24

Chapter 24

『New Employee Notice』

An unfortunate disturbance related to a strange tale recently occurred within the guild. As the internal confusion has yet to subside, we are issuing this announcement. All employees are expected to familiarize themselves with its contents and refrain from causing further confusion.

………

“What should I write?”

Bisabeol sat before his monitor and pondered for quite some time.

“…Shall I make it entertaining?”

His hands soon began to move.

The name of the man in the black cloak is Gio.

Gio is an employee on the Dawn Shift. Do not question his identity.

………

“Gio.”

As always, Yoo Seongwoon called out to Gio inside the portrait.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes, I am awake.”

“Then I have a proposal I’d like to make.”

Though he maintained a calm appearance, Yoo Seongwoon watched the other party closely. He was making a proposal to a being of the Source. He had to appreciate the gravity of that.

‘And I appreciate it very well.’

By nature, the creatures living within the Source could not communicate with humans. A mere sneeze in the distance might be a grave insult to the other party, while smiling during a conversation might make them sad.

Beings of the Source had rules of their own. From a human perspective, those rules were so irrational and inconsistent that one must never deal with them according to human standards.

“Would you be interested in going outside? I’m only asking on the condition that it’s what you want, of course…”

Endless observation and analysis were the only means of survival.

“You don’t seem to know much about the situation outside. The matter with the seeds last time is one example.”

“You are correct, Yoo Seongwoon. There is much I do not know.”

“That’s why I wondered whether you might like to do some sightseeing. I’ll cover everything you need and all the expenses, and naturally, I’ll remain by your side to guide you.”

“You will guide me?”

“Yes. It means all you literally need to bring is yourself.”

Taking an unidentified being of the Source outside was an audacious gamble, even for Yoo Seongwoon, who knew when to take the plunge. That remained true despite Bisabeol’s permission.

‘…Still, there’s no need to borrow trouble. If necessary, I can pass him off as a new Hunter from outside the city.’

As long as Gio maintained his gentlemanly attitude, no major problem should occur.

Of course, because they did not know Gio’s identity, he might interact with something in reality regardless of his own intentions. That did not matter either. If it was bound to happen, discovering it in advance would be wise.

‘Even if there is a little damage.’

When Yoo Seongwoon waited for his answer, the portrait with the somber, refined face soon spoke.

“Sightseeing.”

Yoo Seongwoon thought he had grown quite accustomed to Gio, yet goosebumps still rose over his skin. The portrait’s tone remained unnaturally blunt.

“Very well.”

“…Really?”

“When would be convenient?”

It was a surprisingly quick answer.

‘I thought he might attack me for trying to drag him out of the portrait.’

Gio was a portrait. From his perspective, an attempt to pull a painting into reality might have felt insulting.

Fortunately, Gio did not appear to care about that issue.

‘Perhaps because he has already come out several times on his own… If so, it was fortunate that we arranged in advance for Gio to move freely.’

Yoo Seongwoon stopped thinking and replied.

“Let’s do it Tuesday morning, two days from now.”

“Could you call me when the time comes? Time seems to flow a little differently here than it does outside, so I will need assistance.”

“That’s no trouble. I’ll come to get you in two days, so you can take your time getting ready and come out then…”

After thinking briefly, Yoo Seongwoon took out a small timer.

“I can also leave this on the floor so you can check it like this. I’ll set it to ring three times at eight in the morning two days from now. This will be more convenient if you want to check the time whenever you please, won’t it?”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Yoo Seongwoon inwardly swallowed a sigh of relief.

‘…He readily accepted the proposal itself. As I thought, Gio is capable of communication compared with other beings of the Source. Of course, because he isn’t human, things occasionally go awry… but he should generally be safe.’

Apparently deciding that their business was finished, the portrait closed its eyes.

“……”

Yoo Seongwoon did not keep Gio any longer.

They would have to remain together all day two days from now, so there was no reason to exhaust each other already. Besides, Yoo Seongwoon had a great deal to prepare for their sightseeing excursion.

‘I should make a reservation at one of the Tamer-Exclusive Hotels. I have no intention of treating Gio like a Contracted Creature, but hotels of that sort are best prepared for emergencies.’

This outing carried considerable danger, so he needed to make thorough preparations without going so far as to displease Gio.

“…But when has that ever not been the case?”

Bisabeol’s position was firm.

Even if some people were harmed, he would smooth matters over as long as it did not become a massacre of fifty or more. Yoo Seongwoon was to determine how Gio’s Portrait reacted among humans.

‘A wise decision.’

Gio could leave the portrait whenever he pleased, without restriction or condition. If an incident was bound to occur, it was better for Yoo Seongwoon, a Curator and Gardener, to be there and observe.

“……”

That did not mean he would ever stop feeling sick of this world, where human lives were treated like insects.

‘…Guild Master Bisabeol said he could handle it even though they’ll be people from inside the city rather than outside it. Harm to fewer than fifty people doesn’t matter, and even if it happens, everything will be fine as long as the media doesn’t learn about it.’

