I Was Michelangelo in My Past Life

St. Peter's Basilica.

Or Saint Peter's Cathedral. Or Saint Peter's Major Basilica. Also known as Peter's Basilica, sometimes Vatican Basilica, or for some, Vatican Major Basilica.

With many names, St. Peter's Basilica is the headquarters of Catholicism, the Basilica of the Apostles (the highest rank of basilicas), the largest church, and the Pope's cathedral. It was the most sacred, famous, and magnificent building on this earth.

This fact dates back to when Roman Emperor Constantine built St. Peter's Basilica in 326 on the tomb of the first Pope, Saint Peter.

It was torn down under Pope Julius II's order in 1506, then renovated by Bramante, followed by names like Giuliano da Sangallo, Fra Giocondo, and Raphael, then Baldassare Peruzzi, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger.

Until 1547, when seventy-two-year-old Michelangelo was appointed the chief architect of St. Peter's construction, nothing major changed.

Today, we remember Michelangelo as the architect of this great St. Peter's Basilica.

It took 120 years to complete St. Peter's Basilica in 1626. Michelangelo worked as the chief architect for 15 of those years.

Why do we remember him so prominently, even though there were six architects before him and two after?

Because Michelangelo made the most decisive contribution to the beauty of the magnificent building.

Despite jealousy and intrigue, he redesigned the dome of the basilica, reviving the majestic and balanced prototype of Baroque architecture.

That is why we must recognize Michelangelo not only as an artist but also as an excellent architect.

"Anything else...?"

Ryu Soo-hun turned his head following Kang Seok, flustered. Because of poor eyesight, his brows furrowed as he looked beyond the window. Through the wavering focus, he saw a building.

It was a creepy abandoned building, fitting for a deserted amusement park. A building? Could it really be a building? Ryu Soo-hun looked at Kang Seok incredulously.

"Are you seriously talking about constructing a building? Here?"

Even if there was interest in a building, it was hard to agree to that. Building construction was a very complex matter.

You had to consider floor area ratio, building coverage ratio, construction conditions, and above all, if the construction were poorly designed, it would pose safety issues.

He couldn't just approve it out of fandom or a mere desire. That was how architecture worked.

From the start, this project would not support construction costs. The plan was to buy privately owned land and renovate it into a themed filming studio that could generate the highest return at minimal cost.

Though the land was not abandoned, it was marketed as such, aiming to create a successful hotspot like "The Creation of Adam" and extract profit.

Still, thinking about it...

"Let me see. Construction costs have risen a lot. Wouldn't it cost 500 to 600 million won to build now...?"

Ryu Soo-hun began calculating the unit price for construction.

Perhaps due to Kang Seok's unwavering gaze or Ryu Soo-hun's own instincts as an elite civil servant who had succeeded even with unpleasant tasks since joining the Culture and Arts Department, he was tapping his calculator instinctively.

Kang Seok interrupted Ryu Soo-hun's thoughts.

"No, I'm not planning to build a new building."

Contrary to Ryu Soo-hun's assumption, Kang Seok had no intention to build.

First, there was no time, and second, he had no desire to erect a building here. Listening to Ryu Soo-hun, it seemed the project wasn't even feasible financially for new construction.

Kang Seok's interest lay elsewhere.

While Ryu Soo-hun and Kang Hyun-do looked at Kang Seok with questioning eyes, Kang Seok's gaze returned to the abandoned building.

Even from afar, the dusty ruin was captured in Kang Seok's reddish-brown eyes as he spoke.

"A renovation. Or rather, major repairs would suffice."

Major repairs?

Ryu Soo-hun recalled.

In architectural terms, major repairs meant something smaller than extension, reconstruction, or rebuilding. It required at least altering or repairing structural elements like pillars, beams, load-bearing walls, or main stairs, or the building's exterior form.

Either way, such major repairs were certainly a daunting task for a high school student just eighteen, or by Korean age, nineteen.

"But why...?"

Watching Kang Seok's fingers move, Ryu Soo-hun swallowed hard. The image of "The Creation of Adam" he'd seen on the 8th floor of the Renaissance Mall flashed in his mind.

He recalled conversations from higher-ups regretting that they should have bought the Renaissance Mall, not the abandoned amusement park.

He heard Kang Seok had personally worked on the plaster walls for frescoes. Ryu Soo-hun blinked. It was ridiculous, but somehow, Kang Seok seemed capable.

"So... Kang Seok, what are your plans for the major repair of that abandoned building?"

Ryu Soo-hun gestured, ready to listen. But Kang Seok only twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing nothing.

"I think it's too early to say."

Kang Seok, staring at the abandoned building, added with a straight mouth line:

"If you entrust me with the repair at a reasonable price, then we'll talk again."

