The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 218
After a modest conversation, Gio requested a prayer session at the Church of the Sun.
“Would it be possible?”
“Are you asking for a private prayer room?”
“Yes, that’s right. There’s something I’d like to say to the Sun.”
The priest who had been summoned by Kang Seodam smiled and nodded.
“Would that be alright, Priest Kang Seodam?”
“So long as it doesn’t burden the church, I ask that you honor all of Hunter Sergio’s requests.”
“All of them...?”
“Hunter Sergio isn’t someone who makes unreasonable demands.” fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm
“Understood. Right this way, Hunter.”
He was a priest primarily responsible for guiding visitors, so this kind of task was familiar to him. The Church of the Sun promoted an atmosphere of benevolence and warmth, encouraging all to seek forgiveness and grace. It wasn’t uncommon for ordinary believers to visit and confess.
‘But can Hunter Sergio really be called an “ordinary” believer...?’
The priest thought privately.
‘I heard he sees himself as half a priest. He certainly doesn’t look or feel like a lay follower. And there were even rumors about him being an apostle of the Black Cloak...’
He didn’t show it, but he was curious. What could someone like this—so gentle he looked like he wouldn’t hurt a fly—possibly be saying inside a prayer room?
“Hm...”
Wanting to break the silence, the priest attempted some light conversation, as the elders had advised.
“This isn’t your first visit to the Church of the Sun, is it?”
“No. On my last visit, I was invited to view the ‘Four-Legged Rainforest Underground.’ Thanks to that, I had a rather rare experience.”
“We were terribly sorry to have rushed you into that last-minute arrangement, so it’s good to hear you say that.”
Despite its solemn image, the Church of the Sun encouraged a lively, cheerful atmosphere. The path to the prayer room was filled with soft laughter and chatter—pleasant but never disruptive.
“Even though I know you’re awakened as a tamer, I keep wanting to call you ‘priest.’ It’s not intentional, nor am I trying to be presumptuous. If I happen to overstep, would you forgive me?”
“Beneath the warm light of the sun and surrounded by laughter, what could possibly be unforgivable? Many others have had the same confusion, so please don’t worry.”
“Ah, so it’s not just me, then.”
“It doesn’t help that the clothes I wear resemble priestly vestments. And it’s true I serve a different divinity altogether.”
“It may be rude of me to say, but I sometimes wonder—what if Hunter Sergio had awakened as a priest instead? I think you could’ve become one of the most revered high priests not only in Korea, but the world...”
“You flatter me.”
From this conversation alone, it was clear: Hunter Sergio was truly a man of exceptional character.
‘So this is why people say he might be a saint. It’s hard not to admire him.’
He seemed like an ideal that all priests should strive toward.
‘If only he would join the Church of the Sun...’
The priest knew he wasn’t the only one who had thought this. For priests, the rise of the sun meant joy. To have a powerful, kind-hearted, and talented priest join your order—any sect would crave that.
Yes, if it happened, it would be a blessing—
“...?”
The priest suddenly paused.
“Is something wrong?”
“...Ah, no. I’m sorry.”
He gave a sheepish smile.
“I think the sunlight got in my eyes for a moment.”
Hunter Sergio’s shadow had seemed to ripple white for just an instant. But now, there was no sign of it. It must’ve been his imagination.
“How disgraceful, showing such behavior in front of a guest.”
“There’s nothing disgraceful about it. In a space filled with such warm light, your eyes are bound to sting. Perhaps this too is a blessing from the Goddess of the Sun.”
“You honor me with such words.”
‘This must be what a true believer looks like.’
‘It’s such a shame... If someone like this had been a priest from the start...’
But Sergio had never even awakened as a priest. Worse, he belonged to the Collector’s Guild—an organization infamous for hoarding talent—and served a different god entirely. He wouldn’t convert so easily.
‘Even if he wanted to, the Collector wouldn’t allow it. They say he’s like a hidden son, after all. That says everything.’
A small tinge of resentment rose.
‘...Did Bisa Beul hide him on purpose, knowing he had the makings of a saint? If so, keeping such a divine vessel hidden for selfish gain /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ would be an offense even the Goddess would find disgraceful.’
Suppressing the irritation, the priest resumed conversation.
“What brings you here today?”
“I came to discuss support for children I hold dear.”
“Ah, you mean the pair—Cha I-Sol and Iru Da. Your affection for those two has caused quite a stir even within the Church. They’re exceptional youths.”
“Charming children.”
Hunter Sergio chuckled warmly.
“I’ve heard many good things, but the more I learn, the more I wonder how else I might help. I just discussed this at length with Priest Kang Seodam.”
“The two are so capable that we’re preparing for the possibility of early ordination. With someone like you supporting them, it won’t be long before they’re full-fledged priests.”
“Though I’m no priest myself, I’d like to help however I can.”
“What more qualifications does someone of your caliber need to be helpful?”
After all, it was impossible to see this man as anything but a priest.
“We’ve arrived. This is your assigned private prayer room.”
“Even this deep inside, sunlight streams in—remarkable.”
“It’s one of the Church’s greatest prides, to be so loved by the Goddess of the Sun.”
His chest swelled with pride. The Church’s prayer rooms were built to harmonize with nature—the divine sun. As a result, sunlight reached even sealed rooms as if by miracle.
