I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 222

Vanir suddenly telling me to eat the Inner Core she had vomited from her mouth.

I stared at her with a icy cold gaze.

Yet Vanir simply wore a puzzled expression as if asking what the problem was.

’I’m not a baby bird or something.’

Even though I ate almost anything without complaint, I never ate something that came out of someone else’s mouth.

Besides, this didn’t just come out of her mouth; it came from deep inside her stomach!

Furthermore, the identity of this thing was suspicious. It wasn’t a normal color either, but rainbow-colored.

"...What is this? Is it something like an Inner Core?"

So I asked cautiously. Grossness aside, I wanted to know its identity first.

Hearing my question, Vanir stroked her chin as if contemplating how to explain before speaking.

-It is not an Inner Core. It might be something even better than that.

"Even better?"

-Given the immense size of our race, digestive power is vital. It is not much different even when using Polymorph.

Indeed, maintaining a body far larger than a building would require an extraordinary amount of energy.

Didn’t humanity maximize its energy storage capacity for survival as well?

Although in modern times that capability led directly to obesity from overnutrition.

Since dragons were massive, digestive ability must be paramount.

-That is why we form something like this inside our stomachs. To facilitate digestion and make energy absorption easier. It is similar to birds or lizards swallowing sand or stones.

"I think I understand what you mean."

So it’s like a gastrolith.

The difference from other animals was that dragons created it themselves.

I learned for the first time that it glowed rainbow colors, but I chose to believe it was a good thing.

"Do you occasionally vomit it up like this?"

-Once it fulfills its purpose, it is discharged outside. Coming out the front, or coming out the back.

She didn’t really need to mention that detail. Still, thank goodness it didn’t come out the back.

"Then what kind of effects does it have? If it’s dangerous, I’d like to decline."

-If it is too difficult, simply holding it in your mouth to absorb its power is fine. And its effect is simple.

"Does it increase the mana inside one’s body?"

Most Inner Cores worked like that. Though the Pumpkin Jack core I ingested last time was somewhat unique.

However, calling this an Inner Core was ambiguous, so it probably possessed a different effect.

-That as well, but your physical condition overall will improve. In particular, your energy absorption rate will skyrocket.

"Which means..."

-Even your bowel movements will decrease noticeably compared to before. Because all of it is converted into energy.

It was an effect focused entirely on ’survival’. Truly marvelous.

Although I was steadily stockpiling food, the number of mouths to feed had increased.

As time passed, more food would be required.

’Besides, I’ll be investigating constantly. I have to consider times when emergency rations run low.’

In the future, there would be frequent times when I had to sleep outdoors or camp outside the shelter.

At those times, I wouldn’t be able to eat to my heart’s content like now.

I stared at the rainbow Dragon Gastrolith. There was no reason to refuse it.

Instead, there was one concerning aspect.

"Are there any side effects?"

-I cannot say there are none. There may be cases where strain is placed on the internal organs, especially the heart. It should be fine once you get used to it.

"How long does it last?"

-That depends on how strong you are.

What an irresponsible answer. Yet I could understand.

Vanir was a dragon. On the other hand, I was a hopelessly weak human.

Since our inherent strength differed by dimensions, setting a baseline would be vague.

-You do not need to worry too much. Last time, some tiger ate one and was fine.

"A tiger?"

-Yes. Originally I thought of devouring it, but I let it slide because it was a cub. If it adapted, it must have gotten quite strong.

"...Did it happen to have remarkably long fangs?"

-How do you know that?

How did I know? Because I almost fucking died trying to kill that thing.

Vanir seemed to roughly realize through my answer, as she didn’t say anything further.

’Anyway, if I eat this, do I obtain a Dragon Heart?’

A heart that was no different from a biological bomb? I grew increasingly reluctant.

However, recalling the regenerative ability the Saber-toothed Tiger had displayed made me greedy.

Since most wounds healed almost instantly, that was a massive advantage.

Of course, there was no guarantee I’d gain that exact same regeneration. Something else might manifest.

’Especially since light beams come out of my eyes now, which makes me hesitate even more.’

Still, I’d probably eat it eventually. Throwing it away like this was far too wasteful.

Just as Vanir said, holding it in my mouth might be enough.

Since it was nearly the size of a baseball, swallowing it forcibly would be difficult anyway.

"...Wait a minute. Putting this in my mouth is a problem too."

-Ah. Indeed. Wait a moment. It has been so long since I transformed into a human that I forgot the structure of your jaw.

Vanir swallowed back the Dragon Gastrolith lying on the ground, then spat it out again shortly after.

Its size had shrunk dramatically compared to before, down to about a small marble.

Covered in drool as an added bonus. I should have just waited for it to shrink naturally.

I’d wash it off because of dirt and dust anyway, but the unpleasant feeling was unavoidable.

-Cough, cough. I really must depart now. Is there any final thing you wish to say?