"Huh? But at least give us some idea..."

"Artworks always start with ideas."

Even toward a building, Kang Seok lavishly called it a work of art and turned his head. His gaze sought Kang Hyun-do's approval.

"Right, Father?"

"...Uh, yes."

Kang Hyun-do nodded quickly. Inwardly, he marveled that Kang Seok had this side. All he remembered was the always obedient, patient, diligent Kang Seok. When did he grow so confident? Kang Hyun-do couldn't keep his mouth shut in surprise.

Had Kang Seok always boldly expressed himself like this alone?

Proud.

And amazing.

"Can you at least give us a hint?"

"A hint..."

Kang Seok frowned as if troubled, then flicked his fingers again. He opened his mouth with a sense of decision.

"Darkness and strange phenomena. Relics. And light and holiness."

"Huh?"

"A hint."

After that, Kang Seok shut his mouth tightly, as if refusing to give more hints.

"Mr. Go, it's been a while."

"Oh, yes. It has."

"Congratulations on your solo exhibition. I've heard quite a few reporters have been coming by..."

"Yes, that's right."

What was so special about reporters coming to a solo exhibition? Go Doo-han nodded with an indifferent expression. Fortunately, the lady in front of him seemed uninterested and glanced sideways.

Go Doo-han's gaze naturally followed. There was the artwork. More precisely, Kang Seok's work, Sunset, stood majestically.

The woman admired the grandeur of Sunset, not hung on the wall but standing proudly like a billboard or sculpture.

"This piece is really wonderful."

"Isn't it?"

Go Doo-han's expression relaxed.

The only comfort to him, tied up so tightly, was Kang Seok's Sunset and Glass Peony.

How good it felt to be able to appreciate them even briefly every day in the same space. Go Doo-han nodded sincerely.

"I heard the artist who made this is publishing a book on human figure sketches..."

"Oh really? That's great! Could I get a copy? Honestly, I was very disappointed that the works wouldn't be for sale."

Clapping her hands joyfully, the woman smiled. Go Doo-han spoke with a hint of regret.

"That won't be for a few months yet. If you want, I can ask Gallery Manager Seol to keep you informed."

"Oh, thanks! What should I do? Mr. Go, did all your works sell this time?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Hmm... then shall we check out the artists under Mr. Go after such a long time?"

Each time the woman laughed, the diamond ring on her finger sparkled. When Go Doo-han nodded and handed her to the gallery docent, his phone vibrated.

Go Doo-han pulled out his phone and frowned at the name on the screen. It was Park Ji-yeop. What trouble could this call be about now?

"Why."

━ What is this?

"What?"

Ah.

After blurting out abruptly, I suddenly seemed to understand what Park Ji-yeop was talking about. This morning, I had just sent Kang Seok's sketch through Park Ji-hoon.

I sent it in the morning, and it looks like they only opened it just now. A crooked smile appeared at the corner of Go Doo-han's mouth. If he had a tail, it would have wagged happily toward the sky. He was pleased that he saw the sketch before Park Ji-yeop.

"Looks like you just saw it now. Maktub? That's what it's called. They said it's a sketch of the piece to be presented in the anatomy project."

━ ...It's really an incredible anatomy drawing. You say this isn't a cadaver? I never thought Kang Seok would be at this level... It's surprising enough that he drew the human body with such mastery, but to incorporate diseases as well? This is like dissecting a surgical patient's body in real time and drawing it. You know?

"Uh-huh."

Go Doo-han nodded. Of course he knew. Though he wasn't as infamous for human anatomy as Park Ji-yeop, Go Doo-han had also spent many years studying the human body.

That's why he knew. Just the fact that this sketch was by a high school student made him jealous—it was perfect, incredibly impressive. And yet, Go Doo-han was excited.

Kang Seok wouldn't leave this field as an artist for a long time like him. With that level of skill, even if he wanted to leave, he couldn't abandon the art world.

Heaven wouldn't allow it.

━ But is it possible to make this into a 3D model?

Go Doo-han frowned. He was walking toward the gallery entrance for a clearer phone call. Every time he walked past, people bowed or nodded at him.

"What are you talking about? Kang Seok's 3D modeling skills are amazing... Haven't you seen it yet?"

━ What do you mean? What haven't I seen?

Go Doo-han stopped abruptly. Right in front of the gallery entrance. Whether the voice came through the phone or not, he fell into deep thought.

The installation of was two days or one day before the exhibition. Yes. It was February 14th. When did Park Ji-yeop last come to the Peony Gallery? February 6th? That's right. February 6th.

Go Doo-han switched his phone to the home screen. Voices were still coming from the phone, but he had already detached his ears from it.

