Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 60: A Strange Adventure (2)

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.

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Chapter 60: A Strange Adventure (2)

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