The Artist Who Paints Dungeon
Chapter 174

Gardeners, quite literally, tend to “gardens.”

And the way each gardener nurtured their garden—varied entirely from one to the next.

Some would dedicate all their time to the garden.

Some would come by only when needed.

Some treated the garden like a dear friend or family member...

“......”

There were even gardeners who worshipped their gardens like a priest serving a god.

‘...That must be the Eye of Origin Yoo Seong-Woon told me about...’

Among the hunters from various guilds gathered at the dungeon entrance, one pair of eyes was focused solely on “Sergio.”

They belonged to Jeong Yeong-Won, a hunter from Eunwol—who was also a gardener.

A colleague nudged her and said,

“Yeong-Won, your eyes.”

“Ah.”

Jeong Yeong-Won adjusted her glasses.

“Are they normal now?”

“Yeah. They look like plain yellow again.”

“Then earlier they were...?”

“Hmm. Crimson, maybe?”

“I see.”

She gently touched the corner of her eye.

‘That’s the inconvenient part about being a gardener.’

Gardeners are intimately connected with their gardens—so much so that it sometimes changes the color of their hair or eyes.

Even Jeong Yeong-Won, who tended a tranquil spring field of blossoms, experienced this.

‘It’s not a garden that changes me often... Could it be because the Eye of Origin is nearby?’

Her gaze drifted again, prompting another question from her teammate.

“Why do you keep staring at Sergio Hunter?”

“...Ah, because he’s handsome.”

“...Well, you’re not wrong.”

“I was aware it was rude.”

“He doesn’t seem to mind, though...”

“Feels like he’s used to people looking.”

“If I looked like that, I’d probably be used to it too.”

“It does seem natural for someone like him to attract attention.”

As though he’d been created just to be seen.

Jeong Yeong-Won once again looked at “Sergio,” standing among the Collector’s Guild members.

“It’s not just about looks.”

Was it her nature as a gardener that made her keep staring?

‘No, this... this is the normal human response.’

She clenched and unclenched her fist—subtle tension building.

‘The Eye of Origin... among so many people...’

So little is known about the Origin.

So much remains undiscovered.

Its mystery is something humans are neither meant to pry into nor easily permitted to witness.

It’s simply too vast.

It appears in too many forms, affects the world in too many ways.

Jeong Yeong-Won assumed “Sergio” was one such form.

‘That’s just one of the Origin’s methods of influencing the world, I suppose.’

Yoo Seong-Woon had referred to “Sergio” as the Eye of Origin.

‘...Then was that ideal appearance crafted to experience human life and collect data firsthand? So that goodwill would make data collection easier? But pure goodwill wouldn’t be enough to gather comprehensive data on human behavior... Unless it’s specifically data on how people respond to kindness itself...’

With no choice but to indulge her habit as a gardener, Jeong Yeong-Won turned to her team leader.

“Senior.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Would it be possible to push for me to be in the same team as that person?”

“...Just to be cautious—this isn’t about romantic feelings, right? I won’t cover for that.”

“What a horrifying thing to ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) suggest.”

“Right, I should’ve known. No way our Jeong Yeong-Won would fall in love with a human. I got worried there for a sec.”

Though she never publicly revealed it, gardeners rarely develop romantic or sexual feelings toward humans.

Her team leader nodded.

“I’ll see what I can do. But isn’t he a priest or something?”

“...Please memorize your intel properly. He’s not a priest, he’s a tamer.”

“Oh, the vibe was just very priest-like. So he’s not even a healer?”

“I’m not sure about that part. Information is limited... He might be a healer, possibly.”

“Hmm. Then will they even let you join his team?”

“Since he primarily acts as a tamer, I think having a healer in his party wouldn’t be an issue.”

“Got it. I’ll frame it that way when I make the request.”

The leader grinned lazily.

“So? What part was so interesting to you?”

“......”

“Aw, come on. I know how you think.”

“...It’s just...”

As Jeong Yeong-Won turned to look at “Sergio” again, their eyes met.

“......”

Yes.

“......”

What beautiful eyes.

Under the veil of composure, the gardener glimpsed the very essence of Origin.

What looked like irises shone like divine radiance. The pupils, sunken deep, held an indescribable overlap of colors.

Ah. A human-shaped Origin.

‘...Incredible.’

It went beyond beauty. That luminous brilliance made her mind reel.

Her heart pounded. She couldn’t believe the version of herself reflected in those eyes. She felt she might forget her own identity. Overwhelmed by an otherworldly mystery, she could hardly breathe.

It was vast—unfathomably deep and immense.

‘It’s so... blissful.’

What is that being made of?

‘Dizzy...’

A sweet fragrance reached her.

Like the flowers of her own garden.

No—sweeter still. A scent of honey and milk.

Cool and soft, like lilacs blooming in spring.

A fragrance flowing from destiny itself—cradling both life and death.

“......”

“...Yeong-Won?”

“......”

“Yeong-Won? Did you fall asleep?”

“No.”

“Then why’d you stop mid-sentence?”

“We made eye contact for a moment.”

Receiving the full attention of the Origin...It left her unable to think clearly.

“What were you asking just now?”

“I asked why you’re showing so much interest.”

“It’s really nothing.”

Her face was unreadable, but her fingers gripped the staff tightly.

“...I believe he is worthy of being observed.”

An opportunity like this would not come again. Reverence for the Origin...  Had stirred even a mere gardener.

