Chapter 51

Seo Gio, who was raised by his grandmother, couldn't stand to see anyone go hungry.

'A student who looks most like a high schooler is working without even being able to eat?'

Honestly, it felt more horrifying than a natural disaster. Natural disasters were just occasional events the Earth triggered when it got bored, but a child going hungry was an issue caused by humankind.

'Unforgivable.'

Gio, who had once been a teacher, felt a heavy sense of responsibility.

“Does it taste okay?”

“lt's incredibly delicious…!!”

“lt makes me happy to see you enjoying your meal. That's great.”

Just look at how well she's eating.

'I hope she gains about 5kg before she leaves.'

There was nothing as joyful as seeing the young student heartily eating the food he had prepared.

'She's eating so well.'

Gio didn't notice, but the atmosphere in the cabin warmed in response to his mood as the one who could be called the owner of the forest.

Cha Ara, who was already excited about this feast she was experiencing for the first time in her life, quickly noticed it.

'…Oh, it feels lighter somehow.'

The atmosphere seemed to have lightened from that of a funeral to about the level of an intensive care unit.

'By the way, this is really delicious….'

If Cha Ara had been what one might call an 'educated hunter1, she would have been frightened by this phenomenon instead.

Despite suspecting that this cabin was a dungeon and that the owner of the dungeon might be the figure in the black cloak before her, dungeons that changed according to the mood of the boss were not very common.

A dungeon that changes according to the boss's mood was no different form of living organism. In other words, Cha Ara was currently eating inside the stomach of a monster called 'Gio,' and she might have realized that if she had known a bit more.

However, Cha Ara was too overwhelmed by the miraculous kindness that had suddenly come her way.

“Even though it's just eating rice, it's so delicious. Um, is this … because the rice itself is tasty? Or is it because you cooked so well that it turned out like this?

“lt's an ordinary rice.”

It was rice created by drawing the packaging of rice he used to eat on Earth. It had felt a bit novel, like doing art for college entrance exams after a long time.

'Anyway, nothing beats delicious food to help the kids relax.'

In fact, this didn't seem to apply only to kids. Even those who were afraid of Gio due to the portrait's influence seemed to relax a bit after receiving delicious snacks. It seemed to be in a similar context.

Gio was determined to plump up this skinny student.

“lf there's any difference, it's that this rice was cooked with broth.”

“With broth…?”

“l used broth instead of water. The only slight difference is that I used deer bones rather than the commonly used pig or cow bones, but to be precise, this rice was made with bone broth.”

“…lf it's bone broth…”

Isn't it really expensive?

'City people might be able to eat it at restaurants, but for countryside folks like us, we could only taste it if we're lucky enough when a big cow was slaughtered in the village…'

Using that of all things to cook rice felt unnecessarily extravagant.

'What am I eating right now?'

Feeling hungry and finding the meal delicious, she ate without much thought, but wasn't this situation more excessive than she had expected?

To Cha Ara, who was inwardly breaking out in a cold sweat, Gio said:

“Even if it's not bone broth, using anchovy broth, chicken broth, or vegetable stock also makes it taste delicious. If you dislike greasy foods, those might be better options.”

“Uh, no, it's just that…”

“There's quite a lot, so please eat as much as you'd like, just be careful not to get indigestion. I wasn't going to mention it since you seem to be chewing thoroughly, but overeating might upset your stomach.”

“…Thank you.”

Even though anchovies or chicken seemed burdensome, but it seemed possible to make a vegetable stock at home. After all, they had vegetables growing in their garden.

'Before the youngest enters the dormitory, I should make a meal like this at least once.'

Living so frugally, even eating rice was difficult. The most common food was roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes, and eggs occasionally given by the village chief were considered a luxury.

'For vegetable stock, I can somehow manage by picking up various stuffs from the garden, but what should I do about the rice…'

Cha Ara inwardly muttered to herself before quickly giving up on the thought.

“…….”

For now, let's just enjoy the meal.

'I thought I would starve to death or be harassed to death by ghosts, but to think such luck would come my way.'

Perhaps because her stomach was now full, Cha Ara had significantly calmed down.

She couldn't completely relax since the other party was a humanoid monster, but on the contrary, the thought that the humanoid monster didn't bother poisoning food when it wasn't even part of their rules made her feel at ease.

'In this aspect, monsters are more trustworthy than humans.'

