The Artist Who Paints Dungeon - Chapter 137



Only Krnovel

Episode 137

That moment.

The research institute that manages the evil spirit Sankalut, Seoul Branch 21.

“Sankalute?”

“ ”

“Oh, my God? How can you have such a withered color…?”

“ ”

“Lord Sankalut…!”

I was going to make a wish and have him take me home.

Sankalut, who had been excited about going home, became gloomy.

* * *

“Is that really okay?”

Joo-hyun, who had handed over the sign of Sankalut, asked with a trembling face.

“I ate and drank a lot here.”

“I treated you with such hospitality out of personal greed, so this is sufficient repayment.”

The black-haired, black-cloaked man smiled gently.

“What a wonderful jewel.”

“… It’s not a real jewel though.”

“You said it was a sign of the evil god Sankalut?”

“Yes, it is a medium that allows me to communicate with him.”

“There are geometric patterns on the inside. Did you carve them yourself?”

“Yes, it’s my first time making it, so I’m still quite clumsy.”

“You say I’m clumsy?”

Black Cloak exclaimed in admiration.

“You can see that Joo-Hyeon is very talented.”

“I feel embarrassed when you say that.”

“It’s a very small design, but it has all the necessary language engraved on it.”

“haha….”

It felt strange.

‘I never thought I would be praised for creating the sign of the evil god.’

More than anything, Black Cloak was not impressed by the fact that he had ‘created the mark of the evil god’, but rather seemed to be impressed by ‘creating such a wonderful jewel’. It felt really strange.

‘Is the level so high that the symbol appears more as an ornament than a medium?’

It looked like a wealthy person with a lot of money was looking at the 500 won coin, saying how beautiful it was.

Although he received praise, he was not very happy about it. Joo-Hyeon was not a person with no common sense to be happy about being praised for creating a sign of an evil god by an unknown great mystery.

“Don’t you feel uncomfortable with the fact that it is a sign of the evil spirit?”

“The only time I’ll call him is when I’m asking for a meal, so don’t feel bad about it.”

“Oh, really? Even the evil spirits get to eat… eat… um.”

Joohyun was silent for a moment.

“… … .”

And soon, a cold sweat began to run down my face.

Do you really want to turn everything in the dimension into pigs?

“Is there a reason why… you keep trying to feed something to others…?”

“There is no grand reason.”

The smile disappeared from Black Cloak’s face, and only a calm, expressionless expression remained. Nevertheless, Black Cloak continued speaking in a soft voice.

“I’m just happy that other people are eating the food I make.”

“I see, you are very considerate.”

“First of all, people these days are so skinny… .”

“… … .”

“It doesn’t look healthy.”

“will do….”

grandma?

‘Why do you say such grandma-like things?’

The trend of the elderly generation who experienced the great disaster being particularly serious about fattening their children was present everywhere in the world. In particular, the phrase ‘people these days’ seemed to refer to old people.

‘With that young man’s face?’

Do you have any intention of imitating a 29-year-old Earthling?

Joo-hyun wondered to what beat he should dance to in order to please the giant being in front of him. Should he correct him, saying that his remarks were not befitting of a 29-year-old? Or should he simply agree with him and clap his hands in agreement?

“…okay!”

Joohyun decided to just let it go.

“If you don’t mind, can I ask you a few questions?”

“Mr. Joohyun, you can ask me as many questions as you want.”

“Thank you. Well, it is known in the world that the black cloak is a monster… .”

“aha.”

The hair of the black cloak turned bright red, and a deep smile appeared on his pale face.

“I’m a monster?”

“…I apologize if I was rude. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not angry. I wasn’t rude either.”

He blinked a couple of times.

“hmm….”

Then it went back to black hair again.

“I think I got a little excited because Joohyun’s words were funny. Excuse me.”

“No, no. It’s okay.”

I don’t know what part was funny, but as long as he wasn’t upset by his own question, everything was fine. Joohyun smiled brightly and shook her head humbly.

