After that, Gio continued to rest for quite some time.
"What are you even doing in that portrait?"
"And besides that...?"
Yoo Seong-Woon, who had come out of concern for the portrait, asked.
"What are you painting?"
"Many things—but mostly food."
What more could he possibly need to eat in there?
"Doesn't your portrait already have enough crops? Na-Na and Joo-Hyun have brought over most common ingredients. And now you're even drawing more food—"
"I discovered that chickpeas had gone extinct on Earth."
"So you're drawing an extinct ingredient... just to eat it? Did I get that right?"
"You understood correctly."
"What the hell is that even..."
Yoo Seong-Woon hesitated.
"...Can I take a look?"
"I always welcome your visits."
An extinct Earth crop restored by an Origin. Even as a salaried curator paying taxes, Yoo Seong-Woon couldn't help but be tempted. In the end, he entered the portrait—and came back out.
In his hand was a freshly harvested bag of chickpeas.
"I don't think chickpeas were this big originally."
"I attempted to grow them in a form close to memory, but it was not easy. The first ones I drew were much smaller."
"Well, a fragile plant probably can't survive long against your resilient portrait world..."
Yoo Seong-Woon gazed at the chickpeas, now the size of a baby's fist, with a wistful smile.
"Hm. I should share some with Miss Joo-Hyun."
That evening, Joo-Hyun, who received the portrait-grown chickpeas, summoned Gio.
"Mr. Gio, are you there?"
"Yes. Did you call for me?"
"Yes, I did. I'm relieved that even my poor drawing skills were enough to summon you."
"Your artistic ability is not poor at all."
Perhaps it was to be expected of a former Association researcher. Joo-Hyun had drawn him nearly as he was in real life. Thanks to that, Gio—who had been making an egg sandwich—was able to be summoned without issue.
First, Gio handed over a paper-wrapped sandwich.
"I believe this could serve as a good late-night snack for you."
Joo-Hyun took the sandwich without hesitation, then paused a moment before speaking.
"...It still doesn't feel real, summoning a god just to get a snack."
Sankallut, who was coiled around her neck, poked his head out. He quickly snatched one of the sandwiches from her hand and vanished beneath her hair.
Her shoulder felt heavier, but seeing as he wasn't making a mess, Joo-Hyun let it go. Gio, ignoring the mischievous act of the evil god, replied calmly.
"I am an ordinary person."
"And I'm your friend, Mr. Gio. Thanks again for the sandwich."
"So, why did you call for me?"
"This afternoon, Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon gave me this."
"Those are chickpeas I grew."
"They're... a little different from the chickpeas I know."
Gio looked both surprised and pleased.
"You're familiar with chickpeas?"
"It's not like anyone can become a researcher for the Association."
"What qualifications are required?"
"You'd need to know at least seventy percent of Earth's extinct flora and fauna."
Chickpeas were among them.
"More importantly, I've been involved in several restoration projects. I know chickpeas were originally much smaller. They were a high-protein, high-fiber superfood with plenty of vitamins and minerals—popular as a diet food before the Catastrophe."
"I didn't know that much."
"I only memorized it, honestly."
"Why did this little one turn out ?"
"As you might guess, most crops I grow tend to exceed average size. This chickpea grew bigger as well. I couldn't do anything about it."
"You... look surprisingly powerless for once."
Her friend seemed mildly disappointed.
"Well, the reason I called you today..."
Joo-Hyun hesitated, then asked,
"Is it really possible for you to recreate extinct flora and fauna from Earth?"
"...Could you restore Earth's ecosystem?"
She already knew the answer.
"The world has changed so much. Extinct species wouldn't be able to adapt to this new ecosystem. I knew what you'd probably say, but... I had to ask, just in case."
"You want to restore Earth?"
"I joined those restoration projects with that goal in mind."
It wasn't that they hadn't tried to bring the world back to its original, safe state. The Association and government had poured countless resources into the effort. But all they'd confirmed was that Earth, already saturated with mystical forces, could no longer return.
Joo-Hyun looked a little wistful.
"Not that the current ecosystem is all bad, of course. But for someone like me—a weak, non-awakened human—it's not exactly a reassuring world. Especially since I remember how it was before the Catastrophe."
"You hope for a safer world."
"I know we're lucky things have stabilized this much, and yet I still want more. I guess I hoped, just maybe, Mr. Gio could offer a clue. But it's not something you can expect one person to handle, right?"
Nor should anyone be expected to. If the world changed just because of one person, how chaotic would that be? Feeling slightly embarrassed, Joo-Hyun added,
"...I couldn't contain a small moment of excitement, so I called you."
"I understand. That does happen."
"Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"
"Just the sandwich you gave me today. That's plenty."
"The sandwich alone is sufficient?"
"Well, if it's ten sandwiches, that would be more than enough."
"Is eating a lot bad?"
"It's late, and my stomach's not that big..."
"San has already eaten four."
"...When did he eat all that?"
She had noticed her hand getting lighter.
"San, stop eating. How heavy are you trying to make my shoulder?"
"You might not feel heavy, but I feel heavy."
The red snake stopped after his fifth sandwich.
"Well, Mr. Gio made it."
She didn't doubt it one bit.
"Oh, right... I heard there's going to be a parade soon."
"I've heard that as well."
Gio rested his chin on his hand.
"A parade organized by the Collector's Guild, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes. It was originally a spring event, but was delayed because of the Dream Amusement Park incident. They don't want to skip it entirely this year, so I guess they're planning to hold it before the weather gets hotter."
"What kind of event is it exactly?"
"The curators and their assigned works from the Collector's Guild decorate the streets in a grand procession."
Personally, Joo-Hyun wasn't a fan of the event. It was technically held with relatively harmless works, but what if something went wrong? It could easily cause public panic.
"I've heard the details change each time. Some pieces can only participate depending on the date or weather."
"And since you're technically part of the Collector's Guild, Mr. Gio, they've asked whether you'd be willing to participate. I was planning to organize everything and submit a written report tomorrow, but... since you're here now..."
"...Oh, that's surprising. Are you actually considering it?"
Joo-Hyun tilted her head.
"Given how drastically you've reduced your activities lately, I assumed you'd decline. I heard you haven't even shown up at the guild much, so I thought you were still recovering."
"I am still recovering."
But this... intrigued him.
"Meaningful processions were once common in temples."
"That's something Giovanni would say."
"Such festive occasions are hard to pass up."
"That sounds more like Argio."
"But they're tiring."
Joo-Hyun chuckled quietly.
"Easy to read, aren't you?"
"I'm pleased to bring a smile to someone dear."
Unexpectedly, Gio accepted.
"Please inform them I'll participate."
And with that, the Collector's Guild fell into emergency mode.
The Collector's Parade was famous.
"It's late this year."
"Things have been chaotic lately."
"I thought they'd skip it—but I guess not."
"Very Collector's Guild."
The Guild was, after all, the embodiment of doing things their own way.
The parade had a long history. Guildmaster Bisa Beul had been putting on performances with his works even before the Collector's Guild officially existed. Even in lawless times, it had been an impressively brazen illegal event.
And eventually, he turned it legal—by throwing money at it.
"Who's participating this time?"
"I need to look at the pamphlet."
There were still voices saying the whole thing was "dangerous nonsense," but miraculously, not a single major incident had ever occurred. Others questioned, "Why does the Collector waste his fine taste on this stuff?"
But to people living in the city, the parade was familiar. Promotional robots handed out pamphlets on the streets. Everyone was on the lookout for familiar or new faces.
"Oh, Tosooni's coming."
"Tosooni is so cute..."
"She's appearing with the caretaker again."
"I got flowers last time. I wonder if she remembers."
"I fixed her outfit last time."
"Yeah, says here it's their first performance."
"Says their specialty is... juggling? Sounds fun."
Each pamphlet included photos of participating works and their assigned curator, along with brief descriptions. Citizens who got early notice of the lineup often took vacation days to enjoy the parade in full.
"I requested paid leave."
"Sergio Hunter is supposed to appear."
"Live in reality, please..."
"I live for this day."
Some came not for the works—but to see the curators. Since the Collector's Guild operated more like a finance firm than a public guild, public appearances were rare. Idolizing a curator was considered high-difficulty fandom.
For some, seeing those rarely-seen curators in the open was like water in a drought. Reporters, too, scrambled to get coverage, so the streets always turned rowdy around this time.
