I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 61

Peo-eok! Peok! Peok!

"Kuek! Kue-ek! Ke-ek!"

Harvesting mature mandrakes had now gone beyond familiar into pure mastery.

The moment you pull up the root, beat it down, and stuff its mouth full of dirt, you’re done.

It seems deceptively simple, but... yeah, it actually is simple. Just beat it up and you’re good.

It would be a waste to leave them here anyway. It’s much better for them to become someone’s fine nourishment.

’I should try eating one myself pretty soon.’

Chewing it raw would be insane, so I plan to process or cook it properly.

Allfather said just boiling it in water is enough, so there are plenty of methods.

Among them, the best course of action is asking Starlight Lady.

Since she possesses deep knowledge of alchemy.

’Eventually, the seeds will dry up out here.’

I looked around the mature mandrake colony. The clearing was still packed full of mandrakes.

The clearing was roughly the size of a basketball court. Across that vast space, mature mandrakes were growing densely.

Even though it was a large quantity, pulling them at this pace would gradually thin them out.

I need to milk it for all it’s worth while they’re still around. That way, my survival rate will go up even more.

’What kind of shield will he give me this time?’

Holding a mature mandrake in one hand, I returned to the cave. There were no particular threats on the way back.

Shortly after returning to the cave, I checked the smoked meat first. The smoke was seeping in nicely, turning it a rich golden brown.

Even if it was a bit salty, there was no room to complain since salting definitely extended the storage period. I could easily tolerate it.

’Let me send a trade request to Praise the Sun first.’

I stoked the campfire to adjust its intensity appropriately and wrote a post on the Gallery.

It was a post asking him to request a trade when he saw it.

Praise the Sun-nim has requested a trade. Would you like to accept?

In less than a minute, the trade request flew in. Looks like my timing was lucky.

Or maybe he prepared the shield after seeing my post. I accepted right away.

Hello!

[Wild Grylls: I brought a mature mandrake!]

[Praise the Sun: I brought a shield too.]

Ah, and could you give back the Golden Shield?

Of course I should give it back.

[Wild Grylls: Are you going to repair it?]

[Praise the Sun: I’m gonna melt it down though?]

;;;

I always feel this, but Praise the Sun heavily exudes the aura of a rich guy—specifically, a Middle Eastern oil tycoon.

Should I say the composure coming from money is stronger than anyone else’s? In many ways, he’s someone to be envied.

[Praise the Sun: It’s a shield crafted by mixing in Adamantium, so under normal circumstances, it’ll stay intact.]

If that thing breaks, it means you’re broken too.

[Wild Grylls: You mean it’s that sturdy, right?]

[Praise the Sun: Exactly.]

Do you even know what Adamantium is?

I know Vibranium, though...

[Praise the Sun: What the hell is that again? Anyhow, just think of it as an extremely rare mineral. It’s harder than steel.]

Its durability in particular will be insane.

Hearing that its durability was outstanding made me think of the slippers I wore in the military.

The Ministry of National Defense’s final shred of conscience, slippers praised as if made of Vibranium.

They were one of the absolute must-take items when being discharged. The other being a razor and razor blades.

’Come to think of it, I hadn’t even considered shaving.’

I stroked my chin, which had grown scratchy with beard stubble.

Normally, I used to shave once every two or three days, but given my circumstances, I had been putting it off indefinitely.

However, I wasn’t sure if razors even existed in this world. Unless it was a straight razor like the ones used in barbershops.

[Wild Grylls: Sir. Do you happen to shave?]

[Praise the Sun: My servants do it for me, but why?]

Should I give you a straight razor?

[Wild Grylls: You don’t have anything that isn’t a blade shape?]

[Praise the Sun: What else do you shave with besides a blade?]

Regrettably, it seemed there were no razors of the design I was thinking of.

Even so, using a straight razor posed far too many complications.

’Making lather would be tough too.’

What would I do for soap or foam, and if I cut myself, what would I do then?

Rather than fussing over every single detail like that, living as a hairy beast felt much more comfortable.

Having thought that far, I cleanly abandoned the idea of shaving. If it got too long, I’d just trim it roughly.

It was the moment I took one step closer to becoming a true wild man.

[Wild Grylls: Never mind. I think it’s better to just grow it out. Have you registered the trade?]

[Praise the Sun: Registered. Is there anything else you need?]

[Wild Grylls: Nothing right now.]

[Praise the Sun: Alright. If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask anytime.]

And give me mandrakes each time, too.

[Wild Grylls: I’m lonely, so how about coming over here...?]

[Praise the Sun: My wife is calling me.]

I’m leaving first.

Okay...

After ending the conversation with Praise the Sun, I checked the shield.

Overall, the shield had a round circular shape. Its size was similar to the Golden Shield I used before.

’There’s no pattern on it at all?’

Instead, it had a rather plain appearance that was far from flashy. No, even saying plain wasn’t enough.

It was as if a solid piece of steel had been cut to a suitable size. It looked like only the bare frame of a shield had been formed.

A shield gleaming in silver. That’s why it inspired even more trust.

’The weight is about the same.’

