Chapter 52

After hearing the whole story, Yu Seong-un felt conflicted.

“…….”

No, his stomach just plain hurt.

‘…I never thought a Source would allow a human in. Has there ever been a case like this before?’

No matter how gentlemanly a being Jio was, he was still a creature born from the Source.

The closest comparison I could find was to speculate he was something like a ‘Child of the Source,’ but well, that didn't matter now.

The problem was that what Cha Ara had likely seen was….

“…A cabin in the woods, you say?”

…Because it was presumed to be ‘The Garden,’ a type of Source. That was probably the closest thing to it.

‘…That’s not a place just anyone can visit, because anyone unqualified who enters will die. It’s not a place that can be called a normal dungeon in the first place.’

At Yu Seong-un’s question, Hunter Cha Ara fidgeted with her fingers.

Then, with a rather defensive look, she nodded.

From what Yu Seong-un could tell, she seemed to have a rather sensitive and prickly personality, but she was even more withdrawn than that, which gave him an idea of how she was usually treated.

“Yes, I never went outside the house, but… I think that’s what it was like.”

“I see.”

Yu Seong-un massaged the back of his neck.

‘This is a headache.’

He heard that the air changed according to Jio’s mood.

Hunter Cha Ara didn’t seem to have thought that far, but even among humanoid monsters, there weren’t many boss monsters that were that synchronized with their dungeon.

‘To that extent, the monster and the dungeon would have to be treated as one body.’

In other words, Hunter Cha Ara had gone into Jio’s stomach and come back out.

‘And not just any dungeon, but The Garden… does this story even make sense?’

To Yu Seong-un, who knew what terrible things happened when an unqualified person entered ‘The Garden,’ it felt like a nonsensical and malicious lie.

‘No matter how much Jio permitted it, it’s not a merciful enough space for a fragile F-class Hunter to come out alive with just that.’

If what this person saw was truly The Garden, then even if Jio was a different type of Gardener, he would not have been able to protect Cha Ara.

A mere Gardener didn’t have that kind of authority.

It was like a kimbap that had entered a human’s mouth coming out on its own by punching a hole in the solar plexus without being digested.

It was impossible, and because of that, it became difficult for Yu Seong-un to define the current situation.

“…….”

If that’s the case, then Jio, truly….

“…Thank you for answering so sincerely when you must have been flustered by the sudden situation.”

Fortunately, Bisabeol was only grinning and not interrupting, which made it easier for Yu Seong-un to control the flow.

Yu Seong-un continued, intending to wrap up this session and let her rest.

“It seems like we’ve been the only ones asking questions, so if you have any, you may ask.”

“…Is it really okay to ask?”

“…….”

She was sharp somewhere, a person with very high walls.

It seemed she knew how to test the waters before she leaped, but even so, it couldn’t hide this young Hunter’s sensitivity.

I didn’t know what kind of social skills she used to survive, but her personality itself didn’t seem to be on the gentle side.

‘And he managed to melt such a person down to the point of feeding her a meal.’

I hadn’t thought about it because so many people said he was scary, but perhaps Jio had the ability to break down a person’s guard.

Pushing that speculation to a corner of his mind, Yu Seong-un slowly nodded his head to reassure her as much as possible.

She was a valuable witness in the history of the Earth, so it was right to be as considerate as possible.

“Of course, you may.”

Seeing that it would be better for him to start explaining first, Yu Seong-un immediately continued.

“What you have met, Hunter Cha Ara, is a work designated as ‘Jio’s Portrait.’”

“…A work? Not a monster…?”

“We are still in the process of identifying its exact nature, so we ask for your understanding. However, for the sake of comprehension, it might be better for you to think of it as a humanoid monster.”

“That actually makes it harder to understand….”

“You can understand it as a monster with a low level of hatred towards the Earth compared to other monsters.”

In truth, I saw it as ‘something’ of a much higher class, but I couldn’t tell this Hunter I’d just met that much.