***

“Garasani.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“If anyone starts to hate me, please let me know.”

“Do you think someone hates you?”

“That one, with the cherry blossom-colored hair...”

“Ah.”

Garasani glanced toward the Eunwol Guild and chuckled.

“I don’t think that’s hate in her eyes.”

“Then why does she keep glaring?”

“Her gaze is sharp. Like a hawk’s.”

“It’s very unsettling.”

“Shall I lodge a formal complaint?”

“That won’t be necessary...”

Gio could only come to one conclusion.

“Must be because I’m too handsome.”

“Hahaha...! Ah yes, quite possibly.”

Garasani laughed warmly, as if he'd just seen the world’s most adorable puppy.

“Once we enter the dungeon, teams will be split. You won’t have to worry. You didn’t seem uncomfortable, so I didn’t take action earlier...”

“I’m used to it, but that doesn’t mean it’s pleasant. No need to do anything about it though. I was just being needy because you’re so reliable, Garasani.”

“Ah, truly an honor. If you continue to depend on me, I couldn’t ask for more. I believe we’ll be in the same team post-entry.”

Garasani glanced sideways at the Temple clergy, hosts of this raid.

“They value safety. And since it’s rare for a curator from the Collector’s Guild to join, they’ll likely arrange the team the way we intended.”

“By ‘the way we intended,’ do you mean the Guild’s effort to accommodate me?”

“Exactly. People will think we’re here to assist and monitor Sergio Hunter. The Temple will follow that narrative.”

“Then I’m relieved. Just having one familiar face helps.”

“Even if I’m assigned elsewhere, I’ll ensure I remain by your side. If something unexpected happens, I’ll take the necessary steps—so don’t worry, Sergio Hunter.”

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

Without acquaintances nearby, Sergio would quickly turn quiet—so he felt reassured.

‘Yep. Life is all about connections.’

How fortunate to have become the Collector’s portrait.

***

Indeed, Gio was placed in the same team as Garasani.

“I never thought I’d see you again like this. What a surprise.”

“Is that so?”

“I mean it. I’m thrilled we’re in the same team, young master.”

“Young master?”

“Ah, slipped again. I’ll press my hands together and beg for forgiveness, will that do?”

“Ha ha...”

Sanarae was also on the team.

“......”

“......”

Gio looked into his eyes silently, then smiled.

“...Adorable.”

Before Sanarae could even respond, Gio returned to his gentle expression, as if gazing at a puppy too cute to exist.

“Of course I’ll forgive you.”

“Uh...?”

“You’re smiling as you apologize—how could I ignore that?”

“Uh... Okay? I feel like I was just treated like something less than human...”

“Do you like to eat? You’re awfully thin for a grown man. Can’t have you collapsing.”

“Whoa, don’t squish me! Hey—whoa—wait! Sergio Hunter, why are you so strong?”

“This pitiful body of yours... all skin and bones... and you’ve dragged it all the way here?”

“I’m not that thin... Sergio Hunter? Are you even listening?”

“Looks like I have no choice but to fatten you up during this raid...”

“Please... give me a chance to retreat.”

Barely escaping Gio’s grip, Sanarae gasped.

“You trying to eat me or something? You... eat people?”

“From what I’ve heard, human meat doesn’t taste very good.”

“Let’s not even ask how you know that—also, that doesn’t reassure me.”

“Don’t worry. I’m against eating anything that tastes bad.”

“Still not comforting!”

Sanarae actually backed off a step, rare for him, muttering under his breath,

“Weird... why do you remind me of my dead grandfather...?”

“I’m honored. Perhaps I’m as warm and reliable as your grandfather was?”

“No... It’s something else... Something I can’t quite name. But I will figure it out...”

Leaving the pensive Sanarae behind, another team member stepped forward.

It was Jeong Yeong-Won—the hunter who had stared at Sergio before dungeon entry.

“Nice to meet you, Sergio Hunter. We locked eyes earlier, didn’t we?”

“Ah, yes. You’re from Eunwol, right? I hope I’m not mistaken.”

“You’re correct. Thank you for recognizing me. I’m Jeong Yeong-Won.”

With her soft, cream-pink hair and round glasses, she extended a hand with a serious face.

“Would you shake hands with me? Just once.”

“...? Of course.”

It felt... like more than a simple greeting. Curious about her unusual tone, he shook her hand lightly.

“...Excellent grip control.”

“Really?”

“I thought it would hurt more.”

“Do I look that rough?”

“No, not really...”

Nodding to herself, she added,

“Thank you for being considerate.”

“...For what exactly?”

“My position is healer. I’ll be in charge of healing the team.”

“Ah, I see. I look forward to working with you.”

So what exactly did I just get praised for...?

Getting complimented for a handshake left Sergio a bit bewildered inside—though he kept a straight face.

It felt like being praised for breathing.

“Um, then... may we also...?”

“? Yes, nice to meet you.”

“Please shake my hand too.”

“Sure, nice to meet you.”

After greeting two more hunters from the Daecheong Guild, Sergio finally asked,

“So why is it just me that got handshakes from everyone?”

“......”

“......”

“......?”

Surprisingly, no one had a real answer.

“...Good question...?”

“Oh, this is delightful.”

It looked like they had the perfect storm of a team.

And with an odd mix of exasperation and amusement, Sergio stepped into the A-Class dungeon: The Quadrupedal Underground Rainforest.

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