I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 560

Martial arts were truly fascinating. Even though he had learned only a single technique, its applications were remarkably vast.

The same applied to the Thousand-Pound Weight he learned this time. Though it was a technique for controlling weight, its practical uses were astounding.

Not only could it prevent him from being dragged around by his own overwhelming force, but it also enabled instantaneous high-speed movement.

He wondered if everyone who learned Thousand-Pound Weight ended up like this, but that wasn’t the case. Ludwig had mentioned that pulling off such bizarre feats was by no means easy.

"Unless someone possesses an absurdly monstrous mana pool like yours, it is simply wasteful."

In reality, Thousand-Pound Weight was closer to an auxiliary technique that one didn’t strictly need to learn.

Of course, that was just technicality; almost every decent martial artist ended up learning it anyway.

It was essentially like saying an MMA fighter didn’t have to learn wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

"Then why didn’t you teach it to me until now?"

"You were fighting just fine without it, so I figured you didn’t need it. Besides, it’s a technique most people figure out on their own eventually."

The usage of Thousand-Pound Weight was exceedingly simple. Just channel mana into the desired body part, and that was it.

It was essentially condensing mana like a massive iron weight and embedding it right into that spot.

Furthermore, as the weight increased, a simple punch could shatter boulders. However, that didn’t make it all-powerful.

While maintaining Thousand-Pound Weight, it was difficult to execute other specialized techniques. Only activating condensed Aura was possible.

’Well... it’s not like I’ve learned any other martial techniques anyway.’

Though Thousand-Pound Weight was meant as an auxiliary measure, Grylls could employ it aggressively.

Attacks aside, what interested him most was its combination with Mistilteinn.

Originally, channeling mana into Mistilteinn and swinging it caused him to be pulled along in that direction.

Through Thousand-Pound Weight, he could not only anchor himself firmly against that pull, but also perform absurd maneuvers beyond ordinary imagination.

"Huuup!"

Whoosh!

As he swung Mistilteinn upward, his body naturally floated up into the air. That was the result of not activating Thousand-Pound Weight.

With neither foot touching the ground, swinging the weapon like this wouldn’t deliver much power.

’But what if I use Thousand-Pound Weight?’

With that thought, he concentrated weight into the counterweight of the weapon.

Next, as he swung forward just like before, his body shot forward in an instant.

Defying the fact that he was suspended mid-air, a maneuver practically akin to flight became possible.

Crash! Thud!

Of course, since he wasn’t accustomed to it yet, clumsily crashing down was inevitable.

He could cushion the fall with Body-Protecting Gangqi, and with steady practice, it would become much smoother.

"Ow-ow-ow..."

Still, there was nothing he could do about the residual shock from crashing.

Just as Sword Matstar had advised, it seemed best to lighten his weight as much as possible right before hitting the ground.

Otherwise, forget his knees—his whole body would end up wrecked.

’Isn’t this literally Thor?’

Naturally, he didn’t mean the Thor of mythology, but the cinematic Thor who had once ruled the box office.

That Thor eventually gained independent flight as time went on, but prior to that, his method was almost identical to Grylls’s current routine.

After inspecting Mistilteinn for any damage from the repeated swings, Grylls immediately returned to the Shelter.

He had strayed a bit far from the Shelter while playing around with it like a toy.

[In both my past life and present existence, I have never seen anyone quite like him. Just what is his true identity?]

"I do not know either. One thing is certain—he is definitely not an ordinary human."

[If that man truly turns out to be a God, I feel my faith might falter.]

"Why would you say such a thing...?"

[Normally, gods are versatile, dignified beings. But that... that is simply a bizarre anomaly. Even Goddess Aris is widely renowned as the Martial God.]

"Your words make sense as well. We need only keep our faith in Goddess Aris."

[A wise response. Indeed. We need only place our faith in Goddess Aris.]

"Hey, you two! If you’re going to talk behind my back, at least do it in another language!"

It felt like they had been doing this often lately—talking trash right in front of him in Korean rather than their native language.

People naturally tend to forget their mother tongue after staying in a foreign country for a long time.

Even if there were people who spoke their native language, everyone at the Shelter ultimately had no choice but to speak Korean.

At any rate, now that he had mastered Thousand-Pound Weight, it was time to get down to business.

That business was, of course, the Bone Dragon subjugation Heukgu had mentioned. He had put it off until now to practice Thousand-Pound Weight.

