That report included the overall story related to the dungeon.
"..."
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't seem like a happy life and death.
"…Actually, I had anticipated it to some extent."
"I am curious as to what you anticipated."
"Ever since I found out that the Black Cape belongs to The Collectors."
"Is there a problem with that?"
"The report on the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea' sent by The Collectors was submitted by Yu Seong-un."
"I believe that is correct."
"And Yu Seong-un is, well…."
Ju-hyeon chose his words.
"He is quite famous within the Association's research institute community."
"Why is that?"
"Because he is a former research team leader who transferred to none other than The Collectors."
"Is there something special about transferring to The Collectors?"
"Their motto is special. The Collectors have a strong atmosphere of cherishing their works, you know."
"I have certainly heard that such a rule exists."
"And the researchers at the Association feel quite a bit of resistance to this motto of The Collectors."
In a way, it was natural.
"Because they see a lot of unpleasant things at the research institute."
They know the cruelty of the dangerous items that The Collectors call 'works'.
"There is even a saying at the Association's research institute: 'A person who hasn't lost something to them is not a real researcher.' That's how strong their vigilance against dangerous items is, and each person has a variety of personal stories."
"I am safe."
"Of course, I wasn't referring to you, Mr.Jio. It would be a great waste to compare you to such mindless dangerous items. You have also bestowed many favors upon me."
Ju-hyeon smiled his characteristic smile.
"But most dangerous items are not like that. The Collectors' gallery and the Association's research institute are institutions that stand at opposite ends in many ways, so for an employee who has experienced one side to transfer to the other is… extremely rare."
In fact, Yu Seong-un was the first to transfer to the opposite side.
"It's something you really can't do unless you have an extraordinary affection for dangerous items. And this is a report on an S-Class dungeon submitted by such a person, isn't it? Many researchers were curious about what had piqued the interest of former research team leader Yu Seong-un."
"So that's what happened."
"The name of Hunter Seo Jio was on the list of participants at that time. I also knew that he was the person who contributed greatly to the survival of civilians on the day of the Solar Cult initiation ceremony terror attack. But since you, whom I knew as the Black Cape, had the name Seo Jio…."
Ju-hyeon smiled awkwardly.
"I thought that you, being both the Black Cape and Seo Jio, must have some deep connection to the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'. The story that the Black Cape's portrait often appears in that dungeon is famous, after all."
Though that was a guess he had pieced together while staying in the Black Cape's cabin.
"Above all, there is a record of Batlan Giovanni in the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'. Although it's extremely rare to be able to confirm it, since you mentioned that name when you introduced yourself…."
"So you were saying you surmised the connection."
"I wouldn't have known if you hadn't mentioned the name Batlan Giovanni. There is no accurate record of Giovanni's appearance in that dungeon, and even if there were, blond hair and blue eyes are common, aren't they?"
"In the past, such an appearance was not common in Korea, so it is fascinating."
"…Speaking of 'past Korea,' as you mentioned before, 'Seo Jio' must be the name you used when you lived on Earth, right? What kind of life did you live then?"
"It was nothing special either."
Jio answered with an expressionless face.
"I just became a portrait due to a fire at school."
"Ah, I see!"
As if he had mentally prepared himself, it was far too much of nothing special.
"How did that happen?"
"Are you asking about the fire, or are you asking about the portrait."
"I guess I could say both for now."
"To be honest, I don't know the reason for the fire either."
He blinked about twice.
"The alarm just suddenly went off, and even though I went to check as soon as it sounded, the first floor was already on fire. Seeing how quickly the fire spread, it likely wasn't a natural fire."
"…Someone intentionally…?"
"It would have been difficult for it to spread that fast unless someone had poured oil or something. Of course, that is merely my speculation. I was busy getting the students out of the school at the time."
"Did you not get out with them?"
"I had to check if there were any students or teachers left. Since it was break time, people were scattered all over, and sometimes students would get stuck in odd places…."
The black eyes stared blankly at Ju-hyeon.
"Fortunately, I was the only one left in the school, and I couldn't get out in time. It wasn't a situation where I could expect to survive until the fire was extinguished, so I went straight into a storage room I cherished."
"A storage room?"
"It was the art storage room. The thought of jumping out the window did cross my mind, but I was on the 5th floor, the very top. Our school had high ceilings too. So I went to the best place to die."
"..."
"And I became a portrait. Isn't it fascinating?"
At that, Ju-hyeon gave an awkward laugh.
"…It is fascinating."
The Black Cape didn't seem to feel any negative emotions about the deaths of 'Jio'.
He hadn't actually said that Seo Jio had died that way, but with the preceding examples of 'Giovanni' and 'Argio,' Ju-hyeon assumed so. That 'Seo Jio' too had died that way.
"Your age at the time was…."
"I was 29."
"Does each 'Jio' have a different age?"
"Giovanni died at the age of 32 and Argio at the age of 24."
"…None of them lived a long life."
Ju-hyeon suddenly felt a sense of pity.
"They're younger than me."
Was this portrait a collection of such young and youthful deaths?
'Maybe that's why it's not difficult to converse even when we're alone like this.'
Perhaps underneath all those 'Jios' was the great mystery of 'Jio's Portrait,' but in the end, they were all once nothing more than ordinary humans and yet, the deaths of the 'Jios' were all just bitter.
'No matter how much of an evil god he is, Argio was also just 24 when….'
Moreover, even if he called himself evil, the personality of Argio didn't seem like that bad of a person.
He seemed like a man of character capable of showing sufficient mercy.
'People like that.'
How could they have only met with tragedy?
"..."
Ju-hyeon's eyes curved into a gentle smile.
"I don't know how such a thing could be possible, but, well. It's surprising no matter how I think about it."
"I think so as well."
"Come to think of it, I heard that the two mermaids residing in the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea' have not been subjugated yet."
"They are children who are too dangerous to subjugate carelessly."
"So you are not against their subjugation itself."
That was unusual.
"Regarding that matter… are you not concerned?"
"What matter are you referring to?"
"…It's just, they were once your cherished disciples."
If Ju-hyeon were in his shoes, he would have had many thoughts.
