Chapter 65
Iseur prided himself on not being stupid.
‘…Of course, compared to my sister, I am closer to an insignificant microbe, but there is no way I, who have learned so much under brilliant geniuses, could be stupid. My reason is sufficiently solid and therefore worth boasting about.’
Especially because he had spent such a long time crossing dimensions with his cold-blooded sister, her coolness and dryness had rubbed off on Iseur.
He had developed a nature where he could prioritize reason over emotion.
So a situation like this was the first in a very long time.
“…I apologize, I was out of my mind for a moment.”
“No, you must have been surprised by the sudden situation as well, Jio-ssi.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Don't mention it.”
Inside Iseur, reason and emotion were fighting fiercely.
Even in the brief moment of his response, he repeated a similar line of thought dozens of times.
‘…I can feel the energy of the Sun God very strongly from this man. If so, could it be that the Sun God, who knows of my sister's and my existence, has fashioned our only weakness into a human form and bestowed upon it the divinity of the sun? To meet my dead teacher so suddenly is an absurd event. It is too coincidental.’
However,
‘This face, this presence, these habits, this voice, and every sensation I feel points to my dead teacher. And how on earth could the Sun God have achieved my teacher's resurrection, something even my sister, who trapped the Sun God in the sea, could not do? This person before me is my teacher, reincarnated through a natural process.’
Both were plausible, which made it all the more confusing.
‘If there is one thing that is certain, it is that there will be no existence closer to Giovanni than this person.’
Whether the being before him was an incarnation of the Sun God imitating his teacher, or the reincarnation of his teacher who had not yet established his own personality.
It was clear that he was an existence Iseur could not afford to miss.
“My mind went blank for a moment when the wave rushed in. I apologize for showing you such an unsightly appearance due to the confusion.”
“…….”
“My head still hurts, so could you tell me exactly where this place is?”
“That….”
He seemed to know that this was a dungeon, but he didn't seem to know what kind of place this was a representation of.
‘Should I call this a relief?’
While once again feeling that his teacher was not complete, Iseur couldn't help but feel relieved.
“…….”
For both Iseur and Giovanni. It was fortunate for both of them that he could not remember the terrible things he had experienced here.
‘…His teacher's personality is definitely not in a complete state.’
But the longer he stayed here, the more certain Jio's memories might become.
Recalling the reaction he had shown as soon as he came to the deep-sea laboratory, after showing no reaction at all in the Temple of the Sun….
“Eun-ha-gun mentioned it once before, but this is a virtual dungeon, Jio.”
“…….”
“…I haven't figured out the situation for long myself, so I'm not sure, but I think it's a dungeon related to the sea.”
Yu Seong-un glanced at Iseur and continued.
“I don't know how many of the people who were in the Temple of the Sun were dragged here, but the number of people we can confirm right now is quite large, and they're scattered all over, making it difficult to grasp the exact situation.”
“Where are the prospective priests?”
“At least, they're not visible in this cavern. Seeing as it blew up during the closing ceremony of the initiation, it's a virtual dungeon that seems highly intentional, so there's no way the prospective priests weren't dragged in.”
“Then we must gather the people first. Isn't that right?”
“Easier said than done….”
He didn't know how it would look in Jio's eyes, but uniting people who were scattered in fear like this was no easy task.
If there was one fortunate thing, it was that the threat had lessened a bit thanks to the dungeon master's mood subsiding.
‘The chimeras that looked like they were about to pop out and attack people at any moment are now completely quiet and limp, and if we play our cards right, we might be able to get out of the dungeon with minimal casualties… is it possible?’
It was then.
“―Honey.”
“Kkuk?”
Something small and yellow popped out of Jio's hood with a flick.
“Kkururururu!”
It was Honey, a young bird of a new nation who sleeps early and wakes up early.
Honey, who flew into the center of the shadows tinged with a chilly light, soon began to glow brightly.
“…Oh.”
Almost… as much as a small sun.
“Are you kidding me??”
