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Got a Gallery in the Wild Chapter 28: Thief (2)

Chapter 28: Thief (2)

Sloth.​

An⁠‍ animal whose name⁠‌‍ combines tree and‌‍ sloth.

As‌ its name indicates,⁠ it is famous⁠‍⁠ for how incredibly‌​⁠ slow it is⁠⁠ in each of‌​ its movements.

So‌ slow that there‍ is even a story that zoologists​ who studied it​‍ for two years​‍‍ ended up frustrated⁠‌ and abandoned the⁠‍ research.

At​‌ first glance it​‌​ would seem that‌ an animal like​⁠ that would have⁠​ many disadvantages in‍‌‌ nature, but in​‍‍ reality it is⁠​ quite rational.

The‍‍​ aesthetics of slowness.‌‍

Being‌​ slow means spending‌‍‌ less energy.

‘But‍ this is the‌ Forest of the​‌ Four Seasons.’

I do not know​​​ if that philosophy‌ of slowness also‌‍‌ works here.

Even​‌‍ now it is⁠​ face to face‌⁠ with me and‍⁠‌ still continues moving‌ slowly.

Clearly‍‌ its target was​​‍ the fish inside⁠ the container.

But⁠‌‍ I have no‍⁠ idea if sloths‌ eat meat.

At‌‍⁠ times like this​‌ what is needed⁠‍⁠ is the gallery.⁠

Title)‌ What the hell​ is this guy?⁠​

WildGrills‌​‍

(photo‍ of the sloth​‌‌ caught trying to‌⁠‌ steal the fish)⁠

I went up to​ the river and⁠ when I came⁠ back this guy‍‍ was here.

It⁠‍‌ looks like it⁠ was trying to‌ steal the fish.⁠‌⁠

Do‌‌⁠ sloths eat meat?⁠‌

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)​​‌ From its expression‍​⁠ you can see⁠​‍ that it has​‌ a lot of‍⁠⁠ calm. Be careful.‍‍​

ㄴ???​ Do you not‌ know what a sloth is?

ㄴTelling‍‍‌ him to be‍‌ careful of a sloth hahaha

ㄴThis⁠ is ridiculous hahaha‌

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)‌‍​ You will regret‍ it when those‌ savage claws pierce‍‍ you.

ㄴAllFather)​⁠‍ I did not‍‌‍ know there were‍‍‍ also sloths in‌‌‍ the Forest of‌ the Four Seasons.‌ They normally live​​ in the jungle.⁠

ㄴWildGrills)​⁠ Sloths do not‍ eat fish, right?‍

ㄴAllFather)​⁠ Their main food‍‍‌ is leaves. Also,‍ sloths normally do​‌ not walk, they‌ crawl. But this‍‌⁠ individual supports itself‍ with its arms⁠ like a gorilla.⁠‌​ Perhaps it is‍‍ not really a sloth.

ㄴWildGrills)⁠ (video of a sloth moving extremely‍‌⁠ slowly)

ㄴAllFather)​ It is a sloth… then what‌‌ the hell is​‍ that?

ㄴWildGrills)​ I do not‌‍​ know either

ㄴThat​ video gave me‍​⁠ cognitive dissonance hahaha‌

ㄴEven​ the professor is⁠​ seeing a specimen‍‍​ for the first⁠ time

ㄴBasically​⁠ research material, right?‌⁠⁠

ㄴAllFather)​​‌ Even if it‍ is research material,⁠⁠​ be careful. The⁠⁠‌ plants and animals⁠ of the Forest​ of the Four‌‍ Seasons usually have⁠‍ some kind of‍⁠ weapon.

Both‌‌‌ HeavenlyDemon and AllFather⁠‌‌ reacted by warning​‍⁠ me to be⁠ careful.

The​⁠‍ difference is that​‌ AllFather is cautious‌ because of the‍‍​ unknown, while HeavenlyDemon‍ seems to trust‍‌​ more in her‌⁠​ intuition.

Even‌ so, being told‌​ to be careful⁠ of such a slow sloth did⁠​‍ not convince me.⁠​

‘If‌‌​ I wanted to,‍‍‌ I could catch⁠‍​ it easily.’