"If it were me, I think I would be sad for a very long time. I'd also blame myself, thinking this happened because of me. Since they were once beloved disciples, I'd want to forgive them, but as a human, I feel like I couldn't forgive them… Um, was that too presumptuous of me?"
The man, whose hair had turned platinum blond, smiled.
"My friend, you are not the least bit presumptuous to me."
"I am glad to hear that."
"But I am not a person who thinks as deeply as you do, Ju-hyeon."
"Do I… think deeply?"
"I have never once blamed myself."
Giovanni blinked his blue eyes as if to say, 'Why on earth would I?'
"I did my best to cherish my disciples, and I performed good deeds befitting my calling. I acted without shame as a son of the sun… and as a teacher, I walked the path for my students. That was not a path of self-abuse but a way of respecting myself."
His voice was soft and gentle.
"My disciples may have resented me. But I did my best to protect my students, and I gave them no shortage of affection during that time."
"Is that why you have no regrets? Because you did your best?"
"I did what I wanted to the best of my ability, and it was a universally just good deed and an upright path before the sun and myself. I do not want to engage in the absurd self-blame that my students came to sin because I did not act more shrewdly."
"Because you did not act more shrewdly…?"
"If I had pandered to the religious order and the village, I could have lived longer. But that would have been a path of betraying my students, betraying my father, and also an act of tormenting myself."
His lips drew a smooth arc.
"I simply did not want to do that."
"Why not?"
"There are many reasons, but the most prominent one would be because I made a promise."
"With whom did you make a promise?"
"With my students."
The eyes that held the sea curved with affection.
"I promised that the me of now would not change."
"..."
With that preserved smile, Ju-hyeon opened his mouth with difficulty.
"…Do you still love those disciples?"
"I do."
"Then have you forgiven their actions?"
"I have not."
"In that case… will you punish them?"
"That is not my part to play."
The priest smiled lightly. It was the smile of a flawless young man.
"The only sin they committed against me is betraying my faith. They have already been punished for that in the time that has passed, and the price for their other sins is not something I dare to impose."
"I understand."
"You may think this way: that the one called Giovanni is in the easiest position to punish those sinful mermaids. But that would be an utterly absurd affair."
"Because it is not your part to play?"
"And also because they desire the punishment I would give."
Soon, Giovanni was seen letting out a soft laugh.
"My mermaid students spent a very long time taking out their anger. Forgetting not the memories of the past, they became buried in them and went around scattering sins they could never take back, all the while keeping me in a corner of their hearts."
"..."
"While thinking it impossible, they hoped that one day, like a miracle, their sole meaning, me, would return and give them an end. It is a very irresponsible and indecisive mindset. For me to punish them would be a reward instead…."
He shrugged.
"Do you see that as right?"
"…Hmm, well…."
It was a perspective that gave him pause.
"…Still, I hope that the same tragedy is not repeated because of those mermaids."
"I feel the same. And that is the repayment for my affection and the proof of my favoritism."
"You truly do love them. And yet you haven't forgiven them."
"Even if an eternity passes, could I ever forgive them?"
The human who held the merciful sun speaks.
"No matter what my students do, their sins only grow larger and their responsibilities increase, but the time of those who have already suffered at their hands does not disappear. Even if they were to return the world of the humans they killed to its most whole state, the sins that existed cannot be absolved."
"…In that case…."
"I am a simple person who does not think too deeply, so I do not know if such a great sin can be absolved through long periods of time, suffering, and devotion. It may be impossible, or it may be possible. But I do not know if it is a hole that can be filled in a mere few thousand years."
With the face of a priest who had shed his youthfulness, Giovanni continued.
"But do not worry, as long as I am here, they will continue to contemplate their sins. I am still fulfilling my responsibility as a teacher…."
"The tragedy I am worried about will not be repeated either."
"What is certain is that I did not forgive my mermaid students because I love them. As long as I am here, they can never again become the same disaster as before."
"…Hearing you say that is reassuring."
He was sincere.
"Humanoid monsters are, well, beings to be concerned about…."
"You seem anxious."
At that, Giovanni asked.
"Shall I introduce you?"
"Pardon?"
To what?
***
"Ta-da."
Jio made a sound effect, presenting the two mermaids. Ju-hyeon was flabbergasted.
"Hey, not 'ta-da'."
"They are my students."
"I know that, but."
Seeing Ju-hyeon's appearance, who seemed to know the relationship between the mermaids and Giovanni, Aria smiled brightly and looked back at her teacher.
Her smile was flawlessly smooth.
"Now you're raising a human, aren't you?"
"Raising? He is my friend."
"Teacher, you are remarkably sociable in strange ways."
"If you praise me like that, this teacher's face will get hot."
"Hot? It looks like ten thousand years of cold snow is about to descend."
At Aria's words, Jio soon wore the gentle smile of a priest.
"Will this do?"
"I knew it, I like that face."
Nodding, Aria looked back at her younger brother Iseur and Jio's new friend Ju-hyeon, who were engaged in a strange battle of wits.
Iseur seemed to be contemplating how to treat this human, while Ju-hyeon seemed busy trying to accept the situation.
"The young ones."
Aria, who had laughed lightly, greeted elegantly according to etiquette.
"A pleasure to meet you for the first time, mister beloved by the sun. I am Aria, a disciple who serves Priest Giovanni of the Batlan family as my master. May the blessings of the earth be with you."
"…It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I am Iseur, the second disciple who serves Priest Giovanni of the Batlan family as my master. May the warmth of the sun reach you."
Iseur, who had glared at his sister, also greeted a beat later.
Although the fact that the two were humanoid monsters was something he was well aware of as a researcher for the Association, at this point, Ju-hyeon also had to show corresponding courtesy.
Ju-hyeon reflexively put on his social life smile.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Ju-hyeon, who has had the honor of becoming Mr. Seo Jio's friend, however lacking I may be. I have been hired as a manager to assist Mr. Seo Jio when he is active as a Hunter outside the portrait."
And the gazes of the two mermaids and one human turned to Giovanni.
"..."
"..."
"..."
In the strange silence, Jio asked.
"Shall we eat?"
And so, an unexpected meal was decided.
