Gallery 60 - Dumpster

I Gained a Gallery in the Wild - Eps 60. Bizarre Adventure (2)

Do you know the medical term PTSD? Many people probably do.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) refers to the mental distress caused by experiencing a terrible event.

The human body can recover sufficiently even when injured.

However, the mind was quite fragile compared to the body.

It's quite common for a minor incident to cause severe psychological trauma to some people.

Moreover, there is no set method or timeline for healing wounds inflicted on the mind.

Sometimes they never even become scars, remaining only as wounds.

"Ugh..."

I was the same. I wiped my face with my hand.

That night-time incident when the tiger attacked. That incident appeared in my dream.

Though it was something I experienced in a dream, it was so vivid. The clear eyes of the beast and its sharp fangs.

Especially when my right shoulder was bitten, I was so startled I woke up from my sleep. The first thing I felt upon waking was dampness.

Cold sweat had poured down like rain due to the nightmare. Right after that, I immediately checked my surroundings.

Fortunately, seeing Round Fluff and DizSpeed fast asleep, I tried to go back to sleep, but it wasn't easy.

I was afraid that another predator like the tiger might attack at any moment. It was only natural that my sleep was restless.

“Haa...”

Even in the morning, my mind was still hazy. I wiped my face again.

Using the internal energy cultivation technique means you only need a little sleep, not that you don't need to sleep at all.

Because I couldn't even meet the minimum condition, fatigue was bound to accumulate.

'At least I can practice the technique again later...'

But while physical fatigue can be relieved, can mental fatigue be relieved as well? I'm not sure.

I spaced out for a while, then looked around.

Round Fluff and DizSpeed were still in dreamland.

'Lucky them.'

I don't know about DizSpeed, but I'm really envious of Round Fluff. He could sleep without a care in the world.

But whining like this meant nothing. Besides, Round Fluff will help me hunt when he grows up.

I shook my head and quietly logged onto the gallery. I woke up so early I hadn't checked the time.

‘It’s only 6 o’clock.’

I usually wake up at 8 o'clock. Today I woke up 2 hours earlier.

That damned dream had wrecked my sleep, so there was no helping it.

Might as well use the time to practice my internal energy cultivation technique.

That way, I could start the day feeling at least a bit refreshed.

'Slowly, as I was taught...'

I closed my eyes and circulated the cultivation technique. I circulated the mana within my body as I always did.

If things went well, I could relieve my fatigue, but a certain memory kept tormenting me.

[Kraaaaa!]

The fierce battle with the Saber-toothed Tiger that took place in the middle of the night.

Its height towering above my eye level, its massive forepaws. Its sharp fangs.

Those things kept coming to mind and interfering with my concentration. I couldn't focus at all.

I could clearly feel my heart pounding wildly and cold sweat trickling down.

"...."

In the end, I had no choice but to open my eyes and stop practicing the technique.

How could I solve this? I pondered, then let out a sigh.

'I guess I'll have to ask HeavenlyDemon.'

I think I need to seek advice from HeavenlyDemon or SwordMaster.

When I logged into the gallery, it was already a bit past 6:30.

'If it's 6:30... would she be awake?'

know elderly people don't sleep much. Still, wouldn't sending a message now be rude?

I thought that and then smirked. It was gallery anyway.

Notifications didn’t go out immediately, so there was no reason it would be a nuisance. It was just leaving a message.

[WildGrills: HeavenlyDemon-nim, are you there? If you are, please message me.]

[HeavenlyDemon: I am always waiting. Thou up early today.]

But she sent a reply as soon as I sent the message.

Surely she didn't spend the whole night on the gallery. I had such suspicions.

Or maybe the timing was good. She woke up early and accessed the gallery.

I pushed aside the awkwardness and brought up the worry I’d been holding inside.

[WildGrills: Actually, I’ve been troubled about something. I wanted to consult you, HeavenlyDemon-nim.]

[HeavenlyDemon: A consultation from thou. It sounds like quite a big problem?]

