Chapter 9: The Forest of the Four Seasons (4)

I am not thinking about anything.

Because I literally have no thoughts at all.

Since I returned to the cave, I just stayed there, blankly, without thinking about anything.

The reality I am in is so unbelievable that I only wish it were a dream.

But even as time passes, nothing changes.

This damned place is the Forest of the Four Seasons, and this is where I woke up.

It was impossible not to lose my mind.

Because of that, I spent the whole day writing shitty posts full of desperation and sadness in the gallery.

Title) The five stages of death in real time

[No kidding. I am going to investigate a bit more.]

Denial

[Why me? Fuck! What did I do wrong?]

Anger

[I will be a slave for life, can someone come and get me?]

Bargaining

[Take me home. I want to eat the kimchi jjigae I left yesterday.]

Depression

Those are the titles that Grills wrote in real time if now only acceptance is left.

ㄴ hahaha

ㄴ hahaha

ㄴ It is science, haha

ㄴ What is kimchi jjigae?

ㄴ I do not know

ㄴ StarlightLady) How pitiful…… just like me, with limited time……

ㄴ It is not that serious either

ㄴ StarlightLady) Oh, no?

ㄴ Fly lifespan?

ㄴ hahaha

ㄴ It makes sense, haha

ㄴ StarlightLady) You are really mean

One user even kindly arranged the timeline.

When I saw it, a laugh escaped me.

The truth is that I was already thinking about moving on to the acceptance stage.

Staying here doing nothing is useless.

I do not know why I have to suffer here, but I cannot run away from reality every time either.

‘Could it be that there really is no way out? No impossible.’

In the gallery they said that the Forest of the Four Seasons is a barrier that covers the entire region.

Even if you break one barrier, another appears, and the one you broke is restored with a different pattern.

That applies to the ground, the underground, and the sky.

That is why, once you enter, you can never leave.

‘First I must confirm the size of the forest I am in.’

In case I have to stay and live here, it is best to thoroughly explore the surroundings.

The cave is right in front, and getting lost so close would be ridiculous.

The problem is that that kind of ridiculous thing happens often. I have to be careful.

‘First I will go to the river. I have to check whether the water can be drunk.’

Yesterday I was so mentally unstable that I did not confirm it.

I was so shaken that I felt like crying.

Normally forest water is drinkable.

What I want to confirm is what lives inside it.

In a place full of snakes the size of an anaconda, bears the size of a house, and strange creatures, is the water going to be safe?

It would not be strange if there were fish that eat people.

I could die just from drinking water.

‘If it can be drunk, this cave can serve as a shelter.’

Two days have already passed and, aside from the mad dog that was the original owner, no one else has come.

Well, an owlbear appeared nearby, but we ignore that. I ran away.

Besides, it is an easy place to defend, so I will probably live here.

‘Would it be better to endure by eating fasting pills?’

That really requires thinking.

While I was thinking about it, I stood up.

For now I will go to the river. I will think after I return.

Or I will make a poll in the gallery.

That said, only fixed users will be able to vote.

There are too many who say “it is not my problem, I do not care”.

It is not collective intelligence, it is collective stupidity.

Fiuuu—

“Wow what is this?”

As soon as I reached the stream I had observed yesterday, I could not help but exclaim.

Were there dangerous beasts? No.

Fish that eat people? Neither.

The problem was the landscape on the other side of the stream.

Until yesterday, that was a desert.

Title) Guys, look at this

WildGrills

(photo of a snowy mountain on the other side of the stream)

Yesterday it was a desert and today it is a snowy mountain.

What will it be tomorrow? haha

ㄴ Forest of the Four Seasons confirmed. End of story.

ㄴ What the hell is that?

ㄴ Wow…… what do you even say in a situation like this?

ㄴ StarlightLady) You just have to encourage him

ㄴ SwordTasteMaster) Excuse me, you are not a criminal, right?

ㄴ WildGrills) Having touched my mom’s wallet when I was a child?

ㄴ SwordTasteMaster) Did you not say you were an orphan?