The weight was similar. That made me like it even more.

Since its defense was said to be superior to the Golden Shield as well, it was an overall upgrade across the board.

’Now I am invincible.’

The Sword of the Heavenly Demon and the Adamanti-whatever shield. With these two, I have nothing to fear.The source of this chapter is nоvelping.com.

...Is a total lie; things like tigers are still scary.

Invincible my ass, if not for Speed Sloth, I would’ve died several times over long ago.

’Now that I’ve received the shield, I should go catch crabs soon.’

Before going to catch crabs, I decided to check on Speed Sloth and Wonmo first.

By now, Wonmo would probably be peacefully napping, and Speed Sloth would be guarding his side...

"...?"

...or so it should be, but where did they go? I blinked, looking around inside the cave.

Since this place was once inhabited by the Mad Dog pack, the interior of the cave was quite spacious.

Though not absurdly huge, just wide enough to feel cozy.

"Wonmo? Answer if you’re there. Bbareumbo, you answer too if you’re there."

Even as I looked around here and there and called their names, the fellas were nowhere to be found.

For a moment, I wondered if a beast had carried them off in that brief interval, but that wasn’t it.

If that were the case, there should have been signs of a struggle, but the inside of the cave was completely tidy.

I wasn’t sure exactly what had happened, but one thing was certain.

Wonmo and Speed Sloth had run out of the cave.

Thinking that not just one, but both of them had gone out, I already felt dizzy.

’Why on earth... No. When did they leave?’

It was a completely unexpected turn of events. My mind felt like it was shutting down.

Wonmo still knows nothing other than eating, sleeping, and pooping. It’s a phase where he needs constant care.

I never imagined a kid like that would head outside. Why on earth did they go out?

’Searching recklessly might take even longer. Let’s start by looking for tracks.’

Before that, I posted on the Gallery first.

It seemed the trade with Passing Dwarf would have to be delayed.

Title: Wonmo and Bbareumbo ran away from home

Wild Grylls

(Photo of the empty cave interior)

I have to search for them, so I can’t take questions.

And Passing Dwarf. I’m really sorry. I’ll put out the urgent fire right away and give it to you.

I didn’t check the comments separately. Because there was a pressing issue at hand.

I packed my sword, shield, as well as elixirs and fasting pills for emergency use.

’Let’s give chase quickly, they couldn’t have gone far.’

I was worried that something might happen to Wonmo or Speed Sloth.

A stroke of luck amidst misfortune was that footprints remained.

There was no choice but to track these footprints as best as I could.

"Wonmo!"

Following the footprints, I shouted Wonmo’s name loudly.

There was a risk of attracting the attention of wild beasts, but it couldn’t be helped.

Above all, Wonmo recognized his own name.

My reasoning was that if I called his name, Wonmo might pause in his tracks.

"Wonmo! No! Stop!"

Someone once said this tip for when a pet goes missing:

Even if you don’t know where they are, you must first shout "No!"

Since you don’t know what they might do, scolding them with a firm "No!" is how they’ll come back.

"This is..."

While tracking the footprints, I discovered a mark.

Speed Sloth’s claw marks. Vividly carved into a tree. It was a pattern I saw often, so I was certain.

Seeing how they were carved periodically, it seemed he had left marks here and there out of concern that the footprints might disappear.

I also carved marks with my sword periodically in preparation for my return.

’As long as they didn’t go somewhere strange.’

Especially places like across the river where space shifts from moment to moment.

If they crossed over into a place like that, it would truly be the worst-case scenario.

Hoping fervently that such a thing hadn’t happened, I pursued the tracks.

’They didn’t head toward the thickets.’

Since Wonmo was surprisingly big, they didn’t go toward the overgrown thickets.

Thanks to that, tracking was on the easy side. In particular, the marks carved by Speed Sloth carried the team.

Being a smart guy, he had carved large, noticeable marks in visible spots.

If I found them later, I should give him a fasting pill. And give Wonmo a proper scolding.

’I’ll have to take Wonmo along with me from now on.’

I’ll leave him be when he’s napping, but if he’s awake, I’ll bring him along.

From now on, I also need to think about securing the cave entrance.

’The issue is how to block the entrance... but let’s put that aside for now.’

The kids need to return first before I can build an entrance or whatever.

I searched for a long time while continuously calling Wonmo’s name.

Contrary to my expectation that they wouldn’t have gone far, I couldn’t see them at all even after pursuing the tracks.

Rustle-

Right then, the moment I heard a noise coming from the thicket, I stiffened.

The thicket wouldn’t shake for no reason.

Would it be good news, or bad news?

Maintaining a vigilant stance, I stared at the swaying thicket.

"Wonmo...?"

I quietly called out to Wonmo. But no answer came back.

The probability that whatever was inside the thicket wasn’t Wonmo grew high.

I kept my eyes glued to the thicket even more tightly.

Rustle- rustle-

The rustling noise grew louder. My tension spiked.

Since this was my first time in this area, there was no telling what might pop out.

In a forest where even rabbits were formidable, dropping my guard for a second would send me straight to the grave.

