Chapter 48

How did things end up like this?

“Let's go, Honey.”

“Cooorrrrrr.”

“lt's a picnic.”

It was nothing special. Gio and Honey had simply gone out for a picnic in the unique setting of a dungeon.

“l wonder if I can take that gem?”

“Coor.”

“Seems like it's okay.”

The dungeon 'Gem's Water Vein', was among the documents that Yoo Sung-woon had given.

And he immediately decided to visit by creating a passage by referencing the materials provided by Yoo Sung-woon, partially due to Honey's persistence, who was fixated on the word 'gem', and partially because Gio himself enjoyed a fantastical picnic.

“……?”

Then they discovered something peculiar.

“The synchronization rate isn't increasing at all.”

“Coorrrr?”

“Well, I'm not sure why.”

It was Giovanni's synchronization rate that had been rising even when he was just sitting still in the portrait. But now, it suddenly wasn't budging, which couldn't help but make him concerned.

“Does the synchronization temporarily stop when you come to another dungeon? It doesn't feel like it's completely halted.”

“Corrrr.”

“The frame?”

“Coor.”

“Maybe it's an issue with the passage, as you said.”

Honey asked if the connection was lost because they had come out through a random passage that Gio had created, not 'Gio's Portrait'. For some reason, Gio felt that Honey's words made sense.

“lt doesn't matter.”

People should enjoy living in the present.

“lt's no different even for a haunted portrait like me.”

“Coor?”

“A portrait is still a perSo n.”

As Gio insisted, Honey didn't argue any further. It was hard to tell whether it was out of filial piety or because it was distracted by the gems, but that was how it was.

Leavingthe question unanswered, Gio leisurely explored the dungeon that Korean hunters often visited.

“Nice.”

'Gem's Water Vein' was a wonderful tourist spot, despite it being a place that felt both eerily strange and dreamlike due to the influence of luminous stones.@@novelbin@@

“Cool.”

“Coorrrr.”

“I like it.”

He began to understand why this place was called 'Gem's Water Vein'.

“lt's all made of gems.”

It resembled a cave formed by flowing lava, and this was as if it were a cave created by gems flowing through it.

Large gems. Small gems. Transparent gems. Opaque gems. Sharp hexagonal gems. Round spore-shaped gems. Chandelier-like gems sparkling from above…

“Son, don't eat too much.”

“Coo.”

“You'll get a stomachache.”

Various gems were chaotically gathered, forming multiple branching paths.

'Occasionally, the protruding edges are shining as well.'

Gio recalled the description from the materials Yoo Sung-woon had given.

“They said it was a very dark cave.”

“Coo.”

“lsn't it… brighter than I thought?”

It was said that there were many tiny monsters in the air of this cave that absorbed light.

Monsters that lived by sucking the life force of humans roamed the interior without a trace, and tiny monsters that were too small to catch absorbed all of the light.

In this place, eerily quiet as if the sound had been stolen away, the only things to rely on were the self-luminous gem pillars.

“Was what was said, but-…”

Gio could see perfectly well in all directions.

“lt's a bit dark, but the luminous stones are here, so the visibility isn't too obstructed.”

“Coorrr.”

“That's right, you're here too.”

Was this a benefit that Gio received because he became a 'Portrait?

'I don't know exactly what that benefit is.'

If all the hunters on Earth couldn't see what he could, then it seemed that the odd one out was indeed Gio.

The only reason why Gio had gained such strange abilities despite being a harmless human who didn't even have a taekwondo white belt was probably because he became a portrait.

“……”

It felt like he was drifting further away from being human as time went on.

“…lfs funny, so it's alright.”

“Coor?”

“lt's a very interesting life.”

“Coor?”

“lt's because I'm great.”

It really was because he was 'great'.

Well, when living life, wouldn't it be possible for someone to become a portrait or drift away from the standards of an ordinary human?

However, such things didn't bother Gio at all.