"Ugh... the Collector's Guild..."
"Bastards, seriously..."
Not everyone was happy about it.
"Can we just blow up the Collector's building?"
"Why not just blow up Korea, chief?"
"Freaking maniacs, constantly releasing stuff onto the streets..."
Safety officers dispatched from the Association were sick of it. It was madness—anticipating and managing every possible disaster. There was no way to be in a good mood.
But they couldn't openly protest, either.
"Chief, the Guild's sponsoring us this time."
"Goddamn capitalist hellhole..."
The Collector's Guild always bought its way to legitimacy.
"This is why you become a guildmaster."
"Yeah, I know. Damn it."
Bisa Beul had become a guildmaster for this. Every bit of wealth and prestige he accumulated was just fuel to make this insanity legal. He was a dopamine addict, if ever there was one.
And the event started at 6 a.m.
The streets were already swarming with people.
For the record, Seo Seo-Hee, the guildmaster of Justitia, also came to watch this year's parade.
"It's been a while since I've attended one of Guildmaster Bisa Beul's events."
His close friend Jeong Hae-Woon was with him.
"So... can I go home now?"
"This year, they're partnering with Gyeongbokgung Palace."
"Ugh, I can already see the fairy tale imagery... This is so annoying..."
"We must protect Earth's peace, my friend."
They claimed it was a covert investigation, but... yeah.
"Apparently, Sergio Hunter is in the parade this year too."
"WHY WOULD I CARE—!!"
Yeah, definitely not here for work.
-x-X-x-
Meeting a good teacher was an incredible thing.
A teacher who would come out and comfort you even if you called crying in the middle of the night, who was sweet enough to buy pizza for the students with his own money, and who would kindly answer any questions whenever you went to ask him.
The kind of teacher who made a habit of saying he hoped we would become happy adults.
"..."
Being able to meet someone like that was an incredible stroke of luck...
"Eun-hye."
"..."
My breath caught in my throat.
"...Teacher."
All sorts of ugly emotions came rushing in to fill the empty space left by that overflowing luck. Misery and despair filled that massive void.
But we had lived taking pride in the fact that it was something we had built with our own hands, an undeniable stepping stone and an honor... yet the nightmare continued to hold us back.
The nightmare asked.
"Are you here to get a snack?"
"...Yes, just..."
Pitch-black hair and even blacker eyes. His skin was pale, and his eye sockets were deep.
His eyebrows were a little thick, his lips were red, and his quiet gaze, like a snowy winter dawn, was striking. He was a person so conspicuous that you wouldn't easily forget him once you saw him.
And it was also a damn familiar face.
"...Could you give me a macaron?"
At my absurd request, he gave a slight nod.
"You talked so much about managing your diet, are you going to exercise more?"
"I don't... have to manage my diet anymore."
"Then you can eat whatever you want."
"I'm going to eat whatever I want."
"Is that so?"
He looked at me. He wasn't smiling, but he looked at me with a gaze that seemed to be smiling.
"That's good too."
It was the teacher who had affirmed everything about me.
"Why are you still standing, instead of sitting down."
"You're busy painting, too."
"How could I be busy with a hobby."
"Still, I didn't want to disturb you."
"Or were you planning to just grab a snack and run away again this time?"
"You see me as too cold-hearted of a person..."
Pulling up the corners of my mouth, I sat down on a worn-out school chair.
"..."
Even without looking down, I could tell I was wearing a school uniform.
"...Teacher."
"Yes, aspiring idol."
"This is a dream."
"I know."
"I know, too."
I could see the scenery of the art room that remained faintly in my memory.
Dense trees could be seen outside the window. The window, covered in black dust because it hadn't been replaced in a long time. The person who had neatly arranged the art supplies that the students had left in a mess was the teacher in front of me.
This place, with a faint smell of burning, was Cha Eun-hye's dream.
"I always think about what it would have been like if I had just forgotten everything."
It was a sweet dream, like burnt caramel.
"If I forgot everything like the others."
"That makes me sad."
"Forgetting what you look like, forgetting what kind of lunch boxes you packed for me, forgetting what we talked and joked about... just forgetting it all..."
"You'd be at peace, leaving me behind."
"Yes, leaving only you behind. But I can't do that."
It was miserable.
"What if even I forget you."
"I'm lonely, Eun-hye."
"How could I do that when you're so pitiful all alone."
"Where am I right now? Why did you leave me alone?"
"Honestly, I still don't really know why we had to make that choice..."
"Eun-hye."
The pitch-black ghost looked at me.
"Save me."
"..."
Something that was neither human nor anything else looked at Cha Eun-hye.
"...Save me, I'm scared. I don't want to be alone. Where is this? What do I look like to you? Let's go home, I'll pack you a lunch box. Does it hurt? Are you okay? Are you okay? Are you okay? What should I draw for you this time? Tell me."
"..."
"Eun-hye, guys. Guys. You can't get hurt. Run away. I'll protect you, so don't worry. Should I help you? Should I help you? How should I help you? Does it hurt? Does it hurt? Help me? It hurts. It hurts, so much."
"...I really..."
"What exactly am I right now? What am I doing? How do I look? Am I a person? A monster? Am I human? Do you want to run away? Hide, run away. It hurts. It's okay. Eun-hye..."
"This is really terrible."
Down to the fact that this was an illusion I had created myself, there wasn't a single thing that wasn't terrible.
"Our teacher wouldn't be like this."
It was all nothing more than a nightmare created by Cha Eun-hye.
"I resent you all."
"...No, you aren't the type of person to resent anyone..."
"I was so good to you, and this is all I get in return? Ignorance and evasion? Leaving me all alone? When you were struggling, when you needed help, I was always there for you."
"...You weren't someone who expected something in return for your favors, either."
"Now I'm alone. Everyone looks at me. Everyone fails to see me. I'm lonely. You guys refuse to face me like this until the very end. Cowards. I didn't teach you to be like this..."
"So, please..."
"Turn me back to normal."
The pitch-black, alien, and bizarre thing looked down at Cha Eun-hye.
"Bring me back."
It spoke of resentment.
"You guys made me like this."
He was absolutely not the type to say things like this. It couldn't be true.
"It's because of you, if only you guys hadn't been there..."
Even though he wasn't the kind of person to say such cruel things, my heart sank.
"I wouldn't have died."
"...You didn't die, please..."
"What's wrong? Did you forget? What promise you guys made?"
"You didn't die, seriously, why are you doing this to me. Don't be so scary."
"In the end, you made a choice just for yourselves."
The pitch-black thing gently embraced Cha Eun-hye.
"Ruining me."
"...No."
"And saving the world."
"No."
With trembling hands, I hugged the nightmare back.
"Tell me that we made the right choice."
At that, the 'teacher' looked at me. It was the teacher. It was my nightmare, and a familiar face. It was our teacher, who had returned to a human form according to my will.
Then he spoke.
"Your choice was right."
"I want you to praise me."
"It was hard, wasn't it. You must have suffered a lot. But you did really well."
"We..."
I grabbed that pitch-black shirt and cried.
"...I-I'm sorry..."
I was scared.
"...What if we really made the wrong choice? What should I do? At the time, I thought it was for the best, but now I'm not so sure. I still have so much resentment and longing, but my friends have forgotten everything. Why do I have to be the only one suffering like this?"
It felt unfair.
"Teacher, why did you return? How did you return? I wanted you to return someday, but I didn't really want it to happen like this. What's your goal? Did you come to kill us? Did you come to take revenge on the world? How do you remember us? How is that possible?"
I missed him.
"I don't really know if the Hunter named Seo Ji-oh is truly you. But if it is, what should I do? Why aren't you coming to see me? No, I want you to not come see me. No, that's not it. We can just pretend not to know each other and get close again. We can do that, right? That would be okay, right? Will you allow it? But it's too much of a waste. I, I... I..."
What should I do.
"...If we went back to that day, I'd rather we all just die together."
"Why would you think that?"
"...It's too hard..."
I needed an adult.
"It was too hard on our own."
I needed my teacher.
"W-why did we make this choice, what good did we think it would do."
"But you know this was the right path, too."
"It wasn't a good path, not at all."
"Even while saying that, you actually feel proud, don't you?"
Her nightmare knew everything about her.
"You're proud of the fact that you're maintaining the world to this extent."
