Forest Butterfly Flower Tea

“…….”

Having finished the appraisal, Yu Seong-un pressed his lips together and dragged a hand down his face.

“…Ji-oh, you little….”

What the hell did you just give me?

“This isn’t tea you trade for ten fish-shaped buns.”

He had always thought so, but the Haunted Portrait of Ji-oh was an absurd existence.

We still don’t know what he really is.

Monster? Item? Or, as Bi Sa-beol and Yu Seong-un themselves suspected, a Child of the Source?

But he wears a human shape… and he understands human society surprisingly well.

Whatever his true nature, the fact that he willingly bent himself to human rules was something close to a miracle.

An existence like this would never appear again. Not on this narrow little dimension called Earth, at least.

No wonder Guildmaster Bi Sa-beol, famous for his eye for rare things, poured that much money into him.

And what that same Haunted Portrait of Ji-oh had asked for in return was…

“Will this do?”

Seeds.

Crop seeds.

“I just gathered whatever I could for now.”

Yu Seong-un smiled awkwardly and showed the seed packets tucked against his chest.

He had received the tea leaves the night before and spent the next few dawn hours collecting everything he could. Tomato, corn, potato, sweet potato, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, pea, pumpkin, chili, carrot, radish, watermelon, eggplant… and more.

“I wanted to bring you proper quality seeds, but there aren’t really any specialty shops around here. I cleaned out a shabby little place buried in an alley—hope they’re all right.”

“Of course they are. Looking at the amount you brought, I can tell how hard you worked in such a short time. For someone who gathered this much, you look strangely apologetic.”

“Well, after receiving tea that precious, a handful of seeds doesn’t exactly balance the scales….”

Yu Seong-un poured the packets through the frame one after another.

“Even if seeds aren’t dirt-cheap, the tea you gave me was completely out of proportion.”

“…….”

Ji-oh, still examining the seeds, asked,

“Are seeds not very cheap?”

“Huh? Well—yeah. One of those packets you’re holding usually costs about as much as a decent meal out… so on average I wouldn’t call them cheap.”

“…….”

“…Don’t tell me you asked for seeds because you thought they were cheap?”

“Yes.”

The portrait’s face remained as blank and emotionless as ever, yet looking into those black eyes Yu Seong-un could feel Ji-oh’s quiet remorse. Just as Bi Sa-beol had said, the boy’s nature was gentle.

Whether he was thinking something or it was merely a meaningless habit, Ji-oh blinked twice and said,

“My apologies. I never imagined they would cost that much.”

“I don’t even know what you’re apologizing for. There’s no comparison with the tea you gave me.”

Yu Seong-un now understood all too well that Ji-oh’s casual, pure goodwill toward humans could be devastatingly destructive. He waved a hand with another awkward laugh.

“Just the fact that you made it yourself makes the value of that care impossible to measure—and then you go and add all those effects on top of it… Honestly, it was such a precious gift I half wondered whether I was even allowed to drink it.”

Even at first glance the tea was valuable. A tea personally crafted by a haunted portrait, after all.

Whether Ji-oh is a humanoid monster or a Child of the Source, his rarity doesn’t change.

And then there were effects that looked capable of stitching a dead man back together…

“…I’m truly grateful for your kindness. But….”

Yu Seong-un hesitated a moment before continuing.

“…I’m a little worried. I plan to enjoy the tea you gave me at my leisure, but please don’t hand out gifts this precious to other people.”

“…….”

“Most humans don’t know how to accept goodwill as it is. Their vessels aren’t as large as you think.”

The highest probability was that they would receive kindness as threat. Unless someone was exceptionally greedy or unusually unflappable, it was hard to feel pure gratitude for a gift this excessive.

Someone will definitely take it as a threat and get angry, or panic. And even if a greedy person receives it, that causes its own problems.

It felt wasteful, yet from Yu Seong-un’s perspective Ji-oh had given the tea less as medicine for wounds and more as something to be sipped and enjoyed.

Accustomed to the rules of the Source, Yu Seong-un had no intention of selling the tea or putting it to any other use that might sour Ji-oh’s mood.

“You’d feel bad if the tea leaves you gifted ended up at some auction you never heard about, right?”

“An auction? I never imagined anyone would attach that much meaning to ordinary tea.”

He spoke as though humans simply did incomprehensible things like assigning value to the meaningless.

“Yeah… I guess it would look that way to you.”

Yu Seong-un smiled ruefully.

…For someone who insists he’s human, your lack of understanding is pretty blatant.

But for Ji-oh, who never fretted over things too deeply, it was an inevitable conclusion.

His system had clearly labeled the tea as nothing more than a fatigue recovery aid, and Ji-oh had no reason to doubt it. At most it was vitamin-level value in his eyes, so Yu Seong-un’s concern could only sound like overreaction.

“…….”

“…….”