“Life is a continuous series of content, and content exists to be enjoyed.”

“Coorrr….”

“There's no reason for me not to enjoy my life. Even if it's the life of a portrait, it's the same.”

He didn't waver at such a realization. With no thoughts in mind about it, Gio continued to leisurely tour 'Gem's Water Vein'.

And he was impressed.

“Tourism on Earth has developed so much in just 31 years.”

Sometimes, there were beast-like monsters that appeared faintly like ghosts, but for some reason, they expressed light favour towards Gio and simply passed by. They looked no different from the animals in the painting forest.

Those little ones also sometimes kiss his ankles before leaving.

“Aren't they adorable little sweethearts.”

Having concluded his judgment based on love, friendship, and peace, Gio nodded.

'Did they realize I'm harmless?

In any case, knowing that even the monsters weren't a threat made him have nothing to fear. Gio wandered around 'Gem's Water Vein' with a full heart.

As a result, Gio was able to enjoy an amazing tour with his son at 120%, but…

“……”

There was one thing that bothered him.

There were no people.

“…I should have realized it when they said it was a sparsely populated dungeon.”

Perhaps feeling sorry for Gio who grew up old alone, even the portrait had set up a letter communication system for him to make new friends, but there were no humans in sight to become pen pals.

Tm a firefly.'

I have no friends.

You can't just greet someone you meet and immediately become friends, so Gio would have to make several attempts to create new connections. Making pen pals was this difficult.

'Not seeing a single strand of human hair from the start….'

When love, friendship, and peace are abundant, one can feel full without eating. This generation's light eater, Seo Gio, fell into deep sorrow.

“I've never been a friendless loner in my 29 years of life.”

“Coor?”

“Excluding family. It's a bit strange to call my children born from paint, friends, isn't it?”

“Coocoocoong….”

“Even if you're dissatisfied, there's nothing I can do about it. Even though I, as your dad, am open-minded, what can't be done, can't be done.”

As Gio lowered his head, feeling drained for no reason, he noticed a cat that had quietly settled near his feet.

“……”

Oh, a cat.

“…When did you come?”

“Purrr.”

“How cute.”

Its fur was fluffy and long, suggesting it might be a long-haired breed, yet compared to the hazy monsters of 'Gem's Water Vein' he had seen so far, it had a definite weight and solid appearance.

“ls this the time to be chosen?”

Gio checked if there was a mother cat nearby but quickly became dejected again.

After mustering up the courage and stepping into society, the new connection he gained is a kitten small enough to fit in his hand. Is this really okay?

“…Well, there's no reason why it can't.”

Isn't it good when things get lively? Life isn't something you can live alone.

Having come to terms with it, Gio asked the cat.

“IS it usually this empty here, little one?”

“Purrr.”

“You're just cute and won't answer, huh?”

The kitten just lay on its back and didn't respond. Following the natural command to pet its belly, the prepared butler Gio squatted down and gently stroked the tiny belly.

'It's hard and cold.'

A purring sound was heard. If the master is satisfied, then he's happy too. Gio nodded.

“How cute.”

“Corr?”

“lt's small and harmless, so it's cute, right?”

“…….”

“…I don't know why, but it seems like you're denying what this father is saying. Regardless of the truth, it's better not to let me know. There's a saying that people are happiest when they are ignorant, and indeed, that's how I feel. I don't want to know the cruel truth, so just let me enjoy myself.”

Honey acknowledged Gio's heartfelt plea.

“But it really is cute.”

The monster, which was as small as a kitten, wasn't as cleanly transparent as Honey. The monster made entirely of jewels was filled with dense crystals and cracks inside, which made it look almost opaque.

But when he touched it, he felt the soft fur that gently enveloped its exterior. The body made ofgem was cold and hard, unlike Honey, but the kitten's actions of lying on the ground and enjoying the touch were very delicate.

“ls there no way to appraise this kind of monster?”

