Chapter 7

After finishing Day 3, Yu Seongun confirmed that the portrait had closed its eyes.

"..."

When it became nine in the morning, he went to see the Guild Master.

"It's dangerous."

"What is dangerous?"

"That portrait is dangerous."

He reported with a calm face.

"This has nothing to do with the goodwill the portrait, as an individual, holds toward us humans. It is true that monsters who harbor goodwill toward humans exist on rare occasions, but it is also true that their goodwill has been a terrible poison to humans."

"Are you saying the Portrait of Jio's goodwill is the same as those monsters' goodwill?"

"No. It is more dangerous than that."

Yu Seongun reported what he had confirmed.

"That portrait knows exactly what he is doing, how he appears, and what kind of influence his actions have. He is completely different from all the monsters up to now who smothered people by showering them with goodwill without thinking."

Above all else.

"He recognizes himself as a person."

So he would try, one way or another, to interact with humans. He did not seem like the type to feel resistance toward conversation.

"But at the same time, he does not see us as humans."

"Then?"

"Jio judged us as pictures. And that is how he is appreciating us."

Yu Seongun had sensed "Jio's" mighty soul. That was something any living creature capable of thought could naturally sense, even without impressive analysis equipment or skills.

It was not simply a power that came from his measured gait, heavy atmosphere, or elegant appearance. Yu Seongun still could not forget the vastness he had felt when he met "Jio's" black eyes.

The sight of something so enormous it could not be perceived pretending to be a mere human.

"And yet he calls himself human. Whether he truly thinks that or is trying to think that, it looked like a certain sincerity. It wasn't a lie."

In cases like this, even if things were usually safe, once something happened, it was bound to grow beyond imagination.

Because he properly recognized for himself what he was doing.

"On top of that, he is sensitive to good and evil. And yet we have no idea where those standards come from. If, from our perspective, we judge someone ordinary, but 'Jio' concludes that person is evil... I can't even imagine what the result would be."

"You truly can't imagine it?"

"Yes, this time... it seems I can't."

Yu Seongun sighed.

"There is no comparable group, and there is no data we can refer to. A talking portrait was a first for me as well."

Weapons with egos were treated as rare and loved by countless Hunters. But a portrait with an ego? An existence whose identity could not even be distinguished as ghost, monster, or human?

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

"Have you considered sending it to the Hunter Association as research material..."

"Would I?"

"I suppose not. I know. I thought you would say that."

Yu Seongun covered his mouth as if to hold back a sigh, then managed his expression and continued speaking.

"Then I will report to you regularly. It is difficult to determine his exact identity after watching him for only a day or two."

"Please do. I am thinking of going to speak with him again before long, but it would be troublesome if I were ignored again, so please find out what Jio likes."

"That is an extremely personal request, but understood for now. It is my duty, so there is no need to ask. It is what I should be doing anyway, isn't it?"

"Why are all my employees so chic?"

"Perhaps because you gathered only people like this."

That was why Yu Seongun started coming to work every day at 4:30 a.m.

* * *

"Are you not lonely?"

At Yu Seongun's question, the portrait blinked twice.

"I am not lonely."

It was still a blunt answer.

Yu Seongun smiled faintly.

"I apologize if that was a rude question. But this is a place where no one comes and goes except the employees who come to manage the works."

"..."

"I made a rough guess that occasionally coming outside the portrait to look around might have been part of such feelings."

"I like places without people. So it is fine."

"Do you perhaps feel uncomfortable with conversation?"

"That is not the case. Only..."

The portrait continued speaking.

"Because I have already said too much, I have always imagined a future where I would not have to speak all the time."

"..."

"A quiet place where I would not have to speak too much, would not have to be bound too much, and would not have to care too much... I always wanted such a place. This place is suited to that wish of mine."

At that, Yu Seongun asked.

"... Were you, in the past, a person?"

"I am still a person."

"Ah, right. What I mean is... I was asking whether you were an ordinary human who was not inside a painting. Ordinary people are not usually contained in frames."

"Yes, I was."

"I see."

Humanoid monsters were divided into two types.

There were those who were monsters from birth but later evolved to take human form, or those who were human at first but at some point came to belong to "The Root" and became monsters.

'In this case, is it the latter?'

Monsters who had memories from when they were ordinary humans were usually especially swayed by negative emotions.

'This one, instead... seems peaceful.'

But it was not a pleasant sort of peace.

"..."

It was like a funeral.

The "Portrait of Jio" looked exactly like someone's death.

"Hm, then... are you not bored?"

"I am bored sometimes."

"How do you relieve that boredom? Do you have your own method?"

"Usually, I eat."

"..."

Ah, this was a little surprising.

"... Eat?"

"Yes."

The portrait answered in his uniquely blunt voice.

