Spring (1)
I didn't take the stamina mushroom Appa Raccoon gave me to the auction house. It wasn't that I didn't trust him. I just figured I needed an expert's opinion on whether its effects were legit and safe for humans. Especially since it was a mushroom.
Ask StarlightPrincess?
Olfather was too busy to log into the Gallery much these days, so that was a pass. StarlightPrincess was my only option left.
Come to think of it, I'd asked her to analyze a mushroom before.
StarlightPrincess-nim, mind if I ask a favor?
StarlightPrincess: Sure. What is it?
Appa Raccoon gave me this mushroom. He says it's great for stamina, so I need to verify it. Mushrooms make me a bit nervous, you know?
StarlightPrincess: Got it. If it were an herb, it'd be different, but just send a small piece of the mushroom.
Understood. Oh, by the way, what about that mushroom I sent last time?
StarlightPrincess: I forgot to tell you! It was a poison mushroom. Full of stuff that's bad for humans.
I see. Thanks. Guess mushrooms advertised as "don't eat me~" are dangerous after all. Even plain-looking ones. Better not to eat random mushrooms.
StarlightPrincess: If the effects are real, I'd recommend selling it right away or using it soon.
Why?
StarlightPrincess: Mushrooms spoil fast. You could freeze it, but... planning to eat it?
No real use for it anyway, so I was just gonna sell it.
StarlightPrincess: I see. I'll check it out quick!
After that close call with the eel before, I figured it was best to steer clear of stamina boosters if possible. Outsiders might be fine, but I had no idea what it'd do to me. Plus, even if Appa Raccoon saw results, it might not work the same on humans.
Still, he gave it to me...
Maybe grill up that snake instead.
I grilled and ate the snake with the raccoon family. First time eating snake, but it was pretty decent. The texture was surprisingly good, and the taste was close to chicken. There was a bit of fishiness I hadn't felt before, but salt covered it right up.
"Keng!"
"Ki-ing! King!"
"Kki-ing."
The raccoon family seemed pleased when I sprinkled salt on the snake for them. They alternated between salted and unsalted bites at first, then only went for the salted ones. They'd probably never had salt sprinkled directly like this. If they helped me out in the future, they could have more of this. It was something like that—a show of what's possible.
The raccoons seemed to get it, holding out meat for more salt. So damn cute. I filled my belly with snake meat for lunch.
StarlightPrincess: Grills, results are in.
How is it?
StarlightPrincess: Looks like that raccoon really knows his stuff. Tons of components that are great for men. No toxicity at all.
So I can sell it?
StarlightPrincess: Yes. Whoever's wife takes it will be happy, that's for sure.
A bitter smile crossed my face. Whoever it was for, I envied them. Not just for eating this stuff, but for having someone to share it with. No matter how effective, you need someone to share it with, right?
I brushed off the bitterness, thanked StarlightPrincess, and messaged the high-nick I'd had in mind.
SunForever: You got something for me?
Yeah. You're the only one who came to mind.
SunForever: Looks edible. You ask that dwarf? He might pickle it in booze again.
Didn't ask, but yeah, probably, so I skipped it.
SunForever: Give it to the dwarf. I already got plenty from you.
But it's verified to be amazing for guys.
SunForever: How much you selling for?
SunForever can't resist anything good for the body. Especially stuff for men—he'd snap it up.
SunForever: Thanks. Hit me up if you need anything later.
Oh, can I do that now?
SunForever: Shoot.
You live in the desert, right, SunForever-nim?
SunForever: Yeah? Why?
Do you get sandstorms often there?
The dark elf land of the rich, Setan. Like the Middle East on Earth, built in the desert. Piecing together Gallery info, the culture and society seemed similar.
SunForever: Between spring and summer? Usually then. Yours coming too?
That's what I don't know. Any clothes or tips effective against sandstorms?
SunForever: Got masks good for sandstorms. But best to stay in if you can. They can hit unexpectedly.
Just preparing for if.
SunForever: Fair. How many?
Total of 6. One adult size, and 5 small ones.
SunForever: For your animal buddies? They probably don't need 'em.
Why not?
SunForever: They've lived there forever. Might just make 'em uncomfortable. Ever see that video of a dog in shoes?
Perfect analogy. I'd seen it. The dog looked awkward, front and back legs flailing separately. Dogs have paw pads anyway—no shoes needed. Same for animals in the Four Seasons Forest. Like Wonmo prepping for hibernation early, they'd adapt quick to surprises.
Plus, I've got Ppareumbo.
Wonmo's signs and Ppareumbo's warnings would be enough prep. I got one sandstorm mask from SunForever. Pure white, probably for the harsh desert sun.
Not sure if a sandstorm's really coming.
Even if not spring, one could hit. I'd seen the environment and terrain across the river change in real time. Worst case, a sandstorm from the other side crosses over.
Hope it doesn't erupt like a volcano during volcano season.
That'd be a clueless death. Kinda scary. But with ancient traces in this cave, that stuff probably doesn't happen often.
