I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 446

Most people watching Grylls’s stream harbored this thought:

No matter how he fights, this guy will definitely survive. In fact, there were tons of precedents stacked up.

Without even looking far, he was a human who won a clash of raw power against a Butcher Ogre. And that wasn’t all.

Even when a Flesh Golem slammed him around recklessly, he fought back intact. It was truly terrifying durability.

He could truly be called the final boss of physical weight classes, and everyone could accept his absurd abilities.

Because he possessed such abnormal strength, he was able to survive so brazenly in the Forest of the Four Seasons.

If he had trained like a normal person instead of relying on such a physical scale, survival would have been difficult.

That was why people could watch Grylls with peace of mind—believing there was no way he would ever die.

However, the Forest of the Four Seasons was still the Forest of the Four Seasons. Even monsters (?) like Grylls were bound to kick the bucket if they let their guard down.

Moreover, no matter how tough one’s life force was, everyone was equal before a natural disaster.

And ancient humanity—that is, the gods—were powerful enough to craft calamities even more severe than natural disasters with their own hands.

Kwaaaaa!

A wave of white flames, transcending red flames, filled the view entirely.

Even though it was a view borrowed through Grylls’s eyes, Don’t Abandon the Hero, Asella screamed.

"Ah, aaah...!"

Because it felt as if she herself had taken that white flame full on.

Soon, the sound of steam echoed from the video feed. Following the steam, the sound of scorching flesh ensued.

It was a situation where even the viewers felt every single second pass like an hour. For Grylls, it must be far worse.

"Why did he..."

Asella could not understand Grylls’s choice.

Setting aside the young Nidhogg, Cheongseol, being unable to use teleportation magic...

He even threw his own body into harm’s way just to protect the Flame Horse family.

Speaking cold-headedly, if he had ignored the Flame Horse family and run to the Shelter, he would at least have been better off.

Grylls did not do that. As if even a slight acquaintance could not be brushed aside, he desperately protected the Flame Horse family.

As if he didn’t even care that the result threatened his very life.

’I would have made a similar choice, but...’

To be honest, she herself would have made a similar decision.

To fulfill her duty and responsibility as the ’Hero’, she would have willingly sacrificed herself.

Yet Grylls was not a Hero. He did not bear heavy responsibilities or duties.

Only survival. There would have been nothing wrong even if he acted solely aiming for survival.

Simply because it was what ought to be done. It seemed he protected them based on that single thought alone.

’If he protects even beasts like that, how much more would he do for people...’

Grylls’s personality was, in a way, very simple.

He returned favor with favor, and if someone bore malice, he didn’t let it slide easily.

With that single trait, hadn’t he granted big and small assistance to countless people?

In particular, cases like Heavenly Demon and Starlight Lady owed him their very lives. Bound by that single debt, everyone was striving desperately.

’He is someone who cannot simply pass by a sick or suffering person.’

Honestly, saying he returns as much as he receives was still an understatement.

Even going as far as distributing Empty Sky Stone Milk ’for free’ by utilizing her prestige as the Hero.

Reflecting on it item by item, such a good-natured person was nowhere easily found. The seeds of good deeds he sowed had spread far and wide.

Only his demeanors were lighthearted; calling him the Herald of God was in no way lacking.

[Chiiiiik....]

While Asella was ruminating on Grylls’s deeds...

The white flames that filled the screen vanished, and a deeply unsettling sound echoed.

Soon, the screen panned, illuminating the party Grylls had desperately protected.

Fortunately, no one in the party appeared severely injured. The Flame Horse family was fine too.

However...

"Hiik...?!"

Asella gasped in horror. Her complexion turned past pale, becoming deathly white.

And for good reason—Grylls’s hands had turned completely into lumps of charcoal.

With his hands looking like that, the rest of him was obvious without even looking. His entire body must have turned to charcoal.

Kooung!

Soon, as Grylls collapsed onto the ground, the video stream cut out.

The instant the stream cut off, the screen transitioned to a post. It was Grylls’s post.

It was a system where a text post automatically uploaded once the video broadcast ended.

Yet Asella could make no reaction whatsoever.

The fatal injury of Grylls she had seen right before the feed cut.

He looked like a corpse in every sense of the word, leaving her unable to act easily.

└ Passing Dwarf) He’s not actually dead, right? I believe he’ll live.

└ Praise the Sun) Crazy bastard. Did he seriously think he wouldn’t die?

└ Did he really die?

└ Looking at his state, his whole body seems charred;;;

Comments popped up one after another after a moment of silence. Even looking at them, Asella found it hard to gather her senses for a while.

Is Grylls really dying? Even if it’s Grylls, his entire body was burnt pitch-black?

’Right now... what can I do to help?’

Above all, no method to help Grylls came to mind.

If he were at least conscious, she would have sent various medical supplies. But right now, even his consciousness was completely severed.

If there was any consolation, it was that the party members remaining over there could take action.

If they poured in all the remaining medical supplies and herbs there, he might miraculously survive.

However, that alone was insufficient. Asella stood up from her seat and began pacing back and forth.

