Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 6: The Forest of the Four Seasons (1)

Chapter 6: The Forest of the Four Seasons (1)

Human,‌ Park Jonghyuk.

Overcoming‌‌⁠ the greatest crisis‌ of his life.⁠

Thanks‌‍⁠ to DwarfPassingBy, I managed to overcome⁠ a huge crisis,‍⁠ but everything was⁠ not resolved yet.

I did not know⁠⁠ what effect those weird chocoball-like balls had, but my⁠‌ stomach still hurt.‍

And it was not⁠ normal pain. It‌ was a stomachache‍ for taking a shit.

‘I‍‍ don’t think Heavenly‍⁠⁠ Demon gave me‌‍‌ something spoiled.’

It⁠ could be bitter,‍ but it did⁠⁠‍ not smell rotten,‍‌ so it definitely‌⁠‍ was not damaged.‌⁠

My⁠‍‍ body simply did not accept it‍ well.

In⁠‌ the end, shit⁠⁠ is nothing more‍⁠ than waste from‌ the body, so it did not‍ mean there was‍‍ a serious problem.‍‍

In‍‍ fact, what is⁠ truly dangerous is‍ when nothing comes‍ out, because that‌ means you have‍‌ not eaten.

Besides,‍‌‌ it was not‍⁠ diarrhea, so there⁠ was no immediate‌‍ risk of dehydration.⁠

For‌‍‌ now, it could‌ be taken as a simple incident.‍

‘First‌ I will wait for Heavenly Demon‌‌ to send me⁠⁠ the rest.’

I stored the toilet⁠‌ paper that DwarfPassingBy⁠⁠ gave me in‍ a corner.

That⁠ paper was also different from what I knew.

The‍⁠⁠ texture was rougher,‍⁠ and it absorbed⁠⁠ poorly, so wiping⁠‌ was torture.

Even⁠⁠ so, better to⁠ have it than⁠⁠ to have nothing.‌‌‍

Paper‌ is useful for⁠ many things.

‘By⁠‌ the way, where‌‍ the hell am⁠ I?’

I was not referring⁠ only to the‌‍ forest, but to⁠ the world in general.

There‍ is no internet,‌‌ but there is‍⁠ a gallery.

And‌ on top of⁠ that, it floats⁠ in the air like a status‍‌ window.

There were too many‍⁠ strange things.

After⁠‌ thinking for a bit, I decided⁠⁠‌ to start by‍⁠ understanding the structure‌⁠ of this world.‌

There‌ were several races,‍‌ so it was‌‌ best to know⁠‌‌ them in advance.‌

‘Broadly⁠ speaking humans, elves,‌ dark elves, beastmen, demons, and dwarves.’

There⁠ were four human countries, one mixed,⁠‍‍ and the rest‍ were single-race.

There were also territories‍ that were not‍‌ even recognized as⁠⁠‌ countries.

Most‌ were inhabited by‌‌ humans.

I did not know‌‌ why there were‍ so many humans,‍ but I would⁠⁠‌ find out.

Before⁠‍ details, I needed‌‍⁠ basic knowledge.

That⁠ way they would⁠‌ not treat me‌⁠ like a madman‍‍ when I went‌⁠‌ outside.

Title)‌‌ Pointy-ears, get in⁠⁠ here

Fuck,‌‍⁠ stop cutting down⁠‌ trees and plant‍⁠ some too.

Because‌ of you the‍‍⁠ rest of us⁠⁠‍ have to suffer‍ more.

ㄴLetsPlantTrees) Why? If there‌‍‌ are more trees‍‌‍ in the world,⁠ there are more‌ resources. Isn’t that‍‍ a good thing?⁠⁠

ㄴThose⁠‌‌ bastards cut down‌ all our trees‌⁠ and only plant‌ theirs

ㄴAnd⁠ then they say⁠‌ those trees are‍ theirs and that‍‍ it’s their territory ㅡㅡ

ㄴAverage⁠‍ pointy-ears hahaha

ㄴLetsPlantTrees)‍ We do not‍ cut down indiscriminately.‌⁠ We only plant‍‌ in suitable lands.‍ That is even drawn on the‍‍ World Tree map!‍⁠

ㄴIsn’t‍ anyone going to‍‌ kill those pointy-ears?‍ They won’t even‌ listen when you‍ talk to them?⁠

ㄴYou⁠ can’t. The elf‌⁠‍ queen is crazy,‍ she doesn’t reason⁠‌

ㄴIsn’t⁠‍ this really going‍‌‌ to end in‍ war?

