Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 52: Night Raid (1)

Chapter 52: Night Raid (1)

The⁠‍ crabs I brought,⁠⁠⁠ I ate them together with my‌‍ animal companions.

Maybe‌‌ because we didn’t⁠‌ steam them but‍⁠ grilled them, even‍‌‍ with the shell⁠‌ they tasted good.‌‌

Especially thanks to Wonmo‍ acting as a “cleaner,” almost nothing‍ was left to throw away.

And‌⁠ even if something had been left‍ over, I would⁠‌ have crushed it‌ and thrown it‌ into the river.⁠‍⁠

“Ahh…‍⁠ I’m full.”

“Kyuu.”‍

“……”‌

With‍⁠ full stomachs, both I and they lay completely sprawled‍ out.

Wonmo‍⁠‌ touched his swollen⁠⁠ belly while lying⁠⁠ on his back,‌‍‌ and the sloth‍‍ lay face down.‌‌

One⁠ human and two‍‌ animals, we all⁠⁠ ate just enough,⁠ so moving wasn’t⁠‌‌ impossible but it felt bothersome.

‘Wonmo‌‍ really ate a lot.’

I looked at Wonmo⁠‌‍ lying on the⁠ ground. His puffed-up‌ belly was adorable.‍

I poked his stomach‌‌ and he squirmed⁠ slightly.

Really,‍ every one of‍⁠‌ his movements was‍⁠ adorable.

“Wonmo,⁠‍ don’t fall asleep⁠‍ here. Go inside‍ the cave.”

“Kyuu…”‍

He‌ says he’s so‌⁠‍ full he can’t‌ move.

Well,‌⁠⁠ he even ate‌‌ the shell, so‍ it’s understandable.

I carefully picked him‌‌‌ up and carried‌‍ him inside the‌ cave.

As‌⁠‍ soon as I laid him on⁠‍⁠ the mat, he‍⁠‌ stretched out like‌⁠ a star and started taking a nap.

What‍‍‍ a comfortable life.‍

‘Won’t‌ he turn into a pig at‍‍ this rate?’

He’s‌ in a growth‌ stage, so everything‌⁠⁠ he eats will go to his⁠‍ body, but it‌ still worries me.⁠

Maybe not full exploration,‍⁠ but having him‌⁠ start moving around‍‍ with me nearby‍‍⁠ wouldn’t be a bad idea.

I also need to⁠ teach him that‌‌ outside is dangerous.⁠‍

‘Though‍ maybe he already‌ knows from following his mother?’

It’s strange to think‌ that I myself‍‍ sent that mother‍‌ to the other⁠ world.

If Wonmo finds out⁠⁠ someday, will he‌ see me as‍⁠‍ his mother’s enemy?

“Mom’s⁠ killer?!” and attack‍ me—I hope not.‌

I stopped thinking nonsense and finished cleaning‍‍ up.

I planned to use the charcoal left‍‌ from the firewood⁠ to wash the⁠‌ clothes.

‘Charcoal‌ is incredible.’

It⁠‍ works as soap.‍

It‌‍ works as deodorant.⁠‌

It‌‌‍ even gives aroma‍ when cooking.

It lacks nothing.

If‍ I had to⁠‍‌ name a downside,⁠ it’s that heat⁠ can attract snakes.

But‌‍ since I’m already‍‍ using repellent, it’s‍⁠ not a problem.‍

Thump! Thump!

I opened the hose⁠‌‍ and started washing‌ the clothes.

After‍ rolling around so‌ much, muddy water⁠‌ came out.

The⁠⁠ washing stick I bought at the‌ auction. It’s perfect‍ for beating clothes.‌‍

When‌ I finished, I hung them on‌ an improvised clothesline.⁠

Two‍ branches stuck into‍⁠ the ground and‌⁠ a rope between‍⁠ them, and done.‍

‘I‌⁠ even feel adapted⁠ now.’

I never thought about⁠ living in nature,‍ but here I am, surviving quite‍ well.

With‌ the gallery, I don’t get bored,‍‍ and with Wonmo‌‍ and the sloth,⁠⁠ I don’t feel lonely.