Yu Seong-un was dumbfounded.
‘He was with Honey this time too? Why do I feel the energy of the Sun God from a monster with a small body like Honey? Why? Is this right?’
Whether he was dumbfounded or not, the people who had been wandering and frightened began to calm down one by one in the light filled with warm energy.
After all, it was as if a light had been turned on in the dark and eerie laboratory.
“Wait a minute, what is this light…?”
“Is that a bird?”
“F-first, let's all gather over there.”
The people scattered in the cavern, which was wide enough to be described as vast, instinctively gathered under Honey, following the comforting light. Some were already sniffling with relaxed faces, feeling relieved.
Watching this, Jio looked back at Yu Seong-un.
“There.”
“…….”
Yu Seong-un felt as if he could hear a voice saying, ‘See? It's easy, right?’.
“…Good job….”
“Yes, I did a good job.”
“Oh, so competent.”
Just don't get caught being a portrait while you're at it.
‘In this already chaotic situation, if your identity gets revealed, I don't think I'll be able to handle it.’
He was ‘Jio's Portrait’, whose identity even Bisabeol, who had become an S-class with a single appraisal skill, could not fully grasp.
He could be a human, a monster, a child of the Source, or even a god.
‘If that fluidity is revealed to the people now, hostility could suddenly be directed this way.’
There were people who had excitedly shouted at even a C-class Hunter of no consequence to take responsibility for this situation.
If they were to see something non-human in the midst of that, and even if it possessed divinity, there was no telling what kind of ruckus they would cause.
“…….”
Yu Seong-un, who had been staring intently at the unexpectedly gentle light, soon called out to Jio.
“Jio.”
“Yes, I am listening.”
“I couldn't tell you beforehand, but you were scheduled to receive an A-class Hunter license soon.”
“Am I a Hunter?”
“It's better for operating on Earth, isn't it? It seems the Guild Master wanted to provide you with some convenience.”
So.
“It was a Hunter license you were going to receive anyway, so when you introduce yourself to people, explain that you are ‘Seo Jio’, an unofficial A-class Hunter belonging to the Collectors Guild.”
“I see.”
“Your job is a Tamer. Since you have Honey with you, that will make it more convenient for you to get along with others.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“It's nothing.”
So there was a small wish that he would please act human.
‘I am aware that it's an excessive expectation.’
The risk level of a Source being changed depending on the size of its ‘story’, so Yu Seong-un wanted to cram Jio into the category of a human as much as possible.
He himself was pretending to be human, after all.
But recently, Yu Seong-un felt that Jio didn't seem to have the will to pretend to be human.
Whatever his true intentions were, Jio could never act like a complete human.
‘So I was thinking of separating Jio as a human and Jio as a mystery.’
This was part of that work.
‘…Jio's unique heavy atmosphere is still there, but I've lowered his status to the level of an A-class Hunter, so unless someone is exceptionally sensitive to energy, they won't be able to confirm their sense of unease about Jio.’
Of course, it was at the level of not being able to confirm, so anyone could feel a strange sense of foreignness, but that ‘not being able to confirm’ part was important.
That much could be passed off as part of his holy power or skills.
“…….”
“…….”
Yu Seong-un's and Eun-ha's eyes met.
“…Anyway, since it turned out like this, are you going to continue feigning innocence?”
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
“This situation is turning out to be pretty funny. It's completely different from what I thought….”
Watching Jio approach the murmuring crowd, Yu Seong-un asked in a voice that the group would not hear.
“It seems you've lost the will to step up and commit a massacre, am I right?”
“I simply no longer wish to stain my hands with blood. That is all.”
“That's very grateful to hear. I know what you're talking about.”
“…….”
“You don't want to be seen as a bad kid by Jio, do you?”
Yu Seong-un whistled.
“That's more than enough.”
The fact that the monster's behavior changed according to Eun-ha's emotional state, and the fact that the atmosphere inside the dungeon was being controlled.
This was an integrated-type dungeon that lived and breathed according to the master's mindscape.