’Even if I go there in person to heal him with divine power... it won’t be meaningful. Besides, I cannot recklessly leave my post either.’

Rushing blindly into the Forest of the Four Seasons? Nothing could be more irresponsible.

Grylls was the Herald of God, and he had saved the Holy Kingdom when it was on the precipice of falling into the abyss.

Squandering this opportunity would be akin to ignoring Grylls’s devotion. It was practically the worst choice.

Even so, she couldn’t just sit around sucking her thumbs. She had to find a way somehow.You are reading on novelping(.)com, the official source.

’...What can I possibly do?’

No matter how much she pondered, no proper method came to mind.

As mentioned earlier, the assistance provided until now was only possible when Grylls was conscious.

’A way...’

Grylls logged onto the Gallery with the mindset of grasping at straws.

It was fair to say Grylls possessed the highest recognition within the Gallery.

Since the worst crisis had befallen such a figure, there would be plenty of talk.

[Did this bastard really die?]

[Upvote if you’re glad he finally died lol]

[Honestly, he survived for a long time keke]

[Herald of God my ass lololol]

"..."

Asella’s eye twitched. Various titles met her eyes the moment she logged into the Gallery.

A person was on the verge of death, yet they were recklessly tossing out such absurd remarks.

The greatest merit and the absolute worst flaw of the Gallery were laid bare.

A situation that openly demonstrated pure malice—something incomprehensible to Asella.

’...This won’t be of any help.’

Asella let out a sigh and closed the Gallery. Banning them would be utterly meaningless.

Right now, finding a way to help Grylls was of utmost urgency.

’...There is none. There really is no way.’

There was no way. Had she ever felt so powerless?

Ultimately, stifled by frustration, she headed outside her office. There was only one thing she could do right now.

To pray earnestly to the God somewhere out there. She even brought the Holy Sword with her.

’Goddess Aris will never let Grylls-nim die.’

The numerous miracles displayed up until now. Asella believed that a miracle would unfold this time as well.

It was while she was heading toward the prayer room that she ran straight into familiar faces.

"Hmm? Ducal Lady?"

"Ah! Hero-nim."

"Ash-nim, you were here as well."

It was Selena, and Ash. Kadir was nowhere to be seen.

Asella saw right through their true identities. Thus, they were bound to be immensely anxious about the current situation.

Just as expected, their expressions were extremely grim. Selena wore a face steeped in anxiety, while Ash had a stiffly hardened expression.

"...Hero-nim."

"Yes. Speak."

"Did you... by any chance see? That the Herald of God..."

"Is in grave danger. I am well aware."

Asella caught on to what Selena was about to say. She was probably just as distressed as herself.

Grylls was the benefactor who cured Selena’s incurable illness and gave her a new life.

Though she would want to charge into the Forest of the Four Seasons if she could, her circumstances made it difficult.

"C-could you perhaps support us with supplies?"

"Ducal Lady."

At Selena’s request, Ash interjected in a low tone.

At that sight, Asella realized it: Selena was planning to recklessly enter the Forest of the Four Seasons.

It was a lack of discretion unbefitting a mage. Yet it showed how deeply she cared.

Furthermore, having owed her very life to him, staying still like this would be unbearable.

Of course, apart from that, Selena had committed a blunder: letting her identity be deduced.

Realizing this, Asella feigned composure and spoke softly.

"Those words mean... the Herald must have rendered assistance to you, Ducal Lady."

"Yes. He saved my life."

Selena revealed it boldly, as if there was nothing left to hide.

It was a mindset that if she could save Grylls, she would proudly expose her own vulnerabilities.

Asella was amazed by that mindset, yet slightly envious. Unlike herself, weighed down by responsibilities, Selena could stand proud.

However, it also meant she had lost her cool judgment. Since her emotions were swirling violently, composure was necessary.

"I see. However, Ducal Lady, you must judge calmly. Even if the Herald is in danger, that place is the Forest of the Four Seasons."

"Yes. I know. That’s why..."

"Even Sir Ludwig found it difficult to guarantee survival without the Herald’s aid. He even lost his ankle."

"..."

"Even if you reach where the Herald is, it remains a problem. The Herald has sustained severe injuries, and what is needed now is... a miracle."

Though spoken gently, Selena quickly understood the underlying intent.

You going there won’t help one bit. In fact, it will only be a burden.

Asella turned her head away from Selena, who was growing increasingly somber.

As if her own mind was similarly conflicted, Ash maintained a rigid expression.

"I imagine Ash-nim told you something similar... didn’t she?"

"...Yes."

"Did the Herald bestow grace upon you as well, Ash-nim?"

"I am the opposite case—the one who provided help."

Ash answered evasively, unlike Selena. But that alone was enough.

With this opportunity, a bond had formed among the three. They could likely become closer in the future.

"I see. Then Kadir-nim is..."

"He said he wasn’t feeling well today and is staying in his room."

Kadir was probably fretting in his own way.

Grylls had handed him various research materials and satisfied Kadir’s personal thirst for knowledge.

There was even a thirst for knowledge that could not be satisfied even by summoning magic. The prime example was the traces of the gods.

She felt that perhaps he, too, was searching for a way in his own manner.

