“Ah.”

Yoo Seong-Woon smiled as if he was holding back his laughter, an exclamation contained within.

Bisa Beul asked, “So, you were not coming out because you were afraid people would be scared?”

“I didn't say it exactly like that, but essentially, you're not wrong,” Yoo Seong-Woon nodded.

“A being of such high spiritual caliber encountering unprotected humans could indeed pose a problem. It seems you understand that much, yet you claim to be an ordinary human, which does seem paradoxical…”

Bisa Beul narrowed his eyes like a snake and replied, “While we cannot rule out the possibility that he might be a human-shaped monster in the form of a portrait, he is certainly not a simple monster. He does not hate humans at all.”

“…”

“If Yoo Seong-Woon, the curator, is still uncertain about his nature, he must be connected to the origin, and considering you haven't formally reported it, he must be a type of being you've never seen before.”

“Yes, for now.”

Gardeners like Yoo Seong-Woon were rare, not knowing of beings from the origin.

‘Monsters from the dungeon are born from the vein of the origin, but the complexity of an offspring of the origin is on a different level. If Gio is indeed a new type of origin's offspring, this complicates matters.’

Commonly known as ‘offspring of the origin,’ they could be found in every dungeon. They were not creatures that could be dealt with by simple extermination.

That's why extensive knowledge and handling skills were required, and Yoo Seong-Woon, who had been working as a gardener since he was eleven, was a veteran.

The portrait of ‘Gio’ that even Yoo Seong-Woon didn't recognize was clearly a subject of caution.

“Even if it’s an ‘offspring of the origin,’ it is definitely an exceptional existence.”

If monsters and offspring of the origin had anything in common, it was that Earthlings did not realize how vulnerable they were.

Even if they were aware, monsters despised humans, and offspring of the origin were indifferent to them.

Either way, they could only be harmful to humans.

“It’s rare for someone to be this friendly towards humans.”

“It's indeed something the association would covet.”

“I asked you before, but are you planning to hand it over to them?”

“I have no such intention.”

Bisa Beul’s desire for possession was significant, and even if it was just for a momentary examination, he would not leave his property in someone else’s hands. Unless it was a clean transaction, he would not deal with such ambiguous matters.

“Yoo Seong-Woon, the curator seems to be managing it well, so why necessarily hand it over to the association's lab?”

“If Gio is an offspring of the origin, he could harm people without any guilt. He would claim he was just following his own rules... but you don't know how disastrous that could be for humans.”

Investigation was necessary.

“All I can determine at this level is the story of the portrait. I can't know exactly what techniques he uses, how great his soul's caliber is, or what role he plays in the origin.”

“I am not someone who desires such things.”

“…”

“Do you remember what I asked you when I hired you?”

Yoo Seong-Woon sighed as he responded.

“The analysis, preservation, and management of gallery pieces.”

“That's right.”

“But now I am not the head of the research team at the association. There’s nowhere else that can analyze the portrait of ‘Gio’ as well as here.”

“It sounds like you're disappointed. But as you know, I don't want a weapon.”

“Yes, of course.”

“I want the artwork.”

Bisa Beul smiled thinly, his natural arrogance as someone accustomed to looking down on others was evident.

“That’s why I founded this guild, this company. I may appreciate artists, but I have little pride as a hunter.”

“…”

“No collector expects Van Gogh’s self-portrait to ward off evil spirits or inspire good dreams. Nobody cares about that function. They are simply curious about the story contained within the painting, and I just want to keep that story safe with my own hands.”

“It could really become dangerous. Gio, the only being that escapes your emotional skills, respects and considers humans, but his caliber is too high. Even if the portrait takes precautions, humans cannot be at ease.”

“Did you see those eyes?”

“…”

“Have you ever seen the eyes, Yoo Seong-Woon?”

“…The eyes of the portrait?”

“Oh, it seems you haven't.”

“No, that's not the case.”

“Then tell me.”

Bisa Beul elegantly waved his hand, encouraging a response, even his gesture exuded the refinement of someone of high status.

“What was it like?”

“…”

Yoo Seong-Woon’s hesitation was brief.

“…It was profound.”

Fear.

Awe and disgust, anger and sorrow, joy and ecstasy, despair, loneliness, and confusion.

An immeasurably vast being, impossible to fully perceive in a single moment….

“I’m not sure how to explain it. I have emotional skills, but the caliber was so clear that I couldn’t objectively assess it without using them.”

It was so profound that it couldn't be expressed with clichéd words like 'cosmic.' It felt as if I was reaching into places that were visible yet invisible.

“It seemed black, yet appeared white. It was so dark it felt bright, and while the pupil and iris seemed indistinct, when I looked into it… I could see intricate pathways.”

There were tears inside, streams of water, brooks, and water veins.

It was as intricate as a tree and yet as delicate as human blood vessels. It was also vast and varied, too expansive for humans to comprehend.

It felt like I was stealing a forbidden glimpse at something enormously vast contained within those narrow pupils.

“The eyes are the windows to the soul, they say.”

“That’s a fair observation. Not bad.”

“To hear you say that, it seems my observation is unsatisfactory.”