Naturally, it would be far better to finish the tour without anyone dying.

“We have no choice but to rely on Gio’s gentlemanly response in that respect.”

Muttering softly, Yoo Seongwoon left the guild. Even if Gio reacted in a remarkably human fashion, Yoo Seongwoon could not let down his guard.

A human could behave perfectly normally and then throw a screaming fit over lunch the next day. There was no guarantee that a being of the Source was incapable of such duplicity.

‘I’ll make certain the hotel specializes in that field… Should I set a sightseeing route through places where any incident can be contained? Gyeongbokgung Palace is in this area, so it isn’t as though there’s nothing to see.’

Since Gio went so far as to use the name “Seo Gio,” showing him something distinctly Korean did not seem like a bad idea.

‘I think the Gyeongbokgung night market usually opens after six. Since it’s a tourist site in Jongno, there should be many Hunters walking around too. If an incident occurs, it will be easy to borrow Guild Master Bisabeol’s name and request help.’

Perhaps because he had been working overtime so often lately—or because he was worrying too much—his head felt slightly foggy.

‘I’ll also need to decide how to introduce Gio when the time comes…’

If an incident occurred, it would probably be best to report it voluntarily to the Association. Since the Association President had once set her sights on it, the organization could not be entirely ignorant of Gio’s Portrait.

“…Phew…”

After stepping outside, Yoo Seongwoon released a deep sigh.

“What a headache.”

His breath did not mist.

“……”

Yoo Seongwoon muttered idly,

“…Wow. This is why working for a major corporation is so wonderful.”

Scratching the back of his head, he resumed walking. Overtime was now guaranteed, but he had more than enough stamina.

‘I need to prepare quickly.’

He could only hope everything would proceed smoothly.

After finishing his conversation with Yoo Seongwoon, Gio returned to the bedroom.

“……”

Yes, Gio.

Fortunately, Gio had returned from being “Giovanni” and regained his original personality.

“Hmm…”

He had not remained “Giovanni” for very long. The unfamiliar change had startled him, but once he learned the trick, returning to his usual personality was easy.

“It isn’t difficult.”

By putting some force into his brain, he could return to being Gio.

“Like blowing my nose.”

In that way, Gio came to understand this new rule.

“I suppose I need to meet the Compatible Candidate, obtain his consent, then carry out the quests while traveling through his world.”

There was one more matter: “Synchronization.”

That was not particularly difficult either.

“Progress is much faster when I assume Giovanni’s personality, but the Synchronization Rate is slowly rising even when I don’t synchronize with his personality.”

He occasionally became Giovanni without realizing it, but separate from that…

“It seems I can’t stop the process once Synchronization begins.”

He had never experienced such a thing, but it felt almost like recalling a forgotten past life. Giovanni had clearly said they were different people, yet Gio did not feel as though he and Giovanni were separate individuals.

That was how Gio had organized his thoughts after several days.

“I doubt I’ll ever have such a novel experience again in my life.”

“Kkureuk?”

“Experiences that make the left and right halves of your brain feel as though they’re operating separately are rare.”

He could now be both “Gio” and “Giovanni” at the same time, and shifting his personality according to the situation and his mood was not difficult.

He felt Giovanni’s emotions.

‘Though his memories are not intact.’

Perhaps because the Synchronization Rate remained low, Gio could not recall all of Giovanni’s memories. It felt as though he were following a Giovanni who had suffered amnesia and forgotten his entire past, but that alone was enough to understand what sort of person he was.

Giovanni was extraordinarily compassionate and warm. He possessed a gentle charisma that could console people while keeping them firmly in hand. He harbored ambitions for peace, yet treasured everyday life with those around him even more.

That was Bartlan Giovanni.

Read only on MUGEX

“……”

After blinking twice, Gio murmured quietly,

“Will this be all right?”

Yoo Seongwoon had proposed a sightseeing trip.

“He was afraid of me.”

Gio might not think often, but he was not oblivious.

‘People cannot be afraid of me merely because I’m a man dressed entirely in black.’

Yoo Seongwoon seemed to be explaining things indirectly to avoid shocking him, but Gio understood. The present Gio was undoubtedly a little too frightening in the eyes of ordinary people.

‘I suppose entering the world in the body of a portrait causes problems with the resolution.’

Or perhaps this was the true power of a haunted portrait: the power to make even something harmless appear harmful and transform the genre into a horror thriller merely by existing.

“People outside seemed afraid of me.”

“Kkung.”

“It is bewildering, but I don’t find it terribly unpleasant, so don’t worry.”

He had never intended it, but perhaps it felt like staging a hidden-camera scare prank. He felt sorry, but to speak frankly, the absurdity was more amusing than it was unpleasant.

Still, everything required moderation.

“It will be troublesome if it interferes with the sightseeing.”

It was not even a sightseeing trip he would be taking alone. He would rely entirely on someone else’s money and guidance while they enjoyed it together. Looking hopelessly dangerous would only inconvenience Yoo Seongwoon, who would accompany him.

