"How is it?"
At Bisabeol's question, Yu Seong-un shrugged his shoulders.
"It is as you expected."
"And how would you know what I expected?"
"I trust the Guild Master's eyes."
At Yu Seong-un's trust, Bisabeol let out his characteristic laugh.
"It seems you do not trust me as a person?"
"I was well aware that you have no conscience."
"How can you be so heartless?"
"Please, I am tired."
"Then I should finish this quickly for you."
Bisabeol tapped the desk lightly with his ringed hand.
"I knew he was not someone who would easily fall for temptation."
He was talking about Ju-hyeon.
"Even if there is an easy path, he won't take it if he thinks it's an unfair gain."
"He does seem to have a slightly foolish personality. It seems he has his own beliefs."
"Looking at that, should I say he has an aspect like a scholar from the old Joseon Dynasty."
"…May I take that as a compliment for Mr. Ju-hyeon?"
"That is up to you. I was saying he has an inflexible character."
"Well, it must have been that uncompromising character that Jio took a liking to."
Yu Seong-un nodded.
"He doesn't think of using Jio to get his own share."
"He's not one to let himself be dulled by such petty greed."
"I don't think of greed as particularly petty."
That's how human greed is.
This sense of shame is something created consciously, not something one is born with instinctively.
When a tremendous mystery, of all things, declared it would be his 'friend,' it was normal to hope for something.
Unlike shame, greed is an instinct.
"Jio is in a position of power in many ways. Even 'Mr. Seo Jio' has more power and is of a higher position than Mr. Ju-hyeon. Jio is so… well, extravagant, as to use rare elixirs that would make humans' eyes turn red with envy for mere meal preparation."
Then one could think this way.
"Mr. Ju-hyeon could have hoped. That which is so precious to me is as common as grass on the roadside to that mystery, so he could want it without any effort. Because taking a small pebble lying around in someone else's yard is no burden to either party."
Moreover, Ju-hyeon was not that wealthy.
Even if he was not born with monetary greed, when one's body is weary and life is tough, a minimum level of greed born of necessity is bound to arise.
"He worked as a researcher at the Association for a long time, but whether it was because of the label of being from another orphanage, or if there was something else, he remained at the rank of Assistant Manager. His promotion was quite delayed."
"What little he had, he used to support the orphanage or donated it."
"But looking at his reaction, he has almost no monetary greed to begin with. He thinks of it as a useful means, but it does not become an object of greed. He is a rare, incorruptible person."
Yu Seong-un crossed his arms.
"Both Jio and you, Guild Master, described Mr. Ju-hyeon as a hero. Considering that, I can understand that he has almost no instinctive greed for money."
After all, a hero's nature is something one is born with, along with instinct.
"But still."
There was certainly something that Ju-hyeon wished for, something he desperately wanted.
"He may not have greed for wealth, but as he is human, he has his own desires. I hear he has a very steadfast goal of making the world peaceful."
"That in itself can be called being quite the greedy person. The direction just doesn't point towards his own well-being; Mr. Ju-hyeon's greed flows in an altruistic direction from an objective point of view."
"Yes, altruistic greed is accurate. If selfishness is defined as wanting to change things other than oneself as one pleases, it could also be selfish greed."
"That is why I do not particularly like Mr. Ju-hyeon. Right now, they are awkward friends who have just met, so they are being formal, but if they become closer, how much would Mr. Ju-hyeon exploit Mr. Seo Jio for his own greed?"
"Surely, Jio wouldn't be easily taken advantage of. It would be more accurate to say that Jio is bestowing mercy and favor upon a mere human. That too would be something that pleases Jio… To be honest, I am not worried about that part."
Yu Seong-un shrugged his shoulders.
"In the first place, Jio is not such a humble being that a human would need to worry about him."
"Ah, my work of art…."
"Before being a work of art, he is a Source, Guild Master. Please let go a little."
The obsession of a collector, really.
"Mr. Ju-hyeon will not exploit Jio to look after his own interests. Not only is it impossible, but there is almost nothing Mr. Ju-hyeon could hope for from Jio."
Yu Seong-un gave his characteristic smile.
"Of course, that's not to say there's absolutely nothing."
"He must be secretly hoping for mercy to be bestowed upon the dead souls."
"It's more likely that he has just recognized that possibility."
"The authority over life and death is a domain that any god can interfere in, after all."
"For Mr. Ju-hyeon, who has recently lost family and friends, it is a part he cannot help but think about."
Although he introduced himself as an evil god, Jio appears to be a sufficiently merciful being, and when one says god, they naturally possess the authority to handle the souls of the dead.
While receiving the portrait's favor inside the frame, Ju-hyeon must have thought.
How wonderful it would be if such a merciful divinity could soothe my poor family and friends.
"Moreover, as he thinks that such a tragedy occurred because of him, the sense of debt Mr. Ju-hyeon holds for the victims must also be great."
"He must have felt the need to atone and repay his debt somehow, but it seemed Mr. Ju-hyeon did not choose the easiest path, which was Jio."
"It appeared as though he thought he had to take full responsibility for what he had done. No matter how great a powerhouse and owner of immense authority, Jio is…."
"He must have thought that he should not receive help from Mr. Seo Jio, who is also his new friend."
Bisabeol sneered.
"How can a mere human repay his debt to the dead by doing that? All the living can do for their dead friends is to endlessly remember and reflect on their deaths and their own sins."
"Isn't it a mindset of trying to do at least that much?"
"Perhaps he vaguely believes that he can repay his debt through such atonement and anguish alone. Of course, he might be able to repay his debt to his dead family in that way, but why take such a thorny path?"
His lips twisted as if he had seen something very foolish and displeasing.
"That's all because Mr. Ju-hyeon's field of vision is so narrow."
"For someone with a narrow field of vision, the cause he embraces is quite large."
"He lacks a human touch."
"One could say that, but…."
"And he's a fool who doesn't know how to rely on others."
"No, come on."
Yu Seong-un placated his Guild Master.
"He's Jio's new friend, isn't he? Please look upon him more favorably."
"The only thing that grows with age is stubbornness."
Bisabeol, who had smiled wryly, continued.
"He's not slow on the uptake. He's not ignorant of the usefulness of personal connections, and, well, it would be more accurate to say he is rather shrewd. He knows how to do all the calculations, yet he castrates his worldly desires as if he were a monk and pursues only the greater good."