When‍ I have free‍ time, I practice‍ the internal circulation‌ method.

Ironically,‍‍ it’s quite a busy life.

‘I’m‌ getting too comfortable.’⁠‍

But⁠ that doesn’t mean I want to‍⁠‌ stay here.

This⁠⁠ place is too⁠⁠ dangerous.

You‍‍ never know when‌ a dangerous creature⁠‌ will appear.

Especially that giant crab‌⁠ from the lake.‍

Even‍ though it was‌ far away, it⁠ made me feel⁠ completely helpless.

‘Better⁠ not go to‍ the lake for‍ a while. And⁠ if I go,‌ just take crabs⁠ and return.’

It’s‌ a place full⁠⁠ of giant crabs.‍

It’s‍ best to gather‍⁠ what I’ll give⁠⁠‍ the dwarf and⁠‍ come back.

If‌ several appear well,‌‌ I’ll have to‍ run for my‍⁠ life.

‘I⁠‍ should mark reference‍‌ points along the⁠‍ way. Like where⁠ the lower course‌ of the river⁠‌ begins.’

The⁠‌‍ best thing is‌⁠ to use the‌‌ river as a guide.

The‌ compass doesn’t work‌‌ in this forest.‌

Or⁠‌‍ I could make⁠ my own markers.

It’ll⁠ be extra work,‌‍ but getting lost‍ here is a death sentence.

If‌‍⁠ I get lost,‍ the probability of‌‌⁠ survival drops into‌ the abyss.

I found this cave by pure luck,‌ and it had‌ an owner.

Only after killing it‌‍ did it become‌‍ mine.

Finding⁠‌‌ another like it‌‍ would be difficult.⁠

‘First,‌ mark the map.’‍⁠

I drew the river⁠⁠ and marked the‍⁠ lake at the‍‌ end.

I don’t know how big it is,‍‍ but I drew⁠‍ it as small⁠ as possible.

After‍⁠ all, the Forest‌‍ of Four Seasons⁠‌ is as large⁠ as a small‌ country.

‘Map‍‌ ready, now the‍‌ internal circulation method.’⁠

Before‍ starting, I checked‍‍ HeavenlyDemon’s messages.

They⁠‌ weren’t greetings, but‌⁠⁠ teachings.

The⁠ fundamentals of the method.

I reread them every‌ time I practice.‍⁠

‘Even‍ if it’s in⁠‍ the gallery, it’s‍‌ better to learn from someone reliable.’‌‌

The basics are everywhere,⁠ but they’re not‌⁠‌ objective.

Everyone‌‌ adds their own‌ tricks.

On‌⁠ the other hand,‍ HeavenlyDemon’s teachings are‍ simple and direct.‍‍

They‍‌ have difficult terms,‌‌ but they are‍ correct.

‘The‌⁠ important thing is‌ to feel how‍‍ mana, or internal‌‌ energy, flows through⁠ the main meridians.’‍

It’s‍⁠⁠ not enough to⁠‍⁠ circulate energy without‌ thinking.

I began to practice‍‍ slowly.

Understanding⁠⁠‌ the principle of‌ the method.

Accepting‍ the flow naturally.‌‌‍

Breathing‍‍⁠ without forcing the‌⁠ circulation.

And‍⁠ achieving that even‌⁠⁠ normal breathing has the same effect.‍

HeavenlyDemon‌⁠ recommended progressing little⁠ by little through‌‍ those three stages.

And‍‍ it makes sense.‌

‘The‍ second stage is⁠‍⁠ already difficult.’

I still feel breathing⁠ and circulation as‌ separate things.

She‌‍⁠ said I had‌⁠ to achieve doing⁠⁠‍ both at the⁠ same time, and⁠ unconsciously.

That⁠ with enough effort,‍⁠‌ even someone like⁠ me could achieve‌ it.

So‍‌ as not to‌‍ disappoint her, I focused completely every‍‍ time I practiced.⁠

“Fuuu…”‍

But I’m not a genius.

I’m‌‌ not even from⁠ this world.

No matter how much‍‌ I control my⁠ breathing, I don’t⁠⁠⁠ progress much.