“I’ll be sightseeing with a dependable guide like Yoo Seongwoon. An experience like this on someone else’s money is rare.”

“……”

“Do you think money grows on trees? I guarantee prices have only risen by now. Dad has no money.”

Oh, dear. Would sobbing to his child about having no money negatively affect the little one’s development? Gio belatedly added,

“Of course, if you ask me to buy you something, Dad can buy you anything.”

“Kkung?”

“You mustn’t be wasteful, but if you buy something and enjoy it properly, I would begrudge you nothing.”

Besides, it did seem possible that digging here would uncover money. If painting could produce roasted sweet potatoes, why would digging fail to produce money?

“In any case, things are different outside the frame. Listen carefully, Honey. If someone offers to buy you something delicious, you must race over and accept it. Only then can you call yourself a true pig.”

Personally, Gio hoped Honey would grow that plump.

“……”

“……”

That plump…

“…Kkuuung… Kkeureuk… Keureuk…”

“Is this truly worth getting angry over?”

“Keurururururu…”

Apparently, he did not like the idea.

‘What a pity.’

Plump birds were the very symbol of cuteness, but this waterfowl, so devoted to maintaining himself, seemed to have no such intention.

‘The way he adorned himself with jewels had seemed unusually serious. What a fastidious child.’

In any case, that was what concerned Gio. He needed to make a more harmless impression.

“I want to look harmless enough to pass for an ordinary pedestrian, but I don’t know what more I can possibly do when I’m already as harmless as a talking potato. Surely my harmlessness had already reached its limit.”

When he was alive—not that he had ever died—but in any case, when he worked as a teacher, Gio had occasionally been told that he looked intimidating. Even so, his presence had never been frightening enough to make people lose control of their tears and snot.

“Apart from my talent for growing healthily wherever I’m planted, I’m practically a corpse.”

But the present Gio was being treated like an urban legend akin to the Red Mask. No one had openly assessed him that way, but he could roughly tell from how everyone he met recoiled in horror.

“Seeing how people struggle merely to perceive me, this does seem… like a resolution problem.”

“Kkururu.”

“I suspect various problems arise when a painting becomes real, but I’m not an engineer…”

The System had already given Gio a solution to the issue.

Tip.

Resolution Solution

Utilize “Gio.”

“This must refer to a Compatible Candidate.”

Was “Giovanni,” with whom Synchronization was currently in progress, still treated as a human rather than a portrait?

Indeed, when Gio activated Giovanni’s personality, he felt his body grow slightly heavier. Unlike before, he needed to use the bathroom, became hungry, and required regular sleep.

“In other words, people won’t be afraid if I go outside while I’m Giovanni.”

“……”

Feeling Honey’s lukewarm gaze, Gio nodded.

“It’s called a split personality.”

Becoming harmless had to come first.

“……”

“……”

Under Honey’s unwavering stare, Gio acknowledged that he had gone too far.

“…Yes, even I think a split personality would be a bit of a stretch.”

“Kkureuk.”

“In my defense, I truly did not intend to explain it that way.”

Yoo Seongwoon had kindly proposed the sightseeing trip. It was a journey Gio would enjoy with his help, and they would quite openly be walking around together. Gio did not want to cause needless inconvenience.

“Even if I don’t necessarily behave as ‘Giovanni,’ there is room to make use of the Synchronization as long as it remains active. In other words, I may be able to behave as usual without greatly frightening people.”

“Kkur?”

“Of course, I still need to concentrate. If I leave it unattended, the resolution problem seems to return even during Synchronization. But this alone is a considerable gain.”

He had confirmed the fact with the help of the guild’s guards on the Dawn Shift.

“I’m making a variety of efforts, so Yoo Seongwoon should not experience too much difficulty.”

For example, having his companion abruptly develop a split personality.

“…Well, in any case…”

Gio, who had been sprawled across the bed, sat up.

“…It’s time to prepare our elder’s meal. Let’s go, Honey.”

“Kkururururu!”

Honey nodded in vigorous agreement. The tiny bird fluttered up and settled on Gio’s shoulder.

Gio carried the seventy-seven colorful sandwiches he had prepared in the kitchen to the studio. His steps stopped directly before Breathing Sea, the landscape painting that depicted the ocean.

Now he had to open this firmly closed door.

“Do you want to build a snow—”

“Kkuk.”

“Right.”

Copyright was important, after all.

Gio collected himself after recalling Fro○en, the homeland of his heart, and revisiting his childhood innocence. There was every possibility that the Republic of Korea, where thirty-one years had already passed while he slept, had transformed into a nation of lawsuits.

Clearing his throat after spouting nonsense, Gio prepared to dine with his family.

“……”

“……”

A moment of silence.

His pitch-black hair slowly brightened.

When his water-colored eyes blinked twice,

“……”

Giovanni stood in his place.

“…May I come in?”

The door opened.

“Thank you.”

“ ”

“Yes, this priest is very late.”

“ ”

“Please understand.”

A world submerged beneath the sea.

“The fine weather made me sluggish.”

The Sun was barely breathing.

(To be continued)