The Artist Who Paints Dungeon - Chapter 73



Only Noblemtl

Episode 73

“It was a miracle.”

The researcher nodded at the woman’s voice, which sounded like a machine.

“Yes, it is a miracle.”

“Do you think the entity that Team Leader Jeong Da-woon witnessed was a monster?”

“I’ll have to ask the gardeners for their opinions, but no, it’s not a monster.”

The researcher shrugged.

“A monster… basically has to have a hatred towards humans.”

They are not called monsters or freaks for nothing. Humans call these other-dimensional beings who hate humans endlessly monsters with fear and contempt.

“This case is completely different. We examined the hunters who returned alive, but we couldn’t find anything abnormal anywhere. If ‘Black Cloak’ was a monster, we wouldn’t have let him out alive in the first place, and we would have brainwashed him to get him out.”

“But I think it would be better to say that the announcement itself is a monster.”

“Yes. The ‘Black Cloak’ has shown too much interest in human society to be a god. It’s possible that he’s an evil god, but… whether he’s a true god or whatever his true identity is, since he’s shown to have the power to directly influence humans, it would be wiser to explain him to the Hunters as a monster.”

“That way, I can make them feel alert.”

Gods and monsters have become quite familiar entities in modern times, but there is a big difference in perception.

In the case of gods, there would be people who would consider it a glory just by seeing their form, but in the case of monsters, they would try to keep their distance and be on guard.

“If it backfires, the very existence of a ‘humanoid monster friendly to humans’ might appeal to the romantic sentiments of the citizens, but for that to happen… there would have to be a significant increase in such favorable cases and exposure. And the probability of that happening is low.”

It seems to be a mystery that is quite closely related to the source, but the closer the being is to the source, the more ignorant and indifferent they are to humans. They would not easily show up on this small planet.

“Of course, ‘Black Cloak’ may actually create many good-natured cases and thus be talked about by citizens. However, it would be difficult for citizens to simply accept the goodwill of such an entity. ‘Black Cloak’ would not be able to become a friendly image to people.”

“We should also keep in mind that the ‘Black Cloak’ may be able to control his temperament well and have a high level of understanding of humans. However, the story of declaring him a monster is valid. Since the existence of the source is close to a natural disaster, we should at least be on guard.”

“Actually, there is no difference between gods and monsters in terms of their threat to humans, but I guess that’s why image is important. If we tell people that they are monsters and not gods, then even if ‘Black Cloak’ shows hostility towards humans in the future, his survival rate will increase.”

The researcher continued, gently stroking his chin.

“However, even if someone witnessed it, they wouldn’t believe it even if you said it was a monster. Even the regular hunter said it was a monster, but his reaction was almost like someone who had been touched by a god.”

“Did you see any sign of admiration?”

“I wouldn’t say we’re at that level yet, but if we don’t come up with any countermeasures against the ‘Black Cloak’, I think we could really create a religion. Especially in this day and age, superstitions like this can easily become popular.”

“It would be good to make it clear that the ‘Black Cloak’ is a monster. I would appreciate it if you could work with the information processing team to proceed with this part. I will create a project under my name, so please notify me.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

The woman nodded.

“This incident was a great miracle, so I understand Team Leader Jeong’s reaction.”

“… That is… definitely true.”

The researcher hesitated for a moment, then quickly agreed.

“Whether the ‘Black Cloak’ is a monster, a god, or a being of the origin, it’s hard to believe that he saved so many people without any compensation. In any case, none of them are kind to humans.”

Monsters hated humans. Gods treated humans as toys, and the Source Being was indifferent to humans.

It was amazing that we could communicate, but to receive help was ridiculous.

“… I think this part may be a problem. People still have fantasies about monsters being friendly to humans. The existence of the trainer profession is encouraging such fantasies.”

“It can’t be helped because there is a lack of formal education. This is something that needs to be addressed gradually as we expand public education, and it’s not something that can be solved right away.”

“That is true, but….”

Among the Hunter professions, trainers could make contracts with monsters and borrow their powers. Because of this, there were fools who dreamed of being able to tame monsters as their own pets.

‘Time is the best medicine after all.’

It’s only been 31 years. South Korea shed as much blood as possible and grew as quickly as possible, but its civic consciousness has not grown in line with that growth.

Since enough time has passed since the great disaster for a generation to be born, many people are unaware of the horror and cruelty of monsters, but public education has not been easily established, making it difficult to inform people of the dangers of monsters.

“Rather, people from the provinces are more thorough in that regard.”

“The people of the countryside will have to be on their guard since they don’t have the same protection as the city. They don’t know when monsters will descend on their village and slaughter the people, or which mountain they will climb and which dungeon they will fall into.”

“I guess there is nothing more certain than learning through physical experience.”

However, it was not possible to put all the citizens of the city in the dungeon and let them experience the monsters, so it was a headache for the association staff. It was because there were many idiots who couldn’t understand the topic no matter where they went.

“Anyway, I will take this into consideration and try to create an atmosphere where people will not easily approach ‘Black Cloak’.”

“… … .”

