The hut after all the guests had gone.
"What exactly is a god?"
When Gio asked the 'sky,' the sparkling night above blinked in response. Its tail flicked and its ears perked up as if listening intently, hinting at blind devotion toward him, yet no reply came.
He hadn't really asked expecting an answer.
"Hmmm, I wonder..."
The stars embedded in the 'sky' glimmered curiously as they connected. Pearl-like 'gray' stars shimmered as the Milky Way swayed with intent, causing Gio to narrow his eyes.
It seemed like it wanted to say something...
'Maybe I'm just imagining it.'
He still didn't understand.
"What do you think, Father?"
"Ku?"
"This time, you didn't demand I act divine, either."
"Kuuu..."
The teddy bear furrowed its brow as if saying, 'I never expected you, with that red hair, to behave like a god in the first place,' but it still joined in his son's troubles sincerely. It gave its answer.
"Ku? Kukkuu."
"A bystander as part of nature?"
"Ku."
"Well, you were the sun, after all."
Unless it was to shine light, the sun never descended to the earth.
"That'd be a disaster."
Gio hugged the plush teddy bear. Then Dana came over and coiled protectively around them, and Honey, curious about the movement, briefly poked its head out from under the hood before tucking itself back in.
The seamlessness of it all pleased Gio deeply, though the dilemma still lingered. He had a very, very long life ahead.
"..."
He needed something to guide him.
***
"Gio hyung!"
"How have you been?"
Cha I-Sol came running at full speed, and Gio scooped her up effortlessly. As expected, the priest Kang Seodam, and Cha I-Sol's partner and priest-in-training, Iru Da, were with her.
Giovanni smiled gently and asked how they had been.
"Any trouble since last time?"
"The mermaid issue was resolved without incident, so there was no trouble to speak of. Nothing you need worry about, Hunter Sergio."
"You're still so formal."
It felt overly polite to the point of awkwardness.
After setting Cha I-Sol down, Gio's eyes met Iru Da's. As if she had been waiting for that gaze all along, she locked eyes with him, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"I never properly thanked you for the gift you gave me last time. I wanted to express that today. I hope my coming to greet you wasn't unwelcome?"
"Unwelcome? Not at all. I'm deeply pleased to be greeted by such a kind friend. Would you allow me to enjoy this joy even more?"
"...Ah, th-thank you. That's... kind of you to say."
Iru Da was slightly flustered.
'Do people usually respond that way?'
Most adults would get flustered when small and young Iru Da spoke to them with utmost politeness.
That gave Iru Da a little breathing room. Being young was a disadvantage, but she didn't want to lose to adults—so she had honed this surefire approach.
'He's just difficult.'
It wasn't that she disliked him, but whenever she saw that gentle, all-forgiving face—like someone who knew everything but chose to forgive anyway—her shoulders drooped involuntarily.
Adults usually didn't treat her this way. She was more used to being judged coldly by objective standards than being respected or coddled.
'At this rate, I won't even be able to properly thank him...'
Noticing Iru Da's awkwardness, Kang Seodam let out a small sigh and suggested,
"It might be uncomfortable to continue speaking here. Shall we move to the reception room? Hunter Sergio expressed interest in the trainees' progress, so we intended to bring him along unless you had other preferences."
"No, that's more than enough."
"Pre-seminarian Iru Da also seems to have more to say, but let's save that for a more suitable time and place. Every conversation needs the right setting."
Realizing her shallow tactic had been seen through, Iru Da blushed.
"...I apologize."
"No need to apologize. Please raise your head."
Gio was simply impressed.
'Kids these days really are precocious.'
Honestly, she seemed more composed and tactful than 29-year-old Sergio. He immediately understood Iru Da's intentions in trying to initiate that eye contact.
'She must have felt she couldn't properly express gratitude without gaining a sliver of the upper hand. I noticed it last time too—she's got a strong instinctive wariness toward adults.'
Not hatred, but a fundamental belief that "adults are dangerous." If he pushed further, it would come across as "read the room," not "it's okay," so Gio let the matter drop.
"I heard Cha I-Sol wrote 33 pages of reflection."
"Ah... that..."
Grateful for the change in subject, Iru Da nodded.
"Kang Seodam teacher only asked for one, but she said it kept growing as she wrote, and ended up bringing in a whole stack. He sent her back, saying it wasn't necessary to go that far."
Kang Seodam interjected.
"I told her to condense it into one page. Too much of anything isn't good, and I just needed some record that she had reflected."
"I understand the reason."
Though he felt guilty giving extra work to a child already worn out from writing 33 pages, his judgment had been wise. A reflection letter had to be filed with the Church of the Sun.
'It'd be impossible to officially submit all 33 pages raw.'
Even if Cha I-Sol had tried to hide the "truth," she was still a child. The process of writing so much likely included bits that weren't appropriate for official records.
"You've worked hard, Priest Kang Seodam. Thanks to you, I believe Cha I-Sol and Iru Da are growing into wonderful priests."
"That's... too kind. You don't need to go that far. It's simply my duty as their teacher and senior."
"Doing one's duty isn't always easy."
"..."
Kang Seodam fell silent.
'...What kind of reply do you give to someone who was buried by the very church that couldn't even uphold that basic duty? He probably won't get angry, but it's not something you can easily say out loud.'
They walked in thoughtful silence toward the reception room. The only one excitedly chatting was 11-year-old Cha I-Sol, thrilled by how beautiful the spring garden had become.
The reception room was completely quiet.
"So peaceful."
"I asked them to step out to ensure no interruptions."
"Thank you for the consideration."
"No, it was for our sake as well..."
Though he couldn't discuss being the Black Cloak in front of Iru Da, there were plenty of other topics better spoken in private. Kang Seodam gently touched Iru Da's shoulder.
"Pre-seminarian Iru Da."
"Yes."
"Would you like to speak now?"
"...Thank you."
Still hesitating, Iru Da bowed deeply.
"I apologize for how poorly I behaved earlier."
"I already told you there was no need to apologize."
"Since you said that, I'll be shameless and say what I originally came to say. The flower tea you gave me last time... it helped me tremendously."
She was talking about the Bai Bamnil flower tea Gio had casually gifted her.
"I offered it to the Goddess of the Sun, and in return, she blessed me. Thanks to that gift—which I couldn't even recognize for its true value—I was able to contribute, even in a small way, during the recent war."
Hearing that, Gio thought,
'I wish she'd just talk like a kid.'
Back in my day, kids never talked like this in front of me. Not even as a joke. As the eternally bewildered modern man Sergio, he found it absurd.
Still, Giovanni's calm, benevolent composure didn't waver. Emboldened by his serene demeanor, Iru Da straightened her shoulders a little and continued.
"If you hadn't given me that gift, I wouldn't have been able to do anything after Cha I-Sol was taken. I wouldn't have been allowed to fight, and even if I forced my way in, I would've just been a burden."
"Please feel free to speak more casually."
"...Casually?"
"Yes."
Unable to take it anymore, Gio gently suggested,
"Isn't a simple 'thank you for helping me' enough?"
"I... I can't do something that rude after using the gift you gave me so selfishly..."
"What I gave you was exactly that—a gift. I handed you a medicinal herb because I heard you liked chewing on healthy roots. If you used it to help save Cha I-Sol, that's your own achievement, not mine."
"B-but... the value of what I received..."
"I've heard plenty about your accomplishments. Despite still being a pre-seminarian, you stepped into the battlefield, protected the injured in your partner's place, and even made flowers bloom in an icy sea."
"...I just did what I was told."
"What an earnest student."
