I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 583

The arrival of Santa, descending upon Avalon Square in the Holy Kingdom, caused immense upheaval across the entire world.

It wasn’t just Santa either, but even Grylls, who had been proclaimed the Herald of God.

Ludwig was there as well, though compared to the former two, his presence was inevitably faint.

In any case, the people were completely enthralled, watching Santa distribute presents to the children.

And small wonder—this was a momentous event where Santa, who had sprinkled snow from the sky to bless the world, had descended in the flesh.

"Ho! Ho-ho! Has the child been good?"

"Yes! I listened to Mommy and Daddy very well!"

"Then I must give you this present!"

Santa pulled countless presents out from his signature red bundle.

What on earth was that bundle made of for all sorts of gifts to keep flowing out of it? Nor was that all.

"Mommy! Santa-halabeoji gave me a Holy Sword!"

"U-uh? I-is that so? How wonderful!"

"Now I’m gonna become a Hero too!"

He wasn’t just handing out random trinkets; he was giving the exact presents the children had secretly wished for.

Of course, dangerous items like swords were made of plastic, but their appearance was strikingly similar to the real deal.

Even knowing it was a fake, it was so perfectly replicated that one would be fooled from a distance.

"Honey. Doesn’t the inside of this box seem bigger than the outside?"

"Are you talking about subspace?"

"Yes. Look, the hat he pulled out is bigger than the box itself... But it seems to be single-use."

"That really is strange."

The unfamiliar material (plastic) was fascinating enough, but the gift boxes themselves were equally marvelous.

Unless one was truly Santa, such a thing was impossible. The parents’ faith in Santa grew even stronger.

However, just as there were children receiving presents from Santa, there were bound to be those who couldn’t.

Especially children who had to stay cooped up at home on Christmas Day without being able to go outside.

"Mommy. I want to get a present from Santa too..."

"S-Santa-halabeoji will come soon. Just wait a little bit."

"Heeing..."

The parents comforted their child with all their heart so he wouldn’t be disappointed.

In their hearts, they desperately wanted to take the child outside, but Santa was already swarmed by a dense crowd.

If the child got hurt while pushing through that crowd, the parents’ hearts would shatter into pieces.

Ttok-ttok-ttok—

Just as they were stamping their feet in anxiety, someone knocked on the door.

The father stepped over to the door first to see who was visiting.

"Ah, hello. S-Santa here! Is this Jimmy’s house?"

It was a clear, nightingale-like woman’s voice. The father’s eyes widened.

Was that not the voice of the unforgettable Hero, Asella?

When he swung the door wide open, he came face-to-face with the person he expected.

"Hero-nim? That outfit is..."

Asella, dressed in a Santa outfit.

It wasn’t a revealing outfit like the ones seen in the Gallery, but a normal Santa suit.

However, she didn’t wear a fake beard, so her identity was immediately recognizable.

"Hello, Jimmy’s father. Is Jimmy here?"

"Yes. He is..."

Jimmy’s father trailed off mid-sentence. At first, he thought the Hero was merely playing Santa.

However, upon seeing the gigantic ’carriage’ standing tall behind Asella, he was rendered speechless.

[Is this Jimmy’s house?]

[Yeah! That’s what they said!]

[Jimmy gets to see Santa too!]

The noisy chatter of children echoed from inside the carriage.

Due to the sheer size of the carriage, it was perfect for children to play and chatter inside. But there was something even more shocking.

"What is... that? No, who is that?"

It was the ’Rudolph’ pulling the carriage. Yet, Rudolph’s appearance was bizarre.

Normally, Rudolph would be a deer or a reindeer, but no matter how one looked at it, that was clearly a human.

Despite having decorative antlers attached to his head and a red ball stuck to his nose, he was unmistakably human.

"Rudo... Pfft. Ahem, ahem. I am Rudolph."

"..."

"He is a good Rudolph, so you don’t need to worry."

"Ah. Yes..."

He was far beyond stunned; he couldn’t even begin to grasp what kind of situation this was.

In the meantime, Asella held back her laughter as best as she could and asked Jimmy’s father,

"So, would you like to gift Jimmy a memory? I can take very good care of him."

"..."

There was no reason to refuse. This was the Hero, of all people.

If it was the Hero, she would certainly give Jimmy an incomparable memory.

Thus, after helping Jimmy into the carriage, Rudolph (?) began pulling forcefully.

What was astonishing was that there wasn’t just one carriage, but several hooked together. Even so, he pulled them without a hitch.

