Gallery 30 - Dumpster

I Gained a Gallery in the Wild - Eps 30 Inner Core (1)

Thanks to DizSpeed's help, I was able to safely arrive at the riverside.

The first thing I did after arriving at the river was to check the hose.

Just as I suspected, another fish had been caught in the short time since I had last checked.

Splash! Splash!

"Got another one."

In that brief interval another one had been snared, and this time too it was a red fellow.

Its size was about the same as the fish from before.

Seemed like this was the average size for the fish inhabiting this river.

'I'll get this later.'

The important thing now is Golden Frog. The deal with AllFather comes first.

Then I should first get DizSpeed that's clinging to my back to come off.

I patted DizSpeed’s back and asked.

"Can you get off for a bit? It's urgent."

"...."

Creak— Creak—

Whether it understood my words or not, he slowly climbed down.

Then he stared at me blankly with his stupid-looking face.

Almost like he was urging me to hurry up. Probably just my imagination.

'Time to summon the Golden Frog.'

Before, the leader frog jumped out just from me putting my hand in the river.

Will the others do the same? I cautiously put my hand into the water.

After about three seconds had passed like that, a splashing sound came from the middle of the river.

“Ribbit.”

It's a Golden Frog. It had climbed onto a rock jutting from the middle of the river.

It is smaller than the one I saw before, but still quite large.

As soon as it revealed itself, I quickly retreated without hesitation.

I also didn't forget to hold up my shield just in case.

"Haaaagh!"

The Golden Frog's head tilted back. Plus a noise like gathering phlegm.

Looks like it is about to spit its poison just like that. But I have already fled far away.

Except for DizSpeed who was just sitting there blankly.

"Hey! What are you....!"

"Twaet!"

Before I could even shout, the Golden Frog spat poison.

A purple glob of mucus shot straight at DizSpeed.

DizSpeed gazed calmly at the purple venom, then nodded its head.

Sssiiizz!

The venom barely brushed past DizSpeed's face.

The venom hit a tree and began to dissolve its bark.

I half-expected it, yet its agility is really amazing.

‘Now’s the time.’

While DizSpeed has the aggro, I readied my crossbow.

Then I loaded a harpoon-type arrow and aimed at the Golden Frog.

“Kyaaah!”

"Kyaaak!"

"Kuuuk!"

Meanwhile, other Golden Frogs climbed up onto the rock.

I was already hidden, but DizSpeed remained boldly in the open.

Even for DizSpeed, dodging multiple attacks in a row would be tough—

"Ptooey!"

"Chu!"

Twaet!"

Whik— Whikwhik—

Or not.

Despite clearly sitting in place, he dodged everything just by lightly turning his body.

Even his expression is relaxed, like watching a reclusive master.

‘Does that rascal have Observation Haki or something?’

It doesn't make sense otherwise. I sighed inwardly.

But that's that and this is this. I finished all my preparations.

After a while, I aimed at one of the golden frogs and pulled the trigger.

Splash! Splash!

The harpoon pierced the golden frog precisely, and it fell straight into the rough river.

I immediately pulled the rope.

The other Golden Frogs didn’t attack me in the meantime.

Apparently they were greatly flustered that one of their own had been struck.

In fact, even saying they were flustered is merely my guess.

But seeing how they stopped attacking simultaneously as soon as one was hit, they seem to have some awareness.

The creatures inhabiting the Forest of Four Seasons are all exceptional in their own way.

Splash!

A group of Golden Frogs jumped into the river, probably deciding to retreat.

There shouldn't be any threats for a while. All that's left is to clean up.

I pulled hard on the rope connected to the harpoon.

Where before it was like wrestling, now I only need apply a little strength.

"Heave-ho!"

The Golden Frog I pulled from the water was impressively large.

Not as big as the one I caught before, but about the size of a puppy small dog?

What remains is initiating trade with AllFather, but I need to deal with the fish first.

'For now, I'll hang this at my waist.'

This is the knowledge that AllFather taught me.

If purple liquid started oozing out, that meant the poison sac had ruptured.

Right now, there was no purple ooze, which means it is safe.

With the frog hunt finished, what is left is the fish.

I don't know what it ate to grow, but it boasted a huge size.

‘Today is a bountiful day.’

With this, lunch and dinner are settled. I lifted the fish that was busy flapping.

'No way I could’ve caught this thing with a rod.'

It's such a strong beast that it's still trying to hit my face with its fins.

Fearing I might drop it, I firmly gripped the fish with both arms.

If I hadn't grown stronger, I would have dropped it long ago.

Creak— Creak —

I was ready to return with DizSpeed hanging on my back.

‘I hope it tastes good, though would be greedy.’

I didn't care about taste. In my situation, taste is a luxury.

Besides, I could always buy seasonings at the auction house later.

Splash!

I returned to the cave and put the fish in the iron tub.

It is still so strong that the tub trembles slightly.

