Chapter 67

It was not easy for the air throughout an entire dungeon to change.

'That would only be possible if some change occurred in the dungeon master's condition, and most masters capable of assimilating a dungeon like part of themselves would be stronger-than-average monsters...'

Thinking that, Kang Seo-dam looked at the "Seo Jio" before him.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Yes, of course. What are you curious about?"

"... Would you currently be acting as a Hunter?"

It was a question asking whether, since he was now pretending to be human, cooperation would be possible.

'... I hope that did not sound too insolent.'

Kang Seo-dam still could not meet Jio's eyes, and was looking only at his lips.

Those lips, forming a perfectly gentle curve, opened calmly with a tenderness so deep it felt alien.

"Now that I think about it, I was late to introduce myself. I am Seo Jio, a Hunter of the Collector guild."

"... Is that so?"

Thinking back on it, he remembered that the white-haired Hunter who had stayed beside him throughout the induction ceremony had definitely been affiliated with the Collector.

He had left a strong impression because, unusually, he was an underground-type Hunter rather than an officially recognized one.

'Then this person is currently receiving help from the Collector guild. Gods who try this hard to blend in among humans are rare.'

Even if a being had become a god from a human, obtaining divinity meant giving up humanity.

In many ways, receiving help from a capable group like this in order to adapt to humans and their society was also one kind of godly amusement.

'Above all, if it is the Collector... that is the guild with Collector Bi Sabeol's gallery, is it not? Since they are a group that pours affection, not control, onto mysteries and oddities, they could be called perfectly suited to assisting a god's amusement.'

Inwardly, he felt relieved.

'Then this will be easier to discuss. If he has received help from a human group and even properly prepared an identity, he will not easily cast humans aside. It must mean he has that much of an open heart toward humans...'

Still not meeting his gaze, Kang Seo-dam asked,

"Are you perhaps a priest?"

"Yes, I am... hm."

Black Cloak, who had seemed about to affirm it, paused in his answer.

Then he soon smiled softly and continued.

"If you are asking about my profession as a Hunter, I am not a priest, but a trainer."

"How should I understand your holy power?"

"It is only a power I gratefully received as a child of the sun. It is nothing grand."

"You are not a priest, but a believer, then. Thank you for helping me understand."

Seo Jio, a Hunter of the Collector guild.

Platinum-blond hair and blue eyes.

Profession, trainer.

Judging by the fact that the pressure he sensed was not so alien, his rank must have been adjusted to somewhere between A and B, and the reason he could handle holy power was because he was a faithful believer of the sun...

"..."

He memorized it.

'... Judging by the level I sense, it seems closer to something cut away than something hidden. His way of enjoying amusement is quite drastic. It is not impossible that he may be under a curse.'

Of course, Kang Seo-dam, a mere human, had no need to analyze or worry over the affairs of a god.

He merely asked carefully in order to do his duty.

"Could you perhaps help us find the other survivors?"

"That is exactly why I came here."

"Ah... thank you."

Was he not truly a god favorable to humans?

He could not rule out the possibility that he was an evil god, since an aura close to death could be felt from him, but he could not refuse the help of a god who was being this courteous.

'I do not know exactly what kind of god he is, but he cherishes humans greatly. Since he is using a Korean-style name, Seo Jio is probably not his True Name... Later, I should at least offer a prayer before his divine image.'

For now, he decided to ask about that later.

To a god, it would surely be nothing but amusing, but the situation for humans was quite urgent.

"Did you see any other survivors on your way here?"

"There were quite a few people where I was. A contracted beast I regard like a son is guarding that place, so you need not worry about them. I was trying to check whether there were survivors anywhere other than the cavern I had been in."

"As it happens, my situation is similar. I fell alone into a cavern full of monsters, and there were no survivors there besides me. There were more people in the cavern I just came from, but..."

"Were there casualties?"

"..."

"I see."

Astonishingly, that tone held sorrow.

Kang Seo-dam quietly hid his agitation.

'There are gods who grieve over the death of mere humans? That is an exceedingly rare case.'

That was what gods were to begin with.

Those who had become part of nature and fate.

Even if such gods had emotions toward human death, they would only feel interest on the level of a toy breaking.

But the "Seo Jio" before his eyes truly seemed to be mourning human death.

On equal footing, as though facing the death of a friend.

"..."

"Did you bestow a blessing?"

"... I tried to see to them, inadequate as it was."

"Would it be rude if I looked once more?"

"Then the souls of the dead will be able to return to the sun's side with a lighter heart."

A god would personally bless their deaths.

It might sound a little strange to say of those poor people who had died to monsters, but it could only be described as truly miraculous fortune.