[WildGrills: It's not a big problem. It's just that my concentration scatters whenever I do my internal energy cultivation technique.]

[HeavenlyDemon: Thy concentration scatters, thou say... Have thou not fallen to a heart demon?]

[WildGrills: It's not that serious. What happened is...]

I explained to HeavenlyDemon in detail.

I had a nightmare about the Saber-toothed Tiger's attack, which made my sleep restless.

And putting the lack of sleep aside, how the memory comes to mind every time I circulate my cultivation technique.

I tried to ignore it however I could, but it just wouldn't calm down, and so on.

Speaking my mind freely made me feel at ease.

But feeling at ease and solving it were separate matters. I waited silently for HeavenlyDemon's answer.

[HeavenlyDemon: This One understand what it is. This One once had a similar experience. Doesn't thy heart race and cold sweat flow whenever that memory comes to mind?]

[WildGrills: Oh! Yes! That's right!]

I smiled with indescribable sense of refreshment.

'As expected, HeavenlyDemon. She's someone I can trust.'

My respect for her bloomed vigorously.

I immediately logged into the gallery to thank HeavenlyDemon.

'What? 2 hours have already passed?'

I thought it was just a moment, but a chunk of time had flown by.

Startled at the illusion that my sense of time had vanished, I quickly sent HeavenlyDemon a message.

[WildGrills: HeavenlyDemon-nim, thank you so much. Thanks to you, I feel my mind and body have cleared.]

[HeavenlyDemon: It seems to be effective. Remember this. No matter how strong the opponent, the one who stands at the end can reach the heavens.]

[WildGrills: I'll keep that in mind. I'll take those words to heart.]

[HeavenlyDemon: I cannot hide my joy at your growth. I hope thou will reach the same place as me in the near future.]

[WildGrills: I'll try my best on that.]

Of course, simply trying won't be enough. HeavenlyDemon was far stronger than I am, after all.

Becoming as strong as her was nothing more than a wish for now.

'There's no harm in becoming stronger.'

In the wilderness where various dangers lurk, strength is essential.

I stepped outside with a mind and body that felt far more refreshed than before.

Stepping outside, a cooler breeze greeted me compared to yesterday.

'The weather's nice too.'

It's perfect weather for exploring. I immediately made a post.

---

Title: Energetic and Strong Morning!

Author: WildGrills

If anyone asks, I'm WildGrills! Day 7 begins!

---

ㄴ SwordMaster) Always such energetic posts. Nothing happened last night, right?

ㄴ WildGrills) I had a nightmare that kept me awake, but I'm okay.

ㄴ SwordMaster) A nightmare?

ㄴ WildGrills) Yes. I dreamt that that tiger attacking me. I'm fine now.

ㄴ SwordMaster) I'm glad you're okay. Keep working hard to get stronger today so you can marry me quickly.

ㄴ WildGrills) Master?

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) Hahaha. My stomach hurts.

ㄴ SwordMaster) What's with that mockery? I'm being serious.

ㄴ HeavenlyDemon) Hahahaha.

ㄴ SwordMaster) ーー ;;;

ㄴ LongLivetheSun) You're up. I'll send a trade offer in a bit, so accept it. I'll give you a really kick-ass shield.

ㄴ WildGrills) Thank you. Should I give you a Mature Mandrake in return?

ㄴ LongLivetheSun) Just give me one. This time for my son.

ㄴ WildGrills) You have a son too?

ㄴ LongLivetheSun) Young friend. I'm a dark elf over 500 years old.

ㄴ WildGrills) K, just wait a moment (¬_¬") I'll give it to you right away.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Hey. What about my side dishes? You'll give them today, right?

ㄴ WildGrills) I'll give it to you, so don't worry. I'm heading out as soon as I get the shield.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) K

ㄴ WildGrills) But you're not planning to drink first thing in the morning, are you?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Nothing wrong with that though?

ㄴ WildGrills) Your liver’s gonna get wrecked, you punk (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

ㄴ Leave ‘em be. Dwarf is a drinker even in jaundice.

