Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 90: Eel (1)

Chapter 90: Eel (1)

As‍ soon as I realized that my‍⁠ writing ability had been stuck at⁠ elementary school level,⁠⁠ I started reviewing the gallery.

I was trying to‌ find everything I had posted so⁠‌⁠ far.

Because‌ I remembered that,⁠‍ practically speaking, the gallery had already‍‌ been my diary⁠‍ this whole time.‌‍⁠

However,⁠‍ the gallery had‌⁠‌ too many limitations‌⁠ to function as‍‍ an encyclopedia or‌⁠ database.

‘Since‍ it would be‌‌ impossible to write‍ down everything that‌‌ has happened so far, I’ll just‌ make a brief‍ explanation of Wonmo‍‍‍ and the sloth.’

Even‍ if my writing‍ ability was terrible,‌ everyone has at‍ least one talent.

Mine‍ was drawing.

Even‍⁠ with simple doodles,‍⁠‍ anyone could immediately‍ recognize that it was Wonmo.

Wonmo‌‌‌ looked easy to‍‍‍ draw because of‍ how round he‍‌ was, but he⁠ was actually difficult.‍‌⁠

So⁠‍ I simply emphasized⁠‌‌ his key characteristics‍⁠⁠ well.

I drew the sloth quickly because, in⁠ the end, he‍ was just a sloth.

Although‍‍ I did add⁠⁠ some of his unique traits.

The‍‍ sloth retained all‍ the typical characteristics⁠ of a sloth.‍

Long‌ arms compared to‌ his short legs.⁠‍

A slightly hunched posture.⁠

A face that looked‌‌ relaxed, but also‌ somewhat stupid.

However,‍ his claws were⁠⁠ terrifying.

And⁠ thanks to the fact that I had personally taken‌‍⁠ care of them,‌⁠‌ they looked even‌⁠‍ sharper.

‘I’ll‌‍ put a simple‍‍‍ explanation underneath.’

In‌‍ Wonmo’s case, I wrote that he‍⁠ was a cub‍‍ I ended up‌ living with after‌‍ defeating an Owlbear.‌⁠

And⁠ I described the‍‌ sloth as a bastard bully who⁠‌‍ always stole my food.

If⁠ the sloth could read this, he‍ would probably beat‍⁠ me up, but‌ that was impossible.

After‍‌⁠ all, in this‌ world, Hangul was‍‌⁠ a language only⁠ I knew.

‘Besides,‌⁠⁠ there’s no need‍‌ for them to‍⁠ learn letters from‍‌ another world either.’‌

I had no desire‍‍ to work that‍‌‌ hard just to⁠ leave something behind.⁠

It was enough that‌ there remained a record that someone‌⁠ like me had‍ existed.

Because‌ a person’s death‍⁠ only remains as⁠⁠ long as the⁠ living remember it.‌‍

And⁠ that alone already⁠‍‌ had value.

‘At‍ least, that’s how‌‌ I see it.’⁠⁠⁠

Even‌ though my parents⁠⁠⁠ died, the memories‌ I had of‌⁠⁠ them were still⁠⁠‍ clear.

And⁠‍‌ because I missed⁠‍ them, every year‍‌ I held memorial‍⁠‍ rites on the‍ anniversary of their⁠ deaths.

Even‍ if I had‍ no money, I still made the‌‌⁠ effort to remember‍⁠ what foods they‍‌ liked and prepare‌ them however I could.

Because‌‌ otherwise, it would have been difficult⁠‍ to endure.

I had planned to⁠⁠ continue those ceremonies⁠‍‌ until the day‌ I myself passed⁠‍ away.

‘Though‌‍ now that I ended up here,‌‍⁠ I wonder if‍‍‍ I should keep doing them.’

But‍‌‍ it was no‍⁠ longer a matter‌‍ of money.

It was a matter‍ of survival.

More⁠⁠ than remembering my⁠ parents, I felt‍‍ like I might‍ soon end up reuniting with them.⁠⁠

Although⁠‌ there was still‍‌ a long time⁠‍ before the anniversary‌‍ date, you never⁠‌‌ know.

‘Now‌‍ that I think‍ about it, how‍ do they count⁠ days here?’

In⁠⁠ another world, even‌ the way time‍ was measured could be different.

