After finishing their meal, Yoo Seong-Woon led Gio to Cheonggyecheon.

“……”

However, as expected, the Cheonggyecheon that Gio remembered was quite different from Seoul's present state.

“Here, this is Cheonggyecheon.”

“Quite a natural sight.”

“Right?”

“It’s winter, yet flowers are blooming.”

Has the world gone mad?

‘Has the Earth finally started to break down under the strain of human existence?’

Fortunately, Yoo Seong-Woon added an explanation.

“I'm not sure what you’re thinking, but this has been artificially made to resemble a greenhouse.”

“What kind of measures?”

“There’s a separate department in the city that handles urban landscaping. They ensure that a certain amount of vegetation is preserved during city construction.”

“So they’ve made it like a greenhouse even in winter?”

“Exactly, look. The air is quite mild, isn’t it?”

Yoo Seong-Woon gestured vaguely toward Cheonggyecheon.

“It’s been magically treated so that it's accessible to everyone except for criminals of the fifth class and dangerous monsters. It blocks the cold winter air but lets the sunlight through, a real greenhouse system.”

“……”

“Our company’s front area was quite warm too, right? Around money-handling companies and public places frequented by people, there’s often magical treatment. In the former case, it's privately installed by the company owner, and in the latter, the government pays for the installation…”

As Yoo Seong-Woon spoke, Gio asked a question.

“When you mention dangerous monsters, does that mean non-dangerous monsters can enter?”

“Ah…”

After a moment's thought, Yoo Seong-Woon nodded.

“It can’t be helped. Even if they’re monsters, they’re now part of Earth's ecosystem, contributing to the natural cycle. We can't just reject them outright.”

With that, Gio understood that monsters were somewhat treated like semi-wild cats or urban pigeons.

“So monsters aren’t only seen when dungeons burst.”

“Huh? Oh, well, humans aren’t capable enough to handle that.”

Yoo Seong-Woon continued.

“When I was young, there was a strong argument that all monsters should be dealt with. But no matter how many hunters there are, there aren’t enough to protect all of humanity. And even if there is a very strong hunter, it’s inhumane for them to chase and deal with every monster.”

He shrugged.

“Besides, what would happen if such a strong hunter were to become stressed and cause terror? It’s the same even if the hunter isn’t strong. Hunters are human too; how can they just work all the time?”

“That makes sense.”

“The indigenous monsters on Earth now are mostly those that weren’t dealt with early in the disaster.”

“Early on?”

“Back then, hunters were much weaker, and the system was lax, and there were few with pursuit skills, so it’s understandable.”

“So the monsters that weren’t killed off back then…”

“Have become a part of Earth.”

Yoo Seong-Woon pointed to the clear stream flowing by.

“Like that guy.”

Purr-r-r-r.

In the middle of the stream, a round bird was preening its feathers.

“That’s also a monster.”

“……”

Clearly, Gio did not recognize the bird.

But the system knew.

Cotton Wool Bird

Named by Koreans because it resembled cotton wool. Its wings, body, head, and neck are indistinguishable from a sphere, and though the feathers are fluffed up, its actual body structure is similar to a typical bird. The eggs of the cotton wool bird can be boiled and spun into threads to make bandages.

“……”

Silkworm?

‘It almost looks like a ball.’

In any case, Gio was convinced.

“The cotton wool bird is not threatening.”

“…You know this guy?”

“I just learned.”

The system had explained that it was almost like a silkworm in the shape of a bird, and watching the slightly oversized cotton balls preen in the stream was soothing.

Yoo Seong-Woon, watching Gio, soon continued.

“…Well, those guys. They are numerous and small, but they're judged not to have a significant negative impact on humans or the ecosystem, so they’ve become indigenous monsters here.”

“They're cute.”

“They don’t look it, but you like these kinds, huh?”

“Small and round seems remarkably harmless, doesn’t it?”

“I knew your waterfowl were also round…”

Yoo Seong-Woon laughed helplessly.

“Even so, today’s indigenous monsters are now part of the cycle. Recent alien species are all being dealt with. Monsters inherently despise Earthlings.”

“Is that so?”

“Usually, yes. Even if they're not hostile, they can still pose a threat to humans. The indigenous monsters remaining now have already passed safety inspections by the association and are managed by the government.”