ㄴ Ye, ye. That’s why their average lifespan ends up similar to humans lol

ㄴ Wasn’t their life expectancy said to be 150 years?

ㄴ Probably around there? But they die around 65 because of liver problem.

ㄴ Those guys probably have alcohol flowing instead of blood (￣ヘ￣)

ㄴ WildGrills) Ah. Right. But because of the trade restriction, I can only give it to you after lunch.

ㄴ PassingDwarf) Ah fuck, I forgot. That mod bastard.

ㄴ DontAbandonTheHero) ?

ㄴ PassingDwarf) I'm talking about the previous previous previous previous moderator who set restrictions and ran away.

ㄴ lmaooooo

ㄴ He sobers up in the face of authority lol

Having chatted with the fixed nicks and anons, I sorted out my morning.

Breakfast was the smoked meat I made yesterday. It's salty, but the taste is excellent.

"Round Fluff, eat this."

"Kyuu!"

I bought Round Fluff a piece of meat of a suitable size from the auction house.

DizSpeed was also taken care of with Byeokgokdan, so only one thing remained: collecting Mature Mandrakes.

'I should go and come back quickly.'

I made rough preparations and then set off.

I didn't take DizSpeed with me. I wasn't going to catch the Golden Frog, so there was no particular need.

"Watch the house well while I'm away."

"..."

DizSpeed nodded as if he understood my word.

I can trust and leave things to DizSpeed.

'Round Fluff will probably sleep, right?'

I glanced at the cave and then set off again.

*****

Whether human or beast, a fragile baby has many things that need care.

Especially childcare is something all animals, regardless of species, find difficult.

So, what requires the most caution in childcare?

Healthy food? Protection? Or love?

All are correct, but the most important thing is one: never taking your eyes off the baby.

This is the alpha and omega because you can never predict what a baby might do.

Babies need to learn about the world, so they're innocent and full of curiosity. And curiosity carries with it countless risks.

The curiosity that one should naturally have as an animal sometimes brought danger.

"Kyuu."

Round Fluff, a fluffy ball of fur with impressive fuzzy hair, opened his eyes bright and round.

He should be napping as usual, but today, his eyes were wide awake.

Those wide-awake eyes were directed outside the cave.

Round Fluff felt curious looking at the outside world, which was much brighter than inside the cave.

Why is it so bright outside? What is out there?

Should I go out and see? Dad (Grills) isn't here anyway.

Although big brother (DizSpeed) was here, it didn't seem like he would bother.

"Kyuu."

With that, Round Fluff crawled slowly and clumsily toward the outside. He looked ready to leave the cave at any moment.

And DizSpeed watched that sight in real-time.

At first, he didn't think much of it, but then a sudden, unsettling feeling struck him.

Where is that little one going? The food source (Grills) isn't even here?

DizSpeed might be slow in action, but its thoughts weren't slow at all.

From the start, his mind was quick enough to snatch an arrow out of the air.

Swoosh—

Just before Round Fluff went outside, DizSpeed outstretched his arm.

A gesture meaning ‘Don't go out here’. Round Fluff stared straight at DizSpeed.

But Round Fluff was a baby. And at the very age when curiosity is most vigorous.

"Kyuuuuu."

"....."

Round Fluff cleanly ignored DizSpeed's gesture and passed by.

DizSpeed reacted slowly but surely to that behavior.

Thump—

His fierce claws latched onto Round Fluff's uniform.

Naturally, DizSpeed ended up being dragged along.

DizSpeed wiggled his body to avoid getting hurt.

"Kyu?"

"....."

Somehow, DizSpeed ended up on Round Fluff's back.

Round Fluff looked at DizSpeed with a puzzled expression, and then moved his legs.

An absurd yet adorable situation that occurred while Grills was away.

"Kyuu!"

"...."

Thus the bizarre adventure of Round Fluff and DizSpeed had begun.


|Note

Curious George thingy. Sooo adorable.

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