"That doesn't make the fact that I'm struggling a lie."
"Even if you went back to that day, you would end up making the same choice."
"..."
Breaking the hug, Cha Eun-hye looked up at the 'teacher'.
"...Are you dead?"
"You guys killed me."
"Are you dead?"
"Of course not, I didn't die."
"It's a truly terrible dream."
"You wanted to have this dream."
"..."
The adult Cha Eun-hye asked.
"...Teacher, could you say those words for me?"
"Sure."
The 'teacher' in the nightmare whispered affectionately.
"I will always..."
"That's right."
"Be right here."
"You're right, Teacher."
In this dream, this one thing at least wasn't a cowardly lie created by Cha Eun-hye.
"I am always here."
That was Teacher Seo Ji-oh's last will.
Cha Eun-hye woke up from her sleep.
"..."
She wept bitterly.
"Ugh, ah..."
She gripped the blanket, squeezing it as if to tear it.
"Keu-euk... heup, aah..."
She wanted to tear it apart just like this.
"...Teacher..."
Even though it was a shitty nightmare, she still hadn't wanted to wake up from it.
It was only after a long time had passed that Cha Eun-hye relaxed her grip. She cooled her red, flushed eyes with her cold hands. Her body, drenched in cold sweat, had no warmth left anywhere except for her swollen eyes.
She then slowly let out a breath.
"...Hooo..."
She calmed down.
"..."
Her gaze landed on a mirror.
The mirror beyond it, the mirror on the ceiling, the mirror on the floor. The mirror attached to the door. The mirror attached to the pillar. The mirror hanging from above. The small mirror on the desk. Mirrors. More mirrors. And more mirrors.
No matter where she looked, 'Cha Eun-hye' was there.
"...Good."
Cha Eun-hye smiled brightly.
Ah, this expression looks fine.
"I like it."
I should go about today like this.
Even though the sun hadn't risen yet, Cha Eun-hye got out of bed. Sleeping longer than necessary was what led to having such pathetic dreams.
It had been a long sleep for once, but she didn't feel particularly refreshed. Nevertheless, Cha Eun-hye smiled as she left the room.
"Your Excellency, are you awake?"
"Are there no documents from the Gardeners?"
"Actually, Guild Master Jung Hae-woon contacted us to ask if a morning visit would be possible."
"Hmm... I must have woken up this early to see Hae-woon. Tell him to meet at 5."
"I will relay the message."
"And this on me."
Cha Eun-hye tapped the corners of her eyes.
"Call the friends who will cover this up for me."
"I will call them right away."
It was the start of a day like any other.
"But it's a bit surprising."
Yoo Sung-woon said while dipping a corn chip into guacamole packed with avocado.
"Because the Symbols of Eternity seem very quiet."
"They must all be too busy to have time to come see their teacher."
"I'm just asking just in case, but you aren't sulking right now, are you?"
"? No, I'm just proud that they seem to be living diligently."
Ji-oh snapped a corn chip in half.
"I like cheese sauce."
"The guacamole is going to be sad."
"It's time for the guacamole to become independent."
"Why are you breaking that small chip again in the first place? Are you bullying the chip?"
"If I eat this big chip whole, the roof of my mouth will get scratched."
"Can you even get scratched like that?"
"The roof of my mouth gets scratched too."
Eating the chip fully dipped in cheese sauce, Ji-oh turned to look at Joo-hyun.
"Why aren't you dipping it in the sauce?"
"The corn chips are already salty enough on their own, so I don't really need the sauce..."
"Joo-hyun has pure tastes."
"What on earth are pure tastes."
It seemed like another translation error had occurred.
"Ji-oh, your translation often glitches like that."
"Can we even call this translation?"
"Isn't it the easiest expression to understand?"
"Well, that's true... Though I wonder what's the point of bringing it up now."
Yoo Sung-woon also gave up.
"If I'm your friend in my next life too, is there a friend discount for living life?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Or I'll become your disciple, Ji-oh."
"Welcome."
Joo-hyun stopped Yoo Sung-woon.
"Looking at the accumulated data, I think it would be better to avoid the role of Ji-oh's disciple."
"That's unfair."
"A mermaid, a deer, and the Symbols of Eternity. No matter how I think about it, living a normal life as Ji-oh's disciple is ruined..."
"That's a frame-up."
Ignoring Ji-oh, Yoo Sung-woon nodded.
"That is true."
"Are you ultimately betraying me?"
"There is no betrayal in accumulated data values, Arzio."
Anyway.
"Going back to what we were saying at the beginning, are you really okay like this? Doesn't it seem like your lovely disciples have decided to live on having forgotten everything?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
"May I ask the reason?"
"At their age, they should live their own lives."
"You know you're really cold-hearted in weird places."
"I didn't give birth to them."
Ji-oh was firm.
"Even children become independent when the time comes, let alone students. Both Joo-hyun and Yoo Sung-woon say I'm secretly cold-hearted, but are you worried?"
"Right, okay. Since you set the stage, I'll be honest. I'm scared that the Symbol of Eternity, having regained their memories, will get so furious they'll flip the earth upside down. So I want you to coddle them before that happens."
Joo-hyun made a slightly resigned expression.
"A pampered Symbol of Eternity..."
"Ugh, even saying it myself gives me goosebumps. Right?"
"It's not a combination of words that comes to mind easily."
"Anyway, isn't it something that could happen?"
At Yoo Sung-woon's question, the portrait tilted its head.
"No way."
"In the Hunter industry, there's an unspoken rule not to say things like 'No way'."
"It's a rule I like."
Is it like a death flag?
"I don't doubt that my students will choose the right path."
"Right, if it looks like they're going to flip the earth later, make sure to discuss it with our Guild Master beforehand."
"It seems they are being pampered even now."
"If you say so, that's a relief. Right, then that's fine."
Yoo Sung-woon resigned himself too.
"Anyway, this is delicious. I don't like avocados, but this is pretty good."
"Yoo Sung-woon, you seem to know very well how to make a chef happy. Those were excellent words, thank you."
"Are you a chef?"
"I don't have a license."
"It'd be surprising if you did."
He leaned back in his chair.
"It's unfamiliar to have the smell of food in my house after such a long time."
"Four meals a day."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm eating. But I don't usually eat at home..."
"Are you still busy?"
"But it still feels like things are gradually getting sorted out."
"I'm curious."
The portrait expressed interest.
"Is your garden kind, Yoo Sung-woon?"
"...It's on the kinder side for a garden, but why?"
"I was wondering if it always has to be so cold."
A garden.
"May I go visit?"
Recently, Ji-oh had been looking for material for a new artwork.
-x-X-x-
Though he hadn't intended it, had he placed a burden on the faint of heart? If only to refresh the silence hanging in the air, Ji-oh had to add an excuse.
"There's a misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding?"
"I'm not currently looking for a new 'Ji-oh'."
"Then what did you mean by new material..."
"I am literally looking for new material. I haven't been able to paint lately."
"Hmm."
Yoo Sung-woon asked in return.
"So to speak, you're in a slump?"
"It's not that serious of an issue."
"But you're saying you want to paint, but you can't."
"It's more that I don't have the energy."
Joo-hyun nodded at that.
'That makes sense.'
Didn't this introverted person recently participate in the parade? It had been a while, but he had also exerted himself absorbing and calming 'Arzio'. It was time for him to gradually replenish his depleted energy.
'Besides, he's been uncharacteristically going around visiting places to meet his old disciples lately, so it's understandable that he lacks energy. And what weighs on my mind more than anything else is...'
Glancing briefly at Yoo Sung-woon, Joo-hyun asked Ji-oh.
"...Has making those packed lunches been too much of a burden, perhaps?"
At that, Yoo Sung-woon marveled.
"As expected of our Joo-hyun. Very brave."
"Are you picking a fight?"
"I didn't expect you to be this bold, even to an A-Rank Hunter."
"I've found that the only thing that grows with age is baseless confidence."
"That's a very good thing."
Having teased Joo-hyun as always, Yoo Sung-woon also asked.
"I was thinking similarly, but you broke the ice first. Yeah, I was curious too. Did that commendable devotion of packing lunches all this time have some sort of... well, heavy impact on this slump of yours?"