ㄴ WildGrills) I was not before……

ㄴ SwordTasteMaster) ………Sorry

ㄴ WildGrills) It is fine, I am already used to it

ㄴ SwordTasteMaster) I also touched my parents’ wallet, haha;;

ㄴ WildGrills) Why do you not come quickly?

ㄴ SwordTasteMaster) I am busy with work

ㄴ WildGrills) What work?

ㄴ SwordTasteMaster) Security guard at home, haha

ㄴ In other words, unemployed, hahaha

ㄴ hahaha

ㄴ Is this guy mentally okay?

ㄴ Even I do not know anymore

ㄴ Let him survive however he can

ㄴ Should they not give him a disaster subsidy? haha

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) The mountain is beautiful

ㄴ PrincessChangu) Yes, like my face, haha

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) ?

ㄴ ?

ㄴ ?

ㄴ ?

ㄴ PrincessChangu) What is wrong, does it bother you? Then leave

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) Where do you live?

Now they even put a seal of approval.

I let out a dry laugh.

Until yesterday, on the other side of the stream there was a desert.

Today it is a completely white snowy mountain.

Did I go to the wrong place? It makes no sense.

A snowy mountain next to a desert?

The border was clear.

It is not that the environment changes little by little; the surroundings change completely using the stream as the boundary.

‘Is someone messing with me?’

I sighed and approached the stream.

Judging by the number of small fish, the water quality seems good.

Within the bad, that is fortunate.

Later I will also bring the canteen that Heavenly Demon gave me.

But just in case, I have to check first.

I started by verifying the depth.

Splash.

As soon as I put my hand in, I felt more doubt than coolness.

For a moment I thought my eyes were deceiving me.

But the more I put my arm in, the deeper it was.

I could not touch the bottom.

The water is so clear that it looks much shallower than it actually is.

‘This is enough.’

It is not extremely deep.

You can cross it if you want.

Although there is no reason to cross toward a snowy mountain, unless I want to commit suicide.

“Croak.”

“Huh?”

It was when I pulled my arm out of the water.

I heard a strange sound right next to my ear.

From how close it sounded, it was right there.

I turned my head toward the direction of the sound.

“Croak.”

“……A frog?”

A golden frog.

It was sitting on a rock in the middle of the stream.

Its whole body shone with an intense golden color, which made it feel even more dangerous.

Creatures with such striking colors usually have venom.

It is better to move away.

Venom must be avoided at all costs.

Even if it were not venomous, its size was like that of a small dog, which was already disgusting.

“Kraaaak!”

“Huh? What?”

Just when I was about to leave, the golden frog made an unexpected move.

It straightened up on its long legs and threw its head back.

It made a sound as if it were gathering phlegm, like a human.

Then it brought its head forward again.

“Spit!”

Fiiing!

A viscous liquid shot out of the frog’s mouth like a bullet.

Straight at my face.

I startled and barely managed to move.

The golden liquid passed brushing past me.

An instant later, the liquid hit the tree trunk behind me.

Sssss.

“Fuck.”

The tree was melting.

Was it not venom but acid?

There was no time to admire anything.

The frog was already throwing its head back again, charging another shot.

Getting out of there was the first priority.

I ran before it could spit again.

“Spit!”

“Ah!”

It missed by little again.

If I had not lowered my head, it would have hit the back of my neck.

Fortunately, the frog did not chase me.

It seems to consider the stream as its territory.

“Gasp… gasp…”

I returned to the cave fighting for my life, out of breath.

I do not know why I have to go through all this.

I found clean water and still I have to be careful of a frog.

It is absurd.

‘Besides, the river is deep, I cannot even get close…’

If I had a bow it would be fine, but no way.

I do not even know how to use one.

Yesterday that thing was not there.

Is it because today I put my hand in the water?

I do not know if I will be able to drink from there.

In the worst case, the frog could spit acid into the river.

Title) Guys, I found a golden frog

WildGrills

I could not take a picture because I ran.

This son of a bitch spits acid. Does anyone know what it is?

