The Artist Who Paints Dungeon

They move to the dinner place by boat.

“This is the boat we'll be taking.”

“Oh.”

Romantic youth Gio's heart raced.

'To travel by waterway to the restaurant….'

It felt just like being in Venice.

“With both roads and waterways around, it's quite an unusual sight.”

“Is it? Well, I heard there were almost no waterways in Korea before the Great Catastrophe.”

“Why were they made?”

Gio asked as he boarded the water taxi following Yoo Sung-woon.

“You'd need a large amount of water to create a waterway.”

“It wasn't intentional. It wasn't that they brought water in to make waterways, but rather there was just too much water, so they made the waterways to control it.”

“Are you saying there was that much water?”

“The water level was significantly high compared to the height of the land.”

It was so high that it would have been unbearable if they hadn't made the waterways. Just how far this hellish Korea could go?

Yoo Sung-woon continued his explanation.

“Most of the areas are still unexplored by humans, but there are so many dungeons that appeared under the sea, and monsters that came out of them. I heard that the water level rose because the physical volume inside the sea increased.”

“If it's that much, it must be hard for only one or two monsters to cause that.”

Just how many, and how big, must the monsters that settled on Earth be for it to be unbearable without creating waterways?

Yoo Sung-woon, understanding Gio's question, spoke up.

“There are many underwater monsters large enough to easily surpass the size of a building.”

“I see.”

“And it's not just one monster, there are various kinds with many of them, so naturally, the water level would have risen compared to before the Great Catastrophe. Actually, I heard that our country wasn't originally a place where the seawater rose this much….”

“How do they manage the seawater that has risen in the countryside?”

“I've heard they've dug waterways enough that it doesn't significantly harm farming or daily life too much. They made various paths to prevent the salt from the seawater from seeping into the land, but since they don't have as much capital as the cities… farming near the waterways would be difficult, I suppose.”

“So, the areas where the seawater flows in excessively have been focusing on fishing instead of farming from the beginning. Some fishes from famous areas are even imported to the cities.”

Despite the situation, it seems like everyone has found ways to survive.

'Human adaptability is truly incredible.'

In any case, Gio was intimidated.

'I should stay tucked away in the portrait.'

Earth had become a world where it was nearly impossible to survive with just romance, passion, and hope, without any practical power.

In such a tough world, how strong must one become to live while paying monthly rent on time? It was clear that this was a level Gio couldn’t even dream of.

“I believe you mentioned that the restaurant itself is floating on water.”

“Well, it's more like a restaurant built on a small island than floating, really….”

“I heard it's located within the Han River.”

As he sat in the taxi seat, Gio asked.

“Was there always an island there?”

He knew that there were small islands like Nodeul Island 31 years ago. But Yoo Sung-woon said that the restaurant was sitting alone without any other structures nearby, so he wondered how such a location came to be.

Yoo Sung-woon easily answered.

“That's because it used to be the site of a fixed dungeon.”

“…A fixed dungeon?”

“…Oh, do you not know much about dungeons?”

Judging from his confused face, he must have assumed that Gio would naturally know about it. But unfortunately, reality wasn't like that.

In the blink of an eye, Gio had become an ancestor from 31 years ago, unable to keep up with the changing times and thus left behind.

'How did I, who once instilled social values in Korea’s children, end up like this?'

Kids, I miss being your teacher.

Thankfully, Yoo Sung-woon soon returned to his usual calm expression and began explaining.

“Dungeons are usually divided into fixed and mobile types. As the name suggests, fixed dungeons stay in one place, while mobile dungeons move according to their own rules. Fixed dungeons can even create terrain that originally wasn’t there.”

“Does that mean the restaurant we're heading to now was built on such created terrain?”

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“Yeah, that's the theme of the restaurant in the first place. The dungeon that was originally there was related to cooking, and because it was moved by the food of an ordinary chef who wasn't even a hunter but got involved by chance …. it was cleared.”

“Aha.”

The story was incredibly touching.

“A grand restaurant was left behind at the location where the dungeon was cleared, and the chef who participated in the conquest at that time was said to have inherited and run the restaurant ever since. He's already 92 years old, but he's still active on-site.”

“92 years old?”

“Quite long-lived for a human, right?”

Yoo Sung-woon laughed once and continued speaking.

“Since he was awakened as a chef after clearing a dungeon, he probably isn’t as affected by age. There would be support from skills or items, too. If you see him in person, he likely looks to be in his 50s.”

“He often participates in national-level raids and takes care of the team's meals, so seems like his combat skills must not be bad either. I haven't seen it myself, but I heard his main weapon is a nail-studded baseball bat.”

“A baseball bat….”

“Surprising, right? I thought he'd use a kitchen knife. But he said in an interview, how could he use the knives he cooks with to slice monsters? I guess chefs really have a different mindset.”

“Oh.”

Gio felt like he understood that mindset, but in any case, he was still intimidated. Humanity had become stronger.

“Do Awakeners age more slowly?”