Sprouting buds and fresh flowers, soft rays of sun filtering through, a wooden bench cooled by the air...
“Every time I see such blessings with my own eyes, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. May you also have a meaningful time in the Sun’s embrace.”
“Your words are as warm as sunlight itself. Thank you.”
“Then I shall stand guard out here. Please, take your time.”
The priest quietly closed the door and took his position outside.
“......”
The silent corridor brought peace to his heart.
Prayer rooms were always kept in quiet, sacred stillness, so the children of the sun could pray in peace. Unlike the bustling outer halls, this space where light and shadow intertwined was his favorite.
‘Becoming a guiding priest was the right choice. Surely the Sun Goddess herself led me here. I must remain grateful and raise my own prayer...’
The Church of the Sun always welcomed spring first in all of Korea. With his eyes closed, he could hear the birds chirp, feel the breeze brush his cheeks, smell the flowers heralding new life.
Time passed.
“...Hm?”
There was light where there shouldn’t be light.
‘...Is that light coming from the prayer room?’
Sunlight was leaking through the cracks of the door.
‘No way. How can there be this much...?’
The priest’s heart pounded.
He could distinguish normal light from sunlight. Without a doubt, this was true sunlight. And such a phenomenon—appearing in the Church’s prayer room—was something he’d only heard of on rare occasions.
‘When the archbishop prays...’
And that only happened when the Sun responded.
“......”
The priest hesitated, then stepped closer.
‘...Just a little.’
If he was right, he wanted to witness even a glimpse of that glory.
Prayer rooms had food slots and a small window to allow communication—used often during fasting sessions.
‘Just a peek...’
The priest slowly opened the mailbox-sized viewing window.
“......”
...Ah.
The Sun.
***
“This is unfair.”
“Please calm down, Hunter Sergio.”
Kang Seodam sighed as he tried to settle Gio down.
“This incident is clearly our fault. A man without authorization tried to peek at a believer’s prayer—and this is the result. You did nothing wrong.”
Of course, it would’ve been better had Gio not exposed divine mystery so carelessly in the mortal world. Kang Seodam shot a sharp glance at the priests who kept glancing toward them with feverish eyes.
‘I want to gouge every one of their eyes out.’
Did they have any idea who they were gawking at?
‘This situation’s become a bit complicated...’
The guiding priest who peeked into Gio’s prayer had gone into a state of madness.
“The Sun looked upon me! The Sun! Ah—AAAHH!!”
“Get him to the infirmary! Hurry!”
“Please... just a sliver of mercy! That small, enormous mercy—we are...!”
“This is getting serious.”
Just one glimpse of a prayer—and a proper priest went half-mad. A terrifying sight, perhaps—but this was the home of the Sun’s faithful. What they felt was not fear, but reverence.
“...What on earth did he see...?”
“...He keeps calling out to the Sun.”
They had always yearned for miracles.
“......”
Kang Seodam, brimming with irritation, scattered the gawking crowd.
“Everyone leave. There’s a patient here—how long do you plan to stand and stare? Don’t you realize how disrespectful you’re being to our guest?”
“B-but Priest Kang Seodam...”
“No buts. We’ve already offended our guest. Continuing to do so only deepens our sin. Go back to your stations—remember your place.”
Kang Seodam held no small authority in the church. The priests, disappointed, continued to steal glances, but eventually dispersed. The frenzied priest was carried to the infirmary.
Kang Seodam finally led Gio to his office.
“...I don’t know what to say.”
“It was an unusual sight—understandable. I only hope the priest who guided me recovers quickly.”
“He will.”
He had simply gone mad from witnessing a divine blessing far beyond his station.
‘He should’ve known his limits.’
The priest didn’t know who Sergio really was. But if he had just done his own job, this wouldn’t have happened. Utterly foolish.
‘I entrusted him because he’d never had issues before...’
It just showed how overwhelming the light Gio radiated had been. Kang Seodam understood, but he was still displeased.
“...Did your conversation with the Sun go well?”
“Yes, it was a pleasant time.”
“That’s a relief. As for our apology, would it be acceptable to send it via your manager, Joo-Hyun?”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“Our church’s reputation is at stake. Please allow it. A sin unrepented is a sin unworthy of the divine.”
“If you put it that way... very well. Thank you for your concern.”
“Then...”
Kang Seodam called over Cha I-Sol and Iru Da, who were waiting on the sofa.
“Would you like to say a brief thank-you to your benefactor?”
“Yes! I want to!”
“M-me too, for a moment...”
The two approached and bowed.
“We’ll graduate early and come see you within three years!”
“Won’t we see each other before then?”
“Thank you for your generous kindness.”
“Such contrasting styles of gratitude.”
In any case, he liked it.
“May the Sun’s light reach you both.”
Sergio blessed their future, then looked directly at Cha I-Sol.
“Any nightmares?”
“None at all.”
“Does the Sun love you?”
“Yes, very much!”
“You’ve grown.”
She was the Sun’s result—his father’s handiwork.
“......”
In the end, he had been right.
***
Gallery, B5 underground.
“What kind of posture should a god maintain?”
“What kind of conversation did you have with the Sun Goddess to ask something like that?”
Yoo Seong-Woon, visiting ‘Gio’s portrait’ for the first time in a while, looked baffled.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦
