Chapter 207
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 207
The erasure of a Palette Resident has been confirmed.
Confirmed Palette Residents: Aria, Iser
“……”
Would you like to place them in the Palette again?
[Yes/No]
“Yes.”
Color: 'Aria' has been successfully placed.
[Gray]
Color: 'Iser' has been successfully placed.
[Sky Blue]
…….
…….
…I like it.
* * *
The Hunters unanimously agreed that this disaster had been exceptionally tricky.
“A living, moving sea… It honestly gave me the chills.”
“Even after we froze it, the thing just kept pulling more water up from the deep sea. I was completely drained.”
“The mermaids seemed to tire out eventually, which is why it slowed down, but still…”
Fortunately, a large number of top-tier Hunters had gathered for this battle.
They did everything they could to hold back the deep-sea water, protecting the newly bloomed plants from withering. All the while, the plants themselves grew at an incredible rate under their master’s command.
“But honestly, that was kind of cool.”
“That’s not a sight any normal human could create.”
“It was fucking legendary, seriously…”
A Sea Flower Garden created by a human was a truly rare sight.
“If the dungeon raid team hadn’t acted so quickly, the suppression team would’ve had a rough time, too.”
Aria, the humanoid monster who had been slowly eroding control over Earth’s oceans, had appeared to be in immense pain once or twice during their confrontation.
“They said the first time was a backlash from Hunter Seo Gio breaking free of his restraint, right?”
“And the second was because the raid team destroyed the dungeon’s heart…”
“But didn’t they say Hunter Seo Gio was the one who destroyed that too, in the end?”
“Word is, he was able to locate the dungeon’s core while he was trapped in the dream.”
“To prepare for the raid even in a situation like that… He really is an incredible human.”
“If it were me, forget raiding, I wouldn’t have even woken up.”
“Hey, we wouldn’t have gotten that kind of special treatment. We’d have been dead in one shot.”
In fact, the dungeon clear notification didn’t appear until some time after the mermaid Aria’s form had dissolved into the sea. It seemed to take a while for the monster’s influence over Earth’s oceans to fade completely.
And naturally, cleaning up the aftermath was left entirely to the humans.
“……”
“…What a goddamn mess…”
The Hunters called in for cleanup duty couldn’t help but curse at the sight of the ruined sea.
“Fuck, let’s hurry up. We need to finish this so we can go home.”
“Has there been any word from the Association? With things in this state, you’d think other countries would be protesting by now.”
“Since we haven’t heard anything yet, they must have it under control.”
“So let’s clean this up quickly while the Association is covering for us.”
The ocean was so vast that even a minor distortion could make the entire world groan. Creating polar-like glaciers in the waters off South Korea meant climate issues were inevitable.
The Hunters' task was to resolve this ‘climate issue’ as quickly as possible. They worked tirelessly to melt the colossal glaciers and artificially restore the ocean currents to their original state.
“Hey, but look at this…”
“Right? It’s kind of a waste.”
“Excuse me, Association staff. Can’t we leave this part as it is?”
“It must have been hard to make.”
“Even if it’s a scar of battle…”
The Hunters couldn’t help but feel it was a shame to destroy the garden that had bloomed in the sea.
“Isn’t this too historic of a landmark to just sweep away?”
Encouraged by the Hunters' sentiments and the public’s reaction—who called it everything from ‘mystical’ to ‘a terrifying relic of war’—the Association decided to preserve the cluster of flowers blooming in the sea.
It would serve not just as a beautiful sight, but as an educational tool and a canary in a coal mine, warning of the dangers of oceanic fluctuations.
“If something goes wrong with this flowerbed, it’ll mean there’s a problem with the ocean’s management as well.”
“The citizens' response is positive, and leaving some traces of the war behind isn’t a bad idea. Many people only think, ‘Ah, I should be careful,’ after seeing the scars of such a massive natural disaster.”