ㄴBut‌ at least the‍‍ elf queen has a brain and⁠ does not cross‌ certain lines hahaha‍

It‍‍ was curious how⁠ elves were treated.‌‌

The⁠‍ elves I knew⁠⁠ loved nature and were proud and⁠ elegant.

But‌‍ according to the⁠‍⁠ gallery they were basically the most⁠ hated race in‌ the world.

Title)⁠‍ Typical traits of‍‍ pointy-ears

Before⁠‌⁠ they went around⁠ saying they were⁠ superior and other‌‍ races beat them‌ up
Then‍⁠ they conspired behind⁠‌ the scenes and⁠ got beaten again‌‍

Now‌ they go around‌‌‍ planting trees secretly‌ and get caught‌ and get beaten‌‌ again these guys⁠‌‌ never learn?

ㄴWatch‌ what you say,‍⁠ we fought against‍‍ the whole world‍ in the past‌

ㄴAnd⁠‌ you lost to‌ humans, want to‌ lose again?

ㄴHahahaha⁠‌⁠

ㄴLetsPlantTrees)‍ We do not‌ want to fight.‌‍ We are a race that loves‍‌⁠ peace

ㄴThen‍ why do you‌‍ throw a fit‌ when territory is‍ mentioned?

ㄴLetsPlantTrees)‍ Because originally those lands were ours.‌⁠‌ Isn’t it normal‌ to reclaim them?‌‌

ㄴAh,‍⁠ fuck hahaha

ㄴFrom‍‌ their point of⁠⁠‌ view it’s not⁠ wrong. They are‌‌ a long-lived race‌‌

ㄴFor‌‍‌ humans it would⁠ be like something‌ from 10 years‌‍ ago

ㄴThese⁠‌ youngsters lately… causing⁠‌‌ problems… I am truly sorry…

ㄴAh,‌ grandpa, it must⁠ have been hard‌

ㄴThey‍ say the Grand‍ Council suffers because‌ of the elf⁠‌‌ queen hahaha

ㄴShouldn’t‍ it be the⁠ other way around‍⁠ normally?

ㄴThe queen is quite‌ crazy.

ㄴIn⁠ the face of‌ pure madness, no‌‌ argument works, yes‌‍

Hmm⁠‍ better leave it‌ there.

When‍‍ I go outside,⁠⁠‌ it is better‌ not to mess‌ with elves if‌ I can avoid⁠ it.

That⁠ user LetsPlantTrees appeared⁠ in every post‌‍‍ about elves.

From‌‌ the number of‍ people who knew⁠⁠ him, he must‌ be a famous‌‌ user, like Heavenly⁠⁠ Demon or SwordTasteMaster.⁠

But‍ since he was‌‍ disliked, he never‌⁠ received much support.‌⁠

‘This‌⁠‌ is enough. Better‍ check fencing.’

For‌‌ someone like me,‌ surviving was the⁠⁠⁠ most important thing.⁠

Besides, without a compass‌ I could not move much.

I opened SwordTasteMaster’s posts,‌ starting from the⁠ basics.

Title) You can do‌‌‌ it too! Basic‌⁠ fencing class 1

SwordTasteMaster‌

Before‍⁠ getting into the‍ subject, if you‌‌⁠ still do not know how to‍ fight, it is better to carry⁠‍ a sword and⁠ shield.

Learn‍‌ to fight first,‌ then focus on‍⁠⁠ fencing.

That⁠‍‌ it does not⁠⁠⁠ look elegant?

If you show off‍‌ without knowing, you⁠ can die like an idiot.

Right⁠ now you know⁠ nothing, so shut‌‍‍ up and use⁠ a shield.

Also,⁠ if you cannot‍‌‍ use mana, I recommend learning a mana cultivation method⁠‍ first.

All‍ very well, but.‌‍⁠

And‍ how the hell‍‍ do you cultivate mana?

I blinked.

I knew that mana‌⁠ existed, and that‍⁠ with it people⁠‍ became strong.

