Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 89: Diary (2)

Chapter 89: Diary (2)

When‍⁠‍ a tiger dies,‍ it leaves its‍⁠‌ skin behind. When‌ a person dies,⁠⁠ they leave their‍‍ name behind.

It is a proverb‌ that expresses human nature, saying that‌‌ one must accomplish‌ great deeds in‌‍ life in order⁠‌ to leave behind‌⁠ a brilliant name‌‍ for future generations.

Humans⁠ possess the greatest intelligence among all animals, but as‍⁠ living beings they‌‍ still retain their‌‍⁠ basic instincts.

One‍‍ of them is‍ the desire to leave something behind.‍

Whether‍‍⁠ it is children,‌ a name, or‌ achievements.

It⁠ is not for⁠⁠ nothing that so‌⁠ many people live‌ and die for “honor.”

Because‌ depending on their⁠⁠⁠ honor, it determines⁠‌ how great the⁠⁠ name they leave‍ behind to future‍ generations will be.

That‍ is how strong‍ the human desire⁠ to leave a legacy behind truly‌ is.

And diaries also fit⁠ within that.

Even‍⁠ if they seem childish, they are‌ one of the‌‍ deepest hobbies that exist.

People write diaries for⁠‌ many reasons, but‌ in the end‌ they all become‍ acts of “leaving⁠ records behind.”

Especially‍‌ the diaries left⁠ by great figures⁠‌ possess immense academic value, to the‌‌ point of changing‌ history itself.

But‍⁠ even the diaries of ordinary people‌‌ cannot be considered‍ worthless.

Because‍‍‍ even if they⁠ seem insignificant at⁠⁠ first glance, they‌‌ contain an entire life within them.‌‌

Through those diaries, one can gain wisdom‌‍‌ or use them‍ as lessons.

They possess enough value‌ on their own.⁠

‘……Did‌ I say something⁠⁠ unnecessary?’

Hair‍‍ and skin as‍ white as snow.‌

A cold and elegant beauty.

Selena,⁠ the woman who⁠ had regained her vitality thanks to Grills’s help after‌⁠ suffering from an‌⁠ incurable illness, felt‍‌ uneasy.

Her expression remained as‌ cold as always,‌ but the trembling‌⁠ in her eyes clearly reflected her‍⁠ emotions.

‘What‍ if Mr. Grills‍ got hurt by⁠⁠ what I said?’‌‍

Selena‍ understood Grills’s situation very well.

A certain death and‍⁠‌ a death that could come at‌ any moment.

There‌‍ was a subtle‍‌ difference between the‌⁠ two, but they⁠‌ shared something in‌‍ common.

Both‌ were close to⁠‌ death.

Now, thanks to Grills’s‍ help, she had‌‍ completely escaped the fear of dying,‌‍‌ but that did‍‌‌ not mean that‍‌ fear had disappeared.‍

On‌ the contrary.

She‍‍ knew better than‍ anyone how terrifying⁠‍ death could be.‍

That‌⁠ feeling of thinking‌ you might lose your sanity at any moment.

Although‌⁠ the fear had gradually faded once⁠‍ she reached the‍‌ stage of “acceptance,”⁠‍ she still remembered‍‌‍ that feeling clearly.⁠‌

‘People⁠ in situations like Mr. Grills’s usually‌ start writing diaries when they enter‍ the stage of‌‌ acceptance…’

Writing‍ a diary is something good.

Leaving‌‌ something behind already‍ has meaning in‍‍‌ itself.

But‌⁠‍ people who are‍‌⁠ close to “death” normally begin writing diaries once they‍ have reached acceptance.⁠

Quietly waiting for death‌ or preparing for‌ it, without knowing⁠ when it will⁠‍⁠ come.

It‍⁠‍ is something fairly common.

And,⁠ from the outside,⁠‌ it looks very‍ much like a final act of⁠ resistance.

‘Did‍⁠‌ he really come‌‌‍ from another world?’‍‌

The⁠ problem was Grills.⁠

Selena⁠⁠ carefully observed the‌‌‍ photograph he had⁠⁠ sent.

The image of a notebook with unknown‌‍ characters written on‍ it.

Even‍‍ she, who had⁠⁠ mastered numerous foreign⁠‍ languages, had never‍‍ seen such a language before.

No‌⁠ matter how remote⁠ a country may‍ be, languages usually‌ share similarities.

It‍‌‍ can be considered‌‌ a kind of⁠ dialect.

But⁠‍ what Grills showed‍⁠ was not a dialect.

It⁠ was an entirely new writing system.‌

‘If‌ he really came⁠‌ from another world, then even if‌ Mr. Grills leaves⁠ behind a diary,‍ there will not‌ be a single⁠⁠ person capable of‍ understanding it.’

Diaries‍‍ are embarrassing things‍ to show to‌ others.