I could grab it⁠⁠‍ with my hand‌ without any problem.⁠

But⁠⁠​ I have no⁠​⁠ intention of doing⁠ that.

If​⁠⁠ I catch it​ I could get‍​ infected with some‍​‌ disease or fill‌ myself with parasites.‍‍

Wonmo⁠‍⁠ is clean because‍​ I bathed him‌ well, but this‌ one is not.⁠⁠

‘First⁠‌ I have to​ drive it away.’‌‍⁠

After‍ trying to steal‌‌‍ my fish I am not going‍ to let it‌⁠​ pass.

But‌⁠⁠ I do not‍‍​ want to kill​ it either, so⁠​ I will just⁠‌‍ intimidate it.

“Hey!⁠​⁠ Out! Get lost!”‌⁠

“……”⁠​‍

I pushed it gently‌ with the back​ of the sword‌ instead of the⁠ blade.

The⁠‍⁠ sloth began to​ move backward slowly.‍‌‌

Even‍⁠ its way of‌‌‌ retreating was desperately⁠‌ slow, to the‌‌⁠ point that it‍⁠ frustrated me to⁠ watch it.

But‍⁠​ that fish is⁠‍⁠ my lunch.

Even⁠⁠​ if it is⁠⁠‍ a sloth, I cannot give it​ to it.

“You⁠ eat leaves. That‍ is your food.”‍

“……”​

“Does⁠ that face mean​‌⁠ you do not​ want to? Why​‌ not? Climb a tree. There is‍​ plenty of food.”​

“……”⁠‌‌

The⁠​ sloth’s relaxed expression​​‍ changed slightly.

It⁠​ was a very⁠​⁠ subtle difference, as⁠‍​ if it were‍​ annoyed.

It‌ seemed to say⁠‌ with its expression.​

You‌ were the one⁠‌‍ who destroyed that‌​ tree.

If‍ it really was​‍ that, I am‍ sorry.

But‍‌ I am not‍ going to give⁠ you the fish.⁠‌‌

“It⁠​‍ is no use⁠ making that face.⁠ Get lost.”

“……”‍⁠​

“Hmm.​‌ This is not‌‍ going to work.”⁠

Now‌⁠​ it did not⁠ even move back​‌‍ when I pushed​​‌ it with the‍‌ sword.

I looked around and‍⁠ picked up a suitable branch.

Tap—‌⁠​ Tap—

I started poking it​ with the branch‍‍‍ to make it‍‌‌ move back.

Finally‍‍ it began to‌‍ move away.

If​⁠ I push it​​ to the tree​ it will probably‍‍ leave.

Tap—‍⁠‍

“Hm?”‍⁠

But​​ things do not‌‍ always go as⁠‍​ one wants.

The‌‌​ sloth grabbed the​ tip of the​​‌ branch with its​​ hand.

I was surprised for​ a moment and‌ pulled the branch⁠​ back.

Grip!‍⁠

“What‌ strength is this…?”​

It​​‌ did not let‍⁠ go.

The​ sloth was stronger‌⁠​ than it looked.⁠

Of‌​​ course, it is‌ an animal that​​ lives climbing trees,⁠ so it has⁠ strong arms.

In‍‍ a situation like​ this it is‍‌​ better not to⁠‍ compete in strength.‌‍‍

‘Maybe⁠‌⁠ I should put‌‍ on the gloves​ and lift it.’‌​⁠

Yes,⁠‌ that would be​ better.

The⁠‍ gloves are in‌‌‍ my pocket.

I put them on‍‌​ and approached behind‍‌ the sloth.

It‌‍ was so slow⁠‍ that it barely​ moved while I positioned myself behind‌⁠ it.

Even​ when I grabbed‍‍ it from behind‍‍ it was the​​​ same.

“Hop.”‌‌

“……?”​

I lifted it.

The⁠ sloth’s expression changed​⁠ to surprise.

Even⁠⁠ that change of‌ expression was slow.​‍⁠

It‌​‍ is curious that​ with that relaxed‍‌​ face it can‍​ show a reaction​‌‌ like that.

Then‌‍ I carried it​ to a tree​ and left it⁠ there.

Finally‍ the problem was‌⁠ resolved.

Now⁠ I only had‍⁠⁠ to collect the​ antidote and go⁠ hunt the Golden​‍‌ Frog.

