The Artist Who Paints Dungeon - Chapter 125



Only Noblemtl

Episode 125

Iruda was already a priest chosen by God.

She was blessed by the gods since birth. Quite a few gods coveted Iruda’s vessel, and she chose the most gentle and articulate god to make a contract with. In other words, she was a career god.

Perhaps among the priests of this class, there was no one who knew the presence of God better than Iruda.

“… … .”

Looking at it that way, there was something eerie about Chae Sol’s paintings.

‘Surely not the evil god… .’

She thought to herself.

‘I’ve never heard of a black cloak having any divine powers.’

Wasn’t it a normal monster?

Iruda had also heard rumors about the Black Cloak. It was a humanoid monster wearing a black cloak from head to toe, and it was said that it drew a dungeon that could be called a ‘work of art’ and dragged bad guys there.

‘I’ve always wondered why the damage from monsters isn’t that great.’

The citizens were clamoring, “Are we seeing new native monsters?” but if you think about it a little, you’ll realize that it’s nonsense. Didn’t the current native monsters on Earth go through a 32-year process of appeasement?

In comparison, the Black Cloak had only been on Earth for a short time, and there were few casualties as a result. This was an action that a monster that could not hold back its hatred for humans would not show.

Iruda’s parents said that there was a possibility that it was not a monster.

‘The association said that this is a method often used to prevent confusion. Since the citizens still lack awareness of monsters, they are easily fooled even if you make it up. That’s why there are still quite a few truths hidden.’

In that case, we really had to consider the possibility that the black cloak was an evil spirit.

Compared to monsters who are busy expressing their hatred without being able to control it, beings like evil gods know how to act cleverly even if they have negative images inside them. This means that they have the ability to be called a ‘god’.

“… Chaisol.”

“huh?”

“Do you like black cloaks?”

“Oh, you’re kind.”

“You sound like we’ve met before.”

“I met you!”

“… … .”

Chae Sol’s sunny friendliness has caused another accident.

‘I never thought it would apply to beings that are treated as monsters.’

He asked a beat later.

“…when, how, and in what way?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“I think I’ll know once I hear it.”

“I just see you sometimes.”

“If you see it sometimes, doesn’t that mean you encounter it quite often?”

“He stopped by my house once.”

“That’s… a truly amazing story.”

Iruda nodded.

“It would be best not to tell anyone else.”

“I told you because you are Ruda.”

“I want to live next to you because you keep acting like that.”

“Because we are partners!”

“I didn’t mean it that way, but I guess it’s similar.”

You are like the light and salt of my tough life.

‘Live like that for the rest of your life.’

In this dirty and deadly world, we need shiny fools like Chaisol.

“You must be sensitive to the aura of the gods, but I think the black cloak is more dangerous than you think.”

“But he was so kind… He’s such an affectionate older brother.”

“I meant that I might have made you think that way. I wish Black Cloak were a good person like you think, but well, the world doesn’t turn on such wishes alone.”

“I think Ruda makes it too difficult to speak.”

“I wish you would tell me that I’m mature. Anyway, I think that meeting or interacting with such a being without any sense of caution is an overly careless act.”

Then I saw Chae Sol’s painting.

“How about trying to avoid meeting him as much as possible?”

She knew the talent that Chaisol possessed. Like Iruda herself, he was fit to contain a god, and was born with an aura that many gods would desire.

Whether traditional gods or evil gods, they coveted the qualities of a foolish hero like Chaisol.

“You never know.”

Such people are especially often entangled with evil spirits.

“Is there any evidence that Black Cloak is a good being?”

“There isn’t any.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to exercise self-restraint.”

If a person makes a pact with an evil mystery in a moment of carelessness, then from that moment on, that person’s life becomes more terrible than hell. It is something that can be decided in an instant with just a breath or a glance from God.

“There’s no harm in being careful.”

“That’s true.”

Fortunately, Chae Sol, who was not possessed, obediently agreed with Iru Da’s words.

“I’ll be careful too.”

“… Okay, if you see me again, tell me.”

“Yeah, but is the black cloak an evil spirit?”

“It seems… not impossible.”

“It was so warm, I guess that could happen.”

“… … .”

Is it warm?

‘I would understand if you said it was hot.’

It didn’t feel like such a gentle existence. If it’s a mystery that can be felt to the extent that the essence beyond can be felt just by this kind of awkward drawing, doesn’t that mean that it’s of considerable rank?