But ironically, they are⁠ also born from‌ the desire for someone to understand‍⁠ you.

If‌ someone truly wished‌‍‌ to completely hide⁠‍ their secrets, they⁠ would simply keep‌ them in their⁠ heart instead of‍‍‌ writing them down.

Selena‍⁠ had also written⁠ diaries with those‍⁠ same feelings.

Even⁠‌ after recovering, she still reread them from time to‍ time.

‘How‌⁠‍ sad and miserable‌ it must be.’‌‍

A legacy that nobody⁠⁠ will recognize.

No.‍‍

A legacy that nobody‌‌ will be able‌⁠ to understand.

The‍ only traces Grills‌‍ could leave behind‌ were his posts‍‍ in the gallery.‌

If‌⁠ at least it‌‌ were a language‌‌ she knew, perhaps‌⁠ she could have⁠ received his diaries.⁠

But‍ because he came‌‍‍ from another world,⁠‍ even if she⁠⁠ received them she‌ would not be‌‌ able to decipher⁠ them.

‘The‍‍ best option would‍⁠ be for Mr. Grills to teach‌ me his writing‍⁠ system, but…’

Would‍‍ someone struggling to⁠⁠ survive have time⁠ for something like⁠‌‌ that?

Of‍‍⁠ course not.

Death‌‌‌ was approaching Grills‌‍⁠ every hour.

Even⁠ today he had⁠⁠ written in the‌‌‌ gallery that he‌‍⁠ almost died again.‍‍

‘Mr.⁠⁠‍ Grills helped me‌‍ out of pure‍ goodwill. I also‌⁠ must repay him‌ somehow.’

Selena⁠ reflected.

How‌‌ could she preserve‍ his legacy in‍⁠ the best possible⁠⁠ way?

Beyond‌ the saying about‌‌ not losing hope,‌‍‌ one must always‍ prepare for everything.‌

Sometimes‌ she sent him⁠ elixirs or delicious‌ snacks, but that‍ still was not‌‍ enough.

‘……Yes. I’ll do this.’⁠‌

After⁠‍ a long yet brief reflection, Selena‍‌ made a decision.‌‍‌

‘I‍‌ will copy all of Mr. Grills’s‌ post history in‌‍ the gallery. And‍⁠ I will also⁠‍ record his actions.’⁠⁠

The‍⁠ gallery’s records are‍ not eternal.

Just‌ as the dead‍⁠⁠ no longer speak,⁠‍‌ the gallery also⁠‌ deletes the records‌‍ of the dead.‌

If‌‍‌ all of a user’s posts disappear,‍‍‍ it means that‍ person died.

And if Grills’s records⁠‌ disappeared, it would⁠⁠ mean exactly the⁠⁠ same thing.

‘If I cannot help‌ him directly, then‍ at least I will make sure⁠ his death is not meaningless by‌‌ recording it.’

It‍⁠‌ was the only‍ thing she could⁠ do.

Selena⁠‍ once again lamented⁠ the insufficiency of‍ her own abilities.‍

She‍ had tried to‌‌ analyze the Forest of Four Seasons‌‌ mathematically, but she⁠ could only reach⁠⁠ one conclusion.

Impossible.‌‍

That‌ thought had arisen⁠ after seeing the⁠ video of the‌‍‍ ocean flowing into⁠ the river.

‘So that the people‌ lost in the‌‍‍ Forest of Four‌ Seasons will not⁠‍ die in vain.’‌⁠‌

Grills’s survival records might‌ someday become an⁠‌ invaluable resource for other people trapped⁠⁠‌ in the forest.

Thinking‌⁠ that, Selena began‍‌ reviewing the traces⁠‌‍ Grills had left⁠ behind.

The‌ very first post‍ he had made.⁠‍

Grills’s‌ completely confused message⁠‍ after suddenly appearing‍⁠ in the Forest‌‍⁠ of Four Seasons.‍‌‌

‘So⁠‌ he was already‌‌ suffering even back then…’

The‍⁠‌ fact that he‌‍‌ had been chased‌⁠ by a pack⁠ of Mad Dogs‍ immediately after helping‍ HeavenlyDemon.

Then‍ the appearance of‍ the Guardian.

How⁠⁠ he almost lost‍ an arm after‌‍ being bitten by⁠⁠ a Mad Dog,‌ but managed to‌⁠‌ survive thanks to‌⁠ Swordmaster’s help.

And‌⁠ even the record⁠ of when he found an adult‌⁠ Mandrake and she‌‌ was able to‍‌ recover completely because of it.

Even‌ though only ten‌‌‍ days had passed,⁠ countless events had‌‌⁠ already occurred.