-x-X-x-
Ju-hyeon offered to help with the meal preparation, but he was rejected.
"It would be best for you to stay here."
"But I feel so shameless just receiving meals…."
"If you wish to remain part of the human race, stay put."
"…Ah."
"Precisely."
Iseur nodded and went into the kitchen.
Aria, who gently escorted the dumbfounded Ju-hyeon to the sofa, provided a brief explanation.
"Unless the teacher prepares and cooks it himself, it would be difficult for a human to consume."
"What would happen if I were to eat ingredients not prepared and cooked by Mr. Jio…?"
"You would become one with this portrait. You wouldn't wish for that, I presume, mister."
"Would simply preparing them also be a problem?"
"Unfortunately, you possess a very fragile body, so it seems it would be difficult."
Aria smiled faintly.
"It seems you wish to do something, so how about clearing the table?"
"…I suppose there would be no problem with me just setting the cutlery, right?"
"You need not worry, as a transformation will not occur from something so trivial."
"Thank you for the advice that will become my flesh and blood."
"Think nothing of it."
Watching Aria nod lightly and also enter the kitchen, Ju-hyeon inwardly swept his suddenly chilled chest.
Whether it was a dumbfounding coincidence or Jio's consideration, Ju-hyeon had never eaten the raw ingredients here.
'Come to think of it, everything I drank was also in the form of tea or juice.'
It seemed to have been a very dangerous situation.
'I was careless because ingredients from dungeons are often harmless for humans to eat….'
Perhaps because it was the dungeon of the 'Black Cape,' who was treated as a humanoid monster, Ju-hyeon had judged it by the standards of ordinary dungeons.
For him, who knew nothing of The Source and The Garden, it was a matter he was bound to be careless about.
And for good reason. In modern times, ingredients from dungeons have become a useful food source.
Thanks to their lower prices than Earth-grown products, even the average middle class favored dungeon-sourced ingredients. The same was true for Ju-hyeon.
"Hey, mister."
"Ah, yes."
"While the meal is being prepared, would you not enjoy some tea with me?"
Aria, who had come out from the kitchen, said as she held up the tea set on a tray.
"Jio made a new tea."
"A new tea, you say…."
"It's a tea with small flowers that resemble stars."
"I have tried it before."
It was a flower that Jio had brought one day, saying, 'I tried growing it in the water birds' nest.' Ju-hyeon, with a pleased expression, took the tray from Aria.
"It was a tea with a strong, nutty aroma."
"The kitchen staff seemed so busy, so I just brought it."
"Is… is that alright?"
"He's not one to get angry over someone stealing food."
"So you stole it."
Hearing the words 'stole it' from the mouth of a humanoid monster, Ju-hyeon felt a peculiar mix of emotions.
Perhaps because she was a monster born from the race of mermaids, who were sometimes treated as a subspecies of humans, he was once again surprised that she was aware of the act of stealing.
'Not that I should show it.'
Ju-hyeon placed the tea set on the table and brewed the tea.
"I heard from Mr. Jio that it is a tea made from dried Basuram Flowers."
"The Basuram Flower is a flower that was cultivated in the world I was born in."
"So it was a famous flower tea, enough to be cultivated."
"A single flower had the value of gold equal to its volume."
"…Gold was expensive in that world too, I presume?"
Ju-hyeon asked with an awkward smile.
"Why was it so expensive?"
"Because it was too difficult to cultivate."
"How must one cultivate it?"
"These things are picky about who grows them."
"Picky about who grows them…?"
"Yes."
Aria smiled faintly.
"Only a few among the priests of the sun could grow them healthily."
"A flower that can only be cultivated by priests… that certainly sounds alluring."
"The Basuram Flower is grown underwater in the place with the strongest solar energy."
"Underwater cultivation? Right, he did say he grew it in the water birds' nest. That's unusual."
"Once upon a time, the Basuram Flower was in a pond in the deepest part of the Temple of the Sun…."
Aria, who had trailed off, continued a moment later.
"That's where they grew."
"The deepest part of the Temple of the Sun?"
Ju-hyeon surmised the situation.
"What was the position of the Solar Cult at that time?"
"It was the religion that ruled the land."
"Then this Basuram Flower must have been a truly precious flower."
"It was treated as an elixir that had touched the sun."
"..."
Ju-hyeon, who was pouring the tea, paused.
"…An elixir?"
"Yes, the most prized elixir on land."
"Am I brewing tea with an elixir right now?"
"Why do you ask something so obvious?"
Aria gave a neat smile.
"Everything you've eaten so far has been of that sort."
"…Oh…."
Trickle.
Ju-hyeon finished pouring the tea.
"Suddenly, I feel uncomfortable drinking it."
"The teacher likely has no special intent, so it's probably best to just drink it."
"From the standpoint of a mere human, I am scared."
"Drinking this won't bring about a major change in your identity as a human."
"If not a major change, does a small change occur?"
"You will become a very warm person."
"…Wild ginseng?"
"Perhaps similar."
Aria took a sip of the tea Ju-hyeon had poured.
"Though the effect is likely better?"
"…The aroma really is nutty and nice…."
"It's just like the scent of well-ripened grain, isn't it?"
The mermaid's lips formed a gentle arc.
"Giovanni was the one who held the warmest energy among the priests of the sun."
"..."
"The Basuram Flowers he raised had the sweetest, most gentle fragrance in the world."
"…Could this be…."
"Although in my dungeon, the Basuram Flower can no longer grow."
Aria, who had been stroking the teacup, soon continued.
"Until the flower is harvested, the Basuram Flower will wither if even a little bit of cold air gets in. Only when those closest to the sun constantly guard its side can it grow properly."
"It truly is a delicate flower."
"My human teacher was the priest who could make the Basuram Flower bloom the best. The Temple of the Sun wanted to somehow call him back and keep him confined within. Because they needed him to do their elixir business."
"That's more… secular story than I expected."
"But Giovanni was busy spending his time going out into the world to heal and care for people. The temple must have been extremely anxious. There were many who hated him for not obeying the orders of the religious order."
"Hmm…."
Ju-hyeon, who had sipped his tea, asked.
"Were there no priests who cultivated the flowers personally?"
