Gallery 23 - Dumpster

I Gained a Gallery in the Wild - Eps 23 Water (1)

Did I underestimate the wild too much, or am I being too optimistic?

I realized it as soon as I saw the ticks scurrying between the comb's teeth.

When it comes to hygiene, the wilderness is more dangerous than imagined.

Therefore, I need to somehow prepare a lot of water for hygiene management.

'What a damned water has against me?'

Anyway, washing Round Fluff comes first.

I should also take a bath while I'm at it.

Good thing I was wearing clothes, or I would’ve already been bitten by the ticks.

First, I wanted to thank LongLiveTheSun and hear their advice.

ㄴ WildGrills) Wow shit (°ロ°) What are these ticks? Would've been disastrous if I had ignored them ;;

ㄴ LongLiveTheSun) At least you know now. Washing with hot water should be fine.

ㄴ WildGrills) But water's hard to come by in my situation....

ㄴ LongLiveTheSun) Then apply insect repellent to your body. Hot bath would be best though.

LongLiveTheSun explained that Owlbears have thick skin that prevents tick infestations.

The problem is that my skin is relatively thin, and I’m right next to it.

I quickly stripped, turned around, and applied bug repellent all over my body.

Fortunately, no ticks attached to me.

'I should wear long pants.'

The uniform ChaengguPrincess gave me only has long sleeves.

For now, I have no choice but to endure with insect repellent.

'No wonder survival documentaries always show people wrapped in clothes.'

Thanks to this, I realized the importance of clothes. Long sleeves and long pants are a must.

I thoroughly applied the insect repellent to every spot and looked at Round Fluff.

Round Fluff was sleeping soundly as if he had no idea what was happening.

'Right. Like this is your fault.'

I changed my clothes and pondered. Water became even more urgent than before.

But that damn Golden Poison Frog squatting at the stream makes things complicated.

The nearest water source being that stream makes me reluctant to give up.

'Should I dig a water channel? The distance is close.'

Not a bad choice. Just physically demanding.

As I said, the distance to the stream is quite close, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

But since I don't know how to dig a water channel, I'll need advice.

---

Title: Dwarf help me

Author: WildGrills

Going to dig a water channel, need advice.

---

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Barehanded?

ㄴ WildGrills) Want me to give you one of those frogs? They’re expensive.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Just kidding lol

You should joke in moderation. Suddenly I became curious about his age.

His knowledge suggests he's not young, but he acts so immature.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) You planning to live there?

ㄴ WildGrills) No, am not, but getting water is too hard. These frogs are driving me crazy.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Don't dig a channel unless you're settling. Too much work

ㄴ WildGrills) That bad?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Yeye, plus without erosion prevention you'll just get filthy water. Better not.

If it's erosion, then that's it, right?

A process where rock gets worn down by various factors.

I don't think I need to explain separately about soil, which is softer than rock.

Moreover, the part about water becoming filthy particularly concerned me.

ㄴ WildGrills) Then there's no way?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) About how far is it?

ㄴ WildGrills) About 10-12 minutes on foot?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) In that case, just scooping and carrying it might be better (·•᷄‎ࡇ•᷅ )

ㄴ WildGrills) So I can get eaten by a snake? k

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Hey. Wait wait wait.

ㄴ So desperate lolololol

ㄴ Can't even drink water freely lol

ㄴ Nothing comes easy lmao

I did consider that.

But you never know what danger might pop up on the way, and even just scooping the water is tough.

Just putting a hand in the water summon a big family of Golden Poison Frogs, like I could manage that.

I'm a person with hands and a brain. But this is the wild.

One mistake and it’s life or death, so I have to make safety my top priority.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) There is one method, but it requires work. That okay?

ㄴ WildGrills) Yeye, doesn't matter

ㄴ PassingDwarf) First, where is the river? Above? Or below?

ㄴ WildGrills) Have to go up.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Oh. Then it'll be easy. Might be expensive, is that okay?

ㄴ WildGrills) Could it cost more than my life?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Good. Will post instructions soon w8

The dwarf said he would make a post, so I just have to wait patiently.

At the same time, I was worried. If he's posting just for explanation, it must be quite complicated.

Will I really be able to get a proper water supply? Water keeps tripping me up.

[StarlightPrincess has requested a trade. Accept?]

"Huh?"

This popped up while I was aimlessly browsing the gallery.

I stared at the message wide-eyed.

