A few hours later, Aram had come to accept the situation on her own.

“...Is this some sort of side effect? A personality overlaying another...?”

“To be precise, since we are all the same being, there’s no need to be too surprised.”

“...Doesn’t it make you dizzy, though? Shifting so rapidly like that, teacher?”

“Living with both your left and right eye isn’t particularly difficult, is it?”

“I understand what you mean.”

She seemed to believe that Hunter Sergio had fused with the evil god during the sealing process. Which wasn’t exactly wrong, so Gio simply nodded. His student was smart, as expected.

But Aram still had many questions.

“Then... essentially, aren’t you using two divine powers at the same time now?”

“...Hmm...”

One, the Black Cloak, known as the Sun God. Two, Argio, known as the Divinity of Wrath.

“...Yes, that’s right!”

That wasn’t incorrect either. Gio never lied. He was innocent.

“But you don’t need to worry. Through this process, we’ve become a single, unified body. There’s no risk of losing control of the power or reason, so please rest assured, Saintess.”

“...Still, I hope you’re not pushing yourself too hard.”

“That goes for you too, Aram. I heard you shut the temple doors this time. That must have taken resolve. Then again, you can’t look to the future without first solving the problems inside. You made a good choice.”

“Ehem... thank you. But still, there’s no precedent for wielding different divine forces within one body. I know you’re not an ordinary Saint, but... I can’t help worrying.”

Officially, “Hunter Sergio” was in seclusion due to health reasons. Aram had come with that same suspicion in mind—something like a hospital visit that wasn’t quite one. She studied her teacher’s condition a little longer before nodding.

“But... you’re not the type to be swayed by what I say anyway.”

“Have I really been that indifferent of a teacher to you?”

“I just know how stubborn you are.”

Well, of course he was the one who turned the Saintess of the Moon Sect around. Accepting that, Aram brought up another curiosity—this one aimed at the Divinity of Wrath now sharing a body with him.

“...Then, is Argio...?”

“That is also me. The Black Cloak retrieved the Divinity of Wrath.”

“So we’ll be seeing that face now and then too, like earlier?”

“I’m glad to have made a good friend.”

Gio’s list of friends only continued to grow.

“Now that it’s fully stabilized, we’ll likely be seeing the Divinity of Wrath more often in Korea. The ‘Dream Amusement Park’ that was created before has been closed for now. It’s a shame for the hunters who worked hard in it, but we can’t expect resources from there for the time being.”

Aram smiled knowingly.

“Usually, you can’t obtain anything real from a virtual dungeon anyway.”

“Right. I believe the reward was limited to skill acquisition or something like that...”

“And this time, the system was incredibly generous with the rewards.”

The so-called “Little Dragon Summoning Ticket” left most hunters clueless. It supposedly granted a “modest wish,” but nothing about it seemed modest. So they’d all decided to seek the Association’s advice.

“I doubt any hunter will act rashly before the Association gives an answer, but maybe because of that, there doesn’t seem to be much resentment over what happened at the ‘Dream Amusement Park.’”

“That’s quite surprising.”

“The fact that no one actually died had a big effect. In a world where people live risking their lives, this was considered a peaceful ending. The opponent was an evil god, but people seem to be treating it more like a mild disaster.”

“I thought for sure people would be angry.”

“Some are, I’m sure. But no one’s been especially vocal. The system gave good rewards, and both the government and Association were quick to help with recovery and support.”

Aram played with the end of her long hair.

“...There were quite a few people who welcomed a more honest society.”

She asked cautiously.

“Will the Divinity of Wrath ever dwell in this dimension permanently?”

“It already is.”

“I don’t think a temple will be built, of course... but I still hope it chooses to stay. He was annoying and spiteful, but... he helped me more than I can say.”

“Even though he made you witness such immense suffering and death?”

“...So you don’t like the Divinity of Wrath either, do you, teacher?”

Aram laughed awkwardly.

“I went through a lot... but in the end, none of it turned out badly. Besides, the people of this world... they wouldn’t have changed this fast just by being gently coaxed.”

“...Have you forgiven him?”

“...Maybe? It just feels like one day the anger was gone. Maybe I exhausted all my strength throwing that meteor shower party, and it all drained out afterward.”

“That makes sense.”

Giovanni smiled his usual smile.

“You look well. That’s a relief.”

“...Were you angry with him, teacher?”

“I got over it at some point, too. You don’t need to worry.”

“I’m glad.”

Aram rose to her feet.

“Please visit our sect next time, teacher.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“Take care of your health.”

She bowed deeply and left Gio’s private room.

“......”

Giovanni lay back on the luxurious bed that Bisa Beul had prepared for him, narrowing his eyes with a faint smile.

“...Maybe I should have been angry.”

But Giovanni simply couldn’t do it.

He hadn’t been born with the capacity for wrath. That was his laziness, his fault.

***

“So...”

Yoo Seong-Woon rubbed his neck and asked,

“You’re fully merged now?”

“Yes. Argio is satisfied.”

The man in the portrait continued.

“If you need an easy comparison, ‘ascension’ would be an appropriate word.”

“I mean, not that you actually disappeared or died or anything... but yeah, that makes sense.”