Her lips didn’t seem loose, but there were all sorts of variables in the world.

“The work named ‘Jio’s Portrait’ has a self that is defined as ‘Jio.’ It can move through picture frames, as you said you saw on that snowy dawn, and can even come out of the painting to act.”

“…That… so….”

“Because it takes a very friendly attitude towards humans and there is no way to stop it from painting and moving beyond the frame, the Collectors are leaving it be as a form of persuasion.”

“What, no, pardon?”

Cha Ara flinched.

“How can you just leave such a dangerous person alone…! Y-You said it’s a work, so isn’t it stored in the Collectors’ gallery? C-Can’t you confine it somehow?”

“…….”

Yu Seong-un felt a question arise.

‘…Did she just say person?’

That wasn’t a word that could be easily said after feeling the overwhelming pressure of that black portrait. It was a strange thing.

‘Even though she’s saying it’s a work and asking to lock it up, it means she perceives Jio as a person. This is certainly unique. If Hunter Cha Ara herself isn’t special, could it be Jio’s ability?’

Thinking that, Yu Seong-un spoke with his characteristic placid smile.

“In Korea, there are exactly two places that store dangerous items like ‘Jio’s Portrait.’”

“…Ah, there are other places besides the Collectors’ gallery…?”

“It is not well-known, but the Association’s research institute is one such place. It’s a place with far more robust security than the Collectors’ gallery.”

“Then why wasn’t it sent there….”

“The Guild Master had a strong opinion. The ownership of ‘Jio’s Portrait’ belongs to Guild Master Bisabeol, the successful bidder of the auction.”

The Guild Master’s opinion that his ownership and viewing time were more important than people dying from a dangerous work.

Cha Ara seemed to be at a loss for words at that brazen answer.

Perhaps she understood the harsh world and her own circumstances, where she couldn’t protest despite the work’s danger.

Seeing her quiet down a bit, Yu Seong-un continued.

“Our guild will provide compensation for the inconvenience you have experienced because of this, Hunter Cha Ara.”

“…You want me to take that and shut up?”

“We would be grateful if you would. Is there any compensation you desire?”

“…….”

“If you haven't thought of anything yet, you may ask other questions in the remaining time. You must have been very flustered by this situation as well, Hunter Cha Ara.”

After hesitating and glancing around, Hunter Cha Ara soon opened her mouth.

“Th-That… person…? Anyway, that thing, it’s not human, right?”

“As I said before, you can think of it as a humanoid monster you can communicate with. That doesn’t mean it’s really a monster, but I can at least confirm that it is not human.”

Bisabeol added his words.

“You can think of it as a god who enjoys amusement. We don’t know its exact identity, but its class doesn't seem to be lower than the gods that priests serve.”

“Guild Master, I believe spreading uncertain information to a Hunter you’ve just met could become a great source of anxiety.”

“But wouldn’t that be easier to understand? A humanoid monster you can talk to isn't a very relatable term for a Hunter. On the other hand, eccentric gods who enjoy amusement are not unheard of.”

At Bisabeol’s words, Cha Ara muttered with a sour expression.

“It cooked, though…?”

“…….”

“Are there… gods that cook…?”

At that unconfident mumble, Bisabeol burst out laughing without a sound, and Yu Seong-un barely held back a sigh.

Seriously, Jio, are you a grandma?

‘Even if he likes fat humans, why is he so obsessed with feeding people the moment he sees them?’

It wasn’t information he couldn’t answer, so he obediently nodded his head.

“…Yes, that is one of the habits ‘Jio’s Portrait’ exhibits. Many people in our guild have already received gifts from Jio. They were things like cookies, chocolates, and candies….”

When Yu Seong-un glanced at Bisabeol, he, with a hint of a smile still on his face, nodded his head.

With that permission, Yu Seong-un continued speaking comfortably.

