Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 61: A Strange Adventure (3)

Chapter 61: A Strange Adventure (3)

Bang!‍ Pow! Pow!

“¡Kuek!⁠ ¡Kueek! ¡Kek!”

Gathering‍‌ adult mandrakes has‍ not only become‌⁠ familiar to me,⁠ it has reached‌‍‍ the level of‍‍ mastery.

As‍⁠‍ soon as you‍‍ pull out the⁠ root, you beat‌‌ them up and‌ then stuff their mouths with dirt,⁠‌ done.

It‌⁠ sounds easy and‍ yeah, it is.‍‌⁠

You⁠ just have to‌ beat the hell out of them.‍

Either‍‌ way, leaving them⁠‍‍ here would be a waste.

It’s‌‌ better for them‌‍ to serve as‍⁠ an excellent resource‌‍ for someone.

‘I⁠‌⁠ should try eating‌⁠ one someday too.’‌

Chewing⁠ it raw would⁠‍‍ be insane, so⁠ I plan to⁠⁠‍ process it or‌‌‍ cook it.

AllFather‍ said that boiling‍⁠ it in water‍‍ is enough, so‍‌‍ there are several⁠ methods.

The⁠‌ best option would‌ be to ask⁠‌ StarlightPrincess.

After⁠⁠ all, she’s an‍‌ expert in alchemy.‍

‘Someday⁠‍‍ they’ll run out…’⁠

I looked at the⁠ field of adult‌‍ mandrakes.

It‍ was still full.

The⁠⁠ clearing was about‍ the size of‌‌ a basketball court.‌⁠

And⁠⁠ throughout that entire‍‌ space, adult mandrakes‍ were growing in⁠‌ abundance.

Even‍ though there are⁠ many, if I keep going at‌ this rate, they’ll⁠‌ start to decrease.‍‌

I have to take‍‌ advantage while they’re⁠‌ still here.

That‍ will increase my chances of survival.

‘What‍‍ kind of shield‍‍ will he give‍ me this time?’‌⁠

With⁠ a mandrake in‌‍ hand, I returned‌ to the cave.⁠

I didn’t encounter any⁠‌‌ threats along the⁠⁠‍ way.

When⁠ I arrived, the‍⁠⁠ first thing I did was check‌ the smoked meat.‌

The smoke had properly⁠‍ penetrated the meat.⁠

Although it was a bit salty, salt‌⁠‍ helps preservation, so‌‌ it doesn’t matter.⁠
It’s‌‌ tolerable.

‘First,⁠‌ I’ll start the‍ trade with SunForEver.’‍‍

I adjusted the fire and wrote in⁠‌ the gallery.

It⁠ was basically a signal for him‍‍ to initiate the‌ trade.

[SunForEver⁠ has requested a trade. Accept?]

Not‍⁠‍ even a minute‌ passed before it‍ came through.

Good‍⁠ timing, or he already had it⁠ prepared.

I accepted immediately.

[WildGrills:⁠ Hello! I brought‍⁠ the adult mandrake!]⁠

[SunForEver:⁠‌ I brought the‍‌‌ shield. Ah, can⁠⁠ you return the‍‌ golden shield?]

[WildGrills: Sure. Are you‍‌ going to repair it?]

[SunForEver: I’m going to‌‍ melt it.]

[WildGrills:⁠ ;;;]

As‍ always, SunForEver has⁠‍⁠ that wealthy, oil-sheikh‌‍ vibe.

That calm that comes‍ from money.

It’s⁠‌ enviable.

[SunForEver:‍ That shield has‍ adamantium mixed in.⁠⁠ Normally it should‌ withstand anything. If‌‍ that breaks, you‍‍‌ break too.]

[WildGrills:‌ So it’s very⁠‌ durable, right?]

[SunForEver:⁠ Exactly. Do you‍ know what adamantium⁠ is?]

[WildGrills:⁠ I do know‌‌⁠ vibranium…]

[SunForEver:‍ What’s that? Anyway,⁠‌ think of it⁠ as an extremely‍ rare mineral. Harder⁠ than steel.]

When‍‍‍ I heard “high‌‍ durability,” I remembered‍ the army sandals.⁠

The famous “vibranium slippers.”‍

‘Now‍ that I think about it, I haven’t even considered‍ shaving.’

I touched my rough‌ chin.

Normally‍ I shave every‌ 2–3 days, but‌ I’d been ignoring‍ it.

Are there razors here?‍

Probably‍ just blades.

[WildGrills:‌‍‍ Do you shave?]‌‍

[SunForEver:‍ My servants do⁠‍ it. Do you‌‍ want a blade?]‍‌

[WildGrills: Isn’t there anything‍ else?]

[SunForEver:‌‌ What else would‍ you shave with?]⁠

Seems⁠‍ like there are‌‍ no modern razors.‍‍

And‍ using a blade⁠‌ is tricky.

‘I‍ don’t even have‍ shaving foam…’

Thinking⁠ about it is‌ a hassle.

Better‌ to live like‍ a caveman.