Yoo Sung-woon phrased it as tactfully as possible. He couldn't bear to negatively describe the act of packing meals for his disciples. Especially knowing how special those disciples were to 'Ji-oh's Portrait'.
'But from a Curator's perspective, I can't help but worry.'
A Mystery was bound by its own rules, whether it liked it or not. The 1-to-1 rule that 'Ji-oh's Portrait' possessed. And this kind portrait had previously revealed that he was paying the price for the 'packed lunches' himself.
If so, what part of Ji-oh was being paid as a result?
'Honestly, it would've been better if he didn't have to eat away at himself like that in the first place, but... since he was made this way, I suppose it can't be helped.'
It was a frustrating and disheartening situation.
"Well, I respect it. Your disciples do an awful lot for Earth, after all. The more you feel bad for them, the more you want to help..."
"I can't say that the work had no effect on the current outcome. But please do not worry, Yoo Sung-woon. I will say it again, it is not that serious of a matter."
It seemed this haunted portrait genuinely believed that, though.
"Oh, right."
From the standpoint of Curator Yoo Sung-woon, it sounded quite serious.
'Isn't this practically a situation where his very identity is being denied?'
He was a Mystery who had painted from the start, and was a painting himself. Yet such a guy was suddenly saying he didn't have the energy to paint. It was enough to make him feel a faint sense of regret, wondering, 'Did I sneak him outside for nothing?'
"Well, anyway... so you want to visit my Snowfield?"
"I think I need a change of pace."
"An artist always needs new inspiration, after all. As you know, I don't have the authority to invite anyone to the Garden. Can you handle that part yourself?"
"I will try."
"If you say so, then it's not my place to argue. Do as you please."
At Yoo Sung-woon's cool response, Joo-hyun made a dubious expression.
"Aren't you giving permission too easily?"
"Like I said earlier, I'm just a lowly Gardener. I don't have the authority to invite guests."
"Still, I feel like you'd at least have the duty to block uninvited guests."
"Shouldn't that be something for the homeowner and the guest to figure out between themselves?"
If His Imperial Majesty came to visit, a mere Gardener couldn't possibly stop him. It didn't seem like it would be much different for the master of the Garden. In short, it was out of Yoo Sung-woon's hands.
"But, uh... if you're going to visit, at least let me know in advance. That way, I can mentally prepare myself. I don't have much else to say as a Gardener, but..."
Yoo Sung-woon looked at Ji-oh.
"Do you need my help, by any chance?"
"I would like to hear about the Garden."
"You mean the scenery of the Garden or something? Should I describe it like I'm describing a piece of artwork?"
"I would be grateful, but I can see that through your eyes, Yoo Sung-woon."
"Ah, come to think of it, you've seen the Snowfield through my eyes before."
In that case, an objective description of the scenery might not be necessary. Even if he didn't know exactly what Ji-oh had seen of the Garden through his eyes.
"Then what are you curious about regarding the Garden? I'm still not sure how I can help you."
"Could I hear your thoughts and impressions of the Garden?"
"That's exactly what's hard to explain. It's tough to express in words, I suppose. Do you need a review?"
"If it's difficult, you can just stay by my side while I paint. That alone will sufficiently satisfy the conditions."
"Am I some kind of sacrifice? Well, fine. You want me to pluck out an eye for you?"
"That won't be necessary."
'He's so firm.'
'I guess he's a Mystery that doesn't accept human sacrifices.'
From a human's perspective, it was undoubtedly a good thing.
"So, should we head out now?"
"Where are you going?"
"Weren't we going to paint?"
"I am eating."
"More like you're snacking."
"It's similar."
"True."
In the sense that something was going into his mouth, anyway.
"So please eat, Yoo Sung-woon."
"I was already eating well enough..."
"You need to gain weight."
"What's the point of fattening up a Curator?"
He was an incredibly stubborn portrait, at any rate.
* * *
At the hour when the sunset settled, people quietly gathered in a secluded cafe.
They had such diverse outfits and ages that it was hard to categorize them. There were even a cat, a crow, and a dog, not just humans. But despite recognizing each other, they took their seats without a word.
The first to speak was a white-haired old man.
"It feels like we suffered from a fever."
He possessed the profound gravity unique to those in their twilight years. The cafe owner continued in a gentle voice tinged with years of experience.
"I believe you can all relate, given how busy everyone has been for a while. It was a time when even sitting face-to-face like this was overwhelming. Though I presume everyone achieved corresponding results..."
"Well, wouldn't you say it was more like the aftereffects of a vaccination rather than a fever? It was chaotic once, but it quieted down afterward. And the Garden has become much sturdier."
The young man sitting in the chair chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
"I guess something must have happened at the Source?"
"Though it's something we Gardeners would hardly dare to figure out."
"We've been together for quite some time, but they're still so cold... I work this hard, but our Garden doesn't even give bonuses, and when there's major construction, they just announce it on the day of."
At that, the crow tilted its head.
"Did they give you an announcement?"
"Ah... dear me, did your Garden not say anything?"
"I just suffered through the body aches..."
"Still as strict as ever."
"I understand, as they're usually quite taciturn anyway."
The cat let out a sluggish meow.
"There are pros and cons."
Talkative Gardens interacted frequently with their Gardeners but were highly burdensome, while quiet Gardens didn't even acknowledge their Gardeners but had the advantage of being hassle-free.
And every Garden naturally chose a Gardener with a suitable disposition.
"However, it's been a long time since the entire Garden was in such an uproar, so I'm worried. At this scale, it couldn't have been individual issues with the Gardens. Could there really be something wrong with the Source?"
"The word 'change' fits better than 'something wrong'. You know how it is with the Source, right? There's no such thing as an anomaly for it."
"But as Mr. Cat said, it's true that it's worrying. Isn't this the first time the entire Garden has been in such an uproar since the Great Cataclysm? If the events of that day repeat themselves..."
The Gardener who looked like a child smiled and spoke.
"If worse comes to worst, I'm going to hide in the Garden."
"You'll end up turning into a block of wood doing that."
"Our Garden is nice, though. It's cozy and warm. And cool."
"No matter how nice it is, you shouldn't be thinking about retirement already. At least find a successor."
A middle-aged woman sighed in lament.
"The same goes for the rest of you. Don't be seduced just because the Garden tempts you, don't just flop down because you're tired, and don't throw it all away because you're angry."
"Ah, but it's so hard to find a successor these days..."
"That's just an excuse; you can find them if you really try. It's just that the qualified folks are keeping their mouths shut, but there are definitely enough people out there to inherit your Gardens."
"Tsk. Even if we find one, think of how much time it takes just to train them."
"Then you'd better live a long life."
"I wonder when I can retire..."
"If any more of us quit, Gardener Jung Hae-woon might come after us. He'll literally grab us by the collars. He's already been on edge lately, so let's not give him a reason to scold us."
Another middle-aged person chuckled.
"Agh, he'll let it slide if we beg hard enough."
"No, he looks genuinely in a bad mood these days."
"Even a good-natured person like him must finally be reaching his limit after doing nothing but working overtime."
"It's truly pitiful when you just watch him..."
A young man who looked like he had just entered adulthood scratched his neck.
"But seriously, what happened this time? I know I received a lot of help from here and there since I'm a rookie... but that doesn't mean I wasn't confused. Is Earth really doomed?"
"It can't be doomed already."
"But earlier, someone said nothing like this has happened since the Great Cataclysm..."
"I wonder if the Source merely stretched itself."
"That Source thing is terrifying. It's this bad just from it stretching?"
At that, the cafe owner leisurely smiled with his wrinkled face and nodded.
"You can think of it as the ground, young man."
"Uh, yeah... the ground..."
"I mean a ground larger and deeper than the soil we tread on. If that massive foundation shakes, everything resting on top of it will inevitably shake as well, right? This incident is the same."
"So there's no issue with the Source?"
"The Source has no 'issues'."
Just like what was said earlier.
"It is a change."
However, it might be true that humans needed to worry.
"It would be best to remain vigilant, just in case. Our Gardens have also become boisterous for the first time in a while. But really, could there be anything bad about the Gardens overflowing with vitality?"
"You're right."
A priest with a reverent face spoke.
"It's so wonderful to see such a vibrant forest. I was already terribly anxious because it felt like the Gardens were gradually losing their energy lately, but they seem much healthier after going through that fever."
