The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 332

Even though he had called a meeting, in truth, Gio had no plan at all.

“I had a feeling the Association President was expecting a fair and intriguing contest, so I put on a bit of a front... but unfortunately, I don’t have any kind of plan. I’m completely broke.”

“......”

And somehow, Cha Eun-Hyeok, who had half-forcibly ended up inviting the Black Cloak to his house, thought,

Is that really the kind of thing someone ‘broke’ says?

But he didn’t voice that thought out loud. And it seemed that Cha Eun-Hyeok’s reserved response stirred something in the Black Cloak. With a hint of surprise, he looked at Cha Eun-Hyeok and asked,

“Normally, wouldn’t you be a bit more argumentative by now?”

“...Ah, it just feels unfamiliar.”

“Are we still at that kind of relationship? Of course, I understand. A subordinate and a superior can never be fully comfortable. I’m not someone who forces that kind of thing. Still, it seemed like normally you would’ve said something around this point, so I was curious.”

“Well... you’re right about that...”

Unconsciously, Cha Eun-Hyeok gave the Black Cloak a once-over.

A figure tall enough to nearly touch the ceiling. A pitch-black cloak that covered—or perhaps was—that frame. A black shirt and tailored pants beneath it. And above all, the hooded shadow that hid any glimpse of what was inside.

So really, it couldn’t be helped.

“...You just don’t feel like my workplace superior.”

“Though I am, technically.”

“Your tone’s different, and the vibe is totally unlike him.”

“Unlike him?”

“It’s like... you’re brothers who share a portion of the same DNA.”

“Ah.”

Gio nodded. That was fair. Technically speaking, no “Gio” could be said to be exactly the same individual. They were completely different people who happened to share enough in common to appear identical.

“Genetically, we might differ quite a bit, but if it’s more comfortable, you may think of us as twins. It’s true—Mr. Zeorge and I still can’t be said to be fully ‘one’ yet.”

“Thank you for being considerate.”

Cha Eun-Hyeok gave a polite bow of thanks. He was certainly much more courteous than Zeorge in many ways. But gratitude and facts were separate things. He voiced his thoughts.

“And I don’t think the Association President is expecting a ‘contest’ with Mr. Gio.”

“Then...?”

“Rather than expectation, I think it’s closer to preparing herself emotionally. Like, there’s a natural disaster getting ready to take over the planet.”

“Perhaps more of an upheaval than a conquest, but I suppose that’s possible. I’ll gratefully take your advice into consideration.”

“......”

Before even getting into whether it was conquest or upheaval—he just listened too well, and that was disconcerting in itself. In this respect too, he didn’t really feel like a workplace superior.

He might be blunt, but his consideration comes through more clearly than the other one.

Given his permission, Cha Eun-Hyeok decided to just treat him as a separate individual.

And just then, from the kitchen appeared the second sibling of the household—Cha Ara, timidly peeking out. With an extremely awkward expression, she approached and quietly spoke.

“Um... I brewed a little tea...”

“Thank you for going to such lengths to treat me. Was it any trouble for you?”

“No, I actually like doing this kind of thing.”

He still looked intimidating, but his reaction was kind. Encouraged, Cha Ara smiled and eased herself into the space between them. A fan of many types of cooking, she was a little excited at the idea of serving tea to a guest.

“Um, I made it using the recipe you taught me before...”

“The aroma is lovely. You must’ve taken care while drying it.”

“I mean... it’s nothing compared to what you gave me before...”

“I think this one tastes better.”

He wasn’t just being polite. The tea made by roasting and drying barley was warm and perfect for fall. And perhaps because it was a grain tea, it even left one feeling a bit full. Not that a few cups of tea could ever actually fill Gio’s massive stomach.

And then Gio returned to the earlier topic.

“So I’m thinking of coming up with a plan.”

“...Right now?”

“...No, someday.”

Gio was rather lazy. He only became diligent when he felt like it—and now wasn’t one of those times. It wasn’t like the world was going to end just because he put things off a bit.

More importantly, Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon and Mr. Joo-Hyun’s execution power has gotten oddly high lately.

Recently, Yoo Seong-Woon, delighted with a gift painting, had grown far too casual around Gio, and Joo-Hyun, possibly after hearing something from Bisa Beul, had become overprotective. Where before there had been one gas pedal and two brakes, now there were three accelerators. So Gio had to restrain himself accordingly.

