Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 7: The Forest of the Four Seasons (2)

Chapter 7: The Forest of the Four Seasons (2)

Title) Does anyone know⁠⁠‍ who the most⁠‍ powerful god in this world is?⁠⁠
WildGrills

ㄴAnd⁠⁠ why do you‌⁠ ask?

ㄴWildGrills)⁠⁠ So I can⁠ curse him properly

ㄴHahaha‍‌‌

ㄴHahahaha‌⁠

ㄴOpen‌⁠ declaration of divine‌⁠ blasphemy hahaha

ㄴNo⁠‍⁠ wonder you fell‍‌ into the Forest‌ of the Four⁠ Seasons hahaha

ㄴThat’s‌⁠⁠ divine punishment hahaha‍

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway)‌‌ Blasphemy is bad!⁠

I felt as if⁠ the little hope⁠ I was clinging⁠⁠⁠ to collapsed all‍ at once.

I crossed my arms‌ and lowered my⁠‍⁠ gaze.

On⁠ the ground, all‌ the compasses I had received from‍‍ fixed-nick users were‌ lined up.

The‍‌⁠ needles kept spinning⁠‍ nonstop, as if‌‌⁠ they were all‌⁠ broken.

They‌⁠ cannot all be‌‍ defective.

Most‍ likely, the problem⁠⁠ is the place⁠ where I am.‍⁠

‘Am‌‌ I really in⁠ the Forest of‌‍ the Four Seasons?’⁠

I looked up and‍ checked the gallery.‌‍

The‌ rumor had already⁠ spread everything was⁠ full of stories‌⁠ about me.

Many‍ said that if⁠ it were not⁠‌‍ the Forest of⁠ the Four Seasons,⁠ this phenomenon would⁠‍‌ be impossible, but‍‍ others replied that‍⁠ then it would‍ not make sense‍⁠ for the gallery‍ to work.

Title)‌ What if in‌‌ the end WildGrills⁠ manipulated everything?

Could‌‍ it be that⁠‌ this bastard broke‌‌ all the compasses on purpose?

ㄴNot‌‌ on purpose, deliberately‌‌

ㄴBut‌⁠ for it to⁠ be fake, the‍ posts are way‍⁠ too tense

ㄴMad‌⁠ Dog, then the‌ Guardian, then the‌⁠‍ Owlbear

ㄴLook‍⁠⁠ at that lineup‍ hahaha

ㄴOn top of that,‍‍‍ the size was absurd, impossible that it’s staged

ㄴThe‌⁠ New Moon Spiritual‍‍ Herb also looks⁠‍ real, check Heavenly‌‍ Demon’s post

ㄴAt least he is‌‍ not a scammer,‌‌ even if he⁠ is half crazy‍

ㄴHaha⁠

I wish it were‌ all manipulation.

I sighed in frustration.⁠

My‌‌ mind was spinning,‌ just like the⁠‌ compass needles.

I felt like I was going to‍ go crazy.

I had no idea what to do‍ now.

‘Even⁠⁠ so, there is⁠⁠‌ still hope.’

It‍ is not one‌‍ hundred percent confirmed‌⁠ that this is‌ the Forest of‌‌ the Four Seasons.⁠‍

The‌ world is enormous‍ and there are‍⁠ many unknown regions.‍‌‌

It could be one‍ of them.

Everyone⁠‌ describes the Forest‍ of the Four⁠⁠ Seasons as an‍ inhuman hell.

But‌ as someone who‍⁠⁠ has always lived⁠ protected by civilization,‌‌ I need to⁠ get out of‍‌ here no matter⁠‌ what.

Standing‌⁠ still and doing nothing is worse⁠ than acting.

Title)‍⁠‍ Can someone explain⁠ the characteristics of‌ the Forest of‌⁠ the Four Seasons?⁠⁠⁠

WildGrills⁠

What‌ the title says‌‍

ㄴWhy⁠‌ do you want‌ to know that?‌‌

ㄴWildGrills)‍ To confirm if I am really⁠ there

ㄴBasically⁠ it has spring,⁠‌‍ summer, autumn and‌⁠ winter

ㄴMore‌‌‌ precisely, all climates‌ exist, they say even desert

ㄴWildGrills)‍‌ What the hell‌ is a desert‍⁠ doing in a forest? Wasn’t it‌‌ a forest?

