The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 217
The hut after all the guests had gone.
“What exactly is a god?”
When Gio asked the ‘sky,’ the sparkling night above blinked in response. Its tail flicked and its ears perked up as if listening intently, hinting at blind devotion toward him, yet no reply came.
He hadn’t really asked expecting an answer.
“Hmmm, I wonder...”
The stars embedded in the ‘sky’ glimmered curiously as they connected. Pearl-like ‘gray’ stars shimmered as the Milky Way swayed with intent, causing Gio to narrow his eyes.
It seemed like it wanted to say something...
‘Maybe I’m just imagining it.’
He still didn’t understand.
“What do you think, Father?”
“Ku?”
“This time, you didn’t demand I act divine, either.”
“Kuuu...”
The teddy bear furrowed its brow as if saying, ‘I never expected you, with that red hair, to behave like a god in the first place,’ but it still joined in his son’s troubles sincerely. It gave its answer.
“Ku? Kukkuu.”
“A bystander as part of nature?”
“Ku.”
“Well, you were the sun, after all.”
Unless it was to shine light, the sun never descended to the earth.
“That’d be a disaster.”
Gio hugged the plush teddy bear. Then Dana came over and coiled protectively around them, and Honey, curious about the movement, briefly poked its head out from under the hood before tucking itself back in.
The seamlessness of it all pleased Gio deeply, though the dilemma still lingered. He had a very, very long life ahead.
“......”
He needed something to guide him.
***
“Gio hyung!”
“How have you been?”
Cha I-Sol came running at full speed, and Gio scooped her up effortlessly. As expected, the priest Kang Seodam, and Cha I-Sol’s partner and priest-in-training, Iru Da, were with her.
Giovanni smiled gently and asked how they had been.
“Any trouble since last time?”
“The mermaid issue was resolved without incident, so there was no trouble to speak of. Nothing you need worry about, Hunter Sergio.”
“You’re still so formal.”
It felt overly polite to the point of awkwardness.
After setting Cha I-Sol down, Gio’s eyes met Iru Da’s. As if she had been waiting for that gaze all along, she locked eyes with him, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
“I never properly thanked you for the gift you gave me last time. I wanted to express that today. I hope my coming to greet you wasn’t unwelcome?”
“Unwelcome? Not at all. I’m deeply pleased to be greeted by such a kind friend. Would you allow me to enjoy this joy even more?”
“...Ah, th-thank you. That’s... kind of you to say.”
Iru Da was slightly flustered.
‘Do people usually respond that way?’
Most adults would get flustered when small and young Iru Da spoke to them with utmost politeness.
That gave Iru Da a little breathing room. Being young was a disadvantage, but she didn’t want to lose to adults—so she had honed this surefire approach.
‘He’s just difficult.’
It wasn’t that she disliked him, but whenever she saw that gentle, all-forgiving face—like someone who knew everything but chose to forgive anyway—her shoulders drooped involuntarily.
Adults usually didn’t treat her this way. She was more used to being judged coldly by objective standards than being respected or coddled.
‘At this rate, I won’t even be able to properly thank him...’
Noticing Iru Da’s awkwardness, Kang Seodam let out a small sigh and suggested,
“It might be uncomfortable to continue speaking here. Shall we move to the reception room? Hunter Sergio expressed interest in the trainees’ progress, so we intended to bring him along unless you had other preferences.”
“No, that’s more than enough.”
“Pre-seminarian Iru Da also seems to have more to say, but let’s save that for a more suitable time and place. Every conversation needs the right setting.”
Realizing her shallow tactic had been seen through, Iru Da blushed.
“...I apologize.”
“No need to apologize. Please raise your head.”
Gio was simply impressed.
‘Kids these days really are precocious.’
Honestly, she seemed more composed and tactful than 29-year-old Sergio. He immediately understood Iru Da’s intentions in trying to initiate that eye contact.
‘She must have felt she couldn’t properly express gratitude without gaining a sliver of the upper hand. I noticed it last time too—she’s got a strong instinctive wariness toward adults.’
Not hatred, but a fundamental belief that “adults are dangerous.” If he pushed further, it would come across as “read the room,” not “it’s okay,” so Gio let the matter drop.
“I heard Cha I-Sol wrote 33 pages of reflection.”
“Ah... that...”
Grateful for the change in subject, Iru Da nodded.
“Kang Seodam teacher only asked for one, but she said it kept growing as she wrote, and ended up bringing in a whole stack. He sent her back, saying it wasn’t necessary to go that far.”
Kang Seodam interjected.
“I told her to condense it into one page. Too much of anything isn’t good, and I just needed some record that she had reflected.”
“I understand the reason.”
Though he felt guilty giving extra work to a child already worn out from writing 33 pages, his judgment had been wise. A reflection letter had to be filed with the Church of the Sun.
‘It’d be impossible to officially submit all 33 pages raw.’
Even if Cha I-Sol had tried to hide the “truth,” she was still a child. The process of writing so much likely included bits that weren’t appropriate for official records.
“You’ve worked hard, Priest Kang Seodam. Thanks to you, I believe Cha I-Sol and Iru Da are growing into wonderful priests.”
