I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 54

I had a dream for the first time in a while.

Not a dream of flying freely in the sky, but a dream from the days back home.

Ordinary days... couldn’t really be called that. Because my parents passed away in an accident when I was young, so I had to live alone.

I didn’t look for help from my relatives. My relatives were good people, but it felt like I’d be too much of a burden.

Moreover, their circumstances weren’t well-off either, so I couldn’t ask for help.

Rather, I felt more apologetic, so I rarely contacted them.

I just stubbornly survived alone. There was no part-time job I hadn’t done, and I couldn’t even attend school properly.

Barely managing to meet attendance requirements, it was enough to leave me wandering. Things like college were beyond my wildest dreams.

After that, memories are blurry like fog in my head. Because I only focused on making a living.

Despite such a trashy environment, was it telling me not to die?

’Jong-hyuk-ah. We’re fine, so how about coming to live with us?’

’Hey. Park Jong-hyuk. Tell me when you finish your shift. Let me know when you’re done, let’s go to the PC cafe. No money? I’ll chip in a bit.’

’Do you like soccer? Or baseball?’

’You worked so faithfully, that’s why I’m giving extra. Someone like you is rare these days.’

I possessed what people call ’blessings with people’.

My relatives genuinely worried about me, and my friends were considerate without any rough edges.

My part-time job boss also took pity on my situation and made sure to pay my salary well.

When those people showed me such goodwill, shouldn’t I show goodwill in return?

As a human being, it’s a virtue one ought to uphold. Harboring such thoughts, I lived faithfully.

Even the military was no problem. Just do what you’re told well and you’re set.

For someone like me who had nothing, a rigidly structured life was actually more comfortable.

I contemplated whether to re-enlist long-term, but held off since I was wandering.

What would have happened if I had signed on long-term back then? A meaningless hypothesis.

’God is truly strange.’

I didn’t particularly practice religion. But I didn’t deny its existence either.

When times are hard you can curse God, and when good things happen you can believe in God.

Or seek God in moments of crisis. It seems to be human instinct.

’From my perspective, someone who bestows goodwill upon me is God.’

A person who extends goodwill to someone in distress.

What else would that be to a person in distress if not God? At least, that’s what I thought.

Even though I suddenly dropped into the Forest of the Four Seasons, there were people who extended unrequited goodwill.

People whose faces I don’t even know. Connections that I can never abandon.

Goodwill with goodwill. Gratitude with gratitude.

Above all, let’s become a giver rather than a receiver first.

Even if they don’t respond with goodwill, let’s just let it slide. It doesn’t matter if they call me a fool.

Otherwise, the people who sent goodwill my way would become fools.

At least, that was how I thought.

"Mmmm..."

I painfully opened my heavy eyes.

Even after opening my eyes, my vision was so dim that I had no choice but to blink several times.

’Where is...’

Dazed, my thoughts weren’t turning smoothly. First, I checked what was visible.

Soon, as my dimmed vision gradually returned, a vibrant blue sky came into sight.

A sky where fluffy clouds floated gently. I thought, It’s pretty.

’Why is the sky... What was I...’

Seueuk-

The moment the thought of what I was doing crossed my mind, something caught my eyes.

A relaxed yet dopey-looking expression. A face that felt slightly cute.

I stared blankly at that face before instantly realizing its identity.

"Why are you here..."

...was what I didn’t even get to finish saying.

The situation prior to falling asleep flashed through my head like lightning.

The night attack. The fierce battle against the giant tiger.

Beyond my flesh getting ripped by claws, the massive fangs piercing straight through my body.

Finally splitting the tiger’s head, but collapsing while trying to confirm the kill.

As the series of events flashed back, I had to snap my body up.

"Aaak! Eeee...!"

However, at the intense pain surging across my whole body, especially my right shoulder, I had to lay back down.

Come to think of it, my shoulder was thoroughly pulverized.

I didn’t even get to do first aid because I was busy confirming the kill.

With a fearful heart, I looked down at my right shoulder.

"Huh?"

But unexpectedly, my right shoulder was completely fine.

The uniform, sure, was tattered from being bitten by the tiger, but the bare flesh visible beneath was clean.

Questioning how on earth this happened for a moment, I discovered a glass bottle rolling on the ground.

It was definitely the bottle of Elixir I received from Starlight Lady.

"...Did you pour this?"

"..."

I asked Speed Sloth in a bewildered voice.

Speed Sloth merely wore his characteristic dopey expression. But that served as answer enough.

"Puhu."

Laughter burst out automatically. How many times have I owed my life to this guy?

Had it not been for Speed Sloth, I never would have survived.

’Come to think of it, where’s the tiger?’

Looking at the blue sky, it was morning. Seeing as everything was intact by morning, it was certain the tiger was dead.

Turning my head with effort, I could see a tiger the size of a house collapsed.