So⁠ many that simply⁠⁠ organizing his actions‌⁠ required quite a lot of time.⁠‍‍

‘I‌‍ should also write⁠⁠ about the fixed‍‌‍ users…’

Because‍‌‌ it was a gallery, there were⁠‍ far too many⁠ peculiar people.

Parasites…‌ no, idiots… no,‌‌⁠ morons…

For‍‌ now, she decided‌ to exclude the anonymous users with human forms.

Although‍ sometimes they gave⁠‍⁠ important information or‍‍‍ taught useful things,‍‍ like how to‌ prepare fish.

Aside‍‍ from a few‌‍ relevant cases, most‍‌⁠ of the anonymous‍ users only left ridiculous comments.

‘The⁠⁠ death battle against‍ the saber-toothed tiger⁠ and the heart with the same‍‍‌ structure as a Dragon Heart…’

The‍‍ more she thought about it, the‍⁠‍ more this idea‍‍ arose in her⁠‌‌ mind.

How⁠ on earth had‍‌‍ Grills managed to‍‌ survive in a hellish forest like‍ that?

Even‍‍‌ with the gallery’s‌ help, the Forest‌ of Four Seasons⁠‌ was a place‌‍ where even the‍ truly strong could‌ not endure.

It‍ was enough to‍‍ look at the‍ gallery history to‍‌ see all kinds⁠ of dangerous beasts‍ appearing one after⁠‍ another.

‘He‌‍ must have exceptional⁠ combat sense.’

It‌‍ was not for‌‍ nothing that HeavenlyDemon⁠ and Swordmaster had⁠‍ taken an interest‍‌ in him.

His‌ talent was extraordinary.⁠‍

But⁠⁠ the most surprising‍‌ thing was the⁠ intelligence he displayed⁠⁠ in the gallery.⁠

When‍‌ dealing with DwarfPassingBy‌‌ or the anonymous⁠⁠ users, he spoke‌ like a complete‍⁠ delinquent, but with‍‍‍ the fixed users‌⁠ he was incredibly⁠‌ polite.

Even‍⁠ though the gallery‍‌‌ was based on‍‍‍ anonymity, there was⁠‌ a courtesy and⁠ kindness that he⁠ could not hide.⁠‌

That‌ was what caught⁠ Selena’s attention the‍ most.

‘What⁠ exactly did Mr.⁠ Grills do before arriving here?’

He⁠‌‍ displayed astonishing adaptability.‌

He⁠ had even already⁠⁠ built a base.‌⁠

And‍⁠ even more interesting was the resentment‌‍ he felt toward‌ the gods.

In‍‍ truth, it would be strange if⁠ someone in Grills’s‌ situation did not‌‍ resent the gods.

But‍‌⁠ his was not⁠‍‌ a simple complaint.⁠

The‍⁠ seriousness he conveyed‌ bordered on blasphemy.‌⁠

‘And even so, he‍‍‌ still keeps fighting‍‍ to live.’

The‌‍ deeper she looked‌‍ into him, the‍⁠‌ stranger he seemed.

And‍‍⁠ his actions were⁠⁠‍ just as strange.‍‍⁠

Selena⁠⁠⁠ slowly continued recording‌ Grills’s actions while⁠ writing in the⁠⁠‌ book.

‘From‌ what has been‍‍ revealed so far…’‍

Kindness⁠‌ to repay kindness.‍‍

Absolute⁠⁠ coldness to cut‍‍⁠ ties the instant⁠ someone betrayed him.⁠

Courtesy as a foundation,‍‍ but enough familiarity to casually swear‍ with people he‍‌ trusted.

A sense of justice‍‌ that respected order⁠ even in desperate situations.

But‌‍ also the intelligence‌ to discreetly manipulate‌⁠⁠ that order whenever‌ there was a valid reason.

That was the personality⁠ of Grills that‌ could be seen‍‌ through his gallery records.

‘He‍‍ definitely said he was an orphan,‍ so what kind⁠‍⁠ of life did‍ he live to⁠‌ end up with‍‌‍ a personality like‌‍ this?’

Orphans inevitably grow up‍⁠‌ with certain deficiencies.⁠

It was not discrimination.

It⁠ was simply something‍‌‍ natural.

Everything⁠‍ they were originally‍ supposed to receive‍ from their parents⁠ disappears, making them more influenced by⁠ their environment than‍ anyone else.

That is why orphans‍‍ often develop defensive‍‌ mechanisms and rough‌ personalities.

Even‌‍ though Grills argued⁠ with the dwarf, he did not‍ show any roughness.⁠

He⁠ was surprisingly normal.⁠

‘Though maybe it is only because this‍ is a gallery…’‍

Perhaps‌ everything was the⁠ result of careful‌ calculations.

But‍‌ that possibility seemed‌ very low.

Because‍⁠ if that were⁠‍ the case, it⁠‌‍ would have shown.‍⁠

‘And⁠⁠ if that were true, he never⁠‌⁠ would have helped HeavenlyDemon.’