"I enjoy eating."

"..."

He hoped the ingredients were not human.

'... He doesn't exactly have a face that looks like he would enjoy meals.'

If he thought of the other party as an ordinary human, well, he did not give the impression of being fixated on food.

'... Rather, he gives the impression that nothing would move him. I can see an indifference close to cold-bloodedness.'

He was a dazzlingly handsome man. His build was not thin, but it was not thick either.

His pale skin, the black hollows around his eyes, and his unmoving face like a marble sculpture were all like that. He did not look as if he would find joy in meals.

But there was something even more surprising.

"This may be a rude thing to say, but..."

"I can eat."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I asked the obvious."

A painting ate food.

"May I ask what method you use to eat?"

At Yu Seongun's question, "Jio" answered as if it were nothing special.

"I cook. I think of the food I want to eat, bring the ingredients that suit it, prepare them, put a pan over the fire or place it in the oven... and finish cooking that way."

"..."

"Because I am an ordinary human."

That very explanation felt inhuman, though.

When Yu Seongun did not answer, the portrait explained another case.

"There is also a method I can enjoy because I am inside a portrait."

"Ah, how does that...?"

"It requires a little help, but you can also give me enjoyment, Mr. Yu Seongun."

"... What kind of enjoyment are you referring to?"

To think he could give him enjoyment. For a moment, the rampages of monsters throughout history came to mind and made him uneasy, but the portrait did not demand a living sacrifice or warm blood.

Like black paint spread over paper, he looked at Yu Seongun with emotionless eyes.

"Are you good at drawing?"

"... If it is to the extent of depicting an object, I can draw. Sometimes I have to draw unfamiliar objects or plants into reports..."

"Then please draw an apple."

"..."

"That is not difficult, is it?"

Yu Seongun asked back with a slightly surprised face.

"... On this portrait... you mean?"

"That is correct."

"... Understood."

The "Portrait of Jio" was an existence with clear rules. Yu Seongun was not foolish enough to ignore what such an unidentified existence demanded.

He took paint and brushes out of the hard case he always carried. Seeing that, the portrait asked.

"Do you always carry art supplies?"

"I try to carry as many different objects as possible. In this gallery, you never know what might happen, so preparing in various directions is also good for my own safety."

"I see."

"..."

The portrait's reaction was still calm, but Yu Seongun felt chilled inwardly.

'What would have happened if I hadn't had drawing tools with me...'

The "Jio" he had conversed with so far was an existence with his own kind of flexibility, but, well,异 beings always showed a capricious side.

Yu Seongun quietly took a deep breath and set the brush on the portrait. He felt a sense of taboo, as if he were defiling a noble work.

"I'm not that good at drawing."

"It does not matter."

"Hmm..."

Before long, he drew one bright red apple.

"... It isn't a very pretty apple."

Yu Seongun laughed awkwardly.

"I drew the apple you wanted here."

"I see."

"Can you eat it?"

"..."

Having said that, "Jio" reached toward the apple drawn in one corner of the portrait.

"Thank you."

It moved.

A white, thick hand soon picked up Yu Seongun's apple.

"..."

And then,

CRUNCH.

"..."

"..."

The yellow flesh inside the red apple showed.

The portrait, who had taken a bite out of the apple that looked like a model, said,

"It is delicious."

"... Ah..."

"It is well ripened, and the fragrance is good. The size is a little small, but it is suitable as a snack."

"That..."

He had never seen anything like this before.

"..."

"Is it fascinating?"

Yes, it was fascinating.

Enough to make his heart race a little.

"... It is incredible."

Yu Seongun was someone who observed and managed異 beings. He had done such work since he was at his previous workplace, the Hunter Association.

Ever since dungeons appeared and monsters ran rampant, Yu Seongun had always been assigned the role of exploring and researching the strange phenomena that had noticeably appeared and the beings at their center.

There was certainly pride and satisfaction in it as well. Because he loved it, he was able to stand in this place.

"Honestly, yes, I was surprised... I have never seen anything like this before."

"I understand."

"So, right now, you ate an apple inside a painting?"

"Jio" nodded.

"I am an ordinary human, but I am inside a painting. Therefore, I too can be called a painting. In the same context, I can do very many things inside a painting."

"..."

"On days when I do not want to cook, I draw completed dishes this way. It is convenient."

"... I see."

"So I can repay your goodwill."

The portrait blinked twice.

"Then I will see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"I am not prepared right now."

"... Understood."

"Thank you."

Day 4, complete.

* * *

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

"Jio" began to draw.

"..."

"..."

It was a very red color, just like the apple Yu Seongun had drawn at dawn the day before.