"Why wouldn't there be? It's just that most priests couldn't do it."
"Was it that difficult to cultivate?"
"It wasn't something that could be done simply by being full of solar energy."
"In that case…?"
"It had to be loved."
Aria looked at the small flower blossoms floating inside the transparent tea set as if they were cute.
"They only grew when truly loved and cherished."
"…That's amazing."
Ju-hyeon nodded.
"And it takes a lot of effort."
"That's why it was difficult to cultivate."
Soon, Aria let out a small laugh.
"Even so, there were priests who personally cultivated the Basuram Flower. They didn't hold enough solar energy, nor could they love a mere flower submerged in water, but in the end, they managed to cultivate a little bit."
"How was that possible?"
"It's simple, they would bring items imbued with the sun's energy into the cultivation room. The more such items there were, the more the cultivation room would be imbued with an energy similar to that of the Temple of the Sun. Let's see, for example, there would be the holy relics of the sun. The belongings of a saint, and so on…."
"But does that fulfill the condition of 'love'?"
At Ju-hyeon's question, Aria put down her teacup.
"It was not fulfilled."
"Then how…?"
"That's why another method was needed."
"What method was that?"
"To place a priest's corpse with them."
"..."
"For that reason, the temple pond was also used as a tomb for the saints (聖人)."
Blinking, Ju-hyeon asked again.
"Pardon? A corpse in such a way…?"
"They said it produced a result similar to 'love'."
"…Why like that…?"
"It seems a devotion that offers one's entire being as fertilizer was also considered a form of love."
Aria smiled.
"That's why the Basuram Flower was also called the 'corpse-eating flower'."
Wouldn't it have been much more cost-effective to use the corpses of a few priests with moderately strong solar energy than to have the highest-ranking priests full of solar energy grow them directly?
"It was an era when the corpses of Solar Cult priests were actually sold in secret."
"..."
"Of course, the quality is lower than flowers grown with genuine love."
"Uh…."
"But even the Basuram Flowers grown that way had good efficacy."
Aria continued in a nonchalant tone.
"It just means it was an elixir that was in enormous demand. It was a flower so precious that they had to use the holy relics of the sun and even the corpses of priests, and it went beyond just symbolic meaning to have great practical effects."
"…Could you tell me exactly what effects it has?"
"There's a story that it can revive the dead, and there have been similar actual cases; it makes a person's body that warm. The method of consumption was to dry it thoroughly in the sun, then grind it into a powder and mix it with water to drink."
"Wouldn't that just give you burns…?"
"If it did, it wouldn't have been treated so preciously. There are no side effects. It simply has the effect of always keeping the body warm at an ideal temperature, and as a result, one does not get sick easily."
"..."
Ju-hyeon looked down at the teacup in his hand. Then he looked at Aria again.
"Is it okay for me to drink this?"
"You won't die."
"No, that seems to be the problem."
"Do you want to die?"
"Don't be tempted, I. I want to die as a human."
"There was a story that it extended one's lifespan."
"This flower?"
"Well, there was no story of making it into a flower tea like this, but…."
"Ah…."
His eyes darting around, Ju-hyeon contemplated.
"Will the effect be lesser if I drink it as a tea?"
"Do you wish for the efficacy of a flower dried by the Sun God himself to be lesser?"
"…Wait a moment."
Ju-hyeon asked.
"The Sun God?"
"Oh dear, it seems you didn't know."
"Mr. Giovanni is…?"
"Do you see that teddy bear mister over there?"
"Oh."
He could see the teddy bear waving from inside, apparently helping with the kitchen work.
"Yes, I believe he's his father…."
"He is the former Sun God."
"Pardon?"
"Jio inherited that divinity."
"..."
Seeing his face turn pale, Aria smiled faintly.
"Isn't it great? Your friend is the Sun God, what could be more glorious."
"It is certainly glorious, but, no, no matter how I look at it… still, this is…."
Ju-hyeon wore a troubled expression.
"It's far too much for me."
"Your friend? Or this tea?"
"How am I supposed to repay this…."
"You are thinking of repaying a divine gift."
"Well, it could be seen from that perspective, but."
As if embarrassed by his own thoughts, Ju-hyeon's face flushed in distress.
"I can't just keep receiving."
"..."
"And Mr. Jio is no ordinary god."
"…Just a little…."
Aria, her smile gone, let out something like a deep sigh.
"You resemble my foolish younger brother."
"…I do?"
"Yes, just a little."
Aria soon showed a gentle smile again.
"It would have been nice if my brother could have received the god's mercy at a good time, just like you."
The emotions contained in those words were so complex that Ju-hyeon could not dare to understand them.
"Then he would have become a priest of peace, not a monster."
"…Do you have regrets?"
"As you probably know well, if one has regrets, one is not a monster."
"That would be so."
Those who had anything left—a dream, a lingering attachment, a daily life—could not become monsters.
Ju-hyeon knew that well.
"..."
And that was why he could foresee the end of these mermaids.
***
The dinner prepared was lamb skewers.
"Lamb skewers…."
"Do you dislike them?"
"Not really."
Ju-hyeon gave an awkward smile at the meat skewers that looked well-marinated.
"This was the meat of the Golden Sheep, wasn't it?"
"You remember well."
Jio smiled brightly.
"It seems you enjoyed the taste of the lamb chops last time."
"Well… that's true. It certainly was, but…."
"Is there any problem? I will adjust it for you."
"..."
Soon, Ju-hyeon gave up.
"No, it looks delicious."
"Of course, since I made it."
"Hahaha…."
I have to become independent quickly.
'I have to become independent and live a normal life with normal food.'
The time when Dana was still wary of him was his last chance.
Ju-hyeon resolved to get a house on Earth again.
It was a trauma overcome in an unexpectedly unique way.
-x-X-x-
The lamb skewers were absolutely delicious.
"There's no gamey smell at all."
It was like a miracle.
"The lamb chops I had last time were also very delicious, but…."
"That was steak."
"Yes, the lamb skewers are nice because they have a bit more texture."
Ju-hyeon had no particular interest in gourmet food.
No matter how much of a 2nd-class citizen of the city he was, how could he enjoy fine dining in a life where he was busy just getting by day to day?