"Ah, that part was definitely a concern. The exact cause couldn't be pinpointed either. No matter how many nutrients we shove in, there's a limit to how much it can help the Gardens recover their senses..."
"Wouldn't Gardener Jung Hae-woon know something? About why this happened? He's not someone we can just go visit whenever we want, but this is quite a serious matter."
"What makes you think he'd know? We're all Gardeners."
"Still, he must have way more information than us. We only look after one or two Gardens at most, while he sweeps through Gardens almost all over the world..."
At that, the cafe owner nodded.
"I'll try contacting him soon."
"We couldn't ask for more if you do that for us."
The Gardeners sighed.
"I don't care what it is, I just wish we didn't have to work overtime anymore..."
"I'm already busy to death, but our Garden just whines every day like a newborn baby."
"As long as the Gardens improving like this isn't some terminal lucidity before death, I'm fine with anything."
"Then we'll await your contact."
And so, everyone left the cafe.
"..."
The cafe owner, Jung Hae-woon, stroked his chin.
"...What exactly was the problem?"
Though he had the face of an old man before, he had already grown younger, taking on the face of a middle-aged man.
'Seeing as there was no particular reaction from Haera or Cha Eun-hye's side, whatever happened at the Source must have truly been the cause. But even for me, direct contact with that side is just too burdensome.'
Jung Hae-woon, lost in thought, soon came to a conclusion.
'...Yoo Sung-woon. I'll need to have a chat with him.'
The time had come to deal with the task he had been putting off.
* * *
Watching the painting process by Ji-oh's side, Yoo Sung-woon rubbed his neck.
"...?"
"Is there a problem?"
"No, I just got goosebumps for a second."
"Is it the aura of overtime?"
"Maybe."
It did feel something like that.
-x-X-x-
"..."
The portrait asked Yoo Sung-woon, who was just quietly looking at the canvas.
"What is in this place?"
"...There's nothing. Just glaciers and snow."
"So there are glaciers and snow. What do they look like? If it's cold, how cold is it?"
"Well, the garden keeps changing its shape..."
Yoo Sung-woon stared at the snowfield in the canvas.
"I might have seen this exact view somewhere before."
Just looking at it quietly made his stomach churn.
It was his garden. His snowfield. A freezing world where snow fell both downwards and upwards, making it impossible to distinguish between heaven and earth. A place where, when it was quiet—or sometimes even when it wasn't—he could hear his beating heart if he closed his eyes...
His fingertips tingled. His heart pounded. A heat and restlessness that started from the tips of his limbs and rushed to fill his eyes. A bizarre sense of longing, as if he had missed out on something.
"...It's incredibly realistic."
"I'm flattered you'd say that about this lump of paint."
"It's certainly far from the actual scenery. This isn't a photograph, after all."
"You're right, Yoo Sung-woon."
"But why do you think paintings exist?"
"Unlike photographs, which only capture objective facts, paintings can leave behind sentiments."
"Yeah, sentiments. Emotions. Feelings. Things like that."
That was exactly the difference between a photograph and a painting. A painting contains time and spirit, leaving room for interpretation. That story is what makes all art and masterpieces in the world precious.
"Are you feeling the same emotions that I'm feeling?"
"Well, I wonder."
"How can you paint the world I felt and saw like that?"
"I wonder about that too."
"You're too vague."
That was indeed the charm of friends who were Mysteries.
"...It's definitely hard to call it a realistic painting..."
The rough strokes unique to oil paintings remained. The thickly applied paint hardened quickly, protruding outward. There was no precise depiction. It was just a scene created by bluntly pressing down with a knife without making any corrections.
It was the exact perspective Yoo Sung-woon had when he looked at his snowfield one day.
"...Maybe it's because you're out of touch with reality."
"Are you out of touch?"
"That's because you feed me too many good things."
"You should put on some weight, but I feel bad because you're always so thin."
"I tell you this every time, Ji-oh, but I'm not on the thin side..."
Even as he said that, his gaze was fixed on the snowfield.
'How is this possible?'
He couldn't help but wonder, even knowing it was a meaningless question. He was marveling at it. To find a desolate snowfield in a flimsy piece of work created by a child of a person resembling a human. Did that really make any sense?
His garden was being painted. It was right there. On a canvas that he could embrace if he just reached out...
"You paint it very softly."
The portrait didn't let his casually tossed words slide and responded.
"Isn't snow soft?"
"Rather than that, wouldn't the first impression be that it crunches... or that it's cold?"
"Snow untouched by human hands or feet is cozy."
"It wouldn't be warm, though."
"If it's just the snow itself, with nothing touching it, then yes."
"Right, my snowfield is like that."
People couldn't come and go.
'Practically speaking, I'm not a human in there either.'
He was merely a 'Gardener.' Any action that harmed the scenery of the garden was strictly forbidden. Yoo Sung-woon could not leave any trace within it. Neither footprints stepping on the snow as a human, nor his flimsy warmth.
In the snowfield where the sky and the ground were indistinguishable, Yoo Sung-woon couldn't even melt the snow. Unless the garden requested or permitted it, that is.
"..."
A strange emotion welled up.
"...This is the first time I've shared this view with someone else."
"Don't you share it with the other Gardeners?"
"It's impossible to drag a garden out into a place where humans can see it."
"Hmm..."
Tilting his head, Ji-oh asked.
"Can't they see it through your eyes? Can't that be called 'a place where humans can see'?"
"You're probably the only one who can see the garden reflected in my eyes when looking into them, Ji-oh. It'd be troublesome if you misunderstood."
Well, he understood why he would think that. Yoo Sung-woon laughed awkwardly inside.
'I thought he had gotten used to imitating humans, but was that judgment also made by only looking at fragments of Ji-oh? There are still some lacking parts internally...'
But he wasn't very bewildered. This was a point where the massive Mystery often got confused. It couldn't fathom that a mundane task it could perform naturally would be a miracle to humans.
It could also be seen as an error of generalization that a Mystery often committed. Assuming that because they could do it, others could too. This perspective sometimes gave humans a considerable sense of alienation along with fear.
'Still, our portrait is at least good at keeping up appearances.'
With a meaningless sense of pride, Yoo Sung-woon smiled gently. It was a Curator's trait to feel good whenever he felt the specialness of his work. He continued his explanation.
"No matter how beautiful their garden is, a Gardener can never show it to others."
"I heard there are skills that can extract memories into pictures or photos."
"Not only is the garden immune to such skills, but extracting it like that wouldn't fully convey the emotions I felt anyway. Just like how you can't entirely bring back the place, the time, the emotion, and the perspective from when you saw a famous tourist attraction..."
"That's a shame."
The portrait, having painted even the flawless contrast of the enchanting snowy field, asked.
"Shall I give it to you as a gift?"
"A gift like this is actually meaningless to me. The garden and I share the same body, after all."
"Should we exhibit it, then?"
"Where would you exhibit it?"
"Aren't you tired?"
"...Ah, well..."
When he lifted his head and met its gaze, he caught a glimpse of the benevolence harbored in those deep black eyes. A terrible and massive benevolence whose depth couldn't be fathomed...
"I just..."
This being's benevolence could manifest in any form.
It could wipe away a terrifying tsunami covering a vast land with a single hand, or cure a sick person suffering from a dreadful disease with a single glance. Therefore, it could also give a 'friend' a 'gift'.
The Curator realized what his portrait was saying.
"..."
He knew what the benevolent Source had shown this exhausted Gardener.
"...I'm fine for now."
As expected, a Mystery was a Mystery.
Wasn't it too heavy a question to just toss out like a riddle to pass the time and demand an immediate answer for?
"If a work like this is put on exhibition, people will be shocked out of their minds."
"They won't be."
"Wouldn't the world become a bit more chaotic if that happened?"
"That won't happen either."
"Please understand, it's because I'm a weak human with only this much capacity. Your work is just too realistic and beautiful for that. It would be fatal for people with weak hearts."
"I'm flattered."
"When are you going to admit that it's not an overstatement?"
Probably around the time the Earth flips upside down?
"...I, well... it might be presumptuous of me to say, but I think things are fine as they are right now..."
Wasn't that how creatures called humans were? They seek stability. They are afraid of even changing themselves, so how could they accept the world changing? That was far too terrifying a thing for a mere human.
"Ji-oh."
"Yes."
"Ji-oh's portrait."
"Yes, I'm listening."
"How on earth do you want to shape the Earth?"
"I cannot shape it."
"Then what is it that you want to do?"
"I want to do what I want to do."
"And what is that?"
"As you know, Yoo Sung-woon..."
Ji-oh dipped his knife into a silver tin that smelled strongly of oil.
"Having a meal, taking a nap, playing with friends, and then waking up late the next afternoon."
It was a truly peaceful story.
"Would you please not misunderstand? I am simply doing what I want to do. And I just know that the results won't harm my friends, acquaintances, or good and kind people..."
It sounded somewhat irresponsible, yet also profoundly distant.
"When there's no reason not to, why should I hesitate?"
"People are afraid of change."
"It is difficult for me to relate to that part."
"It's understandable, since you're a unique case in many ways."
Even the 'Ji-oh's who were human had shown ways of thinking that far surpassed those limits. Giovanni, who considered sacrificing his own flesh easier than breathing. Arzio, who let the world know of his anger even if it meant overturning dimensions.
And Seo Ji-oh, the art teacher.
"Teacher..."
"Did you call for me?"
"...Teacher?"
"Yes, did you call?"
"..."
Yoo Sung-woon looked at the portrait.
The portrait responded even to the call of Yoo Sung-woon, who was neither a student nor a disciple. Its low, soft reply didn't seem human.
And every time this happened, he felt a little scared.
'It's like an intricately crafted doll that reacts according to a set value.'
Of course, that was what a Mystery was.
'There's nothing to be scared of, but I wonder if this is also because I'm just a trivial human.'
He couldn't just acknowledge, accept, and agree like they did. Every time those profound rules caught his eye, a chill ran down his spine and cold sweat broke out. His eyes widened and his pupils shrank. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards.
So, no matter how much he thought about it, Joo-hyun was destined to no longer be human. One who doesn't react to things humans are naturally designed to react to. And someone chosen by a god, wasn't she?
"...Hmm..."
His idle thoughts seemed to have dragged on a bit too long.
"...What did you do?"
"Is that a question for this teacher?"
"Yeah, Teacher. I have no idea what you did."
"I don't think there's anything I did that could be called a 'what'."
"But there are precedents, aren't there?"
Both Giovanni and Arzio had forged those insane achievements. With them as wedges, dimensions were destroyed and countless lives and deaths revealed themselves. And the portrait was trying to mold the Earth once again using them.
'He says he isn't...'
He says he didn't intend it.
'Even so, if he acts like that despite already knowing the outcome, how is that any different from intending it?'
Yoo Sung-woon couldn't figure out the difference.
"What on earth did you do?"
"Please explain a little more in detail."
"What did you do to become the first one?"
Why was 'Seo Ji-oh' the foundation and basis for the portrait? Why did his disciples become the guardians of the Earth? And why did he return as a Mystery in the form of a portrait?
What was the price paid for the countless authorities of this being that mistook itself for a human?
'Did he become a Source from a human, or did he become a human from a Source?'
He was a truly strange friend.
"...I'm telling you again, please don't exhibit this piece."
"Then it will go into the storage room in my room."
"It breaks my heart a little... but I guess it's better than having something like this wandering the streets."
"Our snowfield wants to see the outside scenery, too..."
"Ugh, I don't know if you're being serious or joking, so it's giving me goosebumps."
Yoo Sung-woon rummaged through his pockets. He chewed on a piece of candy and continued speaking.
"I know what your intentions are."
"It wasn't really anything like that."
"Sure, if the garden becomes known to people, the burden on the Gardeners will be significantly lightened. Perhaps, looking at it broadly, widely, and far ahead, that might be the right thing to do. To make the existence of the Source known..."
However.
"However, not even a century has passed since the Great Cataclysm."
Even now, if you went outside of Korea, there were more zones that couldn't even take the form of a nation. Now, no one even called those places nations anymore. They were simply remote backwaters. This world was that precarious.
"There's no need to make things even more tiring for people who have just barely adapted by revealing the existence of the Source, is there?"
"I didn't expect you to react this seriously."
"Uh, yeah. I guess so."
"To reiterate, I simply wanted to put it on exhibition."
The portrait blinked twice.
"...Because your snowfield is so beautiful."
"...You..."
Yoo Sung-woon laughed, feeling a mix of dejection and awkwardness.
"You, you really... know how to dig into a Gardener's heart..."
"When did I ever do that? This is a false accusation. It's so unfair."
"No, I meant it in a good way. You dig into it in a good way."
"It doesn't sound like it has a positive nuance."
"Everyone feels differently about things."
He also felt a little embarrassed.
"If that was your 'intention', then I guess I was just nagging you for no reason."
This portrait was simply being considerate of him.
'Was he trying to make it so that I wouldn't have to be the only one looking at this scenery?'
That was certainly a sore spot for Gardeners. They had to love in loneliness for the rest of their lives. Respect, obsession, consideration, mercy, greed. They could never reveal any of those individual emotions under the name of love.
They couldn't even if they tried. Because it was a sight that couldn't be shown and didn't exist. What they saw wasn't some common tourist destination or beautiful scenic spot. It wasn't a physical space. That was, truly, a rather difficult part...
"..."
Yoo Sung-woon slowly opened his mouth.
"...Do you know how Gardeners were treated at first?"
"You mean around 30 years ago?"
"Yeah, back then. And in countless other dimensions, too."
"Hmm."
Naturally, the portrait gave the correct answer.
"They must have been thought to have gone mad."
"Yeah, you're right. They were treated like sick people."
They see, hear, and feel things that do not 'exist' and fear them. Moreover, they become captivated by it and eventually fall in love. How horrifyingly insane must that have looked to others?
"The only way we can show the garden, the only way to prove its existence, is through ourselves. Our eyes. Our hair. Our body temperature. Physical mutations or... rarely, our body scent."
"It wouldn't have served as definitive proof."
"Exactly, because like I said earlier, this can't become 'a place where humans can see'."
This was true even among Gardeners. Even if humans looked into each other's eyes, could they see that soul, that inner Mystery? No one possessed such a convenient authority.
That was why 'Ji-oh's Portrait' was all the more incredible. He made it possible to gauge that massive Mystery just by looking. It was also a given, considering he was the eye of the Source.
Yoo Sung-woon continued explaining.
"But really, this is all there is. There are absolutely no other means to show it beyond this. If we try to exert power beyond our limits, we, the only conduits, just end up dying..."
"I heard that once Gardeners belong to a garden, they cannot even obtain death."
"Because we can just vanish out of existence like that."
Wasn't it so unfair?
"You can't let anyone know about a subject that clearly exists."
"That must be exhausting for you."
"And lonely. This is, how should I put it, pretty much an occupational hazard for Gardeners."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Uh... sorry?"
He figured he had been on edge lately.
"Then again, there's no way you'd force a change that isn't wanted."
This portrait was merely walking the path it wanted, without any ulterior motives. He supposed he had been afraid because it resembled the Divinities who were trying to overturn the Earth. Even though he knew deep down that this guy wasn't like that.
His mind felt a little more at ease.
"..."
It was a languid sensation, much like when he had acknowledged and accepted the fact that he had become friends with this portrait.
"...Then, is it possible to just show it? So that people can't visit..."
"That would require considering the intentions of the person involved, but I think I could convey your opinion to them. Is that what you want?"
"..."
Yoo Sung-woon asked.
"Does this piece have a title, too?"
"It's 'Yoo Sung-woon'."
"Aha."
Laughter spilled out.
"Of course."
He had thought the guy knew him far too well.
That day, a large painting of a snowfield was hung in Yoo Sung-woon's house.
"Whoa."
"Joo-hyun, is that all you have to say after seeing this magnificent painting?"
"To bring in such a hazardous item that makes you dizzy just looking at it..."
"It's Ji-oh's painting."
"You've displayed it in the perfect spot. It looks excellent."
"Right?"
Change wasn't always a bad thing.
"...It actually looks like a house where people live now."
"This does?"
"Just let me wallow in my sentiments for a bit."
He wasn't sure where this artwork might run off to, though.
Regardless, it was a day where a piece of Yoo Sung-woon's loneliness was lifted away.
-x-X-x-
And so, Yoo Sung-woon met with Jung Hae-woon.
"..."
"Gardener Yoo Sung-woon?"
"Ah, yes."
Why?
'Am I cursed?'