Having finally found a gap, Gio shifted his tone. After all, Iru Da wasn't the only one who could overwhelm someone with praise and gratitude.
"I was truly moved by your story. Stepping onto a battlefield is no small feat—even if it's for your partner. That must've taken tremendous courage, not to mention strong friendship and trust."
"A-ah, no, I..."
"Thanks to you, Cha I-Sol was rescued unharmed. Even if you don't believe in yourself, that was a tremendous help. As proof, Cha I-Sol has been smiling freely ever since returning from that hardship, hasn't she?"
"...That's..."
"You did well."
"..."
Iru Da shrank back again.
"...Thank you."
"And I thank you."
Excellent. She finally looked like a proper kid!
'Knew I still got it.'
There's no legal definition of "a proper kid," but this was certainly better. If she'd shown any discomfort, he would've backed off—but despite her flushed cheeks, she didn't look upset. In fact, Gio was certain she wanted to be treated like a child.
With practiced ease, Gio shifted his gaze to Cha I-Sol.
"Did you get scolded properly, Cha I-Sol?"
"Yes! A lot! I'll never do it again!"
"Good attitude."
Cha I-Sol might still be young and inexperienced, but she wasn't stupid. She had a keen sense of judgment and awareness. Gio trusted that she'd act more wisely next time.
'If she ever barges into a battlefield again like last time, I really will lose it.'
With that, Gio turned to Kang Seodam.
"Anything else I should know about?"
"...Aside from the increasing calls within the Church to appoint Hunter Sergio as a saint... nothing in particular."
"Ah, that."
■■■■■―...
"..."
"..."
"My apologies."
Plop—!
Gio reached into his shadow and tucked the sudden gray paint back in.
"This one has no subtlety."
"...Forgive me, but may I ask what I just saw?"
"If you're truly curious, I'll gladly explain... but it may become a bit bothersome. Are you alright with that?"
"...I misspoke. It's better not to know."
Even so, Kang Seodam instinctively felt the essence of what he'd just seen—that cool drop in air temperature, the soft pearlescent gleam like shimmering fish scales...
It reminded him of a creature he might've seen somewhere before.
'That's far enough.'
He consciously cut off the thought.
Just like Hunter Sergio said, there was nothing to gain from digging deeper. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Kang Seodam cautiously asked,
"...Is that a newly trained contracted beast? If I've caused any discomfort, I'm truly sorry. I had no intention of offending you."
"You needn't worry. It won't attack you. I wasn't displeased either. What you just saw was... metaphorically speaking, something like a spinal reflex."
"Spinal reflex..."
"Even recently deceased organisms still exhibit nerve twitching, right? Same idea."
'Spinal reflex.' 'Postmortem.'
"...I see."
Luckily, Gio seemed willing to go along with the "contracted beast in training" excuse. As the narrative wrapped up, both men's gazes drifted toward the two children—whose reactions were starkly different.
Cha I-Sol looked delighted and excited, while Iru Da had gone pale, clearly overwhelmed. Amused, Gio smiled gently.
"Are you alright?"
"...Y-yes."
"My apologies. That's a recently adopted family member, and he's a bit disobedient. I've tucked him away, so it shouldn't happen again."
"Th-that's a relief..."
Iru Da hesitantly asked,
"I heard you're a tamer... Do you tame monsters like that too?"
"More of a bundle of mystery than a monster with survival instincts, but yes. I'm always recruiting new family."
"Ah, right. You're part of the Collector's Guild..."
She had completely forgotten, since he didn't seem like one.
'If he's from that guild, it's not surprising he's taming some dangerous stuff.'
Iru Da assumed what she'd seen wasn't exactly a living being, but a dangerous object with biological features—like the many monstrous relics often seen at the Collector's.
'No wonder people say he's a hidden S-rank.'
She stared at Hunter Sergio with growing admiration.
'There can't be many hunters like him.'
It was a stark change from the fear she had felt just moments earlier, but Iru Da admired the powerful and competent. A hunter who handled such dangerous and unique contracts was incredible to her.
"...I... used to want to be a tamer when I was little."
"Ah, really?"
Gio thought,
'You're not little now?'
He smiled and nodded.
"And how is it now, as a priest?"
"I'm just grateful I can contribute in my own way."
"Do you enjoy it?"
"..."
Iru Da fell silent.
"..."
Do you enjoy it?
'That's... a strange kind of question.'
Adults always asked what she could do.
Whether the job suited her, whether she was achieving results, what she had learned, how she was applying it. It was normal—she was a hunter, after all. Even if she was young, she had to carry her own weight.
But this...
'Do I enjoy it? This job? My current life...?'
She'd never even thought about it.
"...Um..."
At that moment, her eyes met Cha I-Sol's.
"...Me?"
"...Yes. I enjoy it."
At last, the words came out.
'It's been fun.'
Of course, there were regrets and mistakes. But looking back, this life had brought her genuine enjoyment. It even allowed her to befriend someone like Cha I-Sol.
She felt relieved. Sitting in a quiet, sunlit room like a confessional brought a strange calm.
She spoke again with a shy smile.
"I think I've had many good opportunities because I became a priest."
"I see."
"If I'd awakened as a tamer, I probably would've found joy in that too. But I'm satisfied with the unique happiness I've found in who I am now. So I guess... I do enjoy it."
"What a wonderful way to think."
Giovanni loved children with such firm resolve.
"Do you like sheep?"
"Sh-sheep? What do you mean exactly...?"
"Their wool, for instance."
"I don't love or hate them..."
"How about a scarf? It's still chilly out, so it'd be good for warmth."
"...Are you... offering me another gift?"
"I can't leave without offering a present."
"Wait..."
Flustered, Iru Da looked at Cha I-Sol. Her eyes said 'What's wrong with this guy?' or 'Can you do something?' but Cha I-Sol just beamed with joy, oblivious to her partner's silent cry for help.
"Then I'll make you flower tea! You said you liked tea, right?"
"Hey."
"Huh?"
"..."
Iru Da was speechless.
'Ah, right. The Black Cloak's apostles...'
The phrase suddenly came to mind—"The Black Cloak gives gifts to good people." Considering how many divine beings favored their most compatible followers, it wasn't even that strange.
Whether she was good or not, still...
"Though it's spring now, maybe a scarf's too much."
"Then let's make flower tea together! Flower tea!"
"That's a great idea. We could even bake light cookies with it."
"I'll bake too! I'll give them to Ruda and teacher!"
...Still, wasn't this too much resemblance?
'It's a good thing, but why does it feel so ominous?'
Without thinking, Iru Da glanced at Kang Seodam.
"..."
"..."
Ah.
She read the familiar resignation in his face.
She wanted to say something—but her lips clamped shut and her tongue curled inward. It felt like she was looking at her own future.
"...Please go easy on me."
"There's no such thing as 'easy' when it comes to gifts."
"...Yes, thank you..."
She didn't dislike it at all, but...
'This strange feeling of being overwhelmed... It's ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) unfair.'
***
The Earth's sun was watching it all.
Gio knew that.
The two children were busy bickering.
And Kang Seodam was ready to drop dead from the pressure.
-x-X-x-
After a modest conversation, Gio requested a prayer session at the Church of the Sun.
"Would it be possible?"
"Are you asking for a private prayer room?"
"Yes, that's right. There's something I'd like to say to the Sun."
The priest who had been summoned by Kang Seodam smiled and nodded.
"Would that be alright, Priest Kang Seodam?"
"So long as it doesn't burden the church, I ask that you honor all of Hunter Sergio's requests."
"All of them...?"
