Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 79: Rain (2)

Chapter 79: Rain (2)

The⁠‍ raccoon that tried⁠‌ to steal the‍‌ fasting pill no,‌‌ the ordinary raccoon,‌ was eliminated by⁠ the sloth.

Normally,⁠ it’s the “raccoon”‌ who takes care‍‌ of things, but⁠ having the sloth‍ do it this‍‌‌ time felt pretty‍ strange.

“Come‍‍ on, Wonmo. Drink this too.”

“Kyuu?”‍

“If‍‍ you get rabies,‌ this owner is‌‌ screwed.”

Wonmo‍ had very conveniently‌ eaten the raccoon‍⁠‍ that the sloth‌‍ shredded apart.

I slightly opened Wonmo’s beak and poured⁠⁠ the elixir into‌ him.

It‍‌ was the animal‌ elixir StarlightPrincess had‌‌ given me before.⁠

At‍‌ first Wonmo struggled⁠ a little, but‍‌ after tasting a single drop, he‍⁠ started drinking it‍⁠ calmly.

Not‍ only that, he‌‍ even started getting‌ greedy for more, so I had‌‌ to stop him⁠‌ by force.

‘The⁠ normal elixir tastes‌ horrible, so maybe⁠ this one is‌ sweet?’

The⁠‍⁠ normal elixir was‍ basically bitter medicine.‍

But⁠ it seemed the animal version had a different flavor.‍

With‌⁠ how crazy Wonmo‍ was going over⁠⁠ it, there was‌⁠‌ no other explanation.‍⁠

After‍⁠ taking care of‍ the raccoon corpse‌‌ left lying around,‍ I went outside‌⁠ to check things.‍⁠

The‌‍‌ rain had practically‍⁠ disappeared, so it‍ seemed possible to‌‌ move around again.⁠‌

‘First I need to‌ check the river.’

With‍‍ all the rain‌ that fell, the‌⁠ water level must’ve risen tremendously.

And‌‍ even if it⁠ hadn’t risen that‌‌ much, I planned‌⁠ to check and‌⁠ immediately retreat.

Because‍ rivers don’t rise‌‌⁠ slowly.

When‍⁠‌ they swell, they⁠⁠ come like a tsunami.

‘For‍⁠⁠ it having rained‍ all morning, the⁠‌ ground isn’t that‌ bad either.’

The‍ area around my‌ cave, especially where‍⁠⁠ I usually worked,⁠ had indeed turned‍‍‍ into mud.

But the rest was⁠ fairly fine.

Though‍ I clearly needed‍⁠ to make some⁠ repairs.

Especially⁠ the hole I had dug beneath‌ the barricade.

That‌ hole worked perfectly‌⁠⁠ as drainage, but‍‍ it still needed‌‍‍ fixing.

‘And⁠‌ it’ll take quite‍⁠ a while to‌‍ dry too…’

Maybe⁠ I should redirect the water elsewhere.⁠‌

If water pooled up,‍ the smell would‌ be awful and‍‌ it would attract⁠‌‍ insects.

That⁠‍ was exactly why‌‍ drainage was essential.‍‍

So‍‍ I immediately got‍‍ to work.

Checking‌⁠ the river could‌⁠⁠ wait.

First⁠‌‌ I had to‍‍ fix the surroundings‍ of the cave.‌

Thud!‌ Thud!

I started digging diligently⁠‍ while adjusting the‌ drainage.

The‌ end of the⁠‍ channel led behind⁠ the cave, where the trees grew densely.

If‌ water accumulated there,‍‌ the roots would⁠ probably absorb it‌ on their own.⁠⁠‍

‘First⁠‌⁠ I’ll block the‍ flow with dirt.’‌

If‌‌ I let the‌⁠ water run freely,⁠‍ it would probably‌ end up causing⁠⁠ even more problems.⁠‌

I formed a temporary‍ dirt wall and‌ kept digging.

Thud!‌‌

And‌‌ while digging, I ended up finding⁠‌ something pretty shocking.⁠⁠

Mainly.‍

An‍ earthworm.

