The Artist Who Paints Dungeon
Chapter 187

“Is this really okay?”

At Joo-Hyun’s voice from the back seat, crammed into the car, Gio turned and asked,

“Is there a problem?”

“There are quite a few things I’d like to say, actually...”

As Joo-Hyun trailed off, Yoo Seong-Woon, who was driving, let out a relaxed smile.

“Well, we did leave without packing a single bag. Don’t worry, though. I made arrangements—clothes, food, everything we need is already stocked at the pension.”

“That was one of my concerns, but it wasn’t the only one.”

“Was it the sudden nature of the trip that surprised you? I get it—you might be worried about security, but that won’t be an issue either. We’re headed to a beach with no people.”

Inside the smoothly moving car, Gio asked,

“There are no people at the sea?”

“Usually, there aren’t. Not these days.”

“So it’s not used as a tourist site?”

“It’s more often used as a food source... or designated as a danger zone.”

The seas of the present age were not particularly suitable for human life.

“But the place we’re going is even more deserted. It’s an unreconstructed zone.”

“What is an unreconstructed zone?”

This time, it was Joo-Hyun in the back seat who answered.

“As the name suggests, it’s a zone that hasn’t been rebuilt. Simply put, it’s a place where the aftermath of the Great Catastrophe still lingers heavily, making it nearly uninhabitable.”

“I see. Gangwon Province, which we visited earlier, had a similar feeling.”

“Oh, let me clarify—that’s a bit different.”

To help the still-inexperienced portrait adjust to human society, Joo-Hyun explained further.

“The Samcheok region of Gangwon Province that we visited earlier had been minimally rebuilt. There was even a hotel—just one—and a few restaurants, right? Though the food there felt more like a token gesture, like cheap street snacks in the city... still, it doesn’t qualify as unreconstructed.”

There was a clear difference between a partially reconstructed area and one completely unreconstructed.

“Unreconstructed zones are generally seen as dangerous. They’re environments where people can’t live. No infrastructure means they’re hard to access, and definitely not the kind of place you’d visit for fun... at least that’s what I thought.”

Joo-Hyun glanced toward Yoo Seong-Woon at the wheel.

“...Is the hunter world really that different?”

“When you’ve got the money and the ability, there’s not much you can’t do.”

“So there’s a pension in an unreconstructed zone? On the coast?”

Coastal zones, where bizarre monsters might spring up at any moment, were usually restricted unless they’d been thoroughly developed.

“How is that even possible?”

“Through a First-Class Citizen’s money and an A-Rank hunter’s authority...”

“As a Second-Class Citizen, how exactly am I supposed to respond to that?”

“You don’t have to respond. Why are you making it weird?”

“I’m just worried you’ll get called an arrogant bastard somewhere.”

“I do know how to act in public, you know? I only say this stuff because it’s just us.”

Joo-Hyun, despite being from an orphanage, didn’t carry resentment or rage about class ranks. Yoo Seong-Woon knew she wasn’t someone who paid those things much mind, which is why he could speak so casually. But he was well aware of how to read the room in normal society.

“There are service zones where you can stay under the condition that you take full responsibility for anything that happens. There’s a considerable risk and cost, but aside from that, you can enjoy the ocean with no one else around in a spacious, peaceful environment.”

At that, Joo-Hyun muttered under her breath,

“Money bullshit.”

“Hey now.”

After all, he’d clawed his way to this vacation. How dare she slander it?

“Apart from the pension, there’s nothing else around. Sure, getting there will be a hassle, but once we arrive, everything will already be prepared. And most importantly, we’ll be the only ones there.”

“That’s definitely reassuring. I was a little concerned since Gio’s been getting more popular lately. If we don’t have to worry about that...”

“Oh, so that’s what was bothering you?”

Seong-Woon asked with his signature easygoing smile.

“Felt like we were dropping a bomb and running?”

“To be honest... yeah, a little.”

