The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 140

Hunters with high recognition mostly had managers.

Yoo Seong-Woon spoke.

“Well, you could think of them as secretaries.”

“Do I need such a secretary, especially since I rarely go out?”

“Of course, secretaries help organize busy schedules...”

There were other duties as well.

“The most important task is managing a person’s inner and outer life.”

Especially in Korea, where the image of a hunter is strongly associated with celebrities, many hunters often hired managers.

“Korea has such strong admiration for hunters, and because of that, the image consumption of hunters has been smoothly facilitated. One of the important aspects is how that hunter is perceived by the public.”

“A hunter’s job wasn’t just about catching monsters or criminals?”

“You could say it’s somewhere between a soldier and a celebrity. Even though most hunters aren’t affiliated with the government, the characteristics of the two jobs are somewhat similar.”

Yoo Seong-Woon led the way to the parking lot and invited Gio to get in.

“Take a comfortable seat, I’ll drive.”

“Then can I sit in the passenger seat?”

“Of course. It’ll be more comfortable to talk that way.”

Once in the car, Yoo Seong-Woon continued the topic.

“So, the reason I suggested you hire a manager...”

Drrrr.

The sound of a marble rolling echoed as the car’s engine started.

“You don’t really understand how the world works yet.”

“That’s true.”

“If you’re going to make use of the ‘Sergio Hunter’ identity, it’s better to have an assistant by your side.”

“An assistant?”

“Someone who can guide you on how to deal with things as a hunter.”

In fact, many hunters hired managers for this reason.

“Depending on your specialization, a hunter’s job can vary greatly, but one thing to always keep in mind is what image you’re going to project to the public.”

“I’d like to hear an example from your situation, Yoo Seong-Woon.”

“I’ve already decided not to focus on image consumption. I feel more like a gardener than a hunter, and besides, having worked as a research team leader in the association... It’s awkward for me to appear as a public figure.”

“Is it because there’s a risk of important information leaking?”

“Partly, and also because I don’t have the energy for image management. If I had time to go out and spread hope and smiles to the public, I’d rather secure more time to work.”

Yoo Seong-Woon was a competent hunter, a veteran gardener, and a former research team leader in the association. Now, he was both a collection item of Bisa Beul and a curator for the collector’s guild. If he also had to manage his image, even five bodies wouldn’t be enough.

With a soft smile, Seong-Woon’s eyes were clear, but for some reason, they looked vacant.

“I also need some rest.”

“Well, if you need a sweet snack, feel free to let me know anytime.”

“Rather than a snack... Just invite me again next time.”

“My friend, Yoo Seong-Woon, is always welcome to visit.”

“Thanks, I think I’ll sleep really well there.”

There was a small drawback of being slightly affected by the danger of identity transformation, but looking at examples like Chara and Ju-Hyun, one could easily feel that Gio’s cabin was optimized for human rest and recovery.

‘Although that would only be true for humans that Gio likes.’

Yoo Seong-Woon smiled faintly.

“Anyway, I’m just too busy to care about image. There are plenty of underground unofficial hunters who don’t want to appear in public, and there are more of them in the collector’s guild, which operates like a business.”

“Shouldn’t I remain an unofficial hunter too?”

“I’ve had my share of activities as an A-class hunter, just like you, but from the beginning, I’ve worked under a confidentiality agreement. But you’re already pretty well-known, so it’ll be harder for you. For some reason, a lot of people remember you.”

“I don’t think I can keep up the job of a celebrity. I’d fall into disgrace due to controversies over my personality.”

“...I understand what you mean. If it’s too burdensome, you can just keep a low profile. People might think it’s a strategy of mystery, but if you stay hidden, you’ll eventually be forgotten.”

Awakened individuals continued to appear, and even more people became hunters. The number of hunters who wanted to be recognized by the public was growing exponentially, and if you stayed silent, you would eventually be forgotten.

“But if you’re going to keep working as ‘Sergio Hunter,’ it’ll be hard to completely avoid people’s attention.”

