I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 83

In all my years, not only did I get slapped in the face by a fish, but I even ended up kissing an eel.

The nosebleed stopped before long, but the stinging sensation still lingered.

Still, looking at the iron buckets filled to the brim with fish made me feel proud.

Especially that eel, which was way beyond extra-large.

Although the rain had brought a series of unfortunate events, this catch made up for all of it.

’Let’s see... something suitable for a drainage ditch...’

With some time left after setting up the fish traps, I browsed the Auction House to work on the drainage ditch.

All I had to do was install the right materials into the trench I had already dug. That was it.

However, not only did I have to find items that fit the dimensions, but I might also have to reinforce the dirt walls again.

’Surprisingly, there’s quite a variety.’

Drainage systems are crucial not just for cities, but also for ordinary villages.

In fact, even if it’s just a single building rather than a village, it’s the very first structure that needs to be installed.

Without a proper drainage ditch, you face a disaster every time it rains.

’That must be why.’

The overwhelming advantage of the Gallery is that it completely bypasses distribution logistics.

In remote countryside areas where distributing goods is difficult, reliance on the Gallery would naturally be high.

Even the high prices wouldn’t really act as a drawback.

As they say, time is money. In essence, you are buying time.

’Since my time is practically unlimited, it’s a total win for me.’

After searching here and there on the Gallery, I managed to find a suitable drainage ditch.

It was a trapezoidal drainage trough, and it came in a generous quantity. Good reviews were a bonus.

I decided on this. Just to be sure, I used a tape measure to roughly calculate the length.

’I’ll need to dig out a bit more dirt.’

After digging up the dirt, I neatly installed the drainage troughs purchased from the Auction House.

After meticulously completing the construction piece by piece, I poured some water to test it.

Joljoljoljol—

"Hmm. Perfect."

The stream of water flowed smoothly along the stone drainage ditch.

Feeling a sudden wave of pride, I took some photos and posted them on the Gallery.

Title) Drainage ditch complete!

Wild Grylls

(Photo of the carefully installed drainage ditch)

(Photo of the drainage ditch from another angle)

(Video of water flowing smoothly through the drainage ditch)

Finished the drainage ditch. No more worrying about the rain!

ㄴHeavenly Demon) It brings a sense of peace to the mind.

ㄴSword Matstar) This is oddly satisfying to watch. You bought it from the Auction House, right?

ㄴWild Grylls) Yes. I figured making it myself would take too long.

ㄴPassing Dwarf) Are you planning to live there forever? You even built a drainage ditch.

ㄴWild Grylls) No, no, that’s not it. It’s just that the temporary ditch I made kept collapsing every time it rained.

ㄴPassing Dwarf) You did a fairly neat job. Strictly by human standards, haha.

ㄴWild Grylls) Is that an insult?

ㄴHe’s definitely taking a jab at you while complimenting.

ㄴIt’s just Dwarven pride lol

ㄴThose dwarf bastards don’t know how to do anything except craft lol

ㄴPassing Dwarf) What did you guys even do when we went on strike? You couldn’t do a damn thing, hahaha

ㄴFuck, I still remember that.

ㄴPlease, anything but a strike!!

It seemed to be a compliment by Dwarf standards. That made me feel even prouder.

The only experience I had with this kind of work was back in the military.

Even then, it wasn’t something I did of my own free will, but because I was ordered to, so I never felt any sense of accomplishment.

I inspected the drainage ditch just a little more before scanning the entire cave.

’Still, I can’t easily brush off the Dwarf’s words.’

The question of whether I was going to settle down here hit right where it hurt.

The Dwarf probably meant it as a joke, but it was hard for me to take it lightly.

’Even if I don’t settle down, I should at least consider this my base.’

It wasn’t that my hope of escaping had been crushed. This forest was simply no place for a human to live.

Even ordinary flora and fauna grew to gigantic proportions or developed high intelligence.

The place was teeming with things that treated common sense like garbage, constantly threatening my life.

’And since it’s a mix of fantasy and martial arts, common sense is even less applicable.’

Of course, even to the people of this world, the Forest of the Four Seasons defied all common sense.

I looked around the cave, lost in thought, before letting out a long sigh.

’What can I do? I just have to accept it as my fate.’

What on earth did I do to deserve waking up in a place like this?