“As far as I know, most of them do. At least, if they're C-rank hunters or higher.”

“So, C-rank is the standard for a good hunter….”

“The general reality or perception itself is along those lines.

It was truly a frightening world.

'Everything Grandma said was right. Always live humbly and politely.'

He didn't want to live only to end up being exorcised as a haunted portrait.

Gio was worried.

'I also need to come up with a good survival strategy. If the portrait burns, I don't know what will happen to my cabin, and just living diligently doesn't mean I can prevent all disasters….'

But he didn't want to pass as a human and return to live on Earth either.

“What are you thinking?”

“I think Earth is a scary place.”

“Huh…?”

It was really terrifying.

“Why are you suddenly scared? You're not even a target for subjugation.”

“That's true.”

But on the other hand, if he did become a target for subjugation, he might be torn apart.

'I like things as they are now.'

Was there a way to keep being treated like a haunted portrait while avoiding criticism and attacks from people?

Gio decided to think more about how to ensure his comfortable survival.

First, though, he needed to eat.

“…It smells good.”

“Right, we haven’t even seen the restaurant yet. Isn’t it fascinating?”

“Is this smell only from this waterway?”

“I think I heard it's a kind of promotional strategy.”

“I understand.”

Far from unpleasant, the fact that this waterway emitted such a delightful smell was fascinating, but what was even more strange was that the scent of the sea and the food could be distinguished separately.

'…To think there’s scent of the sea in the middle of the city….'

If he lowered his head just a little, only the scent of the sea filled his senses. It was a pungent, brain-piercing, salty smell of seawater.

It made him feel nostalgic.

Gio leaned closer to the water’s surface.

“Gio, that looks dangerous.”

“I just wanted to smell it for a moment because I like the scent of the sea.”

Gio's voice, immersed in old memories, softened considerably.

“It's strange that it smells like the sea even though this is a waterway connected to the Han River.”

“Well, unless it's in the mountains, all the rivers and waterways in places like this are strongly mixed with seawater….”

“Is that so?”

Giovanni loved this scent.

The scent of the sea.

The scent of a mermaid.

“…

It made him want to dive deep into that scent.

It tugged at his heartstrings.

“Gio, stop.”

“…Even the driver looks alarmed.”

At those words, Gio looked at the water taxi driver.

He was looking at Gio with an extremely flustered face, also seemingly a little scared.

“…I see.”

Gio acknowledged that he had acted rudely.

“Apologies, this is my first time on a waterway, and my curiosity got the better of me.”

“It's fine, I was just worried you might get hurt, not angry.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Yoo Sung-woon's face showed ‘concern’, but the driver’s face appeared closer to ‘fear’, though Gio just let it pass without thinking much. It was natural to be scared if the passengers you were carrying looked like they were about to fall into the water.

'Like a passenger suddenly opening the door and jumping out onto the highway…'

Gio successfully convinced himself.

‘Otherwise, it might be that I unknowingly let out some weird energy again.’

Just like how it had happened a few times before at Yoo Sung-woon's company.

Gio quietly sat back down, reflecting on the fact that he had been distracted by the fascinating waterway and caused trouble.

Yoo Sung-woon, who had been watching him as if observing something, hesitated with a face that seemed to ask, ‘Is it okay to ask this?’ and then cautiously inquired.

“Do you like the sea?”

“… Yes?”

No? Not really?

“I don't particularly like it.”

“But earlier, at Cheonggyecheon and here in the waterway, it seemed like you were particularly fond of the sea's scent. Of course, I apologize if I was mistaken.”

“There's nothing to apologize for. I don't dislike the sea, but I don't exactly like it either…”

Gio then quickly changed his words after saying so.

“…Come to think of it, maybe I do.”

“Huh?”

“I think I consider myself indifferent, but I might actually like it.”

It sounded strange, but it wasn't exactly wrong either. ‘Gio’ had no strong feelings toward the sea, but ‘Giovanni’ was different.

So when asked 'Do you like the sea?' Gio could only answer both yes and no. Since both thoughts were his own, it was hard to deny either one.

However, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

“Are there mermaids here too?”

“…Mermaids?”

Meanwhile, Yoo Sung-woon sensed the strangeness similar to what he felt at Cheonggyecheon once more.

‘He definitely said ‘here too.”

Gio seemed to have some kind of connection with mermaids.

“Hmm…”

After a moment of thought, Yoo Sung-woon slowly nodded.

“Sometimes, creatures like that do emerge. Even if they're not necessarily monsters… there are entities that take on such forms.”

“In a world where worshipping statues, legends, or myths can bring real monsters into existence, mermaid-related creatures do appear from time to time in different parts of the Earth.”

“Is that so?”

“There's a famous fairy tale by a very old author called ‘The Little Mermaid.'”

The Little Mermaid.

The familiar words made Gio fall into thoughts once again. He was thinking about ‘Giovanni's request.

‘Come to think of it, there was a quest related to The Little Mermaid.’

But for now, he decided to leave it aside.