“If I don’t officially step out, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“People’s bad instincts will try to dig deeper the more their curiosity is triggered.”

“Am I someone who stimulates the curiosity of the public?”

“You definitely have star potential, but you’re not in the media, not appearing in press.”

What should he say?

“Kind of like a... hidden picture game? That’s what it feels like.”

Since Gio was a portrait, the comparison to a hidden picture game wasn’t wrong.

“And that’s similar to the characteristics of the well-known ‘Black Cloak.’”

“You’re saying there’s a chance people will realize that I am the same person as the Black Cloak?”

“Exactly, so it’s a good idea to show the image you want before anyone starts investigating your true identity.”

A star-quality A-class handsome hunter who never shows himself in public.

There were still few people who remembered him, so there wasn’t much of a fuss. However, the few who did remember him were still searching for the whereabouts of ‘Sergio Hunter.’

“If those people keep growing, it could become quite problematic. ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Paparazzi will follow.”

“Would they still do that if I’m not officially active?”

“If something like the ‘Temple of the Deep Sea’ incident happens again, will you just hide away?”

“Well, I’ll quietly help people from behind.”

“If you keep doing that, people will keep remembering you.”

Hunters who never appeared in public but quietly performed good deeds were especially popular.

“To be honest, ‘Sergio Hunter’ has too many things that people like.”

It was hard to forget him easily.

“So, before the fools who want to uncover the truth show up, it might be a good idea to make the first move. If you reveal ‘Sergio Hunter’s’ personal information and image, the people who satisfy their curiosity won’t bother digging into your identity. That way, you can fully separate the images of ‘Sergio Hunter’ and the ‘Black Cloak.’”

“Even if people’s curiosity is satisfied, will there still be those who investigate me?”

“There are always people like that. Even I’m one of them. In my case, even though I was affiliated with the association, where information control is very strict, it happens. So, for someone like you, who isn’t managed by the government or association, there’s even more room for investigation.”

Yoo Seong-Woon smiled casually.

“Well, this is all assuming you want to keep using the ‘Sergio Hunter’ identity...”

“I don’t fully understand my role yet, but I’m satisfied with my current identity.”

“Then it’s definitely better to take care of your image. Even monsters living in the mountains come down to human settlements when they’re hungry.”

“A monster?”

“Yeah, when they’re hungry and there’s nothing to eat, it’s natural for them to disturb innocent people. I meant you should throw them some bait.”

“Then I’ll make an effort with at least basic image management.”

Gio, with his blonde hair and a subtle smile, asked.

“Does that mean I’ll also be hiring a manager?”

“We’ll work hard on that... we’ll think about it.”

Yoo Seong-Woon smiled awkwardly.

“You can recommend someone you like first.”

They said various things, but in the end, the most important thing was that Gio’s portrait wouldn’t be upset. Yoo Seong-Woon hoped that, at the very least, this gentleman-like origin wouldn’t hate humans.

“It’s not urgent, so you can think about it slowly.”

“Understood.”

“And to add a bit more explanation...”

“I’m listening.”

“The manager’s role isn’t just image management.”

“As you mentioned earlier, they also act as a guide.”

“Exactly, a guide. And an assistant.”

Yoo Seong-Woon nodded.

“Unless you were born to hunter parents, most hunters flounder at first. They want to get famous and appear in the media, but they don’t know how.”

“I understand.”

“As a hunter, you need to know what you should be doing, where you should go to gain recognition, where you can build relationships with other hunters... a manager helps with all aspects of a hunter’s social life.”

“That definitely seems necessary for me.”

Gio gave a look that seemed deeply moved.

“I’m worried about how to live, even as a citizen of South Korea, not just as a hunter.”

“Well, there’s a limit to what I can teach you personally...”

Yoo Seong-Woon gave a helpless smile.

“Sorry for being so busy.”

“No, I actually think it’s admirable.”

“That’s really... kind of you to say.”

It was also a burdening statement.

‘Saying admiration is close to expectation, but even that is a burden.’

