Chapter 12: Golden Poison Frog (2)
7Fy0aSleeping in nature without any kind of protection is, generally speaking, extremely dangerous.aDpe
NcztWithout going any further, just yesterday I was on the verge of dying while sleeping after being attacked by a Mad Dog.q0YxZO
X4DpocXBut if one stays awake through the night, the physical capabilities of the human body plummet.aPXfVM
7M8HWIf there is no choice but to sleep, the best thing to do is prepare every possible defense.rY0v98
BCCThat’s why I invested a fortune in snake and insect repellents.OuAcHo
ENlxTII blocked the cave entrance in a rudimentary way with wood and rocks, and just in case, I left the sword right beside me.Leyz
OolsThanks to that, I was able to spend a relatively safe night.FT8fF
vUWSw2Title) Strong and powerful tomorrow!Nflr
ypLWildGrillskQYXA
Ibb(Photo of the cave slightly illuminated)xcsD
DNisSIf you ask who I am, I’m WildGrills!NgoJc
fMiㄴYou’re still alive, huh hahaNdPKxYx
Hc8ZbㄴLast time the Mad Dogs almost killed youGN2X3
4CU4ㄴSo today is day 2?SPZhkq
G8zpVㄴWildGrills) Yes, but my mouth is twisted. I’m screwed3Yu1oG9
cggaUㄴhahahauRScYs
EsNㄴhahahahazLJTF2
9BpWmㄴSleeping on the cold ground does that hahahalkEH
DLVㄴStay strong hahahaEsFig
8SxㄴWildGrills) Plus my whole body hurts;;EDFb
KCvHWHMaybe it was from sleeping on hard stone, or maybe because I didn’t have a pillow, but my whole body ached.iot
v94hRAnd not only that—even my mouth was twisted. Probably because of the cold at dawn, when dew forms.V9Mb
pATI hurried to relight the firewood that had almost gone out. Heat was indispensable.T95oP4
nLy6Good thing I used the clothes DemonPrincess gave me as a substitute blanket; otherwise, it would have been dangerous.foS
SxLtah‘But isn’t it too cold?’Gk8CYz
o7XQcn‘Did it rain at dawn?’veGbz
6X9LNFRThe day I was bitten by the Mad Dogs, it wasn’t this cold.OC3qAw
H9BcFSZAfter warming up, I left the cave and confirmed that it had rained during the early morning.5QOzv
EJmKA‘Did the temperature drop this much just because it rained?’NHw
1cV081On top of that, there was fog, which made visibility much worse. Shivering, I went back into the cave.uxQ4Iz
Ml7jgFIt was so cold that I even put on the uniform DemonPrincess gave me. It was surprisingly warm.cB5e
TAY7iOwFor now, I’ll stay inside until the fog clears. Then I’ll go hunt the golden frog.ZrQ
PnL3dp‘It’s six. I woke up too early.’0NrZd
bQsIn the forest, the sun sets early, and you end up sleeping early too.0oCFukw
NVaLuckily, thanks to the gallery, I didn’t completely lose track of time.r8CUS4r
GvCLxiFirst, I handled breakfast simply with a few fasting pills, and decided to wait until the weather fully improved.fysFeI
JZjDerD‘Until then, I’ll practice the lotus posture.’BPwT
RguwEven though my body hurt, it was just stiffness. With some stretching it should get better.sBfQy9X
UOzWqrAfter stretching a bit, I sat down with effort in the lotus position. Surprisingly, it was much better than yesterday.6lbM7
vbyo80XYesterday the pain felt like my joints were being twisted; today it only hurt a little and that was it.YBINcN
ZXvUVZ‘Not bad…’ujtwQU2
Q8EIqKMoreover, I felt my body full of energy.LaZ3
OkbyZoMaybe it was because of the fasting pills HeavenlyDemon gave me. She said they were made with various herbs, so it made sense.MOmHWw
Dav8yBqGrrrrr—uXOG
uIn“Ah.”0X80Suq
wajOn the other hand, my stomach kept hurting. And since it was stomach pain, the matter was serious.ac4YJ22
q1Wb6Luckily, I had the toilet paper DwarfPassingBy gave me; otherwise, I would have gone through several crises.9YNy
