Sankallut, the god of pain and blessing, was a typical evil deity who was subjugated when the gateway to Earth first opened.
But in principle, divine subjugation usually meant sealing.
No matter how naive a god might be, divinity was divinity.
Even among equals, harming one another was difficult for divine beings — let alone for mortals.
As a result, Sankallut was imprisoned in a research facility on Earth.
"■..."
There was no malice in it.
This wicked divinity, born by human hands, understood why Earthlings had confined it, but never once thought its ways ❀ ❀ (Don't copy, read here) were wrong.
It had simply been made that way.
Driven by a pure desire to return to its former state, Sankallut slowly began to seep into the research facility.
"Ah, Lord Sankallut..."
"Please bestow your blessings upon us."
"We beg for your salvation!"
Humans already mentally cornered accepted its salvation with ease.
"■..."
Pitifully.
Sankallut only wanted to return home.
There was a sense of stability that could only be found in familiar places.
And for a new beginning, it raised its children.
The research facility slowly turned into Sankallut's domain.
The process was quiet — eerily so — and secretive.
" "
Sankallut knew that the master of this facility's master was aware of everything and chose to turn a blind eye.
No matter how long it waited, no suppression came.
Sankallut took this as permission.
In the end, it succeeded in claiming one entire facility as its own.
Sankallut accepted offerings from its children and observed the area.
However, the seed of a new cult leader — one who could return it to its rightful place — did not appear easily.
"■"
And before it could extend its influence beyond the facility, it found a human called 'Joo-Hyun.'
That child's vessel was vast and warm.
It wanted to be held by those hands.
Sankallut knew what made humans accept it easily.
"Yes, I see."
"■..."
"That person... Yes, I understand."
"■..."
"I will do so."
To narrow the vision of a vessel so broad, it had to show them the limits of their kind.
When the kindest human is disappointed in other humans, they accept faith more readily.
That was what Sankallut had learned.
It planned to do the same with 'Joo-Hyun.'
"...?"
But it failed.
It happened too quickly.
Something far greater seized 'Joo-Hyun.'
Sankallut was saddened by the loss of such a promising vessel, but there was nothing it could do.
A divinity bows to one greater and more brilliant.
Having lost that precious vessel, Sankallut widened its gaze.
Since finding gems in a dust pit was so difficult, it decided to mine directly from a gold vein.
"■..."
Evading the eyes of other gods to target the seeds within their gaze was extremely difficult.
But amidst chaos, Sankallut found a very promising seed.
The vessels named 'Cha I-Sol' and 'Iru Da.'
"■."
One was already in another god's embrace, so Sankallut chose to take 'Cha I-Sol.'
Aside from her, there was no other seed on this land capable of safely containing Sankallut.
The vessel was enormous, and still young — its potential was limitless.
Before it was taken again, Sankallut extended its hand.
Among its pawns in the research facility, it selected one with a child nestled in the arms of the Sun.
Preparations were complete.
"■..."
"Ah, this is..."
"■..."
"Thank you, Lord Sankallut! With this, my child will receive your greatest blessing...!"
"■..."
"I will raise your child within the arms of the Sun, believe me!"
When trying to make the kindest human disappointed in others, the most effective way was to have those they cherished be hurt by fellow humans.
They are often numb to their own pain.
Sankallut looked around.
She had many friends and family.
But within the Sun's arms, the one she could see most closely was 'Iru Da,' a servant of another god.
That was what Sankallut targeted.
" "
That background had already been set.
Precious sprouts are always rejected by rotting ones.
Sankallut whispered to the servant's child, and the young sprout who heard it began to interpret their long-held anger and jealousy as pain.
This ultimately drove 'Cha I-Sol' and 'Iru Da' into a corner...
"■"
But oh no.
"■¿"
Who would have thought the sky-blue being, who hated humans, would help a human child.
"...■..."
Sankallut grew dejected.
Its luck was just too poor.
It felt the weight of a vast fate.
Well, with so many divine beings crammed onto this tiny land and so few desirable vessels, fierce competition was inevitable.
Still, the plan hadn't been entirely fruitless.
" "
If it retreated now, who knows when it might return home.
" "
Little 'Iru Da' now harbored thoughts of revenge.
Its pawn's child still writhed in jealousy and pain.
Breaking the fragile heart of the vessel wouldn't take much longer.
Most importantly, Cha I-Sol's distrust had already begun.
Sankallut opened its mouth and whispered.
***
Iru Da had been severely injured.
"..."
Cha I-Sol stared quietly at her unconscious friend.
"Ruda-ya..."
"..."
"Iru Da."
She was a little angry.
"How could you get hurt alone, without me?"
The Church had said the partners they assigned were bound by fate.
Last time, it had been sad but bearable.
But this time wasn't like that.
Cha I-Sol leaned against the bed where Iru Da lay and fidgeted with her fingers.
She poked at Iru Da's callused hand, then gently held it.
"..."
It was covered in wounds.
"This makes me sad."
They said Iru Da had confronted the mastermind behind the last field training incident.
That too, inside another practical dungeon.
They fought together, but only Iru Da lost consciousness.
Because the ringleader had teamed up with others in a cowardly move.
And because they had borrowed the power of fearsome tools with their parents' support.
Cha I-Sol thought it was truly vile.
'He always smiled so well at me, but he tormented Ruda.'
Cha I-Sol understood.
They thought she was easy, and Iru Da wasn't — so they attacked the harder target first.
Maybe they even blamed Iru Da for her refusal to cooperate.
'How stupid.'
She hadn't joined hands with him simply because she didn't like him.
"..."
She was a little angry at everyone.
Iru Da should've been a bit more cold-hearted.
The mastermind shouldn't have been so greedy from the start.
And the adults should've paid more attention to the trainee priests.
'Then we wouldn't have been hurt like this.'
No — maybe if she had been a better partner, this wouldn't have happened.
"...What do I do..."
She was starting to hate this big white house.
'I miss hyung. And noona too...'
She thought of the family who had loved her the most.
Even this house, filled with petty people, had been joyful thanks to Iru Da's affection.
But now, even that was becoming too much.
She felt stifled and sorrowful.
'I want to go back to my real home.'
A house where winter wind leaked through, and rain dripped in during monsoon season.
Where they couldn't eat proper meals every day, but still sat around laughing as they shared what they had.
She missed her village friends too.
"...Why is everyone..."
Cha I-Sol buried her face in the bed and murmured,
"...so desperate not to be loved?"
She was scared.
'It's scary here, noona.'
Everyone acted so unfairly.
Back in the village, even if you were born on different boats, everyone was family.
When crops or food were left over, they shared.
Even awkward kids were welcomed into play just because it was fun.
It was a place where the sky was always open.
But not here.
The buildings were too big — the sky couldn't be seen.
There were friends and neighbors, but no one looked at each other.
If you didn't play well, you were excluded for "not being qualified."