It was obvious that the difficulty of this dungeon would also be lowered to match Eun-ha's psychology of not wanting to be a ‘bad kid’ to Jio.
“As long as you're cooperative, I'll keep your identity a secret, so don't worry.”
“Humans have a terrible habit of hastening their deaths. It would be wise not to act presumptuously, Hunter Yu Seong-un.”
“How scary.”
Honestly, it was really scary.
“Wouldn't it be nice to live an easy life.”
He did not want to die in a place like this.
‘If I die, it will cause problems in managing the garden.’
Among the ‘gardens’ that could be called the bloodline of the Source, Yu Seong-un was in charge of a position roughly equivalent to the aorta.
He didn't have the luxury to just die when he would be busy training a successor for a while even if he found one.
“…….”
Iseur, who had glanced at such a Yu Seong-un, turned his sunken, pearl-colored gaze to take in the man draped in the black cape.
Soon, a dream was reflected in those eyes.
‘…Truly….’
They're the same.
‘There's no difference.’
Even if the color was different, that benevolent appearance, imbued with warm holy power while soothing and pacifying the creations of the sun, was certainly Giovanni's.
No matter how suspicious it was, he could not deny even that.
“It's such a sacred sight I feel bad watching it for free. Doesn't he look just like a saint?”
“…I have no response to your worthless words, but he was actually called a saint.”
And yet, he had to die so cruelly.
In a water tank full of cold, his breath was cut short by the teeth of a student he had taught….
‘…As expected, humans are a disgusting existence.’
At the sight of Jio embracing the vulgar monkeys and bestowing mercy, Iseur felt the smile that was always on his lips twist faintly.
He still did not know if that person was truly his teacher.
But the sight of an existence that looked so much like him bestowing mercy upon humans of all things displeased Iseur.
‘Why am I seeing this sight?’
Suspicion towards a sudden stroke of luck.
Longing and anguish towards the repeating memories and nightmares. Impatience to separate the black cape from those bug-like creatures. Desperation.
The mermaid, searching for a way to define this emotion, muttered inwardly.
‘As I thought, I wish they would all just die.’
The moment he thought that.
“…….”
“Student Eun-ha.”
“…Yes.”
“Do not be alone, come here.”
That now-cold, large hand reached out towards Iseur.
“You look lonely.”
“…….”
He couldn't bring himself to answer the words that seemed lonely to him.
The hand of Jio, which he held without a word, was as cold as expected.
Compared to the hand of his teacher, which was always warm in that long-faded memory, its temperature was no different from that of a corpse.
But it was still gentle.
“…It is cold and dark, so it is scary. This space is very barren.”
“You are honest, Student Eun-ha. In that case, I will stay with you.”
“Will you do that for me?”
It's a lie.
“I feel relieved.”
Even if you are a child of the deep sea, I will be by your side. You said that to me before.
‘…Saying something like that now only twists my insides. Now that everything has become cold….’
When nothing can be undone.
He wanted to resent him for something without realizing it, but the turmoil in his heart gradually subsided with the grip of the large hand that clasped him.
As if waiting for a forgotten habit, a voice as calm as a quiet evening spring breeze, yet filled with warmth, was soon heard.
“Are you alright?”
“…….”
Giovanni was not a suitable person to be resented by a cold thing like him.
“…I don't think I'm okay.”
“…Are you sick somewhere?”
“It is because I am scared.”
He wanted to kill all the bug-like humans here.
He still did.
But he couldn't bring himself to reveal such feelings.
Whether the person holding his hand was an imitation of his teacher or his reincarnation, the fact that he had to hold onto him was certain.
‘…What should I do?’
Deep killing intent and anxiety came at the same time.
‘I have to save this person, at least.’
And so I have to have him….
***
Meanwhile, Jio.
‘The world has developed so much.’
I had no thoughts at all.
“This is my first time experiencing a virtual dungeon in person, it's truly fascinating.”
“Haha, you are very bold even in a situation like this, Jio-ssi.”