“That’s... too kind. You don’t need to go that far. It’s simply my duty as their teacher and senior.”
“Doing one’s duty isn’t always easy.”
“......”
Kang Seodam fell silent.
‘...What kind of reply do you give to someone who was buried by the very church that couldn’t even uphold that basic duty? He probably won’t get angry, but it’s not something you can easily say out loud.’
They walked in thoughtful silence toward the reception room. The only one excitedly chatting was 11-year-old Cha I-Sol, thrilled by how beautiful the spring garden had become.
The reception room was completely quiet.
“So peaceful.”
“I asked them to step out to ensure no interruptions.”
“Thank you for the consideration.”
“No, it was for our sake as well...”
Though he couldn’t discuss being the Black Cloak in front of Iru Da, there were plenty of other topics better spoken in private. Kang Seodam gently touched Iru Da’s shoulder.
“Pre-seminarian Iru Da.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to speak now?”
“...Thank you.”
Still hesitating, Iru Da bowed deeply.
“I apologize for how poorly I behaved earlier.”
“I already told you there was no need to apologize.”
“Since you said that, I’ll be shameless and say what I originally came to say. The flower tea you gave me last time... it helped me tremendously.”
She was talking about the Bai Bamnil flower tea Gio had casually gifted her.
“I offered it to the Goddess of the Sun, and in return, she blessed me. Thanks to that gift—which I couldn’t even recognize for its true value—I was able to contribute, even in a small way, during the recent war.”
Hearing that, Gio thought,
‘I wish she’d just talk like a kid.’ freewebnoveℓ.com
Back in my day, kids never talked like this in front of me. Not even as a joke. As the eternally bewildered modern man Sergio, he found it absurd.
Still, Giovanni’s calm, benevolent composure didn’t waver. Emboldened by his serene demeanor, Iru Da straightened her shoulders a little and continued.
“If you hadn’t given me that gift, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything after Cha I-Sol was taken. I wouldn’t have been allowed to fight, and even if I forced my way in, I would’ve just been a burden.”
“Please feel free to speak more casually.”
“...Casually?”
“Yes.”
Unable to take it anymore, Gio gently suggested,
“Isn’t a simple ‘thank you for helping me’ enough?”
“I... I can’t do something that rude after using the gift you gave me so selfishly...”
“What I gave you was exactly that—a gift. I handed you a medicinal herb because I heard you liked chewing on healthy roots. If you used it to help save Cha I-Sol, that’s your own achievement, not mine.”
“B-but... the value of what I received...”
“I’ve heard plenty about your accomplishments. Despite still being a pre-seminarian, you stepped into the battlefield, protected the injured in your partner’s place, and even made flowers bloom in an icy sea.”
“...I just did what I was told.”
“What an earnest student.”
Having finally found a gap, Gio shifted his tone. After all, Iru Da wasn’t the only one who could overwhelm someone with praise and gratitude.
“I was truly moved by your story. Stepping onto a battlefield is no small feat—even if it’s for your partner. That must’ve taken tremendous courage, not to mention strong friendship and trust.”
“A-ah, no, I...”
“Thanks to you, Cha I-Sol was rescued unharmed. Even if you don’t believe in yourself, that was a tremendous help. As proof, Cha I-Sol has been smiling freely ever since returning from that hardship, hasn’t she?”
“...That’s...”
“You did well.”
“......”
Iru Da shrank back again.
“...Thank you.”
“And I thank you.”
Excellent. She finally looked like a proper kid!
‘Knew I still got it.’
There’s no legal definition of “a proper kid,” but this was certainly better. If she’d shown any discomfort, he would’ve backed off—but despite her flushed cheeks, she didn’t look upset. In fact, Gio was certain she wanted to be treated like a child.
With practiced ease, Gio shifted his gaze to Cha I-Sol.
“Did you get scolded properly, Cha I-Sol?”
“Yes! A lot! I’ll never do it again!”
“Good attitude.”
Cha I-Sol might still be young and inexperienced, but she wasn’t stupid. She had a keen sense of judgment and awareness. Gio trusted that she’d act more wisely next time.
‘If she ever barges into a battlefield again like last time, I really will lose it.’
With that, Gio turned to Kang Seodam.
“Anything else I should know about?”
“...Aside from the increasing calls within the Church to appoint Hunter Sergio as a saint... nothing in particular.”
“Ah, that.”
■■■■■―...
“......”
“......”
“My apologies.”
Plop—!
Gio reached into his shadow and tucked the sudden gray paint back in.
“This one has no subtlety.”
“...Forgive me, but may I ask what I just saw?”
“If you’re truly curious, I’ll gladly explain... but it may become a bit bothersome. Are you alright with that?”
“...I misspoke. It’s better not to know.”
Even so, Kang Seodam instinctively felt the essence of what he’d just seen—that cool drop in air temperature, the soft pearlescent gleam like shimmering fish scales...
It reminded him of a creature he might’ve seen somewhere before.
‘That’s far enough.’
He consciously cut off the thought.
