The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 235

“Kyuuung.”

“So cute.”

“Kyeng kyeng kyeng kyeng kyeng.”

At present, Gio was surrounded by baby foxes.

“Guys, please...! You can’t do that!”

“We’re sorry, Master...!”

Their parents—the adult foxes—came dashing over shortly after.

“They haven’t learned to speak yet...!”

“It’s fine. They were cute.” freeweɓnøvel~com

“Th-thank you!”

“You seem to have adjusted well to the work.”

“Ah, of course!”

Among those who ran over was the fox tribe chieftain, Laami.

“We’ve polished the castle so we can host you comfortably at any time!”

Gio had once dismantled the so-called ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) false world and rebuilt it into an environment where life could flourish. Over the course of 94 years, the races had taken on roles and built a small nation of their own.

That, in essence, was Gio’s Demon King’s Castle.

‘If combat begins, I’ll pull them underground, but...’

This place—well.

‘Maybe I’ll use it as a misdirection trap.’

All the beasts had learned how to take human form. Gio hadn’t cared much about that, but since the being they served was shaped like a human, they seemed to feel some sense of duty.

Among them, the fox tribe mainly took on roles as attendants, decorating and cleaning the castle. The wolf tribe acted as guards, eliminating threats in the land they lived in. The crow tribe managed various facilities and administrative tasks.

“I’m glad to see you all doing well.”

“We’re glad too, since you’ve been visiting more often lately. Shall I summon Gargar or Valf for you? If you’d like to check on what’s happened during your absence...”

“There’s no need for me to know all that.”

This wasn’t a place Argio had created to live in. The small nation had been built by the beasts themselves. Gio had only fixed the searing sun and helped the sprouts grow so they could survive.

‘The dungeonization has advanced considerably, and the dimension’s getting a bit cramped...’

Well, that was something to think about only if the population increased further.

“If guests arrive, will you be able to receive them properly?”

“...Of course.”

Chieftain Laami gave a foxlike smile.

“No matter who comes, I’m confident I can make them fall in love with us.”

“Alright. I’ll trust you.”

“I’ll repay that trust.”

“No need to try too hard.”

Gio smiled back.

“We’re doing this to have fun, after all.”

They were constructing a pleasure-filled amusement land.

***

One day, a rumor reached the Collector’s Guild—that the Saintess of the Moon Sect had gone mad.

“...Hmm...”

Holding the invitation in his hand, Gio tilted his head slightly.

“...I think Aria mentioned this place once. If it’s reaching this far, the situation must be quite serious.”

“Well, I’d heard something similar from the guild master too, but... I didn’t expect them to step out so openly like this. Even the high-and-mighty Moon Sect must’ve decided they can’t handle this without outside help.”

“I’ve wondered this before, but... do saints often go mad? Or is it inevitable?”

“Either way, they’re human. Can’t be helped.”

Yoo Seong-Woon shrugged in response to Gio’s question.

“More importantly, the Saintess of the Moon Sect wasn’t born with a vast vessel. She expanded it through learning and discipline, so side effects are bound to occur. Cases like yours are rare.”

“You’re referring to me as Giovanni, I suppose.”

“Yeah. Normally, humans can’t communicate with gods. But the Moon Sect seems to have found their own way to commune with their divinity...”

If they’d gone so far as to request help from the collectors, even that must’ve reached its limit.

“But honestly, I’m not an expert when it comes to religious matters. I’ve done a lot of study since I started managing you, but I’m not qualified to know the inner workings.”

“I understand. Some things can only be known by insiders. I’ve heard the Moon Sect tends to be extremely closed off. I wouldn’t expect you, an outsider, to know the details.”

“I wanted to look into it since you seemed interested... but I guess I won’t get far.”

“It’s alright.”

Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity? Gio smiled as he lightly waved the silver invitation shimmering with a blue tint.

“They’ve invited me.”

“...That’s why I’m frustrated. I wanted to give you a heads-up. Religious groups being secretive is nothing new, but...”

“I’ll go with a joyful heart.”

“After the Mermaid Princess incident, I didn’t think your next activity would be a Moon Sect visit.”

“Since it’s unofficial, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

There seemed to be no issue.

***

“Hunter Sergio?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“This way, please.”

“Thank you.”

The Moon Sect exuded an overwhelmingly quiet atmosphere.

‘So this is what they meant when they said it’s the opposite of the Sun Church.’

The Sun Church was noisy even deep inside. Not unbearably so, more like the cheerful bustle of a well-maintained garden.

‘But the Moon Sect... is more...’

It wasn’t quite like the Temple of Death either.

‘...cold, maybe?’

There was a sense of chill.

In terms of human temperament, it felt like they prioritized reason over emotion, results over process, the group over the individual. Though this was based on just a brief impression.

‘Not bad per se, but maybe a bit too stiff for children to live in.’

From what Gio had heard, even when selecting future priests, the Moon Sect picked promising candidates to train into saints. Those who couldn’t grow into a saint-sized vessel became regular followers instead.

“......”

The Moon Sect’s temple, made of silver and marble, was cast in cold colors.