“Isn't it fascinating?”
“Usually, people are more scared than fascinated.”
“I see. I understand.”
He opened his eyes and closed them and it felt like he had been transported to a haunted house, so Jio was just intrigued.
‘Can something like this be considered part of an adventure?’
And it was an adventure to be enjoyed intimately among a crowd of people, a situation quite welcome for Jio, who had been alone often recently.
‘Even if it is a bit tiring….’
As soon as the huge program called the Solar Cult Initiation Ceremony ended, a new piece of content called a virtual dungeon had walked right into Jio's arms.
‘Nice.’
No matter how he thought about it, the current situation was very far from such an ‘intimate adventure’ or ‘new content’, but Jio's ultimate positive mindset did not yield in the face of a mere threat to his life.
‘Perhaps because it's not a situation where I'm on the verge of death, to be honest, it just feels like I've come to a well-made movie set. I don't think I have enough tension, how was I supposed to get tense again.’
They say there's a way to escape, so isn't this just a well-themed escape room?
‘Tada.’
Jio, who had come to a clear conclusion on his own without anyone's consent, was a little excited by the bustling feeling of being among people that he hadn't felt in a long time.
He actively responded to the people who asked him various things or struck up conversations to show their friendliness.
“Then are you a Hunter of the Collectors Guild, Seo Jio-ssi?”
“It turned out that way.”
“Wow, I didn't know there was such a handsome Hunter in the Collectors….”
At that, Yu Seong-un interjected.
“There are many Hunters like me who don't show their faces to the media. The Collectors is a guild whose main focus is on collecting and managing the Guild Master's collection rather than dungeon clearing, so there are many Hunters like Jio who don't reveal their faces.”
“No, but with such a handsome face, why…? If you just showed your face on TV once, a fan club would form just like that, wouldn't it? It's a crime, a crime to not show a face like this to the world while working as a Hunter, of all things.”
“Haha….”
Yu Seong-un forced a laugh.
“…Jio is shy.”
Jio felt very wronged by those words, but Yu Seong-un thought he hadn't said anything wrong.
Recalling ‘Jio's Portrait’, who had shown a reluctance to encounter people at all, it was a natural judgment.
While worrying that Jio might make a mistake by showing that he wasn't human, Yu Seong-un meticulously observed the reactions of the people murmuring in the distance.
“As expected, Hunters from the top 3 guilds are different. It's my first time seeing a Tamer….”
“But isn't he a little scary? I feel like he'd look at you with contempt if you misspeak.”
“His actions and gait are aristocratic, could he be from the Royals? Then there's a reason to hide even with that face.”
“Judging by his holy power, he seems to be a follower of the Sun God…. Since he's a Tamer, he wouldn't be a priest.”
“He's kind, but for some reason, it's hard to talk to him. Is it because he's too handsome?”
They were pretty much the reactions he had expected.
‘…I was worried about how the existence of Jio would be perceived by civilians, but their reactions are more friendly and favorable than I thought. At this rate, I'll be able to cover for him without much trouble even when we get out.’
In that case, they would have to formally acknowledge the existence of the Hunter named Jio now, but both Yu Seong-un and Bisabeol had already anticipated it to some extent.
‘A status of that level can't be hidden just by locking it up in a gallery, and even if it could be hidden somehow… that's not in line with the Collectors' motto.’
Besides, the conclusion had been reached that it would be impossible to cram the ‘story’ of this portrait into the category of a human.
Since he himself couldn't hide it, whether Jio wanted it or not, people would eventually feel the distant status of ‘Jio's Portrait’ someday.
If so, it was better to distinguish between Jio as a human and Jio as an anomaly.
‘Jio, who treats himself as a human, will try to get along with others somehow. If we have to have a Jio as a human anyway, we need to separate the more dangerous stories in advance.’
That was what the identity of ‘Seo Jio’, an unofficial Hunter of the Collectors, was for.