'Why does it have to be like this?'
In her village, people were busy coming together.
Here, they were busy biting and tearing each other down.
As if they would die otherwise.
Maybe they really would.
That must be why Iru Da got hurt like this.
"...Ruda..."
She was sad.
"I want to go home."
She missed home.
"Home was better. This place is too scary..."
"You're right."
"..."
"It's scary, isn't it?"
Cha I-Sol lifted her face from the bed and looked at Iru Da, who was supposed to be unconscious.
Why?
"I understand."
It was strange.
Something in her friend's shape comforted her.
It held her hand.
"I want to go home too."
"...Home?"
"Yeah. Being trapped in a lonely place is scary, right?"
"Yeah."
"Shall I help you get out?"
"..."
Cha I-Sol went quiet.
'Iru Da' smiled.
"You're more suspicious than you look."
"Who are you?"
"I want to be your friend."
"Friend?"
"We can help each other."
"That might be true, but..."
Having grown up with older siblings who always said, "There are lots of con artists in the world, so if a stranger speaks too well, trust a reliable adult," Cha I-Sol pulled out a scribbled piece of paper from her pocket.
"I think I need to talk to my guardian first."
"...Huh?"
"You talk too well, so it's suspicious."
The paper she pulled out had a drawing she made before — of the Black Cloak.
"Help me, Gio hyung—!!"
And just like that, Cha I-Sol and Iru Da were sucked into the picture.
***
"You're so mean!!"
A fragment of Sankallut, using Iru Da's body, began to whimper.
"I'm the one who talked to you, so why'd you ask some other oppa for help?!"
"I already said, you were talking too well, it was suspicious!"
"I didn't even say a quarter of a quarter of a quarter of what I meant, and you brought in another divinity!!"
"Then I did the right thing, because I got help before your quarter of a quarter of a quarter could charm me!!"
"I was trying to help you, so why bring in another adult...!!"
In the now chaotic house, the mermaid Iser smiled bitterly.
"Teacher, may I throw them all out?"
"Of course not."
Giovanni, with his usual cheerful smile, approached the two children.
"What did you call me for, Cha I-Sol?"
"He kept trying to seduce me!"
"My goodness."
Sankallut flinched as Gio drew near.
"...You... you're the one from before...!"
"The gemstone that tried to tempt Joo-Hyun, yes."
"Why do you keep stealing every vessel I pick?!"
"I didn't steal anything."
Giovanni declared boldly.
"A great divinity simply draws people in by existing."
"Th-that's...!"
"Bees are drawn to the flower with the most nectar. In short, it means I'm better than you."
"I worked really hard too!"
"Well, working hard is just the baseline. No matter how hard a flower tries to bloom, it's up to the bee to choose it, isn't it?"
"Urgh...!!"
Sitting on the sofa sipping tea, Joo-Hyun thought,
'He just compared himself to a flower.'
Such incredible confidence.
'So this is how divinities argue.'
Having come to talk to the mermaid before the all-out battle, Joo-Hyun felt a strange sense of resignation.
A kind of acceptance.
With her sincere smile, she turned to Iser.
"Would you like another cup?"
"Yes, this is my first time trying this tea."
"Gio said he got it with help from a dungeon he cleared."
"It has a very pleasant cooling scent."
As the peaceful conversation continued, Gio called out to Cha I-Sol.
"Cha I-Sol, would you mind joining those two over there?"
"What about you, hyung?"
"I need to speak with this uninvited guest."
"Will it be dangerous?"
"It's been a while since I spoke with a divine being. I'm a little excited."
"Wow, who else have you talked to?"
"I'll tell you later, after you've had tea over there."
"Sorry for interrupting while you had guests!"
"You're so considerate."
Sending Cha I-Sol to Joo-Hyun, whom he trusted, Gio looked at Sankallut.
"Let us have our conversation."
"A-are you going to scold me?"
"We are equals as divine beings, so that wouldn't be appropriate."
"Liar..."
"Think whatever you wish."
And with that, Gio disappeared upstairs with Iru Da.
"Oh."
"Iru Da hasn't woken up yet."
"She was already sleeping to begin with."
"I see."
Soon after, Gio returned, holding Iru Da just as she was.
Cha I-Sol asked curiously,
"Exorcism?"
"More like spiritual communication."
"Aha, I see."
And Joo-Hyun thought to herself:
'Even a wicked god like Sankallut is treated like a minor spirit here.'
It was so surreal, it made her laugh.
-x-X-x-
"Is divinity usually this childish?"
"What are you talking about now?"
Yoo Seong-Woon, who had been waiting for Joo-Hyun at home, asked with his characteristic smile.
"Seems like you went through a lot today in the portrait?"
Joo-Hyun, who had a bold side in strange places, had visited the portrait today. Unlike Aria, who was clearly the instigator of the impending incident, Joo-Hyun had gone to hear what her younger brother Iser thought.
"Why? What did Gio do this time to make you react like that?"
"Sanqallut came to visit Mr. Gio's portrait."
"Oh, I remember that name."
Yoo Seong-Woon's expression stiffened.
"Why is that evil god suddenly appearing?"
"Exactly. A divine being who should be sealed in the research facility suddenly showed up, so I was quite shocked too."
"Is it really okay to just say 'quite shocked'? That evil god has a lot of history with you, doesn't he?"
"I guess I should have reacted more strongly... but, hmm... how do I put this..."
Mouth hesitating, Joo-Hyun finally gave an answer.
"It didn't feel real."
"Ah, if that's the case, I get it."
Yoo Seong-Woon quickly understood.
"Your brain hasn't fully processed reality yet."
He set a warm cup of coffee in front of Joo-Hyun.
"Here, drink this and wake your brain up."
"I feel a little dazed right now... once I snap out of it, I wonder how much of a fuss I'll make."
"Don't worry. I was shocked too."
Yoo Seong-Woon gently reassured her and then asked,
"Do you feel any desire for revenge?"
"...I've thought about that, but...."
Joo-Hyun mulled it over for a moment, then shook her head.
"Not really, no."
"You're surprisingly calm."
"I think so too. It's unexpected."
"So you've decided to treat it like a natural disaster?"
"Maybe."
Or maybe the situation had been so absurdly childish at the time that she didn't even have the energy to be angry. She wasn't sure. If anything described her current state, it was probably "stunned."
"It feels like I got slapped while peacefully sleeping..."
"But you do feel some resentment, don't you?"
"Of course I resent him. I know a mere human's resentment is probably just a light snack to an evil god, but still... he's the one responsible for harming my family and friends."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Gio had never clearly stated it, but both Joo-Hyun and Yoo Seong-Woon had concluded that the past tragedy must have been Sanqallut's scheme. And beyond that, they hadn't taken any action.
Joo-Hyun fiddled with her coffee cup.
"I think I can be more composed because of Mr. Gio."
He had properly addressed what happened back then, and now they were here.