One‍ so enormous that‍ it looked comparable⁠ to those giant‌ gummy candies I used to eat⁠‍ as a child.‌

“Aaaah!!”

I got so startled⁠⁠ that I ended⁠‍ up falling backward.

I never thought seeing⁠ an earthworm buried in the ground⁠⁠ greeting me with⁠⁠‍ a “hello” would‌ be so terrifying.⁠

Ever⁠‍ since arriving here,‌ I had almost‌ never screamed like‌ that, but a single earthworm managed‌‍‌ to do it.⁠‍

“Kyuuuu?”‌

Wonmo‌ came running over‌ after hearing my⁠‌ scream.

He clearly looked like‌‌‌ he was asking‍⁠‍ what happened.

I tried calming my‍ racing heart while‍ petting Wonmo’s head.‌⁠

Surprisingly,‍‌ that actually helped⁠‍ calm me down.⁠‍

Judging‌‌ by how hard‌ my heart was‌‌ pounding, I was‌ definitely still alive.‍

“Omnomnom.”⁠⁠⁠

The‌‌ earthworm that had‍ greeted me so‍⁠ warmly ended up⁠‍ being happily devoured⁠ by Wonmo.

Since⁠ earthworms were protein-rich‌‍ food, I didn’t‌ try stopping him.‍

“Haa…”‍

When⁠ I finally calmed‍‌⁠ down a little,⁠ I let out‌⁠ a deep sigh.‍

I felt like that‌‍ encounter was going to become trauma.‌⁠

At‌⁠ this rate, maybe‍‍⁠ I wouldn’t even‍‍⁠ be able to‌⁠ dig peacefully anymore.⁠

But‍ putting those thoughts‌ aside, I kept‌‍ steadily working.

And‍⁠ while I dug,‌ Wonmo stayed by‌ my side like‌ a bodyguard.

It⁠ was genuinely reassuring.⁠

“This‍ should be enough.”‍‍

The‌ drainage work was‌ finally finished.

I wouldn’t have to‌‍ worry about puddles anymore.

Now‍ all that remained‍‍ was checking the‍ river.

I grabbed some basic⁠ equipment and headed there.

Since‌ Wonmo was already‍⁠‌ awake, I also‍ brought the sloth‌ with me.

And‍ then.

Kwoooooosh!!‌

“……Shit.”⁠

I couldn’t help cursing‌‍‌ under my breath‌ when I saw‌‌‌ the overflowing river.‍

It⁠‌ wasn’t simply that‍⁠ the water level had risen.

It‌‍‍ literally looked like a tsunami.

The‌‌ current, which had‍ already been fast⁠ before, was now‍ far more violent.‌‌‌

And‌‍ the water level⁠‌⁠ had visibly increased.‍

But‍⁠ the biggest problem‌‌ was something else.‍

The‍‌ rocks I used⁠‌ to secure the‌‌ river trap had⁠‍ been completely swept away by the⁠ current.

And‌‍ naturally, the trap‍⁠ secured between them⁠⁠‌ had also disappeared.‌⁠

All‍‍‍ the effort I had put in‌ until now turned into foam in‌⁠‍ an instant because‌ of the rain.‌‍

Title)‌ Don’t screw with‌‌ me, my trap!!!‌

WildGrills⁠

(Video‌‍ of the violently‍ flowing river)

This‍‍ damn rain completely took away my method of getting‌ food.

Don’t‍⁠ tell me this⁠ happens every time‌‌⁠ it rains. Because if it does,‌⁠ I’m seriously going‍‍ to get depressed.‍

ㄴHeavenlyDemon)‌ The current is‌ quite strong. You’d‍ better not get⁠⁠ too close.

ㄴSwordmaster)‍⁠‍ Just looking at‌‍ it is scary.⁠⁠⁠ You didn’t get‍⁠ hurt, did you?‍‍‍

ㄴWildGrills)‍‍ Other than emotional‍ damage, I’m fine.‍

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‍ The trap I gave you wasn’t‌‌ that fragile either;; Did it really‌‌⁠ sweep everything away?⁠

ㄴWildGrills)‍ The problem wasn’t the trap, but‌ that all the⁠⁠ rocks holding it collapsed.

