Chapter 23
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23
Meanwhile, Gio was lost in a peculiar dilemma.
“……”
Since coming to this world, he had never once painted a landscape.
No, wait. That’s not entirely true.
Come to think of it, he had created the lake for Honey and the other water birds, but that was it. Strictly speaking, that was just adding another feature to this world, not creating a proper landscape painting.
This raised a question.
“Fruits, buildings, animals…”
He could paint them all.
“Then what about landscapes?”
What would happen to a world he painted?
“……”
Harboring this question, Gio began to paint. For starters, he made three.
* * *
‘Breathing Sea’
Searching…
…….
….
…….
Dimension exists.
Entry possible.
…….
Compatible entity confirmed.
Synchronization possible.
‘Animal Kingdom’
Searching…
…….
….
…….
Dimension exists.
Entry possible.
…….
Compatible entity confirmed.
Synchronization possible.
‘Void City’
…….
….
…….
Dimension does not exist.
Would you like to register it?
* * *
[You have 3 unread notifications.]
“What’s this?”
[Please check the new notifications.]
“……”
Gio felt it.
A premonition of fun.
It was new content, appearing with uncanny timing just as he’d finished his work.
Working through the night was an artist’s companion, a sacred act symbolizing a free soul. Having painted all night, Gio had completed a total of three landscape paintings.
“Hmm.”
Seeing three notifications, he had a rough idea of what was going on. He felt as delighted as if he had received a Christmas present delivered by mistake during Chuseok.
“Good adults always get rewarded eventually.”
“Kkoong?”
“Where else in the world would you find someone as good as your dad?”
“Kkooruru…”
“To think the trust between father and son is this flimsy. How lamentable.”
With a solemn face, Gio spouted nonsense while checking the system notifications.
“……”
Then he asked.
“Where’s the help section?”
Indeed, he couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
I can tell it’s related to the three paintings I finished yesterday.
First, Gio had painted a seascape; second, a wilderness; and finally, an empty city.
Breathing Sea, Animal Kingdom, Void City… I never gave them those names.
He figured the system had probably named them on its own.
“The system must have recognized my brilliant naming sense and snatched away the chance to name my own works… But even so, what does ‘Dimension exists’ mean?”
Taken literally, it sounded like an actual dimension matching the landscape he painted already existed somewhere.
“The ability to discover an entire dimension… I wonder if that’s even within human limits.”
Of course, for the newly evolved “New Gio” who was now a portrait, it was entirely possible. Since a human had evolved into a painting, human standards could be temporarily tossed out the window.
“Ta-da.”
Having rationalized it flawlessly, Gio continued a deduction that would put Sherlock Holmes to shame.
“Since it says entry is possible… it seems some of the dimensions in my paintings actually exist, and I can enter them directly.”
He hadn’t expected such a massive update. Human life didn’t usually come with such a diligent management team, so this was a highly encouraging change.
“Nice.”
A free spirit from Gangwon-do who refused to walk the same path as others, Gio approved of and cheered on his own unique challenge, which was progressing on its own without him even trying.
“But there’s still something I don’t get…”
He couldn’t understand the terms “Compatible” and “Synchronization” at all.
“……”
“……”
“What is compatible, and what am I synchronizing with?”
“Kkoong?”
He was cute, but Gio couldn’t let himself be fooled. That wasn’t a “Really?” but a “How should I know?”
“Right.”
Gio nodded.
Judging by that rebellious look, Honey seemed to have hit puberty. But seeing how he still responded to his dad’s words every single time showed what a diligent son he was.
There might be bad paint in the world, but there were no bad paintings. Honey was proof of that.
What a good boy.
Checking the system window, Gio soon discovered a new list.
[Compatible List]
This was obviously the answer.
“Let’s see.”
[Breathing Sea_Giovanni]
Synchronization Rate: 0%
[Animal Kingdom_Arjio]
Synchronization Rate: 0%
What is this?
“……”
[Description: Compatible]
“At least they have a conscience.”
[Compatible]
A method to more conveniently understand unfamiliar dimensions. Among the existing entities in the indicated dimension, a target corresponding to ‘Gio’ is designated as the ‘Compatible’ entity. If you obtain the consent of the compatible entity, you can borrow their soul and body to easily understand and travel through the dimension.
“What would they do if I still didn’t understand? I’m curious how they’d react.”
But he did understand.
“So if a ‘Compatible’ entity exists in a real dimension, I can roam around in their body…”
This system really knew what it was doing. He didn’t know what the compatible person would think, but from the user’s perspective, it was an extremely considerate feature.
“I wouldn’t know the culture of that dimension, and above all, there might be bacteria incompatible with my current body. Even if I can breathe air on Earth, people might breathe gases like nitrogen elsewhere.”
In that sense, receiving help from a “Compatible” entity was a convenient choice.
“And the criteria for finding that compatible entity must be that they are ‘Gio’…”
Looking at the names on the list, he had a rough idea.
