The Artist Who Paints Dungeon
Chapter 186

It was a world where dungeon raids by hunters weren’t always made public, but this time, perhaps due to the number of participants and their ranks, many people were talking about it.

“I heard a rainforest-type dungeon got cleared this time.”

“Rainforest-type? What grade?”

“A-grade.”

“It’s been a while since anything above B-grade got cleared.”

“Lots of guilds participated in the raid, but I guess the Church will end up getting the entry rights, right?”

Every time a proper dungeon was cleared, the quality of civilian life improved. It was because countless resources could be obtained from dungeons. Especially with word that an A-grade dungeon had been cleared, people were filled with anticipation.

“If it’s rainforest-type, I wonder if something will come out related to vegetation.”

“Hm... it’d be nice if it were crops. Like fruits or something.”

“Not like it matters. The guilds will hog it all anyway.”

“It’ll get released eventually.”

Clearing a dungeon meant occupying a new dimension. The citizens were excited at the chance to enjoy unknown benefits, and because of that atmosphere alone, guilds were desperate to clear dungeons.

It was an opportunity not just to secure resources, but to win public praise and support.

Thus, this raid became a celebration for the Church of the Sun.

“We were really on edge after that last initiation ceremony incident...”

“We can finally breathe. The public mood isn’t bad.”

“We’ll have to check further, but the resources obtained from this dungeon seem to be of good quality as well.”

“If we can’t sell poison under the name of the sun, then maybe we should turn it into medicine... should we ask the Association for help?”

“Even if it was a villa-type dungeon, it was quite large. That makes it easier for us to pay the price on our end too.”

“The Association’s research center really is ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) reliable when it comes to things like this.”

The priests of the Church of the Sun were happily discussing how to utilize the resources obtained this time. It had restored some of the church’s dignity. They had even considered a prolonged raid, so this result was more than welcome.

“To think we’d be able to clear it in such perfect condition.”

“Priest Kang Seodam played a huge part.”

“I hear he even built a good relationship with Hunter Sergio?”

Kang Seodam, listening to the senior priests, opened his mouth.

“...It’s not such a great relationship.”

“Enough with the humility. You did well, Brother.”

“It was only thanks to the help of the other hunters.”

“Even so, the facts of what happened don’t disappear, do they?”

The priests’ interest wasn’t limited to just the raid.

“Is it really true, that... ahem.”

“There’s talk going around that Hunter Sergio is a vessel of a saint.”

“They say he serves a sun from another dimension, don’t they?”

Kang Seodam nearly squeezed his eyes shut.

‘Here it comes.’

He too had heard the subtle rumors spreading over the past few days. That Hunter Sergio was actually a saint, or the child of Bisa Beul. Most likely, it was a move by the Collector’s Guild.

‘They must’ve blown things up deliberately to make it easier to package him as human before it got out of hand.’

It’s just that there weren’t yet any divine beings so skilled at mimicking and imitating humanity, so people couldn’t imagine it. But anyone who had been involved in this raid had sensed that something was off.

‘So in order to protect Mr. Gio, it was a wise and swift decision.’

The only one feeling the fatigue was Kang Seodam himself.

“...I don’t know if he’s truly a saint, but it’s true that he serves a sun from another dimension. He said so himself.”

“Even if it’s a different sun, the fact that he was given a herb that can nearly bring back the dead is a tremendous blessing. That level of favor... wouldn’t that make him family to a god?”

Though Kang Seodam had spoken as vaguely as he could, the priests all began chattering on their own.

“It’s hard to explain it as mere grace.”

“Exactly. How could a hunter who hasn’t even awakened as a priest be loved so dearly?”

“Even the fact that he received that herb and turned it into medicine says a lot about Hunter Sergio’s capacity.”

“If he were just a human loved by a god, he wouldn’t have been able to do even that much.”

“No matter how I think about it, it sounds like he’s capable of communing with divinity...”

As the priests murmured in low voices, Kang Seodam’s expression turned weary.

“.......”

And then he saw the elder priest, quietly smiling at him. A priest known to be the next bishop—a man of many years.

“Priest Kang Seodam.”

“...Yes.”

“Would you come by my room later to speak with me?”

“I will.”

He answered obediently, but Kang Seodam thought to himself:

‘Filthy religious circles.’