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‌⁠ Then it was‍ literally a natural‍⁠ disaster. I’ll give⁠‍⁠ you another trap‍ later, don’t worry.‍‌

ㄴWildGrills)⁠ Tsk tsk;; Want⁠⁠ fish?

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‌ Weren’t you supposed⁠⁠‍ to give me‍‌ fish every time⁠ we traded?

ㄴWildGrills)⁠⁠‌ What the hell;;⁠‍

ㄴDwarfPassingBy)‍⁠ Does it bother‍‍ you?

ㄴWildGrills)‌‌ Of course not.‌‍ What color do you want this‌‌ time?

ㄴAt‍ this point, isn’t‌ that already slavery?‌

ㄴNo,⁠‌ it’s already beyond⁠ the level of‍ a slave.

ㄴHe’s‍ more like the‌ owner’s human wallet hahaha.

ㄴGrills.‌ Aren’t you going‌ to swim there?‍⁠ At least go⁠ surfing.

ㄴLooking‍⁠‍ at it, it‍⁠ actually seems fun.‌‌

ㄴWildGrills) Then you guys‍ come do it,‌⁠ damn it.

Most‍ people lamented that‌⁠⁠ the trap had‍ been swept away.⁠⁠

And⁠⁠⁠ I was frustrated⁠‌ too.

If⁠‍ this happened every‍ time it rained,⁠‌ then my life⁠‌ would become much‌‌ more complicated.

Because⁠‌ upstream, there were⁠‍‌ clearly things living‍‌‍ there that were⁠ far more terrifying‌ than I imagined.‍

After⁠‌ all, even near‌ here there were‌ giant chickens occupying⁠‍ entire territories.

‘All‍‌ kinds of situations‍⁠ appear when it‍ rains.’

A raccoon entering the cave.

The‍ trap being swept‌⁠⁠ away by the current.

Even‍ seeing a gigantic‌‌ bear.

I tried calming my‍ worries while returning to the cave.⁠‌

I planned to solve lunch using the‌ fish we caught‍ yesterday.

‘The‌ vote should also⁠‌ be ending soon.’⁠‌

The‌ vote about the⁠ trade cooldown that‍‌ started yesterday.

It‌‍ should already be⁠ reaching its end.

Maybe⁠ that was why‌ I decided to‌‌‌ leave lunch until‌ after the vote⁠ ended.

Because‍‌ if they removed⁠ the 24-hour limit,‍ I was planning to distribute some⁠ fish to several‌ people.

Even‌ though it was⁠⁠ my food, giving‌ out small pieces⁠‍⁠ wouldn’t be a problem.

After‍‌ all, a single⁠ fish was already‌‌ enough to leave‌ someone completely full.‌

‘Please‌⁠ let this end‌ with a good⁠⁠ result.’

The‍ moderator was rigid.‌

Serious.‌⁠

And‌ extremely attached to⁠‍‌ the rules.

He‍‍ did have some‍ flexibility, but he‌ avoided breaking regulations⁠ whenever possible.

‘Though maybe that’s better‍ considering what the‍‌‌ gallery is like.’‍

I had heard stories‍‌ about previous moderators.‌⁠

All‌⁠ of them had‌ abused the gallery‌ in one way‌ or another.

The worst case was⁠‍ one who manipulated the trading system‍ and completely destroyed‍ an entire territory.⁠⁠

There was even one‍⁠ who used location tracking to stalk‍ people.

Just‌ hearing that was enough for me‍ to imagine how‍ dangerous that function‍‍ really was.

‘What‌‌‍ would’ve happened to‌‍‌ me if the‍‍‌ current moderator had‍‍ been a disaster?’‍⁠

Maybe‌ they would’ve placed⁠ trade restrictions on‍ me so I’d‌‌ die, or outright permanently banned me.⁠‌

Fortunately,‍‌ the moderator said they normally weren’t‌‍‌ replaced unless something‍‌‌ exceptional happened.

