The World Is Vast (1)
Thanks to Cheonma's "explanation" that wasn't really an explanation, the users came to a realization.
Title: Whether it's the real Cheonma or Sub-Mod Cheonma, who cares~ We just tease her as the flawless mod anyway~
ㄴSame as before, just curse at Cheonma, right?
ㄴYeah, cursing the real Cheonma or fake Sub-Mod Cheonma, it's all the same lol
ㄴWhat if it's the real Cheonma? What can she do to you lololol
ㄴShe could ban you?
ㄴOh shit
ㄴPower's power, whether in reality or the Gallery lol. Real or fake Cheonma, doesn't matter. Just roast her mercilessly like always.
Of course, Cheonma was a high-nick with a steel mentality that shrugged off most insults or provocations. The users concluded by strictly(?) separating reality from the Gallery.
She almost got me too for a second. That's the veteran savvy you show at times like this.
Cheonma was a long-time high-nick Gallery user. Her speech might be old-school, but that experience didn't fade. Hadn't I boldly cursed her out first when I nearly got scammed? In the Gallery, where raw desire disguised as honesty was the baseline, it was the right move.
Just look at how the Blood Cult's freaking out.
I glanced at Cheonma's post, whose recommendations were climbing in real-time, then scrolled down. Further back, everyone was losing it over her explanation post. I was curious about the Blood Cult's reaction, but sadly, it was hard to pick out posts in the chaos. Even if Blood Cult-related ones popped up, there was no telling if they were legit.
If there's another weirdo like Gold Medal, they'll post again eventually.
Until then, I'd just do my thing. Leave the outside world to the outside. I fiddled with the Gallery a bit more, then quietly closed it...
Title: Taking advantage of the chaos (pic of a female elf with an amazing body) tossing in a meme...
...but first, gotta save it. I glanced around sneakily, saved the pic, and closed the Gallery. Time to get back to work. Kkobong had been sawing away diligently, so now to shape them up.
Once this is done, time to build the bridge?
It had been two whole days since Kkobong "joined the company." He'd proven to be an outstanding worker with insane efficiency. Even with his mana suppressed, his baseline physical prowess made him a beast at manual labor. What I thought would take days for the logs? Done in under three.
"Kkobong. Now we're gonna make a bridge with these. You get what I'm saying?"
"…."
"I'll assume you do. Here, check this out."
Logs done meant bridge time. I explained the Da Vinci bridge structure to Kkobong and showed him my prototype. Honestly, it was simple enough to grasp just by looking—no words needed. Kkobong being a gorilla was a concern, but he was smart enough to learn human speech.
"If you get it, build one yourself."
I handed him branches for practice and instructed him. Kkobong pushed up his glasses, then slowly stacked them following my lead. He fumbled at first, then got the hang of it. Soon, he finished way faster than my first try.
"Tsu-wara."
"Oh…."
He showed off the completed bridge with a "done" grunt. Looked perfect—he totally got it. Satisfying.
"Roughly got it? Now we'll build this on the river."
"…."
"The river's up there. Where I get fish. You know it?"
If yes, grab the logs and head up. I said that and moved the logs with Kkobong. Anyone who's lifted logs knows: wood is heavy as hell on its own. Even sawn and planed down, it's still wood. My limit was multiple at once thanks to eels and mana.
Kkobong… guy's strength is no joke.
But Kkobong, mana-sealed and bare-handed, hauled about as many as me. I knew his base class was top-tier, but better than eel-boosted me? Surviving the Four Seasons Forest must've jacked his specs. Being a gorilla helped too.
We hauled most logs near the river and scouted spots. Narrowest, weakest current, ideally. I'd measured width beforehand for the logs, but better safe.
Man, the mountain across the river today.
A cliff-visible one too. Beyond the precipice, misty clouds shrouded more peaks. Spectacular, but no desire to go. Finish quick and done.
But first, check for golden frogs.
I dipped my hand in the river. Normally, frogs would scatter. None did. Weather's warmed up ages ago—still hibernating? Or moved? Either way, great for me. I told Kkobong to start building and stacked logs methodically.
"No, not there—here."
"Uh?"
"Yeah, yeah. There. Put it there."
Kkobong nailed my instructions, speeding things up. Alone? Days minimum. That's why the Wall Valley Pills.