‘Same color palette, but definitely different from the Sun Church.’

The faintly blue-tinted walls and columns really did evoke the moon. A moon floating alone in the cosmos. The lights were on, but somehow it still felt chilly. Maybe it wasn’t just his imagination; even the air felt cool.

‘I like this kind of mood too.’

The quiet temple calmed the mind. It was like a breeze clearing out his thoughts.

“This way.”

He was led straight to the bishop’s chamber.

The bishop of the Moon Sect appeared to be an elderly woman, with hair as white-blue as the temple itself. She greeted Gio without even a polite smile.

“Welcome, Hunter Sergio. I’m Ba Seo-Gyeong, bishop of the Moon Sect.”

“It’s an honor to be invited, Bishop.”

“We’re the ones who should thank you for accepting.”

She was so thin that her bones showed. In today’s society where diversity was cherished, it felt inappropriate to even note it—but from her darker skin tone and slightly different bone structure, she didn’t appear to be entirely Korean by older standards.

‘Middle Eastern, maybe.’

Whether she had immigrated or was simply of mixed blood, he didn’t know. But he found it comforting. Thinking of Kang Seodam, it seemed common for those in religious circles to have foreign heritage.

Only after dismissing all other priests did the bishop begin to speak.

“I believe we sent word through your manager before inviting you.”

“I came quietly, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Thank you. This matter is closely tied to the Moon Sect’s reputation, so all our priests are on edge.”

The mood was tense enough to warrant a sigh, but the bishop kept her composure to the end. She then revealed the reason behind Sergio’s invitation.

“The Saintess is exhausted.”

“Could you tell me more about her symptoms?”

“...It’s a common result of communing with the divine.”

“Have there been similar cases before?”

“It’s been a long time since we last had a Saintess, but considering our history of short-lived saints, the reason should be obvious. The vessel can no longer endure.”

The bishop glanced at Gio, as if recalling something.

“Come to think of it, you awakened as a Tamer. And while you serve the Black Cloak’s divinity, you’re not officially registered as a priest in Korea, so you may not know much about our religious systems.”

“Yes, I lack that knowledge.”

“Then I must explain. You may have heard that the Moon Sect gathers talented priest candidates annually to raise one of them to sainthood.”

“Yes, and I found it quite unique.”

“...Indeed, the Sun Church has expressed disapproval of our methods. But having a saint when communing with divinity is undeniably beneficial.”

“You don’t sound thrilled despite saying that.”

“There are problems, undeniably.”

Raising a saint in itself wasn’t the issue.

“The problem arises after one of the candidates is elevated. If the match wasn’t perfect from the beginning, a priest still tied to the mundane world will begin to feel enormous strain.”

“What do you believe is the cause?”

“They still see themselves as human.”

A saint shouldn’t think that way. Or at least, it would be fine if they had an immense vessel to begin with. But if they fell short from the start—both in nature and in mindset—it became unbearable.

“They can’t let go of their human heart.”

A saint is a saint. A child of divinity, a friend, and a vessel for communication.

It meant giving up all human pleasures and pains. That was the Moon Sect’s idea of a saint.

“Our current Saintess, in terms of our history, is performing exceptionally well. She communicates with the moon freely, interprets its messages skillfully, and even offers gifts with ease.”

“And yet there’s a problem.”

“There are two paths for a saint. One is to die as a human. The other is to become a divine being. Our Saintess is suited for the latter.”

Even the moon they served desired it.

“But... her mind couldn’t keep up with the size of her vessel. That became the problem.”

“Her mental limit.”

Gio nodded.

“She wishes to remain human.”

“This is my first time serving a Saintess of such talent. During the era of great catastrophe, there were more gifted saints, but this... this uncertain attitude is unprecedented and undocumented.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Help her choose a path.”

“You said she stands at a crossroads—human or divine. Isn’t that too much to ask of an outsider like me?”

“The Moon Sect values results.”

Once results were visible and their impact felt, there was no reason to deny them. History and tradition were for the future, not hesitation or regret.

“And so, we have chosen to place our hope in you, Hunter Sergio.”

“Is that so.”

“Forgive me if this is out of line, but we’ve heard rumors that you are the Saint of the Black Cloak...”

“......”

“...Of course, we don’t intend to place everything in your hands. The Moon Sect will manage this directly, but we believe a new perspective is necessary. If things continue as they are, even with time, the issue will not resolve internally.”

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“We’ll be counting on you.”

Whatever method Hunter Sergio used to help the Saintess was fine.

If she chose to live as a human, it would be a bittersweet loss for the Moon Sect. But it was far better than watching a rare and precious talent waste away in indecision.

Then Gio was led to the Saintess’s chambers, where he immediately realized how severe the situation was.

“Uhh... ah... aaah... aaaa...”

“......”

“Aaauh... ha... haaauk...”

“......”

“KYAHAHAHAHAH! Ha, ha, HA! Hah!”

The girl in the center of the room, moaning incoherently, was soaked in blood.

“...Well then.”

Had someone summoned Cthulhu?

Did our genre just shift from healing to cosmic horror?

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