The Artist Who Paints Dungeon

After completing Day 3, Yoo Sung-woon confirmed that the portrait had closed its eyes.

He went to find the guild leader as soon as it was 9 AM.

“It’s dangerous.”

“What’s dangerous?”

“That portrait is dangerous.”

He reported with a calm face.

“The portrait’s goodwill towards us humans is irrelevant. There are indeed monsters that rarely show goodwill towards humans, but it’s also true that their goodwill has become a great poison to humans.”

“Are you saying that Gio’s Portrait has the same kind of goodwill as those monsters?”

Yoo Sung-woon reported what he had confirmed.

“That portrait knows exactly what it’s doing, how it appears, and the impact of its actions. It’s completely different from the monsters that suffocated people by indiscriminately spreading goodwill.”

Above all.

“It perceives himself as a human.”

So it would try to interact with humans in some way. He doesn’t seem to be reluctant to converse.

“But at the same time, he didn’t see us as humans.”

“Then?”

“Gio judges us as paintings. That’s how he appreciates us.”

Yoo Sung-woon felt Gio’s powerful soul. It was something that any creature with intelligence could naturally feel without any sophisticated analytical equipment or skills.

It wasn’t just the dignified gait, the heavy atmosphere, or the noble appearance that exuded power. Yoo Sung-woon still couldn’t forget the profoundness he felt when he looked into Gio’s black eyes.

The appearance of something immensely vast pretending to be a mere human.

“Yet it calls itself human. Whether it really thinks that way or is trying to be, it seemed genuinely sincere. It wasn’t a lie.”

In such a case, even though it was normally safe, once something happened, it was bound to escalate beyond imagination.

Because he was fully aware of what he was doing.

“Moreover, he’s sensitive to good and evil. Yet, we don’t know where its standards come from. Even if we consider it as something ordinary, if ‘Gio’ concludes that it’s evil …. I can’t even imagine what would happen.”

“You really can't imagine?”

“Yes, this time… probably not.”

Yoo Sung-woon sighed.

“There is no group to compare, nor is there any data that can be used as a reference. This is my first time dealing with a talking portrait.”

Weapons with consciousness are treated as rarities and are loved by many hunters. But a portrait with consciousness, whose identity is impossible to tell whether it’s a ghost, a monster, or a human—

Even for him, who has had many unique experiences, this case was difficult.

“Have you thought about sending it to the Hunter Association for research ….”

“Do you think I would?”

“I knew it. I know, that’s what I thought.”

Yoo Sung-woon covered the corner of his mouth as if to stifle a sigh, then controlled his expression before continuing.

“Then I’ll report to you periodically. It’s hard to identify its exact nature in just a day or two.”

“Please do. I plan to try talking to it again soon, but it would be hard if I get ignored again, so please find out what Gio likes.”

“That’s a very personal request, but I understand. It’s my job, so there’s no need to ask. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

“I wonder why all of our employees are so chic.”

“Maybe it’s because you’ve only gathered such people.”

That was how Yoo Sung-woon started coming to work at 4:30 every morning.

***

“Aren’t you lonely?”

At Yoo Sung-woon’s question, the portrait blinked twice.

“I’m not lonely.”

Still a blunt answer.

Yoo Sung-woon faintly smiled.

“If it was an inappropriate question, I apologize, but this place is not frequented by people other than the employees who come to manage the artwork.”

“I just guessed … that perhaps coming out of the portrait to look around sometimes was partly due to such emotions.”

“I like places without people, so it’s fine.”

“Do you feel uncomfortable having conversations?”

“That’s not it. However…”

The portrait continued.

“I’ve already spoken so much that I’ve imagined a future where I don’t have to speak all the time.”

“A quiet place where I don’t have to speak too much, don’t have to be involved too much down, and don’t have to care too much …. That’s what I’ve always wanted. This place suits my wish.”

Then Yoo Sung-woon asked.

“… Were you a human before?”

“I am still a human now.”

“Ah, that’s right. So what I meant was … were you an ordinary human being not living inside the painting? Ordinary people usually aren’t framed.”

“Yes, I was.”

“I see.”

There are two types of humanoid monsters.

Those who were born as monsters but evolved to take on human forms, and those who were originally humans but became part of the ‘origin’ at some point and turned into monsters.

‘Is this the latter case?’

Monsters with memories of being human usually are especially swayed by negative emotions.

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‘This one seems… rather peaceful.’

But it wasn’t a pleasant kind of peace.

It was like a funeral.

'Gio's Portrait' looked exactly like someone's death.

“Well, then… aren’t you bored?”

“Sometimes I am bored.”

“How do you deal with such boredom? Do you have your own way?”

“I usually eat.”

Ah, this was quite surprising.

“… Eat?”

“Yes.”

The portrait answered in its characteristic blunt voice.

“I enjoy eating.”