At the very least, monsters didn't deny their own rules. Compared to humans who lie as easily as breathing, she found herself trusting this monster who had been courteous from start to finish without making a single threat.

Of course, she shouldn't trust them. There were also monsters who feigned kindness to deceive and catch humans offguard. If she considered Gio a monster, this was a mistake she shouldn't have made.

“……?”

“ls there a problem?”

“No, it's just… my leg seems to have healed…”

“Ah.”

Gio nodded.

“Have you ever had a broken bone?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes, I broke my leg once when I encountered a monster while moving supplies in a dungeon.”

“The bone broth in the meal you're currently eating has the effect of healing bone abnormalities.-

”

“Oh… Ah… Oh…”

“Afteryou finish your meal, I will check if your bone has healed properly before you leave. If not, it might be good to provide you with a bit more broth. I didn't prepare this meal expecting such an effect, but I'm glad that it was helpful.”

“I…1 see…”

Who cooks rice with a potion?

'Revealing they're not human like this.'

She hadn't realized it because it looked like a normal meal.

'To think a few spoonfuls of rice could fully heal a bone.'

As she lacked knowledge, Cha Ara couldn't know for sure, but she could tell it must be quite a high rank among recovery potions at this level.

It was absurd enough that it was in the form of bone broth, but the thought of cooking rice with it was astounding. She clearly felt how fundamentally different its way of thinking was from that of humans.

'Still…1 never thought I'd say this, but it seems like a kind monster.'

As Cha Ara ate the rice that was perfectly cooked that it felt both sticky and fluffy with each grain feeling distinct, she thought to herself. The bad guys couldn't even cook rice properly.

'Since monsters have their own rules, it should be fine as long as I don't break them.'

Cha Ara decided to ask directly.

“Excuse me, is there anything I should be careful about when interacting to avoid offending Mr. Seo Gio?”

“Things to be careful about?”

“Uh, so like… not messing up the house… Is there anything that Mr. Seo Gio particularly dislikes or wishes to be respected?”

“Hmm.”

The monster blinked twice before answering.

“I would appreciate it if you could just maintain basic courtesy.”

“Really?”

“As long as you don't commit any crimes, I'm not particularly concerned.”

“Ah, crimes…”

As she had sensed earlier in 'Gem's Water Vein', it was clear what this monster detested.

'It seems to dislike rude and bad people.'

And Cha Ara was confident in that regard.

'Even if I was bullied, I'm not strong enough to bully someone else.'

She was an F-rank porter, openly referred to as the slave class, the lowest among hunters. She didn't have the capability to commit crimes in the first place.

Cha Ara felt much more at ease upon learning the monster's rules. Those were things that the weak Cha Ara could never be associated with.

“…….”

Not that she could completely let her guard down, of course.

'…His actions are extremely kind and polite…'

Yet strangely, it was difficult to interact comfortably.

'I can tell that it's being considerate in its way. Besides, it has never acted particularly intimidating, so I don't understand why I feel so overwhelmed. There's this strange sense of pressure…'

Even so, Cha Ara remained steadfast.

“…Can I have one more bowl of rice…”

“lt's nice to see you eating well.”

“Ah, I should be the one thankful.”

Still, the food was delicious.

'Is this a monster sent by my late grandmother? Its cooking skills are no joke.'

It seems that her village chief should learn these cooking skills.

***

“…….”

Yoo Sung-woon felt dizzy.

“Thank you for helping me when I was in trouble.”

“…Oh, no, it's nothing. Don't mention it.”

“I needed help because I'm not familiar with Korea's geography.”

“I'm actually grateful that you called me?”

He never expected a perfectly normal human would emerge from beyond this gloomy frame.

“What did you say your name was, Hunter?”

“Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha Ara…”

“Oh my, you're so nervous.”

Yoo Sung-woon, too, was just as nervous when he said that. Wasn't it a situation where he and the guild leader recklessly unleashed Gio driven by their greed?

'…lt's a relief that I was mentally prepared in advance. It's a much calmer situation than I imagined.'

Even though it was part of the process of seeking ways to coexist, it was right after they had given Gio a list of dungeons he could visit-a potentially harmful action to humanity.

He thought that an unexpected situation might arise, so he was drinking coffee-enduring to stay awake. It was a situation where news of a break out of a sparsely populated dungeon might occur at any moment.

