Chapter 23

Meanwhile, I was lost in a silly thought. It was a really silly thought.

“……”

Since coming to this world, I had never once painted a landscape.

‘No, was it not even once?’

Come to think of it, there was the time I made a lake for Honey and his fellow water birds, but that was all.

To be precise, that was just adding one more component to this world and wasn't a proper landscape painting.

Then, a question arose.

“Fruits, buildings, animals….”

I could draw them all.

“Then what about a landscape?”

What happens to the world I paint?

“……”

With that question in mind, I began to paint.

For now, about three of them.

***

‘Breathing Sea’

Searching….

…….

….

…….

Corresponding dimension exists

Entry possible

…….

Apt confirmed

Synchronization possible

‘Animal Kingdom’

Searching….

…….

….

…….

Corresponding dimension exists

Entry possible

…….

Apt confirmed

Synchronization possible

‘City of the Void’

…….

….

…….

The corresponding dimension does not exist.

Would you like to register?

***

You have 3 unread notifications.

“What is this?”

Check the new notification.

“……”

I felt it.

‘A premonition of fun.’

It was new content that had appeared with ghost-like timing right after I finished farming.

Working through the night is a sacred act that is an artist's companion and a symbol of a free soul.

Having painted all night, I completed a total of 3 landscape paintings.

“Hmm.”

Seeing that there were 3 notifications, I could roughly guess.

I felt as happy as if I had received a Christmas present that had arrived by mistake during Korean thanksgiving.

“A good adult is always rewarded someday.”

“Kkoo-oong?”

“As if there’s anyone in the world as good as Dad.”

“Kkoo-reu-reu….”

“The trust in this father-son relationship is so absurd. It’s lamentable.”

With a solemn face, I skillfully spouted nonsense and checked the system’s notifications.

“……”

And I asked.

“Where might the help section be?”

That’s right.

I couldn’t interpret it.

‘I know it’s related to the 3 paintings I completed yesterday.’

First, I painted a seascape, second, I painted a wilderness landscape and last, I painted a landscape of an empty city.

‘Breathing Sea, Animal Kingdom, City of the Void… I never gave them such names.’

I guessed the system must have named them on its own.

“The system must have known about my naming skills and snatched away the opportunity to name my works…. But even so, what does ‘Corresponding dimension exists’ mean?”

If taken literally, it sounded like an actual dimension that matched the landscape I painted existed.

“The ability to discover a whole dimension, I wonder what that’s like for a human.”

Of course, it was something that could be possible for the new Jio who had newly evolved into a portrait.

When a human has evolved into a painting, the standards of being human could be temporarily left next to Andromeda.

“Tada.”

Having finished my brilliant rationalization, I continued my Sherlock Holmes-level deduction.

“It said entry is possible… so it seems there are real dimensions among the pictures I drew, and I can enter them directly.”

I hadn't expected such a large-scale update.

I didn't think a human life originally came with such a diligent management team, but this was a very encouraging change.

“Nice.”

The fresh soul of Gangwon-do that doesn't follow the same path as others.

I had never even thought about it, but I affirmed and cheered on my own unique challenge that I was taking on my own.

“But there’s still something I don’t understand….”

I just couldn’t understand the words ‘Apt’ and ‘Synchronization’.

“……”

“……”

“What is apt and what am I synchronizing with?”

“Kkoong?”

Cute, but I mustn’t be fooled. That didn’t mean ‘Right?’, but ‘How would I know?’.

“Right.”

I nodded.

Seeing that impure gaze, it seemed he had hit puberty, but seeing him still respond to his dad’s every word, I could tell what a sincere son Honey was.

There can be bad paints in the world, but there are no bad paintings.

Honey was like that.

‘What a good boy.’

As I was checking the system window, I soon discovered a new list.

Apt List

Anyone could see it was the answer.

“Let’s see.”

Breathing Sea_Giovanni

Synchronization Rate 0%

Animal Kingdom_Argio

Synchronization Rate 0%

What the.

“……”

Description: Apt

“You do have a conscience.”

Apt

A way to understand an unfamiliar dimension more conveniently.

Among the existing beings in the indicated dimension, the subject corresponding to ‘Jio’ has been named ‘Apt’.

If you obtain the Apt’s consent, you can borrow their soul and body to easily understand and travel the dimension.

“What are you going to do if I still don’t get it? I’m quite curious as to how you’ll react.”

But I understood.

“So if an ‘Apt’ exists in a real dimension, I can wander around in that person’s body….”

This place works well.

I didn’t know what that person called the Apt thought, but from a user’s perspective, it was a very considerate structure.

“I wouldn’t know about the culture of that dimension, and above all, there might be germs that don’t suit my current body. Even if I can breathe air on Earth, in other places, I might have to breathe a gas like nitrogen.”

In that sense, receiving help from the ‘Apt’ would be a convenient choice.

“The criterion for finding that Apt must be the fact that the other party is ‘Jio’….”

Looking at the names on the list, I got a rough idea.