Its form was a triangle with rounded lines. A structure that was clearly three-dimensional, and a transparent light that made it even clearer. The light, struck by sunlight that seemed somehow soft and warm, shattered into pieces and spread throughout the entire structure.

Its color resembled a pomegranate. Transparent and red. But it was even redder than that. The blatant red, as though it held freshly spilled blood, was so intense that staring at it too long made one's eyes ache.

Before long, it gained life.

"..."

Its edges became sharp as knives.

"..."

And it held darkness too, finally placing even the scattered shadows beneath it.

"..."

"Here."

The portrait spoke.

"It is a return gift."

When he pushed out the red jewel with his finger, as if it contained a heart,

PLOP.

"..."

It fell onto Yu Seongun's hand.

"..."

"It is yours."

"... This is..."

He asked.

"What gemstone is this?"

"I do not know."

"..."

"But it must have been in the depths of the earth, where it was hot enough to burn."

"Jio" continued the story of the jewel.

"It may have been in a place hot enough to dwell with the heart of the planet, then, resembling my friend, it may have taken heat into itself. Then after a very long time passed and it was discovered by human hands... it must have taken on a pretty form."

Whose story was this?

"... That is an interesting story."

"I am glad if it sounded that way."

"Ha ha..."

Yu Seongun unknowingly let out a hollow laugh.

"What did you use to draw this jewel? Your brush definitely had no paint on it..."

"..."

"This jewel looks real."

The portrait did not answer him.

Instead, Yu Seongun asked.

"May I keep this?"

"You gave me a gift."

He was talking about that clumsy drawing of an apple.

"This jewel is my return gift for that."

The portrait's words sounded exactly like a devil's. There was no reason at all for them to, and yet because of that alienness, haziness, and ecstasy, he ended up thinking so.

And Yu Seongun, struck by an unbearable sense of unreality, voiced his honest impression.

"You are right."

"I see."

"And that sounds exactly like an answer given by a devil."

He could not hold back his question. That was what researchers were.

"Why do you always answer in such simple language? Jio, you... well. You speak in a very simple and precise way that can satisfy another person's wishes."

"..."

"I know this is a rude question. But I have no choice but to ask. Are you able to do that because you do not have human emotions? Or did you choose to become that way?"

The portrait looked at Yu Seongun without answering.

Only after a long while had passed, and after he blinked twice, did "Jio" answer.

"I do not understand what you are saying, Mr. Yu Seongun. I have not used excessively simple grammar, nor have I given answers meant to satisfy people's desires or wishes."

"..."

"I have always been like this."

His voice was still blunt and low, but somehow twisted.

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

"I have human emotions, to the point that I do not understand why I must explain it."

"..."

"It is not that I have no emotions, and likewise, whatever it may be, it was not my choice. I was originally this kind of person."

The portrait looked as if he were angry, and also as if he were making excuses after a sore spot had been prodded. Or perhaps he truly did not understand what the other person was saying and felt frustrated.

Or perhaps all of this was only his own misconception, and he had no feelings about it at all.

'I don't know what he's thinking.'

Yu Seongun spoke carefully.

"Of course. I know. I know that you are an ordinary human."

"..."

"You seem to feel loneliness, joy, and... many other emotions. It is just that you have a way of speaking that does not show emotions or personal desires. As if there is nothing inside you..."

As if it were simply a kind of service.

'... I shouldn't say any more than this.'

Yu Seongun felt curiosity. At the same time, he also felt admiration. Though he had been employed by Bi Sabeol as a Curator, his essence lay, to the end, in "exploration."

"..."

"..."

The portrait opened his mouth again.

"I am an ordinary human."

He continued speaking.

"I asked Mr. Yu Seongun to draw it because I wanted to eat an apple."

"Right."

"That was my personal wish. Because Mr. Yu Seongun drew an apple for me, I gave you a return gift for it. We exchanged gifts, and that is natural courtesy between people."

"I see."

"I only observed courtesy."

"..."

"So I do not really understand what you are saying."

He could not tell whether those words were lies or truth. It was difficult to read his thoughts from a voice with an even pitch.

"Do you know that your eyes are very black?"

"Quite a few people's eyes are black."

"That is true."

"Black eyes are common. There is nothing special about them."

"..."

"Do not think of me as too special. It would be better if you did not."

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

Did he know those words were contradictory and deny it anyway?

'Or does he truly not know?'

"Jio's" blunt face covered all the truth inside him.

"... I will be careful."

Day 5, complete.

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

"..."

Ah, honestly.

"I really need to fix this habit..."

Had he made him run away?

* * *

"..."

Trying to socialize for the first time in a while is exhausting.

"... Should I rest?"

Activating the ultimate positive mindset.

'Let's rest.'

And so he returned to his unemployed life.

"Ta-da."

That was why Jio shut himself inside the portrait for ten days.