StarlightPrincess. Fixed username who I hadn't heard from for a while.

I had been worried something might be wrong, but seeing this message reassured me.

[WildGrills: StarlightPrincess? Are you really StarlightPrincess?]

[StarlightPrincess: Hello, Grills-nim! Yes! It's me!]

Her lively tone came through even in message.

In the gallery, usernames can't be changed once set.

Meaning the person requesting trade is definitely StarlightPrincess.

I replied with a big smile on my face.

[WildGrills: Have you recovered completely?]

[StarlightPrincess: Yes! I'm completely healed thanks to the gift Grills-nim gave me! Thank you so much!]

What a relief to hear she's recovered. I had been so worried thinking something might be wrong.

I was so worried because I thought StarlightPrincess was wrong.

No more such worries now. It's fortunate that her incurable disease has been healed.

[WildGrills: Glad to hear. Congratulations.]

[StarlightPrincess: This is all thanks to Grills-nim. I couldn’t post anything because I was getting all sorts of checkups….]

I think I know roughly what happened.

She must have wanted to get a thorough checkup since she has finally gotten the health she’s been longing for.

But since she's back within a day, she must be fully recovered.

[StarlightPrincess has registered trade items.]

[StarlightPrincess: This is the elixir I mentioned before. I've given you all except my emergency supply, so there should be plenty.]

[WildGrills: Thank you so much. Are you feeling okay everywhere?]

[StarlightPrincess: Yes. If I had my way, I'd want to run around right now. It's a shame my parents are holding me back.]

[WildGrills: Your parents are worried too, so don't push yourself too hard.]

[StarlightPrincess: I always think this, but you’re really kind, Grills-nim. It's not common to see people like you in the gallery.]

I tilted my head at being called kind.

I seem to hear this often. Considering the gallery's culture, it might be accurate, but.

'I'm not sure.'

Maybe it just shows how rotten this world is.

Given the era, they would probably chew up and spit out human rights in no time.

If you add the gallery's unique unhealthy culture, there's no need for further explanation.

[WildGrills: Helping each other is ultimately helping myself. Saying that, isn’t StarlightPrincess-nim also kind? You could've ignored me but repaid me like this.]

[StarlightPrincess: That's a good way of putting it. Do you still want to leave the Forest fo Four Seasons?]

[WildGrills: Yes. I want to leave right now.]

[StarlightPrincess: Though it's modest, I'll help you get out. Despite appearances, I'm quite smart.]

[WildGrills: Or you could come here?]

[StarlightPrincess: Ah. That's a bit hehe (^_^ᵕ)]

[WildGrills: gg]

Of course, I'm joking.

Who would tell someone who was on death’s door just yesterday to go jump into danger?

I've heard that no one who has set foot in the Forest of Four Seasons has ever escaped.

So StarlightPrincess' words should be taken as comfort rather than sincerity.

[StarlightPrincess: Ah! Speaking of which, I saw the Owlbear photos.]

[WildGrills: Cute, right?]

The words jumped out reflexively.

It's absolutely not because I'm a doting parent, the cub’s genuinely cute.

[StarlightPrincess: Yes. However, the name is a bit... I don't like it. What is Round Fluff, Round Fluff.]

[WildGrills: Do you have a name in mind, StarlightPrincess-nim?]

[StarlightPrincess: Something meaning ‘healthy child’...]

StarlightPrincess paused for a moment and then said the name she had in mind.

[StarlightPrincess: Helliny. How about Helliny?]

[WildGrills: Oh...]

Feels like a name that would eventually evolve into ‘Gym rat’.

(D: It’s homophone to Helliny. For reference, it’s 헬창/Hellchang roughly refers to gym rat.)

How can each of the fixed nicknames have such poor naming sense?

In every way, Fluffy that I named seems to be the best.

[WildGrills: I'll probably keep calling him Round Fluff for now. We did an unknown vote (ᵕ—ᴗ—)]

[StarlightPrincess: Can't you just ignore it?]

[WildGrills: It's difficult to ignore since HeavenlyDemon gave the name.]

I can't ignore the fixed username that helped me, especially because HeavenlyDemon gave it to me.

If HeavenlyDemon got disappointed and distanced themselves, that would be a loss for me too.

StarlightPrincess seemed to understand, voicing complaints but ultimately accepting.

[StarlightPrincess: That’s a shame. So what will you do now?]

[WildGrills: I think I'll work on drawing the river water. The dwarf said he would post something soon.]