"Hunter Sergio isn't someone who makes unreasonable demands."
"Understood. Right this way, Hunter."
He was a priest primarily responsible for guiding visitors, so this kind of task was familiar to him. The Church of the Sun promoted an atmosphere of benevolence and warmth, encouraging all to seek forgiveness and grace. It wasn't uncommon for ordinary believers to visit and confess.
'But can Hunter Sergio really be called an "ordinary" believer...?'
The priest thought privately.
'I heard he sees himself as half a priest. He certainly doesn't look or feel like a lay follower. And there were even rumors about him being an apostle of the Black Cloak...'
He didn't show it, but he was curious. What could someone like this—so gentle he looked like he wouldn't hurt a fly—possibly be saying inside a prayer room?
"Hm..."
Wanting to break the silence, the priest attempted some light conversation, as the elders had advised.
"This isn't your first visit to the Church of the Sun, is it?"
"No. On my last visit, I was invited to view the 'Four-Legged Rainforest Underground.' Thanks to that, I had a rather rare experience."
"We were terribly sorry to have rushed you into that last-minute arrangement, so it's good to hear you say that."
Despite its solemn image, the Church of the Sun encouraged a lively, cheerful atmosphere. The path to the prayer room was filled with soft laughter and chatter—pleasant but never disruptive.
"Even though I know you're awakened as a tamer, I keep wanting to call you 'priest.' It's not intentional, nor am I trying to be presumptuous. If I happen to overstep, would you forgive me?"
"Beneath the warm light of the sun and surrounded by laughter, what could possibly be unforgivable? Many others have had the same confusion, so please don't worry."
"Ah, so it's not just me, then."
"It doesn't help that the clothes I wear resemble priestly vestments. And it's true I serve a different divinity altogether."
"It may be rude of me to say, but I sometimes wonder—what if Hunter Sergio had awakened as a priest instead? I think you could've become one of the most revered high priests not only in Korea, but the world..."
"You flatter me."
From this conversation alone, it was clear: Hunter Sergio was truly a man of exceptional character.
'So this is why people say he might be a saint. It's hard not to admire him.'
He seemed like an ideal that all priests should strive toward.
'If only he would join the Church of the Sun...'
The priest knew he wasn't the only one who had thought this. For priests, the rise of the sun meant joy. To have a powerful, kind-hearted, and talented priest join your order—any sect would crave that.
Yes, if it happened, it would be a blessing—
"...?"
The priest suddenly paused.
"Is something wrong?"
"...Ah, no. I'm sorry."
He gave a sheepish smile.
"I think the sunlight got in my eyes for a moment."
Hunter Sergio's shadow had seemed to ripple white for just an instant. But now, there was no sign of it. It must've been his imagination.
"How disgraceful, showing such behavior in front of a guest."
"There's nothing disgraceful about it. In a space filled with such warm light, your eyes are bound to sting. Perhaps this too is a blessing from the Goddess of the Sun."
"You honor me with such words."
'This must be what a true believer looks like.'
'It's such a shame... If someone like this had been a priest from the start...'
But Sergio had never even awakened as a priest. Worse, he belonged to the Collector's Guild—an organization infamous for hoarding talent—and served a different god entirely. He wouldn't convert so easily.
'Even if he wanted to, the Collector wouldn't allow it. They say he's like a hidden son, after all. That says everything.'
A small tinge of resentment rose.
'...Did Bisa Beul hide him on purpose, knowing he had the makings of a saint? If so, keeping such a divine vessel hidden for selfish gain /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ would be an offense even the Goddess would find disgraceful.'
Suppressing the irritation, the priest resumed conversation.
"What brings you here today?"
"I came to discuss support for children I hold dear."
"Ah, you mean the pair—Cha I-Sol and Iru Da. Your affection for those two has caused quite a stir even within the Church. They're exceptional youths."
"Charming children."
Hunter Sergio chuckled warmly.
"I've heard many good things, but the more I learn, the more I wonder how else I might help. I just discussed this at length with Priest Kang Seodam."
"The two are so capable that we're preparing for the possibility of early ordination. With someone like you supporting them, it won't be long before they're full-fledged priests."
"Though I'm no priest myself, I'd like to help however I can."
"What more qualifications does someone of your caliber need to be helpful?"
After all, it was impossible to see this man as anything but a priest.
"We've arrived. This is your assigned private prayer room."
"Even this deep inside, sunlight streams in—remarkable."
"It's one of the Church's greatest prides, to be so loved by the Goddess of the Sun."
His chest swelled with pride. The Church's prayer rooms were built to harmonize with nature—the divine sun. As a result, sunlight reached even sealed rooms as if by miracle.
Sprouting buds and fresh flowers, soft rays of sun filtering through, a wooden bench cooled by the air...
"Every time I see such blessings with my own eyes, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. May you also have a meaningful time in the Sun's embrace."
"Your words are as warm as sunlight itself. Thank you."
"Then I shall stand guard out here. Please, take your time."
The priest quietly closed the door and took his position outside.
"..."
The silent corridor brought peace to his heart.
Prayer rooms were always kept in quiet, sacred stillness, so the children of the sun could pray in peace. Unlike the bustling outer halls, this space where light and shadow intertwined was his favorite.
'Becoming a guiding priest was the right choice. Surely the Sun Goddess herself led me here. I must remain grateful and raise my own prayer...'
The Church of the Sun always welcomed spring first in all of Korea. With his eyes closed, he could hear the birds chirp, feel the breeze brush his cheeks, smell the flowers heralding new life.
Time passed.
"...Hm?"
There was light where there shouldn't be light.
'...Is that light coming from the prayer room?'
Sunlight was leaking through the cracks of the door.
'No way. How can there be this much...?'
The priest's heart pounded.
He could distinguish normal light from sunlight. Without a doubt, this was true sunlight. And such a phenomenon—appearing in the Church's prayer room—was something he'd only heard of on rare occasions.
'When the archbishop prays...'
And that only happened when the Sun responded.
"..."
The priest hesitated, then stepped closer.
'...Just a little.'
If he was right, he wanted to witness even a glimpse of that glory.
Prayer rooms had food slots and a small window to allow communication—used often during fasting sessions.
'Just a peek...'
The priest slowly opened the mailbox-sized viewing window.
"..."
...Ah.
The Sun.
***
"This is unfair."
"Please calm down, Hunter Sergio."
Kang Seodam sighed as he tried to settle Gio down.
"This incident is clearly our fault. A man without authorization tried to peek at a believer's prayer—and this is the result. You did nothing wrong."
Of course, it would've been better had Gio not exposed divine mystery so carelessly in the mortal world. Kang Seodam shot a sharp glance at the priests who kept glancing toward them with feverish eyes.
'I want to gouge every one of their eyes out.'
Did they have any idea who they were gawking at?
'This situation's become a bit complicated...'
The guiding priest who peeked into Gio's prayer had gone into a state of madness.
"The Sun looked upon me! The Sun! Ah—AAAHH!!"
"Get him to the infirmary! Hurry!"
"Please... just a sliver of mercy! That small, enormous mercy—we are...!"
"This is getting serious."
Just one glimpse of a prayer—and a proper priest went half-mad. A terrifying sight, perhaps—but this was the home of the Sun's faithful. What they felt was not fear, but reverence.
"...What on earth did he see...?"
"...He keeps calling out to the Sun."
They had always yearned for miracles.
"..."
Kang Seodam, brimming with irritation, scattered the gawking crowd.
"Everyone leave. There's a patient here—how long do you plan to stand and stare? Don't you realize how disrespectful you're being to our guest?"