"Even with that sudden encounter, Mr. Gio handled it like it was nothing, so it didn't spiral into something worse. And the topic of conversation wasn't even about me, so..."
"Right. But what was that evil god Sanqallut doing in Gio's portrait in the first place? Was he trying to challenge Gio or something? There's also the matter with the mermaids... what a headache."
As a curator, Yoo Seong-Woon couldn't overlook it, so he asked. Joo-Hyun gave an awkward look.
"Well, rather than visiting of his own will..."
"Don't tell me he was dragged there?"
"That's how I interpreted it."
"How the hell did that happen...?"
No matter how weak or foolish an evil god might be, a divine being could still perform countless miracles. A being like Sanqallut, once worshipped on an entire planet, wouldn't be an easy opponent.
It was hard to understand.
Joo-Hyun asked him,
"Do you remember the student Cha I-Sol?"
"She's the one Gio cares a lot about."
"Apparently, he tried something with her and got scolded by Mr. Gio."
"Even so, it's hard to understand."
"He got dragged in while possessing the body of a girl named Iru Da."
"...So..."
Yoo Seong-Woon roughly pieced it together.
"...he possessed Iru Da, Cha I-Sol's partner, to pull something with I-Sol, but for some reason, both their bodies were pulled into Gio's portrait, and Sanqallut's scheme failed?"
"You understood it perfectly."
"Sounds like another bizarre incident almost happened while we weren't looking."
"I think it's an extension of what happened to me."
"That... yeah, that tracks."
Familiar with the actions of a primordial being, Yoo Seong-Woon grasped Sanqallut's scheme.
"Seems like he's trying to start over."
"I thought he was sealed... if that's the case, then..."
"Looks like something went wrong with the seal in the research facility."
"If not, there's no way Sanqallut would be able to reach even the children of the Church of the Sun."
"This is something the Church of the Sun should formally raise with the association's research facility."
"Since it's related to Mr. Gio, I'll make contact myself. I met Priest Kang Seodam last time, so he won't ignore my call."
"He's pretty flexible ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) for a priest. I'm sure he'll handle it well."
If it had gone unnoticed, it could have escalated into a major incident. But since Gio had blocked it in advance, there was no need for humans to worry too much. As long as they handled the aftermath properly, the rest would be fine.
Yoo Seong-Woon studied Joo-Hyun's expression.
"But seriously, are you really okay?"
"...I'm not sure."
"...You should talk about it again once your thoughts are sorted."
He smoothly changed the subject.
"What about Iser? Did you get to speak with him?"
"Yes. I'm not sure if it was because Mr. Gio called him, or if he was already interested, or for some other reason... but he agreed to my request more willingly than I expected."
"Did he say anything about this situation?"
"He said he agrees with what Miss Aria is doing."
"I figured as much..."
Yoo Seong-Woon gave a slightly awkward smile.
"I'm just glad the conversation went peacefully."
"I expected things to go smoothly since Mr. Gio was there, but the conversation was more cooperative than I anticipated."
"I was worried. You're a little too brave sometimes."
"I'm sorry if I made you uneasy."
"You really do lose your fear in the weirdest places."
"Still, I couldn't ignore it. Even if I'm not one of the main figures in the war the mermaids are about to start, I've at least met them before."
Aria had already expressed her opinion clearly, but Iser hadn't. Joo-Hyun had been concerned about that, and Iser gave his thoughts and stance. That was enough for Joo-Hyun.
"I know it's not something I, a non-Awakened person, should worry about."
"But thanks to you, everyone got to confirm where they stand. In the end, that's not a bad outcome."
Yoo Seong-Woon cleared his throat.
"Still, you should be careful. You don't have many ways to protect yourself."
"I'll be more cautious from now on."
"Sorry if I'm nagging too much."
"I know you're just worried about me."
"Well, if you see it that way..."
Trailing off, Yoo Seong-Woon sipped his coffee.
"...Any other info?"
"They said things will go down in about a month."
"Is there a chance that's a lie? After all, it was said in front of Gio."
"Mr. Gio didn't say anything about it, so I think they were serious."
"Such an odd way to go about it."
This must be what they meant by the eye of the storm.
'It's absolutely not peaceful, and yet it feels calm.'
What a truly insane world.
***
Iser had returned to the sea, and only Cha I-Sol and the sleeping Iru Da remained in the portrait.
"Are you feeling a bit calmer now?"
"Hyuuuu..."
"...Guess not. I figured."
"I'm really so upset."
"You still have an excellent vocabulary."
It was impressive that someone so young could express their emotions so clearly.
"What made you so upset?"
"People are heartless."
"The world really is a scary place these days."
"Were you the same way, hyung?"
"Of course."
If anything, Sergio had it worse than Cha I-Sol. He remembered a time before the great catastrophe, when things were at least relatively orderly.
"Back then, Earth wasn't as openly terrifying as it is now."
"Back then?"
"I mean Earth before the Great Catastrophe."
"How do you know about that? Isn't that from a long time ago?"
"It doesn't feel that long ago to me..."
It hadn't even been a hundred years.
"So you were upset because people were heartless?"
"It's too scary. My village wasn't like this... but city people are so cold."
"I can understand that too."
Gio also understood how Cha I-Sol felt. He'd once come up to Seoul from a kindhearted rural village in Gangwon Province. Though things weren't as brutal back then, the feeling was similar.
"So now you hate people?"
At his question, Cha I-Sol hesitated.
"...A little."
"You don't like seeing people hate each other so much."
"I think so. I wish they wouldn't."
"But in any world, humans always end up hating each other."
"...I don't like that..."
"You're like me, Cha I-Sol."
Her way of thinking was unique.
"You can't bring yourself to hate easily, so when people casually badmouth each other, you can't understand it. And that distance you start to feel eventually makes you drift away."
"...What did you do, hyung?"
"I failed."
In every version of Gio, people never truly accepted him. They either idolized him or feared him. Gio couldn't ignore that and approach them. That's what those people wanted.
"But you're different from me in that regard."
Cha I-Sol had excellent social skills.
"You're good at connecting with others."
"But what if I grow too distant and end up hating people? I already want to run back to my village..."
"It seems more like you want rest than escape. You care more about your Church of the Sun family than you realize."
"Do you hate people, hyung?"
"I don't."
He simply wasn't wired that way.
"I understand them."
"What do you understand?"
"Why they've become so evil and petty. Why they lash out. Why they cry..."
He understood it all.
"Do you get what I mean?"
"...You pity them?"
"You got it exactly."
Gio pitied people.
"They're pitiful beings."
People who end their lives suffering in pain, torment, and confusion.
"What about you, Cha I-Sol? What do you think?"
"I'm the one who got hurt, along with Ruda..."
"Oh dear. I'm not trying to force my views on you. I'm just asking."
"...I don't know what I want to do."
"That's a very kind answer."
Despite her words, Cha I-Sol was choosing growth over escape.
