The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 106

“I like the honey jar I saw last time.”

“The honey jar? The one with the honey-filled spherical flower that blooms... You mean that one, right?”

“Yes, that’s the one. I heard it’s difficult to sprout, so they only sell the seedlings.”

“Anything else you want?”

“I use salt often, so if possible, I’d like a salt pine tree.”

“Salt pine tree, huh, that was in the catalog last time. Anything else you need?”

“That’s enough, thank you for your help.”

“Honestly, I should be the one thanking you.”

After all, it’s a transaction where my life is guaranteed in this abnormal dungeon.

‘It’s a ridiculously profitable deal.’

Seong-Woon was a typical hunter of this era, valuing his health and life highly. The idea of dying during a mission, swayed by a capitalist society, was an outcome that was hard to accept.

‘Even though I feel like this deal could be too easy...’

He glanced at the portrait's mood.

“......”

“Is there a problem?”

“...No, nothing.”

As a gardener, it’s a phrase that one must always reflect upon, but to an entity of origin, human standards were meaningless.

If you borrow three and repay four, the entity of origin would be angry if you paid back with five. Even though humans wouldn’t understand, adjusting to their tastes is the shortcut to longevity, and Seong-Woon knew that very well.

“Then I’ll consider the deal closed.”

Transactions with entities of origin must have a clear start and end. Having wrapped up the transaction, Seong-Woon asked.

“I’m not sure if it’s rude to ask this, but how did you know I was here?”

“‘The City of Void’ informed me that Seong-Woon had visited here.”

“I thought so.”

It would have been more strange if Gio, the owner of such a dungeon, didn’t know the internal state of the dungeon.

‘But the more I think about it, the worse my position gets, trying to take Hunter Park Eun-Gyeom out of here.’

It becomes even clearer that Gio intentionally brought humans here. For Seong-Woon, who had to finish the job, it was a difficult situation.

‘Will he get angry?’

This portrait had come to take the human who had shown direct hostility. For an entity that never changed its decisions, it was likely to be quite displeased.

“......”

“Why did you come here, Seong-Woon?”

“...I came to work.”

That’s why it was better to settle things now.

‘Deceiving Gio might fall under the category of evil acts too.’

Plus, hadn’t Gio promised to spare Seong-Woon’s life?

“As far as I know, today is Christmas.”

“Huh? No, it’s the 26th in Korea now, so it’s not Christmas. Though many people are off until today, since it’s a public holiday period.”

“So everyone’s resting, but you’re working, Seong-Woon?”

“When have hunters ever had holidays? It’s pretty common.”

“Do hunters never rest on holidays?”

“Not really... well, I guess that’s how it is.”

No matter how angry he got, the entity of origin never broke the words it spoke. The mood wasn’t too bad either, so Seong-Woon cautiously spoke.

“...The reason I’m here is to take someone out from here.”

“Is it your job to take someone out from here?”

“Yeah, it’s a Hunter named Park Eun-Gyeom... though I don’t know if you’ll even recognize the name.”

“Park Eun-Gyeom.”

The portrait repeated the name.

“......”

“......”

A silence followed.

For Seong-Woon, who felt guilty, the stillness was chilling.

‘...So it’s really unpleasant.’

The child of the entity of origin, who mimicked speech without any cognitive ability, was completely different from ‘Gio’s Portrait.’ Gio certainly had emotions, and because of that, sometimes he could even appear as a monster or a human.

‘By going against his will, I’ve essentially declared my intent to do something he wouldn’t approve of.’

Moreover, Gio had promised to spare Seong-Woon, so he couldn’t just kill him.

‘Of course, there are many ways to punish without killing, but I’ll have to bear that. Anyway, Gio’s feelings won’t be entirely pleasant.’

Seong-Woon prepared himself to endure Gio’s potential wrath. He had already made up his mind when he found himself facing the owner of this gray city against his will.

“......”