"B-but Priest Kang Seodam..."
"No buts. We've already offended our guest. Continuing to do so only deepens our sin. Go back to your stations—remember your place."
Kang Seodam held no small authority in the church. The priests, disappointed, continued to steal glances, but eventually dispersed. The frenzied priest was carried to the infirmary.
Kang Seodam finally led Gio to his office.
"...I don't know what to say."
"It was an unusual sight—understandable. I only hope the priest who guided me recovers quickly."
"He will."
He had simply gone mad from witnessing a divine blessing far beyond his station.
'He should've known his limits.'
The priest didn't know who Sergio really was. But if he had just done his own job, this wouldn't have happened. Utterly foolish.
'I entrusted him because he'd never had issues before...'
It just showed how overwhelming the light Gio radiated had been. Kang Seodam understood, but he was still displeased.
"...Did your conversation with the Sun go well?"
"Yes, it was a pleasant time."
"That's a relief. As for our apology, would it be acceptable to send it via your manager, Joo-Hyun?"
"You don't need to apologize."
"Our church's reputation is at stake. Please allow it. A sin unrepented is a sin unworthy of the divine."
"If you put it that way... very well. Thank you for your concern."
"Then..."
Kang Seodam called over Cha I-Sol and Iru Da, who were waiting on the sofa.
"Would you like to say a brief thank-you to your benefactor?"
"Yes! I want to!"
"M-me too, for a moment..."
The two approached and bowed.
"We'll graduate early and come see you within three years!"
"Won't we see each other before then?"
"Thank you for your generous kindness."
"Such contrasting styles of gratitude."
In any case, he liked it.
"May the Sun's light reach you both."
Sergio blessed their future, then looked directly at Cha I-Sol.
"Any nightmares?"
"None at all."
"Does the Sun love you?"
"Yes, very much!"
"You've grown."
She was the Sun's result—his father's handiwork.
"..."
In the end, he had been right.
***
Gallery, B5 underground.
"What kind of posture should a god maintain?"
"What kind of conversation did you have with the Sun Goddess to ask something like that?"
Yoo Seong-Woon, visiting 'Gio's portrait' for the first time in a while, looked baffled.
-x-X-x-
The Sun of Earth welcomed the visit of "Gio's Portrait" with great delight.
"Were you expecting me?"
She answered yes.
From the moment he first revealed himself beneath Earth's sunlight, the Sun had marveled at the vast vessel he possessed and laughed joyfully, saying she wished to interact with him.
"I came here today to contemplate what stance a god ought to take."
What stance a god ought to take?
"My father said a god must be nature itself, a bystander.
If the sun were to descend directly to the surface, there would be no hell greater than that, so remaining distant and observing from afar would be more merciful."
Earth's Sun said she disagreed with that view.
"And for what reason?"
Because the Sun always reached out to life.
Every living being born beneath sunlight was her child.
Earth's Sun had defended her children from the grasp of tens of thousands of divine beings that flowed into the world after the Great Calamity.
There had simply been too many situations in which she could only protect them by intervening.
"And so, what stance do you take as a god?"
The birth of life and the love of mercy.
"Mother Sun."
That was it—he seemed to understand well.
"You truly are the mother of all life."
Life on Earth comes forth from the belly of the Sun and eventually returns to her embrace.
As my fragment, my other self, it is only right that I shape an environment where it may fully frolic beneath the Sun.
"A kind of nurturing, then."
Because they are her children.
"Then what do you think of the stance taken by my father, the Sun?
He only ever gazed at his children with affection, never embracing them.
He would sometimes weave the framework of fate, only to release it from his hands."
That too may be a form of love.
"You believe so?"
Because if he were to hold them in his hands, they would burn.
He could not carelessly caress them.
"But you are reaching out your hand."
That is why she, as the Sun, had to give up many things.
Fearing that they might tremble before her vast body, she hid herself.
Worried they would turn to ash from a single breath, she held it in.
Afraid their brains would melt from her gaze, she kept her eyelids shut and held the Earth in her arms.
"That must be uncomfortable."
It was something she could endure because she loved.
"Love... what a sweet word.
Then did my father, the Sun, refuse to hold his children, including Giovanni, in his arms?"
Embracing them is not the only form of love.
Just their existence may have been too radiant, too overwhelming—he couldn't bear to touch them.
Perhaps he loved those pure humans untouched by the Sun's hand.
"I understand."
The stance of a god is as diverse as the divinity itself.
So love like that, O great mystery.
***
"...So we did talk, after all."
"I heard one of the priests in the Church of the Sun went mad."
"I object."
"I'm not saying it was your fault."
It was just a bit interesting, that's all.
"May I one day have the honor of observing you two speak?"
"I refuse. It's terribly embarrassing."
"That's really unfortunate..."
At any rate, he understood what Gio had been agonizing over.
"Hm. What about this?"
"Can you offer another form of help?"
"You have another divine friend, don't you?"
"Ah."
He was referring to the god of death.
"Shall I take you to him?"
"Thank you."
Gio did not refuse.
***
"Have you come to visit?"
Gio recognized the death priest who came to greet him.
"You guided me the last time, didn't you?"
"It is an honor that you remember."
"Please guide me again to your father."
"That too is an honor."
And naturally, the priest took out a small envelope.
"A gift of gratitude."
"...What kind of gift?"
"I'm glad you're treating me more comfortably than last time."
"It's all thanks to the advice given to me by the bishop... ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) though it may be more than I deserve."
"I see. Then there's someone else who should receive this gift."
What Gio handed over was Basram tea.
"It's a tea with the roasted flavor and aroma of grains.
I heard that the death priests enjoy tea, so I brought this with me.
It holds the warmth of gentle sunlight—please enjoy it when you are weary."
"Would it be alright to share this with the believers?"
"I'm curious—what would you use it for?"
"This place is often visited by believers with weakened bodies."
"Is it because of the Temple of Death?"
"Yes, and so..."
Though the death priests revered the end of life as a glorious blessing, they did not deny the happiness of life either.
They also played the role of ensuring that the fleeting lives of mere humans could end in a way that was precious and brilliant.
"If you permit it, I'd like to offer it to those who suffer in life."
If life was not happy, only those who twisted death would increase.
"May I have your permission?"
"Of course, my kind friend."
"...Thank you."
"I'll take that as a yes."
"You're quite the cheerful one."
Though his face remained stiff, the priest was certainly more comfortable around Gio than before.
Even when Gio casually referred to him as a friend, he didn't seem to mind—it even appeared to please him.
Gio felt gratitude for that reaction.
It was truly heartwarming.
"Do the death priests not enjoy play?"
"There are as many deaths as there are lives.
So naturally, there's a lot to be done."
"Then I suppose playing together would be difficult."
"If you wish it, I'll try to make time..."
"I'm not forcing you."
Again, the priest lifted a round lantern shaped like a bell and walked into the dark temple with a white cloth covering his eyes.
In the shallow water spread over the floor, Gio could sense the god of death—like a river flowing through.
Soon a large door appeared, and the priest stepped aside as the bishop, Eunyeong, came out.
"It's an honor to meet you again."
"The honor is mine."
"Now, my father awaits—this way..."
Before they could go any deeper, Death suddenly stuck his head out.
"My friend."
"Oh."
At that, Eunyeong motioned to the guiding priest.
"...You've done well. You may now step back—these two elders shall speak."
"...Yes, Bishop."
Death's active approach seemed unfamiliar.
Both of them were slightly flustered but moved diligently.
The priest quietly withdrew.
Eunyeong closed the door to the Room of Death and tried to retreat into the darkness.