"Do you want to get angry?"
"A little, yeah."
"Do you want the culprit to die?"
"N-No, not that."
"Do you want them to suffer in pain for the rest of their life?"
"That's not it either..."
"Then you want them to reflect and repent."
"...Do you think they'll apologize?"
"There are many paths to choose from."
As long as you didn't fall into despair, anything was possible.
"You can wait for the sinner to repent on their own, help them do it, or even scold them."
"I don't know if I can help... Ruda, and the others..."
"You seem unsure of yourself."
"I'm not some almighty god. I can do my best, but what if that just makes things worse?"
"Then another path will reveal itself."
"I'm scared of walking a path I don't know."
Hesitating, Cha I-Sol reached out her hand.
"Can't you help me?"
"How should I help you?"
"Hold me."
"That's easy."
Giovanni gently embraced the small priest, and Cha I-Sol finally smiled as she usually did.
"...I feel a little braver now."
"That's good to hear."
Pulling back, Cha I-Sol asked,
"What do I have to do to become your priest?"
"Just become my friend."
"Then let's be friends."
"What a joyful day..."
Giovanni gently brushed her forehead with his thumb.
"Your soul will always dwell in warmth."
A comforting warmth seeped into her forehead.
***
"I did it!"
"...What... what the hell."
"Ruda! Are you hurt anywhere?"
"What... what are you, Cha I-Sol?"
"I'm a healer now!"
"What even... are you?"
Iru Da, now awake in the Church's infirmary, trembled as she grabbed Cha I-Sol's shoulders.
"Why... why do I feel the weight of divinity from you?"
"I became friends with Black Cloak!"
"I told you to talk to me before doing anything!!"
Just what kind of chaos had this walking disaster stirred up while she was passed out?
-x-X-x-
Cha I-Sol's divine contract stirred unrest among the elders of the Church of the Sun.
"Are you saying Black Cloak is a divine being?"
"No, but the association—"
"Well, those people aren't exactly trustworthy."
"How in the world did this happen...?"
There had already been multiple reports of divine beings disguising themselves as monsters for amusement. And now that Cha I-Sol had directly demonstrated a link to one, they could no longer deny the proposition: Black Cloak is divine.
But questions only multiplied.
"Then what exactly is Black Cloak's identity?"
"Shouldn't we investigate this Cha I-Sol a bit more closely?"
"She's only just formed a contract with a divine being. If we interfere, the connection could become unstable or even severed, causing damage. It's best to let her stabilize."
"But if Black Cloak is an evil god, then cutting the connection early would be wise."
"But we don't have any solid confirmation of that, do we?"
Still, most of the priests were confused more than truly concerned.
"More importantly, Cha I-Sol's position is now a healer..."
"If it were truly an evil god, would it have granted her the power of healing and regeneration?"
"Evil gods loathe providence. A divine being that would form a contract with Cha I-Sol cannot be evil."
"We examined it several times and found no signs of harmful energy."
After all, why else would healers be treated like nobles? Their rarity and the difficulty of learning the craft were reasons enough—but fundamentally, it was because their powers of healing and restoration were miracles of providence.
"A traitor cannot grant the power to heal."
"Calling them a traitor—please refrain from careless remarks, even if we're speaking of a suspected evil god."
"I only meant it in a contextual sense."
What evil god would aid in human healing?
"We checked whether it might be an evil god's trick, but the student Iru Da, whom Cha I-Sol healed, showed no defects. No mental instability, no physical abnormalities—complete recovery, in other words."
It was right to assume the power Black Cloak lent was not malicious.
"Besides, evil divine beings inevitably reveal their malice somehow. The fact that we've observed nothing unusual so far serves as evidence of Black Cloak's goodwill."
"That's a fair point, but still—nothing is certain yet. It's safest to continue observing. For the time being, let's exclude Cha I-Sol and Iru Da from practical sessions."
"If we confine them too tightly within the church, the divine being linked to Cha I-Sol might take offense."
"But we really don't have much of a choice. If by any chance Black Cloak turns out to be an evil god, who will bear the responsibility? We all know the fate of priests who fall under an evil god's sway."
"Hey now, what if Priest Kang hears you..."
Their confusion gradually began to settle.
"As long as we confirm that the divine being supporting Cha I-Sol really is Black Cloak, and that it is not malevolent, then there's no issue. We don't need to scare ourselves."
"That's true."
After all, a trainee priest was just that—a trainee. Until they formed a formal contract, they could still serve a different divine being. That was customary in the current religious landscape.
"There's something I heard separately... Someone said they sensed the energy of the sun coming from Cha I-Sol..."
"...The sun? Could it be a misreading?"
"It's not just one person who said it. They described feeling a warm aura."
"It could just be a divinity associated with heat..."
"Come to think of it, no one knows Black Cloak's true name, do they?"
"Just what kind of divine being did Cha I-Sol end up contracting with?"
Black Cloak had already established himself as a kind of native Korean monster. He was known for denying evil, affirming good, and gifting the virtuous. The number of priests who still believed him to be an evil god was dwindling.
In the end, the priests coaxed Cha I-Sol to learn more about the divine being's identity.
"Um, I'm not really sure either."
"Even a vague clue would help. It might be a dangerous divinity, after all..."
"I don't think he's dangerous. I was told... he's like the sun."
"...Like the sun, you say?"
"He told me he gave me sunlight."
"Ah, I see."
The priests rejoiced at the news.
"She may not be contracted with the goddess we serve, but if it's another sun, then that's like gaining another family member."
"Well, but thinking of Black Cloak's image... it's hard to call him the sun..."
"He is quite literally a figure cloaked in black. No one knows what's inside."
"There are still doubts, but it's certain he has a deep connection to the sun. Even Iru Da, who's known for her sensitivity to divine pressure, didn't deny the warmth."
"Then it's certainly difficult to say he's evil."
At that point, another priest voiced a different suspicion.
"I heard Cha I-Sol called someone named 'Gio' right before her contract."
"...Gio? As in Sergio the hunter?"
"One of the other trainee priests in the infirmary said they overheard it in their sleep... not sure how accurate that is."
"We should probably confirm that."
Cha I-Sol admitted it readily.
"I called for Gio hyung."
"You mean Sergio the hunter?"
"Yes. I asked for his help..."
It was already widely known that one of the evil gods sealed in the association's research facility—Sanqallut—had used the recent confusion to reach into the Church of the Sun. One of the priests, embarrassed, cleared his throat.
"Er-hem... about that, we offer our sincere apologies once again."
"I've already accepted your apology."
"It was due to our negligence that an evil divine being reached out to Cha I-Sol."
"Gio hyung helped me, so it's fine!"
"...Wasn't it Black Cloak who helped banish the evil god?"
"Uh, well, yes, but..."
Still struggling to process everything, Cha I-Sol answered after a moment of thought.
"They both helped."
"So then..."
The priest reached a conclusion.
