Chapter 6

A pure white gallery.

Pure white lighting.

“…….”

A man, jet-black alone amidst the artworks sparkling under the light.

‘…He’s here.’

Yu Seong-un, who had been lying in wait in the gallery at the request of an HR Department employee, stared at the ‘ghost’ while hiding his presence.

Whether it was good luck or bad luck.

On the very day he received the request, Yu Seong-un was able to confirm the subject of the rumors.

Indeed, it was a tall man wrapped head to toe in a jet-black cloak, just as he had been told.

‘I can’t even… hear his footsteps.’

The rumored ‘ghost’ was barefoot.

‘Even for someone barefoot, it’s strange to be this quiet.’

But it was not that he could not hear any sound at all.

‘It seems the curators until now couldn’t hear it because they didn’t have hearing enhancement skills….’

Yu Seong-un closed his eyes.

“…….”

Rustle, rustle. Crackle….

“…….”

It was very. A very light noise.

‘…This is….’

He opened his eyes again.

‘…It sounds like plants brushing against each other.’

It was a strange analogy, but that was his judgment.

A sound like rolling a sphere made of light vines or dry petals weighing less than 1g.

That faint yet overly hollow sound was not a noise befitting a tall man of 188cm.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un continued his observation, hiding between an artwork and a pillar.

‘…He’s appreciating them.’

The ‘ghost’ wandered through the empty gallery, occasionally stopping in front of artworks protected by glass walls.

He spent a particularly long time in front of sculptures and paintings.

The surprising thing was the fact that he was truly just ‘looking.’

‘There are so many dangerous items that just touching one would cause an uproar, but thankfully, he’s not doing that. He seems to be a highly intelligent type of monster, which is certainly an unusual case.’

That was not to say he did not appreciate other forms of art.

‘Is he interested in art, is he doing that to kill time… or is he looking for an item he can use?’

The actions of the ‘ghost,’ who strolled through the gallery with his hands behind his back like a noble aristocrat or a trained soldier, were somehow heavy and disciplined.

It was enough to create the illusion that he was the owner of this place, which unexpectedly reminded Yu Seong-un of a tale about a vampire in an old castle.

‘A vampire count… a bit childish, maybe.’

Considering the corpse-like pale skin and the inhuman presence, it seemed to fit quite well.

The black cloak that had been wandering the gallery for a long while….

“…Ah.”

It stared straight at the hiding Yu Seong-un.

“…….”

Their eyes.

Met.

“…….”

“…….”

Black eyes.

At that moment, Yu Seong-un felt his mind grow distant.

‘…What is….’

What is that?

‘Black.’

It was too black.

But it was bright.

It seemed warm but was cold, seemed empty but was heavy.

Despite the clear distance, he could not take his eyes off them, to the point where he could see the blood vessels in those eyes.

No, those might not have been blood vessels.

The thin, elegant branches made of gold and silver were as vast as if looking at a forest.

The black center, where the pupil could not be distinguished, was dark enough to be genuinely frightening.

It was too immense.

So immense that it was too deep for human cognition to accept.

He felt his breath catch in his throat.

He felt anger and awe without any basis.

It did not suffocate him, yet there was a power within it that made his breathing stop on its own.

Not hiding, not showing off, just right there….

It existed.

“…….”

“…….”

Two blinks.

“…….”

Rustle….

With a faint noise, the cloak moved.

“…….”

A little farther away.

Farther from there.

The presence that stopped at an even more distant place soon disappeared.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un moved his feet.

The place where the presence had vanished was none other than in front of ‘Jio’s Portrait.’

“…….”

…As if putting on an act.

It had its distant eyes closed, as if nothing had happened.

“This is crazy.”

Day 1, complete.

***

A world with supernatural powers did not explain everything about ‘ghosts.’

This was a fact that could be known from the continued existence of the profession of shamans.

Thus, it was also difficult to explain a moving portrait.

“…….”

“…….”

4:29 AM.

The portrait opened its eyes.

“…Ah.”

Yu Seong-un let out an involuntary gasp.

The man with a somber impression, ‘Jio,’ who was looking at him, opened his mouth.

“Good day.”

“…….”

“Good morning.”

“Morning, you say….”

At those words, Yu Seong-un looked at the portrait’s background.

“…….”

Ah, indeed.

It was a forest with the sun shining brightly.

“…It’s dawn on this side, though.”

“I see.”

Having said that, ‘Jio’s’ eyes took in Bisabeol’s gallery.

“I didn’t know it was dawn because it’s always lit by white lights.”

His voice, which felt somewhat out of place, was more blunt than imagined.

