Chapter 67
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 67
Shifting the atmosphere of an entire dungeon was no easy feat.
'That’s only possible if there’s a change in the dungeon master’s condition. And any master capable of assimilating a dungeon as if it were part of their own body would, in most cases, be an exceptionally powerful monster…'
With that thought, Kang Seo-dam looked at "Seo Gio" standing before him.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Yes, of course. What is it you wish to know?"
"…Are you currently acting in your capacity as a Hunter?"
It was a roundabout way of asking: Since you are currently playing the part of a human, can we cooperate?
'I hope that didn’t sound too insolent.'
Kang Seo-dam still couldn’t bring himself to meet Gio’s eyes, keeping his gaze fixed on the man’s lips. Those lips, curved in a perfectly gentle line, parted calmly, carrying a warmth so profound it felt almost alien.
"Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself. I am Seo Gio, a Hunter with the Collector Guild."
"…I see."
Now that he mentioned it, Kang Seo-dam recalled that the white-haired Hunter who had stuck close to Gio’s side throughout the initiation ceremony was indeed from the Collector Guild. It was rare to see an underground Hunter rather than a public figure, which had left a strong impression.
'So this being is currently receiving aid from the Collector Guild. It’s rare for a god to go to such lengths to blend in among humans.'
Even for a being who had ascended from humanity to godhood, acquiring divinity meant relinquishing one’s humanity. To adapt to human society, receiving aid from an influential group was simply another form of divine amusement.
'And of all groups, the Collector Guild… Isn’t that the guild housing Collector Bisabeol’s Gallery? Since they are an organization that showers anomalies and mysteries with affection rather than trying to control them, they are the perfect accomplices for a god’s game.'
He felt a quiet sense of relief.
'That makes things much easier. If he went so far as to establish a proper identity with the help of a human organization, he won’t discard his humanity so easily. It means he possesses an open mind toward us…'
Still avoiding eye contact, Kang Seo-dam asked, "Are you perhaps a priest?"
"Yes, I am… Hm."
The Black Cloak, who had seemed on the verge of agreeing, paused. Then, with a soft smile, he continued, "If you are asking about my Hunter class, I am a Tamer, not a priest."
"Then how do you explain your Holy Power?"
"It is merely a power I gratefully received as a child of the sun. It is nothing so grand."
"So you are a believer, not a priest. Thank you for clarifying."
Seo Gio, a Hunter of the Collector Guild. Platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. Class: Tamer.
"……."
Judging by the fact that the pressure radiating from him didn’t feel entirely alien, he had likely adjusted his rank to somewhere between A and B. And the reason he could wield Holy Power was that he was a devout follower of the sun…
"……."
He committed this to memory.
'…Though judging by the sheer weight of his presence, it feels less like he is hiding his power and more like he has severed it. His method of seeking amusement is remarkably extreme. I can’t rule out the possibility that he is under some sort of curse.'
Of course, there was no need for a mere human like Kang Seo-dam to overanalyze the affairs of a god. He simply asked, treading carefully to fulfill his duty.
"Could you perhaps assist me in searching for other survivors?"
"I came here for that very purpose."
"Ah… thank you."
He truly is a god benevolent to humanity. Though the faint aura of death clinging to him suggested he might be an Evil God, Kang Seo-dam could hardly reject the aid of a deity who carried himself with such polite grace.
'I don’t know which god he is, but he holds humans in high regard. Since he uses a Korean name, "Seo Gio" is likely not his true name… I must offer a prayer to his divine statue later.'
He decided to leave those thoughts for later. To a god, this might be nothing more than an entertaining diversion, but for the humans, the situation was dire.
"Did you happen to see any other survivors on your way here?"
"There were quite a few people where I was. A contracted beast I cherish like a son is guarding them, so you need not worry about their safety. I was hoping to check if there were survivors in caverns other than the one I occupied."
"My situation is quite similar. I initially fell into a cavern teeming with monsters, where I was the sole survivor. In the cavern I just departed, there were more people, but…"
"Were there casualties?"
"……."
"I see."
To his surprise, the man’s tone carried genuine sorrow. Kang Seo-dam quietly masked his astonishment.
'A god who grieves the death of a mere human? How exceedingly rare.'
By nature, gods were distant. They were beings woven into the fabric of nature and fate. Even if they felt anything toward the death of a mortal, it was usually nothing more than the mild annoyance one might feel over a broken toy.
Yet the "Seo Gio" before him seemed to truly mourn. He grieved as an equal, as if mourning the loss of a friend.
"……."
"Did you bestow a blessing upon them?"
"…I performed a basic rite, though it was lacking."
"Would it be an intrusion if I were to offer one as well?"
"If you would, the departed souls will surely return to the sun’s side with lighter hearts."
A god offering a personal blessing for the dead. Though it might sound overly grand for those who had met a tragic end at the hands of monsters, it was a miraculous stroke of fortune.