I dropped the idea.⁠

[WildGrills:‍‌ Never mind, I’ll‌ just let it grow. Did you‍ register the trade?]‍

[SunForEver:‌ Yes. Do you‍ need anything else?]‍⁠

[WildGrills:‍‍ Not for now.]‍⁠

[SunForEver:‌‍ Let me know‍ when you do.‌ And give me‍‌‍ more mandrakes.]

[WildGrills:‌ I’m alone… don’t‌‍ you want to‌ come?]

[SunForEver:‌⁠‌ My wife is‍‌⁠ calling me. I’m‌‌ leaving.] [1]

[WildGrills:⁠⁠‌ ok…]

I checked the shield.⁠

It‌ was round, similar⁠ to the previous‌‌ one.

But⁠‍ without any design.⁠‍⁠

It⁠⁠⁠ looked like a cut block of‍‌ steel.

Silver.‌ Reliable.

‘Same‌ weight.’

I liked it more.

More‍ durable than the‍‌‌ golden one basically⁠‍ an upgrade.

‘Now I’m invincible.’

The‌‍ sword given by‍ HeavenlyDemon and the‌ adamantium shield.

Okay‌ no, the tiger⁠ is still scary.‌‍‍

Without⁠‍ the sloth, I would have died⁠ several times already.‌‍

‘Well,⁠ time to go‍ for crabs.’

Before leaving, I checked⁠‌ on Wonmo and‌‌ the sloth.

They⁠ should be inside.‍

“…?”‌

They⁠⁠⁠ weren’t.

I looked around the‌ entire cave.

“Wonmo?‌ Sloth?”

Nothing.‌⁠⁠

‘No…‍⁠‍ it can’t be.’

No‌‍ signs of a struggle.

Then.‍

‘They‍ left.’

Both⁠ of them.

‘Why?‍ When?’

My‍ mind froze.

Wonmo⁠ is just a baby.

Why⁠‍‌ did he go‌⁠ out?

‘Don’t‌ search blindly. Follow‌⁠ tracks.’

First,‌⁠ I made a post.

Title)⁠ Wonmo and the sloth ran away‌

WildGrills‌

(I‌‌‍ won’t respond. I’m⁠⁠ going to look⁠‍ for them.)

I ignored the comments.‌

I took my sword,‍‍ shield, elixir, and‍‌‍ rations.

‘They‌‌ can’t be far.’⁠

Luckily,⁠ there were footprints.⁠‍⁠

I just had to‌‌‌ follow them.

“Wonmo!”⁠‌

As‌ I followed the‍ tracks, I shouted⁠ his name loudly.⁠

There‌‌ was a risk‌‌ of attracting beasts, but I had‍‍ no choice.

Besides,⁠‍‌ Wonmo already recognizes‍ his own name.⁠

If I call him,‍‌ maybe he’ll stop—that’s⁠ what I thought.

“Wonmo! No! Stop!”

Someone‍‍‍ once said that when a pet‍ gets lost, you‍ should shout at‍‍ it to stop.‌⁠

Even‍ if you don’t⁠‌ know where it⁠⁠ is, you have‌ to scold it.‍‍‌

They⁠ say that way‍‍‌ it comes back.

“This‍ is…”

While‍ tracking, I found a mark.

The‍ sloth’s claws.

Clearly‌‌ embedded in a tree.

It‌ was a familiar pattern.

Looks‍‍‍ like he left marks regularly, in‌ case the footprints‌‌ disappeared.

I also started marking⁠‍ trees with my‌ sword, in case‍‍ I had to⁠‍ return.

‘As⁠⁠‍ long as they‍⁠ don’t go somewhere‍ strange…’

Especially‌‍ places like the‌ other side of⁠ the river, where‍⁠ space constantly shifts.‌

If⁠‍ they crossed there,‌ that would be‌ the worst.

I prayed that wasn’t⁠‌ the case as‌‍ I followed the marks.

‘They‌‌ didn’t go into‍‍ the dense bushes.’‍‌⁠

Wonmo⁠‌⁠ isn’t exactly small,⁠⁠ so he avoided‌⁠‌ areas with heavy‌⁠ vegetation.

That‌‌⁠ made tracking easier.⁠‌‍

And‍ the sloth dragged heavily, leaving large,‌‍ visible marks.

That‌‌ guy is smart.‌

‘I’ll give him more⁠⁠ rations later. And Wonmo is getting‌ scolded.’

‘From‌ now on, I’ll⁠ have to take‍ Wonmo with me.’⁠‍⁠

If‌ he’s awake, I can’t leave him‍⁠ alone.

I’ll‍‍‍ also have to‍ reinforce the cave⁠‍ entrance.

‘Although‍⁠‍ how to do⁠‍ it is another⁠‌⁠ problem…’

First,⁠ they need to⁠‍ come back.

I kept calling him⁠ as I moved⁠ forward.

But‌ even though they⁠ shouldn’t be far,‍⁠ they didn’t appear.‍

Rustle—⁠⁠‍

Then I heard a noise among the bushes.

I stopped immediately.

Bushes‍‍ don’t move on‌ their own.

Is‍ it a good‍‍ or bad sign?⁠⁠

I stayed alert, staring‌⁠⁠ fixedly.