Seeing it motionless, it was definitely dead. Thanks to that, my mind felt at ease.

’What time is it right now...’

Judging by the bright sky, morning was long past.

Frowning, I staggered and got up.This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.

Since I had suffered severe injuries, staying laid out was best, but at least I wanted to lie down on a soft surface.

’What? Where is Wonmo?’

Stumbling over to the cave, Wonmo was nowhere to be found.

He wasn’t by my side begging for food, and his sudden disappearance made me anxious.

"Wonmo-ya! Wonmo-ya, where are you!"

"Kkyu?"

Calling Wonmo’s name loudly, a reply came back from behind.

Wondering what was up, I turned around, but Wonmo wasn’t there. So I called again.

"Wonmo-ya?"

"Kkyuu."

Heard it clearly this time. But it came from the tiger’s side.

Questioning that sound for a brief moment, it was soon resolved.

"Kkyuuuu..."

Behind the fallen tiger, Wonmo made his appearance.

Not jumping, but scrambling and clambering up pitifully yet adorably.

Wearing a warm smile at Wonmo’s appearance for a moment, I noticed something strange.

"Wonmo-ya. What’s that on your mouth? Don’t tell me it’s blood?"

"Kkyu!"

Smiling brightly, Wonmo replied energetically. Meaning it was indeed blood.

I’m starting to get anxious. Just in case, I asked.

"Where did you get that from? Don’t tell me, the tiger?"

"Kkyuu!"

Wonmo patted the ground—or rather, the tiger—with his paw.

Watching that, I couldn’t help but rub my face dryly. It seems while I was unconscious, he was gnawing on the dead tiger’s corpse.

Since the neck area was pretty much shredded, he probably focused his eating there.

Letting out a complex sigh, I spoke to Wonmo.

"Right. Eat in moderation. Your belly’s gonna burst."

"Kkyuu."

Wonmo replied acknowledging it. Having verified Wonmo’s safety too, I went back into the cave.

Subsequently, I lay on the soft mat and sought mind and body stability.

’Ah, right. Time.’

I logged into the Gallery right away. Hoping it would be morning.

Unread messages: 10

As soon as I entered, a notification came up saying there were unread messages.

The only person I have 1-on-1 conversations with is Heavenly Demon. She must have sent them.

’It’s well past noon.’

No wonder Wonmo was gnawing on the tiger corpse. More time passed than I thought.

Well, having fought that fierce battle yesterday, fainting for a long time might be natural.

Moreover, if Speed Sloth hadn’t poured the Elixir, I would have bled to death.

’Let’s send a reply to Heavenly Demon first.’

Even if I’m curious about the Gallery’s situation, answering Heavenly Demon comes first.

Entering the flashing notification window, I accessed 1-on-1 messages.

[Heavenly Demon: Gwigong. It is morning, yet there is no word from you.]

If you slept late yesterday, I can understand.

Gwigong. You seem to be waking up far too late.

Gwigong?

You have not logged into the Gallery at all.

Has something perchance happened?

If you see this message, I hope you reply.

Gwigong. It is already afternoon.

Has something truly happened?

Messages filled to the brim with concern. It seems she was worrying about me immensely.

Embarrassed for a second, I sent a reply to relieve her worries.

I’m sorry, Heavenly Demon-nim.

[Wild Grylls: A huge tiger raided last night, so I fainted.]

[Heavenly Demon: A huge tiger raided?]

How large was the beast?

[Wild Grylls: Its eye level was more than a head taller than mine.]

[Heavenly Demon: A creature worthy of being called a Mountain Lord, indeed.]

Is your body unhurt?

Holes got punched into my body, so I almost died.

Speed Sloth poured Elixir on me, so I lived.

[Heavenly Demon]

What a relief.

Were you unconscious for a long time?

Yes. Probably so.

Even now, the bitten spot hurts like hell.

[Heavenly Demon: If you wish, I can send medicinal herbs with exceptional pain-relieving effects.]

It’s fine.

I can just drink the Elixir.

I plan to rest a bit right now.

[Heavenly Demon: After a fierce battle, rest above all else is supreme.]

Then rest comfortably.

I never doubted for a moment that Gwigong would return.

Thank you.

I’ll post on the Gallery soon as well.

Receiving Heavenly Demon’s concern and encouragement, I concluded the conversation.This chapter was taken from novelping dot com without permission.

Staggering on the mat, I approached the Elixir.

My body hurt so much, and I didn’t know if Speed Sloth had applied it thoroughly.

Because Bbareumbo’s claws weren’t suited for detailed work.

Ggulkkeok-

Taking a sip of the Elixir, I slowly removed my clothes.

Blood had dried and stuck, plus with wind holes punched into my body, even taking it off was painful.

’Looks like it recovered after being pulled inward.’