But⁠‍ nothing more.

I had no idea⁠‌ where that method was learned.

‘Not‌ even the pinned⁠‍ posts are useful…’

I scratched my head.‍⁠

The gallery was useful,‌ but chaotic.

Except‍⁠ for pinned posts,⁠⁠ auctions and trade,‍‍ there was no classification at all.⁠

I needed to contact‌‍ someone like SwordTasteMaster.⁠

Searching‍‍‌ blindly was inefficient.‌⁠‌

‘There‌‍ are about 30‍ minutes left before‍ I can trade⁠‍ with Heavenly Demon‍‌ again.’

That‍‍ was something good‍ about the gallery‍‍⁠ you could measure⁠ time.

Posts‍‍ kept regenerating nonstop, so time was‍ noticeable only through‌ that.

Although‍ there were too‌ many.

It⁠⁠⁠ was strange that‌‌ my posts did⁠‌ not get lost⁠ in the tide.‍‌

Title)‌⁠⁠ Does anyone know‍‍ how to cultivate⁠ mana?

WildGrills‌

TL;DR‌

‘Is⁠ it because I use a fixed‍⁠⁠ nickname?’

I thought that after‍ posting.

Most‍‌⁠ were anonymous; fixed‍‍⁠ users were few.‌⁠

It⁠⁠‍ made sense.

The⁠⁠ gallery thrives on‌‍ anonymity.

Using‌⁠ a fixed nickname⁠‌ is giving up⁠ half of it.‍

If⁠ they discover you, your past is⁠ exposed forever.

While⁠⁠‍ I was thinking‍‍ about that, a notification sounded.

I opened the comment‌⁠‌ immediately.

It⁠ was Heavenly Demon.‌

ㄴHeavenly⁠⁠ Demon) Would mana‍ cultivation not be,‍‌‍ in terms of the Central Continent,‍ an internal cultivation‌ method?

ㄴYes,‍‍ that’s right

ㄴHeavenly Demon) Then, I will teach you.‍

ㄴIs⁠ the method you‌ know that good?⁠⁠

ㄴHeavenly Demon) A method‍‍ capable of breaking the heavens and‍ making the earth‌‍ tremble.

ㄴHahahaha,‍⁠ how exaggerated

ㄴSmells‌ like a scam⁠⁠⁠ hahaha

No.‍

I did not think‍ the same.

The⁠ reason was simple‍‌ the sword.

I had only wielded‌ bamboo swords in⁠‍ kendo.

And⁠⁠ even so, Heavenly‌ Demon’s sword was‍⁠ absurd.

It⁠‌ was very likely⁠‍‍ that she was⁠ equally absurd.

But,‌ ironically, precisely because‌‌ of that, I hesitated.

ㄴWildGrills)⁠‍⁠ I feel like‌‍ I’m receiving too⁠ much is that‍‍ okay?

ㄴHeavenly‌‌ Demon) You are⁠ my benefactor and‌⁠⁠ my destined encounter.‌ Please, let me‍ repay the favor.‌

ㄴWildGrills)⁠ A compass and‌‌ something to make⁠ fire are enough…⁠‌‌

ㄴHeavenly‌‍‍ Demon) That is‌⁠ not enough, not⁠‌‌ even close.

That‍‌ only made me‍ feel worse.

I scratched my head, uncomfortable.

The‍‌ thing with Shinwol‌‌ Youngcho or whatever⁠ it was called‌ I also found⁠‌ by pure chance, and I did‌‍ not know that‌‌⁠ Heavenly Demon was‌⁠ really in danger‌‌ either.

It⁠‍ was a chain‌ of coincidences upon⁠ coincidences that led‍ me here, and⁠⁠ that was why⁠⁠ I hesitated a little.

‘…No.‌ What right do⁠⁠ I have to‍ hesitate in my‌ current situation?’

I would accept her‍ goodwill only as⁠‍ far as my‍‌ conscience allowed.

But‌ I also must‍⁠ not abuse it.

I also had a conscience, so I intended to repay⁠ the favor somehow.‌

I wrote an affirmative⁠‍ reply.

ㄴWildGrills) All right. But‍‍‌ write it as‍ a private message. It could attract unnecessary attention

ㄴHeavenly‌ Demon) Understood. First adopt the meditation‌ posture

Meditation posture?

