Almost Like the Sun
Iser prided himself on not being a fool.
…Of course, compared to my sister I am little more than a microbe, but after learning so much under such brilliant geniuses there is no way I could be stupid. My reason is solid enough to be proud of.
Having spent so much time with his cold-blooded sister—enough to cross dimensions—her chill and dryness had rubbed off on him. He had become the sort of person who put reason before emotion.
That was why a situation like this felt so very long overdue.
“My apologies. I was briefly out of sorts.”
“No, Ji-oh must have been startled by the suddenness of it all as well.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Not at all.”
Inside Iser, reason and emotion were locked in a fierce struggle. Even in the brief span of answering, he repeated the same line of thought dozens of times.
…The aura of the Sun God radiates from this man with overwhelming strength. Does that mean the Sun God, who knows of my sister and me, shaped our only weakness into human form and bestowed solar divinity upon it? Meeting my dead teacher so abruptly is absurd. Far too convenient.
And yet—
This face, this presence, these mannerisms, this voice—every sense points to my dead teacher. And how could the Sun God accomplish a resurrection of my teacher that even my sister, who imprisoned the Sun God in the sea, could not achieve? The one before me must be the teacher reborn through natural means.
Both possibilities were plausible, which only deepened the confusion.
If there is one certainty, it is that no being could be closer to Giovanni than this man.
Whether the figure before him was an avatar of the Sun God mimicking his teacher, or a reincarnation of his teacher who had yet to establish his own personality—
Either way, this was someone Iser could not afford to lose.
“When the wave struck, my mind went blank for a moment. I apologize for showing such an unsightly side of myself in my confusion.”
“…….”
“My head still aches. Might I ask exactly where this place is?”
“That is…”
He seemed to understand they were inside a dungeon, yet he appeared not to know precisely what location it had been shaped after.
I suppose I should call that fortunate.
Even as he felt once more that his teacher was incomplete, Iser found himself relieved.
“…….”
For both Iser and Giovanni, the fact that he could not recall the horrific things he had endured in this place was a blessing for the two of them.
…His personality is definitely not in a complete state.
But the longer he remained here, the clearer Ji-oh’s memories might become.
Thinking of the reaction that had come the moment they entered the deep-sea laboratory—after none at all in the Sun Temple—
“Eun-ha already said it once, but this is a virtual dungeon, Ji-oh.”
“…….”
“…I haven’t had long to grasp the situation myself, so I’m not certain, but it seems to be a dungeon connected to the sea.”
Yu Seong-un glanced at Iser and continued.
“I don’t know how many of the people from the Sun Temple were dragged in, but the number we can confirm right now is already considerable, and they’ve scattered in every direction, so getting a clear picture is difficult.”
“Where are the priest candidates?”
“I don’t see them in this cavern, at least. But given that this virtual dungeon erupted right at the closing ceremony of the initiation, it looks highly intentional—so there’s no way the candidates weren’t pulled in.”
“Then we should gather people first, shouldn’t we?”
“Easy to say…”
Ji-oh might not see it that way, but uniting people who were terrified and scattered like this was no simple task.
The one mercy was that the dungeon master’s temper had eased, so the threat had lessened somewhat.
The chimeras that looked ready to leap out and attack at any second are now just lying there quietly. If things go well, we might get out with minimal casualties… but is that even possible?
That was when it happened.
“—Honey.”
“Kkung?”
Something small and yellow popped out of Ji-oh’s hood.
“Kkurrrrr!”
An early-to-bed, early-to-rise little bird of the bird nation: Honey.
Honey flew into the center of the icy-glowing shadows and soon shone brilliantly.
“…Oh.”
Almost… as bright as a small sun.
“You’ve got to be kidding me??”
Yu Seong-un was dumbfounded.
He was with Honey this time too? Why can I feel the Sun God’s aura from a monster as small as Honey? Why? Does this even make sense?
