I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 774

There is a military facility that once caused quite a big controversy in the Republic of Korea.

It’s called THAAD, a military base for intercepting aircraft and missiles.

Although it is an aircraft and missile interception facility—a defensive facility—conversely, it means that any area within its range can be fully targeted.

Because of this, relations with China, which had been relatively good, turned sour, and full-scale economic sanctions were enacted.

Although we suffered quite a bit of damage at the time, as time passed, we gradually adapted, and THAAD was deployed without further issue.

If you ask how I know this in detail, it’s because I once worked at a THAAD base.

’I suffered quite a bit because of that damn dispatch.’

It was something that happened during my days as an enlisted soldier, not as a special forces non-commissioned officer.

I was dispatched there for about a month or two, and it remained a very good memory.

Because I realized how close people living in a harsh environment can become.

In any case, THAAD can be seen as one of the quite important military facilities in the Republic of Korea, and it briefly demonstrates the strength of the United States.

’But I know that the United States went down first? Why on earth is the interception system being activated?’

As soon as I heard from Lackey that we were ’locked on’, I immediately ordered evasive maneuvers.

You might ask if evasive maneuvers are possible with a structurally unstable helicopter, but there is a saying.

"Lackey! You can do it!"

"Really?!"

"If you do, I’ll make you sweet potato mattang when we get home!"

"Ooooh!"

Make the impossible possible.

Ttu-u-u-u!

A moment later, a more urgent alarm than before sounded, and then:

Swiiiiik!

I saw a powerful interceptor missile flying up from directly below.

The moment we took a direct hit, defense or whatever wouldn’t matter; we would all blow up together.

Of course, I would survive. Cain would only be broken and would regenerate.

But the problem was the two of them, Lackey and Elia.

Especially since Lackey was also handling the piloting, using magic was almost impossible for him.

In the end, we had no choice but to trust Lackey’s natural piloting skills.

Tudududu!

"Aaaah!"

"Kyaaaah!"

Even so, doing a full barrel roll with a helicopter seemed like madness no matter how I thought about it.

What was even more surprising was that the missile flying from beneath us narrowly missed.

Kwagawang!

However, as soon as it passed, a powerful explosion occurred, engulfing the helicopter.

Apparently, it was a type that exploded just by getting close, rather than requiring a direct hit.

Fortunately, the aircraft was sturdier than expected, so it was fine despite the explosion, but the problem was what came next.

Ttududududu!

Once again, the lock-on sound echoed throughout the helicopter.

Not only was that alarm heard, but it was also mixed with a signal that the aircraft itself was in danger.

"Damn it. This won’t do. Lackey!"

"Why are you calling?!"

"Pilot well so my body doesn’t get shredded by the helicopter blades! Land on the ground as much as possible!"

"...Not ’so the helicopter blades don’t get shredded by my body’? It seems there’s a typo in Master’s words."

"You heard me perfectly right, so shut up and just pilot well!"

I shouted as I threw the door wide open.

As soon as I opened it, I could spot the missile flying up from below.

Since there was no time, I immediately notched an arrow to my bow and fired it toward the missile.

Kwagagwak!

My arrow, loaded with my aura, accurately pierced the missile.

A moment later, the missile, split in half by the arrow, faltered, and its debris plummeted downward.

Normally, the fuse would have triggered an explosion, but there seemed to be some kind of error.

’Even I’m dazed after shooting it.’

I wondered if this was truly possible with a cold weapon, but now was not the time to worry about that.

Without looking far, isn’t there a person who parried a missile with a sword?

As everyone knows, that person is Ash. Starlight Lady, Selena, told me about it in the past.

When I heard that, I thought it was a mere exaggeration, but after doing it myself, I realized it was indeed possible.

Kkwak! More importantly, I had to take quick action before other missiles approached.

I tied the rope tightly to my body and the footrest, and then leaped.

The same method I used to deal with the Lizardmen riding the Wyverns last time.

Kwang! Kwang!

In that state, I intercepted the missiles flying from below one by one.

Although I had a headache in many ways because of the large number, thanks to that, I was able to figure out where they were flying from.

’So that’s the base.’

Indeed, seeing it directly with my own eyes, the shape of the base was much clearer.

I only wanted to return with some Korean Melons, but what a struggle this was.

In any case, I intercepted the launched missiles one by one with arrows.

Tudududu-

We were able to land on the ground by a very narrow margin.

I let out a sigh of relief and stared at the location where the base was.

When returning, we could just go back using Cheongseol’s or Lackey’s abilities.

However, since I had developed doubts about the base itself, it was something to ponder a bit.

’Why is the base operating? Is someone still there?’

The system operating meant that power was running.

Even if power was running, unless someone pressed the ’button’, the interception system would be meaningless.

Of course, the probability of a person being there was extremely low, so it was highly likely that an AI was operating it instead.

"Let’s leave quickly before anyone comes."

[Do you have no intention of exploring that place?]

"Let’s think about that slowly."

I wanted to investigate right away, but I shouldn’t forget my purpose.

I changed the helicopter into a bag form and carried it around.Read this novel at novelping dot com for the best experience.