ㄴNo⁠‌ idea

ㄴExtra fact the Forest‌‍ of the Four‍ Seasons is the⁠‌ size of a small country

ㄴWildGrills)‌⁠ Totally useless information‍

ㄴI⁠⁠ told you it‍ was for reference hahaha

What‌⁠ a ridiculously absurd‌⁠ forest.

For⁠ now, the best‌ thing is to‌‍ verify it myself.‍⁠

Going out is dangerous,⁠ but with the⁠ compass useless, staying‍‍ also makes no‌ sense.

I will use the‍ cave as a base point and‍‌ gradually expand the⁠‌ radius little by‍‍ little.

‘I⁠ will also need⁠‍ paper and something‌⁠‍ to write with.’‍‌

I plan to draw‌ a basic map.‍

Even⁠⁠ if the compass does not work,‍‌ it is better than nothing.

If‍‌ I get lost‌⁠‍ along the way,‌ I might never‍‌ return.

I have to prepare⁠⁠‌ for any scenario.⁠⁠⁠

‘I‌‍⁠ will do everything‍ that is in‍ my hands.’

They⁠ say the most⁠‌ important thing for survival is the‍ will to live.‌⁠⁠

There‌⁠⁠ are too many‍ people who, by⁠‍‌ falling into despair,‍‌ end up doing‌ nothing and die.‌‍

Even⁠‍ if danger is⁠‍‍ everywhere, you have‌‌ to face it.‍‍

I looked toward the⁠ corner of the‌ cave.

‘For now, there is⁠ no safer place‌‍ than this…’

It⁠ is very likely‌ that I will‌‍ have to spend several days in‍ this forest, so⁠ before thinking about‌⁠ escaping, I need‌ to find water.⁠‍

You⁠ can live three‍ weeks without food,⁠‌‍ but without water‌‍ you die in three days.

Even‌ if the gallery‌‌ can help, whatever‌‍ is in my‍⁠⁠ hands, I will‍‍ do it myself.⁠‌‍

‘It‍‌ may be that‌‍ when I am⁠ truly in danger,‌‌ there will be⁠ no one to‍‌ help me.’

I felt it when⁠⁠ Mad Dog bit me.

That‌‍⁠ time I survived‍‍‌ thanks to SwordTasteMaster’s‌⁠ goodwill.

Nothing‍ guarantees that it‍‍ will not happen⁠⁠‍ again.

More⁠ likely, it probably‌‌ will.

If‍ I do not‍‌ receive help in‍⁠‍ a critical situation,‌‍ I will die.⁠‍

‘Then‌‌ I should build‌⁠‍ bonds with the⁠ fixed nicknames.’

But I do not⁠ know who they⁠ really are.

I reviewed the few‍ I already had⁠‌ some connection with.‍‍

Heavenly‍ Demon: clearly someone‍⁠‍ important

SwordTasteMaster:⁠ rich and a Swordmaster

DwarfPassingBy:⁠ a dwarf

For now, only that.‌

The⁠‍ ones who gave⁠ me a compass no idea who‍⁠ they are.

‘StarlightLady⁠‌‌ seems to be‍⁠ sick.’

Not‍ mentally, but physically.‍

I say it because⁠‌ of her daily posts asking for‌ full recovery.

She⁠⁠ probably has some‍‍‌ chronic illness.

The‍⁠ others I do‍ not know.

The‌‍ posts are too chaotic to draw‍⁠ clear conclusions.

Title)‌ Butt revelation

PrincessChangu

(Photo‍ of an emblem⁠ with a deer)‌

This⁠ is my butt‌‌

Haha‌‌ did Changu lose today?

ㄴPrincessChangu)⁠ Ah, those sons‌‌ of bitches scored‌ two goals in⁠‍ extra time

ㄴHahaha⁠‍⁠

ㄴNo wonder so many⁠ mental cases appear⁠‌

No.‌

This‌ is too much.⁠

I made an uncomfortable‍⁠ expression.