Yoo Seong-Woon cleared his throat and continued.

“You’ve often had trouble using modern conveniences.”

“Yoo Seong-Woon is right.”

“I think a manager who can also help with that would be a good idea.”

Gio had tried to pay in jewels, appeared barefoot in public places, and had questions about human culture that showed he didn’t understand it very well.

“Of course, it’s not a huge issue yet, but wouldn’t it be beneficial to learn some things?”

“I’ve been wondering if I should go to school to learn the knowledge I need for daily life.”

“School? Oh, I see. But at your age, going to school would stand out...”

Maybe Gio thought of school as a place where humans learn wisdom for everyday life and social interaction. But no matter what, they couldn’t enroll Gio in school.

“Then, for your manager, it’d be good to find someone versatile.”

“Someone who won’t be scared even after learning that I’m the Black Cloak would be even better.”

“...I’ll look for someone who fits that description.”

Yoo Seong-Woon exclaimed and asked.

“Have you ever interacted with other gods?”

“I frequently communicate with my father.”

“No, not the ancestral gods, but completely separate gods.”

“I haven’t done that.”

Gio laughed as if he had heard an amusing joke.

“How could an ordinary person like me communicate with gods?”

“......”

Yoo Seong-Woon smiled with his lips tight.

“I see.”

“Please call me an ordinary person.”

“We’ve got a pretty ordinary Gio here.”

If the origin asked for it, there was nothing that could not be done.

“Last time, didn’t you exchange the light of justice and gaze with the Goddess of the Sun?”

“If by the light of justice you mean the Goddess of the Sun, yes. I haven’t met her again since then.”

“Then, this is the first meeting as gods, right?”

“You’re right.”

“Hmm...”

Yoo Seong-Woon let out a small groan and asked.

“Do you think something might go wrong?”

“I’m past the age for pranks.”

“From Arjio’s perspective?”

“I’m not fully assimilated, so I’m not sure, but maybe that’s why it’s safe.”

“Because the initiative is with them?”

“Well, since that’s still me, it’s hard to call it initiative.”

“Really? Anyway, if you don’t intend to fight, that’s fine.”

Yoo Seong-Woon understood how Gio’s portrait served as the origin’s eyes, and he also understood the mechanism behind it. Arjio, who introduced himself as the Dark God, was simply ‘Gio,’ but not the ‘portrait of Gio.’

‘Since Gio said he won’t cause trouble, I guess that’s true.’

However, just to be safe, Yoo Seong-Woon spoke up.

“The death god you’ll meet is a traditional dark god.”

“A traditional dark god?”

“A god born in fate, but brings harm to humanity.”

He was a native god of Earth.

“He’s also a twin god of the birth god, and because he’s been around for so long, he’s very dignified and quiet. He doesn’t actively interfere with humans.”

“If I visit, he might not even react?”

“Maybe not, or like the Goddess of the Sun, he might glance at you. But the death god is one of the few gods with a physical manifestation on Earth, so the possibility of communication is high.”

“What’s a physical manifestation?”

“It’s like a puppet created by divine beings, who are closer to incorporeal entities, to visit the human world. It’s a bit different, but it’s similar to the teddy bear your father used...”

“I see.”

Gio nodded with a smile.

“I understand.”

“Then, I’m relieved.”

Comparing a teddy bear and a physical manifestation was an astonishing thing for Yoo Seong-Woon as well.

“After passing the toll gate, there’s the Temple of Death not far ahead.”

“I look forward to it.”

“It’s not very popular, since it’s a dark god’s temple...”

And just when they were chatting, death opened its eyes.

“......”

Death looked at its daughter.

“My... daughter...”

“Death, why have you opened your eyes?”

“...Cruel... divinity...”

“By cruel divinity, do you mean the dark god?”

“You wish to... be invited....”

“There was a request for permission to visit.”

The woman bowed deeply.

“What should I do?”

“...Guide... me...”

The veiled death whispered.

“I shall see.”

Was it a sinner, fate, or a hero?

Or perhaps, what else could it be...