Better not try to catch this kind with a rod. I might end up being caught myself.

Traps or fish pots would probably be safer.

Just looking at the two hefty fish made me feel content.

'Now, to trade with AllFather.'

After organizing my gear, I posted in the gallery.

It was a post asking AllFather to initiate a trade if they were free.

[AllFather has requested a trade. Accept?]

It didn’t take long for the offer to come.

I gave a Byeokgokdan to DizSpeed and accepted.

[AllFather: Hello. I requested a trade after seeing your post.]

[WildGrills: Hello. I'll put up the item right away. The poison sac isn't burst.]

[AllFather: Thank you. This will make my research much easier.]

[WildGrills: I’m glad. Ah, I have something I’m curious about.]

[AllFather: Please ask.]

[WildGrills: DizSpeed won’t get off me. Any idea why?]

[AllFather: Are you referring to the loth that even caught arrows?]

[WildGrills: Yes. You may not believe it, but it’s the one that even caught an arrow.]

[AllFather: To be honest, I don't really know either. Such a specimen has never been reported in academia.]

A species that even Fatheremon doesn't know. What kind of place is the Forest of Four Seasons?

As I sighed inwardly, the AllFather shared his hypothesis.

[AllFather: That said, I can make an educated guess. From your post, it extorted something from you?]

[WildGrills: It didn’t take money, but it did steal Byeokgokdan pills from me.]

[AllFather: Perhaps it might have thought of Mr. Grills as a tree.]

[WildGrills: A tree?]

[AllFather: Yes. In a sense, you're a tree that provides food.]

[WildGrills: Wha...]

[AllFather: It sounds idiotic but there's logic to this hypothesis? I think so too.]

AllFather spoke their words as they were.

It seems they themselves found it ridiculous.

Nevertheless, it was rational enough that there was no other way to explain it.

[AllFather: Is it still hanging on you?]

[WildGrills: Yes. It shows no intention of leaving.]

[AllFather: Since it isn’t hostile, raising it wouldn’t be a bad idea.]

[WildGrills: I don't completely dislike it either. I almost got bitten by a snake today, but this guy helped me.]

After talking about this and that with AllFather, we traded items.

I gave the Golden Frog corpse, and AllFather gave me pills that build poison resistance.

[AllFather: It’s best taken after a meal. Proper digestion is essential.]

[WildGrills: Would it be good to absorb these with the breathing technique as well?]

[AllFather: Yes. It's convenient to think of it as a kind of inner core.]

Inner core. that brought HeavenlyDemon’s explanation to mind.

A crystallized form created when qi accumulates inside a spiritual beast's body.

When the topic of inner core came up, I suddenly had a question and asked AllFather.

[WildGrills: Have you ever eaten iner core, AllFather?]

[AllFather: I haven't eaten inner core, but I have consumed Dragon Heart.]

[WildGrills: What's that?]

[AllFather: Literally, it's the heart of a dragon. It contains abundant mana.]

I had a rough idea of what dragons is.

They occasionally came up in gallery discussions.

Strong enough to treat humanity as 'mere things,' but not unparalleled.

Above all, I've heard that their numbers are woefully low, making them an endangered species.

'I wonder if they exist in the Forest of Four Seasons too?'

If it does, it's a disaster in itself. I'm an infinitely weak human.

How am I supposed to catch something that flies freely and breathes fire?

[AllFather: Thank you always for the good trade. If you find more fascinating creatures, don’t hesitate to ask.]

[WildGrills: I even saw something that looked like a chameleon combined with a snake?]

[AllFather: And what might that be?]

[WildGrills: I thought it was a branch, but it turned out to be a snake. It changed its body color in an instant?]

[AllFather: Ooh. Truly a place full of fascinating things!]

[WildGrills: Would you like to come?]

[AllFather: This old man’s knees aren’t what they used to be. I'll have to decline.]

[WildGrills: ╥╥]

The conversation ended there. Even the AllFather wants nothing to do with this forest.

Well, who would come to a hellish place like this?

I’ve at least been lucky. Other people can’t even use the gallery.

"Hmm."

I looked at the pill on my palm.

A round, soft violet pill that left a strong impression.

A medicine obtained through trade with AllFather.

If I take this, then, just as AllFather explained, I will gain resistance to poison.

'Let's eat lunch first.'

I put the pill in my pocket and approached the iron tub.

The container was packed full even though there were only two fish.

'How should I cook this?'

I live alone at home, so I can cook.

But that's with prepared ingredients, and this is my first time preparing them myself.

In times like this, there’s only one solution: ask the gallery.

It’s better to gather some knowledge rather than blindly winging it.

---

Title: Help with preparing fish!

Author: WildGrills

(Photo of fish in iron tub)

Anyone got advice? Size is fucking huge

---

ㄴ Experts kill them instantly by stabbing their brains with a knife or an awl. Non-skilled should just cut it whole.

