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Episode 7
After finishing the third day, Yoo Seong-un confirmed that the portrait had closed its eyes.
“… … .”
He went to see the guild leader at 9 o’clock in the morning.
“It’s dangerous.”
“What’s dangerous?”
“That portrait is dangerous.”
He reported with a calm face.
“The portrait has nothing to do with the favor the individual has for us humans. It is true that there are rare monsters that are friendly to humans, but it is also true that their favor has been a great poison to humans.”
“Are you trying to say that Geo’s portrait is like a favor to those monsters?”
“No, it’s more dangerous than that.”
Yoo Seong-un reported what he had confirmed.
“The portrait knows exactly what it does, how it looks, and what impact it has. It’s completely different from the monsters we’ve seen before, who just blindly shower people with favors and suffocate them.”
Above all else.
“He recognizes himself as a human being.”
So, he would try to interact with humans somehow. He didn’t seem like the type to be averse to conversation.
“But at the same time, he doesn’t see us as human beings.”
“then?”
“Geo judged us by our drawings. He is appreciating us like that.”
Yoo Seong-un felt the powerful spirit of ‘Geo’. It was something that any creature that could think without any special analytical equipment or skills would naturally be able to feel.
It wasn’t just the power that came from the measured gait, the heavy atmosphere, and the noble appearance. Yoo Seong-un still couldn’t forget the feeling of being lost when he met Geo’s black eyes.
Something so huge that we can’t even recognize it is pretending to be human.
“And yet he says he is human. I don’t know if he really thinks that way or if he is trying to be, but it seems like he is definitely sincere. It’s not a lie.”
In cases like this, even if things were normally safe, once something happened, it was bound to get bigger than you could imagine.
Because he was fully aware of what he was doing.
“Besides, he is sensitive to good and evil. However, we cannot know where the standard comes from. Even though we judged him to be ordinary, if ‘Geo’ concludes that he is a villain… I cannot even imagine what the result will be.”
“Can you really not imagine?”
“Yes, this time… I guess.”
Yoo Seong-un sighed.
“There was no crowd to compare it to, and no reference material. This was my first time seeing a talking portrait.”
Weapons with egos are considered rare and are loved by many hunters. But a portrait with egos, a being whose identity is indistinguishable from a ghost, a monster, or a human.
Even though he had many unique experiences, this was a difficult case.
“I was thinking of sending it to the Hunter Association as research material….”
“Would you be available?”
“I guess so. I know, I thought you would.”
Yoo Seong-un covered his mouth as if to stop himself from sighing, then quickly controlled his expression and continued speaking.
“Then I will report to you periodically. It is difficult to determine the exact identity after seeing it for a day or two.”
“Please. I’m planning to go and talk to him again soon, but I don’t want to be ignored again, so please find out what Geo likes.”
“It’s a very personal request, but I understand. It’s my job, so you don’t have to ask me to do it. Isn’t it something I’m supposed to do?”
“I don’t know how all our employees can be so chic.”
“I think it’s because you’ve gathered only these types of people.”
That’s why Yoo Seong-un had to go to work every morning at 4:30.
* * *
“Aren’t you lonely?”
The portrait blinked twice at Yoo Seong-un’s question.
“I am not lonely.”
It’s still a blunt answer.
Yoo Seong-un smiled faintly.
“I apologize if this was an impolite question, but this is a place where no one comes or goes except for the staff who come to manage the artwork.”
“… … .”
“I guessed that sometimes coming out of the portrait and looking around might have been part of that feeling.”
“I like places where there are no people, so it’s okay.”
“Do you feel uncomfortable talking?”
“That’s not it. It’s just that…”
The portrait continued to speak.
“I’ve said so much already, I’ve always imagined a future where I wouldn’t have to say anything.”
“… … .”
“I’ve always wanted a quiet place where I don’t have to talk too much, get too involved, or worry too much… This is the perfect place for that.”
Yoo Seong-un asked him.
“… Were you a human before?”
“He is still a human being.”
“Oh, right. So what I meant was… was it a normal person who wasn’t in the picture? Because normal people aren’t put in frames.”
“Yes, I did.”
“okay.”
Humanoid monsters are divided into two types.
There are types that were born as monsters but later evolved to take on a human form, or types that started out as humans but at some point became part of the ‘origin’ and became monsters.
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‘In this case, it’s the latter.’
Monsters who have memories of being human are particularly prone to negative emotions.
‘This side… rather looks peaceful.’
But it wasn’t a very pleasant peace.
“… … .”
It’s like a funeral.
‘Portrait of Geo’ looked just like someone’s death.
“Well, then… isn’t it boring?”
“Sometimes it’s boring.”
“How do you relieve that boredom? Do you have your own method?”
“Usually I eat.”
“… … .”
Oh, this was a bit surprising.
“…Eat?”
“yes.”
The portrait answered in its characteristically blunt voice.
“I enjoy eating.”
“… … .”
I hope that material isn’t human.