Just like Hunter Sergio said, there was nothing to gain from digging deeper. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Kang Seodam cautiously asked,
“...Is that a newly trained contracted beast? If I’ve caused any discomfort, I’m truly sorry. I had no intention of offending you.”
“You needn’t worry. It won’t attack you. I wasn’t displeased either. What you just saw was... metaphorically speaking, something like a spinal reflex.”
“Spinal reflex...”
“Even recently deceased organisms still exhibit nerve twitching, right? Same idea.”
‘Spinal reflex.’ ‘Postmortem.’
“...I see.”
Luckily, Gio seemed willing to go along with the “contracted beast in training” excuse. As the narrative wrapped up, both men’s gazes drifted toward the two children—whose reactions were starkly different.
Cha I-Sol looked delighted and excited, while Iru Da had gone pale, clearly overwhelmed. Amused, Gio smiled gently.
“Are you alright?”
“...Y-yes.”
“My apologies. That’s a recently adopted family member, and he’s a bit disobedient. I’ve tucked him away, so it shouldn’t happen again.”
“Th-that’s a relief...”
Iru Da hesitantly asked,
“I heard you’re a tamer... Do you tame monsters like that too?”
“More of a bundle of mystery than a monster with survival instincts, but yes. I’m always recruiting new family.”
“Ah, right. You’re part of the Collector’s Guild...”
She had completely forgotten, since he didn’t seem like one.
‘If he’s from that guild, it’s not surprising he’s taming some dangerous stuff.’
Iru Da assumed what she’d seen wasn’t exactly a living being, but a dangerous object with biological features—like the many monstrous relics often seen at the Collector’s.
‘No wonder people say he’s a hidden S-rank.’
She stared at Hunter Sergio with growing admiration.
‘There can’t be many hunters like him.’
It was a stark change from the fear she had felt just moments earlier, but Iru Da admired the powerful and competent. A hunter who handled such dangerous and unique contracts was incredible to her.
“...I... used to want to be a tamer when I was little.”
“Ah, really?”
Gio thought,
‘You’re not little now?’
He smiled and nodded.
“And how is it now, as a priest?”
“I’m just grateful I can contribute in my own way.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“......”
Iru Da fell silent.
“......”
Do you enjoy it?
‘That’s... a strange kind of question.’
Adults always asked what she could do.
Whether the job suited her, whether she was achieving results, what she had learned, how she was applying it. It was normal—she was a hunter, after all. Even if she was young, she had to carry her own weight.
But this...
‘Do I enjoy it? This job? My current life...?’
She’d never even thought about it.
“...Um...”
At that moment, her eyes met Cha I-Sol’s.
“...Me?”
“...Yes. I enjoy it.”
At last, the words came out.
‘It’s been fun.’
Of course, there were regrets and mistakes. But looking back, this life had brought her genuine enjoyment. It even allowed her to befriend someone like Cha I-Sol.
She felt relieved. Sitting in a quiet, sunlit room like a confessional brought a strange calm.
She spoke again with a shy smile.
“I think I’ve had many good opportunities because I became a priest.”
“I see.”
“If I’d awakened as a tamer, I probably would’ve found joy in that too. But I’m satisfied with the unique happiness I’ve found in who I am now. So I guess... I do enjoy it.”
“What a wonderful way to think.”
Giovanni loved children with such firm resolve.
“Do you like sheep?”
“Sh-sheep? What do you mean exactly...?”
“Their wool, for instance.”
“I don’t love or hate them...”
“How about a scarf? It’s still chilly out, so it’d be good for warmth.”
“...Are you... offering me another gift?”
“I can’t leave without offering a present.”
“Wait...”
Flustered, Iru Da looked at Cha I-Sol. Her eyes said ‘What’s wrong with this guy?’ or ‘Can you do something?’ but Cha I-Sol just beamed with joy, oblivious to her partner’s silent cry for help.
“Then I’ll make you flower tea! You said you liked tea, right?”
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
“......”
Iru Da was speechless.
‘Ah, right. The Black Cloak’s apostles...’
The phrase suddenly came to mind—“The Black Cloak gives gifts to good people.” Considering how many divine beings favored their most compatible followers, it wasn’t even that strange.
Whether she was good or not, still...
“Though it’s spring now, maybe a scarf’s too much.”
“Then let’s make flower tea together! Flower tea!”
“That’s a great idea. We could even bake light cookies with it.”
“I’ll bake too! I’ll give them to Ruda and teacher!”
...Still, wasn’t this too much resemblance?
‘It’s a good thing, but why does it feel so ominous?’
Without thinking, Iru Da glanced at Kang Seodam.
“......”
“......”
Ah.
She read the familiar resignation in his face.
She wanted to say something—but her lips clamped shut and her tongue curled inward. It felt like she was looking at her own future.
“...Please go easy on me.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘easy’ when it comes to gifts.”
“...Yes, thank you...”
She didn’t dislike it at all, but...
‘This strange feeling of being overwhelmed... It’s ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) unfair.’
***
The Earth’s sun was watching it all.
Gio knew that.
The two children were busy bickering.
And Kang Seodam was ready to drop dead from the pressure.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l
