Chapter 24

『New Employee Notification』

There has recently been an unpleasant disturbance within the Guild related to a ghost story.

As the internal confusion has not subsided, this notice is being posted.

All employees are to take note and not cause any further confusion.

…….

“What should I write?”

Bisabeol sat in front of the monitor and contemplated for a long time.

“…Should I make it fun?”

He soon moved his hands.

The name of the man in the black cape is Jio.

Jio is an employee on the dawn shift.

Do not ask for his identity.

…….

***

“Jio.”

As always, Yu Seong-un called out to the Jio in the portrait.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes, I am awake.”

“Then, I'd like to make a suggestion.”

While maintaining a composed appearance, Yu Seong-un carefully observed the other party.

He was currently making a suggestion to a being of the Source.

He had to understand its weight.

‘And I know very well.’

Originally, the beings that lived in the Source couldn't communicate with humans.

A single sneeze from far away could be a terrible insult to them, and laughing during a conversation could make them sad.

Beings of the Source had their own rules.

Their rules were very irrational and irregular from a human's perspective, so one must never treat them from a human standpoint.

“By any chance, do you not want to come outside? I'm only saying this under the premise that you want to….”

The only way to survive was to constantly observe and analyze.

“It seems you don't know much about the situation outside. That thing with the seeds last time, for instance.”

“What you say is correct, Mr. Yu Seong-un. I do not know much.”

“In that sense, I asked if you'd be interested in some sightseeing. I'll cover all the necessary items and costs, and of course, I'll be by your side to guide you.”

“You will guide me.”

“Yes, which means you literally just have to show up.”

To sneak a being of the Source whose identity hadn't even been confirmed outside.

Although he was proceeding with Bisabeol's permission, even for Yu Seong-un, who took risks when he had to, this was a bold gamble.

‘…Still, there's no need to worry needlessly. If things go wrong, I'll just make an excuse that he's a new Hunter from outside the city.’

As long as Jio maintained his gentlemanly demeanor, no major problems would arise.

Of course, since he didn't know Jio's true identity, it was possible he might interact with something in reality regardless of his intentions, but that didn't matter either. If it was going to happen anyway, it was wiser to know in advance.

‘Even if it means some damage.’

As Yu Seong-un waited for an answer, the portrait with the gloomy and noble face soon opened its mouth.

“Sightseeing, you say.”

He thought he had gotten quite used to it, but he still got goosebumps.

The portrait's tone was still bizarrely blunt.

“Very well.”

“…Really?”

“When would be good?”

It was a rather quick answer.

‘I thought he might attack me, saying I was trying to drag him outside.’

Jio was a portrait.

Trying to pull a painting into reality could have felt like an insult from his perspective.

But fortunately, Jio didn't seem to mind that part.

‘Is it because he's come out on his own a few times before…. If so, it was a good thing I took measures in advance so Jio could move freely.’

Yu Seong-un stopped thinking and answered.

“Let's do it on Tuesday morning, two days from now.”

“Could you call for me then? Time here and time outside seem to flow a little differently, so I need help.”

“That's not difficult. I'll come to call you in two days, so you can get ready slowly and come out then….”

After thinking for a moment, Yu Seong-un took out a small timer.

“I'll put it here on the floor, so you can check it this way. I'll set it to ring three times at 8 AM in two days. This will be more convenient if you want to check the time as you wish, right?”

“Thank you.”

“It's nothing.”

Yu Seong-un inwardly sighed in relief.

‘…He readily accepted the proposal itself. As expected, compared to other beings of the Source, Jio is capable of communication. Of course, since he's not human, there are times when things go awry… but it should be mostly safe.’

As if thinking their business was over, the portrait closed its eyes.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un also didn't hold onto Jio any longer.

They would have to stick together all day in two days anyway, so it wouldn't do for them to drain each other's energy already.

Besides, Yu Seong-un also had a lot to prepare for the sightseeing schedule with Jio.

‘I should make a reservation at one of the tamer-exclusive hotels. I don't intend to treat Jio like a contracted beast, but those kinds of hotels are better prepared for emergencies, just in case.’

Since this matter was quite dangerous, thorough preparations were needed, within a range that wouldn't displease Jio.

“…But then again, when has it ever not been like this?”

Bisabeol's stance was firm.

Even if there was some damage, as long as it wasn't a massacre of more than 50 people, he would cover it up, so he was told to check how ‘Jio's Portrait’ reacted among humans.

‘A wise decision.’

Jio could come out of the portrait whenever he wanted, without any restrictions or conditions.

If an incident was bound to happen anyway, it was better for Yu Seong-un, the Curator and Gardener, to be by his side watching.

“…….”

However, it's not that he wasn't tired of this world where human lives were treated like insects.

‘…Even though they are people in the city, not outside it, Guild Master Bisabeol said he could handle it. Damage to 50 people or less is fine and even if it happens, as long as it's not leaked to the media, it's okay.’

Of course, it would be much better to finish the sightseeing without anyone dying.