‘Those beings don’t care about humans.’

To be exact, it is closer to not being considerate. It is not easy for great mysteries to grasp the imagery according to the narrow human vessel. It becomes even more difficult as the level increases.

Of course, Chaisol’s vessel was so large that it could withstand even the most gigantic god, but it was not without worry. Chaisol was a fool of this era, as Iruda had admitted.

“… No matter what you feel, humans should not completely trust God. That is not a matter of trust. Trust is something that proceeds based on the minimum mutual understanding. God cannot understand humans, and humans cannot understand God.”

That is not possible. If God and humans could understand each other, how could we distinguish between the two in this world?

Above all, human beings were happy beings when they did not know many things and could not do many things. Incompetence in accordance with the topic enriched life.

“So, whatever you feel, you shouldn’t believe that it’s the other person’s true feelings.”

“Then it’s not okay to make a contract with an evil spirit?”

“…Usually… wouldn’t that not work? Especially with a personality like yours… .”

There were officially recognized religions of evil spirits: death, disease, fear, anger, sorrow. They were usually quiet disasters whose value and significance were recognized by humans.

But that doesn’t mean that evil spirits aren’t dangerous. Even traditional gods consider humans as mere toys, not even their long-term partners, and those with violent temperaments like evil spirits are even more so.

“You really better be careful.”

“If I make a contract with Black Cloak….”

“Let’s think about it some more, I think that would be wise.”

“Luda, I think what you said is right.”

“That’s how you should be my partner.”

Fortunately, Chaisol wasn’t a fool who would insist on meaningless things.

“I will burn that painting.”

“Wouldn’t it hurt if I burned it?”

“Who is sick?”

“The black cloak.”

“Sometimes I learn a lot from your way of thinking.”

“Then I’ll burn it, since I drew it.”

Chaisol burned the painting neatly.

“But I don’t think he was really a bad guy.”

“Priest Kang Seo-dam said the same thing. How can you judge the good and evil of God?”

“That’s true too.”

Chaisol, who had been lying on the bed for a while, said with a smile.

“Next time, Ruda, do you want to meet up with me too?”

“… Okay, let’s do that.”

Iruda did not refuse.

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned since coming to church, it’s that not all evil spirits are evil.’

In the end, distinguishing between gods was also nothing more than human arrogance. How can we divide the disasters and mysteries that exist into right and wrong? Rather, there were times when the behavior of traditional gods was even worse than that of evil gods.

‘I guess we shouldn’t be prejudiced when looking at the world through the eyes of a mere human being.’

In the end, it was clear that the most proper form of god and priest was the master and his tool. The master seeks a useful tool, and the tool seeks a master who is satisfied with its treatment. As long as they are well-matched, that is all that matters.

So, if the Black Cloak was truly an evil spirit, he might surprisingly fit in well with Chaisol.

“Next time you see Black Cloak, you must call me, Chaisol.”

I was just worried.

“You don’t know much about God yet.”

“Yeah, so thanks to Ruda, I’m learning a lot.”

“… … .”

I feel my heart warming up.

“I have to live next to you.”

“I will do that too.”

“Does Black Cloak really give out snacks?”

“Something like cookies or chocolate?”

“It’s interesting.”

“If I see you again, I’ll ask for a snack.”

“That would be a good experience too.”

Ruda recalled the image that still seemed to linger before her eyes.

What on earth would the snacks offered by that distant and eerie essence taste like?

* * *

“… … .”

“… … .”

Geo muttered, holding a bloody knife.

“I think student Chaisol called me for a moment.”

I didn’t really go out because it seemed like there was someone else next to me.

“John Ryu?”

“Wait, Dana. Your father is still dismantling.”

“Ryujonjonjonjon?”

“Seeing someone with such a good appetite, I don’t think I’ll starve to death no matter where I go.”

A wonderful thing.

“You are my daughter.”

Geo laughed contentedly as he peeled off the golden sheep’s skin. Unlike Giovanni’s, his smile had a fierce and experienced quality to it.

“Why do intruders keep coming into my comfortable sweet home?”

“Gurr?”

“Yeah, this time even the golden sheep showed up. Is there a time when you get so embarrassed?”

Argio was currently slaughtering a huge sheep hanging from the ceiling. He didn’t really hunt it himself, he just went out to the garden to think about what to eat and there was another sacrifice.