PrincessChangu‌ is clearly obsessed‍⁠‌ with sports.

Most⁠ of her posts‍ are about that.‌⁠

[I‍⁠ want to cry.⁠ Why am I a fan of Changu?]

[Hehe,‌ sons of bitches.‌ They got eaten⁠⁠⁠ like idiots ]

[As⁠ always, Evers! I trusted you!]

[This‍‌ is bullshit. Is‍‍ that a team?]‌

[Ref‍ bought! Ref bought!‌⁠ Ref bought!]

“……”‍‍

In⁠⁠‌ an unknown gallery,‌ there floated a terribly familiar scent.‌

Most⁠ sports tend to⁠⁠ cause mental illness.‌‌⁠

A flavor I know⁠‌‌ very well.

I myself was obsessed‍ with soccer and⁠ baseball

until‍‍ I developed stress-induced⁠‍⁠ alopecia.

Then⁠ I reached enlightenment and cured myself.‌‍‌

‘If‍ I want to‌‌ become friends with‌‍‌ this person…’

It‍ is still too‌‍ early.

I do not even⁠‌ know what sports⁠ exist in this world.

For‍ now, I will‌ leave the analysis⁠⁠ of nicknames here‌⁠ and go out⁠‌⁠ to explore before‍‍ night falls.

Holding‍ Heavenly Demon’s sword,‌ I put several fasting pills into‌⁠ my mouth.

The⁠ bitterness exploded in‍ my mouth as‌ I chewed them.‌⁠

To⁠ wash down the‍ taste, I took‌‍ a sip of‍⁠ water.

I do not know‌ how long I will have to‍ keep eating this.‌

‘Good.‍‌ Preparations complete.’

Before‌⁠ leaving the cave,‌‌ I made a post.

And⁠ just in case,‍ I stored a handful of fasting‌⁠‌ pills in my‍ pants pocket.

Title)‍‌ Preparations ready

WildGrills

(Photo‍ of the cave⁠⁠ exit)

I am going to‍‌ move to confirm‌ whether this is⁠ the Forest of‍ the Four Seasons.‍‌

ㄴIsn’t⁠ that too dangerous?‌⁠‍

ㄴA little while ago‍ you ran into⁠ an owlbear, right?;;‍⁠

ㄴAnd‍‍⁠ besides the compass‍ is weird, but‍ exploring still seems⁠‍ like the best⁠‌ option

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)⁠⁠ Be careful.

ㄴSwordTasteMaster)‌ Good luck.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) Wait a bit.⁠⁠ I was going⁠ to give you⁠ a used shield.⁠

ㄴWildGrills)‍ Later, later. If⁠⁠ it gets ugly,‍‍ I will just⁠‌ run away anyway.⁠‍

ㄴThe‍ next day, there⁠⁠ was no post from WildGrills……

ㄴㅠㅠ‍‍

ㄴWildGrills)‌‌⁠ Shh.

Everyone‌ seemed to be‍ cheering me on.⁠

Well,‌ most of those⁠ supporting me were⁠‍‌ fixed users; the⁠⁠ rest were closer‌⁠‌ to not caring.‌⁠

Some comments even crossed⁠ the line quite a bit, but they did not‍⁠ take long to‍‌ be deleted.

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway)‌‌ Serious insults and humiliation toward someone⁠⁠ who is giving⁠‍‍ their best are grounds for a ban.

ㄴWildGrills) Thanks, thanks;;

I do not know‍ if this can‍‌ be called “living⁠ while giving it‌ your all.”

In the end, I just ended up‌ here by accident.

Anyway,‌‍ I had already‌‌ posted what might⁠ be my last⁠ publication in the gallery, so I took a deep‌ breath and stepped‍‌‌ out of the‍‍ cave.

As‍ soon as I crossed the exit,‌‌‍ a familiar landscape‌⁠‍ greeted me.

A forest with a warm climate.

‘I⁠‌‌ suppose that, all‍‌ things considered, it‍ is good luck‌⁠ that it is⁠ warm.’

If‌ the climate were‌ cold, the difficulty⁠⁠ would have increased‌⁠ even more.