The internet forums were buzzing, thanks to the rumors spread by the Collector’s Guild. A saint, an S-rank hunter, a hidden son of one of the Big Three guilds—they’d dragged out every sensational angle they could.

“The city’s been pretty noisy.”

“Exactly. That’s why we need to dip out now. If you stick around too diligently, people think, ‘Oh, they’re eager to work,’ and push even harder. That’s how Korea works. I’m not about to let Gio get worked to the bone.”

“The more capable you are, the more you’re forced to keep grinding, right?”

“I’ve been thinking—does Gio really need to go through that too? Sure, if he wants to, fine. But he just finished a major operation. Plus, with his usual air of mystery, this is the perfect time to disappear for a bit.”

In this world, it was almost a custom for hunters to take a vacation after completing a big project. Of course, in Yoo Seong-Woon’s case, that custom didn’t always apply. But when someone had everything, there was no reason for them to hunker down and hide from public view.

“You really worry too much, Joo-Hyun.”

“Well... that was one thing.”

“There’s more?”

“......”

“......”

“...Haaah.”

Joo-Hyun sighed in resignation and asked,

“...Is it really okay to be walking around with a portrait as dangerously unnatural as Gio?”

“I didn’t expect you to say it that bluntly.”

“You should’ve stopped dodging the question when you knew exactly what I meant.”

“Yes, I am guilty.”

Yoo Seong-Woon turned to Gio in the seat beside him.

“What’s your opinion on this accusation?”

“No one can stop me from going to the beach.”

“There you have it.”

“Precisely.”

It might be confusing, but the highest-ranking voice in this group belonged to “Gio’s portrait.”

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Earth’s ocean.”

“Just don’t say things like that in front of others.”

“I’m not that ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) mentally clear, you know.”

At that, Yoo Seong-Woon thought to himself:

‘He really does have a brain, huh.’

He was genuinely amazed that Gio possessed an actual brain. But as he figured, it wasn’t something he should say out loud. Instead, he pointed forward with his usual relaxed smile.

“That right there is the teleport terminal. First time using one?”

“It seems connected by road.”

“It is—but only for vehicles. There’s a separate zone for transporting people.”

“That’s convenient.”

In that moment, Sergio recalled the idea of a drive-thru. The ability to take care of everything without stepping out of the car appealed to him immensely. Sensing the magic energy, Honey popped out from Gio’s hood.

“Kururuk?”

“We’re about to teleport.”

“Kurr.”

Honey quietly went back in. Unlike his father, who was greatly interested in teleportation, Honey seemed completely indifferent. He was a romance-deprived son.

Yoo Seong-Woon checked the terminal sign.

“Let’s see... since we’re headed to Jeju Island...”

“?”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh. Did I forget to mention that?”

He chuckled.

“We’re going to Jeju Island.”

“...And you’re telling us now?”

“I was in such a rush, it slipped my mind.”

“And that’s your excuse...?”

Poor Joo-Hyun couldn’t bring herself to smack an A-rank hunter. It would’ve only hurt her own hand.

***

And waiting to greet them at the pension was Aria.

“Long time no see, gentlemen.”

“?”

“??”

As the confused Yoo Seong-Woon and Joo-Hyun stood behind him, Giovanni beamed and pulled Aria into a hug.

“It’s been a while, Aria! Have you been well?”

“If I wasn’t well thinking of you, then that would be a problem, wouldn’t it?”

“That news would break the hearts of every dead man in the mermaid realm.”

“I’m genuinely pleased that you’re pleased.”

Joo-Hyun muttered,

“What even is that conversation?”

Regardless of the humans losing their minds, Aria and Gio continued chatting.

“I brought some food with me. Mind if I join in?”

“Shellfish from Edlun Village! It’s been a while since we’ve had tomato stew.”

“Grilled works too. There were a bunch of monsters around here that didn’t know their place, so I chased them all off. You can relax and enjoy, Teacher.”

“As expected, the only one who truly considers me is Aria.”