He already felt tired just imagining how much he’d have to say and where to even begin.

***

No matter how much the Haryeong Guild was rumored to be brainless, and regardless of whether it was true, there were always people doing the bare minimum to keep the guild functioning.

“Narae.”

“Whose name is that...?”

“Oh, right—Sanarae.”

“Yeah? Why’re you calling me?”

“Are you out of your mind with this report?”

Usually, those people were the squad leaders, team leads, supervisors, or guildmaster. The team lead responsible for Hunter Sanarae handed him a sloppy report and asked.

“Got a complaint? Then speak. Don’t take it out on a precious report like this.”

“I even drew pretty flowers on it and all... and all I get is scolding? I’m hurt. I’m crying.”

“Even in a guild where insubordination happens like breathing, you’re the first I’ve seen who rebelled through a report.”

“Really the first? Hand over your heart and say that again, team lead.”

“To be honest... not the first.”

And it wasn’t the first time Sanarae had submitted a report like this, either.

“Goddamn it.”

Riiip.

The team lead tore the report and asked,

“Willing to write it properly this time?”

“You’re asking me that after you already ripped it? That’s kinda scary.”

“You’re not scaring anyone saying that with such a calm face.”

“Oh, to think my heartfelt report would be treated like this...”

“So when are you turning in the new one? Just tell me. You want me to sit and write it with you?”

“I love you all, but wouldn’t that be a little gross?”

“Before I cling to you in a gross way, turn in a normal damn report.”

A report that just said “Returned safely” couldn’t be called a report.

“If you’re going to stage an insubordination, do it with your fists.”

“You usually let things slide, so why are you like this today?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know.”

The team lead said,

“You saw Hunter Sergio this time, didn’t you?”

Lately, Hunter Sergio had been quite the hot topic.

Skills related to souls were rare. Not only were they difficult to learn, but even if learned, they were hard to use. The most representative example was the necromancer class, but this was different in nature.

“Trainer, healer... I even heard rumors he’s a saint.”

“Mmm...”

“I even heard he rampaged through the dungeon like a wild boar.”

“Maybe more like a demon than a boar...”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Anyway, write down every bit of info.”

The team lead clicked his tongue.

“You were the one so obsessed with him that you volunteered for the raid, weren’t you? Did you lose interest because he turned out to be some pampered noble’s kid? What is it?”

“No, he didn’t really seem like a noble’s kid.”

“Yeah... I heard the others saying something similar. Thought he was some pampered noble because the Collector’s Guild coddled him, but he turned out to be a surprisingly decent guy.”

Saying that, the team lead sat on the sofa across from Sanarae. Sanarae, who was as usual sprawled in his regular spot, smiled playfully.

“Wow, you’re gonna hang out with me? Not going to nag me about the report?”

“It’s easier if I just hear it all from you and write it myself than wait for you to do it.”

“This is why I never got promoted to team lead.”

“You better not. You damn sloth, stay where you are.”

Click—team lead popped open his pen.

“Now, let’s hear your tale.”

“What do you wanna know?”

“For starters, Hunter Sergio’s personality?”

“He made delicious food...”

“Good guy, then.”

The team lead nodded and asked,

“What’d he make?”

“Cream stew on the first day.”

“You can make that in a dungeon?”

“Apparently. He even brought a pot as big as his body.”

“Doesn’t look like the type, but he’s wild.”

“And he gave us snacks too. Like dried fruits...”

“Bet it tasted good.”

“Somehow... it was really easy to digest.”

“I could’ve eaten some too.”

“I ate it all.”

“I know.”

Clearly, Sanarae wasn’t the most admirable guy.

“If he cooked for everyone, he’s not too prideful. I heard he seemed pretty diligent. Did he ever get angry or annoyed?”

Sanarae shook his head.

“Never.”

“Then he’s probably not sane.”

If he never once showed irritation in that pressure cooker of a dungeon, he wasn’t a normal human.

“There’s a rumor he’s a saint. Think it’s true?”

“He did... give off that kind of vibe?”

“Main skill?”

“Food...”

“Not that.”

“Hmmm... probably taming?”

“A tamer taming, yeah, no kidding. Why are you still talking in question marks even after seeing him?”

“How would I know someone else’s skill window...”

“Fair point.”

The team lead groaned.