He was clearly speaking and Yu Seong-un was listening, yet for some reason, he could not shake the thought that it was ‘quiet.’

How should he describe this sense of incongruity?

It could not be described as machine-like. Rather, it was a little more….

“My apologies.”

“…You don’t need to apologize for something like that.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

A constant tone, as if he knew what he was going to say next.

The clear voice, as if there were predetermined input words, was strangely easy on the ears.

“But I was surprised.”

“About what?”

“It is not common for people not to be frightened by a talking portrait.”

“…….”

The calm voice and blunt face showed no emotion.

For someone who said they were surprised, his reaction was not much of one.

‘He’s unskilled at lying.’

Or perhaps he did not feel the need to lie skillfully.

Indeed, it did not seem like that grimly set face could pull off a flexible performance.

As he was thinking that, the portrait asked again.

“What is your name?”

“I am….”

Even if Yu Seong-un was a trivial human, the power held by a true name is dangerous anywhere.

‘They say the most important thing in all contracts that bind souls in the world is each other’s names.’

So this portrait, ‘Jio’s Portrait,’ could make a strange contract upon hearing Yu Seong-un’s name.

For bizarre beings from all cultures, a name was that important of a concept.

But he answered meekly.

“Yu Seong-un.”

The 17 employees had never suffered any disadvantage from telling this portrait their names.

To suddenly do something bad to Yu Seong-un alone would not fit the pattern of regularity shown so far, so he could at least reveal this much.

The portrait still had a blunt face even after hearing his name.

Even though he was the one leading the conversation, the portrait did not seem to feel much emotion.

Would it be strange to think that was arrogant?

“I see, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“…….”

“You have a look on your face that says you have a question for me.”

“That is true.”

“Will you converse with me?”

He was invited to a conversation.

‘It’s the same path as the previous 17 people.’

Yu Seong-un felt a strange weight.

‘The weight of the rules, I suppose.’

It was so dense that it was hard to even flail, but at the same time, it was not heavy enough for his feet to sink deep into mud.

This air and this sensation were like a massive whale adjusting the waves out of consideration for a mere human floating in the sea.

“…….”

Yes.

This was ‘consideration.’

“…Then I’d like to ask a question.”

Having come this far, it was not like he could back down, so Yu Seong-un decided to have a conversation as the portrait suggested.

“By any chance, can you come out of that portrait?”

“Yes, I can.”

“…….”

Monsters hate humans.

He thought there would be some hesitation since he was asking about its information, but the answer was faster than he could have expected.

Perhaps his surprise at that part was obvious. ‘Jio,’ who was staring at Yu Seong-un without blinking, pointed it out.

“You have a surprised expression.”

“I just… didn’t think you would tell me so readily.”

“There was no reason not to tell you.”

“Why?”

“Because you asked.”

“What if I asked with impure intentions?”

“That is a lie.”

The portrait spoke in a low and soft, yet clear and firm voice.

“Mr. Yu Seong-un is a kind and polite person.”

“…Me?”

“That is why I spoke to you as well.”

“…….”

“Was this a sufficient answer?”

Yu Seong-un decided to be cautious.

‘This portrait is sensitive to good and evil.’

And though he did not know the criteria, it also possessed the ability to distinguish the good and evil of others.

It could classify a person it had just met without even having a conversation.

‘In that case, if a person judged as evil were to speak to this portrait… would it simply ignore them?’

Or would it attack?

“…….”

“Do you have a question?”

“Ah… right.”

Yu Seong-un recalled the recent ‘ghost commotion’ and asked.

“The black cloak I witnessed yesterday was ‘Jio,’ you, correct?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Then the ‘ghost’ who’s been said to be wandering this gallery lately, wearing a jet-black cloak and handing out delicious gifts, seems to be you… is my thinking correct on this too?”

“…….”

What could he be thinking? ‘Jio’ blinked twice and then murmured.

“A ghost, you say.”

“…I’m sorry if that was unpleasant.”

“No, a talking portrait is certainly worth being described as being possessed by a ghost.”

The portrait continued in its characteristic blunt tone.

“However, I have never died.”

“…….”

“Still, the ‘ghost’ Mr. Yu Seong-un spoke of seems to be me.”

“…Was there a reason for wandering the gallery?”

“I was curious about where I am right now.”

His voice was very calm and low.

It was a voice from which one could hardly imagine any interest in something.

“The display of rare artworks drew my interest.”

“…….”

“I was curious about what kind of place this gallery is, I was curious about what kind of people work here, and I was curious about what kind of lives they lead, and what names and what tastes they have.”

It was still a dry tone, but the answer itself, showing great interest in the human way of life, was very monster-like.

‘No… it’s not certain, but perhaps he might not be a monster.’