"...You mean the power Sergio the hunter carries is the same as Cha I-Sol's."
The priests of the Church of the Sun thus arrived at what should have been an obvious realization.
"Wow... so the divine being Sergio serves is Black Cloak..."
"That explains why he never revealed his divinity."
"It must be hard to admit to serving a god who's treated like a monster."
"Or maybe Black Cloak chooses to act like a monster for his own amusement."
"Perhaps he didn't reveal himself because the divine being himself didn't want to."
"Coincidence or not, wasn't Sergio also a healer?"
"Now it all makes sense."
The priests nodded in agreement.
"Back in that dungeon raid, I remember Sergio being given medicinal herbs by his god..."
"Isn't Black Cloak known for giving gifts to people he finds virtuous?"
"Then are those gifts just part of Black Cloak's personality? Even civilians can receive them. But if so, the idea that Sergio is a saint..."
"Even taking that into account, Sergio's capacity is far beyond that of a normal person."
"Exactly. The size of the gifts he's received is different. I heard he even received the divine will directly."
"If that's true, then it's a blessing for the Church of the Sun."
It was exceedingly rare to witness the power of providence in this world. Traditional gods, to put it nicely, loved nature as it was—but to put it bluntly, they were incredibly lazy. They rarely intervened in human society.
"No wonder Sergio and Black Cloak act so similarly..."
"Huh? Were they really that alike?"
"I always thought they were strangely similar. Sergio loves giving gifts to others—especially food."
"Ha ha, he sure seems devoted to feeding people."
"He can't bear to watch anyone go hungry."
"Black Cloak's gifts are often edible snacks too, right? With all these similarities... he must really have the heart of a saint..."
And so, the Church of the Sun reached a new conclusion.
"We should try to build a closer relationship with Sergio the hunter, don't you think?"
"Hmm. Even if he Awakened differently, someone of that capacity is absolutely fit to be ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) a priest."
"Among Koreans who serve sun-related divinities, there's hardly anyone who doesn't come to our church."
"I doubt Sergio would be against the idea."
"Of course. It's about growing closer with the Church of the Sun. He might even be happy."
The only one growing more agitated by all the whispering was Kang Seodam.
"..."
A maggot-ridden religious order.
This really is a den of worms.
It was revolting.
Before the wounds of last winter's "Deep Sea Kingdom" incident had even healed, they rushed into an A-rank dungeon. An evil god slipped in while the conquered dungeon was being developed. Now, in the middle of handling the aftermath, they were already busy scheming again.
How can they be this greedy?
They should be reflecting on their own mistakes and focusing on recovery, but instead, they were just stirring up more trouble. Things had worked out just barely well enough to avoid disaster, but if they hadn't, everyone would be at each other's throats.
Kang Seodam couldn't bear to face his students. With a deep sigh, he eventually went to find Cha I-Sol and Iru Da.
"Cha I-Sol."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"And Iru Da."
"Yes. I'm listening."
"To both of you... I owe you an apology."
Kang Seodam was just one of the teachers who trained the trainee priests. Still, he bore no small amount of responsibility. He had failed to properly protect his students, and things had escalated this far because of it.
"Have you spoken thoroughly with your guardians?"
Cha I-Sol nodded.
"My hyung and noona said I should do whatever I want."
"My mother said the same. She also said she's looking forward to how we'll move forward..."
Kang Seodam nodded as well.
"Of course. This incident was a grave mistake on our part, so there's no need for you to bear any guilt. Just continue recovering, and walk the path you wish to."
"What kind of paths are there?"
"Since you both serve divine beings other than our goddess of the sun, you're free to stop your training here and seek a new path. We can also assist with early graduation."
Before Cha I-Sol could ask anything, Iru Da grabbed her partner's hand and spoke.
"Even if we want to join another church or guild, it's best to get an official priest certificate first. I respect your opinion, but now that things have happened this way, those who used to bother us will back off."
"Sister Iru Da makes a good point. The students who created a hostile environment have already been expelled, and the priests here, knowing they were in the wrong, will tread lightly around you."
"As Teacher Kang said, you may have lost your attachment to this place... but we're in the stronger position now. Our peers will be cautious, and we have reason to ask for better treatment from the church."
To that, Cha I-Sol replied,
"Summarize that for me..."
"If we stay, there's more to gain."
"Am I the only dumb one here? No... right?"
"...I-I've always been told I'm, uh, mature for my age. So no, you're not weird."
Though Cha I-Sol had a simple and earnest nature—possibly due to growing up in the countryside—Iru Da hoped she wouldn't see that as a flaw.
Thanks to Iru Da's comfort, Cha I-Sol quickly recovered.
"Okay, that's good."
"That's just my opinion. I want to hear what you want."
"I want to keep being with Ruda. And I like Teacher, too."
"Then let's aim for early graduation. It shouldn't be hard for us."
"If we graduate early, how old will we be as official priests?"
Kang Seodam answered that part.
"It depends on the situation, but it's possible to complete your training within three years."
"Gasp, really?"
"You'll have more practicals and a busier schedule... but if you can handle it, yes."
"Then I want to graduate fast!"
And so, while the two young priests dreamed of early graduation...
Earth's seas stirred from the depths.
***
"I'll get straight to the point."
Aria asked politely.
"Would you be willing to get kidnapped?"
"Oh."
Faced with such a novel proposal, Gio couldn't help but admire it.
-x-X-x-
"So what did you say...?"
At Yoo Seong-Woon's trembling question, Gio calmly answered even as his shoulders were being gripped.
"I refused, of course."
"I'm really glad you have enough common sense to call that 'of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ course'..."
"What exactly do you think of me?"
"A portrait that charges in the moment it finds something interesting."
"That's not entirely wrong, but I feel wronged."
Even Gio had basic preferences like anyone else.
"Who in the world enjoys being kidnapped?"
"There might be some. The world's full of crazies."
"I can't argue with that, but I don't think I'm that kind of crazy."
"You saying that puts me at ease more than I can explain."
Only then did Yoo Seong-Woon exhale deeply and let go of Gio's shoulders.
"Those mermaid friends of yours sure are something. Who asks permission before a kidnapping?"
"They're not exactly normal friends, are they?"
"So why did they want to kidnap you in the first place?"
"They didn't explain in detail."
"And you have no guesses?"
"I think they just don't want me directly involved in this fight."
Though he had platinum hair and blue eyes, Gio continued in his usual flat tone.
"This isn't my battle."
"Not your battle?"
"I've never been directly involved in the mermaids' affairs."
"Don't you think that's a bit of a ridiculous thing to say?"
"To be precise, my connection with my mermaid disciples ended on the ocean planet."
It ended the moment 'Giovanni' died.
"To put it simply, I'm like a side character in a spinoff now. The mermaids grew to resent humans after Giovanni's death, and ever since, they've been destroying planet after planet. Earth isn't any different."