Breathing Sea_Giovanni

Synchronization Rate 0%

Animal Kingdom_Argio

Synchronization Rate 0%

“These people were probably also called ‘Jio’.”

Anyway, is it enough as long as ‘Jio’ is in the name?

“…No, if that were the case, they wouldn't have bothered to use a word like Apt. There must be other conditions, which is why it’s treated as important enough to create and manage a list.”

I guessed it probably confirmed the sync rate or adaptability with myself.

“Interesting.”

I liked it very much.

“I guess I won’t be bored a day in my life.”

The amount of updated data was so huge that I wondered if I could enjoy it all in my lifetime.

“A dimension-level update.”

It was truly amazing.

“……”

But even after this long explanation and analysis was over, there was still one shot left.

“What is the City of the Void?”

‘City of the Void’

The corresponding dimension does not exist.

Would you like to register?

“Does this mean I created a new dimension?”

That was some seriously crazy talk.

“I can hear the sound of my life getting spectacular from all the way over here.”

It was very good.

I never thought deeply. This time was no different.

Of course, if it were a matter of world peace, friendship, and love, I would have pondered it deeply with the pure heart of an unspoiled mountain youth, but this didn't really stir my motivation.

I looked like I would only drink espresso every morning, but I had the palate of a grade-schooler who would spit out what’s bitter and swallow what’s sweet.

“Hmm.”

My ultimate positive mindset didn’t falter at just creating a dimension.

“Just because I created a new dimension doesn’t mean a random nuclear power plant on Earth will explode in one second.”

Then it’s fine.

“Honey, do you agree?”

“Kkoo-roo-rook!”

“Then it’s really fine.”

Having gotten my family’s consent, there was nothing more holding me back.

Although it was a scale I had never experienced in my lifetime, such trivial information could not stop the growth of the deep-rooted tree that was Jio.

I was a portrait with conviction.

“Life is amazing.”

As you live, new content always comes into being.

“If I don’t enjoy this content right now, I am not human.”

“……”

“I don’t know at what part you went silent, but Honey, believe in this dad.”

I was confident.

I am very confident in my ability to enjoy myself.

“Life is a hurricane.”

Letting my tongue move freely, I selected the Apt [Giovanni] from the list.

It was because it was a name often used in Italy on Earth, so it felt strangely familiar.

And then I….

―Poof.

“……”

‘Poof?’

I was left alone in some kind of operating room.

“……”

Honey, who should have been on my shoulder, was also gone.

A wave of sadness washes over me.

‘I’m lonely.’

How could this happen?

Dropped into an operating room that looked like it was from 18th-century Europe due to the system's trickery, I muttered to myself.

‘It feels like not even 30 minutes, let alone the day before yesterday, have passed since I was marveling at the system’s divine management skills and vast content, but what on earth is this insensitive delivery service?’

I had my feelings hurt by the system's inconsiderate behavior.

It should have kindly informed me that the transfer would proceed after asking for my opinion once more.

As I was pondering which customer satisfaction center to file a complaint with in this case, I noticed someone was standing in front of me and stopped my moping.

“……”

“…Ah.”

At the sudden presence, I felt shy for a moment. I didn't know who it was, but their stealth skills were on par with Agent 0○7.

“……”

“……”

“……”

“…Hello?”

In the moment I was lost in the silly thought of ‘101 Dal○atians giving an awesome self-introduction’, the one who spoke first was a man in his early 30s who seemed to be the owner of the operating room.

“A pleasure to meet you, I am Giovanni of the Batlan family.”

“…I am Jio.”

“Yes, I know. You may call me Jio, sir.”

The kind and trustworthy smile suited him very well and he looked surprisingly similar to me.

To the extent that if I were a Westerner and a little older, I would probably look just like that.

And I bravely did not hold back my question.

“You look very much like me.”

“Probably, many parts will be similar.”

“I cannot smile as kindly as you. I am inexperienced at smiling itself and have been misunderstood many times.”

“That is a cute and honest worry, like those of the students I used to teach. It is alright, from now on, you will be able to smile like me.”

‘Giovanni’, who had said something meaningful, soon smiled with embarrassment.

He seemed like a much more cheerful adult than me.

“Mr. Seo Jio, you seem to be a very direct and affectionate person.”

“I think the same of you, Mr. Giovanni. Seeing the compliment you gave to me, a stranger, I can feel that your very way of thinking is good.”

“Affirming the light that others possess is something I must naturally do as a priest of the sun. It is nothing to be called good or not.”

“…Priest….”

Priest?

“…This place looks like a hospital, were you not a doctor?”

“I am also a doctor. Just because one is a priest of the sun doesn't mean everyone has to stay inside a temple and recite scriptures. There are many priests like me who work outside.”

‘Giovanni’, who said so, soon let out a sigh.

“No… there were many.”

“I see.”

“My world was covered by the sea and has been destroyed.”

Ah, so suddenly?

“The fact that Mr. Giovanni’s hometown was destroyed, isn't that too deep a story for me, a stranger, to hear….”

“Please listen.”

