I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 42

Demonic Brain, Wi Seol-ak, had overcome countless crises throughout his life.

Among them, the greatest crisis had been oppression from high-ranking figures.

Having an extraordinary intellect made Wi Seol-ak a threat to the nobility and superiors.

A mere commoner like Wi Seol-ak being far superior to the proud scions of prestigious martial families?

It was entirely intolerable. Thus, at every opportunity, they kicked away the ladder beneath him.

Yet Wi Seol-ak climbed up with sheer grit and venom. He had no need for ladders.

At this point, one might acknowledge him, but unfortunately, Wi Seol-ak lacked the blessing of good benefactors.

Consequently, what returned to him was horrific oppression. Through this process, he harbored deep malice.

Bearing that malice, he joined the Demonic Cult and used his exceptionally sharp mind to climb to the position of Demonic Brain.

"Why the hesitation? Do you use the Gallery as well?"

"That is..."

And today, Wi Seol-ak encountered the absolute greatest crisis of his life once more.

An order from Heavenly Demon, the entity standing above ten thousand and reigning in the heavens.

Hearing Heavenly Demon’s order, Wi Seol-ak worked his brain at full speed.

The result of running his mind at maximum speed yielded a single answer.

’Fucked.’

Truly fucked beyond belief.

Facing the greatest crisis of his life over such an absurd reason.

Being an avid user who enjoyed the Gallery himself, Wi Seol-ak could grasp the current situation.

News that the Inner Core posted on the Auction House was fake. The incident involving Grylls, who had recently caused a stir.

’Wild Grylls. She definitely stepped in to help him.’

Yoo So-wol had undoubtedly summoned him to help him. Up to this point, it was well within expectations.

But ordering him to log into the Gallery was outside Wi Seol-ak’s expectations.

Wi Seol-ak quickly spun his mind before opening his mouth.

The moment even a second of silence stretched, Yoo So-wol would suspect something.

"O Heaven... By Gallery, do you mean... the Continental Integrated Gallery?"

"Indeed."

"It is Heaven’s command, so I shall obey. However, my foolish mind struggles to grasp the situation. Please grant me the reason behind it."

Even while buying time, Wi Seol-ak’s brain rotated ceaselessly.

Following the order meant logging into the Gallery and leaving a verification post.

If that happened, all the posts where he routinely badmouthed Yoo So-wol would be exposed.

Coincidentally, he wasn’t operating under a semi-fixed nickname, but a registered account, heightening his sense of crisis.

’I created a fixed handle out of necessity, yet for things to unfold like this...’

The reason Wi Seol-ak used a fixed handle? Because of trading and the Auction House.

The Demonic Cult was situated in a somewhat remote location. Thus, supply lines were critical.

In the past, it was neglected to the point where countless members starved.

Now, thanks to Wi Seol-ak’s restructuring and Yoo So-wol’s descent into the Central Plains, things had improved significantly.

’I must resolve this without getting caught at all costs.’

Back then, he treated it as trivial since it was out of necessity.

But who would have thought Yoo So-wol would openly command, ’Reveal your handle’?

It was Wi Seol-ak’s blunder for failing to predict that her way of thinking diverged drastically from ordinary people.

’Would Heaven respect my privacy?’

’Heavenly Demon’ Yoo So-wol possessed an overbearing, domineering personality.

A person who cared nothing for others’ gazes and did strictly as she pleased.

Backed by absolute martial power that supported her nature, she commanded the awe and fear of all cultists.

’She must. Otherwise, I die.’

Conversely, the Heavenly Demon on the Gallery was strangely different.

Her signature overbearing attitude and self-centered nature remained, yet there was humanity in her.

One could deduce this simply by seeing how she extended endless favors to Grylls.

He fervently prayed that she would grant that same favor to him, Wi Seol-ak.

Otherwise, he would die either socially or physically.

"The reason... Must this venerable self explain even that to you?"

"..."

"Or is there some truth on the Gallery that you must hide from me?"

"I do not use the Gallery, O Heaven."

"You speak falsehoods without even wetting your lips."

"..."

Shit. Wi Seol-ak cursed internally.

He had spoken without letting his voice tremble, but he was caught anyway.

Yet it was a situation where lying was his only choice. Only then could he hope for Yoo So-wol’s ’understanding’.