But Gio called out to her.
"Won't you join us?"
"...Would someone as insignificant as I be permitted to sit in that presence?"
"I came here today to speak.
To seek opinions.
The more mouths, the better."
"If that's the case, then I—Eunyeong—will humbly take a seat."
Perhaps because she had lived close to the god's physical form, Eunyeong remained composed even between two divine beings.
Feeling that the setting was now appropriate, Gio began to speak lightly.
"It's been a while."
"I see we've grown distant, haven't we?"
"Out of guilt, I brought something to share."
"Something to share, you say."
Death chuckled.
"Have you kept your promise?"
"I brought some jeon."
Gio lifted the lunchbox wrapped in black silk.
"Would you join us, Miss Eunyeong?"
"...Did you make it yourself?"
"Yes, I did."
"I... don't know if I can still serve Death after eating this."
"It's not like you'll live forever from eating it."
"..."
"Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?"
Joo-Hyun didn't. Yoo Seong-Woon didn't.
Only the passersby who met him in portrait form simply accepted it.
If he gave food, wasn't it just... 'Wow, food!' and then you eat it?
"I think it'll be delicious."
"I have no doubt about that, Sergio Hunter."
"I really think it's tasty..."
"I don't doubt it."
"It's not some bizarre potion. It's just food."
"..."
"Funny how you never have anything to say at times like this."
"...Mmm..."
Eunyeong soon nodded.
"If you promise me I'll remain human, I'll eat it with joy."
"I promise."
"That was rather quick."
"I have no intention of turning you into anything non-human."
"And it has no such effect?"
"Of course not."
"In that case..."
She looked up at her father.
"...Will you eat?"
"..."
Death looked troubled.
"...It does look delicious."
"...Oh, does it?"
Eunyeong was surprised.
"I didn't think Father could feel appetite."
"Nor did I."
For a divine being to eat was nearly impossible.
Even if Death had a physical form, it was no easy task.
Divinity didn't possess the concept of appetite.
But Death stared at the jeon laid out neatly in the abalone-decorated box.
"...My daughter..."
"Yes, Father. I'm listening."
"...I do not wish to burden you, but I fear ruining this graceful gift.
Please, hand me that yellow one."
"...Ah, the yellow one. You mean the pollack jeon?"
"Yes, that one. Its aroma is delightful."
Even with a physical form, it was hard for such a vast, nature-like being to properly pick up "food."
Unfamiliar with such humble joys, the god hesitated and asked his daughter for help.
Eunyeong smiled gently.
"This must be a child's joy.
I never imagined a day would come where I would feed my father.
I have one more thing to thank Sergio Hunter for."
"Please, speak comfortably."
"Hm, shall I?"
Joyfully, she picked up the golden pollack jeon.
"Here... Father, how would you like to eat it?"
"..."
Swoooosh—
From the darkness, a massive "face" descended.
The Death who always dwelled in the shadows of the vast chamber opened his mouth—thin and rough like gnarled bark.
Eunyeong, recognizing that gap as his "mouth," placed the jeon inside.
The "face" did not ascend back into the darkness—it remained there.
"..."
"...How is it, Father?"
"It is delicious."
"Oh my..."
Eunyeong burst into laughter.
"Truly astounding."
She felt immense joy.
Though she had served Death as her father, offering him familial love and reverence, she never imagined she could feel this kind of simple, everyday "family" happiness.
"Would you like something else? There's vegetable jeon, oyster jeon, pumpkin jeon..."
"Give me the bumpy one."
"You mean the vegetable jeon. Yes, right here."
Seeing the tender moment between father and daughter, Gio smiled contentedly.
"How lovely this is."
"Fufu... All thanks to Sergio Hunter bringing us this gift."
"I'm happy it suited your taste."
After all, people who enjoyed his cooking were the most beautiful.
"Should've made a bigger batch."
"No, it's more than enough."
"But your body's so big..."
"It's enough."
What Gio had brought was ultimately a "something" in the form of food.
More than size, it was the amount of mystery packed within that mattered.
And Death was savoring the joy of gourmet delight.
After a while, even Eunyeong, urged on by the two divine beings, took a bite of jeon.
"..."
"How is it?"
"...It's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten."
"To receive such praise..."
"No, it's not praise. It's just..."
Eunyeong, unusually, blushed and her eyes sparkled.
"...It's truly delicious."
"I'm glad."
Death also laughed, swept up in his daughter's joy.
His laughter filled the Room of Death.
Eunyeong, embarrassed by his reaction, carefully took another piece.
"I know it might be dangerous..."
"It's not dangerous. I object."
"Still... I can't stop using my chopsticks."
She was following the exact path Yoo Seong-Woon and Joo-Hyun once walked.
Afraid that this mass of mystery would change her, yet unable to resist its blissful taste.
And then Gio even brought out alcohol.
"Jeon calls for some drink, doesn't it?"
"Heavens..."
Eunyeong exclaimed in joy.
"The aroma is amazing. What kind of alcohol is it?"
"Makgeolli brewed from fruit, rice, and flowers."
"Exquisite..."
Time passed joyfully.
"..."
"..."
Death and Eunyeong realized something.
"...You..."
"Please speak."
"Are you... trying to turn me into a pig...?"
"How did you know...?"
"...Oh..."
It was the same kind of realization Sanarae once had.
'...Hansel and Gretel...'
Eunyeong thought that to herself.
She didn't really believe this divine being would devour her like a witch... but still.
It was so good, so overwhelming, it felt slightly unfair.
And finally, Gio spoke his true purpose.
"What is a god?"
"A god... is it necessary?"
"I think I need to know... to prepare."
"What kind of preparation?"
"A preparation about my own existence."
He wanted to define everything about himself.
"Will you help me?"
"Of course..."
Death gladly agreed.
For the first time, he had experienced "true flavor"—and it was worth any price.
-x-X-x-
"Death of life is not a beginning, but an end."
Earth's Death said so.
"Some people say this—'death is another beginning.'"
"Is that not true?"
"My death is not like that.
And it must not be.
If there were to be another beginning after death, it should not be mine..."
"Earth's Sun said that all life touched by sunlight is her child."
"Then life on this planet lives with many parents on its back, wouldn't you say?
But I do not consider them my children.
My children... are those who live with me here... those who accept me as family..."
Not all divine beings see every living thing as their child.
"I am a gate."
"A gate?"
"A process that all life must eventually pass through.
If the Sun calls herself a mother... then I am something else.
I do not ask for connection or trust from life...
It is merely what must come.
Yes, that's right."
"I see."
A few small questions arose.
"Then... do you deny life?"
"Do you ask that knowingly..."
Death answered: no.
"Death is a fate that must come.
It is not the course of providence or nature.
I am merely a world that receives approaching life into my embrace, a hand that knots the end."
That aligned with Gio's own view.
"Because death is only a state."
"Yes... I'm glad you know."
Death showed a "smile."
"Even for the same life, the perspective differs depending on the divinity.
Not just the Sun and I—all divine beings are like that.
They may look alike, but their essence is different.
Even if their essence is the same, their ways are different.
The life I embrace are wanderers whose lights have gone out...
I am a craftsman who marks the end for them."
"Do you not hand them lanterns?"
"That's not my role."
Death said that what remains is always for the living.
"The extinguishing of a living light is a state, but the sorrow of the living is an emotion.
My existence is ultimately a process of comforting and helping the living understand.
Making them accept farewells—that is my role."
"Then... where do the dead wanderers go?"
"That is their matter."
The lantern in hand, the wealth they carry away, the love, the regrets, the grief—
All of it belonged to the dead.