‘Would⁠⁠ breathing improve if⁠ I increase lung⁠‌ capacity?’

It⁠‌‌ makes sense.

But⁠ here I can‍ only do physical‍⁠ exercise, and even‍‍‌ that is limited.‌‍

Aerobic⁠ exercise?

Going⁠ out to run‌ here is basically‍⁠⁠ getting lost.

So I can only‍‍ breathe deeply and⁠‍ release the air‍ slowly.

‘That’s what Swordmaster said.’‌

That⁠⁠ kind of useful‍ advice mostly comes‌⁠⁠ from Swordmaster.

Lengthening⁠‍‍ the breath instead⁠ of making it⁠‌ short.

Use‍ of aura, etc.⁠⁠‌

Thanks‍ to HeavenlyDemon and Swordmaster, I’m improving little by little.‍‌

Slow⁠ like a turtle,‌‌ but there’s no‍⁠ rush.

‘I‍ have to go‌‍ install the trap.⁠ And also catch⁠‍‍ golden frogs.’

Since‍ I had already‌‌ finished the breathing‍‌ method, it was‍ time to work.‌

I slung the crossbow on my back‌‌⁠ and called the sloth.

“Hey.‌‌‍ Stop lying around and get on.”‍⁠⁠

“……”⁠

At⁠ my command, he‍‌ slowly climbed onto‌ my back.

He⁠⁠‌ adjusted himself so‌ as not to‌⁠ interfere with the⁠⁠ crossbow.

All‌‌ that was left‌ was to carry⁠⁠⁠ the trap.

“Why⁠⁠ is this so⁠‌ big?”

Every⁠ time I see⁠ it I think—it’s⁠‍ huge.

Two⁠⁠ or three of‍⁠⁠ the fish I had caught before‌‍ could easily fit‍‍ inside.

Just thinking about installing‍ it gave me a headache, but‍ there was no‌ other option.

This‌ way I can‍⁠ secure food without‌ worrying in the‌⁠‌ future.

From‌‍ now on, the‍ pills will be‍ only for the⁠⁠ sloth.

Shhhhhh—‍

Upon reaching the river,⁠ a heavy feeling came over me.‍

How⁠ long will it‍ take me to‍⁠‌ install this?

And on top of⁠ that, there’s the‌ threat of the golden frogs.

First,⁠⁠ I had to‍ eliminate that danger.‍

“Hey,⁠⁠ get down. Let’s‌⁠ get ready.”

“……”‌‍

The‍ sloth slowly got⁠‌ down.

I put my hand⁠⁠ in the water‌‍ to lure the‌ golden frogs.

Splash! Splash!

“Ribbit.”⁠

“Ribbit,⁠ ribbit.”

Just‍‌‌ as expected, a group of golden‍ frogs jumped out⁠‌‌ of the water.‍⁠

There‍ was only one‍ thing left to⁠ do.

Thud!‌

While⁠‌ the sloth drew⁠ their attention, I fired the crossbow.⁠‍

The first time was⁠⁠‍ difficult, but after‌ that it became⁠‌⁠ easy.

The⁠ hunt was simple.‌

‘He‍ really is incredible.’⁠

The⁠ sloth’s evasion is‍⁠ absurd.

The poison of those‌ frogs kills with a single hit,‌‍ and he still‌‍‍ dodges it head-on.‌‌⁠

I’m‍⁠ too much of⁠ a coward to⁠ do something like‌‌ that.

Only‍ he can.

Splash!‍ Splash!

Shortly⁠ after, the frogs‌‌ returned to the‍ river.

Unlike⁠‍ before, they no‌ longer fired poison‍‍‌ continuously.

It‍ seems it’s not‍ infinite, but works⁠‌ on a recharge‌‌⁠ basis.

‘They‌ say those animals⁠⁠ absorb poison from⁠‌⁠ other beings.’

If‍‌ they don’t eat‌‍ poisonous creatures, they‌ would just be⁠‌ normal frogs.