It was such an unbelievable sight to witness that it left one entirely flabbergasted.

"Are we all done now?"

"Yes! We just need to go to Santa now."

Meanwhile, Rudolph—or rather, Grylls—asked Asella, who was dressed as Santa.

Hearing Asella’s energetic reply filled him with anticipation. Just how happy would the children be?

Thus, pulling the carriages filled with children full of dreams and hope, he headed toward the square.

Having hauled burdens much heavier than this in the Forest of the Four Seasons, moving was not difficult.

’Feels like my mana has gotten even more abundant than before, too?’

He was relying purely on raw physical strength, but that was precisely why he felt confident.

Before long, they arrived at the square. It was still crowded with innumerable people.

"L-Look! Look at that!"

"Huh? What... Heok?!"

However, before long, that crowd had no choice but to part due to a shocking sight.

The spectacle of a human Rudolph (...) pulling numerous carriages behind him. Just like Santa’s appearance, it was hard to believe even with one’s own eyes.

Fortunately, thanks to Asella’s presence, the onlookers quickly recovered from their shock.

"Passing through! Coming through~"

"..."

Human Rudolph, Grylls, who had discarded all sense of shame while living in the Forest of the Four Seasons.

And Asella, who walked with her head buried in shame, unable to look up.

Though the man and woman formed a stark contrast, their singular objective was identical.

"Over there! It’s Santa-halabeoji over there!"

"Santa? We can see the real Santa?"

"Uwaaaa!"

Gifting a miracle to children who couldn’t leave home or who suffered under pitiable circumstances.

If the children couldn’t receive a miracle directly, helping them receive one was their purpose.

Thus, Asella and Grylls finally reached the spot where Santa was giving out presents.

"Ho... Ho-ho..."

"..."

The sight was so unbelievable that even Santa Claus could not conceal his flabbergastment.New chapters come out on novelp⁠ing.com first.

The reindeer Rudolphs were no different. Their eyes bulged wide upon seeing the human Rudolph, Grylls.

They reacted in pure confusion, wondering what kind of bizarre creature (?) that was.

"Children, come out slowly. You might get hurt."

"Uwaaaaa!"

Children poured out from inside the carriages in a swarm.

Asella and Grylls personally helped down a few children who had difficulty moving.

Santa roughly grasped the situation and let out a hearty laugh.

"Ho! Ho-ho! So many good children!"

As he always did, Santa bestowed happiness and fond memories upon the children.

It wasn’t merely happiness and memories, either. Among them, a child with mobility issues spoke up.

"I want to walk on my own legs. Is that possible?"

A modest yet desperately earnest wish—it was the request of a child with impaired legs.

Because it was connected to physical or neural damage, even Empty Sky Stone Milk couldn’t cure it.

While many adults turned solemn at the heartbreaking wish, Santa alone reacted differently.

"Ho! Ho-ho! Of course! Just wait a moment!"

As if there were no problem at all, Santa pulled a gift out of his bundle.

It was a glass bottle filled with a golden liquid. At a glance, it resembled an Elixir.

"If you drink this, a good child will be able to walk!"

"Really?"

"Do you doubt Santa-halabeoji?!"

At Santa’s hearty shout, the child drank the medicine without even a moment to doubt.

The medicine didn’t even taste bitter, as the child gulped it down rapidly.

"It tastes good!"

"Ho! Ho-ho! Glad it tastes good! Can you walk now?"

"Uh... mm..."

The child turned his head and looked at the human Rudolph, Grylls.

Since the child couldn’t move easily, Grylls had been personally carrying him over to Santa.

Grylls understood the child’s intention and gently set him down. And then...

"Uh? Uh-uh?"

"Ho! Ho-ho!"

"Woah! My legs are healed!"

A miracle occurred. The child with impaired legs stood proudly on his own strength.

Regardless of age or gender, everyone had no choice but to gawk in shock at the miracle.

Kkwadang—

"Ako!"

"Ho! Ho-ho! Be careful, good child!"

However, perhaps due to lacking muscle strength, after taking a few steps, he couldn’t help but tumble over.

Yet to the child, the mere ability to walk was in itself a gift and a miracle.

Thus, after bestowing gifts and miracles upon all the other children, three hours passed before they returned.

"That was exhausting."

"Indeed."

Having finished their duties, Grylls and Asella returned to the Vatican.

To be precise, Asella’s bedroom. Having performed voluntary service after so long, their hearts felt fulfilled.