Yoo Seong-Woon pointed again at the cotton wool bird.

“These guys have adapted to Earth over a long time, their hostility towards humans has softened to the level of ordinary wild animals. Initially, they were dangerous monsters that would devour human flesh, but now they’re as harmless as pigeons.”

“Ah.”

“Monsters, therefore, it’s illegal to touch them or keep them personally… but coexistence is possible. Dungeons and Earth are inseparably linked, so it’s better to manage them this way rather than rejecting them outright.”

Coexistence with monsters seemed a tough adaptation for Earthlings.

“Let's end the explanation here, want to take a walk around? The water quality is strictly managed, so it won’t cause harm. All the monsters and animals here are harmless.”

“……”

Gio looked at the clear, rippling stream.

‘As clear as liquid glass.’

Up close, the stream was even more beautiful as the sunlight shattered upon it.

With the weather as mild as spring, the place was filled with large trees, vines, and flowers, like a huge greenhouse. A pastel-toned butterfly perched on a flower petal, and a creature resembling a squirrel gnawed at the fruit of a tree.

I wonder why birds that resembled sparrows were pecking at the flowers. It might have been just for fun, or perhaps they were after the honey inside.

“…Is there really no problem for the ecosystem if we change the seasons at will?”

“There was a lot of debate about that at one point, but now they've managed to adjust everything. Above all, they’ve created seasons deliberately to prevent the extinction of Earth's original animals due to monsters.”

“That makes sense.”

Things were certainly different from Gio’s time.

“If you want, you can even dip your feet in.”

“Would that be alright?”

“There are rules against picking fruit or plucking flowers, but there’s no regulation on that part. In the summer, many people come here to play in the water.”

“Yet today, there’s no one.”

“It’s the middle of a workday, not a holiday or vacation. Who would come to play in the water? Besides, in winter, not many people want to get wet.”

“You’re right,” said Yoo Seong-Woon.

Gio removed his shoes and socks and then.

Dipped his feet in the flowing water.

“……”

It was cool.

‘Soft.’

And fragrant.

Whether the scent was of flowers, trees, or the monsters residing in the water was unclear. Perhaps unlike the odorless waters of the past, the stream’s water had evolved.

But like a summer valley where pebbles roll around in the water...

“……”

Tiny, moving creatures.

Delighted Giovanni.

“…The water is beautiful.”

His black eyes embraced the color of the water.

“Clear, and deep.”

“……”

“Deeper than I thought.”

“……”

“Why does it smell like the sea here?”

Yoo Seong-Woon sensed something had changed.

“…Gio?”

“The scent of the sea. It’s slightly fishy like the surface of iron, cool like pine needles, and reminds me of the strong winds that scatter the sand…”

“Gio.”

“It’s similar to that place.”

His voice was gentle but emotionless.

“The color of the sea.”

That moment.

“……”

“The color of a mermaid.”

Silently, all kinds of aquatic creatures gathered at Giovanni’s feet.

“Guarded by the deep sea…”

Suddenly, his feet turned into a transparent watercolor…

“―Gio.”

“……”

A ‘friend’s’ voice.

He blinked twice.

“…Yes.”

“…You…”

“Did you call me?”

Gio turned to look at Yoo Seong-Woon.

“……”

“……”

“…You’re Gio, right?”

“That’s correct.”

He nodded.

“My name is Gio.”

Yoo Seong-Woon’s face twisted strangely.

Some time later, in front of the hotel room.

Yoo Seong-Woon handed a card key marked ‘Room 4501’ to Gio.

“Here, this is yours.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be in the next room, so call me if you need anything.”

“Yes.”

“Dinner is reserved for 6:30, so meeting at 6 should work.”

Gio asked,

“What’s for dinner?”

“French. It’s a set course meal, so we just have to go and eat.”

“I understand.”

“Then, rest well.”

With that, Yoo Seong-Woon entered his room alone.

“……”

He was sweating coldly.

“…Definitely, earlier…”

At Cheonggyecheon.

“…that wasn’t ‘Gio’.”

Something had changed.

Was it because he was in Korea, or had Gio always introduced himself as ‘Seo Gio’? Despite Yoo Seong-Woon pointing it out, Gio at Cheonggyecheon had referred to himself as ‘

Gio’.

‘What exactly changed then?’