For‌ the diary, it‌ was enough to‍ write “day whatever,”‍⁠ but I was‍⁠‌ still curious.

‘Bah.‍‌‍ Whatever. I’ll just use the year‌ system I know⁠⁠ as reference.’

My‌‌ parents’ anniversary had‍ been one week⁠ before I fell into the Forest⁠‍ of Four Seasons.‍‌‌

During that week, I had gone out drinking with friends‌‌ and also met‌ some acquaintances.

I remember it had‌ been an especially‍ exhausting period.

Mostly⁠‍‍ because it was‍⁠⁠ difficult to gather‍‍ with my friends.

Everyone⁠ was busy job⁠⁠ hunting.

‘I wonder if they’re⁠‍ doing okay.’

Those‍ bastards were probably‌‍‍ having a hard‌ time too.

Though here I was‌⁠ suffering like crazy.‍

I let out a small laugh and‍ started writing about‍ what happened today.‍⁠

The‍‌‌ octopus tentacles that‌‍ emerged from the‍⁠ sand and the‌‍ transforming turtle.

Just⁠ today alone, I had already encountered enough strange creatures⁠ to drive me‍ insane.

‘Though at least I got a reward⁠‍ for all that‍ suffering.’

I got a turtle⁠⁠ egg as huge‌‌‍ as an ostrich egg.

That‍ alone made the⁠ whole day worth‍‍ it.

I quietly closed the‌‍‍ diary filled with⁠⁠ drawings and stepped‌ out of the‍‌⁠ cave.

It⁠ was almost dinner‌⁠‍ time already, so‍⁠‍ I needed to‌ start preparing food.

‘Before that, I should⁠‌ check whether anything⁠ fell into the‍ traps.’

At‌ that moment, Wonmo‌ also woke up,‍⁠ so we headed⁠‍ up together.

Splash!‍‌‌ Splash!

“Kyuu!⁠‍ Kyuu!”

“You’re‌ that happy? Me‍‍ too.”

No‌‌ less than three‍‍ fish had fallen⁠ into the traps.⁠⁠

I returned smiling alongside⁠‍‍ Wonmo, who was⁠ jumping excitedly all over the place.⁠‍⁠

Having‍ so much food‌⁠⁠ made me feel⁠ incredibly good.

I guess it was⁠⁠ the reward for⁠‌ all today’s suffering.⁠

‘But‌ how the hell⁠ am I supposed⁠‌⁠ to clean this⁠‌ guy?’

I looked not at‍‌ the barrel with‍‍ the normal fish,‍ but at the‌ other one.

Inside‌‍⁠ was a massive⁠ eel resembling a python.

I was slowly getting‍⁠⁠ used to cleaning‌ fish.

But‍ an eel was completely different.

Its‌⁠‍ structure itself was‌ different, so I had no idea‌‌ how to prepare‌‍ it.

‘Should‌‍ I knock it‍ unconscious like the‍ fish?’

Though‍ before that, I’d‌‌‍ probably be the⁠⁠ one ending up⁠‌ unconscious if it‍⁠ smacked me with‌‍ its tail.

Even if it wasn’t‌⁠⁠ that huge, it‌ was absurdly long,‌‍‌ so I had‍‍ to be careful.‍

I crossed my arms and stared at the eel for‍ quite a while⁠‍ before entering the‍‍⁠ gallery.

At⁠ times like this,‌ the best thing‍‌ was to ask‌ there.

Title)‌ Tips for cleaning⁠ an eel, please.⁠‍

WildGrills‍

(Photo of an eel‌ inside a barrel)‍

I’m‌ going to eat⁠ this guy, any⁠⁠ tips for cleaning‌ him?

└Eels‍ are much harder‍ to clean than‌⁠‍ other fish, so‌ be careful.

└Shouldn’t‌‍ you nail its‌‍‌ head down first⁠‍ to hold it‍ in place?

└WildGrills:‌⁠‍ I have to⁠ nail it down?;;

└Eels⁠ are super slippery‌⁠ and thrash around‌⁠‍ a lot.

└WildGrills:‌ Then what if⁠ I just hit⁠ it hard on⁠‌⁠ the head to‌‍ knock it unconscious?‍‌

└Then⁠ it smacks your⁠ hand. Better nail‌ it to a board.