The pure smiles of the children were more precious than anything else in the world. How wonderful would it be if those children grew up to become the dreams of others?

"...Grylls-nim."

"Yes. Speak."

"Thank you so much. Truly."

And the person who enabled that miracle to happen was right beside Asella.

Had Grylls not been here, such a thing would never have happened. Asella’s heart gradually warmed.

"G... Grylls-nim."

It was after they had completely taken off their costumes. Asella quietly called Grylls.

At her call, Grylls looked at her with a questioning expression. Asella parted her lips in hesitation.

In her heart, she wanted to ask how long he would stay, and whether he would remain here continuously.

Yet she couldn’t summon the courage to ask out loud. Unlike earlier, she could express her feelings directly through the Gallery.

’W-Why can’t I open my mouth?’

Dugeun! Dugeun!

Not only could she not open her mouth, but her heart pounded wildly. Her face burning like an active volcano was an added bonus.

Though her face had turned red before, right now it felt particularly intense.

And no wonder—this was a free time, completely unbothered by anyone else.

Ludwig was reunited with his family and bestowing Christmas miracles upon children himself.

Therefore, this exact moment was a time strictly for the two of them.

Since the festival was gradually winding down, there was no reason to step outside either.

’W-What should I say? Should I invite him to have a meal? O-Or maybe spend tonight together...?’

All sorts of chaotic thoughts overwhelmed Asella’s mind.

While she had conversed with men officially many times, she had rarely done so in such a private setting.

Moreover, Grylls was no ordinary man. He was someone who made her heart race and her face flush red just by being near him.

It wouldn’t be strange to call him a special person, which made her thoughts even more tangled.

"Uh... Asella-nim?"

Just as Asella’s eyes were spinning in circles, Grylls called out cautiously.

At that call, Asella turned her head and looked straight at Grylls.

Grylls was taken aback by her skin color, which looked ready to burst at any moment, but soon scratched his cheek and spoke.

"Would you check the Gallery?"

"Huh? T-The Gallery?"

"Yes."

Why was he asking her to check the Gallery? Asella wondered, tilting her head.

Even if only for the translation function, she had kept the Gallery open continuously.

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: What should I say? Should I invite him to have a meal? O-Or ask to spend tonight together...!]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: No. Never mind. Grylls-nim is a special person. Just being by his side is enough.]

[Don’t Abandon the Hero: What on earth is this feeling? Just being next to him makes my heart pound so...]

"..."

Apparently, she had accidentally sent her inner thoughts directly into the channel. Asella’s eyes trembled.

She stiffly turned her neck and stared at Grylls. For some reason, it felt as though a creaking noise could be heard.

Grylls was equally embarrassed, chuckling bitterly. While not as flushed as Asella, his face had turned red too.

"#%##%!"

Overwhelmed by a tidal wave of embarrassment, Asella ultimately bolted for the bed.

Wrapping herself tightly in the blanket as if begging him not to look for her was an added bonus.

She felt like she would die of humiliation if she looked at Grylls’s face.

"Asella-ssi?"

"Euuu..."

"...Asella-ssi?"

"Haeuuu..."

Every time Grylls called her name, Asella let out a strange groan.

Ultimately, Grylls quietly waited for her to calm down.Visit novelping . com for the full chapter.

Before long, after a good amount of time had passed, Asella peeked her head out from inside the blanket.

Grylls was sitting at the edge of the bed, gazing intently at her.

Kkumul- kkumul—

Asella squirmed forward like a cocoon. Grylls offered a faint smile at her adorable sight.

Before long, Asella threw off the blanket and sat beside Grylls, still unable to make eye contact.

"Are you okay?"

"...Yes."

Asella replied in a thoroughly timid voice. It seemed she hadn’t completely calmed down yet.

Grylls was left in quite a dilemma. In a way, he had just heard a confession that wasn’t quite a formal confession.

Though it came through the Gallery rather than her lips, it amounted to the exact same thing.

"Is it okay if I speak first?"

"Y-You may...!"

"To be honest, I’m quite flustered."

"Pardon...?"

Reading the translated message via the Gallery, Asella felt as though the heavens and earth were crumbling.

Not a positive reaction like joy or happiness, but being flustered.

Wasn’t that practically a roundabout rejection? At least, that was how Asella interpreted it.

"We talked in the Gallery, Asella-nim, but that wasn’t reality. Right?"

"Yeees..."

"So I’m confused. Is it gratitude toward a benefactor, or is it truly romantic? Aren’t you confused yourself?"

