The Artist Who Paints Dungeon - Chapter 129



Only Krnovel

Episode 129

Unlike other traditional gods who were difficult to contact and interact with, most evil gods were not difficult to summon and had a high probability of responding.

This was because the evil spirit actively sought out my fallen believers.

“Or, he may intentionally cause misfortune in order to make the human he likes his disciple. Some humans are loved by evil spirits because they are corrupted, while others become corrupt because they are loved.”

There is a way to call upon any god who watches over humans. In the countless dungeons created in the ruined dimensions because of this, there have been many cases where intellectuals with wrong intentions have brought disaster upon themselves.

“The most common purpose is revenge.”

“Revenge?”

“There are rare instances where a demon is summoned simply to bring about destruction.”

Kang Seo-dam continued his explanation in the classroom for prospective priests.

“Do you know about the seven deadly sins?”

“Pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth.”

“Okay, Sister Iruda. This is a concept that existed even before the Great Calamity, when there was no close connection with God.”

Kang Seo-dam nodded.

“There have been many changes in perception on Earth since the Great Disaster. If the concept still exists, it must be because it has shown its worth.”

In religious circles, these were the seven deadly sins.

“The proud do not learn. The greedy do not share. The jealous lose the opportunity to grow. The angry do not tolerate. Lust easily blinds people. Gluttony makes people forget how to respect. Sloth rots away their own worth.”

Kang Seo-dam looked around at the students.

“Humans are social creatures who cannot survive alone. Especially before the catastrophe, humans on Earth were considerably weaker than other creatures on Earth.”

“… … .”

“And yet the Seven Deadly Sins still existed at that time. Can any brother guess why they were considered sins regardless of whether they existed before or after the Great Calamity?”

The girl with the low tail raised her hand.

“I can explain.”

“Please explain in front of the brothers.”

“As you said, humans are weak social creatures, so they must form communities, and in order to survive and develop sustainably, they must not commit such sins.”

“That was an exemplary answer.”

Kang Seodam looked around again.

“Is there anyone who understood what Sister Iruda said?”

“Me.”

“Yes, Brother Chaisol. I would like to hear your opinion.”

“I think we should live well because if we are selfish, we can’t live together.”

“That was an accurate summary.”

He expressed his approval.

“Just as good and evil are, the world is vast and people are diverse, so when someone acts according to their own desires, someone else is bound to be unhappy. This is because resources are limited and not everyone has the same personality and desires.”

This is the method that humans, as social animals, have chosen to survive.

“There may be brothers who would like to say this. When the dungeon is overflowing and monsters are pouring out, is it really right to protect others instead of protecting oneself in such a critical situation?”

Kang Seo-dam shook his head.

“It is not about judging whether human actions are good or evil. Since humans exist, think, and act for themselves, such human actions can easily face evil. It is extremely rare for a choice to satisfy everyone, so in the end, someone will criticize even your good deeds.”

So what was important was not the good or evil of humans.

“If we were faced with a great disaster, I would say this. Let everyone figure out how to survive.”

“Uh… Uh uh…”

“Does it sound strange? But priests are also human beings, and human beings exist for themselves.”

“… … .”

“If even self-preservation is considered evil, then humans should not exist in the first place.”

I will not even consider selfishness when life is threatened as a sin. However, acts of generosity when one has the means to do so will contribute to the survival of humanity.

So, okay.

“Good and evil are not important in the subject of this lesson.”

They had to see the world.

“Look at the flow of the world.”

I had to broaden my horizons.

“Is this the great disaster? Are you now in a place where monsters are overflowing? The world is gradually becoming more organized and is running towards peace, and as the speed increases, the average number of people receiving the grace of life also increases.”

“… … .”

“For priests who serve traditional gods, the most important thing is the balance of dimensions. This dimension, the world, and the country must be maintained so that they and we can enjoy the grace of life as long as possible. So don’t be stupid, but think about good and evil.”

Kang Seo-dam stroked his chin.

“I know how absurd it may sound to say that you should do good in this world. But if you want to live and enjoy more, if you are one of those ordinary people, it would be better to become a faithful servant of God’s word.”

He looked around at the students again.