Yoo Seong-Woon thought,

‘Isn’t that just a typical monster’s territorial marking...?’

Still, no one objected to Aria suddenly joining their vacation. After all, Joo-Hyun was human enough to sympathize with even Gio, and Yoo Seong-Woon was used to interacting with non-human beings.

“There probably won’t be any women’s clothes in the pension.”

“You didn’t think I’d wear human-made clothes, did you?”

“I was curious how far you’d go for modesty’s sake.”

“My, such deep concern.”

Ignoring whatever conversation Yoo Seong-Woon and Aria were having, Gio called out to Joo-Hyun.

“You must be tired from the journey. Would you care for some lightly grilled shellfish?”

“If someone heard you, they’d think you were the one who traveled alone. I’m fine with it, though. Are you not tired?”

“The teleport seems to agree with my body. I’m not particularly fatigued.”

Some people couldn’t tolerate teleportation due to their physiology. Thankfully, none of the three—Yoo Seong-Woon, Joo-Hyun, or Gio—had that issue. Smiling as she approached, Joo-Hyun spoke.

“Then shall we prepare together?”

At that moment, Aria chimed in.

“I’ll light the fire, Teacher.”

“Would you? Fires lit by you always feel warmer.”

“You can compliment me all you want, but I won’t give you anything extra.”

With a playful wave, Aria headed outside. She really did roll up her sleeves to help, leaving Yoo Seong-Woon blinking in surprise.

“She’s really going to light the fire?”

“Charcoal prepared by Aria has a better scent.”

“She’s a princess, though?”

“Princesses still have to eat.”

“I thought mermaids were different...”

“That sounds a bit too human-centered.”

“...Yeah, okay. I’ll reflect on that.”

Since it wasn’t a time-consuming task, the prep for grilled shellfish didn’t take long. Aria had set up a small outdoor fire pit with a metal plate over it. While Yoo Seong-Woon brought out chairs and utensils, Gio and Joo-Hyun cleaned the shellfish.

“We don’t need to purge the shells or anything?”

“Aria already did it.”

“Ah, I see.”

And just like that, the four of them sat in a circle and genuinely enjoyed grilled shellfish.

“......”

Joo-Hyun was a little dumbfounded.

“Why does this feel so natural?”

“What’s so unnatural about having a good meal?”

“But we’ve got such an odd lineup, and yet here we are casually grilling shellfish.”

“That’s the power of a delicious meal, Joo-Hyun.”

“Gio, you’re way too much of a food supremacist.”

“I’ll reflect on that.”

As Aria sliced into a long, scallop-shaped piece of shellfish, she spoke up.

“Oh, I learned something recently.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Did you have anything to do with the Moon Church’s saintess going crazy?”

Yoo Seong-Woon choked.

“Cough!! Khh—cough, cough!!”

Gio scolded Aria.

“Why won’t you let the man eat?”

“I didn’t expect an A-rank hunter to be this fragile.”

“Even A-rank hunters need to eat.”

“That’s exactly why I’m surprised he’s this weak.”

Suddenly branded as fragile and weak, Yoo Seong-Woon cleared his throat and asked,

“Why are we talking about the Moon Church’s saintess out of nowhere...? Gio, what did you do?”

“...I didn’t do anything...”

“Right, you’re not the one to ask. Princess, would you care to explain?”

Aria shrugged.

“She just seemed like the perfect fit for your Demon King project, so I thought maybe you’d gotten to her already. She seemed too useful, you know?”

Gio looked offended.

“This teacher doesn’t drive people insane.”

“You do it sometimes when you’re bored...”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Aria smiled serenely.

“So, when do you plan to become the Demon King?”

“Did you come all the way to Jeju just to ask that?”

“You think a being like me, the ocean itself, had a hard time visiting an island?”

“You make a fair point. It probably felt as familiar as a convenience store near your house.”

Gio grinned brightly.

“It’ll take some time.”

After all, Argio had yet to return to his homeland.

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