The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 163

Originally, a rainforest refers to a forest where rain falls frequently.

The “Black Forest” that Argio once called home was like that too. Rain came without warning, black mist laced with poison often rolled in, and the soggy ground hid its old friend, the swamp.

“I like rainforests.”

That forest, so dense that even sunlight couldn’t penetrate it, overflowed with all kinds of treasure. Poison is medicine, and a powerful toxin can become an exceptional elixir. Splendor blooming atop heaps of corpses...

“So, I’ll see you in fifteen days.”

“Yes, Divinity.”

“There’s always treasure in a rainforest.”

The kind of treasure that turns everything into a beast, a rapture-filled prize.

***

“Hey!”

A youthful voice echoed across the garden of the Church headquarters.

“Gio hyung!”

“Student Cha I-Sol.”

Cha I-Sol had spotted a welcome face after a long time.

“I came to see the garden because it’s so beautiful, and I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Gio, with his platinum hair, approached with his characteristic refined smile. Cha I-Sol, still holding her partner’s hand, ran over and greeted him with a bright expression.

“It’s been forever!”

“Yes, it has.”

“I’ve been doing great!”

“Oh dear... you’ve stolen my question.”

“How have you been?”

“I, too, have been spending peaceful days.”

“That’s a relief.”

With childlike purity and goodwill, Cha I-Sol asked:

“Are you not sick anymore?”

“......”

Giovanni wore a gentle smile as if it had been painted on his face.

“I wasn’t sick back then either.”

“There was so much blood.”

“It was blood that needed to be shed.”

“Was it because you did something wrong?”

“I took responsibility for a bond.”

“What does that mean?”

“This sort of talk...”

He glanced toward Cha I-Sol’s partner before continuing.

“...should come after you introduce your partner.”

“Oh, right!”

Startled, Cha I-Sol looked toward her partner. The novice priestess Lee Ruda looked at her with a subtly creased expression—it was natural, given the bizarre nature of the conversation.

“You didn’t just remember I was here, did you?”

“I was holding your hand the whole time, so I was always thinking about you!”

“If you weren’t at least a little sweeter with your words, I might’ve cursed you on the spot.”

“I was just so excited to see hyung that I forgot to introduce you...”

“......”

With the expression of someone holding back countless words, Ruda let out a small sigh.

“...It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m novice priestess Lee Ruda.”

“A pleasure to meet you as well, Sister. I am called Sergio, one who is, though unworthy, touched by the light of the Sun.”

“The light of the Sun...”

Ruda looked up at Gio.

“Are you a priest...?”

The pristine white robe under his black cloak, and above all, his atmosphere—it all made her think so.

The man who introduced himself as ‘Sergio’ had platinum hair like sunlit marble and blue eyes that shimmered like living light. He was the very image of an ideal Sun Priest.

‘And his energy... it’s not ordinary.’

The warmth around him was strong enough to say he was truly touched by the sun’s light. Ruda could feel the sheer vastness that belonged only to gods emanating from him. No one but a beloved priest of a deity should exude such a presence.

And something more, something beyond...

“Oh, no. I’m not a priest.”

“...You’re not?”

“Only a follower who serves the Sun.”

“I...”

She wanted to question that, but this was a stranger—and someone Cha I-Sol clearly adored. It wasn’t easy to challenge an unfamiliar adult. Most grownups didn’t appreciate children who nitpicked.

‘I’ll talk to Cha I-Sol more about this later.’

Perhaps sensing Ruda’s hesitation, the man called Sergio gave a small smile.

“You seem curious. But may I ask, is it alright if you don’t inquire further?”

“...It doesn’t seem ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) proper to ask too many questions of someone I just met.”

“Sister Ruda, you are thoughtful and well-mannered.”

Ruda felt in his voice a benevolence so steady it could last forever.

“Do you like sweets?”

“...Excuse me?”

At the sudden question, Ruda blinked, but Cha I-Sol raised her hand high.

“Me! Me, me! I love sweets! Snacks! Snacks from hyung!”

“Such a passionate yearning for sweets brings joy to this priest’s heart.”

Sergio’s face beamed with delight.

‘Ah, he’s different.’

The man who had been smiling like an ideal priest now laughed freely and rubbed Cha I-Sol’s cheek with playful affection. There was no pressure in his gesture, only warmth—Ruda could feel how deep that affection ran.

“You seem to have lost a bit of weight.”

“Huh? I gained weight!”

“Then I hope you gain exactly 15 more kilograms.”

Ruda had to cut in.

“If she gains that much, she’ll be a pig. She’ll roll around.”

“Become a pig, abracadabra...”

“No, don’t!”

Ruda flinched, imagining a round, rolling pig version of Cha I-Sol. For some reason, it felt entirely plausible that this Sergio person could make that happen if he wanted.

After a short pause, Ruda spoke up.

“...I don’t really like sweets.”

“Then perhaps you don’t enjoy snacks in general?”

“No, that’s not it...”

“Do you have a preferred kind of snack, Sister Ruda?”

“...Dried medicinal herbs.”

“Ah.”

Though it was an odd answer, Sergio simply nodded.

“You must like bitter things.”

“I just like chewing on things that are good for my body. Keeps the mouth busy, too.”

“To be mindful of one’s health already—what a wise attitude.”

“......”

“Few children recognize the value of herbs.”

Genuine affection poured out of him as naturally as breathing. Ruda tightened her grip on Cha I-Sol’s hand.