And there was another reason Gio had visited the Cha household today. Surely he hadn’t come all this way to a stranger’s home just to draft a plan. Gio turned discreetly to the homeowner and asked,

“When are the kids supposed to arrive?”

“Hmm, probably right about now...”

And right on cue, the stars of the day made their entrance.

“I’M HEEEERE!!!”

The youngest of the house, Cha I-Sol.

“Pardon our intrusion.”

And his partner, Iru Da.

Behind them stood several adults in suits. From what Gio had heard, they were bodyguards and chauffeurs hired by Iru Da’s mother. There was a reason the kids had come down from Seoul’s temple alone.

Seeing the youngest arrive safely, Cha Ara let out a broad smile of relief.

“I-Sol!!”

“Noona!!”

“Look at my poor baby, he’s lost weight! I’m going to fatten you up again right away!!”

“I didn’t lose weight, I gained—mmmghmmbbb!!”

Watching the heartwarming reunion unfold clearly at the front door, Cha Eun-Hyeok sighed. Pressing a hand to his brow, he walked over to the awkwardly standing Iru Da.

“Thanks for making the trip.”

“Ah, please speak comfortably. It’s easier for me if adults speak informally first.”

“Ruda... has a great vocabulary. I-Sol’s going to get smarter in no time, thanks to a good friend.”

“I-Sol’s already smart.”

“Thanks. And the others behind you...?”

“I was just about to send them back.”

“Ah, okay. Got it.”

He’d seen and heard a bit about her before, but the kid really was mature and firm. Not noticing Cha Eun-Hyeok’s slight awkwardness, Iru Da turned back to the guards. Her voice was far more assertive than when speaking to him.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I’ll contact my mother separately, so please return for now.”

“But this isn’t the city, miss. Madam likely wants us to remain nearby for your safety.”

“I understand how my mother feels, but the owner of this house didn’t extend the invitation to all of you. So then...”

Iru Da turned back to Cha Eun-Hyeok.

“Excuse me, but... is there somewhere in the village they could wait?”

“It’s a bit cramped, but they could all come inside.”

“That would be too much of a burden, and I’d feel uncomfortable. If it’s okay, could I ask that they wait at a public resting area in the village?”

“...If that’s the case, there are a few pavilions near the village hall.”

“Thank you for the kind directions.”

Iru Da looked at the guards again.

“You heard him. Please take care of it.”

“Yes, thank you for your understanding. If anything happens, please press the button to call us—”

“...? Is something wrong?”

“...No, my apologies.”

The man who appeared to be the leader of the guards stared at the house briefly, then shook his head. Then, with a vaguely uncomfortable expression, he turned to Cha Eun-Hyeok and asked,

“Is there perhaps another Hunter inside?”

“Ah, well...”

He seemed to have sensed the presence of “Hunter Sergio.” After a moment of hesitation, Cha Eun-Hyeok nodded. He wasn’t a human, but he was technically a Hunter. So it wasn’t really a lie.

“Yes, there’s someone our youngest really likes. He found out the kids were coming home from the temple and decided to visit. I think he might’ve heard about it through his acquaintance with Priest Kang Seodam.”

“...Would that person’s name happen to be...”

“......”

This required a bit more thought.

Can I say that without losing my head...?

Right then, from inside the house, Cha I-Sol’s excited voice rang out.

“WAAAAAH! IT’S GIO-HYUNG!! IT’S REALLY GIO-HYUNG!!”

“I-Sol, stop running...!”

“Hyung, hyung! I got vacation time! I’ve grown up so well, right?!”

Two of the three syllables of the name were already out. Cha Eun-Hyeok gave up all hesitation. The Black Cloak he knew wasn’t the kind of being who would chop an innocent civilian’s head off just because his name got leaked.

“...Yes, Hunter Sergio is currently visiting.”

“...I see.”

The guard, who was probably an Awakened, looked a little flustered. Though he hid it well, even a pro guard couldn’t fully conceal their surprise at the unexpected appearance of Sergio.

You can tell he’s wondering why such a big name is here.

Still, the public image of Hunter Sergio was stellar. Maybe that’s why, although he still looked surprised, the guard’s expression visibly relaxed.

A peaceful village with no dungeons, and an A-rank Hunter with a humanity-friendly image—it seemed they judged the “young miss” wouldn’t be in any danger.

“Then we’ll withdraw now. Please enjoy your time with your friend, and call us when you’re ready to return. And if it’s alright, miss...”

“What is it?”

“We’d like to verify whether there are any dangerous monsters in the area. With your permission, we’ll only assess for now, and ask for further approval if action is needed.”