The silent portrait gestured toward the black-clad figure.

“......?”

It was a difficult action to understand, but Seong-Woon silently watched the situation unfold.

At the owner’s gesture, more black-clad figures gathered around and approached him. They bowed slightly in a manner that suggested deference, listening attentively.

‘What is this?’

Ignoring them, Gio asked the black-clad figure.

“Do you know the whereabouts of the human named Park Eun-Gyeom?”

“Yes, I do.”

Seong-Woon was slightly surprised. It wasn’t just because the transparent entity had mimicked a human voice. It wasn’t because the one who had only used awkward sign language just moments ago suddenly started speaking.

What Seong-Woon focused on was the voice itself from the black-clad figure.

‘...That voice...’

It reminded him of a man in his 30s.

‘But that voice doesn’t suit this monster.’

A human voice, after many years with a singular identity, usually carries the tone that represents that identity.

The voice from the black-clad figure, though, was somewhat flippant and jittery, unlike his elegant and refined gestures.

As an artist, Gio wouldn’t have chosen a voice for the black-clad figure without intention. Yet, this voice didn’t seem to fit. Could it be...?

‘Could it be...?’

Is this Park Eun-Gyeom’s voice?

Regardless of Seong-Woon’s doubts, the conversation between them continued.

“Why did he come here?”

“Yes, he tormented a weak human and abandoned them.”

“Then he’s an evil human.”

“Yes, he’s an evil human.”

It was a bizarre conversation.

“Is there any problem with taking that human out?”

“No, there’s no problem at all.”

“Then I’ll do what I want.”

“Yes, it’s also our wish.”

“I understand.”

Having finished the conversation, the portrait looked at Seong-Woon.

“Since Seong-Woon wishes it, I’ll take him out.”

“...Really?”

Although he tried not to show it, Seong-Woon was very surprised.

‘He’s responding so indifferently?’

That, in itself, was what felt unsettling.

‘Clearly, I’ve confirmed Gio can feel emotions...’

If he had emotions, he surely wouldn’t remain indifferent to someone going against his rules. Humans react that way, so what would the entity of origin do?

‘Yet he responds so nonchalantly?’

The unmistakable unease prompted Seong-Woon’s bad habit as a gardener.

“......”

It was fascinating.

“...Aren’t you displeased?”

Seong-Woon couldn’t hold back his question.

“I’m not sure about the exact situation, but your subordinates brought him here. Also, Park Eun-Gyeom is already someone who belongs here.”

“That may be so.”

“But am I allowed to just take him like this? If you don’t want it, I won’t take him. I don’t want to treat someone who doesn’t appreciate their companions as a fellow hunter.”

He meant it genuinely. Park Eun-Gyeom wasn’t someone Seong-Woon would go as far as risking his life to save or recover his body.

‘Plus, the association didn’t ask me to save Hunter Park.’

What they wanted was information on the process, cause, and result of ‘The Black Cloak’s’ attack on a human. In other words, there was no reason Seong-Woon had to save Park Eun-Gyeom.

Gio asked.

“But didn’t you say it was your job?”

“True, I did say that...”

“Then, I can also do what you wish.”

“Isn’t this a problem? Won’t it upset you?”

“I never cared about him from the start, so it’s fine.”

Gio really didn’t know. The Void had never told him about such people.

He might have felt a little guilty for a second, thinking a person was wandering in the house he had made, but after hearing they were guilty of human abuse and neglect, it became a “not my problem” situation.

‘Even Seong-Woon said he’s a human not worth saving.’

So, it was even more “not my problem” for Gio.

But, just as he had given gifts to many passersby, if the other party wanted something and he had the means to grant it, he had no reason not to fulfill their wish.

‘After all, this is Seong-Woon’s business, and even if the situation is difficult, I should help.’

If a salaried worker goes on a business trip and fails to accomplish their goal, how much would they be criticized when they return to the company? Gio, once a proper member of society, wanted to help Seong-Woon with his wishes.