Y22BXnI made sure to clean properly so the smell wouldn’t spread. Later, I’ll have to make a latrine.ECS3eM
GAX2‘Time to prepare.’3fLUKqf
hkyyJI gathered everything necessary to hunt the golden poison frog.5yb
mziJWThe crossbow, the sword of Heavenly demon, and the golden shield SunForEver gave me.5RZ2
iC9ICould I carry all that? Yes.I88f3
PU3I separated fibers from the trees and made an improvised rope.dJ2KI
GEG‘It’s temporary, but sturdy.’DcTc
37ihuElThe shield would go on my back, the sword at my waist.H4SEtNd
bvnThe crossbow, due to its size, I would carry in my hand.ylJnNe
ikrHWith the antidote ready, I was prepared for any emergency.1Kcl
lwCJeUD‘I have to think about blocking with the shield.’926MlS
1LUMfBefore leaving, I posted a message in the gallery.MMr
Yk9hQThis hunt could be my end, so I had to leave a record.FpO25
TyNnBrTitle) On the go!PUQe
OccSfXpWildGrillsbld3H
kL9o(Photo holding the crossbow)NZJwfv
KWlRBnIt’s 20,000 gold. Here I go.djhhOHG
QJxㄴOh, he’s finally going hahakHx
D6KㄴWhat if there are no more updates after this?cooO
5q6ㄴThen he dies, right? Haha2eXt
nckMㄴAaah, dieee T_T415
orgwfvㄴStarlightLady) Please, encourage him a little……E4YF
Sc7qdㄴHeavenlyDemon) If the situation becomes dangerous, start a trade with me immediatelyv7AC
WqpiGㄴHe won’t even have time to trade hahazah1qHQ
G5dlkㄴIf it hits him once, it’s over~tc0CVz4
no8RbsㄴDo you really think they’ll give him 20,000 gold? Haha6rhSj
AMOEiMlThat last comment was quite accurate.OyPE
mXWbrGEven if I hunted the golden frog, would Allfather really pay 20,000 gold?b1apXzp
u3SEven if he didn’t, it didn’t matter too much. To get clean water, I had to hunt it no matter what.TTyAWDk
yAvZaIf he pays, great.GFFyN8g
1hPU9If he plays dumb, I just won’t deal with him again.2L9p
vJin‘Or I can give it to him as disposal.’ZSlC0Ky
VbUODIt has venom, so handling it will be complicated, like a pufferfish.tjU
0z6gfRRisking my life for that isn’t worth it; I’d rather roast insects.JfnlhSN
IszjTBesides, mishandling the corpse could affect both the water and me.UIks
IYISo giving it to Allfather serves to get rid of the problem and look good.wRDcS
FrQ3uh‘Right now, the important thing is staying alive.’Oqs2p
jhjBjhAfter briefly checking the comments, I cautiously left the cave.CtGRK
47752lqThe dawn dew had already dissipated and the sun was somewhat high.xTOf
Dh61tEven so, I moved carefully in case another beast appeared.7vqWOG
vdLRw‘When I can, I’ll have to build a fence.’saqMWIi
lEfKWlHBlocking only the cave entrance isn’t enough. If an Owlbear destroys it, it’s over.iusr7Ic
SogWe’ll have to take advantage of the narrow passage, but if the entrance collapses, it will be too late.BB4Rac0
yXRThe best thing is to gradually build a palisade with the nearby trees.o8SXTa
blPAi‘Then I’ll need an axe and a knife, not just the sword.’GrgW
bNWIf I’m going to settle here, I’ll need many tools.92tEX5j
ITVLuckily, thanks to the gallery, buying isn’t difficult as long as you have money.dSI
GqbmOw0If I get those 20,000 gold, I plan to buy everything necessary.h7E6wBF
Xj5qp1‘Food is better hunted by myself.’Bguei6
ExjLWith those absurd commissions, buying food is a luxury.XmAKj
GwRAnd besides, the reliability is terrible.0ygr
v9yzSuIf there were chicken or pizza, that would be different. But that doesn’t exist here.7WYu
KdvSFvJI could buy ingredients, but almost no one sells them.6Qa4I
vzC3QThe market commissions are so brutal that no one lists products.zxrbSm