Whether he was dumbfounded or not, the people who had been wandering in fear gradually calmed one by one under the light steeped in warm energy.
At the very least, light had been restored to the dark, eerie laboratory.
“Wait, what is this light…?”
“Is that a bird?”
“W-we should all gather over there for now.”
People who had been scattered across a cavern vast enough to deserve the word “boundless” instinctively followed the comforting light and clustered beneath Honey. A few already looked so relieved that their faces had gone slack and they were sniffling.
Watching them, Ji-oh turned to Yu Seong-un.
“There. Done.”
“…….”
Yu Seong-un could almost hear a voice saying, See? Easy, right?
“…Nice work…”
“Yes. I did well.”
“Wow, so capable.”
Just please don’t let anyone figure out you’re a portrait.
In a situation this chaotic, if your identity gets out on top of everything else, I don’t think I’ll be able to clean it up.
Even Bi Sa-beol, who had become S-class with nothing but an emotion skill, had never fully grasped the true nature of “Ji-oh’s Portrait.” He could become human, monster, Child of the Source—even a god.
If that fluidity is exposed to the people here, hostility could suddenly turn our way.
There had already been people excitedly shouting that even a worthless C-class hunter should take responsibility for this mess. If they saw something non-human—especially something divine—there was no telling what kind of riot they would start.
“…….”
Yu Seong-un, who had been carefully observing the unexpectedly gentle light, finally called to Ji-oh.
“Ji-oh.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“I didn’t get the chance to tell you earlier, but an A-class hunter license was going to be issued to you soon.”
“Am I a hunter?”
“It’s better for operating on Earth that way, right? The Guild Master wanted to make things convenient for you in his own way.”
So—
“Since you were going to receive the hunter ID anyway, when you introduce yourself to people, explain that you’re Seo Ji-oh, an unofficial A-class hunter belonging to the Collector Guild.”
“I see.”
“Your class is Tamer. You already carry Honey around, so that will make it easier for you to blend in with others.”
“Thank you for the consideration.”
“It’s nothing.”
In other words, he had a small hope that Ji-oh would please just act human.
I’m aware the expectation is excessive.
The danger of a Source entity changed according to the scale of its “story,” so Yu Seong-un wanted to cram Ji-oh into the category of human as much as possible. He himself was mimicking a human, after all.
Lately, though, Yu Seong-un had the feeling Ji-oh had no intention of pretending to be human. Regardless of his true feelings, Ji-oh would never be able to behave like a complete human.
That’s why I was already thinking of separating the human Ji-oh from the mystery Ji-oh.
This was part of that work.
…His characteristic heavy atmosphere is still there, but I’ve lowered his rank to A-class hunter level, so unless someone has exceptionally keen senses, they won’t be able to be certain of the incongruity around him.
Of course, “not being certain” still meant everyone could feel a subtle wrongness, but the “not being certain” part was what mattered. That much could be brushed off as part of holy power or a skill.
“…….”
“…….”
Yu Seong-un’s gaze met Eun-ha’s.
“…Anyway, now that things have turned out like this, are you still going to keep playing coy?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“The situation’s gotten pretty ridiculous. Completely different from what I expected…”
Watching Ji-oh approach the murmuring crowd, Yu Seong-un asked in a voice too low for the group to hear.
“Looks like you’ve given up on openly stepping forward to slaughter everyone. Am I right?”
“I simply no longer want blood on my hands. That’s all.”
“I’m truly grateful to hear that. I understand what you’re saying.”
“…….”
“You don’t want to look like a bad child in front of Ji-oh, do you?”
Yu Seong-un whistled.
“That’s more than enough.”
The way the monsters’ behavior changed according to Eun-ha’s emotional state, the way the atmosphere inside the dungeon was regulated—this place was an integrated dungeon that lived and breathed according to its master’s mental image.
In line with Eun-ha’s desire not to become a “bad child” in front of Ji-oh, the dungeon’s difficulty would obviously drop.