"Please lead the way."

"Then this way..."

As he guided "Seo Jio," Kang Seo-dam felt a little relieved.

He could not trust every god simply because they were a god, but a god who put in enough care to imitate mourning could be trusted.

'The Goddess also cast a favorable gaze upon him, so it is not my place as her servant to doubt him. Let me empty my thoughts and follow the god's will. That is the proper attitude a priest ought to show.'

Kang Seo-dam decided to play along with the name "Seo Jio."

It was the historic moment when the secret human identity of the ghost story "Black Cloak," "Seo Jio," was created.

* * *

"You know, I..."

Yu Seongun stared blankly at the campfire.

"..."

"I thought that since we got dragged into a Virtual Dungeon while we were at the Temple of the Sun, of all places, we'd end up filming some desperate survival story with blood flying and tears flowing."

Listening to him, Kang Seo-dam nodded as if in agreement.

"Even when I first fell into the cavern, I was thinking something similar."

"Thought so."

"It seemed to be a cold dungeon where the sun's light could hardly reach, so I even prepared myself to risk my life and take responsibility for this situation."

"Wow, that's impressive. I doubt everyone who Awakens as a priest is as impressive as you, Priest Kang Seo-dam."

"I am merely doing my best at what I must do."

"Doing your best, huh..."

Yu Seongun nodded.

"So that's why you're cleaning fish right now?"

"..."

Yes, Kang Seo-dam was currently cleaning fish.

"... We cannot let that person clean them himself, can we?"

"Jio likes that kind of thing."

"That is irreverent."

"No, really..."

Out of nowhere, a campsite was being set up here.

With makeshift tents, a campfire, and even cleaned fish, the atmosphere among the people gathered together was truly peaceful.

'Jio, please.'

He had expected that, since Jio was quite gentlemanly toward humans, he might help even in this Virtual Dungeon.

But he had not hoped for this degree of full-scale comfort.

'To you, this might feel like an enjoyable picnic or a game, but for ordinary humans, it isn't like that... What are we supposed to do if you enjoy it this thoroughly?'

The only relief was that, swept up in the peaceful and warm atmosphere Jio handed out like sweet nectar, almost no one found this situation strange.

Yu Seongun alone was on edge, worried that people would discover Jio was not human.

'The fact that most of them are civilians with only vague experience of dungeons or monsters must also be playing a part in this situation.'

Yu Seongun muttered,

"It's a dungeon, at least in name. Is this really all right?"

"If you dislike it, would it not be fine for you to go out and hunt monsters?"

"Eunha, you're awfully cold."

For starters, you're the master of this dungeon.

"Are you all right with this?"

"..."

"... See, even you honestly think this is going a little strangely."

Even though he wore a picture-perfect smile, the way he subtly avoided his gaze made it seem as though something weighed on his conscience.

Well, from a monster's perspective, how absurd must this be?

'It seems like he's floundering like that because he doesn't want to be branded a bad child by Jio, but even thinking about it again, this is an absurd situation. Is it really all right for things to become peacefully muddled through like this?'

Fortunately for the boy, the only ones who currently knew Eunha's identity were Yu Seongun and Kang Seo-dam, who was probably a high-ranking priest.

The other survivors were treating Eunha as just another prospective priest.

Jio approached.

"Are the fish cleaned?"

"They are almost done."

"If it is too much trouble, perhaps I should help after all..."

"You need not worry. I can manage cleaning fish."

"That was not what I meant, but in any case, I understand."

With "Giovanni's" face, he said refreshingly,

"If you're offering to help, there's no reason to turn down free labor!"

"..."

With that noble face that looked purifying just to see, he sure says worldly things like "free labor" easily.

'And for some reason, Eunha is looking at him like he misses him.'

Was Giovanni originally that kind of image?

'Even if he says things like that, he still looks like a devout and elegant priest, but something, somehow... should I say he's a little shameless... or that he has a subtly forceful side...'

And yet the fact that his distinctive dignity did not disappear was truly amazing.

"Jio."

"Yes, Mr. Yu Seongun."

"Should I just stay still like this?"

"I think checking whether any monsters are approaching is also very necessary work."

"That's true, but..."

Again, this place had become a campsite.

When the dungeon master himself was keeping his mouth firmly shut because he did not want to become a bad child, what kind of bold monster would come here?

"Are you sure we don't need to check whether any other survivors remain?"

"We all searched together, but we did not see anyone else, did we?"

Eunha naturally answered Yu Seongun's question.

He could all but hear him saying, "There really are no other survivors besides the people gathered here, so stop digging."

It chilled him to the bone.

