I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 284

It was a remarkably tricky monster. So thought Ludwig as he faced the Immortal Herb Colossus.

Having fought countless battles, he had dealt with all sorts of monsters.

Among them were monsters possessing rather unique abilities. Plant-type monsters were no exception.

Ordinarily, plant-type monsters rarely moved, remaining rooted in a single spot by default.

The Bush Hell he had encountered previously in the Forest of the Four Seasons had only fled after feeling threatened by ’fire’; otherwise, it had remained stationary.

’I suppose I must view it as a monster that instinctively moves to devour life...’

But this Immortal Herb Colossus was different.

Its species was merely ’plant,’ but its behavior pattern itself was closer to an animal.

A plant-type monster that actively moved to hunt rather than setting traps.

Furthermore, due to its ability to absorb light, ordinary attacks were useless against it.

’If it were up to me, I’d want to close the distance, but...’

Doing so was difficult. It was because of that damn refraction ability.

Even if an attack succeeded, it was still problematic because the creature absorbed Aura as well.

There were no known monsters in the world that absorbed Aura—or more accurately, mana.

At best, the Central Plains’ ’Great Art of Star Absorption’ shared a similar effect, but that was closer to an anomaly.

’On top of that, a will resides within its vines.’

The vine tentacles that had incapacitated the hobgoblin chieftain in an instant.

Merely putting a hand out to tear off those vines had led to the hobgoblin chieftain being suppressed.

They even used Aura and life force as nutrients to encroach upon progressively larger areas.

An irony where it was hard to get close due to refraction, yet taking it down required drawing near.

Even if one drew close, being caught just once by a vine tentacle meant a high probability of immediate suppression.

Other than ’fire,’ the potent weakness of plant-type monsters, no suitable strategy came to mind.

’All I can do is hope Grylls executes this well.’

For now, buying time was the best option. Fortunately, they had currently made it outside the village.

This baiting had been possible because the creature rushed over like a moth to a flame as soon as Aura was channeled into the Mythricon sword.

However, the usual strength of plant-type monsters was ’stamina’ and ’endurance.’

If things continued like this, they would be the ones to tire out first.

’Unless we can find the core...’

If they could find its core like a Guardian’s, they would have suppressed it quickly.

Usually, that core would be attached to the roots, like the Pumpkin Jack they conquered before.

However, because the Immortal Herb Colossus possessed a human-like shape, it was impossible to tell where its roots were.

’Is that the most likely location?’

The area corresponding to the human chest.

While all other parts were comprised of vines, only the chest region possessed a clear shape.

A shape akin to a giant rock bound tightly in vines. There was a high probability the core was in there.

But reaching that spot would require enduring considerable casualties.

Even with Elixirs on hand, one’s life force would be entirely drained before then.

Hwiiing!

Right then. The sound of wind splitting reached Ludwig’s ears.

The sound of an arrow. Having fought countless battles, Ludwig recognized it immediately.

And judging that the arrow wasn’t aimed at him, he resumed fighting.

Following that...

Chaekang!

Ludwig looked up at the sound of something like a glass bottle breaking.

The sound was clear enough to pierce his ears even while evading the Immortal Herb Colossus’s attacks.

Looking up, some kind of liquid was showering down over the Immortal Herb’s head.

It was likely falling in a direction different from how it appeared due to refraction. But it didn’t matter.

Two things mattered. First, what kind of liquid it was. Second, whether it doused the Immortal Herb thoroughly.

’Oil?’

The distinct smell quickly revealed the liquid’s identity.

Momentarily puzzled, he turned his head toward the village.

Standing some distance away were Grylls and Bbareumbo.

Grylls held his bow with an arrow nocked, while Bbareumbo beside him held an oil bottle.

Ludwig immediately realized Grylls’s intention. Grylls also seemed to have caught on right away that the plant’s weakness was fire.

Shwiiiik! Chaekang!

Bbareumbo threw an oil bottle, and Grylls released an arrow toward that oil bottle.

As the oil bottle shattered, it thoroughly soaked the Immortal Herb Colossus’s body.

’Splendid.’

It was the best among the available options.

Admiration sprang forth naturally. If nothing else, Grylls certainly knew ’how to win.’

Even down to utilizing everything at his disposal to reach that goal.

"Lackey. Do you see to the side?"

"I see."

"When Grylls shoots the fire arrow, stay far away."