zwaMaRdAnd the few that exist have very questionable expiration dates.5mTZOxr
hV7‘But salt I definitely have to buy.’Pj25Ij
g8SEven if it’s expensive, salt is indispensable for survival.t3hUu9x
klNSomeone once said that a measure of salt is worth the same as one of gold.YlX3o
NcWSt4That’s how important it is.l2d6A
kyD8On Earth, food already comes seasoned by default, so there’s no problem, but in this world it’s not like that.ETyF0FS
5uYv8j4Given the era that is perceived—somewhere between medieval and pre-modern—salt is an extremely valuable resource.Po0q1
x1jn7OWSsshhh—QpAP
9PYfJWhile I was thinking about all kinds of things to settle down, without realizing it I arrived at the stream.zw1hkYo
DHd9jMaybe because of the rain at dawn, or perhaps for some other reason, the current seemed stronger than yesterday.wKm
Nkd7ZEven so, the water was so clear that the bottom could be seen with total clarity.LfSnV
vcBtA‘How do I lure that frog?’j2c6
NV52ASI had already arrived, but I wasn’t sure how to make the frog appear.rNL
A79oyHwI couldn’t just wait forever.YMBD
DgfShould I put my arm in the water like yesterday?yn7cv8
UkM0uBut then there would have been no point in bringing the crossbow.aKBUKBQ
tIB4jnVIdeally, I should hunt it when it hasn’t detected me.6eECBB
73nSince it’s a venomous creature, I have to be even more careful.jFHOm
7xq33NSplash!bnYKv
2k7YjWhile I hesitated, I heard something emerge from the stream.m3I
jKc0m5dI looked in that direction.XTNw
qsYsgSomething golden, the size of a dog, leaped high into the air.Vj2iw
aYWIt had in its mouth a fish almost as big as a salmon.mBD
altShortly after, a completely golden frog landed on a rock in the middle of the stream.ku8
n0RHBThe fact that the fish’s tail was still thrashing outside its mouth indicated that it had just hunted.aLwFO
YWm7a‘What luck.’451PWQ
3sFJust as Allfather said, it’s a creature active in the morning.FArS
Rgw4I hid among the bushes and silently aimed with the crossbow.i1D3y
JAxpqBThere was only one chance.GTTb
mjVIf I missed, who knew when another opportunity would present itself.ca6
ZvuHolding my breath, I aimed carefully.wLyITR
ZkteThe distance was greater than during yesterday’s practice.95ruNSX
FnpHFEven so, being a crossbow personally modified by a dwarf, it should hit if I aimed well.HoqYZl
RgOBesides, the frog was almost the size of a dog, so there was no risk of missing.H6Ud8
xA6BS3l“Croak.”KAw
W3grR“……”mypk0r
Tv9fJmThe moment it finished its meal, I held my breath.5tp6Z9U
EHbMClick!wrhn0
lzEPwI pulled the trigger.wrQ
eQ9The harpoon-shaped bolt shot out with force, and the rope connected to it stretched behind.IBMbf
mHeBIdPThere was a slight wobble, but the harpoon flew straight toward the frog.Ytq
L5pu9Thud! Splash!OfoN
wt5h8nDThe harpoon struck the frog’s body, and from the recoil it fell into the stream.bgYus
hCj“Good…! Huh?”Lbi0Au
i4OevouMy joy was short-lived.Zs9XT
NyMnThe crossbow almost slipped from my hands.MN0cI1
NPiX7fI didn’t know if it was still alive or if it was because of the current, but the frog struggled with such force that I was about to let go.uEA2Ur4
sYTHbgThus began the fishing session.OdJGY
gCR8yZBI dropped the crossbow and grabbed the rope connected to the harpoon, pulling with all my strength.LmoeL0
A1pTHhGood thing I was wearing gloves; if I had done it barehanded, I would have seriously cut myself.jrBtLX3
C589oZ“Graaah!”cB2Uh2
siDjI clenched my teeth and pulled hard.PhBwmRX
MdeFgiFortunately, it didn’t take long for the frog to come out of the water.zwxKv