“As long as you stay cooperative, I’ll keep quiet about your identity, so don’t worry.”
“Humans have a vile habit of hastening their own deaths. It would be wise not to act arrogant, Hunter Yu Seong-un.”
“Scary.”
Honestly, it really was scary.
“Wouldn’t it be nicer to take it easy?”
He did not want to die in a place like this.
If I die, management of the Garden will run into problems too.
Yu Seong-un oversaw what amounted to a major artery among the “Gardens,” the blood vessels of the Source. Even if he found a successor, he would be busy training them for a while; he did not have the luxury of dying on the spot.
“…….”
Iser glanced at Yu Seong-un, then turned his dull pearl-colored eyes toward the man wrapped in a black cloak.
Dreams soon filled those eyes.
…Truly…
Exactly the same.
Nothing is different.
Even if the colors differed, that benevolent figure soothing a creature of the sun while holding warm holy power was unmistakably Giovanni’s.
No matter how suspicious he found it, he could not deny even that.
“It’s such a sacred sight I almost feel guilty watching for free. Doesn’t he look just like a saint like that?”
“…I have no reaction for your worthless words, but he was actually called a saint.”
And yet he had still been forced to die so cruelly. In a tank full of cold, at the teeth of the disciple he had taught…
…Humans really are repulsive beings.
At the sight of Ji-oh embracing those vulgar monkeys and bestowing mercy, Iser felt the smile that always painted his lips twist faintly.
He still did not know whether this person was truly his teacher. But watching a being who looked like him show mercy to humans made Iser’s mood unpleasant.
Why am I watching this scene?
Suspicion toward sudden fortune. Longing and torment toward repeating memories and nightmares. Restlessness and desperation to separate the black cloak from those maggot-like creatures.
The mermaid searching for a way to define this emotion muttered inwardly.
I wish they would all just die.
The instant he thought it—
“…….”
“Student Eun-ha.”
“…Yes.”
“Don’t stay alone. Come here.”
That large hand, now cold, reached toward Iser.
“You look lonely.”
“…….”
At the words that he seemed lonely in the man’s eyes, no answer would come.
The hand he silently took was cold, just as expected. Compared to the always-warm hands of his teacher in those long-faded memories, it was a temperature no different from a corpse’s.
But it was still kind.
“…It’s cold and dark, so I’m scared. This space is extremely barren.”
“Student Eun-ha is honest. In that case, I will stay with you.”
“Will you do that for me?”
It’s a lie.
“I feel relieved.”
Even if you are children of the deep sea, I will remain by your side. You said that to me once before as well.
…Hearing those words now only turns my stomach. Now that everything has gone cold…
Nothing can be undone.
He wanted to resent something without realizing it, but the grip of the large hand that clasped his gradually quieted the turmoil inside him.
As if waiting out of a forgotten habit, a voice soon came—calm like a quiet spring evening breeze, and carrying warmth.
“Are you all right?”
“…….”
Giovanni was not a person suited to receiving the resentment of something as cold as him.
“…I don’t think I’m all right.”
“…Does something hurt?”
“I’m scared.”
He still wanted to kill every one of the maggot-like humans here. That had not changed. But he could not easily reveal such feelings.
Whether the person holding his hand was an imitation of his teacher or his reincarnation, the fact that he had to keep hold of him was clear.
…What should I do?
Deep murderous intent and anxiety arrived at the same time.
I have to keep this person alive, at least.
And so I have to have him…
Meanwhile, Ji-oh—
The world has advanced quite a bit.
—was thinking of nothing at all.
“This is my first time experiencing a virtual dungeon in person. It’s quite fascinating.”
“Haha, Ji-oh is truly bold even in a situation like this.”
“Isn’t it fascinating?”
“Most people tend to be scared rather than fascinated.”
“I see. I understand.”
Opening his eyes only to close them again and finding himself in a haunted house left Ji-oh purely intrigued.