Death accepted everything equally but was neither a doting parent nor a kind friend.
Just a craftsman tying the final knot.
"To whom the knot goes, how it is adorned—
That is not for me to teach.
I am not even a teacher.
Don't you agree?"
"I do."
"Thank you."
The divine being was pleased to be affirmed.
"I hope you too... find your way, your method, your love...
I sincerely hope so."
"Thank you."
Fortunately, Gio came to a conclusion.
Perhaps this is why they say it's important to make good friends.
***
At the parking lot of the Temple of Death, Gio was greeted by Yoo Seong-Woon.
"Did the conversation end well?"
"Of course."
That was the whole reason he'd packed a bribe.
"Seems the bribe worked quite well."
"So they actually ate it, huh."
"You didn't say anything while I was carrying it, but I suppose you were worried after all."
"Well, divine beings usually don't have the concept of appetite.
I know you're not normal, but still—I do have my own sense of common sense, you know?"
Thanks to previous encounters like the teddy bear Sun God and Sankallut, he could be less surprised.
Recalling the two, Yoo Seong-Woon led Gio to the car.
Gio followed and got in.
As the car moved, Yoo Seong-Woon asked,
"Did you get any results out of it?"
"Yes. I've made a decision."
"...Wait a second."
Feeling déjà vu, Yoo Seong-Woon glanced at Gio with a strange look.
"You... you're not going to do something again, right? Like, something..."
"I'm not sure what you're referring to."
"I still remember you talking about being a Demon King on the way back like this."
"You guessed correctly."
"No, I didn't guess!"
He hadn't meant it as a serious guess.
"..."
Yoo Seong-Woon, a little deflated, asked,
"...So what's your decision?"
"I've asked many divine beings about what kind of attitude a god should have."
"Yeah, you did.
Traditional gods, evil gods—you didn't discriminate."
"And now I've come to a conclusion."
Gio answered clearly.
"After all, I must live as I please..."
"Your vocabulary's gotten real good since Argio."
"My vocabulary was always like this."
"You lie better now too."
It was both impressive and terrifying.
'At this rate, he's growing to the point where there's no sense of dissonance even if he's just called human.'
Which meant that if Gio caused an incident someday, Yoo Seong-Woon might not notice right away.
Not that he could stop him anyway.
Still, it was remarkable progress.
Yoo Seong-Woon let out a dry laugh, rubbing his neck.
"So? You've decided to live as you please?"
"I feel like my intentions are being greatly dismissed here..."
"But what exactly do you want?"
"..."
Gio stared at him, stunned by the abrupt shift in topic, then gave up and answered.
"I'll turn people into pigs."
"...Ah, uh, pigs. Mhm, oh... okay..."
"When the pantry is full, the world becomes peaceful too."
"Peace... so your 'method' is kind of like Joo-Hyun's? That damn world peace idea?"
"It's a little different.
Joo-Hyun's goal is world peace.
But my goal is to turn people into pigs, so the process and result have essentially swapped places."
"That's terrifying in its own way."
Better than world destruction, sure, but still.
"Actually, it's not so different from what you've been doing.
Aren't you already that strange urban legend who shares snacks with strangers for being good?"
"I wouldn't say that's wrong, but I've decided to shift my mindset slightly."
"What kind of shift?"
"I need to make more friends."
"...More?"
"Yes."
A common trait among divinities was that "they exist everywhere, regardless of flow."
Even if a dimension collapsed, most divine beings still existed somewhere—
Whether in religion or in history.
That was the power of the permanence that divinity held.
And Gio thought very positively of it.
A group that continues like a living organism—
That was an incredibly appealing concept.
And since Gio had developed a form of divinity, he could reference those methods.
"Then I'll live a life full of friends."
He liked the sound of that very much.
Yes—what Gio had been curious about all this time was not "Am I human or god?", "How should I treat life?", or "What should I do to be divine?"—
It was "How do I live as long as they do and have that many friends?"
"Isn't it wise?"
"..."
Yoo Seong-Woon was speechless.
'...He just said he'll officially form a religious group, but in the most innocent-sounding way possible.'
In that fleeting moment, he tried to predict what would come of Gio's decision—
But realized that none of it mattered.
He sighed.
"Do as you please."
"You're quite straightforward."
"You'll do it whether I stop you or not."
"Hm, you know me too well.
I'll have to silence you."
"When you say it, it doesn't sound like a joke—please don't scare me..."
"Was it really a joke, though?"
"Please, no."
"Good."
Gio laughed cheerfully.
"Now you finally know when I'm joking."
"...I guess so."
Was he just dumb now? Or had he adapted?
'Maybe I caught it from Joo-Hyun.'
It was terrifying, truly.
***
There was a woman.
She fundamentally lacked compassion for others.
Raised by first-class citizens, she lived in abundance.
When she saw beggars huddled between dark buildings, she sometimes even thought they were filthy.
"I don't want to get involved."
"A good attitude, my daughter.
You get tangled with people like that, and it'll only bring trouble."
Her parents approved of her.
But she never went out of her way to abuse or mock the poor.
She just... treated them as nonexistent.
They didn't fit with her life.
As she grew in a world with no lack, she developed refined tastes.
She began to collect beautiful works of art.
She was even a regular at a collector's shop.
One day, she encountered a piece titled "Black Cloak."
"This is..."
"A work of Black Cloak, miss."
"Black Cloak? It's got such an odd atmosphere... Is this watercolor...?"
"Please don't get too close—it's dangerous."
"But isn't it beautiful?"
At a time when Black Cloak was rumored to be a monster—
She had encountered the City of Void and was completely enraptured by its artistry.
Later, when it became known that Black Cloak was a divine mystery, her admiration soared.
"A divine being made this..."
It was a piece that fit perfectly with her elegant life.
Apparently, she wasn't the only one who thought so—
Among first-class citizens, strange little groups began forming.
Fan clubs for Black Cloak, so to speak.
Naturally, she tried to join the most prestigious one.
"...?"
But something didn't match her expectations.
"...Volunteering?"
"Did you come here not knowing who Black Cloak is?"
"Of course not."
The tone of disgust made her deny reflexively.
And it wasn't a lie.
She believed she knew Black Cloak quite well.
"A divine humanoid being embodying the providence of the world, right?"
"And what does Black Cloak like?"
"Um... he likes good people, gives them gifts when encountered.
But if you're evil, he drags you into the frame and delivers a gruesome fate."
"And yet you're questioning our volunteer system?"
"No, I mean..."
She couldn't understand.
"I can donate as much as needed."
If it were just about paying some activity fees, she'd accept.
Every salon ran like that.
But the Black Cloak enthusiasts said that wasn't enough.
"Do you really need to step in personally?"
"Are you seriously asking that?"
"There are plenty of people who want to work.
If you want good deeds done, you can just hire someone.
Donating is still virtuous, isn't it?"
"That makes it meaningless."
They insisted that only through personal service could one belong.
"Hah. I see.
You just wanted in for some shallow reason—show off with your money, claim the title of 'good person,' admire the art, and maybe get a gift if you're lucky, right?"
"...What's wrong with that?
Is donating a bad thing now?"
"It's not wrong, but if that's all you expected, you don't belong here.
We do things money can't buy."
"Hah... unbelievable."
"There are lots of Black Cloak fan clubs,
But do you know why we meet him most often?
Because unlike those fakes, we commit to real good deeds.
That's why he acknowledges us."
One member even scoffed.
"Sorry to say, but we recruit sincere, noble volunteers.
Not people like you who just want to flaunt money and laugh around.