“But if my question made you feel uncomfortable, I am truly sorry.”

“As I said before, I wasn’t uncomfortable or angry. I just felt, well….”

The lips of the black cloak curved gently with interest.

“After beasts, demons, and now monsters.”

“… … .”

“I thought it would be pretty fun.”

“…oh….”

It’s not fun.

“…okay!”

Joohyun decided to just let it go once again.

“I thought that the Black Cloak was an evil spirit, but it doesn’t seem to be that way.”

“Are you saying that it is not like an evil spirit?”

“A little bit.”

“I don’t really like that.”

The black cloak pretended to think for a moment and then continued speaking.

“Let me say this in advance: I am an ordinary human being.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Sometimes, he is a human being who can become a demon, a priest, or an animal.”

“You are amazing.”

Joohyun persevered once more.

“So, should I think of myself as a normal human being…?”

“Of course.”

The black cloak nodded.

“The rumor that I was a monster outside was just a warning for my safety and that of others.”

“A warning for the safety of Black Cloak and the others?”

“It’s not intentional, but because we live in a painting, we sometimes threaten others. This is a warning to be careful of each other.”

And although he didn’t say it out loud, he had another intention.

Even though he had merged with the battle-mad Argio, Geo was still uncomfortable fighting someone because they hadn’t fully fused. That’s why he was more of a person who managed his image in advance so that they wouldn’t fight each other.

It was the result of thinking that not many people would want to fight the protagonist of a scary ghost story. Geo wanted to avoid conflict if possible.

‘I don’t know what will happen if Argio’s memories are completely restored…’

Anyway, that’s what happened.

“… Even if you say it’s an evil spirit, it’s still hard to understand.”

Geo continued speaking.

“What is God, and what is an evil god? It is difficult for me, a human being, to know.”

“… That’s definitely a difficult topic. I can’t really say for sure.”

“Isn’t that so?”

He nodded.

“It is difficult to clearly define the existence of a country.”

So, even if Joo-Hyeon asked, there was only one thing I could say clearly.

“I can only say for sure that I am just one person.”

“For one person… .”

“I may be a bit of an odd person, and I do some strange things sometimes, but that’s about it.”

Geo never once thought that he might not be human.

“Is this a sufficient explanation?”

“… Yes, thank you for helping me understand.”

Joohyun was just amazed.

‘Yeah, I’ll just memorize it like that.’

Then it would be so.

“But I feel like I’ve been staying at Geo’s house too much… ”

“Are you fully recovered?”

“I recovered thanks to your great consideration.”

“Your heart too?”

“… … .”

To the speechless Joo-hyun, the black cloak smiled gently and spoke as if comforting a child.

“Isn’t it a peaceful place?”

“… That’s right. It’s so peaceful that I don’t want to leave.”

“There will come a time when you will want to leave.”

Geo knows.

‘A human being must be rich in mind and body to avoid having vain thoughts.’

So that’s what I did.

‘After all, when people are full, they become ten times kinder.’

He said he was trying to summon an evil spirit, so I made his body into one that wouldn’t have any frivolous thoughts.

Although he didn’t know it, Geo’s influence was actually great here. The person eating the food filled with the desire to enjoy his food together became a gourmet without a doubt, and he became one with Geo, the owner of a clear mind without thinking, and his body and mind became at ease.

‘It’s a good thing.’

Geo wanted Joohyun to be his friend.

“Just tell me whenever you want to go out.”

“…yes.”

“You don’t need my permission to enjoy your life.”

“that….”

Joohyun answered, mumbling.

“… That’s right.”

He asked.

“Why did you introduce yourself as an evil spirit?”

“Because that’s what people called me.”

Oddly enough, there was no other reason.

* * *

“…ah.”

A newcomer paused.

“Mr. Sergio?”

There was a tall figure standing in the company hallway. As she called out to him, the woman felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort.