ㄴ A frog that spits acid? What kind of frog is that? haha

ㄴ It is the Forest of the Four Seasons, but now you are going too far with the lie, haha

ㄴ Without a photo, 99% lie hmm

ㄴ AllFather) Did you find it in the river?

While only useless questions were piling up, one of the fixed users left a comment. It was AllFather.

AllFather is a fixed user who appears very occasionally, leaves a comment and disappears. He does not publish many posts either.

If anything, they are texts related to magic or alchemy. Most are full of technical terms, so I used to ignore them.

He has a professor-like air.

He almost always speaks in a formal tone, so I also replied respectfully.

ㄴWildGrills) Yes. I found it in the river. As soon as I put my hand in the water, it spat at me.

ㄴAllFather) What size was it?

ㄴWildGrills) The size of a dog.

ㄴAllFather) Being in the Forest of the Four Seasons, it seems it grew. Normally it is the size of a phalanx.

ㄴWildGrills) Do you know what it is?

ㄴAllFather) Yes. Its scientific name is Golden Poison Frog. It is a rare species that only appears in clean waters, and its venom is so potent that many people have died trying to capture it. Be careful.

ㄴWildGrills) So it is not acidic saliva but venom?;;

ㄴAllFather) It is because the venom is extremely strong.

There really are all kinds of creatures in this place.

A frog that spits venom comparable to acid.

Moreover, since the entire river is its territory, it is practically a natural fortress for it.

It is like an archer shooting arrows from the top of a wall.

‘At least I want to be able to drink water safely…’

If I appear too often around there, it might wait for me directly.

That would be a serious problem.

While I was thinking, notifications kept ringing non-stop.

Lately, every time I post something, I get a rain of comments.

ㄴAllFather) If you manage to capture the Golden Poison Frog, I will pay you 20,000 gold. I would like to research it.

ㄴ Is that not an elegant way of telling him to die?

ㄴ It is true haha

ㄴ If you catch it I will give you 50,000 gold haha

ㄴWildGrills) I have to catch it otherwise I cannot drink water any other advice?

ㄴAllFather) I am sorry, but it is an extremely rare species and there is no academic information available. We only know that it is usually active in the morning. You might need an antidote.

ㄴ Then you can go at night to drink water, yes.

ㄴWildGrills) At night it is more dangerous;;

ㄴ What appears?

ㄴWildGrills) Precisely because I do not know what might appear is why it is dangerous.

There was no clear strategy.

In the end, I have to solve it myself.

It is the trial I must overcome to secure drinkable water.

And for that I need to prepare well.

‘First of all, I will return the compasses.’

Except for the one Heavenly Demon gave me, I plan to return them to their original owners.

First I published a message so everyone could see it, and five minutes later I sent trade requests.

The first was to StarlightLady.

Since she practically lives in the gallery, she accepted instantly.

[WildGrills: Hello. I am sending a trade to return the compass.]

[StarlightLady: Ah, yes. There was no need to return it…]

[WildGrills: The one Heavenly Demon gave me is enough. The others are hard to carry.]

[StarlightLady: I understand. Stay strong for both of us.]

[WildGrills: Thank you. I wish you a speedy recovery.]

It seems she really is sick. And she is kind.

Next was SunForEver, a user who is supposedly a dark elf.

[WildGrills: Hello. I am sending a trade to return the compass.]

[SunForEver: Keep it.]

[WildGrills: But I have a conscience, I must return it.]

[SunForEver: I do not accept small change.]

[WildGrills: ;;;]

He is so relaxed that it is almost embarrassing.

But since he helped me, I must return the favor.

I told him that when I got something good I would repay him, and he replied.

[SunForEver: I like you. Do you need anything else? It seems you need a shield.]

[WildGrills: Yes I need one, but I will buy it. I sold the Steel-Scale Snake.]

[SunForEver: I do not accept small change.]

[WildGrills: Eh;; You are a dark elf, right?]

[SunForEver: Yes.]

[WildGrills: Are all dark elves rich?]

