Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 83: Fishman (2)

Chapter 83: Fishman (2)

In‍‌ my entire life, I never thought‌⁠⁠ I’d end up‍ getting hit in⁠ the face by‍ a fish and,⁠ on top of‌‍ that, almost kissing‌⁠ an eel.

The‌ nosebleed stopped quickly,‍ but the stinging‍⁠ sensation was still‌ there.

Even‍⁠ so, looking at‌ the barrels full‍⁠ of fish made‌‍ me feel satisfied.‍‌‍

Especially⁠‍ that gigantic eel that was even⁠‌ larger than the⁠‍ huge fish.

Although‌‌‍ the rain had⁠ caused several unpleasant⁠ situations, all of‍ that was compensated‍ for by this‌⁠ catch.

‘Let’s⁠⁠ see… something that‍ matches the drainage…’‍

After‌⁠ reinstalling the traps,‌‌ I used the⁠‍ remaining time to check the auction⁠ house for drainage⁠ materials.

I just had to‌ place proper materials over the dirt I had already‍⁠ dug out.

That‌ was all.

Though⁠‍⁠ first I had‍ to find pieces‌‍ of the right⁠⁠⁠ size and maybe⁠‍ reinforce the dirt‌ walls again.

‘Surprisingly,⁠‌ there are so many varieties.’

Drainage‍⁠ systems are extremely‌⁠ important not only in cities but‍‌‌ also in ordinary‍‌⁠ villages.

Even‌‍‌ if it’s just‍‍ a single structure,‍‍ drainage is one⁠ of the first‍‌ things that has‌ to be installed.‌‍‍

Without⁠ it, every rainstorm⁠ could turn into‍ a disaster.

‘I‌ guess that’s why‌‌ it’s so popular.’‍‌

The⁠‌ greatest advantage of‌ the gallery was‍ completely ignoring distribution.

In‍ places where transporting⁠‍ goods was difficult,⁠ especially remote rural‍⁠‍ areas, dependence on‍ the gallery was‍‌ probably enormous.

Even‌ high prices wouldn’t⁠‍ really be a disadvantage.

As⁠ someone once said,‍‌ time is gold.

Essentially,‍‍⁠ the gallery allowed‌‍‌ you to buy‌‍‍ time.

‘And‍ since I practically⁠‍⁠ have unlimited time here, this always⁠ benefits me.’

After⁠‌ searching for a while, I found‍ a suitable drainage⁠ system.

It‌‌⁠ had a trapezoidal⁠ shape, came in⁠‌⁠ large quantities, and‌‌‌ also had excellent‍ reviews.

Perfect.‌‍

Just‍⁠‌ in case, I took out a measuring tape and‌‌⁠ roughly calculated the‍ dimensions.

‘I’ll‌⁠ have to dig a little more.’⁠‍

After‍ widening the trench,‌‌ I carefully installed‌ the drainage pieces I bought from‌ the auction house.‌‍

When‌⁠ I finished everything‌ with patience and⁠⁠‌ dedication, I poured‌ water in to‌‍ test it.

Trickle trickle.

“Mm.⁠ Perfect.”

The‌⁠ water flowed perfectly‍⁠⁠ through the stone‍‍ drainage channel.

I felt inexplicably proud,‌‍ so I took‍‌‌ several pictures and⁠‍ uploaded them to‌⁠ the gallery.

Title) Drainage completed!

WildGrills‍‍

(Photo⁠ of the carefully‍‌ installed drainage)

(Photo‌ of the drainage‌ from another angle)‍

(Video⁠‌ of water flowing‍ properly through the drainage)

I finished the drainage. Now I won’t‌ have to worry about the rain‍‍ anymore!

└HeavenlyDemon)⁠ Looking at this‍‍ brings peace to‍ the heart.

└Swordmaster)‍‌‌ It’s strangely hypnotic.‌‍‌ Did you buy⁠‌⁠ it from the‍ auction house?

└WildGrills)‍ Yeah. I felt⁠‌⁠ like it would take too long‌‌‍ if I made⁠ it myself.

└DwarfPassingBy)⁠ Are you planning‌ to live there⁠ forever or what?‌⁠ You even installed‍⁠‌ drainage.

