Chapter 60: A Strange Adventure (2)

Do you know the medical term PTSD?

Most people probably do.

Post-traumatic stress, that is, the mental pain that arises after experiencing something terrible.

The human body, even when damaged, can recover to some extent.

But the mind, in comparison, is quite fragile.

Something insignificant for one person can cause a strong psychological impact on another.

Furthermore, mental wounds have no defined method or time to heal.

They don’t even become scars, they simply remain as wounds.

“Ugh…”

I’m no different.

I ran my hand over my face.

The tiger’s attack in the middle of the night.

That event appeared in my dreams.

Even though it was a dream, it felt too real.

The predator’s eyes, its sharp fangs.

Especially when it bit my right shoulder, I woke up with a start.

The first thing I felt when I got up was dampness.

I had broken out in a cold sweat as if I had been caught in the rain because of the nightmare.

After that, I immediately checked my surroundings.

Fortunately, seeing Wonmo and the sloth sleeping soundly, I tried to go back to sleep but it wasn’t easy.

Because I was afraid that another predator like that tiger would attack us again.

It was normal not to be able to sleep well.

“Haah…”

Even when dawn broke, my mind was still foggy.

I ran my hand over my face again.

The internal circulation method allows you to sleep less, but it doesn’t mean you can go without sleep entirely.

Since I hadn’t even met the minimum conditions, fatigue inevitably accumulated.

‘Even if I can use the method again…’

I can relieve physical fatigue, but what about mental fatigue? I don’t know.

I stayed dazed for a while and then looked around.

Wonmo and the sloth were still in the world of dreams.

‘What a good life they have…’

I don’t know about the sloth, but Wonmo is definitely enviable.

He can sleep without worrying about anything.

But complaining like that is useless.

And Wonmo will also have to help hunt when he grows up.

I shook my head and quietly accessed the gallery.

I had woken up too early and hadn’t checked the time.

‘It’s only 6…’

I usually wake up at 8.

Today I woke up two hours earlier.

All because of that damn dream.

Better to use that time to practice the internal circulation method.

At least I’ll start the day a bit clearer.

‘Just like she taught me, calmly…’

I closed my eyes and began circulating mana through my body as usual.

It should help relieve fatigue, but a certain memory kept tormenting me.

[¡kraaaaaash!]

The battle with the saber-toothed tiger at night.

Its enormous size, its giant paws, its sharp fangs.

Everything kept coming back to my mind again and again, interrupting my concentration.

I couldn’t focus at all.

I could clearly feel my chest pounding violently and cold sweat running down my body.

“….”

In the end, I had no choice but to open my eyes and stop practicing.

How am I supposed to fix this…?

After thinking for a while, I sighed.

‘I’ll have to ask HeavenlyDemon…’

I needed advice from HeavenlyDemon or Swordmaster.

When I entered the gallery, it was already 6:30.

‘Will she be awake at this hour?’

They say older people sleep little.

But even so, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to write to her so early?

I thought that and then laughed.

After all, this is the gallery.

It’s not like the message arrives immediately.

I’m just leaving a message.

[WildGrills: HeavenlyDemon, are you awake? If you are, please reply.]

[HeavenlyDemon: This venerable one is always waiting. You woke up early today.]

She replied instantly.

Had she been in the gallery all night?

That thought crossed my mind.

Or maybe it was just a coincidence.

I pushed that idea aside and told her my problem.

[WildGrills: Actually, I have a concern. I wanted to consult it with you.]

[HeavenlyDemon: A consultation? It sounds serious.]

[WildGrills: It’s not that serious. I just can’t concentrate when I practice the method.]

[HeavenlyDemon: You lose concentration…? You haven’t fallen into an inner demon, have you?]

[WildGrills: Not to that extent. It’s just that…]

I explained everything in detail.

The nightmare of the tiger attack.

The insomnia.

And how that memory came back every time I tried to practice.

Talking about it honestly made me feel better.