"Isn't that a good direction for humanity?"
"As I always say, I have no interest in the inclinations and concerns of humanity. What is important is the effect it will have on me and my collection. The human named Ju-hyeon is a good-for-nothing who would ruin my work without a second thought if his convictions are firm."
Bisabeol grumbled.
"It is true that the world becomes a bit more peaceful when there are people of that kind… but that would be too boring."
"How can you say something so casually about the evil of humanity."
"Mr. Ju-hyeon is not a person who does not know greed. When he is practicing the cause he has embraced, he is more greedy than anyone else. He is voracious. He is busy moving forward without caring in the slightest about what others criticize, or how they see him."
Bisabeol twisted his lips.
"When people like this cause trouble, they cause it in a truly grand fashion."
"That part is certainly worrying, but didn't Jio stop that as well."
"In any case, I admit that he is not a person who would be of any harm to our Mr. Seo Jio."
Bisabeol let out a sigh that was rarely tinged with annoyance.
"He is only harmful to my mood."
"You really dislike him."
"I really like our guild members."
"Yes, well…."
Yu Seong-un gave an awkward smile.
Thanks to the fact that he truly did revere his superior, it was not a very feigned smile.
"We like you too, Guild Master."
"This affection you show so rarely, like beans sprouting in a drought, is just so lovely."
"Oh, really."
Yu Seong-un, who had lost even his awkward smile, was repulsed.
"This is why we can't say nice, kind things to you."
"I love even that impertinence… try being more brazen. Ah, it's thrilling."
"Ugh."
"Anyway, I am glad that it is not too different from what I expected."
Bisabeol gave a neat smile.
"And great mysteries like such poor heroes."
"Poor heroes…."
"Because they mass-produce stories that are close to providence."
His bright yellow eyes curved into a thin line.
"Perhaps Jio too will cherish Mr. Ju-hyeon in that way."
"According to the rules, he should be giving a gift soon, so would it be better for me to prepare in advance?"
"Since it's Mr. Seo Jio's gift, it might get a little noisy. He's not one who doesn't know how he will be seen by the world."
"With nothing holding him back, it is about time for Jio to start appreciating the human world in earnest. I will give a heads-up to the media companies in advance."
"Mr. Yu Seong-un, you should also prepare to run around by yourself. Mr. Seo Jio probably won't cause a disaster, out of consideration for each other's faces."
"A mystery's favor can sometimes look like a disaster…. What kind of affection do you predict Jio will show, exactly?"
"That is obvious."
Bisabeol smiled as if watching the cute antics of his grandson.
"He will make a human, human."
"…Is that an end, or a beginning?"
"I believe it will be both."
"Jio has always liked humans."
His favor was equal to all humans.
"Well, there were some humans he didn't like occasionally, but it seems they were classified as 'not human'…."
Yu Seong-un rubbed his neck.
"To Jio, death is merely one of the states a human can be in. Is that right?"
"Curator Yu Seong-un's words are correct."
"In that case, Jio, who shows favor equally to all humans, will always maintain the same attitude."
"You are thinking it through well."
"In the end, Jio will, to the living human, and to the dead human…."
Yu Seong-un's hand, which had been rubbing his neck, came down. His fingertips trembled with an unknown emotion.
"Treat them in a gentlemanly manner."
It is a rule for Jio to give gifts to humans.
"I understand what I have to do."
"I look forward to Curator Yu Seong-un's handling of the situation."
"Please enjoy your viewing."
A favor too great often threw humans into fear.
And bringing the fear caused by The Source down to the level of the everyday, that was precisely the job of a Gardener.
***
"I want to give you a gift."
"Pardon?"
"Is it a rude thought?"
"Uh…."
Ju-hyeon blinked his eyes at the portrait that had suddenly appeared in the orphanage.
"..."
Calm down.
'I can do this.'
Ju-hyeon smiled faintly.
"…I see! What kind of gift are you referring to, exactly?"
"I apologize, it seems I got ahead of myself."
"Ah, no. It's true that I was a little surprised, but I wasn't offended."
He just felt a fear close to a threat to his life.
'He must have no awareness of how scary he looks.'
A late hour, close to midnight.
A deserted, gloomy area's fire scene.
An abandoned building with an acrid air, full of soot and traces of the dead.
Ju-hyeon was looking for keepsakes left in the orphanage.
A portrait that appeared while he was looking around the dark orphanage, relying on a single flashlight.
It revealed itself among the cute children's drawings and spoke with a face obscured by black paint.
'I want to give you a gift.'
Ju-hyeon was proud of himself for not screaming. This was an achievement worthy of praising himself for.
"I'm asking again, but… what do you mean by a gift?"
He didn't ask the stupid question of how on earth it knew his location.
How would it be difficult for a great mystery on the level of the Black Cape to find the location of a mere human.
Instead, Ju-hyeon requested an interpretation of the current situation.
"As far as I know, the Black Cape only gives back what it has received."
"It is a matter of course to return what has been received."
"I also know that it occasionally appears and gives gifts to passersby."
"That was simply a reward for having interacted with me."
At the portrait's words, Ju-hyeon unknowingly nodded.
'It would be a big enough deal to require a reward.'
The Black Cape was usually known to appear in deserted places and give gifts to people who had done good deeds.
How shocked they must have been to encounter a humanoid monster after doing a good deed.
If it was a reward to appease such humans, then such a gift was understandable. In the end, it also meant that it was a 1:1 rule that 'Jio's Portrait' showed.
"...?"
Ju-hyeon tilted his head.
"But I haven't given anything to you, Mr. Jio."
"It is my gratitude for becoming my friend."
"I see."
It might be a kind of collector's desire.
Did he want an 'human friend' that much?
Just as he was thinking that the way a mystery thinks is hard to understand, the portrait, whose eyes were not visible due to being covered in paint, continued.
"Above all, I wanted to give a gift to a good person like you, Mr. Ju-hyeon."
"Well, I don't think I've done any good deeds in front of you, Mr. Jio?"
"But it seems that many people have been helped by Mr. Ju-hyeon's actions so far."
"Is that a reason to give me a gift?"
"It is my selfishness in wanting to give you a reward for the joy you have given me."
"..."
"That is why I sought your permission."