“I'll just have to count on Jio's gentlemanly response for this part.”

Yu Seong-un muttered quietly and left the Guild.

Even if Jio was a being with reactions remarkably similar to a human, he couldn't be at ease.

Even humans could act perfectly fine and then throw a fit at lunch the next day; there was no guarantee that a being of the Source wouldn't have such a dual nature.

‘I'll definitely look into that type of hotel… As for the sightseeing route, it would be best to set it somewhere that can be managed in case of an emergency. Gyeongbokgung is in this direction, so it's not like there are no attractions.’

Since he was going so far as to use the name ‘Seo Jio’, it didn't seem like a bad idea to show him something Korean.

‘The night market at Gyeongbokgung usually opens after 6 o'clock, I think. Since it's a tourist spot in the Jongno area, there will be many Hunters walking around. If an incident breaks out, it'll be good to request help using Guild Master Bisabeol's name.’

Perhaps because he had been working overtime continuously lately, or because he was worrying too much, his head felt a little dazed.

‘I'll have to think a bit about how to introduce Jio then….’

If an incident broke out, it seemed better to report it voluntarily to the Association.

Since the Association President had been targeting it, they probably wouldn't be completely ignorant about ‘Jio's Portrait’.

“…Hoo….”

Having come outside, Yu Seong-un let out a deep sigh.

“What a headache.”

His breath did not fog up.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un muttered nonsensically.

“…Man, this is why conglomerates are great.”

Scratching the back of his head, he started walking again.

Overtime was confirmed, but he had enough stamina.

‘I need to hurry up and prepare.’

He hoped things would go smoothly.

***

After finishing my conversation with Yu Seong-un, I returned to the bedroom.

“…….”

Yes, it was I, Jio.

Fortunately, I had returned from the state of being ‘Giovanni’ and regained my original personality.

“Hmm….”

The state of being ‘Giovanni’ didn't even last that long.

I was just flustered by the change I was experiencing for the first time; once I got the hang of it, I could return to my usual personality.

“It's not difficult.”

If I focused my mind, I could return to being a Jio again.

“Like blowing my nose.”

And so, I came to understand this new rule.

“So I just have to meet the Apt, get their consent, and proceed with the quest while wandering around that world.”

And another thing, ‘Synchronization’.

This part wasn't that difficult either.

“Progress is much faster when I take on Giovanni's personality, but even without fully synchronizing with the personality, the synchronization rate itself is slowly rising.”

I sporadically become Giovanni without realizing it, but separate from that….

“It seems once synchronization starts, you can't turn it off.”

Although I had never experienced it before, it felt like remembering a forgotten past life.

I had definitely said he was a different person, but I didn't feel like Giovanni and I were separate individuals.

And so, I had organized my thoughts in just a few days.

“In my entire life, I'll never have such a novel experience again.”

“Kkureuk?”

“An experience that makes you feel like your left and right brain are working separately is rare.”

I could now be ‘Jio’ and ‘Giovanni’ at the same time and it wasn't difficult to change my personality depending on the situation and my mood.

I felt Giovanni's emotions.

‘Though the memories aren't complete.’

Perhaps because the synchronization rate was low, I couldn't recall all of Giovanni's memories.

It felt like following a Giovanni who had amnesia and had forgotten all his previous memories, but that alone was enough to know what kind of person he was.

Giovanni was very warm-hearted and affectionate, possessing a soft charisma that could soothe and captivate people.

He had ambitions for peace, but cherished his daily life with those around him more.

That was ‘Batlan Giovanni’.

“…….”

After blinking twice, I muttered in a small voice.

“Will it be okay like this?”

Yu Seong-un had proposed sightseeing.

“He seemed scared of me.”

It's just that I hadn't thought about it, but I wasn't clueless.

‘There's no way people are scared of me just because a man in black is scary.’

It seemed Yu Seong-un was deliberately explaining things indirectly, afraid I would be shocked, but I knew.

The current me was undoubtedly a bit too scary for ordinary people to look at.

‘As expected, trying to wander the world in the body of a portrait must cause problems with resolution.’

Or perhaps this was the true power of a haunted portrait.

The power to make even the harmless seem harmful, to change the genre to horror-thriller just by existing.

“The people outside seemed to be scared of me.”

“Kkung.”

“It's baffling, but it's not a very unpleasant feeling, so don't worry.”

I had no intention of it, but should I say it felt like being in a hidden camera horror prank?

I felt sorry, but to be blunt, it was more ridiculously funny than unpleasant.

But there has to be a limit.

“It'll be a problem if it disrupts the sightseeing.”

It wasn't just sightseeing I was going on alone; it was a trip to be enjoyed together, relying solely on someone else's money and guidance.

Looking so hopelessly harmful like this would be a nuisance to Mr. Yu Seong-un who was accompanying me.

“It's sightseeing to be enjoyed with a reliable guide like Mr. Yu Seong-un. An experience like this on someone else's dime is rare.”

“…….”

