Chapter 17

[Forest Butterfly's Flower Tea]

[Grade: - ]

A tea made by drying flowers that grew from the corpses of forest butterflies that inhabit the water veins of fate.

It has a pale blue hue and an excellent, soft cream fragrance.

Personally processed by Jio, the master of the forest, so it can be accepted by the human body.

The moment it is drunk, blood vessels are regenerated, making it excellent for severe injuries, and cells are reconstructed, resulting in a constant state of immunity from minor illnesses.

[Duration: 6 months]

“…….”

Having finished the appraisal, Yu Seong-un pressed his lips together and wiped his face upwards.

“…That Jio kid….”

What on earth did you give me?

“This isn’t a tea that can be exchanged for 10 bungeoppang.”

***

It was something he had always thought, but ‘Jio’s Portrait’ was an absurd existence.

‘I still don’t know its identity.’

Whether it was a monster, an item, or, as Bisabeol and Yu Seong-un had speculated, a Child of the Source.

‘But it has a human form… and it knows humans and society well in its own way.’

Whatever its identity, the fact that it was personally bowing to the rules of humans was close to a miracle.

Probably, a being like this would never appear in the world again.

At least not in this narrow dimension called Earth.

‘I guess Guild Master Bisabeol, who is renowned for his good eye, didn't pour that much money into it for nothing.’

And what such a ‘Jio’s Portrait’ had requested was….

“Will this be enough?”

Seeds.

Crop seeds.

“I’ve gathered what I could for now.”

Yu Seong-un smiled awkwardly and showed the seed packets in his arms.

It was the dawn of the day after receiving the tea leaves, and he had done his best to gather them in just a few hours.

Tomato, corn, potato, sweet potato, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, pea, pumpkin, chili pepper, carrot, radish, watermelon, eggplant, and so on….

“I wanted to get you some more proper seeds, but there are almost no shops around here that sell that kind of seed. I barely managed to clean out a shabby shop tucked away in an alley, so I’m not sure if you’ll like them.”

“Of course, I like them. Seeing the amount you’ve brought, I understand how hard you worked in such a short time. Despite bringing such a large quantity, you have a look on your face as if you are sorry.”

“It’s because getting just some seeds isn’t a balanced trade for receiving such a precious tea….”

Yu Seong-un said as he poured the seed packets in a shower through the frame.

“Even if the seeds aren’t exactly cheap, the tea you gave me was just too much.”

“…….”

Jio, who was checking the seeds, asked.

“Are seeds not very cheap?”

“Huh? Oh, right. Usually, one bag of seeds like the one you’re holding costs about the same as a meal out… so on average, I don’t think they’re that cheap.”

“…….”

“…Don’t tell me you asked for them thinking they’d be cheap?”

“Yes.”

The portrait still had a stoic and emotionless face, but looking into those black eyes, he could feel that Jio was sorry.

He was indeed an affectionate fellow, just as Bisabeol had said.

Jio, who blinked twice—whether he was thinking something or it was just a meaningless habit—spoke.

“My apologies. I did not think they would be that expensive.”

“I don’t know what you’re apologizing for. I’m telling you, it can’t be compared to the tea you gave me.”

It was becoming clear that Jio’s unassuming and pure goodwill towards humans was quite destructive.

Yu Seong-un laughed awkwardly and waved his hand.

“From the very fact that you made it yourself, the value of that effort can’t be measured and with all those effects attached… to be honest, it was such a precious gift that I wondered if I was even allowed to drink it.”

Even looking at it on a primary level, the tea Jio gave was of high value.

Didn’t he say it was tea made by a haunted portrait itself?

‘Whether Jio’s identity is a human-type monster or a Child of the Source, the fact that he is rare remains unchanged.’

And on top of that, its effects seemed like they could bring a dead person back to life….

“…I’m really grateful for your kindness. But….”

After a moment of thought, Yu Seong-un continued.