“Two contracted beasts, right?”

“If you already know everything, can I go sleep?”

“Do you think that’s acceptable? Keep your eyes open and answer. What are the beasts’ traits?”

“One’s a waterfowl. The other’s a cat.”

“Their abilities?”

“Uh... dunno.”

“What do you know?”

“Nothing at all.”

“You’re proud of that, you maniac.”

The team lead decided to dig deeper.

“What did the waterfowl do in the dungeon?”

“Flew around gathering info. Drank water, absorbed heat...”

“And the cat?”

“Meowed and summoned the dead.”

“That’s insane no matter how many times I hear it.”

The team lead jotted some notes and said,

“Back to Sergio himself. We covered personality, taming skills... now there’s this nonsense going around that he’s a healer who can also deal and tank? Explain that.”

“It means he’s a healer who can deal and tank.”

“Are you deaf? I said explain it.”

“You called it nonsense, so I’m correcting you...”

The team lead asked, incredulous,

“Then what is he? Did the Collector’s Guild finally succeed in human experimentation? Is Sergio some left-handed fireballer dragged out of hell? Is there anything he can’t do?”

“There’s probably something...”

“What?”

“How should I know?”

“Because you were there with him, dammit.”

“Why are you mad?”

“Damn it, how did I end up supervising a guy like this.”

“Mmm... but at least I didn’t hit any reporters.”

“You think that’s something to brag about? Don’t start comparing yourself to other morons right now, Sanarae.”

The team lead sighed deeply after a light scolding.

“I wanna go do a dungeon run.”

“Then go.”

“I can’t because of bastards like you.”

“Aw, poor baby. Want a shoulder massage, team lead?”

“Get lost.”

He finished organizing the papers and added,

“This one’s too ridiculous, so I’ll probably report it informally, but... what’s this rumor that Sergio Hunter is the guild master’s son? Know anything?”

“His hair sometimes changes color. He had red hair and yellow eyes.”

“What the hell—well, yeah, dyeing is real advanced these days. But if he really is the guildmaster’s kid, that would explain how a hunter like that popped up with no prior record.”

It wasn’t rare for famous hunters to hide their family background.

“Still, this one’s a bit creepy...”

To hide someone that talented until the age of 29—it was understandable if he wasn’t entirely sane.

“Anyway, it’s the Collector’s doing, so I get it.”

“You do?”

“What if I don’t? The situation’s moving that way.”

“True...”

“Anything else to share? Something unusual?”

“Hmmm...”

Sanarae wiggled his fingers.

“Don’t think so.”

“Damn it. If anything comes to mind later, report it.”

“Got it.”

“.......”

Then, after a pause, the team lead asked,

“...Why’d you mess with Hunter Sergio anyway?”

“He looked fun.”

“And yet when you left, you two seemed pretty friendly. For your personality.”

“Hunter was just a really good guy.”

He smiled, crescent-eyed.

“Isn’t that a relief?”

***

Meanwhile, the staff who had gone on the raid with Gio gave their testimonies.

“He was more human than I expected.”

It was generous praise, coming from those focused on the work, but the other staff accepted it.

“Considering no one’s reported seeing monsters around him, it’s probably true.”

“The snacks he shared were tasty too.”

“And his behavior is exactly like the Black Cloak’s, yet he still hasn’t been exposed as the same being.”

“Isn’t that why those rumors started? We probably spread them ourselves.”

“When I heard he was the guildmaster’s son, I wept.”

“Why were you crying?”

‘Mr. Sergio’ appeared more like a human than they had expected.

“He was too capable, but...”

“At least he’s manageable.”

“Yeah, nothing happened that we couldn’t handle.”

It became a kind of indicator.

“He seems fine even without a dedicated curator.”

It meant ‘Mr. Sergio’ could blend in smoothly even among unfamiliar humans.

“We can’t control him anyway, so this is good.”

“Just knowing that makes me feel at ease.”

Even though quite some time had passed since they’d started living with ‘Mr. Sergio,’ no major incidents had occurred. He might be a ghost story, but the situation offered a strange sort of stability.

And Yoo Seong-Woon, who had finally escaped overtime and wrangled a vacation, said:

“Let’s go on a trip.”

“Huh?”

“Oh.”

And so, a seaside trip was decided.