Chapter 287: Chapter 287

"Ahhhh, I don’t think this is a good idea."

Joo-Hyun strongly objected.

"Why would you even think that?"

"I’m not sure which part of this warrants such a strong reaction."

"Sorry, maybe I was a bit rude? But no matter how you spin it, I really can’t accept the idea of being adopted by Guildmaster Bisa Beul."

Gio turned to Yoo Seong-Woon.

"What do you think, Mr. Seong-Woon?"

"I want to respect everything about you as much as possible, Gio, but this is a bit too much. Even someone like me, who’s survived every disaster and ordeal, has limits to what I can tolerate."

"I didn’t expect such strong reactions."

In this rare hallway meeting, Gio had run into firm opposition from his friends.

"But surely, there are already quite a few people who assume so, aren’t there? Anyone with a bit of intuition probably thinks I’m Guildmaster Bisa Beul’s son."

"Thinking it and actually registering it on paper are two completely different things. If that were to happen, who knows how it might change things between you and the Guildmaster."

For a being of origin, justification was extremely important. Justification meant narrative. If a mystery formally acknowledged someone as family, there was no way that wouldn’t affect them—or himself.

"The Guildmaster is already more than burdensome enough for humanity. The thought of him evolving even further gives me goosebumps and makes my scalp tingle. I... I’m seriously against this."

"Thank you for expressing your opinion so clearly."

"No, I’m the one who’s grateful you called us before making it official. If you had just gone ahead with it and told us after the fact, we’d have been helplessly forced to witness the tragedy..."

"I was only half-serious, don’t worry."

"Which means you were also half-serious. It’s okay. I get it."

Gio had a habit of hiding his unusual preferences behind nonchalance.

"Coming from a gardener and curator, it’s understandable—but even Joo-Hyun, who’s the most ‘normal’ among us, probably wouldn’t feel that different."

"Mr. Seong-Woon is right. I wasn’t warning you about the objective danger. After all, any choice you make is something only you will bear the consequences for."

His concern was elsewhere.

"Guildmaster Bisa Beul is not... a very good family member."

"Ah, I agree. Our Guildmaster lives his life way too enjoyably."

Yoo Seong-Woon nodded.

"He’s always said openly that he has no intention of starting a family. Partly because he feels too weak to protect one—but more so because he knows he won’t be able to treat them with proper responsibility or respect."

He was the kind of person who would rather admire an artwork one more time than spend time with family.

"He knows it himself. If forced to choose between a work of art and a family, he’d pick the art. But that doesn’t mean he’s a cruel person."

"In some ways, I think it’s a wise decision. That’s why it’s even harder to accept seeing you, Gio, under his name. Especially because the Guildmaster..."

Joo-Hyun hesitated, then said,

"...would be too happy about it."

"Honestly, that’s the biggest reason I object."

Joo-Hyun and Yoo Seong-Woon both wore tired expressions. The Guildmaster already looked so pleased with the casual rumor that ‘Hunter Sergio is Bisa Beul’s son.’ If it became official, how much worse would it get?

"I mean, sure, there’s no way the Guildmaster’s family registry would ever leak. Between his own power—enough to drop birds out of the sky—and the fact that practically no records from before the Great Catastrophe exist anymore... Even if you showed people a real family registry, no one would believe it."

"The fact you’re going on tells me you’re pretty worried."

"If the Guildmaster himself decides to make a public fuss, it’s a whole different story. Ah—wait, that’s not what I meant. What I meant was... there’s no need to formally register the name when it won’t even matter, right?"

Joo-Hyun gave an awkward smile and continued.

"I also know Guildmaster Bisa Beul isn’t the type to cross the line. But what worries me is that he’ll enjoy everything he can do within the line."

"You’re a little risky in that sense, Gio. From our perspective—if there’s no reason not to, and if you think it’s fun, and if you’re willing to do it—then you will do it. Earth is already unstable enough."