I tilted my head,‍‌ confused.

I knew, more or‌ less, that it‌ was a typical‌⁠‌ word from martial arts novels.

But‍‍ only that.

ㄴWildGrills)‍ What exactly is‌ the meditation posture?‌⁠

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)‍ ?

ㄴHahahahaha,‌‍‌ she was left⁠ bewildered

ㄴIsn’t⁠ this the first‍‌ time we’ve seen⁠‌ that old lady‌ surprised? Hahaha

Most‍ of the replies‌‍‍ were just to⁠⁠ make fun of⁠ her.

After⁠ a moment of‌‍⁠ hesitation, I searched the gallery.

The‍ meditation posture seemed⁠‌⁠ quite common; there⁠ were even photos.‍

I picked any post‍‍ and imitated it.

It‍ said I had‌ to place my‍ foot on my thigh.

“Gyaaaaaah!!!”⁠‌‌

A ridiculously high-pitched scream‍ came out of⁠ my mouth.

When⁠⁠‌ I tried to‍⁠ undo the posture,‌ I got more⁠⁠⁠ tangled up and‍⁠ was on the‌‌ verge of tears.⁠‍

It‍ felt as if‍ all the joints⁠ in my legs‍ were twisting at the same time.‌

I collapsed onto the‌‌ ground, trembling.

Was‌ it really mandatory⁠ to sit like‍‌ that?

I had to ask‍ Heavenly Demon.

ㄴWildGrills) Heavenly Demon. Is⁠‌ it really mandatory‌⁠ to sit like‌‌ this? It hurts like hell!

ㄴHeavenly‍ Demon) Why would‍ it hurt? I do not understand⁠

ㄴThe⁠ first time hurts,⁠‍ yeah hahaha

ㄴImprove⁠‍ your flexibility, bro‍⁠ hahaha

In‍ the end, I decided to leave mana cultivation for‌⁠ later.

Even⁠⁠ Heavenly Demon seemed‌⁠‌ genuinely confused.

I asked in the⁠‍⁠ comments if it‌ was truly mandatory‍⁠ to sit in‌ that posture to‍ cultivate mana.

ㄴIt’s⁠ an unwritten rule‌‍‌

ㄴWildGrills)‌ Unwritten rule?

ㄴYes, even if you don’t know why,‍ you just do⁠‌ it hahaha

ㄴWildGrills)‍ …

Either‍ way, I would‍ have to practice⁠‌ the posture little‍ by little.

In this situation, increasing‌⁠⁠ my flexibility all‌⁠‍ at once was impossible.

Instead,⁠ I kept reading‌‌⁠ SwordTasteMaster’s posts.

She‍ recommended carrying a shield along with‍‌ the sword.

The‌‍ content made quite⁠ a lot of‍ sense and fit my situation well,⁠‌ so I accepted⁠‍ it without issue.‌

‘The‍ problem is where‍ to get a shield.’

Cutting‌ wood and making⁠‍ one was not⁠‌ a bad idea.‌‌‍

The‌ sword was so‌‍‌ good that it⁠ compensated.

But‍‍ right now I did not even have water, so‌ cutting trees was‍‍ not efficient.

‘Ah. I should ask‍ Heavenly Demon if⁠ she can give⁠‌‌ me water too.‌ Asking for a shield would already‍ be pushing it.’⁠⁠‍

At⁠ times like this,⁠ I thought a one-on-one private chat‌‌ would be useful.⁠

I heard it used⁠ to exist, but‍⁠⁠ I did not‍‍‌ know why it‍‍ was removed.

Probably⁠ because of favoritism.‌‍

First, I placed a few of those‍⁠‌ bitter little balls⁠⁠‍ in my palm.⁠‌‌

I wanted to find‍ out what they⁠‍ were for.

Title)⁠ Heavenly Demon, what‍‌ is this thing‍ you gave me⁠ earlier called?

WildGrills⁠⁠

(Photo‌‍ of the little‍‌ balls in my palm)

Beyond‌⁠ tasting horrible, with‍⁠⁠ all due respect⁠ they are not‍‌‌ spoiled, right?

ㄴHeavenly‍⁠ Demon) They are‍ called Fasting Pills.‍‍ They are bitter, but they are⁠‌‌ not spoiled.

