Chapter 174
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 174
Gardeners were, quite literally, those who tended to a “Garden.”
The way they tended to these Gardens differed completely from one Gardener to the next. Some poured all their energy into their Garden day and night, while others only dropped by to manage it when the time was right. Some regarded their Garden as a friend or family member, while…
“…”
Others worshipped it like a priest serving a god.
‘…So that is the Eye of the Origin that Gardener Yoo Seong-un spoke of.’
Among the Hunters gathered by guild at the dungeon entrance, the eyes of Jeong Young-won—a Hunter from the Eunwol Guild and a Gardener—were fixed solely on Seo Gio. Noticing her intense focus, a fellow Hunter spoke up.
“Young-won, your eyes.”
“Ah.”
Jeong Young-won adjusted her glasses.
“Are they okay now?”
“Yeah, they look like a normal yellow.”
“Then, by any chance, earlier…?”
“Hmm, orange?”
“I see.”
She lightly touched the corner of her eye.
‘This is the inconvenient part of being a Gardener.’
Gardeners shared an incredibly close connection with the Gardens they served, which often caused their eye or hair color to change in response to their Garden’s state. Jeong Young-won, who served a warm, spring flower bed, was no exception.
‘My Garden rarely changes like this. Could it be… because the Eye of the Origin is nearby?’
As Jeong Young-won continued to stare, her colleague spoke to her again.
“Why do you keep staring at Hunter Seo Gio?”
“…Ah, because he’s handsome.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that.”
“I know it’s rude to stare.”
“He doesn’t seem to mind much, though…”
“He looks like someone who’s used to being stared at.”
“If I had a face like that, I’d get used to it too.”
“He definitely has an aura that makes receiving attention feel natural.”
It was as if he were an existence created for the sole purpose of being looked at. Jeong Young-won once again focused on Seo Gio, who was standing among the members of the Collector Guild.
“And it’s not just because of his looks.”
Was her gaze constantly drawn to him simply because she was a Gardener?
‘No, this is a natural reaction for any human.’
Feeling a surge of tension, she clenched and unclenched her fists.
‘The Origin, of all things—and its Eye, no less—is standing right here among so many humans…’
There was still so much unknown about the Origin. Much remained unrevealed. Its mystery was something humans dared not pry into, and even if one were granted the right, it was not an existence that could be easily examined.
It was simply too vast. It manifested in the world in too many different forms and influenced the world in too many different ways. Jeong Young-won believed Seo Gio was one of them.
‘That, too, must be one of the ways the Origin influences the world.’
Yoo Seong-un had identified Seo Gio as the Eye of the Origin.
‘…Did it manifest that ideal appearance to directly experience human life and gather data? To collect information more easily by inspiring human goodwill? But it would be difficult to gather comprehensive human data through goodwill alone… Or perhaps it’s only collecting the outcomes of that goodwill.’
Unable to suppress her analytical habits as a Gardener, Jeong Young-won spoke to her team leader.
“Senior.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Could you push for me to be placed on the same team as him?”
“…Just asking out of concern, but this isn’t about romantic feelings, is it? I can’t cover for you if it is.”
“Why would you say something so horrifying?”
“Right? No way our Young-won would fall for a human. For a second there, I was worried you were sick.”
Though she had never explicitly revealed her status, one of the unavoidable traits of a Gardener was their inability to easily develop romantic or sexual feelings toward humans. The team leader nodded.
“I’ll try to put in a word, but isn’t that guy a priest?”
“…Please memorize the briefing materials properly before you show up. He’s a Tamer, not a priest.”
“Ah, he just gives off that vibe. So he’s not a Healer, either?”
“I’m not sure. Very little information has been released… He might be a Healer as well.”
“Hmm, then I wonder if they’ll let you on the same team.”
“Since he’ll likely be acting primarily as a Tamer, wouldn’t it be fine to have a Healer on Hunter Seo Gio’s team?”
“I see your point. I’ll try to pitch it that way.”
The leader gave a lazy smile and asked, “So, why? What about him has you so interested?”
