Treasure (1)
Olfather) Aragon! My loins are stirring at this footage. To think the mythical sky whale actually exists...!
YasaengGrill) What myth is that? I don't know much about myths...
Olfather) Back when the gods descended to the mortal realm, it was a creature that purified the energies of sky and earth. They say it cleanses tainted mana.
YasaengGrill) That whale was sucking up bugs though. Are bugs its main food?
Olfather) Oho! It ate bugs? I've gained new knowledge. The myths say it feeds on mana.
What kind of place is the Four Seasons Forest? Are other mythical beasts gonna show up now too?
For example?
Girlfriend?
Ten lololololol
Even funnier without the drip lolol
Why's girlfriend a legendary beast? lololol
So you have a girlfriend? Blocked.
Elolollol
Look at that instant reaction lolol
The sky whale footage was having a bigger impact than I'd imagined. Olfather was openly thrilled, and people were doubting their own eyes more than calling it a joke. To me, it was just "wow, all sorts of weird animals here," but apparently not for folks in this world. Kinda like if I'd found a unicorn back on Earth—a creature from legends.
YasaengGrill) Quick question: Do mammals here ever lay eggs?
Olfather) Heh heh. What amusing nonsense. If such a beast existed, it would shake the foundations of academia. Ah, but the sky whale's already doing that.
Would've been wilder if you'd said mammals have beaks lol
Didn't Grills say his world had long-necked animals? lolol
Where's this guy from, some fantasy land?
Even the fantasy world of Ornerugri denies ducks' existence.
It might not have been discovered yet, or maybe it straight-up doesn't exist. No giraffes in this world, so a few animals from my knowledge missing ain't weird.
Bwooooooo—
The sky whale's cry echoed through the Four Seasons Forest. Hearing a whale sing from the sky, not the sea... what a bizarre situation.
Thud—
That's when it happened. Something falling from the retreating sky whale's rear. The object from its tail plummeted to the ground. Accounting for perspective, it was pretty far, but not unreachable. I watched the sky whale fade into the distance, then a question popped into my head, so I asked Olfather.
YasaengGrill) By the way, no mentions of the sky whale in that journal?
Olfather) None. It mentioned odd noises from the sky now and then, but trees blocked the view. Could be an omen.
YasaengGrill) Ah, yeah. That spot was right up against the jungle—big trees everywhere. Anything else?
Olfather) Nothing noteworthy. Talking gorillas are mythical in their own right, if you think about it.
YasaengGrill) Ah.
Now that you mention it, yeah?
Talking gorilla... like Sun Wukong from the Journey to the West?
Sun Wukong's an ape, not a gorilla. He has a tail.
Then Blood Demon's Tripitaka? lol
Next we'll get talking pig people lolol
Wrapping up sky whale talk, I planned my next moves. With the whale sucking up the bug swarm and leaving, visibility was clear. No bugs sticking to me meant I could get back to normal life.
'Seasonal plagues hit at the start of each one, and the sky whale handles it? That tracks.'
Going through each season's onset taught me: the beginnings make any activity impossible. Winter brings blizzards, spring pollen storms, summer bug swarms. No clue on fall yet, but probably the mildest.
'Got some active time now—make it count.'
Looking up, the sky glowed an intense blue. But summer means one thing: endless rainy season. I'd cram in as much as possible before it hit.
'First up, find what the sky whale dropped.'
I knew the rough direction. Issues: no idea what it was, and other animals might want it too. Better go prepared. Perfect timing—Kkobong was over his bug bites. StarlightPrincess's remedy worked wonders; I'd use it often.
'Icon Merchant House is keeping the repellent stocked too.'
The sold-out repellent? Icon Merchant House promised steady supplies publicly, which felt iffy, but certifications checked out. Other merchants sent sponsorships after, untested but... whatever, use 'em usefully.
'Gotta try that fishing rod soon.'
Most intriguing: a fishing rod. Guessing from my fish feasts, a fishing merchant sent one. Solid rep, and this rod was top-tier pricey—like Earth's luxury gear. Even a fishing noob like me could tell it was fancy; had to test it. Wanted a trap pot, but maybe they figured I'd wear it out fast.
"Kyuuuuk. Kyuueeuk."
"Easy, Wonmo. Hold still. Bugs might be out there."