I looked around and⁠ started moving forward.⁠⁠

Not‍‌⁠ toward where the‍‌‌ owlbear had been⁠‌ devouring the Mad⁠⁠ Dog’s corpse, but‍ in the exact‌‌ opposite direction.

To‍‍ avoid getting lost,‌ I also made⁠ sure to mark‌ the path from⁠ time to time⁠‌‌ with the sword.‌

‘Focus‍ on the sounds.’‍⁠

The⁠ chirping of insects.⁠

The‍ rustling of bushes‍⁠ moved by the⁠ wind.

The‌ distant roar of‌‍ some animal.

I sharpened my hearing⁠ so as not‍ to miss anything.⁠

The⁠ tension made my‍ chest pound hard.⁠⁠

An⁠⁠ environment where a single second of⁠‍ carelessness is enough⁠‍ to lose your life.

Right⁠⁠ now, the only‍ thing I could‍‌⁠ rely on was this sword.

Tszzzz—‌

An‌ unsettling sound reached my ears, sharpened by tension.

It‍‌‍ came from above.‌‍‍

I instantly raised my‌ head.

I did not even‍ have time to‌⁠ do it calmly.‍‍⁠

“Ssshaaaaaa!”⁠⁠‍

A gigantic snake lunged‌ at me with‌ its jaws wide‍ open.

Its‌‌⁠ venomous fangs gleamed menacingly.

I did not even⁠⁠ have time to scream. I turned⁠‌ my face by⁠‍ reflex, and the‍‍‌ jaws barely grazed‍‌ past me.

Without⁠ hesitation, I brought⁠ the sword down‍‌ against its body.‍⁠⁠

Thud!‌‍

“What…?”‍‍

Something‍ unexpected happened.

It‍ was HeavenlyDemon’s sword,⁠ the same one⁠ that had cleanly‍ cut the Mad‍‍ Dog.

But⁠⁠‍ this time it⁠ only sank halfway⁠⁠‌ in and got‌ stuck.

That‌‌ could mean only‍‌ one thing.

That‍ snake’s scales were⁠ absurdly hard.

“Kyaaaa!”‌⁠

The‍ viper writhed in‍‍‍ pain and lunged‌ at me again⁠ with its mouth⁠⁠⁠ open.

It⁠⁠ was as big‍ as an anaconda.‍ If it bit‌‍ me, it would‌‍ be over.

I tried to move my right arm,‍⁠⁠ but I froze.‍

Crunch!‍

“Guh?!”

The‌ snake had wrapped‌ its body around‌‌ my right arm.⁠‍

When⁠‍⁠ did that happen?⁠‍

Even‍ so, just before⁠ it bit me,‍‌ I managed to grab it by‌‌ the neck with⁠⁠ my hand.

Normally⁠⁠ scales are slippery⁠‍ and unpleasant, but‌‍ this one was‍ different.

It‍⁠ felt like touching⁠‍⁠ a steel plate.‌

Crunch!⁠‌

“Aaagh!”⁠⁠‌

The‍ pressure on my right arm increased‍⁠⁠ brutally.

And⁠⁠‍ my left hand‍⁠ was not free⁠‌ either.

If⁠ I let go,⁠ it would bite‍⁠‍ me without hesitation.‌‍

Holding⁠‍ this position was the best I could do.

‘What‌‍ do I do…?‍‍ Ah!’

In⁠⁠⁠ the middle of⁠ the chaos, something‌ entered my field⁠‌ of vision.

The⁠‌ snake’s body, half‍ cut.

Between⁠ the part that⁠ wrapped my arm⁠⁠ and the head.‍

Without‍ thinking, I lowered‍ both arms as‍‌ if I were⁠ skipping rope.

The‌‍ half-cut section fell⁠ at my feet.‌

Now.‌‌‍

Crunch!⁠‍

“Hraaaah!”

“Ssshaaaa!”‍⁠

Stepping‍ hard on the‍⁠ middle of the body, I pulled⁠ the cut part⁠⁠ as if I were going to tear it apart‍⁠⁠ completely.

The⁠ snake writhed in‍ pain, shaking its‌‌ head from side‌ to side.

Venom splattered dangerously from‌‌ its fangs.