Anticat

A gem monster that acts independently from the moment it hatches from its egg. It has an extreme aversion to Earth's creatures, and the Earthlings who first discovered its existence named it 'Anticat'.

Refinement method: The gem fur balls that Anticat very rarely vomits can be stretched and woven into a transparent cloak. Even more rarely. Anticat's tears can be used as an excellent mental stabilizer.

“Oh.”

Gio realized.

“After all, the monster in Cheonggyecheon Stream also allowed appraisal, so the dungeon monsters probably aren't that different. What a loyal Speedwagon1 you are.”

And then he realized a second thing.

“…They hate Earth's creatures?”

Then what about me?

“Am I not considered an Earth creature?”

“Purrrr.”

“Don't just purr and answer about my identity, little one. Although I'm now semi-forced to live in a portrait after losing my status and property, I'm still a sturdy young man raised under the pure energy of Gangwon Province's rural mountains.”

“Purrrr….”

“Did I get catnip on my hands?”

Being liked this much made him proud to the point of being flustered.

“You recognized the prepared butler.”

Even though it was a monster, perhaps because its nature was a cat, Gio's touch as a cat-petting veteran seemed to be very effective.

It was a moment when he realized the worth of having occasionally visited cat cafes while living in a busy modern society.

“……”

“……”

But anyway, there were no people.

“ Hmm. ”

Only the cat was cute.

“ H ow sa d. ”

“Coor?”

“l came to make new friends, but I'm just going back with a master.”

Gio was already thinking of abducting this Anticat. Since it was said to act independently from the moment it hatched from the egg, it seemed like it didn't have a family to live with.

'Earth's cats shouldn't be touched carelessly, but….'

This friend was a monster, so it felt a bit less burdensome.

“There is an ice storage with environments similar to this one, and I could even draw a house in a similar place, so wouldn't that be okay? What do you think, little one?”

“Pyarrrrr.”

“I'll take that as a yes.”

However, not seeing a single person was a bit of a blow. After all, the timid Gio had to expend a great deal of mental energy just to step outside to make new friends.

“l don't like it when there are too many people, but I still wish there was at least one.”

“Purr.”

“……”

“Purrr.”

“Hmm?”

Seemingly understanding Gio's words, the Anticat slowly got up from its lying position and left for somewhere.

“Oh.”

Gio instinctively sensed new content and waited quietly in place.

'A friendship brought together by animals, this is like a beautiful situation from a fairy tale….'

As he waited with expectations for a heartwarming encounter, soon the Anticat returned leading a human.

Clearly terrified at a glance, unable to grasp the situation, simply like a moth being drawn to the faint light of the Anticat, a young and pitiful human was dragged along.

“……”

Is it a sacrifice?

'An offering?

Oh, surely not.

'It must have brought her here for me to make friends, but it's unfortunate. She looks too young to be friends, almost as young as the students I used to teach ….'

To the person who hadn't noticed him yet, Gio spoke in the friendliest voice he could muster.

“Hello.”

“Ha, haaaaahhhhh…!!”

This was a bit hurtful.

“Wh-wh-wh-what, what-…”

“…….”

“…Wh-who are you….”

This was really hurtful.

“Who, who are you….”

“…….”

Gio became dejected, not even realizing the reasonable question from the other person. His spirit was crushed. Hidden in his hood, Honey seemed to be angry, as if asking 'why are you discouraging my dad,' but he ignored it.

He had somewhat anticipated this situation. It wasn't something he hadn't guessed at all.

'Still…1 thought I had gotten used to people being afraid of me, but it turns out it's still hurt.'

Moreover, the security guards working at 'Collection' weren't this scared. Perhaps thanks to the recent rumours about 'Black Cloak', most of them weren't overly afraid and were willing to engage in conversation with Gio.

In short, it was the first time he had met someone who was this afraid of him.

'…Did I end up frightening a student who seems to be around high school age….'