Anyway,⁠ with the frogs⁠⁠ out of the‍‍ way, all that⁠ remained was to‌⁠ install the trap.‍

I had to widen‍‌ the hose area‌‌ a bit and‌ place it there.‌

I had hunted beforehand‍‌ because I was⁠ definitely going to‍ have to put‌ my feet in⁠ the water.

Since⁠‍ I was wearing‌⁠ sandal-type footwear, I had no problem⁠ stepping in.

‘I⁠⁠ hope a giant⁠ fish doesn’t come‍ and swallow me…’‌

I kept nervously looking⁠ around.

This⁠ place is far too dangerous to⁠⁠‍ lower my guard.‌

Even⁠ so, no giant‍ fish came to‌⁠ devour me.

Once⁠‌ the trap was‍‌‌ installed, I immediately‍⁠ initiated a trade‍‌ with AllFather.

He⁠ was online, so‌⁠ he replied instantly.‌

[WildGrills: Hello, AllFather. I caught frogs, do‍ you want them?‌‌⁠ The poison sac‍ is intact.]

[AllFather:⁠ Oh. Thank you‌ very much. I think I can⁠⁠⁠ give you the‌ medicine tomorrow.]

[WildGrills:‌ Thank you. But‌‍ I wanted to ask something, may‌ I?]

[AllFather:‍ Ask whenever you‍ like. What do‍ you want to‌ know?]

[WildGrills:‌ The golden frogs‌‍‍ shoot poison and⁠ then retreat. Does‌‌ it work on⁠‌ a recharge system?]‌

[AllFather:⁠ Yes. When the⁠ poison sac is emptied, they lose‌ their attack method.‍⁠ To recharge, they must consume something⁠‍ poisonous.]

Just‍ as I thought.‌

That means there is‍‌‍ something around here⁠ with quite dangerous⁠‌ venom.

Probably‌ poisonous insects.

‘I‍ have to keep‌‌ using repellent.’

I finished the exchange‌ with AllFather and‍ returned to the⁠‌‌ cave.

Nothing‌‌ else happened along⁠⁠ the way.

When⁠ I got back,‍⁠‍ I entered the‍‌ gallery to check⁠ the time.

It⁠‍⁠ had taken quite‌ a while to⁠ install the trap,⁠ so it was‍‍‍ already past 3.‍⁠

‘I’ll‍‍⁠ train with the‌⁠ sword until night, and dinner will⁠‍ be another pill.’‍⁠

I should have brought⁠‍‍ another crab.

A bit of regret,‌‍⁠ but it’s done.‌

And⁠⁠ I don’t want⁠‍⁠ to go back⁠⁠ to the lake‌ either.

I won’t return until‌⁠ I have new‍ shoes.

That‌⁠ way I’ll avoid⁠ accidents.

[Please‌‌ help me. I opened my eyes‌‍ and I’m in⁠‌‍ the Forest of‍ Four Seasons.]

“Huh?”‌

While browsing the gallery,⁠⁠ I saw a title impossible to⁠ ignore.

Someone‌ claimed to have‌⁠ fallen into the⁠⁠ forest.

I entered quickly.

Title)‌ Please help me.‍‍‌ I opened my‍ eyes and I’m⁠‌ in the Forest⁠‍ of Four Seasons.⁠⁠

Public⁠‌ bath on Menesil‍‍‌ Street, Duchy of‌‌ Danos, third men’s⁠ stall. Please. There’s‌ no paper.

ㄴLMAO what bait, I rushed in as⁠ soon as I saw it

ㄴMe‌ too lol I thought it was⁠‌ the second Grills⁠‍

ㄴNormally⁠ I’d ignore it,⁠‌ but because of⁠ Grills I came⁠⁠ in

ㄴAh‌⁠ right, in the‌‌ Forest of Four‌ Seasons the gallery‌ doesn’t even work⁠‍ lol

ㄴThanks‌‌ to that unknown‌⁠‍ hero I survived.⁠ For me, that‌ bathroom was the⁠‌ Forest of Four⁠‌ Seasons

ㄴConfirmed,‍⁠ that really is‌‍⁠ the forest lol

ㄴNo‌ way to deny‍⁠ it fr

ㄴNot‍⁠ even Grills could‍⁠‌ argue that lol‌‌

“……”⁠

Yeah.⁠

As‌ long as you’ve⁠‌‍ gotten out of‍‍ the Forest of‍‍ Four Seasons, everything’s‍⁠ fine.