"A question... Ah, I have one more. Maybe the thing I’m most curious about."

-What is it?New chapters come out on NovelPing first.

"The animals living here are very different from what I know. Is it because this forest is special?"

This applied not just to me, but to Ludwig and people from the outside world as well.

Gorillas that talked like humans, sloths that were absurdly fast, wrestling kangaroos, and so on.

The base size of animals had vastly increased, and on top of that, they evolved in bizarre directions.

Even a Kirin that only existed on Earth. There were many things hidden.

-That I do not know either. This place is closer to a pen built by the invaders. It will be easier for you to just accept it and move on.

"Mm... understood."

-Still, that sloth over there seems quite capable.

Speed Sloth’s strength, directly certified by a dragon!

I wore a bitter smile and glanced at Bbareumbo. The guy was sitting still with his trademark relaxed expression.

How much more help would I get from him in the future? He was truly dependable.

-But keep this in mind. There are entities scattered around far more dangerous than him, and even more dangerous than myself.

"I’ll be careful."

Chwarak!

The moment I finished speaking, massive wings unfurled behind Vanir’s back.

Following that, those wings flapped and she launched up into the sky. It was quite a magnificent sight.

-My child.

"Ppi-ik!"

-Listen well to your teacher, and do not cause trouble. This mother shall return soon as well.

"Ppiii!"

When did I become a teacher? I offered a wry smile.

After bidding farewell to Tyranno, Vanir looked at me and bowed her head slightly.

I also bowed respectfully. There was never any harm in showing politeness.

Flap!

Before long, Vanir flew high into the sky and vanished.

As soon as she soared into the sky, she released her Polymorph and transformed into a colossal dragon.

The sight of a dragon flapping wings far larger than herself as she flew away was a true spectacle.

"Hmph..."

Vanir’s arrival had been like a raging storm.

As soon as she disappeared, I picked up the rainbow marble from the ground.

’I’d better keep this safe for the time being.’

If I consumed it recklessly, there was no telling what might happen.

This was a gastrolith that exerted a massive influence on internal organs.

If nothing else, if severe abnormalities occurred in internal organs, even an Elixir would struggle to heal it.

’I suffered quite a bit when I got hit by the Guardian too.’

I put the Dragon Gastrolith into my pocket. Then I looked around.

Ludwig and the others were all looking at me with expressions saying, ’So what do we do now?’

I was no different. With Vanir’s arrival, it was difficult to proceed with today’s scheduled routine.

"Let’s eat breakfast first."

So even if it was late, let’s start with breakfast.

Thanks to Vanir’s wing gusts, the yellow dust of pollen had completely cleared away as well.

At my instruction, the party smoothly went about preparing breakfast.

None of them said it out loud, but they must have been hungry.

"Muu-oh."

"Ah. You were here too."

Now that winter was over, the Spirit Deer seemed ready to leave as well, greeting me.

I wanted to feed him breakfast at least, but he firmly declined.

What a polite fellow. I saw the deer off.

"Take care. Come back whenever you want."

"Muu-oh."

Shasak!

And then he vanished right before my eyes.

Bbareumbo at least left behind an afterimage, but this deer didn’t even have that.

He literally disappeared as if he teleported. Without a trace.

’...Don’t tell me this guy’s ability is teleportation?’

No wonder he popped up here and there like lightning. I had thought it was strange since the Golden Apple incident.

Could there be an animal in the world that teleports? I could guarantee there wasn’t.

Because teleportation belonged to the realm of magic. It was essentially safe to say he was casting magic.

’Whatever. It’s the Forest of the Four Seasons, so I’ll just let it slide.’

Right now, breakfast was important. Today’s breakfast consisted of pre-stockpiled meat and various vegetables.

Abundant. But since we had to go out exploring tomorrow, it would run low.

"Kkyuuu..."

"Wonmo, are you awake?"

While I was at it, I also prepared food for Wonmo, who had just woken up from hibernation.

Though his face was half-asleep, he didn’t hide his greed for food.

And so, after a bountiful breakfast, I returned to my cave dwelling.

[Look, there is a large Owlbear! Let us fight together!]

"Ppiiiik!"

"Kkyu, kkyuu?"

Outside, Cain was playing nicely with the little ones.

In the meantime, I connected to the Gallery. I had a lot of things I wanted to say.

Though I hadn’t told Vanir, I had taken a picture of her Polymorphed form.

’I also need to inform Let’s Grow Trees about the state of the World Tree sapling.’

What kind of reaction would Let’s Grow Trees show?

My guess was that he would definitely fly into a rage. Naturally, since he was someone who loved trees.Find the original chapter at nоvelping.com.

Most users would probably react with ’serves you right’. After all, he had accumulated plenty of dislike points normally.

Title) Dragon did Polymorph.