'I thought the Association might step in if things went awry, but it doesn't seem to be that significant of an incident. After all, it's just one person popping out of the frame.'

Still, it was surprising.

'I never imagined… that it would try to make a relationship so blatantly like this.'

Gio spoke to Yoo Sung-woon, who had come after receiving yet another incomprehensible letter. He mentioned that while visiting the 'Gem's Water Vein', he found a young human and felt uneasy about sending her off alone, so he asked if Yoo Sung-woon could escort her home.

When Gio said 'young human,' for a moment, he thought of someone around ten years old, but fortunately, that wasn't the case.

'Well, from Gio's perspective, it might be difficult to determine what counts as young.'

Just as it's difficult for humans to estimate a dog's age, Gio seemed to be confused as well.@@novelbin@@

'At 18 years old, one is clearly an adult.'

Even if one didn't realize hunter Cha Ara was considered an adult, it was still a bit odd to describe an 18-year-old youth as 'young' within Earth's cultural context.

Yoo Sung-woon rubbed the back of his neck.

“…I suppose we should escort Hunter Cha home first. Is there anything I need to know?”

“I don't think there is.”

“AIright, then. Let's continue the conversation after I get back later. Thank you for calling me first.-

”

With Yoo Sung-woon's farewell, the portrait closed its eyes.

It meant there was nothing more to say, so Yoo Sung-woon looked back at Cha Ara without hesitation. He needed to escort this young hunter home to complete the task that wasn't an unofficial request.

“Hunter Cha…”

“Yes, yes?!”

“…Ah.”

Yoo Sung-woon was a bit taken aback by the intense reaction, but soon realized something.

“lf you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what rank you are?”

“…….”

“l apologize as it might feel uncomfortable that I'm suddenly asking for personal information, but I assure you there's no ill intent.”

“…I'm F-rank….”

“Aha, I see.”

He thought she seemed excessively nervous somehow, and indeed, she was a hunter too weak to be here.

'There's no way an F-rank hunter could withstand Guild Leader Bi Sa-beol's gallery without issue. Especially since this is the 5th basement level.'

Bi Sa-beol's gallery was full of all kinds of dangerous items. Entry was permitted only for hunters of at least C-rank. For hunters below that rank, visits were restricted for their protection.

'We hadn't considered accommodating someone this weak because we never expected them to enter. The atmosphere is quite different from the Association's Research Lab, where entry is available even for researchers at the level of ordinary people due to overall control.'

As a former Association research team leader, Yoo Sung-woon could make the comparison, but each had its pros and cons. From a gardener's perspective, the Association's Research Lab seemed to excessively abuse the beings of origin at times.

Anyway, only employees who can at least minimally enjoy interacting with such dangerous work can become curators, and an F-rank hunter with no relation to it would find it difficult to endure.

“I'm sorry, this is the first time a hunter below C-rank has entered here, so we weren't able to pay enough attention.”

“No, no, no, it's just…”

“Shall we step outside for now? There are a few things I would like to ask, but it seems difficult to do so here.”

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes…”

“I'm the curator here, so you don't have to worry too much. As long as you stay close to me, you won't get hurt.”

There are a few artworks that sometimes attack first, but it wouldn't be a problem since he didn't plan to go near them. Yoo Sung-woon guided the trembling hunter Cha Ara who was filled with fear toward the elevator.

It was when they arrived on the first floor.

“…….”

“…….”

Yoo Sung-woon almost closed the elevator door again for a moment but managed to restrain his muscles by exercising the patience of a capitalist society.

In front of them, Bi Sa-beol was grinning. Yoo Sung-woon couldn't hold back and asked.

“… What are you doing here, guild leader?”

“l was watching the CCTV and didn't it capture a very interesting scene?”

Should he say that in front of the trembling F-rank hunter? It must be difficult to be so openly delighted like that, truly a remarkable person.

'Guild leader Bi Sa-beol's compassion that should have been directed towards humanity must have clearly all gone into his personal collection.'

Even in a world where human rights had hit rock bottom, this was too much. For the sake of protecting the guest, Yoo Sung-woon shook his head.

“l don't want to hear it anymore. It's only appropriate for me to prioritize the meeting with Hunter Cha. She's very tense after just coming out of the gallery, so it would be troublesome for you to suddenly appear like this.”