If that was the case, things would get more complicated.

“…….”

“When one is alone, one tends to look for a conversation partner.”

As if intending something, ‘Jio’s’ jet-black eyes fell on Yu Seong-un.

It was an artificial shift of gaze, as if to let him know, ‘I am looking at you.’

“This is even more so if it is a polite person like you.”

“You seem to like polite people?”

“I judged that the employees who manage this gallery are more suitable for conversation than, at the very least, the bright red leader of this place.”

“Leader… um, are you talking about Guild Master Bisabeol?”

“He is a talkative person.”

The portrait’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It was a faint change, difficult to notice, but what it meant was clear.

“He is so talkative, it is hard to even respond.”

“…….”

Ah, Guild Master.

‘You got on his bad side.’

So that human couldn't have a conversation with him.

All the curators on basement floor B5 knew that Bisabeol was very interested in ‘Jio’s Portrait.’

And that he frequently spoke to ‘Jio’s Portrait,’ saying it was a truly special portrait.

‘But I was wondering why that human didn’t say anything about this portrait….’

Even though he knew ‘Jio’s Portrait’ could talk and move, he had never actually conversed with ‘Jio.’

Because ‘Jio,’ who judged Bisabeol to be rude, deliberately did not respond to his conversation.

‘He reaped what he sowed.’

I knew he’d suffer a loss living like that.

Honestly, I think that human deserve to suffer a loss, but anyway.

Having organized his thoughts, Yu Seong-un bowed his head politely.

“I apologize.”

“…….”

“I will apologize on behalf of our Guild Master.”

His role was to manage the artworks here.

Among those artworks, there were many like ‘Jio’s Portrait’ that possessed a sense of self.

There was nothing to be gained from getting on the bad side of ‘Jio,’ who was presumed to be a humanoid monster, by breaking his rules.

‘Above all, he seems sensitive about politeness.’

Fortunately, the portrait’s expression remained blunt.

A face that was neither pleased nor angry.

It was still somber and pale, but only stiff, showing no signs of displeasure.

As expected, the portrait spoke in a neat voice.

“It is alright.”

“Our Guild Master is a bit of a peculiar person.”

“He did not seem like a bad person. So it is alright.”

“…….”

Yu Seong-un made an additional mental note.

‘If they are not an evil person, he does not become hostile even if they lack manners.’

Even while thinking that, he felt suffocated.

It was because he could not rashly gauge the opponent’s abilities.

‘Does he have an Appraisal Skill on a level to judge even Guild Master Bisabeol’s good or evil…. In many ways, he’s a monster that’s hard to handle. An Appraisal Skill of that level would be hard to find anywhere in the world.’

No, in the first place, was it even right to define a being with such ‘eyes’ as a monster….

“…….”

“…….”

As a moment of silence fell, the portrait spoke again.

“Do you have a question?”

“…Your bluntness surprises me, Jio.”

“I was merely observing etiquette.”

“Etiquette, you say.”

“If one is human, should they not observe etiquette?”

That very point is what makes you seem not human.

‘Ordinary humans don’t observe etiquette so meticulously.’

Rather, it felt excessively thorough, like monsters who know of human life imperfectly putting on an awkward imitation.

While Yu Seong-un was slightly fed up, the portrait continued the conversation on a different topic.

“This is the first time I have seen you, Mr. Yu Seong-un. Is that correct?”

“That is correct. Guild Master Bisabeol no longer has the time to manage your portrait and the previous curators were assigned to other works. So I came to take over the duties.”

“I express my gratitude for managing the portrait neatly. I wanted to greet the previous individuals as well, but I was not ready at the time. I thank you once again, including for their share.”

“Managing the artwork is a duty that those people and I must naturally perform, so there is no need for thanks. However, I will let them know that you were grateful.”

But a question did arise.

“…Can you tell what the people outside are doing even when your eyes are closed? Were you continuously observing this side from within that portrait?”

To his question, ‘Jio’ answered with a blunt face that betrayed no intention.

“Since you all are in the frame, I have no choice but to watch.”

“…….”

“Moving pictures are interesting.”

“…Is that so.”

For some reason.

It was a little creepy.

‘The pictures are not of himself, but the humans outside… is that what he means.’

Yu Seong-un himself could not pinpoint exactly what part was creepy.

It was just that, according to the portrait’s words, ‘Jio’ sees everything outside the painting as a picture.

Even though to us, the picture is ‘Jio’s Portrait.’

To that picture, we are….

“…….”

Pictures.

“Has that become a sufficient answer?”

“…Yes.”

Indeed, this is a dangerous being.

“Probably.”

Day 2, complete.

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.