Only after a little time had passed did Ju-hyeon ask back.
"…Joy?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Joy."
Ju-hyeon gave a clumsy smile.
"So the things I have done so far have brought you joy."
It was a truly strange feeling.
"I feel like I've felt a similar emotion from you before, it's quite funny."
It might sound like nonsense, but the Black Cape's words became a rather warm comfort to Ju-hyeon.
He also felt gratitude for the fact that such a great being had acknowledged his efforts.
It was as if it was telling me that I was not wrong, that it was grateful….
"Ha…."
I want to receive a reward.
'What kind of ungrateful thought is this? To wish for a reward for the things I did solely because I wanted to, without knowing my place….'
A sigh disguised as a laugh escaped him out of a tiredness that for some reason made him want to fall asleep.
Feeling an inexplicable sense of exhaustion, Ju-hyeon pressed his forehead firmly so as not to show a foolish appearance.
"Then what kind of gift do you wish to give me? I think this is the third time I've asked."
"Oh dear, it seems my story has gone on too long and I have been rude. I apologize."
The portrait continued in its characteristic emotionless tone.
"I can give Mr. Ju-hyeon high-quality medicine. I can also treat you to a delicious meal, draw you any jewel you desire, and chat with you."
Around that time, a cat gently leaped into the portrait's arms.
"It seems Dana is very interested in Mr. Ju-hyeon."
"…It's an honor."
"The things I just mentioned are simply gifts I can give because you are a friend."
"That is also an honor."
"So, could you please tell me the gift you desire?"
The portrait said.
"So that my gift can be worth its price."
"..."
Ju-hyeon, who had been silent for a long time, finally opened his mouth.
"…Well."
Unfortunately, there was nothing he wished for. That was probably the case. And it had to be.
For me to remain as myself. To remain as a mere human who knows his place.
"Just being called your friend is… quite more than I deserve."
"I know that Mr. Ju-hyeon is a person who is not born with worldly desires."
"What I want most right now is to atone to my family and friends, but…."
"You must think that is something you have to do entirely on your own."
"Shouldn't I?"
"There is no right thing."
The portrait whispered in a low voice.
"There is only what one thinks is right."
It was quite similar to the temptation of an evil god.
"…Do you wish for me to ask for help?"
"I wish for you to see a new perspective."
"I want to apologize to my family and friends."
He had to do that.
"But I do not want to escape from this guilt."
"Because you think you can only atone by being bound by that emotion."
"If I overcome this, I will forget my mistake."
"You will not forget, you are not a person who can."
"If I do not reflect, what is the difference between me and a beast?"
"There are beasts and there are beasts."
The portrait's voice cracked lazily.
"You are not a beast."
"..."
"What do you truly wish for?"
"…I…."
"Throw away fine-sounding words like atonement."
"Just, I."
In the ashes where his family had burned, Ju-hyeon said.
"I hope they are at peace, even in death."
That was his honest desire.
"I don't mind living with their deaths for the rest of my life, I just hope they are not in pain."
"Do you wish for them to lay their bodies in the happiest and warmest place?"
"I wish for that. They were not perfect, and they were ordinary people who could not be called saints, but…."
"And yet, because they were Mr. Ju-hyeon's family and friends, you wish for their peace."
"I know it's unreasonable. I also know it's a selfish thought."
Ju-hyeon, who had been hesitating, continued.
"But you are an evil god."
"Yes, that is so."
"Will you answer my selfishness?"
"Very well done."
The portrait's lips tore into a smile filled with joy.
"Do you need to prepare yourself?"
"A little."
"Alright, I will send the gift soon."
"What should I do?"
"It seems you do not know the meaning of a gift?"
A sound like a beast of prey laughing could be heard.
"Just appreciate it, my friend."
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
"..."
Was it always like that?
The eyes of the jewel cat held in the portrait's arms were unusually bright, like the moon.
-x-X-x-
The incident began with a teddy bear.
"Kkuu."
"What is it?"
"Kkuuu, kku…."
"You're looking for Rurupu juice."
It was a time when Jio was in the middle of contemplating what to offer as a token of friendship.
His new friend named Ju-hyeon was a rare, older, mature ability user, and Jio was thinking of taming him with delicious meals, a comfortable bed, and refreshing events.
As a result, he had prepared many things here and there….
"I happen to have what you're looking for."
There was Rurupu juice as well.
"Kkuu?"
"Yes, because it's good to use as perfume."
"Kkukuku…."
"It's a good idea, isn't it?"
Even though it didn't have much of a taste, its fragrance was very nice, and when put in a bottle, it was beautiful enough to have ornamental value on its own.
He had made it in advance, thinking of gifting it if Ju-hyeon was looking for a nice perfume.
"But father, why are you looking for Rurupu juice?"
"Kkuuu…."
"Aha, you're giving that tasteless thing to Dana."
Is that alright?
"...."
Giovanni asked with a serious face.
"…It won't cause a stomachache, will it?"
"Kkullu."
"Forcing it to eat something tasteless is…?"
"Kku."
"Aha, then it's perfectly fine."
"Kkuu."
The teddy bear clapped its cotton paws, pong pong.
It looked fluffy just by sight. Jio, for whom his family's joy was his own, watched him with a pleased expression before asking.
"Giving you the juice is not a problem, but how were you planning to give it to Dana? Was it Dana's request?"
"Kku!"
"I don't know why that story is suddenly coming up, but yes, I was currently pondering a gift for Mr. Ju-hyeon."
The former Sun God pointed out the current situation where Jio was pondering a gift for his new friend, Ju-hyeon.
When Jio affirmed it, the teddy bear that smelled of warm sunlight continued, kku kku.
"Let's help with Mr. Ju-hyeon's funeral."
"Kkuu."
"Surely you don't mean to kill Mr. Ju-hyeon himself."
"Kku…!?"
"Then it must be the funeral for his friends and family…."
Jio nodded.
"I hadn't thought about it myself. Mr. Ju-hyeon was in a situation where he was blaming himself greatly for recently losing his family and friends, and since he had just become independent, he was thinking of making graves for them."
This was an extremely important task for Ju-hyeon.
Not only could it alleviate some of the guilt and debt he felt, but it was also a responsibility that had to be the starting point for whatever he did in the future.
