The Artist Who Paints Dungeon

“There’s something I’ve been curious about for a while.”

Yoo Sung-woon asked upon arriving at the hotel.

“Are your personalities split?”

“You’re asking if my personalities are divided?”

“Well, how should I put it? Like multiple personalities.”

“……”

Sitting on the edge of the bed deep in thought, Gio tilted his head.

“I’m not sure.”

“…Is that so?”

Gio flipped back and removed the black hood that had been fully covering his face. As usual, Honey—who had been hiding inside—plop, tumbled out and landed on the bed. Gio picked up Honey with his hands.

Immediately after, Gio’s ‘color’ changed.

“……”

“……”

Platinum-blond hair close to silver, and emerald-colored eyes reminiscent of a famous resort’s sea.

“…Ah…”

Even his previously gloomy and calm expression now brimmed with vitality.

It was the expression of someone exceedingly gentle and mature. His confident, beaming smile even carried a hint of seasoned playfulness.

“…So, has your personality changed?”

“I don’t consider this a change in personality.”

Gio’s tone of speech still carried a formal demeanour. However, unlike the previous emotionless delivery that seemed to spit out mechanically inputted words, his current voice now held a calm cadence.

“Even now, I am still ‘Gio,’ you see.”

Nevertheless, black cloak’s words were true.

“…….”

Yoo Sung-woon asked.

“…How many such ‘Gios’ are there?”

“As far as I know, there are three for now.”

“I see.”

He could be certain.

‘Gio’s Portrait is at the centre, and numerous personalities coexist within it.’

To understand how that was possible, it seemed like he needed to hear more.

“The current Gio… should I simply call you Gio?”

“It doesn’t matter. I was called that before as well.”

“If you were ‘called that,’ does that mean you have a different real name?”

“It’s not quite an alias or a real name.”

Gio, dyed in faded colours, looked every bit the polite and noble aristocrat—yet his faint smile revealed a lighthearted cheerfulness. It was a stark contrast to ‘Seo Gio’ who carried a presence heavier than a thousand-catty weight.

“Once, in this appearance, I went by the name ‘Giovanni.’”

One might say he seemed affectionate and gentle at heart, while outwardly appearing as a healthy, vigorous young man. Wherever he went, he seemed the type to be adored by elders and make many friends.

“People calling me ‘Gio’ was merely a nickname. Hence, there’s nothing strange about Mr. Yoo Sung-woon calling me Gio.”

“…So you’re a different person from ‘Seo Gio’?”

“A very similar, yet completely different person. Though now we are one, that was how it was before.”

“…I see….”

Therefore, the probability that a person named ‘Seo Gio’ actually existed on this Earth increases.

‘I need to discuss this part with the guild leader. Since he seemed to be investigating something, he might have some information even now.’

As Yoo Sung-woon pondered over the guild leader’s inexplicably gloomy behaviour, he soon arrived at a conjecture.

‘Is Gio’s Portrait… repeating death and resurrection?’

It had already been revealed through dungeons and beings of origin that this world contained dimensions beyond Earth.

Then, the ‘Giovanni’ before his eyes now could have been another type of ‘Gio’s Portrait’ that once lived in a different dimension.

‘If that’s the case, it also explains why the portrait’s personality centred on the name Gio. After completing one lifetime, it might return to its portrait state—slowly restoring its past personality….’

Gio had clearly stated, ‘As far as I know, there are three for now’. This meant more personalities could exist—and that Gio himself was aware of that possibility.

If Yoo Sung-woon’s current speculation was correct, how long would this portrait’s personality restoration continue? Would it ever end? What if a personality hostile to humanity were to be restored…?

“…….”

No, this was still mere conjecture.

‘…But I now understand that there’s Gio’s Portrait at the centre, and around it are numerous personalities named Gio. That alone is a reason enough to be prepared.’

Yoo Sung-woon rolled his eyes.

‘If this portrait’s situation could be considered a kind of cycle of past lives, then despite its numerous personalities, its way of thinking—defining itself simply as Gio—can be explained.’

After organizing his thoughts briefly, Yoo Sung-woon asked.

“…Then, are there any points I should be cautious about? Even if the person called Seo Gio likes sweet potatoes, Giovanni might dislike them. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me such things to keep in mind.”

