Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 54: The Tiger is Dead (1)

Chapter 54: The Tiger is Dead (1)

I dreamed after a long time.

It⁠‌ wasn’t a dream⁠⁠ of flying freely⁠⁠ through the sky, but a dream⁠ of when I lived at home.‍

They weren’t exactly normal⁠ days my parents died in an⁠ accident when I was a child,‍ so I had⁠ to live alone.‍‌‍

I didn’t want to⁠ depend on my‌ relatives.

They‌‌ were good people,‍ but I felt‌‍⁠ like I would‌‍ be a burden‌‍ to them.

Besides,‌ they weren’t in‍⁠ a good situation‍‍⁠ either, so I couldn’t ask them‌‍ for help.

In fact, I felt⁠‍ guilty, so I barely contacted them.

I simply survived on‌ my own, however‌ I could.

There⁠ wasn’t a part-time‌ job I didn’t⁠⁠ do, and I couldn’t properly attend‌ school either.

I barely managed to meet the attendance‍ requirement, but it⁠ was enough for‌⁠‍ me to drift⁠ away.

University⁠‍ wasn’t even an‍ option.

After⁠‌ that, my memories become blurry, as⁠‍ if covered by⁠‌ fog.

I only focused on‌ surviving.

Even‌‍ with such a messed-up life maybe it was just‌⁠ about not dying.⁠

“Park⁠⁠‌ Jonghyuk, we’re fine,⁠ why don’t you⁠ come live with‌‍ us?”

“Hey,⁠‌ Park Jonghyuk. When you finish work,‌‍ let me know.‌ Let’s go to‍⁠‌ the cyber café.‍‍ Don’t have money?‌‍⁠ I’ll cover some.”⁠‌

“Do⁠⁠⁠ you like soccer?‌ Or baseball?”

“You‍‍ worked well, so‌ I’ll give you‍ more. People like‍ you aren’t seen‍ much these days.”⁠‍‌

I had what you’d‌ call good luck‍ with people.

My‌‍‌ relatives truly cared‌⁠⁠ about me, my⁠‌⁠ friends were considerate,‍ and the bosses at my jobs‌ paid me well,⁠‍ probably out of⁠ pity.

If‌‍ they showed me⁠ so much kindness‍ shouldn’t I return⁠⁠ it?

That’s‍‌ the bare minimum‌‍ as a person.

I lived with that⁠‍ mindset.

The‌ military wasn’t a problem either.

I just had to‍ do what I was told.

For⁠ someone who had‌‌⁠ nothing, a structured life was more‍‌⁠ comfortable.

I even thought about‍ staying for life but since I was lost, I gave it up.‌⁠‌

If‌⁠⁠ I had done‍‍ it, what would‌‍ have happened?

There’s⁠ no point in‌ thinking about it.‌

‘God‍ you’re quite strange.’⁠⁠

I wasn’t religious, but‍⁠‍ I didn’t deny⁠⁠ his existence either.⁠‌⁠

When‍‍ things went badly,⁠ I cursed him.⁠‍⁠

When⁠⁠‌ they went well, I believed in‌‍ him.

Or I looked for⁠ him in moments of crisis.

I guess that’s human‍⁠ instinct.

‘For‍‌⁠ me, the people‍ who help me‌ are God.’

Whoever‌‍‍ helps someone in‌ trouble that’s a god, at least⁠ for me.

Even here, in this‌‍ forest, people I don’t even know‌ helped me without‌‌ asking for anything‍⁠‍ in return.

They‌ are bonds I cannot lose.

Kindness⁠⁠‍ for kindness.

Gratitude⁠‌⁠ for gratitude.

And⁠ more than receiving‍ first I want‍ to be the‍ one who gives.‍⁠‍

Even‌‌ if they don’t give anything back,‍‍ it doesn’t matter.⁠

Even‌ if they call‌ me a fool.‍⁠‌

Because‍‍ otherwise, those who‍‌ helped me would⁠‍ end up looking‌ like idiots.

At‌ least, that’s what I think.

“Ugh…”‍

I opened my eyes‍‍ with difficulty.

My‌‍ vision was blurry,⁠‍ so I had‌‌ to blink several⁠‍ times.