└WildGrills)‌‌ Nah. It’s just‌ that the improvised⁠ drainage collapsed every⁠‍‌ time it rained.‍

└DwarfPassingBy)‌ It turned out pretty clean. Of course, by human standards haha.

└WildGrills)‌‌ Was that an‌ insult?

└He’s⁠ insulting you while congratulating you.

└Dwarves‌ are just showing⁠‌ off their pride‍ lmao.

└Those‍ dwarves only know⁠ how to build‌ things lol.

└DwarfPassingBy)⁠‍ And what did‌ you all do⁠‌⁠ when we went‍‍ on strike? Exactly,‍ nothing haha.

└Shit,‌ I still remember⁠ that.

└Please,‍ anything but another‌⁠‌ strike!!

It seemed that, coming‍‌ from a dwarf, that was practically‌ a compliment.

And‍ because of that,⁠‍⁠ I felt even‌‌ prouder.

The⁠⁠‍ only experience I had with this‍⁠‍ kind of work‌ came from the‍‌‍ military.

And‍ it wasn’t even‌‍⁠ something I did‌⁠‍ willingly.

I was just following‌ orders, so I never felt any satisfaction from it.⁠‌

After checking the drainage‌⁠‍ one last time,‌‍ I looked around‍‌ the entire cave.⁠⁠

‘Even‌‍ so, I don’t‍‌ think I can⁠‌ ignore what the‍ dwarf said so⁠ easily.’

His⁠⁠ comment about whether‌ I planned to‍ live here forever.‍‌

For‍ him, it was⁠ probably just a simple joke, but‌ for me it‌ wasn’t so easy‌ to take it⁠ that way.

‘Maybe‌‍ not live here‌‌ permanently, but I should at least⁠‌ consider it as‌ a base.’

I hadn’t given up‌ hope of escaping.‌‍

This⁠⁠ forest wasn’t a place where a person could live normally.

Even‍ ordinary plants and‍‌⁠ animals grew to⁠‍‌ absurd sizes or‌‌ developed intelligence.

Everything‍ here treated common‍⁠‍ sense as if⁠‌ it were worthless‌ and constantly threatened‍ my life.

‘Besides,‍ this is a mix of fantasy‌‌⁠ and murim, so⁠⁠⁠ common sense works‌ even less.’

Though,⁠ to be honest, even the people⁠‍ of this world‌ didn’t understand the‌ Four Seasons Forest.

As⁠ I looked at⁠‌⁠ the cave, I let out a long sigh.

‘Well,‍⁠‌ I guess this‌⁠ is simply my fate.’

What‌ kind of sin‌⁠ did I commit‍‍ to wake up‍ in a place‍ like this?

Sometimes‍ I even wondered⁠⁠‌ if, while completely⁠ drunk, I had‍ committed some monstrous⁠‌‍ crime.

But⁠ even so, it⁠ still felt strange⁠‍‌ that they chose‍⁠ me specifically.

‘God,‌‌ this really is‌‍ cruel.’

As‍ far as I knew, gods existed⁠‌‍ here.

The‍ Moderator [1] had‌ even tried to‌‌ convert me into⁠ a believer.

But‍ one thing was‍ believing they existed,⁠⁠ and another completely⁠⁠‍ different thing was⁠ worshipping them.

What‍⁠ had they done⁠ for me to⁠‍‍ deserve worship?

‘Even‍‌‌ so, when I escape, I should‍‍‍ ask them.’

Why did they throw‌ me into this⁠‌ damned place?

What‍ sin exactly did⁠‍ I commit?

And,‍‌ most importantly, whether‌ it would be‍⁠ possible to return‍ to the place‍ I came from.⁠

That‍‌ was the most⁠‍ important thing.

Because⁠‌‍ even if I managed to escape.⁠‌⁠

‘No.‌ No. No. Don’t‌⁠ think like that.’

I shook my head‌‍ hard.

Negative thoughts wear down‍‍⁠ your willpower.

Even⁠‍ though my previous⁠‌⁠ life hadn’t been‌‍ easy either, I still had good‌‍ people around me.‌

And‌ that alone was reason enough to⁠⁠‍ return.

I still hadn’t been‌ able to repay‌ everything they did‍ for me.