Hopefully this moderator stays⁠⁠‍ around for a long time.

As‍⁠‍ long as he’s‌‍‌ here, my survival‍‍ will be much⁠⁠ easier.

‘If‍ they lift the‍ trade restriction, I should give fish‌ to the moderator‍ too.’

Judging⁠ by the way‌‌⁠ he talks, he‍ seems to live‌‌ a pretty miserable‌‍ life, so it⁠‌ wouldn’t hurt to‍ give him something.⁠‌‌

Sometimes‌‌ he mentions being‌ chased, though with⁠ that personality I have no idea‍‌⁠ what kind of crime he committed.‌⁠‌

Well,⁠‍ there are all‍ kinds of people‌‌ in the world,‌ so it’s better‍ not to think‌‌‌ too much about⁠⁠⁠ it.

In⁠ the end, I’m just returning a favor.

It’s‌ not like I’m⁠⁠⁠ doing it specifically because of who‍‍ he is as⁠ a person.

‘As‌⁠ long as they remove the trade‌ restriction, I don’t really have anything⁠ else to ask⁠ for.’

The‌⁠ only other useful⁠‍‍ thing would be⁠‌‍ private one-on-one chats, though those can‌‌ be replaced with‍ private posts.

It’s‌ inconvenient, sure, but⁠‌ even this is⁠‌ already more than‍‍ enough for me.

“Wonmo. Time to eat.”‍

“Kyuu!”

I fed Wonmo and‌ waited until the‍⁠ vote ended.

Even‌ if I practiced‌ the internal circulation‌ method, it wouldn’t‌ be very efficient‍‍ right now anyway.‌

So‍ the only thing‌⁠ I could do⁠ was browse the⁠‌ gallery.

Since‍‌ the vote had‍‌⁠ been posted yesterday,‍‍‌ I was worried‌‍ it might get‍ buried beneath other‍‌ posts.

‘Is it pinned in⁠ the announcements?’

But‍‌ that concern turned out to be‍‌ unnecessary.

The‌‍ post was perfectly placed in the‌‍⁠ announcements section.

It⁠‌ seemed that since⁠⁠ it involved breaking‌ an important gallery⁠‌⁠ rule, they decided‍‌ to pin it.‍

‘They‍‌ said only registered‌⁠ users could vote.⁠‌ I wonder how‍‌ many there are?’‍‍‌

Most‌⁠ of the gallery consisted of anonymous‍ users, but there‌‌ were also quite⁠‌‌ a lot of‌ registered users.

Anyone‌⁠ could enter the⁠ gallery as long⁠ as they met‌⁠‌ the conditions.

I didn’t know this world’s population size,⁠ but proportionally it‌ had to be‌ enormous.

‘Just‍⁠ looking at the‌ speed of the⁠ posts…’

Every‍⁠ time you refreshed,‍‍⁠ an entire page⁠ disappeared backward.

Sometimes‍‍⁠ even two or‌‌ three pages at‌‌ once.

‘Who⁠‍ really created this gallery?’

It‍‍ was something I wondered about from‍⁠ time to time.⁠‌⁠

From⁠ what I’d heard,‌⁠ structurally it functioned‌ through magic.

But‌ I knew absolutely⁠ nothing about magic, and besides, I gained access to⁠‌‌ the gallery as⁠‍ soon as I arrived here.

That⁠‍ meant there had‍ to be some‌‌ other method behind‍‍ all of this.‌‌

Title)⁠‍‌ Two idiots

(Video⁠ of two human⁠⁠ men doing stupid‍⁠ things)

I can’t believe these‍ morons are my‍ friends lmao

ㄴlmao‍

ㄴlol‌

ㄴlmao‌‌

ㄴWhat‍‌‌ the hell is this? lmao

“Khihihihi.”⁠

No‍‌ matter what, the⁠‍‌ gallery was perfect⁠‌ for relieving stress.⁠‌

I spent some time‍⁠ laughing at absurd‍ videos before checking‌ the announcements section‍‌ again.

About‍ three minutes remained before the vote‍‌ ended.