If Yoo So-wol had been a mindless tyrant, his head would have flown off long ago. Fortunately, she was no tyrant.

She was a human who at least knew how to respect her subordinates. If not, she would have commanded him to forcibly break through the Forest of the Four Seasons.

Hoping for understanding after lying was unreasonable, but to pierce through that minuscule probability, he had no choice.You are reading on novelping dot com, the official source.

The moment he entered the Gallery, physical death was guaranteed. It was a gamble with his life on the line.

"I shall pretend to believe your lie. However, it will be wise for you to speak the truth next time."

"I shall engrave this in my mind."

"Good. Did you ask for the reason earlier? I shall tell you everything."

Thank goodness. Truly thank goodness. Wi Seol-ak let out a secret sigh of relief inside.

The gamble with his life as the collateral had ended successfully. Still, the hurdle was far from over.

"My benefactor is currently suffering under false accusations. Lend me your wisdom to resolve this situation."

"This humble servant’s wisdom belongs entirely to Heaven. Please, simply bestow your command."

"As for the situation..."

Yoo So-wol’s explanation was brief yet packed with essential summaries.

Of course, since Wi Seol-ak had already pierced through the full context, it was closer to pretending to listen.

Countless hypotheses were already established in his head. Laying out those assumptions one by one was not difficult.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand. To think someone would doubt Heaven’s discernment and even speak lies. They deserve divine retribution."

"..."

Yoo So-wol narrowed her eyes as she stared at Wi Seol-ak.

It was a gaze that said, ’Do you, who lied moments ago, have any right to say such a thing?’

Wi Seol-ak was bowing his head so he couldn’t see her expression, but he could read it through the heavy atmosphere.

His conscience was pricked to the point of feeling stabbed repeatedly with daggers. He tried his best to ignore it.

If lying once could save his life, it was dirt cheap.

"May I offer my opinion?"

"Speak."

"First, we cannot rule out the possibility that the auctioned Inner Core was indeed a plain bead with no effect whatsoever. Setting aside the one bestowed upon me, there is no guarantee the other was also an Inner Core."

"Hm."

Yoo So-wol nodded. Truthfully, that point had bothered her as well.

The reason she let Wi Seol-ak’s lie slide was precisely because it couldn’t be resolved with simple thinking.

She had planned to check whether he knew about the Gallery first and then borrow his wisdom.

Due to her signature domineering speech mannerisms, she had ordered him to reveal his handle first, though Yoo So-wol herself didn’t realize it.

’He must not have a clean hands on there.’

Regardless, Yoo So-wol understood him. The Gallery was a construct well-suited for venting desires and stress.

He must have indulged in behavior too embarrassing to show others.

All Gallery users were like that. It was completely understandable.

"Is there no way then?"

"Since the other party brought up uncertainty, we must cleverly exploit that from our side as well. It is a matter of credibility."

"If it comes to credibility, I believe my benefactor holds a higher standing."

"It is not a matter to be taken lightly. Those who use the Gallery are like jackals. Once they spot prey, they bite and tear regardless of context."

"Jackals..."

Yoo So-wol nodded at the metaphor comparing Gallery users to jackals.

Users who pounced like crazy whenever an entertaining scandal broke out.

Authenticity mattered not to them. They tore into prey simply because it was entertaining.

Conversely, if one could secure credibility, that pack of jackals could be turned into allies.

"The accuser’s goal is likely singular: to reach an amicable settlement with Heaven’s benefactor."

"An amicable settlement?"

"If his account gets suspended, his very life might be endangered. They are targeting that exact vulnerability."

"Playing games with a human life, then."

Yoo So-wol wore an explicitly displeased expression.

If it were up to her, she wanted to trace their location and obliterate them.

But location tracking was a privilege exclusive to Orange Badge.

She didn’t think Orange Badge would grant that authority, especially in an incident like this.

"Do you have a solution?"

"There is a simple and easy method."

"What is it?"

"Heaven simply needs to make an official appearance on the Gallery."

Making an ’official appearance’ on the Gallery sounded hilarious, but the main point was this.

Prove her identity on the Gallery—that is, verify that she was the real ’Heavenly Demon’.

To prove that the fixed-handle user who constantly shitposted, currently serving as a blue badge mod, was the true Heavenly Demon.