“Then another question arises. What if you become a priest of an evil god who loves destruction and imbalance, not a traditional god? What if you desire the grace of death rather than the grace of life, and are not an ordinary person who enjoys everyday life, chatting with friends and enjoying a good meal… why not become a faithful servant?”

Kang Seo-dam nodded.

“So we return to our original topic.”

He took the students in his eyes.

“In the dungeons of countless fallen dimensions, hunters have witnessed the consequences of the misguided wisdom of the mind, for many gods can be summoned with only the slightest qualifications and simple knowledge.”

Even the weakest scholar can summon an evil spirit. If he knows what the evil spirit he wants to summon wants and the procedure for doing so, or if he only wants a disaster that will fulfill his wrong wish, the evil spirit will respond to him.

“Some demons even agree to bargain with humans using very simple materials and rituals. Some are summoned by sacrificing a rat, others are summoned by drawing a simple picture, and still others invite disaster by reciting a short prayer.”

Even the faintest groans of a human being are quickly responded to by evil spirits.

“Because hatred and disillusionment reach God faster than gratitude and praise.”

Evil spirits speak to humans when they are at their weakest, and disaster strikes in an instant.

“Traditional gods are born in providence, so they are often immature in dealing with such negative prayers. Most gods do not even recognize the small entity called human beings, so how can they understand their wishes, and is that understanding really correct? The probability of that happening is low.”

“Then how can I receive God’s answer?”

“The easiest way, as I said before, is to summon an evil spirit. Most evil spirits that seek to exploit human negative emotions or blatant greed are experienced and, as a result, skilled at dealing with humans.”

Kang Seo-dam said, pointing to the numerous pieces of data that appeared on the screen.

“This may also explain why most gods who enjoy play are evil gods.”

The demons who have the most experience with humans are more likely to be skilled at understanding and imitating them. That is why they can respond immediately to a human’s call.

Kang Seo-dam clicked his tongue.

“First of all, let me say this: in Korea, all evil spirits are subject to punishment, except for those recognized by the government and religious circles.”

“Ah, so that’s why the evil spirit is a monster….”

“Yes. So, even if you see an evil spirit that seems very gentle and kind, you should not easily make a contract with them or rely on them. They are very knowledgeable about humans.”

He especially enjoyed corrupting these young priests.

“Quite a few evil spirits enjoy corrupting humans.”

“Why is that so?”

“I’m guessing it’s because it’s literally fun.”

“… Well, it’s fun…”

“No matter how well you treat humans, never forget that they are just toys to God.”

Even if the grace they bestowed could objectively be called ‘love’ from the perspective of humans, that ‘love’ could ultimately be just a glance from God. The standards of God and humans were completely different.

“No matter how much they love and care for you, they won’t cry for you as a family when you die. They won’t build a grave for you, and they won’t prepare a warm meal for you when you’re sad and struggling. You can only expect that from a fellow human being.”

Kang Seo-dam looked at his brothers with slightly tired expressions.

“That doesn’t mean you have to be afraid to serve God.”

“But then, aren’t we just being used in the end?”

“If we are to be exact, we humans are also using God.”

“Isn’t it a little different…?”

“What would you do if a passing ant followed you?”

Then the priests opened their mouths one by one.

“I think I’ll take it and raise it.”

“Should I give you some food?”

“I feel like I’m going to run away because I wonder why you’re following me.”

“Isn’t it so small that you might not be able to see it?”

“I think I’ll look into it to see if there’s a problem.”

Kang Seo-dam asked questions in turn.

“If you take an ant home, how will you raise it?”

“Uh… Should I give you a house? There’s an ant raising kit, right?”

“What kind of food would you like to give it?”

“… I don’t know, but maybe rice grains? Star candies? Something like that?”

“Why did you think I would run away?”

“It’s strange how ants recognize me and follow me. They’re not even human. I think someone is up to something sinister.”

“Do you care if it’s small and you can’t see it?”

“You wouldn’t have known that in the first place, right? You wouldn’t have even known that it existed.”

“How do you check if there is a problem?”

“Just grab it…? Look around the body or something… .”

Kang Seo-dam asked one last time.

“Are you sure you can hold a small ant in your hand and not burst it?”

“… If I’m unlucky, I think it’ll explode.”

“Please express the emotions you feel at that time.”

“Are you… sorry? Is it gross?”