"We can’t delay any longer. If that thing recovers its intellect, we won’t be able to stop it."

"Didn’t you say before that it’s difficult to regain intellect without a physical body?"

"It has its heart. Viewing a dragon’s heart as a mere organ is a big mistake."

Was it something like a computer’s SSD? He understood it along those lines.

That meant their chances of victory were highest if they defeated it before the heart could function properly.

Fighting a dragon corpse alone promised a terrifying difficulty level; if it regained its intelligence, there truly would be no hope.

’Still, that didn’t mean I could skip learning Thousand-Pound Weight.’

Grylls gathered his companions. What they were about to face was a dragon.

Even if it was an undead monster, a dragon was still a dragon.

"Has anyone here ever hunted a dragon before?"

At his question, only Cain raised a hand. Being in a small stone statue form made it oddly cute.

Come to think of it, Grylls had heard about it before—Cain had personally slain a dragon in his previous life.

Yet even that was a dragon from after the Mythic Era, not one of the ancient ones.

The relationship between dragons of the Mythic Era and modern dragons was simple: human versus ape.

Just as apes evolved into humans, modern dragons were the degraded version.

"What was the most difficult part when fighting a dragon?"

[The breath attacks, naturally.]

"Did the dragon you killed use magic?"

[If it could use magic, I wouldn’t even be standing here today. I still remember it vividly. Back then...]

A classic "Back in my day~" poured from Cain’s lips, but Grylls couldn’t just tune it out.

This was, after all, firsthand advice from an actual Dragon Slayer—an invaluable guide forged in blood and survival.

"So to summarize... as long as we watch out for breath attacks from the sky, it’s relatively easy to handle?"

[Relatively easy, mind you. It is vastly larger than that frilled lizard you killed last time.]The source of this chapter is nov‌elping.com.

Hearing that it was far larger than the frilled lizard they fought previously overwhelmed him with daunting pressure.

That creature had been so enormous that dropping an excavator on it was the only way to crush it.

But the dragon they were about to face had to be dealt with through pure, raw combat prowess.

"Just in case, let’s assume it can use both breath attacks and magic."

Even if it was reduced to mere bones, assuming the worst-case scenario was a wise precaution.

Especially since this was the Forest of the Four Seasons, where predicting what variables might arise was impossible.

Therefore, planning for the worst was the best strategy.

"Is there anyone here who can block wide-area attacks..."

There was only one person—no, one creature. As Grylls turned his head, the rest of the group naturally turned their gazes as well.

Their eyes landed on Lackey, who was making a sullen face. Finding all eyes on him, the albino gorilla blinked.

"...Must I block it?"

"Who else but you? At least I can shield myself."

[I can regenerate even if I melt in fire.]

In that case, Lackey practically only needed to protect Ludwig. After all, Grylls had no intention of bringing the young ones into this battle.

The moment Lackey realized the number of people he had to protect was so small, he nodded.

Even if it felt burdensome to Lackey, it wouldn’t be as demanding as Grylls’s role. Grylls had to fight with everything he had just to break inside.

"And Cain-ssi, please stay alongside Ludwig-ssi. For the record, we won’t be bringing Largo with us this time."

"Why? Is it because Largo is too large?"

Ludwig expressed doubt when he heard that Largo the giraffe wouldn’t be accompanying them.

Up until now, Largo had consistently participated in their explorations, essentially serving as Ludwig’s legs.

Yet the reason for leaving him behind was simple.

"If Largo panics out of sheer fear, it’ll turn into a catastrophe. No matter how magnificent a mount he is, any animal would be terrified in front of a dragon."

It was because Grylls had accounted for the scenario where the mount panicked.

Even if Largo possessed high intelligence, a beast was still a beast.

Faced with an overwhelming existence like a dragon, fear was unavoidable.

One might argue a Bone Dragon would be different, but it was always better to prepare for contingencies.

’Humans are the only ones capable of overcoming instinctual terror.’

Most animals, when sensing a threat to their lives, would roll onto their backs in surrender.

Humans, on the other hand, were different. They would either die paralyzed by fear or conquer it to fight back.

With various options at their disposal, they could somehow overcome it. Grylls believed as much.

[That makes a great deal of sense. But wouldn’t that severely limit what Ludwig can accomplish?]

"Just dealing blows to its bones will be more than enough."

Simply distracting its attention—drawing aggro, in other words—would earn his keep.