‘With this identity, a part of Jio who pretends to be human… will be able to significantly lower the risk of that story. It will be a much safer choice than revealing the entirety of Jio's Portrait to the world.’
It was just that Jio's social life had been moved up a bit due to this sudden dungeon exploration.
It was only a matter of timing, nothing to be flustered about.
Yu Seong-un thought to himself as he sorted things out.
“…….”
It seems everyone has calmed down.
‘It's definitely not a normal situation, but should I see this as Jio's power too?’
Like the case with Hunter Cha Ara before, Jio had a strange ability to coax people well. Despite not being able to fully hide that terrifying status.
He didn't know if it was the effect of his status or his personal ability, but….
“Jio, I think it's about time we moved to check if the Cha family or other survivors are around.”
At Yu Seong-un's words, the people became anxious again and started murmuring.
“C-can't Hunter Seo Jio stay here?”
“Including Yu Seong-un-ssi, there are already three other Hunters.”
“While we are here… you could clear the dungeon among yourselves and come back….”
“Don't tell me we have to move too?”
“What if we all die in the process? Someone has to stay behind.”
They were expected reactions, but the smile of Eun-ha, who seemed to despise humans, gradually deepening was a danger signal no matter how you looked at it.
‘At this rate, we'll all die.’
Just as Yu Seong-un was about to sigh and appease the people, Jio stepped forward.
“Then I will leave Honey here.”
“What? But, Hunter Seo Jio's summoned beast is too small….”
“Honey is stronger than me.”
“No, don't joke around.”
“It is true.”
Jio waved his hands as if to say he was innocent.
“I will be back soon, so do not worry too much. I will help you.”
“…….”
“Since you are so strong-willed, everyone will be able to return safely.”
In reality, the content of his words was nothing special, but the sound of sniffling was heard again from among the people.
It seemed they were comforted and reassured by Jio's words, and Yu Seong-un was a little dumbfounded.
‘They wouldn't have listened if I had said it. How come there are no people grumbling that it's empty words.’
In the meantime, Jio approached and said.
“Let's move now.”
“…….”
The nuance was to escape before they held on any longer, which made Yu Seong-un feel strange.
He didn't know if the words just now were sweet talk or a sincere comfort, but Jio's appearance, which seemed to have a clear distinction between public and private affairs, created a strange impression.
‘To be able to sway people's hearts so easily with just a few words.’
This is a real talent.
“You… would do well as an idol. Or an actor, you know, something like a celebrity.”
“It is an undeserved compliment, but I believe I have sufficient aptitude.”
“I think so too.”
“Thank you for playing along with my joke. How could a timid person like me become a celebrity.”
“…….”
If he could sway the crowd with his words and face, shouldn't he really become a celebrity or start a cult?
‘…I need to pull myself together.’
Yu Seong-un felt an even greater sense of responsibility at the dizzying talent shown by Jio's new personality.
***
“…….”
“…S-sis….”
“Shh.”
Cha Ara covered Cha Isold's mouth and warned him and Cha Eun-hyeok nodded in agreement.
“Be quiet.”
Now was the time to even hold their breath.
Cha Eun-hyeok glanced at his two younger siblings hiding behind him, then turned his head forward again and surveyed his surroundings.
In a situation reeking of blood, cold sweat naturally flowed.
“H-h-hungry… hungry… h-h-hun….”
“Kkeuaaaaak…!! Aak, aaaaak!! S-save…!!”
“H-h-hun….”
The sight of people tearing at and eating each other.
It seemed clear that there was an infection-type monster here.
Fortunately, Cha Eun-hyeok and his younger siblings were able to hide under a desk safely before the situation worsened.
Though they were still trapped and unable to escape, Cha Eun-hyeok pushed his frightened and frozen siblings further into the corner.
“…….”
He could see prospective priests hiding here and there, exchanging glances.
“…Hoo….”
Perhaps because of their small size, all the survivors in this cavern were young priests.
If there were any adults, it was only Cha Eun-hyeok and Cha Ara.
‘This is fucked.’
He didn't know if they could survive.
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