‘I⁠‍‍ do not think​ it will come‌ back here… right?’‌

I looked back just‍‌⁠ in case.

And​ as expected…

It​​​ was coming toward⁠ me again.

I even felt sorry​‍ seeing it.

Is​‍​ it really that⁠ obsessed with that‌ fish?

I sighed.

‘…There‍‍ is no other‍ choice.’

Just‍ with words it⁠ does not work.⁠‍

I need a clearer‌ threat.

After⁠‌⁠ all that sloth​‌⁠ is a thief‍‌​ that wants to​‍ steal my food.⁠

I aimed the crossbow‌‌‍ at the sloth​ that was slowly​​ approaching.

I do not want‍‍‌ to kill it.​⁠

I will just shoot‍​‍ at the ground​ to scare it.⁠​‌

Click—‌

‘…Seriously‍‍ how frustrating.’

Wasting​​‍ so much time‌⁠‌ because of a sloth.

If⁠ I had a crueler personality I would have already​⁠ made a hole‍ in its head.⁠

But⁠⁠‍ the sloth has‍⁠⁠ never attacked me.​‍

All‌‍ the animals I have killed so‍ far had threatened‍ my life.

I aimed the crossbow‌‌ at the ground⁠‌​ and fired without‍⁠‍ the arrow hitting‍ it.

Fwoosh—​

Thud!‌

The‍​​ arrow shot out​‍ and stuck into⁠ the ground.

The​ sloth slowly lowered‌ its head.

It‍ stared fixedly at‍⁠‌ the arrow embedded‍‌ in the soil.⁠‌‌

Then‍​​ it raised its​ head again.

Slow…​‍​ slow…

“This​ is driving me‌‌‍ crazy.”

What​​ the hell is‍ going on in‌‍‌ that guy’s head?‌

Even⁠‌‍ after all this,‍⁠ it had no⁠ intention of retreating.‌⁠

In‍⁠ the end, frustrated,⁠ I asked for‌ help in the​‌ gallery.

Title)‌‍ Any way to⁠‌‌ drive this guy​​ away?

WildGrills‌​‍

(video⁠ of the sloth‍‌‌ approaching)

It‌⁠ keeps trying to‍​​ steal my fish.‌‍

I lifted it and‍‌ carried it to⁠ a tree, but‍‍⁠ it keeps doing​​ the same thing.​

I even threatened it⁠‌‌ with the crossbow⁠‍ and it still⁠​‌ keeps coming.

Does​‌ anyone have any⁠‌ advice?

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)⁠⁠​ It is an‍​ individual with impressive‍‍​ perseverance. Learn from‍⁠ it.

ㄴSwordTasteMaster)⁠⁠ What if you‌​‌ just give it‌ the fish? It⁠ looks like it⁠ will keep bothering‍⁠ you.

ㄴWildGrills)⁠​ Masters, I also​‍‍ want to eat⁠​ a decent meal.​⁠ Wonmo eats better​​ than me.

ㄴHahahaha‍

ㄴHahahaha⁠‍‌

ㄴIt​ really is pitiful‌⁠ hahaha

ㄴWhy‌​‌ the hell is‌⁠ that guy like⁠‍ that? Does the‌ fish have something?‌⁠‍

ㄴWildGrills)‍​‍ I think it⁠‍‍ is like that⁠‍ because I destroyed‌ its home.

ㄴAnd⁠ why did you​‍‍ destroy its home?​‌

ㄴWildGrills)​ I cut down‍‍​ a tree and⁠ apparently that was​​‌ its home.

ㄴDoes⁠ that sloth talk​ or what?

ㄴWildGrills)⁠‍ No no, it⁠‍​ is just intuition​‌‍ hahaha

ㄴSo‌‌ it was pure​⁠ nonsense hahaha

ㄴGrills,‌​ are you going⁠​ to end up​⁠​ losing to a sloth?

ㄴWildGrills)​⁠ It is not​​ that, but I also do not​ want to kill‍ it.

ㄴJust​ kill it and⁠ eat it or‌ give it to‌⁠ Wonmo.

ㄴWildGrills)⁠⁠ Is that even​​​ edible?

ㄴNo​⁠‌ no no, they⁠ say it tastes‍‌⁠ horrible. That is‌‌ why they survived⁠‍⁠ against humans.