“Kyuu.”⁠‍‌

“……Are‍⁠ you hungry?”

Just⁠ when my mind‌‍‍ was filling with⁠‌‍ complicated thoughts, Wonmo⁠⁠ slowly approached me.⁠‍‍

He‍⁠‌ seemed to notice‍ how I was⁠ feeling, because he‍ moved cautiously.

When‍‍ I asked him⁠ with a small‍ smile, the little‍‌⁠ guy started rubbing‌‍ his head against‌ my leg.

I let out a quiet laugh and⁠ patted his head.‍‍

It‍ seemed he had⁠‍ intelligently understood my⁠⁠ mood.

‘Even⁠ if I manage⁠ to get out‍ of here, I’m‌ definitely raising Wonmo.’⁠⁠

Abandoning‌ such an adorable and affectionate animal?‌‍

That⁠ kind of person‍⁠ would end up‍‍⁠ getting eaten by⁠ an owlbear.

After⁠‍ petting Wonmo, I checked the time.‌

It‍ was already almost⁠‍ noon.

Curiously, my biological clock‌ seemed more accurate⁠ than the gallery’s clock.

‘The‌⁠ ground is still⁠‍⁠ wet. I should⁠ bring leather.’

Because⁠ of the torrential⁠⁠‍ rain, the floor‌‍ was still soaked.‌

I went to get⁠ the tiger hide‌⁠‌ I had placed on the cave⁠ floor.

Then‍⁠ I finished preparing‍⁠⁠ everything to cook⁠‌⁠ the fish and‍‍‍ approached the metal‍ barrels.

One‍‍ contained three fish.‍‍‍

The other, a huge‍ eel.

‘I’d‍‍‌ never tasted eel‍ before… and I’m‍ going to do it in a place like this.’⁠

Why⁠‌ had I never eaten eel before?

It‍ wasn’t that I didn’t want to.‍

I simply never could.⁠

I didn’t have the money for it.‌

I lived surviving meal to meal on‍⁠ instant ramen, so⁠ eel was practically‍⁠‍ an impossible luxury.‌

The most delicious thing‌‌ I had ever‍⁠‌ eaten in my‌⁠‍ life was beef.‌⁠

I could still remember‍⁠‌ it clearly.

It⁠‍ would probably be‍‌ a long time‍ before I ate‍‌ something like that‍‍ again.

Though,‌ well, these fish‍⁠ tasted like meat‌ anyway.

‘I‌‍ wish I had‍ some seasonings.’

Since I normally didn’t‌‌‌ eat fish, I had no idea‍‌ what would pair⁠ well with it.‍⁠

And‌⁠ in moments like‍ this, what did‌ one need?

The⁠ gallery.

Sometimes⁠ trying something new‌⁠ lifted morale and‍ even increased combat⁠ power.

Title)⁠⁠ Recommend seasonings for⁠‍ fish.

WildGrills‌⁠

Any‌‍‌ good seasoning for‌ fish besides salt?‍

And don’t tell me⁠‍ I’m “living in‌ luxury already.” I’ve‌ got money to‌⁠ spare and I want to spend‌ it.

└Swordmaster)‍ Oyster sauce goes‍ amazingly well with‌‍‍ fish. You should‌ try it.

└WildGrills)⁠‌ Does oyster sauce‌ exist here?

└Swordmaster)‍ Yeah. It’s a popular sauce in‍‌ Zhongyuan. HeavenlyDemon probably‍⁠‌ knows it too,‍‍‌ though she isn’t‍⁠ online right now.⁠

└HeavenlyDemon)‍⁠‌ This one has never personally cooked⁠ in her life.‌ Besides, she no longer even needs⁠⁠ to consume food.

└Swordmaster)⁠⁠ Ah… yeah. That‌ makes sense.

└HeavenlyDemon)‌ If you desire‌‍ seasonings, this one can grant them‍⁠ to you. It‌ will suffice to‌‌ ask my subordinate‌⁠⁠ for them.

└WildGrills)‍ That’s not necessary.‍ I’ll just buy them at the⁠⁠ auction house.

└SunForEver)‍ How about using⁠ what I give you instead of‍ cheap sauce?

└WildGrills)⁠‍ What thing?