“…I’m a little worried. I plan to enjoy the tea you gave me at my leisure, but don’t give such precious gifts to other people.”

“…….”

“Most humans don’t know how to accept goodwill as it is. They aren't as big-hearted as you think.”

First of all, the probability of them perceiving goodwill as a threat was the highest.

Unless one was extremely greedy or indifferent to everything, it was hard to be purely grateful for such an excessive gift.

‘Someone will surely perceive it as a threat and get angry or fall into a panic and even if a greedy person receives such a gift, it will still cause problems.’

Although he thought it was a waste, from what Yu Seong-un saw, the tea Jio gave seemed to carry a stronger meaning of enjoying a cup of tea rather than treating an ailment.

Yu Seong-un, who was familiar with the rules of the Source, had no intention of getting on Jio’s bad side by selling the tea or using it for other purposes.

“It would feel bad if the tea leaves you gifted ended up in an auction you didn’t even know about, right?”

“An auction, I did not think that such meaning would be granted to a simple tea.”

He acted as if to say, ‘Humans perform incomprehensible actions, such as placing value on meaningless things’.

“So that’s how you see it.”

Yu Seong-un laughed in bewilderment.

‘…For someone who insists he is a human, that’s a pretty blatant lack of understanding.’

But for Jio, who never thought deeply, it was an unavoidable judgment.

His system had clearly stated it was at the level of a fatigue recovery potion, and Jio had no reason to doubt it.

At best, it had the value of a vitamin supplement, so Yu Seong-un’s words could only feel like an overreaction.

“…….”

“…….”

At Jio’s indifferent reaction, Yu Seong-un could only think, ‘As expected, he has some aspects that are a bit different from human common sense.’ Just as gold nuggets were no different from stones to most monsters.

“Um, so….”

Yu Seong-un continued.

“You may have given it as a gift seeing only its value as a tea, but for ordinary humans, that’s not the case. It would be best to refrain from giving gifts that would make greedy people’s eyes spin.”

Surely Jio, the master, wouldn't be unaware of the effects of the ‘Forest Butterfly's Flower Tea’.

In the first place, since he himself said, ‘I made it into tea because the fragrance was nice,’ he probably had no interest in its use other than as tea.

Such indifference was certainly like that of other beings of the Source.

‘Monsters and Children of the Source alike are often ignorant about human greed. No matter how well Jio knows human physiology, the fact that he shows such plainness, which is clearly non-human… there’s certainly no excuse for it.’

Even a simple pebble to a monster could become a valuable resource for humans.

The beings born from the vein of the Source did not understand such facts well.

They often expressed it as humans making a fuss.

“…Well, right, if you call it a fuss, I don’t have much to say either….”

He just wanted to prevent any potential accidents in advance.

“A gift you give with no intention, out of goodwill, can come across as very significant to us. Isn't that so? What should I say, it’s a gift from a portrait.”

“…….”

“To be honest, you seem too tough to be hurt by such human greed… but there are plenty of unexpectedly persistent people. Be careful not to let your goodwill be taken advantage of.”

Jio stared at Yu Seong-un.

‘…He’s scarier when he says nothing. The pressure should be less because he’s inside a portrait, but is it still this much? This is scary.’

No emotion could be found on Jio’s face inside the portrait.

That inorganic expression sent a chill down Yu Seong-un’s spine.

Bisabeol had said to ‘escape that pressure and see the essence of Jio himself,’ but how could that be an easy task?

It was just as difficult for an ordinary person who suddenly found themselves falling from 50km above ground to appreciate the scenery of the sky.

The weight of the gaze from ‘Jio’s Portrait’ was immense.

“…Was that presumptuous of me?”

Jio had a particularly well-established ego, and being a being of the Source, his own rules would be firm.

The ramblings of a mere human he had just met might be grating.

‘But I couldn’t pretend not to know. It is our job to eliminate any potential for problems as much as possible.’