└If‍⁠ you can’t do that, cut its⁠ spinal cord. That‌‌ helps a lot.‍

└DwarfPassingBy:⁠‌‌ Hey. If you‌ do that, give⁠‌⁠ me at least‍ one bite. I’m‍‍ curious about the⁠‌ taste of eel.‌

└WildGrills:‍ Yeah yeah, I’ll‌‍ give you some.‍⁠

└SunForEver:‍‌⁠ Can I try⁠ some too?

└WildGrills:‍⁠ Yeah.

└AllFather:‌⁠ Would it also‍‌ be possible for‌ me to receive‍‌ a bite?

└WildGrills:‍ Yeah, well… I don’t mind.

└KingLeor:‌‌ I’m embarrassed to ask, but me too…

└WildGrills:‌ Huh…?

└SmartMind:‌ I already prepared⁠ storage containers. Though‌‍ could I also‍‍⁠ get a bite?‌‍

└WildGrills:⁠‍ ;;;

└Swordmaster: I don’t understand⁠‍ why everyone is‌ acting like beggars⁠ asking for just‌ one bite.

└I‍ guess it’s because it’s eel.

└Those are definitely all‍‍ men lmao. Look how pathetic they⁠‌⁠ are.

└Swordmaster:⁠‍⁠ What’s special about⁠‍ eel?

└It’s‍⁠ good for male‌‍‌ stamina.

└Fr.‌ Men love that⁠ shit lmao.

└And⁠ on top of⁠‍‌ that, it’s an‌‌ eel caught in⁠‌ the Forest of‍‌ Four Seasons. Nobody‍ could resist lmao.‍

└Swordmaster:‍ ;;

Yes.⁠‌

As a man, I could understand.

But⁠ this was my‍‌ dinner, damn it.‍‌

Maybe⁠‍ I’d give them⁠⁠ some once I was satisfied, but‌ I had to‌ set limits.

└HeavenlyDemon:⁠‍ I shall bring⁠⁠ down the hammer⁠ upon all those⁠ oppressive individuals, so⁠ keep that in‌ mind.

└Uuuu.‍ What a tyrant.‌

└Ever‌⁠ since she became‍ a moderator she’s⁠⁠ been threatening everyone‍ lmao.

└HeavenlyDemon:‌ What did you just say?

└I‌‌ said you are⁠‌ the noblest person in the world.⁠

└HeavenlyDemon:‌ What a shameless‍‍ lie. Go stand⁠‍ facing the wall⁠ for one gak⁠ and reflect.

└Damn‍ bitch.

└HeavenlyDemon: Half-shijin.

└Hahahahahahaha⁠

└Lol‌

└What‌⁠ the hell is‍ a gak and‌‍ what’s a half-shijin?‌‍

└Those⁠⁠ are time expressions⁠ from the Central‍ Continent. One gak‌ is 15 minutes‌⁠ and half-shijin is‌ one hour.

└Doesn’t⁠⁠ almost nobody use⁠‍ those anymore?

└Older people still use them a lot.‌

Fortunately,‌‍⁠ HeavenlyDemon immediately shut‌ them down.

Although‍ I was planning‌ to give some⁠ to those who⁠ asked politely.

The⁠⁠ eel was so‌‌ enormous that I probably could not‌ finish it alone‍‌ anyway.

‘First‌‌ I need to‍ prepare.’

Since‍⁠ it was so‍ long, I directly⁠‍ bought a huge‌‍ board.

Just‍‍ like they told me in the‍ gallery, I hammered a nail into⁠‍‌ the edge to‌‌ hold it in‌ place.

Obviously,‌‍ I left the‍‌ sharp end pointing‌‍ upward.

‘Nails‍‍‌ are more expensive‍ than I thought.’‍

Now all that remained‍⁠ was to take‌ out the eel.‌

I put on the World Tree gloves⁠ and pulled the‍ eel out of‌ the barrel.

Maybe⁠‍ the gloves had‌‌⁠ an anti-slip effect, because it did⁠ not feel slippery.

Smack!‍⁠

“Guhk!”‍⁠⁠

Instead,⁠⁠ it smacked me⁠‌ with its tail.‍‌‌ It was far‌‍ stronger than a normal fish, so⁠ even putting it⁠ onto the board‌‌ was already a whole task.

But‌‌ in front of⁠ a knife, all‍ fish eventually become‌‌⁠ sashimi. I stabbed‌ the dagger into‍⁠ the spinal area‌‌ behind the head⁠‍ and split it‌ open in one⁠‍⁠ cut.