"Asella-nim. Is there truly no way?"

Selena requested once more. If push came to shove, she looked ready to enter the Forest of the Four Seasons alone.This story is hosted at novelpin⁠g.com.

Asella felt just as frustrated. In fact, she had entertained such a thought as well.

’I thought of tying medical supplies to the Holy Sword and sending it back to Cain-nim, but...’

It utilized the principle of reverse tracking, but it made no sense. In the first place, she didn’t even know the mechanics of summoning Cain.

Therefore, there was only one thing she could do.

"Prayer."

"Pardon?"

"Would you like to... pray together?"

At Asella’s cautious suggestion, Selena wore a dumbfounded expression.

Ash was not much different. Her hardened expression softened slightly.

Yet neither thought of it as useless. It was a suggestion from none other than the Hero.

Furthermore, hadn’t that prayer been answered recently?

Although it was possible thanks to Grylls’s cooperation, it was nothing short of a ’miracle’.

And right now, that miracle was needed most desperately. Selena gave a heavy nod.

"...Yes. I understand. Ash-nim?"

"I will join as well."

"Thank you. May Goddess Aris bless both of you."

Asella expressed her gratitude by signing the Sign of the Cross for their cooperation.

A cleric making the Sign of the Cross meant absolute sincerity.

It was when the three headed to the prayer room that they encountered a surprising sight.

"The people are..."

"There were many people besides us who were genuinely worried."

A huge crowd of people was already gathered in the prayer room. Asella turned her head to check the time.

It was not yet the time for congregational prayer. Meaning, these were people who had gathered voluntarily.

The citizens of the Holy Kingdom had already witnessed the ’miracle’. Thus, they genuinely treated Grylls as the Herald of God.

Asella was swept up in profound emotion upon realizing this, but moved quietly after a moment.

The others followed behind her and took their seats.

Seueuk-

Seated, the three clasp their hands neatly together in prayer.

Did something suddenly cross her mind? Asella narrowed her eyes and logged into the Gallery.

It was to check Grylls’s current status, as she could verify his life signs through location tracking.

Besides that, there was another thing she was curious about: Heavenly Demon’s location.

’This person must surely be worried as well...’

Upon checking Heavenly Demon’s location next, Asella was shocked.

’...Huh?’

Because she was marked as being located right at the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons.

A desolate plain. A place filled with nothing but green grass.

Before the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons, shimmering like an aurora, a woman stood proudly.

Heavenly Demon, Yoo So-wol, who had rushed blindly to the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons the moment Grylls’s consciousness cut off.

She raised her head and looked into the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons. Her face bore a resolute decision.

’...Demonic Brain will hold out well, I trust.’

Yoo So-wol muttered inwardly. Naturally, she had arrived here without giving any advance notice.

The Central Plains was already plunged into chaos due to the uprising of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

If the primary force—the Heavenly Demon—were absent under such circumstances, the Cult’s chances of victory would plummet drastically.

Yet Yoo So-wol valued the debt of grace owed to Grylls far more. Without his assistance, there would have been no cult uprising in the first place.

Rescue Grylls from crisis first, then escape the Forest of the Four Seasons together. That alone was a splendid plan.

’Rather than regretting without even trying, it is far better to try and fail.’

Steeling her resolve, Yoo So-wol took a step. One foot stepped inside the Forest of the Four Seasons.

At that moment, an ominous energy swept over her entire body. Her instincts were screaming.

The instant she thrust her body further, she would never be able to turn back.

Looking at the change in her Internal Energy immediately revealed it: she couldn’t channel the Internal Energy around her foot at all.

It was proof that even Yoo So-wol, who had reached the Profound Realm, could not withstand the pressure of the Forest of the Four Seasons.

"..."

So what of it? Yoo So-wol wore a deep smile.

Surely she could easily bear a sacrifice for the sake of her benefactor.

Just as she caught her breath to force her entire body inside...

Seueuk-

"...?"

Something caught Yoo So-wol’s eye. It was an entity dangling from the grass.

A chrysalis. A small, unsightly chrysalis.

Jjeoeok-

The chrysalis split open, and something squirmed its way out from inside.

It was a butterfly that hadn’t even unfurled its wings properly yet. The butterfly struggled with all its might to get out.

Having completely emerged from the chrysalis, the butterfly clung to the casing and slowly began to spread its wings.

Hwaljjak!

Beautiful wings unfurled wide. Wings radiating rainbow colors, much like the entrance to the Forest of the Four Seasons.

Soon, the butterfly fluttered its wings a few times and floated gracefully away into the sky.

Yoo So-wol blankly watched the butterfly gently swimming through the sky.

’...Is it a coincidence?’

Could this really be called a coincidence? Yoo So-wol pulled her foot back from the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons.

The butterfly was already soaring far into the distant sky.

"..."

Yoo So-wol quietly stepped back. It felt as though she had been enchanted.

That thought made Yoo So-wol pause. Why on earth had she been captivated by a mere butterfly?

She turned her head back to look at the entrance of the Forest of the Four Seasons.

"...If that is your will, Sir."

Yoo So-wol chose to believe in Grylls.