[Breathing Sea_Giovanni]
Synchronization Rate: 0%
[Animal Kingdom_Arjio]
Synchronization Rate: 0%
“They were probably called ‘Gio’ too.”
Was it enough just to have ‘Gio’ in their name?
“…No, if that were the case, they wouldn’t have used a term like ‘Compatible.’ There must be other conditions, which is why it’s treated as important enough to manage with a dedicated list.”
He figured it probably checked for some kind of synchronization rate or adaptability with Gio himself.
“Interesting.”
He liked it a lot.
“I won’t be bored for the rest of my life.”
The amount of updated data was so massive that he didn’t know if he could enjoy it all in his lifetime.
“An update on a dimensional scale.”
It was truly amazing.
“……”
But even after all this explanation and analysis, there was still one more thing.
“What is Void City?”
‘Void City’
Dimension does not exist.
Would you like to register it?
“Does this mean I created a new dimension?”
That was absolutely insane.
“I can already hear my life becoming spectacular.”
It was great.
Gio never thought too deeply about things, and this was no exception.
Of course, if it were a matter of world peace, friendship, and love, he would ponder it with the pure heart of an unspoiled mountain youth. But this didn’t really spark that kind of motivation.
Gio looked like the type who would drink only espresso every morning, but he actually had the palate of an elementary schooler—he spat out what was bitter and swallowed what was sweet.
“Hmm.”
His ultimate positive mindset was not about to be deterred by something as minor as creating a dimension.
“Just because I created a new dimension doesn’t mean some random nuclear power plant on Earth is going to blow up.”
Then it was fine.
“Honey, do you agree?”
“Kkooroorook!”
“Then it really is fine.”
Now that he had his family’s consent, there was nothing holding him back.
Although it was a scale he had never experienced, such trivial details couldn’t stop the growth of a deep-rooted tree like Gio. He was a portrait with convictions.
“Life is amazing.”
As you live, new content always pops up.
“If I don’t enjoy this content right now, I’m not human.”
“……”
“I don’t know which part made you go silent, but Honey, trust your dad.”
Gio was confident.
Confident that he would enjoy it immensely.
“Life is a hurricane.”
Letting his tongue run wild, Gio selected the compatible entity [Giovanni] from the list. It was a name often used in Italy on Earth, which made it feel strangely familiar.
And then, Gio…
—Pop.
“……”
‘Pop?’
He was left alone in some kind of operating room.
“……”
Honey, who should have been on his shoulder, was gone. A wave of sorrow washed over him.
So lonely.
How could this happen?
Dropped into an operating room that looked like something out of 18th-century Europe, all thanks to the system’s trickery, Gio muttered to himself.
It feels like it’s been less than thirty minutes, let alone a few days, since I was admiring the system’s god-tier management and vast content. So what is this thoughtless delivery service?
He was deeply hurt by the system’s lack of consideration. It should have asked for his opinion one more time and kindly notified him that the transfer was about to begin.
While Gio was wondering where the customer service center was so he could file a complaint, he stopped wallowing in self-pity upon realizing someone was standing in front of him.
“……”
“…Ah.”
Gio felt a bit shy at the sudden presence. Whoever it was, their stealth skills put Agent 007 to shame.
“……”
“……”
“……”
“…Hello?”
While Gio was briefly lost in the absurd thought of one of the 101 Dalmatians giving a killer self-introduction, the man in his early thirties, who appeared to be the owner of the operating room, spoke first.
“Nice to meet you. I am Giovanni of the Bartlan family.”
“…I’m Gio.”
“Yes, I know. You may call me Gio as well, Teacher.”
He looked remarkably like Gio, with a kind and reliable smile that suited him perfectly. If Gio were Western and a bit older, he would probably look exactly like this man.
Gio, ever brave, didn’t hold back his question.
“You look a lot like me.”
“We probably share many similarities.”
“I can’t smile as kindly as you do. I’m bad at smiling in general, so I’ve been misunderstood a lot.”
“That’s a cute and honest worry, much like the students I used to teach. It’s all right. You’ll be able to smile like me from now on.”
Having said those meaningful words, ‘Giovanni’ soon laughed sheepishly. He seemed like a much more cheerful adult than Gio.
“You seem like a very straightforward and warm person, Teacher Seo Gio.”
“I think the same of you, Mr. Giovanni. Seeing how you compliment me upon our first meeting, I can tell you are a naturally kind-hearted thinker.”
“Acknowledging the light in others is only natural for a Priest of the Sun. It has nothing to do with being kind or not.”
“…A priest…”
A priest?
“…This place looks like a hospital. Weren’t you a doctor?”
“I am a doctor as well. Just because one is a Priest of the Sun doesn’t mean they must only recite scriptures inside a temple. There are many priests like me who work on the outside.”
Saying so, ‘Giovanni’ let out a sigh.
“No… there were many.”
“I see.”
“My world was submerged in seawater and destroyed.”
Ah, so suddenly?
“Isn’t the destruction of your hometown a bit too heavy of a topic for a first meeting…?”
“Please, listen.”
“Yes, I am all ears.”