“lt is indeed a very unfortunate fact, but Curator Yoo Sung-woon does not have the authority to hinder my pleasure. No matter how much you all criticize me, am I still not the guild leader?”

“Should I get a promotion for this?”

“No matter how much you get promoted, it won't be as good as being the guild leader, you should have accepted it when you had the chance.”

“Sigh.”

Yoo Sung-woon felt like biting his tongue, but he couldn't hand over the terrified, pale young hunter to this mad hedonist. In that case, he would also be at a loss to find words to say to Gio.

“…1 understand, it's an exceptionally unusual situation that has piqued the guild leader's interest. However, wouldn't it be sufficient for me to check first before reporting back to you? No matter what, the guild leader is the face of our guild, so if you personally handle trivial tasks…”

“lt would be convenient, wouldn't it? For all of you?”

“Please, for the love of God, maintain some dignity.”

It's quite an act to do in front of a hunter you're meeting for the first time.

'Even though we're one of the top three guilds in Korea, he's really cheapening our image.'

Hunter Cha Ara was completely frozen, unable to process the unfolding situation.

It seemed she had decided it would be better to become a handful of air than accept this situation, but Bi Sa-beol wasn't one to leave such tempting prey alone.

“AIright. You mentioned you're Hunter Cha, correct? What is your full name?”

“Cha, Ara… I'm Cha Ara… Please spare me…”

“Oh, dear. You're too frightened! No one is going to kill you, Hunter!”

The thought 'Why would I kill such an interesting opponent?' was written all over his face. It was like the eyes of a spectator who had seen a marvellous artefact or a deeply meaningful movie, rather than those of a human.

It seemed that not only Yoo Sung-woon, but Cha Ara had noticed this too-as she slowly hid behind Yoo Sung-woon.

'…Even though we met for the first time and were also regarded with caution, did she think I was safer than that person? Should I consider this wise….'

Yoo Sung-woon hid her with a pitying heart. Not that it would help avoid the situation where the Guild Leader himself was holding the elevator button in his own building.

“…….”

Atthis point, it had become difficult to smuggle away this unfortunate hunter.

“…We were planning to go to the interview room…”

“Shall we go together?”

“…Let's do that.”

It seemed the only option was for Yoo Sung-woon to act as a buffer between them as much as possible.

Gio, this hyunghad tried his best.

***

Bi Sa-beol was excited.

“Well then, hunter Cha Ara.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

“Could you please tell us what you've experienced?”

“l just, well, nothing…”

“We are not here to accuse hunter Cha Ara of any wrongdoing.”

This was a truly astonishing matter.

“I'm simply in awe.”

My goodness, a being of origin embracing a human? And a weak and feeble F-rank at that.

'Unlike what Curator Yoo Sung-woon said about preferring the appearance of overweight humans, hunter Cha Ara seems to be on the thin side. Or was it perhaps a choice to fatten her up? Apart from looking quite innocent, there doesn't seem anything particularly special about this porter, but perhaps that innocent aspect was what caught Gio's interest.'

Bi Sa-beol's yellow eyes gleamed.

'As expected, did it need an innocent lamb rather than a sinner, after all? Considering Gio's innocent nature, there would have been no need to offer pure blood as one would to traditional evil gods, but if we had offered a good and young human from the beginning, we might have received a more definite response…'

Bi Sa-beol recalled Yoo Sung-woon, who had reported in person after the tour with the portrait. He had been a bit disappointed that Gio's first experience with human society had ended so uneventfully, but this bait of visiting Earth's dungeon seemed to have been remarkably successful.

'I wonder if it was because it's a being of origin that it moves more actively in dungeons? Since Gio has an equal fondness for the human race itself, it might be unavoidable that he become more active in places where there are fewer humans who are easily intimidated by its status… That's an enjoyable story in its own right.'

In any sense, a portrait that whimsically draws humans into its frame and then spits them out again was irresistibly sweet to the collector.

Bi Sa-beol's smile deepened.

“Please explain how you ended up becoming a painting beyond the frame, what happened inside …. and how you came to meet the monster in the black cloak.”

He was already looking forward to how interesting a story it would be.

“Will you do that for us?”

“…Yes, uh…”

“Thank you.”

Bi Sa-beol was extremely curious about what kind of artistic miracle had allowed this unremarkable hunter to come out alive.