But feeling better is not the same as solving it.

I waited silently for her response.

[HeavenlyDemon: I understand now. I also went through something similar. When that memory appears, doesn’t your chest pound and cold sweat run down your body?]

[WildGrills: Yes! Exactly!]

I hadn’t even told her that, but she got it immediately.

As expected from an expert.

My trust in her increased greatly.

[HeavenlyDemon: Not only your mind, but your body also remembers that moment. The fear of death has been engraved in you.]

[WildGrills: That sounds abstract… is there no solution?]

[HeavenlyDemon: The wounds of the heart do not heal easily. It is not about healing, but about overcoming them.]

So basically, effort.

I let out a hollow laugh.

I had suspected it, but hearing even an expert say it.

It’s not a matter of ability, but that healing the mind is truly difficult.

[WildGrills: It’s complicated… how did you overcome it?]

[HeavenlyDemon: I clenched my teeth and defeated what caused me fear. You already defeated the tiger, didn’t you?]

[WildGrills: Yes… but since it was a night attack, I can’t stop remembering it.]

[HeavenlyDemon: Then remember how you defeated it. Imagine yourself standing proud after defeating it. That will bring you peace.]

[WildGrills: Thank you for the advice.]

[HeavenlyDemon: You can also recite the method I taught you while imagining it.]

She didn’t teach me how to heal, but how to overcome.

That truly is real advice.

I thanked her and followed her instructions.

‘Remember the attack but replace it with the moment you defeated it.’

The saber-toothed tiger was strong.

Without the sloth, I would have died several times.

But I defeated it.

After countless difficulties, I defeated the “king of the mountain.”

Even though I fell along with it, I survived.

And now that tiger has become skin and meat, useful resources.

In nature, it is not the strongest that survives.

It is the one who manages to survive.

‘And now I recite the method HeavenlyDemon taught me…’

I even recited the formula HeavenlyDemon taught me while calming my mind and body.

I imagined myself standing proudly, stepping on the back of the saber-toothed tiger.

Thump, thump—thump—

My heart, which had been pounding violently, gradually calmed down, and the mana within my body also regained its stability.

Before I realized it, both my body and mind had become calm.

“……”

After a while, I slowly opened my eyes.

My eyes, which had been tired from not sleeping well, felt completely refreshed.

And not just my eyes, all the fatigue had disappeared.

It felt like I had slept deeply.

I smiled at that indescribable feeling of freshness.

‘As expected of HeavenlyDemon. She can be trusted.’

My respect for her grew even more.

I immediately entered the gallery to thank her.

‘What? Has it already been 2 hours?’

It felt like only a moment had passed, but time had flown by.

Still surprised, I sent her a message.

[WildGrills: HeavenlyDemon, thank you very much. I feel like my mind and body have cleared up.]

[HeavenlyDemon: It seems it worked. Remember it well. No matter how strong the opponent is, the one who remains standing at the end is the one who reaches the heavens.]

[WildGrills: I’ll remember it. I’ll engrave it deeply.]

[HeavenlyDemon: This venerable one cannot hide her joy at your growth. I hope you soon reach the same level as me.]

[WildGrills: I’ll do my best.]

Of course, effort alone won’t be enough.

After all, HeavenlyDemon is far stronger than me.

Becoming like her is nothing more than a wish.

‘But becoming stronger is never a bad thing.’

In nature, where danger lurks everywhere, strength is essential.

I went outside with my body and mind much lighter than before.

As I stepped out, a cooler breeze than yesterday greeted me.

‘Nice weather.’

Perfect for exploring.

I immediately made a post in the gallery.

Title) A strong and energetic morning!

WildGrills

If someone asks who I am, I’m WildGrills. Day 7 begins!

ㄴSwordmaster) Always so energetic. Nothing happened during the night?

ㄴWildGrills) I had a nightmare, so I slept badly, but I’m fine.

ㄴSwordmaster) Nightmare?