“You’ll need permission from the village chief first. We might disturb the monsters that peacefully coexist with the village. If you promise not to cause trouble, I’ll allow it.”

“Yes, of course. We’ll report this to the Madam as well. Thank you again for your permission. Please enjoy your stay, miss.”

And with that, the six or so suited men exited through the front gate. Honestly, “swarmed out” wasn’t quite the right word—they were guards for a privileged child, and their presence was nearly undetectable. In other words, they were skilled.

...Why am I analyzing this when I’m not even an Awakened or a Gardener?

Lately, all he’d done was make fish-shaped bread and poke at snacks. Peaceful tasks, nothing more.

But running a street stall with Zeorge lately had brought him into frequent contact with Hunters. Most of them were half-dead and looked like they’d lost their minds under Zeorge’s spell, but still—it had apparently sharpened Cha Eun-Hyeok’s civilian intuition a bit.

Watching him, Iru Da hesitated.

“...I’m sorry if that was a bit noisy.”

“...Huh? Oh, no, it’s fine. I was just surprised because it’s the first time something like this has happened.”

“I apologize for showing up without warning and causing a commotion. I didn’t expect so many to come. Originally, the plan was for just one guide to escort us to the terminal...”

“What parent would be comfortable sending their kid out of the city alone?”

Still, it had been a surprise. Cha I-Sol tended to view the world with a kind of innocence and had never described his partner’s financial status. So Cha Eun-Hyeok only knew that Iru Da held first-tier citizenship.

Then again, there’s no such thing as a poor first-tier citizen...

It had been an interesting experience, to say the least.

“We left you standing outside for too long. Let’s head in.”

“Yes, um—my mother asked me to give this as a gift to the homeowner...”

“Oh, fruit. Thanks.”

“It’s nothing, really.”

Even as she shook her head, Iru Da found herself a little confused.

He doesn’t seem all that uncomfortable.

She hadn’t meant anything by it. But she had assumed that it’d be rare for someone from a rural area—lacking various infrastructure—to see such high-quality fruit.

Ah... maybe since they’re close with Hunter Sergio, they’re used to this kind of thing.

When her mother packed it, it had been awkward. The woman had wanted to boost her daughter’s pride by belittling her friend’s. By sending an overly lavish gift, she likely expected the tier-3 family to fall over themselves trying to show gratitude to a tier-1.

I was worried about where I could ditch this...

Cha I-Sol might not care about the economic gap between them, but she had no idea how his family would react.

So she’d brought that fruit basket with a pounding heart, hoping they wouldn’t detect her mother’s malicious intent. But when it was received as ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) just a polite gift, Iru Da relaxed.

Good people attract good people, after all—everyone around Cha I-Sol, including his family, seemed like genuinely kind people.

I’m keeping Cha I-Sol at my side for the rest of my life.

Entering the house, Iru Da couldn’t help but look a little excited. Though she tried to keep it in check in front of an unfamiliar adult, the unexpected warmth made her anxious in a good way.

“...Um, also—about Hunter Sergio. I heard he’s here just now...”

“He arrived first, and we had a bit of a chat before you got here. Sorry I didn’t tell you ahead of time.”

“No, that’s fine. Does he come here often?”

“Not that often, but he does drop by now and then.”

“I see.”

Entering the living room, she saw Cha I-Sol sprawled on top of Hunter Sergio. The boy had been tumbling around behind the white priest’s robe, but when he saw his partner, his face lit up.

“Ruda! Why are you so late!”

“I had to send the others off somewhere else—it took a bit of time.”

“Gio-hyung’s here too!”

“Yup, I see him too.”

Hesitating a moment, Iru Da gave a deep bow.

“It’s been a while, Hunter Sergio.”

“Sister Ruda is still as thoughtful and kind as ever.”

“Ah, no, I...”

“You must be tired after traveling so far.”

“Not that tired.”

“Well, today’s the kind of day where even if you are tired, you can’t feel it, right?”

“...Yes.”

Cha Ara smiled brightly at the shy and awkward Iru Da. Her face said she found Iru Da’s mature demeanor simply adorable. Clearing her throat, Cha Ara lowered her blushing cheeks and declared,

“Well then! The first-ever Cha Family Pajama Party is officially starting!”

“WOOOOOOOO!!!”

Yes, that’s right. They had gathered to have fun.

And that was the real reason Gio hadn’t gotten around to planning Earth’s downfall.