If we start accepting people like you, we'll lose our quality."
"You're saying I'll lower your quality?"
"If that happens, even Black Cloak's affection might fade.
We can't allow outsiders to devalue what we've worked so hard to earn."
"That's hilarious."
The woman shouted in anger.
"I can do it! I only asked if I had to—didn't say I wouldn't!
What, you think people don't volunteer because they can't?
It's just inefficient!"
She meant it.
There were people starving in the slums.
If you hired them, they'd get paid, and she'd be doing good.
Efficient virtue.
But this damned group had stepped on her pride.
"You think I can't do it?!"
"Oh, so you're saying it."
"...W-what is this?"
"Doesn't it say 'contract'?"
"A contract? In a fan club?"
"If you're not doing it, then leave.
Don't waste our time."
"...Fine, give it here."
She forced her way in.
"I'm at the bottom?"
"You're a complete newbie. It's only natural."
"If I pay more—"
"Will you stop talking about money already?"
"...Ugh..."
And so, she began volunteer work.
"..."
Honestly, she felt dazed.
'Why am I doing this?'
She couldn't understand.
Their work varied.
As you ranked up, the tasks got harder and riskier.
The president even visited third-class citizens in unreconstructed zones.
'This is insane.'
Higher ranks meant more work?
'They even go beyond the city walls.'
Cities were safe zones.
The farther out, the deadlier.
But her pride kept her going.
She picked up trash, served meals in slums, supported second-class and lower citizens.
"Isn't it a little cold in here...? I'm sorry, I wish I had something to give..."
"Oh, no. It's fine. A blanket would be enough."
"I'm sorry... I don't even have a blanket. Would a duvet do?"
"...Uh..."
One day, she was asked to visit an old man living alone.
"You've been doing so well lately—can I trust you with this?"
She made mistakes at first, but tried to make up for them.
"A-ha-ha...! I-I'll buy it for you...!"
"Huh? That's too much..."
"What do you mean? Of course I can buy that for you.
How many?
Actually, I'll just replace all your bedding. Right?"
Still, it was hard for others in the group to approve.
"You can't fix everything with money.
Some people will feel joy, sure.
But others might feel robbed.
It could backfire."
"But... I just didn't know what to say.
I did my best!
I already messed up—what was I supposed to do then?!"
"...Hmm..."
Still, she got recognition too.
"You really are doing your best."
"...R-really?"
"You're just inexperienced, that's all.
You've been active steadily lately—it's good to see.
That elder even sent a thank-you letter about the bedding."
"A letter...? F-for me? Can I see it?"
"Of course. I brought it."
"...Ah..."
Two pages of neatly written, faded stationery.
She felt a sense of accomplishment.
She had envied others boasting "I got a gift from Black Cloak!"—
But in the moment she read the letter, she had no other thought.
"...Ahem. I can keep this, right?"
"Haha, of course. It's yours."
"I'll take good care of it."
Even her parents reacted.
At first, they didn't understand.
"...You got this from a slum?"
"Not slum. Second-class citizen!"
"Ah, right. Yes..."
"..."
"...I see."
Her father looked stunned—bitter and smiling faintly.
"There are still people like this, huh."
"What do you mean? All the elders I meet are like this."
"...Really? I didn't know. I'm sorry."
He looked regretful.
"I thought only scary people were left.
Thought if I didn't protect what I had, I'd lose it.
That everyone just wanted to steal from me..."
He laughed, and praised her.
"You're doing well.
And your group members seem like good people."
"Oh? Uh, r-right?
I told you—it's not some shady thing I'm doing."
"Still be careful.
There are scary people out there.
You'll get robbed before you know it."
"Yeah yeah, I know..."
Then, one day, a call came from the hospital.
"...Your mom woke up."
"...What?"
"Th-the hospital called. She's awake now..."
"What? H-how?"
Her mother, kept alive only with expensive care, had fully recovered.
Even Korea's best hospital said survival alone was the best outcome—yet she had recovered completely.
The woman found out the reason days later, in a slum alley.
"I affirm your good deed."
"..."
A frame, painted in black ink.
"I see you.
Your father lived earnestly.
In a time of confusion, he lost his whole family, nearly lost his wife to a slum citizen.
The world is terrifying.
Hatred grows.
Individualism thrives."
"...Ah..."
"You lived that life too, yet chose to act kindly.
It began as greed—now it brings you joy.
I see you.
I affirm you."
The portrait, faceless, spoke.
"Thank you."
As the frame vanished, it whispered:
"Did you like the gift?"
"..."
And then—left alone—
"..."
She cried.
Not because she received the praise of divine mystery she had longed for—
But because all her actions had returned to her as a benevolent gift.
She didn't even know why she cried.
She was just... deeply, deeply ashamed.
-x-X-x-
"Hey, Gio?"
Yoo Seong-Woon called out to Gio.
"What are you up to these days...?"
"I'm making friends."
"I can hear those 'friends' praising you from all the way over here."
"Being loved is a good thing. It's only natural."
"Looks like a religion's about to pop up soon."
To that, Gio tilted his head.
"I understand it's a club."
"Uh, yeah. A religion in club disguise."
"I've heard religious groups don't form so easily."
"As long as there's a trigger, they can form at any time..."
Especially if divinity is already prepared.
"Even an ordinary person can start one with just a silver tongue.
Sure, it'd be classified as a cult, but you?
You charm people easily, you're divine, and you give generous rewards."
"Is that wrong?"
"So you did all this knowingly, huh?
Well, I wouldn't say it's wrong exactly...
But thinking about how far your followers might end up going is...
It makes me feel uneasy."
"I only borrowed the form of a religion for myself,
But all I want is family and friends—not fanatics.
I'm confident this won't head in a bad direction."
Gio declared this proudly.
"The world is too cold these days."
"Well, to me that's normal."
Still...
"...I'll admit, it's a pleasant thing to witness."
It felt like watching neighbors become a close-knit community.
Of course, it wouldn't erase all the cruelty of the world,
But still—better to have it than not.
"So why are you doing this all of a sudden?"
"As I've said repeatedly, I wish to have many friends."
"Weren't me and Joo-Hyun enough?
Ugh, I'm kind of hurt."
"But eventually, you'll leave me too, won't you?
Of course, if you were willing to be my friend forever,
I'd gratefully draw up a contract, but I don't think that's what you want."
"I'm going to die a human."
Joo-Hyun would be the same.
"So you're building a religion because you don't want to be alone?
That's bold, you know."
"To add another reason—
I wanted to reward those who support and cherish me with good deeds."
"...Ah, that."
Yoo Seong-Woon recalled Black Cloak's one-to-one rule.
Gio had always enjoyed giving rewards to humans who made him happy,
So subjectively and objectively, this was bound to happen eventually.
'Still... the timing is tricky.'
Now that Black Cloak's divinity had been revealed,
The number of fan groups admiring him had surged.
Especially the one focusing on sincere good deeds—
Gio often looked their way.
Emboldened by that, the club had begun acting like medieval knights.
'They're all a little... unhinged.'
Isn't that what people called "bright-eyed madmen"?
They seemed kind and upright—but also carried an eerie madness.
"...You could call this a form of management.
Letting the ripple effects from your influence go unchecked isn't really your style."
"You are correct, Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon."
Gio, speaking from inside the frame, spoke in his usual blunt tone.
"There will never come a day when the fact I've gained divinity changes."
"...Yeah, probably not."
"There's a saying: if you can't avoid it, enjoy it."
"That too."
Yoo Seong-Woon chuckled helplessly.
"So you're enjoying it now, huh?"
"I am."