‘…He doesn’t look like someone who would particularly like to eat.’
If you think of the other person as a normal human being, well, he didn’t seem obsessed with food.
‘… Rather, he gives the impression that he is not interested in anything. He shows an indifference that borders on cold-bloodedness.’
He is a handsome man. He is not thin, but he is not thick either.
With his pale skin, his darkened eyelids, and his marble-like, still face, he didn’t look like he would find pleasure in eating.
But there was something more surprising.
“This may sound rude, but….”
“You can eat it.”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I asked the obvious.”
The picture is eating rice.
“Is it okay if I ask how you eat?”
To Yoo Seong-un’s question, ‘Geo’ answered as if it was nothing special.
“I cook. I think about what I want to eat, get the right ingredients, prepare them, put a pan on the fire or put it in the oven… and that’s how I finish cooking.”
“… … .”
“Because I’m just an ordinary human being.”
Although, the part where it is explained like that feels rather inhuman.
When Yoo Seong-un did not answer, the portrait explained another case.
“There is a way I can enjoy it because I am in the portrait.”
“Oh, how about that…?”
“I need a little help, but Mr. Yoo Seong-un can bring me joy too.”
“…What kind of pleasure are you talking about?”
It could bring joy. For a moment, I was anxious as I recalled the tyranny of monsters throughout history, but the portrait did not ask for a living sacrifice or warm blood.
He looked at the meteor cloud with emotionless eyes, like black paint on paper.
“Are you good at drawing?”
“… If you can describe something, you can draw it. Sometimes I have to draw things or plants I’ve never seen before in my reports… .”
“Then please draw an apple.”
“… … .”
“It’s not difficult, is it?”
Yoo Seong-un asked back with a slightly surprised expression.
“… This, on top of the portrait… you mean?”
“you’re right.”
“…All right.”
‘Portrait of Geo’ is a being with clear rules. Yoo Seong-un was not stupid enough to ignore what such an unidentified being asked to do.
He took out paints and brushes from the hard case he always carried. The portrait asked him what he saw.
“Do you always carry art supplies with you?”
“I try to carry as many different things as possible. You never know what might happen in this gallery, so it’s good for me to be prepared in many ways.”
“okay.”
“… … .”
Although the portrait’s reaction was still calm, Yoo Seong-un felt inwardly eerie.
‘What would have happened if I didn’t have my drawing tools…?’
The ‘Geo’ I’ve talked to so far has been a flexible being in his own right, but, well, this brother’s existence has always shown a capricious side.
Yoo Seong-un took a deep breath and placed his brush on the portrait. He felt a sense of betrayal, as if he was sullying a noble work of art.
“I’m not that good at drawing.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Hmm….”
Soon after, he drew a bright red apple.
“… It’s not that pretty of an apple.”
Yoo Seong-un smiled awkwardly.
“Here I drew the apple you wanted.”
“okay.”
“Can I eat it?”
“… … .”
As he said that, ‘Geo’ reached out to the apple drawn in a corner of the portrait.
“thank you.”
Moved.
A thick, white hand soon picked up Yoo Seong-un’s apple.
“… … .”
And then,
Crisp.
“… … .”
“… … .”
You can see the yellow flesh inside the red apple.
The portrait took a bite of a model-like apple and said:
“It’s delicious.”
“…ah….”
“They are ripe and have a nice aroma. They are a little small, but they are good for a snack.”
“that….”
This is my first time seeing anything like this.
“… … .”
“Is it strange?”
Yeah, it was amazing.
Enough to make your heart flutter a little.
“… That’s amazing.”
Yoo Seong-un was a person who observed and managed the existence of other types. He had been doing this since his previous job at the Hunter Association.
Since the dungeons were created and monsters began to dominate, Yoo Seong-un has always taken on the role of exploring and researching the strange phenomena and the beings at the center of them.
There was definitely a sense of pride and satisfaction there, and it was because I loved it that I was able to be here.
“Honestly, yes, I was surprised… . It was my first time seeing anything like this.”
“I understand.”
“So, did you just eat the apple in the picture?”
‘Geo’ nodded.
“I am an ordinary human being, but I am in the painting. So I can say that I am also a painting. In the same way, I can do a lot of things in the painting.”
“… … .”
“When I don’t feel like cooking, I just draw a finished dish like this. It’s convenient.”
“…okay.”
“So I can repay your kindness.”
The portrait blinked twice.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“tomorrow?”
“I’m not ready right now.”
“…All right.”
“thank you.”
Day 4, complete.
* * *
As the portrait artist closed his eyes and opened them, he suddenly found himself holding a paintbrush in his hand.
‘Geo’ started drawing a picture.
“… … .”
“… … .”
It was very red, like the apple that Yoo Seong-un had drawn the day before in the morning.
The shape is a triangle with round lines. The structure is clearly three-dimensional, and the transparent light makes it even clearer. The light that hits the soft, warm sunlight somewhere shatters into pieces and spreads throughout the structure.