***

The⁠ night in the⁠‍‍ forest is silent.‍

The‍ sound of insects⁠ chirping and the‌‌ distant howling of‌‍ wolves aside from‌ that, it is‌ perfect for closing‌‌ your eyes.

At‍ the same time, the night in‍⁠ the forest is⁠‍ extremely dangerous.

A darkness where you can’t see even‍ a step ahead,‌‌‍ and beasts that‍‌ can appear from anywhere.

In‌‍ nature, herbivores can’t‍⁠ even sleep properly.‌

They‌ desperately cling to‌ life to avoid‌⁠‍ the death that‌⁠‍ lurks.

Crack—⁠⁠

The⁠‌‌ sound of a branch being stepped‍‌‍ on.

And with that sound,‍ the constant chirping‍‍ of insects stopped⁠ abruptly.

It‍ was a very‌‍ subtle change, but⁠ even the insects‍‍ knew.

A dangerous predator was‌‍⁠ walking.

And‌ that predator was‌ heading toward a cave where the‍ campfire was about‍ to go out.⁠⁠⁠

Even‌‍ a small campfire,‍ in the middle⁠⁠ of that absolute⁠‍ darkness, was like‍‌ sunlight.

That it would attract‍‍ the attention of‍ a beast was nothing strange.

“Grr…”‍‌

The‌‍⁠ growl of a beast that had‌‍ entered its territory.‍

It‍‌‌ was low, almost⁠‍ imperceptible but there‍ was a creature that reacted immediately.‍

It‌‍ was not the‌‍ human deeply asleep.‌

Nor‍ the small owlbear‍‍ that still needed‌‌ protection.

“……”

It⁠ was the sloth,⁠‌ a creature that‍ could be devoured‌ at any moment.⁠

The⁠ sloth slowly opened‍ his eyes.

He⁠ had sensed a presence outside and‍ it was not‍ normal.

The‌‍ sloth, no longer slow, got up.

Crack—⁠

“……”⁠⁠⁠

This⁠ time he heard⁠ it clearly.

The sound of a branch breaking.

The sloth turned his‍‌‍ head.

The‍‍ human was still‌‍‌ sleeping deeply.

Without‌ any sign of⁠‌ alertness.

He‍ found it pathetic,‌‌ but still he⁠ was his companion.‍‌

So‍ he raised his arm to wake‍ him.

Thud!‍

“Ugh!”‍

Grills‌ woke up startled‍‍ after receiving a direct hit to‌⁠‌ the face.

Even‌ if he was‌ deeply asleep, the⁠ pain woke him‍ up.

He sat up with‌⁠ his mind still‍⁠‍ hazy.

“W-what? What happened?”

“……”‍⁠‌

The⁠‌ sloth silently pointed⁠‌ toward the cave⁠‌ entrance.

Following‍‍‌ that direction, Grills‍ turned his head,⁠‍ still confused.

“Grrr…”

“……”⁠

What⁠⁠‍ was that sound?‌⁠

Grills‌ was stunned.

But‍⁠‌ it didn’t take long for him to realize.

It‍⁠ was a beast‌‌‌ and a dangerous‌‌ one.

‘Damn‍ it…!’

He⁠‌ cursed inwardly as⁠ he quickly equipped⁠ himself.

Dangerous.

Very‍⁠ dangerous.

That‍‍ was the only‍ thought in his‌ mind.

Once⁠ half-prepared, he slowly‍ stepped out of‍ the cave.

The‌‌ sloth climbed onto⁠ his back, ready‍⁠ to fight at‌ any moment.

And‍ then, something appeared‌‌ in his field⁠‌ of vision.

Flash—‌

In⁠‍ the middle of‍‌ the absolute darkness,‌‌⁠ a pair of‌ lights shone with‍ a sinister intent.‍‍

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Chapter 52: Night Raid (1)

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