It‌ was as thick⁠‍ as my forearm,‌‌‍ so even cutting‍‍ it required effort.⁠⁠‍

Twitch!‍‍ Twitch!

Once‌‍ I had almost‍ cut halfway through‌⁠ its head, it‍⁠ stopped thrashing so‌ much.

Without‌ wasting time, I pinned its head‌ down with the‌ nail.

Now‌ it would not‌ be able to‌‌ keep flailing around.‍ What a pain.‌

‘By⁠‌ the way, this‍⁠ guy should also‍ have an internal core, right?’

Considering the size, there‍ was a pretty‌‍⁠ high chance. Every fish I had‌ eaten so far‍⁠⁠ had one.

I slowly began cleaning‍‌ the eel, which‍‌ was barely moving‌ anymore.

First‌ I cleanly split⁠ the body in‌ half and then‌ removed the bones.‌⁠

Although‍ the dagger was‌‌‍ already extremely sharp,‍⁠ I also used aura to make‍‌ the process more‌ efficient.

‘Done. Now all that’s left is to‍ wash it and‍‍ cut it properly.’‌

After‍ cleaning it more‍ or less, I carefully washed it‌‌ with water.

Wriggle!‍‌‍

“Ugh!”⁠

Every‌ now and then⁠‌ it squirmed as‌‌ if it were‍‌ still alive and‍‌ startled me, though⁠ it only happened‍ a few times.‌‍

Lastly, I poured some‍ vegetable oil into‌ a large pan‍‍ and placed the‍⁠ eel pieces cut⁠ into proper portions⁠⁠‌ on top.

Ah,‌⁠ and by the‌ way, no internal⁠ core came out. It seems not‌⁠ all fish possess‍⁠ one.

Sizzleeeee!⁠‍⁠

The eel slowly began browning. I swallowed‍ hard.

It⁠ was a delicacy‍ I had never⁠ even tasted back‌ on Earth. Even⁠ the friend who‍ once treated me‍‍ to beef had‌⁠⁠ said eel was⁠ too expensive.

‘They‍ say this stuff‍‍ is that good‍‍‍ for men?’

But‌ I cannot even‍‍ make use of‌ it. Suddenly I felt depressed.

The⁠‍‍ gallery was a place where people⁠ let out all⁠ kinds of desires,‍ so they also⁠‍ uploaded plenty of‍ visually pleasing pictures.‍‍

And⁠ when elves or‌‍ demons with such‍‍ striking features appeared,‌ even I ended‌ up saving the‍ images without realizing‌‌ it.

Of‌ course, when the⁠ content became too‌‍‌ explicit, the moderator deleted it instantly.‍

Even‍ so, to me‍ it was like‌ rain during a drought, so I enjoyed it quite⁠⁠ a lot.

‘Though⁠‌‌ sometimes you end‌⁠⁠ up swallowing a bomb.’

I still remembered it.‌⁠ The time I entered the gallery‍ and a visual‍‍ bomb exploded right‌ in my face.⁠‍

And‌ to think the⁠‌⁠ moderator and sub-moderators had to personally look at those‍‍ things to ban‍‌ them.

‘No‌‌ wonder they said‌⁠ you could end‌⁠‌ up mentally warped.’⁠⁠‌

While‌‌ I was thinking‌‌ nonsense, the eel had already browned‌ perfectly.

So‌‌ much fat was‌‌ dripping out that‍ there was not‌‍‍ even any need⁠‌ to add oil.‍‍‍

‘This‍ thing must have‌ an absurd amount⁠‍ of calories.’

Just‍ looking at all‍‌ that fat made‌⁠ it obvious. Among‍‌ all the pieces,‌ I grabbed the‌⁠ tail section.

I had heard the⁠ tail was the best part of⁠‌ an eel.

And‌ now it was‌‍‍ time to confirm‌ it.

“Nom.”

Crunch-‍⁠⁠ Crunch-

Crispy⁠⁠ on the outside⁠ and juicy on⁠ the inside. It‌‌ was absurdly well-cooked.‍‍

Above‍‌‍ all, the fat in the meat was so flavorful‌⁠ it even tasted⁠ sweet.