“It will increase the area we need to manage, but we can just set up a separate department for that…”
The Association was always proactive in these matters. South Korea was a small, densely populated country, so they had always put great effort into environmental control and population management.
This time was no different. The Association quickly established a new department to manage the landmark, officially named the 'Sea Flower Garden'. Staff were also assigned to periodically visit and tend to the garden.
“Well, it’s also a way to show off our country’s capabilities.”
“If we handle this cleanup well, the number of immigrants will probably rise again. It looks like it would make a great tourist attraction, too.”
In an era where one could die at any moment, people wanted to belong to a country that could keep them safe. The image of a nation that didn’t just clean up, but had the luxury to turn the aftermath of war into a source of profit, was a lucrative benefit for South Korea.
“The number of deceased Hunters is high, however…”
“Offer our deepest apologies and gratitude to the bereaved families, and make sure the compensation is generous enough that no one complains. We have to make a good impression at times like this so our country’s Hunters will continue to risk their lives for us in the future.”
“And manage public perception so the citizens don’t complain. I’m tired of hearing people say we discriminate between city dwellers and those in the provinces. Even if nothing practically changes, we need to create the perception that we are a reliable pillar of support. It will make our jobs easier down the line.”
“The public must always trust the government and the Association. You all know that when a crisis of this scale occurs, it’s the perfect opportunity to win the hearts of the people.”
“We’ve also spoken with the guilds. When the time comes, they will participate in donations for displaced citizens and those of national merit. The Top 3 Guilds, in particular, brought it up first…”
Whenever a war of this magnitude broke out, the government and the Association were thrown into a frenzy. The country’s small size allowed them to grasp and respond to even the smallest details with precision.
However, another subject became the talk of the town for an entirely different reason.
“Did you hear? About Hunter Seo Gio…”
“I heard he was kidnapped by monsters during this war.”
“No, not that.”
It was about the 'Black Cloak'.
“There’s a rumor that he’s an Apostle of the Black Cloak.”
“…Is the Black Cloak a god? Wait, wasn’t it a monster?”
Some disbelieved, while others accepted it immediately. Fortunately, the Black Cloak’s identity did not cause any major chaos among the citizens.
“Well, it could be.”
In an era where individualism had reached its peak, the citizens, though often selfish from lives of loneliness and hardship, were consistently favorable toward any being that showed them goodwill.
This held true even for a mysterious entity whose nature—be it monster or something else—remained unknown.
“He gives out food, so he can’t be a bad god, right?”
“Who cares if he’s an Evil God? He feeds us and even takes us on tours…”
“How many people survived that fucking winter thanks to the Black Cloak?”
“God or not, I just hope he gives me some snacks if I run into him.”
“I heard some people hit the jackpot by selling those. It’s basically a lottery.”
“A lottery where doing good deeds increases your chances of winning… A lottery where you can manipulate the odds…”
To the citizens of this era, the Black Cloak wasn’t a monster to be subjugated. He had quietly woven himself into the fabric of South Korea as a gentle, friendly urban legend. While some might consider capturing or exploiting him for the practical help he offered, no one argued for his elimination.
“Why kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?”
“Hey, but they say he’s a divinity…”
“…Ah, right, of course. No, I was just speaking figuratively.”
In particular, the more eccentric enthusiasts who eagerly awaited the Black Cloak’s new works took an even more active stance in his defense.
“I knew it! There’s no way an entity that creates such noble worlds could be a mere monster!”
“No wonder I felt a sense of divinity from the uniqueness of the frames. Yes, I knew it. Now that things have come to this, we can’t just sit idly by.”
“Shouldn’t we form an organization to protect the Black Cloak? Where else in the world would you find a divinity who lets people view his artistic world? We must ensure no one exploits him.”
“He is a mystery who so dearly loves good people, so we must prepare before any wicked pests try to cling to him. He is a divinity with a surprisingly innocent side, after all…”
The enthusiasts were already wearing thick rose-colored glasses, and no amount of scolding from those around them would take them off. They were already deeply immersed in their thrilling interactions with the ominous yet gentle urban legend that was the Black Cloak.