Can this also count as part of an adventure?
And an adventure enjoyed snugly amid throngs of people at that—for Ji-oh, who had often been alone lately, it was a rather welcome situation.
Even if I’m a little tired…
The moment the massive program called the Sun Temple initiation ceremony ended, a new piece of content called a virtual dungeon had walked straight into Ji-oh’s arms of its own accord.
Nice.
No matter how he looked at it, the current situation was extremely far from any “snug adventure” or “new content,” but Ji-oh’s ultimate positive mindset did not yield before a mere threat to his life.
Maybe because it’s not a situation where I’m about to die this second, honestly it just feels like I’ve walked onto a well-made movie set. I think I have too little tension. How was I supposed to do tension again?
They said there was even a way out, so wasn’t this just a well-themed escape room?
Ta-da.
Having reached a clear conclusion all by himself without anyone’s agreement, Ji-oh felt a little excited by the long-missed bustle of people. He actively responded to those who asked him this and that or struck up conversation to show friendliness.
“So Seo Ji-oh is a hunter of the Collector Guild?”
“That’s how it turned out.”
“Wow, I never knew the Collectors had such a handsome hunter…”
Yu Seong-un cut in.
“There are plenty of hunters like me who don’t show their faces in the media. Since the Collectors are a guild whose main work is gathering and managing the Guild Master’s collection rather than clearing dungeons, there are many hunters like Ji-oh who keep a low profile.”
“No, but with looks like that, why…? If he just showed his face on TV once, wouldn’t a fan club form instantly? Keeping a face like that hidden from the world while working as a hunter is a crime, a crime.”
“Haha…”
Yu Seong-un forced a smile.
“…Ji-oh is shy around strangers.”
Ji-oh found that extremely unfair, but Yu Seong-un believed he had not said anything wrong. Recalling the way “Ji-oh’s Portrait” had avoided even encountering people made the judgment natural.
While worrying that Ji-oh might slip up and show he was not human, Yu Seong-un carefully observed the reactions of the people whispering in the distance.
“As expected, hunters from one of the top three guilds are different. I’ve never seen a Tamer before…”
“But isn’t he a little scary? Feels like if you misspeak he’ll look at you with contempt.”
“His manner and walk are aristocratic—maybe he’s from a royal line? Then there’s a reason for hiding even with that face.”
“Looking at the holy power, he might be a believer of the Sun God… but he’s a Tamer, so he can’t be a priest.”
“He’s kind, but for some reason it’s hard to approach him. Is it because he’s too handsome?”
Roughly the reactions he had expected.
…I was worried about how civilians would perceive Ji-oh’s existence, but their reactions are friendlier and more favorable than I thought. At this level, I can cover it smoothly even after we get out.
In that case they would now have to formally acknowledge the existence of the hunter named Ji-oh, but both Yu Seong-un and Bi Sa-beol had already anticipated it to some degree.
A presence of that rank can’t be hidden just by locking it in a gallery, and even if we somehow could… that would go against the Collectors’ motto.
Besides, the conclusion had already been reached that it would be impossible to cram this portrait’s “story” into the human category.
Since he himself could not hide it, whether Ji-oh wanted it or not, people would eventually feel the distant rank of “Ji-oh’s Portrait.”
In that case, it was better to separate the human Ji-oh from the anomaly Ji-oh.
The Ji-oh who treats himself as human will try to get along with other people somehow. If we have to leave a human Ji-oh, we need to separate the more dangerous stories in advance.
That was exactly what the identity of “Seo Ji-oh,” unofficial hunter of the Collectors, was for.
With this identity, the part of Ji-oh that mimics a human… can lower the danger of that story considerably. It’s a far safer choice than revealing the entirety of Ji-oh’s Portrait to the world.
This sudden dungeon exploration had merely pulled Ji-oh’s social life forward a little. It was only a difference in timing; there was no need to panic.