The heart of Seo Gio, who used to be a high school teacher, ached in an instant. If it were a student he was teaching, he would have gently soothed them with a sweet snack, but in this current situation, it seemed like that would only make her more frightened.

Knowing Gio's feelings, or perhaps just acting on its own, the Anticat rubbed its body against Gio's leg as if it had completed its mission. It was very cute. Gio looked down at the Anticat.

“…Anticat-…”

“……”

“Ah, um, by any chance… are you a, a trainer? That….”

“……”

“Which guild's hunter are you….”

Seeing the person asking very cautiously, Gio realized belatedly.

“……?”

Ah, that student.

'Is it the student I encountered in the alley last time?

The kind-hearted student who generously donated her scarf to a homeless person on a winter day.

'Even thinking about it again, it's admirable.'

He should give her an award for good deeds right away. Or maybe a praise. Or at least a snack….

'A praiseworthy student who showed that admirable sprouts exist even in Hell Korea.'

As a former teacher, Seo Gio had a soft spot for young students, and personally liked good-hearted people very much. Nothing warmed Gio's heart more than kind and polite students.

'What should I do?

Remembering that the other person was that kind student from before, Gio became even more at a loss for words.

'It seems she was very scared of me that day too… If she realizes it's the same person, won't she faint?

Moreover, the current Gio had no particular identity to speak of. In other words, it meant he couldn't answer the questions the other party might ask.

No matter how crazy it might sound, he couldn't exactly say, 'Actually, I was an art teacher working at a high school 31 years ago, but during a fire accident, I became a haunted portrait…'.

“……”

“……”

However, ignoring the student's questions because he was at a loss for words wasn't the right thing for an adult to do.

Even though he had only seen her once by chance, it was still nice to meet a familiar face, so Gio applied pressure to his slightly stuttering brain and managed to speak.

“Hello.”

“…Ah, yes.”

“……”

“Um, ah, hello…”

Ah, this isn't right.

'During the 31 years I was asleep, all the social skills within me must have dried up.'

Watching the very awkward student, he couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt.

It was the first time someone was so afraid of him, so he didn't know how to respond, and the fact that the other party was a young student contributed to Gio's more cautious demeanour.

Gio hesitated for a moment and then spoke again.

“My name is Seo Gio.”

His grandmother said that the most effective way to ease someone was to introduce oneself. Gio firmly believed in the words of his revered grandparents.

“……”

“What is your name?”

No matter how you look at it, this was a bit strange, but Gio, who appeared in the dungeon as a 'portrait, was not aware that he was objectively saying something strange.

Even if he had realized it, he would probably be unable to give a better response in this situation where he was quite flustered.

“…I, l'm-…”

“You seem nervous.”

“……”

“Are you afraid of me?”

“……”

“l promise I won't do you any harm.”

Gio was simply speaking out of genuine goodwill, from the bottom of his heart. The student opposite him looked so nervous that he just wanted to say, Tm harmless, so there's no need to be so scared'….

“Don't be afraid.”

But life isn't that easy, after all.

“……”

“I'm curious about your name.”

It was as if his self as a 'portrait had taken over, evident from his excessively polite tone of speech.

'Is she still haven't calmed down?

To prevent the already dangerous 'Gio's Portrait' from straying from his human personality, neither Yoo Sung-woon nor Bi Sa-beol had ever described to him how fearful and distant he seemed to others.

Therefore, Gio only considered himself as 'a gloomy middle-aged man encountered in an alley late in the evening'.

'It might be better if I clear up the misunderstanding.'

How much better it would have been if Gio's self-assessment had been true.

“Cha, Cha Ara… Its Cha Ara.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Cha Ara.”

Gio asked, filled with kindness.

“Would you like to talk with me?”

Behold my open heart. I will show you how harmless a being I am. Well, that was the intention.

“……”

“……”

“Please spare me.”

But even so, sincerity doesn't always get through.