ㄴWildGrills)‌‌ It is not⁠ “a little” bitter‍⁠‌ exactly…

ㄴHeavenly‌ Demon) Hmm. I found them pleasant.‌‌

ㄴGrandma‍⁠⁠ taste…

ㄴWith respect, how old‍ are you?

ㄴHeavenly‍‍ Demon) I do‍ not know. In⁠ the end, age‌‍⁠ is not something⁠‍‍ important, is it?‌

ㄴOlder‌‌ people always answer⁠ like that

ㄴConfirmed, she is an old lady hahaha⁠

Maybe‍‌‌ I should be‍ a bit more‌‌ polite.

At‌ least she seemed‍‍ older than me.⁠

She‌ did not seem‍ to take it‌ to heart, but‌⁠⁠ earning her favor⁠‍ was not a bad idea.

ㄴWildGrills)‌ How many should‍ I eat per⁠ day?

ㄴHeavenly‍ Demon) Normally one‍⁠‍ is consumed per‍ meal.

“Eh…?”‌⁠

I had eaten a whole handful.

There‍⁠ would not be⁠‍ side effects, right?‍

ㄴWildGrills)‍ I ate quite‌ a lot… there⁠⁠ won’t be side‌‌ effects, right?

ㄴHeavenly⁠ Demon) I will⁠⁠ ask someone close‍⁠ and return.

ㄴNow⁠‍ your dick is going to explode‍‌ hahaha

ㄴExplosion‍ hahaha

ㄴWildGrills) Do not joke‍‌ about that, not⁠ even as a joke…

I was afraid it‍‍ might be true.‍

I was already starting⁠ to feel a strange strength in‌ my body.

Feeling‍⁠ strong sounds good,‌‌ but it was⁠ too much.

I even felt hot.‍‌‍

If⁠‍ I got sick⁠⁠ on top of⁠‍‌ that now, it‍‌ would be the‍⁠ worst.

Please,‌⁠ let nothing happen.‍⁠‍

After‍‌ a while, Heavenly‍‌ Demon came back.‌⁠

ㄴHeavenly‍ Demon) I asked someone close. There‍ are no side effects; on the⁠‌ contrary, it is‌⁠‍ beneficial. It removes‍ the impurities accumulated‌‍ in the body.‍‌⁠

ㄴWildGrills)‌‌ Impurities?

ㄴHeavenly Demon) In common‌‌ people like you,⁠ they are normally‍‍‌ expelled through feces.‌

ㄴWildGrills)‌ And the strength⁠ I feel?

ㄴHeavenly‌‌ Demon) It has‍‍⁠ effects similar to‍ an elixir, so‌ it is normal.‍‍‌

Thank⁠ goodness.

So my “Big Johnson”‍ was not going‌ to explode.

I sighed in relief,‌ placing a hand⁠⁠‍ on my chest.⁠

That‍ body heat was‌ a sign that‍‍ my body was‍ absorbing the energy.⁠

Fasting‍ Pills were a kind of emergency‍ ration, but for‍‌ me they were⁠‍ perfect.

‘If‌‍ the minimum is‍‌ one per meal,⁠ then to nourish‌ myself properly I will have to‌ eat several.’

Either‍ way, I had⁠⁠ to eat those‌⁠ bitter little balls.⁠

I was not in⁠⁠⁠ a condition to‌⁠ hunt.

And‌‍ even if I hunted, I would‌⁠ not get all‌‌ the nutrients.

ㄴOnly‍ those little balls‌‌ have elixir effects?⁠⁠ What a joke‌⁠ hahaha

ㄴHeavenly‌‍ Demon) They are⁠ Fasting Pills created⁠‌ especially for my‍ training. It is‌ natural that they‌‌ are like that.‍‍‍

ㄴThen make one for me too

ㄴHeavenly Demon) I will‍‌ make you a specially shaped Fasting‌⁠ Pill. 凸

ㄴHahahahaha‌⁠

Between‌‍ the sword and‍ this food, it⁠⁠⁠ was clear she‌ was someone of‌ high rank.

Then‍ why the hell⁠ does she use⁠ the gallery?

In‍ any case, she‌‌‌ helped me enormously.‍

If‍⁠‌ it were not‍‍ for Heavenly Demon,⁠ I would already⁠ be dead.