Selena‍ slowly continued writing‍ the record about‍ Grills.

She did not know‍‌‌ what would become‌‍ of those records‌‌ in the future,⁠‌ but she was‌‌ certain they would⁠ have a great‍‍ impact.

Especially‌ in research related⁠ to the Forest‌⁠ of Four Seasons.

Knock‌ knock—

“Princess.⁠‍⁠ It’s Mary. May I come in?”⁠

Just‍ as she was‌ reviewing the gallery‌‌‌ and organizing the⁠ records, Mary called⁠⁠‍ from outside.

At⁠⁠ that, Selena closed‌‌ the book for‍‍ a moment.

She‌ still had no⁠⁠‍ intention of showing‍‌ it to anyone.⁠

“Come‌‍⁠ in.”

Creeeak—

When⁠ Selena gave permission,‍‍‌ the door slowly⁠ opened.

And⁠ the one who⁠ appeared behind it⁠‍ was Mary, the⁠ maid who had⁠ remained by her‍ side until the‌ very end.

Mary respectfully bowed her‍‍ waist and greeted‍‌ her.

“What⁠‌ is it?”

“The‌⁠‌ duchess said that…”‌‍

“You‍⁠ will soon have to call her‍ mother. Don’t you⁠ think that sounds⁠ too formal?”

“M-my‍ lady?”

Selena’s‍ words startled Mary,‍‍ causing her to quickly raise her⁠ head.

Selena’s‌‍ face remained completely expressionless.

It‍ even conveyed a certain coldness.

“You will soon be adopted as her‌‍ daughter. So you‌ should start getting⁠‌‌ used to it.”⁠‍

“B-but⁠ how could I possibly…!”

“You‍‍ must.”

“Y-yes!”‍⁠

Unlike‌‌ the warm atmosphere‍ of the gallery,‍ the Selena of‍ the real world still used a cold tone.

She‌ could not help it.

The⁠⁠ incurable illness had‍‌ gradually erased even‌⁠ her emotions.

Although‌‍ lately she had‌ improved quite a lot.

Selena‍‌ rose from her⁠‍ seat.

The‍ duchess—in other words,‌‍ her future mother—had called for her,⁠ so she had‍ to go.

Before,‌ she would have‌‌ needed a wheelchair.‍

But⁠ now she could‍‍ proudly walk on‌ her own two‌‌ legs.

“Mary.”⁠⁠

“Yes?”⁠

“Take‌⁠‌ my hand. Let’s‌ go together.”

“B-but…!”‌‌⁠

“It’s‍‍ a request from‍⁠‌ your sister.”

“Y-yes!”‌‍

Well,‌ it would still‌‌ take a long‌‍ time before Mary truly felt close⁠ to her.

Selena‌ began walking while‌‍ affectionately holding Mary’s⁠‍‍ hand.

Before,⁠ human warmth had‍ always felt unbearably‍‍ scorching to her.‌

But⁠ now it only felt soft and‌⁠ warm.

It⁠⁠ no longer burned⁠‍ at all.

‘Please⁠ let Mr. Grills‍⁠ not lose hope.’‌‌

Selena⁠‌ silently whispered to⁠ herself.

***⁠

At‌‍ the same time,⁠ Grills, who had‌ decided to start‍‍‍ writing a diary.

“Wow.”⁠⁠

He let out an‌ exclamation while looking‍ at the diary‌‍ he had written⁠‍ as a test.⁠

His‍ expression even showed‌‍ admiration.

Even⁠⁠ if nobody else‌ would acknowledge it,‌ it did not⁠ matter.

It‌ was enough to‌ use it as‌ a kind of‌ database or encyclopedia.‌

But⁠ then an unexpected‌‌‌ problem appeared.

“My‌ writing skills got stuck at elementary⁠‌‍ school level.”

His⁠‌ writing was unbelievably⁠‍ terrible.

No,‌ it was far‍‍‍ worse than simply⁠‌ “bad.”

So⁠ bad that even⁠ he himself was⁠⁠‌ shocked when reading⁠⁠‌ it.

I tried to steal⁠⁠⁠ a turtle egg.‍ Then the turtle⁠‍ mom appeared. The‌‌ turtle mom transformed‌⁠ into a land‍ turtle and shot‍‍ a laser at‍‌ me. I got‍‍ scared.

That⁠ was more or‌ less the format.‌

It‍⁠ truly could be‍‌‌ considered an “objective”⁠⁠ diary.

Grills⁠‌‍ carefully reviewed the‌ diary he had‌ written and then⁠‌ shrugged.

‘Well,‌ nobody’s going to‌ see it anyway.’⁠‌

Unlike‌ everyone else’s concerns,⁠ he remained incredibly‍ positive.