"As someone who inherited the divinity of a father who sowed and reaped life, it won't be a problem for me to give a friend help related to that."
"Kkukkuu?"
"That's right. As you said, helping with Mr. Ju-hyeon's funeral service would be alright too. I am well aware that it could be a pretty plausible gift, but…."
Jio, who prided himself on having both high-quality beauty and common sense, became serious.
"I'm worried that it might be too rude of an act."
"Kku…?"
"Isn't it impolite to carelessly get involved in someone else's painful circumstances?"
It was a reasonably valid point.
Between humans, there always exists a line of their own, and this tragedy related to Ju-hyeon's guilt was too private a matter for Jio, a complete stranger, to handle.
But a god doesn't know about such things.
"…Kkuu??"
The teddy bear looked up at Jio with eyes that said, 'Why? Why is getting involved in a human's death considered impolite? That's strange, in the past, humans really liked it when I did that….'
"Hmm."
That's possible.
'It's because my father has never lived jostling among humans.'
Jio found a suitable answer.
"That is a special privilege you were able to enjoy thanks to being a god."
"Kkuu??"
"Aha, now that I think about it, I'm a god now too."
So even a pig potato like this, who only knows how to eat well and sleep well, can become a god.
Jio pondered if such a trivial god existed in the world, but he soon smiled confidently and continued.
"I'm an ordinary human who just happens to have a god's license."
"Mwaaaaaang━…."
Dana made a crying sound that said, 'I love dad but he's talking nonsense right now,' and trotted past.
Honey, on its head, disappeared with its younger sibling with eyes that said, 'I love dad but Dana is right.'
"...."
Jio became a little indignant.
"Does it make sense that I'm not treated as a human just because I have a god's license?"
"Kkukkuu."
"Of course not, father. Where in the world is there a god who roasts and eats their own sweet potatoes."
To that, the teddy bear looked up at Jio with eyes that said, 'Right? How could that be?'
Jio was at a loss for words at that gaze filled with pure doubt.
He never thought he'd live to be treated like an oddball for eating roasted sweet potatoes.
"Anyway, father, please listen. I don't know what might have changed because the world was turned upside down once, but in this country with absurdly deep Confucian roots, a person who gets involved in another family's mourning without a good reason is considered impolite."
"Kku."
"Most importantly, isn't Mr. Ju-hyeon a newly captured… no, a newly made friend? We're just starting to get close, so now is the time to slowly tame him with small, unburdensome considerations and gifts until our relationship is strong enough that he won't run away even if I send three boxes of sweet potatoes, but being too hasty will only cause problems."
"Kku."
"Besides, Mr. Ju-hyeon is 36 years old, older than me. Offering to help with the funeral arrangements for someone with more experience and social skills than me is a great discourtesy. It's also rude to meddle without consent with someone who is trying to handle things on their own."
"Kku?"
Again, a god doesn't know about such things.
"Kkuuu?"
"I'm telling you, it's rude."
"Kkuung…."
Around that time, Iseur, who had come to visit after a while, discovered the two.
"Teacher? Is there a problem?"
"I was discussing the matter of a new friend's funeral with my father."
"That sounds like a very confusing situation just from hearing it."
Iseur, having heard the details of the incident, nodded.
"In my opinion, I don't think it would be a great nuisance."
"If that is what you both truly think, I'd like to hear your opinion. Why exactly not?"
"Aren't you the God of the Sun, Teacher?"
"And I'm also Mr. Ju-hyeon's newly made friend."
"That human named Ju-hyeon also knows you are a god."
"That is true, but…."
"What is the problem, Teacher?"
Iseur tilted his head.
"A god personally looking after a human's life and death is not a nuisance, but a great mercy."
"To speak of mercy, you're saying something so embarrassing."
"Hmm, I'm not sure which part you find embarrassing, but the God of the Sun was like that too."
"Well, my father was the sun that created and reaped life, but…."
"Since you inherited that divinity, I think it's not strange for you to do similar things."
Iseur was once a priest of the deep sea and a follower of the sun.
As someone who had studied theology under Giovanni, the most brilliant child of the sun, Iseur found Jio's non-question of a question quite strange.
"You know it well too, don't you, Teacher? Ruling over life is a god's right and duty. I'm not sure what part you feel reluctant about, but this is a very natural thing."
"I'm telling you, I'm an ordinary human."
"I truly respect and love you, Teacher, but I know well that what you're saying is not valid. Nevertheless, if we think from a human perspective, how about thinking of it as having inherited a kind of family business?"
Iseur politely pointed to the teddy bear with both hands.
"You've inherited the family business of divinity from the Sun."
"This is my first time being a god, so I'm asking because I don't know, but if you inherit divinity, do you originally have to inherit the former god's duties as well?"
"That is what I understand. It's a kind of hereditary succession."
The merman who once dreamed of being a righteous priest looked down at the teddy bear.
"It seems the former Sun God… wanted you to bestow the gift of mercy upon a human you hold dear, and at the same time, learn the authority and position of the Sun."
Jio had guessed that part as well.
"Otherwise, there's no way my father would have suddenly advised me to preside over a funeral. It seems my father has stepped up because I've been acting so negligently as a god."
"Ah, is it possible to think of it that way?"
"Until now, I thought I had only inherited the license, not the position itself. But hearing it called a family business, it makes me think that I have been negligent with my father's business all this time."
At that, Iseur smiled a reassuring smile as if to say not to worry.
"Please do not be anxious, Teacher. All the existing duties managed by this Sun have sunk along with my sister's and my seawater, so you don't need to worry."
"You say such strangely vexing things."
"However, what I want to say is that you, who possess divinity, do not need to feel too much of a burden about getting involved in human life, death, and its rituals."
Saying so, Iseur smiled bitterly.
"If it were any ordinary being, they would have discarded all their humanity upon inheriting divinity, but for some reason, Teacher, you still maintain your humanity, which is why you seem to be bound by human etiquette like this. It's surprising."
"Did such a grand concept as humanity have to appear for this obvious principle that one shouldn't carelessly interfere in someone else's funeral? Originally, unless you're someone who shares a family register or a sworn brother who has shared souls, you shouldn't carelessly get involved in someone's deep personal matters."
"You and humans are not equal beings, Teacher. Your small favor becomes a great mercy, or a disaster, for humans. Since you inherited the divinity of the Sun, that was an extremely natural course of events."