ㄴAllFather)‍‍ It is the‍‍​ first time I see a sloth​‌ behave like this,‍‌ interesting.

ㄴEven⁠ you are seeing‌‍ it for the​ first time, professor?‌‌

ㄴAllFather)‍⁠ I also do⁠‌ not know the‍​ Forest of the‍‍⁠ Four Seasons well.‍‍‍ I do not⁠‍ even like getting‌ close.

There​ was no really‍‍ useful advice.

Most⁠ suggested simply killing‌‍ the sloth.

But‍‍‍ sloths do not‍‍​ taste good and⁠‍⁠ their skin is‍​ not useful either,‌​ so it would‍ not even sell.‌⁠

Maybe‌ it would be⁠‍ fine if Wonmo​⁠‌ devoured it, but⁠‌ then there would‌ be the problem‌ of cleaning everything‌​⁠ afterward.

‘But​⁠‌ I also cannot‍ give it the‌‍⁠ fish.’

With‌‌ that absurd stubbornness,‍‍ sooner or later⁠ it will end‍⁠‌ up stealing it.‌

It​⁠‌ has been a long time since‌​‌ I had a decent meal.

And​⁠ I am going‍ to give it‍ up?

No⁠⁠‌ way.

I loaded another arrow‌​‍ into the crossbow​‌​ and aimed at‌ the sloth.

This⁠‍‌ time I would⁠ not aim at⁠‍‍ the ground.

I want it to​‌ be a real‌ threat.

Even⁠⁠‍ if it is​​ slow, if an⁠⁠‌ arrow passes near‌ its head it‍⁠‍ will understand the​⁠ danger.

‘If​ it dies by‌ accident…’

Maybe‍‌⁠ I would feel‌​​ a little guilty.​​

I aimed right next⁠‌⁠ to its head​ as it slowly⁠ approached.

The‍ moment it took‌⁠ another step, I pulled the trigger⁠​⁠ without hesitation.

Ping!‌‌

The​​‌ arrow passed brushing‌‌​ past the sloth’s​ head.

It⁠​‌ almost died, but⁠ its expression was​ still completely relaxed.‍

Did⁠​ it really not‌‌⁠ realize it almost‌​​ died?

Or⁠‌ is it simply​ too slow?

It⁠⁠​ even made me‌ laugh how shameless‍ it looked.

‘This​‌‌ is not working.’⁠‌

I abandoned the idea‌ of intimidating it.‌⁠‌

It⁠​ seems it will‍‍‌ only react when‍​ it has a hole in its​ body.

I have to go‍ hunt the Golden‍‌ Frog and I have already wasted‌‍ too much time.​

I focused and aimed⁠​ at the sloth’s‌‍‍ shoulder.

The⁠​ arrow was already‌ loaded.

All‌​‍ that remained was‌​⁠ to shoot.

‘Do‍ not ever come‍ back.’

I muttered that to​⁠‌ myself and pulled‌‍ the trigger.

I did not hesitate.​

I had already given‌​‌ it many chances.​​

Fiuu—‍​

The⁠‍ arrow shot straight‌​ toward the sloth’s⁠‌‌ shoulder.

Even‍‍ the owlbear went‍‍⁠ crazy after receiving⁠‌ a single shot.‍​⁠

If​⁠⁠ this one’s skin​ is weaker than‍⁠​ an owlbear’s, it‌‍ should pierce it.‍​‌

Yes.⁠​‍

According​ to my calculations,⁠‍‍ that should have​‍ happened.

Swish!‍

If‍ the sloth had​⁠ not slightly turned⁠ its body at‌‌‌ the last moment.⁠​

It‌ dodged the arrow‍⁠ just before it‌‌ struck.

Its‌ movement was not‍​​ slow.

It‍​ was incredibly agile.⁠​

“Huh?”‍‍‌

Seeing​‌‌ that in real‌‍ time, I could​ only let out‍ a stupid sound.​‌

What‌‌‍ did I just‍ see?

A sloth dodging an​‌‌ arrow?

I barely had time‍ to process it‍⁠​ before quickly loading‌‍ another arrow.

It⁠ must have been​ a coincidence.