'Seeing him threaten me so sneakily to this extent, it seems he's worried his own story might become known. Originally, a dungeon is structured according to its master's past and inner world... Is he worried that I'll learn about him and Giovanni while investigating the dungeon?'

Even so, he looked as if he was enjoying the situation of Jio acting like "Giovanni" at one hundred and twenty percent.

'Maybe because he's a humanoid monster, he really is full of emotion. He thinks a lot too.'

Jio patted Eunha's head.

"Student Eunha, you truly are spirited."

"Ah, um..."

"I was worried, so I am glad you seem all right."

"..."

Watching that, Yu Seongun thought inwardly.

'That's a landmine.'

He did not know the exact circumstances, but the reaction was obvious.

Jio was casually tap-dancing over Eunha's landmine, and Jio himself did not seem aware of what he was doing.

'Well... considering the humans' safety, it's better to distract him in this direction.'

Yu Seongun looked around.

"..."

The people were quite calm.

'I can't say the number of people who died in the aftermath of the dungeon opening was small, but the fact that this many survived a dungeon deliberately set off inside a temple is close to a miracle. On top of that, the expressions of the survivors don't look that bad either.'

Of course, there were still people who were uneasy, but after Jio approached and said a few words to them, they quickly calmed down.

In a cold dungeon like this, Jio's presence, which made people feel gentler just by looking at him, must be a great comfort.

"Even so, you know..."

Yu Seongun spoke to Jio, who was moving around without resting for even a moment.

"Aren't you working too hard? Aren't you tired?"

"Thank you for your concern."

"Is the headache you mentioned earlier no longer a problem?"

He knew Jio was not some sucker who would simply let himself be torn apart, but even if he felt formidable, seeing him act too good-natured only made him uneasy instead.

What kind of situation would happen if he wore himself out and became disappointed in humans?

Fortunately, Jio's expression was not particularly bad.

Giovanni, with a gentle smile like a painting, answered,

"It feels as though things are gradually being sorted out, so I am fine."

"Oh... sorted out..."

That would be bad.

'... Wouldn't it become a little troublesome if his personality as Giovanni were truly established here? I don't know exactly how close Eunha and Giovanni were, but it doesn't seem like they were ordinary acquaintances. Once he recovers all his memories, he might side with Eunha...'

For now, he had no choice but to rely on Jio's goodwill.

"Still, take it easy. I know you want to be kind to people, but there are people who occasionally mistake goodwill for a right. No, not just occasionally. They show up often."

Unexpectedly, Jio readily nodded at that.

"I know."

"Oh, you do?"

"But does the sun not shine upon all things?"

"Uh..."

"If the sun does so, then I ought to do the same."

"..."

If one only listened to the words, he really sounded like a devout priest.

'... Is it just my imagination that I hear him saying, I'm only doing this because it's my job?'

Yu Seongun had been worried that Jio might trust humans too much or pour too much affection into them, and then, after being betrayed, cause a major incident.

But from the way he was talking now, it seemed there was no particular need to worry about that.

'What should I call this?'

Ah.

'He's like a service worker.'

He was the very model of a capitalist smile.

'In this situation, it's not as though Jio can gain any capital benefit, but for some reason, I feel like I'm watching a center civil servant who is good at handling people...'

He roughly got the feeling.

'So Giovanni wasn't just some purely good priest either.'

He felt oddly relieved at the sense that Jio's expectations toward humans seemed quite low.

If he was offering this kindness despite not trusting humans that much, then even if clueless idiots threw a fit, he would not immediately get angry.

Yu Seongun would have to block them first before that happened, though.

"By the way, I'm impressed you managed to catch fish. It happened while I wasn't looking, so I don't really know, but where on earth did you catch fish? Was there a pond in a barren place like this?"

"There was a deep pool of water near the edge of the third cavern we found. The water quality was actually better than Earth's, and the fish living there did not seem particularly poisonous, so..."

"So you thought you'd catch and eat them first?"

"Isn't everyone hungry?"

"Being hungry aside, people usually don't calmly think of grilling fish in a dungeon like this."

"I think that means they are not hungry enough."

"You're really firm. Though it's not wrong."

He had been a little worried, but the personality called Giovanni seemed like quite a decent fellow.

'Though according to Jio, his personality isn't changing, only his temperament is.'

It was simply so peaceful that it left him dumbfounded.

If even Yu Seongun felt this way, how much more dumbfounded must the master of this dungeon be...

* * *

"..."

In the deep sea, crimson lips drew a hollow laugh.

"... Ha."

So there are people who do not change even if they die and come back to life.

That person is you, Giovanni.