“I don’t believe there are major points to be cautious about.”

“But, uh, how do I put this. If we establish some kind of rules, I can be more polite… Let’s make things comfortable for each other in advance.”

“Hmm….”

Despite the personality change, his sensitivity to manners and good and evil remained intact—and fortunately, Yoo Sung-woon’s words got through. The pale but gentle-coloured young man answered after a brief contemplation.

“It’s hard to leave patients alone when I see them.”

“…Oh?”

Come to think of it, he had checked on Cha Eun-hyuk’s condition before when he was bitten by Honey.

“Did you say you were a doctor? No, a priest?”

“Both are correct. As a priest, I also worked as a doctor. From there, I went further—building a hospital in a rural village and travelling around to treat people.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Truthfully, even if you ask me to list rules now, nothing comes to mind.”

The young man smiled awkwardly and continued.

“I suppose it’s something like, I would prefer it if you didn’t insult the Sun God in front of me, that sort of thing?”

“Speaking ill of others is rude. I’ll be careful to ensure such a thing doesn’t happen.”

“Thank you, and…”

“And?”

“……”

Seeming to recall something, Giovanni spoke again.

“I might be a bit sensitive about mermaids.”

“…Mermaids?”

Come to think of it, even during Gio’s first tour, he had unusually brought up the topic of ‘mermaids’. Making a reasonable deduction, Yoo Sung-woon asked.

“When you were Giovanni, did you live with mermaids?”

“Yes. It was a world where two races, humans and mermaids, coexisted.”

“In what sense are you sensitive about them?”

“In various ways ….”

Gio shrugged his shoulders.

“I was killed by being eaten by a mermaid.”

Just around the time one might consider it a sensitive topic, Gio continued speaking in his usual composed voice.

“But that wasn’t because the child wanted it.”

“…….”

“Back then, humans and mermaids were embroiled in severe conflict, and my students and I were captured and subjected to unreasonable punishments for the crime of forming bonds.”

“…So you’re saying that mermaid child ate you?”

“That child must have been hungry.”

He added with a composed smile.

“I was already on the verge of death at that time anyway.”

“…I didn’t expect to hear about your death like this….”

“Was the story too sudden?”

“A bit, yes.”

“I don’t remember it very well either.”

As the words left his lips, all colour drained from him in an instant, and Gio reverted back to his shadow-like blackness. This was the ‘Gio’s Portrait’ Yoo Sung-woon knew well—the person who was also ‘Seo Gio’.

Now coldly settled into an expression devoid of even a hint of a smile, Gio continued.

“I’m still in the process of remembering.”

“So you’re gradually recovering the memories of your personalities over time like that?”

“There are times when I often get confused. Whether I liked the sea or disliked swimming. Such trivial details sometimes clash between ‘Gio’s, you see.”

“It sounds like a real headache… Is it really okay…?”

“The process isn’t as chaotic as you imagine.”

Gio’s voice was heavy, yet calm.

“It’s closer to recalling forgotten childhood memories.”

“That’s a relief then.”

Suddenly, Yoo Sung-woon felt he understood where the heavy silence emanating from Gio originated.

‘…This portrait was forged from countless deaths beyond what I could imagine.’

No wonder it felt so heavy and quiet.

For death is such a thing.

***

“…….”

His consciousness.

Emerges to the water surface.

“…Ah….”

Sunlight came into view.

“…….”

“Excuse me, are you alright?”

A youthful voice was heard.

“Can you breathe?”

“…Cough, cough.”

“Thank goodness, you’re awake.”

“…….”

When he opened his eyes, he saw pure white pupils.

The pearl-coloured eyes with a mysterious hue were something only mermaids could possess.

“…A mermaid?”

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of harming you.”

“Why am I here….”

Only then did he come to his senses.

“Ah.”

He had gone out to the sea, then was caught by a mermaid and dragged into the water.

“Did you save me?”

“Ah, yes.”

The mermaid, who appeared to be male, spoke with an apologetic look on his young face.

“I’m sorry, it was my older sister who dragged you into the sea.”

“I’ve never heard of mermaids eating humans… Wasn’t that just a superstition?”