He hoped the ingredients weren’t human.

‘… It doesn’t look like a face that would enjoy eating.’

If one were to think of him as an ordinary human, well, it also didn’t seem like he was obsessed with food.

‘… Rather, he had the impression of not feeling impressed by anything, showing a cold-blooded indifference.’

He is an eye-catching handsome man. His physique is not thin, but neither is it thick.

The pale skin, the very dark eyelids, the face that doesn’t move like a marble sculpture. It didn’t look like he would find enjoyment in eating.

But there was something more surprising.

“If it’s not too rude to ask…”

“I can eat.”

“Yes, sorry. I asked something obvious.”

A painting that eats.

“May I ask how do you eat?”

At Yoo Sung-woon’s question, ‘Gio’ answered as if it was nothing special.

“I cook. I think of the food I want to eat, get the right ingredients, prepare them, put a pan on the fire or in the wood-fired oven … and finish cooking.”

“Because I’m an ordinary human.”

Even though the way he explained it made him feel even less human.

When Yoo Sung-woon didn’t respond, the portrait described another case.

“There’s also another way to feel enjoyment while being inside the portrait.”

“Oh, how is that…?”

“I need a little help, but Mr. Yoo Sung-woon can also give me some enjoyment.”

“… What kind of enjoyment are you talking about?”

The ability to give enjoyment. For a moment, he was anxious as the monsters’ rampage in history came to mind, but the portrait didn’t demand living sacrifices or warm blood.

Like black paint on paper, he looked at Yoo Sung-woon with emotionless eyes.

“Are you good at drawing?”

“… If you can describe the object, then I can draw it. Sometimes I have to include drawings of unfamiliar objects or plants in reports…”

“Then please draw an apple.”

“It’s not difficult, is it?”

Yoo Sung-woon asked back with a slightly surprised face.

“… Do you mean … on the portrait?”

“That’s right.”

“… I understand.”

‘Gio’s Portrait’ is an entity with clear rules. Yoo Sung-woon was not foolish enough to ignore the demands of such an enigmatic being.

He took out paints and brushes from the hard case he always carried. Seeing this, the portrait asked.

“Do you always carry art supplies with you?”

“I try to carry a variety of items as much as possible. You never know what will happen in this gallery, so it’s better for my well-being to be prepared in various ways.”

“I see.”

Although the portrait’s response was still calm, Yoo Sung-woon couldn’t help but feel a chill inside.

‘What would have happened if I didn’t have my drawing tools…’

The ‘Gio’ he had been conversing with so far was a being with its own flexibility, but, well, this otherworldly being always showed an unpredictable side.

Yoo Sung-woon quietly took a deep breath and placed his brush on the portrait. He felt a sense of immorality, as if he was defiling a noble work.

“I'm not that good at drawing.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Uhm…”

He soon drew a bright red apple.

“… It’s not a very pretty apple.”

Yoo Sung-woon smiled awkwardly.

“Here I drew the apple you wanted.”

“I got it.”

“Can I eat it?”

As he said so, ‘Gio’ reached out for the apple drawn in the corner of the portrait.

“Thank you.”

It moved.

A white and thick hand soon picked up Yoo Sung-woon’s apple.

And then,

Crunch.

The yellow flesh inside the red apple was visible.

The portrait that looked like a model said after taking a bite of the apple.

“It’s delicious.”

“It's ripe and smells good. It’s a bit small, but it’s perfect for a snack.”

“That…”

This was the first time he had seen such a thing.

“Is it fascinating?”

Yes, it was fascinating.

Enough to make his heart flutter a little.

“…It’s amazing.”

Yoo Sung-woon was a person who observed and managed out-of-ordinary beings. He had been doing this since he was formerly with the Hunter Association.

Since dungeons appeared and monsters emerged, Yoo Sung-woon had always been in charge of exploring and researching the strange phenomena and beings at the centre of it.

There was certainly pride and satisfaction in that. He was able to be in this position also because he loved it.

“Honestly, yes, I was surprised… It’s my first time seeing something like this.”

“I understand.”

“So, are you currently eating the apple in the painting?”

'Gio' nodded his head.

“I’m an ordinary human, but I exist within the painting. Therefore, I can also be said to be a painting. In the same context, I can do a lot of things within the painting.”

“On days I don’t feel like cooking, I draw completed dishes like this. It’s convenient.”

“… I see.”

“So, I can repay your kindness.”

The portrait blinked twice.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I'm not ready right now.”

“… I understand.”

“Thank you.”

Day 4, completed.

***

When the portrait closed and opened his eyes, there was a brush in his hand.

'Gio' started to draw.

It was very red, just like the apple Yoo Sung-woon had painted at dawn yesterday.

The shape was a triangle with rounded lines. The structure was clearly three-dimensional, and the transparent light made it even clearer. The light, seemingly soft and warm as if struck by the sun, shattered into pieces and spread across the entire structure.