“…”
“Come on, don’t hold back. You think I don’t know how your mind works, Young-won?”
“…Just…”
As Jeong Young-won looked back toward Seo Gio, he met her gaze.
“…”
“…”
Indeed.
“…”
What beautiful eyes.
Beneath the shock of his slightly suppressed presence, the Gardener saw the true essence of the Origin.
What appeared to be irises shone with divine radiance, and his deeply sunken pupils held an indescribable overlap of countless colors.
Ah, the Origin in human form.
‘…Incredible.’
His sublime purity, transcending mere beauty, made her head spin.
Her heart pounded wildly, and she could hardly believe her own existence was reflected in those eyes. She felt suffocated by a bizarre sense of mystery, as if she might forget her very self.
It was so vast. So deep and immense that she didn’t dare try to see its end.
‘It’s mesmerizing…’
What on earth was he made of?
‘I feel dizzy.’
A sweet scent drifted over.
It was like the scent of her own flower bed, but an even sweeter, richer aroma of milk and honey. A cool, soft sweetness, like lilacs blooming in spring.
It was a scent flowing from a destiny that contained both life and death…
“…”
“…Young-won.”
“…”
“Young-won? Are you asleep?”
“No.”
“Then why did you stop talking mid-sentence?”
“We briefly made eye contact.”
Receiving the direct gaze of the Origin itself had left her unable to gather her senses.
“What was your question just now?”
“I asked why you were showing so much interest.”
“It’s nothing much.”
In stark contrast to her expressionless face, her grip tightened around her staff.
“…He simply seems highly worthy of observation.”
An opportunity like this wouldn’t come often.
Awe and worship for the Origin filled the mere Gardener with a feverish excitement.
*
“Mr. Garasani.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“If it looks like someone hates me, please let me know.”
“Who do you think hates you?”
“The one over there with the cherry-blossom-pink hair…”
“Ah.”
Garasani glanced over at the Eunwol Guild and grinned.
“I don’t think those are eyes of hatred.”
“Then why is she glaring at me like that?”
“It is indeed a sharp gaze, like a hawk’s.”
“It’s incredibly unnerving.”
“Should I go over and lodge a complaint?”
“It’s not quite that serious, but…”
Gio couldn’t help but fall back on the easiest explanation.
“Is it because I’m just too handsome?”
“Hahaha…! Ah, yes, indeed. That could very well be it.”
Garasani let out a warm, indulgent laugh, as if watching an adorable child perform a trick, and comforted Gio.
“Once we enter the dungeon, the teams will be divided, so you won’t have to worry. Has the attention been very burdensome? I didn’t see any sign of it, so I didn’t take any special measures…”
“I’m used to it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a burden. Still, you don’t need to do anything. I was just whining because you’re so reliable, Mr. Garasani.”
“Ah, that is a great honor. I could ask for nothing more than for you to rely on me often. Even after we enter the dungeon, you and I will likely be together, Hunter Seo Gio.”
Garasani grinned and glanced toward the Religious Order, the hosts of the raid.
“The Religious Order likes to play it safe. Since a Curator from the Collector Guild has made a rare appearance, they’ll try to assemble the teams according to the Collector’s wishes.”
“By the Collector’s wishes… you mean you’ll all be looking out for my convenience?”
“You understand quickly. People will assume we came to attend to and monitor you, Hunter Seo Gio. The Religious Order will reflect that in their planning.”
“That’s a relief. As long as at least one person I know is with me.”
“Even if we happen to be assigned to different teams, I assure you I will remain by your side. If the worst comes to pass, I will take appropriate measures, so please don’t worry, Hunter Seo Gio.”
“Thank you for being so considerate.”
Gio, who tended to clam up around strangers, felt relieved.
‘As expected, life is all about connections.’
He was so glad he had become the Collector’s portrait.
*
And so, Gio was indeed assigned to the same team as Garasani, but…
“I never in my wildest dreams expected to see you again like this. What a surprise.”
“Is that so?”