“What can we do?”

Bisa Beul laughed as if watching a child’s innocent mistake.

Yoo Seong-Woon suddenly remembered his true age. He was old enough to teach Yoo Seong-Woon.

“You were asked to look at the eyes, and you came back just admiring the artwork. We are all humans capable of conversation before our professions and tastes.”

“…”

“Does Gio have a self if he also has eyes capable of communication with people?”

He asked again.

“Have you seen his eyes?”

“…Not in the sense you mean, no.”

“Have you ever thought about what emotions Gio might feel and how he might look at you, Yoo Seong-Woon?”

“No, I haven’t.”

Who could think such things in front of such a vast being?

Presumptuously, how could something as insignificant as me do so?

“…That would be something only someone like Guild Leader Bisa Beul could do.”

“For a gardener, you think rather narrowly. Think bigger.”

“Isn’t that expecting too much from a mere gardener?”

“Gio is a kind person.”

“…”

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“Very affectionate.”

Bisa Beul continued as if teaching a child.

“He avoids trouble yet doesn’t hate it. If he doesn’t resent what makes him uncomfortable, how ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) kind must he be? He maintains etiquette and respects others without imposing, full of compassion.”

“That’s a generous assessment.”

“And he fears hurting someone.”

“…”

It was unexpected.

“…Are you talking about Gio? At best, it’s like a human stepping on ants.”

“That’s right.”

“Are you saying he feels fear not just about the disgusting aspect of bursting bugs, but about the act of hurting itself?”

“Didn’t I say he was kind?”

“To have seen his eyes just once and….”

“It takes this much ability to be a guild leader. From just one glance, I must discern this far.”

“…That’s true.”

Bisa Beul made one of South Korea’s three major guilds with just his emotional skills, without any physical strength.

Considering his physical abilities were average for a man, it showed how remarkable his eyes and mouth were.

‘Such a person must see things differently from me. Probably, the whole way of viewing the world is different.’

Yoo Seong-Woon swallowed a sigh and said,

“…I understand. So we can proceed without any other measures?”

“I’m glad you understand. Gio will do his best not to harm humans, so please ensure he doesn’t get angry. Kind people are more terrifying when they get angry.”

“So we’re trying to prevent such an event….”

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

“There’s no way to prevent an individual from getting angry, and if there were, it would be something drastic like sealing or destroying the portrait. Even if the world has become harsher, you can’t treat someone trying to live properly in that way.”

“…”

Yoo Seong-Woon asked with a subtle expression,

“…Do you see him as a person? ‘Gio’s portrait’?”

“Then who have you been talking to, Curator Yoo Seong-Woon, until now?”

“It’s different, isn’t it.”

“But he’s a being with the will to communicate, considering himself a person.”

“That’s…”

“What’s the difference with humans.”

Bisa Beul sang his words.

“Dangerous humans are not only in the form of Gio’s portrait. Right now, in South Korea alone, there are five high-risk hunters, and each of them lives their lives well. Some people treat them like dangerous dogs and pick fights, but that was also happening a hundred years ago when there were no dungeons.”

“Being so lax could lead to regrettable incidents. Gio is certainly capable of that.”

“Those dangerous hunters also enjoy their daily lives, so what could we say about a portrait?”

“It’s not about oppression, but investigation…”

“What if Gio gets angry?”

“…”

“He’s someone who values etiquette, but if you dig too recklessly into his heart, you’ll provoke him, and that will be an even greater disaster. Just be a good conversational partner for Gio.”

He pointed to the window that spanned the entire wall.

“Occasionally take him outside.”

“…Are you serious?”

“I know what you’re worried about.”

Bisa Beul nodded.

“Of course, I know. The offspring of the origin are extremely secretive and cautious. They are part of the ecosystem with little interest in humans. They are nature itself, and that’s why they could bring great disasters. They are such beings.”

“…”

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“And humans are also part of nature.”

He said nonchalantly.

“Gio is no different.”

“…Yes.”

“Be good to him. If there are rules, follow them, and if petty conflicts arise, just sort them out.”

“Understood.”

“If he says he’s 29, then that’s true. He’s a young man who hasn’t even reached thirty, but as an older person, I should take care of him.”

“…Gio is likely mistaken. He’s probably not 29. His memories might have adjusted to fit a 29-year-old, so that’s why he said so. In reality, he could be over a thousand years old. If he’s an offspring of the origin, that’s entirely possible.”

“Why does that matter?”

“…”

Yoo Seong-Woon sighed and nodded.

“That’s true.”

He was a gardener.

He poured his heart into his garden, cared for it deeply, and felt proud of it.

Gio, connected to the origin and the foundation of the garden, was someone he needed to handle carefully. But until the portrait reacted, he wanted to treat it with the same respect and dignity.

“I’ve told you as a curator of a collection.”

“I’m always grateful for your thoughtful nature, Curator Yoo Seong-Woon.”

“It’s a bit gross, so let’s stop now. Anyway, so…”

Yoo Seong-Woon glanced at the clock and asked.

“Does this mean I should be Gio’s guide?”

“If you could, show him around the guild