That was what Gardeners did.

Wandering from place to place and taking measures so that the Source and the Earth could coexist.

Furthermore, since ‘Jio’s Portrait’ was a special case, he had to make this request.

Because humans were beings who easily abandoned their identity for greed.

“…….”

“No.”

A little cool, and very heavy, but gentlemanly and calm.

Fortunately, the portrait’s expression was the same as ever.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“…Thank you for taking it as advice.”

“Honestly, I think the word ‘peculiar’ is more appropriate, but the world outside the painting must be different from the world I know.”

Jio continued in a voice that was polite to a strange degree.

“It could have been bothersome, but thank you for speaking out of consideration for me.”

“…Still such a sharp way of speaking….”

Did Jio know that such aspects made him seem less human?

‘Though it seems he thinks of himself as an ordinary human. I wonder if he’s ignoring that contradiction while knowing it, or if he’s acting this way because he truly doesn’t know….’

Around that time, Jio asked.

“By the way, why are seeds expensive?”

“…Huh? Ah, seeds?”

Realizing the topic had returned to the previous one, Yu Seong-un nodded and answered.

“Well… they allow you to farm. Be it tomatoes or lettuce, once you start farming, you can be responsible for your own day’s meals. If not that, you can sell them to others at the market, and that in itself becomes money, so you can buy meat and other daily necessities….”

“…….”

“Most households that want to farm would probably prefer wild seeds that can be found for free in places like mountains, rather than refined seeds like these. Anyway, the seeds sold in stores seem to be expensive in many ways.”

“I see.”

“Hmm, it might be hard for a being who lives close to nature like you to understand.”

“No, I understand.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

Yu Seong-un continued.

“In any case, it’s very cumbersome to produce seeds or seedlings yourself, and the quality is lower. That’s why there are specialty shops. Unless it’s seeds made through cottage industry, the seeds sold by professionals like these are quite pricey.”

He heard the portrait mutter softly.

“Farming….”

“Did you ask me for them because you’re also interested?”

“Yes.”

Jio nodded his head.

“I have done it a few times before.”

“Really? Before, you say….”

“And time in the portrait is abundant, so I also thought that I did not want to leave my hands idle.”

“Painting, and now this, you have many hobbies. Life won't be boring for you.”

“To live a joyful life, there must be no time to be bored.”

“That’s true.”

He understood.

‘To spend that infinite time, you’d need a lot of hobbies.’

Jio maintained his ego so cleanly that he mistook himself for a human.

There was none of the hostility and madness a monster might have and it was different from the excessive indifference shown by the Children of the Source.

To maintain an intellect that made him appear human, despite being overly stoic.

‘That can’t be an easy thing to do.’

In a way, it was pitiful.

‘…Living the life of the Source with a human mind must be quite overwhelming….’

It would be easier if he just abandoned his humanity.

“…….”

But from a Gardener’s perspective, that shouldn't happen.

‘And from a human’s perspective as well.’

He would have to take measures to ensure that delusion lasted as long as possible.

Yu Seong-un shrugged and shook off all his emotions. He asked Jio with his usual unassuming smile.

“So are you going to start farming now?”

“It seems so.”

“I guess there’s a place to farm inside the portrait? That’s amazing.”

“It is an ordinary cabin.”

“Hmm….”

A cabin, he says.

“That sounds very peaceful.”

“It is, in fact, peaceful. It is a quiet and cozy forest where the weather is always mild, the ground is soft with moisture, and a clear stream flows.”

“…That really….”

It sounded just like a story from the Source.

“…It’s a place I’d like to visit.”

“I will invite you someday.”

“It’s impossible right now?”

“The house is messy, so it is impossible right now.”

“I guess so.”

Given Jio’s personality, the statement ‘the house is messy’ was likely a lie, but in any case, he couldn't enter without the homeowner’s permission.

Yu Seong-un, of course, had that much decency.

