The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 157

Gio had always known everything.

That he had long since exceeded human limitations.

That dead souls had gathered inside Anti-Cat Dana.

That others saw him as something far beyond what he claimed to be.

“...He simply places no great meaning on any of it.”

Aria spoke while swirling a glass flask.

“That’s why—even though he knows everything, he always seems like he knows nothing.”

“Teacher’s eerie indifference has always surprised those around him.”

“Which suggests it’s not a trait that developed after becoming a portrait.”

Even when Gio had been wholly human, hadn’t he consistently behaved the same way?

“It’s such a strange thing, isn’t it.”

“Teacher has always been... special.”

“I’m not sure if I should say ‘special’ or just ‘peculiar’...”

“His way of thinking is certainly unique.”

“A disposition rarely found in ordinary humans.”

Now, Gio was no longer human.

He was a portrait. A divinity.

And perhaps something far beyond either of those—a vast, unknowable mystery.

He was loved by the Structure and fused with it.

“If he wished, our Teacher could do anything.”

Yet all those powers meant nothing to Gio.

“What’s remarkable is that he can accept even that as just a facet of his personality.”

“He even sees the former Sun God’s divinity as just another trait.”

“And that’s the very divinity I once revered. Honestly, I’m speechless...”

If Gio had simply been ignorant of divinity’s value, Aria could have accepted it more easily.

But Giovanni had once been the most cherished disciple, a bright hope of the sun.

He couldn’t possibly be unaware of divine worth and authority—this was either extreme humility or an indifference that bordered on absurd.

Aria organized a shelf full of flasks containing various liquids and continued:

“What would it take to make him see himself as not human?”

To make him disappointed in humanity?

Despite all his power and transcendence, Gio remained convinced that none of it made him anything other than human.

That belief was as natural and solid as his very sense of existence.

“No matter what you throw at him, he’ll just think there’s no reason he isn’t human.”

“I can already predict how he’d react without even testing it.”

“And to think, the reason he was hesitant about using divine authority... was just a matter of politeness.”

Aria had once wondered if Gio rejected divine acts because he still saw himself as human.

But whether he was human or not, it turned out powers simply didn’t matter to him.

“And yet, the moment someone mentioned the word ‘salvation,’ he accepted it immediately?”

“He’d never use a grand word like ‘salvation’ himself, though.”

Iser smiled with that familiar, knowing look.

“Hasn’t he always been that way, Teacher?”

“He’s someone who values salvation over recognition.”

“And still prefers those who are kind and well-mannered...”

“Surely his ideal human and his own nature must be aligned, then?”

Just because someone liked kind and polite people didn’t mean they themselves were kind and polite.

Gio respected boundaries and showed courtesy, but when salvation was involved, the rules changed.

If someone had an unspoken wish they couldn’t voice, or secretly [N O V E L I G H T] longed for help—

Even if they insisted otherwise, even if only those around them hoped for it—

Gio would act.

“As expected of the smiling tyrant of the seaside village.”

“I think he still dislikes that nickname.”

“Well, you can’t really call it tyranny if the results were always good.”

Watching from nearby, there were moments when it seemed like Gio’s actions were more force than grace.

And yet, those whom he reached out to always ended up better for it.

That was the true nature of Gio’s power.

“You can’t call someone like that a fool.”

Gio always knew everything.

He simply received it as information—not emotion.

His distance from worldly affairs gave the impression that he was clueless, but it was a calculated image that made him seem like a mystical sage.

“I’m sure he has a plan of his own this time too.”

“Saying it like that makes him sound like a master schemer behind the curtain.”

“He always seems like he has no thoughts, but he’s constantly preparing something.”

“You only see it when you take a step back.”

“If that’s the case, then this time... hmm...”

Aria finished organizing her flasks and adjusted her large white lab coat.

“...”

She spoke.

“Teacher must already know the true nature of his lovely daughter.”

“You mean the creature filled with the souls of the dead?”

“Yes. That monster in the shape of a cat.”

It was born from the collective spirits of the dead, slain by humans.

“Surely she grew that strong because Teacher genuinely sees her as his daughter.”

“Given how much death has gathered in the world of the Structure, it’s certainly plausible.”