“In my case, as I am in charge of managing ‘Jio’s Portrait,’ I have also received dishes like fruit tea or sausages as gifts. The tea that Jio served you in the cabin was probably that. I think the type of food might change depending on the level of favorability or the relationship Jio feels with the other party, or his personal judgment.”

“Ah… Aah….”

“However… a question has arisen, for a moment.”

Yu Seong-un asked Cha Ara.

“By any chance, before your meal at the cabin, did you give anything to Jio?”

“…? No…? I-I’m a beggar… I don’t have anything like that….”

“It doesn’t have to be anything special. Did you not give Jio even something like a pebble? Or, did it seem like Jio felt some kind of strong emotion towards you, Hunter Cha Ara.”

“…….”

Cha Ara, with a face that said ‘Why on earth are you asking this,’ was confused between annoyance and bewilderment, but then, perhaps judging that this wasn’t a useless question just to harass her, she soon fell into thought.

A little time passed, but Cha Ara’s answer was the same.

“…I don’t think so, no matter how much I think about it… Even for something like emotions, not at all….”

“Is that so? And Jio didn’t make any remarks about considering you a friend, Hunter Cha Ara?”

“He did say in the ‘Water Vein of Jewels’ that he came looking for a friend, but, uh, um, no. He said I was too young and weak to be his friend.”

“Aha.”

That was a strange standard.

‘…The fact that he thinks someone around 18 is young is certainly Jio’s unique standard, but anyway, did he think it would be hard for an 18-year-old and a 29-year-old to become friends? I’m not sure if he was worried the other person would be crushed by his stature or if it was a conclusion based on a general human perspective….’

Yu Seong-un nodded his head.

“It certainly seems you received nothing.”

“I-Is that not allowed?”

“As far as we have gathered, there has been no such case.”

One of Jio’s rules was a 1:1 trade.

“When ‘Jio’s Portrait’ interacted with humans, if it received something, it gave something in return, and if it gave something, it sought to receive something. The same was true even if it wasn’t something material. Jio always gave a gift of apology to people he thought he had startled.”

“Ah, aaah…!”

“……?”

“A gift of apology!!”

Cha Ara rummaged through her pockets as if she knew something.

“Th-That…! The thing I received on the snowy day, when I saw him then, the gift…!!”

“Please calm down and speak slowly.”

“Thaaaaat….”

After taking a long breath, Cha Ara finally pulled a jet-black gem from her pocket.

“I-I received something like this. I found it when I fell down in surprise.”

“…….”

“I had forgotten about it for a moment, and I wasn’t sure if it was really from Mr. Jio… so I couldn’t say anything….”

“…May I take a look for a moment?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Hmm….”

Yu Seong-un, wearing a glove, lifted the gem and observed it up close.

“…….”

A crystal structure that faintly rippled like a liquid.

But a hard mineral.

“…Jio did give you this.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes, only Jio creates gems like this.”

As far as I’ve found out until now.

“If you are alright with it, would it be okay for our Collectors to purchase this gem?”

“What? This?”

“Because it has a crystal structure that does not exist on Earth, numerous rumors will circulate even if you put it up for auction. In the worst-case scenario, you and your family could also be harmed, Hunter Cha Ara.”

“Uh….”

“It would be better for us, who manage ‘Jio’s Portrait,’ to keep it.”

Having said that, Yu Seong-un shrugged his shoulders.

“I am not forcing you.”

“You are totally forcing me… threatening me by bringing up my family….”

“I have merely stated the reality, and the choice is yours, Hunter Cha Ara.”

“Ugh….”

“I am not saying I will purchase it right away. That is, if you, Hunter Cha Ara, will allow for minimal protective measures.”

“Protective measures? You mean surveillance?”

“We cannot just leave an unknown gift given by none other than ‘Jio’s Portrait’ unattended.”

“But….”

“As I said before, I am not demanding it right away. We, too, feel a great burden in forcibly taking a gift given by ‘Jio’s Portrait.’”

