WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Got a Gallery in the Wild ◈

Chapter 60: Strange Adventure (2)

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

Post-traumatic stress disorder is mental suffering caused by experiencing something terrible.

The human body can recover from injuries if given enough time.

The mind, however, is much more fragile than the body.

Something trivial can inflict severe psychological trauma on someone.

What's more, there is no set method or time frame for healing mental wounds.

Some never even become scars and remain nothing but wounds.

“Ugh...”

I was no different. I rubbed my face.

The night the tiger attacked me. I dreamed about it.

It had only been a dream, but it felt far too vivid. The predator's piercing eyes and sharp fangs.

The moment it bit into my right shoulder, I jerked awake. The first thing I felt after waking was dampness.

Cold sweat had poured down me like rain because of the nightmare. I immediately checked my surroundings.

Thankfully, Wonmo and Fast Sloth were sleeping soundly. I tried to fall asleep again, but it wasn't easy.

I was scared that another predator like that tiger might attack at any moment. Of course, I slept poorly.

“Haah...”

Even after morning came, my head was still foggy. I rubbed my face again.

Using the Inner Energy Cultivation Method meant I could sleep less, not that I didn't need sleep at all.

Since I hadn't even met the minimum requirement, fatigue was bound to build up.

‘At least I can practice the cultivation method again...’

It could relieve physical fatigue, but could it relieve mental exhaustion? I didn't know.

After spacing out for a while, I looked around.

Wonmo and Fast Sloth were still deep in dreamland.

‘What an easy life.’

I didn't know about Fast Sloth, but I really envied Wonmo. He could sleep without a care in the world.

Still, there was no point wallowing like this. Once Wonmo grew up, he'd help with hunting too.

I shook my head and quietly entered the Gallery. I'd woken up so early that I hadn't checked the time.

‘It's only six.’

I usually woke up at eight. Today, I'd gotten up two hours early.

There was nothing I could do about it. That fucking dream had kept me tossing and turning.

It seemed better to practice the Inner Energy Cultivation Method during the extra time.

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

‘Slowly, just like she taught me...’

I closed my eyes and practiced the cultivation method. As always, I circulated the mana inside my body.

It should have eased my fatigue, but a certain memory kept tormenting me.

[ROOOAR!]

The desperate fight against the Saber-Toothed Tiger in the dead of night.

Its massive frame, towering far above me. Its huge forepaws. Its sharp fangs.

The images kept flashing through my head, disrupting my concentration. I couldn't focus at all.

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

“...”

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

How could I solve this? After thinking it over, I let out a sigh.

‘I'll have to ask Heavenly Demon.’

I thought I should seek advice from Heavenly Demon or SwordTasteMaster.

By the time I entered the Gallery, it was already six-thirty.

‘At six-thirty... she must be up by now, right?’

I knew old people tended to wake early. Still, wouldn't it be rude to message her now?

Then I snorted.

This was the Gallery, after all.

The notification wouldn't reach her immediately, so it wasn't like I was bothering her. I was just leaving a message.

[You]: Heavenly Demon, are you there?

[You]: If you are, please message me.

[Heavenly Demon]: This lady is always waiting.

[Heavenly Demon]: You woke early today.

She replied the instant I sent the message.

Surely she hadn't been on the Gallery all night. The suspicion crossed my mind.

Or maybe the timing was just good. Maybe she'd woken early and entered the Gallery.

I put aside my uneasiness and brought up what had been weighing on me.

[You]: Actually, something's been bothering me.

[You]: I wanted to ask Heavenly Demon for advice.

[Heavenly Demon]: You wish to consult this lady? It sounds like quite a serious matter.

[You]: It's not that serious.

[You]: It's just that I lose focus whenever I practice the Inner Energy Cultivation Method.

[Heavenly Demon]: You lose focus... Have you fallen prey to a Heart Demon?

[You]: Not to that extent.

[You]: What happened was...

I explained everything to Heavenly Demon in detail.

I'd had a nightmare about the Saber-Toothed Tiger attacking me, which made me sleep poorly.

Losing sleep was one thing, but the memory came back every time I practiced the cultivation method.

I tried to ignore it, but I couldn't calm down, and so on.

It felt better to speak honestly.

Still, feeling better and solving the problem were separate matters. I quietly waited for Heavenly Demon's answer.

[Heavenly Demon]: I understand what happened.

[Heavenly Demon]: This lady went through something similar once.

[Heavenly Demon]: Whenever that memory returns, does your heart race and cold sweat run down your body?

[You]: Huh! Yes! That's right!

I hadn't mentioned that part, but Heavenly Demon immediately identified the symptoms.

An expert was an expert. My trust in Heavenly Demon shot up.

[Heavenly Demon]: Not only your mind, but your body vividly remembers what happened then.