“There may be other factors behind her growth... but do you think Gio will use her?”

“He was thinking about what gift to give that human, Joo-Hyun. Probably, yes.”

Gio always knew what he needed to do.

“There could be many reasons for such a gift.”

It may have been Joo-Hyun’s unspoken wish.

It may have been to help Gio acclimate to the position his predecessor intended for him.

Or it may have been a chance for his daughter to become truly his.

Above all, Gio would continue to live in the human world.

“He likely wants to solidify the image of ‘Mr. Sergio.’”

“Every time I see that kind of calculated intent, I get cognitive dissonance.”

Behind that innocent, gentle smile, he had already planned everything.

No one could ever know how long he had been thinking about it—or what he truly knew.

“Teacher never accepts an outcome that doesn’t please him.”

He simply doesn’t allow such a future to arrive in the first place.

“Which is probably why he ended up dying like that.”

“...He is alive now.”

“Can you really call that living?”

“Not sure.”

“Sometimes it’s frightening.”

Aria smiled her peculiar smile.

“Because you never know when he’ll do something completely insane again.”

Gio was a variable beyond control.

“If that’s the case, he shouldn’t be so lovable.”

“...”

“This feels like I signed a wildly unfair contract.”

“...Sister...”

“Yes, Iser.”

The mermaid asked her brother:

“What are we supposed to do now?”

They could never be forgiven by their teacher.

“There was a time I hoped he might grow to hate humans. That he’d distance himself and turn against them... but it seems he’s decided to love them again.”

And for something close to eternity, he would continue that way.

“We need to make our stance clear as well.”

“You’re right.”

“...At the very least, regarding his origin...”

“...”

“...Hmph.”

Aria murmured.

“Responsibility, huh.”

The end of their deliberation was approaching.

***

“Urgh...”

Early February in Korea was still bitterly cold.

“Why is it so freezing?”

The woman sniffled.

“Maybe it’s worse because it’s so late...”

It was just after 1 a.m.

Not particularly late by most standards—

Though 8 p.m. was the “average” time people got off work, there were plenty who left far later.

“Back in the day, there would’ve been more people on this street.”

She glanced around the empty street.

An old electric sign buzzed as it flickered to life, while most others had long gone dark.

The asphalt, slick from melted snow, squelched beneath her feet, and she thought she heard a rat squeaking in the shadows.

“...”

Between the rusted buildings, the city center glowed in the distance—cleaner, sleeker than her suburban hometown.

Unlike the now-shuttered businesses around her, that part of the city still pulsed with neon.

A hollow feeling stirred in her chest.

“...Maybe there are even fewer people because of that old terror incident.”

It hadn’t happened just anywhere—

A dungeon gate had opened inside the Temple of the Sun.

Everyone inside had been dragged away.

She had been there.

Even now, the memory clung vividly.

Since then, she avoided crowded places whenever she could.

And clearly, other citizens did the same.

That’s why the streets were this empty.

“This area’s a mix of shops and residences anyway... not much foot traffic this late.”

She shivered and sank deeper into her padded coat.

“Ugh... of all nights, a company dinner...”

Ending it around 1 a.m. was merciful, she guessed—

But she was still upset.

She had to be up again by 6.

She had no idea how those drunkards had so much stamina.

She was walking with her head down when—

“Meow.”

“...?”

A cat’s cry.

But something was... off.

That was... a little too perfect.

It sounded like someone had recorded a “meow” and played it back.

As a cat lover, she knew most cats didn’t sound like that.

They wailed, screeched, or croaked in broken syllables.

And though the city was supposedly protected by the Association and the government—this area was still close to the outer slums.

She tensed and looked around the dark street.

“...Oh.”

And saw it.

“A cat.”

A large feline, shimmering deep blue like the Milky Way in the night sky.

“...Whoa. What the hell? Is that a monster...?”

“Meow.”

“It doesn’t look dangerous...”

It was beautiful.

Of course, just because something looked harmless didn’t mean it was.

But this could be a native monster she’d never heard of.

She slowly stepped back, widening the gap between them—

And then—thud!

“AAAUUUUGH—MOTHER—!”

“...Oh dear.”

“HhhrrraaAAACK...!!! HhoooAAEEKK!!!”