It had been a mere 28 hours since he safely enshrined the precious artwork painted by his precious portrait in his home.
He had been mentally preparing himself to say, 'Let's visit the Snowfield together,' once he finished his urgent work. But far from mental preparation, an entity he couldn't have even imagined had come looking for him.
"What brings Guild Master Jung Hae-woon to see me?"
"I suppose this was too sudden a visit. I apologize."
Gardener Jung Hae-woon apologized with an awkward look. As his reputation suggested, his attitude was truly warm and polite.
"This might sound terrible, but I wanted to avoid running into the Guild Master of Bisabeol if possible..."
"I understand."
Certainly, the Symbols of Eternity and Bisabeol didn't get along well. Even Yoo Sung-woon thought his own Guild Master enjoyed life a bit too much. To a slightly precarious degree. It made sense that the Symbols of Eternity, who were in the position of protecting Earth, would be reluctant to associate with them.
'Even looking through rose-tinted glasses, wrong is wrong.'
When a conflict arose between the Collector and someone else, there was a 96% chance that Bisabeol was the problem. Even Yoo Sung-woon couldn't ignore that data. The reason he was this flustered simply lay elsewhere.
Yoo Sung-woon looked around.
"...In a dungeon, of all places?"
"I feel apologetic that this isn't a nice cafe or a neat reception room, but there is no space as suitable as a dungeon for Gardeners to converse."
"I understand what you mean by that, too."
Weren't Gardeners highly sensitive to Mysteries? Once they reached a certain level, there were times when being inside a Mystery felt more comfortable than being on Earth. It was easier to make adjustments this way and that. And it was perfect for leaving no evidence behind.
In more ways than one.
'Though I'm a bit concerned that we're inside the Four-legged Rainforest.'
Wasn't this the place scattered with Ji-oh's familiars, the water birds? Of course, Yoo Sung-woon was on the side of his artwork, but he was simultaneously on Earth's side as well. He couldn't mistreat Jung Hae-woon, Earth's guardian and a senior Gardener.
He surveyed his surroundings.
"Certainly, I am the only one in this sector right now. Please speak freely, Guild Master Jung Hae-woon."
"Yes. Let me apologize once again for the sudden visit. I know it would have been proper to schedule an official meeting, but my urgency drove me to seek you out like this. If you allow it, I will compensate you for this in the future."
"No, everyone on Earth knows you're always a busy person."
For Hunters to visit each other without prior notice was a clear act of disrespect. It was one of the unspoken traditions formed during the Great Cataclysm, an era where everyone was killing each other.
Regardless of the visitor's intent, from the host's perspective, how could they know if the person standing before them was an assassin or not?
'But...'
If that person was Jung Hae-woon, it was an exception.
'He doesn't have the time.'
He simply didn't have it. Physically didn't have it. Beyond just not having any time to spare, his schedule was practically in the red.
'The fact that someone like him came looking for a specific individual means he must have taken a significant loss... And if he came to find me while bearing that much of a loss, there can only be one topic we need to discuss.'
Having organized his thoughts, Yoo Sung-woon asked.
"...Are you here because of 'Ji-oh's Portrait'?"
"Ah, dear. I'm embarrassed that I made you bring it up first. Yes, it's quite awkward to get straight to the point after committing such rudeness against a junior... but I have some questions regarding the artwork you are currently managing."
"I don't mind, so please feel free to get straight to the point. I think wrapping this up quickly would be best for you as well, Guild Master. So, exactly which part...?"
"That man. Is he the Source?"
"..."
This threw him off a little.
"I didn't expect you to ask so bluntly."
"Ah, so it's true. Now I understand a bit better."
"Was my management of the artwork insufficient, perhaps...?"
"There is no issue with you, Gardener Yoo Sung-woon, so please don't worry. It's just that I saw 'Hunter Seo Ji-oh' myself a few days ago and had my own feelings about him."
"Aha..."
So the perspective of a profoundly experienced senior was truly different.
"I was only granted permission to realize that fact after observing him for a quite a long time. I feel truly embarrassed to have my shortcomings pointed out like this. I will devote myself further from now on."
"You are doing incredibly well, Gardener Yoo Sung-woon. There's no need to be embarrassed. Everyone has different tasks to handle and different things they are capable of... How could everyone possibly share the same field of vision all the time?"
Gardener Jung Hae-woon, who had been speaking gently, then asked.
"How much do you know, by any chance?"
"I know up to the story of 'Teacher Seo Ji-oh'."
"From beginning to end?"
"I wouldn't go that far, but..."
"At the very least, you must know that he is a being bound by a 'promise'."
"Yes, forgive me, but I do. Was I out of line?"
"It would be more accurate to call you competent rather than out of line."
Jung Hae-woon shrugged in an easygoing manner. He had a talent for making others feel comfortable. It was hard to even imagine the 'delinquent' that Ji-oh had mentioned.
He continued speaking.
"It was likely thanks to my background and that 'promise'. It made it quite easy for me to notice the truth about the artwork you manage. If it weren't for someone in my position, it would be a difficult truth to uncover, so I hope you don't worry."
Then he said,
"The Gardens recently suffered from a bout of fever."
"Yes, my Snowfield as well..."
"They say the ground hardens after the rain. I judged this to be a sort of growing pain, or something equivalent to it. If the artwork you manage truly is a being connected to the Source... I came to visit wondering if there had been any reaction on that end."
"You must think I am quite close with 'Hunter Seo Ji-oh'."
"I thought it was a fairly well-known story that the two of you flaunt your friendship even in public settings. Well, I also know 'Hunter Seo Ji-oh's' personality, so I was that much more certain."
"...He is a remarkably sociable friend..."
He felt a bit sheepish.
"...It felt like there were signs of a fever even before that, but was I just imagining things?"
"No, the Gardens had been growing unstable for a while now. It merely looked as though it burst all at once at a certain point. However, I was wondering if there might have been a specific catalyst around that time."
"A catalyst... Hmm..."
It wasn't as if Yoo Sung-woon hadn't considered that.
"...Uh..."
But he still hadn't reached a conclusion.
"This is tricky. There are too many things coming to mind."
It made sense, considering the subject was 'Ji-oh's Portrait'. He was the eye of the Source, after all.
Recently, various egos had been overlaid onto such an existence, he had manipulated numerous Mysteries like dungeons and monsters, and he had revealed himself by meeting former disciples and appearing in parades. There was an overwhelming number of other reasons why the Gardens might be agitated.
'Or perhaps it was a kind of inspection?'
That sounded plausible.
'Given the nature of the body part known as the 'eye', it could be that the Gardens suffered body aches because they were tense after noticing Ji-oh's visit... Considering things became even more orderly after the aches subsided, it does make some sense.'
But this wasn't clear-cut either. Taking Yoo Sung-woon's Garden as an example, it hadn't exactly become 'perfect' after the body aches. It just required a little less hands-on maintenance.
'If it really meant an inspection conducted by a very high-ranking figure, they would probably still be in a state of tension rather than overflowing with vitality... I can't say for sure, since I haven't been in the Gardens' position.'
No, it wasn't that the impact was completely nonexistent, but it seemed unlikely that this alone was the 'cause of the incident' Gardener Jung Hae-woon was referring to.
Gardeners only knew of the Source's existence; they didn't know its exact structure. If forced to guess, they could conjure up an infinite number of scenarios.
It was a difficult matter, indeed. Yoo Sung-woon smiled placidly.
"...I tried retracing the events, but my head is still a mess. I apologize for not being able to give you an immediate answer. To cause such an inconvenience to a busy person like you."
"What do you mean apologize? Just answering me this proactively is a huge help. Strictly speaking, isn't this practically overtime work for you as well?"
"It is similar, isn't it?"
"I am the one intruding, and I am the one seeking help. If possible, I would appreciate any advice you can offer, no matter what it is."
"...First of all, um..."
Yoo Sung-woon spoke as if making an excuse.
"...There were signs from before. Since Earth's Mysteries keep piling up while the personnel to manage them remains scarce, it was a future all Gardeners foresaw. Also, this... recently, several dungeons burst."
"I am aware that they are all dungeons connected to 'Ji-oh's Portrait'."
"That's right. Considering this portrait is a being close to the Source, it was inevitable. In my view, it seemed half-intentional, but I don't know for sure. He's such an inscrutable guy, you see."