“I think it’s really ridiculous… but if the ‘Black Cloak’ is truly a being that does favors to humans, then there will be people who have delusions that are impossible.”

There is a reason why they say that when you do something good, you should do it well. There have been more than a few cases where a monster that was quietly staying quiet got upset and ended up bleeding on a large scale.

‘There are always those who, when a monster does them a favor, will have a stupid sense of superiority. Like they’re special and deserve this favor… It’s always these guys who cause accidents and natural disasters.’

Not all monsters want to kill humans. There are definitely monsters that hate humans, but because of that, they live in hiding.

However, it was only half a year ago that nearly half of the countries overseas were divided because of a hunter who took such a monster lightly and messed with it.

Even though staying still doesn’t mean you’re weak, you could say that it’s a really stupid judgment.

“Should I assume the worst and post the information?”

“Yes, please.”

“Then I will report back later.”

The researcher bowed his head in respect to the eternal symbol that supports the world.

“Association President.”

“… … .”

The association president smiled brightly.

It was a mechanical smile, devoid of any emotion.

* * *

Identification Number

0S-328-D

Response level

S(-)

Object Type

Humanoid

Object name

Black Cloak(-)

warrant

artist(-)

A humanoid entity first discovered by the 183rd Search Team 3 of the Korean Hunter Association.

It is the appearance of a man who is completely covered with a thick black cloak. The face cannot be seen. Inside the cloak, he is wearing a black shirt and suit. He is estimated to be about 185~9cm tall and in his late 20s to early 30s.

The temporary name ‘Black Cloak’ was given due to its external characteristics, but it appears that the individual name will need to be adjusted after additional information is obtained.

The first discoverer, Jeong Da-un, testified that he heard a slight noise when walking (the sound of dry plants hitting each other). Team member Kang Eon-seo, who has an enhanced sense of smell, testified that he smelled the scent of the forest, so it is possible to suspect that it is a plant-type monster. More information is needed about the type of this entity.

First sighting situation

He assisted the first discoverer and Hunter Association search team leader, Jung Da-woon, and his team. When asked a question during a conversation, if the entity does not receive an answer, it will not move on to the next situation and will repeat the same question exactly the same. Its intelligence is considered to be much higher than that of humans.

As it has been discovered, the power of the ‘Black Cloak’ is that of a ‘painter’, and it can create a frame out of thin air or turn a human into paint and use that material to draw a ‘picture’. Some of the team that first discovered it are complaining of mental distress.

Although he did them a favor by rescuing the first discovery team out of the ‘Deep Sea Country’, he showed his ignorance of the limitations of the human mind by turning the team into paint. It seems necessary to adjust the response level after acquiring additional information.

Based on the testimony of the first discoverer, Jeong Da-woon, it has been confirmed that the ‘Black Cloak’ showed a friendly attitude towards humans. However, since the ‘Black Cloak’s’ rule is understood to be ‘to respond obediently’, there is a high possibility that it will show hostility if the emotion of the subject changes negatively. Special care is required when responding.

Additionally, based on the clothing inside the cloak, voice, and behavior, we are reviewing the possibility that he was a high-ranking member of that dimension. Due to the lack of information in various aspects, a continuous attack on the ‘Deep Sea Country’ has been approved, and any related requests will be accepted.

Total comments (1,352)

– Need to check attack type

– You need to check the language you are using

– Request for reconfirmation of response level

– Please recheck the response level.

– Please check the habitat.

– Recording is required during the exchange… .

– The exact reaction… .

… … .

… .

… … .

* * *

“oh my.”

Yoo Seong-un, who was checking the monitor floating in the air, cleared his throat.

“This came out.”

“What’s the problem?”

“No, that’s….”

Yoo Seong-un, leaning against the wall right next to ‘Geo’s Portrait’, continued speaking while looking at the screen.

“Your information has been posted on the Korean Human Rights Association website.”

“If it’s the Hunters Association, then it must be the Hunters Association.”

“Yeah, that’s one of the main things we do there. We organize monsters that pop up here and there and need countermeasures, or that are threatening on their own, and post them on the homepage.”

Yoo Seong-un said that and looked back at the portrait with an awkward smile.

“That doesn’t mean you’re a monster.”

Although we’ve been hanging out together recently and have let our guard down, that doesn’t mean that the danger from Geo, the source, has diminished.

In particular, Yoo Seong-un clearly remembered the way nature sometimes took on the form of a human being.

‘It’s not like a guy who thinks he’s human would feel good when someone calls him a monster.’

Yoo Seong-un added.

“But from a human perspective, there’s nothing you can do. Normal people don’t live inside portraits like you do, right? If that’s possible, then at least you’re not human, well, that’s what it feels like…”

“That is a sufficient answer.”

“If that’s the case, then that’s good.”

Yoo Seong-un, who had been skimming through the contents of ‘Black Cloak’ posted on the homepage, opened his mouth again.

“Judging from the description that the face is unrecognizable, it seems the face was definitely not sold.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“… … .”

Yoo Seong-woon, who had been thinking for a moment, asked.

“Geo, is it possible to change the face in the portrait?”

“I didn’t quite understand the question.”