The woman spasmed the moment something hard pressed against her back.

“I seem to have startled you.”

“H-huh...!”

Staggering, she turned around—and saw a man gazing down at her.

“Please, calm down.”

“...”

“Well done. You did very well.”

“...Uh...”

The voice flowed gently, like a teacher soothing a nervous child, and the thunder in her heart slowly began to ease.

Though her breath still came in ragged bursts from shock, she realized she wasn’t in any real danger.

“...Ah...!!”

And then, she recognized him.

“You’re... Hunter Sergio?!”

“Oh, you remembered me.”

“W-well, you left quite an impression...”

“I’m glad you saw me in a good light.”

“N-no, I mean... yes...!”

Feeling the closeness was too much, she took a step back—and with that, she got a clearer look at the Hunter’s face.

Hair the color of moonlight or sun-bleached platinum. Eyes that shimmered like fractured blue glass. That radiant, sacred smile of someone blessed...

“Oh wow.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Just... startled again.”

Even now, his face looked like something crafted by a master of the century.

They really should designate that as a cultural treasure.

A face worth preserving, no doubt.

“What brings you here? I thought you operated as an unofficial Hunter... Do you have work today? Still, it’s so nice to see you again. You’re never on TV, so it’s hard to keep up.”

“I can see how genuinely happy you are to see me.”

“D-did I get too excited? I’m sorry... I’ve always wanted to thank you properly, but I didn’t know how to reach you. Not that contacting a Hunter personally is proper, and the Collector’s Guild didn’t say anything either.”

Meeting him by chance like this—it really was a joy.

“But... what brings you out here?”

“I came to help a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes.”

Hunter Sergio glanced between the alleyways.

“Dana.”

At his call, a cat answered.

“Muaang.”

“Oh, how cute.”

“Nyah.”

The cat—its cry now sounding much more like a proper feline mewl—emerged from the shadows and padded over to sit beside Hunter Sergio.

It was massive, nearly the size of a Maine Coon. It brushed against his shin, then curled up comfortably at his feet.

“Aww.”

“You’re a good one.”

He stroked her head gently. Dana closed her eyes, clearly enjoying his touch.

“...Ah, right. That’s true.”

The woman finally wrapped her head around the situation and nodded.

“You said you were a tamer, didn’t you? And it’s true, I see.”

“I must not look the part.”

“You look more like... a priest, honestly.”

“That’s understandable.”

Sergio smiled as he spoke.

“Honey is also here, by the way.”

From inside his cloak’s hood, a tiny golden-yellow bird—no bigger than a child’s fist—poked its head out. It tilted its head at the woman before tucking itself back inside.

“Looks like it’s shy.”

“Th-that’s okay. Monsters aren’t exactly fond of humans, after all.”

As someone who had followed Hunters, she knew a little about their profession.

Tamers were rare, but even when they succeeded in forming contracts, it didn’t mean the bond was close.

“From what I’ve heard, most contract beasts don’t actually like their masters... but you two seem really close. As expected of a Collector’s Hunter...”

“Perhaps because I raised them like my own children.”

“It must’ve been hard to care that much for a monster... That’s really impressive. Oh, uh... am I taking up too much of your time?”

“Not at all.”

Hunter Sergio tilted his head slightly as he asked:

“Would you happen to know where Gita Orphanage is?”

“Gita Orphanage?”

His voice was far too calm and composed for someone simply asking directions—it gave the illusion that he already knew the answer.

...If it’s a mission, the Guild probably gave him the location. But he said he came for a friend. Did he rush here without details? Or maybe it’s a surprise visit...?

The woman’s thoughts spun briefly, but then she saw a sheepish smile on his sculpture-like face—the kind people wear when asking strangers for help. And she snapped out of it.

Don’t zone out in front of people. Maybe I’m just tired. Why am I thinking like this...?

Shaking off her silly impressions, she returned to reality.

“Ah, Gita Orphanage... That one...”

As someone familiar with the area, she answered with a troubled look.

“It burned down a little while ago.”

“Ah, yes.”

Sergio’s face lit up, as if that was exactly what he’d been looking for.

“That’s the building I’m looking for.”

“That building...?”