“I really didn’t know, so you have to believe me. I’m so glad we’re on the same team, Young Master.”
“Young Master, is it?”
“Ah, I slipped up again. I’ll put my hands together and beg, so won’t you let it slide?”
“Haha…”
Sa Na-rae was also on his team.
“…”
“…”
Gio, who had been silently locking eyes with him, broke into a smirk.
“…How adorable.”
Before Sa Na-rae, whose eyes had gone wide, could even react, Gio’s expression softened back to its usual gentleness. He looked at Sa Na-rae as if he were looking at a very cute puppy.
“Of course I’ll let it slide.”
“Huh…?”
“How could I ignore someone offering an apology with such a sweet smile?”
“Uh… really? I feel like I was just treated as something less than human…”
“Do you eat properly? You’re so thin. How can a grown young man exert any strength like this?”
“Whoa, whoa, don’t just start squeezing my arm like that. Whoa, wait, Hunter, your grip strength is surprisingly strong.”
“Why did you drag this pitiful body, all skin and bones, all the way out here?”
“I don’t think I’m that thin… Hunter? Hunter Seo Gio? Can you hear me?”
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll have to feed you well during this raid…”
“Please, give me a chance to back out.”
Sa Na-rae, who barely managed to escape Gio’s grasp by begging for mercy, asked, “Are you going to eat me…? Do you happen to eat human flesh?”
“As far as I know, human meat isn’t very tasty.”
“Setting aside how you know that, that doesn’t mean you won’t eat it.”
“Don’t worry. I make it a rule not to eat things that don’t taste good.”
“I’m telling you, that phrasing does not make me feel safe at all.”
In a rare display, Hunter Sa Na-rae stumbled backward, muttering with a look of feigned exhaustion.
“How strange. Why am I suddenly thinking of my late grandfather…?”
“I’m honored. Doesn’t that mean I’m as reliable and warm as your grandfather, Mr. Na-rae?”
“No… it’s somewhat… somewhat different from that… What could it be? I feel like I could define it more accurately.”
Leaving Sa Na-rae lost in his strange sentimentality, another woman assigned to the team stepped forward. It was Hunter Jeong Young-won, the one who had been staring at Seo Gio as if trying to pierce through him just before they entered the dungeon.
“Nice to meet you, Hunter Seo Gio. We made eye contact earlier, didn’t we?”
“Ah, yes. You’re with the Eunwol Guild, if I’m not mistaken?”
“Yes, thank you for recognizing me. I am Jeong Young-won.”
The woman with soft, creamy pink hair adjusted her round glasses and extended her hand, her expression blunt.
“Could you shake my hand just once?”
“…? Of course.”
For a simple greeting, her request held a strange sense of resolve. Feeling a subtle amusement at her unique way of speaking, Gio lightly shook her hand. Hunter Jeong Young-won blinked.
“…Your control over your strength is excellent.”
“Is it?”
“I thought you would grip it more painfully.”
“Do I give off such a rugged impression?”
“It’s not that, but…”
Having apparently reached some conclusion on her own, she nodded and spoke.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“For what…?”
“My position is Healer. I will be in charge of this team’s recovery.”
“Ah, I see. I look forward to working with you.”
‘So what exactly was I being considerate about?’
Though he didn’t show it, Seo Gio, who had just been praised for his excellent strength control simply for shaking hands, was momentarily bewildered. He felt as if he had just been praised for breathing correctly.
“Uh, then we should also…”
“? Yes, nice to meet you.”
“Please shake my hand, too.”
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
After finishing his greetings with two Hunters from the Daecheong Guild, Gio finally asked.
“So, why was I the only one who shook hands with everyone?”
“…”
“…”
“…?”
Surprisingly, no one could give a proper answer.
“…Now that you mention it, why did we…?”
“Oh, how amusing.”
It seemed they had ended up with a wonderfully chaotic combination.
With a mix of absurdity and amusement, Gio stepped into the A-Rank Dungeon, the “Subterranean Quadruped Rainforest.”