My‍⁠ right arm could⁠‍‌ not hold out⁠⁠‌ much longer either.‍

The‍ pressure was so‍⁠‍ strong it felt‍‌ like it wanted‌ to crush my bones.

A game of who⁠ dies first.

And then I ran‍‌ into an unexpected‌ obstacle.

‘Damn⁠⁠ it! Why are these scales so⁠ tough?!’

Not⁠⁠ even Heavenly Demon’s‍ sword could cut‍ them easily.

It⁠‌‍ made sense that⁠⁠ they were that⁠⁠ hard.

But⁠‍ was I going to give up?‌‍

Not‍‍⁠ a chance.

If‌ I wanted to‌ live, I had‌‍ to split this⁠⁠ thing in two.‍‍

Criiik—‌‍ Crriiik—

Little⁠‍ by little, the‍ result of the⁠ struggle began to⁠⁠ show.

The snake’s body started⁠‍ to tear from‌ the point where⁠ the sword was‍‍‌ embedded.

I used all the‍ strength I had⁠ left, even bracing‍ myself with my‌‌ feet.

Criiik—‌‌ Craaack—

Finally,⁠‍ the fight ended.⁠⁠

The⁠‌ snake’s body split‌ in two.

Upon‍⁠ losing connection with‌‌‍ the head, the‌ strength of the⁠⁠ body that held‌ me disappeared at‌ once.

I shook my right‌⁠ arm and, without⁠⁠ wasting time, stabbed‍‌ the head.

Splat!‌

Heavenly⁠⁠ Demon’s sword sank fully into its⁠‍ head.

Even‍‍ so, the snake‌‍ kept writhing.

I collapsed onto the‍ ground, panting, without⁠ pulling out the‍ sword just in case.

I had heard that‍ some snakes keep‍ moving even after‍⁠‍ dying.

And⁠ it was true.‌⁠

Even‍ with the sword‍ piercing its head⁠‍ and pinned to‌‌ the ground, it‍ kept convulsing.

Monstrous‍ resilience.

Ugh…‍ ugh…

I looked at my‌ right arm, which⁠‍‌ throbbed with pain.⁠‍⁠

The‍ mark from the‍ constriction was clearly⁠‍‌ visible, along with‌ a dark bruise.⁠

If‍ the bone was‌ not broken, it⁠⁠ could be considered‌‍ a minor injury.‌

‘But…⁠‌ what the hell⁠ are those scales‌⁠ made of?’

If⁠‍‌ even Heavenly Demon’s‌ sword could barely‌ pierce them.

I took a photo‍‌ and uploaded it‌‍‌ to the gallery.‌‍⁠

I planned to rest⁠‍‌ about thirty seconds⁠ before moving on.‍‌

Title)‍⁠ Even the snakes⁠ here are fucking⁠ huge

WildGrills (photo of the‍ snake’s head) (photo‍‍ of the separated⁠‌‌ body)

I almost died. It⁠ did not cut‍ in one strike‌‍‌ and it scared⁠ the hell out‌‍ of me.

ㄴThat’s⁠ fucking disgusting;;; is⁠ that thing venomous?‍‍

ㄴWildGrills)‌ Yes. It tried⁠ to kill me‍ with its fangs‌ and then wrapped⁠ around my arm.‌‍ I thought it‌‍ was going to⁠‌ break it.

ㄴYou‌‌‌ split the Mad‍ Dog in two⁠⁠‍ and this thing‍‌ did not cut⁠‌ in one? How‌ did you kill‍ it?

ㄴWildGrills)⁠ I tore off‌ the part that‍⁠⁠ was already cut.‍ But it was⁠‍ extremely tough.

ㄴThat’s‌ scary…

ㄴIt⁠⁠ looks like a steel-scale snake.

ㄴIf‍‌ it’s real, that’s‍ worth a fortune,‍‍‍ right?

ㄴYes,‌⁠ the venom and⁠ the scales must‍⁠ be very expensive.‍‍

So⁠ it was called‍⁠‍ a steel-scale snake.‍

A name that suited‌‍ it perfectly.

I closed the gallery.⁠‌ It was no longer worth reading⁠‌ more.