Having grasped Grylls’s intent, all that remained was to coordinate with him.

Hearing Ludwig’s instruction, Lackey nodded, seemingly grasping the general idea.

Chaekang!

Another oil bottle shattered above the Immortal Herb Colossus’s head. The Immortal Herb Colossus became increasingly drenched in oil.

Though one shot missed in between, even that level of marksmanship was a thoroughly astonishing talent.

’He must definitely have an Elf among his ancestors.’

To think he could achieve this despite having formally trained for only a short time.

What if they had met outside? He surely would have been of immense help to Asella.

Hwareuk!

Grylls was preparing a fire arrow. Ludwig immediately gave a signal to Lackey.

Receiving the signal, Lackey instantly put distance between himself and the Immortal Herb Colossus erupting from the ground.

And...

Hwareureureuk!!!

Another oil bottle was struck by a fire arrow, and the oil quickly descended as a rain of fire.

The Immortal Herb Colossus, whose entire body was drenched in oil, became engulfed in flames.

Fire attack targeting the weakness of a plant-type monster. Since it was on a massive scale, he thought it would perish before long, but...

[ !!]

However, the situation was far from simple.

It was true that the Immortal Herb Colossus’s body was slowly crumbling.

The catch was that it was regenerating simultaneously as it crumbled.

Yet there was no way for it to extinguish the fire clinging to its body.

Even if a torrential rainstorm raged, because the fire was fuelled by oil, extinguishing it was impossible.

Paak!

The Immortal Herb Colossus plunged not only both legs but both arms into the ground.

Ludwig prepared, wondering if it was attempting to attack again.

Ggumul- ggumul-The source of this chapter is novelp‌ing.com.

Yet there was no attack from the Immortal Herb Colossus. It merely wriggled as though absorbing something.

Ludwig quickly realized what the giant was absorbing.

Shaaaah-

Centered around the Immortal Herb Colossus, the surrounding land rapidly dried up.

Far past merely drying, it cracked wide open, soon even turning into sand.

’Could it be?’

Ludwig was aghast. The Immortal Herb Colossus was absorbing the earth’s natural energy—that is, its life force.

The earth was originally the essential foundation required for plants to grow.

Absorbing even the life force of that place was no different from suicide for a plant.

If compared to a human, it was identical to expending Innate Primordial Qi to escape a crisis.

Paseuseuseu-

That wasn’t all. The fire clung to the Immortal Herb Colossus’s body gradually began to subside.

It was a method where newly regenerated vine tentacles covered the fire, smothering it into natural extinction.

Small amounts aside, the quantity of vines regenerating while absorbing the earth’s life force was staggering.

If quality fell short, win with quantity. That was the method of the Immortal Herb Colossus.

’This is supposed to be a plant?’

Even Ludwig had never heard of or seen such a monster. A dragon sounded far more realistic.

A monster actively counteracting its own weakness in real time. A plant with a survival instinct sharper than anything else.

What was more, so long as its two legs were planted in the dirt, infinite regeneration was possible. It felt utterly impregnable.

"Ahjussi! What is that?!"

Before long, Grylls approached Ludwig’s side and asked.

He too seemed to have joined up as the fire on the Immortal Herb Colossus slowly flickered out.

Ludwig glanced at Grylls and Bbareumbo riding on his back before replying:

"It appears to be... putting out the fire. Even fire fuelled by oil disappears if you smother it from above."

[Even if it’s fire, covering it up makes it disappear.]

"No, wait... it’s a plant? A plant thinks through things like that?"

Just as Grylls was dumfounded, Ludwig felt no different.

Even after undergoing all kinds of hardships, a plant-type monster that adapted against fire was a first for him.

[The land is rapidly becoming desolate. At this rate, the goblins’ homeland will be completely ruined.]

"The whole forest could be destroyed. My brethren are in danger too."

Cain and Lackey spoke in grim tones.

The Forest of the Four Seasons, where ordinary plants grew in no time, possessed extremely potent soil energy.

Even such land was cracking wide open and undergoing desertification. It was a ravenous level of absorption.

"Then what should we do? As long as it’s rooted to the ground, killing it is almost impossible."

"There are two methods. Either subjugate it in a place lacking soil energy like a desert, or..."

Ludwig pointed at the chest of the Immortal Herb Colossus and said:

"We destroy the core. The core should be inside that thick section over there."

The part that had chewed, torn, tasted, and savored the goblins.