While‍‌⁠ browsing the gallery,‌‍ a good idea‍ occurred to me‍‌ and I made‍‍ a post.

Title)‍‌‍ How much is⁠ a Mad Dog‌ corpse worth more⁠‌ or less?

WildGrills‌‌

Would‍⁠ it be enough‌ to buy at⁠‌⁠ least a cheap‌‌‌ shield?

ㄴFor‍ a used shield⁠ it should be enough

ㄴWildGrills)‌ A new one‌⁠ is already difficult,‍‌ right?

ㄴYes, Mad Dog skin‍ is not very‍ good

ㄴWildGrills)⁠‍ About how much‌ is it worth?‍⁠‌ I want to‌ trade it

ㄴUpload‍ it to the‍⁠ auction market

ㄴWildGrills)⁠⁠ I do not need money. I am too lazy⁠⁠⁠ to carry it⁠

ㄴAh,⁠ you are a newbie. You do‌⁠ not have to⁠ carry it. It‍‍‍ is stored directly‌ in the gallery⁠

Store⁠ it?

After‍‌ reading that, I investigated a bit‍ more.

You‍‌‌ could deposit money⁠ directly into the⁠⁠ gallery, separated by⁠‍‌ coins from each country.

The‍ exchange rate was applied automatically.

The⁠‍ problem was the‍‍⁠ commission.

It‌‍ was absurdly high,‌‌‌ worse than most⁠ auction houses.

Even‍‌‌ so, the enormous‍‌‌ benefit of ignoring⁠‍ logistics made it⁠⁠ widely used.

‘So‌ I could have‍‍ uploaded the New‍ Moon Spiritual Herb‌‌ directly to the⁠ market?’

That‌‍ is why information‍⁠⁠ is important.

Even‍‍ so, I saved‍ a life and⁠‍‍ gained a valuable relationship, so I could let it‍‍ go.

Besides,‌‍‍ despite the commission, people traded a lot.

ㄴWildGrills)‌ Then where does‌⁠ that commission go?‌‍⁠ To the moderator?⁠

ㄴYes.‍⁠ Auctions, market and‍‍ all that are⁠⁠ managed by the⁠ moderator. But nobody knows what he⁠‌‍ does and he‌‍‍ is always broke‍‌

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway)‍ The commission is‌‍‌ donated to people‌ in need or‌⁠ used for the⁠ development of the‍ gallery.

The‍⁠ moderator, who had‌ been silent until now, appeared.

The‌ response conveyed good intentions.

ㄴModerator… I am also‌ a person in‍⁠ need… will you‌ give me 10,000‍‍ gold…?

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway)‍ Aaah…! Right now‍ I do not⁠‍ have money…

ㄴDo‌ not give him‌‌‍ anything, damn it⁠‌⁠

ㄴThat‍⁠ is why mods‍ are needed. Why‍⁠ do they not‍⁠ appoint mods?

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway)‌‍ I prefer to‌ do the difficult‌ things alone. Mods⁠⁠ do not receive⁠‍ a salary.

How‌‌‍ many times must‍‌‌ he have been‍‍ scammed for the⁠‌⁠ anonymous users to⁠ stop him like‍ that?

Even‌‍‌ the one pretending‌ to be poor‍⁠ was told by most not to joke about that.

Public opinion about the⁠‌⁠ admin was very‌‌ good.

By‍ the way how‍ is a moderator‍⁠⁠ chosen?

‘I‍ will look into‍‌⁠ that later.’

For‌‍ now, I will‍⁠ upload the Mad‍⁠⁠ Dog corpse to auction.

I left the cave.‌

I had left the⁠‌ corpse far away,‍ so there was⁠ no problem.

I knew the path by heart.

“Chomp.‌ Chomp. Crunch.”

“…….”⁠

Crack!⁠ Crunch!

I correct myself.

There‍⁠ was a problem.‍‌‌

A bear… no, an‌‍ owl… was eagerly‌‍‍ devouring the Mad‌‍ Dog corpse.

It⁠ had the face‌‍‍ of an owl,‍ but it was‌ bigger than a bear.

I uploaded a photo⁠ immediately.