Maybe⁠‍ it is so​ slow that I could not predict‌​ its movement.

I tried to convince‍⁠ myself as I aimed again.

The‍‍ sloth continued moving‍​ slowly.

Fwoosh—‍‌

The⁠ arrow shot out⁠ again.

Slash!‍⁠

As​​ if proving it⁠⁠ was not a coincidence, the sloth‌ dodged the arrow‍​​ with a fast‌ movement.

But​​‍ the most absurd‌⁠ thing was what‌​ it did next.‌​⁠

As‍ if nothing had‌⁠ happened, it went‌‌ back to walking⁠‌‌ slowly toward me.‌

‘…This​ is dangerous.’

I narrowed my eyes‍ cautiously.

This‌‌‍ guy is not​​‍ something I can‍‌ take lightly.

It‌​⁠ just dodged an‍‍ arrow.

And‍ it did it⁠⁠ easily.

An‍ arrow once fired⁠⁠‍ has extremely high‌ speed.

Even‌ seeing it and​⁠​ reacting is already​ difficult.

Title)⁠‌ Can anyone dodge​⁠ arrows by seeing‌⁠ them coming?

WildGrills⁠​

That‌‍ is not difficult,⁠ right?

Except⁠​‍ HeavenlyDemon and SwordTasteMaster,​ please answer.

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)‌‍ Why do you​‌​ exclude me?

ㄴWildGrills)‌‍​ Because if I ask you, you⁠‍ will say it​​ is easy.

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)​ You already know​‍‌ me well. I feel proud.

ㄴSwordTasteMaster)‌ Actually it is​⁠⁠ quite easy. You‍​ just have to‍⁠ see it and​ dodge it.

ㄴWildGrills)‍​‍ Sigh…

ㄴMore‍⁠ than seeing it,⁠‌ you have to‌​‌ predict the trajectory.‌

ㄴYes,‌ and watch the‌‍ archer’s hand carefully.⁠ Then it is​‌ easier.

ㄴEasy?⁠ No way hahaha.​⁠ The moment the‍⁠ archer releases the​​ string you are​‌ already dead.

ㄴThose‍⁠ who say it⁠‍ is easy definitely⁠ use a shield​ hahaha

ㄴYou‍⁠ got me.

ㄴBut‍ why are you‍⁠⁠ asking that?

ㄴWildGrills)​ Because a sloth​​‌ dodged an arrow.‌

ㄴ???‌⁠

ㄴ????​‌

ㄴWhat‍‍‍ kind of nonsense​⁠‌ is that?

ㄴWildGrills)​ I wish it‍⁠​ were nonsense.

Even‍​ when I asked‌ in the gallery,​​ they said it​‍ was difficult.

An‍⁠‌ arrow once fired‌​⁠ is too fast​‍ to follow with‌​‍ human eyes.

When⁠⁠‍ I said a sloth did that,​​⁠ no one believed⁠⁠⁠ it.

‘Even‌‍‌ I would not​ believe it if​ I were not‌⁠​ seeing it.’

Meanwhile,‌⁠ the sloth got‍ even closer.

Judging⁠‍ the distance, it​ was about ten​ meters away.

At⁠‍ this distance, dodging‌​ an arrow just‍​‍ by seeing it‌ should be impossible.‌‍‌

I aimed the crossbow‍ directly at the‌⁠ sloth.

Now‌ that I know​​ it is a dangerous creature, there‍​ will be no⁠ more mercy.

‘This⁠‍ time I will​ aim at the⁠⁠​ head.’

Without‌‌ the slightest hesitation‌‌‍ I pulled the⁠ trigger.

The⁠‌ arrow shot straight​⁠ toward its head.⁠

If‍‌ this continues, the‍ arrow will pierce‍⁠​ its skull.

But‍⁠ this is the​ Forest of the‍ Four Seasons.

A place where absurd​​ and inexplicable creatures​⁠ live.

Tap!‌​⁠

“…My‌ God. This is‌‍ insane.”

The​‌ sloth caught the​‍⁠ arrow with its‌⁠‍ hand.

Then‌‌ it slowly lowered‍‌ the hand that‌​​ covered its face‍ and stared straight‌ at me.

Its​ relaxed expression seemed⁠⁠ to say only‍ one thing.

— Slow.

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