It was not the Collectors’ way to purchase something as if snatching it away when the other party hadn't even grasped the situation yet and he had no intention of acting like a thug towards a young Hunter who seemed inexperienced in trading or auctions.

“You can contact us when you are certain.”

“…You’re not taking it?”

“The crystal structure itself is unique, but it’s a gem that has no value on its own, unless it’s for research data.”

It might not be on the level of the Association’s research institute, but the Collectors also had a separate team that could research new works or fragments of works.

Jio’s gem had already been confirmed by him to have ‘no particular function,’ and its safety had been secured through various experiments.

‘Still, we can’t be completely at ease… but it’s not a dangerous or valuable enough item to warrant roughing up an already frightened young Hunter to take it away.’

It was also Bisabeol’s opinion that if you died from a work’s favor, it was a natural death. As his subordinate and a Gardener, Yu Seong-un had no reason not to follow that direction.

Yu Seong-un continued his explanation.

“Most gems are highly valued simply because they are beautiful, and the Collectors also frequently purchase gems that are merely beautiful, but that should not be a problem.”

“What on earth do you mean…?”

“I meant that there will be no problem just by possessing the gem. If you hide it well so that other Hunters do not notice, they will not know that the gem is special without looking at it up close. If you plan to use it for ordinary ornamental purposes, I would recommend not selling it.”

She could get it stolen and suffer a mishap, or be seriously injured by a risk factor that even the Collectors hadn't identified, but in that regard, there would be protective measures at the guild level.

‘We also need to prevent the world from becoming overly noisy with Jio’s existence beforehand.’

To reassure her, Yu Seong-un took out a red gem.

“I, too, have received a gem from ‘Jio’s Portrait’ as a token of thanks.”

It was the gem he had received after drawing an apple for Jio before.

It was still transparent and beautiful without any special measures being taken.

“We have had it inspected as precisely as possible at the Collectors’ level, but it is harmless, no different from an ordinary gem on Earth, and it doesn’t break or scratch easily. Aside from being excessively hard, there’s nothing wrong with it.”

“Ah….”

“I personally also recommend keeping it for ornamental purposes, but a detailed study on ‘Jio’s Portrait’ has not yet been conducted. We do not know when or what harm the gem might cause, so if you wish to make a transaction, you may contact us then.”

At that, Bisabeol suddenly became sullen. It was a truly detestable reaction.

“You’re not selling it now…?”

“Please maintain some dignity, Guild Master. This is not an auction house.”

“I… I don’t have one… I don’t have a gem from Jio… I’ve never even spoken to him….”

“That is why I am telling you to fix that personality of yours.”

How burdensome must he be for the kind Jio to even be reluctant to talk to him.

‘There’s no way Bisabeol would be a good match for a guy who likes quiet things. He’s not a bad person, but he can’t be called a good person either…. He’s harmless to work, but as a fellow human, he’s truly a harmful person.’

He barely suppressed a sigh since there was an outsider present.

No matter how much the Collectors projected an image of a free atmosphere, there was nothing to be gained by showing an employee talking down to the Guild Master.

“Besides, we must also ask Jio for his opinion on whether it is okay to sell a gem like this, received as a gift, to our guild. Monsters are strict about their rules.”

“…Th-That’s… true….”

“Apart from that, there shouldn't be any problems for the time being, so it would be best to keep it for ornamental purposes. If you feel uncomfortable, you may sell it now.”

He didn’t want to see Bisabeol jump for joy, nor did he want it to fall into other people’s hands and cause a stir in the academic world.

As long as no unexpected situations arose, it wasn’t so bad for an individual to own it.

‘Of course, it would be safest for the Collectors to store it unofficially.’

Cha Ara was a rare Hunter who had come out after receiving the full favor of ‘Jio’s Portrait.’

She was the only person who had not just received a simple gift like cookies or fruit cheong, but had even eaten a meal personally prepared by Jio.