└SunForEver)⁠‍ Truffle powder.

└WildGrills)‍ And what’s that?‌

└Idiot,‌‍ that costs almost⁠ as much as‌⁠‍ gold;;

└Are⁠ you trying to put him into‍ debt? lmao

└SunForEver)‌‌ What a shame haha.

└WildGrills)⁠ ;;

In‍ the end, I decided to simply⁠ buy oyster sauce‍‌ from the auction⁠ house.

HeavenlyDemon‌⁠ even offered to‌ give me a special sauce, but‍‌⁠ I barely managed⁠ to stop her.‌

Every‌‌ time I did‌⁠ something, she ended‌‌⁠ up working her‌‌ subordinate to death,‍‌ and that even‌‌‍ made me feel⁠‍⁠ guilty.

She said she would‌ consider giving him‍ an internal core‍ as compensation, though‌ who knows if‍ she actually did‍⁠ it.

‘I‍⁠‌ just hope HeavenlyDemon‍ isn’t an exploitative⁠⁠ boss.’

In⁠‍ any case, I decided to use oyster sauce with the fish.

It was absurdly expensive‌⁠ in the auction‍ house and came‍‌ in a very‍‍ small quantity.

Considering I’d also be‌⁠⁠ cooking the eel‍ tonight, I’d probably‌⁠ use it all‍ up.

Sizzleeeee—‍

‘I⁠‍ guess I just‌‍ need to spread⁠‍ it over the⁠ meat.’

The‌⁠ problem was that‌⁠ I didn’t have⁠⁠ a brush to⁠ apply the sauce.‌⁠

So‌ I used a spoon and spread‌ it carefully.

“Oh.⁠‍ It smells good.”‌‌

The‌ meat, which had‌ been white before,‍ turned a dark‌‍⁠ brown color once‍ covered with oyster‌ sauce.

Just looking at it‍‌ made my mouth‍‍ water.

I wanted to eat⁠‍‌ it as soon‌⁠⁠ as possible.

“Nom⁠⁠‌ nom nom nom.”‌

While‌ the fish with‍ oyster sauce slowly⁠ cooked, Wonmo ate lunch beside me.

As⁠‌ always, he was‍‌ eating fish without‌⁠ internal cores.

Seeing⁠ him enjoy it‌‍⁠ so much made‌‍‌ me feel happy.⁠

‘Time‍‍ to eat!’

It⁠‌⁠ seemed ready, so‌‍ I moved the‌‍‍ iron pan with⁠ the fish away⁠‌‍ from the fire.⁠

It was better to‍‌ keep the campfire‍ burning continuously to‍⁠ keep producing charcoal.⁠

Then⁠ I picked up‍⁠ the chopsticks and‍‌ tried a piece⁠‌ of the perfectly‍ cooked fish.

“Kyaah!”⁠

If⁠⁠ fish seasoned only⁠ with salt tasted⁠⁠ like meat, then‍ fish with oyster‌ sauce tasted directly‍ like steak.

Of‍ course, comparing it‍‍ to a real⁠ steak might have⁠⁠‌ been an exaggeration,‍‍ but it really⁠ was that delicious.

The‌⁠‍ sweet and salty flavor mixed with‌‍⁠ a deep umami‌ that filled my‌⁠ mouth.

And‍‌⁠ there wasn’t even‍ the slightest trace‍ of the typical⁠⁠ fishy smell.

It‌ was, literally, exquisite.‌

Probably the most delicious‌ thing I had⁠ caught since arriving⁠‌ in the forest.

‘Being able to eat⁠‌ all this is⁠⁠ a—’

Rumble!‍‌

—blessing.

That⁠ was what I was thinking when‌ the ground suddenly⁠ began to shake⁠ violently.

A heavy sense of silence fell over⁠‌ the surroundings.

Even Wonmo, who normally‌ lost his mind⁠‍ over food, stopped‌ eating and raised⁠‌‍ his head.

Swish—‍‍

The‌‍⁠ sloth also sensed‌‌⁠ that something was⁠‍ wrong and clung‍ to my back.‍‌‌

Boom!‌⁠ Booom!

The⁠ vibrations grew stronger and stronger.