It was in a secluded spot—possibly even infested with monsters.

Maybe someone had tipped him off about it on his friend’s behalf.

Maybe he didn’t get the full details from his friend. He could be trying to handle it quietly, without burdening them.

That sounded like the Sergio she remembered.

The Hunter who helped people in the “Temple of the Deep” and never sought even a single article about it.

I remember hearing he was shy. Thought it was just a rumor, but maybe he really does get uncomfortable being thanked for his good deeds.

She nodded.

“Yes, I know where it is. Want me to show you?”

“You were on your way home—sorry for the trouble. I’d appreciate the help, if you don’t mind.”

“These streets are pretty confusing anyway. Besides, if it weren’t for you, I’d already be dead. This is nothing.”

“Thanks to your kind cooperation, we all made it out safely.”

“Wow... how do you make compliments sound so good?”

A small pang of regret welled up inside her.

If he were a publicly listed Hunter, I’d have followed his account immediately.

With that bittersweet thought, she led the way.

Even though it was a quiet, obscure area, it was still part of a living city.

There were occasional streetlights and flickering signs. It wasn’t completely dark.

Soon, they arrived at Gita Orphanage.

“This should be it... the orphanage you mentioned.”

Seeing the burned structure stirred something eerie in her.

They said people died here. No wonder it gives me chills.

She didn’t suspect Sergio, but coming to a deserted place like this was still unnerving.

Looking at the abandoned building, she gave a nervous laugh and asked:

“Um... would it be okay if I waited until you’re done? I don’t really want to walk back alone...”

“Of course. I was planning to accompany you regardless. It’s dangerous for a woman to go home alone at this hour.”

Hunter Sergio nodded and smiled gently, eyes crinkling.

“It won’t take long.”

“Oh, really? So, are you here to eliminate a monster or something...?”

“No.”

He said:

“I came to make friends.”

“...”

Was it just her imagination?

His voice sounded... like it had sunk into the sea.

“...Uh, I... see...”

Maybe he was here to tame a new monster?

As she tried to reason it out, staying within the bounds of common logic, Hunter Sergio gently stroked the cat's head and spoke.

“Dana.”

The cat replied.

“Meow.”

And then, more replies followed.

“Meow.”

“Meow...”

“...Meow...”

The cat’s moonlike eyes curved gently.

And then—

“Meow.”

High, faint voices, unripe and childlike.

...Like the sound of bells.

As the woman stood there, stunned, she saw something.

Children, mimicking the cat’s cries, stepping out of the ruined building.

“Meow...”

“The meow called us.”

“It said meow.”

“I meowed too, kitty.”

“Meow!”

A stream of chaotic, childlike sentences. freewebnσvel.cøm

A girl with her hair tied in a single braid.

A boy with a mischievous look.

One who walked hesitantly, timid.

Another who sniffled, tears running down his face.

A child who hugged the giant cat tightly, delighted...

“...Ah.”

And then, at the end of that line—

She saw an old woman.

“...”

“...”

She awkwardly ushered all the children out.

Wearing an apron, she bowed deeply when her eyes met Sergio’s.

“...Please take care of them.”

“Won’t you come with us?”

“I serve a different god.”

“I’d like to hear their name.”

“My god lights the world with moonlight.”

“I’ll visit soon with the children.”

“...If you would...”

“You won’t be alone.”

The old woman, who had said nothing until now, began to weep.

“...Thank you.”

And when the woman blinked once—

“...”

“...”

They were gone.

“Uh... uh... wha—?”

“I’ve finished my business. Let me escort you home.”

“W-whaaa??”

“Are you alright?”

“Wh...what???”

Only then did she realize...

She had just seen a ghost.

***

At the broken window of the ruined building—

“...”

Joo-Hyun had been watching it all.

And now she crumbled to her knees.

Her voice, soaked in tears, trembled pitifully.

“...I’m sorry...”

“No.”

“I’m sorry. If only I’d done better...”

“It’s okay, Joo-Hyun.”

“Truly... I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“I-It was my fault...”

A reunion wrapped in the mercy of a dark god, bending the laws and logic of the world.

“...I’m sorry I hurt you...”

Joo-Hyun had received a friend’s gift.