Like a tender whisper, his gentle voice sank deeply into Asella’s ears.

For some reason, it felt as though the true meaning behind his words pierced deep into her heart, beyond the literal text.

Even without the Gallery’s translation, she could grasp what he meant.

’I’m... confused?’

That made sense. No matter how close they had become in the Gallery, it wasn’t done face-to-face in the end.

Why else would fixed-nicks arrange real-life meetups? Even though real-life meetups were grounds for a ban, plenty of people did it because they were genuinely curious about real faces.

Furthermore, Asella owed Grylls a debt of gratitude she could never repay in a lifetime. Had it not been for him, she wouldn’t have been able to protect everything.

Dugeun! Dugeun! Dugeun!

That was why she grew even more certain. If she were truly confused, this pounding of her heart wouldn’t have persisted until now.

She wanted to stay by his side forever, and strive to repay his grace for the rest of her life.

As a devout cleric holding faith. As a person who received his grace.

And lastly, as a woman harboring romantic love.

’I’m not confused.’

Asella recalled Grylls happily performing volunteer work alongside her.

Dressed in a ridiculous Rudolph costume, he had gifted dreams and hope to the children.

He had claimed with his own mouth that he hated gods to avoid hating people, but his actions were the exact opposite.

Had he not put divine love into action more than anyone else? Even without carrying religious faith, he was already someone close to a cleric.

Upon realizing that, her heart began to surge even more fiercely. A man holding a good and righteous heart, just as she had seen in the Gallery.

A person who willingly sacrificed himself for the sake of a miracle.

’There is... no one else like him.’

She could absolutely not let him go. Asella clenched her fists tightly.

That she was confused? Not in the slightest.

This was absolute certainty. An emotion burning like a volcano—that she loved this man more than anyone else.

Seueuk—

Summoning her courage, Asella looked directly into his face.

Grylls also gazed back at her quietly. A sweet atmosphere settled between them.

"...Grylls-nim."

"Yes. Speak."

"By any chance..."

Can we stay together tonight? She wanted to ask.

However, she didn’t have the courage just yet, and crucially, things were moving far too fast.

It was due to her naturally conservative mindset. Of course, that didn’t mean they hadn’t made any progress at all.

"Grylls-nim... what do you think of me?"

"There’s still a lot I need to get to know, but..."

Grylls smiled faintly and answered with sincerity.

"I think you’re someone who deserves to be respected, and furthermore, fully worthy of being loved."

"Haeuuu..."

Asella let out a strange groan. Hearing it directly from his mouth was overwhelmingly powerful.

However, having mustered her courage, she had to push through to the end. Asella perked her head up and requested,

"T-Then...!"

She wanted to gather her courage and ask him to spend just one night together. Yet those words wouldn’t leave her mouth.

Was that why? She fluttered her lips for a moment, then slowly opened both arms wide.

"P-Please hug me...!"

An utterly adorable request. And, from Asella’s perspective, the request requiring the greatest courage of her life.

Grylls accepted her courageous request. He slowly opened his arms and wrapped them around her.

Kkok!

Someone once said that a hug is the best posture for sharing each other’s warmth.

A tender act both physically and emotionally. The man and woman cozying up shared that exact act.

"Euuung..."

Asella closed her eyes and savored Grylls’s warmth.

Even though they were definitely closer than before, it felt as if the feverish heat on her face was calming down.

Though her heart was still hammering away, her mind settled down peacefully.

"Feels good?"

"Yes..."

Asella spoke in a warm, cozy voice.

"It feels so nice..."

If this is a dream, please don’t let me wake up.

Grylls also smiled gently as he drew Asella closer into his arms.

Of course.

’Pure thoughts. Pure thoughts. Pure thoughts.’

Internally, he restrained himself with desperate self-control.

The moment he reached out any further, he would turn into a villain.

The soft sensation of a woman’s body, which he hadn’t felt once while living in the forest.

Feeling it directly against his skin rather than merely looking with his eyes was quite stimulating.

Especially the immense pressure pressed against his chest as they embraced... required no further explanation.

Since her bust was already well above average, even awkward, distant posturing was completely useless.

Rather than touching awkwardly, it was simply better to embrace her tightly.

"...Asella-nim."

"Asella."

"Pardon?"

"Please call me Asella."

Just as going from zero to one is arduous, and sprouting from a seed is difficult...

"Then... Asella?"

"I-hi-hi-hi."

It took no time at all for that sprout to bloom into a beautiful flower.