Only this time, things had momentarily diverted after meeting 'Gio's Portrait.'
"They seem to believe they should take responsibility by doing the same things they've always done."
"So they're trying to exclude you from the conflict? Because your presence would muddy their sense of accountability?"
"Or maybe... they just wanted to try kidnapping me once, for the fun of it."
"Don't say that so casually..."
"I don't think my tone was that casual. Your voice is trembling, Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon."
"Can you blame me?"
His precious Origin had almost been kidnapped by some thugs from the ocean. Even if he knew it wouldn't truly harm Gio, he couldn't help feeling anxious.
"The ocean's been in chaos lately anyway. It's been stressing me out."
"Is the sea really that noisy?"
"Looks like those mermaids really can affect the ocean. We've been detecting big and small tremors from the deep sea, and it turns out a massive native monster that had been sleeping is starting to move."
"Oh dear. Should we be worried about tsunamis?"
"That's part of what we're preparing for. Damn, I don't even like the ocean that much..."
"Yet I recall you were dispatched there quite often."
"Well, ice-type hunters do have the advantage in water."
At the very least, he could keep himself alive.
"The eastern coastline's been going crazy."
"That's where the entrance to the 'Deep Sea Kingdom' was, right?"
"I already relayed the mermaids' declaration of war to the guild leader. Other guilds must be making preparations too. Judging by how noisy the Association and Justitia are, they must be bracing for civilian casualties."
"Did they officially declare not to engage the enemy?"
"Not a declaration, per se... more like, they're watching things closely, waiting for the worst."
They were certainly keeping a close eye on the situation.
"The sea level's risen a lot. Not many people live near the shoreline anymore, so evacuation isn't too hard. The real problem is what exactly the mermaids are planning to do to the ocean."
Yoo Seong-Woon glanced at Gio.
"Don't you have anything to say, as their old teacher?"
"Well... back then, my disciples were still immature..."
They hadn't been fully synchronized with the sea like they were now.
"But mermaids are known as children of the sea. More precisely, descendants of the deep. They possess many ocean-related powers."
"Like what kind of powers?"
"Becoming one with the ocean, for example."
"That already sounds like a headache."
"Or altering ocean currents..."
"They've lost their minds."
Even one of those powers would be enough to doom the planet. Shifting currents alone could destroy Earth's climate and systems.
Gio rested his chin on his hand.
"With all this commotion in the deep sea, tsunamis aren't unlikely. The ocean is fundamentally a vessel of natural disaster. It's perfectly suited to sweep away crowds of people."
"Can they do that so easily, like breathing?"
"No, not exactly. Earth's ocean isn't their family. No matter how hard mermaids without divinity try, they can't just dominate a foreign ocean like it's their own."
"Then?"
"It'll take time. But they've built up plenty of divine authority, so I don't think it'll take long. Mentally, they seem to be fully prepared."
"So basically, it's a race against time."
They had to act before Earth ended up like the mermaids' previous planets.
"We should start gathering a raid team, fast."
"Like last time in the quadruped rainforest, with hunters from different guilds?"
"It's a risky situation, and the rewards are uncertain, so I don't know how many will participate—but it won't be zero."
Koreans had a particular national trait.
"They bicker all day normally, but the moment a national disaster strikes, they band together. That's just how it is here..."
As Yoo Seong-Woon predicted, quite a few guilds expressed interest.
Big-name guilds, especially, had no choice but to join—if only for public perception. The Church of the Sun in Seoul, along with the Moon Temple, had already pledged participation, and Justitia announced it would assist in rescue operations.
"We've already issued evacuation orders to coastal regions."
"Justitia will be standing by in those zones, apparently."
"Hopefully the chaos can be contained near the coast..."
"What about public backlash?"
"Thanks to extra support from the Association, there haven't been major problems aside from general anxiety."
"Tell people to retrieve important items or family members now. Once this progresses any further, it'll be hard to return. Let's avoid later complaints."
"We've secured land use agreements. Once the houses are demolished, we'll set up defensive barriers. Did we get full cooperation from nearby districts?"
The confusion from the Great Catastrophe hadn't faded that long ago. Even historically strong guilds hadn't completely recovered from the fear of dungeons, so they'd all been preparing carefully.
That's why they could respond so quickly to a sudden disaster like this. Honestly, they were almost grateful that the monsters had made an official declaration of war.
"But seriously, why did that monster even bother to speak first?"
"I heard it approached some collector staff on vacation in Jeju Island..."
"I heard that too. Apparently, Sergio the hunter and Yoo Seong-Woon had previously been dispatched as a rescue team to the 'Deep Sea Kingdom.'"
"Maybe it recognized them from back then and gave a heads-up? You can never guess what monsters are thinking..."
"Maybe it figured they were worth giving a warning to."
That's when talk of 'Sergio the Hunter' began.
"Is Sergio participating this time too?"
"The Collector's Guild hasn't given a definite answer, but come on—he wouldn't skip it, would he?"
"I heard he really likes helping people. It'd be weird if he didn't show up."
"Unless the guild leader locks him down, he'll participate."
"Wait—why would a guild leader lock down their own guild member...?"
"You haven't heard? Rumor has it he's a blood relative of Bisa Beul, raised in captivity by the Collector's Guild."
"Don't spout nonsense. Must you say things that cause division during times like these? Are you trying to start a fight with the collectors?"
"I'm just saying, isn't it weird?"
Then the Collector's Guild made it official.
"Sergio will be participating too?"
"Apparently in the rear lines."
"Well, he is a tamer. Makes sense."
"Actually, I heard he can really fight..."
"This guy? You want to send a tamer to the front lines? What are you, a demon?"
"No, I mean seriously—"
"He's a healer too! Are you insane? Who puts a tamer and a healer on the front lines?"
In this era, tamers and healers were mainly support roles in the rear. Both were perceived as fragile.
Those who didn't know the truth about 'Sergio the Hunter' assumed it was only natural he'd be stationed in the back. And even those who did know didn't object too much.
"Well, he is a tamer."
"Putting a healer up front would be insane."
That's just how the world saw things. No matter how strong he was, the idea of placing a rear-position class up front was unacceptable. Thanks to that, Gio was safely assigned to the back lines.
Argio was slightly displeased.
"..."
"Mr. Gio, this isn't your battlefield."
Before he left for the safe zone, Joo-Hyun came to check on him and gently reassured him. Gio nodded.
"I know."
"Then why are you grumbling so much?"
"I haven't said a word. What grumbling are you talking about?"
"It's all over your face."
"You know me too well. That's uncomfortable."
"I know that's not what you really mean."
Being the 24-year-old personality, Argio grumbled more than the other versions of Gio. A temperament used to running wild would find it unbearable to be shackled to the rear lines.
And then, some exciting news reached Gio.
"An... an attack...!! It's an assault! All combat-capable hunters, report to your stations!!"
"What?! There hasn't even been a front-line alert from the coast yet!!"