A look of sorrow settled on Giovanni's face.
"To make such a species-ist remark."
"...."
"Yes, your sin is great, Teacher."
Iseur, who was once a victim of speciesism and grew to be a perpetrator of the century, was momentarily at a loss for words.
"…Ahem, well, in the end, it's your decision, Teacher."
"No matter how I think about it, I feel it would be too great a discourtesy to Mr. Ju-hyeon, but…."
"Rather than a discourtesy, well. It would be a very meaningful gift bestowed by a being with divinity."
Humans would sometimes dedicate their lives and walk a path of asceticism just to receive a single phrase from a god's voice, a single touch of a god's hand. Receiving the benefit of life and death from a mystery that should be revered was a great grace and mercy.
"Besides, as far as I know… hmm."
Iseur, who had been pretending not to, but was focusing on the events of human society centered around Jio, organized his thoughts. He recalled the brown-skinned human he had met before and continued.
"It seems another evil god was involved in that human named Ju-hyeon experiencing such a tragedy. Since they are souls sacrificed by the scheme of such an evil god, it might be the right thing for the merciful Sun to take them in."
"I feel bad for digging into such a deep story. Isn't it that a gift shouldn't be a burden? Mr. Ju-hyeon will find financial help extremely burdensome as well."
"Perhaps the former Sun was not talking about human rituals like a funeral service, but a gift concerning the human souls themselves. Speaking of their essence, unlike what is visible."
The teddy bear nodded at that.
"Kkuu!"
"Please don't act friendly."
"Kkukuku…."
"I don't know why you're laughing."
Iseur still hates the former Sun. He looked at Jio.
"I learned from you that the Sun's greatest love was to sow life on the earth and, when the time came, to reap it and keep it by the sunlight's side. The process of souls being born and gathered, that is."
"I definitely said that."
"In that case, you can do so as well, Teacher. As I understand it, the current Earth is receiving the attention of many gods, so I've heard the souls there have entered the hands of various different gods."
He smiled at his teacher.
"They too would be happier to be accepted by a divinity of Earth rather than a god from another dimension. It seems the gift regarding the funeral that the former Sun mentioned was referring to that."
"I'm in no position to be reaping anyone, though."
"To put it from your perspective, Teacher, it would be closer to making more friends rather than reaping. Each god has a different way of getting involved in life and death, so it wouldn't be wrong to see it as a kind of social activity."
"Hmm, a social activity, you say."
"I understand what part you are hesitant about, Teacher. You are considering etiquette and common sense as a human. However, if you truly wish to act as an evil god as well, you will also need the attitude of not rejecting the role of your divinity."
Iseur had heard that Argio wanted to become a Demon King because he wanted to enjoy bloody battles as an evil god.
If so, he would need to adapt to his role and position as a god.
Furthermore, the merman siblings also wanted Giovanni to become more complete.
If he became completely separate from humans that way, perhaps a day might come when he would ostracize them.
"And above all."
Iseur, who had hesitated for a moment, continued.
"Since when did you care about human standards…?"
"What does that mean?"
"No, it's just, you've always been like that, Teacher."
Iseur recalled Giovanni, who was once human.
"Even back then, I don't think you ever acted particularly human-like."
"To express my valiant life in such a way?"
"Rather than being valiant, it felt like you just did things recklessly without needing any courage."
"I never failed to observe basic etiquette."
"When I think of the achievements you pulled off as naturally as breathing…."
"Achievements I pulled off?"
"I can't help but wonder what kind of coyness you're feigning now."
"What on earth do you take me for? A legendary serial reverse-pickpocket?"
Giovanni became indignant once again.
"Even for me, I didn't dig into other people's family matters."
"Well, I don't know why you're worrying this much, Teacher."
"What if Mr. Ju-hyeon feels burdened and runs away!"
"So that was the problem after all."
He wasn't worried about a future that would become burdensome by meddling in someone's gloomy past, but was worried that the other person would get tired of his excessive goodwill and run away.
Iseur nodded with the sacred face of a priest, as if he knew it all along.
"It's alright, Teacher."
"What's alright?"
"It's already a lost cause."
"In what way is it a lost cause?"
"Well, as I just said…."
Iseur smiled bitterly.
"Mr. Ju-hyeon already doesn't see you as an equal being, Teacher."
"Damn it, I knew it."
Giovanni's face became serious.
"He was so formal with me that I thought that might be the case, but…."
"Separate from truly considering you a friend, you'd be an object of reverence."
"Even so, there might still be hope."
"I'm asking because I don't quite understand, but what hope is that?"
"The hope that we can become such comfortable friends that we can even push each other with our feet."
"Oh, to push a god with one's feet. That is a blasphemous remark that makes me want to wash my ears, even as a merman."
"Please refrain from giving it excessive meaning. What is blasphemy between friends."
"If such hope still remains, that itself would be a miracle."
But Jio was steadfast. He didn't know how to give up.
"I, Giovanni Batlan, son of the Sun and symbol of miracles. There is nothing I cannot accomplish."
"I want to say that's not true, but you're someone who really does it if you say you will, so I won't declare it…."
The merman students learned through their human teacher that 'Ah, humans truly have no limits.' He was a craftsman who molded the impossible into the possible, and from that, Iseur learned the wisdom that 'one must always leave open the possibility.'
He had always kept in mind the possibility that his teacher might one day return alive and scold them, and didn't it actually happen?
Iseur thought that if Jio set his mind to it, he could do anything.
"Anyway, if you're not burdened by meddling in Mr. Ju-hyeon's unfortunate circumstances, Teacher, then I believe it's not something to worry about. That human himself won't be able to interpret your mercy as rudeness or a nuisance."
Who would see a god's mercy not as a disaster, but as a mere nuisance? No matter how bold a human, it was an act close to impossible.
"He might suspect it to be a test from an evil god, but he won't be able to think of it as rudeness."
"But my duty as a Confucian makes my heart uncomfortable."
Giovanni looked troubled, his melancholic eyes cast down pathetically.
"One should not carelessly meddle in another's affairs…."
"But what if that person is secretly crying out for salvation?"
"Then there's no way I can't step forward."
It was a quick change of attitude, as if he had been waiting for it.