“It seems like we're almost there. It's a fancy restaurant.”

“Oh, you're right.”

“I'm looking forward to it since the building is more impressive than I expected.”

They say you shouldn't worry while at the dining table.

***

A luxurious restaurant that seemed to be made of ivory and marble was blended together.

It was beautifully decorated like a castle, yet its structure—with several rooms, stairs, and lobbies mixed together—was inefficient, as if not built by humans.

Yet, ironically, this oddity only served to solidify the restaurant's concept.

White, pink, light green, sky blue.

The soft pastel tones, scattered like patchwork on an ivory-coloured canvas, gave off a dreamlike quality that made people feel dazed.

It was breathtakingly beautiful.

“There's something I didn't get a chance to ask earlier…”

Meanwhile, Yoo Sung-woon and Gio's party had taken their seats at a cream-coloured table.

Gio, now seated, asked a question.

“This place was said to have been made from the remnants of a fixed dungeon, right?”

“Hmm? Yes, that's correct.”

“Then, do fixed dungeons always leave behind terrain or buildings like this after being cleared? And is that how this dungeon left behind this land and restaurant?”

“Ah… yeah, something like that.”

Perhaps thinking it would be good to clear up any lingering questions before the main meal arrived, Yoo Sung-woon explained with his characteristic easygoing smile.

“Dungeons come in various types, whether fixed or mobile ones. Usually, they are categorized into virtual dungeons, villa dungeons, or entry dungeons.”

“There are three kinds?”

“Actually, there are more than that, but these three are the most commonly known dungeons.”

Yoo Sung-woon folded his fingers as he continued his explanation.

“In the case of virtual dungeons, there are no clear boundaries. The dungeon randomly traps individuals meeting certain conditions, and the game takes place in a virtual world. For example, ten men in their thirties who visit a convenience store exactly at 9 p.m. might be pulled into a game, where the game board resembles the convenience store.”

“That sounds incredibly unfair.”

“Exactly, and that's why virtual dungeons are such a headache for hunters. How many of those ten men in their thirties would actually be suitable hunters for clearing the dungeon? Virtual dungeons are quite rare, but they're hard to avoid and cause a lot of damage, making them a real concern for modern people.”

A world where this could be considered a ‘concern for modern people’ seems to be a bit unsettling.

Yoo Sung-woon, unaware that Gio had become completely terrified thanks to his stiff facial muscles, continued his explanation calmly.

“Next, we have villa dungeons. This is when some random terrain and rules suddenly appear on Earth.”

“Is this restaurant an example of that?”

“You've got it. Just like you said, this restaurant building was created as part of a villa dungeon. One day, out of nowhere, a restaurant suddenly appeared in the middle of the Han River.”

Yoo Sung-woon rolled his eyes as if recalling the memory.

“As far as I know, this restaurant wasn’t just a restaurant built on top of a new terrain. It’s an excessively long restaurant with a basement deep enough to reach all the way to the riverbed, but since only the restaurant is visible above the water, it's known as the ‘water-floating restaurant.'”

He nodded as he continued.

“In this way, villa dungeons mean that mansions from other dimensions suddenly get built on Earth. Since the area has already been replaced with such terrain, there's no way to restore it. So even after a villa dungeon has been cleared, it usually remains in place, with only its rules gone. How to handle and utilize it is left up to the people of Earth.”

“And the last one is the entry dungeon. This one is similar to a game. I'm not sure what kind of games you know, but…”

Yoo Sung-woon shook his last finger as he spoke.

“Unlike virtual dungeons with no physical boundaries or villa dungeons with existing but vague boundaries, entry dungeons are different. It’s a case where a gate appears, and once you enter, you can begin clearing a dimension from another world.”

“Aha…”

It indeed looked like those dimensional portals often seen in games. A game where entering a gate takes you to another map. Gio completely understood now.

As always, Yoo Sung-woon kindly and casually continued his explanation.

“However, examples of utilizing dungeon remnants as a restaurant like this one are pretty rare.”

“It's unique and seems like a good idea, so I'm surprised it's not done more often. Why is that?”

“Humans are fearful creatures.”

Hyung, are you going to keep treating me like a haunted portrait?

“There could be problems with letting regular people in, and there aren’t many people brave enough to live there or make use of the dungeon’s remnants. Above all, these remaining remnants tend to be picky about people… so most of the time, it was preferred to demolish them.”

“Picky about people?”

“Like, if someone it doesn't like comes in, it’ll make them feel chills?”

“That sounds like a haunted house.”

Said the haunted portrait.

Yes, Gio did actually acknowledge his own identity.

‘After all, normal people don't usually build a cabin and live a healing life inside a portrait.’

Gio, who didn’t intend to strongly assert himself as human anyway, made a subtle excuse.

“…I don't give people chills.”

“Sure, sure, Gio is a human. Right?”

“That's right.”

He was so grateful that he ‘yes, yes’ him like a 4-year-old cousin that it almost brought him to tears.