I slathered repellent on Wonmo thoroughly. Her sharp nose hated the stench—she thrashed, but she's just a cub. Next, Ppareumbo and Kkobong, prepping to head out.
'Rain might hit midway—stash what needs stashing.'
Summer rains come anytime. Gut feeling from experience. Finished precautions, headed where the sky whale vanished: not riverward, but deeper forest. Near the Oriharukon Cave. Scout around there, should find it—or give up if not.
Tsutsutsutsuk—
"Hm?"
No interruptions, smooth sailing—until. Summer bugs? Normal. Including ants. Meaning: a massive ant column marching somewhere. Documentary-level scene. Steady single file, no breaks.
'Direction matches... follow 'em?'
Dunno what they found, but worth checking. Close enough direction—maybe sky whale loot, or something else big. This horde size screams extraordinary.
'Repellent works on them too.'
Crept close; ants parted quietly. Wonmo pouted—wanted to snack. No no, Wonmo. Calmed her, followed the ants.
Tsutsutsutsuk!
I recoiled at the terrifying ant sea. No exaggeration—they blanketed the whole area. Step in? Not chewed for fun—stripped to skeleton.
Forest's true apex ain't tiger or wolf: ants. Numbers crush strength. Even me—I couldn't imagine stepping there.
'What's that?'
Before the ants' target. They covered everything—except one spot. What they hauled. Clear view of it.
'Golden... rock?'
Shiny golden rock. Looked rarer than gold. Why ants hauling it? Worth inspecting. Trusted repellent, approached.
Tsuzuzuzuk!
Ants scattered as I neared. Got a close look. Sweet aroma wafted up—explains the ants.
'Sky whale make this?'
Dunno, but subspatial backpack it went. Ants bolted once it vanished.
Shashashak!
Lightning retreat—like drilled troops. Without repellent in summer... nightmare. Absurd they maintain numbers with shifting seasons. Joke's on—true apex predator? Wilds favor survivors, not strongest.
"Sniff sniff. Already stinks."
Handled it for backpack—hands reeked. Feel? Not great. Thought rock, but slimy, sticky. Identity more intriguing now. Ask Olfather or StarlightPrincess.
Back at shelter, didn't pull it out—ants might swarm. Good I snapped pics. Posted right away.
Title: Found Something Weird
YasaengGrill (Rough pic of ants hauling golden rock)
Sky whale dropped something weird, so I went there. Ant swarm moving too. Snagged what they hauled. Key trait: pleasant sweet scent.
Will ask what it is, decide then.
Cheonma) Shinier than gold. Pretty.
SwordTasteStar) From a sky whale? Looks insanely rare.
Beyond rare—world would freak if it got out;
Sky whale's mythical; from it? lolol
What even is it? Whale gold poop?
Turns out it's shit? lol
So gross lolol
SunForever) Can I have it? Scented—perfume potential?
YasaengGrill) Bugs'd swarm. You cool?
SunForever) Desert bugs? lol Scorpions/spiders max.
YasaengGrill) Those sound worse;; Will think after ID'ing.
SunForever) Big too—any scraps possible?
YasaengGrill) After checking.
Olfather) Heh heh. Just calmed down, now stirring again.
Old man's twitching lots lately;
High blood pressure stroke incoming? lolol
SaryeongSul-eun Sarang-ida) At his age, not impossible.
You can't even twitch lol
SaryeongSul-eun Sarang-ida) Shut it, you worm!!!
lolollol Freaking out
Better than no reaction lolol
StarlightPrincess) Outside now—can't check.
YasaengGrill) Any guesses?
StarlightPrincess) From sky whale? Only dragon musk comes to mind. Barely know sky whales?
YasaengGrill) Got it.
Ended up asking Olfather. He agreed eagerly, took a sample for study. We settled on a small chunk—didn't wanna risk bug swarms giving the whole thing.
Soon, Olfather dropped a bombshell.
Olfather) It's poop, though?
YasaengGrill) ...Pardon?
Olfather) Poop. Whale poop.
Stunned by "poop"—momentarily.
Olfather) Heh heh heh heh heh. This old man... truly blessed. Knowing sky whales exist is one thing—holding their poop! You see all kinda wonders living long.
Olfather ascended to paradise.