"I really wanted to protect our boundaries with each other like a priest of the Sun and a mature adult, but if Mr. Ju-hyeon is actually wanting help, then I really can't help it."
"I know you were actually just waiting for a push."
"Hoo, I've been found out. But a new friend made in my capacity as a portrait is a rarer existence than a hundred-year-old wild ginseng. Since my counterpart is who he is, I couldn't rashly step forward."
Jio's strength and weakness was that he didn't think too deeply.
"If only Mr. Ju-hyeon had just asked for some help from the beginning, I would have helped without a second thought."
In fact, for Jio, this was a lot of consideration.
And Jio gained courage.
He had been worried about what to do if his brand-new friend would be overwhelmed by the scale of the unusual gift and run away, but if that wasn't the case, then there was nothing to hold him back.
"If there's a person who needs help, and that person is my friend, and I can give that help, then there's no reason not to step up. Actually, I know. Deep down in his heart, Mr. Ju-hyeon must be hoping for help from this multi-talented friend."
"Yes, I knew you would say that. As expected of the smiling tyrant of the sea village… no, the chosen son of the Sun, who shoves mercy down someone's throat even if they refuse, if they look like they need help."
"I feel like I've heard a somewhat inappropriate title for a student to call their teacher, but I'll let it slide this time. Anyway, I think I have a rough idea of what kind of gift I should give Mr. Ju-hyeon. First, I will ask for Mr. Ju-hyeon's permission."
Jio looked at his father.
"This is assuming Dana wants it, father."
"Kkukuku!"
"As you wished, I will give that child the Rurupu juice."
Just because he didn't think deeply didn't mean he knew nothing.
"And let's go make some new friends."
That was the sequence of events that led to Yu Seong-un working overtime.
-x-X-x-
Jio had always known everything.
He knew that he had long surpassed the standards of a human, that the Anticat Dana was full of dead spirits, and how he appeared to others.
"He just doesn't place great meaning on it."
Aria shook a glass flask and continued.
"That's why he seems to know nothing, despite knowing everything."
"The Teacher's bizarre level of indifference has surprised those around him since long ago."
"Looking at things like that, it doesn't seem to be a trait that appeared after he became a portrait."
Didn't Jio maintain that attitude even when he was a complete human?
"Isn't it a strange thing?"
"The Teacher was always special."
"Whether to call it special, or peculiar…."
"His way of thinking is on the unique side."
"It's a nature not easily found in humans."
Now, Jio was not a human but a portrait, a divinity, and also a great mystery that could not be compared to any of those things.
He was loved by the structure and had become one with it.
"If he wanted, my teacher could do anything."
But those various powers held no value for Jio.
"The fact that he can just accept it as a single personality trait is the surprising part."
"Didn't he perceive even the divinity of the former Sun God as a personality trait?"
"And to think it was the divinity of the god I served. I'm so dumbfounded…."
If it were someone who didn't know its value, Aria would have understood easily.
But Giovanni was once the most beloved priest, a promising talent of the Sun.
Such a person would not be ignorant of the value and position of divinity, so this must be just an absurd level of boldness, or indifference.
Aria organized the flasks filled with various liquids and continued.
"What on earth would it take to make him think he's not human?"
And thus, to make him disappointed in humans.
Despite his numerous powers and immense stature, Jio firmly believed that they could not make him anything other than human.
That belief was as natural and solid as his belief in his own existence.
"No matter what you throw at him, he'll think that there's no reason for him not to be human because of it."
"I can clearly see how he would react without even having to test it."
"And on top of that, the reason he was even slightly reluctant about the powers of divinity was a simple matter of etiquette."
Aria, who had suspected that perhaps he couldn't accept his activities as a divinity because he considered himself human, felt foolish.
Regardless of whether he was human or not, powers and such truly held no meaning for Jio.
"And he accepted it right away when salvation was mentioned, didn't he?"
"Though he himself wouldn't use a grand word like salvation."
Iseur gave his characteristic smile.
"Hasn't the Teacher been like that since the past?"
"Isn't he a person who values salvation more than respect?"
"And yet, the part where he prefers good and polite beings is truly…."
"I suppose the type of human he prefers and his own tendencies are separate things."
Just because he liked good and polite humans didn't mean he himself had to be good and polite.
Jio observed boundaries and respected others, but the story changed if salvation was on the line.
If there was a wish that couldn't be spoken due to various circumstances, if they inwardly sought help even while denying it with their mouths, if those around them wanted it even if he sincerely refused salvation… Jio did it that way.
"As expected of the smiling tyrant of the sea village."
"He still seemed to dislike that nickname."
"It was always a good result for it to be called tyranny."
Watching from the side, there were times when one would wonder, 'Isn't that violence, not salvation?'
But those Jio reached out to Jio always ended up finding happiness. That was the power Jio possessed.
"Looking at things like that, he's definitely not a foolish person."
Jio always knew everything, but he accepted it only as information, not emotion.
He took such a distant attitude from the interests of the secular world that he just seemed to know nothing.
Though even that, with excellent image management, made him look like a mysterious sage.
"So he probably has a plan of his own."
"Calling it a plan makes it sound like you're referring to a great planner hidden behind the scenes."
"Even though he seems to have no thoughts, the Teacher is always preparing something."
"Though you can only see that plan when you're far away."
"If you put it that way, this time… hmm…."
Having finished organizing, Aria adjusted her large white gown.
"...."
She spoke soon after.
"The Teacher probably knows the identity of your pretty daughter, too."
"You mean that monster full of dead souls?"
"Yes, that monster that has taken the form of a cat."
It was something created from the gathering of spirits who had died by human hands.
"Since the Teacher genuinely considers it his child, it was probably able to grow that much."
"Having grown that much in the world of the structure where all sorts of deaths are gathered, it's probably plausible."
"There are various other reasons for its growth, but… will Jio use that child?"
"Since he was contemplating a gift for the human named Ju-hyeon, I imagine he would."
Jio always knew what he had to do.
"There are various reasons for giving such a gift."
It was a wish that the human named Ju-hyeon couldn't shamelessly speak of, he would have needed to adapt to his position according to the former god's wishes, and he would have wanted a chance for his daughter to become his complete child.
Above all, doesn't Jio live in the world of humans?
"He'll also want to solidify the image of 'Mr. Seo Jio'."