He didn't even have money to donate, so how could he afford to enjoy luxury.
But it was a rapturous taste and texture that made even such a Ju-hyeon greedy for food.
He had tried lamb skewers made from monsters a few times, but this was the first time he had had such a proper meal.
"The way the fatty parts and the lean parts are appropriately mixed is especially…."
"The fatty parts have too much fat, and the lean parts are too clean, so I tried mixing them."
"Thanks to that, I don't think I'll get tired of it even if I keep eating. It's amazing."
"If you praise me like that, I have no choice but to keep feeding you."
"…I'll try to eat well by pacing myself."
Surprisingly, the mermaids also seemed to be enjoying the meal quite a bit.
"Teacher, did you change the charcoal this time?"
"I found a new type of wood and tried changing it."
"It has a spicy aroma, so it's more stimulating than the last one."
"Oh dear, was it perhaps too stimulating?"
"I meant it in a good way."
The sight of them chatting amiably was truly no different from a family.
"..."
Ju-hyeon suddenly felt a strange emotion.
'…It's much more ordinary and gentle than I had imagined.'
Ju-hyeon was suddenly reminded of the orphanage that could be called his hometown.
Because it had an atmosphere of being particularly ostracized among the Association-affiliated orphanages, there were many hardships, but it was also a good environment for uniting hearts.
Even after becoming independent from the orphanage, Ju-hyeon would often visit to help with meal preparations.
The menus weren't very grand, but the children who worked hard to help prepare, washing ingredients or setting the table. And the director….
'It's a vaguely good atmosphere.'
The gentle breeze held a moderate warmth.
It carried the scent of flowers embedded in the warm sunlight, and it rustled with a cool sound in the forest surrounding the cabin.
A bird peeks in, and the clouds drift by.
Rather than an idealistic atmosphere as if drawn in a picture, it was a situation one could wish for when conceiving the abstract concept of 'ordinary happiness.'
He felt that the current scenery was just like a fairy tale.
"…Hmm…."
But the reality is a humanoid monster and an evil god.
'There is a strangeness where good and evil are not distinguished.'
It seemed he had come to think a lot of things after coming here.
"By the way."
"…Ah, yes."
"You're the teacher's friend, right?"
At Aria's question, her brother Iseur's gaze also soon landed on Ju-hyeon.
He didn't seem to have anything to say, but when their eyes met, he curved his eyes into a round shape. It took the form of goodwill.
Soon, Aria continued.
"How did that happen?"
"Did you not already know the basics?"
"I do receive some of the stories from this place."
"Then why…."
"That doesn't mean I know all of the teacher's stories."
"..."
"But, I see. I can guess to some extent."
Aria looked back at Jio.
"Because the teacher likes good and polite people."
Jio neither denied it nor did he not, smiling readily.
"Don't you really want to become friends with people like that?"
"I can't tell if your social skills are good or bad."
Aria looked at Ju-hyeon again.
"So you're what they call a clever pushover."
"…You… you know that word too."
"I've studied a bit about Korean culture."
"I don't know why you would go out of your way to learn the word 'pushover,' though…."
Ju-hyeon's face became awkward with embarrassment.
Whenever his overly idealistic way of thinking was pointed out, shame always followed.
"Am I a pushover?"
"That is not the case."
Jio denied it.
"Isn't that a word for people who can't even take care of their own share and have their things taken away in a way they don't want? I believe that's different from Mr. Ju-hyeon's case."
"That's an over-compliment."
"To be honest, I certainly prefer people of the same type as Mr. Ju-hyeon. People who are deep-rooted yet strong and scure enough to share what is theirs."
"Uh… that…."
Ju-hyeon's smile became ambiguous.
"…Thank you?"
"I am merely stating what I felt."
Having said that, Jio soon wore a gentle smile and looked back at Iseur.
"The same goes for Cha Isold, who was Iseur's partner last time."
At that, Iseur nodded with a calm face.
"He was a good child."
"He resembles you, Iseur."
"..."
Iseur soon showed his characteristic smile.
"That is truly an over-compliment."
Seeing Ju-hyeon blinking at their conversation, Jio explained.
"The student named Cha Isold is currently a student of the Solar Cult's Seoul branch."
"Ah… is he perhaps the child who was said to have been kidnapped to the 'Kingdom of the Deep Sea'?"
"You know that well too."
"I tend to check all the information I can see at the Association, if possible."
Ju-hyeon nodded.
"It wasn't common for a kidnapped child to return alive and well, after all."
At his gaze, Aria gave a vivid smile.
"I had no intention of tormenting him. I know the value of a hostage."
"I heard reports that the treatment was of a completely different nature from a typical kidnapping."
"No matter how much I dislike humans, I would never directly torment a human child."
"Is that because Mr. Giovanni likes children?"
"Because they are young, they are inevitably innocent beings."
Aria gave a neat smile.
"Though they would have been caught up in our antics anyway?"
"…That would be so…."
Ju-hyeon showed a reluctant reaction.
"So you also didn't torment that child named Cha Isold… Well, the act of kidnapping him would already be a problem, but… anyway, in that context, you didn't lay a hand on him directly?"
Iseur answered that part.
"I did wish for him to be appropriately scared, however."
"Ah, was that not the case?"
"His belief that we would not harm him was too firm."
"He must have been a smart child."
"He wasn't afraid of mermaids either."
"Should I say that's amazing…."
"Well."
Iseur gave a smile that resembled Giovanni's somewhere.
"I think that Mr. Ju-hyeon is a similar case."
"…Me?"
"You are eating with monsters without a care in the world, are you not?"
"Ah."
No, it's not that I don't know.
"Ah, uh… um…."
Ju-hyeon was flustered.
"It could be because it doesn't feel real."
"That doesn't seem to be the case."
"Isn't it a bit strange to suddenly get scared after coming all this way?"
"I was saying that your incomprehensible brazenness is what's similar."
"Please say 'confident' if you would."
"If you wish, I will do so."
Iseur, who had nodded calmly, looked at Jio.
"Are you planning to keep him here?"
"I have never kept him."
At those words, Ju-hyeon expressed his doubt.