"Hail is falling from the sky—and monsters are emerging from it! We don't know what's going on...!!"
Hunters who had been guarding the perimeter quickly called for backup. Those stationed in the rear scrambled for their weapons and gear. They soon understood the meaning of the phrase monsters are emerging from hail.
"What the hell...!!"
The moment they stepped outside the tents, they were met with a bitter, freezing wind. Amid the violent gusts, large and small hailstones pelted the ground.
Crash!
One especially loud hailstone hit and began to melt—turning into a grotesque monster.
"S-Slime?!"
"Slimes don't look like that!!"
"What is that...?! It's horrifying!!"
The creature, as if made from melted flesh, slithered and lunged at people.
"Request support from the front lines!!"
"Comms are down! We've sent teleport-capable hunters ahead!"
"There weren't any monsters in the ocean—so why are they falling from the sky?!"
Amid the hunters' confusion, battle had already begun.
"Whoops."
Crunch!
Yoo Seong-Woon awkwardly smiled after skewering a monster with an ice spear.
"This is a mess."
"A surprise attack?"
"Yeah, you could call it that. I feel embarrassed—so focused on the sea, I forgot the sky."
"I didn't expect the mermaids to attack like this either."
"Gio, how long can you hold out?"
Shrrrk!
Pulling out his spear, Yoo Seong-Woon continued.
"How far can your current body go?"
"It's not quite the same as when I'm at home."
He meant inside the portrait. Yoo Seong-Woon nodded in understanding.
"There must be restrictions. Just don't overdo it. If you get hurt, my heart will literally shatter."
"So it's not like it'll shatter—it's already determined to?"
"That's how curators are. Even a faint scratch on their precious work feels like the end of the world. They sob and curse everything. Understand?"
"You're being dramatic."
"I am dramatic."
But that was better than creating an irreversible disaster.
"So please be careful. Got it?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
And whether he truly did just keep it in mind—
A few days later, news spread that Gio had gone missing.
Yoo Seong-Woon's cries of despair echoed like a wail across the battlefield.
-x-X-x-
Gio hadn't gone off the path purely to satisfy his own greed.
"..."
Well, that was part of it.
'I can't exactly claim innocence after causing all this chaos. Even I have a conscience.'
Gio deliberately ignored the surrounding scene, littered with monster remains.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't yet fully merged with "Argio." Unlike Giovanni, the persona of Argio sometimes felt like an entirely separate being.
With an ambiguous expression, he wiped the blood from his face.
"...Mm, right..."
"..."
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Giovanni smiled awkwardly as he looked at the mermaid standing before him.
"I didn't expect you to come find me like this."
"I didn't expect you to come all the way to the outskirts, either."
"I was following something interesting, and it led me here."
"Was it really just that?"
"There are still people left here—how could I retreat alone?"
Gio tilted his head.
"This was intentional, wasn't it?"
It was hard to believe that the civilians and rear-position hunters, who should have been evacuated from this outer area long ago, were stranded here by chance. Even the dazzling monsters that had blocked Argio's vision were likely the mermaids' doing.
"Why did you call me here?"
"I heard you declined my sister's invitation last time."
"She openly asked me to let her kidnap me. How could I accept that?"
"You never make sacrifices without reason."
Iser smiled faintly. At a glance, it seemed gentle—but there was no emotion behind it.
"So I gave you a reason."
Iser gestured toward the nearby humans.
"That one is injured."
His words went on.
"Both legs broken—can't move. That one is just a child, probably not even twelve. That one is in a panic... can't even understand what's being said. Disgusting."
"What's your point?"
"I don't think you're unaware."
His eyes narrowed.
"Come with us."
"That's a very loaded statement."
"You can accept the kidnapping offer I made before, or you can come willingly and be with us entirely."
"Both sound like troublesome options."
Gio stroked his chin. Perhaps because he seemed like he was going to refuse, one of the stranded humans suddenly cried out.
"H-Hunter...!!"
"Oh?"
"Please save us! I don't want to die...! Please help!!"
"I see."
As always, Giovanni smiled softly.
"I understand how you feel."
Perhaps encouraged by those words, or perhaps they'd simply been waiting for a cue—the terrified people who had been silently holding back now began pleading one after another.
"Please save us..."
The voices grew louder.
"Please, Hunter...!"
"I don't want to die!!"
"It hurts so much! Please save us!!"
"Why did you take so long!!"
"You should've come sooner—do you know how many people died?!"
"Please save us! You can, can't you...!!"
THUD―!!!
The mermaid slammed his staff to the ground.
"..."
"..."
The clamor died instantly.
Iser, still smiling, asked the priest before him:
"They are begging for your salvation."
"It certainly seems that way."
"Don't these humans, forcing sacrifice upon others, seem like disgusting insects to you?"
"They look terribly pitiful. They're afraid. That's natural."
"You really will take the side of humans to the end."
The smile faded from Iser's face.
"If you won't stand with the deep sea, then at least give us that body."
"Is that a threat?"
"You saw right through me."
A strange, shimmering color danced in the water-scale gleam of the mermaid's eyes.
"Before I can no longer contain my hatred for humanity."
He extended his hand.
"...You'll have to come with me."
"And if I don't?"
"These humans will die before I ever fall to you."
"That's... possible."
Gio had quite a few options, but Iser was surely aware of that too. He must have come well-prepared. At worst, he could probably kill at least one person.
And Giovanni was someone who couldn't tolerate even one meaningless death.
'Then, what should I do now?'
He tried thinking with the wicked heart of a dark god for a moment.
"Mm... I could just ignore these poor people and fight."
"No, you won't do that. I know you won't."
"Well, would you look at that. I didn't know I was such a predictable man."
"Seems like you're the only one who doesn't know."
"...Yeah."
For the first time, Giovanni's smile twisted.
"That's probably true."
"..."
Iser didn't reply.
Gio looked around.
In the frightened people's eyes was a mixture of terror and resentment. Even though they weren't evil, there was a stinging bitterness hanging over them.
He recognized those eyes.
"They'll regret this one day."
These weren't evil people. Once they regained what they'd lost and found some peace, they would surely feel remorse.
Giovanni found that unbearably pitiful.
Why do humans choose to walk the path of suffering themselves?
"Fine. I'll go to the deep sea. Then what happens to me?"
"...You'll be sealed away, so the Black Cloak can no longer protect Earth's humans."
"That's what you have in mind?"
Giovanni chuckled.
"Understood. How fascinating."
This was the mermaids' final act of mischief—and a gift.
No matter how their responsibility ended, they were giving the Black Cloak a chance to anchor itself in the world and continue its story.
If they'd prepared such a charming farewell, there was no reason to take a loss.
'The people are afraid anyway.'
Gio decided to go along with the mermaids' surprise party.
This way, there would be no more bloodshed, and there was nothing to lose—only peace to gain.
"It's been a while since someone's threatened me."
How embarrassing.