"I get cognitive dissonance every time I confirm that kind of cunning intention."
Behind that flawlessly gentle smile, he has often finished all sorts of thoughts long ago.
Those around him have no way of knowing when he started having such thoughts, or what he knew.
"The Teacher doesn't accept results he doesn't like."
He doesn't let a future he doesn't like come to pass in the first place.
"That's why he would have died like that."
"…He is alive now."
"Can you call that being alive?"
"Well."
"It gets scary sometimes."
Aria continued with her characteristic smile.
"Because you never know when he'll do something absurd again."
Jio was an uncontrollable variable.
"If he was going to be like that, he shouldn't have been so lovable."
"...."
"I feel like I've entered into a very unfair contract."
"…Sister…."
"Yes, Iseur."
The mermaid asked her younger brother.
"What should we do now?"
They cannot be forgiven by their teacher.
"I once had expectations, wondering if perhaps that person would come to hate humans. If he would distance himself from humans and become hostile to them… but it seems the Teacher has decided to love humans once again."
For a time close to eternity, it would be so.
"I think we need to make our stance clear as well."
"You are right, sister."
"…At least his roots…."
"...."
"…Well."
Aria muttered.
"Responsibility."
The end of her contemplation was approaching.
***
"Ugh…."
Early February in Korea was still cold.
"Why is it so cold?"
The woman sniffled.
"Is it because it's the crack of dawn…."
The current time was a little past 1 AM.
In truth, around 1 AM wasn't that late.
The statement that the quitting time was 8 PM was based on the 'average,' and there were not a few office workers who left after that.
'If it were like before, there would be a few more people on this street.'
The woman looked around the deserted street.
The electronic display boards sticking out from between the alleys occasionally flickered, and most were already turned off.
It seemed she could hear the squeaking of a rat somewhere on the asphalt floor, which was slushy due to the snow that had briefly fallen and then melted.
"...."
Between the old and rusty buildings, the downtown area was visible.
That place, much cleaner and more stylish than the woman's hometown which was closer to the outskirts, was still flashing with neon signs, unlike the commercial district here that had already closed.
For some reason, a corner of her heart felt empty.
'…Maybe it's because of that terror incident from before that there are even fewer people.'
A dungeon gate had opened inside none other than the Solar Cult, and there was an incident where all the humans inside were dragged in.
The woman, who was a party to that incident, still vividly remembered the situation at the time.
Since that day, she avoided places with many people as much as possible.
It seemed other citizens who had heard about the terror incident felt similarly.
That's why there were so few people on the street.
'It's also a street where residential and commercial areas are mixed, so it's usually deserted at this hour anyway.'
The woman sniffled from the cold and hunched her body further into her padded jacket.
"Aish, of all things, because of a company dinner…."
It was a relief that it ended around 1 AM, but it was still upsetting.
She had to go to work again at 6 AM, and she didn't know how those heavy drinkers had so much stamina.
It was when the woman was walking while looking at the ground.
"Meow."
"...?"
A cat's cry.
'…No, it's a little strange.'
Wasn't it a very precise "Meow," as if a person had recorded it? The woman, who quite liked cats, knew that most cats cried 'Ae-ae-aek' or 'Mii-yaak.'
No matter how much the city was protected by the Association and the government, this was an outlying area quite close to the city's slums.
The woman looked around the dark street with a slightly tense heart.
"…Uh."
And she found it.
"It's a cat."
It was a large cat that sparkled with a dark blue light like the Milky Way in the night sky.
"Huh, what is it? A monster…?"
"Meow."
"It doesn't look dangerous."
It was extremely beautiful.
Of course, there was no monster that was truly harmless just because it looked harmless.
However, the probability that it was an endemic monster she didn't know wasn't that low, so the woman cautiously stepped back, increasing the distance from the cat.
And then, thud!
"Aaaahhhh, mooommmyyyy─!!!"
"Oh dear."
"H-hu-ahhh…!!! H-hu-oh-ae-aek!!!"
It was when the woman had a fit at the hard something touching her back.
"It seems I startled you."
"H, hu-uh…!"
Stumbling back, she turned around to see a man looking down at her.
"Please calm down."
"...."
"Excellent. You did well."
"…Uh…."
At the soft-spoken voice, as if teaching a young student, her pounding heart gradually calmed down.
Her still-startled chest heaved, letting out soft breaths, but the woman soon realized she wasn't in a very dangerous situation.
"…Uh…!!"
And the woman realized.
"Hunter Seo Jio?!"
"Oh, you remember me."
"W-well… you left an impression."
"I'm glad you seem to have a good impression of me."
"No, that, yes…!"
Thinking the distance was too close, the woman took a step back.
Then, she could clearly see what kind of face the tall hunter had.
Platinum blonde hair that resembled the sun or moon, and blue eyes that seemed to shatter light and the sacred smile unique to a believer….
"Oof."
"What is it?"
"I was a little surprised."
Seeing it again, his face was nothing short of a masterpiece of the century.
'Do they not recognize that as a cultural heritage?'
It was a face worth preserving.
"What brings you here? I remember you were active as an unofficial hunter, are you perhaps out on business today as well… It's really nice to see you again like this. You don't really appear on TV, so there was no way to know how you were doing."
"I can tell you are very happy to see me."
"W-was I too excited? I'm sorry. I really wanted to see you one more time to greet you, but there was no way to contact you… Well, I guess contacting a hunter personally would be really rude, but the Collectors didn't say anything either."
She was so happy to meet him by chance like this.
"But really, what brings you…?"
"I came to help a friend."
"A friend?"
"Yes."
Saying so, Hunter Seo Jio looked around the alley and said.
"Dana."
The cat responded to the call.
"Mraow."
"Oh, cute."
"Aek."
The cat, making a rather cat-like cry, walked out of the darkness and went to Hunter Seo Jio's feet.
The cat, as large as a Maine Coon, rubbed its body against Hunter Seo Jio's calf.
After a short display of affection, the cat sat at Hunter Seo Jio's feet.
"Eung."
"Good kitty."
Hunter Seo Jio stroked its head, and the cat closed its eyes, enjoying his touch.
"…Ah, right. That's what it was."
The woman, who had barely managed to understand the situation, nodded.
"I think you said you were a Tamer, it was true."
"It seems I didn't look like a Tamer."
"Well, you have a strong image of a priest…."