"Wasn't it Mr. Argio who picked me up?"
"He literally invited you; I don't think he particularly picked you up."
"Uh… I see."
It seemed that suddenly appearing, taking him into the house, feeding him, putting him to sleep, and talking to him was not particularly 'keeping him.'
As he often did, Ju-hyeon became curious about how the encyclopedia in Jio's head was organized.
'I thought it was roughly the sentiment of picking up a poor stray dog, but I guess not.'
Regardless of what Ju-hyeon thought, Jio continued.
"I am fine with Mr. Ju-hyeon continuing to live here."
"Oh, no?"
Ju-hyeon, wearing his characteristic social life smile, quickly expressed his refusal.
"I couldn't possibly be such a nuisance. Just feeding me and letting me sleep here so far is already too much for me. I was planning to find a new house and move out soon."
"Do you have to find a new house?"
"Originally, I lived in a dormitory near the research institute. I thought life at the research institute wasn't for me, so I'm going to submit my resignation letter, and I guess I'll have to find a separate house then."
At that, Jio gazed intently at Ju-hyeon. A somewhat childish pressure could be felt.
"You're my secretary…."
"..."
"Are you going to live far away?"
"…Usually, everyone does…."
No matter how close the relationship between a Hunter and a manager is, it is extremely rare for them to live together.
"I also need time to be trained for my duties as a manager."
"The door to our house is always open."
"It seems to be excessively open, so you could close it a little…."
"What did you say?"
"That the weather today is really nice."
The series of 'Black Cape' works known to the public were all no different from dungeon entrances.
With the owner so easily accepting external elements, it was obvious that many people would end up dead.
But no matter how steadfast Ju-hyeon was, like a pine tree, he couldn't ask the dungeon owner to close the entrance.
In the first place, the gazes of the mermaids were too piercing. He didn't want to die like this.
"So, once I get out…."
Thus, Ju-hyeon turned the conversation back to his future plans.
"Once I find a decent house, I plan to make a grave."
"A grave, it must be for the families involved in the recent incident."
"Yes, I was so out of my mind that I didn't even think to hold a funeral."
Since he was thinking of dying together with them, how could a funeral have even crossed his mind.
But the current Ju-hyeon was painting a future, and was devising a way to overcome and move forward.
As the first cornerstone for that, he needed to apologize to the family and friends who were caught up in his affairs.
"I plan to start with that."
At that, Jio asked.
"Do you not need my help?"
"It is my responsibility that I must bear."
"No, you will need my help…."
"Please refrain from your overflowing goodwill."
"I can do it well."
"It would have been burdensome even if you did it less well."
"Is that so?"
Iseur, who had been watching the two of them, wiggled his fingers, then clenched them into a fist.
"..."
"Iseur."
"…Yes, older sister."
"Don't have any vain thoughts and bring some tea."
"I will do so."
At the sight of Iseur naturally running his sister's errand, Ju-hyeon's eyes widened and blinked.
"…Vain thoughts? Did I perhaps earn your dislike? Was I on the verge of death?"
"Seeing this, it seems you're not entirely fearless."
Aria cupped her cheek and continued.
"It is a common jealousy, so you need not be so afraid."
Having said that, Aria soon looked back at Jio.
"The teacher's friend is making a grave, are you going to help?"
"If there is a part I can help with, I should help."
At that, before Ju-hyeon could say anything in refusal, Jio looked at him.
"How are funerals conducted on Earth these days?"
"Usually, they are cremated, but if there is no body… they burn their belongings and keep them."
"It seems Mr. Ju-hyeon's family and friends also have no bodies."
"Given the situation, I was quite late."
"In that case, I…."
Just as Jio was about to make a suggestion, Iseur brought the tea.
"I brought it because there was a Basuram Flower."
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it really has been a while."
"I recently bloomed this flower myself."
"Basuram is grown underwater, where did you grow it?"
"In the nests of the water birds over there."
At that, Iseur, who was distributing the tea, answered a beat later.
"…Ah, so it can be used in that way too."
"I received help thanks to the children who like flowers."
"The Basuram Flower has a very nice fragrance, so they must have been satisfied."
"The lake I saw on the way here was golden for some reason."
At Iseur's words, Ju-hyeon asked.
"Is there a separate reason for it being golden?"
"The teacher's water birds make their nests glow golden when they are happy."
"Aha…."
Ju-hyeon's gaze landed on the water bird sitting on Jio's shoulder, Honey.
"Then what about that friend?"
"Honey's color changed after drinking the juice of a Rurupu."
"Kkungkku-reu."
Jio added an explanation.
"It's a flower that grows in the forest's spring."
"Just hearing about it sounds extraordinary."
"The fragrance is seriously good."
"…I see!"
Though that wasn't exactly what he meant by 'extraordinary.'
"I'm curious what kind of fragrance it has."
"If you need perfume, I can make it for you."
"Please refrain from your goodwill."
Ju-hyeon continued.
"Anyway, I will prepare soon and try to find a house."
"I think submitting your resignation letter through Mr. Yu Seong-un would be a good method."
"I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your advice in many ways."
Since the guild master of The Collectors himself had offered to step in, the resignation letter would be processed cleanly.
'But certainly, to manage the identity of Hunter Seo Jio… should my lodging be closed?'
Ju-hyeon was contemplating that he should ask Hunter Yu Seong-un directly about that part.
***
And a few days later.
"…My lodging has already been found?"
"…I'm sorry. I really tried hard to stop him…."
"Ah, no. There's nothing to be sorry about."
Ju-hyeon waved his hand at the haggard Yu Seong-un's smile.
"I'm also grateful that you looked into it for me. I was actually wondering what kind of lodging I should look for to manage Hunter Seo Jio."
"It's very kind of you to see it that way."
"Besides, you said The Collectors would pay for the lodging, didn't you? In that case, I've rather received an undeserved benefit. I was just flustered by the sudden decision."
"..."
"…Excuse me…."
Sensing a crisis in Yu Seong-un's silence, Ju-hyeon asked cautiously.
"So where is the lodging?"
"It is the house next to mine."
"Pardon?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Seriously, why?
"..."
"..."