The‍⁠⁠ same went for‍ the fishy smell.‌ I had only‍‌ added a bit⁠‍ of salt, but‌ there was no‍‍ unpleasant taste at‍‍ all.

‘And‌ even the bones are incredibly soft.’

I had heard the‍⁠‌ small bones were‍‍‍ the worst problem‍‍‍ with eel.

But⁠ this one did‌ not even have⁠⁠ anything like that.⁠

With‍‌ a happy smile,⁠‌ I kept devouring⁠ the eel.

There⁠ was so much⁠ that I even‍‌ ended up sharing‍⁠ some pieces with‌‍ Wonmo and the‌ sloth.

Since⁠‌ it was such⁠‍ a fatty meal,‍‌⁠ everyone loved it.‍ Especially Wonmo.

[DwarfPassingBy:‌ Uaaah. It’s fucking‌‍⁠ delicious haha.]

[WildGrills:‍‌‌ If it’s that‌ good, then give‍‍ me at least⁠ a barricade in‍ exchange haha.]

[DwarfPassingBy:‍ Ok. I’ll get‌⁠⁠ up tomorrow morning⁠‌ and make it,⁠‌ so wait.]

Since⁠ there was such‌‍ a huge amount,‍‌ I was also‌ able to share‍ with other people.⁠

And‌ because it was such a fatty‍ meal, eating too‍‍ much could become‍‍ overwhelming.

After⁠⁠ finishing that eel⁠⁠‌ feast, I immediately⁠ entered internal circulation.⁠

‘Is‍⁠‍ it because it’s eel? I feel‍‌ like I have‌‍ more energy.’

Maybe‌⁠ I was just‍‌ imagining it, but⁠⁠ it really felt‌‌ that way.

If⁠‍‌ they say it’s⁠‌ good for stamina,⁠⁠‌ then in the‌‌ end it also‍ means it’s good⁠ for physical energy.‍

At‍⁠ most, it could⁠ only be a positive thing.

‘Where‍ the hell did‌ this eel even‍⁠‌ come from?’

After‍‍‌ finishing internal circulation,‌‍‍ I started cleaning‍‌⁠ everything up.

And⁠ by the time I finished tidying⁠‌ up, darkness had⁠ already completely covered⁠⁠ the area.

I wrote in the⁠‌ diary to close‍‌⁠ out the day‌‌ and then uploaded‌ a post to the gallery.

Title)‌‍‌ Good night everyone.‍

WildGrills‍⁠

(Video⁠ of a campfire‌ burning intensely)

See⁠‌ you tomorrow!

For‍ those who said they wanted to‌ trade with me,‍‍‌ let’s do it⁠ tomorrow!

After uploading the post,‍ comments immediately began‌‌⁠ appearing from various⁠‍ registered users and⁠ anonymous users posting‍‌‍ memes and jokes.‌

Seeing‍‍‍ that the gallery‌‍ was still the‌‌⁠ same as always‍ made me smile slightly.

‘I must not rush.’⁠

Starting⁠‌ today, I decided‍ to think long-term.‍ It was time‍‌ to follow the‌ saying, “the more‍ haste you have,‍‍ the more you⁠ should take the‌ long way around.”⁠

Well,‍ in reality, it‌⁠ was the Forest‌ of Four Seasons‍⁠‌ forcing me to‌‌ do it, but‌ it did not⁠⁠⁠ matter.

As‍ long as even⁠ the slightest hope‍⁠⁠ or possibility existed,‌ nothing was truly⁠‍‍ impossible.

While‍ slowly organizing tomorrow’s‌ plans, I quietly⁠ closed my eyes.‍

‘I’ll‌‍‌ survive until the‍ very end.’

Until the very end.⁠

And‍ so time passed‍⁠ until the next‍⁠‌ morning.

“Ah…⁠ seriously. Is this a joke?”

The⁠ moment I opened‍ my eyes, I could not help but curse at⁠‍ the situation in‌⁠ front of me.‌‌

What‍‌‌ stood before me was a tent.‌

And⁠ not just any‍‍‌ tent, but one‍ proudly pitched straight‍‍ toward the sky.⁠

It⁠ was proof that my male body‌‌ was extremely healthy,‌ but the problem‌⁠⁠ was that it‌⁠ had lasted way‌⁠‍ too long.

‘Seriously,⁠‌ nothing here has‌‍ any moderation.’