“I feel great satisfaction. I no longer want to be angry. I simply want to enjoy the peace it left behind.”

“Peace is good, yeah. That’s all good, but...”

Seong-Woon lowered his hand and cautiously asked,

“...didn’t your speech pattern get stiff again?”

“Please understand, Mr. Yoo. Since I’ve completed all integration with the human stored in this portrait, I can no longer behave as I used to. Do I seem unnatural to you?”

“More like a polished urban legend that can hold a conversation. Doesn’t feel human, though. If you’re planning to return to human society later, maybe take note.”

“Understood. I’ll try to avoid awkward behavior around others. It’s just that I occasionally forget what I’m supposed to do, say, or look like. But I will do my best.”

“......”

Seong-Woon hesitated.

If I say he clearly won’t be able to pull that off, will he get mad?

The portrait now housed even the Divinity of Wrath. Gone were the days when you could expect only warmth from it. Seong-Woon decided not to say what didn’t need to be said. He didn’t want to provoke the painting.

He smiled his usual laid-back smile.

“But that means... you’re not going to look for a new ‘Gio’ for a while? Didn’t you say getting help from them made it easier to live like a regular person?”

“You’re correct, Mr. Yoo. However, in my experience, every time I integrate with ‘Gio,’   an enormous event unfolds on Earth.”

For reference, that last sentence—“an enormous event unfolds on Earth”—was actually a mistranslation that occurred as Gio’s language passed through the painting. All he meant was, “I think something big happens every time I merge with Gio.”

But the nuance in translation had accidentally made Gio sound like a prophet.

“What’s happened before has become trauma for me.”

“Oh, really?”

Seong-Woon wondered. Does he even know what ‘trauma’ means?

Probably. But it still feels like he’s using it wrong...

Still, he understood what Gio meant.

“You didn’t like causing incidents on Earth.”

“Exactly.”

“...Then I guess we should thank you for being considerate toward this fragile planet.”

Bisa Beul, who had joined the dungeon raid, had said something similar. He mentioned that “Gio’s portrait” seemed to be educating Earth in the form it desired. It made sense in hindsight.

Right. Gio probably knows too—you can’t train someone by constantly pushing them.

Maybe Gio just wanted to give Earth a little break. The sparks had already been thrown. The straw was catching fire. Now, he would simply watch until the whole field was ablaze.

“......”

Suddenly struck by the thought, Seong-Woon squinted and smiled.

“You really are a teacher, huh.”

“I told you so before, Mr. Yoo.”

“No, I mean... I think I finally get what that means.”

Creepy and delightful—just as one would expect from something the Origin had set in motion.

“Oh, right. Did you hear? The Association officially recognized the ‘Black Cloak’ as a religion.”

“A formal religion requires systems, buildings, and capital, does it not? I have none of those. Nor do I possess doctrines or scriptures befitting a faith.”

“You’re speaking a little fast now. Anyway... your fans will probably make all that themselves.”

Seong-Woon shrugged.

“Maybe it’s because you used to be a teacher on Earth before the Catastrophe, but religions today are more diverse and casual. As long as you’re recognized on a national level, you’re officially a religion.”

“This is extremely burdensome. Please retract it.”

“I can’t retract it. As long as there’s divinity and followers, it counts. The rest—institutions, temples, money—will come in time.”

“I’m well aware of how religions are formed. Still, I don’t believe the ‘Black Cloak’ is fit to be a deity. I’d prefer not to be part of that gaudy, rowdy party.”

“Why not? Most gods in religions don’t appear in person, give miracles, or talk to people. Even if you hide away for a hundred years, this religion won’t disappear.”

“...I’d prefer not to be included in that gaudy, rowdy party...”

“Didn’t you say making friends is a good thing, Gio?”

Whether it was due to his affinity or something else, it was hard to tell. Maybe he was just mimicking humanity, or maybe he wasn’t even shy at all. That, too, was proof Gio wasn’t human.

He just picks whatever demeanor he wants at the time.

A paradoxical trait, both light and heavy—fitting of an Origin.

“So what now? Will our fragile little portrait take a well-deserved rest after all this? Or are you off to inspect the might of your newly certified religion?”

“No. I plan to visit a dungeon.”

“...Didn’t see that coming. The ‘Dream Amusement Park’? Well, you do have creatures there you care about. You even said they were Argio’s children.”

“That’s a nice thought, but no. I’ll be going to the Four-Legged Rainforest underground.”

“...The ‘Four-Legged Rainforest’ down below? I mean, as Hunter Sergio or even as just a painting, you can go there, but why all of a sudden?”

Caught off guard, Seong-Woon asked. The portrait answered from beyond its layer of black paint.

“That is my brother.”

“Hmm. Got it.”

Seong-Woon unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it in his mouth.

“So... if I want you to explain that, what do I need to offer?”

“A delicious strawberry will ensure your comfort, Mr. Yoo.”

“Strawberries are great. They’re in season /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ right now.”

“I was joking.”

“At this point, even your breathing is a lie.”

As Seong-Woon let out a tired sigh, Gio explained.

“That is another world created by Argio’s father—the one who abandoned the red dragon.”