‘It would be a shame to earn the enmity of such a person. She’s a person who is fundamentally disposed to be wary of others… let’s not make her uncomfortable.’

As a Gardener, he was also curious about what effect Jio’s gem would have on an F-class Hunter. Yu Seong-un continued.

“Our Collectors do not yet know much about ‘Jio’s Portrait.’ However, since you have received Jio’s favor, you, Hunter Cha Ara, may one day encounter ‘Jio’s Portrait’ again.”

“…….”

“Therefore, I will tell you what needs to be shared.”

It would be troublesome if Hunter Cha Ara were to somehow incur the portrait’s wrath.

“As I said before, Jio prefers a 1:1 trade. Listening to your story, Hunter Cha Ara, it seems to be a rule that only applies when the frame is in between. You said there was no problem even though you gave Jio nothing when you ate inside the painting.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. I didn’t really give anything….”

“If you happen to encounter ‘Jio’s Portrait’ again, a conversation should be no problem. However, if you give something to Jio, or receive something, you should be mentally prepared for a corresponding price.”

“Uh, uh uh, how? What kind of price do I have to give?”

“We have confirmed that up to 10 bungeoppang is not a problem as a price.”

“…….”

How humble.

Cha Ara made a strange expression, as if she had seen a talking panda.

It seemed she thought he accepted something remarkably ordinary for the class he possessed, and Yu Seong-un agreed with that a hundred times over.

“We have also confirmed that telling Jio personal information such as your name is not a problem. Several of our Collectors’ staff have exchanged names with the portrait, but no unilateral contract was made.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“And….”

Yu Seong-un suddenly felt a wave of fatigue and held back a sigh.

“…….”

Whether the outcome was good or bad, a Source being favorable to a human was, as expected, mentally draining.

I probably won’t meet a being like this again in my lifetime.

***

“…….”

1. The name of the man in the black cape is Jio.

2. Jio is a dawn shift employee. Do not ask for his identity.

3. If Jio wants to exchange names, tell him your name. There will be no problem.

4. No matter what kind of conversation Jio starts, answer kindly and politely. If the conversation is successful, you will receive a gift from Jio.

5. Rule 4 is an exaggeration and does not need to be strictly followed.

6. Ignore rule 5. Let's always be polite employees to our clients and colleagues.

7. You can give a gift to Jio. In this case, you must receive a gift in return from Jio.

8. If you see an unfamiliar picture frame inside the building, ignore it. It is an experimental installation by the dawn shift and will be removed before daybreak. Do not touch or scratch the work.

9. Bad people cannot go in front of the portrait on the 5th basement floor. Be especially careful not to visit the front of the portrait at dawn.

“What… is this?”

“These are the rules compiled personally by our Guild Master.”

“Is it really okay for me to be seeing this?”

“Actually, maybe not….”

Yu Seong-un was suffering from extreme fatigue.

“But the Guild Master himself told me to show it to you, so it doesn't matter.”

“Are you sure it doesn't matter…. You’ve just given up, haven’t you…. Is it okay for a conglomerate to operate so sloppily? The management of the work and everything seems strange.”

“These are rules made to be distributed to our employees, so please take into account the terminology and check them accordingly.”

“O-Okay….”

After looking over the rules, Cha Ara tilted her head and asked.

“Um, but, what’s with rules 4 and 5 here? It looks like it was written by two different people. It’s not a ghost story, is it?”

“Ah, that’s because Jio, who happened to see the rules compiled by the Guild Master, added that part himself….”

“Is it okay to let a monster fix the rules himself? No, in the first place, why was this left as is?”

“The Guild Master said it was amusing and to leave it as is.”

“…….”

“If you have familiarized yourself with them, may I now escort you home?”

Seeing the face of an employee worn out by fatigue, Cha Ara carefully nodded her head.

“Y-Yes, please….”

So, just because it’s a conglomerate doesn’t mean it’s all good.

It was a moment of realization.

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