[Heavenly Demon]: The fear of death has been engraved upon it.

[You]: That's pretty abstract.

[You]: Is there no solution?

[Heavenly Demon]: Wounds to the mind, the ‘mind’ in body and mind, are difficult to heal.

[Heavenly Demon]: There is no choice but to overcome them rather than recover from them.

So I just had to put in loooots of effort. I let out an empty laugh at Heavenly Demon's answer.

I'd expected it to some degree, but hearing even an expert say that felt hollow.

It didn't mean anyone was incompetent. It meant healing mental wounds was just that difficult.

[You]: That's hard.

[You]: How did you overcome it, Heavenly Demon?

[Heavenly Demon]: This lady gritted her teeth, defeated that being, and overcame it.

[Heavenly Demon]: Did you not already defeat the Saber-Toothed Tiger?

[You]: I did. But since it attacked in the middle of the night, I keep thinking about it.

[Heavenly Demon]: Then remember how you defeated the tiger.

[Heavenly Demon]: Imagine yourself standing tall after bringing it down.

[Heavenly Demon]: That should make you feel more at ease.

[You]: Thank you for the advice.

[Heavenly Demon]: It would also be a good solution to recite the mnemonic verses this lady taught you while imagining it.

Heavenly Demon had taught me how to overcome it rather than recover from it. That was real advice.

I thanked her and did as she said.

‘The tiger attacked me, but cover that memory with the memory of defeating the bastard.’

The Saber-Toothed Tiger had certainly been strong. Without Fast Sloth's help, I would have died countless times.

But I defeated it. After countless hardships and trials, I had defeated the mountain lord.

We had both collapsed, but I was still alive.

And the Saber-Toothed Tiger had left behind its hide and meat, becoming excellent food.

The wild wasn't a place where the strong survived.

Those who survived were strong.

‘And finally, if I recite the mnemonic verses Heavenly Demon taught me...’

I calmed my body and mind while reciting the mnemonic verses Heavenly Demon had taught me.

I pictured myself standing proudly with my foot on the Saber-Toothed Tiger's back.

Thump! Thump, thump...

My wildly pounding heart gradually settled, and the mana in my body steadied as well.

Before I knew it, both my body and mind had grown calm.

“...”

After a while, I slowly opened my eyes.

My eyes, which had been tired from sleeping poorly, now felt completely refreshed.

Not only did my eyes feel refreshed, all my exhaustion had vanished.

I felt as refreshed as if I'd woken from a deep sleep.

I smiled at the indescribable feeling of freshness.

‘As expected of Heavenly Demon. She's someone I can trust.’

My respect for her continued to grow.

I immediately entered the Gallery to thank Heavenly Demon.

‘What? Two hours have already passed?’

It had felt like an instant, but time had flown by.

I was startled by the feeling that I'd lost all sense of time, but only for a moment. Then I messaged Heavenly Demon.

[You]: Heavenly Demon, thank you so much. Thanks to you, I feel refreshed in both body and mind.

[Heavenly Demon]: It seems to have worked.

[Heavenly Demon]: Remember this.

[Heavenly Demon]: No matter how strong your opponent may be, it is the one left standing in the end who can reach the heavens.

[You]: I'll remember that.

[You]: I'll take those words to heart.

[Heavenly Demon]: This lady cannot hide her joy at your growth.

[Heavenly Demon]: I hope you soon reach the same heights as this lady.

[You]: I'll work toward that.

Of course, simply working hard wouldn't be enough. Heavenly Demon was far stronger than I was.

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

‘There's no downside to becoming stronger.’

Strength was essential in the wild, where all kinds of dangers lurked.

With my body and mind much more refreshed than before, I headed outside.

A cooler breeze than yesterday greeted me.

‘The weather's nice too.’

Perfect weather for exploring. I immediately made a post.

[Post title] Mighty fine morning, if you ask me!

[Author] Wild Grylls

[Post] I'm Wild Grylls! Day 7 begins!

└ [SwordTasteMaster]: Always such an energetic post. Nothing happened last night, right?

└ [Wild Grylls]: I lost some sleep because of a nightmare, but I'm okay.

└ [SwordTasteMaster]: A nightmare?

└ [Wild Grylls]: Yeah. I dreamed a tiger attacked me. I'm fine now.

└ [SwordTasteMaster]: I'm glad you're okay. Keep getting stronger today so you can marry me soon.

└ [Wild Grylls]: Teacher?

└ [Heavenly Demon]: Hahaha. My sides hurt.

└ [SwordTasteMaster]: What's with the mocking? I'm serious, you know?

└ [Heavenly Demon]: Hahahahaha.

└ [SwordTasteMaster]: -_-;;

└ [AllHailTheSun]: You're up. I'll request a trade in a bit, so accept it. I'm giving you one hell of a shield.