Title)‌ What the hell‌ is this thing?‍⁠

WildGrills‌‍

(Photo‍ of something devouring‌ the Mad Dog⁠‌ corpse)

Fuck,‌ I went to⁠ get the corpse‍ and this fat thing is eating‌ it.

Does anyone know what‍⁠ it is?

ㄴAre you crazy, that‌⁠⁠ is an Owlbear

ㄴIt‌‍ is an Owlbear,‍⁠‌ yes, but what‍⁠‌ size is that?⁠⁠

ㄴFuck,‌‌ a walking house‌ hahaha

ㄴIf‌ it hits you⁠ with its claws,‌ you die instantly

So‍⁠ it was an‌ Owlbear?

As⁠⁠‌ soon as I knew what it‍ was, I stepped‍⁠ back carefully.

This is what they⁠⁠ call doing everything‍⁠ for nothing.

But⁠ at least I was still alive.⁠‌

‘Fuck,⁠⁠ I have to run now.’

Wild⁠ dogs are one‌ thing, a bear is something else⁠⁠ entirely.

It‍‍‌ was absurdly big.⁠⁠⁠

I retreated little by⁠ little, and when‍ there was enough‍ distance, I ran⁠‍ toward the cave.‍

If I had arrived⁠⁠ a little earlier‍⁠ just imagining it‌ gave me chills.‌‍

‘What‌⁠ do I do‍ now? Defend myself⁠ inside the cave?’‌⁠‍

Going‍ out is unknown⁠‍ danger.

Staying‍‌ is risking that‍‌‌ the Owlbear enters.‍⁠

I had just overcome‌ the greatest crisis⁠‌‍ of my life⁠‍⁠ and another one⁠ was already falling‍⁠‍ on me.

The⁠‍ only thing I could rely on was Heavenly Demon’s⁠‍ sword.

[Heavenly‌ Demon has requested⁠‍⁠ a trade. Accept?]

While‌ I was trembling⁠⁠ with anxiety, Heavenly Demon sent a request.

Judging⁠‍ by the time,‌ it was expected.⁠

I hurriedly accepted.

The⁠‍ familiar window appeared.⁠

[Heavenly‌ Demon has registered trade items.]

[Heavenly‌ Demon: Here is‍‌ the compass and⁠‌ the ignition stone‍ you asked for.‍⁠ The stone can⁠ be charged with‌ internal energy.]

[WildGrills:⁠ Thank you. But‍‍‍ I do not know how to‌‌‌ use internal energy‍‍ is there another‍ option?]

[Heavenly‍ Demon: Eh? You⁠ do not know‌ how to use‌ it and yet‌⁠ you access the⁠ gallery? The same⁠ with the meditation posture how strange.]‌‌

From‍‌ her words, to‌ access the gallery‍‌ you normally had‍ to know how‍ to use mana.‍‌‍

I did not know‍‌ how to explain⁠ it either.

I opened my eyes‌ and the world‌ was already broken.⁠‍

Explaining‌‌ everything was impossible,‍ so I answered‍ first.

[WildGrills: It is complicated‍ to explain. Besides, there is no‍‌‍ time.]

[Heavenly‍‌‍ Demon: Hmm. All‍ right. In any⁠ case, the stone⁠ works with a button, so you‌‌⁠ will be able‌ to use it.‌ Do you need‍‍ anything else?]

[WildGrills:‍ With permission… could⁠⁠ you also give me some water…?]⁠

[Heavenly‍ Demon: If it⁠‌‍ is your request,⁠ with pleasure.]

[WildGrills:⁠‌⁠ Oh. Thank you⁠‍ very much!]

I accepted the trade.⁠⁠

On⁠ the ground appeared⁠ the supplies a compass, an ignition‌‌ stone and a large canteen.

Everything‍ had an oriental design.

First‍ I checked the‌ stone.

‘The⁠‍ button is here.’‌

Whoosh.⁠‍‍

When‍ I pressed it,⁠⁠ a small flame‌ sprang up at‍ the edge.

Enough.

Then‌ I took the‍⁠ compass.

With‍‌ a compass, escaping‍‍‌ would be much‍⁠⁠ easier.

People⁠ get lost in‍⁠ forests because they do not know⁠‍ how to orient‍ themselves.

With‍⁠ this everything.