It was a bit—no, very—heavy, but it wasn’t to the point where I couldn’t carry it at all.

"Master is probably the only person who would carry that with bare hands."

"You’ll get used to it too if you carry it around. Try using this instead of dumbbells later."

"If I carry that around, will I become as strong as you, Grylls-nim?"

Elia suddenly poked her head out and showed interest.

She had an expression of curiosity about the source of the physical strength I had shown so far.

I stared at her blankly and then slid my gaze slightly downward.

Perhaps because she was wearing a tight-fitting uniform, her figure stood out.

Unlike Yoo So-wol or Ash, whose muscles were firmly set through steady training in martial arts, she had a soft feel.

’She already has a pretty face, but with the figure buff added, she seems even prettier.’

Many men say this.

Even with an ordinary appearance, if a figure buff is added, one looks several times prettier.

Even more so, because Elia was pretty to begin with, the effect seemed to double.

A beauty that one couldn’t get used to even if one wanted to.

Although her behavior was strange, she was definitely a beauty who made me unsure of where to look.

Although I met beauties during the Heavenly God Martial Festival and even shared a kiss with Ash, Elia was the only one I spent steady time with.

Anyway, putting this aside, I casually handed the helicopter bag to her.

I expected she wouldn’t be able to lift it at all, but I gave it to her because she was genuinely curious.

"Do you want to try lifting it?"

"Yes! I’ll try lifting it!"

Just in case she dropped it on her toes, I gently set it on the ground.

Elia warmed up with a solemn attitude and then gripped the bag handle with both hands.

"Ngggh...!"

As expected, it was out of the question.

It was doubtful whether even Ash, who possessed immense physical strength, could lift it, so how could Elia?

I chuckled as I watched Elia’s pale face turn bright red.

"Stop. That’s enough."

"Whew...! It really didn’t budge at all."

"Well, that’s because that huge helicopter from earlier was only compressed in size, right?"

I shrugged my shoulders and picked up the bag.

Then Lackey stared at it blankly and voiced his opinion.

"But Master. Is there a need to carry this around?"

"What if it gets stolen? Although there’s almost no chance of it being stolen because it’s heavy, you never know."

It was only difficult to carry with bare hands; it was entirely possible using mechanical power.

Because we also didn’t know what the base that just tried to intercept us would do.

Lackey, who usually pointed out such things, must have judged it to be correct as he nodded and let it go.

After that, we searched around for farms to find Korean Melons.

Farms were scattered all over Seongju, but that was a story from before the world ended.

Now, there was no telling what had happened to them, and the same went for various farms.

"...This isn’t an orchard, it’s a forest?"

"Master. That fruit looks delicious."

ㄴHeavenly Demon) The fruits are hanging appetizingly.

ㄴSword Matstar) It looks like an apple tree. It’s not maggots like last time, right?

There were places that were originally orchards but had turned completely into forests.

I scratched my head and moved my feet.

There was no reason to pass through the forest, and as I said earlier, there were plenty of farms.

"...What? Why is this place a desert again?"

"There’s a lot of dirt and sand. Master."

"I see it too."

However, far from being farms, it looked as if desertification had progressed everywhere.

Naturally, far from Korean Melons, no other vegetables or fruits could be found at all.

The orchard that had turned into a forest earlier was the unusual one; the rest had all undergone desertification.

’Even the mountain right next to us is dense with trees? What happened here?’

With a dazed mind, I stepped onto a farm where desertification had been progressing for a long time.

Kkumul-kkumul-kkumul!

As soon as I stepped on it, I couldn’t help but be startled by tentacles rising from beneath the sand.

I hurriedly pulled my foot away, but tentacles were clinging tightly to my shoe.

"Hey, hey! F-fire!"

Hwareureuk!

Fortunately, before any problem arose, I was able to burn them all away with fire.

You might say I could have used cold air, but in times like this, fire was a bit more reliable.

More importantly, I had to find out the identity of these tentacles. I checked the sand field, which was still squirming.

"What is... this?"

ㄴGrow Big and Tall) They look like earthworms?

The registered user Grow Big and Tall, who steadily provided soil from the Forest of the Four Seasons, replied immediately.

Looking closely at the suggestion that they were earthworms, they really did look like earthworms.

It was just that there were so many of them and each one was huge.

"Earthworms? Aren’t earthworms beneficial insects that make the soil fertile? Is it because of the Forest of the Four Seasons?"

ㄴGrow Big and Tall) It depends on the situation. It’s true they make the soil fertile, but that’s only when there’s enough food. If food is scarce, they gnaw on crops.

ㄴAllfather) There are also research results showing that earthworms that crossed over from the Central Plains to the west hinder plant growth.

ㄴStarlight Lady) It might be fine for dry fields, but if you use paddy fields, earthworms won’t be very welcome. They drill holes in the ridges, causing water to leak.

Hearing the explanations from an active farmer, a professor, and finally Selena, I understood immediately.

Especially in Asia, where there is a lot of farming using paddy fields, earthworms would be a headache.

’Then does that mean most of the farms have been encroached upon by earthworms?’