"What’s also concerning is that the Guildmaster might see you as a ‘work of art in the form of family.’ Maybe it’s just my personal take, but I don’t think it would be a proper relationship from most people’s point of view either."

"In that sense, it wouldn’t be great for the Guildmaster’s reputation either. As I said before, public rumors and official recognition are completely different. So this is a bit of a plea—please consider our guild’s image, too."

The portrait spoke up after listening to the two of them.

"You're all so desperate. It’s entertaining."

"Well, I’m glad you’re having fun."

"...Sorry, that was rude."

At Gio’s comment, Joo-Hyun asked,

"Lately, you’ve seemed a bit off. Are you okay?"

"Yes. These days, I often find myself slipping up on basic manners. I try to be careful, but it’s not easy."

"Hmm... If this continues, it’ll cause trouble in daily life. I know you're not using a second 'Gio' identity to navigate different situations, but... maybe reconsider?"

Hearing that, Yoo Seong-Woon thought to himself:

You really are unshakably brave, huh.

At this point, it was awe-inspiring.

This was a matter decided by the Eyes of Origin. To ask Gio to reconsider—that was essentially asking a god to reverse fate. Of course, this kind portrait wasn’t going to get angry or bring catastrophe, but still... there were limits.

And, as always, the portrait took the words in stride.

"Until things settle, I don’t plan to. But I understand your concern, Joo-Hyun. I’ll try to keep it in mind as much as possible."

"If that’s what you say, then I trust you."

Joo-Hyun let it go, too. Her role was to support Gio’s life and choices—not to lead him. Gio wasn’t a child who hadn’t reached adulthood.

"I’ll think a bit more about the adoption."

"Why did you bring that up in the first place? I mean, you seemed to enjoy the role of ‘Guildmaster Bisa Beul’s son’ before, but it never felt like you needed it to be official."

"It’s because Hunter Seo Seo-Hee now believes I am Guildmaster Bisa Beul’s son."

"Didn’t she already think that before?"

"I believe she’s certain now."

"She also knows I was her teacher. Whether that bond came from before or after the Great Catastrophe, she’s still unsure. But at the very least—she knows that much."

"Ah... so you are being honest now? You acted like you were just going to let it slide."

"It’s not quite the truth. Ms. Seo Seo-Hee believes I’m the Guildmaster’s son. So I wanted to make it real before she ends up embarrassed later."

"Uh... not sure embarrassment is what she’ll feel..."

It felt like it would be something heavier than that. If she found out the truth.

"From the way you're talking, it sounds like you intend to eventually tell her everything. So why not just tell her now? Are you waiting for Hunter Seo Seo-Hee and the others to discover the truth themselves?"

"There are several reasons."

The portrait answered bluntly.

"First of all—it’s fun."

"Kind of like a roleplay?"

Joo-Hyun laughed in the end.

"Let me explain a little more."

Gio added, almost as if in defense.

"I was their teacher. Their personalities have changed a lot since then, but it’s still true that I was the adult and they were the dependents."

"Did that... bother you?"

"Not exactly. It’s just that I prefer the relationship we have now. Back then, they saw me as too perfect."

"Honestly, I think that’s still true now."

"Then I misspoke. What I meant is—it was a bit uncomfortable how reverently they treated me. Especially since I wasn’t anything that extraordinary."

"...They treated you reverently?"

Joo-Hyun was stunned.

"It’s hard to imagine that now. The idea of a Symbol of Eternity acting that way... it just feels so foreign."

"Why did it happen? I mean, even now, teachers are respected, but what you’re describing sounds like more than just respect."

Gio hesitated before answering Yoo Seong-Woon’s question.

"...There was something I helped them with."

"Just because you're young doesn’t mean you don’t experience pain or hardship."

"I probably shouldn’t pry further..."

Yoo Seong-Woon shrugged and asked again.

"So, was it that reverence that made you uncomfortable?"

"I wouldn’t say I disliked it."

The portrait shook his head.