“Ruda, your face is red.”

“Shut up, Cha I-Sol.”

This was her first time receiving such unabashed praise from an adult.

‘Why is he being this gentle?’

In an age where people believed children should just grow up on their own, kids were often seen not as delicate beings to be protected, but as beings likely to die unless managed carefully.

Adults like Gio, who treated children tenderly, were almost nonexistent.

‘No wonder she’s close to him...’

Sunshine must gather with sunshine. Her face was hot.

Cha I-Sol was her friend and partner—but Sergio was clearly a dependable adult. Ruda had no memory of ever receiving such pure affection from someone like him.

“I just eat them because they’re helpful.”

“And modest, too.”

“No, I mean...”

“I’m relieved that someone like you is friends with Student Cha I-Sol.”

Sergio smiled warmly, full of admiration.

“I’m certain you’ll be a wonderful partner.”

“......”

“With such lovely weather, allow me to give you a small gift.”

Sergio handed each of them a small paper pouch.

“I hope it’s something you’ll like. Use it however you wish.”

With his eyes gently curling in a smile, he straightened his posture to say goodbye.

“I came by today at the Sun Church’s request. But meeting you two made this day even better.”

“I’m glad too! Hyung, will you come again?”

“If I can, I’ll visit again soon. I’ll send word of you to your guardians, Student Cha I-Sol. And Sister Ruda...”

He turned kindly toward her.

“May I include your regards as well?”

“...Me? To whom?”

“To Cha I-Sol’s guardians.”

“Why would you do that?”

“They would be delighted to know such a good friend has entered her life.”

“...Uh...”

Ruda looked down, her face red.

“...Do whatever you’d like.”

“Thank you for your permission, Sister.”

With a small nod, Sergio smiled once more and left the garden.

He walked with the grace of a high-ranked hunter, making almost no sound, and for some reason, he smelled pleasant.

“......”

“Gio hyung is a good person.”

“...Yeah? Oh, yeah.”

She had never met an adult like that before.

“Is he always that kind?”

“Mm, he’s especially sweet to younger people.”

“In this day and age, he’s practically a living relic.”

“...What’s a living relic?”

“Creatures that will all go extinct soon unless the whole universe helps.”

“...You called me a living relic, didn’t you?”

“I’ll protect you.”

An exaggerated explanation—but Ruda felt it wasn’t far off.

Relics only survived if the world cooperated to protect them.

‘Birds of a feather really do flock together.’

She never imagined someone like Cha I-Sol could meet someone so similar.

‘Especially such a big adult...’

Someone who offered kindness to everyone, but especially to the young. That was something you only read in saccharine novels. Today, Ruda realized—it was possible.

She caressed the paper pouch in her hand.

“......”

Undeserved kindness, given without requiring proof of worth.

‘...It smells nice.’

She wondered why he gave such a gift, or whether he always carried gifts like this. But something fuzzy in her chest stopped her from opening it right away.

Then Cha I-Sol spoke.

“Huh? Ruda, what’s this?”

“What? What is it?”

“This is rubber?”

“...Ah, it’s jelly. Not rubber.”

“So you can eat it?”

“Of course you can.”

Jelly was expensive—was he really giving this away so casually?

‘He might’ve made it himself.’

There was no brand label. The pouch was tied with a ribbon and had a homemade feel.

After some hesitation, Ruda opened her pouch.

The ribbon came loose smoothly, revealing the contents.

“......”

She tilted her head.

“...What is this?”

“Even you don’t know?”

“I can’t know everything without learning it first.”

“Hmm...”

Cha I-Sol tilted her head too.

“Is it a flower?”

“It’s dried flowers, but...”

“Can you eat it?”

“...Did he really give us medicinal herbs?”

“Ugh, is it medicine?”

“I—I don’t know.”

It was a cluster of tiny golden flowers, fluffy like sheep’s wool.

“......”

But Ruda felt it.

‘...The Sun...’

The goddess of the Sun was watching.

‘Why?’

What the heck is this thing?

What did he give us that even the goddess wants it?

***

“Hunter.”

Waiting at the entrance, Joo-Hyun asked with her usual smile:

“Did you have a pleasant visit?”

“Yes, the Sun Church’s garden was beautiful.”

“They say the entire temple is like a greenhouse.”

“The warmth of the Sun filled the entire place.”

“It must’ve been quite a sight.”

“And...”

Following her lead, Gio continued:

“I saw many familiar faces.”

“You said you met Priest Kang Seodam.”

“And Student Cha I-Sol as well.”

Giovanni spoke with a smile full of warmth.

“She’s found a good friend.”

“A good friend...”

Joo-Hyun murmured, opening the backseat door—until Gio asked:

“May I sit in the front?”

“If that’s what you want, please do.”

“Thank you for the consideration.”

Gio and Joo-Hyun sat side by side in the car’s front seats.

“Her name was Ruda. Quite a mature girl.”

“Sounds like you were very fond of her.”

“She was admirable, and also a little heartbreaking. Very clever.”

“She must be destined for greatness.”

If even Gio—the eye of the Origin—said so, then surely.

“Was there anything of note?”

“In fifteen days,” Gio said.

“I’ll go to the rainforest.”

“A raid invitation, then.”

“I like it.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Joo-Hyun asked:

“Do you like rainforests?”

“......”

Gio’s hair, now lit by the setting sun through the window, had turned red.

“...I love them.”

For it was Argio’s home.

A rotted, crumbling, massive grave.