Wild Grylls

(Picture of Polymorphed dragon)

(Video of conversing with dragon)

(Picture of World Tree sapling completely burned by dragon breath)

By the way, she saw the World Tree sapling, called it a evil tree, and burned it all down;;;

└ Heavenly Demon) Is that truly a dragon? It looks as though a lizard’s head was stuck onto a human torso.

└ Wild Grylls) I was a bit shocked too.

└ Sword Matstar) Eh... aren’t Polymorphed dragons usually handsome men or beautiful women? No, before that, is Polymorph even possible?

└ Wild Grylls) She says she’s a dragon who lived in the Mythological Age.

└ Sword Matstar) You expect me to believe that?

└ Wild Grylls) In a world with a Sky Whale, there’s nothing unbelievable.

└ Sword Matstar) Ah. That’s true for sure.

└ Where, where did my romance go... It wasn’t like this in the myths...!

└ That’s why it’s a ’myth’ lol. In the first place, a Polymorphed dragon existing at all is an astonishing incident in itself lmfao

└ At this point... it wouldn’t be strange if anything else came out lol

└ Aren’t the scholars crying their eyes out right now?

└ The theologians are crying too, holy shit, they gotta redefine mythology now.

└ In less than a week Cain descends, and now a Mythological Age dragon lmfaooo

└ Allfather) Oh. Does the dragon perhaps converse using Thought Transmission? It sounds as though it echoes directly inside the mind.

└ Wild Grylls) Exactly right. It was really fascinating.

└ Allfather) Hohohohoh. Very good. Very good indeed. Now the endless debates on how dragons converse will disappear!

└ Wild Grylls) Was that really something to debate over?

└ Bro. It’s the Mythological Age, the Mythological Age;;

└ Almost nothing was revealed, and even if it was, it was mostly ’I heard that~’ style rumors.

└ Everyone will accept it now lol, since a Polymorphed dragon conversed via Thought Transmission.

└ Wild Grylls) Mm. I see.

└ "I see" lmfaoooo

└ Why does every post this guy makes drop bombshell after bombshell;;

└ But why is that dragon in the Forest of the Four Seasons?

└ Wild Grylls) She said the gods shoved them all in after winning the Mythological Age war?

└ Ah, that makes sense then.

└ Don’t Abandon the Hero) Did that dragon happen to say anything bad about the gods?!

└ Wild Grylls) She called them invaders, but she admitted herself that they did things worthy of getting kicked out.

└ That’s true though. They slaughtered humans whenever they got the chance lol

└ So what lol, works out great for us lol

└ Come to think of it, doesn’t that mean even that dragon can’t get out of the Forest of the Four Seasons?

└ Wild Grylls) STFU. I’m depressed because of that.

└ lmfaoooooo

└ lololololol

└ You’re stuck living there forever lmfao

└ Dragon: I can’t leave either lol

The expected reactions poured in one after another. Everyone was in continuous shock.

Among those, the part that stood out the most was the World Tree sapling.

At the fact that a dragon personally torched it with fire breath, each user showed a different reaction.

└ But the dragon burned the World Tree sapling?

└ Wild Grylls) Yeah. See that pitch-black thing? That’s the World Tree sapling. The one Let’s Grow Trees gave me.

└ Holy shit, giving a World Tree sapling in the first place was absurd, but burning it down right away is hilarious lmfao

└ Even dragons do elf-hating lolol

└ Elf-hating is justified! The dragon has passed judgment!

└ By the way, who the fuck is the guy who gave the sapling to be handing out World Tree saplings?;;

└ Is there even such a thing as a World Tree sapling in the first place?

└ There is. But it only grows near the World Tree.

└ Let’s Grow Trees) The dragon burned it down?! What a truly evil dragon!

└ Evil my ass, she’s smart lol

└ Isn’t elf-hating gonna get even worse at this rate?

└ Fr, it’s already crazy these days.

└ Let’s Grow Trees) No! I think the exact opposite! Rather, the dragon personally certified the nobility of the World Tree!

└ Is his brain turned upside down?

└ What kind of nonsense is that again?

However, Let’s Grow Trees’ reaction was the complete opposite.

└ Let’s Grow Trees) Dragons have been famous as evil beings since ancient times. And such a dragon burned down the World Tree!

└ So you’re saying it’s such a good tree that even an evil dragon had to personally dispose of it? Is that what you mean?

└ Let’s Grow Trees) Exactly! Now we can encourage tree-planting even more! With Alvenheim-grown trees that even dragons beware of!

└ Am I the only one who feels like things just got even more fucked up?

└ I also feel like something’s weird lol

└ How does it twist around like that?

└ The bigger problem is that it makes sense in his head;;

"Wow..."

I could only marvel in awe. His train of thought was completely on another level.

’If someone like this is a leader, it’s gonna be a disaster.’

Madness dripped from his text alone; how much worse would it be if someone met him in real life?