From what I knew, dark elves were the opposite of elves.

Same root, but a different nature.

Unlike peace-loving elves, they do not hesitate to use dirty methods, although they do not cross the line.

They believe they must grow stronger to maintain peace.

That said, they usually have poor social skills.

But that is according to what I know.

I cannot apply my standards to this world.

After all, even the elves here do not seem that peaceful; they are full of imperialism.

[SunForEver: Yes, many are rich. In Setan there is gold and resources in abundance. Is that not common sense?]

[WildGrills: I come from another world, I do not know it well.]

[SunForEver: Was that not just a concept?]

[WildGrills: It is true……]

Whether he believes it or not, it does not matter.

I am trapped in the forest, my origin does not matter.

[SunForEver: Anyway, we dark elves are kinder than those crazy old elves. Understood?]

[WildGrills: It sounds like you emphasize that was it different before?]

[SunForEver: Before it was the other way around. But when we settled in the desert and started having money, we became more generous. Before, we suffered discrimination and had bad tempers.]

[WildGrills: Quite realistic.]

[SunForEver: But do not underestimate us. Surviving in the desert made us experts in combat.]

[WildGrills: I have no intention of doing that. Anything I should avoid?]

[SunForEver: If you call us black, you are dead. Or I curse you so that you die.]

I suppose it is similar to the position of black people on Earth.

They are usually cheerful, but if you touch the wrong subject, they are scary.

Here it is not just racism, it is species discrimination.

Better to be careful.

‘I will investigate little by little.’

Even if it is anonymous, I do not like making openly discriminatory comments.

Besides, I need to gain sympathy, not lose it.

[SunForEver has registered an item for trade.]

[SunForEver: Take this. Give me something good for the body if you have it. I do not have time, accept it.]

[WildGrills: Thank you. I will not forget this favor.]

[SunForEver: Take care.]

Are there only good people in the gallery?

Or are only the fixed users like this?

I cut the connection and checked the object.

“……?”

It was dazzling.

It looked like a shield, but completely covered in gold.

Literally, a golden shield.

How much money must someone have left over to send something like this?

‘…Will it be durable?’

I examined it and equipped it.

It is lighter than it looks.

I should test how durable it is.

But I will not use the Heavenly Demon’s sword to test it.

‘Is the next one PrincessChangu?’

Peculiar name.

From the nickname it seems like a woman.

But 90% of the gallery users are strange.

Let us see what kind of person she is.

[WildGrills: Hello. I am sending a trade to return the compass.]

[PrincessChangu: Hellooo. Keep that.]

Similar response to the previous one.

She says she does not need it.

[WildGrills: I have a conscience, I must return it. I have nothing to give right now.]

[PrincessChangu: Then support our Chayu. That is enough.]

[WildGrills: I do not know this world well. What team is Chayu?]

I know there is something similar to sports here, but I do not know the details.

[PrincessChangu: What do you mean you do not know the famous and legendary Chames United of Mephisto?! You have lost half your life!]

[WildGrills: The other half is in danger.]

[PrincessChangu: Ah! Sorry! You are fly lifespan!]

Said so directly, it hurts a little.

[PrincessChangu has registered an item.]

[PrincessChangu: Take this. From now on you are a fan of Chayu.]

[WildGrills: What is it?]

[PrincessChangu: Official uniforms of Neves and Bannir! They are good quality. I am sending you two home kits and two away kits.]

Honestly, I needed clothes, so it was not bad for me.

[PrincessChangu: Chames United has 200 years of history. You will soon fall in love.]

[WildGrills: First I will see if it is a sport I know. Thank you for the clothes.]

[PrincessChangu: You are welcome. But ignore Chames City. It is a fake team maintained with dirty money from Setan.]

“….”

It reminded me too much of a certain type of fanatic.

Then she uploaded a “special” of the team.

[Chames United Special]

I clicked.

“Huh?”

I opened my eyes.

‘Is that football?’

Why is there football here?

‘Then is there also baseball?’

Sometimes real lunatics appear around here is that why?