“The portrait you’re in now shows your face exactly as it is. As I said before, in order for you to live together with people without being threatened, it’s necessary to separate the identities of ‘Black Cloak’ and ‘Sergio.’”

The existence of the source changes its level of danger depending on the ‘story’. So, although Yoo Seong-un created an environment where ‘Portrait of Geo’ could act like a human, Geo often acted as if he was not human to anyone’s eyes.

‘It’s so much so that I doubt if they really intend to imitate humans.’

Because of that, Yoo Seong-un had to distinguish between ‘Sergio’, who people saw as a human, and ‘Black Cloak’, who they saw as an unidentified ghost story. This separation was possible because ‘Portrait of Geo’ sometimes acts like a human and sometimes not.

By separating them in this way, we could reduce the risk of some of the ‘Portraits of Geo’. And for that to happen, the appearance of the ‘Portraits of Geo’ had to be unknown to the world.

“Since the ‘Portrait of Geo’ has your exact face in it, even if you go around as the blond, blue-eyed Giovanni outside… everyone will eventually realize that the Black Cloak and Sergio are the same being.”

Even if the hair or eye color or personality changed, the face itself did not change. A pale-faced ‘Geo’ had the same appearance no matter what Geo it was.

It’s possible that you didn’t notice that the exact physical structure had changed a bit because it was covered by the billowy cloak, but at least the face.

“And you also travel through portraits, right? If your portrait is hung in a public place, and a black cloak is seen nearby, and it becomes known that your face is the same as that of the Hunter ‘Sergio’ of the Collectors’ Guild, you’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

“I think that is a valid opinion.”

The portrait, which had been silent for a moment, as if it was thinking about something, soon began to change.

He raised his hand and stretched it out… .

Iron Buck-.

“… … .”

“…uh….”

“At this point, won’t you be able to see the face?”

Geo’s face in the portrait was no longer visible, covered in paint as black as ink.

“… I can’t see your face, but… .”

I felt a little disappointed.

“… This is a portrait of your face. Is this okay?”

“Mr. Yoo Seong-un said that it was a problem that my face was exposed.”

“I thought maybe I could just turn the cloak inside out.”

It felt like someone had painted over a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece.

‘If I were to do this, the leader of the Visabal Guild would go completely crazy… .’

I was a bit creeped out by this, as I am someone who sometimes gets distracted when it comes to art and works.

“… … .”

Yoo Seong-un looked at the portrait covered in black paint with a pitiful gaze. The paint was applied with strokes made by a large hand, but Geo’s black hair and lower face were clearly visible.

Even that is gradually being covered up by the dripping paint.

“… So you can see ahead?”

“It looks good from my side.”

“Will it stay like this even if the portrait is placed somewhere else?”

“It will stay like this unless I wipe it out.”

“Then there is definitely no chance of the face being revealed.”

“The staff here know my face.”

“Oh, that’s okay.”

The staff of the Collectors Guild were particularly tight-lipped. There was no danger of information about the ‘Black Cloak’ being leaked.

‘As such, Geo’s story will be confined within this collection and will grow even bigger. If things continue this way, there is a high probability that Sergio’s story will not be diminished within the collection building or in front of our employees.’

In the collection building where people who already knew the identity of the ‘Black Cloak’ resided, the sense of discomfort would not be dispelled even if this portrait walked around in the form of ‘Sergio’.

But that alone was enough.

“Those people never leak information to the outside.”

“Is there any basis for this?”

“I’ve gathered together only those people who really hate getting involved in big things… .”

“I wouldn’t spread it, even for my own sake.”

“Besides, if I tell you that, wouldn’t the leader of the Bisabal Guild know? If he finds out that you were talking nonsense, you could be dragged to some lab, but I don’t think anyone would open their mouth.”

One of the characteristics of the Collector’s Guild is that the relationship between the staff members is very close, perhaps because each and every one of them has been scouted by the Visabal. They are all reclusive and avoidant.

“There is absolutely no chance of information spreading from here.”

Yoo Seong-un smiled bitterly.

“If I hadn’t been involved right away, I would have just gritted my teeth and pretended I didn’t know, but what about the leak…?”

“okay.”

“Even if they demand a leak with a promise of compensation from the outside, the guild already takes good care of it, so there is no one in this guild who would take that risk and seek profit. In a similar vein, threats won’t work either.”

One of the most distinctive features of the Collectors’ Guild was that everything from the building to each and every employee was a collection of Bisabae’s collectibles.

Although Visabal took particularly good care of his employees’ welfare, no one was foolish enough to touch his ‘collection’.

What are you going to do?

“So I’ll tell you again, everyone will really grit their teeth and pretend not to know. They’ll really throw a tantrum.”

These are people who just want to finish their work, go home, and rest. They have a strong sense of responsibility, but they also hate being bothered, so you can rest assured about this.

“but….”

“Is there a problem?”

“… It’s nothing special.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“You’ve become more scared.”

“… … .”

“Because of the paint… .”

Only after a long time did Geo react.

“ah.”

He rarely looked pitiful.

The painter who draws dungeons