“If you think about it, that monster field could probably be used as a security force.”

It really beat any trap.

“The meat quality is also very good, as it was killed by piercing the forehead.”

“Kung?”

“They say that a living thing must die without knowing anything for its flesh to become tender, Honey.”

“Gurr.”

“Yeah, you should learn how to slaughter, it’ll be useful.”

Argio had lived like an animal, but perhaps because of the manners he learned as a child, he would sometimes enjoy eating while imitating humans. In the process, his butchering skills naturally improved.

“I can tell this sheep is definitely from my homeland. It has a golden coat that glides smoothly and a body as big as a ploughing ox. Sharp teeth and two pairs of eyes. Thick claws…”

It was clear.

“It’s a type of sheep that lives in the Black Forest.”

Golden step sheep

A carnivore that camouflages itself as a gentle prey or hunts its prey by being charmed by its golden glow. The plants that the golden step sheep steps on turn into gold, and this gold emits a sweet scent that impairs the judgment of living things. Unlike ordinary gold, its strong teeth easily suffocate its prey.

“Yeah, you’re being diligent today too.”

Geo nodded.

“It has a cute appearance, a scent, a feel, and everything about it. However, if you are fooled by its gentle appearance or are seduced by the gold it creates, you will end up having your throat bitten.”

“Kururu?”

“Just like you said, it’s a story of experience. They are really good at acting coy, but you have no idea how thick and sharp their teeth are. Thanks to them, I almost got my throat ripped off, but in the end, I was the winner.”

Elixir: The bones of a golden ram can be boiled to produce a powerful painkiller or drug. The blood inside the horn can be used as a painless death potion for females, or as a painful resurrection potion for males.

“Oh, right. That’s how I was able to survive.”

Geo looked at the system and smiled broadly.

“It just so happened that the one I killed was a male. Their horns aren’t as strong as they look, so they break quite easily, and inside they have golden blood pooling. I liked the shiny thing, so I drank it, and my dying heart started beating again.”

Since then, I’ve been carrying it with me all the time.

“The male’s horns are curved towards his back like this, and the female’s horns are curved towards the front. Looking at the horns that are curved towards his back, this guy looks like he’s a male. Right?”

“Gurrrrrrrr.”

“I’ll cut off the horns last, so eat as much as you want. You shouldn’t drink the blood from a female horn if you don’t have a strong tolerance, but you can drink the blood from a male horn if you’re healthy. The effect is small unless you’re on the verge of death.”

I can just feel my body getting a little hot.

“The leather is in good condition.”

When the sheep’s skin was completely removed, a black lump of flesh could be seen inside.

“Hmm… .”

“Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!”

“Yeah, I think you guys should have the fur.”

The golden sheep’s fur was so exquisite that it was perfect for bedding, but the golden sheep’s sparkle attracted many water birds that coveted its jewels, including honey.

“As a father, there is no way I wouldn’t give up even a single skin for my children.”

At those words, the water birds that were loitering around the slaughterhouse came over and pecked at the golden sheep’s hide. The power of their tiny beaks was so great that the hairs were pulled out of the hide, and the sight of those jewel water birds was truly like living gold and silver treasures.

“As expected of my children, they know how to take care of themselves.”

“John Ryu?”

“Yes, our Dana. This dad will cut off the flesh right away.”

Dana, who was a little bigger than the average cat, had fluffy fur and was nice to hug. It was truly ecstatic to have Dana cling to my leg and lean against me.

When I cut off the sheep’s cheek, Dana bit into it.

“That’s right, you have to chew it thoroughly. The best delicacy of this sheep is the cheek meat. The cheek meat of the golden sheep, which has almost no facial muscles and cannot make expressions, has a chewy yet very soft texture that is exquisite.”

However, if you eat it too quickly, it can get stuck in your throat.

“Isn’t it really tasty?”

“baby?”

“I’m glad you like it.”

What could be more joyful than having my beloved family enjoy the same things I do?

Argio, who had let Dana savor it for a long time, soon turned his head again and looked at the black flesh of the sheep hanging from the hook.

“The bones can be used for drawing later….”

What should I do with this overflowing fat?

“… … .”

He muttered.

“… The meat of the golden lamb is quite elastic, so let’s try steaming it.”

All meats in the world become delicious when boiled for a long time with alcohol and seasoning.

Yes, Argio was not without his gluttony.