‘Where…?’‍

My‌‍ mind wasn’t reacting‍ well.

First,⁠ I looked at‌‍ what was in front of me.⁠

Little⁠ by little, my vision cleared and I saw an intensely blue sky.‌

Clouds‌ floating softly.

I thought how beautiful.‍‌‌

‘Why⁠ is the sky…? I… what was‌⁠ I…?’

As‌‌ soon as I thought that, something⁠⁠ appeared in my⁠‌ view.

A calm expression almost⁠‌‌ foolish.

But strangely adorable.

I stared at it‍‍ and immediately understood⁠⁠‍ who it was.‍

“Why are you here—”‌

I didn’t finish the‌‌ sentence.

The‍ memories came back‌⁠ like lightning.

The⁠ night attack.

The brutal fight against‌ the giant tiger.‍⁠

Claws‌⁠ tearing my flesh.‌⁠

Fangs piercing my body.

And finally when I crushed its head,⁠ but collapsed while‌‌‌ confirming its death.⁠

Everything⁠ came back at‍ once.

“Aaah!‍‌ Ugh…!”

I got up abruptly,‍ but the pain all over my‍‌ body, especially in‍ my right shoulder,‍⁠ forced me to⁠‌ fall again.

Of‍ course my shoulder‍ had been destroyed.⁠

I couldn’t even give‌‌ myself first aid.

With⁠‍ fear, I looked at my right‌‍‌ shoulder.

“Huh?”‌‌

But‍ it was intact.‌

The‌ uniform was torn⁠‌‍ to shreds by⁠‌⁠ the bite, but⁠ the flesh underneath‍ was completely fine.‍⁠

But‌ what…?

Then⁠⁠‌ I saw a glass bottle on‌‍‍ the ground.

It‍ was the bottle⁠‌ of the elixir‌ that StarlightPrincess gave‌⁠ me.

“…Did⁠ you use it?”

I asked the sloth.‍

“…..”‌

The‌⁠ sloth just looked‍ at me with‍‌ his usual dumb⁠ expression.

But‍‌‌ that was enough‌‌ of an answer.⁠

“Pfft…”‍

A laugh slipped out.‍‍

How⁠⁠ many times has he saved me⁠‍ already?

If‌ it weren’t for‍ him, I wouldn’t‍‌ have survived.

‘And⁠⁠ the tiger…’

If⁠ the sky looks‍‍‍ like this, it’s⁠ already morning.

And if I’m still⁠ alive then the⁠ tiger is dead.⁠

I turned my head with difficulty.

There‌ it was.

The‌‍ enormous body of‌ the tiger, fallen‌‌‍ like a house.⁠‌

Not‌ moving.

Definitely‌ dead.

I let out a sigh of relief.‍‍

‘The‌ time…’

From‌⁠ the light in‌ the sky, it‍ was already quite‌ late in the morning.

I frowned and got⁠ up unsteadily.

I should stay still,⁠‌ but at least⁠‌⁠ I wanted to‌ lie down somewhere‌⁠‍ comfortable.

‘And‍ Wonmo?’

When⁠‌ I reached the‌⁠‍ cave, he wasn’t⁠‌ there.

He‍ wasn’t by my‍ side asking for‍ food he had‍‍ disappeared.

A bad feeling ran⁠ through me.

“Wonmo!⁠ Wonmo, where are‌ you!”

“Kyu?”

He‍ answered from behind.‌⁠

I turned, but he wasn’t there.

I called again.

“Wonmo?”‌⁠

“Kyuu.”‍⁠

This‌‌‌ time I heard‌‌ him clearly.

But‌ it was coming‌ from the tiger’s‍⁠ side.

For a moment I was confused, but‍ I soon understood‌ why.

“Kyuu…”‍‍‌

Behind‍ the fallen tiger,⁠⁠‌ Wonmo appeared.

He‌‍‍ didn’t jump, but‍‌ climbed with effort,‍ crawling.

It⁠ was pathetic but‍‍ also adorable.

I smiled fondly at‌ the sight, but‍ immediately noticed something‍ strange.

“Wonmo.⁠‌‌ What is that⁠‍ in your mouth?‍‌⁠ Isn’t that blood?”⁠⁠

“Kyuu!”⁠

Wonmo⁠ responded energetically, smiling widely.

