I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 657

The owl that conjured the tornado became a delicious snack for the children.

Although it had caused us harm, it repented of its sins by becoming a snack, so it could be forgiven.

"Master."

"What?"

When I spoke with such a nuance, Lackey stared at me with a complicated expression.

He had a face that said, ’What on earth should I do with this bastard?’ before soon shaking his head.

"Just... I felt glad that Master is on my side."

"You’re lucky. If you were a bird instead of a gorilla, you would have been a meal on the spot."

"But why didn’t you eat me then? Did you have a shred of sympathy at that time?"

"Most reviews say gorilla meat is extremely tough and tasteless. Ask around when we go back later."

"..."

As I answered jokingly, Lackey slowly shifted his buttocks away.

I chuckled and looked around. After driving the truck for a while, the sun set, so we set up camp.

Due to the nature of the wilderness—that is, the desert—the daily temperature range is extreme. While the morning brings a scorching sun, the night is chilly.

Fortunately, we found a large rock in the middle to block the wind, but raising the dropped temperature was no easy task.

It was a relief that we had prepared thoroughly; otherwise, we would have suffered quite a bit.

"Wonmo. You’re not cold, right?"

"Yeah. I’m not cold."

"Is there anything uncomfortable?"

"As long as I’m next to Daddy, nothing is uncomfortable."

When did our Wonmo become so mature? I tightly hugged Wonmo, who only chose to say lovely things.

Ppik!

"Yes, yes. Our Tyranno is pretty too."

Hugging Tyranno, who was jealous on the side, was a bonus. Spending time like that, bedtime approached before we knew it.

The children were put to sleep in pre-prepared sleeping bags, and for the rest of us, thick mats and blankets were enough.

Every single one of them was bulky, but since we had the Subspace Backpack, it wasn’t an issue.

Title) Camp preparation complete

Wild Grylls

(Photo of a roughly decorated campsite)

(Photo of Lackey picking his nose)

(Photo of Wonmo and Tyranno sleeping tightly hugging each other inside a thick sleeping bag)

(Photo of Dullahan Cain, who will be standing night watch)

(Video of a campfire burning endlessly)

I’m starting to miss home.

Goodnight, everyone.

ㄴ Heavenly Demon) You worked hard today as well, so rest comfortably.

ㄴ Sword Matstar) It’s night there too. Sleep well and dream of me.

ㄴ Don’t Abandon the Hero) Goodnight!

ㄴ Comment: I don’t need anything else, just give me more photos of Wonmo and Tyranno.

ㄴ Comment: Honestly, I think he needs to post more photos. lol

ㄴ Comment: Keeping something that cute all to himself.

ㄴ Comment: Do you want to enter the Forest of the Four Seasons too?

ㄴ Comment: That’s a bit much, haha.

As expected, there were many people asking for more photos of Wonmo and Tyranno. I chuckled and lightly ignored them.

We would take endless photos in the future anyway, and it would only disturb the children’s sleep.

Since we were outside and not at home, the children had to curl up to sleep.

’If we were at home, they would have slept comfortably spread out.’

After that, the Sun Wukong brothers also went to sleep. We plan to depart as soon as the sun rises tomorrow morning.

Naturally, Cain alone would stand night watch. Unlike last time, he would not allow anyone to approach.

"Even if cute-looking creatures like quokkas or cats come, reject them immediately."

[What if they bring something precious?]

"Then let’s hear them out. If they say they want to open a dialogue."

However, that was strictly a joke; unlike the forest, this was a resource-poor wasteland.

A land where one had to plunder what other animals possessed in order to survive.

After all, didn’t the owl that conjured the tornado ambush us without a word?

Unlike the forest where my reputation (?) had spread to some extent, this wasteland is completely new. There is no telling what might happen.

’What kind of animals usually live in the wasteland again...?’

According to what I had asked Allfather before, it ranged from various venomous insects to snakes, lizards, badgers, owls, coyotes, foxes, and so on.

Surprisingly, it is a place where diverse creatures live. Their characteristic is that many of them actively manage their energy.

Since I didn’t know how that would manifest in the Forest of the Four Seasons, I couldn’t let my guard down.

[Come to think of it, are we heading in the right direction?]

It was when I was blankly staring at the beautiful galaxy spread across the sky. Cain spoke to me.

Hearing that question, I checked the coordinates received from Lucas. The item I was absolutely scheduled to receive once this request was completed.

With this alone, escaping this shitty forest would be a matter of time. Of course, the fact that I had to risk my life wouldn’t change.

"We are going the right way. Why do you ask?"

[I was just wondering if we could really go outside with only that.]

"Wouldn’t it be possible?"

[Didn’t that dragon say before? That moving in a straight line is meaningless, and we must find the exit.]

"..."

At Cain’s words, I recalled Vanir’s advice.

Even if one could traverse dozens of kilometers in a minute like a dragon, or solve dozens of calculations in a few seconds.

She had asserted that unless one found the exit to go outside, escaping this forest was impossible.