“okay.”

He said to the priests.

“This is how the gods feel about you.”

“… … .”

The faces of the children who didn’t know turned pale, and the children who had guessed what was going on sighed. Kang Seo-dam, who had been looking at their faces, continued speaking.

“If God loves you and takes you in, you will be imprisoned in a safe and peaceful shackle. If God misinterprets your cries and gives you more power and wealth than you can handle, you will easily be ruined.”

“… … .”

“Some gods might find it incredibly disgusting and repulsive that humans come to them. Other gods might not even acknowledge them no matter how desperately they are called. That can happen.”

He looked at the child who had answered last.

“If there is a god who tries to understand and care, you can die by his hand. And no god would be sad if a human died like that.”

If that incident had made him interested in humans, he would have sought out other believers, but if he had developed antipathy towards them, he would have never even glanced at humans for the rest of his life. That was the existence of God.

“In very rare cases, there are humans who receive the normal affection of God. We call these beings saints and saints, and they serve as mediators connecting humans with the great being of God throughout their lives.”

“I heard that the saint of Dalnim Church communicates with God! She is a living God, the next Dalnim.”

“Yes, she is a very important person. And because of that, the saintess of Dalnim Church will never be able to leave the church for the rest of her life, and will always be locked in the hands and eyes of God. She is the only person whose vessel is so great that she can treat God as an ordinary person.”

“… … .”

“That is far from the human happiness we usually talk about.”

Kang Seo-dam said firmly.

“Do not try to understand God. Do not expect anything from God, and do not try to use Him. God’s enmity is a disaster that can be easily understood, but God’s favor is a disaster that can be compared to it.”

“… … .”

“God is nature with a will and destiny. Just as we humans find food in nature and do not question our impending destiny, so do it. Then disaster will be avoided.”

He added.

“That’s how you coexist with God.”

“… I’m even more scared… .”

“A priest, by his very presence, can open up the possibility of communication with God.”

“but….”

“Someday, a god who is a good fit for you will come to you.”

Kang Seo-dam said with his characteristically blunt face.

“But there is no greater disaster than worshipping the wrong god.”

“…yes.”

“So what I’m trying to say is, try to be as kind-hearted as possible.”

“yes?”

“I keep saying that the quickest response to negative human emotions is usually an evil spirit.”

And the evil god is also a god.

“In that case, you will face a disaster you could never have imagined.”

Haven’t I been telling you about the dangers of God so many times that my mouth is worn out?

“One day, you may find something you want to devote your life to. It may be gold and silver, or a dream lover, or revenge on someone who has made you miserable. Or you may simply be driven by an impulse and want to ruin everything.”

but.

“If you hear the voice of God then, do not respond.”

It could be that it was the god who brought you into the pit of misery. People who are easily tempted by sin and are ruined by it hold on to it without even realizing that it is a rotten rope.

In the first place, the god who speaks to humans when they are most distressed and struggling, the god who gives them opportunities, can never be called a god of benevolence and abundance. It is highly likely that he is an evil god who is waiting for the person to completely collapse.

“Rather, let your anger flow out, let someone else use it to create chaos in society, let madness take hold of the hands of men. Kill bystanders, set fire to the houses of those who sleep, and disembowel them alive.”

“… That, that’s too…”

“That’s cheaper than responding to the evil spirit. Those who use the evil spirit to express their greed will not be able to properly resolve their own greed, and they will devastate those around them. It would be better for you to step forward yourself, and it will be a way that will relieve your own feelings and cause less damage to those around you.”

When an evil spirit that is skilled at dealing with humans intervenes, no one can be saved. Whether the instigator or someone else on the side. Whether there is sin or not, such things would not be of much importance to the evil spirit.

“No one can be satisfied or happy when they are caught up in the evil spirit. That is why it has been confirmed that the intellectuals who summoned the evil spirit for revenge wrote words of regret and died. The same goes for the summoners who only wanted destruction.”

That soul would still be left in the clutches of the evil spirit.

“Beware of God, and reject the evil spirits.”

“… … .”

“Then you’re halfway there.”

To him.

“… … .”

“… … .”

Chaisol was sweating profusely.

Kang Seo-dam and Iru looked at that appearance with very subtle eyes.