“You think money grows on trees? I can guarantee you prices have gone up even more now. Daddy has no money.”

Ah, geez. Would whimpering to my child about having no money have a bad influence on its development?

I belatedly added.

“Of course, this daddy can buy you anything you ask for, Honey.”

“Kkung?”

“We shouldn't be wasteful, but if you buy it and enjoy it, then it's not a waste.”

Besides, it seemed like money would come out even if I dug the ground here.

If painting a picture can make roasted sweet potatoes appear, why wouldn't digging the ground make money appear?

“Anyway, it's not like that outside the frame. Honey, listen carefully. When someone offers to buy you something delicious, you have to run over and accept it to be called a true pig.”

Personally, I was hoping Honey would get that chubby.

“…….”

“…….”

If only it got chubby….

“…Kku-eung… Kkeureureuk… Keureuk….”

“There's no need to get angry, is there?”

“Krrrrrrrrr….”

It seemed to dislike the idea.

‘A shame.’

A chubby bird is a symbol of cuteness, but this water bird, so diligent in its self-care, seemed to have no intention of becoming one.

‘Somehow, the way it adorned itself with jewels was unusual. What a picky child.’

Anyway, the thing I was concerned about was that.

I had to have a more harmless impression.

“I want to become harmless enough to look like an ordinary passerby, but I don't know what more I can possibly do when I'm already as harmless as a talking potato. My harmlessness must have already reached its limit.”

In my lifetime—well, I've never actually died, but anyway—back when I worked as a teacher, I often heard that I had a ‘scary impression’, but my aura wasn't one to make people wet themselves crying.

“That's because, aside from my talent for growing up healthy no matter where I am, I'm just a corpse.”

But now, I was being treated like a ghost story, like the Red Mask.

I hadn't heard that evaluation outright, but seeing everyone I met freak out, I got the general idea.

“Seeing how everyone struggles just to perceive me, for now… it does seem like a resolution issue.”

“Kkurereu.”

“I think there might be various problems that arise from a painting becoming reality, but I'm not an engineer….”

And I had already received a solution for that from the System.

Tip.

Resolution Solution

Utilize ‘Jio’

“This must be referring to the Apt.”

Was ‘Giovanni’, who was currently undergoing synchronization, being treated as a human and not a portrait?

In fact, when I activated Giovanni's personality, I felt my body become slightly heavier.

Unlike before, I had to go to the bathroom, I felt hungry, and I required a certain amount of sleep.

“So, if I go outside in the state of being Giovanni, people won't be scared of me.”

“…….”

Feeling Honey's lukewarm gaze, I nodded.

“It's called multiple personalities.”

First, I had to become harmless.

“…….”

“…….”

At Honey's stare, I admitted my excessiveness.

“…Okay, even I think the multiple personalities thing was a bit of a stretch.”

“Kkureuk.”

“To make an excuse, I really didn't sincerely plan to pass it off like that.”

It was a sightseeing trip that Yu Seong-un had kindly suggested.

It was a trip I would enjoy with his help, and I would be openly walking around with him, so I didn't want to cause any unnecessary inconvenience.

“Even if I don't act as ‘Giovanni’, as long as the synchronization is in progress, there's room to utilize it. It means people might not be so scared even if I act like usual.”

“Kkur?”

“Of course, I have to be mindful. If I'm not paying attention, it seems the resolution problem comes back even if I'm synchronizing. But this alone is a great discovery.”

This was a fact I had confirmed with the help of the dawn patrol guards within the guild.

“I'm trying various things, so Mr. Yu Seong-un probably won't be put in such a difficult position.”

For example, a situation where his companion suddenly develops multiple personalities.

“…Well, anyway….”

Sprawled out on the bed, I pushed myself up.

“…Then, it's time to get our elder his meal. Honey, let's go.”

“Kkururururu!”

Honey agreed enthusiastically and nodded its head.

The small bird fluttered and landed on my shoulder.

I picked up the 77 colorful sandwiches I had made in advance in the kitchen and moved to the studio.

My steps stopped right in front of the ‘Breathing Sea’, that is, the landscape painting of the sea.

Now, I had to open this firmly shut door.

“Do you wanna build a snowm….”

“Kkuk.”

“Right.”

I suppose copyright is precious.

Recalling my spiritual hometown, the ‘Win○er Kingdom’, and reminiscing about my childhood innocence for a moment, I composed myself. It wasn't impossible that the Republic of Korea, which had already changed so much in the 31 years since I'd woken up, had become a nation of lawsuits.

After talking nonsense and clearing my throat with a hum, I prepared to have a meal with my family.

“…….”

“…….”

A brief moment of silence.

The jet-black hair began to lighten little by little.

After blinking the water-colored eyes twice.

“…….”

Giovanni was there in my place.

“…May I come in?”

The door opened.

“Thank you.”

“ ”

“Yes, this priest is very late.”

“ ”

“Please understand.”

A world submerged in the sea.

“The weather was so nice, it made my body sluggish.”

The sun was barely breathing.

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