Yu Seong-un avoided his gaze.
It was the sin of having the notoriously infamous Collector as his guild master.
-x-X-x-
Bisabeol wanted the three of them to become housemates.
"Three?"
"Yes, three."
"Me, Hunter Yu Seong-un, and, surely not…."
"That 'surely not' is correct."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"Jio is included too."
"..."
At that, the lips of Ju-hyeon, who was organizing his luggage, could be seen tightening. Yu Seong-un was certain that the words he had swallowed were either 'Is he sane?' or 'He must be crazy.'
But there was no way a powerless slave to capitalism could talk back to his boss.
Instead of promising to get him out of this crazy situation, Yu Seong-un offered words of apology that recommended resignation.
"I am ashamed to have gotten you entangled in our guild master's greed."
"No, I'm sure there must be a greater meaning that I am unaware of."
Ju-hyeon, contrary to his inner thoughts, asked with a friendly smile.
"However, could I hear a little about the reason for making such a choice?"
"To put it simply, it is because he wishes for 'Jio's Portrait' to more quickly assimilate into the lives of humans."
"He wishes for Mr. Jio to assimilate into the lives of humans?"
Rustle.
The smile of Ju-hyeon, who was opening a cardboard box containing his moving belongings, became peculiar.
"…It's not my place to dare to doubt, but is that possible?"
"Well, since Jio's own will is strong, it is not entirely impossible."
"He is certainly a person who is very good at imitating a human, but…."
"He also continues to insist that he is a human."
"So he wasn't just insisting that to me."
Ju-hyeon laughed in vain.
"He said he was a human with the characteristics of a portrait."
"That's one of the claims Jio often makes."
Yu Seong-un also understood Ju-hyeon's bewilderment.
"He says that with such a wide diversity among humans, why wouldn't one portrait fit in."
He had no intention of refuting Jio's claim in the first place, but even if he did, Jio wouldn't listen.
"No matter how great its stature, how immense the power it holds, or how much its body and personality change, Jio considers it merely a single characteristic."
"That's what it seemed like."
"I am glad that you seem to understand well. But because of that, Jio will try to mix in among humans even more, and we at The Collectors have judged that we will not be able to stop it."
Yu Seong-un gave his characteristic impassive smile.
"Does it seem like negligence?"
"…Honestly, a little."
Ju-hyeon's eyes curved gently.
"When I was at the Association's research institute, things were much more thorough."
"Considering the peace of the Earth and humanity, such thorough preparation is indeed necessary."
"But the motto of The Collectors is 'Love the work,' isn't it?"
"Yes, for that reason, we do not have the level of security system that Mr. Ju-hyeon expects."
"But I understand that you're not just sitting on your hands either. Because that would be The Collectors' way."
"As you've said, The Collectors are more focused on responding after an incident has occurred. It's a different method from the Association, which nips the risk of an incident in the bud from the start."
Ju-hyeon nodded at Yu Seong-un's words.
"I will do my best to get used to it."
Although he wasn't employed as a staff member of The Collectors, since Jio was treated as a member, Ju-hyeon had to consider himself halfway involved with them as well.
He would have to adapt as quickly as possible.
"Is that why you thought of something like… a housemate? Because you won't be able to stop 'Jio's Portrait' from living in human society anyway?"
"That is one of the Guild Master's intentions. As I mentioned to Mr. Ju-hyeon before, Jio still doesn't know much about human society, and he needs to adapt even more to be as active as 'Mr. Seo Jio.'"
"So you're trying to have him live with other humans to let him more naturally refine his stature or learn the basic common sense of humans. Yes, I understand."
The smile of Ju-hyeon, who had been speaking in a gentle tone, became awkward for a moment.
"But you just said… it was one of the intentions?"
"The biggest purpose is to appreciate the sight of 'Jio's Portrait' living with humans."
"Guild Master Bisabeol, that is."
"Surprisingly, this is reality. This is a collector."
"I knew from early on that he was an extraordinary person, but he is truly bold."
"Thank you for putting it so nicely."
Yu Seong-un nodded with empathy and sympathy.
It was because he was moved by Ju-hyeon's effort and sincerity in trying to maintain a social life even in this state of affairs.
"However, since he is not trying to make such an attempt right away, you have been assigned to the house next to mine. He probably also wishes for you to build a closer relationship with me, the curator in charge of 'Jio's Portrait'."
"Thanks to that, I am only grateful to have received such an undeserved lodging."
"As I mentioned before, the lodging is in Mr. Ju-hyeon's name, but all costs for the lodging will be handled by The Collectors. So please do not feel too burdened and for now, I would be grateful if you would aim to adapt to the current situation."
"I'm also worried about how to manage 'Mr. Seo Jio'…."
"You can receive manager training from our Collectors' secretary's office. You don't have to worry about becoming a member of The Collectors. Since this will be your first time with these duties, they will teach you step-by-step from the basics."
Yu Seong-un, who had listed the necessary items, soon smiled lightly.
"Well, and since we've become neighbors, it would be even better if we gradually become more comfortable with each other."
"I will also try my best to adapt to that part…."
"I think we'll naturally become close as we encounter each other here and there for issues related to Jio."
"I couldn't ask for more."
"Ah, and to give you a little advice."
Yu Seong-un asked.
"You said you became Jio's pen pal?"
"For now, that's what happened, but…."
"Then there will be times when you will rarely receive a letter from Jio."
"So he really was a pen pal."
"It appears without a sound, so please don't be too surprised."
He pointed to himself and said.
"I am pen pal number one, so I know that part well. A pitch-black letter that quietly appears in an empty house will send a chill down your spine. And even if you check the letter, there are no readable characters."
"Then is there a point in sending a letter?"
"I am currently seeing it as a kind of pager. I believe the characters are being altered in the process of the frame surrounding 'Jio's Portrait' acting as a sort of filter. It's an unavoidable part of the delivery being adjusted to a human's stature."
"True, if that were delivered raw, most humans would take a big hit."
"Perhaps because a trace of its stature remains, the letter itself is enough to make one's heart drop. Jio is constantly thinking about the problem of not being able to read the content. I believe it is a problem that will be solved someday when his human imitation improves."