"Please, lead the way."
"This way, then…"
As he guided "Seo Gio," Kang Seo-dam felt his anxieties ease. While not all gods were worthy of trust, a deity who put such sincere effort into mourning was one he could rely on.
'Since the Goddess herself looked upon him with favor, it is not my place as her servant to doubt. I must empty my mind and follow the divine will. That is the proper duty of a priest.'
Kang Seo-dam resolved to play along with the name "Seo Gio."
Thus marked the historic moment when the secret human identity of the ghost story "Black Cloak"—Seo Gio—was born.
* * *
"You know," Yoo Seong-un said, staring blankly into the campfire.
"……."
"Of all places, I was at the Temple of the Sun when I got dragged into this virtual dungeon. I fully expected to be filming some desperate, blood-and-tears survival documentary."
Kang Seo-dam nodded in deep empathy.
"I had similar thoughts when I first fell into that cavern," he agreed.
"Right?"
"It seemed like a cold, dark dungeon where the sun’s light could never reach. I was prepared to lay down my life and take full responsibility for this crisis."
"Wow, that’s admirable. Not every priest is as noble as you, Priest Kang."
"I am merely doing my utmost to fulfill my duty."
"Your utmost, huh…" Yoo Seong-un nodded. "And is that why you’re gutting fish right now?"
"……."
Indeed, Kang Seo-dam was currently scaling and gutting fish.
"…I could hardly stand by and watch him do it himself."
"Gio actually likes doing that kind of stuff," Yoo Seong-un remarked.
"That is blasphemy."
"No, seriously, he does…"
Out of nowhere, a campsite had been pitched. With makeshift tents, a crackling campfire, and freshly prepped fish, the atmosphere among the gathered survivors was incredibly peaceful.
'Gio, please.'
Yoo Seong-un had hoped that Gio, who was remarkably courteous toward humans, might offer some assistance in this virtual dungeon. He had never, however, expected this level of sheer, unadulterated comfort.
'This might feel like a fun picnic or a game to you, but it’s a matter of life and death for ordinary humans… How can you enjoy yourself so thoroughly?'
The only saving grace was that almost no one found this bizarre situation strange, completely swept up in the warm, peaceful atmosphere Gio exuded like sweet nectar.
Only Yoo Seong-un was left on edge, terrified that Gio’s non-human identity would be exposed.
'The fact that most of them are civilians with little to no experience with dungeons or monsters probably helps.'
Yoo Seong-un muttered aloud, "Is it really okay to be acting like this in a dungeon?"
"If you don’t like it, why don’t you go out and hunt some monsters?"
"You’re quite cold, Eun-ha."
You’re the master of this dungeon in the first place.
"Are you really okay with this?"
"……."
"…So you think things are weird too, don’t you?"
Despite wearing a picture-perfect smile, the way Eun-ha subtly avoided his gaze suggested a guilty conscience. Indeed, from a monster’s perspective, how absurd must this situation be?
'He’s only walking on eggshells because he doesn’t want Gio to brand him a "bad child." But no matter how I look at it, this is ridiculous. Is it really okay for a dungeon to become peaceful in such a slipshod way?'
Fortunately for the boy, the only ones who knew Eun-ha’s true identity were Yoo Seong-un and Kang Seo-dam. The other survivors simply treated Eun-ha as a fellow novice priest.
Gio approached them.
"Is the fish preparation finished?"
"Almost done," Kang Seo-dam replied.
"If it is too difficult, perhaps I should help—"
"You need not worry. I am perfectly capable of scaling fish."
"That wasn’t quite what I meant, but very well."
He spoke with a bright, refreshing expression—the face of "Giovanni."
"There is no reason to refuse free labor when it is offered!"
"……."
How could he say something so worldly as "free labor" with a face so noble it could purify the soul just by looking at it?
'And for some reason, Eun-ha is looking at him with a deeply nostalgic expression.'
Was the original Giovanni always like this?
'Even when he talks like that, he still looks like a devout, noble priest. But there’s something about him… a bit shameless? Or maybe a subtly stubborn streak…'
Yet, it was truly fascinating how his innate elegance never faded.
"Gio."
"Yes, Mr. Yoo Seong-un?"
"Should I just sit tight like this?"
"I believe keeping watch for approaching monsters is also a very necessary task."
"Well, that’s true, but…"
To reiterate, this place had practically become a campsite. When the dungeon master himself was keeping his head down because he didn’t want to be branded a "bad child," what monster would possibly have the guts to attack?
"Are you sure we don’t need to check if there are other survivors?"
"We all searched together, and we didn’t find anyone else, did we?" Eun-ha answered smoothly.
Yoo Seong-un could practically hear the unspoken threat: There are no other survivors besides the people gathered here, so stop digging. It sent a chill down his spine.