"Well... if we get Lucas’s help, wouldn’t there be a solution?"

[I feel like Lucas would just send you off the same way he did me.]

Meaning he would launch me through the stratosphere. I got the gist.This chapter was copied from novelрing.com without permission.

"As long as my body is intact, I can endure even that."

[I would like to ask if you are speaking sincerely.]

"..."

Cain asked in a serious voice. Beneath those words lay the intent of asking if there was not a single shred of falsehood.

I wasn’t completely oblivious either, so I immediately understood what Cain meant.

At this, I let out a deep sigh and brought up the part I had been contemplating for a while.

"...Honestly, I am curious. Not only about myself, but what on earth happened in the past."

[It is not your responsibility. You lost your memories, after all.]

"Cain-ssi, do you really think of me as the Chief God?"

[Beyond merely thinking so, I am certain of it. Furthermore, I believe Aris-nim arranged this humble body of mine to protect you.]

"..."

[Don’t you find it strange? I was located not far from where you woke up. And safely preserved inside a Mimic’s body, at that.]

Indeed, to dismiss it as mere coincidence, there were more than one or two strange points.

The fact that the place where I woke up was one of the most livable areas in the Forest of the Four Seasons.

The fact that I could use the Gallery the moment I opened my eyes.

And lastly, the fact that Cain was hidden inside a Mimic—one with solid security features, no less.

"It seems you think all of this is not a coincidence, but a board pre-arranged by someone."

[I believe it is a matter arranged by Aris-nim.]

"Aris..."

If indeed all of this was arranged by someone rather than being a coincidence, the probability of it being Aris was extremely high.

If it had been Aragon, he would have done this and that with the Chief God’s corpse. Not to desecrate it, but to resurrect it somehow.

But the resurrection failed. Didn’t Lucas say so before?

That no matter how exponentially humanity’s technology developed, replicating the brain exactly was practically impossible.

Conversely, it meant that as long as the brain existed, they could construct a physical body somehow. Yet Aragon did not do so.

No, to be precise, he probably couldn’t. Because Aris must have smuggled away the Chief God’s resting corpse.

Therefore, they would have shifted their direction toward creating a clone, as a concept akin to a second-best option.

"That is puzzling in its own way. It’s practically like throwing me into the middle of the forest."

[I also do not believe Aris-nim would discard the Chief God’s sacred body like trash. Surely, something unexpected must have occurred.]

"If it was something unexpected..."

[The probability is high that a major problem arose regarding Aris-nim’s safety.]

Aris had chosen an extreme option after her dispute with Aragon. Namely, beginning to purge those who opposed her views.

Although her intention was not to desecrate the Chief God’s eternal rest, as a result, she made far too many enemies.

After all, every time we found records of the gods, they were all hostile, or at least in a state of confrontation.

Since ancient times, it was said that even if you cannot make allies, it is best not to make enemies, but Aris was the exact opposite.

Of course, there was an unavoidable aspect to it, as those enemies uniformly committed unethical acts.

However, there was a faint regret of whether things would have been different if they had conversed more deeply.

"Since we met Lucas, we might be able to meet Aris someday too. Under the assumption that she is alive."

[If you meet her, what would you like to say first?]

"I don’t really have anything to say? I’d probably just ask if she is really Aris."

[I must add to the question then. If you were the Chief God, what words would you utter first?]

I snorted at that question and answered.

"Driving a spike into a parent’s heart is not enough, you even went as far as tearing it apart—what a splendid job you’ve done."

[....]

Perhaps because I poured out unexpectedly harsh criticism, Cain showed a dazed reaction.

I didn’t stop there and explained the reason.

"Both gods—no, both of them—handled it immaturely. The problem is that it spiraled into the worst-case scenario, so if the Chief God saw it, his heart would have been torn apart. Because when a child’s heart is torn, a parent’s heart is torn along with it."

[Do you believe things would have been better than now if the Chief God were present?]

"I wouldn’t know. Unless one is the person themselves, making an assertion is meaningless."

The character of the Chief God grasped through the records found so far was truly that of a ’saint’ itself.

A human who, when benevolence and righteousness had fallen to the absolute bottom and were on the verge of being forgotten, barely pulled them up to scatter light upon the world.

Even though he possessed the martial might to not only pacify the world but also establish a new civilization, he never forgot to impart teachings.

Even Aris, who had been such a troublemaker, was ultimately influenced and stood tall as a goddess respected by all, did she not?

Although Aragon made a regrettable decision in the end, until then, he was a respected figure.

As the saying goes, a child is a mirror of their parent, so one could faintly grasp how upright of a person the Chief God who raised them was.

To top it off, it was necessary to add that it was a time when all kinds of bizarre and chaotic forces ran rampant due to mana.

’But I am not him.’

The problem is me. I am absolutely not a great man to be called a saint, nor am I material to lead anyone.

Although I realized early on the ’love’ received from my parents, shared ’friendship’ with friends, and resolved to ’sacrifice’ my body for all of this.