After all, the main striker was Grylls himself. According to reports, dragon bones were nearly as indestructible as Adamantium.

Reaching the heart by pushing past all those dense bones was the key to victory, making division of labor paramount.

[Then I shall have Ludwig and Lackey ride upon my horse.]

"Will I be able to maneuver it as I wish?"

[The horse is an extension of myself. It will move according to your command. We can comfortably carry Lackey as well.]

In essence, they were dividing into three assault squads.

Ludwig and Lackey. Cain. And finally, Grylls.

Since Grylls and Cain could withstand a direct hit from a breath attack or spell, such a division was viable.

’It can’t be worse than the fire tides of the Artificial Sun.’

If it turned out stronger... well, too bad. He would just have to grit his teeth and endure through raw spite.

Of course, he wasn’t planning to tank it blindly. Knowing this might happen, he had prepared something in advance.

[Passing Dwarf: Here, I made what you requested. Man, I don’t know why this material was so damn tough to work with.]

[Wild Grylls: Thx thx! Need anything in return?]

[Passing Dwarf: Just give me one World Tree fruit. I ran completely out of booze.]

[Wild Grylls: Out already? Didn’t I give you a tons last time?;;]

[Passing Dwarf: I drink alcohol like water, so isn’t that obvious? lol]

[Wild Grylls: ;;;]

[Passing Dwarf: Besides, it’s liquor that’s great for your health, so how could I not drink it?]

Grylls wondered how liquor could possibly be good for one’s health, but let it slide since it was made from World Tree fruit.

At any rate, the Adamantium leather armor he had requested from the Dwarf had arrived.

It was far sturdier than most steel suits of armor, yet lightweight enough that mobility wouldn’t be compromised.

’Now that the armor is equipped, all that’s left is...’

The young creatures were to be left in the care of the Hobgoblin Village. However, Grylls made a single exception.

That was none other than Maengkkongi. One might wonder if Maengkkongi was in the most danger, but leaving him behind was out of the question.

Far beyond serving as a simple military band, the toad was extraordinarily effective at suppressing fear.

"Maengkkongi. Your role is critically important."

"Bbi-yung?"

"When the dragon roars, you have to provide appropriate cover."

It sounded like nonsense, but it was a genuinely effective technique—a clash of presence, so to speak.

Whether Maengkkongi’s croak could drown out a dragon’s roar remained uncertain, but at the very least, it would serve as a psychological anchor.

Thus, with all preparations complete, they first visited the Hobgoblin Village to drop off the little ones.

"Ggyu-eeeeng!!"

"Bbi-iii-k! Bbi-ik!"

"Bbaee-aek!"

Predictably, the young beasts clung to him pitifully. Grylls didn’t want to leave these adorable creatures behind either.

But during this subjugation, even his own life would hang in the balance. He lacked the spare capacity to protect them.

"When I get back, I’ll cook something delicious for you guys. Okay?"

In the end, promising delicious food as a reward barely allowed him to detach himself.

The last one remaining was Dolsoe. Dolsoe would not be joining this expedition.

One might ask why Dolsoe, a brawler, wasn’t coming along, but he was assigned to guard the Shelter.

Before Grylls arrived, Dolsoe had been the undisputed ruler of an entire territory.

Furthermore, unlike the rest of them who had synchronized their teamwork over time, Dolsoe’s coordination was still rusty and disjointed.

"It won’t take too long. If it takes a while... well, just assume we all died."Visit NovelPing for the full chapter.

"I will wait."

"When I return, I’m checking how many sweet potatoes are left, got it?"

"...."

At his words, Dolsoe feigned ignorance and looked away. The gorilla fully intended to raid the sweet potato stash.

Afterward, Grylls unlocked the Mana Suppressor around Dolsoe’s neck. Unlike Lackey in his early days, Grylls doubted Dolsoe harbored any treacherous intentions.

And even if he did, Grylls was confident he could subdue him instantly.

"Bbareumbo. Give me your claws."

After Dolsoe, the last was Bbareumbo—their ultimate trump card and Grylls’s fellow partner in hardship.

Grylls had forged a custom weapon specifically for this subjugation: Mythricon claws.

Rather than standard battle claws, it was closer to nail art (?); another layer of claws retrofitted directly over the original ones.

That said, it wasn’t just capping the claws; it encased the entire back of the paw. Crafting it had cost him no small amount of toil.

Adding wings to a tiger—he had no doubt it would yield an effect worthy of that adage.