Forest critters went nuts for them like chocolate.
"Let's see… length… one more weave and done. Coming together."
"Hoo."
"Hang in there even if annoying. Eat this for a snack break."
And the bridge was complete. But finishing and relocating were separate. Grip ends together, drag across.
Better tie myself with rope just in case.
Strong current meant accident prep essential. I tied rope tight to a tree, gripped an end, and inched across. Kkobong secured it firm to avoid collapse.
Should've roped every joint? Or poured some cement.
Why do these ideas come late? I sighed inwardly but kept balance to the other side. Dwarf boots' grip prevented slips.
"Hooah!"
Anchored on the far bank, I dashed back. Da Vinci bridge complete. Planks on top and done. Simple design but load-bearing specialized—minimal work. With cement, it could be a real bridge.
Title: Bridge Complete! YasaengGrill (pic of Da Vinci bridge linking to far riverbank) Collab with Kkobong. Planks on top and finished. Outside folks, you're always welcome. Cross this heavenly bridge to me!
ㄴCheonma: Feels more like a bridge to hell than heaven. Am I the only one?
ㄴSwordTasteStar: Surprisingly, I felt the same.
ㄴPassingDwarf: Surprisingly well-built? That gorilla works good?
ㄴYasaengGrill: Yup, suuuuuper good lololol Might promote from worker to assistant later.
ㄴPassingDwarf: Why not make swords together? lol
ㄴYasaengGrill: Possible?
ㄴPassingDwarf: Can't explain, figure it out. Hammer 'em roughly or whatever.
PassingDwarf explained blacksmithing's tough solo. Need "master craftsman" title for solo tools. Before that, always teams of 2+.
One day, maybe.
Not urgent, so just advice. If self-making tools, pickaxe first. Plus, no comms meant forever.
Gotta teach Kkobong speech.
As thought earlier, no-talk frustration was killer. If dumb beast, fine—but he could talk, so worse. Plan was monologue till he got it...
Too competent for just labor.
Last three days proved Kkobong's talent. Wasted on grunt work. Blood Demon didn't teach him martial arts for nothing. Not genius learning ten from one, but nailed the one solid. In a world of duds, prime material.
"Alright, Kkobong. Look at me."
"?"
"For smooth life ahead, I need to know your issues. Means talking."
Said "issues," spotted suppressor collar. Guilt? Please. He tried killing me first. Zero remorse, I spoke.
"Heard what I said? Say any word back."
"…."
Wonder if he got it, but try. Mixed words with gestures. He nodded, got it. Thought long, then...
"Shix."
"…?"
"Ooh. Xbal."
"Hey, hold up."
Flavorful curse. Shocked. Of all words, why that? Strong emphasis? Foreign lang learning starts with swears, sure. And I'd grumbled curses plenty.
"Why learn that? No other words?"
"Kkobong."
"That's your name. When I ask, answer 'yes.' Got it?"
Start with polite. Soon after...
"Xkka."
"You crazy monkey shit. When'd you learn that?"
"You."
"Gonna lose my mind, for real."
Long road ahead. Too long.
*****
Around when Grill started teaching Kkobong Korean, the Gallery and Jungwon were in uproar over Blood Cult matters. Cheonma "happened" to kill an elder, but their activity resumed. Old gens trembled remembering past might; young ones got wary. Especially Gold Medal's power—untouchable even for elders. Lucky Cheonma killed him; consensus: more like him out there.
ㄴJust have Cheonma kill 'em all?
ㄴWhat's Ma-gyo's excuse to step in? This was about imposters using her name.
ㄴHonestly, Ma-gyo best stay out. She marked her turf.
ㄴMa-gyo neutral only cuz Cheonma. Murim Alliance screwed.
ㄴMurim Alliance ain't what it was... way weaker than before.
ㄴ무림맹구 (Murim Losers)...
ㄴ무림맹구 lolololol
ㄴCheck the vibe lololol
Cheonma's fame skyrocketed, Blood Cult wariness too. Meanwhile, Blood Cultists gathered at the "holy site" Gold Medal mentioned...
"We must make that black gorilla the successor!"
"Ridiculous! How, with his whole troop? Better the white one!"
"No way a gorilla as successor..."
"Shut it! We're serious!"
"…."
Were holding an impromptu gorilla Olympics.