“It is a superstition. She didn’t take you to eat you. But my older sister is very curious about humans, so she probably pulled you in to observe or analyze you more closely.”

“I thought I was going to die, but thanks to you I survived. Thank you for your kindness.”

The young mermaid seemed to have expected him to get angry, but he wasn’t particularly upset. Not only did the mermaid who dragged him underwater have no ill intent, but he also recalled that she was very young.

Even if humans and mermaids were said to have a terrible relationship, he harboured no ill feelings toward mermaids. Especially since mermaids possessed thought processes and emotional systems different from humans, it wouldn’t be strange if they abruptly dragged a human into the sea.

“Hmm….”

Looking around, it was the same beach where he had initially been strolling.

“So you brought me all the way back here.”

“Since my older sister inconvenienced you, ensuring your basic safety is the least I could do.”

“I fully understand how fortunate I am to have met such a kind mermaid.”

He almost died after all.

“However, there’s a village nearby. You seem quite young even for a mermaid—if you linger here too long, the villagers might attack.”

“Ah, there’s a village here?”

“Yes. Recently, three families lost members to mermaids, leaving them highly agitated. If they spot a young mermaid like you, their resentment might drive them to harm you… While I appreciate your kindness, it’s best for you to leave quickly.”

“Thank you for sharing the information I need to protect myself.”

The young mermaid seemed delighted, perhaps this was his first interaction with humans.

“I’m glad that the first human I’ve conversed with is such a kind person. Do you live in this village?”

“I was just looking around, considering whether to settle down here. I’m a priest who left the temple to establish a hospital, but I suppose mermaids don’t particularly like followers of the Sun God, right?”

“My older sister and I don’t mind such things.”

Mermaids worshipped the Deep Sea God, while humans worshipped the Sun God.

Given their differing ways of thinking, dietary habits, and everything else—traits that easily sparked both large and small conflicts between humans and mermaids—such a peaceful conversation was nothing short of a miracle.

And perhaps, the young mermaid didn’t want to let go of that small miracle.

“My name is Iser. May I visit you occasionally? If it’s alright, I’ll bring my older sister to formally apologize.”

“Iser… In the sea language, it means Milky Way, right? It’s a nice name.”

The weak should be protected and treated with kindness. Even if the one in question was a mermaid rather than a human, the sun’s warmth had the power to reach anywhere.

“My name is Giovanni.”

And so, Giovanni built a bond with the young mermaids.

It was a blissful time.

***

“…….”

Lying on the hotel bed, Giovanni blinked.

“…Ah….”

He was crying.

This, too, must be a lingering attachment.

***

“…….”

“Coo.”

“…….”

“Coor.”

“…….”

“Coongcoongcoong….”

“Ha.”

Only when he heard his son’s disgruntled cries did Gio finally snap back to reality.

“The synchronization rate has risen significantly.”

The last he remembered, it was around 31%—yet in just a day, it had surged to 59%. After confirming Giovanni’s synchronization rate which now had nearly doubled, Gio pieced together the situation.

“Was it because of the dream?”

No, more likely—

“That child I saw at the event venue ….”

The one with blue hair.

“…….”

“Coorr?”

“Dad’s not sleeping.”

“Coo.”

“Right.”

Although it has become a hazy memory like a dream, for some reason, the child at the event venue looked strikingly similar to the one he saw in his dream.

Perhaps their matching hair colour had triggered Giovanni’s memories.

‘Could it possibly be that child I saw in the dream?’

Thinking this, Gio soon shook his head.

“Unlikely.”

Even if calculated generously, it was a story of dimensions worlds apart—one that would require crossing twenty-five neighbourhoods just to meet. A child who should be in Giovanni’s dimension couldn’t possibly be in Seo Gio’s.

“Even if it were true, claiming to know someone as Giovanni with only 33.3% purity would be downright shameless.”

It’d be like being a stingy boss who pads salaries with gift coupons instead of a proper paycheck.

“…….”

Well, anyway.

Gio just decided to go to bed.

“Lie down, Honey.”

“Coo.”

“You’re warm.”

No matter what past or future loomed, Gio—with his nerves of steel—paid it no mind.

Though it might’ve been wise to worry a little.