Yu Seong-un organized it that way and thought to himself.
“…….”
Everyone seems to have calmed down.
This can’t be called a normal situation by any means, but should I see this as Ji-oh’s power too?
Like the previous case with Hunter Cha Ah-ra, Ji-oh strangely had a talent for winning people over—despite being unable to fully hide that eerie rank.
Whether that was the aftereffect of rank or personal ability, he wasn’t sure…
“Ji-oh, we should start moving soon to check if the Cha family or any other survivors are around.”
At Yu Seong-un’s words, the people grew uneasy again and began to murmur.
“C-can’t Hunter Seo Ji-oh stay here?”
“Including Yu Seong-un, there are already three other hunters.”
“While we’re here… maybe you could clear the dungeon among yourselves and come back…”
“Do we really have to move too?”
“What if we all die? Someone has to stay behind.”
They were the reactions he had expected, but Eun-ha’s smile—the one that seemed to hate humans—was growing steadily denser, which looked like a danger signal no matter how he viewed it.
At this rate everyone’s going to die.
Just as Yu Seong-un sighed and prepared to soothe the people, Ji-oh stepped forward.
“Then I will leave Honey here.”
“What? But Hunter Seo Ji-oh’s summoned beast is so small…”
“Honey is stronger than I am.”
“Come on, don’t joke around.”
“It’s true.”
Ji-oh waved his hands as if to say he was entirely innocent.
“I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry too much. I’ll help you.”
“…….”
“With determination like this, everyone will be able to return safely.”
It was essentially empty content, yet sniffling sounds rose again among the people. Apparently Ji-oh’s words had given them comfort and relief, which left Yu Seong-un a little speechless.
They wouldn’t even listen if I said it. Somehow no one’s grumbling that it’s empty talk.
In the meantime Ji-oh approached and said,
“Shall we move now?”
“…….”
The nuance of “let’s run before they grab us again” left Yu Seong-un with a strange feeling.
Whether the earlier words had been sugarcoating or sincere comfort, the sight of Ji-oh with such a clear distinction between public and private left a bizarre impression.
To be able to seize people’s hearts so easily with just a few words.
This really is a talent.
“You… would do well as an idol or something. An actor, or, you know, a celebrity.”
“That’s far too generous, but I believe my aptitude is sufficient.”
“I think so too.”
“Thank you for playing along with my joke. How could a timid person like me become a celebrity?”
“…….”
If he could hold and shake a crowd with words and a face, shouldn’t he really become a celebrity or found a cult?
…I need to keep my wits about me too.
Yu Seong-un felt an even greater sense of responsibility toward the dizzying talent displayed by Ji-oh’s new personality.
“…….”
“…N-noona…”
“Shh.”
Cha Ah-ra clamped a hand over Cha I-sol’s mouth in warning, and Cha Eun-hyeok nodded in agreement.
“Be quiet.”
This was a time to hold even their breathing.
Cha Eun-hyeok glanced at his two younger siblings hidden behind him, then turned his head forward again and scanned the surroundings. In a situation thick with the stench of blood, cold sweat flowed of its own accord.
“Hu-hu-hungry… hungry… hu-hu…”
“Aaaagh…!! Aagh, aaaaagh!! S-save…!!”
“Hu-hu-hu…”
The sight of people tearing flesh from one another. It was clear there was an infectious-type monster here.
Fortunately, Cha Eun-hyeok and his siblings had managed to hide under a desk before the situation worsened.
Even so, they were trapped with no way to flee, but Cha Eun-hyeok pushed his frozen, terrified siblings farther into the corner.
“…….”
He could see the priest candidates hiding here and there, exchanging glances.
“…Hoo…”
Perhaps because of their small builds, everyone still alive in this cavern was a young priest candidate.
The only adults, if any, were Cha Eun-hyeok and Cha Ah-ra.
This is fucked.
He didn’t know if they could survive.
To be continued…