“So, Seong-Woon, don’t worry.”

“That’s really kind of you.”

And it was an unsettling statement.

‘...I never thought that this indifferent attitude would feel more terrifying than anger.’

Gio, who shows affection for the weak and marvels at the grand and beautiful things.

The fact that ‘Gio’s Portrait’ responds with indifference rather than anger in this situation felt a little creepy to Seong-Woon, a human.

‘If it’s this easy to accept, why did he even take Hunter Park in the first place?’

From the recent conversation with the black cloak and black-clad figure, one might think that Gio didn’t even know Park Eun-Gyeom had come here.

But, given the strange atmosphere of the conversation, Seong-Woon thought it was some kind of show or performance. Just like many of the entities of origin.

“......”

That’s why Seong-Woon came to a bizarre conclusion.

‘...A sort of isolation...’

Gio is kind to humans. That could mean ‘Gio’s Portrait’ likes humans as a species, but this portrait also dislikes rude and evil humans.

So Seong-Woon thought.

‘From Gio’s perspective, this could be a favor to humans, or just simple self-satisfaction... attacking evil humans might be a way to filter out corrupted beings like Park Eun-Gyeom, so the average human can remain polite and good-hearted.’

Just like humans slaughtering cattle who attack their own kind.

‘Now I see Gio’s point of view.’

It was a bit unsettling, but at least now he felt at ease.

“...Hmm...”

If you feel fear over every little thing, you can’t be a gardener.

“So when can I take Hunter Park Eun-Gyeom?”

“To take him out of the City of Void, a price is needed.”

“Price?”

Seong-Woon stopped for a moment.

“I don’t mind, but is such a price also needed when I leave...?”

“You can leave without any issue, Seong-Woon.”

“Then what about Hunter Park Eun-Gyeom?”

“To take him out, a price is needed.”

“......”

“That’s what I’ve been told.”

Gio was speaking plainly, with no attempt at hiding the facts.

‘I’m not sure myself, but that’s how the system works.’

And it was Seong-Woon’s job to interpret that.

“...Ah...”

He remembered when Hunter Chara had visited ‘Gio’s Portrait’ before.

‘Back then, Hunter Chara didn’t have to pay any price.’

And this time, Gio had also said that no price was necessary for Seong-Woon.

‘Maybe people who are invited into the frame don’t need to pay a price. If we assume they’ll eventually leave the frame and return to this world, it follows the 1:1 rule, one time in this world and once in the other.’

But for those forcibly dragged into the frame.

‘It’s treated like a painting.’

Gio receives a price from Seong-Woon only when he paints something and brings it into the real world. To give it to Seong-Woon, Gio has to receive something in return.

This situation didn’t seem much different.

“So what price should I give this time?”

“You don’t need to give me any price, Seong-Woon.”

“Oh...”

Curiosity arose.

‘What price would he want from Park Eun-Gyeom?’

Whether Gio knew Seong-Woon’s curiosity or not, he still asked softly.

“Is it time for you to leave work?”

“Huh? No, a hunter like me doesn’t have a fixed time to clock out...”

“Do you want to leave work?”

“Of course, I do. It’s just that ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ I can’t go home because the work isn’t finished.”

“Then I’ll let you go.”

Before he knew it, Gio was holding a frame.

“...Huh?”

It was the living room of Seong-Woon’s house.

“Wait, this is....”

“Have a good night.”

And by the time Seong-Woon realized,

“......”

The air felt clear.

The warmth from the heating filled his skin, and the furniture, covered in dust from not being touched for a while, was visible.

A dark house with no lights on, showing that no one was home.

“......”

Seong-Woon was standing in his own living room.

“...Oh my...”

Grateful, yet truly unsettling.

‘How should I react to this?’

What a chilling kind of kindness.

Seong-Woon stood there for a while, with an awkward smile on his face.