There was a very high possibility that it was due to the influence of being transformed into the Forest of the Four Seasons.

While I was letting out a complicated sigh looking at this:

"Master. I have a good idea."

"What is it?"

"Taking a few of those earthworms and using them as fishing bait."

"Oh, please."

How could he say such nonsense so casually?This chapter is updated first at nove​lping.com.

Fishing bait was overflowing at home, so there was no need to use earthworms.

Crucially...

Padeudeuk!

"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!"

Look at that.

A sparrow that came down to eat an earthworm was instead being eaten by the earthworm.

The earthworm covered the sparrow’s entire body and devoured its flesh, skin, and even bones cleanly.

It was fortunate that I only stepped on it; otherwise, it would have caused great danger.

"Do you want to use something like that as fishing bait? Your hand will just get bitten."

"...."

Lackey also seemed to have run out of words as he wore a sheepish expression.

"Ugh... even the World Tree would probably pass on that..."

Even Elia showed a repulsed reaction.

In the end, we searched other farms, but far from the Korean Melons I wanted, there were only sandy fields everywhere.

I checked to see if this sandy field was also filled with earthworms, but surprisingly, there was no reaction.

I thought it was simply because it hadn’t been managed, but:

Ssuuk! "What?!"

I felt a sensation of something grabbing my foot and pulling it.

Startled, I pulled back with force, and a mole was grabbing my foot.

Fortunately, it grabbed me first, since I was strong.

If Lackey or Elia had been caught, it would have been dangerous in many ways.

ㄴGrow Big and Tall) It’s a mole. The arch-enemy of farmers.

ㄴHeavenly Demon) Do moles eat humans too?

ㄴSmart Demon) You didn’t know? Check the Gallery. There’s a post about an acquaintance who participated in the Martial Arts Tournament and steadily trained in martial arts, but was dragged away by a mole and died.

ㄴStarlight Lady) Wasn’t that proven to be a lie?

ㄴHeavenly Demon) It is fortunate that there are none in the garden I tend.

ㄴSmart Demon) Well, that person would probably believe it;;

ㄴDon’t Abandon the Hero) You are so pure!

ㄴHeavenly Demon) Calling me pure. What an interesting thing to say.

ㄴPrincess Chaenggu) Honestly, I think she’s purer than the pervert Orange Badge.

ㄴDon’t Abandon the Hero) I’m not a pervert!

ㄴPrincess Chaenggu) Do you want to reveal your saved photos?

ㄴDon’t Abandon the Hero) That-that’s an invasion of privacy!!!

That is indeed a terrifying story.

In the end, we had no choice but to give up searching the farms.

Because every single one of them was occupied by all sorts of creatures.

Just as I was about to give up and return, the military base suddenly came to mind.

’Since I can’t return empty-handed like this... should I look to see if there are records there?’

It wouldn’t hurt to check who was occupying that base.

Accordingly, I retraced my steps and headed toward the military base.

Perhaps it only shot down unauthorized aircraft, as it showed no reaction even when we approached closely.

’Almost nothing has changed here.’

It was not much different from when I was dispatched here in the past.

Around the time we reached the military base checkpoint:

Ppiiiiik!

Suddenly, a loud emergency alarm echoed, and the shape of the checkpoint changed in an instant.

Steel barricades rose from beneath the ground to surround us, and a large, beautiful gun barrel even aimed at us.

It seemed this checkpoint itself was a trap, but I wasn’t flustered at all.

Because it was similar to when I first stepped onto Lucas’s flagship.

[Identify yourself. If you cannot, turn back.]

The owner of the base was kind enough to even provide an exit for us to return.

I pondered what to say, then spoke in Korean.

"Who is in charge of this base? Aris? Or Aragon?"

[This is a base protected by Lady Aris.]

A base protected by Aris, not Aragon.

It could be considered unexpected, but perhaps we could communicate.

Since at least the areas managed by Aragon were not only unpleasant but also uncooperative toward us.

As soon as I heard that, I casually spoke to Cain.

"Could you perhaps release the Dullahan mode and return to being a stone statue? Since you are also a creation of Lady Aris, Cain-ssi, maybe we can communicate."

[Hmm... I understand for now.]

At my instruction, Cain’s stone statue crawled out of the Dullahan’s coffin.

The gun barrel that had been aiming at us also moved toward Cain.

Jiiiiiing-

Soon, a red light emitted from the camera next to the gun barrel and began to scan Cain’s stone statue.

In a situation where we didn’t know what would happen, the owner of the base spoke.

[Identification complete.]

Simultaneously with those words, the barricades were slowly deactivated.

[Welcome, Lord Cain-nim.]

The voice changed to a very friendly tone, unlike before.

"As expected of the master key."

[Are you treating me as a master key?]

"Or should I treat you as a spare battery?"

[Sigh. I wish Lady Aris would return quickly.]

This is why a master key is truly convenient.

What we saw after entering the base like that was:

"...Is this by any chance a Korean Melon farm?"

It was a greenhouse and a field of Korean Melons planted inside.

’Did the first sergeant here cultivate a private garden or something?’

It was a highly plausible hypothesis, given that it was the military.