’Now that everything is set...’

Accompanied by Heukgu, they immediately headed toward the area where the dragon slept. The first spot they set foot upon was the very battlefield where Grylls had fought Heukgu.

A desolate region littered with countless bones—the path leading toward the World Tree.

Clatter- clatter-

The moment their feet touched the ground, undead creatures emerged. These constructs were the true sentinels.

Expending energy on mere fodder was unfortunate, but unavoidable. They had to be purged swiftly.

’I’m glad I brought the Holy Water.’

Here, the Holy Water received from Asella demonstrated its full prowess. Most ordinary undead melted away helplessly before it.

He hadn’t brought just a small bottle; he had requested it whenever opportunity allowed. With the Subspace Backpack, carrying and clearing them was effortless.

Of course, he couldn’t use it all up, so:

"Lackey."

"Yes, Master."

"Fire."

He simply incinerated everything with fire. Nothing was more effective than purifying with flames.

As a result, they passed through the Shadow Forest far more easily than expected. Surprisingly, the piles of bones grew sparser the deeper they ventured.

"Because that creature absorbs even the remaining nutrients within those bones."

Heukgu promptly answered the unspoken question. Incidentally, Heukgu was still in his shadow-pup size.

Since no one understood the dragon better than Heukgu, he had been brought along.

’He looked genuinely reluctant when separating from the young ones, though.’

At any rate, the skeletal piles gradually dwindled, and they arrived at a bleak expanse strewn with desolate gray rocks.

How should he put it? Rather than a rocky wasteland, it felt more like stepping into a colossal cavern.

Beyond being damp, shallow water pooled across the ground, and the surrounding air reeked of dense black energy.

Yet the World Tree visible beyond that dark haze radiantly radiated a gorgeous golden glow.

[There it is.]

Just as his gaze was temporarily stolen by the World Tree, Cain spoke in a solemn voice.

Grylls leaned forward, and his eyes locked onto something sleeping there—a form that casually defied all sense of perspective.

As Heukgu had described, it was nothing but bare bones, yet it possessed a terrifying vastness that felt strangely alive.

Around that monumental existence flew birds carrying carcasses of various beasts. It gave off no sense of being dead at all.

Ruuumbbbble-

Had it sensed their presence? Accompanied by faint vibrations, the colossal entity ahead stirred.

Simultaneously, Grylls and his companions assumed battle stances without a word.

Whenever vibrations shook the ground, falling into combat positions was basic instinct.

Ruuuuuumbbbble!!!

It was awakening—the primordial sovereign that had slumbered for an eternity.

Though degraded to mere dry bones, the oppressive aura emitted by the ancient ruler was by no means withered.

If anything, it was now overlaid with the irrational ferocity of a wild beast. Goosebumps instantly erupted across his skin.

He had felt this sensation before—back in his utterly weak past, when he confronted the Saber-toothed Tiger.

Ruuuuumbbble!!

Rather than simply standing up, the vibration felt as though an entire island were rising.

The behemoth fixed them with hollow, empty eye sockets.

Though it surely could not see, did only its bestial instinct remain?

[------!!!]

From its roar alone, the shallow pools of water on the ground violently churned. Grylls gripped his weapon tightly.

There was nowhere left to retreat. Moreover, if they didn’t bring this thing down now, a far greater calamity would erupt.

Fuuwooosh!

Just as those thoughts crossed his mind, the dragon gathered a raging inferno within its jaws.

He had harbored doubts, but even in its undead state, it could unleash a breath attack.

If it were merely breathing fire, that would be one thing, but its savage ferocity didn’t stop there.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Bizarrely, it began crawling forward using only its forelegs—much like Nidhogg.

Yet contrary to the word "crawling," it was spewing a raging breath attack all the while.

Showing zero regard for its surroundings, the ruthless destroyer charged straight at them.

"Breath attack! Dodge!"

If it were just breathing fire it might be manageable, but it was also slamming its gigantic forelegs down without mercy.

Fitting for a size that defied perspective, as it drew closer, Grylls had to tilt his head higher and higher just to take it in.

KABOOM!!!

Before long, a titanic foreleg smashed down right in front of him.

Befitting its feral nature, its accuracy wasn’t particularly high.

’Wait a minute. This guy...’

What caught his attention even more:

’Where are its legs? It doesn’t have a tail section at all!’

Its anatomical structure completely lacked a lower body.