Even though it was a weekday afternoon and there were still several employees who had not yet left work, they did not pay any attention to Sergio, who was standing in the hallway wearing a cloak.

It was as if I was avoiding him as if he didn’t exist. By the time I realized it, the other person was looking at me.

“I’ve seen you before.”

“That’s right, you remembered.”

“The name is probably….”

He said.

“Ms. Park Joo-hee?”

“… … .”

It felt a little strange.

“… Yes, this is Park Joo-hee.”

For a moment, it felt like an unbelievable miracle that the other person was calling my name.

‘That’s a strange thought.’

She was able to quickly shake off the absurd thought, but an inexplicable uneasiness lingered and tormented her.

Park Joo-hee approached him and asked.

“I thought you were working the early morning shift, but you’re out at this late hour?”

“It’s a hobby. We had some time to ask questions about various things.”

“Is it time for questions about your hobby?”

“If we really have to be specific, would it be correct to call it a survey?”

The eyes that contained the sea gently curved.

“Ms. Park Joo-hee.”

“Uh… yes, go ahead.”

“What do you think the evil spirit is?”

“… an evil spirit… .”

Suddenly, a sense of loneliness came over me. Along with that, I felt disconnected from reality.

The employees passed them by without saying a word even at this moment. It was understandable since the company was made up of employees with strong individualism, so the woman answered Sergio’s question without much doubt.

“Isn’t he a god who does bad things?”

“Then, if the evil god does not do evil, would he be an ordinary god?”

“That is… If he has committed evil deeds before, wouldn’t he be an evil spirit?”

“It was a good reference.”

He smiled like a painter.

“I know this was a random question, but thank you for answering.”

“No, I’m the one who should be thankful that you remembered me, a lowly C-rank hunter.”

“Regardless of her rank, Park Joo-hee is a good person.”

Sergio’s eyes widened.

“Aren’t you kind to me?”

“Uh… that’s… .”

Are you saying that a kind person is a good person?

The woman was a little worried by his sudden, idiotic remark. The scope of the ‘good person’ he was talking about was too broad.

‘Are you being bullied?’

Park Joo-hee looked around, momentarily confused. She would have been concerned about the man standing in the middle of the hallway, who looked like a pole, but no one was looking in that direction.

“…excuse me….”

She asked cautiously, feeling a strange suspicion.

“By any chance, are those… colleagues not on good terms or something…?”

Khuhuluk!!

A loud cough was heard from somewhere.

“… … ?”

“It looks like someone has heard of the sarees.”

“Oh, I see. Sorry.”

Knock knock, knock… .

Another cough was heard from somewhere.

“It didn’t work….”

Coolook─!!

Another cough.

“… … .”

At this point, Park Joo-hee couldn’t help but understand the situation.

‘… What is it? It seems like you’re hinting at something?’

At that moment, something caught my eye.

“uh….”

Under the cloak.

The tail of an unidentified beast was sticking out.

“… Hey, Sergio. This is…”

“Oh, excuse me.”

He smiled faintly.

“Sometimes I can’t control it.”

“…Control?”

“I’ll be more careful next time.”

Without another sound, the tail disappeared.

“… … .”

As if you were seeing things wrong.

“It’s not like Ms. Park Joo-hee thinks the staff here discriminate against me or ostracize me.”

“… Ah, ah, yes. I’m sorry.”

“It’s just that I have a special skill, so everyone is paying attention.”

“Is it special? Pay attention…?”

“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s getting late, so please be careful on your way home.”

“… … .”

“Oh, right.”

Sergio held out something.

“This is my thanks for hanging out with me.”

“…It smells sweet.”

“It’s fruit jelly, it’s not that sweet.”

“…okay….”

“Then I hope to see you again with a smiling face next time.”

He nodded briefly, turned around, and walked away.

The black cloak comes into view again. The jet-black fabric… .

“… … .”

For some reason, the gift in my hand felt heavy.

“…uh?”

Even if I let out a sigh along with a cold sweat.

Not a single employee looked back.