Faced with that unflappable response, Yu Seong-un could only think, He really does operate on a slightly different common sense from humans. The same way most monsters saw gold nuggets as no different from ordinary rocks.

“So, basically….”

Yu Seong-un went on.

“You only looked at its value as tea when you gifted it, but ordinary humans can’t do that. It’d be best to hold back on gifts that make greedy eyes spin.”

Surely the master himself, Ji-oh, knew what effects Forest Butterfly Flower Tea possessed. From the start he had said he made it into tea “because the fragrance was nice,” so he truly had no interest in any use beyond drinking it.

That casual indifference was exactly like other beings of the Source.

Monsters and Children of the Source alike are often ignorant of human greed. Even if Ji-oh understands human physiology well, that kind of unworldly simplicity… there’s really no excuse for it.

To monsters, a pebble was nothing special; to humans it could be a fine resource.

Beings born from the veins of the Source rarely grasped that fact. They often described humans as making a fuss over nothing.

“…Well, if you call it fussing, I don’t really have a comeback….”

He simply wanted to prevent accidents that might otherwise happen.

“A gift you give with pure goodwill can land on us as something enormous. You know? Coming from a portrait and all.”

“…….”

“Honestly you look too solid to get hurt by human greed… but there are more obsessive people out there than you’d think. Be careful so your kindness doesn’t get used.”

Ji-oh simply gazed at him.

…The silence is even scarier. Even though being inside the portrait should lessen the pressure, it’s still this intense. This is terrifying.

Not a single emotion could be found on Ji-oh’s face within the portrait. That mineral blankness sent a chill down Yu Seong-un’s spine.

Bi Sa-beol had said, “Step outside that pressure and look at Ji-oh’s essence itself,” but how easy was that supposed to be? Just as an ordinary person suddenly falling from fifty kilometers up would find it hard to admire the scenery of the sky, Yu Seong-un could not manage it either.

The weight of the gaze from the Haunted Portrait of Ji-oh was that formidable.

“…Was that out of line?”

Ji-oh possessed a particularly well-constructed ego and, as a being of the Source, his personal rules would be firm. The chatter of some random human he had only recently met might well grate.

But I couldn’t pretend not to know. Removing potential problems as much as possible is our job.

That was the work of a Gardener: wandering here and there, taking measures so that the Source and Earth could coexist.

And because the Haunted Portrait of Ji-oh was a special case, the request had to be made. Humans were creatures who discarded their identities all too easily for greed.

“…….”

“No.”

A little cool, quite heavy, yet gentlemanly and calm. Thankfully the portrait’s expression remained the same.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“…I’m the one who should thank you for taking it as advice.”

“Honestly the word ‘odd’ feels more appropriate, but the world outside the painting must be different from the one I know.”

In a voice so courteous it felt almost uncanny, Ji-oh continued.

“It must have been troublesome, yet you spoke out of consideration for me. I am grateful.”

“…Still that crisp way of talking….”

Did Ji-oh realize that very trait made him seem less human?

He seems to think of himself as an ordinary human. Whether he knows the contradiction and ignores it, or truly doesn’t see it….

Around then Ji-oh asked,

“But why are seeds expensive?”

“…Hm? Ah, seeds?”

Realizing the topic had circled back, Yu Seong-un nodded and answered.

“Well… they let you farm. Tomato, lettuce, whatever—once you put them in the ground you can at least take care of a day’s meals yourself. And even if you don’t eat them, you can sell them at market and turn that into money for meat or other necessities….”

“…….”

“Most households that want to farm prefer wild seeds you can find for free in the mountains rather than refined ones like these. Anyway, shop seeds tend to be pricey for all sorts of reasons.”

“I see.”

“Mm, someone who lives close to nature like you might find it hard to understand.”

“No, I understand.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

Yu Seong-un continued.

“Anyway, producing seeds or seedlings yourself is extremely bothersome and the quality drops. That’s why specialty shops exist. Homemade seeds from cottage industry are one thing, but professionally sold seeds like these cost quite a bit.”

A small murmur came from the portrait.

“Farming….”

“So you asked me because you were interested too?”

“Yes.”

Ji-oh nodded.

“I tried it a few times long ago.”

“Did you? Long ago….”

“And time inside the portrait is abundant, so I also thought I didn’t want to leave my hands idle.”

“Between painting and everything else, you’ve got a lot of hobbies. Life must not get boring.”

“To live enjoyably, one must not have time to be bored.”

“That’s true.”

He understood.

To fill that infinite time you’d need a great many hobbies.

Ji-oh maintained his ego so cleanly that he could mistake himself for human. There was none of the hostility and frenzy a monster might have, nor the excessive indifference Children of the Source usually displayed.

Overly blunt, yet still retaining enough intellect to pass as human.

That can’t be easy.

On one hand it was also pitiful.