Did I commit some heinous crime while completely wasted?

Even if that were the case, it was still bizarre that they singled me out of all people.

’Oh God. You are really too much.’Visit novelрing.com for the full chapter.

I know there are gods in this world too. The Orange Badge even tried to proselytize to me.

But believing was one thing, and worshiping was another; I had no desire to worship them. What have they ever done for me to deserve worship?

’Still, once I escape, I’ll make sure to ask.’

Why did you drop me in a shithole like this? What sin did I commit?

And whether I can return to where I originally lived. That is the most important question.

If I manage to escape but still can’t go home...

’No, no. Let’s not think like that.’

I shook my head vigorously. Negative thoughts only chip away at one’s resolve.

Even though it was a tough environment to make a living, I had good people back there.

If only for them, I have more than enough reason to return.

I haven’t even repaid my debts of gratitude to them yet.

"Kkyuu."

"...Are you hungry?"

Just as my heart grew heavy, Wonmo crept up to me. As if sensing my mood, he approached cautiously.

When I smiled and asked, the little guy rubbed his face against my leg.

I chuckled and stroked Wonmo’s head. Cleverly enough, he seemed to have picked up on my mood.

’Even when I leave, I must raise Wonmo.’

Abandoning such a cute and lovely animal? Anyone who did that would deserve to be eaten by an owlbear.

I patted Wonmo and checked the time. It was about time for lunch.

It was amazing how my biological clock was somehow more accurate than the Gallery’s clock.

’The ground is damp, so I should bring over some hides.’

Because of the heavy downpour, the ground was still damp.

I dragged over the tiger skin that I had laid out on the cave floor.

After finishing the preparations to cook the fish, I headed toward the iron buckets.

One iron bucket contained three fish, while the other held a large eel.

’I’ve never eaten eel before, yet here I am, eating it in a place like this.’

The reason I had never eaten eel? It wasn’t that I chose not to, but that I couldn’t afford to.

I didn’t have that kind of luxury. I survived on instant ramen for every meal, so eel was out of the question.

Of the things I had actually tried, beef was the most delicious. I still remember it vividly.

It would be hard to eat that kind of meat for the time being. Instead, I’ll eat fish that tastes like meat.

’I wish I had some seasoning.’

Since I rarely ate fish, I didn’t really know what went well with it.

What do you need at a time like this? The Gallery.

Eating something new once in a while boosts your morale and combat power.

Title) Recommend some seasonings that go well with fish.

Wild Grylls

Any seasonings to brush on fish? Other than salt.

Don’t say I’m getting spoiled. I have money to burn, so I want to spend it.

ㄴSword Matstar) Oyster sauce is really delicious on fish. Try brushing some on.

ㄴWild Grylls) There’s oyster sauce?

ㄴSword Matstar) Yes. It’s a popular sauce in the Central Plains. Heavenly Demon-nim probably knows about it, but she’s not online right now.

ㄴHeavenly Demon) This lady has never cooked food herself. Furthermore, I have no need to consume food now.

ㄴSword Matstar) Ah, yes. Of course.

ㄴHeavenly Demon) If you desire seasoning, this lady can bestow it upon you. I need only ask my subordinates.

ㄴWild Grylls) No. I’m just going to buy it from the Auction House, so there’s no need for that.

ㄴPraise the Sun) Rather than cheap oyster sauce, how about what I have to offer?

ㄴWild Grylls) What is it?

ㄴPraise the Sun) Truffle powder.

ㄴWild Grylls) What’s that?

ㄴYou crazy bastard, that stuff is as expensive as gold;;

ㄴIsn’t that basically asking to go into debt? hahaha

ㄴPraise the Sun) Too bad lol

ㄴWild Grylls) ;;

I should just buy a bottle of oyster sauce from the Auction House.

Heavenly Demon offered to give me some special oyster sauce, but I barely managed to talk her out of it.

She made her subordinates work like dogs over every little thing, which made me feel guilty.

She said she was considering giving that subordinate an Inner Core, but I didn’t know if she actually did.

’I just hope Heavenly Demon isn’t an abusive boss.’

Anyway, I decided on oyster sauce to brush onto the fish this time.

It was sold at a high price on the Auction House, and the quantity was small.

Considering the eel I would eat tonight, I would probably use it all up.