6iYS4BWhen I confirmed it was out, I brought both hands together.FvBK
PMke1JCThey were burning like hell.LKTh
kZ1Y4Fx‘Ugh… good thing there are no wounds.’0vAq
ccm1When I took off the gloves, there were only deep marks, but no open wounds.qc1R
L9kUkLoI massaged my palms repeatedly.wAU
7sctwM0Then, I carefully pulled the rope to observe the frog pierced by the harpoon.dMp
A2zUIts long tongue and the fish it had just eaten hung out of its mouth.mkR
LzcIt wasn’t moving at all. It was dead, without a doubt.NXKnr
0XC“Hehehe.”r1O
cGp4jThis dog-sized creature was worth 20,000 gold?LtOa9
Bzo0iRpI twisted into a crooked smile.8Zy
ZA1Uo20,000 gold equals about 200 million won.F5vSti
knPhRqNo matter how abusive the market commissions were, with that amount you could do anything.BGzIu
mEqhfjEven so, it was better to handle it carefully.lIC8
jQAiEven though I was wearing gloves, there was always the “just in case.”Xqx5
jIPYh“Croak.”bYolZB
yfg“Huh?”F0S0J1K
2KXyBWas it still alive?hJPCYR
omzzI frowned at the sound of the golden frog croaking.NF8q
gSQJVBut when I checked it again, it was still dead, tongue out.3MHsC
DdjuBesides, that sound didn’t come from it.Mk5
JoY‘If it wasn’t this one…’dZH
lkfZWith a bad feeling, I turned my head toward the stream.cmD
da85ifJ“Croak croak croak.”lEN8
OdMpZ“Croak. Croak.”c13rYG1
DkddFZ“Croak.”ABRrx4
lFd9And then I saw it clearly.WuXBT
nfKSeveral golden frogs sitting on the rocks.9M6t6i
fWNLaMIf the one I hunted was the size of a small dog, those were the size of large toads.Jy4Bhb
6W7rQqgThe real problem was the number.0BROT0
BVeThey looked like an entire family, there were quite a few.SEenSFH
thM‘…First, let’s take some pictures.’R3Ezc
2NtPOkCarefully backing away, I took photos.TmOXn
0K5MhIt’s not that I was addicted to the gallery, I was simply curious to see what face Allfather would make when he saw this.pPrVg6t
EYO8td6If I hunted those too, would he pay 20,000 gold for each one?NJygV
6F6FOr less?2zyMtfq
0LHBefore that how was I going to get water from now on?JMMS0H
ImkeQUI hadn’t bathed in days already and felt disgusting.MdpZ7lv
92pz“Kyaaaak!”FdE
sVc“Kaak!”797oJLg
JSfdThe golden frogs threw their heads back at the same time.CKSj
dXn7KwIt was the signal that they were about to fire venom.kQf
Qn6V70One alone would still be manageable, but several at once left no room to dodge.3GE
Zuv4RI quickly pulled out the golden shield I was carrying on my back.pPwP
OWM“Tuu!”B7FTm
Jlv8“Tu!”PvD
K6a0Yua“Pu!”FSHaOe
jPMMJets of golden venom shot out.LGv
9yyaQuickly stepping back, I blocked them with the shield.Cmb937
uk3bZZNMaybe because it wasn’t acid but only venom, the shield didn’t melt.MXIsSd
i1dqeOr perhaps it was simply very high quality.VZXC
iEgUtLater I’ll have to thank SunForEver.vyd8Q18
CASxqWFor now, what mattered was getting back to the cave.icu
RJSL‘Damn it.’brmN
Di8nk5I managed to return to the cave and let out a long sigh.0kn18
KcJD2One problem after another.wW4apX
OvBPEven so, it wasn’t a hunt in vain.0uzzhF
jjjD4ddI had captured the golden poison frog that seemed to be the leader.doVkV6
oM2VBcI’ll have to console myself thinking about those 20,000 gold.1oy9
Y6vpjHThe water problem will have to be solved calmly.nrFRtl
3Ez8rm2Title) What a pathetic creature9O7YC
i9oVzuWildGrillsy1O9Pq
sIzT(Photo of the golden poison frog pierced by the harpoon)qWWarW
UID7iOFrog eliminated8NLc
nPsnㄴDamn… look at that size lolwYikAK
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
Dracule Mihawk
MortalA portion of the chapter is missing at the end.