Yes,‍‌⁠ it was blood.⁠‌

Something‍ started to give‍‍ me a bad⁠ feeling.

I asked carefully.

“Where‌‌‍ did you get‌ dirty? Don’t tell‍⁠ me it’s from‌ the tiger?”

“Kyuu!”⁠

Wonmo hit the ground‌ that is, the‌ tiger with his‍ front paw.

I had no choice‍ but to rub my face in‌⁠ frustration.

While‌ I was unconscious,‌ he must have‍ been eating the tiger’s corpse.

The‌ neck was practically‍ destroyed, so he‌‌ probably ate mostly that part.

I let out a heavy sigh and‌⁠ told him.

“Well.⁠ Eat in moderation.⁠⁠ Your stomach is‍‌ going to burst.”

“Kyuu.”⁠

Wonmo answered yes.

I’ve already confirmed that‍ Wonmo is fine, so I returned‍‌⁠ to the cave.‌

Then⁠‌ I lay down⁠‌ on the soft‌ mat to calm my body and⁠ mind.

‘Ah… right. The time.’

I immediately entered the‌⁠ gallery.

I hoped it was still early.

[10‍‌ unread messages]

As⁠ soon as I entered, the notification‍ appeared.

The‌‍ only person I have private chat‍ with is HeavenlyDemon.‍

They‍ were surely messages‍‌ from her.

‘It’s‌ already past noon…’⁠

No‌‌ wonder Wonmo was‌‌ eating the tiger’s corpse.

More‌‍ time had passed‌ than I thought.‌

Well‍ after that fight,⁠⁠ it’s not strange‍⁠ to have been unconscious that long.⁠

Besides, if the sloth⁠ hadn’t used the‌ elixir, I would‌⁠‌ have bled to‍ death.

‘First I’ll reply to‍ HeavenlyDemon.’

I was curious about‍‍ the gallery, but‌‌ replying to her‌ was a priority.

I opened the notification and entered the⁠ private chat.

[HeavenlyDemon:‌⁠ Young one. It’s morning and there‌‌ is no news‍ from you.]

[HeavenlyDemon:⁠‌ If you went‌⁠‌ to sleep late yesterday, I understand.]⁠

[HeavenlyDemon:‍⁠‍ Young one. You⁠ are waking up‍⁠ too late.]

[HeavenlyDemon:⁠‌ Young one?]

[HeavenlyDemon:‌ You haven’t even‍‍ connected to the‌‌ gallery.]

[HeavenlyDemon:‌‍‍ Has something happened⁠‍ to you?]

[HeavenlyDemon:‍ If you see‍⁠‌ this, respond.]

[HeavenlyDemon:‍ Young one. It‍ is already noon.‌ Did something really⁠ happen?]

Messages‍ full of concern.⁠‌

She worries too much‍⁠ about me.

I felt a bit‌⁠ embarrassed, but I replied to reassure⁠ her.

[WildGrills:⁠⁠ I’m sorry, HeavenlyDemon.⁠‌ Last night I was attacked by‌‍ a huge tiger and lost consciousness.]‍

[HeavenlyDemon: A huge tiger?⁠‍‍ How big was‍ it?]

[WildGrills:‌‌⁠ Its eye level‍ was more than‍⁠ a head above‌‌‌ mine.]

[HeavenlyDemon: Worthy of being‍ called the king‌ of the mountain.‌⁠ Are you alright?]

[WildGrills:‍ It tore holes‌ in my body,‍⁠ I almost died.‌ The sloth used‌‌ the elixir and‍‍ saved me.]

[HeavenlyDemon:‌ What a relief.‌ Were you unconscious for a long⁠ time?]

[WildGrills:⁠‌ Yes, I think‍‌ so. It still‌‍ hurts where it‍ bit me.]

[HeavenlyDemon:⁠‌⁠ If you wish,‍ I can send⁠⁠ you a herb⁠‌ with a strong‌ analgesic effect.]

[WildGrills:‌⁠ It’s fine. I can use the‍ elixir. For now,‍‌ I want to‍‌ rest.]