Chiiiiiik—

’I just need to brush this onto the meat, right?’

However, I lacked a proper tool to apply the sauce—namely, a brush.

Instead of a brush, I meticulously spread it with a spoon.

"Oh. Smells good."

The flesh, which was originally white, turned a rich brown once the oyster sauce was applied.

The color alone was mouth-watering. I wanted to dig in as soon as possible.This chapter was copied from nоvelping.com without permission.

"Nyamnyamnyamnyam."

While the fish coated in oyster sauce cooked deliciously, Wonmo finished his meal beside me.

As always, it was a fish with its Inner Core removed. Seeing him eat so heartily warmed my heart.

’Time to eat!’

Since it seemed mostly cooked, I moved the cast-iron pan with the fish away from the direct heat.

It was best to keep the campfire burning, if only to make charcoal.

Then, holding my chopsticks, I took a bite of the deliciously cooked fish meat.

"Kyaa!"

If the fish seasoned only with salt tasted like meat, the fish brushed with oyster sauce tasted like steak.

While comparing it to an actual steak might be a bit of a stretch, it was just that delicious.

It was sweet, salty, and bursting with umami, with absolutely none of the fish’s characteristic fishy odor.

It was pure culinary bliss. It was easily the most delicious thing I had caught in this forest.

’To think I can eat all of this...’

Kuung!

...was what I was thinking when it happened.

Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake, and a heavy silence descended.

Even Wonmo, who was absolutely obsessed with food, stopped eating mid-bite and raised his head.

Seueuk—

Speed Sloth must have also sensed that something was wrong, as he clung to my back.

Kuung! Kung! Kung!

The shaking grew stronger and stronger. I quietly set down my chopsticks and picked up the Sword of the Heavenly Demon.

I always kept the Sword of the Heavenly Demon and the Adamant Shield right by my side.

So that I could respond immediately, no matter when, where, or what happened.

’It’s definitely something huge.’

Judging by how the ground shook with every step, it was definitely as massive as a Guardian.

Could it be the bear I saw before? But Sword Matstar had said this:

Four-legged beasts distribute their weight well, so the ground doesn’t shake when they move.

Only beasts or monsters that walk upright on two legs cause massive vibrations with every step.

Since it was causing such vibrations, it had to be colossal.

Tensing up, I geared up and stood up.

Kuung! Kung!

Before long, the vibrations grew even stronger.

Kuuung!

A massive figure emerged from the path leading to the river.

Just as Sword Matstar had said, it walked upright, but its form was highly bizarre.

Its skin was a pale, ash-gray color overall, and it had a hunched posture.

Though not as large as a Guardian, it easily stood well over three meters tall. Below the neck, its body was somewhat similar to a human’s.

However, its head, hands, and feet were anything but human.

’...A shark?’

Its face looked as if a shark’s head had been directly grafted onto it. Its slightly parted mouth was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

A dorsal fin sat prominently somewhere between its back and neck.

Furthermore, its human-like hands and feet had webbed digits, much like a frog’s.

A shark-like giant. Yes, that description fit perfectly.

"Keureureung..."

The shark’s terrifying face stared straight at me. I immediately assumed a defensive stance.

Despite its humanoid shape, it didn’t seem to have come with good intentions.

Besides, I had the example of the Mushroom Person. I couldn’t let my guard down.

Kung! Kuung! Kung!

The shark-man—no, the shark giant—took heavy steps and slowly approached.

Though its height was slightly reduced due to its hunched posture, its presence was terrifyingly imposing.

The shark giant then stepped closer to me, and...

Kwaak!

It snatched up the half-eaten fish I had been enjoying just moments ago—the one coated in expensive oyster sauce—with its bare hand.

"Huh?"

No way, right?

Before that thought could even finish forming in my head.

"Ujeok. Kwaak. Kwak. Jjeop."

It chewed the fish a few times and swallowed it whole.

I stared at the shark giant in utter disbelief. What the hell did this bastard just do?

I had finally made up my mind to splurge and brush it with expensive oyster sauce!

I only got to eat a single bite! And he just gobbled it up?!

"You...!"

I could finally understand how Speed Sloth felt when he almost had his Fasting Pill stolen by a raccoon.

"You son of a bitch!!!"

I couldn’t contain my rage.