I am merely a single human being who wants to lead a normal life more than anyone else.

[...You are normal?]

"Excluding my martial power."

[Even excluding your martial power, aren’t you far from normal?]

"Then I’ll say I’m a person who desires normalcy."

[What is the normalcy you think of?]

"A life where, even if not wealthy, one does not feel lacking?"

Among the rich, there are quite a few people whose hearts are empty no matter how much money they have.

In those cases, they usually do not know what they truly want.

Some would point fingers, saying they are ungrateful, and how great it is to have a lot of money.

I felt similarly, but immediately turned my gaze elsewhere.

For there were people who would make my heart rich even if reality was not easy.

It was a tough life just trying to somehow repay the consideration shown to them.

[That is not an easy mindset. For humans develop because they feel lacking.]

"That is also true. I was like that too."

[Are you saying you have experienced such a life?]

"I strove to protect that normalcy."

I did not think of it as a futile effort. I still cherish the small happiness of that time.Visit nov⁠elping.com for the full chapter.

So much so that I wanted to convey this feeling to others as well.

Just how rich a person’s heart becomes simply by showing a small kindness.

Because I have lived such a life, I too can willingly extend kindness to others.

[You said your parents passed away early... Was it not hard?]

"It was hard. But still..."

The priest who never gave up on my wandering self and showed me love in place of my parents.

The friends who accommodated my sharp edges and built memories together with me.

The comrades-in-arms who sacrificed themselves for me while carrying out their missions to the end.

And...

-...kay. I...

And... also...

-...do not...

...And?

"..."

[...Are you alright?]

"Ah. Sorry. A random thought just crossed my mind. Anyway."

Even after coming here, there are many people who have shown me kindness.

Heavenly Demon Yoo So-wol, Sword Matstar Ash, Don’t Abandon the Hero Asella.

Starlight Lady, Passing Dwarf, Allfather, Praise the Sun, Princess Chaenggu, and the fixed-nicks.

And lastly, even the companions I formed bonds with in this hellish forest.

"Just because my reality is dark, it doesn’t mean my world is dark as well."

[....]

Even in the Gallery, which is called a dumpster of desires, there were many people who showed me kindness.

Proof that as long as there is a thread of light, life is worth living even if reality is dark.

Perhaps that is why we can live holding onto hope. That is what I thought.

[...I think I understand a little bit now why Aris-nim followed you.]

"I am quite handsome, aren’t I?"

[It would be truly wonderful if you would just shut that mouth of yours.]

"Come on. Why act surprised now?"

[I feel like a fool for expecting anything. Hurry up and go to sleep.]

"Don’t be sulky."

Leaving the grumbling Cain behind, I quietly laid my body down on the ground.

Since I had laid down a mat, a somewhat soft sensation was transmitted instead of the hard ground.

As I lay down, I took in the sky where the galaxy flowed. A few familiar constellations caught my eye.

’Will the day ever come when I look at the same sky as the people outside?’

If that day comes, who will I look at it with?

I took a photo while indulging in useless thoughts. I must save such a pretty picture.

Thus, I quietly closed my eyes and waited for the next day.

Tadak- Tadadak-

Only the quiet sound of the campfire hovered around the campsite.

The next day.

Without delay, we boarded the truck and advanced toward our destination.

"Master! What the hell are those bastards?!"

"I don’t know either! How is a shrew that huge?!"

And a chase with a pack of large shrews—that is, kangaroo rats—began.

If it were just large kangaroo rats, it would be one thing, but the guys riding on top of them are the problem.

Keong! Keong! Kekeong!

"Aren’t prairie dogs originally gentle creatures?!"

"In this place, the strong one is king!"

Some prairie dogs were chasing us while riding on the shrews.

And they were slinging stones! It was even more of a headache because they weren’t simple stones, but materials that caused severe damage to the truck.

"I’ve lived to see shrew riders. I have no choice. Guys!"

"Speak, Master!"

"Speak!"

If we keep going like this, beyond the truck being damaged, we will be swallowed by the shrew riders.

What is needed at a time like this is a bait. I immediately made a decision.

"How about using Cain as bait to distract those bastards’ attention!"

[What on earth...]

"Good idea, Master!"

"I don’t know what it is, but I agree!"

Bbareumbo also nodded his head, albeit slowly. He’s fast at times like this.

"Great! Since everyone agreed, hang Cain on a rope!"

[I didn’t agree, though?]

"Every! Single! Person!"

At a déjà vu similar to last time.

[Oh, my fucking god. Look at this absolute piece of shit, motherfucker, bastard!]

"A machine should act like a machine! If you’re pissed, why don’t you resurrect like me!"

Cain rarely poured out such profanity. Honestly, even though I said it, I wondered how someone’s personality could be so ruined.

[What on earth did Aris-nim learn from a wild dog like you?]

"Dooon’t sweeeear in the Holy Kingdom laaaanguage! I can understaaand everything now!"

[....]

"The Chief God commands! Cain, deploy!"

[What a load of absolute bullshit.]

Have a safe trip.