…Living a Source’s life with a human mind must be quite a burden….

It would be easier if he simply discarded his humanity.

“…….”

But from a Gardener’s standpoint, that must not happen.

Same from a human standpoint.

That particular delusion needed to last as long as possible.

Yu Seong-un shrugged and shook off every emotion. With the easy smile he always wore, he asked Ji-oh,

“So you’re going to farm now?”

“It seems so.”

“There’s a place to farm inside the portrait? Impressive.”

“It’s an ordinary cabin.”

“Hmm….”

A cabin.

“That sounds incredibly peaceful.”

“It is peaceful. The weather is always mild, the soil is damp and crumbly, and a clear stream flows through a quiet, cozy forest.”

“…That really….”

It sounded exactly like a story of the Source.

“…is a place I’d love to visit.”

“I will invite you someday.”

“Not right now, though?”

“The house is dirty, so it is impossible at present.”

“Figured as much.”

Given Ji-oh’s personality the claim that “the house is dirty” was probably a lie, but in any case one could not enter when the owner himself had not granted permission. Yu Seong-un at least had that much decency.

“Well then, enjoy your farming time.”

“Will I be able to see you again tomorrow?”

“Ah… is this about a return gift?”

“I received so much; I must offer something in return.”

“I keep telling you it was nothing.”

“Besides, you gave me good advice, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“…Did I?”

Refusing any further would only risk angering him.

Beings of the Source have their own rules.

Monsters inside dungeons shaped by the Source possessed consistent habits and behaviors, and there were separate methods for exchange or conquest. In the case of “children” even closer to the Source, their rules were only stronger, never weaker.

He’s already judged to be a Child of the Source. His pride in his own rules will be high, and even if not, physiologically violating them would be difficult… I can’t refuse from my side.

The Source was nature itself. Just as a mere human could not stop a disaster, to coexist with nature humans had to learn humility and adapt to the other party.

“Mm….”

Yu Seong-un gave a sheepish smile.

“Ask for something not too amazing.”

“The tea leaves were not amazing either.”

“Of course you’d say that….”

From the standpoint of a Child of the Source, distinguishing objects valuable to humans would be difficult. After a moment’s thought Yu Seong-un spoke with difficulty.

“…Something delicious?”

“You’re requesting cooking?”

“Just the kind of snacks you gave those employees you met before. You said you handed out chocolate, cookies, jelly and such.”

“Yes, that’s right. Everyone was kind, so I gave them gifts.”

“Is that so?”

Hearing him speak that way, it really did seem Ji-oh gave gifts to “good people.”

Being polite, making conversation easy, giving him presents—perhaps he judged all such acts as “kind.”

“Snacks of that level should be fine.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Ah, and one more thing.”

Yu Seong-un relayed what he had heard from Guildmaster Bi Sa-beol.

“He said it’s all right if you come out.”

“…….”

“You used to come outside the portrait sometimes before. Because the employees were scared, you mostly opened your eyes only at dawn. And until now I’ve been your only conversation partner.”

“There was no particular need to go outside.”

“But it might feel stifling, so if you want, Guildmaster Bi Sa-beol says you can come out and look around the company building. Here—an access card.”

“I have never been hired by the Collector Guild. Aside from you, Mr. Yu Seong-un, I know no one. Is it all right for an outsider like me to wander around?”

“Important areas are off-limits, but we’ve arranged it so you can go where ordinary employees walk. If you run into someone later, showing that card should smooth things over to some extent.”

Though “to some extent” would still mean a rough cover-up at best.

His soul’s rank is just that high.

Still, having it was more convenient for later cleanup than not having it. Collector Guild members were quick on the uptake; they would be careful on their own.

The portrait regarded the white necklace-style card Yu Seong-un held out.

“Well, you seem to have ways of moving around even without something like this. But getting formal permission should put your mind more at ease, right?”

“…….”

“I’d prefer if you came out during empty hours like now if possible… but if you’re fine with it, daytime is okay too.”

“That is a sufficient answer.”

“Uh… and don’t go harming other people, either.”

“What should I do if I am attacked first?”

“Then it can’t be helped.”

If a foolish human deliberately stepped on the tail of an angry tiger and got eaten, that was death by natural causes.

“I’m not on anyone’s side.”

Yu Seong-un helped the Source and humans coexist as much as possible; he was never unconditionally on humanity’s side. A Gardener always had to remain neutral.

“You attack too.”

“I haven’t the stomach for that, so I’ll try running away instead.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

So this, then, was a display of the trust humans could offer.

All he could do was hope that the Haunted Portrait of Ji-oh—who, as always, lived by the rule of one-to-one exchange—would properly repay it.

One month later.

A ghost story began circulating through the Collector Guild.

“It was a black cloak.”

There were no deaths.

Bi Sa-beol’s gamble had succeeded.

(To be continued)