Above all, the fact that ‘the Black Cloak is favorable toward good people’ boosted their pride even further. They felt a sense of duty, believing themselves to be humans recognized by the Black Cloak. This was especially true for those who had received direct help.
“I… I would have lost my life that day if Lord Black Cloak hadn’t saved me. Just the thought of someone who punishes evil and bestows grace upon the weak being exploited by wicked humans makes me, truly…”
“We understand how you feel. That’s exactly why we must raise our voices at a time like this.”
Although such movements were happening in some quarters, they were merely hobby clubs or, at best, salon-level gatherings, so the general public didn’t pay much attention.
In an era with numerous small groups praising cute or useful monsters, it was only natural that a group cherishing a mystery of the Black Cloak’s caliber would emerge. It was accepted as a natural phenomenon, as inevitable as a government forming after a nation is established.
“Well, it’s mostly gentle people gathering anyway.”
“The fact that the Black Cloak dislikes wicked humans probably played a big part in that.”
“I hear they thoroughly screen potential members.”
“They say people living nearby gather to perform good deeds…”
“I heard the art enthusiasts even host charity events. Some of them even go out to do volunteer work themselves.”
“So that’s how the rich end up spending their money. How fascinating. To think those folks, who usually view anyone below a 1st-Grade Citizen as a different species, are actually volunteering in person.”
Some participated for lighthearted fun, some joined in hopes of receiving a genuine invitation to a work, and others participated out of steadfast faith, but…
“It’s literally a positive influence. If that’s the case, well, is there any need to worry?”
While everyone was accepting the Black Cloak’s new identity, their attention naturally turned back to 'Hunter Seo Gio'.
“It must mean he was an Apostle of the Black Cloak from the very beginning. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Collector keeping him locked up.”
“They say the humanoid monsters who started this war kidnapped the Black Cloak’s Apostles, but what was their exact reason? Apparently, they made several remarks that showed they were wary of the Black Cloak.”
“They even said things that sounded like they coveted Hunter Seo Gio himself. This is something I heard from a Hunter who was on the raid team, but apparently, something that looked exactly like Hunter Seo Gio was the heart of this dungeon…”
“What? Why on earth would they do that?”
Opinions on this matter were split into a few different theories.
“We were able to gather some lore about the mermaids and their teacher from the 'Deep Sea Temple'. They say the reason the mermaids became monsters was because they lost their teacher to humans, and there are rumors that Hunter Seo Gio looks remarkably similar to that teacher.”
“So, did they find a human who resembled their teacher and try to mold him into the same entity?”
“They say Hunter Seo Gio showed signs of deep sorrow after waking up from his restraint. Isn’t that likely the reason? The mermaids must have pulled some tricks to synchronize him with their deceased teacher.”
“If that’s true, isn’t that incredibly creepy? Good grief, trying to overwrite a perfectly fine human with a dead person. That’s exactly the kind of twisted idea only wicked monsters would come up with.”
This was one opinion.
“Or perhaps they really were similar entities. The mysteries between dimensions haven’t been fully uncovered yet, after all. For instance, reincarnation… Isn’t it possible that Hunter Seo Gio is connected to that kind of mystery?”
“They say the name of the teacher found in the 'Deep Sea Temple' was 'Bartlan Giovanni'. We don’t know if he was usually called 'Gio', but seeing how even their names are similar, I believe some kind of fate was at play.”
“They were monsters who had accumulated wicked achievements across dimensions. Their hatred for humans must have run deep, so if there truly was absolutely no connection, would they really have singled him out like that? Even if they intended to use his body to resurrect their teacher…”
“Exactly. In the end, they would have shown hatred toward humans. If Hunter Seo Gio was the only one who bypassed that hatred, there has to be something to it. There’s no way there isn’t at least some connection.”