'Seeing him drop these subtle threats, he must be worried about his past being exposed. Since a dungeon is constructed based on its master’s memories and mental state… is he afraid I’ll uncover the truth about him and Giovanni if I investigate too deeply?'
And yet, Eun-ha seemed to be enjoying the sight of Gio acting like "Giovanni" to the absolute fullest.
'I suppose humanoid monsters really do have rich emotions. And a lot on their minds.'
Gio patted Eun-ha on the head.
"Student Eun-ha is remarkably brave."
"Ah, well…"
"I was worried, but I am glad to see you are doing well."
"……."
Watching this play out, Yoo Seong-un thought to himself:
'He’s stepping on a landmine.'
He didn’t know the exact history between them, but the reaction was painfully obvious. Gio was casually tap-dancing all over Eun-ha’s emotional landmines, completely oblivious to what he was doing.
'Well… for the sake of everyone’s safety, keeping the dungeon master distracted like this is probably for the best.'
Yoo Seong-un looked around.
"……."
The survivors had calmed down significantly.
'I can’t say the casualties from the dungeon break were light, but surviving this well in a dungeon deliberately triggered inside the temple is nothing short of a miracle. Besides, the survivors don’t look half as traumatized as they should.'
Of course, some were still anxious, but whenever Gio approached and spoke a few gentle words, they quickly settled down. In a cold, desolate dungeon like this, Gio’s presence—radiating warmth and comfort—was a massive solace.
"Still, though…" Yoo Seong-un said to Gio, who hadn’t stopped moving for a single second. "Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard? Aren’t you exhausted?"
"Thank you for your concern."
"Is your headache from earlier completely gone?"
Yoo Seong-un knew Gio wasn’t some naive pushover who would let people walk all over him. Yet, seeing someone so powerful act with such pure benevolence was deeply unsettling.
If Gio eventually grew weary and became disillusioned with humanity, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Fortunately, Gio didn’t look displeased. Wearing Giovanni’s picture-perfect, gentle smile, he replied, "It feels as though things are being sorted out step by step, so I am quite alright."
"Oh… sorted out…"
That’s actually not good.
'…If his identity as "Giovanni" solidifies here, that could be trouble. I don’t know exactly how deep the bond between Eun-ha and Giovanni was, but they clearly weren’t ordinary acquaintances. Once Gio regains all his memories, he might choose to side with Eun-ha…'
For now, they had no choice but to rely on Gio’s goodwill.
"Still, take it easy. I know you want to be good to these people, but some will start treating your kindness as their right. Actually, not just 'some'—it happens all the time."
To his surprise, Gio nodded readily.
"I am well aware."
"Oh, really?"
"But does the sun not shine upon all things?"
"Uh…"
"If the sun does so, then I must do the same."
"……."
He sounded like a devout priest, but…
'…Am I just imagining things, or did I hear a silent "I’m only doing this because it’s my job" behind those words?'
Yoo Seong-un had been worried that Gio might place too much trust and affection in humanity, only to cause a catastrophe when they inevitably betrayed him.
But seeing his attitude now, those worries seemed entirely unfounded.
'How should I describe this?'
Ah.
'He’s like a customer service worker.'
It was the epitome of a corporate smile.
'It’s not like Gio is getting paid for this, but for some reason, he feels like a highly efficient civil servant handling complaints at a community center…'
He finally got the picture.
'So this Giovanni fellow wasn’t just some purely innocent, naive priest either.'
He felt strangely relieved to realize Gio’s expectations of humanity were actually quite low. If he was offering this kind of kindness despite having zero illusions about human nature, he wouldn’t immediately fly into a rage even if some clueless idiots threw a tantrum.
Though, of course, Yoo Seong-un would make sure to shut down any such nonsense before it could even start.
"By the way, how did you manage to catch fish? It happened while I wasn’t looking, so I have no idea. Where on earth did you find them? Is there a pond in a desolate place like this?"
"There was a deep pool of water near the edge of the third cavern we found. The water quality was actually better than Earth’s, and the fish living there didn’t seem to be poisonous, so…"
"Your first thought was to eat them?"
"Well, isn’t everyone hungry?"
"Hungry or not, normal people don’t casually sit down to grill fish in a dungeon like this."
"I suppose they simply aren’t hungry enough."
"How pragmatic. Though I suppose you’re not wrong."
Despite his lingering worries, Yoo Seong-un had to admit that this "Giovanni" persona was a pretty decent guy.
'Though Gio did say it’s his personality that shifts, not his core identity.'
It was just so absurdly peaceful.
If even Yoo Seong-un felt this way, how utterly flabbergasted must the actual dungeon master be…?
* * *
"……."
Deep within the sea, a pair of crimson lips curled into a hollow laugh.
"…Ha."
I guess some people really never change, even after dying and coming back to life.
And that person is you, Giovanni.