“Right now, the only ones left in that world are probably the mermaids hiding in the sea. Our planet shrank and became rule-bound, like a game board.”
“Like a game board?”
“I believe it underwent… dungeonification, as they call it.”
“You know about dungeons?”
“It was a concept that didn’t exist in our world. I didn’t know about it until I died.”
Hearing him speak like this, it seemed ‘Giovanni’ was indeed already dead.
“But Teacher Seo Gio, the moment you called for me, I understood.”
“……”
“We are the same ‘Gio.’”
He said, still wearing that kind smile.
“But we are by no means the same person.”
“Can I view you as me from a parallel universe?”
“No, not quite. We are entirely separate human beings who just miraculously share a great deal of commonalities.”
“……”
“Similar faces, similar voices, similar dexterity… but our souls are definitely not the same color.”
Gio pondered for a moment and asked.
“Do you like to paint? Since you put it that way, I’m curious if our tastes are truly similar.”
“It was one of my secret hobbies. I loved painting the sea that resembled mermaids.”
“A sea that resembles mermaids…”
Their love for painting was also the same. With just that, Gio accepted that they were indeed the same ‘Gio.’
“I’d like to see it.”
“You will see it soon.”
His voice was filled with a warm certainty. Hearing that gentle tone, which seemed unlikely to break easily, Gio felt a doubt arise.
“I understand that your soul and body will be taken by me. Aren’t you afraid of me? Do you not resent me? I am merely plundering everything of yours just to explore a new dimension.”
“This is not plunder. In the first place, I am already dead. My soul returned to the Sun’s side, and my body became soil, buried in the earth… Well, actually, it neither became soil nor was buried. By now, even that land has surely been submerged in seawater.”
“What kind of dark humor is this? You sound like an elderly person saying there’s no need to buy them anything expensive because they’ll die soon anyway. You might be fine with it, but I’m not. You seem to have forgotten that we’ve only just met.”
“Hahaha…”
‘Giovanni’ laughed as if Gio had made a truly hilarious joke, even though it wasn’t funny at all, and then continued.
“My soul will become one with yours, Teacher Gio. You could call it a sort of resurrection or reincarnation. I will seep into you, spend more time, build memories, and live within the Origin.”
“…The Origin?”
“It must still be an unfamiliar concept to you.”
He wore a gentle smile.
“But you are already living there.”
“Are you saying the place where I live is the ‘Origin’? I heard about it recently from an acquaintance.”
“In truth, even that is likely a name given by Earthlings. We cannot know what name it actually holds, or what rules and form it possesses. As a humble soul, I merely respond to the call and harmonize with you.”
Soon after, ‘Giovanni’ spoke with an apologetic look.
“If possible, please look after the Sun God. To be precise, the Sun God of the world I belonged to.”
“I can’t believe a request to look after a god came from a mere humble soul. You’re making another very funny joke. Actually, it’s not that funny.”
“I thought the same when I was alive, but unless it is the Origin, even a god is eventually forgotten without believers. Not that the Sun would perish, but as his son, I can’t help but worry.”
“How could I look after a god? I’m just an ordinary human, too.”
“You can remember him, talk to him occasionally, or borrow his power. I swear on my honorable soul as a priest molded by sunlight, it won’t be much of a burden to you.”
Gio nodded.
He says a god, but in short, it’s like visiting an elderly person who lives alone.
As a former art teacher, Gio had often done volunteer work since his college days. Among them, there were quite a few elderly people growing old alone with tragic stories.
Thinking about it this way, Gio was an experienced hand. Having shrunk back at the word “god,” he regained his confidence.
“I’m good at that.”
“Haha, that’s a relief. I leave it in your hands.”
“Is there anything else you want?”
“Isn’t the request to look after a god already burdensome enough?”
“It was a moment ago, but not anymore.”
In the deep mountain village of Gangwon-do, which was an ultra-aging society, Gio had been the only child. He was confident, at the very least, in acting cute and entertaining the elderly.
Sensing that confidence, ‘Giovanni’ hesitated before speaking.
“…Aria…”
“Aria?”
“The name of my student.”
“……”
“Our conversation has gone on too long.”
His tone was still gentle, but now tinged with a deep sadness.
“Please give her an ending.”
At that moment.
“…Ah…”
Gio was back on the bed in his cabin.
“……”
“……”
“Kkooruru…”
“…Right…”
[Breathing Sea_‘Giovanni’]
“I’m fine.”
[Giovanni’s Quest]
“Dad is fine.”
[- Communicate with the Sun God (0/1)]
[- Give the Mermaid Princess an ending (0/1)]
“Really…”
[Synchronization Rate: 1%]
“I’m fine.”
“……”
“There’s no problem at all.”
It was a strange feeling.
A coldness crept up his entire body, accompanied by a bone-shattering pain—and a sorrow even greater than that. He wept without knowing why.
He couldn’t remember anything.
“……”
“……”
He wept like that until the moon set and the new sunlight filtered in…
“…I don’t regret it.”
He smiled with sore, swollen eyes.
I was happy.