“Well then, have a good time farming.”

“Will I be able to see you again tomorrow?”

“Ah, that… are you asking because of the return gift?”

“I have received so much, so I must give a gift in return.”

“I told you it was nothing.”

“Besides, you have given me good advice, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“…Did I?”

If he refused any further, he might actually incur his wrath.

‘Beings of the Source have their own rules.’

The monsters in the dungeons, created by the influence of the Source, had consistent habits and behaviors, and there were separate methods for interaction.

In the case of the ‘Children,’ who were even closer to the Source, the rules were stronger, not weaker.

‘He’s already being judged to be a Child of the Source. He will have high pride in his own rules, and even if not, it would be physiologically impossible for him to break them… so I can’t refuse.’

The Source was nature itself.

Just as a mere human could not stop a disaster, to coexist with nature, humans had to learn humility and adapt to the other party.

“Um….”

Yu Seong-un smiled awkwardly.

“Please make it something not too grand.”

“The tea leaves were not grand either.”

“I guess that’s right…?”

From the position of a Child of the Source, it would be difficult to discern what items were valuable to humans.

After a moment of thought, Yu Seong-un spoke with difficulty.

“…Something delicious?”

“Are you requesting a dish?”

“Something like the snacks you gave to the employees you met before would be fine. You said you gave them things like chocolate, cookies, and jellies.”

“Yes, that is correct. They were all kind people, so I gave them gifts.”

“Really?”

Hearing him say this, it seemed true that Jio gave gifts to ‘kind people’.

Perhaps he judged all acts such as being polite, making conversation easy, and giving him gifts as ‘kind’.

“A snack of that level should be fine.”

“I will take that into consideration.”

“Ah, and one more thing.”

Yu Seong-un relayed the words he had heard from Guild Master Bisabeol.

“He said it’s okay for you to come out.”

“…….”

“You used to come out of the portrait occasionally before, right? Because the employees were scared, you mostly opened your eyes at dawn. And I’ve been your only conversation partner so far.”

“There was no particular need to go outside.”

“But you might feel cooped up, so if you want, you can come out and look around the company building, that’s what Guild Master Bisabeol said. Here, an access card.”

“I have not been employed by the Collectors Guild. Other than you, Mr. Yu Seong-un, I do not know anyone, so would it be alright for an outsider like me to wander around?”

“Important areas will be off-limits, but we’ve made it so you can go to the spaces where general staff walk around. Later, if you come out and run into another employee, you can show them that card and it should smooth things over to some extent.”

Though it would only be at the level of a vague explanation.

‘Because the level of his soul is so high.’

Still, having it was more convenient for future clean-ups than not having it.

The guild members of the Collectors were quick-witted, so they would be careful on their own.

The portrait looked at the white necklace card that Yu Seong-un held out.

“Well, it seems you have a way of moving around here and there even without something like this. But it would be more comfortable for you too to be officially permitted access, right?”

“…….”

“I do have a wish that you would come out during times when there are no people, like now… but if you’re okay with it, you can come out during the day too.”

“That is a sufficient answer.”

“Uh… and please don’t harm other people or anything.”

“What should I do in the case that I am attacked first?”

“That can’t be helped.”

If a foolish human deliberately stepped on the tail of an angry tiger and got eaten, that was a natural death.

“I’m not on anyone’s side.”

Yu Seong-un helped the Source and humans coexist as much as possible; he was not unconditionally on the side of humans.

A Gardener always had to maintain neutrality.

“You attack too.”

“I do not have the stomach for that, so I will try to run away.”

“I’d appreciate it if you did.”

So, this was a sign of trust that humans could show.

He could only pray that ‘Jio’s Portrait’, with its 1:1 rule, would repay it properly as it had always done.

***

One month later.

A strange rumor began to circulate in the Collectors.

“It was a black cape.”

There were no fatalities.

Bisabeol’s gamble had paid off.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.