└ [Wild Grylls]: Thank you. Want an Adult Mandrake in return?

└ [AllHailTheSun]: Just give me one. This time, I'll give it to my son.

└ [Wild Grylls]: You have a son?

└ [AllHailTheSun]: Kid, I'm a Dark Elf over five hundred years old.

└ [Wild Grylls]: Oh, I see. Please wait a bit. I'll give it to you right away.

└ [Passing Dwarf]: Hey. What about my snacks to go with my drinks? You're giving them to me today, right?

└ [Wild Grylls]: I said I'll give them to you, so don't worry. I'll head out right after I get the shield.

└ [Passing Dwarf]: Okay.

└ [Wild Grylls]: But don't tell me you're trying to drink this early in the morning?

└ [Passing Dwarf]: Why not?

└ [Wild Grylls]: You'll wreck your liver, you bastard;;

└ Leave them alone. Dwarves are the kind of bastards who'd drink even with jaundice.

└ Yeah, true. That's why their average lifespan is about the same as humans lol.

└ Didn't they say their life expectancy was 150 years?

└ Probably around that. But they die around sixty-five because of their livers.

└ Alcohol probably flows through their veins instead of blood;;

└ [Wild Grylls]: Oh, right. I can only give it to you after lunch because of the trade restriction.

└ [Passing Dwarf]: Ah, fuck. I forgot about that. That Head Mod bastard.

└ [DontAbandonTheHero]: ?

└ [Passing Dwarf]: I meant the Head Mod from four terms ago who put the restriction in place and ran away.

└ Hahahahahaha

└ Look how fast you come to your senses in front of power lol.

After chatting with the registered users and Anonymous Users, I took care of breakfast.

Breakfast was the smoked meat I'd made yesterday. It was salty, but tasted excellent.

“Wonmo, eat this.”

“Kyuu!”

For Wonmo, I bought a properly sized piece of meat from the Auction House.

Fast Sloth had taken care of its hunger with a Fasting Pill, so only one thing remained: gathering Adult Mandrakes.

‘I should get back quickly.’

After making some rough preparations, I set off.

I didn't bring Fast Sloth. I wasn't going to catch Golden Frogs, so there was no need.

“Guard the house well while I'm gone.”

“...”

Fast Sloth nodded as if it understood what I said.

I could trust Fast Sloth with this.

‘Wonmo will probably sleep, right?’

I glanced at the cave, then continued walking.

* * *

Whether human or animal, fragile babies required attention in many areas.

Raising children was difficult for every species.

Then what was the most important thing to watch out for when raising a baby?

Healthy food? Protection? Love?

All of those were right, but the most important thing was this: never take your eyes off the baby.

That was the alpha and omega of it, because nobody could predict what a baby might do.

Babies had to learn about the world, so they were innocent and curious. And curiosity came with countless dangers.

The curiosity any animal naturally possessed could sometimes bring danger.

“Kyuu.”

Wonmo, a fluffy little ball of fur, opened his bright eyes.

Normally, he should have been taking a nap, but today he was wide awake.

Those alert eyes were directed outside the cave.

Wonmo was curious as he looked at the world beyond, much brighter than the cave.

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

Should he go have a look? Papa Grylls wasn't here anyway.

Although his older brother, Fast Sloth, was here, it didn't seem likely to get in his way.

“Kyuu.”

Wonmo crawled toward the outside. He looked ready to leave the cave at any second.

Fast Sloth watched the whole thing happen in real time.

At first, it didn't think much of it, but soon it got a bad feeling.

Where's that little guy going? The meal ticket, Grylls, isn't even here.

Fast Sloth's movements were slow, but its thoughts weren't.

After all, its mind was quick enough to snatch arrows out of the air.

Swoosh-

Just before Wonmo could leave, Fast Sloth stretched out an arm.

It was telling him not to go outside. Wonmo stared intently at Fast Sloth.

But Wonmo was a baby. And he was at the age when curiosity ran wild.

“Kyuuuu.”

“...”

Wonmo completely ignored Fast Sloth's warning and passed by.

Fast Sloth reacted, slowly but surely, as it watched him go.

Grab-

Its vicious claws caught on Wonmo's jersey.

Naturally, Fast Sloth was dragged along behind him.

To avoid getting hurt, Fast Sloth wiggled its body around.

“Kyuu?”

“...”

Somehow, Fast Sloth had ended up riding on Wonmo's back.

Wonmo looked at Fast Sloth in confusion, then moved his legs.

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

“Kyuu!”

“...”

Wonmo and Fast Sloth's strange adventure had begun.

Footnotes:

Might and Magic VI: “Mighty fine morning, if you ask me!” references the Korean Waldo-speech meme.

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