I spent the day prepping thoroughly for the changing seasons ahead.
"Kyuuu..."
"Oh! Wonmo, you're up?"
Wonmo, who'd been hibernating, woke up. Her sleepy face was adorable. She'd slimmed down a bit during her short nap—missed that chubby look. So I fed her right away. Some leftover snake meat. Wanted to buy a big hunk from auction, but fresh from sleep, better keep it light to avoid tummy trouble.
"Nom nom. Nom."
"Tasty?"
"Kyuu!"
After snake meat, Wonmo perked up. I hugged her tight and rolled around for the first time in ages. Just that warmed my heart.
"Wonmo, lemme introduce you to the neighbors."
"Kyuu?"
After some rolling, I decided to introduce her to the raccoon family. Still chilly, but weather warming. Wonmo shivered a bit but didn't flee to the cave.
"Here. Say hi. Raccoon family. This is Appa Raccoon, Eomma Raccoon, baby raccoon."
"Kyuuu?"
"Ke, keng!"
"Kki-ing..."
"......"
Despite my friendly intro, reactions split hard. Wonmo tilted her head in pure curiosity, but the raccoons were terrified. Appa Raccoon forced a greeting, but the others? No way. Even as a cub, Wonmo was a predator owl-bear. Cute looks hide ferocity. For snake-shaking raccoons, fear was natural.
Hope she doesn't see them as food.
If Wonmo attacked, I'd stop her instantly. Sorry raccoons, but might have to relocate them. For coexistence, no choice.
After greetings...
"Kyuuuuw! Kyuu!"
"Kki-ing! Ng!"
Wonmo gave baby raccoon rides around the yard, zooming happily. Food forgotten, thrilled at her new 'friend,' beaming innocently. Baby raccoon started scared but adapted quick.
Nice. Perfect.
Feed Wonmo well, no disasters. With neighbor intros done, I logged into the Gallery and posted.
Couldn't keep this cuteness to myself.
Wonmo Wakes Up
YasaengGrill
(Video of Wonmo running around with baby raccoon on her back)
Getting along great with the neighbors.
Should be fine from now on haha
└Cheonma: This calms the heart.
└ChangguPrincess: So cute~ haha
└StarlightPrincess: Hope we get more warm posts like this.
└Don't worry. If emergency, that raccoon'll be bonfire fuel lol
└Emergency rations lololol
└StarlightPrincess: What a bunch of trash.
Some emergency ration jokes, but mostly adored Wonmo and baby raccoon. Satisfied, I checked the time. Plenty till dinner.
Cardir said what exactly? Shit, more bait burning lololol
But if the Magic King said that, it's serious af right?
Saint Country's fucked;;
Quick scroll for summary and fun stuff. Cardir mentions? Clicked the concept post—on fire.
Why's Cardir coming up?
Magic King Cardir, Gallery celeb. Plus, SaryeongSul-eun Sarang-ida mentioned him to me recently. Hot bait, curiosity hooked.
Shit, more bait burning lololol
Cardir issued a statement and Saint Country pulls that shit? What happens?
└What'd he say?
└Cardir met Pope face-to-face. Pissed, leaked whole meeting record lolololol
└??? Possible?
Pope's place?
└Magic King;;
└Not Pope weak, Cardir's insanely OP
Quick summary
Cardir: Confess to God now.
Pope: Nah fuck off we got it.
Cardir: Worry about Saint Country's people, not God.
Pope: Peasants are pigs/dogs
Entry-only
└He really say that?
└No way lololol
└Pig/dog bit similar lololol
└Civil war incoming?
└No center, hard to say. If Hero was there...
Currently at Papal Palace
(Protest video)
(Protesters cursing video)
(Protesters throwing stones video)
(Paladins blocking video)
(Bard playing to hype protesters video)
└Everything else aside, bard's what the fuck? lolololol
└Why adventurers need bards lololol
└That music with bard hits different lololol
└Just watching pumps me up lolololol
Cardir tossed more fuel. Saint Country already chaos over Ludwig, now leaked minutes.
Pigs/dogs...
Everywhere, someone treats people like animals. I chuckled and logged off.
Best stay out for a bit.
By escape time, will it cool? Or whole country burning?
Who knows. Logged off, turned to yard.
"Kyuuuung!"
"Kkiiiiiing!!!"
Wonmo tossing and catching baby raccoon for fun. Death terror for the kid. Parents tried stopping her, no use.
"Hey! Park Wonmo! No!"
I rushed to stop her. Long road ahead.
*****
"Puluk."
"......"
Ludwig van Errolt still atop the giraffe. He stared blankly at the animal blocking his path.
"Puruk."
"Hm."
The blocker? A horse. Black-and-white striped—zebra.
Holy Knight on giraffe vs. zebra standoff. Bizarre as hell.
Dangerous one. Grasslands tattoo that stands out.
Tap tap—
Ludwig lightly tapped his legs. Giraffe stepped forward obediently.
Ludwig's bizarre adventure continued.