"It’s just that they saw me as an ideal teacher. I appreciate being thought of kindly. But being treated as something greater than I was—it’s a little embarrassing."

"What kind of image did you have as a teacher?"

"That’s all there is to it. I probably helped them now and then, and it turned out well every time, so they built up a kind of illusion. Since it was all built on a fantasy, I figured my disappearance wouldn’t do any real harm."

Would he get mad if I said that?

Yoo Seong-Woon held back, but Joo-Hyun didn’t.

"I don’t think that’s true."

"I’m always amazed at your bravery, Joo-Hyun."

"I—come on, does it really take courage just to say what I think?"

"If you start experiencing any physical or mental changes, let me know. I’ll request help from the temple."

"This is driving me nuts—I’m not cursed, okay?"

After brushing off Yoo Seong-Woon, Joo-Hyun looked back at Gio.

"I know how teacher-student relationships worked before the Catastrophe. Like you said, it wasn’t that deep—just education. It wasn’t a bond that promised anything more."

"But if the students worshipped you beyond respect, then you must’ve been a great teacher. Not just a typical teacher-student relationship."

"If you’re implying it turned into dependence or obsession, it didn’t. In the end, they all found their place. That’s the role of a teacher—helping students stand on their own in society."

"Just hearing how you speak... I can tell you must’ve been a wonderful teacher. I’m guessing you helped them outside the classroom too, didn’t you?"

"Yes. The roles assigned by the school weren’t enough to fill their needs. Luckily, the range in which I could help as a teacher wasn’t so narrow."

"...That’s kind of sad."

Even though it wasn’t her story, it left a pang.

"Now I understand why they ‘worshipped’ you."

Joo-Hyun would’ve felt the same.

She couldn’t quite remember how the world was before the Great Catastrophe, but there had always been pain and blame. For someone young and unsteady, finding a pillar to lean on was never easy.

Maybe it’s just projection from my own exhausting life, but still...

No ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ one wanted to lose that kind of support.

"So was that what made you uncomfortable, Gio?"

"To be honest, yes. I wanted them to treat me more casually. That might sound like a selfish wish from someone in a teacher’s position."

"It’s hard to expect comfort from a hierarchical relationship."

"Thankfully, they forgot me."

As always, Gio was calm.

"If we rebuild a relationship now, it will be more horizontal than vertical. That’s why I hope Hunter Seo Seo-Hee won’t remember the deeper truths for a long time."

"And what would change if she did?"

"She forgot me. It’s not about emotion—it’s about cognition. She’ll need time to accept and adjust to the fact that such a connection existed. It’ll need to happen in stages."

"Of course. As I said, I like the relationship we have now. I give her a lunchbox, and she eats it happily. People and the world both work best when things are simple."

"If she had remembered me, we might’ve found a different kind of happiness. But that doesn’t mean we need to belittle or dismiss the happiness we have now, right?"

Joo-Hyun nodded slowly, and Yoo Seong-Woon rubbed his neck.

"You must’ve been confused, too. They were students who really liked you. When your name spread across the world and they didn’t react, I bet you just thought they’d become fully independent."

"They weren’t dependent or obsessed to begin with. Yes, they were people I didn’t want to lose, but it wasn’t a bond fragile enough to fall apart if one person disappeared."

"So what did you think?"

"Mr. Seong-Woon is right. I thought they were all living just fine. Like I said, my disappearance wouldn’t break them."

They were students capable of surviving on their own.

"I didn’t expect them to have forgotten me entirely..."

The portrait added flatly.

"I thought they’d just become ordinary members of society."

"How does it feel to see a former student become the savior of Earth?"

"I figured they must be struggling."

Yoo Seong-Woon removed his hand from his neck and looked at the portrait.

"...Aren’t you speaking more casually now?"

"I tend to get this way when talking about the students."

"Great. So when are you bringing another lunchbox?"

All they could do was hope Gio would continue adapting well to human society.