ㄴWildGrills) Yeah, I dreamed a tiger attacked me. But I’m okay now.

ㄴSwordmaster) I’m glad you’re fine. Today as well, get stronger and marry me quickly.

ㄴWildGrills) What?

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) Hahaha. My stomach hurts from laughing.

ㄴSwordmaster) Why are you making fun of me? I’m serious.

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) Hahahaha.

ㄴSwordmaster) ㅡㅡ;;

ㄴSunForEver) You’re awake. I’ll send you a trade soon. I’ll give you a brutal shield.

ㄴWildGrills) Thanks. Should I give you an adult mandrake in return?

ㄴSunForEver) Just one. This time it’s for my son.

ㄴWildGrills) You have a son?

ㄴSunForEver) Young one. I’m a dark elf over 500 years old.

ㄴWildGrills) Ah ok. Wait a bit, I’ll give it to you right away.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) Hey, what about my food? You’ll give it to me today, right?

ㄴWildGrills) Yeah, relax. I’ll receive the shield and go right after.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) ok

ㄴWildGrills) Hey, you’re not drinking since morning, right?

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) And what about it?

ㄴWildGrills) You’re going to ruin your liver like that, idiot;;

ㄴLeave him. Dwarves drink even with jaundice.

ㄴfr

ㄴThey say they live like 150 years, right?

ㄴMore or less, but they die around 65 from liver issues lol

ㄴThey probably have alcohol instead of blood lmao

ㄴWildGrills) Ah, right. But because of the trade limit, I’ll give it to you after lunch.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) ah shit I forgot. Damn moderator.

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway) ?

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) I mean the moderator from a thousand generations ago who set the restriction.

ㄴlmaoooo

ㄴHe calmed down quickly in front of authority lmao

After talking with everyone, I took care of breakfast.

I ate the smoked meat from yesterday.

Salty, but delicious.

“Wonmo, eat this.”

“Kyuu!”

For Wonmo, I bought fresh meat of the right size at the auction.

The sloth ate pills, so next was collecting mandrakes.

‘Better go quickly.’

I got ready fast and went out.

I didn’t take the sloth.

I wasn’t going to hunt golden frogs, so there was no need.

“Take care of the house while I’m gone.”

“……”

The sloth nodded, as if it understood.

It can be trusted.

‘Wonmo will probably fall asleep.’

I looked at the cave and kept walking.

***

Whether human or beast, raising a baby is always complicated.

Especially parenting, which is difficult for all species.

So, what is the most important thing?

Healthy food? Protection? Love?

All of that is correct, but the most important thing is one.

Not taking your eyes off the baby.

Because you never know what it will do.

Babies are curious and pure.

And curiosity always brings danger.

“Kyu.”

Wonmo, the little ball of fur, opened his bright eyes.

Normally he would be napping, but today he was completely awake.

His eyes turned toward the outside of the cave.

Why is it so bright outside?

What could be there?

Should he go out? After all, dad (Grills) isn’t here.

Even though his brother (the sloth) was there, it didn’t seem like he would stop him.

“Kyu.”

Wonmo started crawling toward the exit.

The sloth watched the whole scene.

At first, it didn’t think much of it, but then it felt something was off.

Where is he going? Without the food source (Grills)?

The sloth is not slow to think.

It can catch arrows, after all.

It slid its arm just before Wonmo went out.

It was its way of saying “don’t go out.”

Wonmo stared at it.

But he’s a baby. And a very curious one.

“Kyuuu.”

“……”

He completely ignored the sloth.

The sloth reacted slowly.

Tap—

Its claws hooked onto Wonmo’s uniform.

And it ended up being dragged along.

The sloth moved awkwardly so as not to hurt him.

“Kyu?”

“……”

Without meaning to, it ended up riding on Wonmo’s back.

Wonmo looked at it in confusion and kept walking.

An absurd and adorable situation.

“Kyuu!”

“……”

And so began the strange adventure of Wonmo and the sloth.