"That's understandable."
Seo Jio smiled and continued.
"Honey, whom you saw last time, is also here."
A small, round, honey-colored bird, the size of a child's fist, peeked its face out from the hood of his cape.
The small bird looked at the woman, tilted its head, and then went back inside the hood.
"It seems to be shy."
"I-I understand. Monsters don't usually like humans."
The woman, who had experience being a fan of hunters, knew a little about their 'jobs.'
A Tamer was an extremely rare job, but even if they succeeded in taming, there was no guarantee that the relationship between the contracted beast and its master would be close.
"I heard that most contracted beasts don't like their masters, but you two seem to have a very good relationship. As expected of a hunter from the Collectors…."
"I think it's because I care for them like my own children."
"It must not have been easy to care for a monster to that extent, I think you're amazing. Ah, um, am I taking up too much of your time?"
"Not at all."
Hunter Seo Jio tilted his head and asked.
"Do you happen to know where the Gita Orphanage is around here?"
"The Gita Orphanage?"
The man's voice was so calm and stable for someone looking for a way that it created the illusion that he was asking even though he already knew everything.
'…If he came on a mission, the Collectors would have given him the location information separately, but he said he came because of a friend… Did he come in a hurry? Or maybe he came secretly as a surprise for his friend?'
The woman was lost in thought for a moment, but soon, a troubled smile, characteristic of someone asking a passerby for help, spread across Hunter Seo Jio's perfectly sculpted face. Only then did the woman come to her senses.
'I shouldn't be daydreaming in front of someone. I must be out of it because I'm tired. Having strange thoughts….'
Pushing away her foolish impressions, the woman returned to reality and thought.
"Uh, the Gita Orphanage…."
The woman, who frequented this area, answered with a troubled face.
"It burned down a while ago."
"Ah, that's right."
Hunter Seo Jio said with a pleased face, as if that was exactly it.
"I'm looking for that building."
"That building?"
It was an abandoned building in a secluded location, so a monster might be living there.
Perhaps he came after receiving a tip-off for his friend's sake.
'It seems he came without hearing the detailed information from his friend. Maybe he's trying to solve it secretly so as not to burden his friend.'
Certainly, the Hunter Seo Jio the woman remembered was someone who suited the proverb, 'Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.' After all, wasn't he a hunter who didn't even release a single news article after helping people at the 'Temple of the Deep Sea'?
'There was a story that he was shy. I thought it was just something people said, but seeing this, I wonder if he's the type to be burdened by being thanked for his help.'
The woman thought so and nodded.
"Yes, I know it. Shall I show you?"
"I'm sorry, you seemed to be on your way home from work. I'll shamelessly accept your help."
"The streets in this neighborhood are quite complicated. Above all, if it wasn't for you, Hunter, I would have been dead by now, so this much is nothing…."
"It's probably because everyone was able to escape thanks to your kind cooperation."
"Wow, how can a person speak so pleasantly?"
The woman felt a little regretful.
'If he were a public hunter, I would have made a fan account long ago.'
Chewing on her regret, the woman led the way.
No matter how deserted and secluded it was, this place was also a part of the city where people lived.
With scattered lights from lamps or electronic signs, it wasn't that dark.
Soon, the woman led Hunter Seo Jio to the Gita Orphanage.
"This seems to be the orphanage you mentioned…."
Looking at the burned building, she felt a little strange.
'I heard people died here, so I'm getting goosebumps.'
She didn't doubt Hunter Seo Jio who had saved her life, but coming to such a deserted place was dangerous.
The woman, looking at the abandoned building, smiled awkwardly and asked Hunter Seo Jio.
"C-could I possibly wait until you're finished with your business? I'm scared to go back alone…."
"Of course. I was planning to do so as well. It's dangerous to go home alone at this late hour."
Hunter Seo Jio, who had readily nodded, curved his eyes gently and continued.
"It won't take that long."
"Oh, really? As I thought, you came to catch a monster or something…."
"No."
He said.
"I came to make friends."
"...."
Was it just her imagination?
His voice sounded as if it were submerged in the sea.
"…? Ah, um…."
Could it be that he came to tame a new monster?
As the woman was thinking within the bounds of her common sense, Hunter Seo Jio stroked the cat's head with a gentle hand and said.
"Dana."
The cat answered.
"Meow."
An answer follows.
"Meow."
"Meow…."
"…Meow…."
The cat's moon-like eyes curved.
"Meow."
Immature, youthful voices.
'…It sounds like a bell.'
Something catches the eye of the woman, who had a strange impression.
Unfamiliar children, mimicking the cat's cry, walked out of the abandoned building.
"Meow…."
"The meow-meow called."
"It meowed."
"Me too, I meowed too, kitty."
"Meow!"
A string of childlike, rambling sentences continues.
A girl with her hair tied in one. A boy with a mischievous impression.
A child who took careful steps as if scared.
A child who walked steadfastly, for some reason sniffling back tears.
A child who hugged the large cat tightly as if happy to see it….
"…Uh."
The woman saw the person who appeared at the end.
"...."
"...."
An elderly woman who awkwardly smiled and sent all the children out.
When her eyes met Hunter Seo Jio's, she, wearing an apron, bowed her head deeply in greeting.
"…I leave them in your care."
"Would you not like to go with them?"
"I serve a different god."
"I would like to hear that name."
"My god illuminates the world with moonlight."
"I will visit soon with the children."
"…Yes, if you would do that…."
"You will not be lonely."
The silent old woman burst into tears.
"…Thank you."
And when the woman blinked once.
"...."
"...."
There was no one there.
"…Uh, uh… huh?"
"Now that my business is done, I will escort you home."
"Huh huh huh?"
"Oh dear, are you alright?"
"Huh huh??"
The woman belatedly realized that she had seen a ghost.
***
By the window of the abandoned building.
"...."
Ju-hyeon, who had been watching everything, finally collapsed.
A voice, submerged in moisture, trembled wretchedly.
"…I'm sorry…."
"No, it's not."
"I'm sorry. If I had done a little better…."
"It's okay, Ju-hyeon."
"I'm truly sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I, I was wrong…."
A reunion within a twisted logic and providence, by the mercy of an evil god.
"…I'm sorry for hurting you…."
Ju-hyeon received his friend's gift.
-x-X-x-