Because‍ of its size,⁠ taking it back to the cave‌ was impossible.

It‌ was better to‌ upload it directly‍⁠ to the auction⁠‍⁠ house.

Thinking‍ about the Mad‍‌ Dog, I did⁠ not hesitate.

I entered the auction.‌‍

There‍⁠ was everything from normal items to⁠ completely absurd things,⁠‌‍ like elf underwear or used socks.

The‌ world is big,‌ and it is full of idiots⁠ and perverts.

I chuckled quietly.

The⁠ auction allowed you‍⁠‌ to upload items‌ freely, unlike direct⁠‍ trade.

‘The‍ commission… 40%?!’

No⁠‍ wonder they said it was murderous.⁠

Even‍ so, because of‌‍ the advantage of‍⁠ ignoring intermediaries, people⁠⁠ used it a lot.

I registered the snake’s‍ body under the‍ name “Freshly hunted‌ snake” with a minimum price of‍ 5 gold.

As‍⁠ long as it‌⁠ sold, it was‍‌ already profit.

‘Fortunately,⁠ the registration fee‌ is not that high.’

Thanks⁠‍‍ to a small‍‌ initial boost from‌‍ the gallery, I did not lack‍‌‍ money for that.

[Postscript:‌ The commission may⁠‍ vary depending on‍ the weight.]

I did not care.‍‍‍

After‌ completing the registration,‍ the body disappeared.‌

Only⁠ the head remained, still moving, so I could not‌‍ sell it.

The⁠ best option was‌‌ to cover it‍ with dirt.

‘What‌ a harsh start.’‍

While‍⁠ rubbing my aching arm, I kept‍‌ walking, praying nothing‌ else would happen.‌

Then.‍

Splash—‍

The‍⁠‌ sound of flowing‍‌‍ water.

A river.

Water‌‌ was vital for⁠ survival.

I hurried toward the‌ sound.

With⁠ water I could‌⁠⁠ drink and by⁠⁠‍ following the river,‌ maybe get out‍ of the forest.⁠⁠

That‍⁠‌ was what I thought.

“…What‌ is this?”

On⁠⁠ the other side‌ of the stream‌ there was a desert.

A reddish desert stretching as far as⁠‍ the eye could‍‍‌ see.

I was in a forest.

And‌ across the stream‌ there was a desert?

I felt common sense shatter.

I stood blank for‍ a moment before‌‌‍ entering the gallery.‌

Title) Hey, look at this

WildGrills⁠‌‍ (photo of the‌⁠ forest and the‌ stream)

On‍⁠ this side there⁠ is forest and⁠‍ river.

(photo⁠‍‌ of the desert‌ on the other‍‌ side)

And⁠⁠ on the other‌⁠ side desert. Does‍‌⁠ that seem normal⁠ to you?

(video‍‍ showing forest, stream⁠‌‌ and desert)

Where the hell am⁠‌⁠ I?

Are⁠ you really not‍⁠ curious?

ㄴWow.⁠‍ This is incredible.⁠

ㄴSo‌⁠ it really was the Forest of⁠ the Four Seasons?⁠⁠

ㄴHow‌⁠ are you still‍‌⁠ using the gallery?‌

ㄴHahaha‌ this is pure‍⁠ cinema

ㄴSo‌⁠ it was true⁠‌ then

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)‍ It is a beautiful place.

ㄴWildGrills)‌‍ Master?

ㄴIt‍‍‌ seems Heavenly Demon‍‍ does not understand⁠ anything hahaha

ㄴSuch⁠⁠ an old-man vibe⁠‌‍

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) Could it be‌ that you are‌‌ hallucinating?

ㄴWildGrills)⁠ I have not⁠‌‍ drunk alcohol in⁠ a while.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy) Drink again. That⁠ way it will‌ pass.

ㄴHahahaha‌

ㄴThey⁠ say poison is⁠‍ fought with poison.‍

None⁠ of the comments⁠‍ were helpful.

I sighed, exhausted.

“Ha…”‍

My‍‌ current state could⁠⁠ be summed up‌⁠ in one word.‍‍⁠

“Shit.”

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Chapter 7: The Forest of the Four Seasons (2)

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