“Wonmo…?”‌‌

I called out softly.⁠

No‍ response.

That‍‍ made it more⁠ likely it wasn’t him.

I didn’t look away.‍‍

Rustle—‍‌⁠ rustle—

The‍‌ sound increased.

I tensed up.

This⁠‌⁠ forest is dangerous⁠ even for rabbits‌ lowering your guard‍ means death.

And⁠ then—

“Chirp?”⁠‍

Something⁠ appeared.

Black‌‌ feathers, small beak,‌⁠ an adorable sound.⁠

A chick.

My‌‌‍ tension eased but⁠‌ only for a moment.

‘Wait why is it‍ so big?’

A chick should fit‍ in your hand.‍

Even⁠‌ an adult chicken‌ barely reaches your⁠‍ knee.

But‍ this one.

It‍‍ was almost my⁠ height.

‘If‍ the chick is‍‍ like this… then‌‌‍ the chicken…’

A chill ran down‌‍ my spine.

Swoosh—

A shadow fell over‍‌‌ me.

It‍‌ wasn’t a cloud.‍

Only‌⁠‍ my area darkened.‍⁠‌

I turned slowly.

Chickens‍‌‍ take care of‍ their young.

And‍ they rarely leave‍ the nest except⁠ to look for⁠‍‍ them.

“….”⁠⁠

“….”‍⁠‍

I looked up.

And⁠‍‌ there it was.⁠‍⁠

A gigantic chicken.

Black‌‍ feathers.

Bright red comb.

As‌ big as the⁠‌ saber-toothed tiger.

“…What⁠ the hell is‍‍ this forest…?”

“Chirp.”‍‍

The⁠ chick called its mother.

I slowly stepped aside.‍⁠

The⁠ chick walked toward‍ her.

The‌⁠ chicken checked on⁠‌ its chick and‍ then stared at‌‍‌ me.

If‍ it considered me⁠‌ a threat, it⁠‍‌ would attack.

‘That‍ look…’

Not‍ a fighting rooster,‌ but it was⁠‍ scary.

Besides,‌⁠ it had scars‌ all over its⁠ body.

“…Cluck-cluck.”

“Chirp.”⁠

Fortunately,‌ it didn’t attack.‌‍

It‍⁠⁠ turned around.

The chick followed it.‌⁠

And‍ they disappeared into‍⁠ the bushes.

“Huff…”‌

I let out a sigh.

That⁠‌ was close.

It‌ seems even chickens‌‍‌ here are intelligent.⁠‍

And with its chick⁠ beside it, it⁠ assessed the situation.⁠

‘…I‌⁠ hope Wonmo is‌‍ okay.’

The⁠ worry grew.

***⁠

At‍‍‍ the same time.‌‌‍

Wonmo⁠⁠ and the sloth.⁠

“….”⁠

Wonmo‌ stared ahead with⁠ wide eyes.

It‌ wasn’t his usual‍ adorable look.

He⁠‌ was focused.

“Shhhk…‍ shhk…”

In⁠ front of him‍ was a snake.‌

Big.‌‌

With‍ venomous fangs.

One‌ bite could kill‌‌ him.

“….”⁠⁠‍

And behind, ready to‍‌ intervene.

The‍‍ sloth.

If⁠ the snake attacked,⁠⁠ he would tear⁠‌ it apart.

Swoosh—⁠‌

Wonmo’s‌ paw lifted.

The⁠ snake raised its⁠‍ head.

Whoever⁠ attacked first would‌ win.

Speed was life.

For the sloth, this was almost entertainment.‌

And‍ then—

“¡Shaa!”⁠

The⁠ snake attacked.

Fast.‍⁠

Too‌ fast to react.⁠‌

The sloth was about‌ to intervene—

But‍ Wonmo reacted first.‌‌⁠

Thud!⁠

His⁠⁠‍ paw struck the‍ snake’s head.

Like⁠‌ a cat, but‍⁠ much stronger.

He‍ crushed its skull‍‌ in a single‌ blow.

The‍ body kept moving,‍‌ but it was⁠ useless.

Crunch—⁠‍‍

Wonmo‍ stepped on it‍‌‍ and climbed on‌ top.

The body writhed.

But⁠ without a head,‌‍ it could do⁠‍‍ nothing.

Wonmo‍ lifted his head‍‌⁠ proudly.

“Kyuooooo!”‌‌

A ridiculously adorable victory roar.

Now⁠ only one thing⁠ remained.

“Munch⁠ munch munch.”

Eating.⁠‍‌

Wonmo‍⁠‌ devoured the snake⁠‍ without a care.‌‌

But‍ then.

He⁠⁠ stopped.

He⁠ looked at the‍‍ sloth.

“Kyu?”‍

Want some?

The⁠ sloth looked at⁠‍‍ the scene.

And‍ slowly shook his‍ head.

“Nope.”‌⁠

Their‌⁠⁠ strange adventure continued.‌

“Wonmo!‌ Where are you?!‌ Answer me!”

And‌‍ mine too.

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Chapter 61: A Strange Adventure (3)

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