[HeavenlyDemon:⁠⁠ After an intense⁠⁠ battle, the most important thing is rest. Rest well.‌⁠ I always knew you would return.]‍⁠‍

[WildGrills:‍‌ Thank you. I’ll⁠ post in the⁠‍ gallery later.]

I ended the conversation‌ with her words of concern and‍ encouragement.

I moved with difficulty‌ on the mat⁠ and approached the elixir.

My‌ whole body hurt,‍‍ and I didn’t‌‍ know if the‍‍ sloth had applied‍ it properly.

His⁠ claws were not⁠‌ exactly suited for‍‍ delicate work.

Glup—⁠‍

I took a sip⁠‌ of the elixir‌‍ and began removing my clothes slowly.⁠⁠⁠

The⁠‍ dried blood and‍‍ wounds made even⁠⁠ taking off my‍ clothes painful.

‘It⁠ seems it regenerated even internally.’

The⁠ uniform blocked the⁠‍ tiger’s claws but‌ not its fangs.‍‍

It‍⁠ had holes everywhere, so it would‍ no longer function‍ properly.

Even‍ so, the fact‌⁠ that a simple⁠‌ garment endured that‌ much was incredible.⁠

‘So‌ it wasn’t a joke that adventurers⁠ wear uniforms.’

I took off the‍‍ uniform and examined‍ my body.

Not even the elixir⁠ completely healed serious‌ wounds.

The‍ scars were deep.‍‍‍

Especially‍ where the fangs‌ had bitten.

There,⁠‍ the scar was⁠ much more pronounced.

Just‌⁠‍ in case, I poured elixir over‍⁠ the wound.

The‌ smaller scars improved,‍‌ but the fang‌ wound did not‍‍ change.

‘I’ll‌ apply it to⁠‍ other areas too.’‍⁠‌

To‌‍‌ prevent infection, I put elixir on⁠‍ all the wounds.⁠

After⁠⁠ a while, I finished and closed⁠ the bottle.

The‍‍‌ pain in my‌‌ shoulder began to‌ subside.

Before, I could barely stand now at‌‌⁠ least I could‌‍ walk.

‘If‌ it weren’t for‍⁠ the elixir, it⁠‍‍ would have been‌⁠ the end.’

I felt deeply grateful‍⁠ to StarlightPrincess.

Then I entered the gallery to report‌ that I was‌⁠ still alive.

[Where is Grills? Did‍⁠ he die?]

[He’s⁠‌ not actually dead,‌‌ is he?]

[Grills, come back.]

When‌ I entered, many‍ people were asking‍‌ about me.

There‍ were some strange⁠ comments, but they‍ were quickly deleted.⁠

The⁠‌ moderators or HeavenlyDemon‍ probably banned them.‌⁠

Now it was my‍‍ turn to report my status.

Title)‍ I’m still alive

WildGrills⁠

(photo‌⁠‍ of shoulder with‌ severe scar)

(photo‍‌⁠ of body covered‌ in blood)

It’s‌‌ me.

Last‍‌‍ night a huge‍ tiger came and‍⁠‍ I almost died;;⁠⁠

I was unconscious for‌‌ more than 10‍ hours and just⁠‍ woke up.

The⁠⁠ scar is from‌ when the tiger‍ bit me.

Today‌‍‌ I’m not going⁠‍ to do anything.‍

I’m‌ going to rest.‌ My whole body‌ hurts too much;;‌‌‌

ㄴSwordmaster)⁠‍ You’re still alive. Tigers are aggressive‌ and difficult… it‌‌ was truly dangerous.‌‌⁠

ㄴWildGrills)‍⁠ I almost shit‌⁠ myself from fear.⁠

ㄴSwordmaster)⁠‌‌ In the end,‌ no one was⁠‍ watching you lol. Even if you‍‍ did, it would‌‍‍ be understandable.

ㄴWildGrills) Have you hunted‌ tigers before?

ㄴSwordmaster)⁠⁠ Yes. One quite⁠⁠ large.