The uniform blocked the tiger’s claws. But it couldn’t block its teeth.

Riddled with holes, it seems unlikely to function properly in the future.

Still, achieving such performance with a single uniform was tremendous efficiency.

’Adventurers active while wearing uniforms wasn’t a joke after all.’

Removing the uniform, I checked my physical condition.

Perhaps even an Elixir cannot cleanly heal severe injuries without trace, as deep scars remained.

Especially where I was bitten by the long fangs. That spot had particularly deep scarring.

Just in case, I poured Elixir over the scars.

Minor scars subsided to some extent, but the section pierced by fangs remained as is.

’Apply to other spots as well.’

To prevent bacterial infection, I applied Elixir to every injured spot.

Shortly after, applying Elixir to all wounds, I closed the cap.

In the meantime, the pain felt from my shoulder eased.

If standing up was hard earlier, now it was manageable enough to walk.

’Without the Elixir, I really would’ve been screwed.’

I sent infinite gratitude to Starlight Lady for providing a suitable trade.

Next, I decided to log into the Gallery and post a survival update first.

Where did Grylls go? Did this guy die?

Did he seriously die?

Grylls-ya. Come back.

Entering the Gallery, quite a few people were looking for news of me.

There were strange posts here and there, but they were deleted before long.

Orange Badge or Heavenly Demon must have issued immediate bans. What’s left is my survival update.

Title: Survival Update

Wild Grylls

(Photo of deep scar on shoulder)

(Photo of bloodied body)

It’s me. A fucking huge tiger raided last night, almost fucking died;;

Fainted for at least 10 hours and just regained consciousness. The scar is from getting bitten by the tiger yeah.

Think I’ll do nothing today and just rest up. My body hurts so bad it’s hard to even move;;

Sword Matstar: You’re alive. Tigers are aggressive so it must have been tricky... It was truly dangerous for you.

Wild Grylls: I was so scared I thought I’d wet myself.

Sword Matstar: Nobody’s around anyway lol, and even if you did wet yourself, I would’ve understood.

Wild Grylls: Have you ever hunted a tiger, Sword Matstar-nim?

Sword Matstar: I have hunted one. It was a slightly large tiger.

Wild Grylls: I’ll upload the tiger I caught later. It’s really huge.

Passing Dwarf: Hey. So you can’t give me the crabs today?

Wild Grylls: Yeah probably. Really sorry;; I feel like I’ll actually die if I go there today.

Passing Dwarf: Give them to me tomorrow then. I can give you the shoes in a bit.

Wild Grylls: Thanks thanks, you’ll really be blessed. First I’ll get a Mature Mandrake if I can.

Starlight Lady: Your scar is so severe... so much blood too...! Did you use the Elixir?

Wild Grylls: Yes. Speed Sloth poured it over me while I was unconscious. If not for that, I would’ve died.

Starlight Lady: You talk about terrifying things so nonchalantly. Anyhow, I’m glad you survived.

Wild Grylls: It’s thanks to Starlight Lady-nim giving me the Elixir. Thank you so very much.

Starlight Lady: I owe my life to Grylls-ssi anyway. I hope you recover as quickly as possible.

Princess Chaenggu: What happened to the uniform?

Wild Grylls: (Photo of tattered uniform) It ended up like this. Still, thanks to it I survived several crises. Thank you so much.

Princess Chaenggu: So it had protective effects! I’ll send you more uniforms later!

Wild Grylls: I feel like I’m only receiving, so you can send them slowly. I still have some left.

Where’s the tiger?

Wild Grylls: Will post again soon. Right now I’m gonna eat first.

Are you gonna sell that tiger too?

Obviously gotta sell it. Butchering is fucking annoying lol

I know you guys are opening your mouths to gulp it up

Busted lol

Well. My thoughts are different.

Normally I would have put it up on the auction house and moved on, but my mind changed.

It was the bastard that pushed me to the brink of death, and the hide seemed like it would be quite useful.

Especially the hide—if managed well, it can be used in many ways.

’Rather, wouldn’t it be pretty good if I butchered it myself?’

Good idea.

Wonmo already gnawed off some flesh anyway, and it’s time for me to develop myself.

I might have to butcher things myself someday anyway, so now is the chance.

Wild Grylls: Nah, this time I’m just gonna butcher it myself. Gotta start practicing.

? Didn’t you say you were hurting?

Wild Grylls: Yeah, but gotta do it anyway. It’ll rot if I leave it.

If you’re gonna do it, definitely get advice from the butcher hyungs.

Do what the commenter above said. They are all kind people. For real.

They’ll probably tell you all the expert knowledge. Not so sure about tigers though.

Wild Grylls: Is there a reason?

It’s a place where throwing insults gets you stabbed with a knife, so they have no choice but to be polite.

It was a truly rational reason, making it all the more believable.