It was effectively the mouth of the Immortal Herb Colossus, and simultaneously its ’heart.’

[ ]

The fire clinging to the Immortal Herb Colossus’s body had almost completely died down.

A battle of attrition against such a monster was nothing short of suicidal.

Yet attempting to lure it elsewhere—especially beyond to another spatial realm—was equally difficult.

’If left alone, turning this entire forest into a desert won’t take long.’

It could be classified as an invasive alien species. A tremendously dangerous one at that.

Ludwig raised his sword toward the Immortal Herb Colossus, which was gradually regaining its bearings.

He planned to think while fighting for now, as no brilliant solution came to mind.

If only he could reclaim his original strength, he could have resolved this via a much easier method.

"...We just have to destroy the core, right?"

As Ludwig assumed his stance, Grylls quietly spoke up.

The question asking if destroying the core was all it took. From that question, Ludwig grasped Grylls’s intention.

"That thing absorbs Aura. It will absorb your Aura before any explosion occurs."

Above all, landing a proper arrow strike was difficult due to the refraction ability.

No matter how remarkably talented Grylls was at archery, impossible was impossible.

However, Grylls’s thinking differed. He spoke in a resolute voice:

"I’m going to target the core."

[I understand your desire to leave this forest. But if that means meeting Goddess Aris in the afterlife, I strongly advise against it.]

Ludwig didn’t answer separately either, but agreed with Cain’s sentiment.

Aiming for the core meant stepping right into the maw of the Immortal Herb Colossus.

In particular, since the Immortal Herb Colossus absorbed Aura, it was essentially Grylls’s natural counter.

"I have a method. Hear me out."

Yet Grylls remained steadfast. He hastily explained his plan to the party.

Soon, having heard that plan, Ludwig...

"...Are you truly out of your mind?"

...cursed out loud in genuine utter disbelief.

Because Ludwig was a righteous man, it stayed at this level; anyone else would have barked at him to shut his mouth and find another strategy.

"Master. Suicide is bad. Fire is hot."

It was so absurd that even Lackey gave a ’that’s a bit much...’ reaction.

Even so, Grylls remained stubbornly determined. He gestured toward the Immortal Herb Colossus with his chin and asked:

"Then do you have another way?"

"...."

No answer returned. And understandably so, for the Immortal Herb Colossus was virtually invincible.

Unless one directly targeted the core, there was no answer.

"Then we’re sticking with my plan..."

Saying so, Grylls purchased more oil bottles from the auction house.

Next, he hurled oil bottles over the head of the Immortal Herb Colossus, whose fire had been right on the verge of extinguishing.

Jjaenggeurang!

Struck by arrows, the oil bottles shattered and poured oil down.

As the fire it had painstakingly extinguished flared up again, the Immortal Herb Colossus relentlessly absorbed the ground’s soil energy.

Grylls stared at the land visibly succumbing to desertification and exhaled heavily.

"Phew..."

Blue Aura enveloped Grylls’s body. It was Body-Protecting Gangqi.

Far thicker than anyone else’s, forming a shape akin to heavy armor.

And over that Body-Protecting Gangqi...

Jureureuk-

...he poured oil.

I knew it too. That this was insane.

But to conclusively handle that hopeless bastard, there was no other way.

If left alone like this, the entire forest would turn into a desert, and my survival rate would naturally plummet.The source of this chapter is nоvelping.com.

I had to destroy the core somehow to bring it down.

’Its weakness to fire remains valid.’

Its regeneration speed was fast; its weakness hadn’t disappeared.

I thought while pouring oil until my entire body was drenched in it.

Unlike raw Aura, an Aura Blade possessed a clear physical ’form.’

Body-Protecting Gangqi was the same. Almost no one had armor as thick as mine, but it strictly functioned like plate mail.

And if I poured oil over it and lit it on fire? I’d complete an ability straight out of a superpower story.

’Tentacles will definitely touch me. Burning them off is my only defense.’

If I could, I’d rush in bare-skinned.

However, because of its Aura-absorbing ability, I had no choice but to choose this method.

Once my entire body was coated in sticky oil, I gripped the Ignition Stone in my hand.

As soon as Bbareumbo heard my insane plan, he quietly slipped off my back.

[What will you do about the refraction ability?]

"I can see through it with Eye Lantern."

I answered Cain’s question immediately.