ㄴWildGrills)‍⁠‌ I’ll upload the‌‌ tiger I hunted‍‌ later. It’s huge, really.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‌‌ Hey. So you‍‍ can’t give me‌‌ the crab today?‌

ㄴWildGrills)‌⁠ Yeah, probably not.⁠⁠ I’m really sorry;;‌‌ if I go‌ there again, I think I’ll die.‍‌

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‌⁠ Then give it to me at‍‍‌ least tomorrow. I can give you‍‍ the shoes soon.⁠⁠⁠

ㄴWildGrills)‌ Thx thx, you’ll‌ really get good⁠ luck. If I can get an‍ adult mandrake, I’ll⁠‍ get one.

ㄴStarlightPrincess)‍‍ The scars look⁠⁠ very serious… there’s‍ so much blood…!‍‍ Did you use⁠‌ the elixir?

ㄴWildGrills)‍‍ Yes. While I was unconscious, the⁠ sloth applied it. If not, I would’ve died for‌⁠ sure.

ㄴStarlightPrincess)‍‌‍ You talk about something so terrifying‍ like it’s nothing.⁠‍ But still… I’m‌‍ glad you’re alive.‍

ㄴWildGrills)‌ It’s thanks to⁠‌ you giving me‍‌ the elixir. Thank⁠ you very much, really.

ㄴStarlightPrincess)‌ I’m the one‌‍ who owes you⁠ my life, Mr.⁠ Grills. I hope‌⁠ you recover soon.⁠⁠‌

ㄴDemonPrincess)‍‌⁠ What happened to⁠ the uniform?

ㄴWildGrills)‍ (photo of the‌⁠ uniform torn to‌‍‍ pieces) This is how it ended‍ up. Even so, thanks to it‌ I managed to get through several⁠ dangerous situations. Thank⁠‍ you very much.

ㄴDemonPrincess)‌ Then it really‌ had a protective‍ effect! I’ll send⁠‍‍ you more uniforms‍‌ later!

ㄴWildGrills)‌‌⁠ I feel like⁠‍‌ I’m receiving too‍ much, so you‌‍ can take your‍ time. I still‌ have some left.

ㄴWhere‌ is the tiger?‌

ㄴWildGrills)⁠ I’ll upload another⁠ post later. For‍‌ now I’m going⁠‌‌ to eat first.⁠

ㄴAre‌⁠ you going to‌ sell that tiger⁠‍ too?

ㄴObviously‍ he should sell⁠ it. Butchering it‍ is a hassle‍⁠ lol

ㄴI already know you’re‍ opening your mouth⁠‍‌ to swallow it all

ㄴYou‌ got exposed lol‍

Hmm.⁠ I think differently.‌

Normally⁠‍⁠ I would have just uploaded it⁠ to the auction‍‌‍ and that’s it,‍‌ but I changed‍‌ my mind.

That⁠⁠ thing almost killed me, and it⁠ also seems its‍ skin could be‍‌ quite useful.

Especially⁠ the leather, if‍ handled properly, can‍⁠ be used for⁠ many things.

“What‌⁠ if I butcher‌‍‌ it myself?”

It’s⁠ not a bad‍‍ idea.

After‍⁠ all, Wonmo already‍‍ ate part of the meat, and‌‌ it’s also time‌‍ for me to‌ improve.

Someday‌ I’ll have to‍ do it myself,‍ so this is‍‍ a good opportunity.‌‌

ㄴWildGrills)⁠⁠‍ Nah, this time‌ I’ll butcher it myself. It’s time⁠‍ to practice.

ㄴDidn’t‌‍ you say you‍‌ were injured?

ㄴWildGrills)‌ Yeah, but I still have to⁠‌ do it. If I leave it⁠‍ like that, it’ll‌⁠‍ rot.

ㄴIf you’re going to‍⁠ do it, make‌⁠‍ sure to ask‌‌ butchers for advice.‍

ㄴListen⁠ to the guy‍‌ above. They’re all very kind people.‌ Seriously.

ㄴOtherwise,⁠ they even teach you technical knowledge⁠⁠ without any problem.⁠⁠ Though I’m not sure about tigers.‍

ㄴWildGrills)‍‍⁠ Is there any‍⁠‌ reason?

ㄴBecause if you insult⁠ them, they’ll stab⁠‌‍ you with a knife. That’s why they’re kind.

A pretty logical reason,‌⁠ so it gave‌ me even more‌ confidence.

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Chapter 54: The Tiger is Dead (1)

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