Finally, just as the frequency of the thicket’s shaking reached its peak, what revealed itself was...

"Bpi-yak?"

Black down feathers and a tiny beak. Even a cute chirping sound.

What revealed itself from the thicket was, by all appearances, a ’chick’.

The sudden appearance of a chick dissolved my tension briefly, before giving way to doubt.

’Wait a second. Why is that thing built like that?’

Normally, a chick is the size of a fist.Enjoying the story? Read on at novelpin⁠g.com.

Even if it evolved—no, grew—into a chicken, it would barely reach a person’s knee at most.

However, the chick I was looking at right now had a height that surpassed knee level, chest level, and was right at eye level.

’If a chick is that size, then a chicken...’

Just how massive would it be? It was right when a chill ran down my spine.

Swoosh-

Suddenly, a shadow fell over my head. It wasn’t that clouds had temporarily blocked the sun.

It grew dark only right around me. Feeling a sense of foreboding, I slowly turned around.

Come to think of it, chickens are creatures that lead their young—that is, their chicks—around.

And they rarely leave their nests.

Except for exactly one scenario: when they go out to find a chick that left the nest.

"..."

"..."

I raised my head and came face-to-face with a ’chicken’ standing imposing and grand.

Its striking red crest, contrasting with feathers that were entirely black, left a deep impression.

Just what is wrong with this damned forest that even a chicken is this big?

In terms of height alone, it was a beast massive enough to rival a saber-toothed tiger.

"Bpi-yak."

From behind, the chick chirped, looking for its mom.

I glanced at the chick, then quietly stepped out of the way.

At that, the chick waddled toward the chicken.

The chicken checked on its baby’s condition, then quietly stared at me.

It looked ready to fight at a moment’s notice if it deemed me a threat.

’What’s with a chicken’s gaze being so...’

It wasn’t even a gamecock, yet its eyes were fierce.

It even had large and small scars all over its body.

Feathers didn’t grow on the scarred areas, making them stand out even more.

"...Gkok-gkok."

"Bpi-yak. Bpyak."

Fortunately, as if it had no intention of fighting, the creature turned around.

The chick also followed closely behind the chicken’s tail, disappearing into the thicket.

"Whew..."

I let out a sigh of relief. That was a close call.

Whether its intelligence had increased proportional to its size, the chicken also avoided a fight.

Since its chick was right beside it, it must have been testing the waters.

’...I wonder if Wonmo is okay.’

Worry surged up uncontrollably inside me.

Around the same time. Wonmo and Speed Sloth.

"..."

Wonmo stared straight ahead with eyes wide open.

Not eyes highlighting his signature cuteness, but a gaze filled with absolute concentration.

"Shhh-ik. Shik."

The reason was simple: a snake was flicking its tongue right in front of Wonmo.

The snake’s size was fairly large. What’s more, the sharp venomous fangs visible every time it opened its mouth were threatening.

If bitten even once, Wonmo’s life could be in danger.

"..."

There was one person—no, animal—watching this entire situation unfold.

Riding on Wonmo’s back, prepared to step in and react at any moment, was Speed Sloth.

If that venomous snake tried to bite Wonmo, he intended to rip it apart with his claws immediately.

Swoosh-

Wonmo’s front paw gradually rose. Simultaneously, the venomous snake also raised its head.

Victory or defeat would hinge on who struck first. Reaction speed was life itself.

While it was a great spectacle for Speed Sloth, he naturally intended to step in if things got dangerous.

In a touch-and-go situation where they were merely sizing each other up, the one to strike first was the venomous snake.

"Shaaa!"

The venomous snake lunged at Wonmo, baring its sharp fangs.

It was a blindingly fast speed that Grylls would have struggled even to react to.

Just as Speed Sloth was about to step in to respond, Wonmo reacted first.

Peo-eok!

Wonmo’s thick front paw slammed hard into the venomous snake’s head.

It looked like a cat swatting with its paw, but the power behind it was infinitely stronger.

With a single paw strike, the snake’s head was completely crushed.

The headless body writhed grotesquely, but it was meaningless.

Kwak!

Wonmo stomped on the snake’s writhing body and proudly stepped atop it.

Under that weight, the snake’s body writhed even more violently, but what could a headless snake do?

Soon, Wonmo proudly held his head high.

"Ggyuuu-u-u-u!"

The proud roar of a predator taking victory. It was a roar that was beyond cute.

Now only one thing remained.

"Nyam-nyam-nyam-nyam."

Feasting on the defeated animal to his heart’s content.

Whether the snake was writhing or not, Wonmo chewed, tore, tasted, and enjoyed it.

However, did he feel too guilty about enjoying it alone?

Wonmo paused mid-bite, raised his head, and looked at Speed Sloth.

"Ggyu?"

Want a bite? came Wonmo’s question.

Speed Sloth looked back and forth between Wonmo and the venomous snake very slowly, then responded.

Shake-shake-

By shaking his head side to side in his signature sluggish motion.

Their bizarre adventure was not over yet.

"Wonmo! Where are you! Answer if you’re there!"

And someone’s blood-boiling adventure was not over yet, either.