The colour resembled a pomegranate. It was transparent and red. But it was even redder than that. The stark red colour, as if filled with freshly spilt blood, was so intense that it hurt to look at for too long.

It soon came to life.

Its edge became as sharp as a knife.

And it embraced darkness, eventually casting scattered shadows beneath it.

“Here.”

The portrait spoke.

“This is my gift in return.”

As he pushed out the red gem that seemed to contain a heart with his finger,

Tap, thud.

It fell onto Yoo Sung-woon’s hand.

“It’s yours.”

“… This is ….”

He asked.

“What kind of gem is this?”

“I don’t know.”

“But it must have been deep underground to be hot enough.”

'Gio' continued the story of the gem.

“After being in a place hot enough to be the heart of a planet, perhaps it had developed warmth like its friend. Then, after a very long time, it was discovered by human hands … and would have taken a beautiful form.”

Whose story could this be?

“… That’s an interesting story.”

“If it sounded that way to you, I’m glad.”

“Haha…”

Yoo Sung-woon let out a hollow laugh subconsciously.

“What did you use to paint this gem? Obviously your brush clearly had no paint on it…”

“This gem looks real.”

The portrait did not answer.

Instead, Yoo Sung-woon asked,

“May I take this with me?”

“You gave me a gift.”

He was referring to that clumsy apple drawing.

“This gem is my reciprocation.”

The portrait’s words sounded exactly like the devil’s. Even though there was absolutely no reason for it, but the strangeness, haziness, and ecstasy made him think so.

And unable to bear the sense of unreality, Yoo Sung-woon expressed his honest feelings.

“You’re right.”

“Yes.”

“And that sounds exactly like an answer given by the devil.”

He couldn’t contain his curiosity. That’s what a researcher was like.

“Why do you always answer with such simple language? Gio, you, well … you speak in a very simple and precise manner that could satisfy other people’s wishes.”

“I know this is a rude question. But I have no choice but to ask. Could it be that it was because you lack human emotions? Or did you choose to be that way?”

The portrait looked at Yoo Sung-woon without answering.

After a while, only after it blinked twice, ‘Gio’ replied,

“I don’t understand what Mr. Yoo Sung-woon is saying. I haven’t used overly simple grammar, nor have I given answers to satisfy people’s desires or wishes.”

“I have always been like this.”

His voice was still blunt and soft, but it seemed twisted somewhere.

It was not peaceful. As if a dead person buried in a coffin had been dragged out into the world of the living, it was still quiet and yet somehow strange…

“I have human emotions, to the point that I don't know why I need to explain it.”

“It’s not that I have no emotions, nor is it my choice, whatever it may be. I have always been like this.”

The portrait seemed angry, and occasionally seemed as if he was making excuses for being stabbed in a sore spot, or perhaps it was truly frustrated because he couldn’t understand what the other person was saying.

Yet maybe all of this was just his misconception, and he felt nothing.

‘I don’t know what you’re thinking.’

Yoo Sung-woon said cautiously,

“Of course, I know. I know you’re just an ordinary human.”

“You seem to feel loneliness, joy … and many other emotions. But you have a way of speaking that doesn’t show any emotions or personal desires. As if you had nothing …”

As if it’s just a kind of service.

‘… I shouldn’t say any more.’

Yoo Sung-woon felt curious. At the same time he was also impressed. Although he was employed by Bi Sa-beol as a curator, his essence was always ‘research‘.

The portrait opened its mouth again.

“I am an ordinary human.”

He continues to speak.

“I wanted to eat an apple, so I asked Mr. Yoo Sung-woon to draw it for me.”

“Yes.”

“That was my personal wish. Mr. Yoo Sung-woon drew an apple for me, so I gave you a gift in return. We gave each other gifts, and that’s just common courtesy between people.”

“I see.”

“I was just being polite.”

“So, I don’t quite understand what you are saying.”

It was impossible to tell whether his words were lies or truth. It was difficult to read his intentions from the voice with a constant pitch.

“Do you know that your eyes are very black?”

“Quite a bit of people have black eyes.”

“That’s correct.”

“Black eyes are common. There’s nothing special about them.”

“Don’t think of me as too special. It would be better not to.”

It was like a giant whale explaining to a human that it is small.

Did he deny that statement despite knowing it is contradictory?

‘Or does it really not know?’

'Gio's' blunt face obscured all his inner truth.

“…I’ll be careful.”

Day 5, completed.

After that, the portrait did not open its eyes for a while.

Ah, really.

“I should fix this habit…”

Did he make him run away?

***

It’s hard to socialize after such a long time.

“… Should I rest?”

His ultimate positive mindset is activated.

‘Let’s rest.’

And so, he returned to his countryside life.

“Ta-da.”

This was the reason why Gio was stuck in the portrait for ten days.