"Hmm... Even when I met him in person, he was not someone to be taken lightly, so I understand."
"Thank you. So, right up until the 'Amusement Park of Dreams', I don't think it was at a level to be called a fever. Not every single Garden was in an uproar like they were just now."
Guided by that affectionately soothing voice, Yoo Sung-woon carefully retraced the timeline. There was a specific point he suspected even without doing this, but he couldn't just spout nonsense in front of Gardener Jung Hae-woon.
What he needed to find was the exact period when that instability exploded.
'The time when he became the busiest with the affairs of the Gardens and Mysteries.'
After pondering deeply, Yoo Sung-woon rubbed his neck and said,
"...As expected, um, at the abandoned school..."
"...Abandoned school?"
"Yes, my portrait built a nest in the abandoned school."
"Ah, dear."
"I believe the true beginning was from that point on."
"I now understand what you mean."
Jung Hae-woon formed a faint smile.
"It seems you are an 'involved party', Yoo Sung-woon."
"Ah? Ah, yes. An involved party?"
"As you may know, all memories and information related to it were erased. I, too, received a favor from the Hunter Association President and only know of the existence of that chilling ghost story; my exact memories are... lacking..."
"...So the few people who retained their memories are the 'involved parties'."
"It must be some sort of criteria. After all, if truly everyone forgets, there will be no one to handle the fallout if an unforeseen problem occurs. It can be safely entrusted to you, Gardener Yoo Sung-woon."
"Then did all the Symbols of Eternity forget the existence of that abandoned school nest?"
"At the very least, Association President Dan Hae-ra and I have forgotten it."
Then Jung Hae-woon smiled gently.
"It's a shame."
"..."
His words carried a strange resonance. A somewhat twisted echo.
'...It's a racial trait of Gardeners.'
An S-Rank Hunter and Earth's first Gardener. A human closer to a non-human Mystery than anyone else. A single voice could be endlessly colorful, yet utterly hollow. That was a Gardener.
Appear like a swan. Appear like the frozen surface of a river. Never reveal what's inside. A Gardener who failed to do so would eventually be swallowed by a Mystery or bring about their own ruin because of it...
'I can't even tell what's truth and what's a lie.'
Gardeners had to be that way. Those who easily revealed themselves would easily expose their Gardens as well, throwing the world into chaos before ultimately becoming part of the Mystery itself. They had to exist as contradictions.
"...Do you have any further questions?"
"What you've told me is more than enough for me to understand. I sincerely thank you for lending me your precious time. I intend to repay you privately for this, but... is there any item you desire?"
"In that case, let me ask you a question."
"By all means."
"How do you plan to treat 'Ji-oh's Portrait'?"
"Hmm, yes. I suppose that's a topic someone like you would naturally be curious about. It is a good question."
After pondering for a moment, Jung Hae-woon answered smoothly.
"...I will treat him as a Mystery."
"Do you dislike him?"
"I like him quite a lot, for someone like me."
"Can a Mystery infinitely close to a human be called a human?"
"He can be called one. Because a human's life is brief, and a Mystery reveals its existence in a flash before vanishing."
"I plan to bring him into my Garden in a few days."
"That is... quite interesting."
Jung Hae-woon smiled politely.
"Does he treat you well?"
"He treats me extremely well. He's a very kind portrait."
"I hope that relationship continues for a long time."
"Why is that?"
"So that the story of the Mystery does not expand on a larger scale."
"I see."
Then he threw out one final question.
"If the Garden were to be revealed to the world without any side effects, what do you think would happen?"
"I don't know if I could still call that Earth at that point... but it would have its own meaning. People would adapt to it."
"Thank you for your answer."
Yoo Sung-woon's questions ended there.
'The rest is for me to figure out.'
With that, he smiled placidly.
"I hope things remain peaceful going forward."
"I believe that will likely be the case."
"Is there a reason?"
"Didn't you say he was a very kind portrait?"
"Yes, I did, but..."
"And he is a portrait who loves Earth."
Jung Hae-woon bowed his head lightly in farewell.
"At the very least, I believe things will keep getting better."
"Belief is important, after all."
"I will come see you from time to time, then."
"Ah..."
Before he could even say a word in response, Jung Hae-woon disappeared.
"..."
He left exactly as he had appeared.
'He's like a ghost.'
Given that ghosts were a type of Mystery, it wasn't exactly a wrong statement.
Yoo Sung-woon took a look around. The stabilized Four-legged Rainforest was overflowing with vitality from its own ecosystem. Occasionally, sprouts would grow from the ground and sway, or transparent water birds would stare at him with berries in their beaks.
Wisteria Water Dragons popped their heads out from the bushes, one by one. The clustered creatures tilted their heads curiously before retreating back into the brush.
"...Ugh."
They were cute, but...
'...They've grown again in the meantime. I really hope the Source's influence hasn't reached here too...'
A groan escaped him like a sigh.
"When do I get to clock out."
It was a damned nightmare of overtime.
* * *
"Seo Seo-hee."
His visit was even more sudden than usual.
"...Jung Hae-woon."
"Does he still come to see you?"
"What are you suddenly talking about?"
"Answer me first."
Jung Hae-woon, who had sought out Seo Seo-hee without warning, asked with a fiercely hardened face.
"Does that man still come looking for you?"
"...No, he said he was going to rest for a while."
"You must never, absolutely never..."
Both hands gripping her shoulders tightly, and a sharp tone laced with killing intent. It seemed like he was angry, but looking closely, that wasn't the case.
"Never try to find out about him. You can do that, right? I trust you will."
He was covered in a cold sweat.
"...Are you not going to tell me what's going on?"
"Yeah, I'm never going to tell you, even if it kills me."
"You're acting out of character right now. Where did all your bravado go?"
It was an unfamiliar sight.
"What are you so afraid of? Teacher Seo Ji-oh?"
"Don't even say that. Names hold power to a Mystery; you know that."
"Is the Earth coming to an end or something?"
"It's not impossible."
"Where did you just come from?"
"That damned school."
"What did you find out that made you come running here like this, Jung Hae-woon?"
"The sin we committed."
"..."
"...I found out what we... what we did to him that day. So..."
Seo Seo-hee followed up and asked,
"I shouldn't try to find out?"
"Fuck, I don't know what the hell that entity is trying to do...!"
"Calm down."
"..."
Letting out a breath, Jung Hae-woon said,
"I... I'm going to go forget now."
"Are you going to Haera?"
"Your situation is different from mine, so I won't tell you to do this."
"Alright. I won't do anything foolish to make you worry."
"That's enough, then."
And just like that, Jung Hae-woon vanished.
"..."
Seo Seo-hee laughed awkwardly.
"...Hah, this is bullshit..."
Vice Guild Master Kang Eun-sung, who was nearby, asked.
"...Should I erase my memories too?"
"There's no need. Hae-woon didn't say anything despite seeing you right here, Kang Eun-sung."
"He looked extremely confused, so he might have simply failed to pay attention to me because of that."
"He might have seemed out of his mind, but he wasn't so far gone that he couldn't notice your presence. It's fine; he's not someone who acts without thinking to that extent."
"Yes, I understand."
Hesitating, Kang Eun-sung spoke carefully.
"You look upset."
"Right? The packed lunch was so delicious, too..."
"I don't think accepting that level of goodwill will be a problem."
"I wonder?"
Then, she smiled just like she always did.
"Hunter Seo Ji-oh hasn't contacted us about visiting yet, right?"
"No, he has not."
"I suppose things should be fine, then. If we maintain this level of awkward distance, that is."
"When Guild Master Jung Hae-woon told you not to find out, didn't he ultimately mean your past ties? I dare say there shouldn't be a problem if you only focus on the relationship you've built recently."
"Yeah, so... it should be fine."
What kind of person was he in the past?
'How good of a person was he, and what exactly happened between us? If it's a sin, what did we do wrong?'
She had tried living in an old dream, but it seemed even that was impossible.
A familiar resignation settled in.
'...Yeah, I was just planning to live like this anyway. I decided to live without digging up the past. Otherwise, who knows how Earth's system might get twisted... It's enough to just occasionally meet up for a meal with a good person I can easily converse with, like I do now.'
Yet, the reason she felt so terrible was that she wasn't even given the chance to reflect...
"..."
...Let's not think about it.
* * *
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