[StarlightPrincess: I see. If you need help later, please let me know anytime. I'll be waiting.]

[WildGrills: Thank you.]

[StarlightPrincess: Fight!]

The conversation with StarlightPrincess ended there.

I felt both warm and bitter simultaneously.

I'm glad StarlightPrincess has recovered, but I remain unchanged.

Unless I escape this hell-like place, living a normal life is impossible.

'Escape.... will I be able to?'

I think about this every day. Can I leave the Forest of Four Seasons?

If there were only dangerous flora and fauna lurking, I might somehow manage to escape.

But the forest's biggest problem is how space changes every moment.

Getting lost is dangerous enough, but with space itself changing, it feels hopeless.

‘Elixirs… wow. She gave me seven?’

StarlightPrincess gifted me a total of seven elixirs.

Seeing that each has a different color, they seem to be of different grades.

I heard the lighter the color, the lower the grade, so I could classify them easily.

‘I should hide them since Round Fluff might break it.’

I stored the elixirs in the box the dwarf gave me before.

No telling if Round Fluff might poke around in the box, so I pushed it all the way into the corner.

‘Come to think of it, did he post it already?’

Next, I checked if the dwarf had posted something.

After refreshing the gallery a few times, I could see the post he had uploaded.

---

Title: Grills, look here

Author: PassingDwarf

(Rough diagram of drawing river water)

(Rough photo of natural rubber hose)

(Rough photo of valve)

Do like the diagram. Suck each hose end to start flow.

Oh, don't suck while lying down, suck while standing. Pressure difference will make water flow.

You can attach a valve to the last hose to close or open it. Get the idea?

---

ㄴ WildGrills) I get what you’re saying, but what's that net? To filter impurities?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Yeye, you got it.

ㄴ WildGrills) I'm quick on the uptake lol

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Suddenly don't want to give it

ㄴ WildGrills) I'm a total moron

ㄴ lmfaoooo

ㄴ That switch in attitude, really lmaooo

ㄴ Watching these guys is hilarious lololol

ㄴ They're getting along well lolz

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Anyway, if you connect each hose well and adjust the slope properly, there's nothing difficult.

ㄴ WildGrills) You said it’s expensive, so is the hose itself expensive?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Yeye, it's made of rubber so it's fucking expensive

I questioned whether something made of rubber would be expensive, but the doubt soon faded.

Judging from the gallery posts, this world has only just begun operating a 'factory'.

Besides that, there's something about trains that run on mana or whatever. But they're not often used.

'Didn't they say you could just move through warp gates?'

If it's fantasy-like, it's definitively fantasy.

Sports like soccer and baseball are booming, but science feels a bit behind.

Well. If you think of magic as compensating for science, it's not such a big problem.

I heard warp gates are expensive, so commoners use the train instead.

‘That uniform ChaengguPrincess gave me was super expensive too.’

Given the material, it can't help but be expensive.

I asked the dwarf what I was most curious about after hearing various explanations from him.

ㄴ WildGrills) So how much will it cost?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Cheaply estimate, about 500 gold total? That includes the processed rubber and valve combined

500 gold is definitely expensive. But I still have money from AllFather.

But the problem arose somewhere else. It was the gallery's rules.

The gallery prevents trading for 24 hours after a single transaction.

The dwarf made a trade after lunch yesterday, which means he can’t trade now.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) I can put it up for immediate purchase at the auction house, but I'll list it for 1100 gold. That okay?

ㄴ WildGrills) Just put it up

ㄴ PassingDwarf) ty ty

It's blood-draining, but I have no choice.

I urgently need water, so I can’t worry about money right now.

I might haggle over barriers or fences, but not water.

I immediately entered the auction house and checked the item the dwarf had listed.

[Title: Grills Retard]

[Price: 1100 gold]

"This bastard?"

We'll settle this later. I let out a hollow laugh and made the purchase.

Someone else could outbid me, but it’s expensive, so that’s unlikely.

Even if someone did, I could just buy it again from the dwarf.

“Now that I’m all set...”

Time to get water.

I put on my sword and shield just in case.

I hung the rolled-up hose over my shoulder. All that's left is the work.

‘Once I get the water, I’ll wash Round Fluff first.’

I looked at the soundly sleeping Round Fluff.

What if he wakes up when I'm not there?

Wouldn't he come outside looking for me? That would be really dangerous.

'I have to finish this as quickly as possible.'

Time to test my handiwork.

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