Until‍⁠ recently I had‌⁠ been calm, but now that the‍ closing time was⁠ approaching, my palms⁠‍ started sweating.

[HeavenlyDemon:‍ Noble young man.‍ Are you there?]‌‌

While I waited quietly,‌‌‌ HeavenlyDemon sent me‌ a message.

Was⁠ she also waiting‍ for the result?‌‌

I replied immediately.

[WildGrills:‌⁠⁠ Yes. I’m waiting⁠⁠ for the vote⁠ result.]

[HeavenlyDemon: I see we‌ share the same⁠ feelings. Do not⁠ worry too much.⁠⁠‍ This noble lady‍⁠ personally voted in‍⁠ favor.]

[WildGrills:‌‌ Thank you very much. If the‍⁠ result goes well,‍‍‍ should I give‌ you some fish?]‌

[HeavenlyDemon:‍ Didn’t you say‍ the current swept‌ away all your traps?]

[WildGrills:‌ I still have⁠⁠ one fish left‌ from yesterday. I’ll‍ at least give⁠⁠ you a piece.]‍⁠

[HeavenlyDemon:⁠⁠ I am fine⁠ as I am.⁠ I do not‌‍ wish to act‌ like someone squeezing‌ even the liver out of a flea.]

[WildGrills:‍⁠ That liver is‌ huge. Even one piece is pretty‌ filling.]

[HeavenlyDemon:⁠ It is still‌⁠⁠ the liver of‍ a flea.]

[WildGrills:⁠ I’m not giving‌ you all of‌ it. I just‍ want you to⁠‍ try it.]

While we argued about‌ nonsense, the vote‌‍ finally ended.

I immediately entered the post with great‌‌ expectations.

Title)⁠⁠ Vote to remove the 24-hour trade⁠⁠‌ restriction for WildGrills!‌‌

HeroDontThrowAway⁠

Registered‍ user WildGrills is‍⁠⁠ desperately struggling to survive in the‍ Forest of Four‍ Seasons!

Normally⁠ we should not‍ grant these kinds‍ of privileges! But‌ WildGrills has not‌⁠ only verified himself,‌‍ he has also⁠‍‍ proven to be⁠‌ trustworthy, so we‍⁠ will hold a vote!

Additionally,‌⁠ WildGrills declared that⁠‍⁠ he will immediately‍⁠ give up the⁠ privilege once he‌ escapes the Forest⁠ of Four Seasons,‌‍ so we hope‌⁠ you will take‍‍ that into account!

In‌⁠⁠ favor: 95%
Against:‍‌ 5%

“Yeaaaaaah!!”‌‍

I clenched my fist⁠⁠‍ tightly while celebrating.⁠

I had won by‍⁠ an overwhelming margin.‍⁠

I was curious about‌‍‌ who that 5%‍‌ who voted against‍‍‍ were, but the‍‌ names weren’t shown.⁠‍‌

Though‍‌ honestly, with that‌ many votes in‍‌‍ favor, it was⁠‌ more than enough.‌‍‍

[HeavenlyDemon:‌ Congratulations. Your wish‌ has come true.]⁠

[WildGrills:⁠‍ HeavenlyDemon’s vote was⁠ a huge help!⁠‍⁠ Thank you very‍⁠ much!]

[HeavenlyDemon:‍‍ You know how‌⁠ to appreciate even⁠‍‌ small things. I like you more‍ and more.]

[WildGrills:⁠‌ You know what⁠⁠ they say, “grain‌‌⁠ by grain, the⁠‍ mountain is formed.”⁠ In any case, once they lift‍ the restriction, I’ll⁠ give you the⁠ piece of fish⁠ I mentioned earlier.]

Now⁠ all that remained was waiting calmly‌‍ for the moderator⁠ to act.

I was worried something‌‍ might go wrong‌ halfway through.

[HeroDontThrowAway⁠‌‌ has sent you‌ a private chat‍ request! Do you⁠ wish to accept‍‌‌ it?]