"You refused my order, yet dare to offer me advice? Such hypocrisy is unparalleled."

"I apologize, O Heaven."

"Speak your true feelings without a single lie. Do you have no intention of verifying yourself?"

"I would rather hang myself and die."

"Hm."

He hated the idea of verifying his identity that much? Yoo So-wol nodded.You are reading on novelping . com, the official source.

She had no wish to lose a talent as capable as Wi Seol-ak over an absurd reason.

"Furthermore, even if I verified myself, it would be of little significance. They could easily claim we colluded behind the scenes."

"That is true."

"As for Heaven..."

"Disapproved."

A firm answer came from Yoo So-wol’s lips. A clear refusal.

Wi Seol-ak held doubts regarding her refusal, but didn’t dare ask.

’Is she embarrassed?’

The possibility was far from small. Moreover, he knew the track record of the Gallery’s blue badge mod, Heavenly Demon.

That must be why she let his lie pass generously. Empathy was the starting point of understanding.

’Revealing her identity would defeat the purpose of using the Gallery.’

However, Wi Seol-ak’s assumption was completely off the mark.

Was the reason Yoo So-wol refused to reveal her identity on the Gallery due to embarrassment? Absolutely not.

’Treating others wildly according to instinct, stripped of all formality and dignity—how could one ever give this up?’

On the contrary, Yoo So-wol was proud and dignified.

Whether in reality or on the Gallery, her demeanor and speech remained entirely unchanged.

The joy of existing as a single ’human being’ untethered from the mold of ’Heavenly Demon’.

Yoo So-wol loved that life immensely. That was why she balked at revealing her true identity.

If she lived as the ’Heavenly Demon’ even on the Gallery, life would become so monotonous it would border on excruciating boredom.

’There would be those approaching merely out of awe for my majesty.’

Goodwill directed not at the ’human’, but at the ’Heavenly Demon’. No different from reality.

If it came to that, she would quit the Gallery immediately.

Therefore, Yoo So-wol could never relinquish her anonymity.

Originally, anonymity served as a shield, but for her, it was a vehicle to reveal her unvarnished self.

’Though my benefactor seems not to care who I am.’

That was the precise reason she took a liking to Grylls.

Consideration, respect, and politeness filled with pure goodwill.

It was a warmth Yoo So-wol had never experienced her entire life, making her want to extend help.

"If push comes to shove, I can stake my name. However, I question whether it holds such value."

"Your words are entirely sound."

So Heavenly Demon is human after all. She knows how to feel shame.

While Wi Seol-ak’s slight misunderstanding deepened, Yoo So-wol opened her refined lips.

"Is there no other way?"

"There is. We simply turn the attention of the jackal pack toward the liar. Furthermore, since your benefactor has established trust, it will be easy."

"Tell me... Wait just a moment."

With those words, Yoo So-wol looked into the air.

Wi Seol-ak stole a glance at her behavior and immediately accessed the Gallery.

Something must have happened on the Gallery. Otherwise, she wouldn’t act like that.

’Nothing special?’

The Gallery was unchanged. Still posts bashing Grylls.

Occasionally there were posts defending Grylls, but they were a small minority.

It was practically spamming, to the point Orange Badge issued warnings.

"Demonic Brain."

"Yes, O Heaven."

"My benefactor has acquired another Inner Core."

"Pardon?"

Hearing those words, Wi Seol-ak snapped his head up. His wide eyes reflected his shock.

But who was Wi Seol-ak? Regaining composure, he spun his mind rapidly once more.

Soon reaching a swift conclusion, he offered a proposal to Yoo So-wol.

"O Heaven. A great move has come to mind."

"Speak."

"By any chance, is there a subject on the Gallery who possesses trust and strength, as well as an unblemished character?"

"Hmm..."

At that question, Yoo So-wol tapped her cheek before frowning.

An expression that conveyed disgust at the mere thought. Given her beauty, even that looked breathtaking.

"There is one. Why do you ask?"

"Because we require that person’s help. However, I am unsure if they will assist."

"They will help. I guarantee it."

"Understood. Then..."

Wi Seol-ak bowed his head even lower as he proposed:

"Please persuade your benefactor to give the newly found Inner Core to that helper."