There was also this opinion.
“Could they not have simply coveted a talented individual with a massive vessel?”
“Right. I heard they were also quite polite to that novice priest, Cha Yi-sol, who is said to be another Apostle of the Black Cloak. If you look at it that way, Hunter Seo Gio wasn’t the only one who avoided the monsters' characteristic hatred.”
“Well, the resemblance between Hunter Seo Gio and that teacher might have had some influence, but… humanoid monsters are highly intelligent.”
“Exactly. They are the type of monsters who wouldn’t hesitate to join hands with humans for the sake of their plans. They might have done all that just to get their hands on Hunter Seo Gio, who is an outstanding Apostle of the Black Cloak.”
“They even belittled him, saying, 'Hunter Seo Gio is merely an ordinary human after all'… So I believe they did have a basic animosity toward humans. In the end, he was nothing more than a valuable tool to the mermaids.”
“At best, he would have become a favored subordinate. Maybe they wanted to turn Hunter Seo Gio into a monster to make him their companion, but either way, I don’t think they had any sentimental goodwill toward him.”
“Indeed. In fact, they say Hunter Seo Gio once visited the 'Deep Sea Temple' before and came out in a state close to a living corpse. If they truly cared for him, they would never have done such a thing.”
And there was also this opinion.
Many other rumors circulated, but the three above were the most common speculations. What was certain, however, was that the Black Cloak was a divinity, and Hunter Seo Gio and Novice Priest Cha Yi-sol were his Apostles.
“But it does feel a bit unsettling.”
“Huh? What does? Everything seems to have been wrapped up nicely…”
“I know the cleanup is going well, but I just wonder why this happened in the first place.”
“Natural disasters like Dungeons and monsters don’t need a specific reason to cause trouble.”
“It’s the fact that they were highly intelligent humanoid monsters that bothers me.”
Some were worried about the mermaids' actions.
“They specifically went out of their way to oppose the Black Cloak.”
In a world with as many divinities and religions as stars in the sky, they hadn’t opposed all of Earth’s gods. The fact that they specifically targeted the Black Cloak, a relatively new presence, was what weighed on people’s minds.
“Well… it also proves just how favorable the Black Cloak is toward Earth’s humans, so I don’t think there’s an immediate problem. Maybe he was just in their way because he cherishes Earthlings so much.”
“Hmm, yes. That could be it.”
“I hope the Black Cloak helps us if another powerful enemy appears. I heard he helped transport the raid team when their submersible broke down…”
“Was that true? I thought it was just a rumor.”
“Considering he usually hands out small snacks, it might actually be true.”
And then, Hunter Seo Gio vanished from the public eye.
“Why?”
“Is he not going to appear on TV?”
“I thought this was basically his debut…”
Hunter Seo Gio’s fan club couldn’t hold back their tears. They felt that after such an active performance, it was about time he showed his face, but the only response from the Collector was: 'Due to the recent kidnapping incident, Hunter Seo Gio has sustained severe damage and requires absolute rest.'
“What do they mean he’s ‘damaged’? Is he a piece of fruit? A vegetable?”
“I heard he coddles him like his own precious artwork, but…”
“He really lives up to his name.”
All the criticism was directed at Bisabeol, who was rumored to be Hunter Seo Gio’s father.
* * *
Arjio clicked his tongue.
“You’d think I’d hate this.”
“Isn’t this situation amusing?”
“It is amusing.”
“Then won’t you play along with me a little?”
“Of course. If that is what you wish, I will do so as much as you like. Father.”
“Is there a sweeter sound in all the world?”
Bisabeol beamed from ear to ear.
“One more time.”
“Father?”
“How thrilling.”
“What a cute family.”
“Should I give you some allowance?”
Regardless of the cleanup, Bisabeol was fully devoted to enjoying the present moment. It was to the point where a secretary who had come to submit documents opened the door, only to immediately close it and walk back out. He was truly a man living his life to a full two hundred percent.