Yoo Seong-Woon still remembered the black cloak at Cheonggyecheon.

It all started when Gio’s bare feet touched the stream. An indescribable sense of discord arose, and something eerily wavered, and Gio’s normally ordinary black eyes turned the color of the sea.

Recognizing that change clearly, Yoo Seong-Woon spoke up, and Gio, who had been smiling slowly, seemed as though his entire personality had changed.

‘What color was his hair again? Silver? Or platinum blonde? It was hidden by the hood, so I couldn’t see {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} clearly.’

Slowly starting to take on color, and soon his body transformed to the point where his feet and the water were indistinguishable. The shape remained the same, but those were clearly not human feet but those of water.

Even seeing the piranhas naturally climb his transparent ankles, Yoo Seong-Woon couldn’t help but call out to Gio.

That was.

“……”

Not human.

It didn’t seem alive, but it wasn’t dead either. It didn’t breathe, but it harbored life.

Just minutes ago, he had been a human you could touch and converse with, but now, he was more… something closer to nature, undergoing a transformation that wasn’t easy to endure sober.

“…Ah…”

Stupidly.

‘Did I let my guard down because he seemed less dangerous?’

The origin being could never become human. Especially not Gio, who couldn’t even be defined as a monster.

‘No matter how much it resembles a human, it can never be one of us.’

But Gio was too human-like and kind, so I hadn’t been wary.

“I need to get a grip.”

This is grounds for revoking a gardener’s license.

“…Well, still, it went smoother than I thought.”

He sighed for no particular reason.

Yoo Seong-Woon threw a bag containing basic necessities onto the bed and then sat down beside it. Then, he reviewed everything from the start of the day until just before.

“……”

There seemed to be no problem.

‘…There were a few awkward moments, but maybe it’s because of the human memories, Gio is adept at human society rules. A level incomparable to other monsters.’

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

A typical monster, no matter how intelligent, wouldn’t understand why they need to pay a set price to obtain something.

‘That’s normal, really. Do humans look out for ants while digging up an anthill?’

It was the same principle. From a monster's perspective, it’s simply a matter of taking readily available food or commodities.

If they exist, there’s no need to go around them. That’s their natural rule of daily life.

So, from Gio’s perspective, Yoo Seong-Woon’s act of paying for a meal must have been incomprehensible.

“But since it went over smoothly, maybe he’s trying to mimic humans…”

Technically speaking, there were many immature aspects, but still.

“Curiosity is obvious.”

Humans would already know or roughly understand and move on. Gio asked Yoo Seong-Woon about each and every one of those things.

What is this, what is that, can this be possessed, how was that made…

“Gio is hard to call a monster, but he’s similar to a humanoid monster in that respect.”

They always had curiosity about human items and rules.

“…Hmm, maybe that’s one of the lighter aspects of being human.”

He had lowered his status to almost human level, but his body wasn’t completely human. On the way to the hotel, Gio nearly flew away in the wind.

‘It was just a brief moment of buoyancy, but with that height and physique, it’s impossible.’

Gio had always been so light that his footsteps made no sound. Maybe today, he seemed a bit heavier like a human, but only because his shoes and clothes added some weight; he was still excessively light for a human.

“……”

It was a bit creepy, honestly, that Gio had nearly flown away in the wind.

“…He really isn’t human.”

Gio wasn’t human.

‘Both his usual light weight and at Cheonggyecheon.’

Humans couldn’t be that light.

The weight of the clothes, the weight of the organs and bones, and the weight of the blood circulating inside. If he were human, Gio couldn’t be as silent as a leaf placed down.

And tiny piranhas couldn’t possibly climb inside him.

“……”

The scene of his pale skin slowly turning into clear water as his feet touched the water.

The spectacle of fish and air bubbles burrowing inside was too mystical and bizarre for the brain to comprehend.

“But that’s not even a monster…”

Mimicking nature.

“……”

That’s a more accurate description.

“…It’s scary.”

The origin being could perhaps be classified as a self-aware natural entity, but somehow Gio seemed different, inducing an unfounded fear.

It felt like receiving kindness from a being that shouldn’t exist.

At that time, Gio.

“It’s the 45th floor.”

“Grrr-grrr!”

He was enjoying the top floor of the five-star hotel secretly with Honey.

Yes, he was thoughtless.