'How should I play along to make everyone satisfied?'
Gio pondered for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
Since it had come to this, it was best to make the "Black Cloak" even more vivid to the world.
"...Even if I'm locked away by your hands, that tale won't vanish from Earth. Even if you kill me, it won't make a difference."
"We won't know until we try. I don't know whether its roots are on Earth—but shouldn't we at least stop the branches from spreading?"
Yes, this was definitely a childish protest.
The mermaids clearly didn't like that their teacher had roots on Earth.
It was obvious they intended to lock Giovanni away in their embrace.
Gio nodded.
"Do you swear to release these people safely?"
"I swear upon my family's honor... and the golden branch I now hold."
"I'll trust those words."
He raised both hands in surrender.
"Take me with you."
The tale of the mundane was at its end.
It was time for the mermaids and humans to settle things.
***
Meanwhile, in Seoul—uneasy and swept up in a chilling tension as the sea grew restless.
Joo-Hyun, upon hearing the news inside the Collector's Guild building, was at a loss for words.
"...Missing?"
"Technically speaking, it seems to be a kidnapping."
"If we're being technical, I think Gio just went along with it, didn't he?"
"You «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» really do have exceptional insight, Miss Joo-Hyun!"
Bisa Beul, who was with her in the reception room, smiled in his usual way.
"He's probably just humoring the mermaids' tantrum."
"Of all times, why now...?"
"Precisely because it's now, perhaps."
"A final act of mercy from Mr. Gio?"
"Or maybe a deliberate move to solidify the 'Black Cloak' legend?"
"...Would the mermaids even cooperate with that?"
Joo-Hyun buried her head in her hands.
"No, maybe... this whole mess was for that very reason. Ugh, my head..."
"You really are sharp."
Bisa Beul clicked his tongue.
"I don't get it. Why do people with brains act brainless so often?"
"Excuse me, I'm right here. You're talking directly to me."
"Oh my! You heard that? How embarrassing. Didn't realize my monologue reached so far."
"If even a non-awakened like me heard it, you meant for me to hear it."
"Judging by your snappy comebacks, you clearly do have a brain... people are really something..."
With a voice almost tinged with pity, Joo-Hyun asked:
"Why are you always picking a fight with me?"
"I've got this chronic condition where I pick fights when I see foolish humans."
"Go to the hospital."
"I'll endure for now."
To ensure the safety of Gio's treasured human, Bisa Beul had been protecting Joo-Hyun personally within the guild's main office.
Joo-Hyun understood this, so she hadn't stormed out of the room despite all the bickering.
But physical safety didn't mean emotional peace.
"When Gio went to rescue Cha I-Sol from the 'Country of the Deep Sea' before... he came back seriously injured. I'm really... really worried it'll be the same this time."
"That's also part of Mr. Gio's intent. I know you're just worried, and not trying to disrespect his will, but... you'd probably have an easier time living if you corrected that soft-hearted streak."
"It'd help if you picked either advice or insults, not both. I'm starting to get fond of you."
"Wait, really? Miss Joo-Hyun, were you being so cold to me this whole time? I'm so hurt I could cry..."
"I am the one about to cry, Guildmaster."
As a fragile non-awakened, she had nowhere to escape and was miserable.
"...The Collector's Guild people don't seem too worried about Gio."
"That's because you're treating the 'Portrait of Gio' as a person. It's... inconvenient."
For once, Bisa Beul wore a bored face.
"Think of ordinary artworks. Suppose an artist says they're doing performance art and slashes a canvas. What would you think?"
"I don't know much about art... I'd probably just accept it."
"Exactly. That's how we view creations. And this is a path the artwork chose itself. What right does a mere spectator have to deny it?"
"..."
"Of course, you're probably thinking this—"
He still looked sour.
'How can something that eats, speaks, sleeps, and laughs be treated like a mere artwork? It's repulsive, isn't it?'
"...Yeah. It is a bit grotesque."
"This grotesque bunch is who built the guild."
Bisa Beul had created it.
He didn't want to be alone, so he built the Collector's Guild. He placed his family in that enormous display case—and managed them so they wouldn't flee or change.
"Your perspective isn't strange. Honestly, the Collector's Guild is the weird one. Everyone here knows that. But we came together for that 'grotesque' purpose."
"All for you, Guildmaster?"
"I thought it was a win-win for everyone. You may see it differently, and I respect that... but personally, I don't have the patience for it."
"I'm curious—how many times a day do people tell you you're awful?"
"About 12 times. Our guild members are loyal, so they only tell the truth. Isn't that cute?"
"That's a disease."
"Agreed. I know."
Bisa Beul laughed.
"Didn't I just say it was a chronic illness?"
"Sounds like you've got more than one. Besides the 'arguing with dumb people' one."
"It's all in the same vein. It's no different with Mr. Gio."
He simply saw art as art, heroes as heroes.
"I find 'Giovanni's' actions strong and radiant."
They just saw different things.
"According to survivors, he sacrificed himself for others. Even after hearing cruel words and being betrayed by humanity, he felt only compassion and stepped forward for the greater good. He is a true hero."
That was a path Gio had chosen.
He had decided to save those people. As a result, many humans were freed from suffering. Gio was content with that.
"I think that choice is incredibly noble. So many were saved—no one has the right to deny its value."
"...That's honestly surprising, coming from you."
Joo-Hyun asked:
"So you don't hate that kind of hero?"
"He's dead, isn't he? No reason to hate the story of a dead man."
"Do you hate me because I'm alive?"
"There's a clear difference between stories completed in death and living humans."
Bisa Beul cared for his guild members like treasured objects—but never forgot they were human.
So it made sense that dead heroes and living ones felt fundamentally different to him.
He gave a playful smile.
"Am I wrong? Mr. Giovanni's actions were deeply noble. What kind of person could act like that? Not sages of the age. Not saints. No one else could offer themselves so wholly to humanity with such compassion."
"...That is one side of Mr. Gio. But only a part of him. Regardless of origin, he's a being who can laugh, cry, and feel pain. I don't think I'm wrong in how I see him."
"Right. That's just one aspect of the 'Portrait of Gio.'"
"So what we both see isn't wrong."
"Exactly, Miss Joo-Hyun."
They were that different.
"I don't think we'll ever become friends."
"...Agreed."
They simply lived in different worlds.
***
Meanwhile, Yoo Seong-Woon, eyes bloodshot, said:
"Rescue team."
"W-Wait, hold on—"
"When is the rescue team being formed?"
"W-We're still waiting for the hunters to finish recovery..."
"Didn't I already ask you to approve my individual deployment?"
"You know we can't authorize solo action right now, Hunter Yoo..."
"What kind of crisis do you think Hunter Sergio is in that you're dawdling like this?"
"...Why are you taking it out on me..."
The dispatched association staff member looked ready to cry.
'Hunters are terrifying.'
They just wanted to go home.
-x-X-x-