"Then have you fully defined yourself as a divine being?
You used to deny it, saying you weren't a god.
You know how frustrating that was to watch?"
"? I am not a god."
"...Why are you like this again?"
"Gaining divinity and being a god are different."
Gio maintained his usual stance.
"In life, you might inherit divinity,
Or become a portrait.
That's all."
"Can an ordinary human do that?"
"I won't say I'm ordinary—I have some self-awareness.
But if we pretend I am,
Then I'm simply a regular person who acquired a set of traits and abilities."
"You're really stubborn..."
Then again, if a primal being changed position just because a human said a few words—
That'd be even stranger.
Ultimately, Yoo Seong-Woon accepted Gio's decision and sighed.
"So to summarize—this is it, right?
You're going to do it all yourself?"
"Excellent summary."
He would be human and divine, both.
"Isn't it admirable?"
"You're seriously something else."
"That's me."
There was nothing he couldn't do.
***
A god can be defined in many ways.
As an enormous force of nature, too vast to contain within one's eyes.
As fate—approaching inevitably, never held but always certain.
As a parent—one who creates all things and raises them with love and providence.
And sometimes, simply as an enormous mystery.
"..."
They cannot distinguish good from evil.
Because human morality was born beneath their gaze—
So it has nothing to do with beings that soar far above humanity.
Like trying to apply human laws to drifting clouds.
That is why so many divine beings casually destroy dimensions—
As naturally as breathing or blinking.
"..."
They brought pain to humans, played with them like toys, and enjoyed it.
Do not summon the gods.
Do not look at them.
Do not speak their names.
Do not listen to their voices lest you go mad.
That's what every human who knew gods always said.
They are disasters too massive to comprehend.
And so humans can only hold their breath.
They must hide.
Do not see.
Do not call.
Do not hear.
That is how it must be.
"..."
But in the end, humans learn everything and still cry out to gods.
"...P-please..."
To be saved.
"...Please, s-save... me..."
To be helped.
"I-it... h-hurts..."
Because they are too afraid to bear it.
"...Please..."
His whole body had been pierced and he gasped for breath.
The pain was so great, he couldn't stay conscious.
He didn't even know how much time had passed.
Imagining what he might look like now was agony in itself.
It hurts.
He was alone in this place.
It hurts so much.
But was he truly alone here?
Probably not, he thought.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be this silent.
Otherwise, the grave of so many heroes wouldn't be this cold.
The loneliness turned to terror.
The prolonged pain to delirium.
The groaning to thirst that gnawed at him.
He didn't know if he was rotting, burning, or tearing apart.
Please save me.
He had endured for a very long time.
Please save me.
Alone, in pain, in darkness—for an unimaginably long time.
Please save me...
He didn't even want the pain to be healed.
He didn't care if his grotesque body stayed broken.
After enduring what felt like eternity, he wished for one thing:
To not be alone anymore.
He knew this wasn't right.
"...Argio."
He no longer wanted to be alone.
"Argio..."
So the ragged, broken hero called the dark god.
"...I see you..."
He saw, he called, he listened.
"Have mercy..."
And if not mercy, then greater pain.
Even that now would feel merciful.
***
"...?"
In the cabin, Gio blinked as he ate his 41st dumpling.
"...I feel like someone called me."
"Coo?"
"If it had been from the sea or the city,
It wouldn't have sounded this faint.
And if it were from Earth, I would've heard it clearly.
So only one candidate remains."
"Coo..."
"It's been a while since I left that place alone."
Gio quietly put down the dumpling.
"You all know that 23 of the remaining dumplings are mine, right?"
"Cooooroooo."
"Mmammmammammamm..."
"Why does no one ever listen to me?"
He could see their impure intentions plainly—
They'd scarf it all down the moment his eyes were off them.
Is this the power of divinity?
No—it was pig instinct.
"In any case, calling my name is synonymous with wanting to be friends."
"Coo...?"
"Calling my name without even knowing me?
That's practically a proposal.
Once you say my name, you should be prepared to be my friend."
"Coo??"
"Then I shall go.
Everyone, let's go.
I trust you'll choose me over the dumplings."
The teddy bear seemed like he wanted to object, but instead, he waved his cotton-stuffed hand gently as if telling them to come back safely.
Buoyed by that warm love, Gio climbed to the second floor.
There, he pulled the black cloth off a piece stored in the storage room.
"..."
The painting of the desolate plains.
"...I always wondered why animals kept appearing here."
Time to get answers.
Gio reached his hand into the painting and, once again, melted into it—
Becoming another painting himself.
***
"..."
"..."
What Gio saw was not a person.
"...? A deer?"
It was a deer.
"A graceful-looking one."
"Squeeek..."
"Even its cry is graceful."
He'd heard deer cry like that before—
But this one was different from the flower-deer he'd seen.
It wasn't small, and its antlers stood firm and majestic.
Aside from the unique shape of its antlers,
It was a deer one might still expect to see on Earth.
"A deer, in a place like this?"
Suspicion rose.
"Come here."
"Squeeek..."
"Good, what a nice one."
Whether it understood his words, gestures, or just wanted to come—
The gentle-looking deer walked delicately like cherry blossoms, came up to Argio, and leaned its head against him.
"You'll make a good friend."
Deer.
A small, young deer.
Too simple a description to trust.
"I don't know what about it is 'small' or 'young'..."
It was definitely suspicious.
So far, every animal that had come out of this "Animal Kingdom"
Had been hulking, twisted, foul-tempered beasts.
So even if this deer was just putting on a docile disguise—
Gio wouldn't be surprised.
Still, he didn't mind.
If it were smart enough to pull that off, even better.
Better that than the rampaging, mindless ones who don't understand speech.
Gio gently stroked the deer's jaw and cheek.
"Oh... soft."
"Squeeek..."
"Even the cry is so adorable."
"Squeee..."
"Cute."
It even cried in an extra cutesy way when he called it cute.
Or maybe it was just his imagination—either way, it was fine.
In one case, it was innocent and lovable.
In the other, clever and biteably cute.
"..."
Still—what was going on here?
"There's nothing here."
"Squeak."
"Yes, friend."
Gio petted the deer that stuck close beside him and asked,
"Has anyone called the name 'Argio' here recently?
Someone definitely called my name—but the voice cut off again.
It was faint, barely audible.
It's troubling."
No matter where he looked,
There was nothing in the desolate plains—
No sign of life that could have clearly called his name.
He even considered that it might have been a hallucination.
"But still... it couldn't have been a hallucination.
Hey, friend."
"Squeak."
"Have you seen a person here?"
"..."
The deer tilted its head slightly.
"Hmm, I see."
Gio broadened the question.
"Then any creature besides you?"
"Squeeeeek."
The deer proudly began to move.
Even after scanning the surroundings,
There was no trace of any animal—
Not even a single blade of grass.
But Gio decided to follow it anyway.
"...? Aha."
And Gio realized something.
"It was underground."
"Squeeeek..."
"Good one."
Hidden beneath dirt and shriveled weeds,
An underground entrance revealed itself.
Gio handed over some jerky to the deer just in case—
It sniffed it a few times, then carefully took it into its mouth.
Leaving the deer to enjoy its treat, Gio descended deep below and surveyed the area.
"..."
The beasts he had eaten so far were given one name.
Ruined Abilas Rainforest.
A "Black Forest" Argio was familiar with.
"...But why did it sink underground?"
"Squii?"
"I wasn't talking to you—keep eating."
It was just... baffling.
That kind of disaster doesn't just happen casually.
What kind of tectonic shift had occurred while he was away?