I slowly put down‌ the chopsticks and⁠ grabbed HeavenlyDemon’s sword.‌

I always kept the‌‍ sword and the⁠⁠‍ adamant shield beside‍‌ me.

So‍ I could react⁠‌ immediately to any‌ situation.

‘It’s⁠‍ definitely something huge.’⁠

Every‌ step made the ground tremble.

It‌ was, without a doubt, a creature as large as‌‍ a Guardian.

Could⁠‍ it be that‌⁠‍ bear I saw before?

It‌ didn’t seem like‌‍ it.

Swordmaster⁠‍‌ had said something important.

Quadrupedal⁠ animals distributed their‌ weight well, so‍‍ they didn’t cause‌‍⁠ tremors while walking.‍

Only⁠ creatures or monsters that walked upright‌ generated vibrations that⁠ strong.

And⁠‌ if something like⁠ that was causing‌⁠ such an earthquake.‌‌

It‌‌⁠ definitely had to‌ be gigantic.

Completely tense, I equipped‌ myself and stood‍⁠⁠ up.

Booom! Boom!

The‍ vibrations kept getting⁠‌ closer.

Booooom!⁠

And⁠ finally, on the‌⁠⁠ path leading to‌ the river, a huge figure appeared.⁠

Just‌‍ as Swordmaster had⁠ said, it walked upright.

But its appearance was‍ extremely strange.

It‍‌‌ had pale gray‌⁠ skin.

A hunched posture.

It‌ easily stood over‌ three meters tall.⁠

Below⁠⁠‌ the head, its‍⁠ body resembled a human’s.

But‌‍ its head and limbs were anything‍⁠ but human.

‘……A‍ shark?’

Its‌⁠ face literally looked‍ like a shark’s⁠‌ head attached to‍‌ a giant body.⁠⁠

Countless‌‌ sharp teeth protruded‌ from between its‌ half-open jaws.

It even had a fin sticking out‍‍ of its back—or‌‌⁠ perhaps its neck.‍

Its‍‌ nearly human hands⁠‌‍ and feet were connected by membranes‌‍ like a frog’s.‍⁠‌

A giant shaped like‍⁠ a shark.

Yeah.⁠‌

That‍⁠ description fit perfectly.‍‍

“Grrrrrr……”⁠

The monstrous shark face⁠ stared directly at‌ me.

I immediately took a defensive stance.

It‍⁠ didn’t seem to‌ have come with⁠ good intentions.

And‌ I had already seen what happened‍⁠‌ with the mushroom‌ men.

I couldn’t lower my‌⁠‌ guard.

Booom!⁠ Booom!

The‍ shark giant slowly‌ advanced with heavy footsteps.

Its‌ hunched posture reduced‌⁠ its height slightly,‍‌‍ but the pressure‍ it emitted was‌ terrifying.

And‍⁠ then.

Grab!‍‌

It⁠ grabbed the fish‌‍ I had been⁠ eating with its hand.

The‍‍‌ fish I had‌⁠ even put that‍ expensive oyster sauce on.

“Huh?”‌‍

No‌ way…

I didn’t even finish‍⁠ thinking it when—‍‍

“Crunch.⁠‌ Gulp. Chomp. Munch.”‍⁠

It‌‍ chewed the fish‍‌‌ a couple of‌ times and swallowed‌ it whole.

I looked at the‍ shark giant with‍ a completely blank‍‍‌ expression.

What‌⁠ the hell had‍‍⁠ this bastard just‍⁠ done?

I had worked my‌ ass off to⁠⁠‍ get that oyster‍ sauce!

And I had barely‌‍ tasted one bite!‌

And‌‍ this asshole just‌ swallowed the whole‍‌‌ thing?!

“You…!!”

Now⁠⁠ I completely understood⁠ how the sloth‍ felt when someone⁠ almost stole his⁠ fasting pills.

“Son‍‍ of a bitch!!!”⁠

It‍‌ was impossible to⁠⁠ hold back my‍ anger.

T/N:‍‌‌

(1):⁠⁠ I already mentioned this in previous‌ chapters, but regarding⁠⁠ the genders of‍ some characters, even‍ if they are‌‌‌ male or female,‌ since they’re in⁠⁠ the chat and‌ there’s anonymity, the‌‌ gender can vary.‍‌