“Yes, I will listen attentively.”

“All that remains in that world now are probably the mermaids hiding in the sea. Our planet has shrunk and been regularized like a game board.”

“Like a game board?”

“Perhaps, I believe it has become something called… a dungeon.”

“Do you know of dungeons?”

“It was a concept that originally did not exist in our world, so I did not know of it until before I died.”

Saying this, it seemed ‘Giovanni’ was already a dead person.

“But Mr. Seo Jio, the moment you called me, I knew.”

“……”

“We are the same ‘Jio’.”

He said, still wearing a benevolent smile.

“But we are by no means the same person.”

“May I see you as a parallel world version of me?”

“No, that is not it either. We are just completely separate humans who miraculously share very many commonalities.”

“……”

“Similar faces, similar voices, similar dexterity and such… however, our souls are by no means the same color.”

After pondering for a moment, I asked.

“Do you like to paint? Since you’ve put it that way, I am truly curious if your tastes are similar to mine.”

“It is one of my secret hobbies. I very much enjoyed painting the sea that resembles a mermaid.”

“The sea that resembles a mermaid….”

Even our hobby of enjoying painting was the same.

With that alone, I acknowledged that we were the same ‘Jio’.

“I would like to see it.”

“You will see it soon.”

A voice full of gentle conviction.

At that gentle voice that would not be easily broken, I felt a question arise.

“I understand that my soul and body are being taken by you. Are you not afraid or resentful of me? I am plundering everything of yours merely to appreciate a new dimension.”

“This is not a plunder. In the first place, I am already dead, my soul has returned to the side of the sun, and my body has become soil and been buried in the ground… hmm, it didn’t become soil nor was it buried in the ground. Now, even that land has surely been submerged by the sea.”

“Is this some kind of black joke like when elderly people say there’s no need to buy them expensive things because they’ll die soon? You may be fine with it, but I am not. It seems you have forgotten that we are strangers.”

“Hahaha….”

It wasn't funny at all, but ‘Giovanni’, who laughed as if he had told a really funny joke, soon continued.

“My soul will become one with yours, Mr. Jio. Shall we call it a kind of resurrection or reincarnation? I will seep into you, spend more time, build memories and thus live on within the Source.”

“…The Source?”

“It must still be an unfamiliar concept to you.”

He gave a gentle smile.

“But you are already living there.”

“Are you saying the place I reside is the ‘Source’? I have heard of it from an acquaintance I recently made.”

“In fact, even that is probably a name given by the people of Earth. In reality, what name it has, or what rules and what form it possesses, we cannot know. As a humble soul, I can only respond to your call and cooperate with you.”

Soon after, ‘Giovanni’ opened his mouth as if apologetic.

“If possible, please take care of the Sun God. To be more precise, I mean the Sun God of the world I was in.”

“To think a request to take care of a god came from a mere humble soul is unbelievable. You are telling a very funny joke again. In fact, it’s not very funny.”

“I too thought so when I was alive, but if not for the Source, even a god is eventually forgotten without believers. The sun would not be extinguished by that, but as his son, I cannot help but be concerned.”

“How can I take care of a god? I am also just an ordinary human.”

“You can remember him, talk to him from time to time, or borrow his power. I swear on my honorable soul as a priest forged in sunlight, it will not be too much of a burden for you.”

I nodded my head.

‘He said a god, but to summarize, is it a feeling like visiting an elderly person who lives alone?’

As a former art teacher, I had often done volunteer work since my university days.

Among them were quite a few elderly people who were growing old alone with sad stories.

Thinking of it this way, I was an experienced professional.

I, who had shrunk at the word god, regained my confidence.

“I am good at that.”

“Haha, that’s a relief. I’m counting on you.”

“Is there nothing else you wish for?”

“Is the request to take care of a god not burdensome enough for you?”

“It was burdensome until a moment ago, but not anymore.”

In a village deep in the mountains of Gangwon-do, which was a super-super-aged society, I was the only child.

I was at least confident in entertaining the elderly.

Feeling that confidence, ‘Giovanni’ hesitated and opened his mouth.

“…Aria….”

“Aria?”

“It is my student’s name.”

“……”

“The story has gotten too long.”

Still gentle, but a tone tinged with sadness somewhere.

“Give her an end.”

At that moment.

“…Ah….”

I was back on the bed in my cabin.

“……”

“……”

“Kkoo-reu-reu….”

“…Right….”

Breathing Sea_‘Giovanni’

“It’s okay.”

Giovanni’s Quest

“Dad is okay.”

Communication with the Sun God (0/1)

An Ending for the Mermaid Princess (0/1)

“Really….”

Synchronization Rate 1%

“I am okay.”

“……”

“There’s no problem at all.”

It was a strange feeling.

With the cold that crept up my whole body and the pain that split my bones.

With a sadness greater than that, Giovanni cried without knowing why.

He couldn't remember anything.

“……”

“……”

He cried like that until the moon set and a new sunlight came in….

“…I don’t regret it.”

He smiled with his raw eyes.

I was happy.

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