Having said that, Yu Seong-un looked at Ju-hyeon with a pitiful expression.
"I am especially worried because Mr. Ju-hyeon is a non-awakener."
"…Is it that scary of a letter? To the point where safety is determined by whether one is awakened or not?"
"Of course, since you were at the Association's research institute, you will probably adapt quickly."
Yu Seong-un smiled his impassive smile again.
"Unrealistic tragedies happen frequently over there too."
"So you're saying that Mr. Jio's letter is an item that requires that much vigilance?"
"To put it simply, you can think of it as a kind of ghost story."
"Ah, a ghost story…."
"That is the identity of the 'Black Cape' as well."
"I have heard similar stories often."
Should it be called a type of urban legend?
They said people regarded the Black Cape as a real-life ghost story that one could encounter if one was lucky, or unlucky.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
"You can learn the rest as you get along with Jio."
Yu Seong-un then asked.
"By the way, do you know about The Garden?"
"…Well, I don't think you mean a garden with flowers or trees."
"There is knowledge that only a few at the Association know."
"Is it okay for me to know that?"
"On the contrary, you will have to know it even if you don't want to, now."
"It seems that knowledge is greatly related to 'Jio's Portrait'."
"I will inform you about that part later."
Yu Seong-un grinned.
"I will deliver the materials in advance, so I would be grateful if you would read them slowly."
"I am confident in theoretical studies. I will do my best to produce results as much as you expect."
"It's a bit much to say this, but we are now in the same boat called Jio."
He said, as if giving a word of blessing.
"I hope you remain human."
"..."
Ju-hyeon's eyes curved as he smiled.
"…Yes."
What a chilling thing to say, he thought.
***
Under the care of The Collectors, Ju-hyeon successfully finished moving.
"The house is too big."
Ju-hyeon muttered.
"Why is this a house?"
He wanted to use only a tenth of this space.
Ju-hyeon knew well what kind of place this apartment was.
It was one of the most prestigious apartments in Seoul, mainly inhabited by A-Class hunters or famous celebrities among the 1st-class citizens.
'Though it means I won't have to worry about security….'
As an insignificant 2nd-class citizen, he couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable.
He had never wished for such lodging that didn't suit his station.
One cozy room, one kitchen, and one bathroom would have been enough.
'Is this also something I have to get used to.'
It was perplexing.
"…Hmm…."
Ju-hyeon looked around.
Perhaps due to the various considerations from The Collectors, beyond the essential items, even decorations like picture frames and pottery were stylishly hung, but it still just felt like he was in someone else's house.
'I was more comfortable in Mr. Jio's cabin, if anything.'
The moment he thought that, Ju-hyeon felt a sudden chill.
"..."
Am I going crazy?
'I must be careful not to think strange thoughts.'
Friend or not, there was an unwritten rule when dealing with a god.
Just because a god bestows mercy and grace, one should not take it as a given benefit, or expect to receive it again.
'Have I been using too much mental energy lately worrying about my family's graves?'
Ju-hyeon's thoughts turned to a more realistic topic.
"…For now, I should look for some belongings…."
He was planning to make graves for the family and friends who had died because of him.
'There should still be some things left at the orphanage.'
Even though it was within Seoul, his orphanage was located in a rather remote place.
Thanks to it being a damp place with no other use, only the bodies that posed a risk of creating monsters were cleared, but the building itself remained intact.
'I was too out of my mind to think of looking around until now, but the government wouldn't have cleaned it that meticulously, so there should be enough things to serve as keepsakes. Should I start by gathering those?'
But it was bitter.
"..."
The grave I will make won't even have a body.
"…Haaa…."
If only I had come a little sooner, I could have brought the bodies before they were disposed of.
'I was too late.'
He didn't want to waste his emotions on useless self-blame, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt that it was his fault.
A tombstone without even an owner was that much of a heart-wrenching thought for Ju-hyeon.
It was while he was sitting on the bed with his head bowed for a long time.
"Meow."
"..."
"Meow."
"...?"
The sound of a cat crying.
"Meow."
It is, but.
"Meow."
"..."
Do cats usually cry like that?
'…Such a stereotypical cry….'
His stomach churned.
Ju-hyeon, rubbing his slightly chilled neck, got up from his seat.
His lodging was on the 46th floor.
This place, where the ceiling height of a single household was higher than a typical apartment, had a structure that a stray cat could never enter.
The security was also excellent, to the point where not a single monster could get in.
"..."
Nevertheless, Ju-hyeon moved his body without hesitation.
"Meow."
"…Ah…."
"Meow."
"As I thought."
Ju-hyeon said, looking beyond the veranda window.
"It was you."
The jewel cat holding a black letter in its mouth, hiding in the darkness, had changed to the color of the night sky, unlike the one he had seen in the cabin.
Was it a kind of protective coloration, or was there another reason?
Before such trivial thoughts could even pass, he saw the letter held in its mouth.
"Did you bring a letter?"
"Meow."
"We did happen to talk about that today."
Jio's Anticat, Dana, with its body that occasionally shone faintly like a cluster of stars, approached the window.
"…Want to come in?"
When Ju-hyeon opened the window, Dana trotted into the room.
Dana, as large as a Maine Coon, soon sat in front of Ju-hyeon and offered the letter in its mouth as if telling him to take it.
When he took the letter, Dana blinked. This child resembled a night sky that held the Milky Way.
"..."
"..."
In the dark shadow that seemed to have absorbed even the surrounding light, the jewel cat, for some reason, circled around Ju-hyeon once and then went back out to the veranda and then it soon disappeared into the darkness.
Ju-hyeon, who had been staring blankly at the wide-open veranda window, soon opened the letter.
"…As expected, I can't tell what it says."
But its weight, as light as if it were not there, the rustling sound of dry grass, and the scent of the forest. It seemed to be telling him who the owner of this letter was.
Ju-hyeon, who had been staring blankly at the distorted characters, let out a weak exclamation.
"Ah."
Come to think of it.
"How did it make a crying sound with a letter in its mouth?"
It was a fact that hadn't occurred to him when he was in front of Dana.
Ju-hyeon suddenly thought that it was like a piece of a ghost story.