“Eh?”‌

It‍ would be solved.⁠‍

But‌‌ something did not add up.

I opened my eyes⁠ wide.

The⁠‍ compass, which should stay fixed, was‍‌ spinning nonstop.

Had⁠⁠ Heavenly Demon given‌‌ me a defective‍‍‌ one?

A bit nervous, I made a post.‌‌

Title)‍ Heavenly Demon, I think the compass⁠ is broken

WildGrills‍‌⁠

(Video⁠‌‌ of a compass‍ spinning nonstop)

The‍‍‍ needle does not⁠‌ stop spinning. What⁠ is happening…?

I think I was‍⁠ given a broken‌ one…

ㄴHeavenly Demon) Eh? It‍‍ should not. When‌ I sent it, it worked fine.⁠‌‍

She⁠ responded immediately.

That‍ only confused me⁠‌ more.

Why‌‍ would a compass‍‌‌ that worked a moment ago now not?

ㄴDid⁠ it bug during‌ the trade?

ㄴNo,⁠‍ that does not⁠ happen. The system⁠‌ is like teleportation‍

ㄴFor⁠⁠ it to break like that suddenly‍ is strange

ㄴIt⁠‍ spins nicely

ㄴLike your life

ㄴShut up

Other⁠ users were also‍‍ doubtful.

It⁠ could be bad‍ luck and that‌⁠ it broke right after the trade.‌‌

But‍ something else was⁠‌⁠ happening.

ㄴWildGrills)‌ Can someone lend‍ me a compass?⁠ I will return‌‌‍ it right away‌‍

ㄴStellarPrincess)⁠ I will give‍‍ you one

ㄴPrincessChangu)⁠ I will give‌ you one toooo⁠‍‌

ㄴSunLiveForever)⁠ Me too

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway)⁠ I would like‌ to help you,⁠‌‌ but I do‌⁠⁠ not have one…⁠

Maybe‌⁠‍ they noticed something‍ strange.

Fixed‍‍⁠ users who almost‍ never commented suddenly⁠‍ appeared.

In⁠‌ a short time,‍‌ I gathered several‍⁠⁠ different compasses.

Title)‌ Fuck, they are all the same‌‍

WildGrills‍

(Video‍ of several spinning compasses)

They‍‍ all lost their⁠‍ sense of direction⁠ as if they were outsiders.

What⁠‍‌ the hell is⁠⁠ happening?

ㄴHeavenly‍‍ Demon) Strange.

ㄴSwordTasteMaster)‍ It is strange.⁠‍‌

ㄴPrincessChangu)‌‍‌ Strangeeee.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‌⁠ Why does it⁠⁠ do that? Did‍⁠‌ you pour alcohol‍‍ on it?

ㄴWildGrills)‍‌‌ Shut up

They⁠ were all the‌⁠‍ same.

They⁠⁠ spun nonstop.

While‍‌ everyone was doubtful,‌‍‍ some users shared‌ ideas.

ㄴThere‌‌ is only one⁠⁠ case where something‍ like this happens⁠

ㄴWhere?‌⁠

ㄴWhen‍ you enter the⁠‍ Forest of the⁠⁠⁠ Four Seasons. There⁠⁠ the magnetism and‌⁠‌ mana are altered,‌‍ and compasses do‌‍ not work

ㄴDo not say nonsense.‌⁠ If it were‍ that, he would‌⁠ not be able‍⁠ to access the‌‍ gallery

ㄴBut‍ it is the⁠ only place that⁠ fits

ㄴIt cannot be that‌ they are all‍‍ broken

ㄴWhere⁠⁠ the hell is⁠‌ the author? Hahaha‌

ㄴDrunk⁠‌‍ straight into the‍ Forest of the⁠⁠ Four Seasons hahaha⁠⁠⁠

The‍ reactions were ambiguous.⁠

There⁠⁠ were two theories.‍

— If the compass does not work,‍‌ it is the‍ Forest of the Four Seasons.

— But if it‍ were that forest,‌ he should not‌⁠ be able to access the gallery.⁠⁠

Either‍ way, my conclusion⁠ was only one.‍

‘…I‍‍ think something went⁠ very wrong.’

The⁠⁠ situation was twisting‌ dangerously.

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Chapter 6: The Forest of the Four Seasons (1)

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