ㄴ Before cutting, stun it by hitting the head with the back of the knife. Best to strike then.

ㄴ Removing the guts is easy. Just split the belly.

Since I am unskilled, I decided on the method of hitting the head hard.

Since I was going to grill and eat it right away, there was no need for aging or anything.

"Kyuu."

"Round Fluff. Wait a bit."

Round Fluff got up like a clockwork as soon as it was lunchtime.

Just look at those round, eager eyes begging for food.

I would like to throw it a chunk of meat right away, but cleaning comes first.

I lifted the fish in the iron tub as if embracing it with both arms.

Flap! Flap!

The fish flopped as if telling me to let go, but that's not happening.

I placed the fish on the stone plate I had prepared beforehand.

The size was so big that even the wide slab felt small.

‘They said to strike the head hard, right?’

Due to its large size, an ordinary knife would be difficult.

What's needed at this time is precisely HeavenlyDemon Sword.

Since I wasn’t using the blade, I could strike with full force.

Bang! Kwaang! Bang!

I struck it three times in a row and a reaction came.

Just like the gallery comment said, the mouth and gills opened wide.

It had taken the shock properly. I immediately started preparing it.

I clean it using a regular dagger instead of HeavenlyDemon’s sword to avoid injury.

The dagger was quite sharp and cut through the fish's flesh smoothly.

"Round Fluff. Want to eat this?"

"Kyu!"

I cut off the head and gave it to Round Fluff. He ate it with great relish.

Since it even eats rotten corpses, a fish head is easy enough.

DizSpeed is more interested in Byeokgokdan pills than fish, so there is no need to worry about him.

'Now cut open the belly.'

I washed off the blood that came out here and there with water.

I slowly slit open the belly of the now-silent fish whose head had been removed.

The sensation felt at my fingertips wasn't particularly pleasant, but it's something I must get used to.

'I wonder if he'll eat the innards too?'

Thanks to cutting open the fish's belly, I could see the tightly packed innards.

All I had to do was remove them and rinse everything clean.

Just as I reached in to pull out the entrails.

"Hm?"

I caught something in my hand. At first, I thought it was the heart.

But it's quite hard for a heart. I wiggled my hand and barely managed to take it out.

Overall, it was a grain about the size of a fingertip joint.

Its color was red, like the fish itself.

‘What is this? Could it really be an inner core?’

Probably not. Spiritual beasts carrying inner core aren’t exactly common.

But considering that mature mandrakes are scattered everywhere, it was also doubtful.

To add to that, didn't I discover a Crescent Moon Spirit Herb at the very beginning?

'Hmm....'

I stared at the red granule for a long moment before deciding.

It's better to ask the gallery for things like this, and even the experts.

And the expert, of course, naturally be HeavenlyDemon. The person who first mentioned Naedan.

Since they isn’t someone who would swipe it in the middle, I can ask with an easy mind.

---

Title: HeavenlyDemon-nim. I have a question.

Author: WildGrills

(Photo of the red granule)

Found this while cleaning a fish. It looks like the inner core you mentioned before, but can you tell the difference?

If you're not sure, I can trade it to you for verification.

---

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) This came from a fish?

They replied 3 seconds after I posted. Truly a terrifying speed.

ㄴ WildGrills) Yes. It came out while I was cleaning the innards.

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) Hmm. Looking at the photo, I can't tell. It could simply be a pearl.

ㄴ WildGrills) Can fish make pearls too?

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) This One thinks so?

ㄴ Sword Master) Aren't pearls from clams, not fish?

ㄴ Right? Boldly spouting ignorance lmao

ㄴ Even for a boomer, that’s a little bit ;;

ㄴ Isn't they just stupid?

ㄴ SmartDemon) Hah.... I'm embarrassed just watching this.

I became a little anxious when HeavenlyDemon's lack of common sense was exposed.

However, I could leave it to them because they were the one who taught me the breathing technique.

ㄴ WildGrills) I’ll set up a trade. Just confirm whether it’s an inner core or not.

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) If it really is an inner core, what do thou intend to do?

ㄴ WildGrills) Eat it, of course. You said it’s good for the body, right?

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) This One does not recommend it. As stated before, thy internal energy is already oversaturated. Recklessness could lead to dire consequences.

I nodded at HeavenlyDemon's advice.

Truly, too much is as bad as too little, and if I eat an inner core in this state, I might get in big trouble.

That left one option: give it to HeavenlyDemon.

SwordMaster would likely refuse, spouting some nonsense about ‘not wanting to get healthier’.

ㄴ WildGrills) Then would HeavenlyDemon-nim like to have it?

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) This One does not advance in realms through inner cores. That period has long passed.

ㄴ WildGrills) Then what should I do?

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) Simple.

HeavenlyDemon's answer was straightforward.

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) Wouldn't it be fine to list it on the auction house?

Such a carefree suggestion.

'Should I?'

And at that easygoing suggestion my mind tilted slightly in that direction.

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