The color resembled a pomegranate. It was transparent and red. But it was even redder. It was so red, as if it contained freshly shed blood, that it hurt my eyes if I looked at it for too long.
It soon comes to life.
“… … .”
The end becomes sharp like a knife.
“… … .”
It also embraced darkness, and eventually placed even the scattering shadows beneath it.
“… … .”
“ruler.”
The portrait spoke.
“This is a thank you.”
As he pushed the red jewel with his fingers as if it contained a heart,
Bam, right?
“… … .”
It fell onto Yoo Seong-un’s hand.
“… … .”
“It’s yours.”
“… This is… .”
He asked.
“What kind of jewel is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“… … .”
“But it must have been deep enough in the ground to be hot.”
‘Geo’ continued the story of the jewel.
“It may have been in a place hot enough to be in the heart of a planet, and may have taken on the heat of my friend. Then, after a very long time, it was discovered by human hands… and it may have taken on a pretty form.”
Whose story is this?
“…That’s an interesting story.”
“I’m glad it sounded that way.”
“haha….”
Yoo Seong-un let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.
“What did you use to paint this jewel? Your brush was clearly bare of any paint….”
“… … .”
“This gem looks real.”
The portrait did not answer.
Instead, Yoo Seong-un asked.
“Can I have this?”
“You gave me a gift.”
I’m talking about that clumsy apple drawing.
“This jewel is a thank you.”
The words in the portrait sounded exactly like the devil’s. There was absolutely no reason for it to be so, but the strangeness, the haziness, the ecstasy made me think that way.
And Yoo Seong-un expressed his honest feelings about the unbearable sense of unreality.
“You are right.”
“okay.”
“And that sounds exactly like the devil’s answer.”
I couldn’t stand the question. This is what a researcher is like.
“Why do you always answer in such simple language? Geo, you, well, speak in a very simple and precise way that can satisfy the other person’s wishes.”
“… … .”
“I know this is a rude question, but I have to ask. Is it because you lack human emotions that you can do this? Or is it because you choose to be that way?”
The portrait did not answer and just looked at the meteor cloud.
After a long moment, and after he blinked twice, ‘Geo’ answered.
“I don’t understand what you are saying, Mr. Yoo Seong-un. I did not use overly simplistic grammar, nor did I provide answers that were intended to satisfy people’s needs or desires.”
“… … .”
“I’ve always been like this.”
His voice was still gruff and low, but it seemed twisted somewhere.
It wasn’t peaceful. It was as if the dead buried in the coffin had been dragged out into the world of the living, still calm, yet somehow strange… .
“I have human emotions, to the point where I can’t figure out why I have to explain them.”
“… … .”
“It’s not that I don’t have feelings, and it’s not my choice to be whatever it is. I’m just this kind of person.”
The portraits sometimes looked angry, sometimes as if they were making excuses because they had been stabbed in the back, or sometimes as if they were really frustrated because they couldn’t understand what the other person was saying.
Maybe this is all just my imagination and he has no feelings at all.
‘I don’t know what you’re thinking.’
Yoo Seong-un spoke cautiously.
“I know, I know. I know you’re just a normal human being.”
“… … .”
“You seem to feel loneliness, joy, and many other emotions. But you have a way of speaking that doesn’t show any emotion or personal desire. It’s as if you have nothing.”
It’s just kind of like a service.
‘… I shouldn’t say this much.’
Yoo Seong-un felt curious. At the same time, he was also impressed. Although he was hired as a curator by Bisabal, his true nature was always ‘exploration.’
“… … .”
“… … .”
The portrait opened its mouth again.
“I am an ordinary human being.”
He continues speaking like this.
“I wanted to eat an apple, so I asked Mr. Yoo Seong-un to draw it.”
“Yes.”
“It was my personal wish. Mr. Yoo Seong-un drew me an apple, so I gave him one in return. We exchanged gifts, and that is a natural courtesy between people.”
“okay.”
“I was just being polite.”
“… … .”
“So I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”
I couldn’t tell if what he said was a lie or the truth. It was difficult to read the imagery from the constant pitch of the voice.
“Do you know that your eyes are very dark?”
“A lot of people have black eyes.”
“That’s right.”
“Black eyes are common. There’s nothing special about them.”
“… … .”
“Don’t think of me as too special. It’s better not to.”
It’s like a giant whale explaining to humans that he is small.
Are you denying it even though you know that it is contradictory?
‘Or maybe you really don’t know.’
‘Geo’s’ blunt face completely obscured the truth inside him.
“…I will be careful.”
Day 5, complete.
After that, the portrait did not open its eyes for a while.
“… … .”
Oh, really.
“I really need to fix this habit….”
Did you make him run away?
* * *
“… … .”
It’s hard to try social life after a long time.
“…Should I take a break?”
The ultimate positive mindset activation.
‘Let’s take a rest.’
So he returned to his farming life.
“Taran.”
That was the reason why Geo was locked in the portrait for ten days.