So he didn't notice that outside the phone's voice, there were sounds of cars passing by.

━ Go Doo-han? Can you hear me?

"Today is February 26th. You really haven't seen it yet."

━ What are you talking about?

Not knowing, he doubted if Kang Seok could even make the anatomy model. Of course, Go Doo-han was skeptical whether he could express all the fine details, but he never thought he couldn't make a 3D model.

Go Doo-han standing at the entrance turned his head.

The fully bloomed was shining. If someone could make something like that, how could they not make a human model? At the moment he looked at the so close to a real flower that it could fool the human eye,

"What's this now?"

━ ...What's this now?

Park Ji-yeop, eyes bloodshot, passed through the gallery entrance.

The same voice echoed from both the phone and reality.

It was the moment Park Ji-yeop finally faced .

The blue sky, with the clouds gone, revealed the sun, making it warm for winter. Winter was ending. Kang Seok, loosely carrying his padded jacket, unbuckled his seatbelt to get out of the passenger seat.

The truck had just parked in front of the glass workshop.

"I'm off."

Kang Seok greeted and opened the truck door.

"Come back early today."

"Huh?"

Surprised by Kang Hyun-do's sudden words, Kang Seok glanced back toward the driver's seat. Kang Hyun-do's eyes curved kindly, looking at Kang Seok warmly.

"Mrs. Baek is making galbijjim today."

"Galbijjim?"

Kang Seok knew his mother, Baek Myung-hee, made excellent galbijjim, so he asked with surprise.

"She went to the market to show off the wallet you gave her, found some cheap meat that was freshly slaughtered, and decided to make galbijjim today. Thanks to the wallet you gave her, I'm enjoying some luxury."

"Haha. Oh, come on. Got it. I'll try to get back early today."

"All right."

Kang Seok waved his hand as he entered the workshop after getting out of the passenger seat. Kang Hyun-do started the truck again, enjoying the peaceful and pleasant afternoon as the truck glided down the road.

.

.

.

No one's here.

Kang Seok opened the door with the spare key and looked around. It was dark. No lights were on, which made it feel real that Jo Dong-beom had really entrusted the workshop to him and gone to Busan's Haeundae.

'Master. It seems the glass workshop in Busan Haeundae sells some quite unique bottles.'

'Oh?'

'They say they are wave-shaped bottles. The knowledge was passed on from a married artist couple. I think I need to visit on a business trip. I'll give you a spare key, so don't worry about it and feel free to use it.'

Despite saying it was fine, Jo Dong-beom had given him the spare key and left for a 3-day trip to Busan.

Kang Seok turned the key and opened the door leading to the workshop garage. The kiln inside the workshop was off, and cold air lingered. It felt even colder inside than the warm outside air — perhaps more like winter.

Step by step.

His footsteps echoed eerily in the garage-converted workshop. Kang Seok walked quietly toward the far end, neither fast nor slow.

At the end of his walk was a black bag. It was full of materials usually used for special makeup or surgical dummies. Kang Chae-young had once interrogated him, asking if he was entering a makeup competition when she saw this.

Kang Seok bent down and slowly took out the materials.

Materials he had never handled before.

Interest sparked in Kang Seok's eyes.

'Should I try making one as a test?'

After eating meat last night, sketches he had drawn at home popped out of his bag. Without blinking, Kang Seok took out a heart sketch.

He intended to make a heart.

Kang Seok, feeling like an alchemist, tore open the alginate pouch. A powder resembling the color between light pink and cherry blossoms appeared. A minty scent reached his nose.

Without hesitation, Kang Seok poured the alginate into a bowl for workshop use. Then he mixed water at a 1:1 ratio. Anyone watching might think he was an expert, as all his movements were quick.

Most special makeup artists who work with alginate make molds by directly applying it to the body. If you want to make something like a heart that can't be applied directly, you have to create a model from clay or similar materials.

When alginate and water mix, it initially flows like water and can't be shaped. Left alone, it quickly hardens, so you have to act fast.

But.

Kang Seok rejected all those methods and lifted the alginate mixture as is. It wasn't sticky solid or water — it was like mud, and Kang Seok slowly kneaded it.

Try standing a flowing mud line a hundred times straight on the desk. Will it stand? Under Kang Seok's touch, it did. Even though it should have collapsed, the alginate didn't and stood unsteadily on the desk.

Heartbeat.

Playing with water freely as it slowly hardened felt like God shaping humans from clay.

Slowly, but not too slowly, Kang Seok shaped the mud into form. It dried gradually, like exposing mudflats to the air. Then, when the cold wind dried all the alginate,

A pale pink heart lay on the desk.