Activating Eye Lantern actually allowed me to break through the refraction ability.

Earlier, things were too hectic and the hobgoblin had been attacked, making it hard to use.

’Judging by how I can only see it from this close, the range must be short.’

The Eye Lantern acquired through the Pumpkin Jack inner core proved useful in many ways.

Taking in the still-regenerating Immortal Herb Colossus, I turned my head.

Everyone was wearing expressions that said, ’Isn’t this insane?’ As I said earlier, there was no other way.

"Well then..."

"Any last words?"

"Where should we bury you?"

[Do give my regards to Goddess Aris.]

These people are talking like they’re watching someone on their deathbed.

Feeling dumbfounded for a brief moment, I waved my hand and ignored them all.

Saying anything here would just be a waste of time anyway.

Tuk-

Just as I was about to head off, someone touched my hand. It was Bbareumbo.

He was looking up at me with his signature laid-back expression.

"Are you actually worrying about me?"

"...."

At my question, Bbareumbo vigorously shook his head side to side.

It was a response I largely expected, but I had asked just in case.

"You want me to tell you where the Fasting Pills are?"

"...."

Nod-

Behold our Lord Bbareumbo, nodding his head at a glacial pace.

There isn’t a single person—no, animal—I can trust. Had I known, I would have brought Tyranno and Wonmo too.

Leaving them with the goblins because it seemed too dangerous left my heart feeling hollow.

’Sigh. It’s my lot in life, let’s just move on.’

Time was of the essence. Swallowing my saliva, I fidgeted with the Ignition Stone.

It wasn’t time to strike it yet. It was crucial to test how far the Immortal Herb Colossus would react.

Beonjjeok!

Soon, eyes flashing, I approached the Immortal Herb Colossus.

Thanks to Eye Lantern, the refraction ability was negated, allowing me to draw close to the main body.

Reaching the vicinity, my feet stepped on the land turned to desert by its absorption.

Did it feel that prey had approached even while dousing the flames covering its body?

Chwararak!

Multiple bundles of vine tentacles burst out from the Immortal Herb Colossus’s body.

Although they soon perished due to the fire clinging to my body, this wouldn’t last long either.

From here on was what mattered. I triggered the Ignition Stone in my hand. And...

Hwareureureuk!!!

Fire ignited the oil soaking my body—or more accurately, the surface of my Body-Protecting Gangqi.

I activated Body-Protecting Gangqi as thick as possible so I wouldn’t suffer bodily harm.

’Still hot though.’

A battle of who dies first. I moved both legs rapidly.

Pushing down hard with both legs, I leaped high into the air.

Teob!

Reaching right at the Immortal Herb’s chest, I drove a dagger in so I wouldn’t slip off.

The Sword of the Heavenly Demon was far too sharp to serve as an anchor.

’Now I just need to go inside.’

I pushed aside the vine tentacles that were almost entirely burnt and on the verge of destruction.

Vine tentacles approached my arm midway, but they perished immediately due to the fire.

Other vine tentacles tried ’instinctively’ to coil around my body, but all attempts were foiled.

’Here’s the entrance...’

Clearing away the vine tentacles, I found an entrance. Surprisingly, it was an open structure that didn’t close up.

Apparently it was merely an entryway; whatever served as the core seemed to be inside this hole.

’Dark, just as expected.’

Inside lay a darkness blacker than pitch.

The cave I entered to search for the Immortal Herb was like this too.

Of course, in front of Eye Lantern, it was all futile. Relying on Eye Lantern, I stepped inside the cavernous gap.

Ggumulggumulggumul-

The deeper I went inside, the more the vine tentacles threatened me.

However, the flames clinging to my body defended against those attacks flawlessly.

Even if they wrapped around me, they quickly caught fire and were completely destroyed.

If I had entered with only Body-Protecting Gangqi active, I would have been absorbed without even putting up a fight.

’It doesn’t change that this is a game of chicken. I have to find it quickly.’

Deep inside the cavity, I spotted a glitter. A sparkle symbolizing abundant energy.

It was definitely the core. Since it was the Immortal Herb Colossus’s core, it sparkled like that.

Without hesitating, I sprinted toward the glowing spot. And...

’Found it.’

I was able to find the core of the Immortal Herb Colossus.

Dugeun! Dugeun! Dugeun!

A core beating like an animal’s heart.

’A heart? Is this really a plant?’

It was nothing but incomprehensible mysteries.