But‍ that concern turned out to be unnecessary, because a private conversation request⁠‍‍ from the moderator‌‍ arrived immediately.

I happily accepted it‌⁠ at once.

[HeroDontThrowAway: Hello! You are⁠ WildGrills, right!]

[WildGrills:‌‌ Yes! That’s me!]

[HeroDontThrowAway:⁠ You received an‍ overwhelming number of‌ votes in favor!⁠⁠ Just as I promised, I will‌⁠ remove the trade‍ restriction! But be⁠‍ careful! If I see signs of abuse, I will‍‌ immediately restore it!]⁠

[WildGrills:⁠⁠ Of course. I only intend to‌ focus on surviving.]⁠⁠

[HeroDontThrowAway:⁠ Mm! That sounds good! I sincerely‌⁠ hope you survive⁠ safely!]

[WildGrills: Before that, Moderator.⁠ I want to‌ give you a gift. Can we‌⁠‌ make a trade?]‌

[HeroDontThrowAway:‌ Eh?! What kind‌⁠ of gift?!]

[WildGrills:⁠ A bribe?]

[HeroDontThrowAway:‍ You can’t do‍ that!!]

[WildGrills:‌⁠ I’m joking. I just want to‌ give you an‍‍‍ inner core as⁠ thanks and in‍ hopes that we’ll⁠ get along from‍ now on. After⁠⁠‌ all, thanks to‌‌ your consideration, I’m‌ obtaining advantages.]

Even⁠⁠‍ if I put it that way,‌ it was basically⁠‍ a bribe.

But I never thought⁠ the moderator would‌‍ let himself be‍⁠ influenced by something like that.

As‍ I had said⁠⁠ before, the moderator‌ was stubborn and extremely attached to⁠ the rules.

This⁠⁠ was more of‌ a gesture of‍⁠‍ goodwill on my‌ part.

Besides,‍ right now I didn’t really have‍ many other things‍‌ I could give⁠⁠ him.

[HeroDontThrowAway:⁠‍ Isn’t that still‌ a bribe?!]

[WildGrills:‍‍ It’s a gift⁠ full of “goodwill.”]

[HeroDontThrowAway:‌‌ Why do I feel like you⁠‌ emphasized the “goodwill”⁠‍ part way too‌ much?!]

[WildGrills:⁠‍ You’re imagining things.‌⁠ Still, at least‍‌⁠ accept one. From‍ what I’ve heard,⁠ your living situation‌‍ doesn’t seem particularly‍ good.]

[HeroDontThrowAway:‍⁠⁠ Mmm…! Understood then!‌‌ Just register the‍ trade item here!]‍‍

[WildGrills:‌ The moderator can‌⁠ do things like‌ this too?]

[HeroDontThrowAway:‌‌ Because I’m the‍⁠ moderator! Besides, now that your restriction⁠‌ has been removed,‌‍ you’ll also be able to trade‍⁠ freely through private‍‌ chats!]

Right.‍

Now‌‌ that they had removed the trade⁠ restriction, I could⁠ also use private chats without limits.⁠

I nodded and took⁠‌ an inner core‍ out of the⁠ elixir jar.

[WildGrills‍‌‍ has registered an item for trade.]‍

[WildGrills: Eat it and⁠ stay strong. And‌ seriously, thank you‍ for giving me‌‍ these conveniences.]

[HeroDontThrowAway:‍ You don’t need‍‍‌ to thank me!⁠ And even if you call it‌⁠ a convenience, this‌‌ is simply justice⁠ and equality!]

[WildGrills:⁠‍ Technically it would‍ be equity, not⁠‍ equality, but anyway,‌‍ thanks.]

[HeroDontThrowAway:⁠ Yes! May the‌⁠ Goddess’s blessing accompany‍ WildGrills on his journey!]

Now⁠⁠‌ that I thought‍‍ about it, he⁠‌ had said he‍ had a profession⁠ related to religion.⁠‌‍

I received the moderator’s⁠ final greeting and⁠‍ ended the conversation.⁠‌

‘Finally…!’‍

The⁠⁠‍ annoying trade restriction‍ had disappeared.